TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE PERIOD 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024
Charity Name: Crosstown Community Orchard Charity Registration Number: 1191549
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document
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To encourage for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and expansion of a community orchard in Knutsford and the preservation of their genetic biodiversity, landscape and heritage value.
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To advance the education of the public in horticulture and in particular but not exclusively orchard management skills.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
During 2024, we continued to maintain the orchard as a place for the local community, holding monthly work days with volunteers and holding pruning workshops. In April, we held our first grafting workshop with the Manchester Fruit Tree Coop.
We repeated our successful Wassail event in January, and our Summer BBQ in August followed by our Bat Walk and Moth Trapping event. We also held a successful bat walk and moth trapping event with Cheshire Wildlife Trust.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
We confirm the Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding the activities of the charity.
Crosstown Community Orchard Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549
www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk
ACHIVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole
The main achievements of the charity in the period were:
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a) We hosted summer and winter pruning workshops where volunteers learnt how to properly prune fruit trees
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b) We hosted a grafting workshop where attendees were taught fruit tree grafting
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c) We held three successful community events, our Wassail, BBQ and Bat Walk, to engage people in our work
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d) We continued to host regular volunteer workdays in the orchard to undertake general maintenance and improvement
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e) We again received ‘outstanding’ in the North West in Bloom “It’s Your Neighbourhood” awards
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f) We held two specific fundraising events: a stall at Picnic in the Park and a stall at the Christmas Market
The space continues to be used by the wider community.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period
The charity remains in a sound financial position. It continues to hold funds from earlier grants and the majority of its spending was from unrestricted funds. Our engagement events generated a slight surplus to contribute to our wider work.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held
The charity has no specific reserves policy, its unrestricted funds form its reserves.
Amount of reserves held
The charity holds unrestricted funds of £719
Other declarations
Crosstown Community Orchard Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549
www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk
No funds are materially in deficit.
The charity has no uncertainties about its continuation as a going concern.
Principal Sources of Funds
During the period a total of £2,919 was received.
During the year, £163 was generated through donations from workshops. A surplus of £465 was generated from fundraising events led by the charity in collaboration with other local organisations (note £95 is held pending transfer to Friends of the Heath). Donations at our main engagement events generated £870, which covered costs and created a surplus of £204.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Type of governing document
Constitution
How is the charity constituted?
Foundation model Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions
Trustees appoint up to six of the seven trustees. Knutsford Town Council appoints one trustee from its members.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity Name Crosstown Community Orchard Other name the charity uses None Charity Registration Number 1191549 Charity’s Principal Address Squirrel Brook, 68 Manor Park South, Knutsford, WA16 8AN
TRUSTEES WHO MANAGE THE CHARITY
Trustees at end of period
Crosstown Community Orchard Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549
www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk
Where no date of appointment is given, the trustee served the entire period.
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Adam Keppel-Green (Chair)
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Lyndsey Keppel-Green
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Joanna Moonan
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Laura Chandler
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Lesley Dalzell (from 13/04/2024)
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Malcolm Thomas
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Kevin Griffiths
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appointed by Knutsford Town Council.
Trustees serving during the period
Rex Mears (until 13/04/2024)
Other declarations
The charity has no corporate trustees. No trustees hold title to property belonging to the charity. No funds are held as custodian trustees on behalf of others.
EXEMPTIONS FROM DISCLOSURE
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details.
n/a
DECLARATIONS
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustee’s report above. Signed on behalf of the trustees on 30[th] September 2025.
Signature
Full Name Adam Keppel-Green Position Chairman
Crosstown Community Orchard Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549
www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk
CROSSTOWN COMMUNITY ORCHARD
Receipts and Payments 01/01/2024 to 31/12/2024
| Restricted | Unrestricted | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | ||
| RECEIPTS | |||
| Donations | - | 163 | 163 |
| Fundraising Income | - | 1,886 | 1,886 |
| Event Income | - | 870 | 870 |
| TOTAL | - | 2,919 |
2,919 |
| PAYMENTS | |||
| Administration | - | 184 | 184 |
| Horticultural Supplies | - | 130 | 130 |
| Workshops / Education Events | - | 675 | 675 |
| Fundraising Costs | - | 1,326 | 1,326 |
| Event Costs | 292 | 666 | 958 |
| TOTAL | 292 | 2,980 |
3,273 |
| NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) | (292) | (62) | (354) |
| Cash in Bank 01/01/2024 | 4,608 | 781 | £ 5,388.78 |
| Total Receipts | - | 2,919 | £ 2,918.50 |
| Total Payments | 292 | 2,980 | £ 3,272.50 |
| Cash in Bank 31/12/2024 | 4,316 | 719 | £ 5,034.78 |
Crosstown Community Orchard Squirrel Brook 68 Manor Park South Knutsford WA16 8AN
Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration: 1191549
www.crosstowncommunityorchard.org.uk