WHS OPEN SPACES Charity Number 1191950 Annual Report for 2020-21
Annual report
The purposes of WHS OPEN SPACES
The purpose of WHS OS is and has been this last year to: advance the outdoor education of pupils/adults at William Howard School, Brampton, the local Feeder Primary schools and the Brampton Community by providing animal handling/mini farm and horticultural experiences for the entire age range.
We work with children and adults of all backgrounds and ages to offer experience, learning and practical experience with: animal welfare, domestic and farm animal care, environment conservation, conservation of flora, fauna and environment generally. We sustain and develop biodiversity. We offer the community a recreational pastime and an open space for learning and relaxation.
How do we achieve this purpose?
WHS OS provide facilities and open spaces with education and advice on gardening, horticulture, biodiversity and animal care. Our setting is Brampton, North Cumbria, beside the school in an urban area bordering open land where the community can volunteer their time to get involved with these interests/activities.
The vegetable patch work – in this year we have successfully grown small quantities of vegetables: onions, garlic, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, broad and runner beans, spinach, chard and broccoli. This area has been used by children and adults from the community and also visited by children from the nearby feeder primary schools.
The soft fruit and orchard area- this year we have continued to grow with success in small quantities: strawberries, blackcurrants, peaches, apples, pears, plums, damsons and cherries. Whilst only the birds ate the cherries, the other fruit was taken by the community from the ‘Produce table’ for a donation only. The ‘Produce Table’ was visited by the local users and also some members of the community, who took produce leaving a small donation. This money went straight back into the charity use. This area was visited by the local community and by children from the nearby feeder primary schools.
flower beds and perennial border area was used by the community and was cared for by them. This area offered advice and learning on care, maintenance and variety of colour for the community. This area has been used by children and adults from the community and also visited by children from the nearby feeder primary schools.
In addition to the above area being used by the community, two annual events were also held to promote understanding and awareness of our charity. This was the Xmas Fayre in second week in December 2021 and the Summer Fayre in third week of July 2021. Children, parents, families, local community and Feeder Primary school children were invited to attend. They were able to see all area and to learn about the events and activities possible at WHS OPEN SPACES.
When is this achieved?
The use of the areas continued to be set as between 5-8 hours per week. In addition to this there were weekends and half days offered to the community in the school holiday periods. Two annual events of the Xmas and the Summer Fayres also added to the success of this achievement.
Prepared for WHS OPEN SPACES CHARITY by Elizabeth Brereton
WHS OPEN SPACES Charity Number 1191950 Annual Report for 2020-21
The purposes of weekly work
This weekly work is for the public benefit -in that weekly learning/information and advice in daily and weekly garden/horticultural chores and animal care is shared with those who get involved. They are taught good practice in particular skills for increased vegetable growing and self-sufficiency, for a healthier lifestyle and a greener future. Skills in composting and the three R’s of -reduce, re-use, recycle are encouraged.
The restrictions
We give information on the sheep, hens and ducks, but for safety we do not allow small children to go near the sheep or too close to the pond. The larger netted pond is in a gated area of the orchard.
Events
The Xmas Fayre in second week in December 2021 was an evening event that took place outside in the open air for only two hours. Children, parents, families, local community and Feeder Primary school children were invited to attend. Due to COVID restrictions, this was a very small event, where visitors were able to Tour the WHS OPEN SPACES area to find out about and to celebrate what we do and to see the animals and the horticulture/orchard areas. The students from William Howard School who were most regularly involved were tour guides. The students organised a small raffle. All proceeds were to be used by WHS OS. A Falconry Display by the Cumbria Falconry Centre was also organised and one falconer visited with 6 birds of prey, that flew in a small and controlled area entirely under the supervision of the falconer himself. Visitors learned about the life and habits of these birds and watched them in action. The display was 45 minutes- everyone was very interested and engaged. The young people involved with WHS OS organised a Charity Raffle.
The Summer Fayre in third week of July 2021 was an afternoon event that took place outside in the open air and once more offered guided tours of the WHS OPEN SPACES area, by the children involved to families, parents and interested members of the local community. There was an opportunity to celebrate the work and also refreshments were provided for a contribution to the charity. All proceeds are to go back into the work of the charity. The school choir performed for 15 minutes. Local residents and families/the community were able to learn about WHS OS and also to learn about Sustainable practices: Local residents involved in Sustainability organisations were present to offer information on how to live ‘more sustainably’. Representatives of Sustainable Brampton, Brampton2Zero, The John Muir Trust, Cumbria Waste The Co-operative with Fair Trade information and Rea-plenish a local group offering advice on how to re-use and recycle, were present to offer advice to the visitors on living more sustainably. A visit was made by a group of Primary school children from Longtown, with staff, to learn about what WHS OPEN SPACES do and to learn about sustainable practice. The children involved again organised a raffle.
A demonstration of sheep shearing was also put on by WHS OPEN SPACES on Tuesday July 4[th] , by one of the school staff, for youngsters to watch. This was only attended by those regular Tuesday afternoon youngsters. There are only four sheep in the flock and lambs- these four sheep were sheared and those interested learnt about how it is done and the reasons why it is done.
Britain In Bloom
WHS OPEN SPACES successfully enrolled and participated in Britain in Bloom, under the direct authority of Cumbria In Bloom. Three categories were entered: Hanging basket Displays/Container Gardening; Biodiversity and Woodland Copse. The judges awarded: Gold Award for Container
Prepared for WHS OPEN SPACES CHARITY by Elizabeth Brereton
WHS OPEN SPACES Charity Number 1191950 Annual Report for 2020-21
Gardening and Silver Gilt for both Biodiversity and Woodland Copse, commending us on the work that has been done and the involvement of the community.
Meetings
There were 4 meetings over the course of the year to coincide with the school term times. These meetings were in fact help electronically, due to Covid restrictions and also illness.
Persons involved:
The Trustees are listed as follows as individual Trustees
Mrs Elizabeth Ann Brereton
28 Beck Riggs
Brampton
Cumbria CA8 1AL
Email: ebrereton@williamhoward.cumbria.sch.uk
Mrs Susan Eugene Bouch
Langthwaite
Braodwath
Head’s Nook
Brampton
Cumbria Education Trust CA8 9EH
Email: bouch4@btinternet.com
Mrs Donna Kathleen Mary Allgrove
106 Upperby Road Carlilse Cumbria
CA2 4JL
Email: donna@allgrove.com Mrs Kathryn Ida Riley 13 Greencroft
Brampton Cumbria CA8 1AX
Email: kathriley1966@gmail.com
Prepared for WHS OPEN SPACES CHARITY by Elizabeth Brereton
WHS OPEN SPACES
ANNUAL RETURN JAN 2020- JAN 2022 OPENING BALANCE- £100 Income Free Masons’ funding £2000 Seasonal fayre/ produce table £325 Co-operative Fund £2600 Hand H Auction (lamb sale) £622
Total income £5547 Expenses Seeds and garden compost £100 Events preparation £50 Animal feed and repairs £575 Total expenses £725 Closing balance 4822