Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 23rd November 2023 To 22[nd] November 2024
Charity name: FRIENDS OF THE WESTWARD HO PARK
Charity registration number: 1192894
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote for the beneft of the inhabitants of, and visitors to Westward Ho! the provision of facilites for recreaton or other leisure tme occupaton of individuals who have need of such facilites by reason of their youth, age, infrmity or disablement, fnancial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving the conditon of life of the said inhabitants |
| 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. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Fundraising to help provide facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation. Working in conjunction with Northam Town Council (owners of Westward Ho! Park), to provide feedback to and from local community. Providing volunteering opportunities including, but not limited to, maintaining the flowerbeds and planting within the park. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The trustees have complied with their duty to have regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment We acknowledge the work of the gardening volunteers, who work with the local town Para 1.38
| Contribution made by volunteers |
council, and who maintain and effect the planting and upkeep of the flower beds and vegetable boxes within the park. The hours of the gardening volunteers are recorded regularly, so that they may be used in relation to match funding with regard to grant applications. In this year, unfortunately the record of the hours worked by the gardening volunteers is missing in part due to the sudden and unexpected death of the gardening volunteer co-ordinator in March 2024, only a couple of weeks after the death of his wife. Efforts to retrieve documents from their computer have been unsuccessful. The record of hours worked runs for the period from March – November totals 681.5 hours. The volunteers are also to be commended for their work at Northam May Fair, selling plants and promoting the charity. |
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|---|---|---|
| Other | The past year has been a more difficult one for the FOTWHOP volunteers as the Gardening Volunteers coordinator died suddenly and unexpectedly in March. We had other gardening volunteers already starting to take over some of his duties, but they too experienced health issues, preventing them from continuing in the role. We were able to recruit another member of the gardening volunteers to the co-ordinator role. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Para 1.20 | FOTWHOP members have continued to remain involved with Northam Town Council, ensuring that they are working together towards a common goal – this year has seen the newly refurbished tennis courts being well used by young and old alike, and the installation of a Changing Places toilet at the end of the pavilion. These projects have helped to attract more people to the park, and The Changing Places facility is the only one of its kind in the village, - the next nearest is on Northam Burrows, this is of great benefit to those with physical disability and their carers. We used some of the funds we hold to buy a good quality gazebo with custom printing and weights for the legs, so that we can be more visible at events – and less exposed to the elements. The 200 Club continues to thrive – with some 166 numbers allocated as of November 2024. This funding stream allows the charity to fund additional planting in the park. Members of the FOTWHOP committee attended Northam May Fair where they ran a plant stall, and also collected the subscriptions for the next 200 Club year (running from May |
2024 – April 2025). Given the sudden death of the Gardening Volunteer Coordinator in March 2024, the group were not prepared for the plant sale section of the May Fair at all; however, the group pulled out all the stops, and the family of the Coordinator allowed us to take many of his plants to sell. We sent out an appeal to the local community via social media (Facebook and email) asking for any plants that they would be willing to donate, and the plant stall did a roaring trade.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | The charity does not hold any investments. |
| Other | As Friends of the Westward Ho! Park (FOTWHOP) work closely with Northam Town Council, helping to shape the refurbishment of the park, much of work of the charity is guided by what the Town Council Park Committee needs and permits. The charity has a good working relationship with the local town council, which helps to ensure that Westward Ho! Park is an area that all members of the community, inhabitants of the wider local area, visitors and holidaymakers alike can use, and is an area that provides opportunities for all, and is shaped by the community. This past year has seen a change in the committee structure at Northam Town Council, resulting in the committee for Westward Ho! Park being amalgamated with other committees, and a new committee of Parks and Recreation being formed. The chair of FOTWHOP and the Volunteer Gardeners Coordinator are invited along to this committee – to present a report about how things are going, and to bring to light any issues that are faced. |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the period the charity had a balance of £9604.21 The income received was £3204.46, and the expenditure was £3635.21 Income sources are from the 200 Club, donations from individuals, online charitable donations such as Easyfundraising). The expenditure has been for planting for the park, and the winnings of the 200 Club, and payments for lottery licence and stalls at May Fair. As we were unable to complete the project of redesigning the sensory garde, we returned the grant money we had received from TDC. This year we received a donation following the death of one of the volunteer gardeners, and also benefited from having applied for Gift Aid. From the balance at the end of the reporting period, an amount of £415 is ringfenced to cover the future payouts of winnings from the 200 Club, which runs until 20thApril 2025. The charity also grants the volunteer gardeners a sum of £500 per year to spend on planting for the park. The financial position is sound, and the money held allows us to continue to support the refurbishment and regeneration of Westward Ho! Park. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The charity does not hold any reserves within a separate bank account. We ensure that there is sufficient money to cover the winnings for the 200 Club, and also to cover the amount given for planting in the park. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | The funds held by the charity are available for use in meeting the aims of the charity. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | No funds in deficit |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | There are no uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 |
In the year November 2023 – 2024 the main regular funding source has been the 200 Club. Grants are applied for when a specific project has been identified and acknowledged that it is within the remit and ability of the charity to fulfil / complete the project within a specified time frame. In the past year there have been no grants applied for. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal | Para 1.46 |
risks facing the charity Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Friends of the Westward Ho Park is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, governed by its constitution dated 22ndDecember 2020, and is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are selected by vote at the AGM. Members of the charity are invited to nominate trustees prior to the AGM, when they are informed about which trustee is retiring (as required by the constitution). Within the details about the AGM and the retiring trustee there is a statement from the retiring trustee regarding whether they are prepared to stand again as a trustee. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 |
|
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The charity has a committee to help organise and run fundraising and events. During the reporting period, two of the trustees were members of the committee. It is within the remit of the committee to coordinate the volunteers, including the volunteer gardeners. It is within the remit of the committee to ensure that any volunteering work carried out in the park is carried out within the rules set out by Northam Town Council for such work. The gardening volunteers have a Lead Gardening volunteer / Volunteer Gardener Coordinator who is a member of the committee. It is the job of the Lead Gardening volunteer to ensure that the details of the volunteers are shared with Northam Town Council so that they are covered by insurance, to keep a record of the hours worked by the gardening volunteers, to keep a record of any additional plants added to the park (so that the list can be updated), and to ensure that they liaise with the committee and Northam Town Council before engaging in any |
| gardening work that may be outside their remit / considered hazardous (e.g. use of powered tools, planting of trees) |
||
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Friends of the Westward Ho Park |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | FOTWHOP |
| Registered charity number | 1192894 |
| Charity’s principal address | 39 Nelson Road, Westward Ho!, Bideford, Devon EX39 1LQ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christine Hutchins | Chair | |||
| Ian Harrison | Treasurer | |||
| Caroline Baynton | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for Not applicable safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Christine Hutchins is a foster carer and Shared Lives carer and so public details of her phone number and address together with her name could put vulnerable young people and adults at risk
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Full name(s) Christine Margaret Hutchins Position (eg Secretary, Chair Chair, etc) Date 8[th] September 2025
Sheet2
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Accounts from 23rd November 2023 to 22nd November 2024
B/f 10,034.96
29/11/23 200 club s/o McGuirk 3.00 10,037.96
04/12/23 Gardening tools S M-J 363.72 9,674.24
200 club prize EJM 42.75 9,631.49
22/12/23 Donation P Allen 50.00 9,681.49
27/12/23 200 club prize L Pullen 21.75 9,659.74
200 club prize S McGuirk 43.50 9,616.24
Correction 21.75 21.75 9,616.24
200 club prize M J Mills 21.75 9,594.49
28/12/23 200 club s/o McGuirk 3.00 9,597.49
17/01/24 TDC lottery license 20.00 9,577.49
18/01/24 NTC mayfair stalls 36.00 9,541.49
22/01/24 200 club prize Lisa Price 21.75 9,519.74
200 club prizeD Mills 43.50 9,476.24
200 club W Farr 9.00 9,485.24
24/01/24 200 club P Prance 30.00 9,515.24
26/01/24 200 club J Fowler 15.00 9,530.24
29/01/24 200 club s/o McGuirk 3.00 9,533.24
13/02/24 Easy fundraising 26.58 9,559.82
!9/2/24 200 club H Brading 24.00 9,583.82
200 club T Rhodes s/o 3.00 9,586.82
200 club Mason s/o 3.00 9,589.82
21/02/24 200 club 1st prize DG Mills 51.00 9,538.82
200 club 2 [nd] Prize C Baynton 25.50 9,513.32
200 club prize M Costello 25.50 9,487.82
29/02/24 200 club s/o McGuirk 3.00 9,490.82
01/03/24 200 club s/o B Potts 2.00 9,492.82
05/03/24 Deposits ex S M-J 535.00 10,027.82
25/03/24 200 club 1st prize A Daw 51.25 9,976.57
02/04/24 200 club s/o mcGuirk 3.00 9,979.57
200 club s/o B Potts 2.00 9,981.57
22/04/24 200 club 1st prize c Baynton 51.50 9,930.07
200 club 2 [nd] prize M D Reid 25.75 9,904.32
200 club S M Mayson 12.00 9,916.32
200 club W farr 12.00 9,928.32
200 club L D Willis 12.00 9,940.32
200 club J Butcher 36.00 9,976.32
200 club Pearce 60.00 10,036.32
200 club K Hutchins 36.00 10,072.32
200 club J Webb 12.00 10,084.32
200 club A P Dexter 24.00 10,108.32
200 club T Clark 12.00 10,120.32
200 club K Heard 24.00 10,144.32
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Sheet2
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200 club J Grimsey 24.00 10,168.32
200 club C Hodson 34.25 10,202.57
200 club D Holmes 12.00 10,214.57
200 club C Baynton 120.00 10,334.57
200 club Bromhead 12.00 10,346.57
200 club Pullen 24.00 10,370.57
26/04/24 200 club Tony Gard 20.00 10,390.57
Shirley Little Sale of cards 20.00 10,410.57
Don J&A Crossman 6.00 10,416.57
Don anon 10.00 10,426.57
200 club E M-J 12.00 10,438.57
200 club I Harrison 24.00 10,462.57
29/04/24 200 club McGuirk so 3.00 10,465.57
200 club Carder 24.00 10,489.57
01/05/24 200 club Potts s/o 2.00 10,491.57
200 club Cunningham 24.00 10,515.57
200 club Fowler 36.00 10,551.57
200 club Prance 48.00 10,599.57
02/05/24 200 club Prince 24.00 10,623.57
200 club Robinson 24.00 10,647.57
03/05/24 200 club Carey 24.00 10,671.57
07/05/24 Harden 200 14.63 10,686.20
200 club Henden 24.00 10,710.20
200 club Bach 48.00 10,758.20
200 club Dark 24.00 10,782.20
200 club Cook 24.00 10,806.20
09/05/24 200 club Bruins 12.00 10,818.20
200 club Leather 24.00 10,842.20
10/05/24 200 club Grosch 24.00 10,866.20
13/05/24 200 club Doble 24.00 10,890.20
14/05/24 Easy fundraising 22.73 10,912.93
16/05/24 H Brading 108.00 11,020.93
200 club Reid 36.00 11,056.93
200 club Bass 24.00 11,080.93
21/05/24 Henden – plants – tfr 136.46 10,944.47
23/05/24 200 club prize Robinson 17.50 10,926.97
24/05/24 Gazebo via CMH 572.95 10,354.02
200 club Garside 24.00 10,378.02
200 club Poirhs 12.00 10,390.02
200 club Weston 12.00 10,402.02
200 club Rennie 12.00 10,414.02
200 club Little 48.00 10,462.02
200 club Smith 24.00 10,486.02
200 club Taylor 12.00 10,498.02
200 club Griffin 24.00 10,522.02
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Sheet2
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200 club Rhodes 12.00 10,534.02
200 club Laws 60.00 10,594.02
200 club Shurrock 24.00 10,618.02
200 club Lannington 12.00 10,630.02
200 club Cowel 12.00 10,642.02
200 club Langton 12.00 10,654.02
200 club Russell 24.00 10,678.02
200 club de Burton 36.00 10,714.02
200 club Green 12.00 10,726.02
200 club Woods 24.00 10,750.02
200 club Coe 26.00 10,776.02
200 club Crossman 25.00 10,801.02
200 club McCarthy 12.00 10,813.02
28/05/24 Mayfair 256.30 11,069.32
29/05/24 200 club McGuirk so 3.00 11,072.32
03/06/24 200 club Potts s/o 2.00 11,074.32
24/06/24 200 club prize McCaulay 17.75 11,056.57
200 club prize Fowler 7.75 11,048.82
01/07/24 200 club McGuirk so 3.00 11,051.82
200 club Potts s/o 2.00 11,053.82
29/07/24 200 club prize B Potts 18.37 11,035.45
200 club McGuirk so 3.00 11,038.45
01/08/24 200 club Potts s/o 2.00 11,040.45
06/08/24 HMRC gift aid reclaim 536.22 11,576.67
29/08/24 200 club prize D Cook 18.62 11,558.05
200 club McGuirk so 3.00 11,561.05
02/09/24 200 club Potts s/o 2.00 11,563.05
16/09/24 Refund TDC 1,765.89 9,797.16
23/09/24 200 club prize H Bromhead 18.62 9,778.54
25/09/24 200 club prize G Henden 18.62 9,759.92
30/09/24 200 club McGuirk so 3.00 9,762.92
01/10/24 200 club B Potts 2.00 9,764.92
29/10/24 200 club McGuirk so 3.00 9,767.92
01/11/24 200 club prize B Potts 2.00 9,769.92
12/11/24 B Potts plants 39.96 9,729.96
18/11/24 B Potts plants 94.25 9,635.71
20/11/24 W Farr 200 club 10.00 9,645.71
22/11/24 C Baynton 200 club prize 41.50 9,604.21
3,204.46 3,635.21
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