## **PURSERS ORCHARD GROUP** ## **Trustees` Annual Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts** **For the year ended 31[st] March 2024** **Registered Charity Number: 1196889 Registered in England & Wales** 1 **Pursers Orchard Group** **The Trustees` Annual Report 31[st] March 2024** The Trustees are pleased to present their second annual report of the Pursers Orchard Group (“The Charity”) for the year ended 31[st] March 2024. ## **Reference and Administration Information** Registered charity number: 1196889 Principal administration address: c/o Brookend Ridge, Drake Street, Welland, Malvern WR13 6LN Gift Aid: The Charity is registered with HM Revenue and Customs ## **Constitution** The Charity is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation, and it is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission in England and Wales. ## **Trustees** The following have served as Trustees during the year. Michael Davies - Secretary Alan Gilbert Patsy Lowe Martin Harper ## **Recruitment of Trustees** Trustees may be any person 16 years or older. New Trustees are appointed at a formerly constituted meeting of Trustees. ## **Objectives and Activities** ## **Objectives and public benefit** The Charity`s objectives are: “The conservation and preservation of the flora and fauna of the Pursers Community Orchard, Welland, for the benefit of the public; the advancement of education of the public to celebrate the history and traditions of orchards; and to connect the community to its rural heritage”. 2 ## **Pursers Orchard Group** **The Trustees` Annual Report / continued 31st March 2024** ## **Objectives and public benefit / continued** The objectives will be achieved mainly through the following activities: - a) The restoration, conservation and enhancement of the community orchard, its infrastructure and its inventory of flora and fauna. - b) The organisation of activities to engage and involve members of the public in the use of the orchard as a community asset. - c) By working closely in association with the Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council who have shared interests in the charity`s objectives. The Trustees have due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in their decision making. ## **Activities** The Pursers Orchard freehold is owned by the Little Malvern and Welland Parish Council. Negotiations are ongoing in respect of establishing a formal lease agreement but pending this the Charity liaises with the Council to ensure that any activities are approved and supported by the Council. ## **Achievements** The Charity has continued to maintain and enhance the orchard, its stock of fruit trees and the diverse range of habitats and species that constitute the value of the asset as a biodiversity reservoir. Access for less able visitors has been enhanced by the construction of a new pedestrian access ramp linking directly to the highway/footway network, and a new wildlife pond has been created. It is estimated that more than 500 visitors have enjoyed the orchard during the year, many on several occasions, and they have expressed their delight with the vibrant community activities, with the tranquillity in quieter times and with the fruit that many have gathered. ## **Financial Review** The year in financial terms has been characterised by lower expenditure of the Charity`s funds on infrastructure and trees within the orchard, while the Parish Council provided materials for the construction of the pedestrian ramp and wildlife pond, with Charity volunteers carrying out the project management and physical labour. The Charity continued to work to promote its presence in the community leading to an increase in public donations. 3 ## **Pursers Orchard Group** ## **Receipts and Payment Account Year ended 31[st] March 2024** **2024 2023 £ £ Receipts:** Public donations 1,047 473 Jubilee tree donations - 275 Donation from Parish Council 398 - Set up grants - 3,000 Sundry sales of orchard produce - 206 Sundry Easter event - 70 ______ _____ Total receipts 1,445 4,024 _______ _______ **Payments:** Stakes, repairs and fencing 452 442 Jubilee tree purchases - 140 Signage and notice boards - 1,666 Event costs - 205 ______ ______ Total payments 452 2,453 _______ _______ **Surplus receipts over payments:** 993 1,571 Unrestricted funds: brought forward 1,102 - transfer from restricted 469 - _____ ______ carried forward 2,564 1,102 ______ ______ Restricted funds brought forward 469 - Transfer to unrestricted (469) - _____ ______ carried forward - 469 _______ _______ **Total funds to carry forward 2,564 1,571 _______ _______** Note: 1. During the previous year restricted funds of £2,275 were received of which £1,806 was expended leaving a balance of £469 which by agreement has been transferred into unrestricted funds. 2. During the current year two major events on behalf of the Parish Council, were held in the Orchard, the Jubilee celebration and a Wassail event. The surplus arising from the Wassail event was donated by the Parish Council to the Charity. 4 ## **Pursers Orchard Group** ## **Balance Sheet As at 31[st] March 2024** **2024 2023 £ £ Assets:** Cash funds: Bank balance - restricted - 469 unrestricted 1,408 160 Funds due from Parish Council 729 - Petty cash 427 942 _____ _____ **Total assets 2,564 1,571** _____ ______ **Funds of the Charity:** Restricted funds - 469 Unrestricted funds 2,564 1,102 ______ ______ **Total funds 2,564 1,571 _______ ______** Approved by the Trustees on 13[th] May 2024 and authorised to sign on their behalf by: Michael Davies – Secretary 21[st] May 2024 5