Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 January 2024 Period start date To
31 December 2024 Period end date
Charity name: Friends of Waterton’s Wall (FOWW)
Charity registration number: 1203426
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To preserve for the benefit of the people of Walton, Wakefield and the nation: the historic and architectural heritage of the wall and its immediate vicinity surrounding what was Charles Waterton’s nature reserve in Walton; and to educate the general public in the architecture, geography, natural and social history of the area of benefit. |
| 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 |
Education and awareness via: ● The Internet: website and social media; ● Emailed newsletters to >200 people; ● WordFest 2024; ● Literature eg FoWW Pamphlet revised; ● 8 talks to societies and groups including: launch of Wakefield District Heritage Framework, Wakefield Historical Society, We Are Wakefield and several others; ● 6 guided walks; ● Newspaper articles eg The Times, Guardian and others; ● Broadcast media ie ITV and BBC; ● Walton Parish Council newsletter; ● We Are Wakefield newsletter; ● Wakefield District Heritage newsletter. The Walton Parish Council newsletter has a potential reach of >3000. Our social media presence now includes FaceBook, LinkedIn and YouTube. Some posts have a reach in excess of 4000. These contribute to the educational element of our object. Articles in a wide range of newspapers, journals and magazines resulted in a national reach. There have been pieces on both BBC and ITV regional news bulletins. We have joined the business networking group ‘We Are Wakefield’. This has a membership of |
200 businesses from across West Yorkshire and has allowed us to make new connections as well as raise awareness of the charity and its object. There were in total >350 attendees at guided walks, talks and at WordFest 2024 Partnership work with ● Wakefield Metropolitan District Council; ● Waterton Park Hotel; ● Waterton Park Golf Club; ● Wakefield District Badger Group. These partnerships directly supported the charity’s object. Waterton Park Hotel ● Provided a venue for WordFest and talks enhancing public awareness of the wall’s historical significance and attracting new members and supporters. ● Collaborated on marketing efforts, promoting FoWW initiatives to their guests and clientele and their production of a leaflet of local walks. Wakefield District Badger Group ● Assisted with ecological appraisals of the wall’s surrounding area, identifying habitats and wildlife supported by the wall. ● Provided expert advice on conservation practices to ensure preservation efforts align with biodiversity needs. Wakefield Metropolitan District Council (WMDC) ● Supported FoWW in identifying wall ownership and facilitating access to the wall. ● Undertook tree felling and ground clearance in preparation for the lime mortar workshop. Waterton Park Golf Club ● Allowed access to portions of the wall on their property for surveys and site visits, contributing to the overall preservation planning process. ● Site access for the lime mortar workshop. ● Permitted access to areas of the parkland not normally permitted to the public e.g. the Grotto area. In 2024, Friends of Waterton’s Wall engaged diverse audiences through educational talks, guided walks, media coverage, and online platforms, fostering inclusivity and raising
| awareness of the wall’s heritage across varied communities. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees confirm that they have had due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. This consideration is integrated into our decision-making processes to ensure that our activities consistently align with our charitable objectives and deliver tangible benefits to the public. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | N/A |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment. |
Para 1.38 | The Trustees do not have a social investment policy and have no plans to make any social investments. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The time invested by volunteers (both Trustees and many others) has been considerable, for example: ● Research on history of the wall; ● Site meetings; ● Local information about wall ownership; ● Guided walks; ● Graphic design eg website; ● Photography; ● Advice on ecological matters; ● Financial; ● Administration of the charity; ● Attendance at lime mortar workshop. |
Achievements 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. |
Para 1.20 | Our efforts led to Historic England recognising the wall as a grade 2 listed building (March 2024) and the parkland as a grade 2 listed parkland and garden also in March 2024: bringing the wall and parkland to the attention of national and local media. In May we took part in Wakefield’s WordFest which enabled us to record oral history from attendees. During September we took part in the National Heritage week for the first time - bringing Waterton’s legacy to a wider audience. Also, in September we held a Lime Mortar workshop. Work started on the preservation of a section of wall - fundamental to our charitable object. 47 people have signed up to membership of the charity, in direct response to the awareness and marketing campaign of FoWW. |
|---|---|---|
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
||
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Education in the architecture, geography, natural and social history of the area of benefit is gathering momentum (see above) and is supported by correspondence from Sir David Attenborough. This was a notable achievement, leveraging his endorsement as a testament to the importance of FOWW’s work. |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We have raised £1,802 through public donations and £3,212.94 in grants and for services rendered from Wakefield Metropolitan District Council and Walton Parish Council. |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | As at 31st December 2024, there was £3,616 in the bank. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Amount of reservesheld | Para1.22 | Zero |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Funding is currently for day to day expenses, or for specific grant funded projects. No commitment is made without the required funds (including external grants) to for the work / project. We don’t have any capital projects for which a contingency is needed. |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
Explanation of any Para 1.23 uncertainties about the charity N/A 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 | Donations and grants |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | N/A |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | ● Capacity: Trustees are proactive and committed but time is a limited resource. ● Financial: lack of funds to carry out the charity’s object. Although we currently hold no reserves, growing membership, public donations, and grant funding provide a strong foundation for future growth. To address capacity and financial risks, the Trustees are actively working to recruit additional volunteers to support the charity’s activities and reduce reliance on limited resources. Efforts are also being made to identify and apply for further grants, leveraging existing partnerships and exploring new funding opportunities. Additionally, plans are underway to launch targeted fundraising campaigns, including community events and online initiatives, to ensure the sustainability of preservation and education projects. These strategies aim to secure the resources needed to achieve the charity’s objectives effectively. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Descriptionofcharity’s trusts: | N/A | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Trust Deed |
| How is the charity constituted? | Para 1.25 | CiO |
| 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 | Prospective Trustees are invited to apply either in person or from the newsletter circulated to our extensive list of contacts. Elected at a full Trustee meeting. Confirmed at an AGM. |
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 | Prospective Trustees are invited to attend and observe a meeting prior to applying. Successful applicants are invited to a ‘wall walk’ to learn about Charles Waterton and his wall. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | Trustees work in one (or more) of the four work areas: ● Development and Restoration ● 2026/Restoration/’Our Year’ ● Finances ● Administration |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | We enjoy good working relationships with The Waterton Park Hotel, Waterton Park Golf Club, Walton PC, WMDC. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Friends of Waterton’s Wall |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | N/A |
| Registered charity number | 1203426 |
| Charity’s principal address | ℅ 6 Oaklands Croft Walton Wakefield WF26LU |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) |
Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Katharine Ann Dews | Secretary | ||
| 2 | Dr Jonathan Gorst | Treasurer | 1stSeptember, 2024 | |
| 3 | Alexander Russell Moran |
|||
| 4 | Catherine Ann Nixon | |||
| 5 | John Thornton Smith | Chair | ||
| 6 | John Dennis Whitaker | |||
| 7 | Alison Buckler |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name N/A
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|
|---|---|---|
| **N/A ** |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in N/A this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are N/A held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such N/A assets from the charity’s own assets
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signed on behalf of | the charity’s trustees |
|---|---|
| Signature(s) Full name(s) |
|
| John Thornton Smith | |
| Position Date |
|
| Chair | |
| 11 February 2025 |
AGM 2025 Financial Statement
As at 1[st] January 2024, there was £3,313 in the bank.
| Income: | Expenditure: | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| General Public Donations | £1,802.00 | Website Hosting | £249.60 |
| Grants from WMDC | £2,962.94 | We are Wakefield | £45.00 |
| Walton Parish Council | £250.00 | Lime Mortar Workshop | £959.30 |
| Working for Walton | £500.00 | Insurance | £373.30 |
| Other | £141.80 | Wall Workshop Film | £350.00 |
| Awnings | £1,226.95 | ||
| Ecological Study | £552.00 | ||
| Other | £1,566.90 | ||
| Total | £5,656.74 | Total | £5,353.05 |
As at 31[st] December 2024, there was £3,616 in the bank.
To preserve for the benefit of the people of Walton, Wakefield and the nation: the historic and architectural heritage of the wall and its immediate vicinity surrounding what was Charles Waterton’s nature reserve in Walton; and to educate the general public in the architecture, geography, natural and social history of the area.
Registered Charity Number: 1203426