## **Friends of Lancaster Cemetery Annual Report and Accounts to 31.3.24** The Friends of Lancaster Cemetery (FLC) became a registered Community Interest Company (CIC) in June 2023. Working together with Lancaster City Council, the group's key aim is to improve the cemetery as a green space and community space for the local area. At the point of this report and covering the financial period 19/6/23 to 31/4/24 the group was in its establishment phase and setting the terms of reference for its future work. Whilst the trustees have aspirations for the charity project, working within the confines of local authority guidelines and given the sensitive nature of the space the charity operates in progress has been slower than anticipated. There is increasing awareness of the project and its aims and public interest in the history and heritage of Lancaster Cemetery. The friends group has been exploring opportunities for further awareness raising as part of its ongoing plans for developing community use of the space. As the trustee and membership group is still small and volunteer led, it is envisioned that elements of the project may take time to come to fruition. Income generation during the report period was minimal and centred on members subs and small scale grant funding. For the period, the group’s key achievements include: - Establishing FLC as a CIC: outlining aims as a group and membership structure / processes • Setting up a website and Facebook Page to promote the group and how the public can get involved. •Monthly members meetings to discuss actions and projects to benefit the cemetery - Monthly volunteer working parties to maintain the cemetery as a green space - Secured funding from the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund to support our activities - Participated in National Cemeteries Week, engaging with members of the public to increase awareness of volunteer opportunities at the cemetery. • Collaborations with [Lancaster Civic Society & War Graves Commission] to promote the cemetery as a green space: Going forward the friends group are committed to build on our existing work with the Council and carry forward new projects, including: 1 | P a g e • Work with Lancaster City Council to restore one of the Cemetery's three chapels into a functioning community / events space. •Establish a Heritage Group to highlight individual histories of those buried at the Cemetery, and to highlight its value as a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. •Work with Lancaster Green Spaces and other local conservation groups to run a 'Bio Blitz' weekend; collecting data on the Cemetery’s [biodiversity], while simultaneously engaging the local community in the space. •Work with the council to establish a 'Tree Trail', raising awareness of the different species at the Cemetery and what needs to be done to protect them. •Restore areas of the footpath around the cemetery to make it accessible to all. •Seek to provide education opportunities for local residents around the development, heritage and social aspects of the cemetery space. 2 | P a g e ## **Friends of Lancaster Cemetery** ## **Financial Report covering 19[th] June 2023 to 31[st] March 2024** This report has been compiled for the Charity Commission Annual Return by trustee Duncan Moore. ## **Report Notes:** For the period this report covers income for the group was low as it was a fledgling organisation. Fundraising and grant finding activity was minimal at this time as the group worked to establish itself and terms of reference. The group holds a bank account in its name at Lloyds Bank ## **Income** Membership fees 40.00 Donations 40.00 Grant funding 600.00 **Total income 680.00** ## **Expenditure** Insurances 44.80 National Body Membership 10.00 **Total expenditure 54.80 Reserves at hand 31/3/24 625.20** I hereby confirm that the report information, income, expenditure and cash in hand is a true and correct reflection of the operational and financial situation of the Friends of Lancaster Cemetery for the period 19/6/23 to 31/3/24. 3 | P a g e Signed Duncan Moore (Trustee) 29[th] January 2025 4 | P a g e