2023-12-31-accounts - The Friends Of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park

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39th Annual Report of the Executive Committee for the period 1st January - 31st December 2023 and presented to the Annual General Meeting of the Friends on Sunday 7th April 2024.

The objective of the Friends remains as stated in the Constitution which is ‘to preserve and enhance, or assist in the preservation and enhancement of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Cornwall, for the benefit of the public, as a place of historical, botanical, horticultural, architectural and natural beauty.’ Your Executive Committee has had this objective as its goal and are pleased to place on record this report for the approval of members.

Executive Committee

Your Executive Committee entered into 2023 with the hope and expectation that whilst the problems of the past few years caused by the Covid pandemic were not totally behind us things were starting to get back to some sort of normality. The Committee structure with a membership of 12 whilst still 3 members short of a full Committee was sound and finances were in good order.

However at the Annual General Meeting in April five very experienced members of the Committee decided not to seek re-election leaving the posts of Chairman, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Editor to be filled. Your current Chairman would like to place on record on behalf of the membership his thanks and appreciation to Ged, Glen, Neil, Anne and Steve for their many years of service to the Friends and support for the Park.

This resulted in what could be described as a changing of the guard with Committee posts being filled as follows :-

Chairman - Alan Drummond Vice Chair - Ben Church Secretary - Janet Vosper Treasurer - Carol Drummond Membership Secretary - Shane Perry Members - Harry Vosper and Rozanne Griffiths-Woodcock

There being no other nominations or volunteers from the meeting the Committee was left with a membership of seven, less than half of a possible full Committee. In June, Jean Knight was unanimously co-opted onto the Committee bringing its total up to eight members.

The post of Membership Secretary which has been filled by Shane Perry is the contact point for members.

Unfortunately due to the fact that the required ability and capacity to manage the membership data base was not available within the new Committee structure this function of the Membership Secretary’s role has been outsourced.

Membership

Over the past few years through the pandemic like many other organisations membership sign ups have been sporadic and numbers lower than in previous years. However the Friends have seen somewhat of a resurgence and total membership at the end of 2023 exceeded 800 which is thought be the highest membership achieved since its formation in 1985.

Three hardcopies or electronic versions of the ‘Friends’ Journal per year. Free entry to the House and Earl’s Garden when the House is open to the public. 50% discount on entry to the House to persons accompanied by a member. Various discounts at retail outlets throughout the Park. 25% discount on personal bookings for a Segway experience. 10% discount on the purchase ofConcession Cards on the Creymll Ferry Reduction in the cost of Annual Parking Permits.

Volunteers

Although seeing a resurgence in membership the Friends like many other organisations are struggling to generate members who are prepared to undertake an active role in the activities of the Friends such as becoming a member of the Committee or volunteering at events. Much of our income is generated through events which we run and unless we are able to raise the volunteer base to ensure that such events can be run safely and to the standard which is expected such events will be in jeopardy.

Finances

The independently examined End of Year Statement shows that our finances remain in a very healthy state and it is pleasing to note that our administration costs have once again been kept well within the income derived from membership fees.

Many thanks are due to our Treasurer who in her report will explain the finer points of the financial statement.

Lambert Lodge

The Friends bookshop continues to be a very popular information point for visitors to the Park. Thanks to Anne and the help from around 20 volunteers the Lodge was open on 224 days throughout the year and raised over £6,200 towards funding projects around the Park.

For many visitors to the Park particularly those using the Cremyll ferry it is their first port of call where they can seek advice about what to do and where to go in the Park. In addition the bookshop element of the Lodge provides a very important income stream for the Friends and a good source of encouraging new membership.

As the Provisional Planning Permission for the Lodge was due to expire in early 2024 one of the last things to be done during this current year was to submit an application for Full Planning Permission the determination of which is expected in April 2024

Journal

Three excellent editions of the Journal were produced throughout the year the first by Neil and the subsequent two by Nigel who stepped in as our Editor in a none executive capacity after the AGM. Many thanks are due to both Neil and Nigel and to all those members who helped with the hand delivery of the Journal to properties in the Millbrook, Cawsand, Kingsand and Plymouth areas.

Events

Easter Egg Trail

Unfortunately due to last minute issues with car parking arrangements the planned Easter Egg Trail in the spring did not go ahead.

Halloween Trail

Similarly the Halloween Trail did not take place due to the lack of volunteers to organise and plan the event and to run it in a safe manner on the day.

Car Show

The major event of the year however did go ahead with great success. The Annual Classic Car Show and Summer Fayre which is held in conjunction with Cornwall Hospice Care was blessed with ideal weather conditions despite the stormy conditions of the previous day trying to disrupt all the planning of the previous days.

Over 700 classic cars were on show in the show field and numbers stalls, rides and entertainment stands were available in the Avenue. A conservative estimate is that approx 8,000 people attended the show and a good time was had by all.

Like all events of this nature we are very dependant on volunteers to ensure its success and pleased to say that despite early concerns almost 100 volunteers helped on the day with special thanks to the ATC (Saltash Branch) for their help on the day and HMS Raleigh Cadets for their help with the pre event set up.

Fireworks Championship

Once again the Friends assisted the Park staff with parking arrangements in the Deer Park for people wishing to view the Firework Championships from this vantage point. Many thanks to those members and friends who took a voluntary bucket collection on entry towards funding projects in the Park which raised over £2,000.

Cornish Yuletide Artisan Market

In December the Friends supported the traders at the Barrow Centre with a new event for the Park a Cornish Yuletide Artisan Market. The event which was held over two evenings comprised of craft and food stalls, music and entertainment and a surprise visit by the ever popular Lusty, Landy, Harry and Henry the Alpacas.

Christmas Tree Festival

The Friends annual entry into the Millbrook Church Christmas Tree Festival for 2023 had an ‘Art in the Park’ theme and highlighted the recent restoration of the statues of Athena and Diana which was funded by the Friends. Also displayed were artworks which had commissioned by the Friends to celebrate various significant anniversaries and important dates, including the most recent in appreciation for the long service of the late Queen Elizabeth ll.

Support for the Park

The Executive Committee continues to maintain a healthy and collaborative working relationship with the Park Management and staff. Regular meetings are held to discuss issues and priorities on how the Friends are able to support the Park for the benefit of its visitors.

During 2023 the Friends have supported the Park with projects such as funding the ever popular bedding plants, statutory repairs, play equipment, additional deer park fencing and a new Cornish hedge at the Barne Pool entrance to the formal gardens. Together totalling over £25,000

A large sum of our assets is still as it has been for a number of years being held in reserve for improvements to the Orangery toilets. Planning approval has been granted for these improvements and the practical construction work will is planned to be undertaken in early 2024.

Conclusion

In conclusion 2023 continued to be another good year with overall membership increasing to an all time high and finances continuing to flourish. However this hides the fact that the Friends are seriously short of active volunteers with an interest in helping at events or at an executive level on the Committee, failure to reverse this trend will have a serious affect on how the Friends are able to function.

There are a number of vacancies on the Executive Committee which ideally are required to be filled in order for it to operate is a competent and efficient manner.

The Committee looks forward to the challenges of making 2024 another successful year with hopefully greater input and participation from our membership.

Chair - Executive Committee

The Friends of Mt.Edgcumbe Country Park Registered Charity No. 295261 Treasurer's Report Year ending 31st. December 2023 These accounts have been prepared on a ReIPtS and Payments basis. The Trustees have prepared the accounts on a going concern basis as there are no uncertainties regarding the chartty's ability to continue. The chartty has no paid employees, and there were no transactions with related parties. No trustee expenses have been IncUrd.

The Friends of Mt. Edgcumbe Country Park Registered Chority No. 295261 Notes to accompany the Ststement of Financial Activities l. The charity does not have any endowment funds. 2. Membership income has increased from 2022 and 2021, as people return to the park after COVID 3. Donations include ad hoc donations, the cash collected from the boxes placed around the park and the donations through Amazon Smile and Just Giving. Donations have reduced as in 2022 a one off donation of £3K was received. Amounts received in 2023 were broadly at the same level as 2021. Amazon Smile donations have been discontinued by the company. 4. Event income accounted for came from the 2022 Car Show (£14,387.83) received in Jan and a raffle run at the Christmas Yuletime { £2491 event. Income from the 2023 Car Show is expected in early 2024 and will be recorded in the 2024 Accounts. 5. Sale of donated items is the money reiVed through the lodge. The lodge has been open more days this year, hence the increase in revenue. 6. The sale of goods relates to the Friends Walk l)ook and ML Edgcumbe Guide books. 7. Gift aid lateS to the amount of gift aid daimed back relating to memberships and donations. The amount accounted for he relates to 2022 membership and donations up to April 2023. The claim for 2023 will be submitted in Aprillmay 2024 and will be accounted for in the 2024 accounts. 8. The average balance in the deposit account is higher than in prior years, this alongside high interest rate has contributed to the higher interest ceiVed this year. 9. In 2020 MERMS was given £3.000 for a new locomotive and to buy track. It is intended that they will repay the Friends as and when they are able to generate sufficient income. To date they have paid £1700 10. Donations to the park paid for Bedding Plants - £3,SIXI, Statue repairs of £5,520, childn'S playground £8.CK)O, Deer fencing £6,000, Garden Wall £2000. 11. Other donations relate to Black Bee Charity { see 31 In the future any donations received in our donation boxes will be given direct to the charity I put in their box) and not recorded in these accounts 12. Event costs relate to the Car Show £120 for volunteer vouchers - these costs are expected to be reimbursed from event income. Easter Hunt - £20 for stamp Costs. Event cancelled due to parking IueS. Therefore no income Ceived. 13. Internal Projerts Costs consist of the Lodge Planning applicationl £298) Maintenan and upkeep of lodge and notice board (£1501 Queens Memorial Boulder { £204) Memorial tree ( £306) . Plans and Costings for Orangery Toilets{ £1925) 14. Journal - include Production of three journals and postsge costs. 15. Administration includes: Website, Email Accounts. Sum Up Fees and Misc. Expenses

The Friends of Mt. Edgcumbe Country Park Registered Charity No. 295261 Statement of Assets and Liabilities 2023 £s 2022 £s Further detai15 Fixed assets Lambert Lodge Painting by Meredith Hawes, on loan to Mt. Edgcumbe House Road signs, cones, trackway and other functional items 18,324 18,324 10,000 28,324 10,000 28,324 Note 16 Subtotsl Current Assets Santander eurrent account COIF Chartties deposit fund Cash 5,219 109.891 349 17,971 95,409 63 Note 17 Subtotsl 115,460 113A43 Less: Deferd income & liabilities Totsl Current Assets Totsl Flxed & CUrnt Assets 115.460 143.784 113,443 141.767 Accumulated Funds Balan broughtforward Revaluation of assets Plus surplusldeficit for year Totsl Funds 141,767 147.828 2.017 143,784 16.0611 141,767 16. These fixed assets have not been valued in 2023 17. Deposrt account analysis: Deposlt Atcount Brought forward Brought forward TransFer from current account Deposit account interest Totsl fvnds carried forward 95.409 10,0 4,482 109,891

The Friends of Mt. Edgcumbe Country Park Registered Churity No. 295261 ststement of Financial Artivities Unrestrlrte d Funds Restrlrted Funds Totsl Funds Prfor perlod Total Funds £s 2022 Further detslls £s £5 2023 £s Current Account & Petty Cash Income & endowments Note I Membership Bequest Donations 6,148 6,148 4,945 2,687 4,486 10,379 5,234 396 Note 2 981 981 Note 3 Events 14,677 6,234 191 14,677 6,234 191 Note 4 Sales of donated items Note 5 Sale of goods Gift Aid Note 6 738 738 815 Note 7 Deposit Account interest MERMS 4,482 912 4,482 912 910 Note 8 Note 9 Totsl 34363 34,363 30,640 Expenditure on: Restricted Fund expenditure Mount Edgcumbe Other donations {25,1201 {25,1201 (21 {1401 12,8831 {2.029) {1,575) 15971 132B46) 125.650} {1391 (5,6011 11,278} {1,831) (1,560) 1642} (36.701} Note 10 Note 11 Event costs 11401 12.8831 (2,029} (1.575} {5971 (32,346) Note 12 Internal Projects ournal Note 13 Note 14 Administration Note IS Insurance Total Net Surplus/(Defklt) funds 2,017 2.017 {6.0611

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS Friends of Mt Edgcumbe Charity Accounts Year Ending 3111212023 As Charity Trustees, you have prepared annual accounts for the year ending 31st December 2023 which do not require a full audit under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993. I have examined a selection of the income and expenditure entries on the Friends of Mt Edgcumbe Charity Account spreadsheet and can confirm that the income and expenditure figures give rise to the overall increase of £2,016.95 in the total bank accounts which stands at £115,459.90 as at the end of December 2023. From my observations I conclude that the records, to produce the accounts, have been kept in a diligent manner and that good use has been made of the deposit account to earn further income for the charity. No matter has come to my attention which gives me any cause for concem regarding the accuracy of these accounts. -[.1 LrJl¥ Michael Clay Dated FAAI, ACIC Qrt Ed, IAC, TEP (Retired)