2024-12-31-accounts

Good afternoon, friends, and thank you for joining us. It’s wonderful to see you all here today, with long-time supporters and some newer faces.

I’d like to apologise for any confusion around the start time of today’s meeting. We’ve realised that some people received different times depending on whether they read the journal or the email/letter – that’s definitely something we’ll aim to avoid in future communications.

Before we go further, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the passing of our former Chair, Alan. His contribution to this park was on another level, and he left behind a legacy of dedication and park spirit like no other. He is greatly missed.

I would like to thank Carol, our treasurer, Alans wife. for your continued hard work and commitment to the Friends, especially through this difficult year.

I'd like to thank Janet vosper, our secretary. For all her hard work and dedication.

Harry, our vice chair, for his continuous support.

Rozanne, thank you for your community, volunteer, and event support. Generally keeping us all on our toes.

Shane Perry, our Membership Secretary, thank you. His hard work has produced a new online membership platform.. Shane will update us on that shortly.

Simon Huges, thank you for your support as a new committee member and your ongoing car show rally work..

Also, Maud, for joining us and your ongoing commitment.

This past year has brought challenges, none more unexpected than the fire in the Barrow Centre. It was a difficult time, but I want to thank the staff and wider community who pulled together so quickly. Their resilience and support have been truly inspiring and a testament to the strength of this place.

We’ve also seen encouraging progress across the park – improvements to the Orangery toilets supported by the friends, now giving year-round access to the public.

The restoration of the English Garden House roof, which is now completed. Again, supported by the Friends.

Ongoing work on our statues and historical features. Supported by the friends.

Businesses within the park continue to thrive and contribute to the vibrancy of this public space.

A huge thank you must go to Anne and Steve and volunteers for their fantastic work running the Book Shop. It continues to be a hub of activity and a quiet joy for so many visitors.

Events were especially successful last year. The Car Show had record numbers and fine weather, supported by so many of the public with fantastic feedback and both volunteers of the Friends of Mnt E and Cornwall Hospice had a wonderful time, working tirelessly to make the day happen.

The Easter Egg Trail and the Christmas Market were wonderful celebrations that drew large crowds and lots of positive feedback also. Thank you to everyone who helped make them happen.

On the more formal side, I’d like to mention that our key policy documents have been reviewed. No major changes are being proposed currently.

We’ve introduced a new membership system, which we believe will be a real improvement both for our members and our administration team. There are some additional costs involved, and again, Shane will update you shortly on how things are progressing.

Financially, we are in a healthy position – Carol will give a full report on this shortly.

Looking ahead for 2025 our 40th anniversary, we have some exciting plans for the year to come, and we’re keen to work closely with all our members, the Park’s management, and independent businesses to ensure your suggestions are heard and incorporated.

Thank you once again for being here today and for your ongoing support and commitment. Together, we continue to build something very special.

The Friends of Mt.Edgcumbe Country Park

Registered Charity No. 295261

Treasurer’s Report

Year ending 31st. December 2024

These accounts have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis. The Trustees have prepared the accounts on a going concern basis as there are no uncertainties regarding the charity’s ability to continue. The charity has no paid employees, and there were no transactions with related parties. No trustee expenses have been incurred.

The Friends of Mt. Edgcumbe Country Park

Registered Charity No. 295261

Statement of Financial Activities

	Unrestricte d Funds	Restricted Funds	Total Funds	Prior period Total Funds	Further details
	£s	£s	£s	£s
Current Account & Petty **Cash **	2024			2023
Income & endowments from:					Note 1
Membership	6,329		6,329	6,148	Note 2
Bequest	250		250	0	Note 3
Donations	540		540	981	Note 4
Events	17,394		17,394	14,677	Note 5
Sales of donated items	4,532		4,532	6,234	Note 6
Sale of goods	117		117	191	Note 7
Gift Aid	747		747	738	Note 8
Deposit Account interest	5,263		5,263	4,482	Note 9
MERMS	761		761	912	Note 10
Total	35,933	0	35,933	34,363
Expenditure on:
Restricted Fund expenditure	0			0
Mount Edgcumbe	(61,774)		(61,774)	(25,020)	Note 11
Other donations	0		0	(2)	Note 12
Event costs	(944)		(944)	(240)	Note 13
Internal Projects	(18)		(18)	(2,883)	Note 14
Journal	(1,835)		(1,835)	(1,661)	Note 15
Administration	(1,965)		(1,965)	(1,943)	Note 16
Insurance	(619)		(619)	(597)
Total	(67,156)	0	(67,156)	(32,346)
			0
Net Surplus/(Deficit) funds	(31,223)	0	(31,223)	2,017

The Friends of Mt. Edgcumbe Country Park

Registered Charity No. 295261

Notes to accompany to the Statement of Financial Activities

1. The charity does not have any endowment funds.

2. Membership income for 2024 is consistent with income from 2023.

3. The charity received one bequest in 2024 of £250.

4. Donations include ad hoc donations, the cash collected from goblets in the lodge and boxes placed around the park.

5. Event income accounted for came from the 2023 Car Show (£15,219) received in March, Easter Egg Trail (£661) , Fireworks ( £196 ) Christmas Fayre Tombola (£344) event. Income from the 2024 Car Show (£973) further income is expected in early 2025 and will be recorded in the 2025 Accounts.

6. Sale of donated items is the money received through the lodge. The lodge has been open fewer days this year, hence the decrease in revenue.

7. The sale of goods relates to the Friends Walk book and Mt. Edgcumbe Guide books.

8. Gift aid relates to the amount of gift aid claimed back relating to memberships and donations. The amount accounted for here relates to 2023 Membership and Donations up to April 2024. The claim for 2024 will be submitted in April/May 2025 and will be accounted for in the 2025 accounts.

9. The average balance in the deposit account is higher than in prior years, this alongside high interest rate has contributed to the higher interest received this year.

10. 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 . As at 31st Dec 24 they have repaid £2461 leaving £539 to repay.

11. Donations to the park paid for Front Lawn Planting( £2,000), Bedding Plants (£3,500) Orangery Plans (£ 6,273 ) and Orangery Toilets ( £50,000)

12. Other donations relate to Black Bee Charity. From 2024 any donations received in our donation boxes have been given direct to the charity ( put in their box) and not recorded in these accounts.

13. Event costs relate to the

14. a. Car Show ( £356 ) Paid out and later reimbursed.

15. b. Easter Egg Trail (£398 ) Profit on event therefore being - £263.

16. c. Fireworks (£190) Sum up payments. Reimbursed to park.

17. Internal Projects Costs - New key safe for lodge.

18. Journal - include Production of three journals and postage costs.

19. 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

	2024	2023	Further details
	£s	£s
Fixed assets
Lambert Lodge	18,324	18,324
Painting by Meredith Hawes, on loan to Mt. Edgcumbe House
Road signs, cones, trackway and other functional items	10,000	10,000	Note 17
Subtotal	28,324	28,324
Current Assets
Santander current account	8,692	5,219
COIF Charities deposit fund	75,154	109,891	Note 18
Cash	391	349
Subtotal	84,234	115,460
Less:
Deferred income & liabilities
Total Current Assets	84,234	115,460
Total Fixed & Current Assets	112,561	143,784
Accumulated Funds
Balance brought forward	143,784	141,767
Revaluation of assets
Plus surplus/deficit for year	(31,223)	2,017
Total Funds	112,561	143,784

1. These fixed assets have not been valued in 2024

2. Deposit account analysis:

Deposit Account	Brought forward
	£s
Brought forward	109,891
Transfer from current account	40,000
Deposit account interest	5,263
Total funds carried forward	75,154

INDEPENDENT EL4MINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS Friends of Mt Edgcumbe Charity Number 295261 Accounts Year Ending 3111212024 As Charity Trustees, you have prepared annual accounts for the year ending 31 st December 2024 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 have traced them to bank debits or credits can confirn] that the income and expenditure figures give rise to the overall decrease of £31,223 in the total fLmds of the Charity which now stands at £84,234 as at 31 st December 2024. From my observations I confinn that the records, to produce the Treasurer's Report and Accounts for the year ending 3 1st December 2024, have been kept in a diligent mawier with good use being made of bank interest for the Charity. The primary income is from "Events" amounting to £17,393.72 and the largest single expense was £61,773.80, being refurbishment of the toilets and planting at Mt F.dgcumbc Orangery. No matter has come to my attention which gives me any cause for concern regarding the accuracy of these accounts or over individual income and expenditure items. I note that the fixed assets remain at their previous value of £1 0,000 having not been revalued for 2024. 1 feel this is not a concern. Michael Clay FAAI, ACIC. Cert El IAC. TEP (Retired) Reg'n 2804 Dated 13 1 03 1 2025 Well Elouse Blacksione Road Ipplepen TQ125QN