BALLYMENA GARDEN CLUB Northern Ireland Charity Number: 103451 TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 01 January ?022 to 31 December 2022 Contact address Mr Hugh Keery 30 Ballygarvey Road Ballymena Co Antrirn BT43 7HB c.hari trustees Mrs EliiAbeth Boyd, Mrs Adeline C,herry, Mrs Irene C,umming Bf.M, Mr IIugh Keery, Mrs Elma Floldstock, Mrs l.inda Kilpatrick, Mrs Paddy Lougvhridgye, Mrs Rosslind McGooki Mrs Anne Orr, Mrs Judith Orr, Mr Cecil Quinn (Ch¢iirman), Mrs Pamela Rcade, Mr lan Scroggy, Mrs (Jladys Smyth OBE. Trustees have had regard to the Commission's Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance when devisingy a programmc of activities which havc hclped to achieve the C lub's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries. Goverllin document 'rhe Club is governed by its Constitution &s adopted on 2. February 2009 by members in Annual tienernl Meetin&. Pur The Club is established to: l. Advance education and good practice in horticulture in Ballymena and the surrounding area (hereafter called the 'the area of benefit,) and to promote the improvement of horticulture by the holding of horticultural shows, competitions and meetingFs, l¢ctures, discussions and demonstrations" and 2. To provide facilities in the area of benefit to individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
Main activities in su ort of the Club's July: Visit to Dr Tricia & Dr Mike Colohan's garden in Ballycastle This was the first opportunity for members to meet as a group since the outbreak of COVID- 19 in March 2020. Members appreciated thc educational and social aspects of the visit. August: Visit to James Burnside, s garden in Upperlands As a floral art speaker. judge and demonstrator, James pointed out that the plants in his garden provide the material for his floral art work. October: Annual General Meeting followed by a talk "Japanese (Jardens" a talk by Ciaran Mulholland, a ILcturer at Greenmount College who contrasted the Japanese style of garden desigFn with the Western European style. A plant and book sale was well supported by attendees. November: "succession (iardening for a Year-round Cyarden"; a talk by Adrian Walsh who was "BBC. Gardener ofthe Year" in 2001. Adrian demonstrated by PowerPoint slides ot-his garden that, with some forethought, one could providc somcthingT of interest in every month of the year. December: Christmas social event held in Ballymena Bowling Club premises. A light supper was followed by musical items provided by the Loughridg7e family How COVID-19 has affected the o eration and activities of the Club Talcing into account thc agyc profile of members, no group mectings were organised in the wintcr and springy of 2022 due to thc prevalence of C()VID-19. 'fo keep mcmbers updated a Winter Newsletter was issued in Fcbruary 2022. AftLr a long break since the outbrLak ot" COVID-19 in March 20?0 we were uncertain as to the recovery ot membership. Given the agc profile of the membership it transpired that we lost a few senior mernbers during this period but were delighted to welcome nine ncw members. How activities have rovided a benefit to its beneficiaries (The beneficiaries are mcmbers of the Club and their friends, togyether with members of the general public who attend, read or hear about the Club's public events such as flower shows and public lectures.) The varied programme of activities has provided a range of educational and social benefits to members, their friends and the general public. The programme of talks in OLtober and November has enhanced members, horticultural knowledge which hopefully will translate into general environmental improvements in private and public spaces. Non-members may attend talks on payment of a small charge.
Meetings enable members to socialise with each other and with the public. This is especially important in a Club whcrc the majority of members are seniors, some of whom have mobility problems or who are socially isolated through lack of public transport or inability to drive. Publicity obtained through the local press and radio announcemcnts for the C,lub's events helps to raise the public profile of the Club. Club meTnbers utilise their horticultural knowledge to contribute as members or officials of Eocal cominunÉty groups. Club members occ&sionally are invited to speak on horticultural topics to community groups. The Club is represented on the Broughshane and District Community Association's committee through which it can intcract with the other 34 affiliated groups in the catchment area. It also participates along with other affiliated groups in community initÉatives and events. Private benefit incidental to ublic benefit There has bccn no private benefit incidental to the provision of public bcncfit. Review of the Club's financial osition as at 31st December 2022 As C;lub's accounts for the period demonstrate, sufficient reserves exist to meet anticipated regTular expenditure. No funds held by Ballymena Garden Club were materially in deticit at the end of the year. Ded Date i/ts/ Cecil Quinn (C.haimian) oj Flugh Keery (1 reasurer)