BALLYMENA GARDEN CLUB Northern Ireland Charity Number: 103451 TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT 01 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 Contact address Mr Hugh Keery 30 Ballygarvey Road Ballymena Co Antrim BT43 7HB Cbari trustees Mrs Elizabeth Boyd, Mrs Adeline Cherry, Mrs Irene Cumming BEM, Mr Hugh Keery, Mrs Elma Holdstock, Miss Linda C.rawford, Mrs Paddy Loughridge, Mrs Rosslind McGookin, Mrs Anne Orr, Mrs Judith Orr, Mr Cecil Quinn (Chairn]an), Mrs Pamela Reade, Mr Ian Scroggy, Mrs Gladys Sm>th OBE. Trustees have had regard to the Commission's Public Benefit requirement statutory guidance when devising a programme of activities which have helped to achieve the Club's purposes and provide a benefit to the beneficiaries. Governin document The Club is governed by its Constitution as adopted on 2. February 2009 by members in Annual General Meeting. The Club is estsblished 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 horticultur shows, competitions and meetings, lectures, 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, infirniity 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 oses February: Annual General Meeting followed by horticultural quiz designed to help members to get to know each other. March: "Organic Gardening"" a talk by Nornian Rowe from Limavady where he works a small organic smallhoIding. April: 93, Annual Spring Show in Broughshane Community Centre. This is thL Club's major ev¢nt of thc y¢ar, open to members and the public for cxhibiting and for vi¢wing. lThere is an oUtrLgh to Women's Institutes and Schools who ar¢ ¢ncouraged to ¢xhibit. The Show acts as an ¢ducational and promotional vchicle for th¢ Club. May: Afternoon/cvcning visit to Dr¢nagh 14,State, I.imavady. Dr¢nagh Ilouse sits within an old I,000-acre ¢statL, surroundLd by beautiful gardens and parkland, in the vallcy of the rivLr Roe. July: Afternoonlevening visit to B¢cchmount IIouse Garden ncar Ballyclar¢, a large county garden on all sides of the hous¢ with hcrbac¢ous plants, mixed shrub borders and trees. IAwns and a large ¢lcvated rockLry offer stunning views of the suTh)unding Co. Antrim countyside. August: Day 'four by coach to Visit Tattykccl Ilousc (iarden, Omagh, a county gardcn of approximatcly 1 /2 acrcs created over a 30-year pLriod, plantL.d with conifLrs, shnibs, roses and p¢r¢nnials. October: "Antrim Castle Gardens" a talk by Caroline Cushenan, a club member, who works in the gardens. After outlining the history of the estate, Caroline described how the gardens were restored to their present state. November: "Flower Farniing" a talk by Angharad Maxwell who gave w) a Ca&$ aNHS physiotherapigtto agtabjish Hilltop Flowers wl)ich grows cut flowers cffwically for sale diw to the blic andto flori4 December: Christmas social event held in Ballymena Bowling c.lub premises. A light supper was followed by entertainrnent provided by Colin Urwin, storyteller and singer from Glenarm. eratlon and activities of the Club ost COVID-19 Given the age profile of the membership, it transpired that we lost a few senior members during this period through death or age-related problems. However, since opening up fully in July 2022 membership has increased to pre-COVID-19 numbers. How activities have rovided a benefit to its beneficiaries (The beneficiaries are members of the Club and their friends, together 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 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 and garden visits enable members to socialise with each other and with the public. This is especially important in a Club where the njority 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 for the Club's events obtained through the local press, radio announcements and Facebook help to raise the public profile of the Club. Club members utilise their horticultural knowledge to contribute as members or officials of local community groups. Club members occasionally 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 internct with the other 34 affiliated groups in the catchment area. It also participates along with other affiliated groups in community initiatives and events. Private benefit ineidental to ublic benefit There has been no private beThefit incidental to the provision of public benefit. Review of the Club's financial osition as at 31" December 2023 As C.lub's accounts for the period demonstrate, sufficient reserves exist to meet anticipated regular expenditure. No funds held by Ballymena Garden Club were materially in deficit at the end of the year. ned Date 202 Cecil Quinn (Chainnan) Hugh Ke ry (Treasur