Dunkeld and Birnam Community Arboretum 2024 Annual Report
SCIO 049890
A tribute to Mike Silburn - Founder and Chairperson
At the start of 2024, the Chair of our Trustees, sadly passed away. A passionate advocate for the environment, with a relentless focus on the community of Birnam & Dunkeld and the valley and hills that surround us, heartfelt commitment was to create change for the bette was the driving force that led to the foundation of Dunkeld and Birnam Community Arboretum - our charity would not have existed without him.
A true visionary was full of creative and exciting ideas on how to make things happen in our precious big tree country. He was determined to try to prevent and help heal scars caused by any future dualling of the A9. He understood the importance of increasing the connection between community and trees, to help everyone learn more about tree species, habitat, and their relation to memory and story. was determined to reduce and remove the barriers that prevent people in our community from engaging with their big trees. It was clear to him that this could be done in interesting, participative, and creative ways. He understood that education and learning do not have to be dull; they can be playful and that very much suited playful personality and sense of humour. Biodiversity is a critical issue for us all in terms of the sustainability of our planet article in the Bridge about Birnam Wood and Birnam Hill is an example of how active he was in addressing this right up until the end of his life. (A copy of his article can be found under New Projects on our website; www.communityarboretum.scot ).
became an electric wheelchair user in the last 10 years of his life and through that had direct lived experience of the disabling attitudes, behaviours and infrastructure barriers that many people with health conditions and impairments in our community can experience. His insight and wide-ranging skills as a retired GP and deep knowledge of our community, made him a powerful champion for change. He understood the relationship between the health of our big trees, fragile environment and our community and the opportunities for each to heal the other. Like many others, daily he found novel ways to overcome practical barriers that people with health conditions and impairments like him face in accessing and enjoying the things others take for granted.
BIRNAM AND DUNKELD
COMMUNITY ARBORETUM
Our mission is to remove the barriers that prevent people in our local community in playing active roles in sustaining Dunkeld and Birnam as an area of exceptional trees,woods and biodiversity We will work with local organisations, funders and stakeholders to create new opportunities to
connect our diverse community to their arboretum through accessible pathways and inclusive activities have fun increasing biodiversity through exploring, learning, growing and planting heritage trees from local seeds inspire community creativity, support local artisans, traditional crafts and sustainable community enterprises www.communityarboretum.scot SCIO: 049890 www.bigtrees.scot
Our vision is Birnam and Dunkeld Community Arboretum will be more resilient, growing in size, status and significance as an area of exceptional trees and woods and biodiversity at the heart of Perth and Kinross: Birnam and Dunkeld Community Arboretum in the heart of “The cradle of Scottish Forestry Renaissance” * benefits everyone in our community and future generations by helping prevent climate change.
Come sit ‘neath the branches soe ree hee pire Toe a a, eet a a a af wi Ve * “fo ai of the old oak tree, ekea eeSe a siES“aoeee bie What will you find, Ps Tet ja Rm ges ea = Who might you see?
We will work in partnership with other organisations in ways which
enhance and improve our natural environment > support and strengthen the local economy >are accessible to local people and visitors alike
* Perth and Kinross Forest Strategy 2020-24
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2024 Achievments
Charity sustained and adapted to difficult circumstances.
Lease of path from National Trust progressed and construction design and planning application for Stanley Path completed.
Poetic community tree heretage / identification and tree growing from local seed activity continues.
Partnership working with local organisations, community council and trust secures funding for Train to Town active travel path and Station Road – Ongoing.
Partnership working with Dunkeld Archive, Birnam Book Festival enables Birnam Oak / Birnam Hill / Birnam Wood / Shakespeare project to progress.
Research and community engagement to improve accessibility to path to GP surgery continues.
VETS Waa st ‘Ice hair’, also known as ‘frost hair’ Mii> reafg. - —oePo: =e x » ie or ‘frost beard’ forms on dead wood, Abideth in a tree a story dost dwellmost commonly in broad leaf forests yy ae . s C Wen in northern latitudes. The fungus, To tell of Winter and of Spring oe. SS Kae: exidiopss effuse was identifiAnd so much more as well:d as iia Pie SS key to its formation. -* Excerpt from “A Tree Story” WIkipedia Donna Raini, Unknown Poet
Links with new organisations developed for example PAMIS
2 funding applications submitted and donations and match funding secured in principle.
Chair’s report:
2024 has been a challenging year, not only for Community Arboretum but also many of our members. Never has the healing potential of big trees been so important; nor felt precarious in the face of accelerating climate change and growing global conflict. But trees can be our teachers. As the photo on the left shows, even an apparent ‘dead’ tree hosts and enables a wide variety of life.
The Rowan opposite the Dunkeld and Birnam Co-working space is a testament to the resilience of our local trees; challenges, roots were significantly disrupted by the SGN gas pipe construction, but so far, it appears to have adapted and once again continues to nurture a wide rage of lichen, mosses and wild birds.
Like the Rowan tree, Community Arboretum has had to adapt to new challenges and we have learned a lot over the past 12 months. In 2025, we would like to continue to work hard with those living in the heart of our communities to understand their priorities and concerns when it comes to protecting our big heritage trees and the local environment.
‘A traditional function of an arboretum is to provide opportunities for educators, students, and the general public to identify plants and learn about their natural history.’ – Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Stanly Hill Path Construction Design Consultation ongoing
COMMUNITY ARBORETUM TRUSTEES
and her family settled back in Dunkeld in 2011 having lived here as a teen attending Breadalbane Academy. has been involved in local projects as an architect - Birnam Arts and Bruce Gardens - is on the Birnam Arts fabric committee, the A9 Core Group, is a director of the Dunkeld and Birnam Community Coworking space and a friend of the Dunkeld & Birnam Station. She is a keen mountain biker, swimmer and skier and loves the big tree landscapes of Highland Perthshire
and his family moved to the Dunkeld in 2011 when his daughters started at the local primary school. The family live in Strathbraan about 1 mile west of Trochry. has been involved in a wide variety of community activities: a Community Councillor; PH8 Covid Response coordinator; Development Trust Treasurer and Chair of the Sports Hub where he led the project on the recently completed Covered MUGA project. He is a keen hillwalker and skier with a keen interest in the environment and improving biodiversity
lives in Dunkeld near the Stanley Hill member of the Aberfeldy ‘Mens Shed’ and is an active volunteer in our Repair Café is keen to continue championing the accessabiity of paths, especially for wheelchair users, people with limited mobility and dog walkers. is skilled and experienced in reusing and repurposing wood that might otherwise be thrown away. favorait tree is shown on the left and is along the cathedral walk. —_
Since moving to Birnam with husband and her family in 2017, (Secutary) has been fascinated by the lichen abundant in our local woods and forests. When she heard about Community Arboretum she was keen to get involved. Once lockdown restrictions were lifted, agreed to be co opted by the Trustees to support the Board with SCIO governance, administration, activity development, help recruit new members and volunteers and develop ideas for inclusive engagement activities. has a degree in Outdoor Leadership and Environmental Management. He has been living and working in Dunkeld and Birnam for over 15workingyears.with a7 diversebringsyounga wealthpeopleof andknowledgeadults through outdoor activities. His expertise in Health and Safety and risk management will be helpful in to DBCAs future activities. has also recently signed up as a Community First | Responder.
First of Trees
‘This beautiful Cedar of Lebanon is located at the end of the Hermitage bridge – the bridge was built around this tree in 1774. I love the aged bark has greyed and almost taken on the appearance of the stone of the bridge and because of that many visitors don’t notice the tree. From paintings of the hall, to early photography you can follow the growth of the tree. It has an interesting’ What 3 Words: bearable /chimp/covenants
NTS 2024
Cedar of Lebanon – A very rare tree in a very special place.
‘Revered by civilisations for thousands of years, the Cedar of Lebanon is a rare wood with a natural lustre and distinctive, long-lasting odour. In biblical times, this ‘true cedar’ grew extensively all around the mountains of Lebanon, giving the cedar its name. After centuries of deforestation, there are now just a handful of groves remaining, most notably the Cedars of God, a UNESCO World Heritage site which is now under threat from climate change.’ ©Throrgood Timber Merchants
Use the three underlined words in the Haiku to help you find the tree. Haiku © DBCA Volunteer
Bearable stone bark erie” Fs - ~ re Ss a en Bridges a lonely chimp to age ee ~~We E~~ i ra Ancient covenants ne a nee en, Oe oy
2025 Priorities and objectives
Paths For All and National Lottery funded Stanly Hill path project progressed in partnership with National Trust and local community.
Improved accessibility of local heritage trees via the train station, town, recreation ground celebrated.
Continue to support progress of Dunkeld Archive, Birnam Book Festival enables Birnam Oak / Birnam Hill / Birnam Wood / Shakespeare project.
New volunteers recruited to assist with community volunteering priorities especially to expand accessible arts and poetry activities that celebrate local heritage trees.
Support community efforts to continue to improve accessibility of GP surgery, MUGA and Birnam Games field.
20 new expert advisors, members and trustees engaged and participate and 40 people in community 25% with mobility or accessibility needs take up activities.
Income generation opportunities researched and piloted in collaboration with local artisan, crafts and trades people and community enterprises to suport regenerative tourism goal.
Consult the community and stake-holderrs on potential for the Old Sycamore to be registered as a witness tree.
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Sustainability and Impact
Thank you to all our local partners, funders, supporters and volunteers ! Your connection to and care for our big trees and their biodiversity is our Community Arboretum
Community Volunteers NREi esPe” Oex Be YeTn ee F e ? a pe eo BE Hafan Members Se a Trustees Ae te era zi Experts : 3 ge CF Eee BS Sos. A oe e es Crafts & Trades oeee
2025 Regenerative Tourism Goal: collaborate with local charities and artisans/crafters to codesign and co create eco friendly Community Arboretum trademarked products and activities that help protect/preserve our big trees.
APPEt4EIA I Dunkeld and Birnam Cornrnu Section B Ststoment of balance5 Arboretum SC049890 Tundi p•O0ts B1 ¢?shfund& C4s ar baDk ol$Ufjrfof 9,90 f5 (IdefKII 10.(MIO Cash and bank bAta&Al•nd of yv4r 1Qfj 9.900 10.LW 10.000 tyt OotaS •r4r£ B2 knv05trts#tits WA LDsly4 B3 Qhof as$•t8 L411y• 64 LIaN1ft$ lJMliWTr BSC¢MingvntlL4bRths 51w•dty Dptttof JpprowBI ceCA2024tt4(QulJ.xhR, $11MInI0n D&LEvknr2007
APPENDIX 2
Dunkeld and Birnam Commuity Arboretum
SC049890
Additional analysis (1)
Analysis of receipts and payments
N/A
1 Donations
| Total | Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Expendable endowment funds to nearest £ |
Permanent endowment funds to nearest £ |
Permanent endowment funds to nearest £ |
Total current period to nearest £ |
Total current period to nearest £ |
Total last period to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | |||||||||
| - | ||||||||||
| - | ||||||||||
| - | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | 100 | |||||
| - |
2 Grants
| 2 Grants | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paths for All Design Grant Paths for All Construction Phase Total |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Total current period to nearest £ |
Total last period to nearest £ |
|||
| 13,125 | 13,125 | - | |||||
| 1,350 | 1,350 | - | |||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | 14,475 | 14,475 | 9,900 | ||||
3 Gross receipts from other charitable activities
| Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Expendable endowment funds to nearest £ |
Permanent endowment funds to nearest £ |
Permanent endowment funds to nearest £ |
Total current period to nearest £ |
Total current period to nearest £ |
Total last period to nearest £ |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refund from PKC for reducedplanningfees | 750 | 750 | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||||
| - | |||||||||||
| - | |||||||||||
| - | |||||||||||
| - | |||||||||||
| - | |||||||||||
| - | |||||||||||
| Total | - | 750 | - | - | 750 | 0 | |||||
| - | - |
4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities
| 4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities | 4 Payments relating directly to charitable activities | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethos Ltd Design Work PKCT Constructionplanning PKC Planning fee (gross exc refund). Reimbursed t Total |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ - - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ 11,275 2,700 1,250 15,225 - |
Expendable endowment funds to nearest £ |
Permanent endowment funds to nearest £ - - |
Total current period to nearest £ 11,275 2,700 1,250 - - - - - - - - 15,225 - |
Total last period to nearest £ |
|
| Ethos Ltd Design Work | |||||||
| PKCT Constructionplanning | |||||||
| PKC Planning fee (gross exc refund). Reimbursed t | |||||||
| - | - | 0 | |||||
| - | - |
DBCA 2024 Draft Accounts.xlsxAdditional notes (1)
December 2007
APPENDIX 2
Enter SC No. below
Enter charity name below
Dunkeld and Birnam Commuity Arboretum
SC049890
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period Period start date 1/1/2024 to Period end date 31/12/2024
Section A Statement of receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Expendable to nearest £ |
Expendable to nearest £ |
Permanent to nearest £ |
Total funds to nearest £ |
Total funds last to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Donations |
- - - - - - - |
- - 14,475 - - - - 750 |
- - - - - - - - |
- - - - - - - - |
- - 14,475 - - - - 750 - |
100 - 9,900 - - - - - |
|
| Legacies | |||||||
| Grants | |||||||
| Receipts from fundraising activities | |||||||
| Gross trading receipts | |||||||
| Income from investments other than land | |||||||
| Rents from land & buildings | |||||||
| Gross receipts from other charitable | |||||||
| A1 Sub total | - | 15,225 | - | - | 15,225 | 10,000 | |
| A2 Receipts from asset & investment | |||||||
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
|
| Proceeds from sale of investments | |||||||
| A2 Sub total | - - |
- 15,225 |
- | - - |
- 15,225 |
- | |
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||||
| 10,000 | |||||||
| Expenses for fundraising activities | - - - - - - - - - |
- - - 15,225 - - - - - - |
- - - - - - - - - - |
- - - - - - - - - - |
- - - 15,225 - - - - - - - |
- - - - - - - - - - |
|
| Gross trading payments | |||||||
| Investment management costs | |||||||
| Payments relating directly to charitable | |||||||
| Grants and donations | |||||||
| Governance costs: | |||||||
| Audit / independent examination | |||||||
| Preparation of annual accounts | |||||||
| Legal costs | |||||||
| Other | |||||||
| **A3 Sub total ** | - | 15,225 | - | - | 15,225 | - | |
| A4 Payments relating to asset and investment movements |
|||||||
| Purchases of fixed assets | - - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
- - |
|
| Purchase of investments | |||||||
| **A4 Sub total ** | - - - - - |
- 15,225 - - 0 |
- | - - - - - |
- 15,225 - - 0 |
- | |
| Total payments Net receipts / (payments) A5 Transfers to / (from) funds Surplus / (deficit) for year |
|||||||
| - | |||||||
| 10,000 | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | 10,000 |
APPENDIX 3
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Scottish Charity Regulator
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’ Independent examiner s report on the accounts V2
| Report to the trustees/members of |
Charity name Dunkeld & Birnam Community Arboretum |
|---|---|
| Registered charity | SC049890 |
| number | |
| On the accounts of the | Period start date Period end date |
| charity for the period | Day Month Year Day Month Year |
| 01 01 2024 to 31 12 2024 |
|
| Set out on pages | 1-3 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets) |
| Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner |
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity trustees |
| consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations | |
| does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section | |
| 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. | |
| Basis of independent examiner’s statement |
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the |
| charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes | |
| consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks | |
| explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken | |
| do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do | |
| not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. | |
| Independent examiner’s statement |
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention |
| 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the |
|
| requirements: | |
| • to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and |
|
| Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and | |
| • to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with |
|
| Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations | |
| or | |
| 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper | |
| understanding of the accounts to be reached. | |
| Signed | Date: 27thMay2025 |
| Name | |
| Relevant professiona | |
| qualification(s) or bod | |
| (if any) | |
| Address |
*Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. If the words do apply, set out those matters which have come to your attention on the following page.
APPENDIX 3
Disclosure section
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material problems.
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose