## Newmachar and Kingseat Community Allotments ## Chairmans Report 2024 ## **1 Reappointment of Charity Trustees** was re-appointed to the role of Chair was re-appointed to the role of Secretary was reappointed to the role of Treasurer was re-appointed as a charity trustee ## **2 Chairman’s Report** This year we focussed on continued development of the Kitchen Garden at Disblair House, establishing the paths, communal planting area with herbs and fruit, and building a composting area with large bays. More boulders were cleared and each plot holder worked well to bring the land into production and we are now at capacity at the site with 11 plots. The water storage infrastructure is now in place using 6 IBC's with the piping still to be connected. Most of the parts have been purchased and will continue to work on pipe laying in the autumn. Volunteers worked hard to clear the site of rubbish and position a bench seat as a rest area. Plans to erect a Polytunnel at the site proceeded with the purchase of Polytunnel frame which became available locally. Although not to the original design it was seen as an opportunity to make faster progress and utilise local materials. The ground for this should be able to be cleared and be constructed early spring of next year. We have received funding from the Co-Op for the polytunnel as well as some surplus items of stock to help the allotment group, and a lawnmower from a group member. The owner of Disblair House has also donated 2 trailers to us that can then be used by any member once they are refurbished. We have continued to improve the local area by planting more Apple Trees this year with planning assistance from Aberdeenshire Greenspace, and the help of the local community. Unfortunately it looks like the site at Potterton will not be able to be used as the farm is being sold, but will contact the new owners to see if allotments there are still viable. These are the pitfalls to renting land as we have no control on the owner’s decisions. It has been a relatively poor growing season with a cold start and a cool summer but have still managed to get reasonable crops, some of which were donated to food banks or made available to the community. Progress at the Disblair site has been steady and all volunteers and visitors are enjoying how the site is developing. ## **3 Treasurers Report Andrew Collins** ## **Newmachar and Kingseat Community Allotments** ## **Statement of balances (All figures in Pound Stirling £)** **February 1[st] 2023 – January 31[st] 2024** According to Cashbook Opening Balance 1508.66 Total Income 1498.54 Total expenditure 2302.95 Closing Balance 704.95 According to Bank Opening Balance 1508.66 Closing Balance 722.88 Bank underestimates expenditure or overestimates income creating a variation as follows **722.88 – 704 .95 = 17.93** However One item of expenditure (PO22) was not paid until 1.5.24 and so does not appear on bank statement before our new accounting year. Amount: 17.94. This explains underestimate of expenditure. PO19 for 22.50 is registered by the bank as 22.51; an overestimate of 0.01 Together these account for the variation ## **17.94 - 0.01 = 17.93** I