Royal Horticultural Society of

Annual report and financial statements

Year ended 31st December 2014

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Contents ______

Page

Trustees and administrative information 2

Committees and Functions 3

President’s Introduction and Review of 2014 4

Trustees’ Report 6

Financial Review by the Treasurer 11

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 14

Statement of Financial Activities 15

Balance Sheet 16

Notes to the Financial Statements 17

Independent Examiners’ Report 21

Biographies of Council members 22

Affiliated Societies 24

Partner Gardens 25

Page 1

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Trustees and administrative information ______

Patron Mrs Helen Dillon

Trustees Mr Robert Myerscough President Mrs Deirdre Ryan Chairman of Council Mr Brooke Johns FCA Honorary Treasurer Appointed 16 July 2014 Mr Bruce Sleeman Secretary Appointed 22 January 2015 Ms Koraley Northen Non-executive Mrs Brenda Branigan Non-executive Co-opted 16 July 2014 Mrs Jean van der Lee Non-executive Mr Ignatius O’Brien Non-executive Mr John Quin Non-executive Mrs Valerie Little Non-executive Mrs Ruth Findlater Non-executive Co-opted November 2013

Principal office Laurelmere Cottage, Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14

RHSI Garden Russborough , , Co Wicklow

Bankers

Ulster Bank plc Blessington, Co Wicklow

Allied Irish Banks plc Bankcentre, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

Legal advisers

O’Connell Brennan Armitage House, 10 Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2

Auditors

PGL, Chartered Accountants Orchard House, Clonskeagh Square, Dublin 14

Charities Regulatory Authority Number 20005986

Page 2

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Committees and Functions ______

Finance & Governance Committee Bi-centenary committee Mr Robert Myerscough Mrs Brenda Branigan Chair Mr Brooke Johns Mrs Shirley Cullen Mr John Quin Mrs Margaret Hill Mrs Deirdre Ryan Mrs Susan Loughnane Mrs Heather Lovegrove Mrs Jean van der Lee

Communications Committee Mrs Peggy Masterson Chair Mrs Mary Hackett House Committee Mrs Natalie McGettigan Mrs Muriel Fitzpatrick Chair Mrs Ena Ronayne Mrs Noreen Curran Mr Robert Myerscough Mrs Deirdre Ryan

Garden Committee Affiliated Societies Administrator Mrs Denise Gill Chair Mr Philip Holwey Mr Bruce Sleeman Mr David Howell Mrs Mary Lee Lectures Scheme Organiser Mrs May Maguire Mr John Quin Mrs Emily O’Kane Mrs Cherry Sleeman Mrs Daphne Whelan Librarian Mrs Natalie McGettigan

Events Committee Partner Gardens’ Co-ordinator Mr Peter Harrison Chair Mrs Brenda Branigan Mrs Frances MacDonald Mrs Valerie Little Mrs Yvonne McCann Social Media Mr Ignatius O’Brien Mrs Mary Ronayne Mrs Ena Ronayne

The Journal Editor Floral Arts Committee Ms Helen Rock Mrs Marie O’Leary Chair Mrs Marie Dodrill The Journal Production Editor Mrs Teresa Henry Mrs Sheila Hurley Ms Koraley Northen Mrs Angela Kelly Mrs Marie Laird Webmaster Mrs Eileen McKenna. Ms Mary Hackett Mrs Karen Robinson

Page 3

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

President’s Introduction and Review of 2014 ______

In introducing this review of 2014 I need hardly draw your attention to the fact that this report is fuller than anything you will have received in past years. The reasons for this are various, but principally because the Charities Regulatory Authority, which began operating in October 2014, requires transparency in our financial affairs, as well as changes in the way in which RHSI, as a registered charity, is governed; accordingly, we have decided to adopt best practice in this respect.

I should like to draw your attention to the Treasurer’s Report, which provides a very full picture of where we stand. As the Society sought to expand its role, in promoting horticulture in all its aspects for public benefit, initially through the RHSI Garden Russborough project, it became increasingly obvious to Council that we needed more financial controls and reporting, and that it would be essential to recruit a qualified accountant as Honorary Treasurer. We were very fortunate that Brooke Johns agreed to take on this role. Brooke’s experience, not only in the wider aspects of management, but specifically in the horticultural industry and through working with charities, has proven to be invaluable.

Council decided to appoint a finance and governance committee, to review the way in which the society was run, and to manage our financial affairs more effectively. This committee has had a considerable workload over the past six months or more, but the procedures which have been initiated have helped us to start the process of changing from a society mainly focused on membership benefits to an organisation devoted to sharing its members’ love and knowledge of gardening with a wider public.

As part of this reorganisation, your Council decided it would be in the best interests of members to change our legal status, from a society governed by a constitution with its roots in the 19th century, to a company limited by guarantee, subject to the approval of members at an Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held immediately after the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting. Further details of this proposal are set out in the Trustees’ Report.

There has been a tremendous surge of interest in gardening in recent years, particularly from younger people, but it is disappointing to have to admit that your society failed to capture this potential. Much of the work of the finance and governance committee has been devoted to formulating a business strategy, recognising the society’s strengths and weaknesses, and creating a Road Map on which to build our vision for the future.

It had become increasingly clear that insufficient attention had been given to generating income, without which it is not possible for the society to carry out its objective of taking a leading role in promoting horticulture throughout Ireland for public benefit. One of the main purposes of a charity is to raise funds to carry out its work, and we have been extremely fortunate to have received a number of very generous donations and sponsorships in the past year.

I have mentioned the RHSI Garden Russborough; currently this is our principal charitable work, through the involvement of our expert members in providing leadership and instruction in a wide range of gardening skills, both to our volunteer gardening team and to a wider public, through specialised courses and demonstrations. The garden continues to be renovated, and through the generous sponsorship of The Natural Remedy Company, based in Blessington, the planting of hornbeam hedges for the four quarters of the southern half of the garden was completed. Sponsors for the individual gardens in this newly-created area are now being sought. Page 4

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

President’s Introduction and Review of 2014 ______

With the move to Laurelmere Cottage an opportunity was created to provide a learning centre for gardeners, both novice and experienced. The delayed hand-over of the premises meant that these courses could not commence in the autumn of 2014 as planned, but early this year The Garden School at RHSI was established, under the management of Ciarán Burke, running RHS courses, and a New Beginnings outreach programme. The newly formed House Committee is charged with extending the use our facilities.

Part of our strategy to reach a wider and younger audience has been to engage in the internet through the social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, both of which attract a growing audience. In the early part of 2014 a much needed revamp of our website was undertaken, facilitated through the very generous sponsorship of one of our members. Further development of the website is ongoing, with the assistance of our webmaster and the communications team.

For some time it had been accepted that the RHSI had become too Dublin focused. One of the steps taken to remedy this has been the creation of the RHSI Partner Gardens scheme, which now comprises some 23 gardens throughout the island of Ireland, as listed on page 25 of this report. We are grateful for the generous participation of their owners in making this possible. The scheme enables members to introduce their friends to some wonderful gardens, and to further their knowledge of gardening. Further initiatives to reach the grass roots in horticulture are under consideration, to roll out as soon as our resources permit.

Council has a broad vision for the future. The RHSI can regain its pre-eminent position in horticulture throughout the island of Ireland. Our reorganisation opens up great opportunities for developing our role, but much greater financial resources are needed. Above all, we need to rapidly increase our membership numbers, and with that to spread the love and knowledge of gardening to a wider community.

It has been a long journey from 1816, in the Georgian era, to the twenty-first century, covering some of the most turbulent times in the history of our beautiful island. Our Society has continued to exist over these two centuries through the dedication and voluntary effort of generations of gardeners. Our present council and committee members are no exception; we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the excellence of all that they make available to us, and to the wider public. It is a great privilege to be your President in our two-hundredth year, working alongside such wonderful colleagues, whom I take this opportunity to thank two-hundredfold on your behalf.

Robert S. Myerscough President

11th June 2015

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Trustees’ Report ______

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the Society for the year ended 31 De- cember 2014. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities’ issued in March 2005.

1 Trustees

The names of the trustees and certain administrative information are set out on page 2.

2 Objectives and activities

The Society was founded in 1816 and its objectives today are very similar to those set down nearly 200 years ago : i. to promote the knowledge, skill and practice of horticulture and arboricuture in Ireland, through the provision of courses, seminars, exhibitions and general public lectures for educational purposes relating to all aspects of horticulture and arboriculture ii. to promote and encourage due regard for the environment in gardening practice.

The Society intends to increase its educational role, so that today’s young people may develop an interest in gardening in its various aspects. Its intention is to develop facilities at RHSI Garden Russborough for teaching volunteer gardeners, as funds permit.

The Society possesses an extensive library, which it plans to make more accessible to members, and the public.

The Society held three lectures, four floral art demonstrations and one seminar during the year. It also held day-tours to Lusk, and Athlone and 4-day residential tours to Ed- inburgh and the Lothians and to Co Donegal, as well as a number of garden visits in the Dublin area. It had a stand at Bloom in the Park and held a number of plant sales to raise funds. Its magazine, The Journal, was published three times during the year.

It funded 26 lectures at affiliated societies and extended its Partner Gardens Scheme, which al- lows members free or reduced entrance to 23 gardens situated in each of the four provinces of Ireland. Details of the affiliated societies are set out on page 24 and of the Partner Gardens on page 25

Council has appointed a Finance and Governance Committee to review its activities and pre- pare a strategic plan and budget in order to ensure that its activities continue to relate to the aims of the Society. The trustees confirm that they are conscious of the need to re-focus the activities of the Society to ensure that there is a public benefit in all that it does.

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Trustees’ Report ______

3 Governance and management

Governing document

The Society is an unincorporated body, the governing document being its Constitution, as amended by special resolution dated 1 April 2013.

Trustees

The Constitution specifies that Council should consist of a President, a Secretary (honorary or paid) an Honorary Treasurer and four ordinary members. In practice it has included repre- sentatives from each Committee and Specialist Group.

The President, a member of the Society nominated by Council, is elected annually at the Annual General Meeting for a maximum term of 5 years. At the end of such term, the President must retire and assumes the office of Past President and is an ex officio member of Council with full rights.

The Secretary and Treasurer are elected annually by Council.

The ordinary members of Council, members of the Society nominated either by a resolution of Council or by any two members of the Society, are elected at the Annual General Meeting for a four year term.

Council may co-opt a member to fill a casual vacancy; such appointees must retire at the next annual general meeting, but may be nominated by Council for re-election.

Council may appoint officials (honorary or paid) other than the President and constitute such committees and specialist groups as it deems necessary upon such terms as it deems fit; each committee and specialist group must nominate one person to serve on Council as an ordinary member for a four year term.

It is the rôle of Council, which meets 10 times a year, to provide governance and oversight. It has delegated direction of this function to a newly formed Finance and Governance Committee, which has met 12 times over the past 9 months. and has brought forward proposals for change and the re-focus of the Society which have been approved by Council. Mrs Deirdre Ryan is the Chairman of Council.

Mr Bruce Sleeman was appointed Secretary of the Society on 22nd January 2015 and is a trus- tee ex officio.

There are no nominations for Council members this year as there are no vacancies. Short bio- graphical details of members of Council are set out on pages 22 and 23.

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Trustees’ Report ______

Mr Robert Myerscough, who has served 4 years as President has been nominated for a fifth and final year.

Certain Council members give lectures for which they are remunerated. Details of such remu- neration are show in note 15 on page 20 of the financial statements. Otherwise no trustee re- ceived any benefits.

Management

Currently the Society employs no managers; its management functions are performed by com- mittees as set out on page 3 and by Mr Bruce Sleeman as Secretary and Administrator. Each Committee co-opts additional members at its discretion for unspecified terms.

The major risks to which the Society is exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been re- viewed and systems or procedures have been established to manage those risks.

Mr Brooke Johns, a Chartered Accountant, who works on a voluntary basis, is responsible for the finance functions and advises Council on matters of governance.

Auditors

Mr Brendan Madigan resigned as auditor on 27 November 2014. Council appointed PGL Chartered Accountants, to fill the casual vacancy. A resolution will be proposed at the forth- coming Annual General Meeting to re-elect that firm for the period ending at the Annual Gen- eral Meeting in 2016.

Conversion to a company limited by guarantee

Proposals will be put to an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members to be held immedi- ately after the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting to transfer all the Society’s activities, assets and liabilities to a newly formed company limited by guarantee.

One of the reasons for this proposal is to protect the liability of members. As an unincorpo- rated body, members could be held responsible on an unlimited basis for any debts and liabili- ties of the Society. Council has decided that it is desirable that members are protected from any such liabilities. A limited company, with a governing document suitable for 2015 and a board of directors elected by the members and having a range of experience in horticulture, the strategic management of charities, marketing and finance which will enable it to take the Socie- ty into its third century with suitable vision and abilities, will also confer benefits in dealing with banks and contractual issues.

As members of the new company – Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland Limited – each member’s liability will be limited to €1.

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Trustees’ Report ______

4 Achievements and performance

In 2011 the Alfred Beit Foundation (ABF) granted the Society a 5 year licence (subsequently extended to 25 years) to renovate the Victorian walled garden at Russborough House outside Blessington, in Co Wicklow, a garden which originates from the Georgian period. RHSI vol- unteers commenced working there in October 2011, and have succeeded in taming the weed growth and neglect which had developed since the time when the Beits had gardened actively.

The aim is to provide a garden which is accessible to as wide a range of people as possible and to use the garden as a base to promote all that is best in Irish gardening. This provides focus for the society as a charity. As Russborough House attracts a considerable number of visitors per year, the project provides an opportunity for visitors to see and learn about best horticultural methods, while preserving an historic space that has stood the test of time for more than 200 years, as indeed has the society.

Renovation of the garden has concentrated on the northern half of soft fruit and vegetables, to- gether with a central herbaceous bed. Tree and wall fruit have been pruned back into shape and production. Strong diggers with sharp spades have been particularly welcome as volun- teers over these three years in a rigorous weeding programme to combat the neglected and overgrown beds. An added feature has been the wild flower circle developed by the volunteers which captivated visitors in 2014. This is backed by a sweet pea border, supported by new posts to support the original Victorian trellis structure found here and patched for re-use, thus demonstrating a spirit of respect for the past allied to a strong vision for the future.

A start has been made in setting the structure for the four formal gardens envisaged for the southern half, up to then grazed by sheep. The hornbeam hedge planted in autumn 2014 is growing well, water pipes have been laid, and the shape of the formal gardens is beginning to emerge. The longer term restoration and renovation programme will include the reinstatement of garden paths to their original layout and dimensions. The surrounding brick and stone walls will be repaired using traditional techniques and materials. The architectural survey will in- form planning and fund raising for best layout and design for buildings in the future, to com- bine respect for the past with a practical regard to practicality and costs, and a focus on modern horticultural best practice and the educational and charitable focus of the garden.

The Society’s Partner Gardens scheme is co-ordinated by Mrs Frances MacDonald, herself the owner with her husband Iain, of The Bay Garden in County Wexford. The scheme now extends to twenty-three gardens located in the four provinces of Ireland. Members can avail of free entry, or a reduced admission fee, through the generosity of the garden owners, who are not remunerated by the RHSI. The gardens receive publicity through the Society’s website and social media.

The Society has started to put in place computerised systems for handling its membership and book-keeping functions, which should be fully operational by the third quarter of 2015.

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Trustees’ Report ______

Finally, Council is looking at how its charitable activities and the benefits it provides may be extended to those sections of the public which have an interest in gardening, floral art, arbori- culture or the protection of the environment.

5 Financial review

A financial review of the Society’s activities in 2014, its financial position at the end of the year and of the outlook for 2015 are contained in the Honorary Treasurer’s review on pages 11 to 13.

This statement was approved and authorised for issue by Council on 11th June 2015 and signed on its behalf by :

Robert S Myerscough Brooke Johns President Honorary Treasurer

Page 10

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Financial review by the Treasurer ______

One of the most significant events in the Society’s 199 years’ history occurred in October 2014 with the establishment of The Charities Regulatory Authority. In anticipation of being regulated, and es- pecially of having to file accounts and other information, Council initiated a broad review of its opera- tions.

1. A number of things became apparent : a) an unincorporated body is not a suitable organisational structure for a charity employing staff and leasing premises; nor should the members be held responsible on an unlimited ba- sis for the debts and liabilities of the Society b) the auditor appointed at the last Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) is no longer a Registered Auditor c) subscription income has stagnated for the past five years with the result that expenses have exceeded income d) greater resources need to be devoted to attracting support from donors and sponsors e) the Society’s governance, management and operations procedures need to be modernised and upgraded f) the Society’s reporting procedures need to be brought more in line with the transparency and accountability of modern practice for charities

2. Presentation of financial information The financial statements on pages 15 to 20 which differ substantially from those of previous years, are the result of Council adopting the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for Accounting and Reporting by Charities issued by the UK Charity Commission in March 2005. It sets out the recommended practice for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts to discharge the charity trustees’ duty of public accountability and stewardship. Although not legally binding in Ireland, it is regarded as ‘best practice’.

Income received for RHSI Garden Russborough is regarded as a ‘restricted fund’ and the balance sheet has been adjusted to show the income and costs attributable to the restoration of that garden since work began there in late 2011. Members will see that the Statement of Financial Activities on page 15 presents the figures for 2014 in compliance with the SORP, but the figures for 2013 have not been re-stated as the benefit was not thought to be commensurate with the time and cost of doing so.

The Floral Arts Group has operated under the banner of the Society, but until 2013 it had a different accounting year and its own bank accounts. It is a popular and successful activity and as part of the restructuring referred to above, it is being brought back into the Society as one of its mainstream ac- tivities.

3. Income

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Financial review by the Treasurer ______The Society's income for the year was €177,000, analysed as shown in the first chart on the next page Further details are shown in the statement of financial activities for the year on page 15. One of the

most significant items in the Society’s finances is the trend of subscription income over the past five years, as illustrated by the second chart below. It is a matter of concern that we are not seeing an in- crease in the number of members at a time of such interest in horticulture. Income in the General Fund fell short of expenditure by €4,000.

Total income 2014 Subscription income 2010 - 2014

€24,818 €25,653 €24,960 €23,365 €23,163 Trading Voluntary 36% 50%

Subscripti ons 14%

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

The Russborough Garden Fund, which was set up to restore a 1.3 hectares (3.25 acres) walled garden at Russborough House in Co Wicklow is funded entirely by donations. Income credited to that fund, which may be used only for expenditure in the Russborough garden, exceeded expenses in the year under review by €2,000.

4. Expenditure Expenditure is not comparable with the previous year, as explained above in paragraph 2, but this Resources expended 2014 chart explains how expenditure was incurred in 2014.

In an attempt to remedy the stagnant subscrip- Charitable Cost of activities tion income, resulting in part from the recession, generating 28% Council decided to recruit a Director of Devel- funds 53% opment at the beginning of the year. This initia- Governanc tive was intended to build membership income, e 19% and to generate funds from other sources. The erosion of membership numbers was checked but insufficient funding was obtained from other sources. As a result, the appointment was ter- minated at the end of 2014.

Page 12

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Financial review by the Treasurer ______

5. Balance sheet The amount of the General Fund at less than €10,000 is perilously close to being in deficit. The Russborough Fund is looking reasonably healthy.

6. Information systems The information available to Council is not sufficient to show with any reliability why the figures for 2014 do not reflect the renaissance in horticulture and in gardening in particular, but we do know that we recruited 149 new members in 2014 and lost 104.

Steps have been taken to introduce suitable information systems for book-keeping, payroll, member- ship records and budgeting. It is expected that by late summer these systems will be operational and Council will be able to make decisions based on reliable information.

7. Reserves Council has considered the requirement to maintain sufficient reserves (i.e. that part of the Society’s income funds which are freely available) to enable it to deliver its charitable objectives, but until it has a clearer view of how it is going to achieve a satisfactory level of income it is unable to define such a policy.

8. Outlook In this context Council is now aware of the scheme of tax relief under the Taxes Conslidation Act 1997 in respect of donations made to approved bodies, amended with effect from 1st January 2013 with the result that the Society should be able to claim a refund of about 45% of personal donations in excess of €250 per donor per year. It has been considered prudent not to recognise such income until it is actually received. In 2014 Council decided to move the Society’s office from 2 rooms at Cabinteely House, which was open for 12 hours a week, to more extensive accommodation at Laurelmere Cottage in Marlay Park. The move was accomplished in February this year and the office is now open for 30 hours a week. The expenses of the new office (principally rent, payroll and associated costs) are approximately €20,000 greater than at Cabinteely House, but such provision as was made to generate the income to fund these increased costs proved quite inadequate. After a rigorous review of costs, Council has decided that it is necessary to reduce the number of hours for which the Administrator is employed and to find other ways of reducing costs to ensure that income in the general fund exceeds expenditure for the year.

Brooke Johns Honorary Treasurer

11th June 2015

Page 13

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities and Declaration on unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31st December 2014 ______

General responsibilities The trustees are responsible for preparing the report of the trustees and the financial statements in ac- cordance with Irish law and regulations. Irish company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements giving a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the society and the net movement of funds of the Society for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with Irish Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (accounting standards issued by the Financial Reporting Council and promulgated by Chartered Accountants Ireland and Irish law). In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to: ● select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently ● make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent ● prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to pre- sume that the Society will continue in business

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper books of account that disclose with reasonable accura- cy at any time the financial position of the Society and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with Irish law. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Socie- ty and hence, for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregulari- ties.

Trustees' declaration on unaudited financial statements In relation to the financial statements comprising the Income and Expenditure Account, the Balance Sheet, the Accounting Policies and the related notes, the trustees approve these financial statements and confirm that they are responsible for them, including selecting the appropriate accounting poli- cies, applying them consistently and making, on a reasonable and prudent basis, the judgements un- derlying them. They have been prepared on the going concern basis on the grounds that the Society will continue in business.

The trustees confirm that to the best of their knowledge and belief, the accounting records reflect all the transactions of the Society for the period ended 31st December 2014.

Robert S Myerscough Brooke Johns President Honorary Treasurer

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Statement of financial activities including Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st December 2014 ______2014 2013 General Restricted Note fund fund Total Total € € € € Incoming resources Voluntary income 3 70,559 22,162 92,721 3,000 Activities for generating funds 60,738 60,738 8,455 Members' subscriptions 23,216 23,216 24,960 Investment income 4 121 121 131 Russborough Garden (net income) 7,528 Total incoming resources 154,633 22,162 176,794 44,074

Resources expended Cost of generating funds 5 90,876 0 90,876 0 Charitable activities 5 26,737 20,079 46,816 3,749 Governance costs 5 32,173 0 32,173 36,776 Total resources expended 149,786 20,079 169,865 40,525

Net movement in funds 4,846 2,083 6,929 3,549

Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward 20,332 20,332 16,783

Prior year adjustment 16,917 16,917

Inter-fund transfer (23,945) 23,945 0

Total funds carried forward 14 18,150 26,028 44,178 20,332

There are no recognised gains or losses other than the net deficits for the above two financial periods. The accompanying notes and policies form an integral part of these financial statements. The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by Council on 11th June 2015 and signed on their behalf by :

Robert S Meryscough Brooke Johns President Honorary Treasurer

Page 15

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Balance Sheets 31st December 2014 ______

General Restricted Note fund fund Total 2013 € € € €

Fixed assets Tangible assets 10 2,935 7,851 10,786 0

Current assets Stocks 140 140 435 Debtors 11 50,994 50,994 0 Cash at banks 17,529 18,177 35,706 28,137 68,663 18,177 86,840 28,572 Creditors - amounts falling due within 1 year 12 (28,761) (28,761) (8,240)

Net current assets 39,902 18,177 58,081 20,332 Creditors - amounts falling due after 1 year 13 (24,688) (24,688) 0

Total assets less current liabilities 18,150 26,028 44,178 €20,332

Funds Unrestricted income funds 14 18,150 18,150 20,332 Restricted income funds : 14 26,028 26,028

Total funds €18,150 €26,028 €44,178 €20,332

The Constitution requires that the Honorary Treasurer shall annually prepare accounts of all revenue and expenditure of the Society and have such accounts duly audited and submit same to Council for approval and to the Annual General Meeting for adoption. In previous years the accounts have not been audited and as the Society is an unincorporated body, Council has appointed PGL, Chartered Accountants, to undertake an independent examination of the accounts prepared by the Treasurer. Their report is set out on page 21. The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with Generally Accepted Accounting Practice in Ireland with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. The accompanying notes and policies form an integral part of these financial statements.

The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by Council on 11th June 2015 and signed on their behalf by :

Robert S Meryscough Brooke Johns

President Honorary Treasurer Page 16

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland Notes to the accounts For the year ended 31st December 2014 ______1 Accounting policies a) Basis of preparation The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005) issued by The Charities Commission in the United Kingdom in March 2005, adopting the following principal accounting policies : b) Incoming resources Subscription income represents income receivable from annual membership fees. Voluntary income which provides core funding or is of a general nature is recognised when there is a certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred where the donor specifies that the donation must only be used in future accounting periods or has imposed conditions which must be met before the Society has an unconditional entitlement.

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis. Donated services and facilities are included at values estimated by the donors. c) Volunteers No provision is made in these financial statements for the value of services provided by volunteers. Further details of the contribution made by volunteers can be found in the Trustees' Report. d) Resources expended Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. e) Value added tax Irrecoverable value added tax is charged against the category of expenditure on which it was incurred. f) Funds structure The Society has one restricted income fund - the Russborough Garden fund - to account for funds given for a specified purpose. Further details are shown in note 15. g) Depreciation of tangible fixed assets Fixed assets are depreciated to write them off over their expected useful lives by equal annual instalments at the rate of 20% on cost

2 Legal status of the Society The Society is an unincorporated body. Its governing document is its Constitution as amended in April 2013. The liability of each member in the event of the dissolution of the Society is unlimited. 2014 2013 € € € €

3 Sources of voluntary income Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Individuals 40,205 9,027 49,232 3,000 Donated services 30,354 4,390 34,744 0 Grants 0 8,745 8,745 0 70,559 22,162 92,721 3,000

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland Notes to the accounts, continued For the year ended 31st December 2014 ______2014 2013 € € € €

4 Investment income Bank interest 121 121 131

General Restricted fund fund Total Total € € € €

5 Resources expended

Fund-raising costs Tours 35,337 35,337 Events 6,332 6,332 Staff remuneration 33,300 33,300 Other 15,907 15,907 90,876 0 90,876 0

Charitable activities Russborough Garden 20,079 20,079 Journal 10,577 10,577 3,749 Lectures 9,608 9,608 Other 6,552 6,552 26,737 20,079 46,816 3,749

Governance costs Staff remuneration 16,817 16,817 16,817 Insurances 2,725 2,725 3,643 Office costs 11,047 11,047 15,793 Audit & accountancy 798 798 523 Depreciation of fixed assets 406 406 Subscriptions to other organisations 380 380 32,173 0 32,173 36,776

149,786 20,079 169,865 40,525

6 Analysis of staff costs Salaries 45,567 16,817 Employer's pay related social insurance 4,549 0 50,116 16,817

Average number of staff employed during the year 2 1 Average number of full time equivalent employees 1.3 0.3 Number of employees with emoluments above €60,000 0 0

Page 18

Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland Notes to the accounts, continued For the year ended 31st December 2014 ______

2014 2013 € €

7 Prior year adjustment Fixed assets 8,267 0 Deferred income 3,121 0 Floral Arts 5,528 0 16,916 0

Fixed assets in prior years were being expensed in the Statement of Financial Activities; they have been re-classified as capital items under Fixed Assets in the Balance Sheet.

Deferred income related to a lecture given by James Burnside in 2013, which should have been included as income in that year. The Floral Arts bank accounts were not treated as part of the Society's assets in previous years. They have now been recognised as such.

8 Movement in total funds for the period Depreciation 2,694 0 Auditors' remuneration 798 523

9 Taxation As the Society is a registered charity no provision for taxation is considered necessary. € € 10 Tangible assets Office Garden equipment equipment Total Cost At 1st January 2014 0 10,075 10,075 Additions 3,341 1,872 5,213 At 31st December 2014 3,341 11,947 15,288 0 Depreciation At 1st January 2014 0 1,808 1,808 Depreciation charge 406 2,288 2,694 At 31st December 2014 406 4,096 4,502 0 Net book value At 1st January 2014 0 8,267 8,267 At 31st December 2014 2,935 7,851 10,786 Total net book values At 1st January 2014 0 8,267 8,267 At 31st December 2014 2,935 7,851 10,786

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland Notes to the accounts, continued For the year ended 31st December 2014 ______2014 2013 € € 11 Debtors Trade debtors 0 0 Prepayments & sundry debtors 50,994 50,994 0

12 Creditors - amounts falling due within 1 year Sundry creditors (0) Tax creditors 12,917 Accrued expenses 15,844 8,240 28,761 8,240

13 Creditors - amounts falling due within after year Costs related to events to be held in connection with the bi-centenary celebrations in 2016. 24,688 0

General Russborough 14 Analysis of funds movements fund Garden fund Total Total € € € € Balance at beginning of period 20,332 0 20,332 16,783 Inter-fund transfer (23,945) 23,945 0 Capitalisation of assets treated as revenue expenditure in prior years 8,267 8,267 Prior year adjustments 8,650 8,650 13,304 23,945 37,249 Incoming resources 154,633 22,162 176,795 3,549 Resources expended (149,786) (20,079) (169,865) Balance at end of period 18,150 26,028 44,178 20,332

Income credited to the Russborough garden fund may be used only for expenditure at Russborough garden.

15 Related party transactions The Society paid one Trustee €400 for giving four lectures to Affiliated Societies.

16 Auditor and independent examiner The external examiner was not paid for any other financial services than its external examination.

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Royal horticultural Society

______

We report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 December 2014, which are set out on pages 15 to 20.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under the Charities Act 2009 and that an independent examination is re- quired. PGL is satisfied that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for inde- pendent examination, it is PGL’s responsibility to: ● examine the accounts under the Charities Act ● to state whether particular matters have come to our attention.

Basis of independent examiner's report 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 dis- closures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and con- sequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner's statement In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention: (1) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: ● to keep accounting records in accordance with Irish law; and ● to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Re- porting by Charities have not been met; or (2) to which, in our opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

PGL Chartered Accountants Orchard House Clonskeagh Square Clonskeagh Road Dublin 14 1th June 2015

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Biographies of Council members ______

Robert S Myerscough, President and member of the finance & governance committee. A former senior executive in the insurance industry, following which he practiced as a garden and landscape consultant, he is also a member of the committee of the Irish Tree Society, and a recent member of the tours committee of the International Dendrology Society.

Brooke Johns, FCA, Honorary Treasurer, and member of the finance & governance committee, is a chartered accountant trained in the City of London. He has worked at a senior level in various in- dustries in the UK and Ireland and further afield. He ran his own garden centre in the UK and now works with a number of small companies and charities.

Deirdre Ryan, Chairman of Council, is a member of the finance & governance committee. Before marriage, her career was in the fashion retail business. Deirdre holds a diploma as a floral arts de- monstrator and as a teacher/tutor in floral art. She has held a wide variety of roles in RHSI since1984, being a member of Council at various times over the past 20 years.

Brenda Branigan has been a Life Member of RHSI since the mid-1950s. She is a qualified NAFAS flower arrangement demonstrator and served as secretary and chairman of the flower arrangement group in the 1970s. She has been on the events committee for several years and been on Council more recently.

Ruth Findlater is a member of the communications committee, since retiring from a professional career in fundraising management for several Irish Charities, including Gorta and Arthritis Ireland, followed by 19 years with the Irish Heart Foundation. She now also works as a volunteer with the National Gallery of Ireland. She holds a diploma in business studies.

Valerie Little has been a member of RHSI for over 30 years. She served on the floral art committee in the 1980s and has been a member of the events committee since 2012. She holds a diploma as a teacher/tutor in floral art. Valerie is a member of the Inner Wheel Club of Dublin and has held sever- al positions on the committee.

Jean van der Lee is serving her second term as member of Council. She is the founder and national commissioner of Beaver Scouts, Scouts Association of Ireland. Jean has been a member of the Dun Laoghaire Choral Society for 25 years, and served as its chairman from 2009 to 2012. She was chairman of the RHSI events committee from 2008 to 2014.

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Biographies of Council members ______

Koraley Northen has been a member of RHSI for the past 20 years. During 12 of those years she was administrator at the Garden & Landscape Designers Association. She has served on the RHSI Council for the past seven years, during which time she acted in a general capacity and was also pro- duction editor of the RHSI’s Journal.

Ignatius O’Brien was a Physical Education teacher for more than 35 years. He has been a member of Council since 2007, and has served during that time on the show committee. He has been chair- man of St Brigid’s Horticultural Society for the past ten years, and is currently joint-chairman of Clontarf Garden Society.

John Quin is a member of the finance & governance committee and a member of the RHSI Russbo- rough Garden team. He was principal social worker in Dublin for 21 years, and manager of child & family services for Wicklow with HSE over 12 years. He holds an honours degree in French & Ger- man, as well as a masters and professional qualification in social work. This is his third term as a member of council of RHSI.

Bruce Sleeman, is Administrator and Secretary of RHSI, is responsible for development, and runs the office at Laurelmere Cottage. He has a BA (Hons) in Philosophy, and is currently studying for a Masters in Psychotherapy. His previous business experience was gained in the financial services in- dustry.

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Affiliated Societies ______

Ardfield/Rathbarry Garden Club Killinick & District Garden Club Balbriggan & District Horticultural Society Kilternan Garden Club Ballincollig Flower & Garden Club Limerick Flower And Garden Club Ballinrobe Garden Club Limerick Garden Plants Group Bray Flower Club Longford Flower Club Cameron Horticultural Society Malahide Horticultural Society Castleblayney Garden Club Maynooth Flower & Garden Club Clonmel & District Horticultural Society Mullingar & District Garden Club Clontarf Garden Society Naas Flower & Garden Club Co Kilkenny Horticultural Society Naul & District Garden Club Co Wexford Garden & Flower Club Nenagh & District Flower & Garden Club Co Sligo Flower & Garden Club Newbridge House Horticultural Society & Cork Flower Club Flower Club Culmullen Flower & Garden Club North Dublin Flower Club Delgany & District Horticultural Soc North Tipperary Agricultural Show Doddervale Flower Club Owenabue Garden Club Donegal Garden Society Rathgar Horticultural Society Drogheda Floral Art Group Rush & District Hort Society Dublin Five Horticultural Society Skeheenarinky Flower and Vegetable Club Dunboyne Garden & Flower Club South Horticultural Society Dundrum Flower Club South Dublin Flower Club Ennis Flower & Garden Club St Brigids Horticultural Society Enniskerry Gardening Club St Kevins Garden Club, Blessington Fermanagh Garden Society Sutton Floral Art Group Four Seasons Garden Club Templeogue Horticultural Society Foxrock & District Garden Club The Lough Flower & Garden Club Galway Flower & Garden Club Thurles Flower & Garden Club Greystones Flower Club Tullamore Garden & Flower Arranging Club Howth, Sutton & Raheny Horticultural Society Tyrrellspass Gardening Club Irish Dahlia Society Waterford Garden Plant Society Irish Fuchsia & Pelargonium Society Waterford Regional Gardening Club Kells & District Horticultural Society Westport Gardening Club Kenmare & District Gardening Club

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Royal Horticultural Society of Ireland

Partner Gardens ______Ballyrobert Cottage Garden and Nursery Ballyclare Co. Antrim

Bantry House and Garden Bantry Co. Cork

Benvarden Garden Dervock Co. Antrim

Birr Castle Gardens Birr Co Offaly

Blarney Castle Gardens Blarney Co Cork

Burtown House Gardens Athy Co Kildare

Colclough Walled Garden Saltmills Co. Wexford

Coolaught Gardens Clonroche Co. Wexford

Gash Gardens Castletown Co. Laois

Glenavon Japanese Garden Gorey Co. Wexford

June Blake’s Garden & Nursery Blessington Co. Wicklow

Killruddery Gardens Bray Co. Wicklow

Kilmokea Country Manor Gardens Great Island Co. Wexford

Kylemore Abbey and Walled Gardens Connemara Co. Galway

Lodge Park Walled Garden Co. Kildare

Mount Usher Gardens Ashford Co. Wicklow

Newtownbarry House Gardens Bunclody Co. Wexford

Oakfield Park Garden Raphoe Co. Donegal

Seaforde Gardens Seaforde Co. Down

Terra Nova Gardens Killmallock Co. Limerick

The Bay Garden Camolin Co. Wexford

Tullynally Castle Gardens Castlepollard Co. Westmeath

Woodville Walled Garden Kilchreest Co. Galway

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