Treasurer's Report to the Freemen of Oxford Year to 31st December 2020

As you will have expected, not a lot has happened and that is reflected in these accounts!

Our grazing permits remained fully let in 2020, and we also receive income from the Oxford Anglers for the right to fish from the banks of the Meadow who have now paid for both the current and preceding year, that had been outstanding. Fishing was one of the forms of exercise permitted under the lockdown Similarly, the Oxford Model Flying Club continue to make a donation for the right to use the Meadow for their activities. They have been allowed to operate in restricted numbers but report that finding parking has been difficult!

After the costs of “The Oxford Freemen”, the second largest expense item is the Honoraria paid to various Officers who act in their own time on behalf of the Freemen at large. Despite the number of events that have had to be cancelled the officers have continued to liaise with each other and with third parties. The cost shown is not quite as extravagant as it may look as a large part of this was actually donated back to the Freemen’s funds.

The one event which did take place at the beginning of 2020 was the Freemen’s Apprentice Awards. These awards are viewed as a major way in which the Freemen can raise their profile within the City. The expenditure for the year under review includes the cost of a shield bought in the previous year. After the 2019 ceremony we paid for six shields to be presented at future years’ ceremonies. The cost of five of these are shown within the “Stock” figure on our Balance Sheet, along with ties held on our behalf by Shepherd and Woodward.