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Year to 31st December 2022
From: 159 Spring 2024
Author: Simon Gibbs
I enclose a copy of the accounts of the Oxford Freemen for the year.
Activities have still not resumed to pre covid levels - there was no apprentice awards ceremony nor were we represented at the Oxford Remembrance Ceremony. However, the annual dinner was revived and the annual Meadow Inspection followed by the Freemen v Sheriff Aunt Sally match took place as usual.
Yet again we are indebted to Greene King, suppliers to the Plough, Wolvercote, the venue for the aunt sally match. The Company continues to kindly provide the beer and, thus, allow us to host this event at no cost to ourselves.
The annual dinner took place at the Perch in Binsey and was heavily subsidised not only by the Freemen in the cost of the tickets but also by way of a very generous pre dinner canapés and drinks reception laid on by Alison and Steve Cobb at their nearby home. Thanks, must also go to the Lord Mayor who proved to be an expert in the sale of raffle tickets on the night which defrayed the costs of the evening by £300.
2022 Accounts.pdfOur grazing permits remained fully let in 2022, and we also receive income from the Oxford Anglers for the right to fish from the banks of the Meadow. They paid up for 2021 and 2022 during the year and, the time of writing, have actually made payment of the 2023 fees. The Oxford Model Flying Club have also already made a donation for the right to use the Meadow for their activities in 2023.
Donations, for which we are always welcome increased during 2022, often accompanied with a message as being made to defray the costs of “The Oxford Freeman” which they continue to enjoy. The costs of which returned to just over the £500 mark.
The second largest expense item is usually the Honoraria paid to various Officers who act in their own time on behalf of the Freemen at large. However, for a second year, given the number of vacant posts and the fact that those who would be entitled to one have always donated the awards back to the Freemen’s funds, the committee decided against awarding any amount this year.
So, a very similar level of activities to the previous year, the loss on the annual dinner replacing the 2021 contribution to the Franchise Walk. The increase in donations being the principal reason for the increased surplus of £718 achieved.
The Balance Sheet reflects this surplus with an increase in our overall funds from £50,921 to £51,646.
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