The most significant changes in the accounts from the previous year were on the income side where revenue from new members and annual subscriptions was lower than usual. The executive committee concluded that increasing use of on-line banking was a contributory factor which needed to be addressed if the Association is to continue to grow its membership. It was therefore decided to spend a capital sum upgrading the now dated website, into which would be built a facility for on-line payments. On the positive side the popularity of the garden visits

resulted in a larger surplus and costs were kept under control, so there was a small improvement in the overall cash balance.

Nonetheless membership numbers did increase during the year and now stand at 695 individuals and 27 parish councils and other organisations.

Michael Goodbody