3. REVIEW 2004

Discussions with subgroup chairs were held during summer and autumn 2003 to review the progress of the programmes of work detailed in March 2002.  Further reviews to update progress were made during 2004 and several key volunteer appointments made.

3.1 PROGRAMMES OF WORK 2004-6

In this section ...

Business and Finance

ONGOING PROGRAMMES

• Assess the Trust’s administrative requirements (including space, storage, equipment, furniture) and investigate alternative arrangements as required
• Maintain efficient in-house procedures for the Trust’s past, present and future financial records
• Review membership subscriptions and cost of ‘servicing’ members annually
• Encourage and assess applications for small grants from garden history related groups
• Ensure regular representation at meetings and events organized by the Association of Gardens Trust (AGT)

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Marketing and Communication

ONGOING PROGRAMMES

• Establish more consistent branding through a coordinated approach to advertising, publications, website and activities
• Develop a fund-raising strategy to ensure adequate finances are available for the Trust’s activities
• Redesign and print membership leaflets and stationery, as necessary
• Publish at least three newsletters each year, increasing to four by the end of 2006
• Sell ‘flyer’ space in newsletter and journal mail-outs to appropriate businesses
• Review the Trust’s exhibition stand and commission new panels as necessary
• Expand the journalist database

NEW PROGRAMMES

• Centralise the production of the Trust’s published materials to ensure image and corporate identity are respected
• Conduct a membership survey to help build a membership profile to identify markets for advertisers and new audiences for Trust membership
• Develop and implement plans for a membership drive with a view to increasing the number of paid-up members by 10% each year
• Build relationships with journalists and increase press coverage by sending out at least 6 press releases a year
• Promote the Trust as a centre of expertise on London’s green open spaces by sending information to universities, local councils and other relevant organizations
• Develop a programme of social and other events to provide support, training and development for Trust volunteers
• Prepare a Trust promotional talk with slides
• Create a database of past, current and potential sponsors, partners and customers and launch a targeted promotional plan
• Provide an exhibit for at least one major show/ conference each year

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Trust Administration

ONGOING PROGRAMMES

• Seek and train office volunteers as necessary
• Deal with public and members’ enquiries for information promptly and at least within two weeks
• Maintain and develop a newsletter mailing list for libraries, gardens trusts, friends’ groups and other relevant organizations
• Update the website on a regular basis to reflect the Trust’s image and activities
• Maintain a database of experts willing to provide advice on issues relating to London’s green open spaces
• Expand and maintain a professional/ university library subscriptions list for the London Gardener, with a target of 12 new subscriptions by the end of December 2006
• Promote Trust sales through the website

NEW PROGRAMMES

• Maintain a list of Trust members prepared to give talks to other groups on Trust activities, actively seeking invitations, with a target of six talks given annually at the end of 2006
• Establish and maintain a list of members in each borough prepared to network with local groups, libraries etc and to ensure that Trust promotional material is always available and displayed at relevant venues
• Actively promote the use of the enquiry system to the public and members, producing printed sheets of frequently requested information and offering individual Inventory Database site information for sale
• Seek to man the office at least part of each working day by the end of 2006

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Activities

ONGOING PROGRAMMES

• Hold at least one study day each year
• Hold an annual garden party for members, their guests and Trust invitees
• Arrange a series of Summer walks and visits each year
• Arrange a Winter Lecture Series each year
• Hold an annual conference each year
• Arrange at least one annual event with another garden history organization

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Research and Publications

ONGOING PROGRAMMES

• Publish one issue of the London Gardener each year
• Publish, revise and reprint Conference and Study Day Proceedings as appropriate, the first edition to be within six months of the event, by the end of December 2006
• Develop links with schools and promote educational projects
• Strengthen links with establishments and students of higher and further education, particularly those concerned with landscape architecture and garden history
• Investigate the market for a series of pocket-sized paperbacks on garden/landscape themes e.g. parks, squares, cemeteries or visits/ walks on a regional basis e.g. N, S, E, W and Central London or borough wide

NEW PROGRAMMES

• Subject to funding, publish a complete illustrated Inventory of London’s Green Open Spaces
• Subject to funding, develop the Inventory Database in line with the new Parks and Gardens Data Partnership
• Develop and maintain a basic picture library on CD for the use of the Trust and others
• Recruit, train and organise volunteers to research London’s historic green spaces aiming to achieve a trained and active working group by the end of December 2006
• Develop and maintain a London Directory of Research of Historic Parks & Gardens
• Identify research needs related to historic parks and gardens throughout London to ensure that Trust finances and manpower are used efficiently and effectively
• Develop desk and site-based training sessions for volunteers with a view to updating and expanding the Inventory Database
• Promote and market Issue 10 of the journal, offering boxed sets of Issues 1-10 with a cumulative index for sale

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Planning and Conservation

ONGOING PROGRAMMES

• Review and comment upon, where necessary, Local Development Frameworks, Local Development Documents and revisions to Unitary Development Plans carried out by any boroughs
• Build up the level of contacts with borough conservation officers and the Greater London Authority, achieving a satisfactory dialogue with all them by the end of December 2006
• Liaise with the Garden History Society (GHS), particularly through its London Caseworker, so that the Trust and GHS are both aware of possible threats to historic parks and gardens in Greater London
• Maintain a London sub-regional network of contacts for advice/ information on planning, conservation and other matters with particular emphasis on the outer London boroughs
• Encourage good practice by developers and others by seeking the nomination of and assessing restoration/ development projects for Trust annual awards
• Consider ways in which the Trust can facilitate or assist with practical projects in conjunction with boroughs, kindred organisations and others

NEW PROGRAMMES

• Build up knowledge, expertise and level of contacts within the subgroup, so that the Trust responses and comments on planning matters are adroit and professional
• Ensure that the Trust responds to the relevant policies, proposals and research published by organisations such as the Policy Studies Institute and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)
• Ensure that the Trust is in a position to review and respond to all planning applications or issues that would impact on London’s green open spaces
• Agree local lists of historic parks and gardens with all London boroughs by the end of 2006

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Open Garden Squares Weekend

ONGOING PROGRAMMES

• Refine and improve, as necessary, the administration for and evaluation of OGSW
• Increase people’s awareness and improve their knowledge of London’s smaller urban green spaces through the development of OGSW
• Encourage and promote meetings between squares’ committee members to aid the exchange of information and expertise
• Respond to enquiries from squares’ committees concerning projects in and the maintenance of squares

NEW PROGRAMMES

• Subject to funding, ensure the sustainability and growth of OGSW by attracting new audiences, new volunteers, new participants and themed activities through the appointment of a project officer to develop and coordinate the event for a period of two years from spring 2005
• Coordinate the production of a range of publications, guides and interpretation material to explore the wealth of London’s smaller historic green spaces to support OGSW

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