THE MERLIN TRUST

Registered charity 803441 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

The aim of the Trust is to give financial assistance to keen young horticulturists, and those new to horticulture, enabling them to further their knowledge of plants in the wild, or in gardens. This study could take any of the following forms - photography, painting, written observations, seed collecting or help with conservation projects, especially involving garden plants.

Objects

A. FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION BY PROVIDING GRANTS FOR STUDENTS TO ENDABLE THEM TO TRAVEL BOTH ABROAD AND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM TO STUDY PLANTS IN THE WILD AND IN GARDENS; OR B. FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION BY PROMOTING GENERALLY THE STUDY OF PLANTS IN THE WILD BUT NOT SO AS TO PROMOTE RESEARCH INTO OR BREEDING OF PLANTS; OR C. FOR THE BENEFIT OF SUH CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS OR THE FURTHERANCE OF SUCH CHARITABLE PURPOSES IN SUCH MANNER AS THE TRUSTEES SHALL FROM TIME TO TIME THINK FIT.

Area of benefit: NOT DEFINED

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: Education/training · Environment/conservation/heritage · website · Get email alerts

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a net loss of £26,305 for the year ended 5 April 2025, driven by a net investment loss of £5,971 and increased grant expenditure. Per the trustees' report, free reserves stood at £23,697, which is close to their stated target level of £30,000–£35,000, allowing them to meet annual commitments despite the current financial deficit.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

• Complaints policy and procedures
• Financial reserves policy and procedures
• Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
• Internal risk management policy and procedures
• Investing charity funds policy and procedures
• Investment
• Safeguarding policy and procedures
• Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
• Trustee expenses policy and procedures

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook

Trustees · trustee networks

• DAVID GILCHRIST KNOTT
• JIM JERMYN
• JONATHAN THEODORE MILLER
• Kit Strange
• Lee Daren Hale
• Paul Cook
• SALLY PETITT · trustee of 1 other charity

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Northern Ireland · Scotland · Throughout England And Wales

Income and spending

Common questions