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2022-04-30-accounts

Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust Charity No: 107882

Trustees Report and Financial Statements for the � ear ended 30 April 2022

Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust

Reference and Administrative Details for the year ended 30 April 2022

Name: Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust Charity Number: 1078882

Registered office: Mill House, Tower Road, Burnham Overy Staithe, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 8JB

Trustees:

W Garnett (Chairman, appointed 13/9/19) A Green (appointed 9/11/17) R Green (appointed 9/11/17) P Green (appointed 9/11/17) M Lawson (appointed 13/9/19) Sir J Paice (appointed 7/9/21) S Tomkins (appointed 9/11/17) R Vigne (appointed 7/9/21)

Independent Examiner:

Nicholas Russell ICAEW Moorgate Place London EC2R 6EA

History, structure, and governance

Since 1995 over 250 acres of farm land has been transformed into a variety of wetland and meadow habitats typical of the ancient Cambridgeshire Fens. This recreation of natural plant communities, and our developing knowledge of their processes and management has been pioneering. Over the last 26 years our experimental and scientific approach to wildlife conservation has produced some exceptional wildlife habitats with very exciting outcomes.

Initially conceived and owned by Andrew Green, the Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve employs a small wardening staff to manage, record and monitor wildlife throughout the year. Staff are employed by the owners to manage the Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve. Our operation - through advisors, staff and volunteers has enabled us to better understand influences on wildlife at all levels and so improve wetland conservation management in the Fens and beyond.

On 25 November 1999, The Kingfisher Bridge Wetland Creation Trust was established as a registered charity and is constituted under a trust deed dated 25th November 1999. The Trust’s principal role is to support The Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve management operations via grants. Trustees are approved by existing trustees, each of whom serve for 5 years, after which time they may put themselves forward for re-appointment. The trustees meet at least twice a year and meet less formally on a monthly basis. All trustees give of their time freely and no trustee remuneration was paid in the year.

The Trust’s principal role is to support The Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve via grants. Excluding these grants, the Trust has very limited outgoings so there is no need for a policy on the holding of Reserves. Free reserves at the year end were £36,255 (2021 £77,113).

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Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust

Report for the Trustees for the period ended 30 April 2022

The Trustees present this annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity’s governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The Trust’s primary objective is to conserve and create a variety of wetland and wildlife habitats in the fens in order to conserve fenland wildlife for its own benefit – and for the public educational benefit that they bring to people.

In furtherance of that objective, the Trust seeks to promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment by promoting biological diversity ((including existing and rare species of plants, insects, birds and mammals), and to advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.

The Trust’s principal role is to support The Kingfishers Bridge Nature Reserve via grants. These grants are made on the basis that the Reserve is being managed to conserve and create a wide variety of wetland and wildlife habitats in the Fens (including existing and rare species of plants, insects, birds and mammals) for the public educational benefit.

In support of the above, the management team will pursue the following:

The Trustees are satisfied that the reserve has been managed in line with the objectives as detailed above.

The Trustees have complied with the duty to have due regard for public benefit as published by the Charities Commission. We highlight the outstanding outcomes in terms of the natural capital enhancements particularly biodiversity as well as the direct benefits to the public - whether it be the general public who visit in ever increasing numbers - or our ongoing liaisons with like-minded organisations.

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Kingfishers Bridge Wetland Creation Trust

Summary of achievements for the year ended April 2022 and plans for the future

A fine balance

The rising levels of interest in the environment and the natural world has ensured that the elevated level of visitor numbers that we have experienced in recent years was maintained in the current year. As mentioned before, in keeping with our wildlife first ethos, we need to accommodate this growing interest, whilst preserving the integrity of our ecosystems. This entails a careful balance between visitor numbers and their impact on the wildlife particularly in sensitive areas. The new signage that we have installed has not only improved the visitor experience but also helped to minimise the impact of their presence on the reserve. We would also emphasise that a substantive area of the Reserve – the reed beds, wader meadows and lake area – remain completely undisturbed throughout the breeding season. The Trustees would like to thank James Moss, the manager of the Reserve, for leading the team and continuing to maintain this delicate balance such that visitors can enjoy the Reserve whilst respecting the wildlife. Our thanks also go to the dedicated team of wardens, volunteers and supporters of the Reserve without whom our vital work would be unable to continue.

A self-financing future

We continue to develop our new self-sustaining model by encouraging those who visit to make donations or join our Supporters Club. We have also worked to improve the visitor experience by optimising the paths, improving access, refreshing the website, upgrading the payment portal. During the year, much work went into the planning of a new visitor centre which was subsequently completed in September 2022. The building, which incorporates Wren’s Café, will allow us to market our own merchandise as well as support more interaction with our visitors. Finally, we have initiated a guided tour program enabling visitors to learn about the project in greater detail.

Events

The management team collaborate with other like-minded conservation and habitat creation organisations - by working together one can achieve more. To that end, the Reserve hosted various groups at regular events including Liaison Days, for conservation specialists; Open Days in August for families and the local community, with over 350 visitors attending; “Friends” Days for those who support us financially and in other ways, to support their engagement and to provide direct transparency on how their financial support is used and how other support translates on the ground.

Management of the Reserve

The management of the reserve’s habitats and infrastructure requires an ongoing maintenance programme and refinements. Another generous donation from The Linder Foundation allowed us to restore the Triangle Field at the southern end of the reserve. We have created 3 new ponds as part of The Great Crested Newt Habitat Creation Project, with funds provided by Natural England and delivered by FWAG (Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group). Last year we mentioned that the lake islands were re-profiled and we have now embarked on a five year project to ring and monitor the Black-headed Gulls that now breed on them. The livestock, including Long Horn and Highland cattle, Konik horses and Water Buffalo has allowed us to continue to manage habitats in a sustainable manner, maximising ecosystem variety and biodiversity. Regular bird monitoring and moth trapping continues and an ever increasing number of species have been recorded on the Reserve.

Education programme

Mally Ley has joined us as an education officer to develop and implement our education programme. Based around our classroom we now offer educational experiences for children from pre-school to sixth form and college. Whether school groups, youth groups or holiday activities, we give children the opportunity to learn and explore outdoors. The emphasis is on hands-on investigations, practical activity and creative experience in an outdoor setting. Home school groups, Scouts, Cub Scouts and Brownies have used this to support a variety of educational outdoor activities, including pond dipping, owl pellet dissection and bat detection and identification.

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KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022

KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022

INCOME:
Donations:
Donations without gift aid
Donations with gift aid
Visitor donations
Tax: Claimed in year from gift aid payments
EXPENSES:
Grants
Trustees' insurance
Subscriptions
Bank charges & interest
Miscellaneous expense
NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) for the year		 2022
2021
31,480
25
48,966
4,311
35
79,300
0
0
35,791
128,266
3,692
20,200
39,483
148,466
78,612
71,800
961
824
35
35
693
75
40
-99
80,341
72,635
(40,858)
75,831		 2022
2021
31,480
25
48,966
4,311
35
79,300
0
0
35,791
128,266
3,692
20,200
39,483
148,466
78,612
71,800
961
824
35
35
693
75
40
-99
80,341
72,635
(40,858)
75,831		 2022
2021
31,480
25
48,966
4,311
35
79,300
0
0
35,791
128,266
3,692
20,200
39,483
148,466
78,612
71,800
961
824
35
35
693
75
40
-99
80,341
72,635
(40,858)
75,831
75,831

KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 APRIL 2022

Bank balance and cash in hand
Creditor (loan)
Surplus retained
Surplus/(deficit) for the year		 2022
36,255
36,255
0
77,113
(40,858)
36,255		 2021
77,113
77,113
0
1,282
75,831
77,113

Approved by the trustees on 16 December 2022 and signed on their behalf by

_____ ANDREW GREEN (TRUSTEE) _____ WILLIAM GARNETT (CHAIRMAN)

KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022

KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2022

INCOME:
Donations:
Donations without gift aid
Donations with gift aid
Visitor donations
Tax: Claimed in year from gift aid payments
EXPENSES:
Grants
Trustees' insurance
Subscriptions
Bank charges & interest
Miscellaneous expense
NET SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) for the year		 2022
2021
31,480
25
48,966
4,311
35
79,300
0
0
35,791
128,266
3,692
20,200
39,483
148,466
78,612
71,800
961
824
35
35
693
75
40
-99
80,341
72,635
(40,858)
75,831		 2022
2021
31,480
25
48,966
4,311
35
79,300
0
0
35,791
128,266
3,692
20,200
39,483
148,466
78,612
71,800
961
824
35
35
693
75
40
-99
80,341
72,635
(40,858)
75,831		 2022
2021
31,480
25
48,966
4,311
35
79,300
0
0
35,791
128,266
3,692
20,200
39,483
148,466
78,612
71,800
961
824
35
35
693
75
40
-99
80,341
72,635
(40,858)
75,831
75,831

I confirm that this Statement of Income and Expenditure truly represents all transactions of the charity for the year.

W Garnett, Chairman

A Green, Trustee

KINGFISHERS BRIDGE WETLAND CREATION TRUST

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 APRIL 2022

Bank balance and cash in hand
Creditor (loan)
Surplus retained
Surplus/(deficit) for the year		 2022
36,255
36,255
0
77,113
(40,858)
36,255		 2021
77,113
77,113
0
1,282
75,831
77,113

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of On accounts for the year ended 30 A-, Charfty no (If any) loTrgfSZ Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Yhe Trust.) for the year ended 3 0 0(E Zoi Responsibllities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation ba51s of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities A¢t 2011 ('the Act.). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carying oul my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed below ") in Gonnection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the aco)unting reC￿rdS Independent examinerfs ststement I have no C￿ncernS and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Please delete the words in the brdckets if they do not apply. Date: Slgned: ILdC￿ 5 1 Name: *s C￿SS￿L Relevant professional quallfication(s) or body (if any): Address: IER October 2018

Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concem (see CC32. Independent examination of charrty accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glve here brief detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. October 2018 IER