REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
FINANCIALSTATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2024
FOR
CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
A REGISTERED CHARITY
AND
A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUAFIANTEE
Registered Company Number 05189256
Registered Charity Number 01113511

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Index
Index
Company Information
Report ofthe Trustees forthe Year Ended 31 December2024
Independent Auditors. Report to the Members of Chafford Gorges Limited
Statement of Income and Expenditure forthe year ended 31st December 2024
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
Notes to the Financial Statements for theyearended 31 December 2024
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
20
25
26
27
27
INCOME- CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
INVESTMENTINCOME
STAFF COSTS
30
30
30
EXPENDITURE
31
AUDITORS. REMUNERATION
RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSEtS
FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
32
32
32
33
10. DEBTORS
11. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND (including shortterm deposits}
12. CREDITORS
34
34
34
13. CONTINGENT LIABILITY
34
14. CAPITAL COMMITMENT
15. ANALYSIS OF FUNDS
16. ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY
17. COMPANYSTATUS
34
35-37
37
37
18. RELATED PARTYTRANSACTIONS AND GROUP TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES
19. TRUSTEE'S REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
20 PRIOR PERIOD STATEMENTOF FINANCIALACTIVITIES
38
38
38
Page 2

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Company Information
DIRECTORS/TRUSTEES:
P Cunningham
J Dagley
S Boswell (name changed from S Howe 2910112024- resigned
22/08/20241
Dr A Impey- Chair (resigned 05/02/20241
S Quill
R Yates- Chair {from 5102/2024)
REGISTERED OFFICE:
Abbotts Hall Farm
Great Wigborough
Colchester
Essex
C057RZ
REGISTERED COMPANY
05189256 (England and Wales)
NUMBER:
REGISTERED CHARITY:
01113511
AUDITORS:
Moore Kingston Smith
Orbital House
20 Eastern Road
Romford, Essex
RMI 3PJ
BANKERS:
Barclays Bank PLC
Chelmsford Business Centre
40-41 High Street
Chelmsford Essex
CMI IBE
Page 3

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
The Board presents its report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31st
December 2024.
STRucfuRE. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Chafford Gorges Limited is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and
Articles of Association. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
Appointment of Trustees
The Trustees are also Directors for the purpose of company law. The Chair of the Trustees is elected
by the Board. There is provision for at least three Trustees one third of who are elected annually by
the members of the charity at the Annual General Meeting (AGMI. The Trustees serve for a period of
three years.
The Trustees have the power to co-opt a member to fill a vacancy on the Board of Trustees that
occurs between AGMS. The co-opted Trustee must however stand down or be nominated for
election at the next AGM. All members are circulated with the names of nominated trustees prior to
the AGM.
Trustee induction and training
New Trustees undergo a training programme that will brief them on their legal obligations under
charity and company law, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the decision-
making processes and recent financial performance of the charity. During the induction, they meet
key employees and other Trustees.
The Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will
facilitate the undertaking of their role.
Page 4

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Trustees/Directors
The trustees/directors during the year under review were:
Cunningham
Dagley
Boswell {name changed from S Howe 29/01/2024- resigned 22/08/20241
Dr A Impey- Chair (resigned 0510212024)
Quill
Yates- Chair (from 0510212024)
Organisation
The Board of Trustees is responsible for determining the strategic direction of the charity and for
monitoring performance towards those set objectives. The Board meets on average 4 times per year.
To facilitate effective operations the Chair has delegated authority, within terms of delegation
approved by the Trustees, for operational matters including finance and employment.
Related parties
Chafford Gorges Limited is a subsidiary of Essex Wildlife Trust Limited. Other subsidiaries of Essex
Wildlife Trust Limited are:
Essex Wildlife Sales Limited - The company exists to carryout retail sale of goods associated with the
aims of Essex Wildlife Trust Limited at the Trusys centres throughout Essex.
Essex Ecology Services Limited - The provision of advisory services relating to environmental matters.
Thameside Nature Park Limited - for the benefit of the public, to look after and further the
conservation, maintenance and protection of the area known as Thameside Nature Park Limited in
Thurrock.
Essex Wildlife Trust Limited is also a Corporate Trustee of the Veolia Pitsea Marshes and the Veolia
Havering Riverside Maintenance Trusts from which it has also received grants for support of its
environmental objectives. The ongoing involvement with these two organisations has ceased from
th
13 February 2024, when the last of the funds were distributed and the two charities were dissolved.
Risk management
The Trustees have a risk management strategy that comprises an annual review of the risks the
charity may face and the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified
in the review. They will also oversee the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any
potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise. Generally, the risks faced by the charity
consist of health and safety and land management issues related to the nature of the site as an ex
chalk pit site. These are explained further in the health and safety section on page 11 and the
investment risks are found on page 12.
Page 5

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Fundraising Policy
Chafford Gorges Limited is a subsidiary of Essex Wildlife Trust Limited and follows their fundraising
policy.
Essex Wildlife Trust is accountable regarding its fundraising. E55ex Wildlife Trust monitors fundraising
activity through regular reports to the Board of Trustees, based on our budgetary and management
accounts process and policy.
All projects are approved and managed through the Strategic Leadership Team, with Board approval
where appropriate. All of our projects and core fundraising contribute to Essex Wildlife Trust's
strategy and overall vision - to have a county rich in wildlife with people connected to nature- with
communities that value the countryside and that are inspired to help protect it.
Essex Wildlife Trust has a complaints policy and the procedure for making complaints regarding our
fundraising that can be found on our website, as a link under Essex Wildlife Trust's Fundraising
Promise.
Essex Wildlife Trust's policy regarding Vulnerable Adults and Treating Donors Fairly sets out how we
expect our fundraisers to behave. Essex Wildlife Trust is respectful - we respect decisions not to
make donations and to withdraw membership, we will contact our supporters and donors in the way
that they request, we will respond to queries in an open, honest, courteous and professional way.
We will acknowledge any complaint within five working days to let complainants know when they
can expect a response.
Going Concern
Having reviewed the company's financial forecasts and expected future cashflows, the Trustees have
a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for the foreseeable future and for a period of at least 12 months following the approval of
these financial statements. Thus, the going concern basis has been adopted in preparing the financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Page 6

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
OBJEcfivES AND AcfiviTIES
The objects of the charity are:
For the benefit of the public, to look after and further the conservation, maintenance and
protection of the area known as Chafford Gorges Nature Park in Thurrock.
To advance the education of the public in the principles and practice of conservation,
sustainable development, and biodiversity.
Sustainable development is primarily defined as "Development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
(The Brundtland Commission).
The strategies, employed to achieve the charity's objectives, are a5 follows:
Ensuring that the nature reserves are good examples of conservation management where
wildlife thrives.
Physical management of the Chafford Gorges Nature Park through Action Plans that identify
priority work.
Reaching people of all ages and abilities, and all communities. Raising their understanding of
sustainable living, what they can do for wildlife and what a good environment can do for
them by advancing the interest and education of the public through activities in the Nature
Park and the Nature Discovery Centre.
Highlighting the geology of Chafford Gorges Nature Park and acknowledging the site's recent
history and prehistoric links. Ensuring that the key geological features are kept open and
visible for the public.
Providing a supportive culture for both staff and volunteers.
Maintaining a firm financial foundation.
Undertaking or supporting other essential work in relation to Access, Health and Safety,
minimising antisocial behaviour, inspection of all cliffs and actions to address any issues in
priority order.
Each year the Trustees determine the strategic focus for the year, highlighting those areas of
the Strategic Plan that are to be completed in the current year, thus setting the levels of
priority.
Page 7

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
In shaping the objectives for the year and planning the activities, the Trustees have considered the
Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, includingthe guidance on public benefit and fee
charging. Chafford Gorges relies on income from investments, donations, grants and fees to cover its
operating costs.
All of Chafford Gorges Nature Park is accessible to the public free of charge and on-going work is
always mindful of improving that access for families with young children and the disabled, within the
bounds of the health and safety considerations for the site.
Where possible and practical, free advice is also given to members of the public who contact the
charity.
The charity is very dependent on the help of volunteers for these activities. In 2024, there were 28
volunteers who completed a huge variety of valuable work on work parties, maintenance work,
habitat restoration, litter picking, carrying out ecological surveys and helping with health and safety
checks. In addition, there are local community groups, five corporate groups and a disabled school
group that have helped throughout the year.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Access for all
We have continued to maintain and improve access for the public to all parts of the nature reserve in
2024. All the wooden interpretation panels and trail posts have had teak oil applied and
stencils/colour markers renewed. We have again had to repair a few posts and remove graffiti from
the boards, but we have done this in good time to not impact visitor experience.
The final section of the Hogg Lane boundary fence was replaced with V mesh alongside the roadside
coppice here, making the reserve boundary more professional, inviting, and free of barbed wire. This
year's sections have been claimed back as they were part of the new CSS capital works.
The viewpoints, jetty areas, and memorial benches have been maintained throughout the year. The
rope rail along Thames Hill View has been maintained repeatedly this year. We added in a new rope
rail along one side of the Lion Gorge Steps, and along the wooden steps in Grays Gorge.
Tree safety works were conducted on surdey123 this year.
We have continued to control scrub near the key geological sections in Lion Pit Site of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSII, and Wouldham Cliffs, allowing most to be viewed year-round. Some sections
in Lion Pit SSSI were encouraged to grow up as part of the visual management plan for site to prevent
erosion.
Page 8

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
We filled a skip with fly-tipping from across the reserve on top of getting our 660 litre bin emptied
every fortnight. We only had one case of asbestos dumped this year.
We were let down by the welder who did not show to repair the bat tunnels or the damaged fences
along Lion, Warren and Wouldham that the vandals are getting through.
The cliffside fence at Wouldham cliffs, where we have people climbing over, has been raised to 1.8m.
there is only a small section to complete.
Along the top shelf of Grays Gorge the cliff fall section has been fenced off permanently with 2.lm
high Palisade fenceing both sides, with the diversion in place for now. We have been in contact with
the council and highways about restoring a shorter diversion in Stump meadow onto the road
through the crash barrier.
8 tonnes of hard core have been added to Warren Gorge paths, including Heron point. The water
levels in Warren Gorge have remained high, and many of the paths underwater. In the long run we
need to pump water through the lower tunnel into Lion Gorge where it is pumped out to the Thames
when the level is high by the Pumping station on Devonshire road.
We have had media campaigns and lots of interpretation on site in preparation for phase 2 of the
More Marvellous Meadows project, part of the CSS agreement.
A new protective fence and interpretation has been put in around the lime kiln in Grays gorge as part
of the historic monument protection on the CSS agreement.
Work Parties
The 2024 volunteer hours were not recorded properly due to Team Kinetic flaws, but felt lower than
2023 with several regulars leaving, being replaced late on in the year by new regulars, but too late to
be higher then 2023. We had teething problems with the new team kinetic system and the
mandatory training, which made many volunteers anxious and pushed some away too. We ended the
year feeling over this however. We are still very short of volunteer5 who can brushcut, losing two of
these early in 2024.
We were pleased that we were able to have both volunteer thank you events this year- a BBQ in the
summer and a thank you after Christmas.
This year we have had extra winter Saturdays as work parties (the first Saturday of Jan, Feb, and Dec)
to help get through more of the CSS works.
Page 9

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Conservation Work
This year was a great year for the orchid numbers, with the highest number of total orchids since the
2011 high. It was a record year forthe endangered man orchid, as well as bee orchid. We had the
highest orchid numbers in the Pump Meadows, Mill Wood, The Sandmartin meadow and the leased
land. With the latter due in part to the new Leased Land ponds area being accessible to explore,
finding a range of rare botanicals, a badger sett, two ponds that will be improved by FWAG funding
and some great early successional habitats.
The meadows were cut perfectly with the new combi and we got through all of the calcareous
meadow work by mid October, allowing us to go hard into the capital works. We did not finish off
minor lowland meadow rotational cuts in Lion Pit SSSI or Lion Gorge but this can be caught up next
year.
We conclusively found a population of small blue butterflies in the Sandmartin Meadow, which we
will carefully nurture going forwards.
We entered into the new CSS agreement on January 1st 2022, giving us two years to complete all the
funded capital works. The More Marvellous Meadows project, half of the main works to restore
calcareous meadows across the site was completed this year. The last of the felling was done early in
the year and in the spring we scraped back to bare chalk, and made the massive hibernacula- chalk
capped bunds.
Also, in the CSS capital works we continued with the coppicing sections along Hogg Lane and
Devonshire Road. We have cleared fully the understory in the Man Orchid Meadow and top top
Meadow. We have fully hit back the scrub at Top Bottom meadow to the roadside fence and post
and rail at BOA. BOA was cleared and connected up to the Buddleia pit, which itself was cleared to
fully connect this corridor along the whole of the top shelf of Grays Gorge. TOSS meadow was
widened to the cliff edge and bund edges, and the Leased Land Meadow and bank was thinned of
trees.
In Palmerston Gardens we have cleared the remaining small trees, widening thi5 meadow as per the
capital works.
FWAG bunded pond in Grays Gorge was dug, allowing a GCN pond free of fish, and allowing the site
to hold more water to compensate the tree loss from the More Maniellous Meadows project.
Due to the Lower Thames Crossing funding ending in March 2025 we could let the works take a
backseat until after we had finished the CSS works, which we did only by Christmas eve. However we
did finish Thames Hill View project earlier in the year, and had contractors in to clear South and Main
island, as well as the buddleia bank.
Page 10

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
The Survey schedule was carried out and we did more transects than any previous year.
Invasives like the goat's rue, alexanders, and buddleia from the meadows have been pulled out
throughout the year. We managed to take a few invasive holm oaks out as well. All invasive species
are mapped so we can target them more effectively.
Mill Wood's bluebells took another battering this year with people seeming to think (since lockdown)
that they can walk wherever they want through the woods. We blocked off a few desire line paths
(above 30cm as they were just badgertracks initially) but people keep knockin8 them down. We also
blocked off the desire tracks through the bird's nest orchid areas but again most of these were
knocked down repeatedly. The bird nest orchid numbers are extremely low.
In the Pump Meadows we continue to hit the nettles, brambles and goat's rue back from the areas
that were reopened only a few years ago. The meadow is doing really well and improves year on
year.
In the Sandmartin Meadow, we have cut and cleared the grassland and controlled roadside scrub to
stop it encroaching into this very thin strip of grassland. The northern scrubby edge has been cleared
again and most of these arisings have been moved from thi5 sensitive area to Grays Gorge. Buddleia
on the banks at the northern end have been cut down and the goat's rue was absent this year.
At Warren Gorge we have maintained fences, the invasive alexander5 continue to be controlled, and
the Japanese Knotweed is all but gone now from the Waterfs edge. Goat's rue has been hit early in
the season to prevent it from dominating the sward. We have continued to remove floating
pennywort from the lake, going out a few times in the summer to take out any plants that escaped
our November purge.
At Wouldham Cliffs we have maintained the meadow to the cliffside fence line, cut the meadows and
cut back growth covering geological features.
We had our felling licences come through for our planned for coppicing cycles post the More
Marvellous Meadows project.
In general, anti-social incidents were quite bad, taking up a significant proportion of our time.
Health and Safety
We continue with our regular monitoring of the cliffs in Chafford Gorges (undertaken by a
professional geologist) who undertakes checks as per the schedule. Fence and lifebuoy checks are
undertaken regularly, as are spot checks. All these checks are documented to show due diligence in
our working practices. The fence checks are carried out annually by Essex Wildlife Trust's Southwest
Landscape Conservation Area Manager or Senior Ranger to ensure that an 'external' assessor
Page 11

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
confirms the condition of the fences. Vehicles and power tools have a logbook and maintenance
check sheets. New pre-start check sheets are now used as well.
Risk assessments for all activities are in place. PPE 15 always worn and enforced on the work parties.
First aid and burn kits are checked monthly.
The annual tree survey was carried out and tree safety work has been carried out this year across the
whole site.
Education and Events
The centre was to reopen eventually as an educational hub. However, this was pulled mid-year.
FINANCIAL REVIEW OF THE CHARITY
The net movement in funds for the year was a decrease of £63,084 (2023 increase: £232,251), the
investment portfolio showed an unrealised loss of £325,948 (2023: gain of £202,649) and realised
gains for £257,535 {2023: nil).
The Trustees invested the sum transferred to Chafford Gorges Limited at the time of taking
ownership. The company draws down investment income from the fund to cover the cost of its
operations. The Trustees policy is to ensure that no part of the capital sum invested shall be drawn
down to cover running costs and that it be held as financial resenies in perpetuity. The policy also
requires that the net present value of the investment portfolio is not depleted by inflation.
Financial reserves policy
The Reserves Policy for Chafford Gorges Ltd wa5 reviewed in 2023, setting a free reserves level from
a risk based perspective. Free reserves provide the working capital requirements of the charity. Free
reserves are calculated by deducting the unspent part of restricted funds, together with the value of
designated funds which includes amounts tied up in fixed assets and investments from the total net
assets of the charity.
Investment policy
Under the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the charity has the power to invest in any way
the Trustees wish. The Investment Policy has been updated in 2023, the Trustees placed emphasis on
the need to invest in financial products that are considered to be ethical in nature having regard to
the objects of the charity and therefore they need strong environmental, ethical, social and
governance (ESG) credentials. By investing in companies and funds that meet these standards, it will
avoid investments, whether direct or indirect, that do not have strong management of ESG risks and
opportunities. This will include the following ethical restrictions:
Page 12

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
no investment in tobacco manufacturers and oil and gas companies, and
the avoidance of investment in companies that earn more than IO% of their revenues from
the following.
o Alcohol manufacturing and retail
o Armaments
Adult entertainment including pornography
Gambling
Fossil fuels, including oil, ga5, coal and tar sands, whether by exploration and
extraction, production, distribution or power generation.
To align its investments with this policy, a retender for Investment Managers to work within this
policy was undertaken in 2023 and Rathbones Greenbank were appointed. The transfer of
investments from the Sarasin's Climate Active Fund to a bespoke portfolio started at the end of 2023
and continued into 2024.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
Conservation Work
In 2025 we will maintain the number of species surrfeyed to monitor the diversity of the nature park
and to assess how the practical work is affecting species, year on year, area by area.
With a few minor repairs to our new combi the autumn meadow cutting regime should be quick
again, and we will be able to catch up on the lowland meadow areas missed in 2024.
After the More Marvellous Meadows Project and the rest of the capital works items completed last
year, we had not fully cleared up areas of felled trees. We will need to recut around and bramble
regrowth and fully clear up the Capital item areas. Some can be moved in March 2025 off of the old
meadows to minimize damage to the orchids. We have a new coppice rotation section to do around
the edges of the new chalk meadows.
Also, we have the roadside coppice section along Devonshire road where we will also be able to
replace the 37-year-old fence.
The Leased Land ponds will be cleared out by the FWAG project, and we will remove the years of
rubbish buildup along the boundary line with the tank farm. Further surveys will be conducted here
to see what is there before a plan is made to protect this area going forward.
In conjunction we have four Lower Thames Crossing projects that we should get completed in 2025.
The Wouldham Lower project was completed last year: removing invasive buddleia and replacing the
fence. Work on Thames Hill View will also be finished bythe end of the year: removing the west bank
of scrub at Thames Hill View. We will have a period in the spring whereby we need to treat the
buddleia stumps for the Pump Meadows Project: Clear buddleia and scrub from Cliffside of the
meadow and the bund here. If time we will conclude this project, however with the mountain of CSS
Page 13

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
work due 31st of December 2024, the Lower Thames Crossing deadline of 31st March 2025 lends for
these projects to be pushed into January and February 2025. The final Warren Islands clearance and
meadow creation on main island. Coppicing of other islands to allow light in for the orchids and
removal of buddleia around the lake edge.
Reducing the nutrient influx points onto the calcareous gras51and meadows is a priority. Controlling
invasive species will again be a major part of the work in 2025, seeking to control Cotoneaster, Holm
Oak, Alexander's, Laurel and Floating Pennywort, as well as Buddleia and Goat's Rue. Snowberry and
winterberry are still encroaching heavily in Warren Gorge and Thames Hill View. We need to ensure
that this threat is mitigated. Invasive species will continue to be mapped annually to enable control
work to be priorit15ed, working on key areas, keeping track of succe55e5 and troubling areas.
In Warren Gorge, we will continue to manage the habitats in accordance with our management plan.
The 11-year coppicing regime which was started in 2017 has been put on the back burner whilst the
capital works from the CSS project are being completed. The compost heap bunds will be removed of
scrub so that they can be maintained more effectively going forwards and so that the bunds
themselves can be used by basking herpetofauna, lepidopterans and hymenopterans. Some scrub
will be removed from the southern meadow section to ensure that the percentage cover of meadow
here is favourable. The last of the tree guards will be removed. We also need to remove the willows
that are growing in the reedbeds here, I will design a new rotation for these.
In Lion Gorge the community fishing club continues to run successfully, with a good solid
membership. Governance of the club is strong. They continue to remove large amounts of weed
from the waters, that could lead to fish kills and makes fishing difficult. They continue to trap invasive
narrow clawed crayfish. We will finish removing buddleia in the southern grassy corridor section,
expanding the meadow here to the cliff edge, and we will continue to expose the gravel walls for
invertebrates. The bat tunnels will be repaired further from the damage they received over the past
few years- with a new grill being installed.
In Lion Pit SSSI the geological features will be preserved and access maintained to areas to enable
ongoing study of the site. The ongoing fly-tipping remains a problem and we will continue to engage
with locals and remove the fly tipping. This yearwe will be fully clearing up the Palmerston Gardens
rank grasslands blackthorn scrub which has been cut last year, as well as extending the Palmerston
Road bund up to Palmerston Gardens. Five larger laurels growing at the top of the bank will be
removed before they become a problem. A boundary strip will be cut along the top of the slope as
far as reasonably possible ready for boundary posts in 2025. Hopefully the East side boundary posts
will be finished here.
Mill Wood and Thames Hill View will continue to be managed. If time allows we will refence off the
more sensitive bluebell areas to avoid trampling. The meadow extensions will be monitored and re-
growing ruderal species will be selectively cut. Thames Hill View scrub will be cut more often to
ensure the transition to meadow corridor here. The last of the tree guards and supporting posts will
be removed.
Page 14

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
In Grays Gorge the roadside coppicing and hedge laying regime will continue, along Devonshire road
near Buddleia pit meadow.
Grays Gorge has the CSS capital work clear up to complete, with several areas needing another
brushcut over and felled material cro55 Cut and moved. There is a new coppicing regime that has
been approved by the forestry commission and natural England to soften the edges of the new
meadow areas, and we will start with a section in November 2025.
To better protect orchids here we will also begin fencing off the sensitive bird's nest orchid
woodland.
In the Pump Meadows we will continue to remove and treat buddleia and encourage meadow
recovery on the previously opened areas. As per the Lower Thames Crossing funding, more buddleias
will be taken down cliffside and treated.
We will continue to protect the highly biodiverse Sandmartin Meadow. The newly opened area will
be encouraged to recover and the nutrients will be moved into Grays Gorge {There are existing
habitat piles at the northern end that need to be removed). As per the rota 2025 will see the
roadside scrub hit back on both sides of the fence with help from the council. Goat's rue, snowberry
and buddleia shall be removed from the edges of this meadow. We will increasingly survey and
protect the small blue butterfly population found here.
Wouldham Cliffs meadows will be continued to be managed as will the butterfly transect along here.
The acacia trees that are meadow side will be taken down and treated if time permits.
Access for all
We will continue to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of the site by maintaining the network of
footpaths, being mindful of those with differing abilities. We will maintain access from the Nature
Discovery Centre into Warren Gorge through further work on the zig zag access path. We will plan to
recover the flooded paths in Warren Gorge. Steps will be kept free of leaves, mud and rubbish to
avoid accidents. The muddy paths in Grays will be topped up with chalk if necessary.
We may be able to start planning a new path once we have cleared the felled material between Top
Bottom Meadow and Meadow before the Sandmartin gate.
Existing interpretation and gates will be maintained and painted if necessary. New information
boards funded by Land of the Fanns have already improves visitor engagement. The online trail will
be updated quarterly to keep visitors engaged with the site. The lime kiln in Grays has been
designated a historic monument and as such we will be maintaining the protective fence and
interpretation panel here.
Page 15

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
In Warren gorge we will be making a new bird hide at the end of the jetty which will double as a
barrier to prevent people falling off into the water here. Deep water signs will be added off the end
of the culvert on the North side and the South side will be blocked by laying a hedge.
We have drone footage of the More Marvellou5 Meadows Project and the Lower Thames Crossing
project work which can be used to tell the story of the site. We can send the drone up again after we
have completed the Lower Thames Crossing project work in March.
In Wouldham Cliffs we will extend the 1.8m high mesh fence to prevent people climbing over onto
the cliff edge.
In general, we will continue to define our boundaries better, installing boundary posts and being
vigilant. Ideally Lion West lif we get time in the winter to clear the scrub back then we will add a
fence here too), Lion Pit SSSI and Palmerston Road will be done. The Southern boundary of Grays
Gorge will be demarked too.
Work Parties
The extra Assistant Ranger has now been employed until December 2026. This will enable us to catch
up with our usual winter work schedules following on from the hectic 202412025 winters with the
culmination of the capital works and LTC works.
Staff and key volunteers will continue to lead and build back up the once very successful work party
programme, making sure that the important tasks are carried out safely, matching the skills of
volunteers to the work. The Friday work party is at it's lowest ebb and the assistant Rangers have
been tasked with building this back up. Training of long-term volunteers will be undertaken to ensure
eff icient completion of work plan and to promote development. Species monitoring also plays an
important part of the volunteers, annual work. Extra winter weekend work parties will be run
September to February to help us get through the work at this key times.
Corporate and community groups will also have work party days on site where they can contribute.
The areas they help with will be subsequently reported back to them to show the effect they have
had and to encourage a return visit.
Health and Safety
Our programme of regular fence and lifebuoy checks will continue in 2025, to ensure that visitors are
safe. Annual tree surveys will identify where tree maintenance is necessary, based on the EWT Tree
Safety policy and procedures. Cliff inspections will continue to be undertaken. Work identified
following these checks will be actioned in priority order. Slopes within Lion Gorge and the Pump
meadows will require more regular checks because of recent cliff falls. Our biannual Health & Safety
Site Audit was delayed last year until summer 2025, we will always strive to improve our standards.
Page 16

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
All slope reports are reported to the Board. Any issues with boundary incursions will be dealt in a
timely manner to ensure slopes and cliffs are protected. All boundaries will be checked quarterly as
will reserve infrastructure. We will continue to fight back against the planning permission adjacent to
End meadow, with some money in reserve in case we need to erect a new boundary fence here.
Access by the builders will be prohibited to safeguard the meadow. We will continue to add
boundary posts and will keep objecting and chasing the council to recover the two properties on
Warren Heights (one victory in 2024) that have encroached on land owned by us. A new bunded
cabinet will be bought to house the paints and aeroso15 as per the advice of the Health and Safety
Officer. Avian flu PPE will be stockpiled in anticipation of future outbreaks on the reserve. A spoke
will be added to Mill Wood cliff fence to stop kids climbing over the fence here. At Wouldham cliffs
the fence height will be raised to 1.8m to match the other cliffside fences. The mineshaft in Grays
Gorge was covered over as part of the Grays Gorge MMM project in 2024. The bat tunnels will be
repaired fully with a new grill and the points that people keep breaking in will be reinforced again. A
new fence at the base of Coppice section 2 is needed as there appears not to be one at this section.
In Warren gorge we will be making a new bird hide at the end of the jetty which will double as a
barrier to prevent people falling off into the water here. Deep water signs will be added off the end
of the culvert on the North side and the South side will be blocked by laying a hedge. We may add
another lifebuoy closer to the culvert too as vegetation hides the line of sight to the nearest lifebuoy
at this point, although not a legal requirement to do so.
Education and Events
The Rangers will continue to engage with the local community by organising and running a series of
events through the year, designed to improve better understanding of the importance of the site,
and explaining the projects going on here.
Future plans include extending the education zone to the south-west with a new gate and a new
dead hedge to contain kids in this wooded part. This will allow for den building to be done securely
and will improve the interactions with nature. There are also plans for a series of walks to be offered,
and a viewpoint at the base of the decking could also be created, provided the visitor centre is
reopened by EWT/EWS.
The wood store will be topped up for the use of the education team.
Local geologist will run a couple of geological based walks for the public.
We plan to set up a camera trap for the badger set at Palmerston Gardens. If this is successful, then a
live feed is an option.
Page 17

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES
The trustees (who are also directors of Chafford Gorges for the purposes of company law) are
responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance
with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under
company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that
they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming
resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable
company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 1021;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it Is inappropriate to
presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that
the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the trustees are aware:
there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable companws auditor is unaware;
and
the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of
any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditor is aware of that information.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject
to the small companies, reEime.
STATEMENT AS TO DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION TO AUDITORS
So far as the Trustees are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable
company's auditors are unaware. Additionally, the trustees have taken all the necessary steps that
they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit
information and to establish that the charitable company's auditors are aware of that information.
Page 18

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
AUDITORS
Following a review of audit services at the end of 2024, Moore Kingston Smith LLP were appointed as
auditors for the accounts of 2024, at the Emergency General Meeting of Essex Wildlife Trust in
February 2025.
In accordance with the company's articles, a resolution proposing that Moore Kingston Smith LLP be
re-appointed as auditors will be put at a General Meeting.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to
the small companies exemption.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD:
R Yates- Chair
Date:
3110712025
Page 19

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Independent Auditorfs Report to the Members of Chafford Gorges Limited
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Chafford Gorges Limited (the 'charitable company'l for
the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise the Statement of Income and Expenditure, the
Balance Sheet, and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The
financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United
Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting
Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable companws affairs as at 31 December
2024, and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and
expenditure, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) {ISAs (UK)) and
applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's
Responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent
of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the
financial statements in the UK, including the FRC'S Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other
ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence
we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees, use of the going concern
basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to
events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's
ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial
statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are
described in the relevant sections of this report.
Page 20

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the
financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other
information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not
cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do
not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other
information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the
course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material
inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a
material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have
performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are
required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
the information given in the trustees, report for the financial year for which the financial
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the trustees, report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the
course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees, report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006
requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not
been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of trustees, remuneration specified by law are not made.
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the
small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies, exemption in preparing
the trustees, report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report
Page 21

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the trustees. responsibilities statement set out on page 18, the trustees are
responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a
true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the
preparation of financial Statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud
or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the compan¢s ability
to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using
the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the company or
to.
Auditor responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole
are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditorfs report
that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee
that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAS (UK) will always detect a material misstatement
when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if,
individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions
of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAS (UK) we exercise professional judgement and maintain
professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether
due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and
obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The
risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one
resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery. intentional omissions,
misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit
procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purposes of expressing
an opinion on the effectiveness of the company's internal control.
Evaluate the appropriatenes5 of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of
accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the trustee5.
Conclude on the appropriateness of the trustees. use of the going concern basis of accounting
and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to
events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the compan)Is ability to continue as a
going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw
Page 22

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
attention in our auditorfs report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if
such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the
audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or
conditions may cause the company to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including
the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions
and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned
scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in
internal control that we identify during our audit.
Explanation as to what extent the audit was considered capable of deterting irregularities.
including fraud
Irregularities, including fraud, are instance5 of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design
procedures in line with our responsibilities, Outlined above, to detect material misstatements in
respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting
irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.
The objectives of our audit in respect of fraud, are; to identify and assess the risks of material
misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit
evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud, through designing and
implementing appropriate responses to those assessed risks: and to respond appropriately to
instances of fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit. However, the primary responsibility
for the prevention and detection of fraud rests with both management and those charged with
governance of the company.
Our approach was as follows:
We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory requirements applicable to the
company and considered that the most SlEnificant are the Companies Act 2006, Charities Act
2011, UK financial reporting standards as issued by the Financial Reporting Council, and UK
taxation legislation.
We obtained an understanding of how the company complies with these requirements by
discussions with management and those charged with governance.
We assessed the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements, including the risk
of material misstatement due to fraud and how it might occur, by holding discussions with
management and those charged with governance.
Page 23

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
We inquired of management and those charged with governance as to any known instances
of non-compliance or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Based on this understanding, we designed specific appropriate audit procedures to identify
instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. This included making enquiries of
management and those charged with governance and obtaining additional corroborative
evidence as required.
There are inherent limitations in the audit procedures described above. We are less likely to become
aware of instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations that are not closely related to events
and transactions reflected in the financial statements. Also, the risk of not detecting a material
misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error, as fraud
may involve deliberate concealment by, for example, forgery or intentional misrepresentations, or
through collusion.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of
Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken for no purpose other than
to draw to the attention of the company's members those matters which we are required to include
in an auditorfs report addressed to them. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or
assume responsibility to any party other than the company and company's members as a body, for
our work, for this report, or forthe opinions we have formed.
O¢'i-&
,& .Sai LLP
Paul Springfield {Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of Moore Kingston Smith LLP, Statutory Auditor
Orbital House
20 Eastern Road
Romford, Essex
RMI 3PJ
13 August 2025
Page 24

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Statement of Income and Expenditure for the year ended 31" December 2024
Unrestricted
Funds
Restrirted
Funds
Total Funds
Totsl Funds
2023
2024
Notes
INCOME
Charitable Activities
12.556
76,768
89,324
100,712
Investments
117,421
117.421
118,494
Other
7.791
7,791
3,158
Totsl Income
137,768
76.768
214,536
222,364
EXPENDITURE
Raising Funds
17.418
17,418
11,876
Charitable Activities
115.037
76,752
191,789
180,886
Totsl Expenditure
132.455
76.752
209.207
192.762
Transfer between funds
Realised gain5
257.535
257,535
Unrealised Ilossesl/gains
1325,9481
{325.948)
202,649
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
(63,1001
16
{63,0841
232,251
Balance Brought forward at
1st January 2024
Balance carried forward at
31" December 2024
4.007.876
805
4,1)08,681
3,776,430
3,944,776
821
3,945,597
4,008,681
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and
expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 27 to 38 form part of these financial statements
Page 25

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
Company registration number: 05189256
2024
2023
Note5
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets
76,638
76,727
Investments at Market Value
3.955.166
3,907,574
NET FIXED ASSETS
4.031,804
3,984,301
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
io
1,782
47,856
Cash at bank and in hand
li
68,153
145,838
Total Current Assets
69.935
193.694
Liabilities
Creditors.. Amounts falling due within one year
12
(156,142)
(169,3141
NET CURRENT I LIABITILES)/ASSETS
186,207}
24,380
TOTAL NET ASSETS
3,945,597
4,008,681
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Unrestricted Funds
{107,0281
3,575
Designated Funds
4,051,804
4,004,301
Restricted Funds
821
805
TOTAL FUNDS
15
3.945.597
4.008.681
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to
companies subject to the small companies, regime.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD:
R Yates- Chair
Date: 3110712025
J Dagley- Director
Date: 3110712025
Approved and authorised for issue by the Board on 3110712025
The notes on pages 27 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
Page 26

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2024
I. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Company information
Chafford Gorges Limited is a limited company domiciled and incorporated in England and Wales. The
registered office is Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough, Colchester, Essex, C05 7RZ.
Accounting convention
The financial statement5 have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the
exception of listed investments which are included at their market value. The financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to
charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in
the UK and Republic of Ireland effective l January 2019 {The FRS 102 Charities SORP), the Companies
Act 2006 and Charities Act 2011.
The financial statements are prepared in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the company.
Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest pound.
The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost convention. The principal
accounting policies adopted are set out below.
Going concern
Having reviewed the companvs financial forecasts and expected future cashflows, the Trustees have
a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for the foreseeable future and for a period of at least 12 months following the approval of
these financial statement5. Thus, the going concern basis has been adopted in preparing the financial
statements for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Funds
Unrestricted Funds are those which can be used for the general advancement of the objectives of
Chafford Gorges Limited . Designated Funds when shown are those designated for a specific purpose
by the Trustees. Restricted Funds are those whereby the use is restricted by the donor.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its
estimated useful life. As part of an overall review of fixed asset classifications and depreciation rates
the following rates have been updated to represent a more accurate reflection of the underlying
assets.
External works
Vehicles & attachments
Fixtures & fittings
IO% on cost p.a.
20% on cost p.a.
20% on cost p.a.
Page 27

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Plant & equipment
Computer equipment
Office equipment
20% on cost p.a.
33.33% on cost p.a.
33.33% on cost p.a.
Assets under construction are included at cost value and are not depreciated until the point of
completion is reached.
Grants receivable
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to income, it is probable that income will be
received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA} on an accruals basis.
Charitable expenditure comprises direct costs in the deliverance of its activities and services in view of
the small size of the charity all support costs relate to this activity.
Taxation
The Charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010
and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.
Accordingly, the Charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains
received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section
256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied
exclusively to charitable purposes
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.
Financial Instruments
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently
measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Investments
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their
transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, unless the value
cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains
and losses, whether realised or unrealised. are combined and presented as 'Gains/lLosses) on
investments, in the Statement of Financial Activities.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered.
Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Page 28

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past
event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in Settlement, and the
amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charitable Company anticipates it will pay to settle
the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must
provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation.
Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value
of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the
liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as a
finance cost.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND JUDGEMENTS
Key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the charitable companrfs accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make
judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are
not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on
historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ
from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting
estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only
that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and
future periods.
Useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets
The annual depreciation charge for tangible fixed assets is sensitive to changes in the estimated
useful economic lives and residual values of the assets. The useful economic lives and residual values
are re-assessed annually. They are amended when necessary to reflect current estimates, based on
technological advancement, future investments, economic utilisation and the physical condition of
the assets. See note 8 for the carrying amount of the tangible fixed assets and note I for the useful
economic lives for each class of asset.
Page 29

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
2. INCOME- CHARITABLE
AcfiviTIES
Unrestricted Restricted
Funds
Funds
Total
Funds
2024
Total
2023
Donations
335
Agricultural Grants
Restricted Grant- More Marvellous Meadows
12.556
12,556
38,500
38,268
8,636
38,500
38,268
Restricted Grant- National Highways
91,741
12.556
76,768
89,324
100,712
The amount received of £77k relating to two projects funded by National Highways. First to replace 500m of
dilapidated fence line and cleared invasive buddleia from a woodland corridor, replacing it with shade tolerant
tree species and to clear a meadow corridor on the West Bank of Thames Hill View. The second project to fell
over 1.5 hectares of low biodiversity secondary woodland.
3. INCOME- INVESTMENT INCOME
2024
2023
Interest
20,937
4,433
Investment Income
96,484
114,061
117.421
118.494
Unrestricted Restricted Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Total
2023
4. STAFF COSTS
Wages & Salaries
Social Security costs
Other pension costs
Additional labour costs
55,994
4,587
2,936
334
2,833 58,827
4,587
2,936
334
71,31)0
5,374
3,373
{1,5481
78.499
63.851
2.833 66.684
No employee earned in excess of £60,000 in the year (2023: None). The average number of employees during the year
was 2.6 (2023.. 2.8).
Page 30

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
5. EXPENDITURE
Unrestrirted Restrirted
Funds
Funds
2024
2024
Total
Funds
2024
Unrestricted
Funds
2023
Restricted
Funds
2023
Total
Funds
2023
Direct Costs
Salaries & related costs
63.851
2.833
74,274
4,225
78,499
Reserve maintenance and materials
7.876
73.919
81.795
23,208
42,836
66,044
Vehicle costs
7.601
7.601
6,047
6,047
Depreciation
13.098
,098
9.710
9,710
Total Direct Costs
92,426
76,752
169.178
113,239
47,061
160,300
Support costs
Administration expenses
Bank charges
Professional Fees
1,045
1,045
132
132
81
81
3.389
3.389
1,705
1,705
Intercompany recharges
Audit Fees
13.108
13,108
12.726
12.726
5.174
5.174
5,029
5,029
Total Support Costs
22.611
22.611
20.586
20,586
Raising Funds
Investment Management
17,418
17A18
11,876
11,876
Total Expenditure
132,455
76,752
209,207
145,701
47,061
192,762
All support costs are in furtherance of the Charitable Activities.
Governance costs included above amount to £5,174 (2023: £5,029).
Page 31

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
6. AUDITORS. REMUNERATION
2024
2023
Fees payable to the company's auditors for the audit of the
company's annual accounts
Auditors, remuneration- {Moore Kingston Smith) - Audit
Auditors, remuneration - {Price Bailey) - Audit
5.174
529
4,500
5,029
5,174
7. RETIREMENT BENEFIT SCHEMES
The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of
the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund.
The charge to profit and loss in respect of defined Contribution schemes was £2,936 (2023: £3,373). The pension
costs are allocated to direct costs.
8. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Land
Plant and
Equipment
Extemal
Works
TOTAL
COST
At 1st January 2024
Additions
95,317
61,015
156.334
13,009
13,009
169,343
At 31st December 2024
95.317
74,024
DEPRECIATION
At 1st January 2024
Charge for year
At 31st December 2024
73,118
5,242
6,489
7.856
79,607
13,098
78,360
14.345
92,705
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31st December 2024
16.957
59.679
76.638
At 31st December 2023
22,199
54,526
76,727
Land
The land was passed to the Company at a nominal purchase price of £2.
Page 32

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
9. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
2024
2023
Market Value of investments brought fO￿ard at 1 st January 2024
Additions to investments at Cost
3.907,574
4N40A25
3,704,925
Disposals at Opening Market Value
Add net (loss)Igain on revaluation
14,066,885}
1325,948}
202,649
Closing Market Value at 31 st December 2024
3,955,166
3,907,574
Cash held in investments account carried forward (see note 11)
22.933
134,444
Total Value at 31st December 2024
3,978,099
4,042,018
Historical Book Value of Investments 31° December 2024
4.058,056
3,744,919
Investments comprise
2024
2023
Fixed interest securities
534.722
UK Equities
738,447
Overseas Equities
2,383,676
Equities
2,719,671
Fixed Income
550,967
Alternative Investments
298,321
371,219
Properties
144,580
Liquid Assets
121,137
3,955,166
3,907,574
In accordance with a revised investment policy, and the appointment of new investment managers,
the transfer of investments from the Sarasin's Climate Active Fund to a bespoke portfolio started at
the end of 2023, and will continued into 2024. The portfolio was transferred across to the new
investment manager as nil gain or Ioss.
Page 33

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
10. DEBTORS
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade debtors
67
355
Accrued Income
42.711
VAT
1,715
4,790
1.782
47356
11. CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND (including
short term deposits)
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year
Cash at Bank and in hand
45,220
11,394
Short term deposits {Rathbones Investments)
22,933
134A44
68.153
145,838
12. CREDITORS
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
3,552
3,883
Other creditors
9,728
14,671
Amounts owed to Group Undertakings
142,862
150,760
156.142
169.314
13. CONTINGENT LIABILITY
The company is part of a group VAT registration and is therefore potentially liable for VAT liabilities of the
other members of the VAT group, which consist of the parent company and its subsidiaries. As at 31 December
2024, the VAT liability of the group was £12,977 (2023: £18,108), Chafford Gorges Ltd had a year end debtor
balance of £1,715 {2023: £4,790)
14. CAPITAL COMMITMENT
The Charity has a restricted capital commTtment of £0 (2023:£38,500) from funding against the More
Marvelous Meadows Project.
Page 34

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
15. ANALYSIS OF FUNDS
The charity was set up in 2004 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Essex Wildlife Trust Limited with funds provided
solely to be used for the management of the Chafford Gorges Nature Park. These funds are for the long-term
management of the site and are treated as designated funds by the Trustees to ensure they are treated with
longevity and do not form part of the free reserves available for current expenditure.
The funds of the charity are as follows:
2024
Realised
Gain
Unrealised
Loss
Balance
01 January
2024
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance
31 December
2024
Investments Investments
Unrestricted Funds
Free reseNes
3,575
3.575
137,768
137,768
1101,9391
1101.939)
1146,4321
{146,4321
1107,028)
1107,028)
Total Unrestricted Funds
Desi
nated Funds
Managed Investment Fund
Fixed Asset Fund
3,907,574
76,727
10,000
10,000
117,4181
{13.0981
257,535
1325,9481
133,423
13,009
3,955,166
76,638
10,000
10.000
Opportunity Reserve
Adversity ReseNe
Total Designated Funds
4,(K14,301
(30,516)
257.535
1325.9481
146,432
4,051,804
Restricted Funds
More Marvellous Meadows
Lower Thames Crossing
Thames Chase Trust
38.5(K)
38,268
{38.5001
138,0111
12411
(76,752)
257
805
564
Total Restricted Funds
805
76,768
821
Total Reserves
4.IJ08.681
214.536
1209.207)
257.535
(325.9481
3.945.597
Page 35

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
2023
Unrealised
Gain
Balance
Income
Expenditure
Transfers
Balance
31
December
2023
01 January
2023
Investment
Unrestricted Funds
Free reserves
55,155
12,129
(124,1151
(124,115)
60,406
3.575
Total Unrestricted Funds
55,155
12,129
60,406
3,575
Desi
nated Funds
Managed Investment Fund
Fixed Asset Fund
Opportunity Reserve
Adversity Reserve
Total Designated Funds
3,704.925
14.523
118,494
111,8761
19,7101
1106,6181
71,914
10,000
10,000
(14,7041
202.649
3.907.574
76.727
io,(KJo
10,000
4,004,301
3.719A48
118,494
(21,5861
202,649
Restricted Funds
Reptile Translocation
More Marvellous Meadows
Lower Thames Crossing
Thames Chase Trust
1,827
11.8271
142.3121
12.6521
12701
(47,061)
42.312
48.354
1,075
145.7021
805
Total Restricted Funds
I￿17
91,741
(45,702)
805
Total Reserves
3.776N30
222,364
1192,762)
202,649
4,008,681
Unrestricted Funds are available for general allocation to Chafford Gorges Ltd works and projects not
covered by any specific restricted funds.
Designated Funds are set and managed by the Trustees to allocate funds towards future work or
a reas of activities.
The Managed Investment Fund is invested for the future running costs of the Nature Park.
The Fixed Asset Fund represents the cost less accumulated depreciation of the charity's fixed assets.
Opportunity Reserve allocation of funds readily available to investigate new ventures that might be
explored during the year.
Adversity Reserve to allow for unplanned events that fall outside of usually budgeting in the year.
Restricted Funds
More Morvelous Meodows Fund is for felling of over 1.5 hectares of low biodiversity secondary
woodland in phase l. This is in preparation for phase 2 in April 24 where we completed the transition
back to the rare chalk grassland and early successional habitat5.
Lower Thames Crossing Fund is for the replacement of 500m of dilapidated fence line and cleared
invasive buddleia from a woodland corridor, replacing it with shade tolerant tree species and clearing
Page 36

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
of a meadow corridor on the West Bank of Thames Hill View.
Thames Chase Trust Funds provides aftercare funding from the Land of the Fanns project for
maintenance of interpretation boards and trail posts.
Transfers
The transfers between funds represent the movement of fixed asset spend in the year out the
relevant funding line to the fixed asset fund. Additionally funding from the investment funds to fund
the various running costs of Chafford and contributing to the designated funds for the year.
Analysis of net assets between funds
2024
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Tangible fixed assets
Investments at market value
Current assets
Current liabilities
76,638
3,955,166
69,114
1156.1421
3,944,776
76,638
3.955.166
69,935
1156,142}
3.945,597
821
Total net assets
821
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Tangible fixed assets
Investments at market value
Current assets
Current liabilities
76,727
3,907,574
192,889
1169,3141
4,007,876
76,727
3.907.574
193.694
1169,314}
4.008.681
805
Total net assets
805
16. ULTIMATE PARENT COMPANY
The Trustees regard Essex Wildlife Trust Limited, a company (00638666> and charity1210065)
registered in England and Wales, to be the ultimate parent company.
The principal activity of Essex Wildlife Trust Limited is to advance, promote and further the
conservation, maintenance and protection of nature reserves across the county of Essex.
The smallest and largest group of undertakings for which group accounts have been drawn up is that
headed by Essex Wildlife Trust Limited. Copie5 of the consolidated financial statements of Essex
Wildlife Trust Limited are available from Essex Wildlife Trust website
17. COMPANY STATUS
The charity is a company limited by guarantee not having a share capital. In the event of the winding
up, under the terms of the Memorandum of Association each member guarantees to contribute a
sum not exceeding £1.
Page 37

CHAFFORD GORGES LIMITED
18. RELATED PARTYTRANSAcfioNS AND GROUP TRANSAcfioNS AND BALANCES
During the year charges of £13,108 {2023: £12,726) were made to the charity by Essex Wildlife Trust
Limited, the parent charity. Included in creditors is £142,862 (2023: £150,760) due to Essex Wildlife
Trust Limited.
19. TRUSTEE'S REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits {2023: nil).
During the year ended 31 December 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred12023: nil).
20. PRIOR PERIOD STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
INCOME
Charitable Activities
8,971
91,741
100,712
Investments
118,494
118A94
Other
3.158
3,158
Total income
130.623
91,741
222,364
EXPENDITURE
Raising Funds
Charitable Activities
11,876
133,825
11,876
180,886
47,061
Total expenditure
145.701
47,061
192,762
TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS
45.702
145,7021
NET GAINS ON INVESTMENTS
Unrealised Gains
202,649
202,649
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
233.273
(1,022)
232,251
Balance brought fO￿ard at 1 ￿ January 2023
3,774,603
1,827
3,776,430
Balance carried forward at 3151 De￿mber 2023
4￿>7376
805
4.008.681
Page 38