SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
CHARITY NUMBER: 1133334 COMPANY NUMBER: 07030839
SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS (a company limited by guarantee)
TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
Reference and administrative information
| Charity Name | Shipton-under-Wychwood Wild Garden and Woods |
|---|---|
| Charity Registered Number1133334 | |
| Company Registered Number07030839 | |
| Registered Office | New Beaconsfield Hall |
| Station Road | |
| Shipton-under-Wychwood | |
| Oxfordshire | |
| OX7 6BQ | |
| Trustees/Directors | Mr R Arnold (Treasurer) |
| Mr R Dyer (Company Secretary) | |
| Mr J Huntingford (Chairman) | |
| Mrs J Mavin | |
| Mr J Pratt | |
| Mr G Smith | |
| Mrs C Trevers | |
| Dr D Yules | |
| Reviewing Accountant | Nick Bowman (ACA) |
| Bankers | HSBC UK Bank plc |
| 17 Market Place | |
| Banbury | |
| Oxfordshire | |
| OX16 5ED | |
| Solicitors | Johnson and Gaunt |
| 47 North Bar | |
| Banbury | |
| Oxfordshire | |
| OX16 0TJ |
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 26 September 2009, registered as a charity on 17 December 2009 and governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association, which are dated 20 September 2009. In the event of the company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.
The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law.
All Trustees give their time voluntarily and received no remuneration from the charity.
The charity acts as a fund-raising body and manager of its acquired properties for the objects set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association.
The governing body is its Board of Trustees. Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting or appointed by a resolution of the Trustees. At each Annual General Meeting one third of the Trustees retire, by rotation, and may offer themselves for re-election, and the appointment of any trustees appointed since the last Annual General Meeting has to be confirmed. Any member may be nominated at the Annual General Meeting to be a Trustee; the total number of Trustees allowed is set at a minimum of three with no maximum.
Principal activity
The company’s principal activity during the year ended 30 September 2025 was to raise funds, to carry out necessary maintenance work and to manage the Wychwood Wild Garden as a place of public access and enjoyment.
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing and approving this report.
The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and the incoming resources and application of resources, including the net income or expenditure for the year. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to:-
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Select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements and
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Prepare financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume the company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
Achievements and Performance
The Wild Garden remains as popular as ever and continues to receive a good mix of visitors from inside and outside the Wychwoods.
Membership numbers remain largely unchanged dropping slightly from 161 to 156 from the previous year. We did have stands at both the Milton-under-Wychwood Fete and the Shipton Church Fete, but there was no obvious take up after either of these two events.
We had some postcards of the Garden printed and these were on sale at both events.
As reported last year, local contractor Sam Peet and his staff undertook the dredging of the Upper Pond and had to cope with the awful weather back in October 2024. Areas that suffered due to the heavy machinery and wet conditions were allowed to settle and dry out over the winter period. During this time, the outside stone wall of the island was lovingly restored to its former glory (lead by Seamus Thurlow), as well as the removal of all vegetation from the Island. We received a very generous grant from Trust for Oxfordshire Environment, specifically for improvements to many of the pathways in the Wild Garden. We had a very busy spring with Sam Peet’s teams back on site working on the paths. Whilst his crew were there, the Tuesday Team were also out each day, stabilising the banks of the Upper Pond with nicospan, laying coping stones to the Island wall and generally giving everything one last push. The result is that the island is restored (awaiting planting) and the major paths around the garden are usable in all seasons.
We are extremely grateful to all those who have donated towards the Upper Pond and path works, especially to the Michael Bishop Foundation.
In autumn 2025, the Island planting had to be postponed due to the discovery of Honey Fungus. In due course we will plant snowdrops, daffodils and in spring a wildflower mixture and hopefully some shrubs that are resistant to the honey fungus.
The Tuesday Team continue to do a sterling job in improving and maintaining the Garden and we are extremely grateful for all they do. David Ensor is continuing to erect rustic barriers to areas we do not want visitors to use, enabling some parts to stay wild. We also held two Saturday morning working parties which helped to clear up rubbish, resurface paths and generally improve the Garden.
During the year we had a couple of advisor visitors. The first from was Craig Blackwell, an ecologist who offered some thoughts on biodiversity in the Garden. He is planning to return in the spring for a catch up. One of his recommendations was to removal the invasive Laurel from the Garden, giving more interesting underplanting a chance to thrive. This we have started to do in the northwest area. The second visit was from the Environment Agency who offered some helpful advice on the Upper Pond "recovery" following the dredging.
In October 2025 we engaged a contractor to cut some planks out of two fallen trees. The planks have been stacked to dry with the aim of selling them in due course.
Log cutting has been a constant job, but demand has exceeded supply so we have decided that in future we will prioritise supply to Wild Garden Members.
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
Financial Review
The financial position of the charity continues to be healthy, with cash at bank of £44,964. All restricted funds for the work to the Upper Pond were spent within the financial year. As at the 30 September 2025, only a small amount of the Wild Garden reserves were used on the Upper Pond (£5,485). Planting to the Island is the only item left to complete the project. Net assets as at 30 September 2025 totalled £95,122. Unrestricted Income for the year is up on the previous year by £4,600, mainly due to an increase from individual donations/legacies. At the time of writing standing orders and annual pledges for the future maintenance of the Wild Garden currently stand at £8,692 per annum. Donations from the gate (either via cash boxes or online) and logs continue to make useful contributions.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves in light of the estimated basic annual running costs of The Wild Garden. A policy has been established whereby the unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity should be at least equal to approximately 18 months expenditure on running costs. The unrestricted reserves as at 30 September 2025 were £44,964 and approximately 18 months expenditure on running costs (excluding specific projects) have been estimated at £12,750. The Trustees consider that the present level of unrestricted funds is sufficient.
Risk Review
The Trustees identify and review the major risks to which the charity is exposed and ensure that systems are in place to mitigate these risks.
The risks to which we are exposed include database management, financial, environmental,
compliance and operational risks. Where appropriate, systems or procedures have been established to mitigate the risks. We ensure that we have adequate insurance in place, monitor our reserves policy, monitor our financial activities, pay particular attention to keeping our members informed about our activities, and comply with company and charity law and regulation.
We provide regular newsletters to our members and invite feedback on any issues via telephone or email. Our aim is to respond to calls and emails within 24 hours.
We monitor the Wild Garden on an annual basis for signs of serious tree diseases and for invasive species. Ash Dieback will continue to be a threat for a number of years and a number of ash trees in particularly vulnerable areas were removed. Our management approach to Ash Dieback is selective cutting back and felling as needed. We monitor for Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, no new outbreaks were detected during the year. Signal crayfish have progressed from the Evenlode up the canals to the ponds, they will be monitored and if necessary trapped and destroyed to reduce numbers and protect the fish in these areas.
Our ponds and canals are registered as fisheries with the Environment Agency, allowing us to benefit from restocking with native fish. Care is taken to avoid any non-native species being introduced into the water system which would violate our license.
We use monitoring cameras from time to time to help identify and control anti-social behaviour, they were not used during the year.
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
Objectives and Public Benefit
The Trustees consider that they have complied with the Charities Act which states that charity trustees must ‘have regard’ to the public benefit guidance ‘when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant’.
The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires charity trustees to include a statement in their Trustees’ Annual Report as to whether they have complied with that duty. The Trustees are satisfied that they have taken full regard of the public benefits guidance when making a decision to which the guidance is relevant or where they have decided to depart from the guidance, they have good reasons for doing so. We regularly review the workings and effectiveness of our governance policies and update these as needed, new policies are added as required by both law and experience.
Public Access and Participation
Our charitable objectives require that we manage the Wild Garden for the benefit of both residents and visitors to the area. There have been no physical restrictions on access during the year. We ask the public to respect the peace and tranquillity of the space and to keep children under control and dogs on leads at all times. Membership of the company is open to all who pledge an annual subscription of £30 or more. As at 30 September 2025 we had 156 members, including both Shipton and Milton Parish Councils as Representative Members.
Conservation, Restoration and Management
The restoration and management of the Wild Garden is guided by the Management Plan updated in September 2025. A copy of the Management Plan is available on our website. The overall objectives of the plan are to maintain the formality of the Avenue and the Round Pond, as far as possible to respect the original Victorian design, to restore the water system so that it supports a reasonable fish stock and to maintain the remainder of the woodlands with a minimum of intervention, but focusing where feasible on enhancing biodiversity.
Education
The key objective of the education initiatives, as set out in the Management Plan, is to encourage a responsible attitude towards, and a wider appreciation of, our local natural and physical environment. While the Garden was never intended to become an adventure playground, it should nevertheless allow popular and peaceful enjoyment of the Wild Garden by all and foster a positive approach to the environment. The Scouts and Cubs continue to use the Garden and a number of children accompany their parents helping at our Saturday working parties
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity. The Trustees are satisfied that the company is exempt from, and has not been subject to, an audit.
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
This report was approved by the Trustees on 23/01/2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Jeremy Huntingford Chairman
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
| Income and endowment from Membership subscriptions Donations and grants Activities/Events Interest received Tax claimed under Gift Aid Total Income and endowment Expenditure on Governance and administration Insurance West Oxfordshire DC - emptying dog bins AGM costs and general administrative costs Advertising Maintenance Tree work and surveys Fuel for tractor/chainsaws Chainsaw repairs Sundries Materials Repairs/Maintenance Equipment costs Tools Inflatable Boat Specific Projects Dog Kennel Lane Upper Pond Total expenditure Net income and endowments Funds brought forward 2024 Funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds £ £ 7,442 0 9,275 7,000 212 0 613 0 2,602 1,500 |
Total 2025 Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total 2024 £ £ £ £ 7,442 7,452 0 7,452 16,275 4,828 28,390 33,218 212 168 0 168 613 800 0 800 4,102 2,267 0 2,267 |
|---|---|---|
| 20,144 8,500 |
28,644 15,515 28,390 43,905 |
|
| 584 0 1,045 0 1,052 0 145 0 4,008 0 82 0 0 0 86 0 188 0 308 0 230 0 0 0 0 0 5,485 34,313 |
584 576 0 576 1,045 1,045 0 1,045 1,052 616 0 616 145 164 0 164 4,008 6,096 0 6,096 82 59 0 59 0 0 0 0 86 0 0 0 188 255 0 255 308 0 0 0 230 56 0 56 0 45 0 45 0 2579 0 2579 39,798 0 2,577 2577 |
|
| 13,213 34,313 |
47,526 11,491 2,577 14,068 |
|
| 6,931 -25,813 38,191 75,813 |
-18,882 4,024 25,813 29,837 114,004 34,167 50,000 84,167 95,122 38,191 75,813 114,004 |
|
| 45,122 50,000 |
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 COMPANY NUMBER 07030839 CHARITY NUMBER 1133334
| Notes Fixed Assets Freehold Land 2 Current Assets Debtors 11 Cash at bank and in hand 3 Less Creditors Net Assets Reserves Unrestricted 1 Restricted 1 |
2025 2024 £ £ 50,000 50,000 158 1,960 44,964 62,044 |
|---|---|
| 0 0 |
|
| 95,122 114,004 |
|
| 45,122 38,191 50,000 75,813 95,122 114,004 |
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
The Trustees are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 and that members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to the accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions in Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006, applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The accounts have been prepared having due regard to the Charities SORP (FRS 102).
| Statement of Cash Flows and Reconciliation to Net Income | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Net Income/(loss) for the reporting period | (18,882) | 29,837 |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | 1,802 | (1,960) |
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 0 | 0 |
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | (17,080) | 27,877 |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period | (17,080) | 27,877 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period | 62,044 | 34,167 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period | 44,964 | 62,044 |
The Financial Statements were approved by the Trustees on 23/01/2026.
Jeremy Huntingford
Chairman
Richard Arnold Treasurer
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
1. Accounting Policies
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The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” published in 2005 and revised in the Charities SORP (FRS 102), and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2016).
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Donations and grants received are usually recognised in full in the year in which they are received.
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Resources expended are accounted for on a cash basis and have been aggregated under appropriate headings. Costs of generating funds are the expenses incurred with fund raising events. Governance and administration costs are those incurred in connection with the administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.
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Unrestricted Funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
- Restricted Funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions of the donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The Restricted Funds in the Balance Sheet of the charity relate to the acquisition of The Wild Garden and funds raised and expenses paid for works to the Upper Pond.
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Freehold Land is carried at cost less any impairment if any.
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The charity has purchased the Freehold of 12.5 acres of land at Shipton-under-Wychwood (known as The Wild Garden) at a cost of £50,000 with the intention of meeting the charity’s objects as set out in its Memorandum of Association
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The charity has no investments; all surplus funds are deposited with our bank.
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The charity does not have any employees.
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The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.
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Related Party Transactions. All transactions with trustees are carried out on an arms-length basis. There were no such transactions during the year ended 30 September 2025 apart from £1,316 reimbursed to 7 trustees in respect of costs incurred in equipment and sundry costs relating to The Wild Garden projects, newsletters and AGM.
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
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Trustees’ remuneration and expenses. No remuneration directly or indirectly out of the funds of the charity was paid or payable for the year to any trustee or to any person or persons known to be connected with them. Expenses totalling £1,316 have been incurred by trustees during the year, all of which has been reimbursed.
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The charity is not part of a group and it does not have any subsidiaries.
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The charity has no capital commitments, nor has it given any guarantees to any third party. Neither has it received nor granted any loans or made any ex-gratia payments.
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Membership. At the end of the financial year we had 156 members compared to 161 at the end of the prior year.
11. Debtors
| Tax reclaimed under gift aid | 2025 2024 £ £ 158 1,960 158 1960 |
|---|---|
- The company does not have a share capital, being limited by guarantee.
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SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2025
ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SHIPTON-UNDER-WYCHWOOD WILD GARDEN AND WOODS
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