Buckinghamshire Conservation Trust - Chairman’s report 2024-5
Several strands or themes of activity have engaged the trustees, Woods Countryside and Leisure (WCL) under the conscientious leadership of our Chief Officer, Mike Woods reflecting the purpose and achievements of the trust.
Archaeology
Early April saw the final report on the 88 post hole dig, for the erection of estate fencing, carried out in February 2024, illustrating to us that St Peter’s Churchyard did not extend as far as previously estimated.
Throughout the year, board member, Kim Biddulph has continued to put together an interpretation of the layout of the Elizabethan water gardens to be viewed from the interpretation lectern erected by the church, and we are looking forward to its completion in situ.
Johanna Short, the new Historic England (HE) Inspector for Berks, Bucks and Oxon visited the site with Buckinghamshire Council’s heritage officers and invited an application for HE consent for the erection of one interpretation lectern for the Elizabethan water gardens, fencing to protect the newly layed hedge and access to Middle field where the new sheep fold/crush will be constructed. Moving the old sheep fold from the SAM will improve the aspect of the mediaeval fish ponds.
Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG)
Since a serendipitous encounter at the Bucks Show last August with the Environment Bank, Mike has been following up this opportunity to increase our income from BNG. We are anticipating survey and assessment work to begin on site this spring and summer to establish if this could be a way forward to ensure not only income for the Trust, but improve biodiversity in the archaeological setting. Our original management plan by Waterman CPM is in need of review and refresh, and this would provide the ideal opportunity. We have also been working with the Trust for Oxfordshire’s Environment (TOE) on a similar vein. There are several other approaches to BNG and we will have to examine them all, including this coming year ascertaining whether we can apply for a Higher Level Stewardship. All this moves at slower than snails pace partly due to continuing uncertainty from the government in how agricultural payments are to be given and for what.
Meanwhile Mike has developed a very productive working relationship with the River Thame Conservation Trust (RTCT) and using low-tech methods of rafts and clay have established we have otters on site, however fleetingly, as they range far and wide. We look forward to further joint projects. One thing to be noted along the floodplain of the River Thame is that the last two years of extended winter flooding is beginning to change the vegetation of the meadows. We have also networked with and joined a Farm Cluster.
The Trust was successful in gaining a £9,500 Capital Stewardship Grant to facilitate hedge laying and planting to be carried out over two years, which was successfully bid for and commenced by WCL and will be completed in the appropriate season this year.
Avril Davies
12 June 2025
Buckinghamshire CoDsen-atioD Trust Balance Sheet as at 31st IIarcb ?0? -YJ14 FD.4SSETs k5s deprttutK CI]UT.ssETS 73.56) 119.341 Bank dep051 accc Pett)"cash 3(KJ 1?4.737 119.641 1?4_737 119_641 less lUtEl LL4BILtTIE.S 10.442 7.43? NE[ ASSErs 114_:95 F4)CED BI": Gener21 fd$ at lstApnl .4dd sw)h]s {deficit} f(K the )Ear General 2131si NIarch ?0?5 I19,5 114_?95 I122? £114_?95 £ll?_9
Buckinghamshire CoDsen-atioD Trust Balance Sheet as at 31st IIarcb ?0? -YJ14 FD.4SSETs k5s deprttutK CI]UT.ssETS 73.56) 119.341 Bank dep051 accc Pett)"cash 3(KJ 1?4.737 119.641 1?4_737 119_641 less lUtEl LL4BILtTIE.S 10.442 7.43? NE[ ASSErs 114_:95 F4)CED BI": Gener21 fd$ at lstApnl .4dd sw)h]s {deficit} f(K the )Ear General 2131si NIarch ?0?5 I19,5 114_?95 I122? £114_?95 £ll?_9