Standen Fruit Farm Community Orchard Association
Annual Report for the year to 31 August 2025
The past year has again been one of hard work and quiet progress in the Orchard, with the Trustees and volunteers contributing several hundred hours both on site and at home to ensure the continued care and development of this remarkable community asset.
We begin with an apology. Our communications with members and supporters have been sparse over the past year, largely because of the need to rebuild and update the membership database. This has taken far longer than expected, but we are pleased to report that the system is now being brought fully up to date. We have a clear plan in place, and members can look forward to more regular and informative updates in the coming year, and Jane Pyne has kindly volunteered to keep membership records up to date.
Orchard Management and Maintenance
The routine care of the Orchard has continued under the experienced supervision of our Orchard Manager, Guy Pullen, who has again worked throughout the seasons with Trustees and volunteers on pruning, mowing, hedging and general site upkeep. The winter pruning programme was completed across the central blocks, with follow-on summer pruning in fields 5 and 6, and selective restoration of veteran trees in fields 3 and 4. Much of this work has been supported by volunteers, as well as the teams of Sam Winter and Paul Haralambie, with guidance from Guy.
The ongoing creation of deadhedging from pruning debris continues to enhance biodiversity and protect young trees. A trial area of new hedging was established following historic boundary lines, combining hawthorn and other traditional species, with protective fencing and natural screening. New tree planting, supported by grants from Sussex Lund and Countryside Stewardship, will begin in earnest later this year once sites have been finalised in consultation with the Orchard Manager.
The sheep have again played an important role in grass control, while the mechanical mowing by James Barrow ensured access tracks and open areas were kept clear— particularly in preparation for Apple Day.
Recently we have undertaken work on the benches in the orchard which have been deteriorating. Walkers, plot owners and supporters can now rest on the seats without fear of collapse!
Land and Plots
The Association now owns sixteen orchard plots, with one further purchase pending registration at the Land Registry. We continue to facilitate sales between owners wishing to sell and those on our waiting list, and where appropriate to acquire plots to consolidate
Standen Fruit Farm Community Orchard Association
community stewardship of the Orchard. We were grateful to members who donated or sold their plots at favourable rates to the Association during the year.
The Trustees also considered longer-term options for acquiring adjoining plots and other areas, recognising that such purchases would strengthen protection of the Orchard as a whole. While significant funding would be required, possible approaches to benefactors or grant funders are under review.
Grants and Finance
The Association’s finances remain in good order, with support continuing from the Countryside Stewardship, Farming in Protected Landscapes and Sussex Lund schemes. These have covered pruning, hedge management, and other conservation works. The Association also opened a new Cambridge and Counties savings account during the year to earn interest on reserve funds, providing a more secure base for future maintenance and renewal.
Partnerships and Community
We again took part in the Hawkhurst and Sandhurst Heritage Project coordinated by The Amelia in Tunbridge Wells, contributing material and expertise about the Orchard’s history for the community almanac published in 2024. The Trustees were delighted to see Standen featured in this attractive record of local heritage.
Apple Day
Apple Day 2024 was held immediately following the AGM in September and attracted a lively crowd of around 200 visitors. The new layout worked well, with stalls offering local produce, refreshments and entertainment, including the much-loved ukulele band and vintage tractor display. Particular thanks go to all who helped organise the day and to those who provided equipment and manpower before and after the event. Recommendations from this successful gathering—including improved visitor sign-in and extra straw bales—are being acted upon for Apple Day 2025, scheduled for 12 October 2025.
Standen Fruit Farm Community Orchard Association
For this year's apple day, guests are in for a bumper crop of fruit. 2025 has proved an extraordinarily good year for apples and the orchard is no exception. There's an immense variety still left on the trees as I prepare this report, so I think that everybody is going to enjoy walking and gathering across the orchard.
Acknowledgements
As chair, I wish to place on record my sincere thanks to Susie Armstrong, Michael Brown, Rebecca Cassidy, Karen Christopherson, Kristina Edwards, Thai Goulton, Peter Hawkins and Charles Reed for their many hours of voluntary work throughout the year, and to Guy Pullen for his continued dedication as Orchard Manager. Together they have spent countless hours—often unseen—ensuring that the Orchard remains a healthy, beautiful and secure landscape for all who value it.
Looking Ahead
In the year ahead, our priorities are to:
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Complete planting of the new heritage apple trees;
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Continue the rolling hedge-management programme;
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Expand ecological surveying and mapping of the Orchard;
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Re-establish regular newsletters and digital updates to members; and
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Strengthen the Association’s ownership and protection of the land.
Despite the inevitable challenges of maintaining such a large and historic site, the past year has shown once again what a committed volunteer team can achieve. The Orchard continues to flourish—an enduring example of shared community responsibility and the quiet rewards of stewardship.
Simon Spanswick Chairman of the Trustees September 2025
Charity Registration No. 1152055
STANOEN FRUIT FARM COMMUNtrY ASSocnON - ACCOUNTS tst Sept 2024- 31st Aiiust 2025 Expendltu Income 2025 2024 2024 Grnnts 66.372.83 Go¥em?nce costs Publlclty & promotlons Travel to rneetlngs Fuel for orchard work Equlpment & repalrs Orchard Mana8er 82650 1331.76 8,166.62 1.329.16 Membershlp 1,16&88 Donatlons 625.¢X) 5.19950 492.(1) Apple &108 sale5 Gra21n8 268.(K) 1.693.61 4.120.CQ 8.%1.25 Intèrest 304.20 104.92 Extraofdlnary Income Governance costs Other lak)ur Grass cuttlng Tree prunln8 and malntenance Insurances 2.160.(¥J 2.280.C 6,379.OJ 6.780.1)J If.54 Plannln8 fees Soll Assoclatlon fees Llmln8 Purchase of plots Purchase of assets 1.888.64 TOTAL INCOME 738.91 1529120 Tralnln8 BCTV fees Bees Other Purchases 529,28 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 21375.93 17.7x64 8•lanc• 8rought lon¥ard from dep)It alc 8rou8ht fornard Irom current a/c Income foryear 2024.25 Expendltvre for year2024-25 cUrrtt balance 8.77337 5CQ.59 68.738.91 21,375.93 56.636.94 Balance carrled forward to deFosIt a/c Balance carrled forward to current alc Total carrled forward 56,271.35 36559 56.636.94 Treasurer: Date:
Independent Examlnevs Report to the Trustees of Standen Frult Farm Communlty Orchard Assoclation Charlty Name: Standen Fnjit Fam Communlty Orchard A550ciatlon Charlty RegSstratlon Number. 1152055 Flnan¢lal Period Ended: 31 August 2025 Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The trustees of Standen Fwrt Fami Communty Orchard Assoclation are pOnSIble for the preparation of the accounts in accordance the Charlties Act and for ensuring that they give a true and fair view of the charStys financial actNities. I have been appoinied under 5ertion 145 of the Charities Act 2011 to carry out an independent examination ofthe accounts. My responsibility 15 to examFne the accounts and to state whether any matters have come to my attention which ge me reèsonable cause to believe that- l. Accounting records were not kept in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Ac¢ 2. The accounrs do not accord th those records: 3. The accounts do not comply with relevant statutory requlrements,. 4. There is any other matter to which attention should be drawn to ensu a proper understanding of the accounts. Basis of Independent Examiner's Report My examination was carried out in accordance with the Direction5 given ty the Charty Commisslon under sectlon 14515Xbl of the Charities Act 2011. independent examination includes rÈwilng the accounting records maintained by the charity, comparing the accounts presented with those records, and considering any unusual items or disc105ures in the accounts. It does not constitute an audtt and therefore I do not express an audit opinlon. Independent Examiner's Statement In connettion rrty examination. no matter has come to rny attention- ' which gwes me reasonable cause to belitwe tha¢ in any material respect. the requirements to . keep accounting records in accordance th the Charlties Att, and ' prepare accounts that are consistent With those records and comply wtth the accountlno requlrements ofthe Act have not been met or accounts to be reached. * to whlch. In my opinlon, attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understandlng of the
Examiner's Details Name: Nlck Dltton FIFA Address: Su Slgnature: te 4. 15[ Floor Unlt 2, Crown Yard. Bedgebury Es(are, Goudhurst TN17 2QZ Date: 4 D mber 2025