2025-07-31-accounts - Elmswild

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date 01 08 2024 31 07 2025

From

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) Charity's principal address	ElmsWild	ElmsWild


	1152850
	Rose Cottage, School Road
	Elmswell
	Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
	Postcode	IP30 9EA

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
	Robert Victor Boardman	Treasurer
	MaryJo Feeney	Chair
	Keith Harvey
	John Ibbetson	Vice-Chair
	Hugh Geoffrey Spencer
	Janet Mary Spencer

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

TAR

March 2012

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution (Foundation Model) Type of governing document Adopted 8 April 2013 (eg. trust deed, constitution)

Charitable Incorporated Organisation How the charity is constituted

(eg. trust, association, company)

Appointed by existing Trustees Trustee selection methods

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;

ElmsWild has a Health & Safety policy and a Safeguarding policy, copies of which are given to all existing and new Trustees. Site and activity risk assessments are discussed and reviewed at Trustee Board meetings. All are reviewed annually and circulated to all Trustees. Safety advice is given to all volunteers. Safeguarding training is undertaken by all Trustees.

ElmsWild is a member of The Conservation Volunteers (TCV).

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and received no remuneration or other benefits.

relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

(1) To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment in the parish of Elmswell, Suffolk, by the development of native species woodland, orchards and wildlife areas.
(2) To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment.

TAR

March 2012

Trustees planned and carried out the year’s activities having due regard for the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, which was discussed at trustee meetings.

Our activities included:

Activities with people of all ages, including children from our local uniform groups, and joint activities with other community groups (e.g. talks and displays, open day visits, willow cutting and distribution). This benefits people by providing opportunities for informal learning, encouraging people’s positive interaction with the natural environment.
Events open to all including craft sessions, where possible using
Summary of the main material from our own woodland, Apple Day and work parties. This activities undertaken for the benefits people by providing opportunities to learn and share new public benefit in relation to skills, and to enhance their local environment. 
these objects (include within Continuing development and maintenance of the community this section the statutory woodland and orchard at Lukeswood, wildlife area at Kiln Meadow, declaration that trustees have and wildflower meadow at Town Field (keeping paths and rides open, had regard to the guidance maintaining trees and hedges, maintaining wildflower areas). This issued by the Charity benefits people by providing open green space where they can walk, Commission on public take healthy exercise, be close to nature, and share these benefit) experiences with children, families, and other community members.  Creating and improving wildlife habitats, surveying local wildlife, and participating in local and national wildlife projects. This benefits people by providing opportunities to explore nature on their doorstep and contribute to its conservation.
Maintaining and improving other local natural areas (e.g. public garden, mini wildflower meadows and scattered orchard). This benefits people by providing pleasant open/green spaces for recreation and enjoyment, and by encouraging people to introduce more nature friendly habitats in their own gardens.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

The Trustees are very grateful for the contribution of volunteers who help maintain our wildlife and woodland sites and who also assist with community events and educational activities. In particular the Trustees would like to acknowledge:

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.
Continuing help received from volunteers from BT, who have assisted with work at Lukeswood.
The help and cooperation received from members of the Trefoil Guild towards community activities, and especially for keeping our first aid equipment up to date.
Support from local tree conservation group, the Wandering Woodsmen.
Advice and assistance given by officers from the RSPB, and by members of the Suffolk Naturalists’ Society, Suffolk Biodiversity Information Service, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Butterfly Conservation.

Trustees also acknowledge the support of local parish, district and county councillors.

TAR

March 2012

Section D Achievements and performance

Educational activities Summary of the main Members of ElmsWild continued to facilitate educational and recreational achievements of the charity visits by local groups, including Elmswell Rainbows, Brownies and during the year Guides, Elmswell Toddlers and Trefoil Guild. Under new management Street Farm Nursery was no longer able to maintain its connection with Lukeswood. However, Forest School visits continued with another local organiser. ElmsWild established links with other local groups, including Walsham Wild Woods and Stowupland Biodiversity Group, with exchange visits taking place. Community activities and events In September our Lukeswood Apple Day was enjoyed by many visitors, with stalls and activities from village organisations and local crafters. ElmsWild volunteers gave a talk to the Mid Suffolk Green Party in October. Community willow cutting was again held in January and bundles distributed to residents for their own garden and craft projects. In May ElmsWild held an open afternoon at Lukeswood to welcome families who had recently moved to the village – “Walk, Talk and Eat Cake”. Wildlife/conservation activities and achievements The annual cut and rake at Kiln Meadow, Town Field and the orchard at Lukeswood were carried out successfully in September. Work continued on establishing a wildflower meadow and on restoring the ancient hedges at Town Field. With help from the RSPB, ElmsWild joined Operation Turtle Dove, with the aim of encouraging turtle doves to feed and breed at Lukeswood. Volunteers helped to build a stag beetle stumpery and a reptile hibernaculum at Lukeswood. Trustees were pleased to be able to record the presence of Wasp Spiders at Lukeswood. Trustees recorded a good year for orchids, with four varieties present at Lukeswood. Craft activities Trustees held two willow weaving sessions at Lukeswood, led by local experts and open to residents to join in. An open community event, “Hands On at Lukeswood”, provided a carousel of craft activities, suitable for all ages. Our Crafty Christmas event was this year devoted to raising funds for St Nicholas Hospice Care. Other achievements With the help of a Locality Budget grant Trustees installed a new wheelchair friendly picnic bench at Lukeswood, which will help to make our woodland more accessible to all members of the community. A new sign was installed at the southern end of Lukeswood to welcome visitors approaching from this direction on the public right of way.

TAR

March 2012

Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the

We hold £5964 at this year end and aim to hold at least £3000 to meet running costs and any unforeseen expenditure.

charity’s policy on reserves

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Not applicable

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Our main sources of income this year have been: donations from local organisations and individuals; fundraising events; parish council grant; County Council Locality Budget grant.

The funds raised have gone towards:

Basic running costs which allow us to keep our sites open for everyone to enjoy, including insurance.
Maintaining/developing the woodland, orchards and wildspace, including the tools and equipment required to do this.
Provision of new equipment to facilitate conservation work in the village.
Provision of facilities to enhance accessibility of our community woodland

Section F Other optional information

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s) Mary Jo Feeney Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair etc)

Date 29/05/2026

TAR

March 2012

Elmswlld Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perlod 0110812024 3110712025 Section A Receipts and payments Unre5trict8d fund# Restricted fvnds Endowrnent fund* Total funds Last year tolh• to lh• to1 nMr••t£ tolh A1 Receipts 1,674 1,6T4 2,027 1,025 Fund-rai51ng events Grants 625 625 Sub total(Gross inci)me for AR) 2,B97 2,7 1446 A2 Asset and Investment sales. l$eE tablg). Sub tot81 2,B97 2,B97 A3Pa •nts Insur8nc8 RenLal Administfduon Professional lees Rpai & maintenyn Events expense5 245 175 245 17S 26 240 175 737 1,400 414 Sub total IS52 A4 Asset and Investment purchases, See table Tools & 8 mont 1,187 1,187 Sub total 1.187 1.1B7.Tr) 625 2.583 2.583 3.177 Net of receiptslfpayments) A5 Transfers betw8en funtls A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds thls year and 314 314 289 5,650 5,650 5,381 5.650 CCXX R1 aco)wts ISSI 2410512026

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fund5 to nearest £ Restricted funds to ne¥esl£ Endowment funds to neare5t£ Caieg0I165 81 Cash fund5 Currenlac¢nunt&cash 5.964 Total cash funds 511 Unrestriet8d funds to nearest £ Restricted funds to ne¥esl£ Endowrn•nt funds to neare5t£ Details Fund towhkh asset belon CO{4)PtI¢lkna1I Cwr£nt value Details Fund towhkh •t b•h)n Reslncted D&tail la 6.6 &res al Lukeswjod Cost loptknall currtTlu• 84 Assets retsined for the th4rity'• own u•9 Trees ni@d Rostricied Too. 4UIpnnt & storage Fund towhKh JTrount tlonal Vlhen d Details B5 Liabilities srd byenè Of tnjsteos ¢)n bghaf ofal thB trnstee5 D8t8 of approval Signature Print Natnè MARY FEENEY 2910512026 CCXX R2 tt)Unts ISSI 2410S2tr26

ElmsWild Charity No. 1152850

Receipts and Payments Accounts

CONFIRMATION

The Trustees confirm that:

No guarantees have been given by ElmsWild CIO where any potential liability is outstanding at the date of the statement of assets and liabilities.

There is no debt outstanding at the date of the statement of assets and liabilities which is owed by ElmsWild CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any of the assets of the CIO.

Signature: Print Name: MARY JO FEENEY Date of Approval: 29/05/2026

Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the Irusteo81 Elm8Wkl On accounts for the y•ar ended 31 July 2025 Charlty no Ilf any) 1152850 S•t out on pagos Respocllv• The charit*s InJstee8 are responble for the preparation of th8 accounts. responsibilitifjs of The charity's truslges consider that an audit15 rtot required for this year trustees and examlnor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 {the Charitie8 Act) and that an indep8ndent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the 8ccounls under 8ection 145 of the Charities Act, lo follow the ProdureS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 145{5}{bl of the Charities Act, and lo state whether particular matters have come to my att8nlion. a$1$ of Ind&pondent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given oxamlnerfs statsment by the Charity Commission. An examinats.on inGludes a review ofthe accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. 11 also include8 consideration of any unusual item5 or disdosures in the a¢counls, and seeking explanatrons from the trustees concerning any such matter¥. The proGodure$ undertaken do not provide all the evtdence that would be required in an audrt, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fairf view and the report 1$ limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Indepondont In connection with my ex8mination, no matter has come to my attontion oxamlnèrfs 8tat•m•nt lotherthan Ihal disdosed tselow'l 1. which gives me reasonable cause lo believe thal in, any material respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting record¥ in accordance with $e¢ti¢)n 130 of the Charities Act., and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met., or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn In order lo enable proper understanding of the a¢¢ount$ to be reached. . P188s8 d8let8 the words in the brackets iflhey do not apply. Slgn•d: 0511212025 Name: MI C44AiL tw1pAS0 IER March 2012

Rèlevant proffrsslonal 4ualificatFon{s) or body lif any): Addre88: CLMsLJtsLL SuFFoLk ST. IP30 qu ionB Disclosure Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material problems. March 2012