## **’ - Trustees Report for period 6.8.2022 5.8.2023** 

## Teazle Wood Trust, Registered Charity no. 1160532 

## **The object of the Teazle Wood Trust CIO is:** 

## **To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of woodland known as Teazle Wood in Leatherhead, Surrey.** 

August 2022 – August 2023 was another smooth year in which the volunteer routine continued very robustly with good attendance and a real sense of seasonal chores becoming a rhythmic pattern. 

The year started with a very dry woodland in August 2022 – the Rye bed was completely dry in places. The only positive was the chance to retrieve yet more rubbish from the Rye and from some of the ponds while there was so little water around. 

The footpath finger post was removed along with other signage so frequently that we retrieved the latest one (which had been thrown in the river) and put it into temporary storage in the hope that those removing it will lose interest. 

New volunteers joined us at the December 2022 session where we improved the Bluebell Path. We welcomed a volunteer from New Zealand who had recently moved to the UK. 

Lucy Quinnell led a winter walk for members of the community. 

Helen Middlemas confirmed the presence of Grey wagtails in January 2023. 

In the February session we completely cleared a fallen tree that had blocked access along the Rowhurst Hill footpath. 

Caroline Cardew-Smith exhibited her textile piece inspired by Teazle Wood and explored the themes publicly on social media, including re-visiting the ‘Poor Murdered Woman’ story. We further researched the incredible history of the Woodbridge Brickfield / Rowhurst Brickworks within Teazle Wood, and found a new postcard of the site which is now B&Q and which appears to show stacked bricks waiting to be transported. 

We cut hazel whips to protect the Small teazle (Dipsacus pilosus) plants by the River Mole in Leatherhead town centre. 

We assisted staff from a consortium of M25 management service providers with the flooding issues at M25 Junction 9, and shared the process with the community for educational purposes. We are offering ongoing assistance. 

Stag beetles and Red kites were confirmed again this summer, and in June the very unusual sight of an Egyptian Geese family with young goslings. Butterfly surveys confirmed the presence of Silver-washed Fritillaries, Painted Ladies, a confirmed sighting of one Purple Emperor, Red Admirals, Marbled Whites and a Purple Hairstreak. 

Volunteer staff from AVIVA joined us in July for a major session with Powerpoint presentations and conservation tasks including litter clearance, footpath maintenance and Himalayan Balsam pulling. 

The Leatherhead & District Countryside Protection Society was successful in an application for £12,000 from the Levelling Up fund, for its ‘Running Places’ project, and a small part of this allowed for repairs at the edges of the Leatherhead Common Walk before it passes through Teazle Wood, and meetings concerning helping the L&DCPS to deliver the Running Places tasks took place in order to progress the work later in 2023. 

Litter remains a problem but attention to this formed part of every volunteer session and we feel on top of the situation. Tesco occupying our vehicular entrance to the wood was quickly resolved. 

Trustee Phil Wessell worked on the new website, and Lucy Quinnell registered to take JustGiving donations. 



## **Teazle Wood Trust** 

Registered Charity no. 1160532 

## Financial Statement for the year ending 5 August 2023 

## **Cash balance at start of year 06/08/2022** 

Lloyds TSB Treasurers Account 

£14,278.08 

## L&DCPS 

## £  2,924.96* 

_*A grant of £5,000 from the_ _**Leatherhead and District Countryside Protection Society** has been made to Friends of Teazle Wood, with conditions regarding expenditure (the money can only be spent on goods and services associated with the constitutional objects of the L&DCPS - ecological and archaeological surveys, tree work, signage, projects concerned with litter clearance, etc.). These funds will be held by the L&DCPS for use as required, and the balance shown here._ 

## **Income** 

Donations 

£    515.07 

## **Expenditure** 

Nil £  0000.00 

## **Cash balance at 05/08/2023** 

Lloyds TSB Treasurers Account 

£14,793.15 

## L&DCPS 

## £  2,924.96* 

_*A grant of £5,000 from the_ _**Leatherhead and District Countryside Protection Society** has been made to Friends of Teazle Wood, with conditions regarding expenditure (the money can only be spent on goods and services associated with the constitutional objects of the L&DCPS - ecological and archaeological surveys, tree work, signage, projects concerned with litter clearance, etc.). These funds will be held by the L&DCPS for use as required. Nothing was spent in the financial year 20222023._ 

Signed by the Treasurer John Adam Boydell: 

_John Adam Boydell_ 

Signed by the Chair of the Trustees Lucy Elizabeth Quinnell: 

_Lucy Quinnell_