_Frozen Scrapes in the Ancient Meadow_ ## **Annual Report 2023/2024** Registered Charity Number: 1160737 Page **1** of **21** # Deadwater Valley Trust Annual Report and Accounts ## for the period ## 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024 Written by Rebekah Searle – Senior Countryside Ranger Deadwater Valley Trust The Phoenix Centre, Station Road, Bordon, Hampshire, GU35 0LR Website: www.deadwatervalleytrust.co.uk Facebook.com/deadwatervalleytrust Tel: 01420 479070 Page **2** of **21** ## Deadwater Valley Trust is funded and works in partnership with Whitehill Town Council for the Deadwater Valley Local Nature Reserve and Bordon Inclosure _and_ funded and working in partnership with The Land Trust for Hogmoor Inclosure Page **3** of **21** ## **Deadwater Valley Trust - Annual Report 2023-2024** This aim of this report is to provide an overview of the sites, the management and community highlights, flora and fauna encountered and to celebrate the work of the Deadwater Valley Trust rangers, volunteers and trustees over the past 12 months. Enjoy! |**Site Names:**|Deadwater Valley Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and
Bordon Inclosure (BI)| |---|---| |**Owned by or Leased to:**|Whitehill Town Council (WTC)| |**Managed by:**|Deadwater Valley Trust (DVT)| |**Size of the sites:**|LNR = 38 Hectares
BI = 24 Hectares| |**Background:**|**This report covers the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March**
**2024.**
The Deadwater Valley is a designated Local Nature Reserve
which has been managed by DVT since its inception in 1989.
Designated and expanded over the years and either owned by
WTC or leased from East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) or
Hampshire County Council (HCC) by WTC but managed day-
to-day in its entirety by DVT Rangers and volunteers.
Bordon Inclosure is an expanse of largely wooded area
previously used as a MoD land holding. Since being
designated a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG)
in January 2016 it has been managed on behalf of the
leaseholders, Whitehill Town Council, by DVT. The area is an
alternative to nearby SPAs and SACs at Broxhead Common
and Kingsley Common.| |**Site Inputs**|| |---|---| |**Inputs**|**Amount**| |Total Annual Management received (LNR)|**£50,890**| |Total Annual Management received (BI)|**£42,147**| |Total additional funding received (e.g. grants, donations)|**£18,723**| |**Characteristics of the sites and amenities**|| The LNR is bordered on its eastern edge by the River Deadwater and contains a variety of other habitats including; broadleaf, coniferous, mixed and wet woodlands, dry and wet heathland, scrub, grassland, an ancient meadow and ponds. There is also a designated Scheduled Ancient Monument at a southern highpoint called Walldown Enclosure. A mixture of surfaced and unsurfaced paths criss-cross the area and the townwide Green Loop winds its way through the entire length of the LNR. There is also a 10-space car park. Bordon Inclosure is bordered on its eastern edge by the River Wey and comprises of Scots Pine or Western Hemlock dominated coniferous plantation with elements of secondary broadleaf woodland and scrub. An unusual hornbeam woodland exists in the central area and remnant dry heathland occurs toward the north of the site. Ephemeral and permanent ponds exist on the site. A mixture of surfaced and unsurfaced paths on 6-waymarked trails cross the area. The Green Loop takes in part of BI before joining the LNR at Alexandra Park. There is a large natural play area to the north of the site and an 8-space car park. Page **4** of **21** ||**Sites**
**LNR and Bordon Inclosure (BI)**|**Y/N**|**Additional Detail and quantities**
**(if required)**| |---|---|---|---| |||**Built Environment**|| ||Artwork/Sculptures|Y|LNR – 6 Green Loop waymarkers and 1 sign.
BI – 21 waymarkers, 2 metal artworks, 1 stone artwork,
2 wooden artworks, 2 Green Loop waymarkers and 1
sign.| ||Car park (with height barriers)|Y|LNR – 10 unmarked bays inc 2 disabled bays.
BI – 6 marked bays inc 2 disabled bays.| ||Boardwalks, Bridges, Concrete weirs,
Drainage culverts, etc.|Y|LNR – 2 boardwalk, 12 bridges, 1 brick structure.
BI – 3 boardwalks, 4 bridges, 2 brick structures.| ||Furniture|Y|LNR – 3 benches/seating, 8 pedestrian and 4 field gates,
13 chicanes/barriers, 3 stiles, 12 ‘D’ signs, 4 litter bins.
BI – 9 benches/seating, 1 table, 5 pedestrian and 3 field
gates, 7 litter and 7 dog bins.| ||Homes for Nature|Y|LNR – various bird and bat boxes, vertical log piles.
BI – various bird and bat boxes, vertical log piles.| ||Play areas|Y|BI – 1 natural play area.| ||Pond dipping platform|Y|LNR – 3 at Knoxs Pond.| ||Signage/Interpretation/Noticeboards|Y|LNR – 13 noticeboards.
BI – 7 noticeboards.| |||**Usage**|| ||‘Friends Of’ group|Y|‘Friends Of’ group| ||Livestock, sheep, cattle, conservation
grazing|Y (LNR
only)|5 cattle grazed the Ancient Meadow from 15thNov –
22ndJan.| ||Other (specify)|Y|Bordon Inclosure ‘Weekend Warriors’ volunteers meet
monthly plus regular Monday and Thursday volunteers
assist the rangers in habitat management.| |||**Categories / Designations**|| ||Conservation designation/status|Y|LNR – Local Nature Reserve and Site of Importance for
Nature Conservation (SINC).
BI – SANG and SINC.| ||||| Page **5** of **21** ## **Outcomes / Benefits** _This relates to the overall benefits achieved as a result of the support and management and how the sites are making a positive contribution to the local area/community_ ## **Environment and Biodiversity** Main work or highlights of the year included: Local Nature Reserve - Knox’s Pond project Phase II completed – this involved resurfacing footpaths and building new/replacing boardwalks and dipping platforms around the entire pond. - Rifle wall pond in Alexandra Park had 20% of vegetation removed, 10% dug deeper and amphibian hibernaculum constructed on the edge. - “D signs” at site entrances revamped and replaced with support from Whitehill Town Council. - The tackling of invasive species continued, predominantly the removal of bamboo, rhododendron and Himalayan balsam. - Reptile tins (for surveying) were installed/renewed at Alexandra Park, the ancient meadow and Walldown. - Ongoing maintenance/repairs to site infrastructure such as the boardwalks and fencing. - Hazardous trees identified and removed by Rangers or contractors. - Vegetation along footpaths managed throughout the growing season. - Riverfly surveys completed. - Scrub management at the Walldown monument with volunteers. - Six cattle grazed the ancient meadow from 15[th] November – 22[nd] January. - Chestnut paling, dead hedging and hazel fencing created at points along the Deadwater to block access from very eroded areas of the bank which need space to recover and were deemed unsafe. - Infrastructure audit completed on both the LNR and Bordon Inclosure. - Raptor box installed in the ancient meadow by the Hawk Conservancy Trust. ## Bordon Inclosure - Installing log-lined path with volunteers to guide footfall. - Cutting of laurel/rhododendron a regular task with volunteers. - Windblown trees blocking footpaths removed. - Bracken whacking in a woodland ride/clearing below powerlines. - Encroaching vegetation cleared along footpaths. - Cutting back Hemlock water dropwort along the boardwalk through the wet woodland. - Interpretation board installed in new seating area (funded and installed by the Council). - Ongoing maintenance/repairs to site infrastructure. - • Clearing vegetation and aspen from ephemeral pond to encourage more open water and create a more varied depth structure to the pond. - Removing dominant sycamore saplings in woodland clearing. - Leaf-blowing of boardwalks throughout autumn. - Mink trap installed in partnership with the National Trust/River Wey Partnership. ## Antisocial behaviour across both sites: - Tyres and other fly-tipping dumped in the Conde Way car park (Council have installed CCTV). - Evidence/remains of numerous small fires, usually found on patrols cold or smouldering. - Burnt out motorbike and mobility scooter – removed by the Council. - Graffiti on infrastructure - Fly tipping Page **6** of **21** - Interpretation boards already weak at the base from rot pushed over - Padlock stolen from access gate multiple times - Vandalism to site infrastructure - Motorbike reports ## Working with volunteers: - 28 Monday volunteer sessions in the LNR and BI with an average of 14 volunteers at each session. - 31 Thursday ‘Dibben Adult Mental Health’ volunteer sessions in the LNR and BI with an average of 3 volunteers at each session. - 12 Saturday monthly volunteer sessions in Bordon Inclosure with an average of 4 volunteers at each session. - Total amount of volunteering **(on all DVT sites)** totalled 2686 hours / 336 days which is equivalent to **£22,562.** ## **Health** Our sites continue to be an important space for the local community to use for exercise and enjoyment, both benefiting people’s physical and mental health. Our programme of volunteering sessions and events give people the opportunity to enjoy physical exercise through practical conservation volunteer sessions, or simply enjoy time in nature and the social aspect by attending our events such as our Woodland Fayre or Carols under the King event at Christmas. Hogmoor Inclosure is our largest site so can offer larger health initiatives such as the parkrun whilst Bordon Inclosure and the Local Nature Reserve are smaller but provide a quieter space for people. ## **Education** Led by the work of our Community Ranger, the Trust has continued its programme of activities to engage with schools and local people. Monthly Junior Ranger sessions were led on both Bordon Inclosure and the Local Nature Reserve (except during the summer holidays). DVT ran educational sessions for Bordon Infant School (2 x classes of 30 pupils), two Scouts sessions for 16 Cubs with games and activities (including owl pellet dissection) and facilitated a pre-school to have a Teddy Bear’s Picnic (42 adults and their children). DVT also hosted 8 students of different ages from different schools/colleges, 8 x DoE sessions for Hollywater School and corporate volunteering days for Abri and Sky staff resulted in 408 hours of volunteering time and at the same time educating people on the work that DVT undertake. ## **Economic** DVT provide free/token payment events and activities which is a very positive draw for local families - many people would not be able to pay to attend and being able to provide these experiences positively engages local families and gives them a sense of ownership of the site. During other events throughout the year we have a small amount of donations – all of these help with the ongoing costs of managing the sites and running events. A donation from two our volunteers funded a new defibrillator which DVT take out on volunteer tasks and events. ## **Community/Social Cohesion** Events this year included: - Easter trail and activities events on both sites - Blessing of the Bower event at Walldown – 25 children, 30 adults - Woodlea School fete attended - Lindford fete attended - Hollywater School joined us for 8 DoE sessions Page **7** of **21** - Bordon Infant School Year 2 visited BI/LNR for a session on habitats and life cycles - Summer activities organised and run during the school holidays - Duck Race on the River Deadwater - Sunset Festival run by the Phoenix Arts Centre - Woodland Fayre in the LNR - Halloween trail and craft activities in Bordon Inclosure - A further 9 sessions with Hollywater School for their DoE - Tree dressing activity on both sites over the Christmas break - Carols at the King event held at the King Oak in the Inclosure - Pancake day event in Bordon Inclosure ## **Volunteering Figures** Below are the figures for ‘practical’ volunteering over all **three** sites 1[st] April 2023 to 31[st] March 2024: |**DAY**|**Sessions:**
**LNR / BI / HI**|**AV / HIGH / LOW /**
**NEW**|**TOTAL HRS**
_(2023-2024)_|**EQUIVALENT TO**
(@£8.40/Hr)| |---|---|---|---|---| |Monday|17 / 11 / 16|14 / 19 / 10 / 5|1866|£15,422.40| |Thursday|17 / 14 / 11|3 / 4 / 1 / 0|262|£2150.40| |Saturday (BI)|12|4 / 7 / 1 / 0|96|£806.40| |Saturday (HI)|12|5 / 10 / 2 / 0|116|£974.40| |Sunday (HI)|6|4 / 6 / 1 / 2|46|£386.40| |Students|N/a|8 students|236|£1982.40| |DoE Students|8 sessions|8 students (approx.
at each session)|64|£537.60| |**Volunteer Totals**
_(2022-2023 figures)_|-|-|**_2686_**
_2374_|**_£22,562_**
_£19,941_| Page **8** of **21** **----- Start of picture text -----**
Photos from the year
**----- End of picture text -----**
_New D signs in LNR_ _New boardwalks at Knox’s Pond_ Page **9** of **21** _Raptor box installed by Hawk Conservancy Trust_ _Business ducks at our annual duck race_ _Volunteers working in Bordon Inclosure_ Page **10** of **21** |**Site Name:**|Hogmoor Inclosure| |---|---| |**Owned by or Leased to:**|The Land Trust| |**Managed by:**|Deadwater Valley Trust (DVT)| |**Size of the site:**|54ha| |**Background:**|This report covers the period 1 April 2023 – 31 March 2024
Hogmoor Inclosure is an expanse of largely afforested heath previously
used as a military training area. Since being designated a SANG it has
been managed on behalf of Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration
Company by DVT, and since 1st October 2020 has been managed by
DVT on behalf of the Land Trust.| ||**Site Inputs**|**Site Inputs**|**Site Inputs**|**Site Inputs**|**Site Inputs**|**Site Inputs**| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||**Inputs**||||**Amount**|| ||Total Annual Management received||||**£110,593**|| ||Total additional funding received (e.g. grants, donations)||||**£1,540**|| ||**Characteristics of the site and amenities**|||||| ||Hogmoor Inclosure comprises Scots pine dominated coniferous plantation with elements of secondary broadleaf
woodland and scrub in a gently undulating landform. Slopes, ruts and channels formed by military vehicles have
produced a micro-topographical diversity. Remnant dry heathland occurs toward the south of the site with heathy
fringes occurring along the woodland edge. Bare ground microhabitats have been created through historical use.
Foreys Pond is a seasonal waterbody succeeding into reedbed and willow carr. Other ephemeral ponds exist on
the site. There is a large play area to the north of the site. Evidence of the past military use has been retained in
the form of a radar trailer and Bofors Gun emplacement (designated as a historical monument).
There is a café, toilet block and education room next to the car park but these buildings are not managed by DVT.
The 100-space car park is managed by DVT.
Paths are provided for new and existing residents in the area to walk, with or without a dog, in the area as an
alternative to nearby SPAs and SACs.|||||| |||||||| ||Paths are provided for new|||||| ||alternative to nearby SPAs|and SACs.||||| |||||||| ||||**Natural Environments**|||| ||**Site**|**Quantity**
**or Y/N**|**Quality**
**Poor (P), Fair**
**(F), Good (G)**|**Size Actively**
**Managed**
**(ha/m)**|**Additional Detail**
**(if required)**|| ||Amenity grassland (ha)|N||||| ||Other grassland (ha)|Y|G|2ha approx|Acid grassland.
Mesotrophic grassland.|| ||Hedgerows (metres)|N||||| ||Wetlands (ha)|N||||| ||Rivers / streams
(metres)|N||||| ||Woodland (ha)|Y|G|34.7ha|Scots Pine dominated coniferous
plantation with secondary broadleaf
woodland.|| Page **11** of **21** ||Scrub (ha)|Y||G|11.6ha|| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||Other habitat - specify|Y||G
G
F
F
F
F|0.625ha
7ha
Widespread
0.01ha|Existing heathland.
Remnant heathland.
Bare Ground.
2 ponds. (1 in play area).
2 ephemeral ponds.
Ditches.| ||SUDS (yes/no)|N||||| |||||||| |||||||| ||**Site**|||**Quantity**
**or Y/N**||**Additional Detail**
**(if required)**| |||||||| |||||**Built Environment**||| ||Artwork / Sculptures (no.)|||Y|9 Sentinels. 20 Waymarkers.|| ||Car park (no.)|||Y|100 marked bays inc 5 disabled bays.|| ||Concrete weirs, drainage culverts (no.)|||Y|2 wooden bridges|| ||Furniture (no.)|||Y|5 wooden benches|| ||Health facilities (no.)|||N||| ||Homes for Nature (no.)|||Y|4 Bird boxes installed by DVT. Approx 30 bird boxes.
Approx 30 Bat boxes. 1 bat bunker. 1 bat maternity
roost.
1 bug hotel. 1 Kestrel box|| ||Outdoor classroom/forest school area
(no.)|||Y|Concrete foundation for Bird Viewing Hide.|| ||Paths (km)|||Y|6.2 km of signed main paths. with a further approx. 5km
of minor cross paths/desire lines.|| ||Play areas (no.)|||Y|1 (large)|| ||Pond dipping platform (no.)|||N||| ||Signage/ Interpretation / Notice
boards (no.)|||Y|11 various|| ||Visitor centre / community building
(no.)|||Y|Hogmoor Café. Toilet block. ‘Beehive’ community facility
but not managed by DVT|| |||||**Usage**||| ||Friends group (y/n)|||N||| ||Livestock, sheep, cattle, conservation
grazing (y/n)|||N||| ||Other (specify)|||Y|‘Hogmoor Heroes’ is a volunteer group meeting monthly
plus regular Monday and Thursday volunteers to assist
the rangers in habitat management. New groups include
the fourth Wednesday and fourth Sunday of each
month.|| |||||**Categories / Designations**||| ||Green Flag (y/n)|||Y|Awarded in 2023|| ||Conservation designation / status|||Y|SANG and SINC.|| |||||||| |||||||| Page **12** of **21** _Winston Churchill taking the tramper for a spin at the WWII Military Heritage event_ _WWII Military Heritage event_ Page **13** of **21** ## **Outcomes / Benefits** _(This relates to the overall benefits achieved as a result of the support and management – for example how the site is making a positive contribution to the local area/community_ **Environment and Biodiversity** This report covers the period 1st April 2023 31st March 2024 Across the whole site there has been a variety of volunteer tasks, including: - Pine pulling to thin out areas - Bracken whacking - Removal of invasive species, such as cotoneaster - Birch pulling and creating dead hedges with the material - Scrub management - Removing encroaching willow in Forey’s Pond Two new volunteer days were started in October 2023 – one on the fourth Wednesday of each month and the other on the fourth Sunday of each month. ## _**Rangers:**_ Rangers have been working across the whole site to maintain and conserve the habitats, including thinning of pine trees in various compartments, completing habitat surveys as well as a pond invertebrate survey for Forey’s Pond. In June 2023 temporary fencing was installed around the central/sentinel pond to help mitigate the spread of New Zealand pygmyweed. Scrub management through cutting and burning/collecting. Chestnut fencing was put up below the bofors gun on the 5[th] of October 2023 to help reduce the erosion on the bank and better protect the scheduled monument. A total of 69.5m2 of heather cuttings were spread / 4 truckloads at 7.2m[3] . A site infrastructure audit was completed, and actions were carried out based on suggestions from the Green Flag inspection visit. This included altering the welcome signs and starting to repurpose half of the white signs into clip frames to make the site more welcoming and the entrances more consistent. In January 2024 Rangers and work experience students have been selectively felling pine trees to open up areas to allow heathland to regenerate. This has led to DVT looking for external contractors to undertake larger-scale selective thinning and haloing broadleaf trees around the site in winter 2024/2025, to help encourage the more stunted trees to grow. A separate contractor (Dr Jones) felled trees around the bat maternity roost and near the bird hide that were both dead, as well as a tree on the bofors emplacement to preserve the scheduled monument. The DVT Rangers had a meeting with Matt Stevens who is a conservation biologist for the Hawk Conservancy Trust who advised on where potential nest box sites could be on all sites for tawny owls and kestrels. One kestrel box has been put up in Hogmoor Inclosure with potential tawny owl boxes to be put up in autumn 2024. In February 2024 DVT hosted a joint event with the South Downs NPA called ‘Night under the Stars’, with 120 people booking on for two guided walks along with 15 people turning up just for the star gazing. DVT and the South Downs also had a joint pop-up stall on ‘’ Take the Lead’’ for local dog walkers, where members of the public could come over and talk about the take the lead programme/local dog ambassadors. ## _**Contractors:**_ Knightland Management Services Ltd undertook spraying of Crassula in the central/sentinel pond. Heathland Management Services undertook a cut and collect of heather creating a natural, winding cut through the area of heathland to encourage new heather to grow and diversify its age structure. Page **14** of **21** |


|**_Infrastructure:_**
•
Footbridge was installed off Templars Way to improve access over a ditch in winter
•
Rangers repaired the Roman arch interpretation board
•
Green flagpole was installed
•
RS met with three different contractors to get quotes for fencing below the bofors gun to help prevent
erosion
•
Weekly playground inspections have been carried out every week to ensure that the area is safe, any
issues have been uploaded to SafetyCulture and have been addressed by the appropriate
people/contractors.
_Tell us about any species of local / regional / national significance reported on site and mark appropriate categories._
_Add extra lines as needed up to about 15-20 entries_
(Examples are of Flora and Fauna spotted since 1 April 2023.)
**Fauna**
**(examples**
**provided –**
**please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**
**Estimate**
**population**
**size**
**Status**
e.g. migrant
/breeding /wintering
/ foraging
**Does species**
**require active**
**management?**
**(Y/N)**
**If yes, is**
**species incl.**
**in LT Site**
**Biodiversity**
**Statement?**
**Additional info**
_e.g. Locally_
_Significance / priority_
_species / newly_
_established_
**Woodlark**
Y
Breeding
**Badger**
Y
Breeding
Badger sett on site
**Nightjar**
Y
Foraging
**Buzzard**
4
Breeding pair
**Kestrel**
1
Breeding
**Red Kite**
2
Breeding
**Sparrowhawk**
Y
**Firecrest**
Y
**Goldcrest**
Y
**Bullfinch**
Y
**Chiffchaff**
Y
**Mallard**
Y
**Grayling**
Y
**Clouded Yellow**
N
**Small Copper**
Y
**Grass Snake**
Y
**Common Lizard**
Y
**Slow worm**
Y
**Roe Deer**
Y
**Field Vole**
Y
**Smooth Newt**
Y
**Palmate Newt**
Y
**Common Toad**
Y|**_Infrastructure:_**
•
Footbridge was installed off Templars Way to improve access over a ditch in winter
•
Rangers repaired the Roman arch interpretation board
•
Green flagpole was installed
•
RS met with three different contractors to get quotes for fencing below the bofors gun to help prevent
erosion
•
Weekly playground inspections have been carried out every week to ensure that the area is safe, any
issues have been uploaded to SafetyCulture and have been addressed by the appropriate
people/contractors.
_Tell us about any species of local / regional / national significance reported on site and mark appropriate categories._
_Add extra lines as needed up to about 15-20 entries_
(Examples are of Flora and Fauna spotted since 1 April 2023.)
**Fauna**
**(examples**
**provided –**
**please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**
**Estimate**
**population**
**size**
**Status**
e.g. migrant
/breeding /wintering
/ foraging
**Does species**
**require active**
**management?**
**(Y/N)**
**If yes, is**
**species incl.**
**in LT Site**
**Biodiversity**
**Statement?**
**Additional info**
_e.g. Locally_
_Significance / priority_
_species / newly_
_established_
**Woodlark**
Y
Breeding
**Badger**
Y
Breeding
Badger sett on site
**Nightjar**
Y
Foraging
**Buzzard**
4
Breeding pair
**Kestrel**
1
Breeding
**Red Kite**
2
Breeding
**Sparrowhawk**
Y
**Firecrest**
Y
**Goldcrest**
Y
**Bullfinch**
Y
**Chiffchaff**
Y
**Mallard**
Y
**Grayling**
Y
**Clouded Yellow**
N
**Small Copper**
Y
**Grass Snake**
Y
**Common Lizard**
Y
**Slow worm**
Y
**Roe Deer**
Y
**Field Vole**
Y
**Smooth Newt**
Y
**Palmate Newt**
Y
**Common Toad**
Y|**_Infrastructure:_**
•
Footbridge was installed off Templars Way to improve access over a ditch in winter
•
Rangers repaired the Roman arch interpretation board
•
Green flagpole was installed
•
RS met with three different contractors to get quotes for fencing below the bofors gun to help prevent
erosion
•
Weekly playground inspections have been carried out every week to ensure that the area is safe, any
issues have been uploaded to SafetyCulture and have been addressed by the appropriate
people/contractors.
_Tell us about any species of local / regional / national significance reported on site and mark appropriate categories._
_Add extra lines as needed up to about 15-20 entries_
(Examples are of Flora and Fauna spotted since 1 April 2023.)
**Fauna**
**(examples**
**provided –**
**please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**
**Estimate**
**population**
**size**
**Status**
e.g. migrant
/breeding /wintering
/ foraging
**Does species**
**require active**
**management?**
**(Y/N)**
**If yes, is**
**species incl.**
**in LT Site**
**Biodiversity**
**Statement?**
**Additional info**
_e.g. Locally_
_Significance / priority_
_species / newly_
_established_
**Woodlark**
Y
Breeding
**Badger**
Y
Breeding
Badger sett on site
**Nightjar**
Y
Foraging
**Buzzard**
4
Breeding pair
**Kestrel**
1
Breeding
**Red Kite**
2
Breeding
**Sparrowhawk**
Y
**Firecrest**
Y
**Goldcrest**
Y
**Bullfinch**
Y
**Chiffchaff**
Y
**Mallard**
Y
**Grayling**
Y
**Clouded Yellow**
N
**Small Copper**
Y
**Grass Snake**
Y
**Common Lizard**
Y
**Slow worm**
Y
**Roe Deer**
Y
**Field Vole**
Y
**Smooth Newt**
Y
**Palmate Newt**
Y
**Common Toad**
Y|**_Infrastructure:_**
•
Footbridge was installed off Templars Way to improve access over a ditch in winter
•
Rangers repaired the Roman arch interpretation board
•
Green flagpole was installed
•
RS met with three different contractors to get quotes for fencing below the bofors gun to help prevent
erosion
•
Weekly playground inspections have been carried out every week to ensure that the area is safe, any
issues have been uploaded to SafetyCulture and have been addressed by the appropriate
people/contractors.
_Tell us about any species of local / regional / national significance reported on site and mark appropriate categories._
_Add extra lines as needed up to about 15-20 entries_
(Examples are of Flora and Fauna spotted since 1 April 2023.)
**Fauna**
**(examples**
**provided –**
**please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**
**Estimate**
**population**
**size**
**Status**
e.g. migrant
/breeding /wintering
/ foraging
**Does species**
**require active**
**management?**
**(Y/N)**
**If yes, is**
**species incl.**
**in LT Site**
**Biodiversity**
**Statement?**
**Additional info**
_e.g. Locally_
_Significance / priority_
_species / newly_
_established_
**Woodlark**
Y
Breeding
**Badger**
Y
Breeding
Badger sett on site
**Nightjar**
Y
Foraging
**Buzzard**
4
Breeding pair
**Kestrel**
1
Breeding
**Red Kite**
2
Breeding
**Sparrowhawk**
Y
**Firecrest**
Y
**Goldcrest**
Y
**Bullfinch**
Y
**Chiffchaff**
Y
**Mallard**
Y
**Grayling**
Y
**Clouded Yellow**
N
**Small Copper**
Y
**Grass Snake**
Y
**Common Lizard**
Y
**Slow worm**
Y
**Roe Deer**
Y
**Field Vole**
Y
**Smooth Newt**
Y
**Palmate Newt**
Y
**Common Toad**
Y|**_Infrastructure:_**
•
Footbridge was installed off Templars Way to improve access over a ditch in winter
•
Rangers repaired the Roman arch interpretation board
•
Green flagpole was installed
•
RS met with three different contractors to get quotes for fencing below the bofors gun to help prevent
erosion
•
Weekly playground inspections have been carried out every week to ensure that the area is safe, any
issues have been uploaded to SafetyCulture and have been addressed by the appropriate
people/contractors.
_Tell us about any species of local / regional / national significance reported on site and mark appropriate categories._
_Add extra lines as needed up to about 15-20 entries_
(Examples are of Flora and Fauna spotted since 1 April 2023.)
**Fauna**
**(examples**
**provided –**
**please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**
**Estimate**
**population**
**size**
**Status**
e.g. migrant
/breeding /wintering
/ foraging
**Does species**
**require active**
**management?**
**(Y/N)**
**If yes, is**
**species incl.**
**in LT Site**
**Biodiversity**
**Statement?**
**Additional info**
_e.g. Locally_
_Significance / priority_
_species / newly_
_established_
**Woodlark**
Y
Breeding
**Badger**
Y
Breeding
Badger sett on site
**Nightjar**
Y
Foraging
**Buzzard**
4
Breeding pair
**Kestrel**
1
Breeding
**Red Kite**
2
Breeding
**Sparrowhawk**
Y
**Firecrest**
Y
**Goldcrest**
Y
**Bullfinch**
Y
**Chiffchaff**
Y
**Mallard**
Y
**Grayling**
Y
**Clouded Yellow**
N
**Small Copper**
Y
**Grass Snake**
Y
**Common Lizard**
Y
**Slow worm**
Y
**Roe Deer**
Y
**Field Vole**
Y
**Smooth Newt**
Y
**Palmate Newt**
Y
**Common Toad**
Y|**_Infrastructure:_**
•
Footbridge was installed off Templars Way to improve access over a ditch in winter
•
Rangers repaired the Roman arch interpretation board
•
Green flagpole was installed
•
RS met with three different contractors to get quotes for fencing below the bofors gun to help prevent
erosion
•
Weekly playground inspections have been carried out every week to ensure that the area is safe, any
issues have been uploaded to SafetyCulture and have been addressed by the appropriate
people/contractors.
_Tell us about any species of local / regional / national significance reported on site and mark appropriate categories._
_Add extra lines as needed up to about 15-20 entries_
(Examples are of Flora and Fauna spotted since 1 April 2023.)
**Fauna**
**(examples**
**provided –**
**please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**
**Estimate**
**population**
**size**
**Status**
e.g. migrant
/breeding /wintering
/ foraging
**Does species**
**require active**
**management?**
**(Y/N)**
**If yes, is**
**species incl.**
**in LT Site**
**Biodiversity**
**Statement?**
**Additional info**
_e.g. Locally_
_Significance / priority_
_species / newly_
_established_
**Woodlark**
Y
Breeding
**Badger**
Y
Breeding
Badger sett on site
**Nightjar**
Y
Foraging
**Buzzard**
4
Breeding pair
**Kestrel**
1
Breeding
**Red Kite**
2
Breeding
**Sparrowhawk**
Y
**Firecrest**
Y
**Goldcrest**
Y
**Bullfinch**
Y
**Chiffchaff**
Y
**Mallard**
Y
**Grayling**
Y
**Clouded Yellow**
N
**Small Copper**
Y
**Grass Snake**
Y
**Common Lizard**
Y
**Slow worm**
Y
**Roe Deer**
Y
**Field Vole**
Y
**Smooth Newt**
Y
**Palmate Newt**
Y
**Common Toad**
Y| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||people/contractors.|||||| ||_Tell us about any species of local / regional / national significance reported o_|||||| ||_Add extra lines as needed up to about 15-20 entries_|||||| ||(Examples are of Flora and Fauna spotted since 1 April 2023.)|||||| |||||||| ||**Fauna**
**(examples**
**provided –**
**please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**|**Estimate**
**population**
**size**|**Status**|**Does species**
**require active**
**management?**
**(Y/N)**|**If yes, is**|**Additional info**| ||||e.g. migrant||**species incl.**|
_e.g. Locally_| ||||/breeding /wintering||**in LT Site**|_Significance / priority_| ||||/ foraging||**Biodiversity**|
_species / newly_| ||||||**Statement?**|
_established_| |||||||| ||**Woodlark**|Y|Breeding|||| ||**Badger**|Y|Breeding|||Badger sett on site| ||**Nightjar**|Y|Foraging|||| ||**Buzzard**|4|Breeding pair|||| ||**Kestrel**|1|Breeding|||| ||**Red Kite**|2|Breeding|||| ||**Sparrowhawk**|Y||||| ||**Firecrest**|Y||||| ||**Goldcrest**|Y||||| ||**Bullfinch**|Y||||| ||**Chiffchaff**|Y||||| ||**Mallard**|Y||||| ||**Grayling**|Y||||| ||**Clouded Yellow**|N||||| ||**Small Copper**|Y||||| ||**Grass Snake**|Y||||| ||**Common Lizard**|Y||||| ||**Slow worm**|Y||||| ||**Roe Deer**|Y||||| ||**Field Vole**|Y||||| ||**Smooth Newt**|Y||||| ||**Palmate Newt**|Y||||| ||**Common Toad**|Y||||| Page **15** of **21** |
|**Habitat**
**(examples**
**provided –**
**please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**|Size|Size|||Active
management|Active
management||| |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| ||||||||||| ||||||||||| ||||||||||| |||||Expanding/contracting||||LT policy inc|Status| ||||||||||| ||**Open mosaic**
**habitats on**
**previously**
**developed land**|Y||||Walk-behind
brushcutter
and clearing
saw work
along ride
edges|||| ||||||||||| ||**Lowland mixed**
**deciduous**
**woodland**|15ha||Stable||Felling of
unstable trees.
Removal of
invasive
species|||| ||||||||||| ||**Lowland acid**
**grassland**|2.03ha||Stable||Mowing.|||| ||||||||||| ||**Scots Pine**
**dominated**
**coniferous**
**plantation**|20ha||Stable||Selective
thinning and
removal of
large
specimens||As per|Contractors due to be| |||||||||Management|
in completing thinning| |||||||||Plan|in 2024-2025| ||||||||||| ||**Lowland heath**|7.625ha||Expanding||Cutting/pulling
invasive gorse,
pine and birch
saplings.|||| ||||||||||| ||**Bare Ground**|Large area
along tracks||||Clearance of
vegetation
from south
facing banks.|||| ||||||||||| ||||||||||| ||_Tell us about any species of local / regional / national significance reported o_||||||||| ||_Add extra lines as needed_||_up to about 15-20 entries_||||||| ||||||||||| ||**Flora (examples**
**provided – please**
**add/delete as**
**necessary)**||**Estimated**
**population**
**size**||**Does species require**
**active management?**
**(Y/N)**||**Additional info**||| ||||||||e.g. Local / National significance||| ||||||||||| ||**Coral-necklace**
**_(Illecebrum_**
**_verticillatum)_**||Small||N||Introduced from Devon via tank tracks.||| ||||||||||| ||||||||||| Page **16** of **21** |**Bird’s-foot-trefoil**
**_(Lotus corniculatus)_**|Small|N|| |---|---|---|---| |**Heather****_(Calluna_**
**_vulgaris)_**|Small|Y|On-going surveys suggest that the density of
Heather is increasing.| |**Cross-leaved Heath**
**_(Erica tetralix)_**|Small|Y|| |**Bilberry****_(Vaccinium_**
**_myrtillus)_**
~~ee~~|Small|Y|| |~~ee~~|||| _Note any alien / invasive plants onsite and actions for management See Appendix 1 for list of examples. Add more lines if need be._ |**Species on site (examples**
**provided – please add/delete as**
**necessary)**|**Level of invasion**
**Widespread (W) or Isolated (I)**|**Action: Elimination (E); Control (C);**
**No measures (No)**| |---|---|---| |**Buddleja ****_(Buddleja davidii)_**|**I**|**C**| |**New Zealand Pygmyweed**
**_(Crassula helmsii)_**|**I**|**C. Chemical Sprayed. On-going**
**monitoring.**| |**Cotoneastor****_(Cotoneastor_**
**_horizontalis_**|**I**|**C**| |**Cherry Laurel**
**_(Prunus laurocerasus)_**|**I**|**C**| |**Rhododendron (****_Rhododendron_**
**_ponticum)_**|**I**|**C**| _Monday volunteer group in Hogmoor Inclosure for World Ranger Day_ Page **17** of **21** ## **Health** Throughout the year on Hogmoor there has been a variety of events that have been promoting fitness and health, these include: - Parkrun for both adults and kids (including seasonal runs) - Races - Orienteering groups - Group walks (e.g. Tots walks, Ready Steady Mum’s walks) - A volunteer group that meet on Thursdays led by DVT – closed group for social prescribing ## **Education** - DVT hosted a group from Hollywater School on 6[th] July; this involved a walk to the bird hide area, talking about birds/listening to birdsong and exploring using natural materials to make nests (18 students attended) - DVT hosted another group from Hollywater School on 20[th] July; this involved a walk to the Roman arch and a crafting activity (18 students attended) - Year 12 work experience student joined the team week commencing 4[th] September - DVT hosted 8 young people from Hollywater School who were working on their DofE, they came to site twice once on the 22[nd] November and the other on 6[th] December 2023 – activities included removing pine saplings and digging scrapes. ## **Q1 –** SEN fire lighting X12ppl, Fleet infants X73ppl, SEN X13ppl, Camelsdale Primary X60ppl, Edgeborough X17ppl, Junior Rangers 3 sessions X14 children, brass rubbing X24ppl, Rainbows X27ppl, Brownies X29ppl, Cubs X14ppl, Squirrels X14ppl ## **Q2 –** Edgeborough School visit (numbers unknown), Junior Rangers 1 session X4 children, bat walk with Beavers and Cubs X30 children and leaders, Girls & Boys Brigade 1st Wymering X19 children, 7 adults, Hollywater School (SEN), 2 sessions with 18 children, 3 x work experience students with the Ranger team ## **Q3 –** Mayville High School SEN (X13 pupils), Froxfield Pre-school (X10 children, X10 adults) ## **Q4 –** Bentley Primary School, Junior Rangers 2 sessions (X8 children), Hollywater School (SEN) 3 sessions with 8 children, 1 x work experience student with the Ranger team, Junior Rangers 3 sessions (X11 kids), 5th Farnham cubs (X6 leaders, X28 children), 1x work experience with the Rangers every Friday learning and developing skills ## **Economic** The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association ‘Charity Walk for Peace’ which was held on Hogmoor Inclosure for the first time in May 2022 happened again in May 2023 – because of DVT’s involvement we received a cheque for £450. During other events throughout the year, we have a small amount of donations – all of these help with the ongoing costs of managing the site and running events. Our ongoing policy of providing free/token payment events and activities continues to be a very positive draw for local families, especially during recent months. Many people would not be able to pay to attend and being able to provide these experiences positively engages local families and gives them a sense of ownership of the site. Page **18** of **21** ## **Community /Social Cohesion** Self-guided trails have meant that families and local residents have been able to access the site throughout the year. Events for this year have included: - ‘Spring into Health’ - Dawn chorus and bat walks - Joint events with SDNPA rangers - Weekly parkruns, both senior and junior - • Tots Rambles and walking groups • Halloween and Easter trail – the trails are designed to be easy to follow around a mile long route. Worksheets have accompanied some of the trails and have been made available for collection from the onsite café or downloadable from our website. - • Spooky Lights Halloween Trail – successful evening event with approximately 320 children and 160 adults; decorated woodland trail and storytelling in the Bofors site - • Easter egg hunt event took place over the Easter half term • Julie supported at the Hogmoor Community Fun Day event at the Beehive/café on the 16[th] July • Summer holiday activities – story telling trail, pewter casting & kite making, Backyard bug experience and teddy bear picnic, engaging with 350 children with adults. - • WWII Military Heritage event with over 150 children • 12 people from Sky volunteered on site - New bird hide was installed at Forey’s pond to encourage people and families to immerse in the sounds and aquatic environment. DVT have been in contact with an external local artist who in spring 2024 will produce artwork for the bird hide. DVT are also looking at installing interpretation panels in the bird hide. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Be
**----- End of picture text -----**
_Signage put out in areas where felling and spreading heather cuttings has taken place to explain to the public the need to do so to extend heathland habitats_ **----- Start of picture text -----**
Volunteers donning waders to continue their work in Forey’s Pond removing
encroaching willow
**----- End of picture text -----**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
New Sunday volunteer work party in Foreys Pond
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page **19** of **21** ## **Deadwater Valley Trust** ## Receipts and Payments Account for the period ending 31 March 2024 |**Receipts**
Grant Knox Pond EDHC
Birde Hide HI
Service Contracts
Donations
Other revenue
Revenue EDHC
Fund Raising
Sale of Goods
**Payments**
Bird Hide payments
Labour
Rent
Telephone
Community Engagement
Office Expenses
Photocopies
Direct expenses
Insurance
Site Maintenance & Tools
Vehicle
Training
Protective Clothing
Volunteers
Travel
Advertising & Marketing
Net Receipts/Payments
Brought F'wd from 2023
Transfer to Savings
Bank Balance
3/31/2024
Notes:
Invested Funds £|15,410.34
-
203,630.45
1,496.35
1,867.46
1,250.00
-
239.16
257,134.12
33,840.36
122,840.86
5,505.00
703.04
9,909.67
8,189.83
223.82
925.07
2,676.11
55,707.83
5,451.84
3,035.20
2,636.60
391.73
338.20
585.60
252,960.76
4,173.36
181,417.75
185,591.11
-100,000.00
85,591.11
85,591.11
109,499.83|**LNR**
15,410.34
-
50,890.10
879.11
423.09
-
-
239.16
67,841.80
-
34,145.25
1,685.01
252.80
2,723.07
2,767.94
79.58
237.22
892.03
35,419.68
2,146.36
930.33
1,050.09
100.53
28.28
200.00
82,658.17
-14,816.37
127,741.46
112,925.09|**B/I **
-
42,147.65
382.57
138.67
1,250.00
-
-|**H/I **
-
33,240.36
110,592.70
234.67
1,305.70
-
-
-
145,373.43
33,840.36
56,085.66
2,134.99
207.44
6,673.83
2,777.35
67.96
343.99
892.04
17,715.99
2,120.56
1,023.04
1,176.64
136.53
190.29
335.60
125,722.27
19,651.16
32,780.16
52,431.32| |---|---|---|---|---| ||||43,918.89|| ||||-
32,609.95
1,685.00
242.80
512.77
2,644.54
76.28
343.86
892.04
2,572.16
1,184.92
1,081.83
409.87
154.67
119.63
50.00
44,580.32
-661.43
20,896.13
20,234.70|| Page **20** of **21** ## Deadwater Valley Trust Independent Examiners Report for the Year Ended 31 March 2024 ## Report I have examined the financial statements and paperwork, which have been prepared under the cash accounting basis. I have examined the entries in Xero, the Trial Balance and detailed entries report. ## Basis of Opinion I have conducted this examination on a test basis of evidence relevant to the amounts in the financial statements. I have checked the income and outgoings to the bank statements and entries on Xero. ## Opinion In my opinion the financial statements reflect a fair view of Deadwater Valley Trusts affairs on 31 March 2024 based on the information provided. Nicky Cole MAAT Mad About Bookkeeping Ltd Wolfe Mead Farnham Road Bordon GU35 0NH 10[th] September 2024 Wolfe Page Mead, **21** Farnham of **21** Road, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 ONH