HDNRT Financial Summary for the period 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023
| Income | |
|---|---|
| Donations | £2185.13 |
| Fundraising | £13177.00 |
| TOTAL | £15362.13 |
| Carried over from 2022 | £16707.02 |
| Expenditure | |
| Running costs | £2236.97 |
| Activities | £16991.47 |
| TOTAL | £19228.44 |
| Restricted Funds | |
| Carried over | £12840.71 |
TAR 2023
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts:
The trustees have continued to undertake the general maintenance work on the nature reserve, with volunteer help when available. Tree watering was needed in June for several weeks. Grass cutting has been easier, thanks to the Grillo machine purchased last year with Lottery funding. Bird food is put out on the feeding stations when required and more nesting boxes, painted by the Beavers, have been put in place.
The replacement bronze bear, Montgomery II, was delivered and installed in February on an additional concrete plinth using one inch bolts and cast iron weights.
Early in the year, trustees and volunteers helped at a ‘Crafternoon’ organised by the Woodlands Hall Community Centre for about twenty young children. A scavenger hunt on the nature reserve was part of the event. We also attended networking sessions for local groups held at the hall.
East Hants District Council asked if we would take part in a promotional film for their funding programme so we now have a copy of this that can be used if we attend fairs etc.
A couple of incidents of vandalism in summer resulted in several broken trees in Erie Wood. These had to be replaced with trees of the same variety in locations further from the benches, together with stronger stakes. We spoke at length to some of the children and youths who are regular users of the nature reserve, emphasising that the nature reserve is also for them and their friends to enjoy, and that people who have adopted trees for their families are very upset when they are damaged. This has had a positive effect so far.
The projects we listed in last year’s report for 2023 have all been completed:
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We have installed a series of ‘Wildlife Friends’ as a feature for young children. These eight chainsaw sculptures of various British animals and birds were funded by the One Stop Community Partnership.
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‘Freddy the Fox bird watching bench’, was commissioned and installed, thanks to funding from East Hants District Councillors.
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Our application to the National Lottery for our ‘Community Woodland Revival’ project was successful. A local tree surgeon was contracted to carry out remedial tree work and remove dangerous overhanging branches. We were then able to employ contractors to clear a further area of bracken so we could create another informal wood-chipped path and plant more trees. The new areas were sown with grass seed for partial shade then volunteers from ‘Green Up Britain’, a local charity, helped towards funding and planting of fruit and nut trees. Wickes in Alton donated some of the bark for the paths. Spring bulbs bought with District Councillor funding were planted beside the path. These new areas are now referred to as the Orchard and the Nuttery.
Draft updates are circulated by email between the trustees so that suggestions and comments can be discussed and added to these ‘Bulletins’ as necessary. The trustees have agreed to continue in their current roles. Our projects for the coming year include:
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Refurbishment of the children’s storytelling area, originally funded by the Little Treasures pre-school group four years ago. The large oak throne is wearing well but the pine mushroom seats have rotted and some have had to be removed. Funding applications are pending to replace these with oak low benches for small children to sit or balance upon.
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The trees in the Nuttery will be offered to local families for adoption, who can just pay a donations towards a small engraved plaque for their names to be added to posts beside the trees.
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An updated sign will be commissioned and installed, showing the changes in location of several of the trees in Erie Wood following the replacement of those that were broken.
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole:
We are pleased to report that the projects and goals set out last year have been achieved and our relationship with the local community continues to develop positively. We worked on a regular basis with two Duke of Edinburgh volunteers who joined us for maintenance work, helping them gain their Bronze Medals. We collaborated with a local environmental charity on our tree planting project. Our Facebook page now has 956 followers and frequent engagements.
During the last year, we have applied for and received funding from a variety of sources, including District Councillors, the Parish Council, and the Lottery Community Fund. We continue to be very grateful for all the small change and sometimes notes that are donated in our collection boxes at the local One Stop store. It is always rewarding to note that the amount of littering, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour on the nature reserve is minimal and that the visual impact and biodiversity of the area continues to improve through continued varied planting and as all the new trees grow each year.