Headley Down Nature Reserve Trust TAR 2025
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:
Maintenance work has continued as usual, making good use of the equipment such as the Grillo four-wheel drive grass/shrub cutter and the hedge trimmer. A further area near the Alder Road entrance has been cleared of bracken etc and planted with a specimen tree, various shrubs and ground cover, adding colour and increasing biodiversity. Sleepers have been used for edging this area and mulch applied.
Contractors have been employed several times for heavy tree-clearing work, partially funded by Councillor grants. In addition to general tree work to remove low branches overhanging the paths, a large Goat Willow fell down in a storm across a path and had to be removed the next day.
Updates on the projects we listed in last year’s report to be carried out in 2025 are as follows:
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The updated sign with the tree numbers for Erie Wood has been installed.
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Numbered tree posts have been cut, re-sharpened and re-installed by the trees though these will not last much longer and will have to be replaced.
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Additional trees and shrubs have been planted in several places and all trees and hedging are growing well.
Our projects for the coming year include:
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Clearing and planting a Tenth Anniversary Tree area near the Maple Way end of the nature reserve. Funding has been obtained for this from the East Hampshire Community Lottery and District Councillors Anthony Williams and Richard Millard.
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Several more trees will be purchased and planted where possible to increase wildlife habitat.
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Discussions are underway with EHDC about a possible extension of our lease and taking over treatment of the areas affected by Japanese Knotweed.
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:
Once again, we are pleased to report that the projects and goals set out last year have been completed. Our relationship with the local community continues to develop positively and there have been no incidents of vandalism. Our Facebook page followers have increased to over a thousand with many positive comments. Regular visitors and those from further away have engaged with the trustees who work on site and frequently say how much they value this local green space for walking and socialising.
During the last year, we have applied for and received funding from our District Councillors and the Parish Council. The amount of littering, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour on the nature reserve remains minimal. Both the visual impact and biodiversity of the area continue to improve through continued varied planting and as all the new trees mature.
HDNRT Financial Summary for the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025
| Income | |
|---|---|
| Donations | £5364.48 |
| Charitable Activities | £6300.00 |
| TOTAL | £11664.48 |
| Carried over from 2023 | £6183.60 |
| Expenditure | |
| Running costs | £1166.78 |
| Activities | £6135.51 |
| TOTAL | £7302.29 |
| Restricted Funds | |
| Carried over | £10545.79 |