Birchanger Wood Trust 2018 Annual Report 2024-25
Charity No. 1178590
Company registered No. CEO14260
Correspondence address:
2 Galloway Close Bishop’s Stortford Hertfordshire CM23 2HT
Trustees
Michael Nolan Chair Pat Forrest Warden Roger Wilmot Treasurer Daniel Brett Secretary (until July 2024) Alice Whitaker Secretary (from July 2024) Philippa Allen Linda Pocklington Andrew Hewins Steve Abbott Robin Meger Jono Forgham Stephen Smith Colin Woodward
Management
The Trust is responsible for the management of Birchanger Wood which includes both woodland management activities (principally coppicing and the removal of dead trees) and supporting activities such as the preparation and sale of logs and kindling, maintenance and enhancement of the infrastructure and equipment, and communication with the local community.
The woodland management activities are undertaken in accordance with a 10-year management plan funded and approved by the Forestry Commission. The majority of the woodland management activities are undertaken by volunteers and day-to-day decisions about these are made by the Warden in consultation with trustees and other volunteers present. Minor expenditure on items such as fuel and spares is sanctioned by the same group.
Strategic decisions about the Trust’s activities and major items of expenditure, including the employment of outside contractors for woodland management activities beyond the capability of the volunteers, are made at quarterly meetings of the trustees.
Birchanger Wood Trust 2018 Annual Report 2024-25
The majority of trustees are drawn from the group of woodland volunteers. As this group is generally involved in day-to-day decision making, there is a limited benefit to recruiting further trustees from this group, except where specific areas of expertise and/or succession management needs are identified. Other trustees come from the local community and the Trust would be amenable to applications from similar people who have an interest in the Wood and its management.
Activities and achievements
Activities in 2024-25 followed the pattern established over the previous few years. Active coppicing had ceased by the beginning of the FY to avoid nature disturbance during the nesting and breeding season but some individual windfall or dangerous trees were removed. There were no log sales during most of the summer as there is only limited demand but sales were re-started in August partly to ensure that all stocks would be sold prior to the main coppicing programme the following January as sales can take up a lot of volunteer time. Felling during the autumn months was focussed on the clearance of ash trees su�ering from ash die-back.
The Trust held two Open Days during the year, one in April and one in September. The main aim of these is to attract visitors into the compound so that they can see and discuss the Trust’s activities. None of the activities (mini-orienteering, pond dipping, colouring, refreshments) are charged for but visitors are encouraged to donate and a QR code has been established to encourage this. Members of the East Herts Woodturning Association supported the Trust at both events and Trust volunteers also had craft items for sale and donated part of their income to the Trust.
Overall, the Trust considers that it has continued to meet its constitutional objectives:
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To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the ancient woodland of Birchanger Wood.
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fauna of the ancient woodland of Birchanger Wood.
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To provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the objective of improving the conditions of life for those living or working and visitors to the area of benefit.
Financial review
Overall income for the 2024-25 FY was £14,918, with the majority of this derived from the sales of logs and kindling. A grant was received from Bishop’s Stortford Town Council and there were significant donations from two individuals.
expenditure (principally fuel and chainsaw spares) and £4,452 as overheads (principally insurance).
Birchanger Wood Trust 2018
Annual Report 2024-25
There was an overall surplus of £8,100 in the 2024-25 FY, leading to net total assets of £40,528 at year end.
these require felling or reducing but are in positions or condition that prevent the volunteers dealing with them. Paying outside contractors for this work is costly - the felling of a fairly small number of ash trees near the A120 recently cost the Trust £16,000. It is therefore important that the Trust builds its financial reserves to provide contingency funds for work on boundary trees in future years. A sum of £25,000 has therefore been assigned to an unrestricted reserve.
Much of the Trust’s machinery and equipment was obtained in 2013. Usage of this equipment is not particularly high and it is maintained and repaired as required. Nevertheless, the Trust recognises that replacements will be required at some point and that financial reserves should be available for this. A sum of £5,000 has therefore been assigned to an unrestricted reserve.
THE BIRCHANGER WOOD TRUST 2018 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31st MARCH 2025 31 March 2025 31 March 2024 ASSETS CASH AT BANK - Community A¢¢ount Premium ME 8eeount PayPal - Cash 1,227.73 39,258.26 24.28 17.82 40,S28.09 12,343.32 19,876 83 182.42 2522 32,427.79 DEBTORS & PREPAYMENTS 0.00 0.00 CREDITORS & ACCRUALS 0.00 0.00 LOANS REPAYABLE 0.00 0.00 NET CURRENT ASSETS 40,528.09 32.427.79 OPENING ACCUMULATED FUNDS 32,427.79 28.939.32 SurplusllDeficill for the Year 8,100.30 3,488.47 CLOSING ACCUMULATED FUNDS 40,528.09 32.427.79 These accounts have been reviewed by me and are a tme and fair reflection of the financial transactions of The Birchanger Wood Twsl 2018 for the accounting year ended 31st March 2025. No unusual items or disclosures We declared lo me by the trustees and nerther were any evident fmm the accounting rewrds of The Birchanger w¢?( Trust 2018. John Wrentmore ACMA Signed.. Signed.. Signed. Roger Wilmot (TreaSurI Michael Nolan (Chairman) Alice Whitaker ISe¢retsryi
THE BIRCHANGER WOOD TRUST 2018 RESERVES YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
Restricted reserves can only be used for particular purposes within the objectives the Trust, dictated by the purpose for which the funds were granted or donated.
Unrestricted reserves are funds allocated by the Trust for contingencies that may expose the Trust to liabilities, specifically with regard to trees on the boundaries of the Trust's property and the A120 in particular and to offset depreciation of machinery.
General funds are those funds that can be used for any purpose within the objectives of the Trust.
| Restricted Reserve Unrestricted reserve Total reserves as at 31 March 2025 General funds as at 31 March 2025 NET CURRENT ASSETS |
0.00 30,000.00 30,000.00 |
|---|---|
| 10,528.09 40,528.09 |
THE BIRCHANGER WOOD TRUST 2018 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Year ending | Year ending | |
|---|---|---|
| 31 March 2025 | 31 March 2024 | |
| RECEIPTS | RECEIPTS | |
| INCOME | £ | £ |
| Sales (timber, logs & chippings) | 12,241.86 | 13,922.10 |
| Events | 912.64 | 911.68 |
| Individual and group donations (including Gift Aid) | 1,381.85 | 4,403.96 |
| Insurance claim | 0.00 | 926.00 |
| Bank Interest | 381.43 | 236.53 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 14,917.78 | 20,400.27 |
| PAYMENTS | PAYMENTS | |
| EXPENDITURE- Woodland | ||
| Coppicing Materials and Equipment | 1,601.41 | 998.77 |
| Fuel | 622.76 | 338.48 |
| Tractor, Trailer & Equipment | 0.00 | 946.38 |
| Compound, Palisade, Building & Base | 0.00 | 7,353.65 |
| Bee boxes | 51.00 | 3,400.00 |
| Sub-total | 2,275.17 | 13,037.28 |
| EXPENDITURE- Overheads | ||
| Administration Costs | 331.40 | 322.37 |
| Web Site Costs | 43.20 | 0.00 |
| Event Costs | 393.04 | 41.05 |
| Insurance (Birchanger Wood Trust Liability) | 231.21 | 177.86 |
| Insurance (Trust Indemnity) | 598.06 | 568.06 |
| Insurance (Tractor) | 1,685.96 | 1,739.02 |
| Insurance (Building) | 872.24 | 724.33 |
| Insurance (Indemnity) | 387.20 | 301.83 |
| Sub-total | 4,542.31 | 3,874.52 |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | 6,817.48 | 16,911.80 |
| SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) | 8,100.30 | 3,488.47 |
Notes