The Fourth Reserve Foundaton (Registered CIO: 1186942) 2025 Trustee Annual Report
Date: February 2026 Authors: Anna-Maria Cahalane Tommy Radclyfe-Thomas Ruth Bradshaw Wendy Bishop
1
Summary
The major achievements in 2025 have been:
-
Winning four major grant awards (with one being payable in 2026)
-
Ongoing biodiversity and facilities improvements at the Nature Reserve
-
A highly successful sponsored event that meant we could buy much needed equipment for the ongoing management of the reserve
Governance
In 2024 a 5-year strategy document was approved confirming the charity’s top priorities as maintenance of the reserve and the rescuing and restoring of other local wild spaces especially Gorne Wood. A fundraising strategy and list of potential funders was also approved in 2024 which concluded that grants would continue to be the major source of funding for the charity.
During 2024 many funding applications were submitted in line with the above-mentioned strategy. Decisions and follow up actions on these applications largely took place during 2025.
At the end of 2024 the trustee board was made up of nine individuals. During 2025 two trustees left and two new trustees were appointed, one joining in October 2025 and the second confirmed in 2025 but not formally approved until February 2026.
Trustees
| Trustees | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Tenure | Notes |
| TommyRadclyfe-Thomas | May21 - | 4-year extension approved Oct25 |
| Katherine Hughes | Feb22 - | 4-year extension approved Feb26 |
| Laura Cardos | Jan23 - | |
| Yael Biran | Jun23 - | |
| Susie Rabin | Jun23 - | |
| Louis Devenish | Jun23 – Oct25 | Resignaton accepted Oct25 |
| MaryHardcastle | Mar25 – Feb26 | Departure confrmed Feb26 |
| Ruth Bradshaw | Mar25 - | |
| WendyBishop | Mar25 - | |
| Flora Baker | Oct25 - | |
| Daniel Saunders | Feb26 - |
New Network Rail lease
A new 25-year lease, dependent upon the installation of safety fencing within the Reserve, was negotiated (with pro-bono legal support from Richard Buxton Solicitors) in 2024. Following several rounds of query and amendment, this lease was initially signed off in early 2025, however residual queries were picked up by the issuing solicitors, and an amended lease was issued in December 2025. This was signed off in January 2026. Further amendments to include additional areas of land — verbally confirmed by Network Rail representatives as eligible for inclusion — are still outstanding on this lease. This includes land to the north of the current reserve behind Crofton Gateway as far as the Dalrymple Road bridge and a trackside corridor of land extending from the reserve down to Courtrai Road.
2
Finances
FRF ended 2025 with assets of £109,378 (of which £108,966 are ringfenced for Gorne Wood). During 2025 there was a total income of £39,480 and expenditure of £47,142.
The shortfall of £7.6k was funded from Gorne Wood ringfenced funds plus £2k of unrestricted funding left over from 2024. The expenditure of Gorne Wood funds was approved by the trustee board as being appropriate given the need to pay for the ongoing campaign work.
The Gorne Wood campaign was not actively raising funds during 2025. Funds were held in a separate savings account earning interest of £1,626 in 2025.
In February 2026 the trustee board approved a strategy to set aside the remaining Gorne Wood funds of £109k and to allow credit interest earned during 2026 to increase this to at least £110k. Going forward we aim to maintain a minimum balance of £110k for the Gorne Wood funds estimating that this will be required to purchase the site and to cover potential legal costs. Any remaining funds after the hoped for purchase would be used towards the costs of site restoration. A detailed business plan for Gorne Wood is being worked on as a priority for 2026.
It was further approved that Gorne Wood campaign costs incurred in 2026 will be funded from unrestricted funding.
We anticipate fully utilising all unrestricted and grant related funds during 2026 and estimate we will have no reserves other than the Gorne Wood funds at end 2026.
Another priority for 2026 is seeking more sustainable financing options with the aim of reducing the reliance upon project specific grants and building reserves sufficient to cover at least 3 months of core running costs of the charity and its activities. The current average monthly running costs are £4k per month.
Income
The primary income sources in 2025:
-
£26,009 – from grants/ awards. Made up of the following:
-
£10,000 – Year 1 of a 3-year grant from City Bridge Foundation to cover core costs, site access improvements and bio-diversity improvement
-
£10,000 – A grant from the John Laing foundation – to cover community engagement activities
-
£5,000 – a grant from the Access Foundation
-
£1,009 – a one-off grant from an individual to fund wildflower meadow areas
-
£11,544 – unrestricted donations from events, public donations, Lewisham Lottery, and corporate site hire charges. Included in this figure is the income from the membership scheme launched in December 2024 which raised £1,070 during 2025.
-
In line with the strategic aim of developing sustainable income streams, during 2025 two corporate sponsorships were developed. One with the St Dunstan’s Alumni Association and another with local estate agents Bryan & Keegan. The value of these sponsorships will be finalised in 2026.
3
Spending
In 2025 the key areas of spending were:
-
£37,200 – on the managing agent for management of the Gorne Wood campaign, general nature reserve management, open day planning and event management and hosting/ leading community groups on site. This was funded by a combination of grants, unrestricted funds and Gorne Wood funds.
-
£4,307 – on tools which included the purchase of two large pieces of equipment funded by a sponsored fundraiser
-
£2,172 – on materials and plants
-
£415 – for a professional report to be produced on the Brockley Jack Whalebone
-
£401 – on new signage
Below a breakdown of the income and expenditure in 2025:
| Sub-Category Sum of Amount |
Sub-Category Sum of Amount |
Sub-Category Sum of Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Grant award |
26,009.21 £ |
Mgmnt Agent Fees 37,200.00 -£ |
| Just Giving Donatons |
3,654.12 £ |
Tools 4,307.60 -£ |
| Open Days | 2,275.76 £ |
Materials /Plants 2,172.69 -£ |
| Local Giving Donatons | 1,627.94 £ |
|
| Subscriptons 500.80 -£ |
||
| Deposit interest | 1,626.20 £ |
|
| Professional fees 415.00 -£ |
||
| Site hire | 1,325.00 £ |
|
| Memberships via Wix | 799.84 £ |
Merchandise 347.40 -£ |
| Local Giving Gifaid | 607.81 £ |
Rubbish clearance 316.02 -£ |
| Give as you live donaton | 390.00 £ |
Signage 401.02 -£ |
| Lewisham Lotery |
285.00 £ |
Campaign Costs 7.00 -£ |
| Memberships | 270.52 £ |
Local Giving Fee 180.00 -£ |
| Local Giving Fee | 180.00 £ |
|
| Memberships 10.00 -£ |
||
| Donatons | 138.20 £ |
|
| Open Days 640.12 -£ |
||
| Direct donaton | 120.00 £ |
|
| Site hire 525.00 -£ |
||
| Writng workshop | 120.00 £ |
|
| Benevity donaton | 50.00 £ |
Writng workshop 120.00 -£ |
| Year end Balance 39,479.60 £ |
Year end Balance 47,142.65 -£ |
4
2025 achievements
In addition to the highlights shown on the last page:
-
Biodiversity improvements: orchard restoration; new meadows; improved steps and paths; hedge laying and a new tree nursery/greenhouse.
-
Gorne Wood Campaign – Multiple meetings held with council to progress CPO process. Lewisham Local Plan was adopted, giving the site Metropolitan Open Land designation and protection.
-
Four well attended community open days with over 2000 visitors
-
Highly successful sessions at the Reserve for local primary schools and Drumbeat (a local charity and special needs school). We hope to build on the success of these and extend this offer to more schools/children and community groups however this is often dependent on securing funding.
-
The Brockley Jack whalebone was secured. A professional conservation report was sponsored. And we hosted a visit and inspection from Natural History Museum experts leading to an ongoing working partnership.
-
A Tree Preservation Order was obtained to protect trees that sit within garden extensions and the Buckthorne Cutting Nature Reserve.
-
Regular pattern of twice weekly volunteer sessions established. With high levels of attendance, the extra volunteer hours have allowed for significant progress in many areas of the reserve.
-
We estimate 100 volunteer sessions during 2025 with an average of 5 attendees; some sessions have had as many as 15 volunteers. This represents over 1000 work hours spent on habitat creation and maintenance.
-
Our volunteer sessions became part of the social prescribing pathway
Plans for 2026
-
Biodiversity projects and facility improvements at the Reserve – including extending hedges, wildflower meadow areas and new ponds.
-
Continue the Gorne Wood campaign pushing for a CPO and developing plans.
-
A comms and social media push to further highlight the Gorne Wood campaign and the ongoing need for funding to maintain the existing Reserve.
-
Continue to seek grant funding, especially to cover core costs
-
Develop more sustainable unrestricted funding streams to cover core costs and build reserves
-
Host four open days and continue our community engagement activities including finding a partner group to use/maintain our foraging garden area.
-
Commitment to increasing volunteer numbers to include people recovering from illness or via collaboration with local well-being groups
-
Build on the success of the school sessions to ensure more children and groups can benefit from access to the Reserve
-
Progress the Brockley Jack Whalebone project – includes possible new local history display.
-
Rebuild the Eddystone Road public sitting out area following completion of building works of new flats at the old British Legion site.
-
Plan Great North Wood-themed arts project(s) to link to other local woodland, and extend community engagement
2025 highlights
5
2025 JuM2025 R•l•as4 of 4 r4suJ•d si[9 h•dyhags. P••nu¢ thbJlLChanut nd Gi99l•s prfrvJ Op•nlng forowr4WTrAgko I with pooty &tslk¥bDUt hiJttyK Slow%Yorm Si9htlng- l of 7 rocord•d , <Td•r5pri5Um1tBUd(thomTr li Juty2025 Augutt 2025 St•9 8o•¥e ii9htlng. l of 10 recorded aloftg Buckthorno Cuilingthisyèar S•pt•mb•r2025 Op•n t)Jy. over4fK) vWtor5 Indl•n dandhgfromStha &Aarya And folk Injur•d Jty. 1 OfVr40 r•wJ•d blr , rehab<sted In the soft avhry by Fescwr W•1 Zhou Qthbw2025 Atslorknrn, 1 Op•n DayhCrofton ubrarylncahQr5 & WoKshopS+10 ¢)1 vièlts Ih¢Turnham Sth•ol & Drnmb••tASD Pro¥iwon N¢¥•mb•r2025 011 St••dmanI42 kn hlk• Glut North Wood pqrim•t•rfundAi¥r £3400 rn1$ fores*h¥al equlpment O•c•mbw2025 , 4th ofy•w.qul•tMtr•rt hot aand carol gn9iDgfromLfy L
FOURTH RESERVE FOUNDATION (Charity number: 1186942)
23 Abbotswell Road, London SE4 1ED
https://www.the4threserve.com/
| RECEIPTS Access Foundation Grant Alun White Grant City Bridge Foundation Grant CPRE Hedgerows Direct donations Donations via Local Giving Giftaid on Donations via Local Giving Gorne Wood Campaign funds ‐ deposit interest John Laing Foundation Grant Just Giving Donations Lewisham Local Lottery Mayors Greening Phase 1 (Orchard restoration) Memberhsip scheme Merchandise sales Tesco Bags Grants and Donations Open day receipts Income from Fundraising Activities Site Hire Just Giving Fee Writing Workshop ‐ onward payment Other income TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Tools Gardener (Funded by CPRE Hedgegrows) Lead Gardener (Funded by Mayors Greening) Material & Plants Merchandise Open day supplies Rubbish Clearance Septimus ‐ Hedgeing (Funded by Mayprs Greening) Signage Site hire Project & Maintenance Payments |
2025 Restricted 5,000 1,009 10,000 1,626 10,000 27,635 0 0 |
2025 Restricted 5,000 1,009 10,000 1,626 10,000 27,635 0 0 |
2025 Restricted 5,000 1,009 10,000 1,626 10,000 27,635 0 0 |
2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Total Total 5,000 1,009 10,000 998 698 698 1,435 1,628 1,628 2,848 608 608 453 1,626 1,890 10,000 3,654 3,654 285 285 298 7,187 1,070 1,070 58 397 1,000 7,943 35,579 16,564 2,276 2,276 1,282 2,276 2,276 1,282 1,325 1,325 4,683 180 180 120 120 1,625 1,625 4,683 |
2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Total Total 5,000 1,009 10,000 998 698 698 1,435 1,628 1,628 2,848 608 608 453 1,626 1,890 10,000 3,654 3,654 285 285 298 7,187 1,070 1,070 58 397 1,000 7,943 35,579 16,564 2,276 2,276 1,282 2,276 2,276 1,282 1,325 1,325 4,683 180 180 120 120 1,625 1,625 4,683 |
2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Total Total 5,000 1,009 10,000 998 698 698 1,435 1,628 1,628 2,848 608 608 453 1,626 1,890 10,000 3,654 3,654 285 285 298 7,187 1,070 1,070 58 397 1,000 7,943 35,579 16,564 2,276 2,276 1,282 2,276 2,276 1,282 1,325 1,325 4,683 180 180 120 120 1,625 1,625 4,683 |
2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Total Total 5,000 1,009 10,000 998 698 698 1,435 1,628 1,628 2,848 608 608 453 1,626 1,890 10,000 3,654 3,654 285 285 298 7,187 1,070 1,070 58 397 1,000 7,943 35,579 16,564 2,276 2,276 1,282 2,276 2,276 1,282 1,325 1,325 4,683 180 180 120 120 1,625 1,625 4,683 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27,635 | 11,844 | 39,480 | 22,529 | |||||
| 522 1,215 97 210 2,045 |
3785.61 957 347 543 316 191 6,140 |
4,308 2,173 347 640 316 401 8,185 |
346 450 800 4,830 117 544 460 4,275 820 833 13,475 |
Page 1 of 2
| Postage on application grants Fundraising Payments Management Agent Fees Professional Fees Business Plans (Gorne Wood campaign) Campaign costs (Gorne Wood) Local giving fee Events ‐ onward payments from site hire Subscriptions Administration Payments TOTAL PAYMENTS Net Receipts/(Payments) for the Year Add Cash Balance at 1st January CASH BALANCE at the END of the YEAR Gorne Wood Campaign Alun White Grant My Space Award Tesco Bags for Life Unrestricted Charity Funds RESERVE FUNDS at the END of the YEAR |
0 31,595 31,595 |
7 7 5,605 415 180 645 511 7,356 |
7 0 7 0 37,200 9,300 415 4,800 800 180 180 645 511 473 38,951 15,553 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33,640 13,503 |
47,143 29,028 |
|||
| ‐6,004 ‐1,659 ‐7,663 ‐6,499 115,389 1,652 117,041 123,540 |
||||
| 109,385 ‐7 109,378 117,041 |
||||
| 108,966 108,966 115,072 411 411 167 150 0 0 1,652 |
||||
| 109,378 0 109,378 117,041 |
NOTES:
The above cash balances represent the entirety of the Trust's assets and there were no liabilities at year‐end.
- Signed: Tommy Radclyffe-Thomas (Mar 2, 2026 14:02:36 GMT) Tommy Radclyffe Thomas Tommy Radclyffe‐Thomas ‐ Treasurer/Chair of Trustee Board
Date:
02/03/2026
I have examined the above financial statements and certify that they agree with the Trust's records and documents as shown to me.
Signed: Ali Dezyanian (Mar 2, 2026 13:48:22 GMT) Ali Dezyanian
Date:
02/03/2026
Ali Dezyanian FCCA (Chartered Certified Accountant) ‐ Independent Examiner
Page 2 of 2
FOURTH RESERVE FOUNDATION (Charity number: 1186942)
23 Abbotswell Road, London SE4 1ED
https://www.the4threserve.com/
| RECEIPTS Access Foundation Grant Alun White Grant City Bridge Foundation Grant CPRE Hedgerows Direct donations Donations via Local Giving Giftaid on Donations via Local Giving Gorne Wood Campaign funds ‐ deposit interest John Laing Foundation Grant Just Giving Donations Lewisham Local Lottery Mayors Greening Phase 1 (Orchard restoration) Memberhsip scheme Merchandise sales Tesco Bags Grants and Donations Open day receipts Income from Fundraising Activities Site Hire Just Giving Fee Writing Workshop ‐ onward payment Other income TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Tools Gardener (Funded by CPRE Hedgegrows) Lead Gardener (Funded by Mayors Greening) Material & Plants Merchandise Open day supplies Rubbish Clearance Septimus ‐ Hedgeing (Funded by Mayprs Greening) Signage Site hire Project & Maintenance Payments |
2025 Restricted 5,000 1,009 10,000 1,626 10,000 27,635 0 0 |
2025 Restricted 5,000 1,009 10,000 1,626 10,000 27,635 0 0 |
2025 Restricted 5,000 1,009 10,000 1,626 10,000 27,635 0 0 |
2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Total Total 5,000 1,009 10,000 998 698 698 1,435 1,628 1,628 2,848 608 608 453 1,626 1,890 10,000 3,654 3,654 285 285 298 7,187 1,070 1,070 58 397 1,000 7,943 35,579 16,564 2,276 2,276 1,282 2,276 2,276 1,282 1,325 1,325 4,683 180 180 120 120 1,625 1,625 4,683 |
2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Total Total 5,000 1,009 10,000 998 698 698 1,435 1,628 1,628 2,848 608 608 453 1,626 1,890 10,000 3,654 3,654 285 285 298 7,187 1,070 1,070 58 397 1,000 7,943 35,579 16,564 2,276 2,276 1,282 2,276 2,276 1,282 1,325 1,325 4,683 180 180 120 120 1,625 1,625 4,683 |
2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Total Total 5,000 1,009 10,000 998 698 698 1,435 1,628 1,628 2,848 608 608 453 1,626 1,890 10,000 3,654 3,654 285 285 298 7,187 1,070 1,070 58 397 1,000 7,943 35,579 16,564 2,276 2,276 1,282 2,276 2,276 1,282 1,325 1,325 4,683 180 180 120 120 1,625 1,625 4,683 |
2025 2025 2024 Unrestricted Total Total 5,000 1,009 10,000 998 698 698 1,435 1,628 1,628 2,848 608 608 453 1,626 1,890 10,000 3,654 3,654 285 285 298 7,187 1,070 1,070 58 397 1,000 7,943 35,579 16,564 2,276 2,276 1,282 2,276 2,276 1,282 1,325 1,325 4,683 180 180 120 120 1,625 1,625 4,683 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27,635 | 11,844 | 39,480 | 22,529 | |||||
| 522 1,215 97 210 2,045 |
3785.61 957 347 543 316 191 6,140 |
4,308 2,173 347 640 316 401 8,185 |
346 450 800 4,830 117 544 460 4,275 820 833 13,475 |
Page 1 of 2
| Postage on application grants Fundraising Payments Management Agent Fees Professional Fees Business Plans (Gorne Wood campaign) Campaign costs (Gorne Wood) Local giving fee Events ‐ onward payments from site hire Subscriptions Administration Payments TOTAL PAYMENTS Net Receipts/(Payments) for the Year Add Cash Balance at 1st January CASH BALANCE at the END of the YEAR Gorne Wood Campaign Alun White Grant My Space Award Tesco Bags for Life Unrestricted Charity Funds RESERVE FUNDS at the END of the YEAR |
0 31,595 31,595 |
7 7 5,605 415 180 645 511 7,356 |
7 0 7 0 37,200 9,300 415 4,800 800 180 180 645 511 473 38,951 15,553 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33,640 13,503 |
47,143 29,028 |
|||
| ‐6,004 ‐1,659 ‐7,663 ‐6,499 115,389 1,652 117,041 123,540 |
||||
| 109,385 ‐7 109,378 117,041 |
||||
| 108,966 108,966 115,072 411 411 167 150 0 0 1,652 |
||||
| 109,378 0 109,378 117,041 |
NOTES:
The above cash balances represent the entirety of the Trust's assets and there were no liabilities at year‐end.
- Signed: Tommy Radclyffe-Thomas (Mar 2, 2026 14:02:36 GMT) Tommy Radclyffe Thomas Tommy Radclyffe‐Thomas ‐ Treasurer/Chair of Trustee Board
Date:
02/03/2026
I have examined the above financial statements and certify that they agree with the Trust's records and documents as shown to me.
Signed: Ali Dezyanian (Mar 2, 2026 13:48:22 GMT) Ali Dezyanian
Date:
02/03/2026
Ali Dezyanian FCCA (Chartered Certified Accountant) ‐ Independent Examiner
Page 2 of 2