Grith Pioneers Trustees’ Annual Report
Year ending: 31[st] March 2022
Charity registration number: 1188105
Objectives and Activities
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
(a) To promote for the benefit of the public the conservation, protection, and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the land owned and/or managed by Grith Pioneers, by conducting a variety of environmental improvement and woodland management activities. (b) To advance the education of the public in the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the land owned and/or managed by Grith Pioneers, by providing access to the natural environment for camps and outdoor education activities. |
| 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. |
1. To manage the woodland in accordance with the Shining Cliff Woods Management Plan and any other activities which will enhance the biodiversity and/or ecosystem services provided by the woods, in line with the Natural England SSSI citation. 2. To provide and manage areas of the woodland suitable for use as educational and/or recreational activities which enhance members of the public’s understanding of the natural environment. 3. To ensure that the assets of Grith Pioneers including the hostel and other buildings are used for the benefit of the general public, not least in extending their understanding of the natural environment. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
We as trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/public-benefit-rules-for-charities |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policy on grant making | Grith Pioneers may support organisations and individuals whose aim is to further the objectives of the CIO. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
We have volunteer wardens who review campers’ permits while walking the woods and checking for dangers and hazards. Volunteers also help to maintain tracks, cut back invasive species and marshal when felling occurs. Volunteers also carry out surveys and counts–eg fungi |
Achievements and Performance
| 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. |
Education/training; Community; Development; Recreation Camps and booked activities Booked activity in Shining Cliff Woods increased over the last year – and it has certainly been our busiest year in the last ten. 48 camps over 102 nights, 205 people in total with 35 of these being children. Last year we had 35 camps (153 people over 47 nights). Our largest camp was Flysheet (children and youth charity) where 15 people camped, lower than normal due to Covid restrictions. The day activities rose to 148 (from 32 in Covid-affected 2020). This increase is largely due to Wildings resuming their sessions three times per week during term time. They are a forest school provider for pre-school children based in Ambergate. I would also like to spotlight two further organisations in this report: Five visits were made by a nature therapist running day workshops for small groups of professionals who work with people in caring capacities (counsellors, therapists, carers, youth workers, nurses, social workers, etc.) to help them focus on their capacity to sustain themselves when working with people in challenging circumstances. Wild Things are a not-for-profit workers co-operative who focus particularly on working with groups of children and young people who have experienced disadvantage in their lives and who would not otherwise have access to spending time with nature. They believe access to places like Shining Cliff is essential during these times to help strengthen mental health and resilience and build new generations of people who understand our relationship to the planet for an uncertain future. In 2021 they made six visits, bringing a total of 66 children, young people and adults to Shining Cliff, working with Derbyshire Refugee Solidarity, Action for Children, Derbyshire Young Carers and Blend Youth Project, all of whom have sent us compelling feedback showing the immense benefit of time in the woods to emotional and physical health. Well over half of camps and activities were provided by organisations or practitioners explicitly focussed on education, training, therapy and/or personal development. Some of these activities were Forest School-led (some booked with Grith, 18 through the Shining Cliff Centre). Many focussed on wildlife and ecological education, increasing the public’s understanding of the natural environment. The remaining booked activities could be broadly considered as recreational, sociable and family camping, campfire cooking and being close to nature. Areas of the woodland for recreation Up to several hundred people per day have continued to use the footpaths through the woods for recreation, exercise, and to benefit from being within nature. While last year much of our tree work focused on ecological improvement, this year the emphasis has been on improving safety and access. This has included removal of unsafe Ash trees close to rights of way, including two days with a contracted specialist arborist where climbing was required; removal of wind-felled trees from rights of way at the car park, hostel and reservoir; and small trees felled onto routes used by cyclists as a further deterrent. Bike barriers have been reinstated on the unauthorised cycle route from Type Close to the hostel path, where trees have been winched in place and fitted with rebar. Damaged warning posts and signs near the dangerous cliff have been repaired and replaced. Another improvement project included re-surfacing the rutted and damaged sections of the track to the car park. Crushed local stone was sourced and used (rather than the cheaper and much more readily available limestone) so as not to risk changing water pH levels in the woods. Some repairs to the surface of Byway 22 promised by the local authority have been carried out, but they have not addressed the more substantial damage to the structure of the elevated section, despitenumerousreminderemails to them. |
Our ecology co-ordinator comments in his report that, despite communal areas looking a little tired, the majority of the woods continue to thrive as true ancient woodland wilderness. There are exceptions to this though; for example, new paths created by cyclists from Typeclose down to the track to the hostel which are both a safety issue and impact on ecology, as these are areas used by ground-nesting birds and other wildlife. With the large numbers of casual visitors to the woods probably having the greater impact over a wider area than camps and booked activities, the council nonetheless agreed at its last meeting that camps and booked activities should not increase any further this year, as a precaution. Although it is not easy to gauge the long-term effect of people on the ecology of the woods, we will do our best to monitor impact, and seek the best balance for the future. Environment/conservation/heritage Woodland Management and Environmental Improvement We have started to remove all the ash trees suffering from Ash dieback disease near public rights of way. In reality this means the 30-40 trees next to the lower end of Beggarswell track and the path form here down to the reservoir. This leaves a lot of lying dead wood in that area, which will continue to help one of our main conservation species – the lesser-spotted woodpecker – which like to feed on insects on dead wood at ground level. The fallen trees will also act as food for the fungal mycorrhizae networks, as well as all the other species which feed from them. The Grith Council has agreed to fund a survey of mosses, lichen and liverwort which we are currently planning with a couple of bryologist / lichenologists. This is an example of the monitoring efforts mentioned above and will create a baseline for future surveys to review the ecological health of the woods. Economic/community, Development/employment Asset maintenance (including hostel/centre) Shining Cliff Centre Community Interest Company have seen a rise in hostel and woodland hut occupancy (to 50% and 55% respectively) and continues to invest in improvements to our hostel. Last year major replacements included immersion tanks and associated pH correction cylinder; all mattresses; kitchen units, induction hob and dual oven; dining tables and chairs. The lounge chairs were reupholstered locally. Outside, larch plank seating sourced from Peat Pits wood (adjacent to Shining Cliff) has been installed at multiple locations, and walkways have been improved benefiting from more local resources – on this occasion volunteer school children!
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Unrestricted income for the period to 31stMarch 2022 is £6,603 with no Restricted or Endowment income. Income is mainly from the rental of the hostel, with some income from camping fees and memberships. Expenditure amounted to £1,389. Shining Cliff Woods and the hostel are Grith Pioneers CIO’s assets and are currently held at nil value. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Grith Pioneers CIO is fortunate to have a reserve of Unrestricted income funds to enable the ongoing management of the woodland. The woodland management plan is prepared for several years in advance, however there is an element of unpredictability eg there might be occasion to remove trees more immediately than planned due to storm damage or invasive disease. The reserves of the CIO need to be sufficient to cover these planned and unplanned costs. The income of the CIO may drop due to unexpected external factors, such as Covid-19, it is necessary to have enough reserves to protect the continuity of our core work. Trustees will always seek the best price for major works, however we do need to ensure sufficient funds are available to carry out necessary works. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | Grith Pioneers CIO has a balance of £34,521 in Unrestricted Income reserves with no Restricted or EndowmentIncomereserves. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The trustees consider that the level of reserves held is sufficient to ensure the CIO continuing as a going concern, and are forecasting a small surplus for the year ending 31st March 2023. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
where relevant about: |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Grith Pioneer’s principle source of funds continues to be from letting the hostel on a tenancy agreement, to an organisation that shares Grith’s values. Members also provide valuable income through their subscription. Fees paid by campers and other woodland users support Grith to maintain the woods for all members ofthewiderpublic to access and enjoy. |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | The trustees do not have an investment policy other than their aim to bank with ethical banks that share Grith’s values and principles. To this end Grith Pioneers operate current and deposit account with Triodos Bank, a leading ethical bank. The bulk of the CIO’s cash reserves are now held with Triodos Bank. A small balance is held with HSBC, this account being a legacy from Grith banking with Midland Bank. Once all member subscriptions are being received into the Triodos account, the final HSBC account will be closed. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Grith Pioneers Charitable Incorporated Organisation with voting members other than its charity trustees |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Membership vote |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Grith Pioneers CIO is a member organisation with trustees drawn from the membership. Trustees and members volunteer their time and pay membership subscriptions as agreed by members. There are no related party relationships. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Grith Pioneers CIO |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses |
N/A |
| Registered charity number |
1188105 |
| Charity’s principal address |
Sycamore Farm, Ashleyhay, Wirksworth, Matlock, DE4 4AG |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathleen Moss | Treasurer | ||
| Michelle Kershaw-Wright | |||
| Michael Cross | |||
| Martin Redman | |||
| Nicholas Glaister | |||
| Helen Asher | Chair | Resigned Dec 2021 | |
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
Kathleen Moss |
|
|---|---|---|
Treasurer |
||
| 12/11/2022 | ||
| 12/11/2022 |
| Charity Name | No (if any) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grith Pioneers | 1188105 | |||
| Receipts andpayments accounts | CC16a | |||
| For the period from |
01/04/2021 Period start date |
31/03/2022 Period end date To |
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 300 4,992 1,190 64 27 30 - - 6,603 6,603 - 620 - 618 125 - 26 - - - 1,389 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ 300 4,992 1,190 64 27 30 - - 6,603 6,603 - 620 - 618 125 - 26 - - - 1,389 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
| Membershipfees | 300 | - - - - - - - - - |
300 | 85 | |
| Rental income hostel | 4,992 | 4,992 | 2,912 | ||
| Campingfees | 1,190 | 1,190 | 469 | ||
| Wayleave | 64 | 64 | 72 | ||
| Interest | 27 | 27 | 5 | ||
| Sales(sweatshirts) | 30 | 30 | - | ||
| - | - | - | |||
| - | - | - | |||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
6,603 |
6,603 | 3,543 | ||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
|||||
| - | 6,603 | 3,543 | |||
| Maintenance (hostel toilets agreed at start of lease) |
- | - | - - - - - - - - - - - |
- | 1,500 |
| Tree surgery | 620 | - | 620 | ||
| Legal fees | - | - | - | 940 | |
| Insurance | 618 | - | 618 | 237 | |
| Subscriptions | 125 | - | 125 | 90 | |
| General admin(tax software) | - | - | - | 30 | |
| Bank charges | 26 | - | 26 | 4 | |
| - | - | - | - | ||
| Income tax due foryear to 05/04/2020 | - | - | - | 713 | |
| - | - | - | - | ||
| **Sub total ** | 1,389 | - | 1,389 | 3,514 |
| A4 Asset and investment | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| purchases, (see table) | ||||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Total payments | 1,389 | - | - | 1,389 | 3,514 | |||||
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 5,214 | - | - | 5,214 | 29 | |||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Funds brought forward | 29,307 | - | - | 29,307 | 29,278 | |||||
| Cash funds this year end | 34,521 | - | - | 34,521 | 29,307 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
09/01/2023
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use |
Details Details Shining Cliff Woods Shining Cliff Hostel no monetary value held in accounts HSBC Current Triodos Current Triodos Deposit Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 988 13,407 20,126 34,521 OK Fund to which asset belongs Unrestricted Unrestricted Fund to which liability relates |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - - OK Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Amount due (optional) - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| OK | |||||||
| Current value (optional) | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| When due (optional) | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| - | |||||||
| Date of approval | |||||||
| 07/05/2022 | |||||||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
09/01/2023
2