NEW ENGLAND WOOD TRUST
Chairman’s Report for 2023
Regeneration
2023 was a continuation of the wood regeneration project- dealing with ash dieback and opening up glades for more sunlight and new growth. Our contractors expertly felled larger trees and our volunteers tirelessly cleared the timber, using much of it for building stronger foundations for the main paths. This work will continue through 2024/5 although not at the same intensity and the wood will recover much as it did after the great storm of 1987. We are grateful for the support for this effort from the Cuckfield community.
Still open for the Cuckfield community
Despite the very obvious felling work the wood continues as Cuckfield’s special place for quiet reflection, enjoyment and activity. As the warning signs say, be aware of the dangers posed by diseased ash trees, particularly during and immediately after high winds.
The proposed ‘Cuck-stye’ development
At this time the proposed Fairfax development of housing and a ‘country park’ flanking New England Wood is stalled and removed from the current District Plan but has not gone away. As before, we continue to monitor the situation.
The Trust finances
Expenditure in 2023 was £14,659 against £4,299 in 2022, mainly due to ash dieback felling. A deficit for the year of only £5,724 and carried forward reserves of £45,087 was thanks to our generous supporters. Sussex Lund, part of the High Weald National Landscape Partnership, have confirmed a potential grant of £15,000 for 2024/5 and new Chair Paddy Boyle’s efforts in developing a woodland management plan means that the Trust will be eligible for Forestry Commission support. Altogether, a strong financial base going forward.
As always, a big thank you to all our volunteers and supporters in 2023
Our thanks to:
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Our generous donors in particular Adelphi Holdings, The Independent State of Cuckfield, Cuckfield Parish Council, Cuckfield Local, Ugliduck Trust and the many Cuckfield residents generously contributing through Cuckfield Woodlanders!
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Our amazing volunteers keeping the wood in good order and especially for their hard work dealing with ash dieback
-
Steve Davies for his Secretary role, Hamish Church for keeping the books and our Trustees
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Helen Crabtree for her wildlife monitoring and advice and Parish Councillor Adrian Podmore for his support
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Dave and Emmett Edwards for the wood chippings for the paths and setting up a saplings nursery and Mark Towers and the Cuckfield Cubs for donating and planting saplings
A farewell
My shift as Chair ended and Paddy Boyle stepped up as of 1 January 2024. Paddy brings expertise, energy and enthusiasm to the role. With Paddy and his team the Trust is in very good hands.
Ken Burgess
Chair (2023), New England Wood Trust
Registered Charity No. 1188549
Trustees: Paddy Boyle, Ross Bradshaw, Andy Burton, Hamish Church, Helen Crabtree, Steve Davies, James Grieve, Patrick Letschka, Tim Newnham Website: cuckfieldwoodlanders.com
New England Wood Trust Registered CIO No. 1188549
Income and Expenditure Account and
Balance Sheet
as at 31st December 2023
New England Wood Trust Income and Expenditure Statement
For Year Ended 31/12/2023
| DETAIL | NOTES | Year Ending 31/12/2023 |
Year Ending 31/12/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME Interest Received :- Bank Interest - Current A/C Bank Interest - Gold A/C Donations Bank deposit from donor not recognised TOTAL INCOME EXPENDITURE Public Liability Insurance Woodland Consumables Tools Room Hire, Subscription and Other Admin Costs. Tree Surgery - Safety/Ash Die Back Payback of misplaced deposits (Note 7 in 2022 accounts) Charitable donation on Santander account closure TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET SURPLUS or (DEFICIT) |
2 & 3 7 4 5 6 |
£p | £p |
| 38.93 178.43 8,667.67 50.00 |
44.40 10,187.34 |
||
| 8,935.03 | 10,231.74 | ||
| 200.60 426.60 392.20 605.40 12,200.00 835.00 |
195.60 304.32 1,530.17 251.76 2,018.00 0.05 |
||
| 14,659.80 | 4,299.90 | ||
| (5,724.77) | 5,931.84 | ||
Balance Sheet
As At 31/12/2023
| DETAIL | Notes | As @ 31/12/2023 |
As @ 31/12/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS Bank - (CAF Current Account) Bank - (CAF Gold Account) Net Bank Balance Term Deposit Account (Virgin) NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY Contingency Reserve Capital Reserve - Brought forward Add /DeductSurplus or(Deficit) TOTAL RESERVES (After the Creation of a Contingency Reserve) |
8 9 |
14,909.01 10,178.43 |
50,812.21 |
| 25,087.44 | 50,812.21 | ||
| 20,000.00 | |||
| 45,087.44 | 50,812.21 | ||
| 20,000.00 30,812.21 |
20,000.00 24,880.37 |
||
| (5,724.77) | 5,931.84 | ||
| 45,087.44 | 50,812.21 | ||
CHAIRMAN :- Mr P T Boyle TREASURER:- Mr H D Church
Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31/12/2023
Note 1 Valuation of Working Assets
The Trustee's policy is to fully write off the value of working assets in the year of their purchase.
Note 2 Donations
| Source | Source | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuckfield Parish Council Adelphi Holdings Ltd Independent State of Cuckfield Cuckfield Local Cuckfield Woodlanders Note 3 Sundry Donations Total |
5,000.00 300.00 250.00 1,943.67 1,174.00 |
200.00 5,000.00 400.00 200.00 3,681.68 705.66 |
|
| Note 3 | |||
| Total | |||
| 8,667.67 | 10,187.34 | ||
Note 3 Cuckfield Woodlanders
| Source | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Just Giving Donations Gift Aid |
1,665.68 |
| 277.99 | |
| Net Income | 1,943.67 |
Note 4 Woodland Consumables
| Source | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Chainsaw oil Blades for saws/scythes Chainsaw service and items Paint & Hazard Warning Tape Total |
77.89 120.48 193.24 34.99 |
| 426.60 | |
Note 5 Tools
| Source | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Rake Accessories for Electric Chainsaw Splitting Wedges, Axe Handle & Gloves Lifting Tongs Scythe Total |
50.00 9.57 77.68 160.46 94.49 |
| 392.20 | |
Note 6 Room Hire, Subscription/Charges & Courses
| Source | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Small Woods Association CAF Bank Charges Admin. Costs - Leaflet/card design, AGM printing etc MyForest App QH Room Hire for AGM & Trustee Meetings Chainsaw Course Total |
40.00 60.00 . 139.00 24.00 92.40 250.00 |
| 605.40 | |
Note 7 Bank deposit from donor not recognised
| Source | 2023 | ||
| IPSOS MORI UK Ltd | 50.00 | ||
Note 8 Contingency Reserve
This reserve has been created to provide for expenditure that might arise from weather damage, infestations or other unforeseeable costs. This underpins the aims of the Trust to conserve the wood for the benefit of the public and for nature conservation.
Note 9
The Capital Reserve includes a sum of £50.00 as provision for possible repayment of misplaced deposit (see Note 7).