## **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:_ - 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! - 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 - Helen Crabtree for her wildlife monitoring and advice and Parish Councillor Adrian Podmore for his support - 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).