Draft 2024 Chairman’s Report for New England Wood Trust
Regeneration :
2024 was another big year for our work in ensuring good regeneration of the wood from the ravages of ash die back. Many more dead and dangerous ash trees were felled with much of the hazel and other understory beneath them coppiced at the same time. Almost half the ash trees in the wood in early 2022 have now been felled or come down of their own accord.
A great deal of progress was made towards the creation of a new ride at the southern end of the wood, and a new small glade was created in the north west. Over 150 new trees were planted to supplement the natural regeneration. Many more lengths of paths were improved with material from the felling.
Financials:
The trust has had another solid year and remains in sound financial health.
The year to year movement in the accounts remains hard to track. The major expense in the year tends to fall over the winter, sometimes before and sometimes after New Year. Donations we receive also can fall either side of year end and rarely line up.
Wildlife:
In early May we had a first Dawn Chorus walk which was much enjoyed by all and will be repeated this May.
Larger numbers of silver washed fritillaries than we’ve seen in recent years were enjoying the newly opened up areas and a brown hairstreak was spotted – one of many in and around the village this year.
The Woodland Flora and Fauna group have kindly taken on managing the owl box at the north of the wood and a second one is planned as barn owl teenagers throw out their parents who need a new home nearby while still feeding their young.
The badgers continue to increase in number. There are now at least seven satellite setts in addition to the huge main one.
Engagement locally:
We’ve had enjoyable visits both ways with the Tottington Woodlanders who manage a lovely area of hazel coppice south of Small Dole.
Cubs had an enjoyable evening in the wood identifying trees, planting some trees and wild flowers, and cooking on the fire – despite the weather.
We welcomed our first DofE volunteer for many years in the spring who has been a fantastic asset to the group. This is something we’d be keen to repeat.
In what is becoming a feature of the calendar we helped the team at Holy Trinity with trimming up and putting up the Christmas trees in the church to be decorated for the wonderful Christmas Tree Festival.
Thank you!
Heartfelt thanks to all our volunteers who give so much time and effort to keep the wood in great shape and safe for visitors – and especially to Patrick our Woodland Manager who keeps us all happy and in order.
Huge thanks to all our donors large and small. Special thanks for the financial aid from the Cuckfield Society and Stephen Holroyd’s Adelphi Holdings, and for the lovely boxes of chocolates from the Christmas Tree Festival and a mystery donor who left some by the hut.
Most of all, a huge thank you to Steve Davies who retires as secretary at this AGM. He has done incredible work guiding the trust through the CIO transition and all the work around managing the ash to date as well as running a very smooth ship. I am hugely grateful personally for all he has done in educating me about the wood and in providing invaluable wise counsel.
Its yours!
As I always like to remind people, the wood is for everyone, and if you want to do anything in it beyond walking the paths, let us know:
cuckfeldwoodlanders@gmaill.com
New England Wood Trust Registered CIO No. 1188549
Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024
New England Wood Trust Income and Expenditure Statement For Year Ended 31/12/2024
| New England Wood Trust Income and Expenditure Statement For Year Ended 31/12/2024 |
||
|---|---|---|
| DETAIL | NOTES | Year Ending 12/31/2024 |
| INCOME Interest Received :- Bank Interest - Current A/C Bank Interest - Gold A/C Interest on Virgin Money Bond Donations RPA Grant 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 Test transfer to Gold Account Payback of misplaced deposits (Note 7 in 2022 accounts) TOTAL EXPENDITURE NET SURPLUS or (DEFICIT) |
2 & 3 7 4 5 6 |
£p |
| 34.94 253.34 750.00 5,468.96 1,500.00 |
||
| 8,007.24 | ||
| 200.60 572.55 303.80 684.27 2,700.00 10.00 |
||
| 4,471.22 | ||
| 3,536.02 | ||
Balance Sheet As At 31/12/2023
| DETAIL | DETAIL | Notes | As @ 12/31/2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASSETS Bank - (CAF Current Account) Bank - (CAF Gold Accout) Net Bank Balance Term Deposit Account (Virgin) NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY Contingency Reserve Capital Reserve - Brought forward (After the Creation of a Contingency Reserve) TOTAL RESERVES Add /DeductSurplus or(Deficit) |
7 8 |
17,432.42 10,441.77 |
|
| 20,750.00 | |||
| 48,624.19 | |||
| 20,000.00 25,088.17 |
|||
| 3,536.02 | |||
| 48,624.19 | |||
| CHAIRMAN :- Mr P T Boyle | TREASURER:- Mr H D Church | ||
Notes to the Accounts For the Year Ended 31/12/2024
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/Grants
| Donations/Grants | Donations/Grants | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Source | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Adelphi Holdings Ltd Cuckfeld Society Cuckfeld Parochial Church Council Independent State of Cuckfeld Cuckfeld Local Cuckfeld Woodlanders Sundry Donations RPA Grant Total Note3 |
1,000.00 2,000.00 50.00 2,094.96 324.00 1,500.00 |
5,000.00 300.00 250.00 1,943.67 1,174.00 |
|
| Note3 | |||
| Total | |||
| 6,968.96 | 8,667.67 | ||
Note 3 Cuckfield Woodlanders
| Source | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Just Giving Donations | 2,094.96 |
| Net Income | 2,094.96 |
Note 4 Woodland Consumables Chainsaw Oil Chainsaw Service Tree/hedgw guards Note 5 Tools
| Woodland Consumables | |
|---|---|
| Source | 2024 |
| Chainsaw Oil Blades for saws/scythes and chainsaw Chainsaw Service Tree/hedgw guards Misc. - wire, nails, bolts, washers etc. Total |
39.99 172.43 140.80 140.33 79.00 |
| 572.55 | |
| Tools | |
|---|---|
| Source | 2024 |
| Rag Fork Club Hammer Silky Saw Lifting Tongs First Aid Kit Total |
33.75 20.29 29.10 85.48 135.18 |
| 303.80 | |
Note 6 Room Hire, Subscription/Charges & Courses
| Room Hire, Subscription/Charges & Courses | |
|---|---|
| Source | 2024 |
| Small Woods Association CAF Bank Charges Admin. Costs - Leafet/card design, AGM printing etc. QH Room Hire for AGM & Trustee Meetings First Aid Course Total |
42.00 60.00 174.27 48.00 360.00 |
| 684.27 | |
Note 7 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 8
The provision for a possible repayment of a misplaced £50.00 deposit in the 2023 accounts in the Capital Reserve has been removed, (see Note 7).
Year Ending 12/31/2023 £ p 38.93 178.43 8,667.67 50.00 8,935.03 200.60 426.60 392.20 605.40 12,200.00 835.00 14,659.80 (5,724.77)
As @ 12/31/2023 14,909.01 10,178.43 25,087.44 20,000.00 45,087.44 20,000.00 30,812.21 (5,724.77) 45,087.44