THE
HURST WATER MEADOW
TRUST
REGISTERED CHARITY.. 1191096
Annual report and accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Reference and administration details
The Hurst Water Meadow Trust was fomied on 13 October 1995 to acquire the land and
fishing rights to an ancient water meadow in Dorchester on Thames, Oxfordshire. It was
transfomed into a Foundation Charitable IncorFrf)rated Organisation on 1 April 2021.
Charity's principal address
11 Queen Street, Dorchester-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, OX10 7HR
The Trustees
The trustees who have served during the period are as follows:
Thom Airs (Medial
Graham Beland (Land and tree management)
Louise Beland (Volunt￿r ci)ordinator)
Sally Bell (Honorary Secretary)
Sandra Harding (Education)
Roger Seabrook {Chaimian)
Sophia Stewart-Liberty (Arts)
Chris Smith (Honorary Treasurer)
Richard Tilley {Ecology)
David Wilkinson (Arthaeology and ecology)
Main advisers
Independent examiner
Malcolm Lucas (Chartered Accountant). Watling Lane, Dorchester-on-Thames
Bank
CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, ￿"ngS Hill, West Malling. Kent, ME19 4JQ
Trustees. annual report tsthe YearerK￿13l klafth 2025
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Registered Charity 1191￿. hutstsvaterrnt

Structure, Govemance and Management
Type of governing document and constitution
The organisation is a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which
assumed the responsibilities for the Hurst Water Meadow Trust on 1st April 2021.
Trustee selection policy
The Trust aims to have a maximum of ten trustees which there were on 315t March 2025.
New trustees are selected by majorty Vote of starKling trustees, with reference to their
commitment to the charity's aims and expertise. Eight of the ten trustees must be loGal
residents. Dorchester Pansh Council has the POV4Er to appoint a Parish Councillor as an
additional trustee.
Trustee training
New trustees are introduced to the operating procedures of the HuFSt. Trustees are regularly
infomied of important matters and upjated on significarrt changes in Chanty Law.
Decision-making processes
The day-t(Klay management of the Gharity rests wrth the Irustees. Specffic projects such as
land acquisition. fundraising and site improvement are managed by committees formed to
arry out these tasks.
Risk policy
The Trustees monitor health and safety and would employ specialist advisors rf required.
New projects of a capital nature involving risks which are not normally encountered in day-
to-day management are undertaken, taking SFEcial care to understand the risks involved and
with funding in place.
Objectives and Activities
Objects
The objects of the Trust as set out in the Trust Deed are.
to preserve. Gonsetve and protect The Hurst Water Meadow and any other land
acquired by the Trust. its terrestrial and aquatic lrfe and their habitats for the benefit of
the public.
to advan￿ public educab.on in the study and research of Dorchester on Thames. water
meadows and their conservation and the dissemination of the useful results of such
research.
to provide on such land appropriate facilities for recreation for the benefit of the public
th the obj'ect of improving the condrtions of life of said public.
Main activitles carried out by the Trust
The priority is the care and appropriate management of the land currently owned by
the Trust, using volunteers and contractors as needed.
Special attention is given to the creation of a 'riparian wildlrfe ￿rridorf along the nver
Thame.
Provision of educational facilities for ￿001 parties and other visrtors to the meadows.
Objectives for 2025-2026
As we look forward. our aims and obJertNes remain unchanged and the main active
projed which Gould potentially impact the Hurst Water Meadow is the fish passage
which is being proposed by the River Thame Conservation Trust {RTCT). They are
the lead organisation, responsible for delivering all aspects and managing all risks of
the project. At the time of writing this. the project has received planning permission
Trustees. annual ter¥M for year eThJed 31 Matth 2025
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and the trustees are encouraging the RTCT to consult the public. especially those
who live close to the meadows, to ensure that those voices are heard as the project
proceeds.
We are pleased Ihat we have been able to continue our practicE of providing a grant to
support St Birinus Forest School and W￿ hope to continue to V￿lcOme other groups of
young people, via the Earth Trust and Icknield Community college, to the meadows to
increase their understanding and appreciation of these wonderful places.
We continue to implement the land management plan prepared by an independent
Consultant, to enhance biodiversity.
Review the new wetland areas in Old Bndge Meadow and the new eco-hydrology
arrangement in the Hurst Water Meadow to ensure that they progress in line with the
intended outcomes agreed when the projects vRre approved.
Observe wildlrfe wpulations on the meadows.
Plans for the future
The Trust is keeping alert for any opportunity for it to acquire (by purchase andlor
cooperative agreement) land between the Hurst and the Old Bridge Meadow that it
does not currently own. thus extendirHJ the riparian wildlife corridor and opening up the
possibility of allowing walkers direct access to the two areas without using a road.
Volunteers
The Trust is grateful for the ServI￿S and gtfts in ktnd donated by its many volunteers. The
Tnjst does not have a policy to measure the economic value of these activities. Major
regular gifts of time and serVI￿S include accountancy, administration, biodiversity advice,
bookkeeping, education, fundraising, site Maintenan￿ and development. In addition, other
professional services are received as and when the srtuation requires.
Achievements and Performance
Review of charitable activities
Aside from general maintenance of the meadows and encouraging enjoyment of the
meadows by members of the public, the Trust made a granl of £2.904 to St Birinus school to
support educational activities undertaken by the Forest School.
Fundraising
During the year the Trust continued its fundraisirKJ activities to enable rt to finance the on-
going Maintenan￿ of the meadows.
Public response
The Trust Continues to receive positive feedback from users of the meadow and its providers
of funds.
Financial review
Finances
Income for the past year was £25,701 {2024, £17.318) and expenditure £ 10,125 {2024,
£19,098) resulting in a surplus of £15.576 (2024. deficit of £1.780). Donations increased by
£3,880 {+ 850￿). reflecting a S￿nifiCant one-off donation by a local business. Grant income
increased by £3.924, refiecting the timing of education payments from DEFRA. The income
for the year comprised entirely unrestrided funds. Unrestricied expenditure was £10,125.
Bank baLan￿S total £89,871 {2024. £74.294) of which nil is restricted. (2024 £0 was
restricted). This means that £89.871 is available to manage the Hurst (2024. £74.294).
Truslee5' annual W forthe yEareThJed 31 ma￿ 2025
huist-water-trEad(hv.o
Regthf*E cha￿ 11910*. hursfv4aterynt

Reserves policy
Through the continued support from voluntary donations and grants the Twst has
mainlained adequate reserves to manage and enhan￿ the water meadows and deal with
any unexpected setbacks. Unrestricted reserves were £89,871 at the end of the year (2024,
£74,294). The Irustees have designated £21,000 to cover unexpected setbacks, £25.000 for
tree surgery, £7.000 for legal fees. £10,800 replacement of equipment leaving £26,071
(2024. £24,094} unallocated reserves.
Principal funding sources
The main funding sources for the financial year were as follows".
Donations from local residents and businesses towards the general running of the
Trust
Rural Payments Agency (DEFRA) under the Basic Payments Scheme. and Higher
Level Countryside Stewardship Scheme.
Volunteers. gifts of time and services at no charge to the Trust.
Finances for 202512026
The Honorary Treasurer eskn'mates that the nomial running costs (i.e. exduding grants,
projects and unforeseen events) of the Trust should be £12.000 for the year.
Fundraising policy
The Trustees take the view that money invested in fundraising is an investment for the
Trust's fLrture and will deliver long-tenn benefits to the local communrty, the public and
wildlife.
The Trust has been SUC￿ssful in raising funds from the Landfill Communty Fund and the
Rural Payments Agency, as well as from statutory and voluntary SoUr￿S to manage and
enhance the meadows.
The Trust aims to cover its ordinary activtbes through the grants and local fundraising. Any
significant new projects or land acquistlion would require a skEcffic fund-raising initiative.
The Trust welcomes the following:
Legacies and 'in memoriam, donations
Pledges to support land acquisition
Donations of cash, shares and land
Regular giving to help wtth annual costs.
How expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity
£1,720 of the unrestricted expenditure was used on the general maintenance of the
meadows, tools and wildlrfe monrtonng equipment. Tree and land management cost £4.203,
insurance premia and banking fees amounted to £761 and the maintenance of the web-site
cost £343. The grants to St Birinus School amounted to £2.904. The remaining spend of
£194 was for sundries and other expendtture.
There were no restricted funds received or restricted expenditure incurred this year.
Reporting and keeping the public informed
As a charity the Trust is registered with and regulated by the Charity Commission and
omplies with rts legal requirements and recommendations of best practice.
It operates to the highest standards of finanaal controls. prodU￿S annual accounts which
are examined in accordan￿ with the latest ststement of Recommended Practice {SORP)
regulations. The Independent Examiner is a Chartered Accountant.
The Trust reports regularly to the local communty through newsletters published in the lo¢al
Parish magazine, through tts websrte and noti￿ boards.
Twstees. annual rEPOrt for yewerthd 31 Marth 2025
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Public Benefit ststement
'Public benefit, is the legal requirement that every organisation set up for one or more
charrtable aims must able to demonstrate that tts aims are for the public benefit rf it is to
be recognised, and registered, as a charity in England and Wales.
The Hurst Water Meadow. Old Bridge Meadow, Overy Mead Pieo and any land acquired by
the Trust is open to all members of the public for their enjoyment and education. The
Trustees constandy review a￿SsIbIlity issues to the land for all sections of the community.
The Trustees therefore confimi that they have complred wrth their duty to have due regard to
the guidance on public benefft published by the Commission.
Responsibilities of the Trustees
The charity's Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the
financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charrties in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare
financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the Trustees have elected to
prepare the financial statements in accordance wilh United Kingdom Generally AC￿pted
Accounting PractiQ (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). The
Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charrty and the income and expenditure of the
charity for that period.
In preparing these financial statements. the Trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently
observe the methods and principles in the Charibes SORP
make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed. subject to any
malerial departures disdosed and explained in the financial statements
prepare the financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate
to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to
show and explain the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any
time the financial posrtion of the charty and enable them to ensure that the financial
statements comply with the Chanties Act 2011. They are also responsible for safeguarding
the assets of the charity and hence for taknng reasonable steps for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other irregularikn"es.
The Truslees declare that they have approved the Trustees, reFM)rt above.
Signed on behalf of the chanty's Trustees
Sally
Date..
onor
Secretary)
T￿tsteeS. annual report forthe ￿ar ￿ded 31 Aqarch 2￿25
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Registered Chawity 1191￿. Th￿￿are
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Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of the Hurst
Water Meadow Trust
I report on the accounts of the chanty for the witxl ended 31 March 2025 set out on page 7-
10.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan￿ wrth
the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acf). The charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not
required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is
needed.
It is my responsibility to=
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,.
to follow the applicable Directions given by the Chanty Commission (under section
145(5)(b) of the Act, and
to state whether parbcular matters have come to my attention.
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The
Hurst Water Meadow Trust
Basis of independent Examinerfs report
My examination was camed out in accordance wrth the general Directions given by the
Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the
charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wrth those records. It also includes
consideration of any unusual Ftems or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations
from you as trustees Con￿rning any such matters. The prO￿dureS undertaken do not
provide all the eviden￿ that would te required in an audit and consequently no opinion is
given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view. ar7d the report is limited to
Ihose matters set OLrt in the statement below.
Independent EXamine￿S statement
In connection with my examination. no material matters have come to my attention which
gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect..
the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Charities
Act., or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in conneth'on with the
examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reathed.
This report is made solely to the chartty's Truslees, as a L*)dy. in accordance wtth Part 4 of
the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so
that I might state to the charity's Trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an
independent examinerfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permrtted by
law, I do not accept or assume responsibilty to anyone other than the charity and the charity
Truslees as a body, for my fNork or this report.
hursl-water-ff*ad(y*.o
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mail.

Malcolm Lucas FCA DChA
Independent Examiner
Watling Lane
Dorchester on Thames
Date .
4 Djbkn, Z2£.
Twsiees, ants￿1 repxllorV*)wr 31 March 2025
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Regi%lered Chatty 1191￿. hutstwatermt

Receipts and Payments Accounts for the year ended
31 March 2025
Total Fund$
2025
Total
Funds
2024
Funds
2025
Funds
2025
INCOMING RESOURCES
Incoming resources from generated
funds
Donations
Grants re￿iVed
Tax recovered
Sale of cards and scrap
ment
Bank interest
8,445
14,400
879
8,445
14,400
879
4,565
10,476
828
15
1,726
1,726
1,164
17.048
Incoming resources from
charitable activities
Fishin
Total incomin
25,450
25,450
251
25,701
251
25.701
270
17,318
resources
RESOURCES EXPENDED
Resources expended on
Charitable activities
Tree & Land Mana
Machine
& Tools
ert Advi
Bank Fees
Insuran
al Fees
Fish Pass noticeboards and
Website
Grant to St Birinus Forest
School
Subscri
Trainin
Wildlife mon5torin
Sundries
ement
4,203
607
4,203
607
5,220
964
450
60
734
60
701
60
701
343
343
4,992
2.904
2,904
6,038
tions
350
1,113
194
1.113
194
290
Total resources ex
nded
10,125
10.125
19,098
Net incoming l (expended)
resources
15,576
15,576
11.780)
Bank balances
CAF bank account
CAF savin
s accouht
TOTAL
147
89,724
89,871
147
89,724
89,871
10,082
64,212
74.294
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Regsstered Chanty 1191￿. hut5twaterrn
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Statement of assets and liabilities as at 31 March 2025
Note
2025
2024
Fixed assets
Hurst Water Meadow
Old Brid e Meadow
Brid
Ove
34,000
42,475
24,211
33.911
135,597
34,000
42,475
24,211
33,911
135,597
Mead Piece
Current assets
CAF current account
CAF savin
s account
147
89,724
10,082
64.212
89,871
74,294
Net assets
225.468
209,891
The funds of the chari
Fixed assets fund
Restricted income funds
Unrestricted income funds
135.597
135.597
89,871
74,294
TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS
209,891
Approved by the Board of Trustees on
and signed on its behalf by Chris Smith
Treasurer
Date..
Tnsiees. annual report for Ihe yewel￿d 31 Marth 2025
hur51-waier.mead4w.or
Registered Cha￿Y 11910£6. hurthatefflrt

Notes to the accounts
1. Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis and under section
133 of the Charities Act 2011. The principal accounting policies which have been applied on
a consistent basis are set out below:
2. Incoming resources
Donations and grants are accounted for when received. Any income tax recoverable on
donations under the gift aid scheme is included when the cash is re￿iVed from the Inland
Revenue.
3. Resources expended
The trustees do not consider it apwopriate or material to allocate resources expended
between the costs of generating funds. charrtable activities and g0veman￿.
4. Going Concern
The Trust's reliance on volunteers for almost all of rts activities enables it to redu￿ the
impact of higher levels of inflation ex[Erien￿d in re￿nI years. Wrth undesignated (free)
reserves of £26,071 Trt is therefore the Trustees. opinion that the going con￿rn basis for the
preparation of the accounts continues to be approFxiate.
5. Fixed assets and fixed assets fund
Fixed assets comprise land and are stated * orvJinal cost. The cost of small tools,
agricultural equipment and wildlrfe monitoring is expensed in the year of acquisition. As the
accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis. any depreciation would be shown
as a movement on the fixed assets fund.
2024
Additions I
(disposals)
Depreciation
2025
Hurst Water Meadow
Old Brid e Meadow
Brid
Ove
Total
34,000
42,475
25.211
33.911
135.597
34.000
42.475
25,211
33,911
135,597
Mead Piece
6. Trustee expenses
Trustees do not receive remuneration for their services. It is the Trust policy to reimburse
Trustees for authorised purchases and expenses incurred on behalf of the Trust.
7. Trustee interest in contracts
There was no trustee interest in ￿ntraCtS to report in the year ended 31 st March 2025.
8. Taxation
The charity is exempt from corwration tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for
chantable purposes.
9. Purpose of restricted fiinds
Restricted funds are generated when the donor stspulates how the income may be
expended. In most cases there will be a timing differen￿ between vA)en the income is
received and when rt is spent. resutting in balan￿S being held on these funds at year*nd.
Tn￿te8$. annual retrfxt foru* yew eth131 Marth 2025
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There were no Restricted funds as at 31 st March 2025 or 2024.
10. Purpose of unrestricted funds
Unrestricted funds are generated when there is no stipulation from the donor as to how the
income may be spent and includes designated fvnds where the Trustees have set aside
moneys for a specific purpose.
The Trustees have agreed to set up the following designated funds and movements for the
A contingency fund representing two years estimated running costs to fund emergency
expenditure such as the repairs to the Hurst access bridge in 2019
An equipment replacement fund.. The Trustees have agreed to set aside £600 a year
for the replatsment of significant equipment
A land acquisilion fund." There are currently no plans to purchase land and therefore no
fund has been created for this purpose
A tree surgery fund". Given the long-temi nature and unpredictable timing of tree
surgery costs the trustees have decided to establish a fund which seeks to provide
sufficient funds to enable the trees on the various meadows to be maintained over a
2¢>year cycle.
Legal Fees. In order to maintain the Trnst's right of access, in perpetuity, to Overy
Mead Piece via Old Bridge Meadow car park. the trust is awaiting invoices for this
legal work.
Restricted
Unrestricted
Total
Undesignated
Designated
Free
Contingency
Legal
Fees
Equipment
Tree
Surgery
At 1 st April
2025
Surplus
(Deficit) for
ear
Increase
Contingency
fund
Increase
al Fees
Increase
Tree surgery
fund
Increase
Equipment
replacement
24.094
18.000
10.200
22,000
74,294
15,576
15,576
(3,000)
3,000
7.000
{3,000)
3.000
(6CKI)
600
At 31st
March 2026
26,071
21,IXIO
7,000
10,800
25,000
89,871
Small nurnerical drffererKe5 are to
T￿￿. annual reFQrt fottt* yearefttsj 31 2025
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