THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 FOR BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1202399
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
TABLE OF CONTENTS
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS .......................................................... 2 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT .................................................. 3 OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES ................................................................................ 5 ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE ..................................................................... 5 FINANCIAL REVIEW .............................................................................................. 8 ANNUAL REPORT APPROVAL ................................................................................ 9 APPENDIX A - Copy of the Independent Examiner’s Report ...................................... 9 APPENDIX B - Summary of Accounts (December 2025) ......................................... 10
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Dr Martin Christopher (Chairman) Colin Haine (Secretary) Glenn Hayward (Treasurer) - appointed June 2025 John English Susan Lynch Simon Grantham Alice Wiggins – appointed November 2025 George Karaiskou – resigned June 2025 Gabriella Davis (Treasurer) - resigned June 2025
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 43 Bromham Road Bedford MK40 2AA
REGISTERED CHARITY NO.
1202399
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
Gerald Bygrave FMAAT GB Accounting Solutions Millennium Studios Bedford Technology Park Thurleigh Bedford MK44 2YA
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is registered with the Charity Commission – Charity number 1202399 - and controlled by its governing document,
Organisational, structure and accountability
The Board of Trustees have overall responsibility for the Charity and operate a system of accountability. This includes the three-year Strategic Plan and an annual budget. Performance is evaluated against the plan regularly during the year at Trustee meetings and a complete review takes place annually.
The Board of Trustees consists of seven members. All, except Alice who joined in late 2025, were elected at the Annual General Meeting in September. They meet formally at least six times per year.
The day-to-day operations are delegated to the Manager, who is employed on a part-time paid basis. The Manager manages any occasional paid staff and volunteers. All vacancies for Trustees, paid staff and volunteers are openly advertised, utilising specific descriptions that have regard to the skills, knowledge, and experience necessary for each role.
Induction and training of new trustees
New Trustees are provided with the Charity Commission's "The Essential Trustee" which focuses on the main duties and responsibilities of the role, along with CPRE Bedfordshire's Constitution, Three Year Strategic Plan, and other documents pertaining to the Charity's history and current activities. New Trustees visit the Charity's small office in Bedford, meet with the staff, and become familiar with the Charity's operations.
All new Trustees are invited to participate in the national CPRE organisation induction process. Depending upon the Trustee's specific role and interests, additional training is available including an extensive curriculum hosted by the national CPRE organisation and local Community and Voluntary Service.
Risk management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
Risk Assessments are in place for all activities involving volunteers and members of the public.
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Mission and aims
Our mission is to enhance, promote and protect the Bedfordshire countryside, and the ability of local communities to enjoy and value the natural world. To achieve our mission, we work with a range of organisations and communities in Bedfordshire.
We respond to our mission through a series of aims detailed in our Strategy:
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Connect people and countryside
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Promote the countryside and waterways
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Working Together
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Grow and sustain our capability
Public benefit
In planning the charity's activities for the year, the trustees kept in mind the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Connect People and countryside
Hedgerow Heroes
We completed the first phase of our Hedgerow Heroes project in the New Year 2025. In total for the 2024/25 season, we planted 1220 metres of new hedgerows and over 200m of hedge was restored by hedge laying. In November and December 2025, we planted around 700 m of new hedge. We incorporated specimen trees where possible to increase biodiversity and variety.
A highlight was hedgerow planting with the help of around 100 school children in Campton. Every student, aged between 4 to 10 years old, came out to plant a whip. The children will be able to watch the hedgerow establish over the coming years around the new wildlife field being created by the parish council.
The project wouldn't have been possible without the help of our committed volunteers who turned out in all weathers. They have become a great team and welcomed newcomers. In the autumn and winter of 2025, we established new hedgerows in Campton, Stondon, Southill and Gravenhurst.
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
We are grateful to the Forest of Marston Vale which helped to make this project happen. The Hedgerow Heroes project enables hedgerow planting in places that may not necessarily have been planted up by the parish council without our help – so enhancing communities and extending the hedgerow network of the county.
Promote the countryside and waterways
Living Countryside Awards
In 2025, we celebrated some visionary community projects and organisations with our Living Countryside Awards. There were fewer entries than in previous years, but the enthusiasm and efforts of individuals was still outstanding.
We visited community gardens and allotments supporting a range of individuals and giving them opportunities to get involved and appreciate greenspaces, all brought about by some dedicated volunteers. We also explored some lovely countryside and areas being transformed for the benefit of visitors and nature, as well as meeting businesses embracing sustainable practices and showcasing great produce.
Bedfordshire through fresh eyes - website features
To help people explore our county, we continued our series of web features, an A-Z of Bedfordshire’s landscapes, places and history. Each post includes links to walks, places to visit and lots of ideas to help people discover more about Bedfordshire. As well as highlighting some familiar places, it puts the spotlight on some lesser-known locations and encourages people to appreciate our county.
Work Together
Rooted in communities
We have over 13 planning volunteers across the county who have scrutinised all main planning applications in 2025, which could impact on the Bedfordshire countryside. Where appropriate, we responded directly to the relevant council and worked with local communities to forge campaigns to help protect the countryside and green spaces.
In October, we held a planning workshop to help parish councillors and residents gain the knowledge and an understanding of the planning process and how to respond to planning applications.
We have also worked with several Local Action Groups, helping them to consider local planning applications for houses, and increasingly, solar farms. We have continued to support a group in Shefford that focuses on the consequences of flooding from house building applications on floodplains upstream - an issue we highlighted after flooding in late 2024. In Harlington, we were instrumental to setting up and have been working very
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
closely with a local action group after the announcement of a significant housing development.
Major projects and campaigns
Our planning volunteers continue to keep an eye on the progress of currently active local Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs); East West Rail and East Park Energy.
We produced our “Seven Key Asks” document following more detailed plans to build the Universal Destination theme park.
After the long-awaited announcement by the New Towns Task Force, it was confirmed that Tempsford was on the list. We produced a guide on what we might expect and called for MPs to push for this major development to contribute to house building targets in the area.
Associated with the major developments in the county we explored the issue of water supply and treatment after a meeting with the council highlighted the lack of infrastructure. We produced a briefing document detailing concerns about the continued pollution of the River Great Ouse and how new housing developments are being held up because of inadequate provision by Anglian Water.
We accepted the offer of a place on the Bedford Borough Water Management Partnership, a strategic group established to address water quality, sewage, and flooding issues, particularly concerning the River Great Ouse, chaired by Professor Paul Leinster. It brings together the Borough Council, Anglian Water, the Environment Agency, and local representatives to coordinate efforts on pollution control and flood risk.
All our responses and briefing documents to significant consultations and applications are published on our website, along with Explainers on key planning issues. This helps organisations and individuals understand both our concerns and how to make their own responses more effective.
On social media, we have been rebuilding the numbers of followers to our Facebook and Instagram pages after the accounts were unexpectedly taken down towards the beginning of 2025. These are important tools communication tools, and we have continued to share stories, campaigns and countryside news.
Our monthly e-newsletter is emailed to over 1300 supporters keeping them up to date with key news items, features on our website and how to get involved in our work.
Grow and sustain our capability
We welcomed two new Trustees this year, each bringing their own skills and experience to help grow and promote our charity.
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
Our new manager started in the Spring after our long serving Director retired – her legacy continuing through established projects and fundraising activities. At the very end of 2025 we said goodbye to our marketing and communications expert who had developed many areas of the charity over the years, particularly creating an extensive and interesting website with news items and information about Bedfordshire.
Future Activity
Our activity will be guided by a Strategic Plan, following an annual review, and will develop our main areas of expertise, working around our four main aims. The activity will include:
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Facilitating and supporting Local Action groups and communities - empowering people and ensuring that they have the skills and confidence to speak out on planning issues. Offering workshops on planning and other topics to share knowledge and skills.
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Providing information and guidance on planning issues, for example the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Local Plan developments. As well as monitoring and responding to major infrastructure projects and developments, including the Universal Destinations Park, that are likely to affect local communities.
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Continuing our Hedgerow Heroes project, planting hedgerows locally to enhance biodiversity and local green spaces.
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Showcasing community and environment initiatives, and the uniqueness of Bedfordshire through our marketing and communication channels, and our 40th anniversary activities.
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Meeting with MPs and councillors on a regular basis to hold them accountable and raise issues that are important to our communities.
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Continuing to campaign against developments on the Green Belt and AONB, and those that impact on rural communities and village life.
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Continuing to develop the long-term sustainability of the organisation, improving income generation and developing the board of Trustees.
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The Trustees aim to maintain reserves in unrestricted funds at a level that equates to twelve months of unrestricted charitable expenditure. The Trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to cover fixed costs including salaries and rent and governance costs. At the end of the year, our unrestricted reserves were below the level required and this has informed our budgeting process for 2026.
Financial report
A summary of the charity’s accounts is presented in the financial statement in Appendix A
A statement from the Independent Reviewer can be found in Appendix B
ANNUAL REPORT APPROVAL
This annual report has been approved by order of the Board of Trustees on 28th April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Martin Christopher – Chairman
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
APPENDIX A - Copy of the Independent Examiner’s Report
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THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No.. 1202399 100 •q Campaign to Protect •'F Rural England PR YEAAS
THE BEDFORDSHIRE BRANCH OF THE CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT RURAL ENGLAND REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 Charity No: 1202399
APPENDIX B - Summary of Accounts (December 2025)
| Non- Restricted |
Restricted Hedgerow |
Restricted Centenary |
2025 Total |
2024 Total |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | ||||||
| Grants | 12,600 | 2,066 | 5,000 | 19,666 | 34,670 | |
| Membership | 9,013 | 0 | 0 | 9,013 | 8,315 | |
| WorkshopIncome | 550 | 0 | 0 | 550 | 1,150 | |
| Donations | 2,616 | 0 | 0 | 2,616 | 6,366 | |
| Gift Aid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 156 | |
| Bank Interest | 321 | 0 | 0 | 321 | 298 | |
| Other Income | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | |
| Total Income | 25,100 | 2,066 | 5,000 | 32,166 | 50,981 | |
| Payments | ||||||
| Salaries | -22,990 | 0 | 0 | -22,990 | -26,289 | |
| Office – rent | -3,358 | 0 | 0 | -3,358 | -2,774 | |
| Office - Insurance | -548 | 0 | 0 | -548 | -522 | |
| WorkshopExpense | -397 | 0 | 0 | -397 | -275 | |
| Governance | -180 | 0 | 0 | -180 | -152 | |
| Sundries | -29 | 0 | 0 | -29 | -79 | |
| Office Expenses | -297 | 0 | 0 | -297 | -160 | |
| Marketing | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -236 | |
| Living Countryside Awards |
-275 | 0 | 0 | -275 | 0 | |
| Hedgerowproject | 0 | -6,171 | 0 | -6,171 | -2,708 | |
| Centenary project | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total Expenditure | -28,074 | -6,171 | 0 | -34,244 | -33,194 | |
| Net Flow of cash | -2,974 | -4,105 | 5,000 | -2,078 | 17,786 | |
| Assets & Liabilities | ||||||
| Barclays Bank accounts |
21,266 | 5,478 | 5,000 | 31,744 | 33,821 | |
| PettyCash | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total Assets | 21,266 | 5,478 | 5,000 | 31,744 | 33,821 | |
| Funds | ||||||
| Brought forward from previousyear |
24,239 | 9,582 | 0 | 33,821 | 0 | |
| Net Flow of cash | -2,974 | -4,105 | 5,000 | -2,078 | 17,786 | |
| Transferred from CPRE CharityNo: 1023435 |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16,035 | |
| Carried forward | 21,266 | 5,478 | 5,000 | 31,744 | 33,821 |
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