## Buckenham Ancient Woodland Trustees’ Annual Report July 2024 - June 2025 ## Background Buckenham Ancient Woodland Trust (BAWT) became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation charity in June 2023 and is registered with the Charity Commission: Registered Charity Number 1203670. As our constitution document states, our aims are to promote the conservation of the physical and natural environment of the central 7.4 acres within Buckenham Wood County Wildlife Site, owned by BAWT, for quiet enjoyment by the public, and working in collaboration with other local landowners to encourage a holistic and sustainable approach. The main achievements in the past year were: - Holding our frst AGM September 2024 - Purchasing the central section of woodland in October 2024 - Commission of a 10-year management plan and 20-year woodland strategy, plus practical works to improve infrastructure funded by a grant from Greater Norwich Growth Board March 2025 - Volunteer activities within the woodland including formation of a team of wood wardens, regularly checking safety issues. - Consolidating the charity structure and new Trustee appointments - Fundraising, including a successful Barn Dance, and fnancial planning ## Inaugural AGM September 2024 We held our first AGM in Strumpshaw Community Hall on 20[th] September 2024 with a turnout of over 40 people present. We had excellent presentations on photography, the ecology of woodlands and results from a survey in our own woodland, followed by working groups to discuss the future of the wood. Purchase of the Woodland Page 1 of 3 This was achieved on 2[nd] October 2024 with funding from UK Government and Broadland District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the councils Green Infrastructure Fund. Public Liability Insurance cover was arranged and information signage installed. ## Grant from Greater Norwich Growth Board (GNGB) This was applied for in summer 2024 when the purchase was progressing and confirmed in March 2025. It has been made available through the GNGB Infrastructure Investment Fund and is for over £100,000. We wish to acknowledge Helen Sibley, Broadland District Council Green Infrastructure Officer for her continued support. The grant has enabled us to commission and develop a 10-year management plan and a 20-year strategy written by qualified experts in the field. We have had a tree safety survey completed and some emergency tree work completed on trees at risk near the paths. Having set up a project board, we are now in the process of planning further infrastructure work included in the agreed grant. This includes aerating and then installing a permeable surface on the northern path to protect the veteran tree roots and bluebells; tree canopy work to support the smaller veteran trees and allow more light to the woodland floor; establishing permissive access routes through the wood, installing interpretation boards, and creating a protected wildlife area. We planned feedback from members and woodland users regarding these proposals and the others advised by the management plan (including dog policy) through surveys in the woodland and an online form. ## Volunteer Work We have had several volunteer days which included building a brash wall for safety at the edge of the large pit, filling in the old well to make it safe, clearing waste and old wire fencing, and removing some invasive sycamore saplings. One of the most successful volunteer activities is the establishment of a woodland warden’s team who regularly walk around the whole wood and report back any hazards noted using an electronic form. These can then be reviewed by the trustees and acted on or noted as appropriate. ## Charity structure We have had regular monthly Trustee meetings to steer the Trust in this initial busy period which have all been well attended and have put robust governance policies in place. We have several subgroups leading on specific areas, and the comms team have continued to develop an excellent website to update both new and existing members. www.buckenhamancientwoodland.org In the year July 24 to July 25 there have been the following Trustee changes: - October 24 – Mark Buckton appointed, Resigned – February 2025 - April 2025 – Caroline Davison appointed to be ratified at AGM Page 2 of 3  May 2025 – Bob Morgan appointed to be ratified at AGM We currently have the full complement of 9 Trustees which are listed on our website with biographies. We have appointed a volunteer Trust Secretary, Anna Morgan, and have lead volunteer roles for Communications, IT, and Treasurer who all provide essential support to the charity. ## Finances and Fundraising Aside from the grants provided above we had a very successful second BAWT Barn Dance in March 2025 which as well as being very enjoyable raised approximately £1000, and we continue to receive other donations from local support events and Just Giving. BAWT would like to acknowledge and thank ‘Yare Folk’ for supporting the success of the barn dance again this year. We also successfully claimed a significant refund from HMRC regarding Gift Aid donations. We have also secured income from the telecoms mast sited on our property. We have formed a Trust Finance Committee that has met regularly, and the Trustees have agreed to set a reserve of £5000, initially to cover both contingency and continuity, as we need a period of time to assess the regular annual outgoings necessary, including public liability insurance and tree safety work. We have bought tree guards for newly self-seeded trees and have agreed purchase of equipment for volunteers to use. ## The Future We have a very busy year ahead with the GNGB-funded programme of works to be monitored and implemented by Spring 2026, and the establishment of a volunteer programme of activities to support ongoing woodland maintenance. Page 3 of 3 Buckenham Ancient Woodland Trust Charity Commission for England and Wales. No. 1203670 Balance Sheet- Comparative A5 at June 28. 2025 28 Jun 2025 30 Jun 2024 Flx6dAssets T8ngth Assets Cash At Bank kn In HllThJ 8.109 10.718 0th8rCr8dRc45 -51.103 N•t A•••ts 10.718 R8Strthd Fwds unre￿￿1 C**nated Fur 10,891 Funth Provkl•d 10,71 -Juk2025 17'.46 P8ge1 of1 ## CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES ## Independent examiner's report on the accounts Report to the trustees/ members of On accounts for the year ended Set out on pages t repott to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trust") for the year ended 30/06/2025. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act ## Buckenham Ancient Woodland Trust 30[th ] June 2025 Charity 1203670 no (if any) 2011 ("the Act"). ! report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: o accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or o the accounts do not accord with the accounting records I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: > Date: Il ZS Name: Ms Lorna Clark Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: ## F CC-A 2 Phoenix Drive Lingwood, Norfolk NR13 4FB 1 October 2018 Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Section B Disclosure Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose October 2018 2 IER