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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES, REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Charity number: 288749

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 2024
Page
Trustees, Report
Ito8
Legal and Admlnlstratlve Informatlon
Independent Examiners, Report
io
Statement of Flnanclal Actlvltles
li
Balance Sheet
12
Notes to the Financial Statements
13to20

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of The Bentley Wood Charitable Trust (the
charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.
The trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with current statutory
requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recomrrended
Practice ISORPI FRS102 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities"
STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The charitv Is rnanaged by the trustee5 who rnake strategic decisions and are 18gally re5pon5ible for the management of
risks faced by the charity. The day to day management of the wotsd is delegated to the woodland manager. The trustees
seek additional advice from statutory bodies which include the Forestry Commission, Natural England and also Bentley
Wood's in-house recorders, group of local interested parties. The woodland manager attends all meeting5 of the trustees
and regularly reports and updates the chairman between the quarterly meetings.
Trustees
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows-
Dr P Woodruffe
Mr A G Goddard
Mr I Spencer
Mrs Brunt
Mr M C Street
Mr l Fisher
Trustees are identified and selected by trustees for their knowled@e, skills and experience in relevant fields that they can
bring to the charity. Specifically these include, forestry, conservation, financial, trust management, governance and local
knowled8e.
Investment powers
The Trust 15 subject to provisions of the Trustee Act 2000.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The Trust was established under a deed dated 31 January 1984.
The Trust's main function5 are the maintenance of Bentley Wood SSSI and Upper Frenchmoor Copse on the
Hamp5hire/wilt5hire border c105e to Salisbury and the investment of Trust monies in Shares, Securities and Personalty at
the absolute discretion Of the trustees.
The Trust's objectives are to enhance, with asslstance of grants from the Forestry Commission and Natural England, the
woodland owned by the Trust and to provide an environrnent where wildlife can thrive and people'5 quality of life can be
enhanced.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on
public benefit when reviewing the Trust's aims and objective5 and in planning future activities.

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Strate
IcRe
ort
Achievements and performance
Report from the Chalrman of the Bentley Wood Trustees
The past year, 2024, has been a quietly busy year with a lot accomplished in putting lon8-held plans into action.
The Barn roof was renovated after Eiving many years of service. Its replacement and repair were long overdue and marks the
first Stage in developing plans for the future use of the Barn and its immediate surrounds in pursuit of the Trust's educational
ambitions.
The environmental programme of improvements at Forestry Houses and the workshops
loft insulation and roof
renovation, the installation of solar photovoltaics supporting our energy consumption and reducing our carbon footprint,
and the installation of battery storage and an electric vehicle charging point, have all been completed.
And more prosaically, we have completed the restoration of the Ben Lane entrance track and re-fenced the roadside
boundary along West Dean Lane.
Management of the forest and its important wildlife habitats continues, all part of the cyclic yearly round of forestry activity
and nature conservation management. As per the Forest Design and Conservation Plan5, we have installed new cattle
handling infrastructure in Barnrid8e to accommodate our future wood pasture expansion ambitions and have removed the
Norway Spruce in preparation of the same planned expansion of wood pasture habitat.
We continue to slowly diversify the beech dominated stand5 in Beechways Copse, using group regeneration lat present Using
areas created by the demise and removal of groups of diseased ashl replanting these areas with oak, whitebeam, hornbeam,
hazel and wild service, a mix reflecting the composition of woods long before their conversion to hazel dominated coppice in
earlier centuries and to beech plantations in the 20th.
A similar diversification of Norway Spruce dominated stands in Mapleway Oean Copse has been pursued via group
regeneration in windblow areas and replanting with a similar mix of oak, whitebearn, hazel and wild service tree, this time
enhanced with disease re515tant elms in the valley bottom.
And we have continued with trials of biodegradable tree tubes, (made from sheep's wool reinforced with a shellac varnish
derived from cashew nut husk51. It will be some years yet before the durability of these tree tubes becomes clear. They will
need to last for about 10 years, but they appear to have weathered the first few years well.
The number of deer across our part of the county remains as the single largest threat threat to the biodiversity and
management of the woods., llot only Bentley Wood but all the wood5 surrounding u5. We continue to manage the deer, with
the aim of reducing their impact driven by the sheer number of fallow deer in the area. Deer are a vital and enjoyable part of
the ecology of our native woodlands but their numbers, supported by highly productive surrounding arable land, a complete
absence of natural predators and very mild winters, is having a big impact. Two developrnents in 2023 are worth noting. The
drone survey undertaken across Bentley Wood and the surrounding countryside has given us a far better appreciation of the
numbers of deer and their distribution. This survey will be repeated again in coming years. But numbers remain excessively
high, so a decision has been rrade to increase the area of woodland to be fenced against deer in 2024. An unfortunate but
necessary development sadly, but one we hope will eventually betome unnecessary as landowner5 and other5 find ways to
manage the burgeoning numbers of deer in southern England.

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Report from the Chalrman of the Bentley Wood Trustees Icontlnuedl
Thanks to the skill and expertise of our forest management team Bentley Wood is regarded as one of the best managed
ancient woodlands in the country and as a result we have many requests by foresters and silviculturists to visit the wood
guided by David Larnbert, our forester and conservation managei. In 2023 these "outreach" vi51ts included partie5 from the
Wessex Silvicultural Group, who visited in May, a party from English Woodlands. a private forestry company looking into
the possibilities of continuous cover forestry and nature conservation management in other similar woods across southern
England, and from the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust looking at woodland management for butterflie5 at a Trust or£ani5ed training
workshop. Last year. 2023, also saw the initiation of discussions with the newly appointed CEO of the Wiltshire Wildlife
Trust over joining up action, planning and the sharing of expertise between Bentley Wood and its staff and WWT staff in the
future management of the both the adjacent Blackmoor Copse nature reserve and their recent major acquisition at Great
Wood, in the north of the county near Swindon.
As in previous years the future of the timber yard tsn the edee of Bentley Wood continues to worry us as Trustees. As said in
previous reports, the prospect of large numbers of houses brings with it the possibility of more disturbance on the edge of
the woods land of course the nearby Wiltshire Trust Blackmoor Reserve), associated light pollution affecting rare moths and
bats, along with possible entroachment from neighbouring gardens and an inevitable increase in people and their pets
using the wood. These concerns are shared by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. Events unfolded very slowly in 2023, with the
site being tidied up and cooperation with the new owners and the Trust allowing for both the debris to be cleared on both
sides of the fence and for the repair of Some inexplicable vandalism to the boundary fence. The coming year is likely to be
the year when a planninE application is submitted, determining the future of the site.
Bentley Wood remains, as intended by it5 founder5, a destination for walking and the enjoyment of wildlife. Visitor
numbers remained high throughout the year. As in previous years the numbers of instances of out-of-control doÈs remains
high, along with the disturbance they bring to wildlife and to our essential deer stalking activities. How to manage this
increase in do8 Usage and reduce disturbance has become a keen topic for discussion. The numbers of dogs jumping into
the ponds remain5 a growing coneern because of the glowing use of external parasite treatrnent5, which, when washed off
in our ponds. has devastating consequences for pond life like dragonflies and damselflies. We continue to address some of
the unwelcome parking issues at the congested Winterslow entrance. This is not a recognised car park and parking here
only hamper5 and occasionally prevents acce55 by the woodland management team and potentially by the emergency
services should their help ever be required. It is these perennial headaches and problems that make up much of the
discussion held by the Trustees.
The coming year will see a further unfolding of our now approved Forest Design Plan and the major extension of the lightly
grazed wood pasture areas, where so many of the rarer buttethies, moths, plants and other wildlife are to be found. We
intend to connect them to each other with much wider rides and open glades connecting areas of woodland. The overall
aim remains the creation of far more wildlife habitat across the woodland, connected by open rides and open glade5, areas
of native woodland rich in oak and other species suited to our warming summers, while retaining a core asset of Douglas
timber supporting the costs of the management of the woods while supplying goods and materials that will be in growing
demand in the future. These changes are intended to make all aspects of the wood's wildlife and management more
resilient against the evident changes in climate, as the weather becomes more extreme in coming years, Wlth expected
droughts in the summer and far wetter winters.
Volunteer activities continue to be important with a lot of eonseivation attivity undertaken due to their hard work and
commitment in organising tasks and events. Indeed 2023 saw the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the volunteer
group, marked by a meeting one very sunny Saturday in early September, with refreshments, speeches, and a guided tour
of both sallows and butterfly rich rides led by the nation'5 leading expert of Purple Emperor5 and their fascinating ecology,
Matthew Oates.

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Report from the Chairman of thè Bentlèy Wood Trustees Itontinuedl
Supporting all this change and activity are our excellent Trustees, also unpaid volunteers offering up their time and
expertise, who put in suth 3 lot of work to Secure the future of Bentley Wood. We have had no changes to the make-up of
the board of Trustees this past year which has contributed significantly to both continuity and ongoing commitment to
plans and ambitions. As ever much of what was done in 2022 and 2023 needs to continue into the years ahead to secure
these change5 and embed them in the woodland, delivering the forestry and environment plan5, further work on ponds and
recording. managing the visitors and securing our boundaries. But as Wlth last year it remains really important to ensure the
work, for Trustees, employees and volunteers alike, remains fun. rewarding and fulfilling and that Bentley Wood continues
to 5UStain its wildlife and its character as a place of quiet and fulfilling enjoyment to all.
Jonathan Spencer
Chairman, Bentley Wood Trust
Forèstry Rèport
I wrote in last yearfs report about the negative irnpact of the 2022 drought on the woodland Imore on this later) but it turns
out there were also unexpected benefits. It is generally accepted that a wet summer following an unusually warm July in
the previous year will, in the absence of spring frosts, trigger a heavy mast year in beech woodland. In the UK, given the
rarity of warm summers, this only happens every 5 to IS years. 2023 was one of those years and in autumn the sheer
volurne of m3St audibly crunched underfoot. It was the first tirne for many years that there w35 a notice3ble 'nut' in the
characteristic triangular husk. Much of this seed falls victim to funeal attacks, predation by insects, wood mice, bank voles
and birds - notably wood pigeons, of which there were a huge number in the beech stands this winter. Cold weather also
takes its toll. Temperatures below minus 6 degrees Celsiu5 are reported to kill any exposed beech seed but some, either
trodden into the ground by fallow deer or surviving under a protective blanket of leaf litter and brash, will Eerminate in the
following spring and, with the number of deer gradually reducing, we hope to recruit some of this natural regeneration to
nurse the small groups of enhancernent planting we have put in over the last few years. Last year's light thinning of the
overstorey in Beechwood Copse was tirnely in this respect and 50rne natural regeneration in response to more light
reachinfi the forest floor will certainly boost our ambition to diversify the structure of the beech stands, if not the diversity.
The heavy mast was not just restricted to beech. Many tree5 produced a bumper trop of seed last autumn. Wild servite
trees we planted in 2014 and 2016 flowered and fruited for the first time and the late summer rains swelled the sweet
chestnut seed in the husk. Most of this was eaten by fallow deer but in the newly fenced enclosure in Park Copse we
Pushed some seed into the ground to hide it from squirrels and we look forward to seeing whether any of this gerrninates in
the spring. We adopted a similar approach with acorns that Oiana Cotter had collected and carefully sorted to exclude
those bored into by weevils but these, oak being more light demanding, we planted in groups beneath carefully chosen
gaps in the canopy. It Was a year of mixed fortune5 for our oak tree5. Those growing as a minor component of the canopy in
the north of the wood seeded prolifically whereas thtsse in the south of the wood, where oak is dominant on the heavy clay
soils, little or no acorn production was evident. In May we hosted a visit of the Wessex Silvicultural Group. and the health
and quality of our oak stands were rnuch commented upon. Come lune and these same stands were for the third year in
5ucce5sion almost entirely defoliated by larvae of tortrix and winter moth5 and in late 5urnmer any 5ub5equent Lammas
growth was smothered by powdery mildew. These oaks simply have not had the opptsrtunity to build the reserves required
Walking along some of the wood's extensive ride network in early summer I was pleased to see that not all but most of the
alder buckthorn, hawthorn and goat willow I had seen defoliated following the drought of the previous year were showing
siEns of recovery. Similarly, there were no siEnificant signs of the previous yearfs drought in the beech stands as I feared
there might be. That is not to say that there will not be an impact - trees are long-lived organisms and can harbour stress
induced fungal infections and diseases for many years before they take effect. The 1976 drought has been cited a5 the
cause of much beech 'snap'_ the name given to the stem of otherwise healthy-looking trees snapping at height to leave

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Forestry Report Icontinuedl
just a stem some 15 feet or more high which subsequently dies. Beech snap is caused by a wood decay funeus that follows a
previous infection by a fungal pathogen on trees weakened by sustained drought. These tall stumps are actually a useful
Source of standing dead wood until they collapse and are routinely colonised by woodpeckers whose nest holes are also
used by bats and other birds. We leave them together with the fallen tops where we can- there are several in Beechwood
Copse that can be seen from the hard tracks.
It has been our policy in recent years to thin out the Norway spruce from the mixed stands in the south of the wood and to
heavily thin Norway spruce where it form5 a rnonoculture across the central belt. Occasionally, storm5 have and will
continue to accelerate this policy but marketing the produce has recently been complicated by the closure of the local
sawmill. Giddings, as it was known locally (although it was purchased by Binderholz Timber Group and renamed in 20141
had been proce55ing locally grown 50ft wood since 1942 and was the end point for almost all our spruce logs. Its closure
means that produce must now travel as far as Wales to find a market which consequently increases both financial and
environmental costs. To make matters worse there are two further problems on the horizon. First, storms are predicted to
increase both in number and ferocity because of climate change and the south and particularly the south-east of England
are predicted to become too dry to grow NonNay spruce. Second, is the arrival of Ips typographus- the eight toothed
spruce bark beetle. Infestations of this visitor from the continent were first discovered in Kent in 2018 and there have been
annual influxes since then. Ips typographus is a serious pest of spruce plantations in Europe. It normally feeds and breeds in
dead or dying spruce or aged trees exposed to drought but following windblow events the availability of suitable breeding
habitat increases to such an extent that a population can attack living trees in numbers able to overwhelm even a healthv
tree's natural defences. There is now in place a revised demarcated area encompassing the south-east las far west as
Winchester) within which the Forestry Cornmission must be notified of harve5tin8 operation5 in spruce stands to enable, if
necessary, mitigating measures to prevent the spread of infected material. All trees in stands where Ips typographus is
found must be felled whether infected or not. Although we are outside the current demarcated area, we must be mindful
of the possibility of it being extended again
in which case we would almost certainly be in it. The general advice is to
remove NonNay spruce and replant with le5S 5U5ceptible 5pecie5- 50rnething that we intended to do anyway but maybe not
quite so ureently.
David Lambert
Recorder's Group Report.. Recording in the Wood
The annual Recorders, Group meeting, scheduled for late February 2024, was held to review the previous year and plan the
forthcorning season.
A lot of time and effort went into the 2023 season. Examples include the butterfy transect data, breeding bird and nest
box recording and the annual fungus foray. The Trustee5 are aware that there are under-recorded groups, particularly
invertebrates, and some work is beinE done by experts in their field to address this matter. There are also many fungi
records from the early years11980s and '90sl which needed to be updated. We have been fortunate to commission an
expert to do this for us over the 2023-24 seasons.
As you will see in the following artitles, we now have records of one species not only new to the wood but also to Britain,
several species of wasp that are new to the wood. over fifty new fungi and some very exciting discoveries made during bat
surveys.
A5 the woodland structUTe has changed 50 rnuch in the past 40 y8ar5, It is import3Nt to know about our gains aNd105se5 and
whether these can be attributed to our mana8ement, to climate change, to the impact of so many more visitors or to the
general loss of biodiversity in the wider landscape. We are very aware that pollution of the atmosphere and of water by
fertilisers, herbicides, inserticides and a multitude of other chemica15 from a whole range of different sources, ha5 impacts
far from their point of origin and that nature reserves are not Immune to these threats. No longer is it enough to manage
our wood responsibly, although we certainly need to, but we need to be alert to so many threats from the wider
environrnent, over which we have no direct control.
Pat Woodruffe

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TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Volunteer Group Artivities
The Volunteers had our famous Bentley Wood Bean Pole Celebration Event on Saturday 14 April. Thanks to all the volunteer
helpers, and to local woodland craftsman for their thatching spar and hurdle-making demos. The photo exhibition about
the Vols and How We Produce Our Woodland Products was appreciated by many visitors. The draw of refreshments and
woodland crafts, and of course the bean poles and pea-5ticks themselves, proved irresistible for some 80 people and we
took a reeord-breaking £705, which will go towards tools, equipment, glove5 and refreshments for the Vols.
Despite Covid and the vagaries of British weather the Volunteers completed 19 conservation sessions, about 690 person
hours, that included removing Lawson Cypress. cutting Birch, maintenance work in and around the Draining Field pond and
our favourite- hazel coppicing.
The Volunteers celebrated their 10th 3nniver5ary with 3 special event in the wood in Septembei. There's a piece about this
elsewhere in Nature Notes.
In the autumn we started an exciting new long-term project to plant a 270-metre hedge of mixed native trees and shrubs in
the Draining Field and fence it to protect it from deer and stock. Native wild flowers will also be grown and planted out
along the hedge in future years.
There are currently well tsver 30 reÉular, active volunteers and we have welcomed 7 new volunteers this year. Six volunteers
received their"IO task" badges in 2023. two volunteers were given "25 task" certificates, and one each got '50 task" 75
task" and"IOO task" certificate5. Congratulations and a massive thank you to all our wonderful volunteers and thanks to the
Trustee5 and David Larnbert for supporting u5 alll
Sue Walker and Tony Goddard
Friends of Bentley Wood Chairman's Report
l ended last yearfs report by saying that I hoped you would join with me in welcoming the changes, and new initiatives, that
we had agreed with the Trustee5. 50 how have we got on, and what has the reaction beenP
We suggested change but not radical change. So, the key events remained.. the Spring and Autumn Drive Thru's, the Spring
AGM and the Christmas Party. We continued to host the very popular Bean Pole Celebration run by the Volunteers, as well
as the Fungus Foray.
We did, though, change the Summer Party, combining it with the Morning of Marvellous Moths and over 50 of you came,
making a lot of hard work well worth it. My thanks go to everyone who helped. We also added an evening with the bats
where over 30 enjoyed themselves and, as an added bonus, we found glow worms on the way homel
The education initiative that we had also promised, became a reality in June when the 1st Lockerley Brownies and Rainbows
came into the Wood to explore, learn and pond dip. Twenty six children from Winterslow Prirnary School followed in july,
as did the Landford Brownies. One comment made afterwards said it all.. "Just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and
your team. The children had such a lovely time exploring the Wood~ Again, thanks to all who helped. We will. l am sure, be
continuing with this one. l am very concerned to make the Wood accessible to the young in a safe way and, through access,
to educate. Good habit5 acquired young, tend to stick, and the young land their parentsll are the future for the Wood.
Lookirig forward, 2024 is likely to be a year of consolidation as we refine these new initiative5. We also hope that the
Trustees will make part of the Barn available to us, particularly because we badly need somewhere to take the local Schools,
Brownies and Rainbows on wet days.
Graham Bennett
Chair of the Friend5 of Bentley Wood
A full report on the Trust's activities for the year is available to all in the form of 'Bentley Wood Nature Notes 2023 from the
secretary.

## **THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **Financial Review (including reserves policy)** 

The attached financial statements show the current state of the finances which the trustees consider to be sound. 

During the year it has been the trustees’ objective to achieve the greatest possible revenue from sustainable forestry activities such as thinning and felling and to obtain the maximum grant aid from appropriate sources to achieve the Trust’s objectives. The financial management policy for the year is driven by the working cash flow budget produced by the forest manager in consultation with the trustees and the trustees’ bookkeeper. This cash flow budget aims to identify income from grants and planned sustainable timber harvesting and the expenditure involved in timber production and conservation works. The trustees aim to achieve a cash flow budget that breaks even. The forest manager, working closely with the bookkeeper, manages the cash flow budget and presents quarterly budget reports, collated by the bookkeeper, to the trustees at quarterly meetings. In addition to quarterly meetings the woodland manager frequently reports and updates the trustees individually throughout the year. 

In order to assure sustained and sufficient annual revenue to support the Trust's conservation activities in the long term, the Trustees have adopted a strategy of building and maintaining a strategic reserve. In 2009, the Trustees set a target for this reserve of £1M. This figure was based principally on an estimate of income required to be generated from the reserve to support annual conservation expenditure should Government grants be significantly reduced, a situation considered to be likely in the current climate. An additional element was included to provide cash-flow protection for (a) timber and firewood net income variations in future years, and (b) the possible impact on costs and revenue of epidemic tree diseases, feared to pose an increasing risk. To maintain the reserve's capacity to generate required levels of annual income as inflation reduces its value over time, the reserve target has been inflated by a corresponding amount year by year. An additional aim developed by the Trustees in recent years is to protect the integrity of the habitat in Bentley Wood by ensuring the sympathetic management of a buffer zone around the wood. This may be by cooperation with neighbouring landowners but also possibly by land acquisition. To enable the Trustees to act quickly should appropriate land become available an addition to the strategic reserve target has been made. A further increase to the strategic reserve target has been made to allow for rising costs that are affecting our operations. The Trustees have therefore increased the target from £1.2M to £1.7M. During the year our Investments decreased from £1.537M at 31st March 2023 to £1.465M at 31st March 2024 however our cash balances increased during the year by £147K an overall increase of £75K to our strategic reserve. 

The Trustees’ policy is to continue to manage its finances so as to achieve budget surpluses when it is reasonably able to, thereby building the strategic reserve to the level required. Taking into account inflation pressures and other risk factors, the level of the reserve will continue to be reviewed from time to time. 

## **Plans for Future Periods** 

Our successful application for a further five years of support under Countryside Stewardship will enable the Trust to continue with the restoration of a significant proportion of Bentley Wood SSSI and Upper Frenchmoor Copse. This work will involve extending our existing wood pasture, and pushing back ride edges to create glades that will increase habitat for those rare species that make Bentley Wood such a special place. The Trust also aims, with the help of the Volunteer group, to increase the area of managed hazel coppice which will further benefit wildlife and there are also plans to create more rain fed wildlife ponds. Also, with the help of the volunteers and local school children, canopy gaps arising from storm damage will be replanted with native broadleaves and shrubs to diversify both the species mix and age structure of the woodland. 

7 



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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES, REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEE'S RESPONSIBIUTIES
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with
applicable law and United Kin8dom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclicel.
The law applicable to charities in England & Wale5 requires the trustees to prepare financial staternent5 for each
financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and
application of resources 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 Charities SORP 2015 IFRS1021',
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent-
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures
disclosed and explained in the financial statements.. and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to PTesume that the charity
will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time
the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charitie5
Act 2011, the Charities IAccounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also
responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and
detection of fraud and other irre8ularitie5.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees
A7D289IÈ6UÈAIÈO
MrA G Goddard
Trustee
Date.. lQ...?..4nw.dry.. 2.Q.2.5....

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THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
FOR THE YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 2024
Charity Number
288749
Reglstered Office
55 Elmwood Avenue
Fordingbridge
Hampshire
SP6 IDL
Trustees
Dr P Woodruffe
MrAG Goddard
Mr J Spencer
Mr S Brunt
Mr M C Street
Mr J Fisher
Key management
David Lambert
Banker5
HSBC Bank plc
27 High Street
RinEwood
Hants
BH24 IBE
Investment managers
Sanlam Wealth Planning UK Ltd
Monument Place
24 Monument Street
London
EC3R 8AJ
Independent examlner
Nick Jones FCCA
Fawcetts LLP
Chartered Accountants
and Statutory Auditor5
Windover House
St. Ann Street
Salisbury
SPI 2DR

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS, REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Responslbllltles and basls of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the
requirements of the Charities Act 20111'the Att'l.
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's account5 carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in
carrying out rny examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under
section 14515llbl of the Act.
Independent examinerfs statement
I confirm that l am qualified to undertake the exarnination because l a rnember of the As50C13tion of Chartered
Certified Accountants, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirrn that no material rnatter5 have come to my attention in connection with
the examination Eiving me cause to believe that in any material respect..
accounting record5 were not kept in respect of the Trust a5 required by section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out
in the Charities IAccounts and Reports) ReEulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a
'true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention
should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the acctsunts to be reached.
QED738f3471B434
Nicholas lones FCCA
Chartered Accountants
Fawcetts LLP
Windover House
St. Ann Street
Salisburv
SPI 2DR
Date.. 10 january.. 2025
10

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Funds
Restricted Endowment
2024
Total
2023
Total
Unrestrirted
Notè
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM:
Donations and legacies
4.678
4.678
645
Charitable activities
258,169
258,169
175,774
Investments
31,856
31,856
24,463
Total incomè and endowmènts
294.703
294,703
200,882
EXPENDITURE ON..
Investments- management fees
3,475
3,475
5,563
Charitable activities
215,120
16,064
231,184
164,825
Total expenditure
215,120
19,539
234,659
170,388
Net gains/llossesl on investments
13
31,207
31,207
1103,0041
NET INCOMEIIEXPENDITUREI
79,583
11,668
91,251
172,5101
Transfers between funds
13
100,002
1100,0021
NETMOVEMENT IN FUNDS
179,585
188.3341
91,251
172,5101
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS-
Total fund5 brought forward
90,082
3,217,482
3,307,564
3,380,074
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
269,667
3.129,148
3,398,815
3.307,564
All of the above results are derived from continuing activities.
There were no other recognised gains or1055e5 Other than those Stated above.
The notes form part of these financial statements

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2023
2024
2023
Note
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
1,748,789
1,465.342
3,214,131
1,723,954
1,537.612
3,261,566
CURRENT ASSErs
Stocks
Debtor5
Cash at bank and in hand
1,692
5,037
194,255
1,116
4,400
47,194
io
200,984
52,710
CREDITORS.. AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 11
16,300
6,712
NET CURRENT ASs￿s
184,684
4S,998
NET ASSETS
3.398.815
3.307.564
CHARITY FUNDS
Unrestricted funds
Restricted funds
Endowment funds
13
13
13
269,667
90,082
3.129,148
3.217,482
TOTALCHARITY FUNDS
12
3.398,815
3.307,564
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Trustees on
lQ...J.Anu.ary...2.Q.kS...... and were signed on its behalf by..
47D2894BBe844BD.
MrA G Goddard
Trustee
The note5 form part of these financial statements

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
1.1 BASIS OF PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention with the exception of listed
investments which are included on a market value basis, and in actordance with èpplicable Accounting Standards
in the United Kingdom, the Statement of Recommended Practice ISORPI FRS102 "Accounting and Reporting by
Charities and the Charities Act 2011.
1.2 INCOME
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to
the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Dividends tsn listed investments are recognised when the underlying security is quoted as ex-dividend.
Revenue in respect of timber and venison sales is recognised at the date of delivery to the customer.
1.3 EXPENDITURE
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggreeate all
costs related to the category. Expenditure includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered.
1.4 ALLOCATION AND APPORTIONMENT OF COSTS
All costs are allocated between expenditure categories in the Statement of Financial Activities on a basis designed
to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly,. others are
apportioned on an appropriate basis.
1.5 FUND ACCOUNTING
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of
the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes.
The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are used in accordance with specific re5triction5 IrnP05ed by donors which have
been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged
against the specific fund where allowable. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the
financial statements.
Endowment funds represent those assets which must be held permanently by the charity. Income arising on the
endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted
income. Any capital gain5 or 1055es on the investments form part of the fund. Investment mana8ement char8e5
and legal advice relating to the fund are charged against the fund.
1.6 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION
All fixed assets are initially recorded at cost.
Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write down the cost of each asset to its estimated residual value
over its expected useful life. The depreciation rates in use are as follows..
Land and woodlands
Land and woodlands- infrastructure
Buildings
Motor vehicles
not depreciated
5% straight line basis
IO% straight line basis
25% straight line basis
25% straight line basis
Computers and equipment
13

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
ACCOUNTING POLICIES Icontlnuedl
1.7 INVESTMENTS
Listed investments held in a portfolio are recognised initially èt fair value which is normally the transaction price
excluding transaction cost. Subsequently, they are measured at fair value with changes recognised in net
gainslllossesl on investments in the SOFA if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be
measured reliablv.
Investment property is shown at most recent valuation. Any aggregate surplus or deficit arising from changes in
fair value is recognised in the SOFA.
1.8 STOCKS
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow
moving item5.
1.9 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments.
Debtors are measured at their recoverable amount. Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity
has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third
party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and
provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
1.10 TAXATION
The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charitie5 Act 2011 and is considered to
pass the tests set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a
charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.
14

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Total
2024
Total
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowmènt
Forestry income
Venison sales
Grants received
Rents received
75,099
1,190
171,680
10,2(X)
75.099
1,190
171,680
10.200
92,168
1,306
72,1(M)
10,2(X)
258.169
258,169
175.774
3. INCOME FROM INVESTMENTS
Total
2024
Total
2023
Unrestrlcted
Restrlcted
Endowment
Dividends from equities
Bank interest
31,794
62
31,794
62
24,451
12
31,856
31,856
24,463
(PENDITURE ON CHARITABLE A￿1v￿lEs
Total
2024
Total
2023
Unrestricted
Restricted
Endowment
Wages Inote 51
Contract forestry work
Conservation work
Planting
Road maintenance
Repairs
Rental expense
Depreciation
IProfitl11055 on disposal of 355et
Subscriptions & membership fees
Support costs
Travel expenses
Miscellaneous expenses
Trustees, and volunteer expenses
Accountancy fees
Bank charge5
59,999
33,221
21,029
4,178
16,860
28,860
14,250
17,440
551
59,999
33,221
21.029
4,178
16,860
28,860
14,250
33,504
ssl
52,522
10,933
15,441
6,174
3,263
21,701
4,342
26,473
16,064
10,999
10,999
10,065
1,089
7,987
2,281
2,400
154
4,016
1,086
2,5CM)
131
4,016
1,086
2,500
131
215.120
16,064
231,184
164,825
15

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
srAFF COSTS AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Staff costs during the year were as follows=
2024
2023
Charltable Actlvltles..
Salaries and wages
Ernployers, National Insurance costs
53,991
1,124
55,115
49,082
810
49.892
Pension contributions
4,884
2,630
59,999
52.522
The above also represents the key management personnel remuneration.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows..
2024
2023
No.
Management
There were no employees who earned in excess of £60,000 per annum or more (including tèxable benefits)
during the year12023.' £nill.
GOVERNANCE COSTS
2024
2023
Trustee remuneration
Independent examiner's remuneration
496
2,500
464
2,4(X)
2,996
2,864
TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
2024
2023
Trustees, expense5 reimbursed Idelivery c05tsltravell
496
464
Number of trustees receiving expenses
With the exception of the above, none of the trustees received any remuneration in respect of their duties
as tru5tee5 during the year12023.. £nill.
There were no other related party transactions during the year.
16

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
TANGIBLE FIXED ASS￿5
Land &
woodlands
Motor
vehlcles
Computer5 &
equlpment
Buildings
Total
Cost
At l April 2023
Additions
Disposals
1,673,765
177,922
39,390
13,316
66,603
22,000
110,8491
1,931,606
61,390
110,8491
At 31 March 2024
1,673,765
217,312
13,316
77,754
1,982,147
Depreciation
At l April 2023
Charge for the year
On disposals
49,513
3,670
97,922
20,172
13,130
46
47,087
9,616
17,7981
207,652
33,504
17,7981
At 31 March 2024
53,183
118,094
13,176
48,90S
233,358
Net Book Value
At 31 March 2024
1,620,582
99,218
140
28,849
1,748.789
At 31 March 2023
1,624,252
80,000
186
19,516
1,723,954
FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Investment
portfolio
Investment
propèrty
2024
2023
Movement In marketlfalr value:
Market/fair value at l April
Acquisitions at cost
Disposal proceeds
Reali5ed gainslllossesl on disposals
Unrealised gainslllossesl on revaluation
1,090,674
423,933
1491,6701
114,9611
46,168
377,613
1,468,287
423,933
1491,6701
114,9611
46,168
1,480,647
252.650
1162,0061
18,9641
194,0401
Marketlfair value at 31 March
1,054,144
377,613
1,431,757
1,468,287
Cash held as part of portfolio
33,585
33,585
69,325
Total iNve5tments
1,087,729
377,613
1,465,342
1,537,612
Historical c05t
1,012,758
377,613
1,390,371
1,527,790
Analysis of investments..
Funds
Unrestrlcted
Endowment
2024
Total
2023
Total
Listed investments.. UK quoted shares
UK cash held as part of portfolio
UK investment property
1,054,144
33,585
377,613
1.054,144
33,585
377,613
1,090.674
69,325
377,613
1,465,342
1,465,342
1,537,612
In the opinion of the trustees the market value of the investment property remains unchanged as at 31 March 2024.

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
10. DEBTORS
2024
2023
Trade debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
5,037
3,607
793
VAT
5,037
4,400
11. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS DUE WITHIN ONEYEAR
2024
2023
Trade creditors
Accruals and deferred income
VAT
other creditors
10,089
3,752
1,417
1,042
4.058
2,578
76
16.300
6,712
12. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
Net current
Fixed assets Investments
assets
Total
Unrestricted general funds
Unrestrcted designated funds
Restricted funds
Endowment funds
64,787
20,197
184.684
249,471
20,197
1,663.805
1.465,342
3,129.147
Net Assets at the end of the year
1,748,789
1,465,342
184,684
3,398,815
Comparative balances for the year ended 31 March 2023-
Net current
assets
Flxed assets Investments
Total
Unie5tricted general fuNd5
Unrestricted designated funds
Restricted funds
Endowrnent funds
20,216
23.867
46,000
66,216
23.867
1,679,869
1,537,612
3,217,481
Net Assets at thè end of the year
1,723,952
1,537.612
46.000
3,307.564
18

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS
FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
13. FUNDS
Balance at
0110412023
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Gains
Ilossesl
Balance at
3110312024
Transfers
Unrestricted funds
General fund
Designated fund
62,545
27,537
294,703
1211,4501
13,6701
100,(X)2
245,800
23,867
90,082
294,703
1215,1201
100,002
269,667
Restrlcted funds
Endowment funds
Expendable endowment
3.217,482
119,5391
31.207
1100,0021
3.129,148
Total funds
3,307,564
294,703
1234.6591
31,207
3,398,815
Comparative balante5 for the year ended 31 March 2023..
8alance at
0110412022
Incoming
resources
Outgoing
resources
Gains/
11055esl
Balance at
3110312023
Transfers
Unrestrlcted funds
General fund
Designated fund
107,629
27,537
200,882
1148,7611
197,2051
62,545
27,537
135,166
200,882
1148,7611
197,2051
90.082
Restrictèd funds
Endowment funds
Expendable endowment
3,244,908
121,6271 1103,CK)41
97,205
3,217,482
Total funds
3,380,074
200,882
1170,3881 1103,0041
3,307,564
General fund.. This represents funds which have been accumulated for the general purposes of the charity.
Designated fund.. This has been created in respect of fixed assets which were grant funded. The annual
depreciation of the assets is charged against this fund.
Restricted fund.. No restricted fund was received in the year.
Endowment fund-. The expendable endowment represents the capital of the Trust established by the Trust Deed
dated 31 January 1984 plus further funds held in the investment portfolio. Income on the endowment
investments is treated as unrestricted income.
19

DoGusign Envelope ID". 97FAA401_F3724FCBA8FD.B8B036F292F8
THE BENTLEY WOOD CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THEYEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
14. COMPARATIVE BALANCES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
Funds
Restrlcted
2023
Total
Unrestrlcted
Endowment
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM..
Donation5 and legacie5
Charitable activities
Investments
645
175,774
24,463
645
175.774
24,463
Total income
200,882
200.882
EXPENDITURE ON..
Investments- management
Charitable activities
5,563
16,064
5,563
164.825
148,761
Total expenditure
148,761
21,627
170,388
Net gainslllossesl on investments
1103,0041
1103,0041
INCOMVIEXPENDITUREI
52.121
1124,6311
172,5101
Transfer5 between funds
197,2041
97,204
NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
145,0831
127/1271
172.5101
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS:
Total fund5 brought forward
135,166
3,244,908
3,380,074
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
90,083
3,217,481
3,307,564
20