LEES WOOD CAMPSITE, CHANDLERS CROSS, REPORT ~~S AGM 2024~~
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Is a charity which operates as “Lees Wood Scout and Guide Activity Centre” situated on land known as “Lees Wood” at Fir Tree Hill, Chandler’s Cross, near Rickmansworth in the county of Hertfordshire. The land comprises 17.34 hectares (47 Acres) of woodland and is freehold property jointly owned by the District Scout Councils of Watford North and Watford South, the adjoining field purchased in 2010 is owned by the charity ‘Lees Wood Campsite’ and brings the total freehold area of the whole site to approximately 70 acres.
The charity operates according to the Policy, Organisation and Rules of both ‘The Scout Association’ and ‘The Guide Association’.
SECRETARY: VACANT
BOOKING SECRETARY: Mr I. Leach, 21 Denmark Street, Watford WD17 4YA
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE (2023)
Charity Trustees (see below)
G. RAVEN (Camp Warden) G. FARTHING (Chairman) VACANT (Minute Secretary) Miss A. SMALL (Treasurer)
S Mawhinney nominated by Watford North
I Brunt nominated by Watford North
D Fayer - nominated by Watford South
J. WRIGHT nominated by Watford South
J. BANKS nominated by Girlguiding South West Herts
L. TOWNLEY nominated by Girlguiding South West Herts
CO-OPT MEMBERS
Ian Leach Dep Warden), and Roger Sands
CHARITY TRUSTEES
The two Scout District Commissioners and District Chairperson of Watford North, and Watford South and the Girlguiding South West Herts Division Commissioner are the Charity Trustees and as such are ex-officio members of the Lees Wood Campsite Management Committee.
CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES
The Scout Association Trust Corporation, Gilwell Park Chingford London E4 7QW
BANKERS
CAF Bank Limited, 25 Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
Metro Bank, 113 High Street, Watford, Hertfordshire WD172DQ
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
TaxAssist Accountants, 117 High Street, Chesham, Buckinghamshire HP5 1DE
http://www.leeswood.org.uk
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CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2023
The aim of Lees Wood Campsite is to help the aims of both Scouting and Guiding to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social, and spiritual potential as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national, and international communities.
This is achieved by providing a well-managed, secure, and attractive woodland environment enabling the campers (our customers) to obtain maximum benefit from their visits, and by creating a welcoming atmosphere to which they wish to return.
It has been a good operating year with good visitor numbers with an upturn in booked activities. Looking forward Lees Wood has held the prices for 2024 as the same as 2023, you can make your bookings via Lees Wood Website (http://leeswood.org.uk ).
Please see the Appendix to this report, showing the visitors and booked activities Lees Wood has been able to provide you in 2023 (prepared by Sean McCallum).
I and the Management Committee are grateful to all the volunteer crews / instructors for giving up their time to deliver activities and facilitate camping. This in itself would not have been possible without the continuing commitment of our Warden, Graham Raven and his small core team.
We are also grateful to those in an administrative role who have continued to volunteer their time to support the Woods, often working unseen in the background.
2024 is Lees Wood 60[th] Anniversary which we are celebrating with our Anniversary Camp. I trust this is already in your diaries. If not, there will be more later in the AGM meeting.
However, if we want Lees Wood Campsite to be here for future generations our infrastructure needs to be updated /replaced. Last year I talked about a capital project, to start the process of replacing/refurbing our buildings and investigating what we can do to be “off grid” as much as possible for utilities. During the year we have been in dialog with Three Rivers Council Planning team to obtain Planning permission for a new Volunteer Centre (Crew) and combined shop. Planning permission was received during October. Now there is the major task of raising capital to fund this development. We are indebted to Ali Hamilton stepping forward to head up a small sub group to lead on the fundraising (if you want to get involved, please contact her).
In addition we have submitted another planning application for outline planning permission for improvements to the remaining site, primarily Beeches, Flight Oaks, Les Willis, Solar array etc.
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As I pen this report, I believe the answer is not far away. There is little more work to be done re the Solar array. I hope to be able to say more at the AGM.
In particular I would like to thank Richard Townley for his substantive support. His practical commitment and knowledge he has brought to our refurbishment programme, and the Building Sub Committee to provide for the future of Lees Wood.
Before introducing any improvements/ changes, the ethos of keeping Lees Wood Campsite as a greenfield low-key user-friendly site remains clearly in our collective minds.
Finally and not least as this is my last report as Chairman, I wish to thank all those that have supported me (and therefore Lees Wood) in whatever capacity over my time in the Chair. There have been difficult times COVID certainly did not help, as well as good.
However, there is now a seed change in thinking that we need to rebuild our infrastructure in an environmentally friendly way (also by default reducing our running costs) and provide our campers/ visitors with an enhanced quality experience.
To the incoming Chair this is an exciting and challenging time for Lees Wood. The coming few years will put Lees Wood on the road for another 60 years of developing our youth (“skills for life”) through outdoor experiences and adventures. I will support you to ensure a smooth handover, but I am very much aware you will be the Chair of Lees Wood Campsite going forward not me.
Goodbye from the Chair but not Lees Wood.
Graham
Graham Farthing (Chairman)
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Wardens Report 2023
2023 was a busy year for the team at Lees Wood with camping and building bookings returning to somewhat pre pandemic levels, although most groups who came to see us were significantly down in individual numbers to previous years. Whether that is a result of a post Covid hangover still affecting peoples thought process or the increasing costs of everyday living remains to be seen, we will, however, carry on delivering a great offer and keep the costs the same where ever possible so that we remain competitive and good value for money for those who decide on us as a destination of choice.
Hopefully now, the poor winter weather of rain and wind that has battered the trees and woodland over the last couple of months is behind us, Mother Nature has condemned the weak and thinned out some areas of the forest quite severely, but this natural selection has opened up the canopy and will allow fresh growth to start again on the woodland floor to begin the cycle all over again. As I write these notes today the sun is shining and outside looks to be what could be a glorious Spring day and I have to remind myself that it is still only mid February. However it is only a few short weeks before we open the gates again to visitors and welcome everyone back for a new season of fun and friendship, of learning and development.
The program of work this year is full, bookings are piling in and we have very ambitious plans for the 60[th] Anniversary Fund Raising Camp which I’m sure will be a great success. The Fund Raising Committee have started to get some ideas together for where the money will come from for our new Building and I’m excited by level of input and engagement shown by the Management Committee and various sub committees, hopefully we will start to see the fruits of their labours being harvested very soon.
Finally, as I do every year, I want to thank all those who choose to give up their own precious time to volunteer with us, my immediate team of Ian, Sean, Nick are invaluable to the site, as are the crews and instructors who ensure that our site and activities are run safely, professionally and within budgets, but most importantly we owe a debt of thanks to all of those paying visitors who keep on coming back year after year, generation after generation to enjoy with us the beauty and tranquillity of Lees Wood.
Here’s looking forward to another 60 years!
Thank you
Graham Raven
March 2024
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TREASURERS REPORT 2023
The Accounts have been drawn up on a 'receipts and payments' basis consistent with previous years. The Trustees of the Charity as at the 31[st] December 2023 are the Chairmen and District Commissioners of the Watford North and Watford South Scout Districts and the Girlguiding South West Herts Division Commissioner. “Lees Wood Camp Site” will be referred to as "the Charity" in these notes. The trading name of the Charity is "Lees Wood Scout and Guide Activity Centre".
The property is owned jointly by the Watford North and Watford South districts and not the charity. The value of the freehold site will therefore be an asset in each district’s own accounts. However, the field does belong to the Charity and is included in our assets at purchase price.
The Charity’s main income is normally raised by fees paid by Scout/Guide campers for outdoor and indoor accommodation, and I am very pleased to report income has returned to more ‘normal’ levels since covid.
The Charity’s outgoings are kept to a minimum consistent with the maintenance of a good and safe campsite. Running costs including utilities, insurance and admin were covered by the income that we received. We are still very concerned about the increased costs of utilities, and we are keeping a close eye on these costs. As the re-development project has started there has been expenditure on this and the fund raising committee are working hard to raise funds for this.
On a personal note I would like to express my sincere thanks to Ian Leach for processing the day to day banking and record keeping and to the Management Committee, and other volunteers for their continued help and support. Also huge thanks to Graham Farthing for all of his help during his time as Chairman. This site and its success is due to the hard work of volunteers, thanks to all of them.
Amanda Small – Treasurer
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| Lees Wood - Management Accounts at 31/12/23 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| 2022 | 2023 | |||
| Income | £65,708.76 | £79,398.04 | ||
| Expenditure | - £63,610.49 |
- £45,514.60 |
||
| Trading | £2,098.27 | £33,883.44 | ||
| Corner Field | £0.00 | £0.00 | ||
| Capital Expenditure & Major Repair |
-£3,768.00 | £12,485.60 | ||
| Excess/(deficit) | -£1,669.73 | £21,397.84 | ||
| B fwd | £56,786.09 | £55,116.36 | ||
| total | £55,116.36 | £76,514.20 | ||
| Represented by | 2022 | 2023 | ||
| CafBank(Site Account) | £263.90 | £789.98 | ||
| CafBank(Gold Account) | £44,369.59 | £39,696.85 | ||
| Metro Bank | £1,920.70 | £34,937.95 | ||
| Cash in Hand re site | £334.00 | £1,417.92 | ||
| Cash in Hand re Provider | £67.60 | £16.89 | ||
| Providore Stock | £2,160.57 | £1,654.61 | ||
| Accrual/ prepayment | £6,000.00 | -£2,000.00 | ||
| £55,116.36 | £76,514.20 |
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| Income Details | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | |
| Facility Usage | ||||
| CampingFees | £25,243.30 | £32,286.11 | ||
| Deposits | £680.00 | £1,050.00 | ||
| Flight Oaks | £6,090.00 | £7,941.00 | ||
| Deposits | £1,750.00 | £300.00 | ||
| Beeches | £5,970.00 | £8,980.00 | ||
| Deposits | £1,120.00 | £1,050.00 | ||
| Cabin | £1,170.00 | £1,814.50 | ||
| ArcheryRange | £3,022.50 | £2,741.50 | ||
| BoulderingWall | £2,605.00 | £2,092.50 | ||
| Car track rental | £500.00 | £500.00 | ||
| Crossbows | £337.50 | £150.00 | ||
| Equipment Hire | £260.00 | |||
| ShootingRange | £2,972.50 | £2,749.00 | ||
| Slackline | £30.00 | £100.00 | ||
| Games | £250.00 | £105.00 | ||
| Pedal Karts | £1,592.50 | £1,595.00 | ||
| Axe Throwing | £356.25 | |||
| Misc | £395.00 | |||
| Total | £53,988.30 | £63,810.86 | ||
| Vending | ||||
| Providore Takings | £5,851.82 | £6,654.68 | ||
| Providore Stock Increase | ||||
| Total | £5,851.82 | £6,654.68 | ||
| Utility Usage | ||||
| Electricitycoin meter | £586.00 | £390.00 | ||
| Total | £586.00 | £390.00 | ||
| Events | ||||
| ActivityDay | £1,275.50 | £1,624.70 | ||
| BBC Eastenders | £6,000.00 | |||
| Total | £1,275.50 | £7,624.70 | ||
| Grants & Donations | ||||
| Leslie Sell Charitable Trust | ||||
| Three River DC Covid Grant | ||||
| Herts Freemasons | £750.00 | |||
| Abbots Fellowship | £150.00 | |||
| Three Rivers DC | £1,817.55 | |||
| JRG Equipment | £400.00 | |||
| Romanum Lodge | £250.00 | |||
| SundryDonations | £429.03 | £399.05 | ||
| Total | £3,796.58 | £399.05 | ||
| Investment Income | ||||
| Bank Interest | £190.15 | £518.75 | ||
| Total | £190.15 | £518.75 | ||
| Miscellaneous | ||||
| Metal Recycling | ||||
| Herts Scout Lottery | £20.41 | |||
| Sundries | ||||
| Total | £20.41 | £0.00 | ||
| TOTAL INCOME | £65,708.76 | £79,398.04 |
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| Expenditure Details | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 | ||
| Site | |||||
| Archery | £383.85 | ||||
| Consumables | £874.37 | £675.70 | |||
| General Maintainance | £4,786.85 | £4,126.68 | |||
| Shootingrange | £134.00 | ||||
| Staff expenses | £2,103.05 | £1,946.16 | |||
| Veolia ES(UK)Ltd(skip) | £1,822.22 | £1,753.99 | |||
| Washing& Cleaning | £104.90 | £251.30 | |||
| Hygiene Services | £1,247.40 | £1,361.40 | |||
| Go Karts | |||||
| Assault Course | £1,318.65 | £237.16 | |||
| BoulderingWall | |||||
| Slackline | |||||
| Nature Trail | |||||
| Axe Throwing | £208.76 | ||||
| Fire Detection & Alarm System | £1,505.53 | £1,878.06 | |||
| Oak ProcessionaryMoths | £2,100.00 | £420.00 | |||
| Total | £15,862.97 | £13,377.06 | |||
| Utilities | |||||
| Gas | £2,063.84 | £2,469.24 | |||
| Electricity | £7,584.57 | £7,480.26 | |||
| Telephone | £639.18 | £867.99 | |||
| Water | £16,195.96 | £852.35 | |||
| Rates | £1,804.80 | £262.40 | |||
| Total | £28,288.35 | £11,932.24 | |||
| Insurances | |||||
| Buildings & contents | £9,835.04 | £11,108.75 | |||
| Motor vehicles | £840.80 | £905.60 | |||
| Personal Acc & Medical | -£42.00 | £52.00 | |||
| Public Liability | -£530.00 | ||||
| Total | £10,103.84 | £12,066.35 | |||
| Administration | |||||
| AccountancyFees | £618.00 | £630.00 | |||
| Bank Interest and Charges | £55.02 | £366.83 | |||
| Sum Upcharges | £203.22 | £180.14 | |||
| Postage | |||||
| Stationery | £50.00 | ||||
| TV Licence | £159.00 | £159.00 | |||
| BookingSystem | £224.40 | £238.80 | |||
| Website hosting& maint | £288.33 | £315.45 | |||
| IT | £382.67 | £37.72 | |||
| Misc | £120.08 | £73.60 | |||
| Total | £2,100.72 | £2,001.54 | |||
| Events | |||||
| ActivityDay | £1,260.77 | £1,373.94 | |||
| AnniversaryCamp2024 | £522.50 | ||||
| Green Beret | |||||
| Total | £1,260.77 | £1,896.44 | |||
| Vending | |||||
| Providorepurchases | £3,404.38 | £3,735.01 | |||
| Providore stock used | £289.46 | £505.96 | |||
| Total | £3,693.84 | £4,240.97 | |||
| Miscellaneous | |||||
| Training | £2,300.00 | ||||
| Total | £2,300.00 | £0.00 | |||
| Total Payments | £63,610.49 | £45,514.60 | |||
| Capital Expenditure & Major Repair | |||||
| Development | £3,768.00 | £12,485.60 | |||
| Total | £3,768.00 | £12,485.60 | |||
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | £67,378.49 | £58,000.20 |
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Independenteiner veptyt tothe trtssteesof Le45 Wood Campsite IRCN". B103141 I report Dn thE arrounts of iee5 Wood Campsite for the yearended 31 De£be( 2023. vihKh afe Set oul o prfes 7 to9. RespertivtrEspDnsibililip5 01 vusteesaNJeTrminer The charity's ITUSiEes are responSble for the prepalaiion of tbeatLYllI5. The charity's tTusieestoder that aft audit is not regvi¥ed for thi5 yearundersecEK)f• 144111 ol theCharitiesAct 2011 (the 2011 Actl and that an irtdÈpendent examin•iion Is needeft. It is my resp)ftsibility lo.. examine the acctyJnts under wtK)n 1115ofthe2011 A¢. to follow the procedvres lamj in thegener31 DirectitylS8NW bytheLThariiy Commission under 5ecrk)n 1451Sllbl of the 2011 ACL ?nd to state whethEr particularmatters ha¥e coth to my attenliDn. a5is of indeperdent wminev's report yexamination was t4rrd out in a(cordance the eenernl le[tKl5SeTr by the thaTIty Commissiw. An eKaminatioTr include5 a revivol ihe3ccouThtinE fecords kep4 tyihecharity and a ctynpari50n ol the accounts presented th IhoserecorLIs. 11 also include5 ionsideratk?Tr of ytLrsual items ordisdosures in the touriL5. and 5eetiry exolanatK)ns you a5 trnstees concerningY suth matler5. The procedure5 underuken do rKt provKJe all ihe ence that would Tequired sn an audit aThY conwuenity no opityion Is gi¥en as iovthetheT ihe a£(nIS preseni a'irueand fairview. and the rerAin is limiied those maiierssei out in ihe staierFnt bebm. Independentexaminrfs slatsmeht In connectM)n With myexarninatK. no matter has(omEto myatteTrliDn'. Illwhi(h 8Nes me asOnab calse to bElieve that in anymaierfal respÈd the rEquiremer.. 10 keep a¢tountin8 records in acr4Ndance with 5ediDn 130 olthe 2011 Att." athd Ig prepare3ccwniswhich at(Drd ththe accwnEinE recordsar¥J CDrNptyMih the ac(ountinE reryuiremÈnrs of the 2011 Act have wji been tyt,' or 121 io whith. in my opiniDn. attenib)n sknJld be drèwn in Mfer io enable a prow undStandIn of the counts to be reached. Amit JD5hi FCC IApr 2024 0 01494 T18 fj1494 77T( O Ya¥A¥si%tAccwnknts t17 stl oTa$S1 Ac¢ount 121 51reol 25 L Q theshrfgiaxa5S15E.fAI uk 1r 20J R¢91Siwed Unned No. 71550 VAT Reg kn. 7230183
APPENDIX
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At a glance
1st October 2022 1st October 202
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isitors are recorded in categories
ISITOR T PES
6000 Campers (These are recorded as
camper nights)
000
Day isits
000
vening isitors
000 (Wa ord orth District Scouts,
Wa ord South District Scouts and
1 6
2000 South West Her ordshire Girl Guiding
Division all get free use of the site for
1000 16 sec on mee ngs)
LEES
0
Camper ights Day isits vening isits
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Lees Wood has 2 Accommoda on Buildings
I IN SA ES
Flight oaks which has 2 Beds
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O
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Beeches which has 20 Beds
The graph shows the percentage split of usage, the real numbers are 1 Hires for Flight Oaks and 22 Hires for Beeches
That e uates to another 16 Camper nights that aren t included on Slide 1
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ACTI ITIES
2
2
3
20
=
Archery . Shoo ng
Boulder Box Pedal arts
unior Axe Throwing Suc on Darts
Slack Lines 3 Giant Games
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Lees Wood currently o ers Ac vi es
Both Archery and Shoo ng are lead by onsite instructors, whilst all other ac vi es are leader led.
To the le you can see how that 06 hours is spread across the 6 ac vi es
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