## Grass Roots Conservation Group 

## Annual Report 

Financial Year: 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025 

_Fungus – October Wood     January 2024_ 

**G** rass **R** oots MY AandiiOerl de nt KAO Mantyal \ YWBikWA \AG BSTPal iy) ANee iy)Na pean(TASOWNal A **CONSERVATION GROUP** Charity No: NIC 102932 

## **Introduction – Purposes** 

Grass Roots Conservation Group (‘Grass Roots’) is a charity registered with the NI Charity Commissioners, number NIC102932.  The public address is:  11 Wynchurch Avenue, Belfast BT6 0JP 

The Purpose of the Group (as registered with the Charity Commissioners) is to benefit the general public through the conservation, protection and enhancement of the environment on the island of Ireland. 

Grass Roots is governed by the Constitution as last amended on 10 October 2015, which is available from the Secretary.  The Trustees of Grass Roots during the Financial Year 2024-25 were: 

Dr. Anne Hardcastle (Chair) 

Mr. Clive Harvey (Treasurer) Ms. Pauline White (Membership Secretary) Mr. Sam Hastings Ms. Janis Lunn Mr. Ken Orr (Secretary) Mr. Robert Shearman (Task Organiser) 

Ms. Nicola Paul 

## **Secretary’s Report on Activities and Achievements** 

The period between April 2024 and March 2025 saw a full programme of events, with 24 days of work scheduled, though 4 days were cancelled for reasons such as storms, or in one case low volunteer numbers.  In general, volunteer numbers were down a little from recent post-Covid years. 

As always, a varied programme included familiar sites such as Saintfield Estate and the Meharg’s farm at Dundrod, occasional sites like Oxford Island and Delamont, and new ones such as Drumalis House in Larne.  Holiday arrangements for some volunteers meant that there was no trip to Inishowen in August 2024, the first year we have missed for a long time. 

_Figure 1 Tree Planting at Hillside Fishery – April 2024_ 

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The most popular day (in terms of workday numbers) turned out to be a visit to Hillside Fishery at a reservoir above Holywood.  The owners are undertaking a series of environmental improvements to this attractive site, which included the planting of several hundred trees around the lake.  We had two visits to Knockbracken Healthcare Park, where it was good to see re-invigorated efforts to manage both the allotments and the woodland area. 

_Figure 2 Two tasks at Knockbracken Wildflower Nursery - surfacing a path, and digging over a new allotment area._ 

As another established regular task, we had a day of seed collection along with Debbie Gillies of True Harvest Seeds. This time we worked at Portulla Wood, near the Quoile, Downpatrick at the end of July, and despite dodgy weather in the preceding few days we were able to make good conservation grade collections. 

_Figure 3 Seed collection at Portulla Wood_ 

Once again, Michael and Judy Meharg provided several rewarding days of work.  Having introduced us to the manufacture of tree hay at ECOS last year, this time we cut branches from hedges on their home farm at Dundrod, to provide high quality winter fodder for cattle.  Then in the following task we undertook maintenance of the hedging that we 

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planted a couple of years ago at the airstrip site.  Our winter visit saw us back at the new woodland to fill in any gaps where the new trees have not taken. 

_Figure 4  Collecting faggots of tree hay_ 

October Wood always provides a variety of different tasks in the woodland.  Over the course of three visits, we made and filled raised beds, surfaced the woodland path, planted a variety of native species in the new pond, constructed benches, and coppiced hazel. 

_Figure 5 Testing one of the new benches at October Wood_ 

_Figure 6 Christmas Decoration Workshop_ 

Alexey’s hospitality extended again to our 

Christmas event, when a large number of Christmas wreaths were made while we enjoyed Christmas cake and other refreshments. 

Drumalis House, on the edge of Larne, was a new venue for Grass Roots - a property with a considerable history, which also has substantial grounds.  Under new management, an attempt is being made to tame the wild interior of the Walled Garden, which has been neglected for many years. Passing through the entrance gate was like stepping into a Secret 

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Garden, with little sign of the productive vegetable and fruit areas that must have been there in previous eras.  It was so overgrown the paths had disappeared, and the remaining buildings were thoroughly invaded by nature.  Over the course of two visits, we made a start on rediscovering the paths and clearing ivy from the walls of the buildings.  Much more work will be needed before new planting could be undertaken, but at least our efforts have shown some of the potential for the site if it is developed with a proper management plan. 

_Figure 7 Glenariff Outing_ 

For our Summer outing in 2024, we took in several locations in the Glens of Antrim.  After coffee in Broughshane, we visited the Furnace Festival at Newtowncrommelin, a hamlet in the Glenravel valley near Ballymena.  This was a three-day event celebrating the history of iron-working in the area, which was important in the Iron Age, and again early in the industrial revolution.  Groups of smiths from a number of countries (France, USA, Scandanavia…) had collected local iron ore on the Friday and were smelting it to produce iron in home-made furnaces.  A very interesting start to the day.  We moved on to Glenariff for a picnic lunch with superb views, and some afternoon walking along the glen.  Eventually we drove down to Cushendall and a splendid meal in Harry’s restaurant. 

_Figure 8 The waterfall in Glenarrif_ 

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## Governance 

There were few developments in the governance of the group this year.  Apart from some minor updating and revisions to Risk Assessments, we spent some time in writing detailed notes on the running of our website, email and Facebook page to improve resilience in the management of Grass Roots. 

Private benefit to individuals continued to arise in ways that are incidental and necessary to ensure that benefit is provided to the general public.  Private benefit to trustees and volunteers in the form of reimbursement of expenses was limited to only those expenses actually incurred in carrying out conservation activities.  Any private benefit arising from social activities was judged necessary to contribute to team building.  Private benefit to individuals, who own land where Grass Roots work, was judged to be proportionate to the public benefit resulting from the group’s activities. 

The Trustees of Grass Roots Conservation Group have taken due regard to the Commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. 

## **Trustees’ Review of Financial position** 

In compliance with the guidance issued by the Charity Commissioners, our Accounts have been examined by an Independent Examiner.  No funds held by Grass Roots Conservation Group are materially in deficit. 

Overall expenditure was just a little more than income for the year, and reserves continue to be very healthy.  The cash held on deposit is sufficient to provide security for any adverse circumstances likely to arise. 

Thanks are due to our Treasurer, Mr. Clive Harvey, for his usual very thorough job on preparing the accounts, and to our Independent Assessor Mrs. Marjorie Guiler. 

Dr. A. Hardcastle  (Chair) date: 

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