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Registered number: 08688236
Charity number: 1155169
ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
CONTENTS
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Reference and Administrative Details of the Company, its Trustees and Advisers
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Independent Examiner's Report
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Statement of Financial Activities
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Notes to the Financial Statements
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE COMPANY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Company registered number
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Charity registered number
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Wyndham House
Coppice Way
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 4NN
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GMBC LLP
Chartered Tax Advisers and Accountants
Marine House
151 Western Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 3LH
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
TRUSTEES' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Ancient Wood Trust for the 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024. The Annual Report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual Report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic Report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
Objectives and activities
a. Policies and objectives
The charity’s main objectives are to ensure the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the land it is responsible for. This involves:
- Promoting biological diversity in ancient and other woodland
- Taking opportunities to increase public awareness on the importance of protecting, conserving and improving ancient and other woodland.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Achievements and performance
a. Review of activities
During the financial year, the main activities were associated with protecting, maintaining and monitoring the charity’s woodland and its buffer zones.
Protection work - against trampling and trespassing was facilitated by the inspection, maintenance and repair of existing paling fencing along parts of the northern boundary and along the eastern boundary.
The buffer zone to the north is growing in well, providing an important semi-natural transition from the managed wildflower areas and balancing ponds between the ancient woodland and adjacent recent urban development.
Monitoring work included tree safety checks, species monitoring and ongoing monitoring to ensure high levels of biodiversity are maintained or enhanced As a result of this monitoring tree safety work was carried out adjacent to the public footpath to minimise any potential accidents..
Levels of trespassing, trampling and dog walking continued to improve. While it will still take some time into the future for all the ecological damage to recover naturally, there is strong evidence of recovery. Stream water quality surveys were also carried out during the year. as an additional owl box added with associated on-going monitoring. We continued to liaise with and learn from other conservation organisation
During the financial year the charity has continued to manage the funds as efficiently and effectively as possible, taking into consideration the charity's key objectives, the lack of any present and foreseeable source of income and the economic outlook. This has been achieved by the trustees adopting the following course of actions:
1. £48,659.53 re-invested into 1 Year Bond (5.55% fixed rate) with HTB, which in December 2023 was the best available option in terms of security and return.
2. Costs and sundries carefully kept to a minimum level and within the approved budget.
Financial review
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
Ancient Wood Trust is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee and was set up by a Memorandum of Association.
b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees
The management of the Company is the responsibility of the Trustees who are elected and co-opted under the terms of the Articles of Association.
Members' liability
The Members of the Company guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £10 to the assets of the Company in the event of winding up.
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
Statement of Trustees' responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, 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 of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on 17 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
S A Meier
(Chair of Trustees)
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Ancient Wood Trust ('the Company')
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I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Responsibilities and Basis of Report
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As the Trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent Examiner's Statement
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I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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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 accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent Examiner's Report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: 17 June 2025
Graham Hole
GMBC LLP
Chartered Tax Advisers and Accountants
Marine House
151 Western Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 3LH
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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Total funds brought forward
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Total funds carried forward
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The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
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The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
REGISTERED NUMBER: 08688236
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
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The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on 17 June 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
S A Meier
(Chair of Trustees)
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The notes on pages 8 to 14 form part of these financial statements.
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
Ancient Wood Trust is a private company, limited by guarantee, domiciled in England and Wales, registration number 08688236. The registered charity number is 1155169. The registered office of the charitable company is Wyndham House, Coppice Way, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4NN.
2.Accounting policies
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Basis of preparation of financial statements
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The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Ancient Wood Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been included under expense categories that aggregate all costs for allocation to activities.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
2.Accounting policies (continued)
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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Liabilities and provisions
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Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance Sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities as a finance cost.
The Company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities
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Conservation, protection and improvement of woodland
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Analysis of expenditure by activities
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Activities undertaken directly
2024
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Conservation, protection and improvement of woodland
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
5.Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)
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Analysis of support costs
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Independent examiner's remuneration
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Fees payable to the Company's independent examiner for the independent examination of the Company's annual accounts
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Trustees' remuneration and expenses
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During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL).
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During the year ended 30 September 2024, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2023 - £NIL).
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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Prepayments and accrued income
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Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
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Accruals and deferred income
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Financial assets measured at amortised cost
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Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
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Financial assets measured at amortised cost comprise cash at bank and in hand and accrued income.
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost comprise accruals.
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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Statement of funds - current year
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Balance at 1 October 2023
£
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Balance at 30 September 2024
£
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General Funds - all funds
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Restricted Funds - all funds
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Statement of funds - prior year
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Balance at
1 October 2022
£
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Balance at
30 September 2023
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General Funds - all funds
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Restricted Funds - all funds
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Aim and use of restricted fund
The fencing, planting and clearance works restricted fund was set up in a prior year with an amount received from the previous landowner of this woodland.
The fund is solely for works at this area of woodland, which was transferred to the charitable company in 2019.
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ANCIENT WOOD TRUST
(A Company Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024
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Analysis of net assets between funds
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Analysis of net assets between funds - current period
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Creditors due within one year
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Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period
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Creditors due within one year
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