Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust Annual Review 2012 13

annualreview

NATUREPL.COM

HERTS & MIDDLESEX WILDLIFE TRUST

2012-13

BUILDING A LIVING LANDSCAPEI CREATING AND ENHANCING NATURE RESERVESI INSPIRING PEOPLE TO TAKE ACTIONI Protecting Wildlife for the Future

The River Mimram

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PETER TATTON

ANNUAL REVIEW

ANNUAL REVIEW CONTENTS ingfishers rely on healthy rivers. So do water voles, otters, brown trout – some of Britain’s most iconic wildlife, in fact. In Hertfordshire we are lucky enough to have some of the rarest rivers on earth which can support wildlife like this. These rare rivers are chalk streams.

A chalk stream was the idyllic setting for the adventures of Ratty, Mole, Toad and Badger so vividly portrayed by Kenneth Grahame in Wind in the Willows.

Crystal clear water bubbles up from the chalk aquifer below ground, creating rivers abundant with life.

At least, that is the picture of a healthy chalk stream. Shockingly, these rare ecosystems could easily disappear forever if we don’t take action to protect them.

They are threatened in many ways, by pollution, modification and, in particular in Hertfordshire, over-abstraction. Too much water is being taken from their sources for our own use. Rivers are drying up and wildlife is dying.

Fortunately, our Living Rivers project has forged ahead in the last year. We are taking action on the ground to restore rivers – and to tell as many people as possible about the threats they face.

Our work with partners on Catchment Management Plans for the rivers Beane, Mimram and Stort is now being held up as a model for how to deliver river restoration across the country.

This is just one of our successes highlighted in this 2012-13 annual review.

You will read more of our achievements over the following pages. There have been many challenges along the way too, from extreme wet weather in 2012 delaying work on our reserves and causing events to be cancelled, to the tough economic conditions forcing us to work even harder to achieve the support we need. We are immensely grateful for the continued backing from our members, volunteers, funders and partners. It is critical to our success.

Just think – you are helping to keep stunning wildlife like the kingfisher on the banks of our local rivers. What could be better than that?

Jane Durney Chief Executive

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WORKING WITH PARTNERSI TO CREATE A LIVING LANDSCAPE 4I CREATING AND ENHANCINGI NATURE RESERVES 5I INSPIRING PEOPLE 6I ENCOURAGING INDIVIDUAL ACTION 7I GENERATING SUPPORT 8I OUR SUPPORTERS 9I

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DAVE KILBEY

FINANCIAL REVIEW 10I

Protecting Wildlife for the Future

ANNUAL REVIEW

WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO CREATE A LIVING LANDSCAPE ogether with partners, the Trust forged ahead with river restoration planning and practical projects on the Mimram, Beane and Stort. The publication of a new guide explaining how we can build a Living Landscape in Hertfordshire and Middlesex has helped communicate our vision to new audiences – and mapping work has started to identify the best opportunities to restore and connect habitats across the landscape.

Natural England. This work contributes to a wider plan for the Lea Catchment, now recognised by government as a Nature Improvement Area.

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Protecting special places for wildlife Our work leading the Local Wildlife Sites Partnership continued, with 65 surveys of woodland, grassland and ancient hedgerow completed. Surveying is vital in enabling important habitats to continue to be designated as Local Wildlife Sites.

Breathing life into our rivers In 2012-13 the Trust, through its Living Rivers project, led collaborative work to develop plans for restoring and protecting some of our rarest and most threatened habitats – chalk rivers. Hertfordshire’s approach to developing and sharing these Catchment Management Plans is now being used as a model for other river partnerships across the country.

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The River Beane, once a renowned chalk stream for fishing.

A new plan to restore its health was launched in 201213, coordinated by the Trust

River restoration in the Lea Catchment Four chalk river restoration projects were completed along 1.5km of river at Digswell, Poplar’s Green and Singler’s Marsh on the River Mimram and at Waterford on the River Beane, thanks to funding from

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Watch the Trust’s video, Rivers Down the Drain, on YouTube or at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Mapping biodiversity The Trust began work on an exciting new project in 2012-13 to map the ecological landscape in Hertfordshire.

This is helping us to identify areas of good habitat county-wide and to pinpoint opportunities to create links between them. This means the Trust can prioritise its work and focus efforts where they are most needed. >> FUTURE PLANS In 2013-14 we plan to: • Develop the Living Landscape strategy, based on biodiversity mapping work achieved in 2012-13 • Continue to play a leading role in Living Landscape partnerships; formalise roles for Volunteer Living Landscape Champions • Survey 60 Local Wildlife Sites • Embark on three river restoration projects with private landowners

Working together for a wildlife revival “Achieving The Wildlife Trusts’ vision of a Living Landscape is about working together. We can only hope to achieve a revival in our wildlife across the wider landscape if we work with other landowners and land managers.

In Hertfordshire and Middlesex we have the challenge of competing priorities for land use. There is huge pressure for development. We are already living in an environment where nature has often been overlooked.

In December 2012, Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust launched a new approach to Living Landscapes. One which recognises that we can’t turn the clock back in our counties – but which identifies the huge potential for wildlife to co-exist with us in our landscape, the way we have shaped it.

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Our new guide How to build a Living Landscape focuses on four major land uses in Hertfordshire: towns and cities, farmland, transport corridors and golf courses. For each use we have proposed practical, realistic ideas for incorporating habitats for wildlife which local authorities, developers, landowners and others can implement. There are things each one of us can do in our gardens too. This approach has had an excellent response and will help us to continue our work with partners into the future.”

Tom Day Head of Living Landscapes

CREATING AND ENHANCING NATURE RESERVES he year brought us challenges: very wet weather in the summer of 2012 meant work on the reserves was delayed. However, we completed a big restoration project at Thorley Wash Nature Reserve and habitat improvements across a number of other reserves. The vital, day to day management of our nature reserves continues with the help of a dedicated group of volunteers – the Green Team.

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Amwell views At Amwell one of our volunteers, Alan Reynolds, helped with our work to diversify

ALAN REYNOLDS

Protecting rare heathland Two hectares of holly were removed at Hertford Heath Nature Reserve, to improve conditions for the ground flora. Heathland is one of Hertfordshire’s rarest habitats.

the wetland habitats in front of the viewpoint. New scrapes, ponds and ditches were created which also brought birds close to the viewing areas.

“Grey wagtail, reed bunting, bearded tit, Cetti’s warbler, an assortment of ducks and geese, great crested grebe, reed bunting, common snipe, water rail, jack snipe and bittern have all been seen just 20 yards away. However, it is not all birds – I captured a shot of a stunning stoat in its winter coat.”

Alan Reynolds Volunteer

>> FUTURE PLANS In 2013-14 we plan to: • Deliver the annual programme of site management plan reviews • Develop a grazing strategy • Pilot monitoring projects at Thorley Wash and across woodland nature reserves in South and East Hertfordshire • Make better use of GIS in tracking management of our nature reserves • Start a trainee scheme to assist with the management of our reserves and develop skills for the future

PETER WHITEHEAD

Great news for grizzlies A project funded by SITA Trust at Waterford Heath Nature Reserve to improve habitat for grizzled skipper butterflies was completed. This included removing trees and installing new fencing to allow the site to be grazed.

This will help to create an environment that the butterflies will most benefit from. All the work was achieved with the support of volunteers; a total of 17 work parties were completed over the course of the project.

Woodland work Improvements at Balls Wood were completed as part of the Woodlands for People and Wildlife project including widening of paths, conifer removal, pond creation and fencing. New seats and boardwalks were installed, with good feedback from visitors.

Water buffalo on the Wash The Trust completed a major restoration project this year, at Thorley Wash Nature Reserve near Bishop’s Stortford.

The reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its botanical interest. As well as being important for wildflowers, the reserve is home to a variety of other wildlife. Waders such as snipe and redshank breed here. Small mammals shelter in the grassland and attract hunting barn owls. Dragonflies and damselflies use the network of ditches and seasonal ponds.

“The reserve was badly in need of attention to protect important botanical species and other grassland wildlife. The Trust started restoration work in September 2012. We removed invasive willow which, if left to its own devices, prevents wildflowers from emerging because there is too much shade.

A strip of mature woodland and some scrubby areas were retained to provide continuity for roosting and breeding birds, as well as shelter for invertebrates. Overgrown ditches have been cleared and trees have been pollarded to ensure their future health.

We built a bridge so we could get grazing animals and maintenance vehicles onto the reserve. Water buffalo are excellent beasts for the job! Grazing will maintain the open grassland habitat, allowing a variety of rare wildflowers to emerge. Since the work was completed in spring 2013 water rail have bred on the reserve, which is fantastic news.”

Jenny Sherwen Community Nature Reserves Officer

Protecting Wildlife for the Future

ANNUAL REVIEW

INSPIRING PEOPLE ABOUT THE NATURAL WORLD ur community projects continued in the Colne Valley, Stevenage and across woodlands in South and East Hertfordshire. Our many and varied events encouraged people to explore the outdoors, learn about local wildlife and get involved in conservation themselves.

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events as part of our Connecting People with the Colne Valley project. We talked to people who have never visited a nature reserve before.

Spreading the word We reached 3,500 people in Denham, Rickmansworth, Harefield and the surrounding areas during the year, through a range of guided walks, talks, workshops and community

Stevenage Borough Council is so simple and inspired and yielded positive results almost immediately. I was delighted to find a colony of bee orchids that were a feast for the eye and proof that sympathetic management of roadside verges really works.”

Steve Kershaw Stevenage resident >> FUTURE PLANS In 2013-14 we plan to: • Complete Year 3 of the Connecting People with the Colne and Woodlands for People and Wildlife projects • Expand the range of walks and events to include farm walks • Plan our 50th anniversary year

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Woodland explorers Bushcraft, wood carving, willow weaving... the Trust’s first annual Wild Woods Day, part of the Woodlands for People and Wildlife project, attracted 165 people and inspired the next generation

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GROUNDWORK

SARAH BUCKINGHAM

SARAH BUCKINGHAM

Urban inspiration The Wild Stevenage project, a partnership between the Trust and Stevenage Borough Council, was set up to improve biodiversity, increase chances for local people to experience the natural heritage of Stevenage and encourage more conservation action through volunteering. One of the project’s successes has been its work on roadside verges in the town. A new mowing regime was introduced which involved cutting certain areas of roadside grass just once a year, in September, to allow wildflowers time to set seed. Local residents were thrilled at the results. “The scheme set up by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and

Bertie the Badger has been busy! We ran hundreds of events and told thousands of people about the wonderful wildlife of Hertfordshire and Middlesex in 2012-13

ENCOURAGING INDIVIDUAL ACTION FOR WILDLIFE olunteers continue to be fundamental to our success, with nearly 300 individuals giving their time to protect local wildlife over the course of the year.

Many more people have supported our work by adding their voices to our campaigns, implementing advice on their land to protect and encourage wildlife or simply by creating a haven for wildlife in their own gardens.

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Volunteers We have 298 active volunteers who gave 1,650 days of volunteer time to the Trust during the year. The support of our volunteers is invaluable.

Landowners The owners of 22 Local Wildlife Sites have taken up and implemented our management advice this year.

Gardeners We continued to publish practical wildlife gardening ideas in every issue of our members’ magazine Wildlife Matters with good feedback – and ran an Open Garden event in July 2012.

>> FUTURE PLANS In 2013-14 we plan to: • Develop a Wildlife Gardening initiative linked to Living Landscapes • Use our guide How to build a Living Landscape to engage and inspire people across the county • Develop how the Trust works with volunteers • Continue to campaign against HS2 and the badger cull

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Add your voice to our campaigns at hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

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Against the badger cull We campaigned against the badger cull alongside Wildlife Trusts nationwide and encouraged our supporters to do the same. 15,000 people visited wildlifetrusts.org over the course of the year and many added their voices to the e-petition which ultimately reached over 300,000. The Wildlife Trusts are calling for badger vaccination, better biosecurity on farms and implementation of the cattle vaccine.

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CAMPAIGNING:

Stevenage residents mucked in to restore community ponds

CAMPAIGNING:

High Speed 2 “HS2 will require the construction of a viaduct over the Grand Union Canal, River Colne and numerous Colne Valley lakes in the Mid Colne Valley SSSI. The Wildlife Trust’s Broadwater Lake Nature Reserve will be severely impacted.

We were one of a number of Wildlife Trusts supporting HS2 Action Alliance (HS2AA) in bringing a Judicial Review during the year, challenging the lawfulness of the government’s decision on phase one of HS2 on environmental grounds. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) should have been carried out in order to understand the true impact on the environment. However, in March 2013 the High Court sided with the government in ruling that the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive does not apply to HS2. We will continue to press for the natural environment to be a vital consideration in HS2 plans.”

Odette Carter Planning and Policy Officer

Protecting Wildlife for the Future

ANNUAL REVIEW

GENERATING SUPPORT

administration. We have worked with seven other Wildlife Trusts to establish Wildlife Fundraising Central (WFC), a Wildlife Trust-owned member recruitment company. Challenging economic conditions have contributed to a slight decrease in our membership of 2%.

e generate support for our work in many ways – by raising our profile, building relationships with decision makers, supporting Wildlife Trust nationwide initiatives and raising funds through membership, donations, grants and other sources.

We are grateful to all of our supporters for their continued dedication to local wildlife.

Woodland benefit Gobions Woodland Trust wound up during the year and transferred almost £29,000 to the Trust, to be used to benefit Gobions Wood.

Raising our profile In 2012-13 the Trust achieved 143 mentions in the media, including local and national papers, magazines, radio and TV.

Funding for nature reserves The number of nature reserves in the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme (a source of government funding) increased to seven, helping to cover the cost of some of our conservation activities.

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Building relationships Local Nature Partnership During the year we led the establishment of Hertfordshire’s Local Nature Partnership (LNP). Setting up LNPs was one of the commitments government made in the Natural Environment White Paper 2011. These partnerships are made up of local organisations and businesses aiming to bring about improvements in the local natural environment. The Trust’s Chief Executive sits on the board, as well as the infrastructure board of the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Responding to planning applications On average in 2012-13 we reviewed more than five planning applications every day, a total of 1,492 for the year. We responded to 259. Of these, six were refused in line with our recommendations and 72 were permitted with conditions applied.

Resources Membership It has been a challenging year for membership. The agency the Trust used for membership recruitment went into

>> FUTURE PLANS In 2013-14 we plan to: • Develop a new fundraising plan to react to the continuing economic recession • Improve our project development process to be able to access more grants • Expand volunteering opportunities and deliver the first year of the Volunteer Trainee Wildlife Sites Officer and Volunteer Trainee Reserve Officer schemes

HMWT/SARAH BUCKINGHAM

Drought conditions We worked with BBC London News to cover the drought when it hit our wetland wildlife in April 2012.

Conservation Manager Tim Hill was interviewed at King’s Meads Nature Reserve and walking along the dried up bed of the River Mimram. We reached around 5.5 million viewers.

Lobbying We corresponded with all of the MPs in our region. We had meetings with eight MPs in 2012-13, focussing mainly on our Living Rivers work.

Lemsford in the limelight In January 2013 we worked to secure a spot on BBC TV’s Countryfile. The coverage with Julia Bradbury (pictured at Lemsford, above) and Tim Hill created a huge spike in website traffic and an increase in volunteer enquiries to the Trust.

“It was a bitterly cold January morning, so hopes were high for some sightings of wildlife. Thankfully some spectacular waders turned up on cue, including little egrets with their extraordinary yellow feet and the one we were most hoping to see – the green sandpiper. From snow and minus temperatures first thing in the morning to bright, winter sunshine in the

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afternoon – and stunning light for filming. We were all freezing but it was worth it to capture the wildlife at this unexpected oasis of calm, just a stone’s throw from the A1(M). Delving into watercress beds for handfuls of freshwater shrimps – ta dah!

Importantly, we had a wonderful chance to show off our volunteers and the work they do here.

Six million viewers isn’t bad!”

Sarah Buckingham Communications Manager

OUR SUPPORTERS Alan Evans Memorial Trust Affinity Water Bishop’s Stortford Natural History Society Canal and River Trust City Bridge Trust County Councillor Sally Newton Councillor Shirena Counter Countryside Management Service Defra Easneye Estate East Herts District Council Environment Agency Essex Wildlife Trust Forestry Commission Friends of the River Mimram Friends of Minet Country Park Friends of Northaw Great Wood Friends of Stocker’s Lake Friends of the Colne Valley Park Friends of Tring Reservoirs Gobions Woodland Trust Groundwork Hertfordshire Groundwork Thames Valley Harlow District Council Harlow Renaissance Growth Area Fund III Harlow Wildlife Project Harpenden Town Council Heritage Lottery Fund Hertford Heath Parish Council Hertfordshire County Council Hertfordshire Local Nature Partnership Hertfordshire Locality Budget Scheme Herts Moth Group Hertfordshire Sustainability Forum Herts and Middlesex Badger Group Herts and Middlesex Bat Group Herts and Middlesex Butterfly Conservation Herts Natural History Society Lafarge Tarmac Lee Valley Regional Park Authority

Legacies • Margaret Jean Bell • Edward Graham Elliott • Elizabeth Mary Hyde • Ernest Charles Ormerod • Madula Parker • Esther Muriel Wells • Frederick John Young

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London Borough of Hillingdon London Wildlife Trust Maple Cross Ringing Group Natural England North Hertfordshire District Council People’s Trust for Endangered Species River Beane Restoration Association Rural Payments Agency RSPB Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Rye Meads Ringing Group SITA Trust SoStevenage St. Albans and District Footpath Society St. Albans City & District Council Stevenage Borough Council Tewin Bury Farm Hotel Tewin Fly Fishing Club Thames Water Utilities Ltd The Richard Cowley Fund for Local Charities Tring Ringing Group University of Hertfordshire Ver Valley Society Veolia Environmental Trust Verulamium Museum Vodaphone World of Difference Watford Borough Council Welwyn Hatfield Council

Other Corporate Supporters Capel Manor College • Coca Cola • Cold Harbour Lane Allotment Club • Everything Everywhere Ltd • MSD Ltd • The Marchmont Arms (Hemel Hempstead) • Marks & Spencer Plc • Rethink Europe • Skanska Utilities • Vine House Farm • West Herts College (Watford Campus) • Willow Tree Brownie Camp

Corporate Members Affinity Water • Armstrong World Industries Ltd • Bourne Leisure Group • CEMEX UK Operations • GlaxoSmithKline • HSBC Bank Plc • The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) • Johnson Matthey Plc • Lafarge Aggregates Ltd • Scottish Power – Rye House Power Station • Taylor Walton LLP • Thames Water Utilities Ltd • UK Power Networks (Operations) Ltd

In Memory/In Lieu of Flowers • Victor Barker • Betsy Crosby • Jane Durney and John Allwood’s wedding • Ken Fletcher • Derek George Fryer • Eileen Hewitt • Sheila Jackman • Jim and Joan Newman’s golden wedding anniversary • Alan White • Frederick John Young

To find out more about leaving a gift in your will, call our Fundraising Team on 01727 858901 email fundraising@hmwt.org or visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

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To join us as a corporate member, call our Fundraising Team on 01727 858901 email fundraising@hmwt.org or visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Schools • Ardeley St Lawrence C of E Primary School • Commonswood School • Greenfields Primary School • Malvern Way Infant and Nursery School • Radlett Preparatory School • St Mary’s C of E Primary School • St Michael’s C of E VA Primary School • St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School

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SARAH BUCKINGHAM

We would like to thank our members, volunteers, local groups and all our other supporters.

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To join us, call our Membership Team on 01727 858901 email membership@hmwt.org or visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Protecting Wildlife for the Future

ANNUAL REVIEW

Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 March 2013

FINANCIAL REVIEW Our aim is to create Living Landscapes; to protect wildlife, restore biodiversity and connect people with the natural world across Hertfordshire and Middlesex. However, our work is always limited by the amount of money we can raise and we need to keep our expenditure under control.

The Trust’s income for the year to 31 March 2013 increased to £1.9 million.

A large part of this increase related to restricted income for the Woodlands for Wildlife and Thorley Wash projects.

In the face of difficult economic conditions, it has been necessary to control expenditure on costs not funded by grant income. Unrestricted income fell to £1 million, mainly due to lower legacy income. Unrestricted funds (those funds which are not restricted in their use by specific requirements of the donor) overall grew by £3,700 due in part to a gain in the Trust’s longer-term investments. Restricted funds increased by £108,000 during the year. This will help to pay for our conservation activities during 2013-2014 and beyond.

During the year, £63,600 was charged to the Trust’s designated funds for repairs and refurbishment of Grebe House, moving part of the Trust’s operation to new leased premises in Verulamium museum and a GIS mapping project to take forward Living Landscapes in the two counties.

The Trust recognises the invaluable contribution of its members and supporters, both financially and through working as volunteers in a variety of ways. Without you, we would achieve so much less.

Unrestricted Restricted Funds (£) Funds (£)

Total 2012 (£)

13,319 -

76,527 880,405 36,571

71,894 873,360 158,743

INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds: Voluntary Donations, gifts and grants 63,208 Membership subscriptions 880,405 Legacies 36,571 Activities for generating funds Fundraising activities 37,506 Trading subsidiary income 7,533 Investment and other income 13,003 Incoming resources from charitable activities: Grants 19,256 Fees and contracts

-

37,506 7,533 13,003

31,185 17,881 10,364

832,782 -

832,782 19,256

347,733 20,980

Total incoming resources

1,057,482

846,101

371,484

671

372,155

370,308

3,351

-

3,351

8,444

374,835

671

375,506

378,752

634,542

736,588

1,371,130 1,021,483

50,037 1,059,414

672 737,931

50,709 45,436 1,797,345 1,445,671

Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Gains on investments

(1,932) 5,629

108,170 -

Net movement in funds for the year Fund balances brought forward

3,697 1,354,958

108,170 1,441,283

111,867 87,207 2,796,241 2,709,034

Fund balances carried forward

1,358,655

1,549,453

2,908,108 2,796,241

31 March 2013 (£)

31 March 2013 (£)

RESOURCES EXPENDED Costs of generating funds: Costs of generating voluntary income Fundraising trading: cost of goods sold and other costs

Charitable activities: Conservation and nature reserves Governance costs: Total resources expended

Fixed assets Tangible fixed assets Nature Reserves Investments Current Assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets Net Assets Funds Restricted Funds Unrestricted Funds: General Funds Designated Funds Total Funds

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Total 2013 (£)

1,903,583 1,532,140

106,238 5,629

31 March 2012 (£)

199,230 1,329,015 124,191 1,652,436

86,469 738

31 March 2012 (£) 112,994 1,329,015 103,562 1,545,571

291,375 1,333,006 1,624,381

195,699 1,345,906 1,541,605

(368,709)

(290,935) 1,255,672

1,250,670

2,908,108

2,796,241

1,549,453

1,441,283

784,741 573,914

717,606 637,352

2,908,108

2,796,241

900,000 880,000 860,000 840,000 820,000 800,000 780,000 760,000 740,000 720,000 700,000 680,000

19,000 17,000 15,000 13,000 11,000 9,000 7,000 5,000 2009 2010

2011

2012

2013

Membership growth

Membership income

MEMBERSHIP INCOME & GROWTH

These diagrams are an illustration of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s income and expenditure for the year ending 31 March 2013. For a copy of the full audited accounts which contain the detailed information required by law, visit hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

INCOME 2012-13* <1%

2% 1% 2%

<1%

46%

44%

46% Membership subscriptions 44% Grants 4% Donations, gifts and grants 2% Legacies 2% Fundraising activities 1% Fees and contracts less than 1% Trading subsidiary income less than 1% Investments and other income

Trustees’ statement These figures are extracted from the audited statutory accounts, which were approved by the Trustees on 20 June 2013. The full statutory Annual Report and Financial Statements, on which the auditors, Mazars LLP, gave an unqualified report, will be delivered to Companies House and submitted to the Charities Commission. These summarised extracts may not contain sufficient information to allow a full understanding of the financial affairs of the charity. For further information, the full statutory accounts should be consulted together with the Auditors’ Report and the Trustees’ Annual Report, which may be obtained from the Trust’s registered office at Grebe House, St Michael’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 4SN. An assessment of the major risks has been done and recommended actions will be followed up.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

M Master Chairman 20 June 2013

WHERE DOES YOUR £1 GO?*

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members We have audited the financial statements of Hertfordshire and Middlesex Wildlife Trust for the year ended 31 March 2013 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the Consolidated and Charity Balance Sheets, and the related notes. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

1p

3p

21p

76

p

76p Conservation and nature reserves 21p Cost of generating voluntary income less than 3p Governance costs less than 1p Fundraising trading: cost of goods sold/other costs * These percentages are rounded up for illustrative purposes

J Bristow Treasurer 20 June 2013

Opinion on the financial statements In our opinion, the financial statements: • give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and the parent charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2013 and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended; • have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and • have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and the Charities Act 2011.

Stephen Brown Senior Statutory Auditor For and on behalf of Mazars LLP Chartered accountants and Statutory Auditor The Pinnacle 160 Midsummer Boulevard Milton Keynes MK9 1FF

PETER TATTON

4%

Protecting Wildlife for the Future

ANNUAL REVIEW

STAFF AND TRUSTEES AS AT 31 MARCH 2013 Central support

Conservation

Chief Executive Jane Durney ATG CCE FRC HMWC HSG Office Manager Becky Vernon-Clinch Head of Finance and Administration Chrissie Russell FRC HSG Communications Manager Sarah Buckingham Communications Assistant Julie Mulley Part Time Bookkeeper Wendy Boulton Finance Assistant Janet Gilpin Cleaner Vicky Brown

Conservation Manager Tim Hill CCE HSG HMWC Part-time Water Vole Conservation Officer Martin Ketcher Wildlife Sites Programme Manager Carol Lodge Planning and Policy Officer Odette Carter Colne Valley Living Landscape Officer Jennifer Gilbert People and Wildlife Officer (Stevenage) Ann Favell (maternity cover) Hertfordshire Living Rivers Officer Dr Charlie Bell

Living Landscapes

Nature Reserves Manager Alistair Whyte CCE HSG South Herts Woods Living Landscape Officer Susannah O’Riordan Volunteering Co-ordinator Hannah Lewis

Reserves

Head of Living Landscapes Dr Tom Day CCE HMWC HSG FRC Living Landscapes Development Officer Ian Carle

For the purposes of the Companies Act 1985, the Council

Trust Management of Management is regarded as the Board of Directors of the company.

Officers and Trustees as at 31 MARCH 2013 Honorary President Sir Simon Alexander Bowes Lyon, KCVO Honorary Vice-Presidents Richard Ball CCE (Died 28 April 2013) Colonel Peter Echlin Gerahty Robert Wilson CCE

Council of Management and main committees and working or advisory groups on which they serve: Chairman Michael Master ATG Vice-Chairman Dr. Veronica Edmonds Brown CCE Company Secretary (ex-officio) Brenda Barrett HSG HMWC

Marketing and Fundraising Head of Fundraising Alison Shersby FRC HSG Fundraising Officer Sarah Mee Grants Officer Rose Gibson Membership Development Officer Caroline Stanton Membership Officer Alan Cotterell Membership Recruiter David Norton

Treasurer John Bristow ATG, FRC (Chair) Tim Bell ATG (Chair) Dr. Agneta Burton HMWC CCE David Gompertz HSE (Chair) CCE Clive Hinds FRC Paul Knutson ATG, HSG Andrew Woods HMWC

• ATG Accommodation Task Group • CCE Conservation Community Education Committee • FRC Finance and Resources Committee • HMWC Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Consultancy • HSG Health & Safety Working Group

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee (no. 816710) governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission (no. 239863). Registered office: Grebe House, St Michael’s Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4SN 01727 858901 info@hmwt.org www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk

Downloaded from hertswildlifetrust.org.uk. For a printed version of this report, call the Trust

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Community Nature Reserves Officer Jenny Sherwen Reserves Officer Andy Brown Senior Reserves Officer Paul Thrush Reserves Officer Rob Hopkins HSG Reserves Officer Luke Shenton