Unbelievably, another year has passed and here I am again to tell you about the Association’s activities for the last year.
As you may recall, our membership arrangements assume that you wish to continue to be a member unless you indicate otherwise. We are also very keen to have a record of your email address so that we can communicate with you more easily. Last year when we asked for the first time, we had only a few responses. Please look on it as a way you can help your hard-working Committee – to have all our membership on an email distribution list would really help us to keep you informed and involved! We do of course undertake to keep this information purely for the use of the Association.
The Management Committee has spent some considerable time and energy chasing grants during the year for two very key, but different, projects/expenses. Perhaps we have had it rather easy over the years but both have been rather like drawing teeth for different reasons. The first is for the replacement of the side kissing-gate and entrance to be brought up to the accessibility standards we’ve achieved at the front entrance. Although the first two-thirds was relatively uncomplicated to obtain (from County Cllr Keith Witham’s local allocation and from Window on Woking) the balance proved more difficult and the Committee was considering doing the installation in-house despite concerns over the potential difficulty of the terrain in that area. The other was the much needed new mower as the old one was beginning to cost us more in maintenance despite the sterling efforts of Roy and Nigel. It is now 14 years old so it has done good service. To cut a long story short, we were very fortunate to get full funding (£5.5k) for a considerably more robust new mower with a 50” cutting deck from Fields in Trust who had funds available through the London Marathon Charitable Trust for QE2 sites. And because of a discount we were given by the supplier, we got the go ahead to use the balance to complete the money needed for the kissing-gate – so the story has a happy ending!
A lot of work has been undertaken on site during the year – from the work needed to clear up after the storms and floods at the beginning of the year, to restoring some of the paths adjacent to the Hodge Brook, to tackling the invasive water soldiers in the pond, to digging the leat to improve the flow of water through to the pond to mention a few. It has been a very busy year and we really couldn’t have managed without our faithful volunteers who have been supplemented by helpers from South West Trains on their charity days.
Have you looked at our website recently – foxcornerwildlife.org.uk? You will see a big difference! Many thanks to the Guest family who have put a lot of work in to modernise and update it. Alongside this, we have updated our leaflet as the first print run of 5000 was running out and we are indebted to Heather Coverly, our new committee member responsible for publicity, for her work on this. At the time of writing, it looks likely that the Pirbright Institute will be becoming one of our partners and will be printing the new leaflet for us which is really good news.
Every year, we are very encouraged to receive donations of all sizes from Association members, the vast majority of which is gift-aided which adds a significant amount through tax reclamation although this is now down to 20% from 28%. Last year, I highlighted the fact that for the last few years, the level of donations had been noticeably reduced with the economy going through very difficult times. This had meant that our limited reserves had been gradually reducing and our income was not covering our outgoings for running a Wildlife Area of 14 acres despite all the work done by our Committee and wonderful volunteers. I am delighted to be able to report that many members responded generously to this appeal so that we covered our outgoings in 2014. Thank you! Needless to say your continued support and generosity is still very much needed as it costs around £1000 pa to run our Wildlife Area… If you are a UK taxpayer, you only need to sign the Gift Aid declaration when sending your donation – we will process the rest.
Another very straightforward way in which you can help us to increase our income is by shopping online through easyfundraising.org.uk. Each time you shop, you can raise money for your chosen charity at no cost to yourself. Participating retailers include Amazon, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, M&S, Ebay etc. All you need do is to register at easyfundraising.org.uk and then log in each time you shop. Search for the Fox Corner Community Wildlife Area in the listing and then shop in the usual way by clicking on the link to access the retailer’s site and make your purchases as normal. The retailers then give us a percentage donation which would soon mount up and transform our finances! Our Treasurer, Julie Harland, would be delighted to advise you further – ask her for help via our contact page on this website.
With all good wishes and thanks for your support.
Yours sincerely
Catherine Cobley
Chairman
NB: Tuesday, 21 April – AGM in the Church Room, St Michael’s Church. We hope to have a speaker and details and an agenda will follow nearer the time