Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 25th March 2025

The Friends of Oxleas Woodlands 2025 AGM opened with a warm welcome from Chair John Spencer. The minutes from last year’s meeting were approved.

Matters arising included the revised planning application - this time with a reduced building height - at the Shepherd Leas site, which was approved. Meanwhile, the Memorial Hospital has proposed the removal of several large trees due to safety concerns. In Shepherdleas Woods, the invasive Few-Flowered Leek has spread further but will be tackled by council teams this spring.

John shared highlights from the Annual Report, including the beautiful transformation of Jackwood House’s wildlife-friendly garden. A celebration is planned for 8th June, thanks to the dedication of Katie, Emma, and many volunteers.

Nature and water have been central to our work this year. Thames 21 has begun monitoring woodland water flow, with potential water retention projects on the horizon. In early March, over 30 volunteers teamed up with Froglife to enhance wetland habitats—adding four new ‘Blue Chain’ ponds in Jack and Oxleas Woods, building on the major restoration of the Oxleas pond last December. Froglife aims to establish 100 such ponds along the Green Chain Walk, and we’re proud to be part of that vision.

Our volunteers continue to be at the heart of everything we do. Monthly groups—four for woodland conservation, two for gardening, and one for litter picking—make a real difference, largely thanks to the dedication of Christine Evans. Events throughout the year have been expertly managed by Mike Bulpitt.

Treasurer Gareth Evans presented the 2024 financial report, noting a year-end balance of £14,142—a reduction of £1,157. Most of the funds are earmarked for ongoing pathway work, project contingencies, and matched funding, with a modest portion covering admin costs. While donations dipped by £500 to £5,799, successful grant applications brought in £29,430, supporting the garden project, new tools, and path improvements.

The Steering Group was re-elected without changes:

• John Spencer (Chair),

• Alan Jarrett (Secretary),

• Gareth Evans (Treasurer),

• Jane Hughes (Ordinary Member, Membership Officer),

• Katie Barretta (Ordinary Member).

Two resolutions sparked thoughtful discussion.

The first proposed publishing full Steering Group minutes for transparency. While the motion was not passed, a narrative summary will now be included in newsletters to improve communication.

The second resolution was to establish a woodland conservation ‘committee’, of at least three people. The committee would develop a strategic conservation plan for the FOW volunteer sessions, plan work party activity, arrange volunteer training, encourage knowledge acquisition and greater participation.

The Steering Group thanked the member for their concern regarding the planning of conservation work but asked members to reject this resolution in favour of the formalisation of current arrangements which have grown and developed since those referenced by the member. Discussion took place, but time ran out.

Discussions will conclude at an adjourned AGM in May, along with the remaining agenda items which include 2025 plans.

Sadly, we ran out of time for the anticipated talk from Tom Wareham.