Introduction
I am very pleased to introduce the twenty second Chairman’s Annual Report for the Bythams Woodland Trust (BWT).
Constitution
There have been no changes to our constitution. We remain a registered charity and have an up to date and strengthened constitution.
Our annual returns to the Charity Commission have been submitted. Committee co-options were confirmed at the AGM in 2025 and all of these have made a positive contribution to the work of the Trust. The Trustees and Management Committee met on three occasions, including the AGM.
Funding
We have had a reasonably successful year for funding, being able to secure £11,081 from the SKDC UK Prosperity Fund with a contribution of £500 from the Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival. These grants funded the installation of the new embankment swing and the improvements to the driveway.
We received £1000 from the Jack Patston Fund and also a wayleave donation of £1000 from National Grid (for some re-routing of cabling in the Meadow).
Smaller donations were received from the SKDC Lottery, with other funding from our local Parish Councils.
Main Site Works
The main site works have been a consolidation after the major refurbishment of the previous year. Our fortnightly work schedule focusses on general maintenance – mowing, strimming, leaf clearing, tree felling and gleaning fallen branches, coppicing and general tidying, repairing play equipment, planting and weeding the sensory garden by hand!
However, there was an opportunity to install a new embankment swing to replace the old rope swing that we had had for many years. After a competitive tender, we re-contracted with Playscape Playgrounds who came up with the design of swing. Installation was carried out in the winter months and, once again, works were slow due to very wet weather. Though the swing frame and groundworks were completed in January, we decided to delay the actual commissioning of the swing until the safer surfacing was reasonably grassed over.
The driveway improvements were completed in early February and there is now a new camber to the surface with a clear fence delineation on one side of the drive – which really helps to set this off visually.
We were able to install a new bench seat near the main swings following a very kind donation from one of our users who wanted a memory of their father who loved to visit the site.
The Meadow is now very much like the wildflower site we have always wanted but owing to the dry spring and summer, the sward of meadow flowers that we may have desired did not happen, which was rather disappointing.
Having planted 17 different species of fruit tree as part of our Coronation Orchard, as soon as the plants grew above the top of the plastic guards, the shoots were nibbled off by the deer. This required us to install a much more robust deer proof wire fence surround – which has certainly achieved better protection for the trees – and these needed extra watering during the summer!
Publicity and Promotion
We undertook some particular promotion of the new funding for the swing and slide and are really appreciate of the assistance of SKDC in this respect.
In the main, the Spinney simply promotes itself – mainly through word of mouth. A great outcome of all our efforts is that the significant increase in visitors who have really enjoyed using the new equipment has been maintained, both those who are regular returnees and many who attend for the first time.
Gavin Pye has taken the lead on our social media platforms. We considered an update of the web-site (www.bythamspinney.co.uk), but decided that as it is not our main means of communication, it was not necessarily worth the effort.
Health and Safety
This remains a key priority and a continuing requirement of our insurance arrangements. While the Spinney is a natural wild woodland, there will always be an element of risk and adventure in what we do.
Our annual ROSPA Play Area Safety Inspection visit took place in August and there were no major issues arising in their report, which we use to guide us with the management of our maintenance programme.
Future Plans
A year ago, our key plans were to complete the upgrade of the site, especially the replacement of the embankment swing and to improve the main driveway. It is really pleasing to note that both these have been achieved with great success. Our main focus for the coming year will be to keep the site in good condition.
Volunteers
The BWT is always looking for more volunteers to help our work at The Spinney and we welcome all offers of support. We realise that not everyone can attend all our work sessions, but if you can do so when able, your help is greatly appreciated.
And, of course, while the adults are working, we want to encourage children to come to the site to take part in some of the most fantastic play experiences that nature can offer – adventurous, dirty, rough, creative, imaginative, active, physical, healthy – the sort of play opportunities many of us probably had thirty years ago, but sadly do not seem so prevalent today.
In a very uncertain and changing world, there remains a strong national drive to compensate for the stresses and pressures faced by children and families. There is a concern about the ‘nature deficit’ for children who may miss out on the wonders of the natural environment. It is pretty clear that there is no such deficit at the Spinney as we have a wonderful natural play experience to offer.
What is more, as access and usage of the Spinney is free, it is a wonderful place to visit at very little cost and is something that helps mitigate the present cost of living challenges.
Thanks
There are so many people who deserve to be thanked for the significant time and effort that they have put into the Spinney during this year.
All the Trustees and Advisors use their different skills and experiences to ensure that the BWT is well managed to do what needs to be done. We have a really solid Saturday morning maintenance crew who put in the time week in, week out. Many thanks to Gavin, Simon G, Richard, Simon C, Luke, Gillian, James, Pete, Katia, Hugo and Seth.
We have worked more closely with The Bythams School this year and it has been great that Martin Sutton, the Head Teacher, has not only been able to join our Management Team but also to help out on our Saturday work sessions.
Thanks to The Glenside News for regularly publishing our news and stories; Trevor Harris, who services our mechanical equipment; Tim Rasell, who advises on plants and good horticulture tips; Gilbert Elson, who cuts the hedges and the meadow; Tim Smith for the driveway improvements and Playscape Playgrounds who not only install the new equipment but provide a technical maintenance overview.
Aside from the main funders referenced above, we are very appreciative of the help given by the local Parish Councils, the Castle Bytham Midsummer Festival Committee, and all those individuals who have made very kind donations throughout the year.
Finally, our warmest thanks must go to the local community and especially the children who use the site for their play, adventure, learning or simple relaxation and without whom, the whole thing would simply not be worthwhile.
Dr Patrick Candler, Chairman of BWT
9.6.26
