July Updates

The end of June and the early part of July have been especially busy for the group. The help we have had from our members has enabled us to support a number of projects which have further enhanced our reputation and relationships with the NFC and Wild Rumpus (organisers of the TIMBER festival) I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has helped in whatever way to take the group forward yet again. This is a very busy newsletter, so please take a little time to read through, there are important items we need your feedback on. The new season is in sight, so there is lots to do in preparation

Kevin

What's Going On?

The "closed" season is becoming as busy as the felling season. This year we have ambitions to expand, we are playing a big part in the TIMBER festival, trying our hands at corporate days and the recent highlight of the charcoal retort has created another string to our bow.

Already in mid June with the festival only a couple of weeks away, it already feels like the new felling season is on the horizon. Here are the updates on what the group is doing and where we are heading over the next few months.

Kevin

Season Summary

As mentioned in last month's newsletter we completed all of the work committed through the grant applications. With this done we were able to claim the final stages of the grants which have now been paid into our bank account. We will give the overall summary of our financial position at the AGM in September, but I'm pleased to confirm we are in good health and just where we wanted to be in preparation for next season.

This leads us into next year's work and grant applications. After discussions earlier in the year with the senior team at the National Forest we are planning to expand "Heartwood" by around 50% during the next year. Again I will give more detail at the AGM, but there are a few important points to note.

We have entered into a formal contract with the Woodland Trust for two seasons work at Woodcote near Smisby - this will provide enough thinning work to supply the group and support growth as it happens. We have been more ambitious with the amount of work and the potential number of sessions we want to achieve next year - this will mean more income, more leaders and more members. Exciting times indeed for Heartwood!

Kevin

Curtain comes down on 17/18 Season

With the buds about to burst on the trees and the clocks going forward in a couple of weeks time it marks the end of another felling season. This has been the first full season that has seen Heartwood managed completely from within the membership. The support of B2G has continued to be vital in making this happen and our special thanks have to go to Ben Devine and Bethan Scragg for providing financial as well as moral support.

Our thanks overall must go to everyone within the group for supporting the sessions and other events held during the year. The committee have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure we have been able to set and maintain the standard we all now expect - thank you to them all for making the transition to self-supporting happen.

Kevin