Norfolk Wildlife Trust Annual report 2019–2020

Saving ’s Wildlife for the Future seeks a My opening words are the most important message: sustainable Living Landscape thank you to our members, staff, volunteers, for wildlife and people donors, investors and grant providers.

Where the future of wildlife is With your loyal and generous in the School Holidays. As part of our Greater support, and despite the Anglia partnership we promoted sustainable protected and enhanced through challenges of the current crisis, travel when discovering nature reserves. sympathetic management Norfolk Wildlife Trust will continue to advance wildlife We have also had many notable wildlife conservation in Norfolk and highlights during the year across all Norfolk Where people are connected with, to connect people to nature. habitats, from the return of the purple emperor inspired by, value and care for butterfly to our woodlands, to the creation of a Norfolk’s wildlife and wild species This report covers the year to the end of March substantial wet reedbed at and 2020, a year that ended as the coronavirus Marshes in conjunction with the Environment crisis set in. Throughout the lockdown period Agency. Many highlights are the result of we know from the many photos and stories partnerships and projects which would not we received and the increased activity of our have been possible without generous support. CONTENTS online community that many people found nature to be a source of solace – often joy – in The Prime Minister had said that the Nature reserves for Page 04 difficult times. This bears out the research Government wants “to build our way back to people and wildlife indicating that a connection to nature is health”. The Covid-19 crisis has put – and will fundamental to personal physical and mental continue to put – the UK under huge stress Tipping the Balance Page 08 wellbeing. It has been so encouraging to see and it is right that much of the focus will be on A nature recovery Page 12 people beginning or continuing their wildlife economic recovery. But the recovery of nature network for Norfolk journeys in this way. Part of our role at NWT and wildlife and achieving a healthy natural is to facilitate such journeys and there have world accessible to all is just as important. Wildlife in Common Page 14 been many projects during the year that have Nature needs to be high on the agenda and we demonstrated this. Wildlife in Common saw a will continue to strive to secure that outcome. Inspiring people to take Page 16 record number of volunteers surveying wildlife I hope the contents of this annual report action for wildlife areas to broaden the county’s and their own reassure you that, with your support, Norfolk knowledge base. Our work with children and Wildlife Trust can meet the challenge. Financial summary Page 21 young people included the vitally important foodbank initiative, Food and Fun Alice Liddle, Chair of Trustees Supporters Page 22

Investors in wildlife Page 24

TRUSTEES

Chair: Alice Liddle Vice-Chair: Jeff Price Treasurer: Lyndsay Whiteman

Greg Beeton Steve Cale Andrew Clarke Ben Garrod Scott Pinching Sue Roe John Sharpe Heather Tyrrell

Student Observer Members of Council: Sam Collin, Duncan Cullingford

02 NORFOLK16 NORFOLK WILDLIFE WILDLIFE TRUST TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 03 Pool frogs recorded at In the Brecks, in , in the fens, marshes, is the main stronghold in the UK for Thompson Common heaths, commons and river valleys of west, field wormwood, a perennial herb of dry, sandy south and mid Norfolk, we have acquired and chalky soils, with no records of this plant and enhanced priceless fragments of ancient from elsewhere in the UK since 2009. This year as Nature habitat. Across the county we continue to part of the Shifting Sands project, we introduced restore land where it has been damaged and to it to Warren Hills and . Perennial create new habitat that will support Norfolk’s knawel, a plant that is globally restricted to the priceless wildlife for centuries to come. Brecks, and only found at three sites there, was introduced at Santon Street. Early indications With more than 2,400 hectares (6,000 acres) are that it has survived and set seed. reserves for of nature reserve across Norfolk, our grazing sheep, cattle and ponies are essential to remove yearly vegetation growth. Without being grazed many of our rare and fragile habitats, and A ground-breaking scheme to increase the wildlife they support, would be at risk of the population of pool frogs – the UK’s being swamped by more dominant plants. rarest amphibian – took place this summer in the Brecks. Amphibian and Reptile wildlife Conservation working in partnership with Our Dartmoor ponies helped to maintain this year and our British NWT collected spawn from Thompson White cattle played an essential role at Common in June 2019 and reared the Rushmeadows, and Thorpe tadpoles in laboratory conditions. This Marshes. At , cattle ‘head-starting’ approach allows a greater and people grazing has reduced the dominance of purple proportion to survive the riskiest part of moor grass, allowing a wider range of wet their life-cycle away from predators or heath species to colonise the area and the losses to other natural causes. They were number of marsh gentians to increase. released into restored ancient at the nature reserve. Pool frogs have now been This year we improved our facilities at Lains recorded at several pingos outside of the Farm allowing for a more efficient and effective immediate release areas. lambing operation. At Weeting Heath, winter sheep grazing was required for the first time in several years, because of the lack of rabbit grazing. Elsewhere in the Brecks, other sites have fared better with recovery in rabbit numbers.

Woodlark and nightjar successfully bred at Brandon Heath

Narrow small-reed recorded at Cranberry Rough From our roots on the , for the first time over ninety years we have expanded the reach of our nature reserves across the great 3rd year of successful 7 Spanish catchfly biological regions of our peerless county. water soldier removal at recorded at Harling Thompson Water Heath following habitat improvement 04 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 05 Large flocks of ducks at Norfolk hawker dragonflies have On the coast, it was an excellent year for natterjack toads atHolme Dunes. Wet weather We received more than £9,000 from , including increased in range across the broads, in June helped boost the water supply for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and more than 100 pochard with large numbers recorded spawn deposited in early May and a minimum West Norfolk Habitat Monitoring and of 10-15,000 toadlets emerged from the two Mitigation (HMM) Fund to protect the main pools. Natterjacks also did well at nesting and breeding sites of three priority Male bittern booming , with numbers increasing birds at . It enabled us to as a result of careful management of the employ a summer warden to prevent from Holme Marsh. breeding ponds and work undertaken clearing disturbance to ringed plovers, little At least 3 active marsh scrub and reducing vegetation sward height. and oystercatchers and to improve harrier nests, all In early May there were 33 calling males. monitoring. Twenty-four little pairs fledged seven young, nine pairs of ringed fledging young At Cley and Marshes we had a bumper plover fledged three young and nine pairs year for ground nesting , most notably of oystercatcher fledged five young. Snipe bred at Upton 48 pairs of lapwing (fledging29 young) and 60 pairs of avocet (fledging20 young). A pair of Broad and Marshes for the little ringed plover nested in the visitor centre first time since the 1950s car park and hatched four chicks. A bittern was heard booming for the first time since 2010. Two bittern were seen in flight over the , but no breeding activity was noted. 45 goldeneye on Barton We improved the open water and reed Broad and Marshes bed habitat on Bittern Pool and cleaned foot drains on the grazing marshes to improve the habitat for breeding waders. Two new species for the reserve were Monitoring the wildlife and habitats on At Southrepps Commons, which became an squacco heron and isabelline wheatear. our nature reserves would not be possible NWT reserve in the previous year, we restored without our fantastic team of volunteers. Pit Common by removing years of accumulated We are fortunate to be supported by their huge sediment and carried out scrub control. range of skills, from wildlife identification We also replaced the bridge across the beck. to photography and data processing. Working with the Environment Agency in the This year volunteers have helped us carry Broads National Park, 20 hectares (49 acres) of out Breeding Birds of Conservation Concern wet reedbed were created on Brendan’s Marsh (BoCC) surveys at sites including Grimes at Hickling Broad and Marshes, to provide Graves, and Alderfen ideal habitat for breeding bitterns, cranes, Broad and Marshes. Habitat surveys have been marsh harriers and bearded tits. This newly undertaken at Cawston Heath and Stanley created habitat is intended to compensate for Carr. Reptile surveys on heathland sites and habitat that will be lost as sea-level rises in the fixed-point photography on sites including future. The new expanse of shallow water was Cley and , Syderstone immediately in use by large numbers of birds: Common and East Winch Common have sightings included more than 140 white-fronted helped us monitor long-term vegetation geese, a flock of60 whooper and Bewick’s change. At volunteers have swans, and a big mixed flock of teal, pintail continued to carry out butterfly transects, and shoveler. We also had record numbers of Isabelline wheatear invertebrate surveys and bird surveys. At East booming bittern, including the first on the seen at Wretham Heath the old runway was scraped south side of Hickling Broad for decades. by corporate volunteers to provide suitable habitat for basil thyme and wall bedstraw. At , we recorded the highest ever number of fen orchids on the fen, Scrub clearance, fen management, sedge cutting and numbers of breeding waders on the grazing and reed bed management continued this year marshes were also the highest ever recorded. across our nature reserves. Reed cutting was We are continuing to encourage the spread of not possible at Broad and Marshes, grass-wrack pondweed by restoring ditches and hindered at Trinity Broads, because of back to an early successional stage, using a constant high-water levels over winter. combination of hand tools and machinery.

06 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 07 Seizing the opportunity and with funding of nearly half a million pounds from the Biffa Awards Partnership Scheme, this year as part of our Tipping the Balance project we are attempting to restore water quality at and Barton Broads to former states, with a technique known as biomanipulation.

Three biomanipulation zones were created at Ranworth and we reinstated a further three at Barton. Fish species involved in maintaining poor water quality were removed from these zones and released elsewhere. This prevented fish from churning nutrients and from devouring water- filtering Daphnia over large areas of water 10.7( hectares at Ranworth and 4.2 hectares at Barton). This in turn is restoring lost water quality, allowing rare water plants such as holly-leaved which is declining along the coast, in addition naiad to become established. By the early spring to boosting predation of fish species. of 2020, the bays were crystal clear and swarming We are at the very beginning of this shift in with daphnia and other invertebrate life. balance, but the early signs are that this ‘nudge’ has set the required change in motion. We A former channel which was choked with will continue to monitor water quality, plant silt has been excavated to reconnect it, via regeneration and fish movements both inside several wildlife-rich dykes, to the . and outside the barriers, to assess their impact To help us understand the balance of fish stock, across the Broads and their associated dykes. the movement of fish is being monitored in Improved water quality at partnership with the Environment Agency The aim is that Tipping the Balance lives up and more than two hundred fish were NWT to its name, freeing enough open water in successfully caught and tagged; solar-powered the Bure and Ant Valleys from the scourge of fish monitoring stations will record their Tipping high nutrients and fish disturbance for the presence if they enter the dyke systems. entire area to become clear, healthy water once more. Perhaps within a few years visitors Areas of scrub have been cut back from the to the Broads can again enjoy the gin-clear broad edge and reed matting laid to give water and lush beds of rare water plants for a kickstart to the development of a more varied plant structure. This will create a which they were famed in Victorian times. the Balance refuge where the zooplankton can multiply and also provide habitat for water voles. Right until the middle of the twentieth water. This enabled floating algae to bloom, century, accounts of the Norfolk Broads turning the water green and starving the Biodiversity benefits will stretch far beyond clear made frequent mention of two things: the Broads’ rare pondweeds, stoneworts and water water and abundant water plants. Clear water gin-clear water and the growth of water milfoils of the light they needed to survive. All will attract larger flocks of winter waterfowl, plants, including many rare species, which the invertebrate biodiversity associated with such as were common in the Broads in Victorian was so profuse that they had to be cut and these plants declined massively in consequence. times, and will provide better fishing grounds raked to create channels for navigation. for common tern, pike, otter and – increasingly See it in action Our new documentary Thankfully, since then, great progress has a common visitor in summer – osprey. To help It was a combination of agricultural run-off been made by agriculture and industry to the terns further, we have created extra-large Tipping the Balance explores the project, and poorly-managed sewage which later led control harmful run-off and in the Broads floating tern rafts at Ranworth and Barton, its successes and challenges. to hugely increased available nutrients in the rivers’ nutrient levels are declining. providing much-needed nest sites for a bird www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/films

08 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 09 Purple emperor butterfly 2 turtle doves 6 male nightjars sighting at Wood In the summer the purple emperor heard calling at recorded at butterfly was confirmed as returning to Norfolk’s largest ancient woodland, Marsham Heath once its stronghold in the county, nearly 50 years after the species was declared extinct in Norfolk. This is the first sighting in since the 1970s, following a handful of sightings in North Norfolk.

An expanding population can re-colonise new sites, but only if the optimal habitat is available. This confirmed sighting by Butterfly Conservation in Foxley Wood indicates a successful restoration, and it adds weight to the belief that the butterfly is potentially breeding again in Norfolk. Marsh clubmoss Silver studded continues to blue population Foxley Wood benefitted from expand at still holding at very funding to make it better accessible high numbers at with improved paths and car park surfaces, enabling visitors to enjoy this Buxton Heath remarkable wood throughout the year and at the same time protect its ground flora. 5 woodlarks heard at Cawston Heath

Across our woods we have continued looking lace border moth, the sprightly dingy coppicing, the traditional method of woodland white plume moth and the cryptically disguised management in which trees are cut back and marjoram crest moth. Scrub clearance has also regrow to benefit ground flora, insects and opened up the trackbed for the entire length of nesting birds. the reserve, improving public access.

Eleven species of bats have been counted this We ran a series of guided walks and work parties year in Lower Wood, Ashwellthorpe: a new at Common, and a talk at record for the site. The list includes, for the first the village hall was attended by more than 80 time, the elusive Nathusius’ pipistrelle. This tiny, residents. Turtle dove successfully nested in areas thumb-size bat is capable of migrating hundreds of scrub that have been managed. of miles and can even cross the . At our heathlands, and Tony In September 2019, we discovered a large nesting Hallatt Memorial Reserve, grazing continues concentration of the ivy bee on the small heath to have a positive impact on the diversity and at , with more than 11,000 nest structure of the sward. Breeding birds across the holes. This species was new to Norfolk in 2013 two sites included seven pairs of lapwing, one and has been turning up widely across the pair of woodlark and four pairs of snipe. Scarce county where suitable nesting habitat and ivy blue-tailed damselfly continued to do well on are found. the reserve. Approximately 1 hectare (2.5 acres) of purple moor grass tussocks were cut and At Narborough Railway Line, winter clearance removed from the mire on Roydon to restore work has extended the edges of the open chalk transition fen communities. Bog raft spider grassland, creating valuable bare ground for a was found for the first time on the Fire Pools, range of invertebrates, many of which are found confirming its range has expanded. nowhere else in the county, such as the delicate

10 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 11 40 CWS surveys Visited 121 CWS Germander speedwell and 33 management and contributed plans written towards practical A nature conservation tasks on 22

Beautiful Burial Grounds recovery delivered 4 workshops training 43 volunteer surveyors

network for

Norfolk We were consulted on 130 planning applications, of which we made detailed 30+ Roadside Nature comments on 30 Reserves surveyed

At Norfolk Wildlife Trust we Conservation Scheme; and farm and village ponds for insects and amphibians with the have long since abandoned Norfolk Project. We recreate lost habitats using seed and green hay, including, this year, the idea of conservation on five new meadows in . And we nature reserves alone. reconnect habitats to allow wildlife to flow more freely across the landscape and increase Sharply aware of the threats of climate its future resilience. We ensure appropriate change, of development and of continued management of Roadside Nature Reserves in habitat loss, we have been working for a Norfolk and work with landowners to provide number of years towards a vision for wildlife effective protection for the many other places conservation (shared with all the Wildlife in the landscape, including Norfolk’s network Trusts in the UK) called A Living Landscape to of County Wildlife Sites (CWS), that are still rich bring wildlife back to Norfolk’s countryside. in wildlife despite the pressures they face.

By its very nature this vision requires every This year the impact of development in Norfolk stakeholder in the landscape to support a has meant working through the planning healthy home for wildlife and for people; to system has been crucial in our work to protect help provide networks of habitat for wildlife wildlife. The proposed Western Link of the across the land, in which species can adapt and Northern Distributor Road in Norwich in essential ecological processes be maintained. particular is of grave concern, and we have publicly taken a stand against it. Elsewhere, With our partners we restore habitats for we were consulted on 130 planning applications wildlife across Norfolk: ancient grassland and made detailed comments to support in many of Norfolk’s churchyards for rare wildlife protection on 30 of them. wildflowers under the NWT Churchyard

12 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 13 I originally enrolled as a Norfolk Wildlife Trust and by speaking to local residents. After relating volunteer to alleviate a period of depression I had this information back to features on the ground been suffering. Rather than feeling helpless, I I was able to produce a short history, including wanted to help the environment I had become so maps and photographs. anxious about. Whether working with others or alone I found As part of NWT’s Wildlife in Common, I focussed the project fascinating and satisfying. I have on Abel Heath, a small piece of common land gained a deeper insight into the ever-changing on the outskirts of Aylsham. The ecological relationship of the community to the common element of the project comprised a botanical and helped fill in one small corner of a much survey carried out during 2019. Absorbing hours larger picture. spent immersed in the landscape were enhanced by the company of my fellow volunteers and Teresa Rogers rangers from the National Trust who are the Abel Heath and Salle Common current custodians of the site. Practical sessions with professional ecologists and expert botanists helped hone the skills that will serve me in See it in action future projects. By the end of the year we had Two documentaries on Wildlife produced a detailed survey including habitat in Common explore the history and

maps and species lists that may help inform wildlife of Norfolk’s commons, meeting future management. volunteers involved and looking at what The historical element of the project involved the future might hold. investigating the Heath from medieval to www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/films modern times. Following NWT guidance, I gathered information from printed and online NWT is hugely grateful to the funders who sources; from the archives of the Town Council made Wildlife in Common possible: see page 22

Professor Tom Williamson from University of 13 tailor-made training trained 200+ people in sessions for communities researching historic landscape from scythe training to features coppicing Wildlife in Common Wildlife surveyors in south Norfolk

2 Commons Week celebrations, with 39 in Common events attended by 69 commons surveyed people by over volunteers Common land is important in the network local commons and learn more about their 1,500 180 of habitats that make up our Living historic and ecological importance. Landscape, not just for the wildlife that finds safe haven there, but also for people From practical conservation tasks to historical who can walk freely, encounter nature and study, wildlife recording to costumed battle unwind from the pressures of modern life. re-enactments, this project has honoured Norfolk’s commons and put them firmly on This year we came to the end of our two- the map. More than 140 volunteers have joined year Wildlife in Common project, which us along the way. Here we share a personal 10 outreach sessions has helped communities celebrate their view of the project, from one volunteer. for 5 schools with the National Centre for Writing

14 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 15 We are committed to engaging people with the natural world: to inspire an understanding of wildlife, to encourage learning Inspiring and enjoyment and to help more people value nature. In 2019, commissioned a Our work with young people this year reflected study by the Institute of Education at UCL the findings of this study. We have continued to evaluate the impact that experiencing to work with hard to reach communities, nature has on children. Looking specifically at and in urban areas of social deprivation, people to take the impact on learning, self-confidence, and through the completion of the Sure Start other social skills this was one of the largest with Nature project for young families and studies into the effects of outdoor activities on Food and Fun in the School Holidays (FISH), children’s wellbeing and views about nature. a Norwich Foodbank initiative. In each case, our Children And Nature fund supported by The research revealed that children’s wellbeing our members, has helped us match funding action for increased after they had spent time connecting from grant-givers and corporate supporters. 26% increase in with nature: the children showed an increase in children visiting Cley their personal health over time; they showed an As part of a new partnership with Greater increase in nature connection and demonstrated Anglia, we worked with 10 primary schools, Marshes this year high levels of enjoyment. After nature-based in Norwich, and , educational activities, 84% of children felt providing educational sessions all about hares. wildlife capable of doing new things when they tried. To date 1,000 children have been involved in The children also gained educational benefits the project. Greater Anglia also supported as well as wider personal and social benefit. other educational activities and together we created family leaflets for train passengers.

28 work parties on our nature reserves

170,000 people 112 ‘Investors in came to our visitor Wildlife’ corporate centres this year members

7,096 school children and students engaged with wildlife on NWT education visits or through outreach

16 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 17 the Children And Nature Fund. In June 2019, the incoming Chairman of North Norfolk Food and Fun in the School Holidays District Council, Clive Stockton named us his (FISH) is a national initiative to support charity of choice, helping to fund our native families on low incomes during the school rare breeds grazing programme and our holidays, with children receiving a free education work with the very young. We are meal and free, fun activities. We provided also hugely grateful to the increasing number wildlife themed activities for eight clubs of individuals choosing to raise funds through in deprived wards of Norwich during the personal challenges, events, and collections. summer and half term school holidays, reaching more than 400 children. Cley and Salthouse Marshes hosted its most successful Cley Calling Festival yet, with more Hannah Worsley, the Norwich Foodbank than 1,500 visitors attending an eclectic range of Project Manager was delighted to have us performances, art, music and literature inspired visit the holiday clubs: “the children voted by the natural world. A further 1,900 visitors the Norfolk Wildlife Trust sessions as their attended over200 events during the year. favourite amongst all that we did. I was especially pleased with the balance between education and fun – lots of the time, the See it in action Discover the children wouldn’t even have known they natural world through the eyes were learning things because it was tailored in such a way to be so engaging. It was also of writers, painters, performers and more great that most weeks, the children had at our Cley Calling Festivals something to take home – the pinecone www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/films hedgehog, colouring, bird feeder – as so many of the families we serve have very little.

£12,000 donated through our small lottery, £18,885 received in A remarkable and humbling milestone was endeavour to visit every group that requests the 250 Club donations in memory of  reached in August when our membership a talk about NWT and wildlife, ranging from CLUB friends and family tipped 36,000 people for the first time in Rotary Clubs to the Women’s Institute, in return our history. We remain ever grateful for for very kind donations towards our work. your support and committed to using your subscriptions to protect Norfolk’s wildlife. Throughout the year our amazing team of Our membership has grown 0.62% and includes volunteers continued to support us in many people from locations right across the UK. ways. New roles recruited included Showing People Wildlife Walk Leaders, helping people Our local groups organise some 100 walks appreciate the wonderful natural environment and talks about wildlife annually and also at Foxley Wood and East Wretham Heath; fundraise in the community on our behalf. a newly set up monthly volunteer group This year the Mid Norfolk Group celebrated at undertaking habitat its 40th anniversary with a community event management; administration volunteers at Foxley Wood. The local group committees helping to keep our huge library of wildlife are entirely voluntary and reach many local photos in order; and fundraising volunteers £626,959 members and the wider public regularly. distributing and collecting donation tins to a received in gifts We are extremely grateful for their tireless huge number of locations around the county. in legacies work on our behalf and commitment to engaging more people with wildlife both We are indebted to our members, our sponsors local and global. Almost £93,000 has been and the many charitable trusts and community £2,150 gratefully raised by these groups over their lifetimes. groups that support us, as well as all the received from volunteers who make fundraising events A further 50 talks in the community were happen with us or on our behalf. A Bishop’s the first Pensthorpe made possible by our Talk Ambassadors who Garden event in Norwich raised £2,750 for Bird and Wildlife Fair, towards our restoration

18 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 19 Cley Family Days are a monthly opportunity FINANCIAL SUMMARY Trustees’ Statement for families to visit the nature reserve for The auditor has issued unqualified reports on the full free, engage with nature and experience annual financial statements and on the consistency Independent Auditor’s statement to the activities run by our volunteers. We were of the Trustees’ Annual Report with those financial Trustees of Norfolk Wildlife Trust thrilled to see an increase of 26% in statements. Their report on the full annual financial We have examined the summarised financial children visiting Cley this year. statements contained no statement under sections statements of Norfolk Wildlife Trust for the 498(2)(a), 498(2)(b) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006. year ended 31 March 2020 set out below. At Hickling Broad and Marshes visitor centre The full audited annual accounts were approved by we ran more events and guided walks, following trustees on 13 August 2020 and will be submitted to Opinion the success of our Raptor Roost walks in the the Charity Commission after the Trust’s AGM on In our opinion the summarised financial winter, which The Guardian listed as one of 19 November 2020. statements are consistent with the full the top 10 guided wildlife walks in the UK. annual financial statements and the Trustees’ Norfolk Wildlife Services (NWS) The summary financial statement may not contain Annual Report of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Nevertheless, this year has challenged us. continued to provide professional sufficient information to allow a full understanding for the year ended 31 March 2020. This was the seventh wettest late spring on ecological and arboricultural services of the financial affairs of Norfolk Wildlife Trust. record, and was followed by the profound to a range of clients. There was a For further information the full audited annual Larking Gowen LLP economic uncertainties associated with turnover of senior NWS positions and an accounts should be consulted – copies are available Chartered Accountant & Statutory Auditor, Covid-19, which towards the end of the appointment of a new business officer. from Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Bewick House, King Street House, 15 Upper King Street, financial year forced closure of our visitor We implemented a suite of operational 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY and also from Norwich NR1 1RY centres. Our income streams have kept pace changes, became a Chartered Institute of the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website. with last year, with good sales of our bespoke Ecology and Environmental Management 13 August 2020 products and ethically-sourced giftware. Registered Practice and finished the Lyndsay Whiteman, Treasurer Ultimately this income supports our work and financial year with a strong business Charitable Donations Nature remains a vital contribution to supporting performance which looks set to continue. activities & legacies reserve Membership our management of fragile sites for wildlife. INCOME 28% 40% management servicing and 48% recruitment 6% Fundraising & publicity 9% Other Education 1,900 visitors attended over income 7% Other Other trading Investment activity 6% trading 200 events at Cley Marshes activities income 2% Wider countryside activities 23% EXPENDITURE conservation 5% 26%

NWT YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2020 2020 2019 GROUP BALANCE SHEET 2020 2019 (including subsidiaries ) £000’s £000’s AS AT 31 MARCH 2020 £000’s £000’s

INCOME Tangible fixed assets 12,273 12,301 Investments 1,386 1,029 Donations and legacies 2,597 3,717 13,659 13,330 Charitable activities 1,788 2,143 Current assets : Other trading activities 1,490 1,246 Stock 112 105 Investment income 98 92 Work in progress 13 13 Other income 480 241 Debtors 1,029 3,087 Cash term deposits 3,082 3,036 Total income 6,453 7,439 Cash in hand & at bank 4,840 3,511 9,076 9,752 EXPENDITURE Creditors: amounts falling due Nature reserve management 2,724 2,685 in less than one year 684 1,215 Wider countryside conservation 271 343 Education activity 359 341 Net current assets 8,392 8,537 Fundraising and publicity 490 495 Other trading activities 1,474 1,249 Total assets less current liabilities 22,051 21,867 Membership servicing and recruitment 324 258 Creditors: amounts falling due Total expenditure 5,642 5,371 in more than one year 0 485

Net (losses)/gains on investments (142) 49 TOTAL ASSETS 22,051 21,382

NET INCOME 669 2,117 RESTRICTED FUNDS 11,867 12,198 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS - Total funds brought forward 21,382 19,265 GENERAL 2,321 2,329 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS - TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 22,051 21,382 DESIGNATED 7,863 6,855 22,051 21,382

20 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUAL REPORT 2019 - 2020 21 WITH IN-KIND SUPPORT FROM: Acle Garden Machinery Bateman Groundworks Bounceroo Events Thank you CIM Cley Spy Norfolk Wildlife Trust would like to thank the GGS Holt Garden Centre following supporters in 2019/2020 HV Graves Jessops Kinnerton Confectionery Co Ltd LANDFILL COMMUNITIES FUND GRANTS AND COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS Knights Hill Hotel & Spa Funding from distributors of CHARITABLE TRUSTS Pensthorpe Conservation Trust Lynton Wines LCF grants has enabled NWT Geoffrey Watling Charity Philip Mariner Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to carry out largescale habitat John Spedan Lewis Foundation Su Owen Parker Communications restoration and improvements Leslie Mary Carter Tuscan Farm Shop Pheasant Hotel for visitors at Ranworth Charitable Trust And over 170 Norfolk businesses Richard Osbourne Photography and Barton Broads, Roydon Love the Broads/ and individuals holding NWT Ronaldo Ices Common, and South Walsham The Broads Trust collection boxes Swallowtail Print Grazing Marshes. Mitchell Trust The Bakehouse Biffa Award N Smith Charitable Settlement SUPPORT FROM BUSINESS Wildsounds and Books Environmental Projects National Lottery Awards for All In addition to our Investors XLT Distribution Agency/Norse National Lottery Heritage Fund in Wildlife membership FCC Community Fund Natural – scheme, we have received SUPPORTERS Viridor Credits Water Environment Grant generous sponsorship, Council Environmental Company Paul Bassham Charitable Trust volunteering, delivery and District Council Pennycress Trust promotional support from Broads Authority GRANTS AND Privy Purse the corporate sector. Broads Environmental Services Ltd CHARITABLE TRUSTS Ranworth Trust Anglian Water Services Ltd Crown Point Estate Charitable Trusts and Grant Robert’s Woodland Trust Archant Eastern Inshore Fisheries Giving Organisations supported Rowan Bentall Charitable Trust Aviva and Conservation Authority NWT through valuable regular Spear Charitable Trust Carl Zeiss Easton and Otley College contributions towards core Spurrell Charitable Trust Empresa Environment Agency activities and project funding Stuart Heath Charitable Trust Greater Anglia Forestry Commission including: Wildlife in Common, Tesco Bags of Help Heacham Manor Hotel Garfield Weston Foundation improvements for visitors at The Patron’s Fund Holiday Property Bond King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Foxley Wood, securing the West Norfolk Habitats John Lewis Partnership Borough Council future of important habitats Monitoring and Golden Jubilee Trust Natural England through land aquisition, Mitigation Fund N&S Wildlife & Norfolk Biodiversity habitat creation for vulnerable Wild Flower Society Walking Holidays Information Service species and providing Naked Wines Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership opportunities for young people COMMUNITY FUNDRAISERS Nielsen Brandbank on our apprenticeship scheme. Barbara Woodcock and Norfolk Cottages North Norfolk District Council Anglian Water Flourishing Richard Webb (in memory Ørsted UK Norwich City Council Environment Fund of Martin Woodcock) Peter Beales Roses Seasearch East Banister Charitable Trust Bishop’s House Pinkfoot Gallery South Norfolk District Council Broadland District Council/ Chrissi Middleton ReAssure The Cator Family Norfolk Community Clare Talbot ROAR!! Dinosaur Adventure University of East Anglia Foundation Cosmic Roots Festival Swallowtail Print Constance Mary Paxton Inspire Races The Travelling Naturalist Our thanks to the many anonymous Charitable Trust (The Broads Walk Challenge) UK Power Networks trusts, foundations and individual D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Jacqui Kelly Vine House Farm donors who support us in all our work Essex & Water – James Macnamara White Stuff Foundation including a significant donation to the Branch Out Keys Auctioneers and White Stuff, Norwich Hickling Land Purchase Appeal. Frognal Trust Mark Lynton Wildlife Travel

22 NORFOLK WILDLIFE TRUST ANNUALANNUAL REPORT REPORT 2019 2019- 2020 - 2020 17 21 INVESTORS IN WILDLIFE AS AT 31 MARCH 2020

CORPORATE PARTNERS Norfolk Cottages GGS Anglian Water Services Norfolk Hideaways Howes Percival LLP Aviva Norfolk Woodburners Interconnector (UK) Ltd Essex & Suffolk Water Norfolk Woods Resort & Spa John Innes Society Greater Anglia Parker Communications John Lewis (Norwich) Ørsted The Pheasant Hotel & Kinnerton Confectionery Co Ltd Richardson’s Boating Holidays Restaurant Larking Gowen LLP Smith & Pinching Richard Osbourne Photography Longwater Gravel Co Ltd Financial Services Searles Leisure Resort Lovewell Blake Swallowtail Print M+A Partners GOLD MEMBERS Swarovski Optik Mayday Centrica – King’s Lynn The Travelling Naturalist Media Associates Power Station White Stuff Nicholas Hancox Solicitors Fritton Lake Retreats Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Morgan Price BRONZE MEMBERS Orbital Foods Limited International Healthcare Alan Boswell & Company Panks Engineers Ltd Norfolk Broads Direct Anglia Farmers Ltd Pinkfoot Gallery Norwich City Council Barker Bros Builders Ltd Poultec Training Ltd UK Power Networks Bateman Groundworks Ltd R G Carter Vine House Farm Ben Burgess Garden Equipment ReAssure Woodforde’s Norfolk Ales Birketts LLP Risk & Policy Analysts Ltd Blue Sky Leisure ROAR!! Dinosaur Adventure SILVER MEMBERS Breakwater IT Rogers & Norton Abacus Hotels – British Sugar PLC Ronaldo Ices Knights Hill Hotel & Spa Brown & Co Savills (L&P) Ltd Abacus Hotels – BTS Group Scira Offshore Energy Limited Le Strange Arms Hotel Busseys Ltd Sibelco UK Ltd The Boathouse Ormesby Broad Catton Print Ltd Sun Essences Ltd Peter Beales Roses Cheveley Park Farms Tarmac Broadland Drinks Cley Spy The Bakehouse Cozens-Hardy LLP Clippesby Holidays The John Jarrold Trust Empresa Clover Greetings Ltd Thursford Collection Face to Face Finance Cox’s Boatyard WRS Insurance Brokers Forest Holidays Creative Image Walker Rubber & The Globe Inn Management Ltd Plastics Limited HPB Barnham Broom D & F McCarthy Ltd Whin Hill Cider HV Graves Eastern Counties Wild Sounds & Books Hansells Solicitors Access Solutions XLT Distribution Harrison Group Environmental Engena Ltd Carl Zeiss Ltd Heacham Manor Hotel Herbert Woods Holden Renault Norfolk Wildlife Trust Holiday Cottages Bewick House, 22 Thorpe Road, Norwich NR1 1RY Jessops Tel: 01603 625540 • Fax: 01603 598300 Kett Country Cottages Email: [email protected] Keys Auctioneers www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk Lynton Wines Registered charity no. 208734 Marine & Industrial LLP Martham Ferry Boatyard As a responsible charity we are proud of our code of conduct and our resulting Nielsen Brandbank record in protecting our members’ details within the organisation. www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/about-and-contact

IMAGES: Neal Trafankowski, Joe Marano, David Tipling, Jim Foster ARC, Robin Chittenden, Adam Pimble, Dave Kilbey, David North, Frederic Landes, Archant

Saving Norfolk’s Wildlife for the Future