FOW Members' Meeting June 2026

Our Members Meeting on 16 June provided an opportunity to update members on our finances, membership, conservation work and plans for the future, as well as to hear from our guest speaker about the fascinating work taking place in a roof garden.

The meeting opened with confirmation of the notes from the previous Members Meeting in December.

Tim delivered the Chair’s report on behalf of John, who was unable to attend, and thanked all the leaders of our volunteer work parties for their continued commitment. With both membership and volunteer numbers continuing to grow, there is increasing capacity for each group to make progress across the woodlands.

Membership stood at 612 at the end of May, continuing the steady monthly increase from 590 in January.

Our finances also remain strong. Gareth presented the interim financial statement, reporting a bank balance net of liabilities of £17,042.61. Net receipts, excluding grant funding, have increased to £2,364.08 compared with the same point last year. Expenditure has also risen, partly reflecting continued investment in communication and publishing software.

There was plenty of positive news from across the woodlands. The Woodland Condition Self-Assessments are continuing, with several compartments in Oxleas Wood already completed, although attendance has been lower this year.

The emergence of additional areas of wildflowers is providing encouraging evidence of the work being carried out by our conservation groups. The Steering Committee is looking at ways to improve how we share this work with members and the wider community, including through noticeboards, newsletters and website blogs. The appointment of a communications officer would help us develop this further.

Following a fire in Jack Wood, our dead-hedging practices are also being reviewed and adapted to help prevent the spread of fire, including the creation of fire breaks.

Looking ahead, a new area for coppicing will be identified for the next season, while Deansfield in Shepherdleas has been identified in the London SINC report as grassland requiring restoration.

There are also plans for Thames21 to expand the catchment of the shallow seasonal pond in Oxleas Wood, close to Shooters Hill.

Unfortunately, our recent application to the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund for the Pathways Project was unsuccessful. As a result, further contracted work is currently on hold until sufficient funding is available to refurbish a meaningful length of pathway. Our existing Pathway financial reserve will, however, be particularly useful if future grant applications require matched funding.

The Woodland Gardens and wider woodlands have been entered into the London in Bloom awards for 2026, and we are grateful to PEOS for mowing the garden borders.

Governance and the future development of FOW were also discussed. The Health & Safety Officer position remains vacant, while the Secretary position will become vacant at the next AGM. Anyone interested in taking on this important role is encouraged to speak to Alan or any member of the Steering Committee.

The possibility of achieving charitable status also remains under discussion. Thames21 has approached FOW with a view to becoming a constituted group, and there may be benefits for FOW from their charitable status. Further discussions are planned for July.

The meeting also considered how we can encourage greater involvement from the wider membership. While our active members currently represent only around 10% of the overall membership, there are many ways to get involved. Whether you have time to volunteer, an interest you'd like to develop, or a particular skill that could benefit the Friends, we'd love to hear from you.

A very strange vegetable garden

The formal meeting was followed by an interesting and entertaining talk from Emma, “A Very Strange Vegetable Garden”, giving members an opportunity to learn more about her work in a city centre roof garden.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and, as always, to all our members and volunteers whose continued support makes the work of Friends of Oxleas Woodlands possible.