General Members' Meeting

Tuesday 10th December 2025

Notes by Alan Jarrett, Secretary

The General Members' Meeting took place on Tuesday, 10th December 2025. John Spencer, Chair, opened proceedings by welcoming everyone present. The minutes from the previous meeting, held on 23rd September 2025, were approved with one minor correction, and no outstanding matters for discussion.

In his Chair’s report, John extended his gratitude to all volunteer groups and their leaders for their dedication over the past year. He also announced that the volunteering calendar for 2026 had now been distributed.

Gareth, the Treasurer, presented the interim financial statement. After accounting for liabilities, the organisation’s bank balance stood at £14,788.87. Net receipts, exclusive of grant-funded activities, were £3,776.79, a decrease compared to the previous year. Excluding an £8,550.00 payment towards the pathway project, expenditure had risen to £1,391.88. The rise from £810.74, includes additional investment in software related to member communications.

Membership numbers were reported as stable, with no significant changes noted.

Turning to conservation and heritage, it was mentioned that the Conservation Planning Group will soon have potential new conservation group areas to review.

The results of the latest round of the Greenwich Neighbourhood Growth Fund are anticipated in March 2026. A grant application for £20,000, plus contingency, has been submitted. If successful, work on the Green Chain Walk, alongside Shooters Hill will be carried out later in the year, to continue the Pathways Project.

Jackwood House Wildlife Garden enjoyed success at the London in Bloom awards, achieving 'Outstanding' in the Community Garden category and a Silver award for Biodiversity. Overgrown areas on the terrace have been cleared to reveal the fountain, and a compost area is now established within the Cherry Laurel.

Several conservation groups continued their work; Oxleas, Jack, and Shepherdleas Woods: the SHWWP, Friday Conservation Working Group, and Tuesday Conservation Working Group, respectively. The newly-formed Coppicing Group has held several sessions, including initial training, and plans to meet on the first Saturday of each month throughout 2026.

The meeting expressed appreciation to Mike Bulpitt for taking on the role of Membership Officer; in addition to his coordination of the events programme. Dan Adams was introduced as an interested candidate for the vacant SG position. The Health and Safety Officer post remained open, with members invited to express their interest via email (oxleas.friends@gmail.com).

Tim Edwards, member, provided an update on the Tree Mapping initiative, first discussed at the September meeting. The Royal Borough of Greenwich has a borough-wide tree portal, linked from the Friends of Oxleas Woodlands website. Dedicated maps for Oxleas Woodlands are planned, including suggested circular walks.

https://greenwich.ezyportal.com/Trees/Map

Following the meeting, an informative talk was given by Lisa McGilben of Eglington Hill Bird Sanctuary. More information can be found on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ehbirdsanctuary/

Next meeting FOW Members' AGM 18th March 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm followed by a talk.