Steering Group Update

3rd June 2026

The Friends of Oxleas Woodlands Steering Group met to review progress across our finances, membership, volunteering and conservation work, as well as to look ahead to some exciting projects and developments.

Tree Mapping – exploring the trees around us

The meeting began with a presentation about the Tree Mapping initiative, which has developed through several ideas, from a tree-themed walk to a publication focusing on introduced tree species and the heritage of their origins.

The aim is to encourage more people to visit and explore the woodlands, particularly those who might not normally do so. The Steering Group will now help shape the focus and format of the first publication.

Strong membership and volunteering

Membership continues to grow steadily. We now have 612 members, compared with 590 in January, with the latest membership report also providing information about where new members are coming from.

Volunteering is also showing strong growth. Since the beginning of the year there have been 58 new enquiries, with 33 people signing up and 29 already attending at least one session. Importantly, long-term volunteer retention remains strong.

We are also continuing to welcome interest from corporate groups, including GoodGym, the Greenwich Complex Care Team and Barclays. Barclays sessions continue to provide valuable support for our conservation work, with each session generating a £500 donation.

Finance and fundraising

Our finances remain healthy. The closing balance at the end of May was £17,239.39, compared with an opening balance of £15,984.55 at the beginning of the year.

We also now have six regular donors contributing a total of £100 each month, providing a welcome source of ongoing income.

Conservation across the woodlands

There is plenty happening across our volunteer groups and woodland projects.

The Tuesday Conservation Group has been working on the glade behind Berry Hill, removing bracken and bramble and extending the north and east boundaries by around two metres.

The Friday Conservation Group is planning to focus on Hotel Field at its next session, weather permitting, while the Shooters Hill Woodlands Working Party will be returning to rhododendron removal.

The coppicing season has now finished, with the team moving into its summer break. The successful first season has produced useful material for conservation work around the woodlands.

The Woodland Condition Self-Assessment surveys are continuing, although participation is lower this year. The Conservation Planning Group is also looking at potential grant funding to support tools and training, while future dead hedging will incorporate regular natural fire breaks.

Water management and meadow work

There are also several developments in partnership with Thames21. A visit to the woodlands is planned for July, with further work later in the year expected to include pond creation and the installation of additional leaky dams.

Following discussions with PEOS, Hotel Field has now been cut, although the cuttings remain on site. FOW will provide an updated mowing schedule covering the different areas of the woodlands.

Woodland Gardens and London in Bloom

The planned summer event has unfortunately been cancelled because there has not been enough organising interest. We hope there may be opportunities to revisit the idea in the future.

Meanwhile, preparations continue for this year's London in Bloom judging. The site visit is scheduled for 18 June, with the judging being carried out by a representative from Kensington and Chelsea.

Looking ahead

The Steering Group continues to consider the future structure of FOW. Discussions are taking place about whether a proposed constituted group arrangement with Thames21 might offer an alternative route to achieving some of the benefits of charitable status. Further information will be explored at a meeting planned for July.

There are also some changes ahead within the Steering Group, with the current Secretary planning to step down at the next AGM. Members interested in getting more involved are encouraged to consider whether this could be an opportunity to contribute to the future of FOW.

With membership and volunteering continuing to grow, conservation projects progressing across the woodlands and new ideas such as Tree Mapping taking shape, there is plenty to look forward to over the coming months.