In the latest BET Bulletin, we describe the situation we are now facing with the ash trees on our nature reserves. Many are succumbing to the ravages of ash dieback disease (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus fungus) and all those infected will die. Over the past few years, we have been monitoring the situation closely and have now reached the stage when, with great reluctance on our part, trees need to be felled for health and safety reasons, before the decay makes them unacceptably dangerous to visitors.
We will have to fell all the diseased trees at risk of falling into Cheston Combe Road or in striking distance of our bridleway and footpaths.
We have received quotes from several professional tree surgeons, all of which will greatly exceed our reserve funds. The cost to BET will be in the region of £20,000.
Since BET bought the two reserves in 2006 and 2009, our main source of income has been the annual subscriptions paid by our members, which have remained at just £5 per person and £10 per family. Many members have kindly supplemented this with donations. Our annual income has been around £1,500 and our financial reserves currently stand at around £10,000.
Our financial position means that, reluctantly, we needed to appeal to our members and friends to help us meet the cost of making our nature reserves safe again for visitors. We know how much people from the village and further afield enjoy walking in the BET woodlands with their wealth of wildlife. During the lockdowns, we received many kind words of thanks showing how much people have appreciated the beauty and tranquillity of the reserves during these difficult times.
Our Members have responded incredibly generously to our appeal. The money contributed has enabled us to secure a grant for the rest of the costs of the work.
We plan to start some felling in late February and to complete the work in the autumn. We are also investigating the use of logging horses to extract the timber from the woods, which would be traditional and exciting!
We will publish more details about the project once confirmed.
Thank you for your time and support.
The BET Trustees
Further donations are welcome. Our membership form gives details of how to make a donation. (Click here to download a copy). Gift Aid is also a very important source of income for us so, if at all possible, please tick the Gift Aid box on the form.
For those of you who buy on Amazon, did you know that they will give 0.5% to the charity of your choice, on most purchases? Just use their alternative site Smile.Amazon.co.uk. You can nominate Backwell Environment Trust in Your AmazonSmile account profile. Every little helps!