That’s a wrap for our 2025 AGM!
29 Sep 2025
We are still buzzing after a successful and inspiring AGM held on the edge of Dartmoor, in Devon, at the weekend.
It was a delight to welcome members from far and wide to the two-day gathering, which began last Friday at the Dartmoor National Park Authority headquarters in Bovey Tracey.
After sharing updates on progress and challenges Small Woods has faced in the last financial year during the AGM section of the day, we moved on to our conference on Timber and Resilience.
Act now for resilience
Our line-up of expert speakers included Grown in Britain CEO, Dougal Driver, who stressed the need to diversify planting to create greater resilience while ensuring that the species chosen are compatible and well suited to the soil and potential challenges.
Attendees were advised by Jon Burgess, of the Forestry Commission, to be aware of and take action now against the threats that are a concern for their particular woodlands, whether that relates to pests and diseases in their area or an increase in temperatures due to climate change. He urged everyone to tackle their high-priority management tasks today and pointed out that small woodland owners are fortunate to be in a position to respond quickly thanks to the relatively small scale they are working with.
Timber supply chains
Hester Robertson, of Cloud Forest, joined us via video link and told us how a lack of transparency and difficulty in matching timber supply and demand prompted the company’s mission to connect local supply chains online. In doing so, users are able to be confident in planning long and short-term operations within their woodlands, creating thriving local timber economies and low-carbon timber.
Expert forester Jim Waterson underlined the need for woodlanders to have a plan in place and to seek external input to help clarify thoughts and priorities. In doing so, it would enable them to communicate with others and identify opportunities and constraints they may face.
Award winner
The winner of the Esmond Harris Award for Innovation in Small Woodlands 2025 was announced in the afternoon – congratulations to Kesty and Martin Jakes of Sladebank Woods, in Stroud, Gloucestershire, whose efforts to bring in the community while managing the woods for wider diversity and future resilience have paid dividends! Martin joined us online and shared videos of the inspiring stories happening in the woodlands which aim to be inclusive and accessible to all.
Woods in Conversation Day
For those able to stay the night, the following Woods in Conversation Day in Saturday proved to be every bit as inspirational. The group gathered at Old Leys Wood, in nearby Liverton, to hear from owner Peter Cross who outlined how the make-up of woodland tells the story of his life through the years. The walk and talk took us through the different compartments of the wood, starting in an area that had been clear-felled and was now abundant with regeneration. There were also older sections with hazel coppice thriving under open canopies ground flora indicating a breadth of biodiversity.
Our gratitude to all our members and supporters who made the trip to join us for this wonderful event and also to our fantastic speakers and to Peter Cross for making its so interesting for all who attended.
