Dear Volunteers, Members, Supporters, and Friends,
As 2024 draws to a close, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the year and express my heartfelt thanks to each of you. I hope the year has treated you well, and like me, you’re looking forward to all that 2025 has in store. It’s certainly been a positive year here at the Chiltern Society, and we couldn’t have achieved so much without your incredible support.
Thanks to our dedicated members, partners, volunteers, and supporters, we’ve exceeded our goal of hosting over 1,000 volunteer roles this year – a truly remarkable achievement! These volunteers, working across more than 50 different groups, form the backbone of everything we do, and we’re deeply grateful for their ongoing contributions.
I’d also like to take a moment to recognise a special individual: Simon Kearey MBE, our former Chair for the past six years. Simon has been an outstanding leader, and though he steps down from the Chair position, we’re thrilled that he will continue to support the Society in his new role as Vice President.
As we look ahead to 2025, we’re excited about the plans we have in place. Together with our partners, we aim to expand the impact of our work in four key areas:
With Peter Phippen now installed as our new Chair, we’re excited to build on the momentum of the past year and pursue some ambitious projects. While not everything will come to fruition, we’re optimistic that 2025 will bring meaningful progress. Here’s a snapshot of some of the initiatives we’re working on:
1. Friends of the Chiltern Chalk Streams Project
Building on our involvement in several large-scale chalk stream projects, we’re aiming for even greater impact in the years ahead. We’re hoping the Thames Water-funded project will enter its second 5-year term, and we’re eager to grow the involvement of local volunteers to strengthen the project’s reach.
Additionally, we’re working to unite the nine local volunteer groups to amplify our collective efforts across the entire region. Two exciting access projects are in the pipeline: the Two Rivers Walk (linking the Misbourne and Chess rivers) and a larger initiative to connect all the Chilterns chalk streams. Both projects are being led by volunteers, with support from the River Chess Association.
Our Planning Team is also developing a Chalk Streams Planning Supplement, which we hope will bring much-needed protection to our chalk streams. This initiative, in partnership with the National Chilterns Landscape Team and funded by Thames Water (with no strings attached), will benefit not just our region, but other chalk streams further afield.
2. WildBelt Nature Restoration Project – Next Steps
Just over a year ago, we were awarded a grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support our WildBelt Project, which facilitates volunteers in taking practical action to restore and recover nature. With 14 months already under our belt, we’re excited about what’s to come in the final phase of this 24-month project. We’re also hopeful that we can secure additional funding to expand this initiative across the entire Chilterns by the end of 2025.
3. Penn Jubilee Woods – Biodiversity Net Gain Project
We’ve recently expanded the Penn Jubilee Woods with the gift of an additional 16 acres, and we’re now working to secure Government funding to generate Biodiversity Net Gain Credits for the site. This innovative project has the potential to provide vital funding for nature reserves, and we’re optimistic that our plan will move forward successfully.
4. Misbourne Greenway Project
Although this project has faced delays, we remain committed to seeing the Misbourne Greenway come to life. This 4km stretch of accessible path, just south of Wendover, will provide an invaluable resource for the local community. We’re working closely with Sustrans and Buckinghamshire Council to bring this project to completion.
5. Repairs to Lacey Green Windmill
We are thrilled with the success of our appeal to restore Lacey Green Windmill – your generous support made all the difference. We look forward to welcoming visitors in early 2025 to showcase the progress we’ve made.
6. Being Heard
In 2024 many of our team, members, volunteers, trustees and staff made their voice heard meeting politicians, on marches in London, like Restore Nature Now, River Action – March for Clean Water, and the Big Chalk Project, thank you. There will be more in 2025 to get involved with, we must get nature higher on the political agenda.
Once again, on behalf of the entire staff and board of trustees, I want to extend a huge ‘Thank You’ to each of you for your unwavering support. We are incredibly grateful for the work you do and the difference you make.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2025 and continuing our shared journey together!
Warm regards
Chief Officer
The Chiltern Society
If you’re interested in getting more involved, we’re looking to fill the following two key trustee roles.
The General (Company) Secretary
Chairing our Finance and Governance Committee and facilitation/preparation of board meeting agenda, minutes and acting as Company Secretary.
The Volunteer and HR Lead
Chairing our Volunteer and HR Committee, helping improve the experience across 1000+ volunteer roles delivering impact across our four work streams: Nature, Planning, Heritage and Access.
Click here to find out more…
