OBee CIC's Annual Report for 2018-19



As a Community Interest Company we produce an annual report - based on our social, environmental and heritage outcomes. This report was verified by 14 OBee CIC Members and endorsed by a further 11 Members who sent their apologies at/to our online AGM on 30th May 2020.

The headlines for the year 1.10.18 - 30.9.19 were:-

1,524 Volunteer days comprising of 881 practical days and 643.5 management (an increase of 384.5 days on previous year.

The 'In-kind' value of the 1,524 days was £140,525 (based on HLF rates) an increase of £54,700 on previous year.

24 Volunteers live within a 10 mile radius of Orchard Barn, 12 others live in Suffolk, another 7 in the rest of East Anglia and 11 from the rest of the UK

  • The garden project continues to grow (thank-you Steve for co-ordinating the Tuesday Volunteers)
  • Volunteer skills development included fruit tree pruning, shingle making and fitting, composting, juicing, old carpentry tool restoration and sharpening
  • OBee friends and family celebrated the CIC's 12th birthday with a party which was supported by Boudicca - a local morris side
  • We delivered 33 courses (increase of 8) totallying 313.5 practical training days  - in timber framing, wattle and daub, restoration skills, greenwood, forest school skills and outdoor activities for Suffolk Young Carers.
  • Delivered Heritage Lottery funded training both in the woods and framing next stage of Long House frame
  • We won the Greenest County award for Valuing Water and were Highly Commended in their Sustainable Building category
  • Volunteers and Trainees constructed a masonry stove in the new Meeting Room
  • The Craft Barn was virtually completed (all bar the ridge)

Partnership working included Greenways Ipswich, West Suffolk College, Suffolk County Council, Orchards East, BTCV/Waites and Smithers Purslow

We worked collaboratively with local crafts people to deliver new courses in Cob Sculpture and Spoon Carving

Out and about at Spring Wood Open Day, Weird and Wonderful Wood, Folk East, Pakenham Water Mill and Stowmarket Rotary Club..

  OBee CIC Annual Report 18-19