The Forest of Marston Vale Trust
Analysis
The Forest of Marston Vale Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Marston Moretaine. It was registered in April 1998, 28 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 03462405). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Forest of Marston Vale Trust reported income of £4.3m and spending of £4.0m, spending 91% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £1.5m to £4.3m (+188%), an average of +30% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 99%. Over the whole period it spent 84% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Forest of Marston Vale Trust sits at the 98th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 98th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Campaign to Protect Rural England (£4.3m), Westcountry Rivers Trust (£4.6m) and The Cheshire Wildlife Trust Limited (£4.3m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 55%, trading 27%, donations and legacies 15% and investments 3.1%. Charitable activities took 76% of spending and raising funds 22%. Reserves of £611k would cover about 2 months of spending at that rate. It employed 65 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 15%
- Charitable activities 55%
- Trading 27%
- Investments 3.1%
In the charity's own words
To benefit the public through the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Marston Vale and surrounding area by creating the Forest of Marston Vale. Planting trees and managing woodlands and green spaces to stimulate social and economic regeneration, and providing major landscape, environmental, recreation, biodiversity, and quality of life benefits.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign to Protect Rural England | London | £4.3m |
| Westcountry Rivers Trust | Callington | £4.6m |
| The Cheshire Wildlife Trust Limited | Malpas | £4.3m |
| The Veolia Environmental Trust | Staffordshire | £4.7m |