Founded in 1594, The Box Moor Trust manages some 493 acres of agricultural and amenity land for the benefit of the inhabitants of Hemel Hempstead and Bovingdon. [Click here to see the ‘Area of benefit’ The Box Moor Trust covers].
A registered charity, the Trust’s mission is to manage the estate in an environmentally sensitive manner for recreation, biodiversity, the provision of diverse opportunities for lifelong learning and to ensure that the enjoyment of such initiatives is accessible to all.
In 2012, work finally started on the construction of a Heritage Centre on the site of the fire-damaged headquarters in London Road. To reflect the style of the previous building, a farm barn, the design is very much that of the local vernacular. Inside wherever possible the green oak frame is left exposed. The modern focus of the building is the two storey glazed atrium that welcomes visitors as they approach from the car park. The Centre was completed in May 2013.
BOX MOOR TRUST CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES
The Trust’s objectives follow these general policies:
i. To manage and enhance the land owned and leased by the Trust for grazing and amenity with public access.
ii. To maximise income from its property and investment assets.
iii. To identify potential purchases of further land and/or properties for incorporation into the Estate.
iv. To raise awareness of the Box Moor Trust in the local population of its land and its benefits within the wider context of environment and education.
v. To distribute to its beneficiaries any available funds, following implementation of the policies related to the management and administration of the Trust Estate and the potential extension of the Estate.
The Trust’s objectives are carried forward in the following main activities:
1. Letting
2. Land Management
3. Education and Community
4. Leisure and Welfare
5. Investment Income
6. Governance
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT:
Trustees are elected by individuals in the Area of Benefit (Hemel Hempstead and Bovingdon) to govern the Charity.
The provision for re-election of Trustees was included in the Charities (Boxmoor Estate, Hemel Hempstead) Order 2000. Four Trustees elected before 2000 are lifetime Trustees. The remainder of Trustees elected from 2000 onwards must seek re-election on a rolling basis. There are currently 8 Trustees in Office out of a maximum of 12. The next election will take place in October 2015.
In addition to providing newly elected Trustees with Standing Orders, policies agreed by the Trust and general information, training is arranged on the duties and responsibilities of Trustees. The General Manager is in overall charge of the three staff teams: Estate, Administration and Education & Community. Operational Managers head the Estate and Administration teams.
The Trust’s future direction is outlined under the headings of:
Mission and Funding
• Continuing to manage the estate in an environmentally sensitive manner for recreation, biodiversity, the provision of diverse opportunities for lifelong learning and to ensure that the enjoyment of such initiatives is accessible to all.
• Continuing to develop careful land management in the context of the local landscape and environment, assisted by the careful monitoring of the resource.
• Increasing the potential for income generation from the Trust’s estate, the Trust’s investments and its property, and further developing external funding to ensure a sustainable income stream for the long term.
Services and Activities
• Enhancing the Trust’s commitment to partnership working, volunteering, lifelong learning and community engagement.
• Raising the profile of the Trust and its team including its volunteers as key contributors to the ‘quality of life’ of its beneficiaries and visitors to the area.
Governance and management
• Developing further the role of Trustees in strategically directing the Trust’s work and its aspirations.
• Reviewing the staffing structure and skills base of the Trust in the light of the opportunities and challenges of the future.
• Working effectively with professional advisers to assist with the guidance of the Trust’s work and to maximise its effectiveness.
Supporting Box Moor Trust 