Notice is hereby given for the Woodcraft Folk’s Annual Gathering and Annual Conference which shall be the Annual Policy Meeting and Annual General Meeting respectively of the organisation.
Venue
Biblins Youth Campsite, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6DX
Dates
Annual Gathering and Venturer Camp Pre-Camp:
Saturday 13th to Sunday 14th June 2026 (arrivals from Friday evening where possible)
Annual Conference (AGM): Saturday 13th June 2026, 2pm
Booking
Book now – there is still a chance to book
What the weekend will include
The event will take place at Biblins Youth Campsite in the beautiful Wye Valley 12-14 June. It will bring together 3 key strands:
- Annual Conference, our formal AGM and constitutional decision making and elections (see below)
- Annual Gathering, policy debates, training and development
- Venturer Camp 2026 pre camp programming
We believe the event will be highly valuable for both new and existing members. A detailed programme of training activities, along with full details of the Venturer Camp pre camp sessions, will be published by the final deadline at the end of May.
Whether you are a new leader undertaking training, refreshing your safeguarding knowledge, preparing for Venturer Camp this summer, or taking part in the democratic decision making of our organisation, you must register to attend.
We will be offering evening entertainment and a full licenced bar in the evening, so this is not just a business event but a social event ahead of the start of the summer camping season.
Motions
This year we have two types of motion:
- Six motions are listed for general debate at the Annual Conference. We hope many of these will pass with limited debate, allowing more time for other motions.
- Six motions are listed as policy motions. We are asking members to review these with their groups and districts, using this as an educational opportunity to engage young people on the issues. We encourage you to submit amendments and suggestions.
These motions will be debated in workshops on the morning of conference, with 3 x 1 hour long workshops each slot covering 2 topics at the same time. The aim is for each workshop to bring forward a unified, composited motion that can secure the support of the conference. These will then be voted on at the Annual Conference in the afternoon.
The Final Agenda including motions can be seen here: Final Agenda AG 2026.pdf
Six motions are listed for general debate at the Annual Conference. We hope many of these will pass with limited debate, allowing more time for other motions.
- Motion 1: Updating General Council terms
Amendment 1 to Motion 1: Changing terms to 3 years for General Council - Motion 2: Reducing Motion Lengths and Introducing Musings
- Motion 3: Updating the names for our Annual Gathering
- Motion 4: Regional Funds
- Motion 5: Online participation to Annual Conference
- Motion 6: Trans Rights and volunteer conduct
Six motions are listed as policy motions. We are asking members to review these with their groups and districts, using this as an educational opportunity to engage young people on the issues. We encourage you to submit amendments and suggestions. These motions will be debated in workshops on the morning of conference, with 3 x 1 hour long workshops each slot covering 2 topics at the same time. The aim is for each workshop to bring forward a unified, composited motion that can secure the support of the conference. These will then be voted on at the Annual Conference in the afternoon.
- Motion 7: Supporting action against the far right
- Motion 8: Alternatives to militarised youth programmes
- Motion 9: Strengthening links with the trade union movement
- Motion 10: Young People, Mobile phones, social media and digital wellbeing
- Motion 11: International Youth Exchange: Erasmus +
- Motion 12: Peace not war
We hope members, groups and young people will come and engage with these important issues and help push the organisation to take bolder, clearer and more progressive positions on the issues that matter to them.
Elections to General Council, Standing Orders Committee and Wayfinding Committee (IC2030)
We have some amazing candidates for election this year and we hope that you will cast your vote carefully for the balance of leadership in the General Council, Standing Order and our Camp 2030 that we need. You can read about the candidates and their motivations here: Final Agenda – Candidate Information_ AG2026.pdf
Voting will take place at Annual Conference on Saturday 13th June 2026.
Online participation
As we have done for a number of years you can vote online before the event by either giving your proxy vote to the Chair of the meeting or by instructing the chair to cast your vote how you wish.
All group contacts, districts with more than two groups and up to 9 DFs places who have not registered will shortly receive a direct communication from the Chair of Standing Orders Committee Ralph Sleigh with your voting details.
If you have registered we will expect to see you at Annual Gathering and vote in person.
Change your delegates
If you wish to change your delegates, or register new people, or appoint a new proxy please contact soc@woodcraft.org.uk up until Wednesday 10th June 2026
Draft Annual Report and Accounts
Our auditors have now agreed our Annual report and accounts without qualification and we are presenting the accounts to you as draft. If they are agreed at the Annual Meeting the Chair of General Council will sign them and they will be submitted to the relevant authorities. A separate auditors report will be circulated a week before the Annual Gathering.
The draft can be seen here
What you need to do
It is not too late to book your space – Bookings must be made here.
Help out at Annual Gathering
We know Woodcraft Folk members are great at getting stuck in, but we need your help to make the event great – either keeping do a session with the KP or behind the bar. Please sign up to help here: https://shorturl.at/J02lI
Get a lift from Newport station
Coming by train? We are offering lifts from Newport station you need to book in on this form: https://shorturl.at/PXzx1
If you are going to another station we may be able to offer a car share but you will need to email us at annualgathering26@woodcraft.org.uk
Annual Gathering is our shared democratic moment. Please book your place, speak with your group, encourage nominations, submit motions and help us make this a vibrant, participative and forward looking event.
We look forward to welcoming you to Biblins in June.
Deadlines
The following timetable has been agreed by the General Council and the Standing Orders Committee:
| Convening Notice published by | Saturday 28 February 2026 | 2pm |
| Motions received by | Saturday 21 March 2026 | 12 noon |
| Preliminary agenda published by | Saturday 11 April 2026 | 2pm |
| Amendments to motions and nomination received by | Saturday 9 May 2026 | 12 noon |
| Final agenda published, deadline for groups, district and DF regions to be registered and deadline to register to attend by | Saturday 30 May 2026 | 12 noon |
| Deadline to register change of delegate or cast proxy vote by | Saturday 6th June | 12 noon |
| Voting opens for elections at | Saturday 13 June 2026 | 12 noon |
| Voting closes for elections and Annual Conference opens at | Saturday 13 June 2026 | 2pm |
Useful Documents
- Covering letter and final Agenda
- Final Agenda and motions
- Candidate information
- FAQ AG 2026
- Covering letter AG 2026
- Convening notice AG 2026
Woodcraft Folk’s constitution made up of:
- Articles of Association (The legal rules we follow)
- Aims, Principles and Programme (Our values and how we work)
- Standing Orders (How Annual Conference runs)
- Draft minutes from 2025 AGM (Annual Conference 2025)
Preliminary Agenda and Motions
Book now
Venue
Biblins Youth Campsite, Ross-on-Wye HR9 6DX
Dates
Annual Gathering and Venturer Camp Pre-Camp:
Saturday 13th to Sunday 14th June 2026
Annual Conference (AGM): Saturday 13th June 2026, 2pm
Booking
Book now for the early bird discount until end of March
Attendance
All attendees must be individual members on 30th May 2026.
Adult member must be paid up members on that date,
Young members (under 16s) will automatically become company members on completion of the booking form.
Voting
The following categories will be entitled to be represented by one voting delegate per category:
| Groups | Those who have paid and completed their 2026 registration by 30th May 2026 |
| Districts | Those local areas with more than two paid up groups by 30th May 2026 |
| DF regions | One delegate for each of the 8 Woodcraft Folk Nations and English Regions, appointed by DF Committee by 30th May 2026 |
Changes
Groups, Districts and DF regions may change or appoint a proxy to represent them in any vote up until the 6th June 2026
