THE LANCASTER CANAL TRUST
TRUSTEES REPORT TO THE 2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Trustees At the 2020 AGM John Morgan ceased to be a trustee, Robert (Bob) Phillips had been appointed during the year and was elected, Robin Yates, Peter Jones and David Haigh retired by rotation and were re-elected.
Covid 19 drastically affected the work and income of the trust throughout the year. This is commented on throughout the report.
First Furlong Peter Jones continues to bear the main burden of planning and organising this work. Covid affected our restoration on the First Furlong of course but because the work was outdoors we generally where able to continue work parties, albeit with fewer numbers, by strictly adhering to distancing and other rules and planning work tasks accordingly.
Filling the offside profile has now been completed by a combination of our own efforts and that of a contractor who was working adjacent to FF. Previously dredged earth had been stockpiled in a field on the on the towpath side by kind permission of Mr. Galbraith the landowner and named Mt Galbraith in his honour. We have no land access to the offside so a pontoon was acquired, the water level raised, the dredgings filled into sandbags, barrowed to the towpath, transferred to the pontoon and laid on the offside. A great exercise which, once we got the hang of it, worked like the proverbial ‘well-oiled machine’. No one fell in although cameras were kept on constant alert!
The majority of the length however was completed much more quickly by the contractor working for Waterhouses’. He cleared Mt Galbraith and used additional waste soil from his work. The bank was then sown with a rough mix grass seed and is already ‘greening up’.
Just when we thought we would never have to touch another concrete block ever (laying 23,800 or so being enough for any group of navvies (no matter how dedicated!) we discovered a problem of ‘floating blocks’. Water trapped under the lining had built up sufficient pressure to push up the blocks in the bed in a few places and this meant that some side lining had also slipped down. This has now been rectified, the blocks in the bed re-laid were possible, any gaps filled with Postcrete, and blocks on the banks re-positioned.
The Waterhouse’s, whose boundary runs along the offside bank, very kindly agreed the boundary at the western end towards Bridge 173 could be moved back by 2m which allows us better access along the top of the bank. We agreed to re-erect the fence and plant a hedge along the fence line.
Stop Planks There have been more problems than anticipated with sealing these and a number of different methods have been tried. By the time you read this report though, we confidently expect to have solved the problem and will be refilling FF with water ready to start stillage testing.
Connection to CRT Water. Getting the extension agreement in place has proceeded slowly due to CRT staff being on furlough. However, what we hope is the final draft agreement has now been submitted for approval. It will be our responsibility to remove the Bund between FF and CRT water and at our cost of course. Removal will be subject to their engineers’ criteria and will be supervised by them. Not unreasonable when you think about it – the last thing CRT want is the accidental draining of the northern reaches! We have a quote for £18,000 and have started an appeal to raise this money.
Hincaster Tunnel Agreement Largely due to Covid very little work, apart from strimming to keep the path open, could be completed over the last year or so. In any case, we have decided to adopt a more
ecologically sound maintenance regime by only strimming after plants have seeded in the Autumn. The result is an abundance of wildflowers in the stretch from Well Head Lane to the tunnel and up and over the Horse Path. Supervision of this area is now being overseen by Dave Haigh.
Crooklands Stables, the Paddock & Steps
Just recently the steps between Bridge 166 and the Stables, down from the road, have been completely rebuilt to a high standard by Bob Philips and a team with materials supplied by CRT. The Paddock had been badly neglected but has now been mown and wildflower areas shaped. It is planned to plant up with some naturally occurring shrubs at the back end of the year.
Boat Operations Ian Treanor writes: Due to Covid all sailings were cancelled for the season so no income or activity reports.
The Boat Safety Certificate for NB Waterwitch expired in February 2020 but could not be renewed until March 2021 and is now valid until March 2025. The boat was in good condition at the time of examination. I envisage only minor maintenance being required for 2021 and will review whether we need to lift and reblack the hull in Spring 2022.
Due to its size Waterwitch cannot comply with covid restrictions without operating at a loss (3 passenger instead of 12!). Sailings are due to recommence on the 25 July subject to any further Government guidelines/restrictions.
We conducted a successful recruitment campaign during March and April 2021 which has led to the numbers of boat crew being bolstered by 12, and the new trainees will be introduced to the rota for the remainder of this season. 5 of these recruits are experienced boaters and took their Certificate of Boat Management qualification over the weekend of 22nd & 23rd May 2021
Looking forward, the boat will cover the 2 day Westmoreland Show in September in addition to regular Sunday sailings and any charters that we may pick up during the summer. There will also be some sailings during the week of Heritage Open Days in September.
Social and Publicity Wendy Humphries and Carol Haigh report - Both the Westmorland shows were cancelled, and it was not possible to hold any social events. The trust has purchased new leaflet holders, these will be put in place when covid restrictions are eased; with permission from landowners. We have volunteers to look after the leaflet holders and keep them stocked. Leaflets were distributed locally before the lockdown and will continue now. Once cafes, caravan sites, marinas etc. are open we will be looking for volunteers living close to these amenities to take the leaflets out to the proprietors. It is important that leaflets are widely distributed as this is the best publicity for the Trust and the boat trips.
A boating member holds a stock of leaflets on his boat the ‘Snail’ and as well as distributing these has been acting as a mobile information point for which we thank him. Other suggestions for distribution welcomed. Publicity in newspapers etc. Carol Haigh has compiled a list of publications and is sending news stories/articles to them on a regular basis; there has been some success in getting these published. A story about boat crew was particularly successful.
Fund the Bund
The new appeal was published in Waterwitch magazine and sent to other publications. There has been success with the appeal and over £1,000 has been raised so far but clearly some way to go yet. Any thoughts on promoting this appeal – not to mention donations – will be very welcome.
Other publicity events
We do have lots of ideas for publicity events and hope to implement them after covid restrictions are lifted.
We did mange some events in 2020 however for example the Heritage Open Days (HOD) in September. These were in doubt but were eventually allowed to proceed. The Trust held 3 walks as part of HOD: Gunpowder Walks from Crooklands to Endmoor along the tramway to view the few remains of the Gunpowder Works.
A walk along the route of the abandoned Lancaster Canal near Brindle. Led by Nigel Hardacre who had done a lot of research and hopes to do the walks again next year.
We have plans for more HOD events in September this year.
The trust held a Zoom webinar on the 23rd of March. Nigel Hardacre spoke and showed pictures of the abandoned Walton Summit, the three mile stretch of the Lancaster Canal where it joins the Leeds and Liverpool canal at Johnson’s Hillock.
The Craft & Food show on the Westmorland show ground (a replacement for the annual Country Festival) was held in early June and we attended with our new Gazebo. The two day event, even with numbers limited, was none the less a busy couple of days and we are pleased to say we recruited some new members.
Waterwitch Magazine Wendy Humphreys, our temporary editor, produced two high standard issues and we thank her for that. We do however need a new person to assist Wendy and perhaps takeover producing the magazine in the future. Wendy is also Chair of the Inland Waterways Association Lancashire and Cumbria Branch and attends our trustee meetings as well as being involved with our Publicity and Social activities. We don’t know how she fits it all in!
Liaison with other Organizations:
Canal & River Trust As has been said above, due to covid activities have been much subdued over the last eighteen months or so but are slowly getting back to normal now. There are a number of projects planned for example on heritage structures they own such as raising a sunken winching post just south of the Stainton Aqueduct and refastening on Rubbing metals on bridges 166 and 172. These mutually beneficial projects are done in collaboration with CRT officers, particularly their Heritage officer, Operations manager and Ecologist. CRT engineering staff have also proved helpful when planning the removal of the Bund for example.
Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership
The partnership of local authorities from Cumbria and Lancashire, IWA, CRT and LCT work to support the canal corridor and the partners meet on a quarterly basis. Although the long-term aim of the Partnership is the restoration of the northern reaches in the short term it undertakes projects that raise awareness of the benefits of the canal corridor and increase its usage. The current project is the Towpath Trail, a project to create a multiuser pathway from Kendal to Lancaster. A section from Well Head Lane to Field End bridge has already been completed and other section are in the pipeline. Funded by NLHF a design partnership has been employed to produce a scheme to publicise the canal corridor between Stainton and Sedgwick with a series of imaginative Interpretation Panels that are due to be installed in September.
Inland Waterways Association
Wendy Humphreys represents IWA at our trustee meetings. More information about the activities of the IWA are to be found in our Monthly Bulletin or on their website www.waterways.org.uk.
They also sponsor the Silver Propeller Award and have recently designated the Northern Reaches as a Silver Propeller destination and have now added Aston Basin.
The Milepost Scheme Started as one of the bicentenary projects in 2019 its aim is to replace the missing milestones and has been on hold due to covid. It is hoped it will be completed in this year.
The Complete Guide to the Lancaster Canal continues to be popular and our thanks go to John Laws who not only managed the revision of the 6th edition but also distributes them. He also despatches all other sales items
Membership Report
| As of 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| Total Membership 348 | 326 | |
| Individuals | 124 | 114 |
| Concessions | 16 | 16 |
| Joint/Family | 98 | 83 |
| Life Members | 84 | 88 |
| Hon Members 22 | 22 | |
| Affiliated | 4 | 3 |
And welcome to six New Members in June Mr W Hall Stockton on Tees Mr A & Mrs L Bottomley Morecambe Ms J Huntley Milnthorpe Mrs L Bennett Milnthorpe Mrs C Jones-Benjamin Milnthorpe Mr G Green Carlisle
Volunteers
And last but very very much not the least - the trustees wish to express our enormous appreciation and thanks to all our volunteers in whatever role they play. The Trust is run entirely by volunteers and so could not exist without their support and efforts.
As always, we are very keen to enrol more volunteers, not just for the outdoor work but also for the crucial admin tasks which keep the Trust operating. So if you can offer any help we would be most grateful to hear from you. Talk to Robin or any of the Trustees if you would like to get more involved.
Remember that the monthly E-newsletter – now renamed Monthly Bulletin – is circulated to everyone who has given us their email address. If you want to keep up to date with what’s going on, information about work parties and other activities simply email chair@lancastercanaltrust.org.uk. We will of course keep your address secure and only ever use it for official communications from the LCT.
Robin Yates on behalf of the Trustees of Lancaster Canal Trust
LANCASTER CANAL TRUST
Treasurer's Report 1[st] April 2020 to 31[st] March 2021
Owing to a generous legacy of £40,000 we had a surplus for the year of about £38,000 and our net liquid funds stand at about £124,000. This represents a deficit of about £2,000 on our normal activities.
The pandemic has virtually wiped out out our public facing activities and seriously reduced our internal ones. There has been no income from boat trips, talks and social events; guide book sales are reduced by a combination of reduced boating activities and market saturation.
The accounts have been approved by our inspector and will submitted to the charity commission.
Just to run through the main changes in income …
-
Membership Subscriptions - £5,232 including Gift Aid recovery. A decrease
-
Buy A Block - £40. This campaign has finished
-
Fund The Bund – the latest campaign - £1,191 with gift aid to be recovered
-
Trip Boat Donations – the total of £642– this all from claim back from GASDS (gift aid for small donations).
-
Guide Book Sales – £2,934 - a significant reduction, as above
-
100 Club Subscriptions - £1,016, a reduction, representing 80% of subscriptions sold
-
Investment Income £959 – A reduction in the interest rate
-
Legacies & Bequests – A single legacy of £40,000
-
General Donations - £577 – An increase
-
Talks – No income
What did we spend our money on? - main differences include
-
Upper Reaches Projects, only £1,242 spent due to cancellation of many working parties
-
Trip Boat Running Costs £1,132 – The only reduction is in fuel costs; insurance, CRT licence and maintenance still required
-
Events – No expenditure
-
Promotional Material - £355 – Mainly the web site
-
Land Transfer - £1085. Thanks to the generosity of the owner we now have ownership of the land for the First Furlong and onwards to Wellheads Lane. The only cost being the land transfer fee
The Lancaster Canal Trust
Financial Activities
April 2020 - March 2021
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Income | |
| Discounts given | -97.50 |
| Fund Raising | |
| 6th Ed Guide Book Discount | -217.75 |
| 6th Ed Guide Book Sales | 2,108.90 |
| 6th Edition Guide Book Adverts | 65.00 |
| Buy a Block | |
| Buy a Block - Gift Aided | 30.00 |
| Gift Aid Recovered | 10.00 |
| Total Buy a Block | 40.00 |
| Fund The Bund | |
| Fund The Bund - Gift Aided | 1,130.00 |
| Fund The Bund - Non-gift aided | 61.00 |
| Total Fund The Bund | 1,191.00 |
| Other Book Sales | 123.00 |
| Plaque Sales | 25.50 |
| Post & Packing Sales | 8.50 |
| Total Fund Raising | 3,344.15 |
| Investment Income | 1,017.41 |
| Services | 34.00 |
| Voluntary Income | |
| 100 Club Subscriptions | 902.00 |
| Donations | |
| Chartered Trips | 1.00 |
| GASDS Recovered | 641.25 |
| Other | 735.01 |
| Other - Gift Aided | 580.00 |
| Total Donations | 1,957.26 |
| Gift Aid from Subscriptions | 268.62 |
| Legacies & Bequests | 40,000.00 |
| Membership Subscriptions | 335.00 |
| Renewals | 4,628.00 |
| Total Membership Subscriptions | 4,963.00 |
| Total Voluntary Income | 48,090.88 |
| Total Income | £52,388.94 |
| TOTAL | £52,388.94 |
| Expenditures | |
| Cost of Charitable Activities | |
| Bank Charges | 69.86 |
| Land Transfer Charges | 1,085.00 |
| LCRP | |
| Funding Contribution | 2,500.00 |
| Total LCRP | 2,500.00 |
Accrual Basis Wednesday, 23 June 2021 08:10 pm GMT+01:00
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The Lancaster Canal Trust
Financial Activities
April 2020 - March 2021
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Subscriptions Paid | 114.00 |
| Upper Reaches Project | |
| Millness Building & Wharf | 45.64 |
| Maintenance | 11.99 |
| Total Millness Building & Wharf | 57.63 |
| Restoration - First Furlong | |
| FF Relining 2018 | |
| Contractors | 74.40 |
| Equipment Purchase | 143.70 |
| Materials | 313.71 |
| Miscelllaneous | 15.00 |
| Plant & Equipment Hire | 485.40 |
| Total FF Relining 2018 | 1,032.21 |
| FF Stop Planks 2020 | 152.66 |
| Total Restoration - First Furlong | 1,184.87 |
| Total Upper Reaches Project | 1,242.50 |
| Web Site | 328.52 |
| Working Parties | |
| Equipment | 2,943.94 |
| General | 9.00 |
| Materials | 175.20 |
| Total Working Parties | 3,128.14 |
| Total Cost of Charitable Activities | 8,468.02 |
| Cost of Fundraising | |
| Cost of 6th Ed Guide Books Sold | 184.39 |
| Cost of Other Books Sold | 70.00 |
| Misc. Costs | 104.80 |
| Postage | 139.73 |
| Publicity Events and Talks | 26.00 |
| Total Cost of Fundraising | 524.92 |
| Cost of Voluntary Income | |
| Membership Admin | 7.80 |
| Trip Boat | |
| Boat Insurance | 443.52 |
| Boat Licence (C&RT) | 541.61 |
| Boat Other Running Costs | 145.48 |
| Total Trip Boat | 1,130.61 |
| Waterwitch Newsletter | |
| Distribution | 973.85 |
| Printing | 1,346.00 |
| Total Waterwitch Newsletter | 2,319.85 |
| Total Cost of Voluntary Income | 3,458.26 |
Accrual Basis Wednesday, 23 June 2021 08:10 pm GMT+01:00
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The Lancaster Canal Trust
Financial Activities
April 2020 - March 2021
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Governance | |
| Accountancy | 290.43 |
| AGM | 429.66 |
| Insurance | 1,194.05 |
| Total Governance | 1,914.14 |
| Total Expenditures | £14,365.34 |
| NET OPERATING INCOME | £38,023.60 |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | £38,023.60 |
Accrual Basis Wednesday, 23 June 2021 08:10 pm GMT+01:00
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The Lancaster Canal Trust
Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2021
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Fixed Asset | |
| Tangible assets | |
| Restricted Funds | |
| General Plant & Equipment | |
| Cost | 7,300.00 |
| Cum. Depreciation | -7,300.00 |
| Total General Plant & Equipment | 0.00 |
| Total Restricted Funds | 0.00 |
| Unrestricted Funds | |
| General Account | |
| General Plant & Equipment | |
| Cost | 12,741.60 |
| Cum. Depreciation | -12,741.60 |
| Total General Plant & Equipment | 0.00 |
| Trip Boat | |
| Cost | 8,962.75 |
| Cum. Depreciation | 3,037.25 |
| Total Trip Boat | 12,000.00 |
| Trip Boat Equipment | |
| Cost | 1,085.05 |
| Cum. Depreciation | -1,085.05 |
| Total Trip Boat Equipment | 0.00 |
| Working Party Equipment | |
| Cost | 1,202.11 |
| Cum. Depreciation | -1,202.11 |
| Total Working Party Equipment | 0.00 |
| Total General Account | 12,000.00 |
| Total Unrestricted Funds | 12,000.00 |
| Total Tangible assets | £12,000.00 |
| Total Fixed Asset | £12,000.00 |
Accrual Basis Wednesday, 23 June 2021 08:15 pm GMT+01:00
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The Lancaster Canal Trust
Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2021
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Cash at bank and in hand | |
| CAF 90-Day Deposit (deleted) | 0.00 |
| Restricted Funds | 0.00 |
| Unrestricted Funds | 0.00 |
| Total CAF 90-Day Deposit (deleted) | 0.00 |
| CAF Bank | 38,031.92 |
| CAF Donate | 0.00 |
| Current Account - NatWest | 60.30 |
| Restricted Funds | 12.00 |
| Unrestricted Funds | |
| General Fund | 0.00 |
| Total Unrestricted Funds | 0.00 |
| Total Current Account - NatWest | 72.30 |
| PayPal | 0.00 |
| Petty Cash | |
| Adjustments | 0.00 |
| Floats | 25.00 |
| Paypal Undeposited | -100.23 |
| Treasurer | 21.06 |
| Trip Boat | 25.00 |
| Total Petty Cash | -29.17 |
| United Trust Bank | 83,860.21 |
| Total Cash at bank and in hand | £121,935.26 |
| Debtors | |
| Accounts Receivable | 645.58 |
| Total Debtors | £645.58 |
| Current Assets | |
| Legacies Due | 0.00 |
| Prepaid Expenses | 0.00 |
| Prepayments | 0.00 |
| Stock | 16,577.66 |
| Uncategorised Asset | 0.00 |
| Undeposited Funds | 0.00 |
| Total Current Assets | £16,577.66 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | £139,158.50 |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | |
| Trade Creditors | |
| Accounts Payable | 214.87 |
| Total Trade Creditors | £214.87 |
Accrual Basis Wednesday, 23 June 2021 08:15 pm GMT+01:00
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The Lancaster Canal Trust
Balance Sheet
As of March 31, 2021
| TOTAL | |
|---|---|
| Current Liabilities | |
| Trailboat Festival 2015 | 0.00 |
| VAT Liability | 0.00 |
| Total Current Liabilities | £0.00 |
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | £214.87 |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES) | £138,943.63 |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | £150,943.63 |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS (LIABILITIES) | £150,943.63 |
| Charity funds | |
| Share Capital Account | 154,981.16 |
| Unrestricted Net Assets | -42,061.13 |
| Surplus/(Deficit) | 38,023.60 |
| Total Charity funds | £150,943.63 |
Accrual Basis Wednesday, 23 June 2021 08:15 pm GMT+01:00
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Independent examiner's report
| Organisation name | The Lancaster Canal Trust (CIO) |
|---|---|
| Address | C/o Lancaster CVS, The Cornerstone, Sulyard Street, Lancaster LA1 1PX |
| Account Year | 1stApril 2020 – 31st March 2021 |
| Charity number | 1167020 |
| Respective responsibilities of committee and examiner The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner’s statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: J M Cherry Date: 15th August 2021 Name: Janet M Cherry Address: 83 Ryleyfield Rd Milnthorpe Cumbria LA7 7PU Disclosure Recommendations |
Independent examiner's report
| Organisation name | The Lancaster Canal Trust (CIO) |
|---|---|
| Address | C/o Lancaster CVS, The Cornerstone, Sulyard Street, Lancaster LA1 1PX |
| Account Year | 1stApril 2020 – 31st March 2021 |
| Charity number | 1167020 |
| Respective responsibilities of committee and examiner The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examiner’s statement My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention 1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: J M Cherry Date: 15th August 2021 Name: Janet M Cherry Address: 83 Ryleyfield Rd Milnthorpe Cumbria LA7 7PU Disclosure Recommendations |