Registered Charity Number 1171366
Trustees’ Annual Report 2020
_Ebchester Boathouse - 1968_
_Showing crowds gathered on the Victorian Terraces to watch rowing regatta_
## **Ebchester**
Ebchester is a small village on the south-eastern bank of the River Derwent in the county of Durham. The river at Ebchester forms the boundary between the counties of Durham and Northumberland.
Many years ago, probably in the 12[th] century, a weir was constructed across the river to power a series of water mills. This weir created a quiet stretch of water which is suitable for a variety of water sports.
## **Ebchester Amateur Rowing Club**
Until very recently, mention of _**‘Ebchester’**_ to any water-sports enthusiast in the North of England and the chances were they would know something of Ebchester Amateur Rowing Club or the well-known regattas which were held on the River Derwent at regular intervals for almost 100 years. The first boat was kept at Ebchester, under some trees, in 1872. By 1876 others began to take up the sport and soon the Ebchester Rowing Club was formed
Despite two world wars the club continued to thrive. The first season after the 1939-45 war was probably the most hectic in the club’s history. Five regattas were held and many new younger members joined the club. At least four regattas were held in each of the following years. Entries for the 1957 regatta were, according to the local paper, the best ever - scullers from Durham, Chester-le-Street, Tynemouth and Hexham all took part.
Regrettably, in the mid-sixties, changing social habits began to affect the interest in and activities of the Club. The decline continued into the 1970s and the Club was dissolved on 12 March 1974.
## **Ebchester Boathouse**
The current boathouse, built in 1960, is the third of three boathouses which have occupied the site continuously since 1876. Shortly after its construction a culvert was constructed by Consett Urban District Council to allow a separate toilet block and shelter to be built over the Ebchester Burn, close to where it joins the river. Sadly, following the demise of the Rowing Club, the toilet block was vandalised and had to be demolished.
The earlier boathouses were constructed entirely of timber whereas the current building has a rendered brickwork boat store with a timber meeting room above. The accommodation is very primitive by modern standards and lacks any basic services such as water and electricity. The building is in reasonably good condition but is somewhat cramped for the demands of modern usage.
Concerned at the prospect of the boathouse being demolished, village residents banded together and shortly afterwards the boathouse became a base for the 5[th] Tyne Sea Scouts.
_**EBDP Annual Report 2020**_
Page 2 of 6
By 2010 the weir itself was in need of repair. Again village residents rallied around and were able to persuade Durham County Council and the Environment Agency to carry out repairs and construct a fish pass. This key event ensured the future of the flat water, in its unique environment, for rowing, canoeing and kayaking which have become increasingly popular. The shallow water and sheltered location are well suited to beginners. Within the region there are very few safe stretches of water which are suitable for these activities.
Professional governing bodies associated with water-sports advise that the shortage of boathouse facilities is a barrier to greater participation. Our boathouse is very primitive and lacks any basic services such as water and electricity. The building is in reasonably good condition but is somewhat cramped for the demands of modern usage and is not suitable for general use by user groups.
In 2011 various organisations and user groups came together to form the Ebchester Boathouse Development Partnership. The main aim of the partnership is to improve or rebuild the boathouse and to install modern facilities to secure the long-term participation in water-based activities on the river by the community.
Rowing returned to Ebchester in 2018 with the formation of the Ebchester Boat Club and in 2019 the club hosted the first Regatta to be held on the River Derwent for 46 years.
The boathouse and surrounding woodland are owned by the National Trust who offered the 25 year lease necessary to secure funding for the project. Negotiation of the terms of the lease continued before and during 2019.
During the period from 2011 there was a series of consultations with the community and with statutory bodies which informed the development of detailed proposals. Although the size of the building is constrained by the topography of the site, a sensitively designed building, appropriate to its picturesque location within a Conservation Area, and capable of phased construction, was developed.
A major milestone was achieved in January 2018 when planning consent was granted, meaning we could then move toward detailed design of the building to meet statutory requirements.
_**EBDP Annual Report 2020**_
Page 3 of 6
## **The Partnership**
The Ebchester Boathouse Development Partnership evolved from a meeting of community organisations who were concerned to see the boathouse restored or rebuilt to encourage greater use of the river for rowing, kayaking and other activities.
The partnership was established on 9 November 2011 and registered with the Charity Commission as a Charity on 30 January 2017. The Partnership’s financial year runs from 1 January to 31 December. This report is in respect of the period 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2020.
The objects of the Partnership as set out in its governing document are:
- To further or benefit the residents of Ebchester and the neighbourhood without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, race or of political, religious or other opinions by associating together the said residents and the local authorities, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to advance community participation in healthy recreation and education in the interest of social welfare in particular but not exclusively by the provision of facilities for water based activity and leisure-time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life for the said inhabitants
## **Public Benefit**
In carrying out their activities, the Trustees have taken into account the Charity Commission’s Guidance on the public benefit requirement (PB1, PB2 & PB3) and have complied with their duty to have due regard to this guidance when exercising their powers and duties.
## **Achievements and Performance**
The charity for virtually all of the reporting period has had to operate in conformity with the Government’s public health regulations and guidance arising from the Coronavirus pandemic. This has meant that there have been no face to face meetings of the trustees. Activities focused around making arrangements for the construction of phase one of the project, the changing rooms, however these were hampered by escalating costs and by a blocked culvert. Despite these setbacks efforts to provide essential facilities continue.
## **Financial Review**
During the accounting period the charities receipts amounted to £26,471 comprising grants and contributions. The total expenditure of the charity was £23,287, leaving a balance of £64,489 represented by cash at bank and cash in hand.
A copy of the annual accounts is attached to this report as Appendix A
_**EBDP Annual Report 2020**_
Page 4 of 6
## Reserves policy
The charity has no employees and the costs of winding up the charity would be nominal. The only need for reserves at present is to cover essential running costs and emergency expenditure for which the trustees consider it prudent to maintain a general reserve representing approximately twelve months’ running costs (this year set at £600).
## **Structure, Government and Management**
## Government
The Partnership is a Charitable Association. Its governing document is its Constitution, based on the Charity Commission’s model constitution for a Charitable Association.
Its only members are the trustees.
The governing document provides that apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
The charity has no employees.
The Partnership has agreed policies relating to: Conflicts of Interest Risk Management Safeguarding Financial Controls
## **Reference and Administrative**
The name of the charity is Ebchester Boathouse Development Partnership. It uses no other name.
The charity is registered in England and Wales (Charity number **1171366)** . The address of the principal office of the charity is 19 Springhouse Lane Ebchester DH8 0QF. The trustees are:
Iain Alexander Knox (Chairman)
Tim Dillon John Johnson Geoff Marshall
Approved by the Trustees on: 25 October 2021
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
Full Name: Iain Alexander Knox Position: Chairman
_**EBDP Annual Report 2020**_
Page 5 of 6
Registered Charity Number 1171366
## **Appendix A**
## **Accounts for the period**
## **1 January 2020 - 31 December 2020**
## Income
## Expenditure
|Contributions
Grants
Regatta
Key Deposits
Donations
Interest
_Income / Expenditure_|**_2020_**
**_2019_**
25,000
1,166
3,500
240
513
100
140
592
57
**£26,471**
**£4,605**
_£2,047_
_-£6,605_
Boats
Boat Sundries
Boathouse Sundries
Events
Insurance
Jetty
Professional Fees
Training / Travel
Website|**_2020_**
**_2019_**
1,100
4,095
535
2,797500
313
500
253
1,282
3,072
19,850
253
207
42|
|---|---|---|
|||**£23,287**
**£11,011**|
||||
## Statement of Assets and Liabilities
|Cash at Bank
Cash in Hand
**_Liabilities_**
Creditors
Debtors
Grant Pending
Net Worth|**_31/12/2020_**
**_31/12/2019_**
54,279
60,695
209
609
**£64,489**
£61,304
2,859
**£64,489**
**£58,445**
Fixed Assets
Equipment
**_Reserves_**
General Fund
Restricted Reserves|**_31/12/2020_**
**_31/12/2019_**
£0
£0
£5,000
£3,900|
|---|---|---|
|||**£5,000**
**£3,900**|
|||£9,489
£6,304
£55,000
£55,000|
|||**£64.489**
**£61,304**|
||||
## Grant Income
|Persimmon Homes
County Durham Community
Foundation
Tesco - Bags of Help|**_2020_**
**_2019_**
1,000
2.500
1,166
**£1,166**
**£3,500**|
|---|---|
_**EBDP Annual Report 2020**_
Page 6 of 6
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examinerfs report
on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner s Report
R•port to the trusteesl
members of
Ebchester Boathouse Development Partnership
On accounts for the year
ondod
31 December 2020
Charfty no
lrfany)
1171366
Set out on pages
I report to the tnjstees on my examination of the accounts of the above
tharity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3111212020
Responslbllltles and As the charity trustees, you are responsibSe for preparation of the
ba818 of r•port accounts in accordance with the Charities Acl 2011 ('the Acr).
I report in resr*d of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out
under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I
have followed all the applicable Directions gNen by the Chanty Commission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Ind•p•ndent I have cornpted my examination. I confim that no material matters have
examlner's stat•m•nt come to my attention in connection wth the examination which gives me
cause to telve that in. any material respect,:
the accountirKJ records re not kept in accordance with section 130
of the Act,. or
the accounts dMI not accord with the accounting rBcords', or
the accounts dhd not comply wrth the applicab18 requirements
concemirvJ the form and content of accounts Set out in Chanties
(Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requir8m8nt
that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view vthich is not a matter
considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection
with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in
order to enable a Fyoper understandirwj of the accounts to be reached.
. Please delete the words in the brackets rfthey do not apply.
Slgned:
Date:
25 October 2020
Name:
Sue Gibson
Relevant professlonal
qualification{s) or body
(If anyl:
Address:
Ire
Hillcrest Cottage. Broomhill, Consett
Co Durham
DH8 6RY
IER
October 2018