Report by the Chair of the BBPS to the Annual General Meeting 2025
This report by the chair, J Hartill covers the period from 1/4/24 to 31/3/25
Can I start by thanking all the members of the society who have assisted any capacity over this year. We are a small society but have a large percentage of our members who actively assist in maintaining, operating our vessels and undertaking the general duties needed to run the society. Without them there would be no society.
Over the year we have continued to look after and operate our vessels against at times a challenging backdrop. For the second year in a row there were problems on the river Hull which prevented Syntan from sailing to Hull for most of the summer, in this case it was the failure of the lifting mechanism on Ennerdale bridge.
Beverley Town council has continued with its very welcome support for our work and I would like to place on record our thanks to them. I would also like to add to that thanks to East Riding Council who we also have a good relationship with on the Beck
In terms of our operation we have continued with a series of Sunday opening on the Beck , the trips upriver by Sun and taking part in the heritage weekend. Sun undertook 14 sailings in this year generating very useful revenue for the society. Due to the problems with Ennerdale Bridge Syntan’s sailing have been confined to one round trip to Hull for crew only and two sailings out of the Marina on the Hull waterfront. Thanks are due to all the members who acted as crew on the 2024/25 sailings and also those stewarded on our open days.
The maintenance of the vessels continues to keep them in good working order and looking good as well. This is due to the sterling
The Beverley Barge Preservation Society Charity Number: 1177522
http://www.syntanbarge.org.uk
work done by the maintenance group of members and their regular work sessions. The society was also able to finally get all three vessels having valid boat safety certificates in the Autumn of 2024, the labours of the maintenance team were key in achieving this.
I shall not be going into the finances in detail, that is covered by the treasurer’s report but the society made a small surplus during the year, compared with £1600 in the previous year. The inability to operate Syntan reduced our sources of revenue. While as a one off this is manageable it would be a problem if it continued long term. The Sunday opening of the vessels on the beck have also generated revenue, in this case in the form of donations but still a welcome contribution to the society coffers
Overall I would like to report another successful year for the society achieving our objectives of looking after the vessels, enabling the public to access the River Hull and keeping the operational skill of barge navigation on the Hull and Humber.
However it is also true that the challenges we face have not gone away, in fact may are becoming more pressing.
The condition of the river remains a problem, both upstream and downstream. Tree growth is now making navigation difficult at a number of places and the river seems to be suffering from silt building up at a number of points.
There is still a lot of work to be done of documentation, policies and procedures. This is not one of the more enjoyable tasks but as a society we do need to progress this area.
Looking at the income for the year I feel it is important to get back to having a bigger surplus so reserves can be built up for the future when we may need to start paying others to undertake some of the tasks we now perform ourselves.
Finally the issue which I believe is our biggest problem and a threat to the existence of the society, the pressing need for more and younger members, I say this not as someone who being ageist but as a realistic assessment of what is needed to ensure the societies long term future. In addition as a society we are not able to do all the thing we would like to do and should do. Having
The Beverley Barge Preservation Society Charity Number: 1177522
http://www.syntanbarge.org.uk
better publicity, a stronger on-line presence, improving training, getting all the policies and procedures in place, having a bigger crew pool and of course more people involved in maintaining the vessels.
While I think it is important to recognise the challenges we face I do not want to end on that note. I think to any unbiased observer we have had another successful year in the face of a number of difficulties. The society continues to look after its vessels, give the public access to the River Hull and maintain many of the skills needed to operate barges and other vessels in these waters. We have a good reputation and are a welcomed and valuable part of the Beverley, East Yorkshire, Hull and Humber maritime scene. Long may this continue.
J Hartill (Chair BBPS)
The Beverley Barge Preservation Society Charity Number: 1177522
http://www.syntanbarge.org.uk
INCOME & EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
| Year Ending 31st March: | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | 2022/2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | ||||
| Donations | 1,624 | 2,165 | 3,290 | |
| Sales | 15 |
0 |
6 |
|
| Events | 0 | 100 | 50 | |
| Membership | 245 | 280 | 250 | |
Bookings |
2,518 | 4,191 | 3,261 | |
Grants |
2,000 |
1,500 |
2,000 |
|
| Gift Aid | 0 |
0 |
0 |
|
| Other | 38 | 126 | 11 | |
| Interest | 139 | 110 | 7 | |
| Transfer (to)/from Reserves | 564 | 56 | (1,146) | |
TOTAL INCOME |
7,143 | 8,530 | 7,729 |
|
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Repairs & Renewals | 1,815 | 2,077 | 1,517 | |
Fixtures & Fittings |
0 |
84 |
396 |
|
Hire Costs |
0 | 0 | 0 | |
| PR/Social Media | 360 | 360 | 360 | |
| Stationery | 53 | 102 | 2 | |
Galley |
0 | 0 | 12 | |
Telecom & Postage |
0 | 45 | 0 | |
Fuel & Oil |
502 | 575 | 0 | |
| Licences & Memberships | 253 | 1,306 | 427 | |
Insurance |
3,020 | 2,231 |
1,993 | |
| Accounts fees | 0 |
0 |
240 |
|
| Health & Safety | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Events costs |
162 | 30 | 195 | |
| Training | 564 | 56 | 354 | |
Depreciation |
0 | 0 | 0 | |
Other Expenses |
160 | 24 | 3 | |
TOTAL EXPENDITURE |
6,889 | 6,890 | 5,499 | |
| NET SURPLUS /(DEFICIT) | **254 ** | 1,640 | 2,230 |
The Beverley Barge Preservation Society
Charity Number: 1177522
http://www.syntanbarge.org.uk
BALANCE SHEET
| Year Ending 31st March: | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | 2022/2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIXED ASSETS | ||||
| Barge Syntan | 95,000 | 95,000 | 95,000 | |
| Vessel Mermaid | 20,000 | 20,000 | 20,000 | |
| Vessel Sun | 35,000 | 35,000 | 35,000 | |
| Upgrade | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTAL FIXED ASSETS | 150,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | ||||
| Cash at Bank / PettyCash | 9,956 | 11,176 | 8,871 | |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||
| Loan | 2,500 | 2,500 | 2,500 | |
| Membership Fees Paid in Advance |
40 | 10 | 0 | |
| Refundable BookingDeposits | 535 | 100 | 194 | |
| Deferred Income - Training | 1,026 | 1,590 | 1,646 | |
| Short Term Creditors | 0 | 1,375 | 570 | |
| TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES |
4,101 | 5,575 | 4,910 | |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 5,855 | 5,601 | 3,961 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 155,855 | 155,601 | 153,961 | |
| REPRESENTED BY: | ||||
| General Reserve 1stApril | 155,601 | 153,961 | 151,731 | |
| Adj. to opening balance | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Net Surplus /(Deficit) | 254 | 1,640 | 2,230 | |
| General Reserve 31stMarch | 155,601 | 155,601 | 153,961 | |
| plus Restricted Reserve | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTAL RESERVES | 155,855 | 155,601 | 153,961 |
The Beverley Barge Preservation Society Charity Number: 1177522
http://www.syntanbarge.org.uk