2023-02-28-accounts

The Backbarrow Ironworks Heritage Trust

Chairman’s

Report for the AGM May 2024

Whist writing this report, I have checked back and unbelievably the Trust has been in existence for over five years and myself [and additionally Bob, another Trustee] have been involved with the site for nearly forty years!

I am pleased to say the Trustees still remain strong in their commitment. This is particularly pleasing in the light of many problems that seem to occur on a regular basis, the most recent [strictly outside this reporting period] is a major landslip above the old boiler. This is extremely likely to be as a result of the four months of nearly continuous rain from the end of November 2023. Worryingly I had asked HE before taking the site on, “what would we do if there was considerable damage to buildings and areas of the site and I made reference to that banking!” I was promised that HE would help, at the time of writing we have reported the problem and awaiting to see if someone can attend a suggested site meeting. Our interest in understanding and piecing together the uncertain aspects of the history remain a major motivation for continuing. We receive considerable pleasure from moving our knowledge on and sharing the site with our regular visitors. It is very important to extend my considerable thanks to the Trustees, they have worked hard to ensure we have continued our successful life as a heritage trust.

We have now been the owners of the site for two years, this time has passed very quickly and it that time it is pleasing to note that we have seen in excess of three hundred visitors, and more people learning about the site through our web-site and my talks. One challenge for Trustees is to ensure our appeal to new visitors continues. One idea to be considered is developing the research visits that have taken place and possibly organising some working sessions. This has already been undertaken informally, with two groups looking specifically at the machinery in the wheel-pit and the steam engine. We have robust agreements and policies in place [very important in light of these possible developments. as follows] these are visits policy, access policy, health and safety policy, accident policy, visitor protocol. Our charging policy has been revised and some increases have been put in place.

We have been grateful to HE for the capacity grant that we received, the period of that grant ended during 2023. Certainly, we would not have been in a position to take over the site and to create a viable organisation without it. All the milestones as set out as part of the capacity grant from HE were reached during this reporting period. The most significant being finally taking on the ownership of the site including instigating the first two section 17 maintenance visits. The first was completed very efficiently and the result was very good, unfortunately the ownership of the contracted company changed and the second visit was not completed correctly. In fact, these problems have been compounded as information related to delayed essential work was not submitted until last minute and at the time of writing the report, the money for the invoice has not been paid by HE.

It should be further noted that the payment period and the working schedule set by HE, does not meet the needs of our site as the main work required is the control of vegetation.

The large information boards previously erected have proved very popular with members of the public walking by, as well as being read by groups waiting to enter the site, incidentally this gives them an overview and sometimes means they can answer some of my questions! The web-site is also a constant source for promoting the Ironworks as well as providing not only up to-date information but giving a facility to book visits and allow donations and make payments for visits. As well as booked group visits via the website, we hold monthly open days at which we advertise via professional posters and obviously on the web-site site tours of the site.

We have had made nine smaller A4 boards and backing plates we will shortly be fitting these at key agreed locations around the site. These will be helpful in interpreting specific areas of the Ironworks. We have also preserved and our growing some key plants found on the site, these have associations with the fulling mill which operated on the other side of the river until approximately 300 years ago. The plants were likely to have been used in dyeing wool, this venture illustrates the importance of our aim to create an interpretation centre.

The Trust holds meetings at least once a month, the Trustees attend the site for guided tours, visits, and open days. Groups visiting the Ironworks are varied and include WI and other heritage groups this is pleasing as it indicates a broad based interest. The site is also attended to check it regularly, pick up litter, meet contactors, carry out research etc. We have established a good relationship with the builders developing the storehouses and pug mill. This is useful, in ensuring artifacts found are not lost as they are happy to pass them onto us and in turn we will help with an interpretation board for the pug-mill. To note the cast iron pipe which carried the water for the hydraulic lift, which we were hoping to display was stolen from the storehouses site!

We continue to build links with local businesses, the Parish Council and more recently Westmorland and Furness council. We have received small grants from these two councils and these plus donations/charges from visits is our only source of income. This is not only to further our wider educational role, but to create funding streams to secure our future in making the Trust viable and thus completing our main charitable aims, to ensure Backbarrow Ironworks are maintained in good condition and we promote the Ironworks to the public in numerous ways. Therefore, the Trust remains strong and resolute in fulfilling our charitable trust aims: to continue leasing the SAM and promote its history and make Backbarrow Ironworks an important centre for understanding the iron industry and its place in local history. Richard R W Sanderson Chair of Backbarrow Ironworks Heritage Trust 21.05.24.

From: Richard Sanderson [e-mail] Subject: Accounts Date: 21 November 2024 at 17:58

To: Richard Sanderson [e-mail]