Ebchester Boat Club
Registered Charity Number 1187183
Trustees’ Annual Report November 2020 - October 2021
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
The Genesis of Ebchester Boat Club
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 Amateur Rowing Club was formed under the presidency of Mr. Bullerwell, a school master from nearby Hamsterley Colliery. A boathouse was quickly built and the winner of the first proper handicap, in 1878, was Mr. William Hardy of Whickham. By 1899 a newer boathouse was opened by Mr. Joseph Brown, a village tradesman.
The Great War interrupted activities, with no less than 59 members serving ‘King and Country’. The 1916 and 1917 accounts show sizeable donations to the ‘Ebchester Knitting Party’ who provided clothing for the armed forces. Following the war the club continued to thrive, with several regattas being held each summer, and in 1922 a new pleasure boat was brought into operation
The Second World War drastically reduced the number of events at Ebchester Rowing Club. Many men of the East Lancashire Regiment were stationed in the Consett area and the Regiment hired Club boats when practising the erection of pontoons on the river at Ebchester.
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. However, the all-wooden boathouse, having served the Club well for almost 60 years was in very poor condition. Members organised an appeal, contacting both local firms and individuals. Response was excellent and the ‘ do-it-yourself ’ building soon got underway with members doing most of the work. The new boathouse was completed in time for the 1960 season during which a dressing room was included on the first floor.
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.
In 1981 the 5[th] Tyne Sea Scouts began to use the boathouse and since then the river has been used regularly for canoeing and kayaking.
2011 saw the formation of the Ebchester Boathouse Development Partnership, which aims to build a new boathouse and bring rowing back to the River Derwent. Regrettably, the boathouse has not yet been re-built but rowing did return to the river in 2015 and gradually became more regular.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
Ebchester Boat Club
At a meeting held on 7 March 2019 it was agreed to form the Ebchester Boat Club (EBC), a multi water-sport club based at Ebchester, with additional activities to be held on the Derwent Reservoir. The primary aim of the club would be the development and participation of water sports for the benefit of the community. The club would be affiliated to both British Canoeing and British Rowing.
Ebchester Boat Club was registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 2 January 2020. The Club’s financial year runs from 1 November to 31 October. This second report is in respect of the period from 1 November 2020 to 31 October 2021.
The object of the Trust as set out in its governing document is:
To promote community participation in healthy recreation for the public benefit in Ebchester and the surrounding area by the provision of facilities for rowing, paddling and other water sports capable of promoting physical health and fitness (“facilities” means land, buildings, equipment and organising sporting activities).
Activities
Rowing
Despite not being permitted to row in early 2021, members set to work preparing the club’s boats and blades in readiness for the much awaited green light from British Rowing, permitting the return of water sessions. One of our junior rowers set to work on a damaged old Aylings single boat. After many hours of dedicated sanding, painting, sealing, and the replacement or repair of many parts, the Aylings single was returned to its former glory. The boat was awarded its new name BobBob before being proudly launched onto the river for the start of the rowing season in March 2021.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
In March 2021 British Rowing gradually relaxed its covid restrictions and many rowing members were able to get back on the water for the first time post-covid.
In April 2021 we developed and delivered a Learn to Row (L2R) course for Adults who have physical and/or learning disability.
This course enabled 3 individuals with varying disabilities to safely access rowing. Over the 6 week course the rowers and volunteers overcame many challenges and problems in order to facilitate a rowing experience at a level appropriate to each individual’s needs.
After successfully completing the L2R course two of the rowers continued to row as part of Ebchester Boat Club, while the third was supported to access a slightly larger club, where more appropriate equipment was available to meet the rowers complex needs. Feedback from the L2R course was extremely positive and is testament to the commitment and dedication of those who volunteered to make these sessions possible. Throughout the remainder of the 2021 summer rowing season members enjoyed regular rowing sessions on both the river Derwent and the Derwent Reservoir.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
Paddling
Following on from a covid-induced lack of paddling at Ebchester, we certainly made up for it this year. It was evident that lockdown had increased the appetite for water-based activities and many groups were keen to get involved. An increased number of Scout certificated coaches helped us to run sessions for Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers and Leaders from Gateshead, Blaydon, Chopwell Consett, Blackhill and Annfield Plain to name but a few. Based on the Scout Association paddle sports activity syllabus, the sessions supported kayak and canoe skills alongside general water safety. Whilst we didn’t manage to develop our wish to provide public sessions, the increased number of coaches and particularly guidance from a senior coach helped us to plan for this development towards the end of the year. Furthermore, as is necessary every year, we cleared debris from the river keeping it flowing and ensuring that the wear is clear of potentially damaging debris.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
Public Benefit
In carrying out these 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 Club for much of the season has had to operate in conformity with the Government’s public health regulations and guidance arising from the Coronavirus pandemic. This has meant that activities and development have been severely restricted. We have continued to maintain contact with our members whenever possible and have arranged rowing courses to encourage more people to take up the sport. This has proven successful for 2021 as limitations on travel have re-awakened people’s interest in outdoor activities.
Financial Review
The Club’s receipts amounted to £6,501: comprising grants amounting to £4,900, membership fees and course fees. The total expenditure of the Club was £3,097, leaving a balance of £5,494 represented by cash in the bank. The Club is grateful to the Banks Community Fund for the grant that enabled the Club to purchase training boats and equipment. The Club is also grateful to the Barbour Foundation for the grant which will allow us to provide Learn 2 Row training for men with mental health issues . A balance of £3,497 remains in general funds
A copy of the annual accounts is attached to this report as Appendix A
Reserves policy
The Club has no employees and the costs of winding up the Trust 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 eight months’ running costs (this year set at £1,000).
Structure, Government and Management
Government
The Club’s governing document is its Constitution, based on the Charity Commission’s ‘foundation’ model CIO Constitution.
The Club is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. 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. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
The Club has no employees. There are eight volunteers who have registered to help us.
The Trustees would like to thank the volunteers for their valuable contribution to the work of the Club
The Club has agreed policies relating to:
Financial Controls Health & Safety Safeguarding
Structure and Management
Board of Trustees
Club Management
Rowing Paddling
Reference and Administrative
The name of the charity is Ebchester Boat Club. It uses no other name.
The charity is registered in England and Wales (Charity number 1187183).
The address of the principal office of the charity is 19 Springhouse Lane, Ebchester, DH8 0QF. The trustees were:
Iain Alexander Knox (Chairman) Cathy Graham Kate Johnson (nee Hastie) Jenny Scott-Bannatyne Lucy Kate Holmes Brenda Beveridge Geoff Marshall
Approved by the Trustees 18 August 2022
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
Full Name: Iain Knox Position: Chairman
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2020 - 2021
Ebchester Boat Club
Registered Charity Number 1187183
Appendix A
Accounts for the period 1 November 2020 - 31 October 2021
Income
Expenditure
| Brought forward Grants Memberships Course Fees Donation Interest Income / Expenditure |
2020 -21 2020 5,596 4,900 1,450 1,371 1,340 180 240 50 0 0 0 £6,501 £8,986 £3,404 £2,017 Afliation Equipment Insurance Professional Fees Repairs Training Travel |
2020 -21 2020 653 147 901 4.,650 558 1,095 1,000 177 29 754 18 54 0 |
|---|---|---|
| £3,097 £6,969 |
||
Balances
Assets
| Current Account Cash in Hand Liabilities Creditors Debtors Grants Pending Net Worth |
31/10/2021 31/10/2020 5,494 2,047 £5,594 £2,047 -2,375 0 860 4,400 £3,979 £6,447 31/10/2021 31/10/2020 Fixed Assets 0 0 Equipment 26,000 28,000 £26,000 £28,000 Reserves General Fund 3,928 1,047 Restricted Reserves 1,666 1,000 £5,594 £2,047 |
|---|---|
NOTE: Prior to Registration as a CIO, on 2 January 2020, the Club had accrued reserves of £5,596
Grant Income
| Durham Sports Durham Sports Northern Rowing Magic Little Grants Banks Community Fund Barbour Foundation |
2020-21 2020 450 250 250 500 4,400 500 £4,900 £1,450 |
|---|---|
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Accounts 2020 - 2021