Ebchester Boat Club
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1187183
Trustees’ Annual Report November 2022 - October 2023
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Accounts 2022 - 2023
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 Accounts 2022 - 2023
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 report is in respect of the period from 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023. 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
With the rowing club starting to find it’s feet again post covid, meant that the club was in a position, in April 2023, to hold its first open day. This was a great day on which the club not only gained a few new members and interest in up-coming Learn to Row courses, but also helped to raise the visibility of the club in the local area. Small ‘erg’ challenges were held along with the sale of teas, coffees and butties which raised some much-needed pennies for a local charity.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Accounts 2022 - 2023
Following on from the successful open day a Learn to Row course was held over the late spring of 2023 which produced 3 new rowers to the club. They are really enjoying learning a new skill and are looking forward to the next steps in their rowing career. We have also seen new members joining us from other clubs in the area after coming along to our single scull sessions. They’ve been brilliant at encouraging our newer rowers and helping them out where needed.
The experienced rowers amongst the club have also started to look towards the future and have started to increase their own training with a view to the club entering local competitions in 2024 - with a keen eye on Durham Regatta in the future! They are also looking to increase their coaching knowledge to help the club develop the club further by being able to offer more course in the future.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Accounts 2022 - 2023
Paddling
This year has seen, once again, an increased number of paddling sessions at Ebchester. Thankfully, the larger coaching team remained through the year and continued to provide sessions. Our thanks need to be extended to them. As unpaid coaches, they are giving up their time to promote paddling and pass on their skills. Up to 3 sessions per week were offered during the peak summer months mainly during weekdays, however some weekends sessions were also provided. With the additional purchase of paddleboards, we were able to offer an increased variety of sessions and specific paddleboarding skill development. Support from Gateshead Scouts was welcome in the form of new buoyancy and ropes for canoes. Through their wider offer within the Whickham Thorns activity centre, water-based sessions were offered during School holidays through council-led schemes and purchasable sessions. All this contributing to an increased interest in water-based sports, potential for local access and promotion of the health and mental benefits of getting active outside. Clearing the weir and river banks of trees kept us busy as ever. The clearing of the large oaks that fell in the middle and towards the top of the river was particularly challenging. Thanks to the volunteers who don’t mind helping to keep on top of this work.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Accounts 2022 - 2023
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 continued to recover following the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and a change of personnel. As public interest in water-borne activities continues, and demand for paddle sport acivities, including kayak and canoeing skills, new members are being attracted to the club. The scouting movement also benefitted from this activity. Coaching skills are continually being developed to broaden the scope of the club.
Financial Review
The Club’s receipts amounted to £1,861: comprising grants amounting to £570, membership fees and course fees. The total expenditure of the Club was £2,246, leaving a balance of £2,989 represented by cash in the bank. The Club is grateful to Durham Sport for the grant that enabled members to be trained as kayak coaches. A balance of £2,489 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 £1,800).
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.
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
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Accounts 2022 - 2023
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 Brenda Beveridge Geoff Marshall
Approved by the Trustees 12 August 2024 Signed on behalf of the Trustees: Full Name: Iain Knox Position: Chairman
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Accounts 2022 - 2023
Ebchester Boat Club A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1187183
Appendix A
Accounts for the period 1 November 2022 - 31 October 2023
Income
Expenditure
| Grants Memberships Course Fees Sundry Insurance Claim Interest Income / Expenditure |
2022 - 23 2021-22 570 1,000 1,091 946 200 0 0 35 0 2,225 0 0 £1,861 £4,206 -£385 £2,089 Afliation Equipment Insurance Repairs Training Travel |
2022 -23 2021 - 22 1,273 790 0 2,800 973 1,583 1,122 0 0 |
|---|---|---|
| £2,246 £6,295 |
||
Balances
Assets
| Current Account Cash in Hand Liabilities Creditors Debtors Grants Pending1 Net Worth |
31/10/2023 31/10/2022 2,989 3,378 £2,989 £3,378 860 £3,989 £4,238 31/10/2023 31/10/2022 Fixed Assets 0 0 Equipment 25,000 25,000 £25,000 £25,000 Reserves General Fund 2,489 2,878 Restricted Reserves 500 500 £2,989 £3,378 |
|---|---|
Grant Income
| Arnold Clarke Duham Sport |
2022-23 2021-22 1,000 500 £500 £1,000 |
|---|---|
Note 1 Expected grants expired (pre covid)
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Accounts 2022 - 2023