Ebchester Boat Club
A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1187183
Trustees’ Annual Report November 2024 - October 2025
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2024 - 2025
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 2024 - 2025
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 2024 to 31 October 2025. 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
The club has experienced a year of transition and consolidation. Membership numbers have reduced significantly over the reporting period, which has inevitably affected the breadth and frequency of club activities. Despite this, a committed small core of members has ensured the club has remained active and continues to function with purpose and resilience. Rowing activity has been maintained throughout the year, albeit in smaller groups and on a more sporadic basis. This approach has enabled continued participation while adapting to current capacity. A significant development has been the cessation of rowing at Derwent Reservoir, reflecting a need to align activity with practical considerations and available resources.
Alongside water-based activity, the club has placed a strong emphasis on maintaining engagement through a programme of fitness sessions. These sessions have provided valuable opportunities for members to sustain their physical conditioning, remain connected to the club, and support overall wellbeing.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2024 - 2025
Paddling
The club continued to provide a broad programme of paddle-sport activity, with canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding sessions delivered to an increasing range of youth groups. Paddle-boarding has remained especially popular. Owing to the continued commitment of an expanded coaching team, together with increased qualifications that enable delivery through the Paddle Sport scheme, opportunities have been extended to a wider age range, including children as young as five. Volunteer coaches have continued to give their time generously, supporting provision on up to three occasions each week.
Most sessions have taken place on weekdays, with some weekend provision used to support more focused skills development. In addition, adult leader training courses have commenced at Ebchester, reflecting a commitment to developing the next generation of water-sports leaders and strengthening future capacity.
Whickham Thorns Activity Centre has also continued to make use of the site to deliver waterbased activities during the school holidays. Through both council-funded initiatives and paid sessions, these opportunities have supported increased access to paddle-sport, encouraged skills development, and provided enjoyable outdoor experiences for children and young people.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2024 - 2025
Alongside programme delivery, maintenance of the site has remained an important and ongoing responsibility. The clearing of trees from the weir and riverbanks continues to require considerable effort to keep the area safe and accessible. Grateful thanks are extended to the volunteers who continue to support this essential work.
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, there has been a noticable demand for paddle sport activities, especially kayak and canoeing skills. The scouting movement in particular benefitted from this demand. Coaching skills are continually being developed to broaden the scope of the club.
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2024 - 2025
Financial Review
The Club’s receipts amounted to £1,684. The total expenditure of the Club was £1,112, leaving a balance of £2,783 represented by cash in the bank. A balance of £2,283 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.
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
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2024 - 2025
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) Brenda Beveridge Geoff Marshall
Approved by the Trustees 30 June 2026
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
Full Name: Iain Knox Position: Chairman
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2024 - 2025
Ebchester Boat Club A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity Number 1187183
Appendix A
Accounts for the period
1 November 2024 - 31 October 2025
Income
Expenditure
| Memberships Course Fees Sundry Boat Sales Interest Income / Expenditure |
2024 - 25 2023-24 1,275 1,935 9 40 400 0 0 0 £1,684 £1,975 £572 -£784 Afliation Equipment Insurance Repairs Training Travel |
2024 -25 2023 - 24 120 1,250 992 1,010 499 0 |
|---|---|---|
| £1,112 £2,759 |
| Balances Current Account Cash in Hand Liabilities Creditors Debtors Grants Pending Net Worth |
Assets 31/10/2025 31/10/2024 2,783 2,210 £2,783 £2,210 £2,783 £2,210 31/10/2025 31/10/2024 Fixed Assets 0 0 Equipment 22,000 25,000 £22,000 £25,000 Reserves General Fund 2,283 1,710 Restricted Reserves 500 500 £2,783 £2,210 |
|---|---|
Grant Income
2024-25 2023-24
£0
£0
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Ebchester Boat Club
Annual Report 2024 - 2025