## **Land of Oak & Iron Trust** Celebrating Heritage, Culture & Landscape A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity No. 1188152 # **Trustees’ Annual Report 2020 - 21** Low Dam Winlaton Mill **----- Start of picture text -----**
Photo © Barry Tupper
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Land of Oak & Iron Trust** A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity No. 1188152 Celebrating Heritage, Culture & Landscape ## **Trustees’ Annual Report** ## **2020 - 2021** ## **The Land of Oak & Iron** The Land of Oak & Iron is centred on the River Derwent, which passes through Northumberland, Durham and Gateshead before joining the River Tyne. The area shown above for the purpose of identification only covers much of the river catchment and also includes part of the Tyne valley near Prudhoe. Page 2 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust Annual Report 2020 - 2021 ## **The Genesis of the Trust** In 2016 Groundwork NE and Cumbria successfully bid for four- year Heritage Lottery funding to form the Land of Oak & Iron Landscape Partnership (The Partnership). During the following four years of its existence the Partnership succeeded in breathing new life into the history and heritage of the region for future generations to enjoy. The Partnership improved our environment through planting a new woodland and creating a wetland. Fish can swim further up the River Derwent thanks to a new fish pass. Woodland owners have been helped to access funding to manage better our ecologically rich ancient, and more recently planted, woodlands. Communities have benefited by having improved footpaths, so people can better explore the area on foot or by bike. The story of our internationally significant heritage is being told through three Heritage Centres, beautiful interpretation around the area, and specially commissioned music and drama performances. 320 young people have gained a recognised qualification by learning traditional skills. ## **The Trust** The Land of Oak & Iron Trust evolved from a Legacy Group formed by a group of volunteers to continue the work of the Landscape Partnership beyond its four-year life. The Trust was established on 20 August 2019 and registered with the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 24 February 2020. The Trust’s financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March. This first report is in respect of the period 24 February 2020 to 31 March 2021. The objects of the Trust as set out in its governing document are: - To promote the conservation, protection and enhancement of the natural, industrial and cultural heritage of the Land of Oak & Iron - To advance the education of the general public in the natural, industrial and cultural heritage of the Land of Oak & Iron Page 3 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust Annual Report 2020 - 2021 ## **Activities** ## _**Publications**_ This group is interested in identifying published works about the history, legends and culture of the Land of Oak & Iron, many of which are out-of-print and difficult to find. Three books have been recreated from out-of-print originals, namely: _**Men of Iron**_ by Professor M.W. Flinn is the definitive work about Ambrose Crowley, the Midlands’ ironmaster whose huge manufacturing centre established in the Lower Derwent Valley at the dawn of the Industrial Revolution transformed the industrial and social history of the area. _**Tales of Derwentdale**_ a collection of myths, legends and anecdotes of farm and village life in the area, was last published in 1902 by J.W. Fawcett. The new edition includes an original biography written by volunteer Val Scully, and is illustrated with prints by the famous wood-engraver and naturalist Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) who was born at Mickley in the Land of Oak & Iron. _**Thread of Iron**_ by Douglas Vernon tells the story of the iron industry in Shotley Bridge, where the famous German sword makers were based, and Consett, home of the Consett Iron Company from foundation to closure in 1980. The influences of these industrial enterprises stretched throughout the length of the Land of Oak & Iron, from the edges of the Pennines to the River Tyne and far beyond. ## _**Young Persons**_ The Young Persons’ Group was established to encourage young people aged between 5 and 24 years to take pride in their heritage, and to help conserve the culture and landscape of the area for themselves and future generations. This is done by developing projects based on traditional cultural activities such as: - literature - local heroes - music [hand bell ringing] and dance [rapper (sword) dancing] - traditional skills, such as making proggy mats - heritage industries, such as coal mining and iron and steel production - the historical importance of the Derwent Valley - general awareness of what lies within the landscape These projects are then offered to schools, colleges and youth groups to broaden and enhance their regular activities, delivered in a meaningful and fun way. Within the first 6 months of rolling out activities (immediately prior to Coronavirus lockdown) the Group had:- - engaged with 250 ‘freshers’ at Derwentside College to identify leaders for the Heritage Orienteering project Page 4 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust Annual Report 2020 - 2021 - Successfully delivered two Heritage Orienteering Projects - Successfully delivered one Mining Project (spread over 3 full and 3 half days) All of our offerings have been well received and resulted in ‘word of mouth’ recommendations and requests for our projects from other schools. ## _**Mapping**_ The Mapping Group aims to provide information to help local people and visitors of all ages and abilities explore the landscape of the Land of Oak & Iron, to understand it and enjoy what it contains, with a particular emphasis on the industrial past. The Mapping Group has developed a base map of the Land of Oak & Iron and surrounding area which shows the land contours, major and minor water courses, settlements, woodland areas, and the road network. To this we are adding topic-specific information to produce “topic maps”. In the mapping project we are interested in helping people explore the history of the area. To do this we combine selected information from maps spanning a period of over two hundred years into a single map. This is then supplemented by additional research which allows us to create a narrative to accompany the maps. In some cases, the history can extend over several centuries. The area covered by the maps is considerably larger than the Land of Oak & Iron itself. This has been done to allow the wider connections between communities and other sites, which existed long before the Land of Oak & Iron was conceived, to be appreciated. The research that supports the preparation of these maps is compiled in the form of a spreadsheet for each topic. The current topic maps include: - Mills - Early Wooden Waggonways (1625-1800) - Historic Roads - Township Boundaries - Bridges and river features - under development - Coal Industry - under development **----- Start of picture text -----**
Heritage Centre
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 5 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust 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 Trust for virtually all of its existence has had to operate in conformity with the Government’s public health regulations and guidance arising from the Coronavirus pandemic. This has meant that there have been no face to face meetings of the trustees or the various teams of volunteers. For parts of the period under review, schools were closed which restricted the activities of the Young Persons’ Group. Notwithstanding that, meetings have taken place using electronic equipment and software. The Trust has been able to maintain teams using Microsoft’s Teams software and some progress has been made in respect of all the Trust’s activities detailed above, albeit not at the pace and to the extent that would have been possible had the public health restrictions not been in place. The Trust has also been able to maintain contact and liaise with other bodies involved in perpetuating the aims and ambitions of the former Land of Oak & Iron Landscape Partnership. ## **Financial Review** During the first accounting period of the CIO the Trust’s receipts amounted to £13,100: comprising grants amounting to £7,946; donations; income from the sale of books and merchandise; and £3,705 accrued prior to registration. The total expenditure of the Trust was £7,718, leaving a balance of £5,382 represented by cash in the bank and cash in hand. Of this sum, £3,324 represents the unspent amount of grants for young persons’ activities. The Trust has not been able to utilise the grants during the accounting period because of the emergency restrictions imposed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is hoped that these grants can be spent in accordance with the conditions of grant as soon as the restrictions are sufficiently relaxed and the activities can take place without placing the health of the young persons and volunteers at risk. The Trust is grateful to Groundwork North East and the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the grant that enabled the Trust to be set up, and to the Derwent Valley Area Action Partnership, Akzo Nobel and the Newcastle Building Society for grants for young persons’ activities. A balance of £2,058 remains in general funds. A copy of the annual accounts is attached to this report as Appendix A Page 6 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust Annual Report 2020 - 2021 ## **Reserves policy** The Trust 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 twelve months’ running costs (this year set at £600). ## **Structure, Government and Management** ## **Government** The Trust’s governing document is its Constitution, based on the Charity Commission’s ‘foundation’ model CIO Constitution. The Trust 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 first charity trustees have taken steps to increase the number of trustees by seeking applications from volunteers of the Trust and of other bodies involved in perpetuating the aims and ambitions of the former Land of Oak & Iron Landscape Partnership, by considering their skills, knowledge and experience. The Trust has no employees. There are 40 volunteers who have registered to help us. The Trustees would like to thank the volunteers for their valuable contribution to the work of the Trust. The Trustees are advertising to attract more volunteers. Not all those who volunteered for the Partnership have registered with us and steps are being taken to encourage them to do so. Separate registration is necessary for insurance purposes and to enable the Trust to comply with data protection legislation. The Trust has agreed policies relating to: Code of Behaviour Health & Safety Conflicts of Interest Risk Management Expenses Safeguarding Equal Opportunities Safe Recruitment Financial Controls Supervision GDPR General Policy Volunteers are informed of these policies on joining and they are available for inspection on the Trust’s website. Page 7 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust Annual Report 2020 - 2021 ## **Structure and Management** ## _**Board of Trustees**_ ## _**Special Interest Groups:**_ Young Persons Mapping Publications Other groups will be formed as circumstances allow. Each group includes a trustee and is led by a Lead Volunteer ## _**Management and Finance Group:**_ This group comprises: the trustees, the Lead person from each of the Special Interest Groups, co-opted volunteers, interested parties. The purpose of the Group is to discuss and agree general finance and other key management issues. ## **Partnerships** The Trust is represented on: ## _**Delivery Group**_ The Delivery Group brings together representatives of the three Heritage Centres: Winlaton Mill, Prudhoe and Blackhill (Consett), Groundwork North East, and the Trust with the common aims of promoting and celebrating the heritage, culture and landscape of the Land of Oak & Iron. The Trust is represented by two trustees. ## _**Partnership Group**_ The Partnership Group is made up of the three Local Authorities (Gateshead, Durham and Northumberland), Groundwork North East, and the Trust. The group identifies opportunities and priorities for joint working and collaboration to build on the success and vision of the Landscape Partnership. The Trust is represented by two trustees. ## _**Working Groups**_ Working groups are ad-hoc groups intended to be a coordination forum for like-minded organisations working within the Land of Oak & Iron. The make up of these groups will vary according to the subject matter and area of geographical focus. Page 8 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust Annual Report 2020 - 2021 ## **Reference and Administrative** The name of the charity is Land of Oak & Iron Trust. It uses no other name. The charity is registered in England and Wales (Charity number 118152). The address of the principal office of the charity is 19 Springhouse Lane Ebchester DH8 0QF. The first trustees were: Barry Raymond Tupper (Chairman) Marion Schooler Robert Henry Hill Geoff Marshall One new trustee was appointed by a resolution of the first trustees on 21 January 2021 Valerie Boyle Two further trustees have been appointed with effect from 14 April 2021 namely John Hunter Michael Turner Barry Tupper chaired the Trust from its inception and worked tirelessly to promote its interests. He was responsible for producing the Trust’s policies and represented the trustees on the Young Persons’ group. Barry for personal reasons announced his intention to resign as Chair and trustee but remained in post until new trustees were found. Barry’s resignation took effect from 14 April 2021 and the trustees wish to place on record their thanks to him for the work he did for the Partnership and for his efforts in establishing the Trust. Approved by the Trustees on: 29 July 2021 Signed on behalf of the Trustees: Full Name: Geoff Marshall Position: Trustee Page 9 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust Annual Report 2020 - 2021 ## **Land of Oak & Iron Trust** Celebrating Heritage, Culture & Landscape A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Charity No. 1188152 ## **Appendix A** ## Accounts for the Period 24 February 2020 - 31 March 2021 ## Income ## Expenditure |Brought Forward
Book Sales
Donations
Grants
Merchandise
Bank Interest
_Income / Expenditure_|**_2020-21_**
3,705
1,323
70
7,946
56
0
**£13,100**
_£5,382_
Computing / Website
Education
Events
Insurance
Mapping
Merchandise
Ofce Equipment
Postage / Sundries
Publishing
Room Hire
Stationery
Travel
Young Persons’ Activities|**_2020-21_**
210
196
1,100
283
156
89
2430
31
2,367
115
160
0
582| |---|---|---| |||**£7,718**| |||| ## Balances |Current Account
Cash in Hand
**_Liabilities_**
Creditors
Debtors
Grant expenditure pending
Net Worth|**_31/03/2021_**
5,208
174| |---|---| ||**£5,382**| ||3,324| ||**£2,058**| ## Assets and Reserves |**_Assets_**
Fixed Assets
Merchandise
**_Reserves_**
General Fund
Restricted Reserves|**_31/03/2021_**
£0
1,600| |---|---| ||**£1,600**| ||2,058
3,324| ||**£5,382**| NOTE: Prior to Registration as a CIO the Trust had accrued reserves of £3,705 Page 10 of 10 Land of Oak & Iron Trust Annual Report 2020 - 2021