Registered Charity 1188392
Chairman’s Report 2024/25
Introduction
It is my great pleasure to write the tenth Chairman’s report for NAP.
Trustees and Membership
For the past year, the Trustees have been: Patrick Candler, (Chairman); David Newport, (Vice-Chairman); Deb Hartley, (Treasurer); Stephen Walker (Hon Secretary) and Philip Jones (joined January 2025). Anne Garfoot and Emma Terry resigned at the end of December.
The City Council has been represented by Rachael Evans, Mick Smurthwaite, Ron Inglis and Sophie Hollinshead.
NAP members have participated in several of the fund-raising meetings held during the course of the year.
Governance
NAP is formally registered as a Charity. Our Governance model is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) which will help us with fund raising and give us greater credence with potential sponsors and funders.
World Monuments Fund
During the course of the past year, we have remained in contact with the WMF. While our main link, John Darlington, is no longer the Chief Executive, he remains supportive of the work that we do.
Fund Raising
During the course of the year, a key interest has been to determine what we could do to support the work of the City Council with its repairs and funding programme for the ‘Roof Appeal’.
On several occasions we have been in discussions with the Council especially when we knew that they had been successful with their capital bid under the MEND programme to invest in significant improvements to the Abbey. As part of their funding application, they will need to evidence community support, which NAP is happy to provide.
This is part of a longer term commitment on behalf of the Partnership, and assuming that a number of different applications are approved in addition to the MEND award, we have set a notional target of £40k to achieve over a six year period.
We organised several meetings to discuss a range of fundraising ideas and options and early activities included a plant and bookstall held over the week-end of the Byron Bash in April and then a stand at the Gedling Summer Fair in June. We have acquired a Sum-Up card reader to allow for electronic payments.
Furthermore, NAP has commissioned some certificated wood carvings from the Byron Oak and David Newport has got his Shades of Heroes book re-printed as new fund raising memorabilia.
April 2024 – bi-centenary of Byron’s Death
As part of the commemorative events, NAP members were present for a musical performance at St. Mary’s Church in Hucknall and laid a wreath. David Newport re-worked the format of the Life of Byron which was performed at the Bromley House Library, who kindly donated part of their entrance fee to the 'Life and Death of Lord Byron ' event.
Communications
This is still an area that requires some improvement, and consideration has been given to how best this can be achieved. We need to think of ways of getting the NAP message out and meeting the requirements and aspirations of NAP members and non-members.
The Future
We recognise that there is still a lot of work to do and there is very good potential for NAP to be at the forefront of developing a greater protection, preservation and promotion of Newstead Abbey.
Thanks
It is always appropriate at this juncture to thank all those who have supported the work of the NAP in whatever way they can.
The Executive Committee has worked throughout the year to keep the organisation going, but a number of colleagues have now indicated that they would wish to stand down from their positions. Sue Longden is leaving the Partnership as our Treasurer and I would like to say a special word of thanks for all she has done on our behalf. Similarly, Emma Terry (Secretary) and Anne Garfoot (Minute taker) who have been great supporters will also be moving on. We wish them all well in whatever they may be doing.
We are grateful for the support of the City Council and staff at the Abbey who give us constructive advice and guidance.
Our funder, the World Monuments Fund, remains influential and without whose support we would not be where we are today.
Special thanks must go to all the volunteer helpers who have staffed the stalls at events and those readers who have given up a lot of time for rehearsals and the performances.
And finally, to all Members of NAP who have been part of the group in their support for the improvements to Newstead Abbey.
Dr Patrick Candler Chairman, NAP. 2.9.24
ANNUAL ACCOUNTS
1st SEPTEMBER 2024
31st AUGUST 2025
| INCOME | EXPENDITURE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership Fees | **£143.58 ** | N.L.H.A Annual Membership | £15.00 |
| Sale of Books(Shades of Heros | |||
| +(The Spirit of Newstead). Byrons | Cost of Quills | £1,711.54 | |
| Quills & postage. | £3,528.89 | ||
| The World Monument Fund | £1,000.00 | Vitty Creative Website | £400.00 |
| Donations | £73.41 | ||
| Cost of Events | |||
| Nottingham Printing | £226.51 | ||
| Fundraising Events | Collection Buckets | ||
| Heritage Day | Zurich Insurance | £99.00 | |
| Tombola WW11 | £874.00 | ||
| NFDLD Dogs | |||
| Heritage Open day | |||
| L & D of L G B Performance M M. | |||
| Tombola Hucknall Market 150 years. | |||
| Byron Fest | |||
| Cost of Books | £930.00 | ||
| Dolphin Graphics Printing | |||
| Total Income | **£5,619.88 ** | Total Expenditure | £3,382.05 |
| Opening Balance01/09/24 | £3,129.78 | ||
| Closing Balance31/08/25 | £5,367.61 |