Way of the Wharves CIO (Charity No 1188912) Report 2020
Aims and Purposes
The aims and purpose of Way of the Wharves CIO (WOTW) is to advance the education of the public in the maritime and industrial heritage of the Wharves at East the Water and the Torridge Estuary.
Objectives and Activities
WOTW is researching and promoting the maritime and industrial heritage of the Torridge Estuary and especially the wharves and immediate surrounding area of East the Water.
The focus in 2020 has been on the wharves site on Barnstaple Street. This has lain virtually unused since the early 1980s when ownership transferred to Torridge District Council. The planning authorities are now assessing a planning application for the re-development of the site, by Red Earth Developments. Adjudication of the proposed plan is due in Spring 2021. This site has a long and complex history and WOTW are liaising with stakeholders (including planning, public, developers) to ensure the history is reflected in the development with interpretation panels, artwork and naming of buildings.
As part of this promotion WOTW are well advanced with a book on the history of East the Water and its wharves, which will pull together the large amount of research, carried out over the last years.
Achievements and Performance
Way of the Wharves CIO (WOTW) was registered as a charity on 6 April 2020 with first trustees Michael Teare, Louise Boulter, Anthony Burt, Angus Harper, Simon Whittam.
Covid restrictions and lockdowns prevented meetings of trustees and also most of the planned guided walks and talks, which had to be postponed or cancelled. Communications have been maintained by phone and email.
One guided walk for a group of 11, including some trustees and supporters, was held in September 2020 during the relaxation of lockdown but new restrictions prevented further events.
We accompanied a group of students from Learn Devon who, due to the current pandemic, was learning outside of their usual classroom at Bideford Arts Centre. As part of their programme about the history and heritage of Bideford they made great use of our Walk the Wharves maps to learn more about the history of East the Water.
WAY OF THE WHARVES CIO Registered Charity Number 1188912 Advancing the education of the public in the maritime and industrial heritage of the Wharves at East the Water and the Torridge Estuary.
Some website updates were completed and a number of FB posts made. WOTW continues to get regular post visits and engagements of up to 100 on FB posts.
An on line survey was completed. There were 26 respondents. There was support expressed for siting interpretation panels on the wharf redevelopment and for permanent home for WOTW on the wharf site. Useful ideas and feedback were received.
A meeting was held in February with Simon Friend from Red Earth Developments to review the proposed plans for the £20million re-development of the site and WOTW ambitions regarding siting of interpretation panels and having a permanent place on the wharves. WOTW have continued the dialogue with Red Earth during the year. WOTW submitted a statement to Torridge District Council regarding the planning application for the re-development. (Appendix 2). Adjudication of the planning application by Torridge District Council is due in March 2021, unless it is delayed.
The Walk the Wharves self-guided walk map was distributed to Tourist Information and other outlets. There are now about 200 maps left in stock. Revisions were made to artwork preparatory for re-print. Funding is required to re-print.
The major achievement for 2020 has been to start the writing and editing of the book on the history of East the Water and its wharves including sourcing and gaining approval for use of images. Editing is on going and we aim for a 2021 publication. Working title ‘A history of East-the-Water and its wharves.’
Financial Review 2020
In 2020 there was very little financial activity reflecting the limited activity of the group. This was because of the limited interaction with public and other history groups / societies, which would have been expected to contribute to funds and costs.
There was no income in 2020 - money in bank coming from donations made in 2019.
There were only two payments:
-
membership of TTVS (local charity supporting, promoting and representing voluntary organisations in Torridge)
-
purchase of images for book from Farr collection and paid for by a donation
WAY OF THE WHARVES CIO Registered Charity Number 1188912 Advancing the education of the public in the maritime and industrial heritage of the Wharves at East the Water and the Torridge Estuary.
Way of the Wharves CIO Accounts 2020 1 Jan - 31 Dec
Income
| Income | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheques/ BACS | Cash | TOTAL | ||
| Date | Item | Income | Income | Income |
| 25/09/20 | donation to images | £61.00 | £61.00 | |
| £- | ||||
| TOTAL | £61.00 | £- |
£61.00 |
Expenditure
| Expenditure | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheques/ BACS | Cash | TOTAL | ||
| Date | Item | Expenditure | Expenditure | Expenditure |
| 25/11/20 | TTVS membership | £20.00 | £20.00 | |
| 25/09/20 | images Farr collection | £61.00 | £61.00 | |
| £- | ||||
| TOTAL | £81.00 | £- |
£81.00 |
|
| Closing bank balance 31 Dec 20 £85.00 |
Closing bank balance 31 Dec 20
Notes to accounts
Way of the Wharves started the application for charity status in 2019. As part of the application a bank account was opened in 2019 with a £100 donation. Way of the Wharves CIO became a charity in April 2020. This is the first year of accounts.
The Covid pandemic stopped many plans and activities of the charity in 2020. There was no possibility to fundraise from donations at guided walks and talks. No grants were applied for during 2020.
Reserves Policy
WOTW has reserves of less than £100 in the bank. There are no outstanding debts. Sales of the book are intended to help contribute to funds. To achieve other objectives in 2021 WOTW will need to fund raise.
Volunteers
In addition to Trustees others have supported our activities - especially with engagement on the Facebook page and filling in our online survey. It is especially important to thank Bob Kirby who has contributed so much research to the East-the-Water history and continues to help edit the book. If the planning permission is granted for the wharves development we anticipate that it will be important to find other volunteers who can help with fundraising, interpretation panel design and content.
WAY OF THE WHARVES CIO Registered Charity Number 1188912 Advancing the education of the public in the maritime and industrial heritage of the Wharves at East the Water and the Torridge Estuary.
Currently the charity runs with five trustees and has a supporters/followers list of 200+ on Facebook and 280+ signed up to the newsletter and held on mailchimp.
Structure Governance and Management
The running of WOTW is laid out in its governing document The trustees are: Michael Teare Chair Louise Boulter Anthony Burt Angus Harper Simon Whittam
Angus Harper will resign in 2021 as he is moving to Wales and WOTW will need to find another trustee.
There have been no face-to-face meetings of trustees since February 2020 due to covid restrictions.
Administrative Information
Address for correspondence Way of the Wharves c/o Michael Teare 26 Westcombe Lane Bideford EX39 3JQ Website www.thewharves.org Facebook @BrunswickWharf Email wotw.wharves@gmail.com
Prepared by M Teare.
Michael Teare Chair WOTW
Approved at AGM of WOTW Trustees 19 July 2021
Proposed: Simon Whittam
Seconded: Lou Boulter
WAY OF THE WHARVES CIO Registered Charity Number 1188912 Advancing the education of the public in the maritime and industrial heritage of the Wharves at East the Water and the Torridge Estuary.