Way of the Wharves CIO (Charity No 1188912) Report 2023
Aims and Purposes
The aims and purpose of Way of the Wharves CIO (WOTW) were amended in 2023 to better reflect the geography and scope of the charity. The aims and purpose of Way of the Wharves CIO is to advance the education of the public in the maritime and industrial heritage of Bideford, East the Water and the Torridge Estuary.
Objectives and Activities
WOTW has been researching and promoting the maritime and industrial heritage of the Torridge Estuary and especially the wharves and immediate surrounding area of East the Water. This culminated in the publication of the book ‘A History of East the Water, Bideford’ in December 2021. The main focus of charity activity in 2023 has been
1/ continued promotion of the book and focus on the wharves site at Barnstaple Street, East the Water
2/ pulling together and leading a group of heritage organisations from along the river Torridge (River Torridge Heritage Group) focused around the application for heritage harbour status for Bideford and River Torridge under the scheme run by the Maritime Heritage Trust
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.
Website and newsletters
The website www.thewharves.org with shopfront for book sales has continued to work well. The regular email newsletter continues 6-8 weekly and contains updates on maritime heritage news from along the Torridge as well as progress on works at the wharves site Barnstaple Street. The mailing list is now over 300 and FB posts regularly continue to get engagements of over 100. An archive has been created at https://phoneeastthewater.co.uk/archive-newsletters-and-publications/
Phone Box
A planning application has been made to move the adopted the phone box in Torrington Street (adopted 2021) onto the Bideford Station run by Bideford Railway Heritage Centre, to be sited as agreed with them and the land owner Brend Hotel Group. Co-located with Bideford Railway Heritage Centre on the very popular Tarka Trail walking and cycle way this will attract much more footfall and make it worthwhile refurbishing the phone box and installing the audio archive in this ‘pocket museum’. See www.phoneeastthewater.co.uk
Walks, Talks and Community Events
During 2023 WOTW gave presentations to Bideford WI, High Bickington History Group, Bideford Macular Group, Taw U3A, Bideford TC, Torridge DC and hosted the Devon History Society Day Out in Bideford. A series of three public talks, in co-operation with the Burton at Bideford, were very well supported with over 100 attendees.
WOTW supported local East the Water school with their history group and produced a poster summarising the school history. WOTW took part in events with charity Steamship
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.
Freshspring and at Bideford Fair, Bideford Water Festival and Cardboard Boat Race and Appledore Book Festival Seafaring Day. In total these activities resulted in over 365 contacts with members of the public and local schools in addition to contact made through website and social media.
Heritage Maps and Reprint Article
The successful ‘Walk the Wharves Heritage Maps’ have continued to be made available, free of charge, through Tourist Information and other outlets. A similar self-guided walk map is in preparation for Bideford.
Book ‘A History of East the Water, Bideford’
Sales in 2023 were 72, value £387. The most important sales channels continue to be through local bookshops and promotion at talks.
River Torridge Heritage Group and application for Heritage Harbour status
Much time has been spent in 2023 developing the partnership of local heritage charities from along the river Torridge – River Torridge Heritage Group (RTHG). The RTHG partnership formed in September 2023 and between them these heritage organisations represent about 2000 members/supporters and 200 active volunteers (stewards, engineers, restorers, painters etc). The group, led by WOTW, has united around the application for heritage harbour status.
WOTW has also been identifying and communicating with local stakeholders, in addition to the heritage groups that now partners in RTHG. Other stakeholders include Bideford Town Council and Torridge District Council and Taw Torridge Estuary Forum. Presentations were made to both councils and other meetings attended.
Heritage Harbour status is national recognition of the importance of maritime heritage - locally and is run by the Maritime Heritage Trust (https://maritimeheritage.org.uk/heritage harbours). WOTW was informed by MHT on 24 December 2023 that Bideford and River Torridge would be recognised as a heritage harbour effective 05 January 2024.
A Maritime Heritage Centre for Bideford
This project has taken a back seat due to the application for heritage harbour status but still remains a longer-term ambition. https://maritimeheritagebideford.org
Financial Review 2022
Way of the Wharves CIO Statement of Financial Activities
Financial year 1 January - 31 December Way of the Wharves CIO registered as a charity April 2020
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.
| 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | ||
| Grants | £ 1,000.00 | £ 1,750.00 |
| Trading | £ 1,097.83 | £ 2,585.13 |
| Donations | £ 156.18 | £ 290.00 |
| Personal loan | £ - | |
| Interest/Credits | £ 3.22 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | £ 2,257.23 | £ 4,625.13 |
| Expenditure | ||
| Suppliers | £ 1,153.60 | £ 1,480.77 |
| Travel/Deliverycosts | £ 97.00 | £ - |
| Office costs | £ - | £ - |
| Generalpayments | £ - | £ - |
| Advertising | £ - | £ - |
| Website development | £ 200.64 | £ 88.00 |
| Insurance | £ - | £ - |
| Other | £ 1,106.18 | £ - |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE | £ 2,557.42 | £ 1,568.77 |
| Closing balance at Bank | £ 3,204.53 | £ 3,504.72 |
Loan
The personal loan £1000 provided by M Teare in 2021 for printing ‘A History of East the Water, Bideford' was repaid in 2023
Grants received in 2023
Bideford Bridge Trust £500.00 Torridge DC Councillor Grant £500.00
Assets
August 2021 Way of the Wharves adopted the phone box in Torrington Street
Stock and Equipment Stock 490 books at £3.70 £1,813.00 Gazebo and benches £300.00
Notes to accounts
2023 income was made up of grants supplemented by book sales, ticket sales for public talks and donations.
The main items of expenditure were graphics costs and photography for production of a selfguided walk map for Bideford and use on website.
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.
Other expenditure includes the personal loan of £1000, taken out in 2021 to cover production costs for printing the book, that was repaid in 2023 and donations collected on behalf of Charity Steamship Freshspring
Reserves Policy
At year end 2023 WOTW had a balance of £3,204 in the bank. There are no outstanding invoices to be paid and one invoice due (£16). Book sales continue to contribute to funds. To achieve objectives in 2024 WOTW will continue to apply for relevant grants and to fund raise.
Volunteers
In addition to Trustees others have supported our activities - especially with engagement on the Facebook page. Currently the charity runs with six trustees and has a supporters/followers list of 200+ on Facebook and 300+ signed up to the newsletter (mailchimp).
Structure Governance and Management
The running of WOTW is laid out in its governing document. The governing document Aims were amended in 2023 as covered in Aims and Purposes section of this report. Trustee Kim Jones resigned in February 2023. New trustees Annemarie Munro and Teresa Tinsley were appointed in August and October 2023 respectively. The trustees are: Michael Teare Chair Louise Boulter Anthony Burt Simon Whittam Annemarie Munro Teresa Tinsley
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: 30/09/2024
Proposed: Teresa Tinsley
Seconded: Simon Whittam
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.