The Burradon and Camperdown Community Association
Charity Registration No: 1191626
Annual Report
3 September 2024
The 2023 annual report suggested that the previous period was a time of consolidation and a foundation for future success for the Burradon and Camperdown Community Association (“BACCA”) and local community groups. The subsequent 12 months has vindicated the prediction and all the community groups and associations in the village have experienced incredible success and achievement. There is an increasing sense that a vibrant community spirit is being restored with all the groups working together in partnership.
BACCA has been an integral and important contributor to the recent success and especially the £7,202 of grants that it has secured on behalf of various groups to provide activities and amenities for residents in the village. Funds were received from the trusts and foundations detailed below:
| Donor R W Mann The Ballinger Trust Sir James Knott Trust The Rothley Trust The Catherine Cookson Trust The Barbour Foundation Stephen Byers Foundation UK Shared Prosperity Fund Total |
Donation £ 1,500 1,000 500 1,000 500 750 500 1,952 |
|---|---|
| 7,202 |
The funds donated from the trusts and foundations were utilised for the following activities:
| Group | Activity |
|---|---|
| Pensioners Coffee Morning | Oven |
| Pensioners Bingo | Fridge freezer and cooking utensils |
| Pensioners | Trips to Scarborough, Whitby and York |
| Disabled pensioners and residents | Sunderland Empire Christmas Pantomime |
| Burradon Primary School children | Touring pantomime |
| Burradon Primary School | 176 Selection boxes |
| Burradon Community | Coach hires to attend the Durham Miners Gala |
It is apparent from the feedback from the village groups and Burradon school that many pensioners and children would not have had the opportunity to participate in any organised activities. The school reported that only 37 of 176 children actually attended a pantomime with their families last Christmas.
The trusts and foundations have donated funds to BACCA and the Burradon and Camperdown Forum for decades and it is their generosity that has enabled the organisation of community activities on behalf of the residents of the village. BACCA sincerely appreciates the kindness and generosity of the trusts and foundations which has transformed the lives of people in our community.
BACCA secured a grant of £500 for Church of the Good Shepherd to purchase plants for its community garden. A grant of £500 was also secured for Burradon Bowling Club to purchase a specially adapted wheelchair for bowlers with either a disability or restricted movement. It is hoped that the community garden will attract new members to the Church and the availability of a wheelchair will encourage disabled residents to play bowls and its membership will increase.
The pensioners Thursday bingo and coffee morning both experienced a remarkable increase in the number of members from an initial 8-10 pensioners to 25 members at present. A new art class for pensioners recently started and the initial feedback is encouraging and hopefully new members will join.
The groups mentioned provide an essential lifeline to the pensioners in the village and contributed to creating new opportunities to socialise and develop new friendships. Penny Bundy, Joyce Davidson, Val Wilkinson and Irene Gilbert have earned the respect and admiration of the community for all their hard work and dedication.
Festival Cottages is the heart of our community and it is essential that the funding is secured to improve the room and increase its capacity to protect this valuable facility for future generations. The community will have to be vigilant, as there are suggestions that North Tyneside Council wish to convert Festival Cottage into residential accommodation. Festival Cottages is the last community amenity and its loss would have a detrimental effect on the provision of activities for all groups in our community.
Stephen Byers (former North Tyneside MP and founder of the Burradon and Camperdown Forum) donated £500 to pay for the coach hire for a group of 43 residents to attend the Durham Miners Picnic in Durham on 13 July 2024. The Burradon Colliery Banner was marched at the picnic to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the miners’ strike. The atrocious weather did not dampen the spirits of the village contingent (included an octogenarian and a 3-year-old child). The reaction and applause of the assembled crowds to the Burradon Colliery Banner (the sole representative of the Northumberland coalfield) as we passed the County Hotel was overwhelming. It was a proud day for our community.
There has also been a series of community events held in the village this year, Remembrance Sunday Memorial Service at the Nurses Cottage, Easter Coffee mornings, Summer Fayres and Christmas Carol Services at the Church of the Good Shepherd. The events are important and bring people together and contributes to creating a genuine sense of community in the village.
Sadly, the village has experienced incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour recently with the vandalism of the memorial to the 76 men and children killed at Burradon Colliery in 1860, the tree planted in memory of Don Toon and the nature reserve on the former Burradon Colliery site. Although, the incidents are regrettable, the reaction of the residents in the village on our Facebook page is evidence that the community has a resilient spirit.
Northumbria Police’s crime commissioner attended a public meeting with local residents in 2023 and provided the residents with a commitment to create neighbourhood policing teams to reduce crime and disorder. The neighbourhood teams have not been established and the police do not engage with the communities of the Northwest or patrol our villages. It is an issue which we will have to address at future meetings.
The project to create a memorial to the 15 men from the village that perished in World War Two has experienced various setbacks and disappointments and has not progressed as anticipated. Sculptor, Andy McDermott withdrew from the project for personal reasons and Kath Smith emigrated to Australia and it was necessary to form a new team. Cameron Ayling and Tom Maley were subsequently engaged on the project. Disappointingly, their initial enthusiasm dissipated and the promises of a design and costs for the project which were to be provided in early Spring 2024 did not materialise. The eventual costs for the memorial significantly exceeded the initial predictions and were considered to be totally unreasonable. It was decided not to proceed with Cameron and Tom on the project.
Local resident, Alex Rowntree recently sketched a design of the proposed memorial and we were able to engage with Simon Richmond, Richmond Memorials regarding the provision of the stone base for the memorial. Simon Richmond attended a site meeting recently and agreed to provide a cost estimate which should be received imminently. A meeting was also held Andy McDermott and he has agreed to resume his role in the project and is also preparing an estimate of the costs for the metal sculpture. Applications for funding will be prepared and submitted to trusts and foundations in October 2024 to commence the memorial project.
North Tyneside Council (“NTC”) has plan for North Tyneside to improve amenities, environment and employment opportunities to enhance the quality of life of local people. NTC has invested significant funds to improve and regenerate Whitley Bay, Tynemouth, Cullercoats, North Shields and the Fish Quay. NTC has also submitted bids for substantial funding to regenerate Wallsend. A £1.5m centre is proposed for Killingworth Lake and the villages of the Northwest have been offered entrance signs.
During the residents meeting with the police and crime commissioner in June 2023, Cllr Hallway insisted that significant funds would be available and invested in the village and the recent disappointment which is not unexpected and is consistent with the ward councillors’ historic performances.
I trust that this report demonstrates the positive affect of the hard work and dedication of BACCA’s trustees and the other community groups in the village which has improved the quality of life of local residents. It is essential that we all continue with these new partnerships and work together for the benefit of the community.
The Burradon and Camperdown Community Association
Annual General Meeting Agenda
3 September 2024
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Annual Report
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Accounts
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Election of Trustees
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Election of Chair
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Election of Treasurer
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Election of Secretary
The Buffadon and Camperdown Communlty Assoclatlon Annual Accounts for the Perlod Ended 26 June 2024 Charlty Reglstratlon No: 1191626 Income Restricted Funds Unrestrlcted Funds Total 2023 Accounts Grants Total 7,702.00 7,702.00 7,702.00 7,702.(M) Nll Nll Expendlture Coach Hire School Pantomlme Children Selection Boxes Pensloners Pantomime Tickets Festival Cottage Appllances Total Balance at Lloyds bank Total 2,100.00 804.00 676.50 880.00 783.00 5,243.50 2,458.50 7,702.00 2,100.( 804.(K) 676.50 880.00 783.(YJ 5,243.50 2,458,50 7,702.(KJ Nll Nll Slgned Alan Jame5 Treasurer Dated: 2 July 2024