The Somersetshire Coal Canal Society
Trustees Annual Report
Period 1[st] April 2025 to 31[st] March 2026
Chairman’s Report
Walks and Talks
Charity Structure
Conservation and Restoration Activities
Financial Review
Declaration
Charity Registration No 1207513 Website www.coalcanal.com
Chairman’s Report
The Society has had a very successful and active year. We have continued to achieve our charitable objectives and have plans to maintain these activities into the future. The Society is in good health financially and is able to fund its current and planned activities.
A sad note is that Patrick Moss, a former Chairman of the Society has passed away at the age of 59. Patrick was initially active in work parties as well as being Chairman for 13 years. Unfortunately ill health made it too difficult for him to carry on. The Society is working with Patrick’s family to create a lasting memorial to his contribution to the Somersetshire Coal Canal (S.C.C.), canal history and restoration nationwide.
Membership of the Society is increasing and is now standing at 360
The growth in membership and increased attendance at our walks and talks events has been as a result of the Society’s Social Media activity together with a presence in traditional media. The Society had stands at several village events and gave talks to many local organisations and history societies. The feedback is that many more people are aware of the canal compared with previous decades.
The year has not passed without some controversy which involved the reset of the B&NES Local Plan. Policy HE2 which seeks to protect the line of the Wansdyke and the S.C.C. came under scrutiny. The policy of the Society is to restore sections of the canal only where landowners permit it. I emphasise that restoration cannot be carried out without landowners’ consent. Neither B&NES nor the Society have any powers of compulsory purchase, nor intend to apply for such powers. This is also covered in the section “Protecting the Route” later in this document.
In addition to the outreach activities above the Society’s administration system has been further developed with “SharePoint” which is an IT system, similar to a vault of information. This will ensure that vital information is stored on a central shared IT facility available to Committee members and will not be lost when individuals’ information is no longer available.
Historical research and gathering of information about the Canal’s past continues with new material still coming to light which adds to our educational resources. The Society is working with St James Church at Camely, Temple Cloud to commemorate Charles Sage with interpretative material inside the church. Charles died whilst working on transporting coal to the S.C.C.. His unique gravestone has an illustration of a tramway wagon which brought about his demise.
Somersetshire Coal Canal Society Annual Trustee Report 2026
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An important part of the Society’s activities are the weekly Work Parties which are both revealing and conserving the remaining canal structures where access is permitted. This includes maintenance of Midford Aqueduct, an outstanding example of Georgian engineering which has been restored for the benefit of future generations.
Walks and Talks
The Society continues to provide a programme of Walks and Talks. These events are open to members of the public in order to make information which the Society holds available to those who are interested in this aspect of our heritage.
The guided walks along sections of the Somersetshire Coal Canal were led by Roger Halse, Society Archivist. Roger always brought copious amounts of maps and photographs to illustrate the Canal, its history and context in the landscape. Attendees benefited from Roger sharing his encyclopaedic knowledge and extensive archives from his many years of researching the Canal and its links to markets such as Bath. His detailed and concise interpretation often revealed information which was new to many people, some of whom had lived in the area all their lives.
Some of the guided walks in were on private land to which we were allowed permissive access, for which we thank the landowners.
The Society emphasises the need for members of the public not to trespass as we have permissions to access almost all the remains of the Canal on organised walks.
In March 2026 we were guided around the Vobster area in the Southern part of the North Somerset Coalfield by local experts. The walk showed attendees the sites of former coal mines and the failed Dorset & Somerset Canal; an interesting comparison with the SCC.
The illustrated talks were held at Paulton Village Hall, Somerset which is a short distance from the sections of the Canal which are in water.
We included a guest speaker on coal mining in Pensford which was well received by Society members and members of the public. The speaker received feedback and information which was new to him. An unexpected bonus.
The Walks and Talks programme was well publicised in traditional and Social Media. this made them available to the public, raised the profile of the Society and promoted the benefits of our activities. Both the Walks and Talks were well-attended and attracted new members
All of these events are free of charge. The Society appreciates donations, if affordable, to assist with covering costs such as hire of the Hall.
Somersetshire Coal Canal Society Trustees Annual Report 2026
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Charity Structure
The Somersetshire Coal Canal Society was first registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 19[th] March 2024 with Charity Number 1207513.
It replaces the Unincorporated Organisation of the same name, Charity Number 1047303, which was first registered in May 1995.
The Society’s objectives are:
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To advance the education of the general public in the history of the Somersetshire Coal Canal by carrying out historical research and by providing information in published documents and in public meetings.
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To promote the conservation, protection and restoration to a waterway of the physical and natural environment of the Somersetshire Coal Canal and its structures for the benefit of the general public.
The Society’s registered office is:
40 Greenleaze Knowle Park Bristol BS4 2TL
The affairs of the CIO are managed by its Trustees, assisted by its Officers.
Trustees
Derrick John Hunt (Chairman)
Martin John Turner (Secretary)
David Blair Chalmers (Treasurer)
Tracy Nicola Craven
Kathryn Laura Ford
All of the current trustees were appointed on 1[st] April 2024.
The Society's constitution requires that there should be not less than three and not more than fifteen appointed trustees. Trustees are appointed for a term of three years but can apply for re-election.
Trustees are appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
Somersetshire Coal Canal Society Annual Trustee Report 2026
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Conservation and Restoration Activities
The Society actively supports the conservation of the historic structures that remain along the route of the Somersetshire Coal Canal. It is also works with supportive landowners along the northern arm of the canal to carry out sympathetic repair and restoration works. The Society’s ultimate aim is to restore the northern arm of the canal to water, achieving this end will rely very much upon the active support of landowners along the route. Restoration will bring many benefits, enhancing the natural environment and increasing biodiversity through a landscape that has, in many locations, been denuded by historic coal mining activity. Restored rural canals in the UK have been shown to bring significant leisure and wellbeing benefits to local communities.
Regular work parties take place every Tuesday in the Combe Hay / Midford area and every Sunday at the Paulton / Timsbury terminus. More volunteers are always welcome - see our website www.coalcanal.com for contact details.
Over the past year our volunteers have worked for over 2,190 hours carrying out brilliant work in our two work parties.
Combe Hay / Midford
The most significant structure on the northern arm of the canal is the lock flight at Combe Hay. While some of the lower locks have been infilled, the main flight is still in remarkably good condition. This is in no small measure due to the stonework conservation and vegetation maintenance activities carried out by our committed team of volunteers. Locks 11 to 15 run alongside a public footpath and so are a great advertisement for the Society’s work.
The canal profile leading from the lock flight towards the hamlet of Midford is still very well defined and can hold water following winter rains. Our work party volunteers have maintained the canal bed from the lock flight to Midford Aqueduct for many years. In the last year they have also extended their maintenance activities to clear invasive vegetation and fallen trees from the stretch of canal leading from Midford towards Tucking Mill. The canal towpath is also a public footpath and so the results are very much appreciated by residents and walkers.
Somersetshire Coal Canal Society Annual Trustee Report 2026
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Paulton / Timsbury Basin
The Terminus Basins at Paulton are the only stretch of the northern arm that are still in water. The basins now support a wide range of wildlife, including the pair of swans shown here. Our work party team works hard to manage a clear water channel through the basins to maintain water quality, while protecting the reed beds on the margins to support nesting birds, dragon flies, frogs and much more!
The team also highly experienced at ‘bramble bashing’ to protect the canal banks from overgrowth by invasive vegetation.
Our volunteers have also been working on the restoration of the abutment walls of ‘Terminus Bridge’ at the entrance to the basins for several years. The final coping stones have recently been lime-mortared into place on both walls. Work will continue on building a firm backfill to the coping course and regrading the banks, with this restoration expected to be complete this summer.
Protecting the Route
The heritage value of the Somersetshire Coal Canal has been recognised by B&NES Local Authority and is protected from development by planning policy HE2. In order to preserve a route for the potential restoration of the canal to water the Society submitted an application for several small diversions to the protected route of the canal as part of the 2024/25 B&NES Local Plan review. Responses for and against our proposal were recorded as part of the public consultation.
We have been greatly encouraged by the positive responses to our plans and have modified our submission by removing one of the proposed diversions in response to negative feedback at that location. Consultation upon the Local Plan in its entirety has been extended into 2026 in response to increased housing requirements from central government so we do not expect a final decision until early 2027.
The Society fully respects the rights of landowners along the abandoned canal to absolutely control what happens on their own property and will continue to work with landowners wherever we can to conserve this valuable heritage asset and bring benefit to the local community.
Somersetshire Coal Canal Society Trustees Annual Report 2026
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Financial Review
We show a surplus of £432 in unrestricted funds after a transfer to General Reserve of £3,400.
The main increase in income is a Return on Investment of £2,534 as we now have much more invested than in previous years.
As always, there are a number of expenditures unique to this year. The newsletter costs increased because we published three issues in 2025/26 against two in the previous year. A new expenses is Land Registry Fees where we are improving our knowledge of who owns the line of the canal.
Restricted funds refer to moneys that we hold for specific projects..
We have ended the year in a strong financial position
Income and Expenditure for year ending 31[st] March 2026
| Unrestricted Funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | 2026 | 2025 | |
| Subscriptions and Gift Aid | 4,604 | 4,194 | |
| Donations | 758 | 1,390 | |
| Talks and Walks | 585 | 429 | |
| Interest | 517 | 88 | |
| Investment value - Increase | 2,535 | 0 | |
| 8,999 | 6,102 | ||
| Expenditure | |||
| Weigh-House magazine | 2,032 | 1,310 | |
| Walks and Talks | 550 | 335 | |
| Marketing | -163 | 320 | |
| Insurance | 390 | 390 | |
| Restoration | 1,103 | 520 | |
| Administration | 1,255 | 431 | |
| Investment value - Decrease | 0 | 56 | |
| Transfer to General Reserve | 3,400 | 2,300 | |
| 8,567 | 5,662 | ||
| Surplus | 433 | 440 | |
| Restricted Funds | |||
| Research project - Grant | |||
| Research project - Expenditure | 0 | 252 | |
| Research project - Transfer | 0 | -252 | |
| 0 | 0 | ||
| Paulton / Timsbury / Camerton - Donation | 10,000 | 10,000 | |
| Paulton / Timsbury / Camerton - Expenditure | -893 | ||
| Paulton / Timsbury / Camerton - Transfer | -9,107 | -10,000 | |
| 0 | 0 | ||
| Terminus Bridge Project - Expenditure | 1,690 | 1,298 | |
| Terminus Bridge Project - Transfer | -1,690 | -1,298 | |
| 0 | 0 | ||
| Surplus for the year | 432 | 440 |
Somersetshire Coal Canal Society Annual Trustee Report 2026
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Statement of Assets & Liabilities as at 31[st] March 2026
| Unrestricted Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2025 | |||
| Income & Expenditure Reserve | Balance brought forward | 2,469 | ||
| Surplus for the year | 432 | |||
| Balance at 31stMarch | 2,902 | 2,469 | ||
| General Reserve | Balance brought forward | 12,650 | ||
| Transfer this year | 3,400 | |||
| Balance at 31stMarch | 16,050 | 12,650 | ||
| Restricted Funds | ||||
| Terminus Bridge Project | Balance brought forward | 2,501 | ||
| Expenditure | -1,690 | |||
| Balance at 31stMarch | 812 | 2,501 | ||
| Research Project | Balance brought forward | 298 | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Balance at 31stMarch | 298 | 298 | ||
| Paulton, Timsbury and Camerton Fund | Balance brought forward | 10,000 | ||
| Income | 10,000 | |||
| Expenditure | -893 | |||
| Balance at 31stMarch | 19,107 | 10,000 | ||
| 39,169 | 27,919 | |||
| Net cash available | 2,595 | 23,879 | ||
| Investment CAF Capital Growth Fund | 36,574 | 4,040 | ||
| Total Funds | 39,169 | 27,919 |
Declaration
This report has been approved by the Society’s Trustees on 22 May 2026 and signed on their behalf by :
Derrick Hunt Chairman
Somersetshire Coal Canal Society Trustees Annual Report 2026
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