GREAT WITCHINGHAM FUEL ALLOTMENT CHARITY Registered Charity No.: 210554 A/1 ## **Trustees’ Annual Report April 2021** ## **Charity Report** The Charity was formed in 1811 by the provision of land under the Act of Enclosure and has provided residents of Great Witchingham, who are in need, hardship or distress, with charitable benefit in one form or another. Since that time, benefit has taken the form of a winter fuel payment in money or kind and applications for benefit are sought from September onwards. Charitable benefit is not limited to this period as need, hardship and distress has no such calendar boundaries. The Trustees will consider any written request for relief at any time. Income is derived from the Charity’s land, which is vested in The Charity Commission and governed by the Trustees. Contrary to popular belief, the land is private. Access to Charity land is, and has always been, by permission of the Trustees. Presently and for the foreseeable future, granting of that permission, by way of an annual permit, is delegated by a Management Agreement issued to the Fishery Manager. Once the core aim of the Charity has been satisfied, The Charity Commission permits the Trustees to grant aid to groups or individuals in the Great Witchingham to satisfy a particular need, which may exist in the Parish. The Charity is not permitted to relieve rates, taxes, or any other public funds but may supplement relief provided by public funds. The Charity is also not permitted to commit to repeating or renewing benefit granted on any occasion. The Trustees will consider all individual applications upon their merit. 2020 has proved to be the most worldwide challenging year in a lifetime. Thankfully, circumstances have allowed our fishery to remain open for much of the time, contributing to the well-being of members and providing income, whilst many other businesses have suffered badly from the Covid19 pandemic. Our ability to support the people in greatest need within Great Witchingham remained unaffected. The Trustees were pleased to make payments for winter fuel to 42 eligible applicants totalling £14700. This financial year gave rise to a net income from the sale of fishing permits of £15,878, from which a 20% share has been paid to Great Witchingham Church Lands Charity. The Charity also holds a permanent endowment in the form of COIF shares, which provides an income of approximately £1,860 p.a. It was necessary to carry out some planned replacement of our predator fencing last year and will be necessary to continue with the program this year as some further sections are coming to the end of their life. Unfortunately, emergency tree works had to be carried out due to storm damage. Such damage is becoming an annual event as the climate changes and we are working towards pre-empting the problem with pro-active maintenance. The Charity maintains contingency funds to withstand a prolonged loss of income without detriment to the benefit to those people and organisations we serve. The work of our Fishery Manager and his team of volunteer Bailiffs continues to be invaluable to the Trustees, managing both the land and the fishery in accordance with the Trustees rules and wishes and in a wholly professional manner. The Trustees are exceedingly grateful to our team of bailiffs who have worked so hard in providing members with a Covid safe environment to enjoy under the most difficult of circumstances. Despite a another year of financial turmoil, the value of our COIF investment shares increased over the last twelve months and dividend yield remains very much at a premium compared to ordinary investments. The Trustees would like to thank all the people who give their time freely, particularly those who act as volunteer Bailiffs, without whose contributions the benefits that our charity is able to offer would be greatly reduced. Trustees: Ron Cornell (Chair), Peter Dilloway, Bridget Wright, Freda Bunton, Rev Helen Rengert, Sally Acloque. We look forward to being able to enjoy a normal year, which we very much hope will allow us to continue and indeed improve upon our good work in the Parish. Our thanks to Clare Morton, Chair of Weston Longville Parish Council, for kindly carrying out the annual audit of our accounts. A copy of the Charity’s audited accounts is appended. ## **Fishery Report** The fishery at Great Witchingham provides the Charity’s main source of income for the distribution of benefit. 2020-21 was without doubt the most difficult year yet to run a fishery as along with many businesses we were forced into closures and had restrictions imposed upon us because of the Covid19 pandemic. However, with careful sensible planning we were able to mitigate both financial impact and any impact to the reputation of our fishery. So much so we have seen a real interest in members wishing to join the fishery this year not just because of the superb fishing it provides but also because of the way the fishery has been operated over the last few years. While the traditional opening for us was delayed, we managed to offer as much time on the bank to our members as possible. We also had a very difficult winter period where severe flooding through the Wensum valley, which lasted for weeks on end, had closed many fisheries but we were able to continue to stay open in some part for our members. However, while all these matters have caused us some concern the members have enjoyed yet again some excellent fishing. Our fishery still remains arguably one of the best mixed specimen syndicate fisheries of its type and especially for big carp in Norfolk. We continue to see year on year gains in our big carp many fish over thirty pounds and several now very close to forty pounds including our two established forty pound fish now around 45lbs and 41lbs respectively. With our earlier investment in stocking the fishery with high pedigree fish, such as those from Dinton Pastures, many of these fish are into thirty pounds and will comfortably reach over forty in the coming years. The quality of the fishing is the thing which always stands out and is what brings our members back season after season. The fishery is managed as a traditional mixed species fishery, and on any day members are able to not only able to catch large carp, but large Bream, huge Tench into double figures, or large catches of smaller fish. The fishery has something for everyone and an enjoyable day’s fishing can be had whether our members wish to come to catch a fish of a lifetime or just enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside and a cup of tea with their mates. We endeavour to continue with our aim to grow the fishery in stature and prominence as a superb place to fish. The fishery will continue to be developed on an environmentally sustainable basis, to provide an excellent outdoor experience and most importantly, meet the aims and needs of the Charity in supporting the community and many local families who benefit from the charitable donations, which the fishery income provides. This will ensure that the Charity will have a long future in its core provision of local welfare and allow the opportunity to expand further to assist the wider community. We hope our patrons will continue to support us in this goal. Ron Cornell Chair of Trustees Trustees: Ron Cornell (Chair), Peter Dilloway, Bridget Wright, Freda Bunton, Rev Helen Rengert, Sally Acloque. 388 8882 888 - •) O 0< <￿0 888 Z7.Z <￿c Clafe Morton 2 The Cottages Prnk Rd Weston Lorwille NR9 5LQ 8 March 2021 d. Elwknhty of rew*r I have noted the baws fcy bjdgthg tr the Chty to lulfil ts requirement to dffjlTthle funds man•gèd. Your• 8irKwoty Cl•fe M(yton. Mr Peter DIIMY Etling Grev NR20 3EY