The Whitchurch Waterway Trust Annual Report for 2023
c/o White Cottage, Mile bank, Whitchurch, Shropshire SY13 4JY
The Whitchurch Waterway Trust was formed as a company limited by guarantee in 1988. It converted to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2021. A copy of the constitution is available on request. The Objects of the Charity are to promote the restoration, preservation and use of the Whitchurch Arm of the Llangollen Canal for the benefit of the public
Management Committee Last Elected Mark Lacey Chair AGM 2022 Kath Oldham Membership Secretary AGM 2022 Hilary Seward Trustee AGM 2022 Giles Sullivan Whitchurch Town Council Rep AGM 2022 Bernise Tasker Trustee AGM 2023 David Torrens Treasurer AGM 2023 Alison Arkell Trustee AGM 2023 Anthony Gilmore Trustee AGM 2023 Doug Sealy Trustee Co-opted 2024 Martyn Arkell Trustee Co-opted 2024 Simon Tasker Trustee Resigned 2024
We now have a healthy trustee board with a wide range of skills. New applicants are always welcome and should apply by emailing chair@whitchurchwaterway.uk
Volunteers
Lindsay Green Moorings Secretary & Festival Host David Thornton Volunteer Leader & Arm Maintenance Joe Sheldon Advertising Display Panels Anthony Gilmore Leaflets & Photography David Stanier Arm Maintenance Bob Sumner Arm Maintenance Charlie Evans Arm Maintenance Doug Sealy Arm Maintenance Mark Lacey Arm Maintenance Arthur Skitt Arm Maintenance Retired 2024 Helen Brockman Secretary Resigned 2024 We now have more regular volunteers who help to maintain the Arm. Many other volunteers also help with the Whitchurch Canal Festival.
Financial
For the year 2023, WWT is reporting a surplus of £10,090 on income of £13,588 leaving us with free reserves of £51,944. Within this reserves figure, we have designated funds of £40,000 for future maintenance costs, £5,000 for the Whitchurch Country Park project and £1,000 for new signage.
2023 2022 Expenditure
2023
Income
| 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mooring Fees | 4324 | 3002 | Maintenance | 854 | |
| 3745 | |||||
| Festival | 3463 | 3555 | Festival | 1565 | |
| 839 | |||||
| Advertising | 2070 | 390 | Insurance | 564 | |
| 510 | |||||
| Membership | 1069 | 1069 | 1083 | Publicity | 415 |
| - | |||||
| Grants | 1100 | 1100 | 1450 | IT | - |
| 937 | |||||
| Donations | 895 | 635 | Other | 99 | |
| 130 | |||||
| Investments | 667 | 667 | 779 | Total | 3498 |
| 6161 | |||||
| Total | 13588 | 10894 | 10894 | Surplus | 10090 |
| 4734 |
New Connection Agreement
WWT has signed a new 150 year connection agreement with Canal & River Trust (CRT) that reduces the annual fee from 40% to 9% of mooring earnings. The only restriction is that we maintain 4 places for 48hr moorings which we will continue to offer free of charge. The agreement recognises that it is in everyone’s interest that WWT is able to generate sufficient funds to pay for maintenance of the Arm. We would like to thank CRT for their positive response to our proposals.
Whitchurch Country Park
Our application for a Community Asset Transfer of the Whitchurch Country Park has been successful. Heads of Terms for a 25-year lease have been agreed. The site will be managed alongside the Whitchurch Arm which is owned by the Trust. We have established a partnership of local organisations to help us with this work.
Advertising and Canal Signage
We are in the process of replacing all of the signage on the Whitchurch Arm to support our new moorings charging policy. We have also made provision for local businesses to advertise on site within strict design criteria.
Canal Festival 2023
The canal festival attracted 3500 people over the weekend to see trading boats, a wide variety of stalls and entertainment. Prizes for the best boat and best stall went to the Saturn Flyboat and Gwen Hicklin’s craft stall. The judges were Deputy Lord Lieutenant Tullis Matson , Cllr Andy Hall Mayor of Whitchurch and Cllr Peggy Mullock. We also had a visit from Helen Morgan MP. A great time was had by all and many thanks to the volunteers for preparing the Arm for this event.
Future Plans
Outstanding Priorities for 2024 – to complete Community Asset Transfer of the
Whitchurch Country Park; to install new and replacement signage; to improve access for boat owners and drainage of the southern bank.
Longer term priorities – to arrange a third party maintenance inspection of the Arm; to develop cost effective methods of silt removal and piling replacement; to review plans for extending the canal into the town and if there is no viable option; to review the objects of the organisation.
And Finally…… thanks to Lindsay, Alex, Richard and Sophie at Chemistry Farm for providing our workshop and storage, and for hosting the annual festival. We literally
couldn't do it without you! The Whitchurch Waterway Trust Registered Charity= 701050