The Whitchurch Waterway Trust Annual Report for 2024
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 | Management Committee | Last Elected |
|---|---|---|
| David Torrens | Treasurer | AGM 2023 |
| Doug Sealy | Festival Organiser | AGM 2024 |
| Mark Lacey | Chair | AGM 2024 |
| Kath Oldham | Membership Secretary | AGM 2024 |
| Bernise Tasker | Trustee | Co-opted 2025 |
| Anthony Gilmore | Trustee | Resigned 2024 |
| Alison Arkell | Trustee | Resigned 2025 |
| Martyn Arkell | Trustee | Resigned 2025 |
| Giles Sullivan | Whitchurch Town Council Rep | Resigned 2025 |
| Hilary Seward | Trustee | Resigned 2025 |
Trustee numbers have fallen due to a combination of factors including ill-health, emigration and non-attendance. New applicants are always welcome and should apply by emailing chair@whitchurchwaterway.uk
Volunteers
| Volunteers | |
|---|---|
| Lindsay Green | Moorings Secretary |
| David Thornton | Volunteer Leader & Arm Maintenance |
| Joe Sheldon | Website Changes |
| David Stanier | Arm Maintenance |
| Bob Sumner | Arm Maintenance |
| Charlie Evans | Arm Maintenance |
| Dave Leggatt | Arm Maintenance |
| Doug Sealy | Arm Maintenance |
| Mark Lacey | Arm Maintenance |
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 2024, WWT is reporting a surplus of £17,545 on income of £21,768 leaving us with reserves of £69,489. 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.
| Income | 2024 | 2023 | Expenditure | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mooring Fees | 10083 | 4324 | Maintenance | 1080 | 854 | |
| Festival | 4679 | 3463 | Festival | 2142 | 1565 | |
| Advertising | 2000 | 2070 | Insurance | 592 | 564 | |
| Membership | 848 | 1069 | Publicity | 415 | 415 | |
| Grants | 2745 | 1100 | Accountancy Fees | 200 | - | - |
| Donations | 455 | 895 | Other | 209 | 99 | |
| Investments | 958 | 667 | Total | 4223 | 3498 | |
| Total | 21768 13588 | 21768 13588 | Surplus | 17545 | 10090 |
New Connection Agreement
The new connection agreement with CRT came into force in 2024 with the first payment of 9% of moorings income plus VAT falling due in January 2025.
Whitchurch Country Park
The Community Asset Transfer of the Country Park to Whitchurch Waterway Trust was finally approved by Shropshire Council in December 2024. Their legal department has drawn up a 25-year lease agreement and we have provided our comments. WWT will draw up a management agreement with Shropshire Wildlife Trust (SWT) for them to manage Greenfields Local Nature Reserve, which forms part of the park. This will be based on the previous agreement between the Council and SWT.
Canal Festival 2024 – 31[st] August and 1[st] September
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 Kevin and Sheila Maybey with Gordanneus Woodcrafts and Maureen Richards with her Bags from Rags stall. The judges were Cllrs Andy Hall and Rose Hall, Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Whitchurch Town Council and Cllr Peggy Mullock representing Shropshire Council. Local MP Helen Morgan also visited the event which has become a fixture in the Whitchurch social calendar.
IWA Consultant Engineer Visit
We were pleased to welcome Howard Worth, Honorary Engineer for the Inland Waterways Association for an inspection of the Whitchurch Arm in November 2024. He has been involved with canal restoration since the 1970s and this was his final visit before retiring. He provided practical advice on maintenance and silt removal and advised against extending the Whitchurch Arm, given the technical and funding issues and the limited benefits of an extension for the network as a whole.
Future Plans
Priorities for 2025 – 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 develop cost effective methods of silt removal and piling replacement and to review the objects of the organisation in the light of advice from the IWA Engineer.
And Finally…… thanks to everyone at Chemistry Farm for providing our workshop and storage, and for hosting the annual festival. We literally couldn’t do it without you!