Portaferry and Strangford Trust Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) Year ended 31 December 2023 The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2023. Reference and administrative details Registered charity name Portaferry and Strangford Trust Limited Charity registration number NIC100148 Company registration number N1621790 Principal office and registered Westgate office 15 The Strand Portaferry Co Down BT22 1 PF The trustees Mr J Elliott Mr G Lavety Mr G Lennon Mrs M Mccarthy Mrs A Murphy Dr J Sigwart Mr R Murphy Mr D Edmondson (Appointed 1 De￿mber 2023) Company secretary Mrs A Murphy Independent examiner Imelda Rogan (BSC. Hons. FCA) On behalf of Rogan Accountancy Limited Sketrick House Jubilee Road Newtownards Co Down BT23 4YH Structure, governance and management Legal structure Portaferry and Strangford Trust Limited is a Company limited by Guarantee and is a registered charity, regulated by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. The company has been awarded charitable status by HM Revenue and Customs. It is a not for profit organisation. Portaferry and Strangford Trust Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (continued) Year ended 31 December 2023 Structure, governance and management (continued) Governance arrangements Portaferry and Strangford Trust is currently govemed by a board of eight trustees (subject to a maximum of 14). The board can co-opt new trustees as and when required. The charity's chair is elected from the members on an annual basis and is ratified at the Annual General Meeting. New directors are briefed on their legal obligations under charity and company law, the content of the Articles of Association, the committee and decision making pro￿sS, and recent financial performance of the charity. Objectives and activities The company's charitable objectives are: 1. to secure by such means as are available for the public benefit the preservation, protection and improvement of buildings or land or structures of particular beauty, or of historic, environmental, architectural or constructional merit or interest in the Portaferry and Strangford area, and to stimulate and educate public interest therein- 2. acquire, restore, repair, renovate and improve buildings and land (including parkland} for the community common benefit in Portaferry and Strangford and where thought desirable erect new buildings for the general benefit of the said community., 3. make environmental improvements to properties. streets. streetscape and land (including parkland) generally in the areas of Portaferry and Strangford including where appropriate planting and horticultural improvements- 4. generally promote and encourage the education of the public in historic architecture, understanding of planning, and appreciation of the built environment, landscape and townscape environment whether through exhibitions, lectures, seminars or othe￿iSe or by commenting on planning applications- 5. cfroperate with the local authority. local planning authority and all other statutory authorities, voluntary organisations, charities or persons having aims similar to the company., 6. to heighten awareness of the importance of the COn￿Pt of sustainability and promote sustainable development; 7. to carry out, encourage and foster research and so far as may be practicable to disseminate the results of same, to cause to be written and printed or othe￿iSe reproduced and circulated, gratuitously or othewise, literature. reports and other documents. Portaferry and Strangford Trust Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (continued) Year ended 31 December 2023 Objectives and activities (continued) Activities Portaferry and Strangford Trust aims to ￿lebrate and promote the marrtime and built heritage of Portaferry, Strangford and the surrounding area by regenerating buildings and landscape and developing a maritime ￿ntre to promote the rich past, present and future of the area by all or any of the following means.. 1. running maritime events involving the local communities. These events raise awareness, generate interest, and have high educational content- 2. developing good links with local organisations including councils, museums, historical societies, Portaferry Regeneration Limited, Strangford Lough Lecale Partnership and Queen's University Marine Lab., 3. use and encourage use of empty heritage buildings. Strategic report The following sections for achievements and performance and financial review form the strategic report of the charity. Achievements and performance The Trustees wish to thank all those who have donated at our quizzes or directly and supported our activities in the year ending 31 December 2023. In particular. we are grateful to the Ards & North Down Borough Council and to DEARA for their supportive grants which have enabled our activities to continue in pursuance of our objects"ves. The Ropewalk Exhibition Centre was open at weekends from Easter until September and welcomed almost 1500 visitors many of whom were families. The Centre was also opened, on request, to host some school visits. Throughout the winter months there were monthly talks about various aspects of marine history and activity around Portaferry, Strangford. and Strangford Lough and the Irish sea. Attendances varied from 18-50 people. Various trustees also engaged in speaking engagements on the similar activities at other community groups across the Peninsula and at various schools. The development and codification of the Jim Blaney Archive continued throughout the year. In August 2023 we held a Seashore Forage educational expedition and we thank D Birkett and D Thompson for leading that successful event The production of our historical and educational leaflets about specific maritime and sea going aspects of the local area continued under the direction of A Murphy. Unfortunately, we were unable to recommence our annual December Carol Ship activity due to lack of funding. Portaferry and Strangford Trust Limited Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directorfs Report) (continued) Year ended 31 December 2023 Financial review Results for the year During the year ended 31 December 2023 the company generated a deficit in restricted reserves of £2,724, arising from depreciation of grant funded assets, and a deficit of £1,600 in unrestricted reserves. At the year end the company held restricted reserves of £2,506 and unrestricted reserves of £2,806. Plans for future periods The Trustees hope to continue and expand the above activities, and to deepen relationships with other similar groups around Strangford Lough and beyond. In addition, it is our intention to support a project with Ulster Archaeological Society seeking eviden￿ of previous settlement at and in vicinity of Castle Hill, Ardkeen on shore of Strangford Lough. The trustees, annual report and the strategic report vrfere approved on 2 September 2024 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by- Mr J Elliott Trustee MrsA Murphy Trustee Mr D Edmondson Trustee