BEWWT ANNUAL REPORT
2020/21
Overview of committee, activities and accounts from October 2020 – October 2021
Ashleigh Evans
Contents
Mission Statement .................................................................................................................................. 3 Chairman’s Report .................................................................................................................................. 4 Activities .................................................................................................................................................. 5 Committee .............................................................................................................................................. 8 Organisation Overview ........................................................................................................................... 9 Financial Report .................................................................................................................................... 10
Mission Statement
BEWWT aims to provide for a place of tranquillity and interest for all our residents and visitors to Broughshane. We wish to introduce old and young to the range and variety of waterfowl and to show people the link between environment, birds and the wildlife it supports as well as encouraging an appreciation of art, culture and local history.
We wish to support the sustainability of our village through encouraging more visitors to Broughshane to help keep our local businesses and rural way of life.
Encourage young people to protect the environment for the future by making our young people our wildlife guardians.
Chairman’s Report
It is with great pleasure that I have served as Chairman of BEWWT for the last 12 years.
There has been a lot of very hard work done over those years to get to the stage we are at now.
We continue to enhance the enjoyment of visitors and link to the importance of the environment in supporting wildlife. We have ground fowl such as pheasants, guinea fowl and hens along with rabbits and of course a large selection of water fowl.
We have been successful in retaining a Zoo license from the Department of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs (DAERA), and our regulation as a Zoological establishment with Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).
Everything we do is interconnected with ongoing work in the village of Broughshane with the key aim of bringing more visitors and spend into the area to support our local businesses and sustain the rural way of life.
I would like to thank all our volunteers for their help over the years, without them we would not be where we are today.
Chairman: Trevor Dunlop
Activities
During this period, the organisation completed a number of projects as well as continuing to maintain the area, care for the animals and add to the collection of flora, fauna and art.
Project 1 – Making the pathway more accessible by laying concrete
A team of local volunteers prepared the pathways and laid the concrete, thanks to Broughshane Improvement Committee for the cement and mixer hire. Approximately 50% of the pathway upgraded to date.
Project 2 – Restocking the aviary
New birds purchased and added to the aviary.
Project 3 – Installation of a fresh water supply
It was agreed by the committee that the area required a fresh water supply for cleaning and providing drinking water to the birds. NI water were contacted and a request for a new supply submitted. The pipeline was laid and the tap installed in July / August 2021.
Project 4 – Freezer installed in shed to preserve food donations
During 2021 Amanda and Raluca have been supplying left over bread and vegetables to feed the birds. To preserve the bread Amanda also donated a freezer. This gives our animals a diverse and interesting diet and saves on feed costs.
COVID-19 update
The pond area has remained open after the first lockdown and provided a safe area for the local community to enjoy nature. Hand sanitisers continue to be re-filled in the pond and social distancing signs remain in place.
Other news
During the summer months of 2021 we had several new additions hatched out in the pond. We had 3 new black swans and our lovely pair are sitting in a clutch of new eggs at present, we also hatched 3 new bar head geese chicks, who are lucky to have an extra parent in the form of a greylag goose.
We said goodbye to some our black swans, who were sold, and hello to some new birds including pheasants, chickens, guinea fowl, geese and ducks.
We had 2 visits from the RSPB, who set up their stall over a period of 4 days in the pond area.
Committee
Directors
Mr Trevor Dunlop . Retired but previously worked as a foreman with Michelin Tyres. Trevor is currently the Chairman of BEWWT. He sits on many other projects in the village including Broughshane Improvement Committee and Broughshane & District Community Association. He has experience in volunteer management and fundraising.
Mr Alexander Wilson MBE. (Sandy) Currently works as a Rural Development Officer with North Antrim Community Network. He is also Vice Chair of Broughshane & District Community Association and Ulster Garden Village Trust. He serves on a wide range of other Statutory and Partnership Boards including North East Region RDP. He is very experienced in all aspects of community development, project management and fundraising.
Mr Robin Hancock. A fully qualified Electronic Engineer and currently works to the milking industry across Ireland and Scotland.
Mr Robert Black. Retired driver for North Coast Community Association.
Mr Thomas Stevenson. Retired HMRC officer.
Committee Members
Ms Ashleigh Evans (secretary). BSc Zoology. Senior chemical inspector at Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Mrs Eleanor Hayward (treasurer). Retired.
Mr Gary Hayward. Retired.
Mrs Jill Magennis. Lecturer in Early Years Education at Stranmillis University College.
Volunteers
Mr Caleb Getty Mr John Lamont Mrs Jane Lamont Mr Maurice McIntyre
Supporters
Our sincere thanks to all our supporters, especially;
Mid & East Antrim Council Broughshane House Co-operation Ireland Mr James Henry Broughshane Improvement Committee Gary and Eleanor Hayward (refurbishing and selling outdoor furniture) Amanda (donation of weekly bread and freezer) Raluca (donation of weekly bread and vegetables) Alastair McDowell (donation of 2 cayuga ducks) Eileen Stewart Jean Martin and family for sponsoring a memorial bench
and all who have supported our poultry sale, street collection, made donations and visited the pond.
Organisation Overview
Broughshane Environment Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust (BEWWT) was formed on 6th October 2011 after the dissolution of Broughshane Environment Waterfowl & Wildlife Association (BEWWA).
Charitable status obtained by BEWWA was transferred to BEWWT by HMRC charities branch. In September 2014 BEWWT was subsequently called to register with The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) and BEWWT was granted charitable status by CCNI.
Following on from the improvements made to the Waterfowl Park the number of recorded visitors continues to grow and now stands at around 1300 on average per week. This is with limited marketing and mainly by word of mouth.
The area and stock continue to be maintained with the sole input of volunteers, who are also responsible for all aspects of fundraising.
A key strategy of the Trust is keeping the area and contents fresh and interesting for visitors; especially those who visit daily and weekly. This means the continued review of exhibits from animals/birds to art.
BEWWT holds a zoo licence issued by DAERA but is exempt from such under NIEA. BEWWT is subject to annual inspections and reporting of compliance to both agencies.
Financial Report (see attached document)