BEWWT ANNUAL REPORT
2022/23
Overview of committee, activities and accounts from October 2022 – October 2023
Broughshane Environmental Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW
Company Registration Number: N1609370 Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Number: NI100502
Contents
Mission Statement .................................................................................................................................. 3 Chairperson’s Report .............................................................................................................................. 3 Activities .................................................................................................................................................. 4 Committee .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Organisation Overview ........................................................................................................................... 6 Financial Report ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Broughshane Environmental Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW
Company Registration Number: N1609370 Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Number: NI100502
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.
Chairperson’s Report
It gives me great pleasure to have completed my first year as Chairman of BEWWT hopefully following on the sterling work and long standing tenure of Trevor Dunlop.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of excellent committee members but also the equally hard working volunteers who ably back up our team in keeping the Waterfowl Park improving and in some semblance of order. We are continuing to expand our team with the recent inclusion of Eileen Lorimer, Michael Esler and Deidre Craig. The background assistance of Gemma Morrison and Rodney Kernohan with their Facebook and technical knowledge.
This year we have continued to fund raise in many shapes and forms to maintain the park and to allow us to offer our visitors a great experience when they visit the Park. Major improvements this year have included the re-netting of all of the pheasant pens and our next big project will be to renew the internal fencing and access gates throughout the length of the park.
We have seen the arrival of quite a few birds such as the Chinese geese, Pochards, pintail ducks and recently seven more lovely Farm Yard ducks which were kindly by Garry and Steph from Larne and also the Pekin chickens donated by Andrea all of which our visitors seem to enjoy. Sadly we have lost a few old friends such as the female Trumpeter.
I am pleased to report that the mainstay of the Park Buster the rabbit safely came through his operation to have two cysts removed from his neck and is now recovered and once again the focus of attention from all our visiting children and lots of adults.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the help and assistance that we receive from our local Veterinarian Services and from Gregory from Cullybackey who helped on numerous occasions this year with sexing and pinioning stock.
I am pleased to report that we have been successful in retaining our Zoo license from DAERA (Dept of Environment, Agriculture and Rural Affairs) and our regulation as a Zoological establishment with NIEA (Northern Ireland Environment Agency).
I feel that everything we attempt to do should be and indeed is for the benefit of the Broughshane community, bringing more people and visitors to the area for the benefit of all residents and businesses within the village.
I would like to say how much all our volunteers are appreciated for all their ongoing hard work and look forward to this continuing throughout the coming year.
Gary Hayward (Chair Person)
Broughshane Environmental Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW
Company Registration Number: N1609370 Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Number: NI100502
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 – Re-netting and repairing the pheasant pens
Thanks to fundraising and donations we were able to re-net the pheasant pens and make some repairs to the frames. This improvement provides more natural light for the birds.
Project 2 – Moving the dinosaur eggs into the park
The dinosaur eggs and nest moved from the River path into the pond area.
Project 3 – Making and selling Christmas cards
Former committee member Jill Magennis undertook the task of making packs of Christmas cards based on photos taken in the pond. The cards were a success for the second year running, bought by locals and sent across the world. Great advertising for the pond and all the proceeds went straight towards the upkeep of the pond area and caring for the animals.
Project 4 – Working with SCOPE
BEWWT volunteers have been working with SCOPE members to complete outdoor activities in the pond area.
Broughshane Environmental Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW
Company Registration Number: N1609370 Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Number: NI100502
Committee
Directors
Mr Gary Hayward (chairperson). Retired.
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.
Mr Robert Morrison. Project manager.
Mr Tony Smith. Solicitor.
Committee Members
Ms Ashleigh Evans (secretary). Northern Ireland Environment Agency.
Mrs Eleanor Hayward (treasurer). Retired.
Volunteers
Mr John Lamont Mr Maurice McIntyre Ms Eileen Lorimer Mr Michael Esler Ms Deirdre Craig
Supporters
Our sincere thanks to all our supporters, especially;
Mid & East Antrim Council
Broughshane House Mr Ivan Mark and family (supplying bread) Mr James Henry Broughshane Improvement Committee Gary and Eleanor Hayward (refurbishing and selling outdoor furniture) Ms Raluca (donation of weekly bread and vegetables) Mrs Gemma Morrison (social media) Mrs Heather Esler (donations of bread, fruit and vegetables)
and all who have supported our poultry sale, street collection, made donations and visited the pond.
Broughshane Environmental Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW
Company Registration Number: N1609370 Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Number: NI100502
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)
END
Broughshane Environmental Waterfowl & Wildlife Trust Broughshane House, 70 Main Street, Broughshane BT42 4JW
Company Registration Number: N1609370 Charity Commission for Northern Ireland Number: NI100502