**~ Ballintoy Archaeological and Historical Society ~ Trustees’ Annual Report for the financial year, 1 April 2016 – 31 March 2017** **Name of the Charity:** Ballintoy Archaeological and Historical Society (BAHS), previously known as Ballintoy and District Local Historical and Archaeological Society. **NI Charity Number:** 103158 **Company Registration Number:** Not applicable **Principal Address of the Charity:** 8A Mosside Gardens, Mosside, Ballymoney, County Antrim, BT53 8QQ **Names of the Charity’s Trustees on date this report approved:** Maurice McHenry, Robert Corbett, Elizabeth Mitchell, Caroline Redmond and Shaun Leighton. **Names of the Charity’s Trustees who served during financial year2016 -17:** Maurice McHenry, Robert Corbett Harold Stewart, Elizabeth Mitchell and Caroline Redmond. On 27 April 2017 Shaun Leighton replaced Harold Stewart, who had resigned during the financial year 2016-17. **Power to appoint new trustees of the Charity:** This power is reserved to the Charity. No other individual or organisation has the power to appoint trustees to the Charity. **Constitution of the Charity:** A copy of Charity’s constitution, as amended on12 December 2015, is submitted with this report. The constitution sets out the Charity’s structure, governance arrangements and how it is administered. **Purposes of the Charity:** The purposes of the Charity are: to educate members and the wider general public on the local history and heritage of the district and to develop the skills necessary to undertake research and present findings; and to promote interest and awareness in the local historical and archaeological past of the district. **----- Start of picture text -----**
Compliance with the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit: In setting the
Charity’s objectives and planning for the year its trustees have given careful consideration to
the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that the
activities have helped to achieve the Charity’s purposes and provide a benefit to its
beneficiaries.
Summary of the Charity’s main activities and achievements for the public benefit:
During the financial year covered by this report the Charity held: eight lectures covering a
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wide range of historical and archaeological topics; a ‘Members’ Night’ where members of the Charity gave talks on local historical/heritage subjects that interest them or they are currently researching; two outings, one to Glenarm Castle for a guided tour and the other to Belfast to visit the recently refurbished _HMS Caroline_ and _SS Nomadic_ ; and a stall at the annual Mount Druid Vintage Rally, Ballintoy, as an outreach activity to promote the Charity, encourage others to become involved in and benefit from the Charity’s activities, and provide information about the history and heritage of the locality. The Charity’s activities are well-attended and enjoyed by members and visitors. The Charity has received many positive comments about the quality and variety of its activities/programme. **Public Benefits:** The Charity’s beneficiaries are the general public, primarily in the Ballintoy district and the surrounding north Antrim area, and members of BAHS. Arising from the Charity’s activities the members of BAHS and the wider community have a greater knowledge and a better understanding and appreciation of their local history and heritage. This has helped to empower the Charity’s members and others in the community to express their views on heritage issues and play a role in influencing decisions on such matters. It has increased their knowledge and understanding of their own and other peoples’ heritage and culture, promoting a better understanding of community relations through mutual respect and an identifiable shared historical experience, leading to better community cohesion. They have also acquired new skills which enables them to undertake research and present their findings, which is demonstrated by the increased number of members who are now undertaking valuable historical research, giving talks, etc. In addition, the Charity also provides an important social function in an isolated rural community, namely giving it members and others in the community, including older people, the opportunity to meet together regularly and enjoy each other’s company while learning together or having conversations over a cup of tea/coffee. **Mitigation of harm flowing from the Charity’s purposes:** No harm flows from the Charity’s purposes. However, to negate the likelihood of harm, the Charity is a member of the Federation of Ulster Local Studies and follows best practice. The Charity also follows the Health and Safety procedures at any venue it uses for its activities or visits for outings. **Private Benefit:** There was no private benefit received by anyone who is not an intended beneficiary of the Charity. **The Charity’s Financial Statement:** Details of the Charity’s finances for the financial year ending 31 March 2017 are provided in the Statement of Receipts and Payments forwarded with this report. This Statement was produced by a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), who is not connected with the Charity. The Charity had £825.16 cash at bank in hand on 31 March 2017. This is the Charity’s only funds, it had/has no debts or funds that are ‘materially in deficit’. The Charity held/holds no funds as a custodian trustee. Maurice Mc Chair Robert Corbeti Vice-chair