Cushendun Building Preservatlon Trust
Company Ilmited by guarantee
Trustees, annual report Ilncorporating the diractor's report)
Period ended 31 March 2023
Trustees and dlrectors
The trustees and directors who served the company during the period were as follows.,
Fiona Lynch
Maria McAllister
James Skivington
Frances Swall
Gerard Anthony Swall
Jude McNeill
Julie Antonetle Kinsella
Paul O'Hara
Philippa Katharine English
Seana Frances McSp8rran
Anthony Kennedy
William Colvin
(Appointed 12 February 2023)
(Treasurer)
(Director and company Secretary)
Accountant8
Park McKillop and Company
51 Springwell Street
Ballymena
Co. Antrim
BT43 6AT
Structure, governance and management
The organisation is run by a board of DirectorslTrusiees who are responsible for the general administralion and
governance of the charity. Following a review of the organisations governance and objectives, conducted by
Blue Moss Consultants in early 2021, CBPT formally adopted an updated Memorandum and Articles of
Association at the 2021 AGM 711112021. The full Board meet monthly to to oversee general management and
governance issues. Office bearers meei weekly to manage day to day issues.
Objectlvas and actlvltles
To preserve for the benefit of the people of Cushendun and of the Nation, the historic, architectural and
constructional heritage that may exist in and around Cushendun and to raise funds so to do. This objective
includes managing The Old Church Centre for the promotion of heritage, art and for communily benefit.
Stafflng
The level of staffing has remained constant over the year. Sadly Maeve McAlisler resigned from her position as
Marketing and Programme Officer in October 2022 but her position was quickly filled by Seana Mcsparran. The
team consists of Steven Byrne (Visitor and Centre Coordinator), Rosemary Farrell (Administrator) and Seana
Mcsparran {Markeling and Programme Officer).
statement of compliance
In setting out our objectives and carrying out our activities for the year the trustees have given careful
consideration to the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on public benefit in order to ensure
thal the activities undertaken have helped Ihe Cushendun Building Preservation Trust achieve its purposes as
set out in the Memorandum and that it has provided a benefit to its beneficiaries.
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Cushendun Bulldlng Preservation Trust
Company limited by guarantee
Trustees. annual report (incorporating the director's report)
Period ended 31 March 2023
Aehlevements and performance
The organisation has successfully completed the restofalion of the Cushendun Old Church now known as The
Cushendun Old Church Centre. This has been achieved with funding from Heritage Loltery Fund, Causeway
Coast and Glens Borough Council and other funders who have acknowledged satisfactory completion of the
project.
Financial revi8W
The activities in the Old Church Centre continue to flourish and be popular amongst the community. We have
weekly groups namely the Cushendun Painting for Pleasure Group, Cushendun Reading Circle and Yoga
classes. We have had a number of high profile events at the centre over the year including Cushendun born
actor Seamus O'Hara who had returned from Los Angeles the previous week with an Oscar for the short film An
Irish Goodbye. Seamus, his colleague James Martin and the producer and director spent the day in the Centre
and hosted 5 screenings of their film and took part in Q- sessions. The Cenlre played host to numerous events
for Culture Month in September, the highlights being a chartered boat tour from Ballycastle to Cushendun
learning about the aquatic history of the Sea of Moyle, storytelling workshops and a talk by the local Red Bay
RNLI. Cushendun Big Arts Weekend continues to grow from strength to strength. While these events generate
footfall and revenue which has the potential to meet the core running costs of the Centre they do require
additional staffing costs.
Cushendun Building Preservation Trust depends on an amazing group of committee members and volunteers
without whom the achievements of the last year would not have been possible. Thanks are due lo every one of
the team. CBPT also gratefully acknowledges the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Causeway Coast and Glens
Borough Council and all our other funders. The Centre continues to become busier and as the level of activity
increases so do the demands on the management commiltee, volunteers and management systems that were
put in place early in the life of the Centfe. We look forward to the centre continuing its role as a thriving venue for
Heritage, Arts and the Community at the heart of life in the Glens.
Small company provisions
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small
companies exemption.
This report was approved by the board of directors on 2 November 2023 and signed on behalf of the board by".
Anthony Kennedy
Trustee
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