Cullybaekey & District Historical Society
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Trustees Report for the year ending 31 January 2024
NIC 107124
Governing Document:
The Cullybackey and District Historical Society is governed by the constitution amended on
the 18 October 2018
The Society was registered with tlLe NI Charity Commission as of 29 October 2018.
Charity Number NIC 107124
Purposes of the Charity:
The Society was established to educate the public in all aspects of the history of Cullybackey
and the immediate surrounding area by:
l. Collecting local historical material and artefacts
2. Input infom]ation on our wcbsite ￿[W￿..L Ill IN:b<2Lkc
histo
.co.uk
3, Answer queries about local and family history received via email
4. Organise speakers for monthly meetings from September to May for public
historical talks on local and other historical and cultural themes and to mix
socially
5. To further the aims of the Society by giving talks about the history of Cullybackey
and the surrounding area to other groups when asked
Main Aetivities and Achievements:
For everyone's safety the Society's Health and Safety Policy and Risk Register has bee
updated. This is done annually by our Health and Safety Officer.
The society held some events during the year for tbe benefit Dot only of its members but for all
the cornmunity. On the 25 March 2023 a Coronation coffee morning and book sale was held
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in conjunction with the Cu]lybackey Branch of the Royal British Legion. On the 4 September
2023 the society hosted Canadian singer Ann Walker, whose ancestors originated from
Cullybackey. Anne wrote a song entitled, "Cullybackey." The society received a large
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donation of books and this enabled it to hold a book sale on the 13 and 14 October 2023.
A wreath was laid at the memorial in Cullybackey by the chairperson on Remembrance Sunday
on behalf of the society.
Quite a bit of outreach was cauied out this year. The cbairperson was asked to speak on the
28 April 2023 to the BaIlymena History Group, on the 18 May to the Rasharkin History
Group and on the 27th June 2023 the Chairperso￿ along with Mr Bertie McNeilly from the
Cullybackey Community Partnership, hosted visitors from the Ballymena Church Forum
Walking Group, and later on the 9 August the chairy)erson of the society spoke to and did a
Ih
walking tour of the village with a group from Kilrea and again on the 7 September with the
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Rasharkin History Group when they visited the village. On the 31 October the chairperson
spoke to the Cullybackey Senior Citizens and on the 26 January 2024 the chaiq)erson hosted

tbe Ballymena History Group on a walking tour of the village. Our chairpersondid a recording
on the 27 June 2023 for Radio Ulster's Ulster-scots programme hosted by William Hill about
the society's poety Collectio￿ and on the 29 August 2023 a recording of Mahon's Way about
Cullybackey in which the chairyerson took part was broadc&st. In May 2023 the society was
asked to provide some photographs for Robinson's supernwket on the Cullybackey Road, for
their new window after renovations.
More new n]aterial has been donated in October 2023 to the society for its arcl]ive in the forn]
of postcards, and again some more postcards in January 2024, all addressed to local people.
A wreath was Jaid on Rell￿mbrance Suthy by the cbai4)erson on the Society's behalf at a
wreath laying ceremony organised by the Royal British Legio￿ Cullybackey Branch.
There were 14 queries received via our website which have been answered. From the I
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February 2023 until the 31 January 2024 we had a total of 15,018 hits on our website, an
average of1,251 hits per month, which is an increase on the previous year.
Ongoing research has been carried out by some mejnbers and more material has been prepared
for the Society's website and will be added. There has been an opportunity to again promote
the history of Cullybackey and the work of the Society this year.
Public Benefit:
The Society's bcneficiaries are the general public, mainly in the Cullybackey and surrounding
area who come together at our monthly lectures to listen to, discuss and reflect on the history
and culture of Cullybackey and beyond and have a greater knowledge and a better
understanding and appreciation of their local history and heritage. Members and visitors at our
lectures also benefit socially as it gives people, especially those who are more isolated or live
alone, the opportunity to meet together regularly, enjoy the company while learning together
and talking to one another over a cup of tea.
Access to the inforniation on our website is of great pubic benefiL not only to our own
members, but to the wider community and to people worldwide. This enables a wide section
of the population to have access to an educational facility and to have a greater understanding
of the history of Cullybackey and the surrounding area.
Finance:
Details of the Charity's finances for the year ending 31, January 2024 are provided in the
Statement of Receipts and Payments forwarded with this report.
The Charity has £1661.92 cash in Building Society and £358.16 in hand at 31 January 2024.
This is the Charity's only funds.
Name and Administration Details:
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The name of the charity is the Cullybackey and District Historical Society. The admiillstrative
address is 87 Shellinghill Road. Cullybackey, Ballymen4 B T42 INS

Charity Trusteeslmanagement Committee for the year ending 311t January 2024
Mr Robert Dick - President
Miss Elizabeth Hoy -ChairpersonlSecretary
Mrs Elizabeth McCorniick- Treasurer
Miss Nicola McFall- P.R.O.
rv(r Robert McQuillan - Vice-C.haio)erson
Mr Hugh Wiseman - Health & Safety Officer
Mr Thomas Campbell
Mr Alan Rosborough
Mr George Simpson
Appointment of Neiv Trustees:
The appointrnl of new trustees is reserved to the Cl]arity. No other individual OI organisatio
has the power to appoint trustees to the Charity.
Organisation:
The runn1J￿ of the so￿ety is managed by the Trustees WI￿ hold committee llLeetiDgs Once a
month between September and May.
Compliance wmth the Charity Commission's Guidance on Public Benefit:
In setting out the Charity's objecti.ves and planning for the year the trustees have given careful
consideration to the Charity Commission for Northem 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.
Mitigation of Harni Flowing from the Charity's Purposes:
No harm flows from the Charity's purposes. To negate the likelihood of hann, the Society is
a member of the Federation of Ulster Local Studies.
Private Benefit:
Th￿e was no private benefit received by anyone who is not an intended beneficiary of the
Charity.
As tnLStees of tbe Cullybackey and District Historical Society we feel that our objectives have
been achieved during the period of this report and that we have served the interests of all our
members and the general public.
SIGNATURE OF TRUSTEE
Miss Elizabeth Hoy
Chairpersonlsecretary