BOARD OF TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2024 MARCH 2023 - MARCH 2024 The Board of Trustees would like to report another successful yeat. The Trustees met regularly during the last year to plan events and to monitor the financial position of the charity. During the year it was agreed that the two bank accounts should be merged to make the business profile simpler. There was a considerable amount of time and effort put into satisfying the Ulster Bank Business Profile and a move to eBanking is planned for the next financial year to improve the monitoring of the account and the ease to pay creditors. The Annual Tractor Run was held in June, and ran from Killymurris Church out into the local countryside before returning to Killymurris. Those who attended had an enjoyable day and raised money forthe charity in the process. The Annual Rally was held in July at Ballee Playing Fields. The weather was inclement, particularly on the Friday, however participants enjoyed the event and there was a great variety of demonstrations of traditional threshing, stone breaking and woodcutting methods put on by members and volunteers to educate and entertain the general public. Other demonstrations and crafts were also enjoyed by the visitors. A collection of Citroen 2CV cars and their derivatives were on display to mark their 75th Anniversary Year. The McKibbin Bros hosted a Threshing Day at the end of October, this event again provided threshing, stone breaking and wood cutting demonstrations along with vintage and classic machinery and vehicles to educate those in attendance. A Santa Tractor and Lorry parade was held in Ballymena in December. The vehicles were decorated for Christmas and drove in convoy around the town to entertain large crowds of spectators This was very successful and plans for this to become an annual event are well under way. The businesses in Ballymena were delighted with the huge turn out of members of the public and are very keen for it to continue. Running the event along side another local charity is under consideration for December 2024. On New Year's Day a Static Event was held at Dunsilly, Antrim. This was a new event for TECU. The event had previously been held by a local club, but due to falling numbers and ill health it was no longer in a position to service the event. The Traction Engine
Club of Ulster were invited to take over the event, providing static displays of vintage and classic Cars, Commercials, Tractors, Motorcycles and Stationary Engines. The event was well received and raided money for the charity. Building on the success of the Santa and New Years Day Events TECU arranged a St Patrick's Day Static Event in Broughshane. This was similar to the New Year's Day event in Antrim and again raised money forthe Charity. Over the year nine monthly events were held. These events are to provide educational and entertaining activities for members and the general public. Admission is generally free. The events vary from Training to PowerPoint Presentations and Videos on subjects of interest to the club to organised group visits to classic and vintage machinery collections The 2023 Annual General Meetings was held in March and was well attended by trustees, members and visitors. The charity produces an annual "Vintage Events List" which is a calendar of Classic and Vintage Events across Northern Ireland and beyond. This is available free from the website or in hard copy and those advertising are invited to donate to the Traction Engine Club of Ulster's Charity of the Year. The Trustees are delighted to report that interest is growing in the Vintage Scene and that activity in the Traction Engine Club of Ulster has increased considerably. They express their gratitude to all those who have made this possible. David Heatley (Hon Secretary)