McAllister Conservation Trust 7, Brone Park GARVAGH Co Derry BTS1 4BJ
NIC 109140
McAllister Conservation Trustees' Annual Report for year 6th Aug 2024 - 5th Aug 2025
McAllister Conservation Trust governance
The trust is registered with Northern Ireland Charities Commission. There is a Board of Trustees, comprising four persons (since June 2025) three resident in Northern Ireland and one in England. To date there have been four meetings a year, mainly to plan and guide the initial setting up and preparatory work of the Trust. The Trust is governed by a Trust Deed, drawn up in November 2021 and submitted to the Northern Ireland Charities Commission immediately thereafter. The Commission approved the Trust Deed and granted charitable registration in September 2022.
McAllister Conservation Trust objects and purposes
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Advancement of environmental protection and improvement, through developing sustainable environments to benefit biodiversity and species enrichment.
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Promotion of sustainable development and enhancement of knowledge and practice of sustainable farming methods and country side management.
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Advancement of education by raising awareness and knowledge of environmental issues among the local and wider community.
Public Benefit Requirement
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Since it is not yet fully operational, McAllister Conservation Trust has not been able to put into effect any aspects of its charitable aims and objectives in the period under review. Once operational, the Trust will adhere fully to all available guidance issued by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. In the period under review no material or other benefits, accrued to any trustee, and no private benefit flowed from the work of the Trust.
Main Activities and achievements
In the period under review, trustees continued to liaise with the Woodland Trust in relation to the planting and welfare of the woodland at Brone, Garvagh. In Oct 2024, both parties signed a carbon-agreement that recognises each others' responsibilities/duties. Pursuant to this, the McAllister Trust expects a carbon-offset grant, but as of the date of this report the first tranche of funds still has not been received. Three of the trustees have been actively involved with securing of gates and laneways, as well as tidying/clearing several of the fields prior to planting. They have also tidied and cleaned overgrown and unkempt hedges around two fields that have been retained for traditional farming/grazing purposes and arranged for the fencing and proper demarcation of various parts of the overall site and clearing up the McAllister family-home site. In May-June 2025, this fencing work was largely completed. All such work has been undertaken on a voluntary basis, and trustees do not seek/expect remuneration. However, some of them have incurred costs involved with the work, including. payment for diggers, fencing, insurance and some legal fees arising from settlement of the will. It is anticipated that, once funds are available to the Trust, all such necessary and reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
Public Benefit arising from activities In light of the comments contained in the foregoing section, there is as yet no verifiable public benefit arising from the Trust's activities.
Financial Position
The trustees have opened a bank account with Ulster Bank Ltd., Belfast, this account containing a nominal sum of £200 to date. There have been no payments into or out ofthe account.
Names of Trustees during 2024-25 The following individuals acted as trustees during this period-:
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Mr James O'Kane
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Mrs Rosemary Price (deceased Jun 2025) > Mr William James O'Kane
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. » Mr Adrian O'Kane > Mr Andrew Price
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Signed this date, 30th Oct 2025
William James O'Kane - Chairman and Trustee