Biggar & District Community Heritage Ltd

Trustees Annual Report

1st April 2008 – 31st March 2009

Scottish Charity No: SC036413

Names of all Trustees at 1.4.08
Andrew Goldie, Joan Keys, Helen Lambie, Graeme Kerr, Ian Lambie, John Shirley, Stephen Blow, Mike Chad, David Aitken.

Contact Address

Biggar and District Community Heritage Ltd.
C/o Smail and Ewart
79 High Street
Biggar
ML12 6DE

 

Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees

The Directors of the company are appointed or re-appointed at the Annual General Meeting,  which was held in October. At the AGM this year, Helen Lambie and Joan Keys stood down from the Board and the Chairman expressed his thanks for their considerable support and efforts.

Governing Document

Biggar and District Community Heritage Ltd. is a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital; Company Number SC281826, and a Scottish Charity No: SC036413. The purposes and administration of the company are set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Charitable Purposes

The role of BDCH Ltd, as set out in our Memorandum of Association is; ‘To promote, and secure by charitable means but not otherwise the restoration and preservation of the historic, cultural and natural heritage of the town of Biggar and its surrounding area.’

Main Activities and achievements

During 2008/09 the Board of Trustees have held 8 meetings during the year, project sub-groups have met and organised practical work days and the Little Mitchellwood Open Day, both of which were open to the membership and the wider community.
Projects:
Little Mitchell Wood – members of the board and volunteers have maintained the woodland and paths through the year.

The Little Quarry – negotiations with the landowner were completed, the agreement signed and the practical work carried out by both volunteers and contractors to re-fence the site, lay a circular path, build steps, clear rubbish and fell some conifer and sycamore trees. A hedge and some fruit trees were planted to join the small woodlands of the Little Quarry and Little Mitchellwood together. A great deal of time through the summer was spent litter picking as the site became a regular hang out for younger folk with drinking and some vandalism  having a negative impact on the site. The site does enjoy regular use by local dog walkers.

The Heritage Trails leaflet – the sub group re-convened towards the end of the year to complete the text and final format. This had not been completed this financial year, but much of the  funding has been sourced to produce the leaflet.

The Session Fields Wetland Creation – following some correspondence with South Lanarkshire Council about taking on the management of the Session Fields by Biggar Public Park, this project has not progressed as the golf course operators have also expressed an interest in the ground. SLC commissioned a report into the public use of Biggar Park and will use that to inform future decisions.

 

Trustee Renumeration and Expenses

The Directors did not receive any renumeration or expenses through the year.

 

Financial Statement - 1st April 2008-31st March 2009 – please see attached document.

Reserves

As a result of significant expenditure on the Little Quarry Project this year, the Company Accounts show a balance of £8,785 at the end of March 2009. The remaining funds are largely allocated for the final stages of the Little Quarry Project and production of the Town Trail leaflet. The unrestricted funds remaining are to be used for administration costs and as match funding for future projects.
Approved by the Directors and signed on their behalf;

 

Stephen Blow
Company Secretary
15.11.09

 

Biggar and District Community Heritage Ltd
Email: info@biggarheritage.co.uk