On Saturday 19th October at a well-filled Alfold Village Hall, members dealt with the Trust’s formalities for 2023 and learned more about current projects and future plans. Interim Chairman Margaret Darvill noted that 2023 had seen the completion of the restoration of 2km of canal at Dunsfold. We were waiting expectantly for Waverley Borough Council to grant planning permission for the Rooks Hill project south of Birtley. The repair and replacement of pumping equipment and the work to stop leaks at Long Meadow would result in the return in 2025 of the full 5km of our navigable central section for our tripboats, centred on Loxwood.
Praising all our volunteers, she made special mention of Lyn Nash, now retired, for her running of the Loxwood Canal Centre and was pleased to announce that her predecessor as chairman Sally Schupke had been appointed a Vice President of the Trust.
Julian Morgan summarised our finances for 2023. Income at £680,000 was 31% up on 2022, but this did not fully cover expenditure on maintenance, restoration and land purchase. As a result, our bank balance was down by £15,000 over the year, but our ‘tangible assets’ had increased by £65,000. The year 2024 to date had seen broadly similar income but lower outgoings, resulting in funds having increased in the year to date by £187,000. A major source of income in 2024 had been a donation of £230,000 from the M.J.Camp Charitable Foundation, from which a further £220,000 has been received in the current year.
Julian continued, to report the activities of our trading subsidiary. Profits arising from boat trips and sale of merchandise in 2023 (which boost the Trust’s income) were slightly up on 2022, and 2024 was likely to be even better. Julian noted however that trading turnover and profit in recent years were substantially lower than they had been in the previous decade. Water supply remained a limiting factor for our boat trip operation, but the expected return to full navigability of our central section next year was welcome. Given restricted water and volunteer resources, profitable private boat trips were being targeted in preference to public ones.
Julian is the Finance Director of our trading company. He had not been expecting to speaking to the main accounts of the Trust, having stood down as its Finance Director in 2023. However, his successor had decided not to continue. Julian is therefore holding the fort pending a fresh appointment: an appeal was made for a volunteer to step forward.
Julian’s management services to the Trust, including as its previous Finance Director, were recognised by his being awarded the John East Trophy, whilst Martin Smithers received in absentia the Jack King Cup (also known as the ‘Eager Beaver award’) for significant personal endeavour.
Bill Nicholson gave a detailed report on the Bonfire Hanger towpath restoration. The possibility of re-instituting the dams (see Wey-South 208) so as once again to restore the cosmetic appearance of a canal in water through Bonfire Hanger was being considered. Margaret summarised progress on our priority projects. Tony Ford explained that the Bramley Link had had to take a back seat. It was doubtful that the plans as submitted to Guildford Borough Council could be implemented – land ownership was one issue. The planning application for this is being withdrawn and fresh plans including a revised route would be needed. There was better news on another stalled project, the re-routed canal crossing at Tickner’s Heath, where we were now preparing to commission construction work. This will be very expensive, and funds will be sought and appealed for.