Annual Report 2007

The Treasurer's Report
by Cynthia Greenall

The Accounts

The accounts show the Society to be in a sound position financially. The bulk of our funding has come once again from members' subscriptions/donations and the sales stall activities. None of the donations are restricted this year and funds are monitored to maintain a cash flow and also to cover future specific projects. The balances brought forward include £1000 for the purchase of a new tool trailer.

Membership

Membership is now 154, a slight increase on last year. We welcomed 10 new members but 7 memberships lapsed and sadly there were 2 deaths. Numbers divide quite equally into those who joined 1985-9, during 1990s and from 2000 to date. 42% pay the unwaged rates.

Sales and Publicity

The team spent 18 days out and about in 2007 and stayed 13 nights in the caravan. The season normally starts in May but time is needed beforehand to get the caravan cleaned and equipped for overnight stays and the display boards re-vamped. Stock comes in all winter and has to be sorted, cleaned, repaired, priced and packed. Apart from donated goods we also have SCARS' publications and leaflets, mugs, various canal or local history books and a best seller – Alan Godfrey Old O S maps.

This year we attended the regular shows at Willow Park Craft Fair, Boat Jumble on Spike Island, St Helens Show, Rainford Craft Fair and the Organ & Steam Fair in Widnes. All attracted crowds and we were pleased with the interest shown in the stall. At St Helens Show, Peter Keen also set up a display and information stand in the Transport Heritage Marquee. We were also invited to take part in the Federation of Bridgewater Cruising Clubs' Rally at Runcorn and a Classic Vehicle Show at Fidlers Ferry.

The IWA National Festival is always highlighted on the calendar and although only a three day event now, the distance travelled and the setting up time usually warrants a stay of twice that long. The 2007 festival was held at St Ives on the River Great Ouse, not remotely canally but it proved to be an excellent venue. The weather was not kind leading up to the event and as it was based on a flood meadow, the inevitable happened, mud. We stayed in the caravan and hired a marquee for this event and all our equipment and goods had to be carried on site, as the ground was too wet for vehicles. Exhibitors became easily recognisable by their wellingtons. The public wore flip-flops and high heels but admittedly by the opening day, the sun was out and they did not suspect that large areas resembling ploughed fields would have to be negotiated to get into the showground.

We enjoyed a successful weekend, a lot of the interest was polite but a fair number of visitors who did know about the Sankey were happy to come and chat. Andy Screen came down for a day, just in time to be interviewed by a team from Channel 4. The festival gives us a good opportunity to visit other parts of the waterway system and to catch up first hand with news and events from the rest of the IWA and canal societies, most of whom we only see once a year. Also, if we are honest, to wish that we had something equally exciting/encouraging to pass on about the Sankey!

As usual thanks must go to the Exec members who turn up to help with the stall and in doing so, ensure that visitors get detailed answers to their questions. Members, friends and family supply us with never ending boxes of useful, interesting and sometimes valuable items to supplement the stock and guarantee that the SCARS' stall is not to be missed, thank you.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2007

Notes to the Accounts

1. Accounting Policies

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice on Accounting by Charities.

2. Depreciation

Depreciation is provided on fixed assets at 20% of cost price.

3. Life Membership a/c

Subscriptions are paid into a deposit account and 10% of the total balance is transferred annually to the income and expenditure account.

Cynthia Greenall
8 February 2008

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