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The history of the project
The history of the project
The Old Ford Project is a voluntary community group established to restore, manage and maintain a wetland, meadowland and woodland area working collaboratively with Colwinston Community Council. The site has a long history but had become overgrown and inaccessible. The initial work included the restoration of the medieval St Michael's Well and the ancient clapper bridge. This was followed by the clearance of the area and the planting of a wildflower meadow, the restoration of a pond and adjacent ancient woodland.
Critical initial steps to restore the biodiversity and sustainability of these area has been partially completed to the extent that what was once a disused area is now available for use by the local community, visitors from further afield and children from the local school.
The Old Ford Project Volunteers Group first came together in 2021, in response to an invitation by the Colwinston Community The Council, to the community, to contribute to and build on the efforts of The Council to restore the Old Ford area meadow.
Volunteers began working with The Council to support the creation of the meadow area. This involved restoring the area from a significantly neglected and overgrown state.
Hard landscaping cleared the area and the historic pond was recreated. Renewal activities included clearing invasive plants, relaying the hedge, supporting reseeding the wildflower meadow, planning and creating paths opening up the area to be accessible for all.
The group also adopted a constitution and appointed officers and trustees. They agreed a constitution as an unincorporated association and lead on applications for grant funding. The Volunteer group also looked for ways to actively shape the direction of the area, conducting a village survey about the Old Ford area,
How the group is organised
How the group is organised
The group has adopted a constitution and appointed officers and trustees. A constitution (see below) as an unincorporated association was agreed enabling the Group to lead on applications for grant funding. The Volunteer group have also looked for ways to actively shape the direction of the area, conducting a village survey about the Old Ford area and linked up with the village primary school and girl guiding groups.
The group meets regualrly during the year in the Village Hall, to discuss with Colwinston Community Councillors the activity plan for the period ahead. We have creatad a rolling activity plan which sets out planned maintenance activities, and considers opportunties for improvements and enhancements including consideration of grants that could be sought to support our aspirations for the area.
We are grateful to the Colwinston Community Council for the budget that they set aside each year to fund the core activities to enable the area to be maintained.
Old Ford Project Group Constitution
Old Ford Project Group Constitution
(click the arrow to expand this section and read the document)
(click the arrow to expand this section and read the document)
CONSTITUTION – COLWINSTON OLD FORD PROJECT
1: NAME
The name of the organisation is Colwinston Old Ford Project
2: THE PURPOSES OF THE GROUP ARE:
To promote and environmentaly enhance the area known as Colwinston Old Ford for the benefit of the public, particularly the residents of Colwinston and surrounding areas by:
- Enhancing bio-diversity and access to green spaces through volunteering
- Advancing the education of the public through sustainable development
- Contributing to the protection , enhancement and rehabilitation of the woodland site for the wellbeing of the current and future generations
- Providing opportunities for educational, social and recreational activities
- Conserving and promoting the local heritage to raise the profile of the site both locally and further afield
3: TRUSTEES
The Group will be managed by a committee of trustees who are appointed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
4: CARRYING OUT THE PURPOSE
In order to carry out the groups purpose, the trustees have the power to
- Raise funds, receive grants and donations
- Apply funds to carry out the work of the group
- Cooperate with and support other charities or organisations with similar purposes
- Do anything which is lawful and necessary to achieve the purposes
5: MEMBERSHIP
The group shall have membership.People who support the work of the group and are aged 18 years or over, can apply to the trustees to become a member. Once accepted by the trustess, membership lasts for three years and may be renewed. The trustees will an keep up-to-date membership list.
The trustees may remove a person’s membership if they believe it is in the best interests of the group. The member has the right to be heard by the trustees before the decision is made and can be accompanied by a friend.
6: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)
- The AGM must be held every year, within 14 days notice given to all members telling them what is on the agenda. Minutes must be kept of the AGM
- There must be at least 3 members present at the AGM
- Every member has one vote
- The trustees shall present the annual reports and accounts
- Any member may stand for election as a trustee
- Members shall elect between 3 and 12 trustees to serve for the next year. They will retire at the next AGM but may stand for re-election
7: TRUSTEE MEETINGS
- Trustees must hold at least 3 meetings each year. At their first meeting after the AGM they will elect a chair, treasurer amd secretary. Trustees may act by majority decision
- At least 3 trustees must be present at the meeting to be able to take decisions Minutes shall be kept for every meeting
- If trustees have a conflict of interest they must declare it and leave the meeting while this matter is being discussed or decided.
- During the year, the trustees many appoint up to 2 additional trustees. They will stand down at the next AGM
- The trustees may make reasonable additional rules to help run the group. These rules must not conflict with the constitution or the law
8: MONEY AND PROPERTY
- Money and property must only be used for the group’s purposes
- Trustees must keep accounts. The most recent annual accounts can be seen by anybody on request
- Trustees cannot receive any money or property from the group, except to refund reasonable out of pocket expenses
- Money must be held in the group’s bank account. All cheques must be signed by at least 2 unrelated trustees
9: GENERAL MEETINGS
- If the trustees consider that it is necessary to change the constitution, or wind up the project, they must call a General Meeting so that the membership can make the decision. Trustees must also call a General Meeting if they receive a written request from the majority of members. All members must give 14 days notice amd told the reason for the meeting, All decisions require a two thirds majority. Minutes must be kept.
- WINDING UP – any money or property remaining after payment of debts must be given to a group or charity with similar purposes
- CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION – can be made at AGMs or General Meetings
- GENERAL MEETING – called on written request from a majority of members
- Trustees may also call a General Meeting to consult the membership
10: SETTING UP THE GROUP
This constitution was adopted by the people whose signatures appear below. They are the first members of the group and will be the trustees until the AGM, which must held within one year of this date
Colllaboration Agreement
Colllaboration Agreement
(click the arrow to expand this section and see how the Community Council and the Volunteers have agred to work togther to enahnce and preserve the Old Ford Project area and woodland)
(click the arrow to expand this section and see how the Community Council and the Volunteers have agred to work togther to enahnce and preserve the Old Ford Project area and woodland)
Coming soon: this agreement is currently under discussion between the Colwinston Comunity Council and The Volunteers
Our Activity Planner
Our Activity Planner
The schedule below shows the activities we have planned together with the Colwinston Community Council to manage and maintain the Old Ford area and Colwinston wood.
Copy of Annual Work Programme AND Budget 2025-28 v2.docxLinks to other pages on this site
Links to other pages on this site
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