Chairman’s Report 2025
Chairman’s report for AGM held 20th March 2025
General
The Trust has undergone some change this year. We were very sad to receive the resignation of our Chair, David Wilde. David has worked tirelessly over the years for the benefit of our community and to say he will be missed is an understatement. In his absence I have taken on the role of acting Chair whilst we try to fill the large hole left by David. Thank you, David, for everything you have done over the years, your community is lucky to have you. We are delighted to recently welcome David York as a trustee, he will be a great addition to the trustees.
Highlights of the year are as follows:
Market Hall
The Market Hall continues to have three tenants, Libraries Unlimited, Jonny Bowden Fitness and Horizon Coffee Company. Bob has continued to look after the Market Hall with myself and David working with Bob recently to help consolidate the past work and plan for the future.
Middleham Gardens
Inspired by Laura’s hard work at Middleham we organised a working party in the summer to tackle some of the bigger jobs. It was a great day and we were able to start the big task of reducing the height of the laurel hedge allowing more light into the garden. Many thanks to Tony, who continued this work on a weekly basis, the hedge pruning has now been completed. Amongst many other jobs Laura has also planted a lot of spring bulbs that we will all be enjoying soon. Sadly the large Alder tree at the end of the garden came down in storm Darragh and we are working to remove this and ultimately replant something in the space that this will leave.
Lyn in Bloom
Once again Laura has agreed to lead on Lyn in Bloom, we are very grateful for her support and for giving up her valuable time. Hopefully she will be able to recruit plenty of volunteers to spread the workload. Fund raising will need to be considered to pay towards the cost of displays.
Affordable Housing
John Atherton has continued to drive this project this year and a new housing needs survey has been completed, identifying the need for 15 homes. The trust continues to work to identify a suitable site for any potential development.
Lyn Climate Action Group
The Group has been very active over the year and with the support of the trust have been successful in receiving funding to support the creation of Lyn Community Orchard adjacent to the cemetery in Valley of Rocks. This project will be a great asset for the community in the years to come.
Other activities
We were delighted to be able to,assist the community in raising funds for the provision of a Riser Chair for Paramedics in the Lyn Valley, using our Charity status to enable Gift Aid to be claimed on donations from individuals. We were also able to help the Lyn Defibrillator fund in their efforts to raise money to replace the various Defibrillators in the Lyn Valley area, and via Gift Aid reclaimed, we were able to add significantly to the fund raising campaign.
We have supported Lynton and Exmoor Museum post its successful application for major refurbishment. We have also provided funding towards the disabled access facility that have been installed at Hannington Hall, Martinhoe
I would like to thank all Trustees for their continued enthusiasm and hard work in undertaking their various activities, all of which are for the benefit of the Lyn Valley in general.
Kate Holland, Acting Chair
19th March 2025
