Burley in Wharfedale Community Trust (BWCT) which is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission has had another successful year with membership totals now at an all time high of 1,005 at the end of 2020.This is an increase from 925 in the previous year. Membership receipts increased to £9,059 in the financial year (last year £8,198) and we continued with the quarterly draw.
Membership income and other donations received during the year from the Coop Foundation, Waitrose, Otley Lions and Ilkley Round Table have been, or are being, used to help fund new children’s furniture in the library, new playground equipment (now on order), Youthquake (youth provision), Unique (schoolchildren wellbeing), Bowls Club pavilion ,Scout and Guide HQ, Love Burley (help for covid-19 initiatives) a complete renovation of the Roundhouse Garden area and a new village web site.
We also continued to manage the communal grounds, playing field and pavilion at Scalebor Park. Although usage of the playing fields and pavilion for junior cricket and football was restricted by the covid-19 regulations the Trust continued to maintain this important facility by painting the pavilion, installing new CCTV security measures and AED equipment as well  as ensuring that the  playing field annual drainage maintenance was carried out.
Unfortunately the annual Duck Race and Teas in the Park in June had to be cancelled due to the pandemic as did the 2020 Christmas Market and Craft Fair. This has impacted on our fundraising both in the financial figures for 2019/20 and the current year. However, I would like to thank all those involved with this year’s Christmas Lights and the Hanging Baskets and Tubs for all their help in ensuring these village activities were successful in spite of the restrictions.