Bampton Heritage & Visitor Centre
Who We Are
Charitable Status
We have been a registered with the Charity Commission since 2013 (Registered Charity No. 1156194) and operate using their guidance and standard constitution. We submit annual accounts and reports to them as required.
Our three overall charitable aims/objects are:
1. To conserve our heritage and inspire interest and learning through our centre using a wide range of accessible means to residents and visitors
2. To promote the town to potential visitors and provide them with information to meet their needs and interests
3. To develop rewarding and valued volunteer roles and experiences
4. To contribute to the community by working to enhance the reputation of Bampton as a place to live, visit and value
Trustees
The Charity is governed by Trustees who set the strategy for the Centre, run it on a day-to-day basis, coordinate volunteer recruitment and training and ensure the effective use of resources.
The last AGM took place on the 8th March 2022 and confirmed the following Trustees. The current Trustees are:
Judi Thomas (Chair) – re- elected 2022 for 3 years - 2025 I bring over 40 years’ experience of working in the public and charity sectors and volunteering in communities to my role as Trustee. I have volunteered in many different organisations since I was 16 and know what benefits volunteering can bring to the organisation and to the volunteer. My skills lie in education and community connection and participation. I have been a Trustee since the project inception in 2011. I was elected Chair of Trustees in 2022. I am passionate about developing new and innovative ways of gathering and telling the stories of our community and building our collection. History doesn’t stand still and nor should we. |
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Rachel Macdonald (Treasurer) – elected 2019 for 3 years - 2026 When retired, I moved from North Yorkshire to Bampton – where we holidayed regularly. In order to learn more about the area and get to know people I volunteered at the Heritage Centre. This was ideal, as history, particularly cultural history, is of interest to me. I became very involved with the Buildings Project. I soon became a Trustee and then took up the post of Treasurer. I happily picked up this role as I could draw on my background in business management to help keep the Heritage Centre on course financially whilst moving forward with its many exciting projects. |
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Marian Girling - elected 2022 for 3 years - 2025 I have been living in Bampton for nearly a decade and in Devon for nearly 20 years now having moved here from Essex. I was formally employed as the library Manager for a large educational establishment in North Devon that was open to both the school and the public, only. I also have over 25 years of experience in education, specialising in literature and behaviour management. I loved bringing knowledge and information to children and adults. I started volunteering at the Heritage Centre in 2021 and became a Trustee in 2022 to provide publicity and promotion materials to the community on all the activities, events and projects that the Heritage Centre arrange for all generations in our community. As the voice of the Heritage Centre I post on Facebook and Instagram and provide updates in the local press about the wonderful and fascinating events we are bringing to the town. |
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Phil Venn - elected 2024 for 3 years - 2027 I was born and bred in Bampton, attending the local primary school in the 1960s. After leaving school, I worked in the Insurance industry. |
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Chris Price - Secretary (Non-exec position) Since moving to Bampton in 2017 he has volunteered in number of positions as a Devon Freewheeler blood bike rider and as a Bampton Wellbeing Walks walk leader. He recently picked up the role of secretary in January 2023 and is able to exploit his organisational and management experience gained working as an IT Programme and Project Manager with private and public sector organisations for over 30 years. His inspiration is taken from his desire to see the community in Bampton continue to thrive. |
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The Trustees meet regularly with agendas and minutes. Volunteers are invited to join the meeting by request and agendas are circulated beforehand. Following each meeting a Newsletter is sent to all volunteers to update them on decisions from the meeting and other relevant information, to keep them informed.
Since 2016 Trustees have been elected by the volunteer group. Our election process established in 2015/16 introduced the principle of 3 Trustees standing down in each of the first two years to provide continuity at the same time as the opportunity to introduce new Trustees. The normal term of office for the elected trustees will be 3 years and they will then be eligible to stand again.
Relevant documents
Each year we produce an annual report, which includes our examined accounts.
Our latest Annual Report is available here: Report 2023.
Previous reports are available upon request.
BHVC Constitution - The BHVC has a written constitution and we have a strategic view of what we want to achieve. Our Strategic Plan is currently being updated and will be published here when available.
AGM Minutes - The Minutes of our last Annual General Meeting are available here.
Financial regulations - We manage our charity in line with requirements of the Charity Commission
BHVC Conflict of Interest Policy - We are concious of the potential conflicts of interest that may affect our Trustees.
BHVC have many additional policies and procedures that we use to manage our charity and ensure volunteer and public safety. Most of these policies are available upon request. Please email bamptonheritage@btinternet.com if you are interested in these.
If you are interested in finding out about volunteering with us please get in touch.
