The Trust was set up in an informal way in 1980 by Eric's father Alec, in order to perpetuate Eric’s memory and to enable his many and diverse sailing interests to continue. At first the Trust responded to calls for funding from many areas, including round the world yachtsmen, disabled sailors and Olympic campaigns, Alec paying the grants out of his own pocket.
However, a more formal approach emerged with the formation in 1991 of a Charitable Trust, with the concentration on youth sailing, and especially on racing. Alec Twiname settled an amount of capital to the Trust, which was invested to provide a steady annual income. Since 1980 the Trust has provided over £500,000 for deserving causes.
Alec died in 1996 and his widow, Hazel, now heads the Trust as its Patron. The finances of the Trust and the designation of funds are run by a small team of Trustees, most of whom are keen sailors, and all good friends of the Twiname family. Overheads are minimal and the income from the capital is always put to optimum effect. Additional revenue is derived from fundraising events (such as talks given by the Trustees) and private donations.
The Eric Twiname Memorial Trust 26 Ashcombe Avenue, Southborough, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 6QA
Tel: 07767 262561
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Registered Charity 1002313
Trustees: Hazel Twiname (Patron)
Peter Whipp (Chairman)
Bruce Aitken (Secretary)
Jim Kirkpatrick
John Reed
Duncan Truswell
Bryan Willis
ANNUAL REPORT 2009
(for submission to the Charity Commissioners)
As in previous years our major expenditure continues to be the provision and maintenance of coaching/support motor boats for the recognised National Youth Classes and our 2009 costs totalled £15,110. These boats provide invaluable support for the 9 Classes and are in constant use throughout the year. Each outfit consists of a 5 metre Rigid Inflatable (“RIB”) powered by a 50hp 4-stroke outboard motor, complete with a road trailer. The RIBs are subject to a regular replacement programme, according to their usage, with normally one new outfit being purchased each year. This year it was the turn of the RS Feva Class.
We also continued to support our two major flagship events as follows:
- £7,500 was donated towards the running costs of The Eric Twiname National Junior Dinghy Racing Finals, run by the Royal Yachting Association and traditionally held at Rutland Water Sailing Club. This year the event, held over the weekend of 8/9 May, attracted an entry of 211 boats representing the nine RYA regions, all the competitors aged between eight and fifteen. Despite a weekend of very variable winds, the event was a huge organisational success, also providing a high profile for the Trust.
- £5,000 was donated towards the running costs of the Eric Twiname Junior (under 16s) and Youth (under 19s) Team Racing Championships. Run by the Royal Yachting Association, this joint event was held at Farmoor Reservoir near Oxford over the weekend of 17/18 October. 50 teams were entered from Clubs, Class Associations, Schools and RYA National and Zone Squads.
At both of these events the contributions of the Trust were much in evidence, with many of our funded dinghies and RIBs on the water, and our computer monitors displaying the results ashore.
£800 went to provide bursaries for disadvantaged youngsters in the Optimist beginners’ Easter sailing courses at Papercourt Sailing Club. Goring Thames Sailing Club received £1,875 towards one new RS Q’ba dinghy, Lincoln and District Sailing Association received £1,500 towards one new Topper dinghy and West Kirby Sailing Club received £235 towards a Trophy for the Youth Section of the Wilson Trophy.
In last year’s return we announced that we had donated our first fleet of six team racing Feva dinghies (purchased in 2004) to Spinnaker Club, Ringwood, Hampshire. We have now donated the second fleet (purchased in 2005) to West Kirby Sailing Club. Both clubs will continue to use the Fevas for the teaching and training of junior and youth sailors.
Our income is largely derived from the investment legacy of the late Alec Twiname, but we also receive other income from various fund raising activities and donations. During 2009 we received £3,635 from these sources. In addition the third edition of Eric Twiname’s popular book “Start to Win” was published during the year. A royalty is payable to the Trust on each book sold and this will generate income - as well as providing publicity for the Trust.
Alec Twiname’s widow, Hazel, remains as Patron of the Trust, with Bruce Aitken as Chairman. The other Trustees are: Jim Kirkpatrick, John Reed, Duncan Truswell, Peter Whipp and Bryan Willis. Dinny Reed is the Administrator.
Ancillary Information Relating to Annual Report
1. Reference and Administrative Details – see preceding page for details of the charity.
2. Structure, Governance and Management – the trust was granted charitable status in 1991, this being formalised in a Trust Deed, dated 9th January 1991. It is managed by a small team of trustees, some of them keen sailors, and all of whom have commercial business experience or work in one of the professions. The appointment of new trustees to date has derived from personal recommendation from one or more of the trustees and is subject to a committee vote with a majority decision.
3. Objectives - the trust was established in 1980 in memory of Eric Twiname, a renowned dinghy sailor, journalist and author, who died tragically in 1979 at the early age of 36 years. The aims of the Trust are to perpetuate Eric’s many and diverse sailing interests but principally those that arose out of his teaching and coaching of young racing dinghy sailors. To that effect its primary objective is for the provision of funding or equipment that will assist those in full-time education at schools and universities in the United Kingdom to sail or yacht race, with the emphasis being directed towards youth.
4. Activities – these mainly comprise the provision of bursaries for juniors on starter courses, the funding of dinghies for training purposes for sailing associations and clubs, and the provision of support RIBS for all nine national youth classes. In addition the Trust also acts as lead sponsor for national events such as the National Junior Dinghy Racing Finals and the National Youth and Junior Team Racing Championship (both run by the Royal Yachting Association).
5. Achievements and Performance – see preceding page for details of the Trust’s achievements and support for various deserving causes throughout 2009. In terms of performance all historic funding activities have been maintained successfully.
6. Financial Review – a Financial Statement is appended to this report. With regard to a reserves policy, as the Trust derives most of its income from monies bequeathed to it, the aim is to maintain as sensible a level of capital for future funding as is reasonably practicable. Some additional revenue is derived from fundraising events and private donations but the aim is always to put such income, together with that derived from its investment portfolio, to optimum effect. Without exception all annual income is expended entirely on financial support for youth sailing and in recent years this has been further enhanced by drawing down from our capital base.
7. Public Benefit – the trustees can confirm that in their support for the amateur sport of youth sailing they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Commission. The Trust’s philosophy is always to maximise the benefit of their funding for as many worthy causes as possible and always to ensure that such funding provides a long lasting benefit.
