1990s
1990
A public meeting was held to decide the fate of the Charity.
The meeting was well attended with passionate address from both sides, but it was clear that a different approach would be required if the dream were to continue. Crux of the debate involved around financial stability and Charity organisation.
An overwhelming vote decided that the project should be given a further chance to succeed. Action was to be taken to address the underlying problems resulting in the following resolutions. Buildings and facilities should be open to groups outside the Mirfield area to increase revenue. A management committee, representative of the local community, should be elected to administer the Charity. Efforts should be made over the longer term to secure funding for refurbishment and facilities.
A volunteer management committee was duly elected.
1991 -1993
With gifts of materials and paint from local traders and assistance from the newly formed “Friends of Gearstones” (non committee helpers), the premises were given a much- needed facelift.
Mirfield Education Charity advanced a further grant of £16,000 for the installation of an LPG central heating system. The electric storage heater system had proved inadequate for the old building which still suffered from severe damp and black mould. A balanced flue system was also installed to eradicate damp problems.
An application was made to the Board of Charity Commissioners to amend the constitution thereby enabling the charity to be available to a wider public.It was accepted and management set about increasing use and improving financial position.
1994
Following two years of consolidation, management produced a comprehensive report, “Consultative Documents – 5 to 10 year Corporate Plan”, including some 53 recommendations embracing refurbishment, facilities and development.
Management structure was re-organised incorporating five elected officials, within committee, chairman, secretary, treasurer, booking secretary and manager.Elected officials having a responsibility for the day to day running of the charity.Additionally sub- committees were elected to deal with relative matters, reporting back to management as appropriate.”Corporate & Fundraising”, “Buildings” and “Health & Safety” were elected with “Equal Opportunities” added at a later date.
By now the financial position had improved considerably with income from bookings at £9,277 and fundraising £1,633. Surplus revenue was now available over running costs, which enabled budgets to be set at the beginning of each year allowing a structured programme of refurbishment and development.
It was decided to repair and refurbish the attached cottage with a view of using the premises, on a self catering basis, for voluntary working parties, warden support to visiting Lodge groups, and for letting to families or small groups to further increase income.
A new fully automatic, with manual option, fire system was installed incorporating both the Lodge and Cottage as well as two separate means of escape were created serving all floors and a new procedure for emergency evacuation completing this section of fire precautions and safety.
1995
Work on the cottage continued, was completed and brought into use towards the end of the year. Decorated and furbished in traditional Dales style, 90% of the work was carried out by volunteer tradesman, 10% by local contractors with a total cost of approximately £13,000.
The old annex, situated at ground level on the side of the Lodge building, was completely gutted converted and furbished to create a ladies and gents ablution unit consisting of four showers and toilets serving the Lodge. It is designed to accommodate general living use and the developing outdoor facility in the cellar areas at a cost of some £6,500.
Four existing showers on the upper floor were repaired with modern units and both toilets – shower rooms were completely refurbished and tiled. Once more work was carried out with a combination of local contractors and volunteer help at a cost of £4,000.
Structural faults on the west gable end were repaired in conjunction with lowering part of the cellar floor. This work was part of the plans to develop the cellar into an outdoor activity changing and drying facility.Total costs to a little over £1,200.
Yet again Mirfield Educational Charity gave a grant of £12,000 towards these costs the remainder coming from Gearstones revenue.
Following the tragic accident in Lyme Regis Bay when four young people lost their lives, the Government introduced new legislation for the safety of young persons taking part in outdoor activities.Called “Activity Centres (Young Persons’ Safety) Act 1995” it was evident that it would have far reaching repercussions on organisations like Gearstones.But we would have to wait until the following year when the Health and Safety Executive proposed to issue Regulations to the Act before effects would be fully know.
1996
Progress in the development of the cellar outdoor activity area continued with the construction of a drying room incorporating background heating with an addition, optional use, 6kw heat booster system.
Both the large and small lounges were redecorated and additional fire extinguishers were purchased to complete the provision of fire fighting equipment throughout the buildings.Structural faults in the dwarf walls to the “Red Area” were repaired and the whole timber floor replaced, this area having previously been used as an “outdoor wet area”.
Further structural faults were rectified in the first floor corridor.The opportunity was taken to refurbish the corridor incorporating new electrical circuits and emergency lighting.This work was completely “in-house” at material costs only.
Income from the lodge bookings had now reached £14,070
As expected the new Outdoor Activity Regulation have been issued by the Health & Safety Executive and its effect on our organisation were being considered by the Health & Safety sub-committee.
1997
For some considerable time the subject of water supply had been moving up the “priority works” list with interruptions to supply causing increasing problems along with adverse comments on quality. It was decided that serious consideration should be given to the installation of an independent borehole supply within the Lodge grounds.Initial contractors estimates were £9,500.It was decided to proceed with the installation through the Environment Agency.
Refurbishments continued with a view of reducing expenditure and carry funds over to next year to meet borehole installation costs.
Some structural repairs were carried out to the east gable end, several windows were replaces as a matter of urgency and a collapsed drainage pipe to the sewer system was replaced.The small games room was decorated; Gayle bedroom was completely refurbished including new ceiling, new windows and rewiring.
It was decided to use local activity instructors, operating under their own licence issued in accordance with the new Safety Regulations.A series of selections interviews was arranged.Groups would be offered optional packages of skilled qualify support.
Income was recorded as bookings £13,852 with fundraising & donations at £1,810.
Progress was being maintained on a broad front within our financial resources.
1998
Having decided that this year the “water borehole” would take priority our human resources were directed mainly to fundraising, refurbishments being limited to redecoration of some rooms, repairs and maintenance. Management of human resources are as important as financial management, both having limitations.
Our drive on finances proved to be successful, booking reached a record of £20,409 whilst fundraising raised a staggering £2,553, also a record.
The borehole and filtration plant were completed and brought into use in November bringing an abundant supply of crystal clear water, which meets Water Regulations for purity.Unfortunately the depth required to reach an adequate supply terminated at 500ft, double the depth of 250ft estimated by the Environment Agency taken from their geological database.This resulted in a final costs overspend from £9,500 to £14,500, some of the costs having to be carried over to 1999.
Never the less, we probably had achieves the most important advance in our programme of service delivery to date, which will be of enormous benefit to everyone for very many years to come.
1999
For the previous three years huge efforts had been made to secure major funding from National lottery funds and other funding sources to finance the development of the Charity and extensive refurbishment of buildings, without success.
One of those projects was to demolish the dilapidated garages and adjoining sty, rebuilding it to create a much needed Educational and Activity/Games room. Mirfield Educational Charity decided to increase their already huge investment in Gearstones and grant £35,000 to complete the Educational/Activity Unit part of the project. In December the facility was brought into use for the groups staying over the Christmas and New Year periods.Comments suggest the effort was much appreciated and a huge success. The new building is constructed in stone with a slate roof with an interior ambience in the traditional Dales style.
During building work we took the opportunity to carry out some urgent refurbishments aligned to our programme of development.Safety walls were constructed outside the main entrances and ramps put in to facilitate wheelchair access.Six ground floor windows were replaced incorporating safety features.A new top water drainage system was installed serving the whole premises, along with a new sewer drainage system serving the cottage in the rear grounds.
Once again we were faced with a project overspend due to mainly Local Authority building controls requiring additional extensive foundation works to overcome geological conditions while building the new unit. As such some of the costs of this project were carried onto the following year.
