Are you passionate about our community and looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference? Bishopton Community Development Trust is looking for a qualified and motivated Treasurer to join our dedicated team of volunteers. This is a fantastic opportunity to use your financial expertise to help support and grow the work of the Trust, which plays a vital role in the local community.

Why Volunteer with Us?
As Treasurer, you will be at the heart of our Trust’s operations, helping ensure financial sustainability and transparency. Your expertise will directly contribute to community development in Bishopton.

By joining the Trust, you’ll have the chance to:

• Make a Real Impact: Your financial skills will help us support community development and local groups.
• Enhance Your CV: Gain valuable experience in community-based financial management, governance, and strategy.
• Work with a Passionate Team: Be part of a welcoming, supportive group of like-minded individuals committed to improving the community.
• Time Commitment / flexibility: As a volunteer role, it’s designed to fit around your schedule, with flexibility to suit your other commitments. We aim to meet formally for 90-mins once a month (3rd Tuesday of each month) and we anticipate 30-60 mins will be required each month to monitor and maintain the accounts.

What You’ll Do:

• Oversee the Trust’s financial operations, ensuring everything is managed efficiently and transparently.
• Maintain accurate records of income and expenditure.
• Produce regular financial reports to support decision-making by the Trust’s team of elected Directors.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, company and charity law.
• Help shape the Trust’s long-term financial strategy, working with other members to plan for a sustainable future.

Who We’re Looking For:

• A qualified accountant or someone with relevant financial experience (e.g., bookkeeping or financial management).
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• A collaborative, proactive attitude, with a passion for community development and supporting local initiatives.

This is a chance to be part of something truly rewarding, helping to steer the future of Bishopton and make a lasting difference in the lives of local residents.

Interested?
If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge, or if you’d like to find out more, please get in touch with us at BishoptonDevelopmentTrust@gmail.com. 

We’d love to hear from you!

There has been a number of developments since Directors last updated Members and the wider community in March 2025. These are summarised below:

Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Sunday, 6 April 2025

We are pleased to report that an AGM was held on Sunday, 6 April 2025. The meeting was well attended and we are grateful to everyone who gave up some time to elect Directors, approve accounts for the last 2 years, hear updates from Directors and discuss current concerns. This was a positive meeting and we felt there was a real sense of community and positivity about how we can all work together to ensure the development of Bishopton meets the needs and desires of our community.

A draft minute of that meeting, including a summary of the issues raised by Members has now been published on the Trusts website. The Draft Minute will be considered at the next AGM to be convened later this year.

Current Directors

Following the AGM, there are now 8 registered Directors of the Trust:

• Graeme Adam
• Jim Blair (Chair)
• Andy Fraser
• Lynne Hutchinson
• Derek McGowan
• Mike Tait
• Mike Tomenson
• David Woodrow

David Lightbody and Allan Scott did not seek reappointment as Directors at the AGM and we want to record our thanks for their contribution to the Trusts over the years. Companies House have been informed of changes and we expect updates to reflect these changes on their website soon.

Directors Meetings

Directors are now meeting monthly. The minutes of these meetings are being published on the Trust’s website once they have been approved. You can read the most recent meeting minutes here:

• 19 February 2025
• 18 March 2025
• 15 April 2025
• 20 May 2025

Key Decisions

Since the last update, we have taken a number decisions, including awarding Bishopton Tennis Club a grant of £10k towards the installation of floodlights to the tennis courts. We hope this encourages the community to use the facilities throughout the year.

We also approved the use of Holmpark for the annual Bishopton Gala Day, the use of Holmpark for Community Cricket by the wider community and for an Annual 7s Rugby tournament and the Big Bish Camp Out.

Please Note: We need to remind all groups or organisations utilising the field that they must obtain permission from the Trust for use the field in advance. The Trust has a legal responsibility to ensure the appropriate insurance and risk arrangements are in place. You can find out more about the requirements and how to request permission from the Trust website.    

Maintenance of Holmpark

Directors have been working over recent months to better understand and communicate the maintenance requirements and costs associated with Holmpark.

We are grateful to Bishopton Rugby Club who continue to maintain the majority of the site. In return, the Rugby Club train and play on the site.  Earlier this year, the Trust invested just over £10k on equipment to support the Rugby Club to maintain the site and also host the equipment – you may have seen the large canopy at the top right of the field which is protecting the equipment from the elements. The Rugby Club is also now recording all the maintenance work they are undertaking, which is helping the Directors to better quantify the Rugby Clubs input in return for use of the pitches and ground. A Lease Agreement is under development between the Trust and the Rugby Club which will formalise these arrangements and offer greater transparency.

In addition to the area kept by the Rugby Club, the Trust must also maintain the perimeter of the site which includes grass and hedge cutting, tree and shrub tidying, litter picking and weeding. The Trust advertised this contract opportunity on our website and on social media in May and we were pleased to receive four bids from local gardening and maintenance companies for the work. Directors awarded the contract to TDH Landscapes for the coming 12-months at an annual cost of £8,520.

Seeking a Treasurer

Unfortunately, despite numerous appeals, we have been unable to attract a volunteer who would be willing to join the Trust as a Director and serve as our Treasurer. This is an essential role and involves managing the Trust’s accounts, maintaining robust records, paying bills, liaising with our auditors and OSCR (the Charity Regulator), and ensuring transparency.

If you, or someone you know might be able to help, please contact us at BishoptonDevelopmentTrust@gmail.com. You can find out more about the role and time commitment involved on the Trust website.

One Lottery

Did you know that Bishopton Community Development Trust is registered with One Lottery?

One Lottery provides online fundraising lotteries for charities, not-for-profits and community groups throughout the UK. For just £1 a week, you can enter into a prize draw for a weekly prize of £25,000! And 50p of your £1 contribution each week goes to Bishopton Community Development Trust.

Being part of One Lottery means that we can raise funds to help towards maintenance costs at the site and if we can get enough people involved, we could also generate funds to enhance the facilities.

To take part please visit: Bishopton Community Development Trust – One Lottery Fundraiser.  Good Luck!

Join the Trust

Local residents are welcome to join the Bishopton Community Development Trust. To register as a member, please complete the membership form available on our website. After completing the form, please email it to BishoptonDevelopmentTrust@gmail.com.

If you are unsure whether you are already a member or haven’t received communication from us, please email us your details, and we will verify your status.

Please note that subscribing to our mailing list does not automatically make you a member. You must complete and return the registration form.

You can also read the current Trust Constitution on our website.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Bishopton Community Development Trust Directors

Bishopton Community Development Trust is seeking to appoint a reliable and experienced contractor to carry out ongoing maintenance of the perimeter areas at Holmpark – a 9-acre recreational ground located in the heart of Bishopton.

Scope of Work Includes:

• Grass cutting (perimeter only)
• Strimming
• Hedge trimming
• Weed control
• Litter picking
• Tree and shrub tidying

Please note: This contract excludes the maintenance of the main rugby pitches and adjacent areas up to the perimeter, which are maintained separately by Bishopton Rugby Club on behalf of the Trust.

This is a substantial site requiring regular upkeep, particularly during the spring and summer months. We are looking for a contractor who is available to start immediately.

Contract Details:

• Initial term: 12 months
• Potential for extension
• Site visits are strongly recommended before submitting a bid
• A basic site sketch is available below to assist with scoping the work

Location: Holmpark Sports Ground, Holmpark, Bishopton, PA7 5JQ

How to Apply:

To register your interest, please do so by 1 June 2025.

For further information or an informal discussion, please contact:

• Derek: 07413 515110
• Mike: 07968 953536

Are you passionate about our community and looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful difference? Bishopton Community Development Trust is looking for a qualified and motivated Treasurer to join our dedicated team of volunteers. This is a fantastic opportunity to use your financial expertise to help support and grow the work of the Trust, which plays a vital role in the local community.

Why Volunteer with Us?
As Treasurer, you will be at the heart of our Trust’s operations, helping ensure financial sustainability and transparency. Your expertise will directly contribute to community development in Bishopton.

By joining the Trust, you’ll have the chance to:

• Make a Real Impact: Your financial skills will help us support community development and local groups.
• Enhance Your CV: Gain valuable experience in community-based financial management, governance, and strategy.
• Work with a Passionate Team: Be part of a welcoming, supportive group of like-minded individuals committed to improving the community.
• Time Commitment / flexibility: As a volunteer role, it’s designed to fit around your schedule, with flexibility to suit your other commitments. We aim to meet formally for 90-mins once a month (3rd Tuesday of each month) and we anticipate 30-60 mins will be required each month to monitor and maintain the accounts.

What You’ll Do:

• Oversee the Trust’s financial operations, ensuring everything is managed efficiently and transparently.
• Maintain accurate records of income and expenditure.
• Produce regular financial reports to support decision-making by the Trust’s team of elected Directors.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, company and charity law.
• Help shape the Trust’s long-term financial strategy, working with other members to plan for a sustainable future.

Who We’re Looking For:

• A qualified accountant or someone with relevant financial experience (e.g., bookkeeping or financial management).
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organisational skills.
• A collaborative, proactive attitude, with a passion for community development and supporting local initiatives.

This is a chance to be part of something truly rewarding, helping to steer the future of Bishopton and make a lasting difference in the lives of local residents.

Interested?
If you’re ready to take on this exciting challenge, or if you’d like to find out more, please get in touch with us at BishoptonDevelopmentTrust@gmail.com. 

We’d love to hear from you!