about us
Trustees Report for 2025-2026
Our latest annual report
Our third year as a charity
On the 27th February 2024, BOPAG was delighted to achieve Charitable Status. Our charity number is 1207205. We have made huge steps forward since that time and there continues to be significant and positive changes.
The BOPAG core message continues to be Positive Ageing and through our activities, help to provide older people with information which supports them to lead healthy, active, and independent lives in their communities.
Personnel
We have a dedicated team of personnel leading BOPAG with ALAN BARNARD, as Chair (now in his 8th year) and also a Trustee of the BOPAG charity, plus:
- David Whittaker as Vice Chair and Trustee
- Andy Trueman (former BOPAG administrator), as Trustee
- Lucie Cruickshank as Hoot Editor and Fundraiser
- Heather Wilde is our Chief Administrator, Meeting Organiser and Website Administrator
- Natasha Dorling who joins us as our latest Trustee
We benefit from a strong Steering Group who meet bi-monthly and which includes all the above personnel plus:
- Chris Stanners – Founder of BOPAG
- Jane Osborn – Lane End resident
- Stephanie Moffat – Bucks Council
Key achievements for 2025- 2026
In addition to our major achievement in becoming a charity we:
A charity that supports arts and heritage, the environment, education and social welfare by awarding grants, fostering dialogue and debate, and through their support of Waddesdon Manor.
A grant-making charity founded in 1998 by noted philanthropist, the late Peter Cullimore MBE supporting charities and communities in Buckinghamshire.
A charity formed for the inhabitants of Beaconsfield and the neighbourhood without distinction of sex or political, religious or other opinion, to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of the said inhabitants.
The charity owns and operates the Bekonscot Model Village, created by the late Roland Callingham in 1929 and located in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. As well as preserving this heritage and educating visitors on life in communities since the 1930's; the charity gives grants to other charities, specifically those that advance religion and are local to Buckinghamshire.
Various kind donations were received via our website Donate button
News
The Five Essentials to Living Well
Our Annual Golden Years Event, held on the 30th of October in conjunction with The Princes Centre was a huge success hosting over 500 over 60’s visitors to Bourne End Community Centre for an informative event focusing on the art of Ageing Well. Over 40 exhibitors filled the hall, each representing one or more of the 5 Essentials of Living Well: Nutrition, Hydration, Physical Activity, Cognitive, Stimulation, and Social Stimulation. Opening the event was Dame Mary Berry, whose presence marked a special start to the proceedings. Attendees also included the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Pippa Kirkbride, the Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing at Buckinghamshire Council, Councillor Isobel Darby, and the Deputy Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, Councillor Carol Heap
Our Magazine
Our magazine The BOPAG Hoot – has become one of BOPAG’s defining features, and has increased its postal subscriptions by 38% in the last year and 0nline subscribers are up by 25%.
It is a vital source of information to older people, one that is not just on-line but printed and an information goldmine for social engagements in the form of events and coffee mornings (to name but a few).
BOPAG Membership/Website and Social Media
BOPAG Meeting Speakers
Over this and last year, our public meetings have featured a wide range of engaging speakers, including:
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Muriel Reynolds from Wycombe Homeless Connection Cindy Smulders from the charity Swan Lifeline
June Howlett, Road Safety Officer at Bucks Council Sinead Calvey, Community Police Officer, accompanied by her Trading Standards Scam Champion colleague, Pat
Key Challenges Ahead
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Pursue further funding to address the ongoing impact of inflation, including rising printing and postal costs.
Looking forward 2025 – 2026
Thank you
Thank you all for your continued support. It is hugely appreciated
With warm regards
Alan Barnard
CHAIR of BOPAG
