Chairman's Report for the 3nd AGM


Once again I am delighted to give this AGM Report as Chairman on behalf of Tintern Angiddy Project.

The past year of 2009 brought many tasks and reports together for their final completion. Environment surveys, Ecological and Biodiversity reports, Archaeological surveys - Highways, planning and land owners' consents. Historic Monuments, CADW and Arboricultural reports to list a few. Time restraints imposed by The Environment Agency Wales also gave little respite, but with full support of all Directors we achieved all reports, data, surveys and acquired TAP's Full Abstraction Licence and legal documents on 28th August 2009.

Tap has continued to exceed normal levels of research and complied above and beyond what many pubic departments required.

Our list of 'thank yous' to all experts (and many of them local) continues to grow.

Our Planning Application was submitted to Monmouthshire County Council on 19th October 2007. After this intense and lengthy period of consultations, reports, site meetings, more reports, more consultation, TAP acquired unanimous planning approval on 2nd February 2010.

Perseverance has prevailed. It has to be said acquiring some of these specialist reports has not been easy. The dedication of TAP's Directors to this Hydro Project has followed one endearing theme - a project with a benefit for the Community of Tintern.

Morris Jones, TAP's Finance Director has worked non stop this year. Budgets, targets and the continuous application forms for grants. Morris has secured over £35k funds to date and a few highly probable funds in the pipe line (watch this space).

Norman Williams, TAP's Marketing and Publicity Director - but really much more. Thank you for the enormous effort this year; minutes, meetings, TAP's website and the never ending site visits with officials and specialists. Correspondence and waiting for replies!

Phil Powell, TAP's Technical Director another big thank you for meeting specialist engineers and site meetings. Now is the time your work load is going to prove essential; your knowledge and work with Electrical and Hydro experts to keep them and TAP on track. Full steam ahead this coming 12 months.

The biggest thank you goes to all the members of TAP and you the Residents of Tintern. This year's support from many, many people has been second to none; several businesses of Tintern, and Brockweir Shop - Tintern Environmental Improvement Group, Tintern Youth Club, St Michael's Church and Tintern Angling Club. Thank you all for your support and offers of kind help or use of machinery when the time comes.

Finally and on behalf of all Directors of TAP a very big thank you to our wives who have waited patiently (may be not!) for us to return from meetings, site visits and what ever excuses we use - God Bless you ladies.

Chris Rastall
26th April 2010