Charity Commission steps in to advise fishing heritage group

In February, the group Stand, which has spent more than 20 years campaigning for a memorial to Hull's lost fishermen to be built on St Andrew's Dock, said it was making "considerable progress" after a turbulent three months during which it parted company with its chairman of 15 years, Adam Fowler.

However, it has now emerged that the Commission is working with the group over difficulties it has encountered under its new structure since becoming a registered charity on March 6 last year.

Mr Fowler was ousted at a stormy meeting on December 1 last year after losing a no confidence vote, and was replaced by Charles Pinder two days later.

This week, Mr Fowler was sent minutes of a recent meeting which said the vote "carried no weight" and he remained chairman.

But after being invited to attend his first meeting since leaving the group, on Monday night, Mr Fowler said Mr Pinder insisted he was chairing the meeting.

Mr Fowler said he is now calling on the Commission to carry out a "full investigation" of the way Stand is being operated.

He said: "I will notify the Charity Commission of my intent. We need to put all the personalities aside and move forward with the memorial, that's what's important."

According to Mr Fowler, the minutes said: "The vote of no confidence against Mr Fowler carried no weight and he remains a trustee and because he was elected as chair he remains chair.

"He must be invited and allowed to attend (meetings) in the same way as the other trustees.

"He remains trustee and chair until the AGM."

Mr Pinder declined to discuss the meeting or issues surrounding the chairmanship.

He said: "I and all the committee haven't any comment to make. We have nothing more to say to you."

Stand is believed to have about 130,000 in the bank to fund the memorial, which includes donations from Yorkshire Post readers.

However, because of complex issues regarding the ownership and safety of the preferred site for the tribute, on the bullnose at the dock, the group has been looking for an alternative location.

Stand said another site should be sought as the cost of buying and decontaminating land at the dock was prohibitive.

It is now thought Stand is considering a site west of the dock on St Andrew's Quay, close to the Sailmakers pub.

Mr Fowler said he hoped the public would be consulted about the location.

"The public need to be involved," he said. "They have raised the money, it's not ours."

Between 5,000 and 8,000 men and boys are thought to have lost their lives sailing from Hull to put food on the nation's tables since the mid-19th century.

Stand intends the memorial to also act as a focal point of remembrance for bereaved families, as most men lost at sea have no grave.

It is also hoped the memorial would provide a recognition of the industry's contribution to the city's cultural heritage.

A spokeswoman for the Commission said: "The Charity Commission has been in contact with the charity St Andrew's Dock Heritage Park Action Group about issues regarding the charity's governance.

"We have provided the charity with advice and guidance relating to the appointment of trustees and remain in contact with the charity about this matter.

"The Commission is not looking into the management of the charity's funds."