Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1.1.2024 Period start date To
31.12.2024 Period end date
Charity name: The Prehistoric Society
Charity registration number: no. 1000567
Objectives and Activities
| Objectives and Activities | ||
|---|---|---|
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The Prehistoric Society is one of the period- based learned societies. The objectives of the charity are the advancement of education and interest in prehistory and all its branches and allied subjects, and the promotion of the conservation of the prehistoric archaeological heritage for the benefit of the public. Prehistory describes the study of the deep history of humanity through material, rather than written, evidence. This distinctive approach to the study of the past gained traction among the northern antiquaries of Europe in the middle of the nineteenth century. Today researchers employ rigorous field methods and cutting-edge scientific techniques, often in conjunction with methods from the arts and humanities, to answer a wide range of questions about communities in prehistory. These relate to their identities, economies, beliefs and are often concerned with matters such as long-term cultural stability, social change and innovation. Understanding chronology and the environments of the past are central to the work of prehistorians and it is common for research to consider millennial timescales. The theories and techniques of prehistory can be applied to all people whose history depends on the evidence of objects rather than texts and oral traditions. Deep human history starts with the first stone tools over 3 million years ago. Its legacy continues today. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 | The principal activities of the charity are: • the presentation of lectures held throughout the country, addressed by eminent prehistorians, and run either directly by the Societyor in association with other |
| projects or services identified in the accounts. |
archaeological organisations. Non-members may attend these lectures with no charge. • the organisation of conferences and day schools addressed by leading prehistorians. The annual Europa conference is organised by the Society to honour a prestigious European prehistorian who is presented with the Europa Prize, a significant financial award funded by the Europa Fund, a restricted fund donated to the Society by Professor Grahame Clark • the organisation of one-day field trips and, occasionally, longer study tours to prehistoric sites. Through its contacts with other archaeological institutions, the Society is able to arrange for leading prehistorians familiar with the sites being visited to be available to explain each site to the tour members. • the payment of small grants to individuals to assist their research into prehistoric subjects throughout the world. Grants cover fieldwork, travel bursaries, radiocarbon dating and the study of collections in museums. • the annual publication of the_Proceedings of_ the Prehistoric Society, an internationally prestigious journal that covers all aspects of prehistory worldwide. Copyright in the Proceedings rests with the Society. Back numbers of previous Proceedings are sold each year to academic institutions throughout the world. • the publication three times a year of the Society’s newsletter,PAST, which includes articles about recent prehistory projects and research, and information about the Society. • the publication of research monographs in a _Research Papers_series. • the publication of book reviews on-line • presenting and debating prehistory through social media • disseminating our knowledge and expertise through an online education blog • making representations to appropriate government organisations, through the wide- ranging contacts of Council members with other archaeological institutions, about the conservation and protection of prehistoric sites. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | New trustees are provided with an induction pack explaining the legal status of the charitable company, the obligations of trustees under company and charity law, the composition of Council, and the activities of the Society. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The grants and their deadlines are advertised on the Society website and the applications are reviewed by the grants committee who make the decisions. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The Society is not a social investor. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | Research The benefits of the research work of the Prehistoric Society are delivered through our annual conference, publications and the support of research through grants. Most members opt to receive a paper copy of our annual academic journal_the Proceedings of_ the Prehistoric Society(PPS) as well as three issues of our newsletter PAST. The newsletter covers shorter reports and accounts of recent and upcoming Society events and is available on our website on open access. The journal contains substantial articles and is also available on-line through our publisher Cambridge University Press, and more widely to non-members through library purchases. Volume 90 covered a broad geographical and chronological spread. Publishing in the Proceedings is open to all contributors subject to our rigorous editorial and peer review process. In addition, the research papers series continues as a strong addition to the research publication profile. The annual Europa conference celebrating the work of Prof Ian Ralston was held in person in Edinburgh, June 15th2024 and was organised by Dr Jess Bates. This event was for the first time also available live online. Speakers from Britain and Europe addressed the theme of Inhabiting temperate Europe in the 4th-1st Millennia BC. The mixture of presentations covered a range of new approaches and data bringing the dwellings and landscapes of people of the past into focus. Speakers included early career researchers and key establishment figures, with a warm and encouraging atmosphere to present cutting edge research. This was followed by curators’ tours of the Prehistory sections of the National Museum of Scotland on 16thJune led by Dr Matt Knight and Dr Fraser Hunter. |
From its research funds the Society gave grants to 10 requests for research projects, conference support, and radiocarbon dates with the society able to support a mixture of established and early career researchers. The 2024 research grants awarded across all categories totalled £6,926 + 3radiocarbon dates with £6,326 directly for fieldwork and/or archival research on a range of prehistoric sites and collections in Europe and the UK. The grants awarded in previous years but affected by the pandemic were also finalised. In 2024, the undergraduate dissertation prize winner and runners up were all invited to receive their certificates in person at the Sara Champion lecture in October 2024. This year this prestigious lecture presented by an early career researcher was given by Dr Annemieke Milks, on Into the woods: new methods for studying Palaeolithic organic technologies . This event is also when the recipients of the other awards recognising excellence come together to celebrate their achievements. The President’s award recognises those who have broadened the appeal of prehistory by engaging with new audiences and in 2024 the awards were presented to Dr Mark Knight and Dr Christopher Wakefield for their work on Must Farm social media and publication, and to Sally Pointer for her heritage education work on public presentations, social media, and youtube videos. The Peter Clark award recognises the role of fieldworkers and artefact researchers whose contribution to prehistoric archaeology is vital but often overlooked with the 2024 recipient being Dr Francis WenbanSmith for his work on Palaeolithic material across many excavations. Skills and Expertise The Society recognises the importance of training and passing on skills and knowledge about prehistory. We also support the teaching of prehistory as part of the school curriculum, facilitated by our website, to provide schools with the resources about prehistory. The range of prizes and awards celebrate different kinds of contributions to Prehistory and offer recognition at through different career stages from undergraduate dissertations, through early careers and to established figures. The appointment of new Council members is now overseen by a committee of Council that reviews skill sets and expertise, as well as equality, diversity and inclusion before
recommending names to Council for nomination. The review of all our policies undertaken in 2021 continues to serve us well. Our aim has been to bring our governance further into line with Charity Commission best practice. New policies have been written and approved by Council and remain under active review. Dissemination In addition to our publications and conferences we organised a day-school and held lecture meetings during 2024 either on-line or in a blended format. Many of the lectures were in partnership with local and national archaeological societies and formed a wide geographical spread. In 2024 we partnered meetings with the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society, Histon and Impington Archaeology and Fen Edge Archaeology Group, Cambridge Antiquarian Society, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Cornwall Archaeological Society, The Leicestershire Fieldworkers and the Norwich and Norfolk Archaeological Society. We continued our support for the Annual Pitt Rivers Lecture held in Bournemouth University. Five meetings were in person only, one online only, and three were hybrid. The meetings were all well attended and are an example of how the Society takes prehistory into the wider local and worldwide community. In 2024 the Global Pasts online lectures continued with a set of online meetings presented by Dr Shinya Shoda on Tracing culinary traditions in prehistoric East and Central Asia and by Prof Philip Piper Vietnam’s role in understanding change in Mainland Southeast Asia from 5,000-3,500 BP and human evolution research, respectively. These are also made available on the Society’s youtube channel. These online lectures allow us to reach new audiences and to extend our geographical coverage. They were established during the pandemic and successfully continued as the Covid online dividend. Our lively day school, organised by Dr Sophia Adams, on ‘Prehistory in the Present’ April 2024 took place in person in London and live online allowing us to reach those who could not travel. This was a thought-provoking set of papers highlighting the way Prehistory features in present day lives. In addition, the Society was able to support other conferences and events especially those
with a strong involvement by younger prehistorians in June 2024, Iron Age Lives conference, and July 2024, Unravelling the Palaeolithic conference. The Prehistoric Society Facebook group welcomes professional and amateur members and topics range from the latest research in prehistory, through to descriptions of museum and site visits, requests for information and favourite prehistoric finds. The group has a strong, and enforced, Code of Conduct which ensures a safe and inclusive environment in which to discuss all aspects of world prehistory. All channels host lively discussions of current issues affecting prehistory and archaeology more generally, and regularly provide a route to membership. We aim to grow this area of our offer as a ‘trusted source’. Our social media continued to provide an international meeting place for all prehistorians and an opportunity to share experiences. The community of prehistorians remains strong. We were sensitive to the hesitancy of some to return to in-person meetings and also recognised the accessibility and inclusion benefits of maintaining an online presence. We aim to maintain this mix in future, holding hybrid and online events wherever possible. We now have an established membership and social media presence and are building upon our expertise in running very successful conferences, meetings and day schools on-line and now also a YouTube channel. We look forward to running more hybrid events. Raising Awareness and Advocacy The Society continues to make representations regarding the threatened closure/restructuring of Museums to advocate for specific sites or landscapes and the research and teaching of Prehistory. Other
Achievements and Performance
SORP reference
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | Research The benefits of the research work of the Prehistoric Society are delivered through our annual conference, publications and the support of research through grants. Most members opt to receive a paper copy of our annual academic journal_the Proceedings of_ the Prehistoric Society(PPS) as well as three issues of our newsletter PAST. The newsletter covers shorter reports and accounts of recent and upcoming Society events and is available on our website on open access. The journal contains substantial articles and is also available on-line through our publisher Cambridge University Press, and more widely to non-members through library purchases. Volume 90 covered a broad geographical and chronological spread. Publishing in the Proceedings is open to all contributors subject to our rigorous editorial and peer review process. In addition, the research papers series continues as a strong addition to the research publication profile. The annual Europa conference celebrating the work of Prof Ian Ralston was held in person in Edinburgh, June 15th2024 and was organised by Dr Jess Bates. This event was for the first time also available live online. Speakers from Britain and Europe addressed the theme of Inhabiting temperate Europe in the 4th-1st Millennia BC. The mixture of presentations covered a range of new approaches and data bringing the dwellings and landscapes of people of the past into focus. Speakers included early career researchers and key establishment figures, with a warm and encouraging atmosphere to present cutting edge research. This was followed by curators’ tours of the Prehistory sections of the National Museum of Scotland on 16thJune led by Dr Matt Knight and Dr Fraser Hunter. From its research funds the Society gave grants to 10 requests for research projects, conference support, and radiocarbon dates with the society able to support a mixture of established and early career researchers. The 2024 research grants awarded across all categories totalled £6,926 + 3radiocarbon dates with £6,326 directly for fieldwork and/or archival research on a range of prehistoric sites and collections in Europe and the UK. The grants awarded in previous years but affected by the pandemic were also finalised. In 2024, the undergraduate dissertation prize winner and runners up were all invited to receive their certificates inperson at the Sara |
|---|---|---|
Champion lecture in October 2024. This year this prestigious lecture presented by an early career researcher was given by Dr Annemieke Milks, on Into the woods: new methods for studying Palaeolithic organic technologies . This event is also when the recipients of the other awards recognising excellence come together to celebrate their achievements. The President’s award recognises those who have broadened the appeal of prehistory by engaging with new audiences and in 2024 the awards were presented to Dr Mark Knight and Dr Christopher Wakefield for their work on Must Farm social media and publication, and to Sally Pointer for her heritage education work on public presentations, social media, and youtube videos. The Peter Clark award recognises the role of fieldworkers and artefact researchers whose contribution to prehistoric archaeology is vital but often overlooked with the 2024 recipient being Dr Francis WenbanSmith for his work on Palaeolithic material across many excavations. Skills and Expertise The Society recognises the importance of training and passing on skills and knowledge about prehistory. We also support the teaching of prehistory as part of the school curriculum, facilitated by our website, to provide schools with the resources about prehistory. The range of prizes and awards celebrate different kinds of contributions to Prehistory and offer recognition at through different career stages from undergraduate dissertations, through early careers and to established figures. The appointment of new Council members is now overseen by a committee of Council that reviews skill sets and expertise, as well as equality, diversity and inclusion before recommending names to Council for nomination. The review of all our policies undertaken in 2021 continues to serve us well. Our aim has been to bring our governance further into line with Charity Commission best practice. New policies have been written and approved by Council and remain under active review. Dissemination In addition to our publications and conferences we organised a day-school and held lecture meetings during 2024 either on-line or in a blended format. Many of the lectures were in partnership with local and national
archaeological societies and formed a wide geographical spread. In 2024 we partnered meetings with the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society, the Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society, Histon and Impington Archaeology and Fen Edge Archaeology Group, Cambridge Antiquarian Society, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, Cornwall Archaeological Society, The Leicestershire Fieldworkers and the Norwich and Norfolk Archaeological Society. We continued our support for the Annual Pitt Rivers Lecture held in Bournemouth University. Five meetings were in person only, one online only, and three were hybrid. The meetings were all well attended and are an example of how the Society takes prehistory into the wider local and worldwide community. In 2024 the Global Pasts online lectures continued with a set of online meetings presented by Dr Shinya Shoda on Tracing culinary traditions in prehistoric East and Central Asia and by Prof Philip Piper Vietnam’s role in understanding change in Mainland Southeast Asia from 5,000-3,500 BP and human evolution research, respectively. These are also made available on the Society’s you-tube channel. These online lectures allow us to reach new audiences and to extend our geographical coverage. They were established during the pandemic and successfully continued as the Covid online dividend. Our lively day school, organised by Dr Sophia Adams, on ‘Prehistory in the Present’ April 2024 took place in person in London and live online allowing us to reach those who could not travel. This was a thought-provoking set of papers highlighting the way Prehistory features in present day lives. In addition, the Society was able to support other conferences and events especially those with a strong involvement by younger prehistorians in June 2024, Iron Age Lives conference, and July 2024, Unravelling the Palaeolithic conference. The Prehistoric Society Facebook group welcomes professional and amateur members and topics range from the latest research in prehistory, through to descriptions of museum and site visits, requests for information and favourite prehistoric finds. The group has a strong, and enforced, Code of Conduct which ensures a safe and inclusive environment in which to discuss all aspects of world prehistory. All channels host lively discussions of current issues affecting prehistory and archaeology
more generally, and regularly provide a route to membership. We aim to grow this area of our offer as a ‘trusted source’. Our social media continued to provide an international meeting place for all prehistorians and an opportunity to share experiences. The community of prehistorians remains strong. We were sensitive to the hesitancy of some to return to in-person meetings and also recognised the accessibility and inclusion benefits of maintaining an online presence. We aim to maintain this mix in future, holding hybrid and online events wherever possible. We now have an established membership and social media presence and are building upon our expertise in running very successful conferences, meetings and day schools on-line and now also a YouTube channel. We look forward to running more hybrid events. Raising Awareness and Advocacy The Society continues to make representations regarding the threatened closure/restructuring of Museums to advocate for specific sites or landscapes and the research and teaching of Prehistory.
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | During the year ended 31 December 2024, the Society recorded total receipts of £66,069 and total payments of £90,624, resulting in a net deficit of £24,555 for the period. This compares to a small surplus of £3,715 in the previous year. The reduction reflects increased expenditure, particularly in relation to publication costs for_Proceedings of The_ Prehistoric Society(£27,305), the_PAST_ newsletter (£15,932), and professional fees (£6,204). This increase was primarily due to multiple invoices falling within the same financial year, including charges relating to the previous year, as a result of the timing and nature of external billing cycles for the Society’s publications and services. The Society’s cash reserves fell from £46,989 at the start of the year to £22,434 at year end, comprising £21,731 of unrestricted funds and £703 of restricted funds. Despite this decline, the Society retains a healthy investment portfolio, with a total market value of approximately £192,802 held across unrestricted and restricted funds, which continues to provide a stable income stream through investment returns. Overall, the Society remains in a sound financial position to sustain its charitable objectives. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Society’s policy is to maintain adequate reserves to ensure the continuity of its activities, particularly in years when income may fluctuate due to variable levels of membership subscriptions, conference activity, and publication costs. The reserves are intended to provide a buffer against unexpected shortfalls in income or increases in expenditure, and to support the Society’s ongoing commitments to publication, research, and outreach. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | At 31 December 2024, total cash reserves amounted to £22,434, representing the funds immediately available to support operations. This figure excludes longer-term investment holdings which provide an ongoing source of income and capital appreciation. The trustees consider this level of reserves to be adequate but modest, and will continue to monitor it annually to ensure it remains aligned with the Society’s financial risks and obligations. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | This section is not applicable, as the Society holds positive reserves at the year end. The trustees continue to maintain an appropriate |
| level of working capital and have not identified anyreason to operate without reserves. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | There were no funds in deficit at the end of the reporting period. Both unrestricted and restricted funds carried positive balances throughout theyear. |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The trustees have reviewed the Society’s financial position and are satisfied that it remains a going concern. Despite recording a deficit in 2024, the Society’s substantial investment assets and continuing membership income provide a strong foundation for its future operations. There are no material uncertainties that cast significant doubt on the Society’s ability to continue as a going concern for the foreseeable future. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Membership subscriptions. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | The Prehistoric Society was a company limited by guarantee and a charity governed by its Articles of Association, however on 1 July 2025, the charity converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and approved a new governing document – the charity is now governed by a constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | The charity was company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 2 August 1990. The company incorporated the assets and liabilities of The Prehistoric Society on 5 February 1991. The Prehistoric Society was registered as a charity on 12 October 1990. Anyone throughout the world can become a member of the Society. Members are required to pay an annual subscription to the Society. On 1 July 2025 the charity converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and is now operatingas such. |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees (who are referred to as Council members) are invited to join by the existing trustees |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | Trustees are provided with copies of the Charity Commission guidance on trustee duties and responsibilities. |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purposes of charity law and under the Articles of the company are known as the Council. The Council comprises the President, four Vice-Presidents, the Officers (secretary, treasurer and meetings secretary) and the Council Members. The President retires from office at the fourth Annual General Meeting after being appointed. At each Annual General Meeting, the longest- serving Vice-President retires from office and is not eligible for re-appointment for four years, the Officers of the company retire from office but are eligible for re-appointment, and the three longest-servingCouncil Members retire |
| from office and are not eligible for re- appointment for one year. The objectives and activities of the Society cover all prehistoric periods throughout the world. The Council seeks to ensure that this wide range of interests is reflected as much as possible in the diversity of members of Council. After due consideration Council nominate to the members of the Society suitable persons to be President (when applicable) and Vice- President on the basis of their specialist expertise and suitable experience. The Officers usually continue in office from year to year. When an Officer retires from office, the new Officer is either co-opted from Council or, where specialist professional knowledge is required, all members of the Society are notified of the vacancy in the Society’s newsletter. The nominated President, Vice- President and Officers are elected by the members at the following Annual General Meeting. All members of the Society are invited to nominate potential Council Members. A notice requesting nominations is published in the Society’s newsletter and on the Society’s website. Each nomination is requested to include a short statement about the suitable expertise and experience of the proposed candidate. Based on these criteria, Council produces a shortlist of nominees to be put forward for election by the members at the following Annual General Meeting. |
||
|---|---|---|
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | The Prehistoric Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | |
| Registered charitynumber | no. 1000567 |
| Charity’s principal address |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year | Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prof Linda Hurcombe | President | |||
| Dr Rupert Housley | Vice-President | |||
| Prof Rachel Pope | Vice-President | |||
| Prof Robert Hosfield | Vice-President | |||
| Vice-President | position vacant in the change to CIO after Prof Eileen Wilkes resigned for personal reasons |
|||
| Dr Rachel Crellin | Secretary | demitted AGM 2024 | ||
| Dr Meredith Laing | Secretary | Elected AGM 2024 | ||
| Dr Lisa-Elen Meyering |
Treasurer | |||
| Dr Meredith Laing | AGM 2024 moved from ordinary Council member to become secretary |
|||
| Dr Felicity McDowall | Meetings secretary | |||
| Dr Jennifer Wexler | Grants officer | |||
| Dr Oliver Davies | ||||
| Dr Robert Wiseman | (resigned for personal reasons Spring 2024) |
|||
| Dr Jess Bates | ||||
| Dr Robert Hedge | Demitted AGM 2024 | |||
| Dr Adelle Bricking | Elected AGM 2024 | |||
| Dr George Prew | Elected AGM 2024 | |||
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date |
M Laing | L Meyering |
|---|---|---|
| Meredith Laing | Lisa-Elen Meyering | |
Secretary |
Hon. Treasurer | |
| 29/10/2025 | ||
| 29/10/2025 |
The Prehistoric Society Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees For the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Independent examiners report to the Trustees of The Prehistoric Society
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for The Prehistoric Society (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or 2. the accounts do not comply with these records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Michelle Ferris BSc (Hons) FCA DChA
Albert Goodman LLP Goodwood House Blackbrook Park Avenue Taunton Somerset TA1 2PX
Date: 29 October 2025
| The Prehistoric Society | The Prehistoric Society | The Prehistoric Society | 1000567 | 1000567 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts and payments accounts | CC16a | |||||||||
| 01/01/2024 31/12/2024 To For the period from ~~a~~ |
||||||||||
| Section A Receipts and payments | ||||||||||
| Unrestricted funds |
Restricted funds |
Endowment funds |
Total funds | Last year | ||||||
| to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | to the nearest £ | |||||
| A1 Receipts | ||||||||||
| Subscriptions | 40,461 | - | - | 40,461 | 39,163 | |||||
| Donations | 5 | - | - | 5 | - | |||||
| Investment income | 2,285 | 3,538 | - | 5,823 | 5,139 | |||||
| Europa Lecture and Sponsorship | - | 5,166 | - | 5,166 | 8,449 | |||||
| Education days | 1,668 | - | - | 1,668 | 2,591 | |||||
| Royalties received | 1,469 | - | - | 1,469 | 5,371 | |||||
| Grants received | - | - | - | - | 2,000 | |||||
| Commission received | 11,477 | - | - | 11,477 | 14,329 | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) | (Gross income for AR)57,365 | 8,704 | - | 66,069 | 77,042 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total receipts 57,365 8,704 - 66,069 77,042 ~~—====—=~~ |
||||||||||
| A3 Payments | ||||||||||
| Cost of voluntaryincome | - | - | - | - | 262 | |||||
| Grants | 7,769 | - | - | 7,769 | 7,511 | |||||
| Supportingeducation | 2,917 | - | - | 2,917 | 2,965 | |||||
| Lectures | 721 | - | - | 721 | 517 | |||||
| Proceedings of The Prehistoric Society | 27,305 | - | - | 27,305 | 22,263 | |||||
| PAST newsletter | 15,932 | - | - | 15,932 | 900 | |||||
| Researchpapers | 1,500 | - | - | 1,500 | 6,334 | |||||
| Europa Conference | - | 9,837 | - | 9,837 | 14,040 | |||||
| Other conferences | - | - | - | - | 380 | |||||
| Bank charges | 771 | - | - | 771 | 687 | |||||
| Depreciation | - | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Insurance | 460 | - | - | 460 | 460 | |||||
| Stationery | 316 | - | - | 316 | 394 | |||||
| Administration wages | 14,359 | - | - | 14,359 | 13,941 | |||||
| Website and software | 742 | - | - | 742 | 613 | |||||
| Affiliations | 137 | - | - | 137 | 130 | |||||
| Council meetings costs | 1,654 | - | - | 1,654 | 1,574 | |||||
| Accountancy | 6,204 | - | - | 6,204 | 356 | |||||
| - | - | - | - | - |
| **Sub total ** | 80,787 9,837 - 90,624 73,327 |
|
|---|---|---|
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total payments 80,787 9,837 - 90,624 73,327 ~~—————~~ |
||
| Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
(23,422) - 1,133 - - 24,555 3,715 (1,836) 1,836 - - - 46,989 - - 46,989 43,274 21,731 703 - 22,434 46,989 ~~=SS5=~~ |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
29/10/2025
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
L Meyering Signature M Laing Trade creditors Accruals Accruals Details Cash at bank Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Trade debtors Accrued income Details Details Investments in quoted shares Investments in quoted shares Investments in quoted shares Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 21,731 703 - - - - 21,731 703 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 1,617 - 9,919 - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Europa - Coles - Unrestricted - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Unrestricted 27,406 Europa 4,000 Unrestricted 2,000 - - Print Name Meredith Laing Lisa-Elen Meyering |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| 106,749 | |||
| 19,152 | |||
| 66,901 | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| Current value (optional) |
|||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| - | |||
| When due (optional) |
|||
| Date of approval |
|||
| M Laing | Meredith Laing | 29/10/2025 | |
| L Meyering | Lisa-Elen Meyering | 29/10/2025 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
29/10/2025
2