East Dorset Heritage Trust
Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25
This report includes a summary of the Trust’s activities in the year ended 30[th ] September 2025, the benefits it provides for the Dorset Community and the Financial Statements for the Trust
Charity No. 1002126 Company No. 02532151
Contents Chairman’s Introduction Page 3 Directors Annual Report Pages 4 – 10 Report of the Independent Examiner Page 12 Statement of Financial Activities Page 13 Balance Sheet Page 14 Notes to the Accounts Pages 15 - 20
Front Cover Photograph – Allendale House
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Chairman’s Introduction
I have much pleasure in introducing the Annual Report for East Dorset Heritage Trust in what has been a very positive year. The Report contains the Annual Accounts which show that the Trust has been able to maintain a healthy and sustainable financial position and that it enters another year capable of meeting it's many objectives.
The Trust is extremely fortunate in having three very committed and capable members of staff who not only manage the building itself, but organise and run the everyday activities, as well as plan for future events, courses and outside activities. Their collective dedication and helpful demeanour is much appreciated, and I know that this is felt by everybody who encounters them.
It is true to say, that when I look through the ever-increasing range of courses, events and talks available in the Events Programme, I am always struck by their diversity and appeal. In this, I should thank everyone who either leads or helps with these activities. This is a much-applauded programme that is participated in and enjoyed by so many people, thus making the Trust such a busy, special and friendly place. Room hire, which is so critical to the Trust has continued to maintain its financial benefit and Allendale House is in regular use by a variety of community groups.
During the course of the annual events programme, Dorset Architectural Heritage Week has proudly become quite a major event and, although the finances governing the organising and running could be better, we will need to look to the future and seek further financial support or sponsorship. Again, the sale of tickets for the booked events were high and the Week saw many enjoyable visits to a wide ranging and fascinating number of places.
In conclusion, on behalf of my fellow Directors who are very much part of planning for the future, I again express thanks to Sarah, Kim and Kerry for their hard work and dedication. Also, thanks to our Treasurer, Alan Breakwell, for his much-appreciated direction and advice, and to Mark Lockyer, our Company Secretary, for his often unseen but important work.
I am therefore pleased to commend this Annual Report to you.
David N. Smith
Chairman
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East Dorset Heritage Trust Report of the Directors for the year ended 30[th] September 2025
The Directors are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30[th] September 2025.
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Number - 10021216
Company Number - 02532151
Registered Office – Allendale House, Hanham Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset BH21 1AS
Bankers – Nat West Bank, 11 High St, Ringwood BH24 1BA
Independent Examiners – Hub Accountants Ltd, Innovation House, Wincombe Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8FG
Directors
The Directors of the Charitable Company (the charity) are its Trustees for the purpose of charity law and throughout the report are collectively referred to as ‘the Directors’.
The Directors who served during the year and since the year end are as follows :
Chairman Mr David Smith Vice-Chair Mr Derek Burt
Mr Shane Bartlett Mr Peter Walker
Dr Lesley Haskins Mrs Cathy Thompson Mr Neil Bichard
Secretary Mr M Lockyer Treasurer Mr A Breakwell Adviser Mr J Lowe
Staff
Trust Manager Mrs Sarah Evans Administrator Mrs Kim Hiett Trust Assistant Mrs Kerry Halliwell
Patron Sir Tim Berners-Lee
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Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
East Dorset Heritage Trust is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. It is registered as a charity with the Charity Commission. The Members who are the Directors, undertake to contribute such amount as may be required (not exceeding £10) to the company’s assets if it should be wound up, for payment of the company’s debts and liabilities.
In 2019, as part of the ongoing programme of good governance, the Trust updated its Articles of Association to conform to the current model of Articles published by the Charity Commission. This also entailed a change in the form of the governing board, changing from a Management Board to a Board of Directors.
Appointment of Directors
As set out in the Articles of Association, Directors are appointed by the organisations who were party to the establishment of the Trust. At the conclusion of the first year of operation based on the new model Articles, all Directors are required to stand again for appointment. In subsequent years, a number equivalent to one third of them will, in turn, be required to stand for re-election at the Annual General Meeting.
Directors Induction and Training
The induction process for any newly appointed Director is to firstly meet with the Chairman and the remaining board members, followed by further meetings with the Directors to explain the objectives and procedures. The new Director will receive copies of the Charity's governing document and is expected to be fully conversant with its aims and objectives. The Director will meet with the Chair prior to their first meeting to clarify any uncertainties.
Organisation
The Directors have ultimate control over the Charity. A good support structure is in place within the Trust and the Trust Manager, Sarah Evans, undertakes the day to day running of the charity. The Trust Manager does attend board meetings and is therefore also involved in the strategic decision making and her input provides the Directors with a grounded view of the direct impact of their decisions on the way the facilities are run.
Pay Policy
The Directors who are the Trust’s Trustees give of their time freely and receive no remuneration and details of any Directors expenses are disclosed in the notes to the accounts.
The pay of the paid staff is reviewed on an annual basis. All staff receive a minimum of the living wage for carrying out their duties. The factors considered are inflation, local government settlements, pay levels locally and most importantly the ability of the Trust to pay. The staff has remained stable and there has not been the need to recruit in the wider marketplace for some time and the pay levels for the senior staff were set on similar posts elsewhere, local market rates and importantly what the Trust could afford. Staff undertaking the same job are paid equally and there is no pay grading scale in operation.
Aims of the Trust:
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To stimulate interest in the landscape, wildlife, archaeology, architecture and history of the district; to enhance visitor appreciation of the area and its attractions.
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To foster an awareness of how the environment is managed today and how the community can influence decisions that affect it.
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To provide a forum for people with special environmental, academic and teaching skills to share their interest and expertise with children, visitors and the local community.
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To complement those organisations already involved with interpretation within the district and help relate their activities within the wider context.
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To develop new approaches to education which give people skills to learn about and interact with their environment and to support sustainable lifestyles.
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Annual Review of the Year
Manager’s Report
1[st] October 2024 to 30[th] September 2025…………. Another positive year for which I am very grateful.
Our team of three continues to work well, dealing with the daily routines of running the building and the Trust as a whole. We are lucky to all love our jobs and we get a lot out of doing what we do.
The response to the programmes that we have produced through the year has been excellent. We eagerly await the reaction to each new edition, and the positivity is just infectious. It is wonderful to see people continuing to return week on week, and to have the place busy, and bustling with happy people.
As an educational facility we have again increased the number and range of courses that we offer, and I thank the tutors for their continued support for all that we try to achieve. We have continued to include craft-based courses and workshops, and these have become increasingly popular as word has spread. Research continues into what will be of interest to our audience so that we are confident that the learning needs of the community are met and catered for as far as possible. We react to changing requirements and continuing to update our technology in line with advancing trends.
Dorset Architectural Heritage Week 2025 was a great success. We used TicketSource for our online booking system which again proved to be worthwhile. The feedback that we received from both hosts and participants has been overwhelmingly positive. We opened Allendale House again for our annual open day when we offered guided tours of the building and exhibitions with a tearoom which all contributed to a very successful day and for which we also received excellent feedback.
We continue to work extremely hard to ensure that our finances are as healthy as they can be, optimising income at every opportunity to ensure the Trust has a viable future. This past year has been challenging, but we will continue to do our best in this situation of prolonged uncertainty and try to mitigate the effects as best as we can. We will do our best to counteract the continuing effects of our uncertain world plus the on-going cost-of-living crisis with new approaches and ideas, so that we can benefit the Trust, our members, our clients and the community of Wimborne and Dorset as a whole.
Our band of enthusiastic volunteers have continued to support us, and we are very grateful for all the help that we have received. Our walk leader volunteers have provided wonderful walks for each programme, our IT volunteers continue with their regular weekly slot, and our talks have a band of volunteers who help smoothly run each event. We are very grateful to everyone who volunteers for us and who give their time so freely to help us, whether it is gardening or admin or holding the fort in the office, it all helps enormously.
I am looking forward to the challenges of the year ahead, of which I am sure there will be many. They will be faced head on, with determination and resilience, and I know that with the help of our dedicated staff and volunteers, plus the backing of the Directors, it will be the best that we can possibly make it.
I am hugely grateful to everyone involved with EDHT - for their continued loyalty, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the Trust.
Sarah Evans
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Heritage Events
The Heritage events programme that we organise throughout the year continues to be very well received, and we are genuinely thrilled by the response that we receive each time we publish the booklet. The excited anticipation and enthusiasm for all the work we do is very gratifying and helps validate all that we do.
We have offered a varied programme with each new publication to hopefully suit all interests and tastes, and we hope to maintain this approach with each new edition. Our talks, events and walks are always popular, but trends do change, and we have noticed some fluctuating numbers for events recently which we hope will stabilise over the next year.
The were many highlights during the year including visits to Parade House, Dr Jenner’s House and Berkley Castle, The Lush Green Hub, Chawton House and Alton, Bisterne Manor and The Hall and Moulton Bicycle Factory. The many talks during the year covered wide and varied topics with some truly gifted speakers.
Walks took place throughout the year all over the county and beyond, all organised and guided by our group of volunteer walk leaders.
We will endeavour to continue to maintain a high standard and range of events, and we always welcome any ideas for future visits, talks or events.
Number of Heritage Events: 55 (59 in 2024, 57 in 2023) Number of Participants: 2031 (2454 in 2024, 2048 in 2023)
Trust Training
We have continued to offer a wide range of courses and workshops for the enrichment of our community.
The modern language courses continue in popularity, with French and Spanish now on two days per week and Italian expanding into the evening. The Poetry Appreciation, Literature Appreciation and Creative Writing courses have proven to be very popular with a growing band of followers which is very satisfying for us and the tutor, Johnnie Young.
After a few years of missing Art History from our programme, we were lucky to find a new tutor to fill the breach - Csaba Dolak. His courses have proved to be popular, and we will continue to run them when he can fit us into his busy schedule.
As far as possible we try to maintain interest and hopefully meet the demands of our community, widening the scope of what we offer by expanding our range of courses to include even more craftbased subjects. In addition to what we have previously offered in this area, such as pottery and macrame, we have continued to offer painting, crochet, printing and willow weaving too. They have all been very well received, with some slower starting than others, but we will continue to offer these more hands-on courses as the demand for them continues.
The IT 1-2-1 sessions have continued to run sometimes twice a week with our one tutor, Georgina. They are still proving to be a valuable service to our community.
Thanks must go to all our tutors for their continuing dedication to the Trust.
Public Benefit
Number of Courses at Allendale House: 509 (608 in 2024, 255 in 2023) Number of Participants: 1464 (1336 in 2024, 964 in 2023)
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Allendale House
This wonderful historic building that we have the privilege to occupy also generates most of the income for the Trust. The hire of rooms by a wide range of organisations such as community groups, local authorities, the NHS and many other local businesses, brings in considerable income to the Trust, without which we would not be able to organise the many activities that feature in our heritage or educational programme, nor would we be able to survive. We pride ourselves in the quality of the building and its equipment, which, together with high levels of customer service, create an excellent venue for training courses, conferences, meetings, or groups.
However, the continued maintenance of Allendale House is crucial to our success, and we must ensure that the building as a whole is well maintained both inside and out. As a 200-year-old iconic Wimborne building, it is vitally important that its fabric is looked after to ensure that it remains part of our county’s heritage for many years to come.
As the years pass, the post-pandemic era continues to have an impact on room bookings. Our client base has still not reached the levels that we were experiencing in 2019, and it has changed, but is also now steady and stable. The large training events that were very common are now much rarer but despite that, income is good, and we are always so pleased to welcome new as well as old clients back into our lovely building.
As a hub of the Wimborne and East Dorset community, Allendale House has served as a focal point for many different organisations, some as a registered address, and others as a dropping off point or meeting place. As an organisation, the Trust has always been happy to play a key part in our community and welcomes being able to assist other community groups achieve their aims.
Public Benefit
A centrally located building with helpful and skilled staff that are happy to help others in the community.
Countryside Trailer for the Disabled
The 2025 season was another quiet one for the Countryside Trailer. There has been no resumption of the service since the pandemic years because the care homes and residential homes in the area no longer request it and the project has effectively ceased to operate. It is being stored in a safe place, and the situation will be reviewed in the near future.
Dorset Architectural Heritage Week
Dorset Architectural Heritage Week, our much-loved annual event, was organised by EDHT staff again to great success. The event ran smoothly and the feedback that was received from both hosts and participants was overwhelmingly positive.
In total there were 64 main events; of those, 34 were bookable events and each main event had more than one time slot available, which created 81 individual bookable events, with a total of 1329 tickets. The other 30 main events were non-bookable – so people could just turn up to those without prebooking.
We celebrated the event with an open day – there were guided tours of the building, exhibitions, displays and demonstrations and a tearoom which was run by volunteers. It proved to be a wonderful and very successful day.
Over recent years it has been noted that there are fewer properties from the west and north of the county that participate in the event. This year an appeal went out for more to join which generated a few new events. Our aim is to continue to target quieter areas to encourage more involvement.
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EDHT sadly no longer receives sponsorship for the event, but we feel that Dorset Architectural Heritage Week is far too important to just stop, so we continue in the hope that we can receive some funding to help with the costs. This year we were able to sell some advertising space in the booklet which brought in some much-needed funds, and we were lucky to again receive a donation from an individual supporter, for which we are incredibly grateful. We continue to look and apply for grants to help with the costs of this free event for the people of Dorset.
Internet Profile
The website that was created a few years ago is regularly updated and maintained to provide as up to date information as possible. Daily direct messages are sent to us from people visiting the website, so we are constantly reminded what an important tool it is for the Trust. Facebook and Instagram are regularly used to promote our events and courses, and we are continuing to make sure our online presence is maintained with the addition of using community group pages and Whatson pages of websites such as the local press.
Volunteers
The Trust has a significant number of very talented and dedicated volunteers who undertake their differing roles with enthusiasm and humour. There are five key areas: computer training support, heritage programme walks and visits, general administration, and gardening.
All these areas are vital to the smooth running of the Trust and the hours of time these individuals give so freely are much appreciated by all the staff and directors. The effect of recent years has meant that funding gaps widen and there is an increasing need for volunteers to step into the breach and offer valuable time to organisations like the Trust.
Public benefit
Currently 45 volunteers (not including the Directors/advisers on the board of Directors) working for the Trust in various capacities, which would under normal circumstances, collectively provide over 800 working hours per year.
Organisations Supported by the Trust
The Trust supports many local organisations. These include Vision Wimborne, Dialaride, Wimborne Community Theatre, The Wimborne BID (Business Improvement District), Planet Wimborne, Wilding Wimborne, the Wimborne Literary Festival and Wimborne Minster Folk Festival. As an organisation, the Trust has always been happy to play a key part in our community and welcomes being able to assist other community groups achieve their aims.
Financial Review
The detailed information behind the figures on Income and Expenditure can be found in notes 2 and 3 attached to the accounts and follows a similar format to previous years. 2024/25 was again a very busy year as the Trust continued to respond to the changing environment with a wide range of events and training opportunities for the community.
The final position for 2024/25 shows a surplus of £8,111 against a surplus in 2023/24 of £12,491 a reduction in resources of £4,380. This is an excellent result to achieve a surplus and the change between the two years can be accounted for by the ending of the local authority grant, reduction in investment income as interest rates fall, additional utility costs, change in how building insurance is shown in the accounts, increase in employee costs through the National Living Wage increase from April 2025, offset by a net increase from the Trust Training and one off donations.
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At the end of the year the Trust has total funds of £359,645 and note 8 illustrates how that figure is compiled. There are several designated funds that provide resources for future costs that will arise thereby minimising the impact on the day-to-day operations of the Trust. Trustees review the adequacy and need for these funds on an annual basis and this year there has been no change. The level of General Reserves which is calculated taking a risk-based approach is in line with this policy.
The Trust remain in a strong position and can look forward to the challenges of the future. The policy of providing sound balances is prudent management and provides a buffer in the short term and will be essential for moving forward. There will always be the need to generate more sustainable income and sponsorship for Dorset Architectural Heritage Week and Trustees are aware of the need to address these issues.
The Future
The year ahead will again be full of uncertainty as the effects of the unsettled world we live in continue to challenge our everyday lives. We will take on those challenges, and we look forward with enthusiasm. The Trust’s dedicated staff will endeavour to ensure that a quality programme of events and courses continues to be offered, whenever possible, so that income is optimised at every opportunity to help maintain and secure the future of the Trust.
Allendale House continues to be both an integral and important hub of the community that it supports. We are sadly still experiencing problems of unauthorised parking in the private car park, and the board of Directors are continuing with plans to install an automated entry barrier system to help solve this issue. The time it has taken to resolve is much longer than anticipated, but hopes are high for 2026.
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STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED
30[th] SEPTEMBER 2025
The Directors (who are also trustees of East Dorset Heritage Trust for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charitable company’s state of affairs at the end of the year and of its deficit or surplus for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to: -
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at the time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
In so far as the Directors are aware:
there is no relevant information of which the charitable company’s Independent Examiner is unaware; and
they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Independent Examiner is aware of that information.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER
A resolution to appoint Hub Accountants Ltd as Independent Examiner for the ensuing year will be proposed at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with Section 43 of the Charities Act 1993.
Approved by the Board of Directors And signed on their behalf
David Noel Smith – Chairman
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Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of East Dorset Heritage Trust
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the company for the year ended 30th September 2025, which are set out on pages 15 -20.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (“the 2006 Act”).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination I have followed the 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 matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)).
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.
For and behalf of Hub Accountants Ltd, Chartered Accountants Innovation House, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8FG
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR YEAR ENDING 30[TH] SEPTEMBER 2025.
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | |||||
| Total | Total | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||||||
| Income and Endowments from | ||||||
| Donations and Legacies | 2 | 9,544 | - | 9,544 | 8,042 | |
| Charitable Activities | 2 | 187,637 | - | 187,637 | 164,291 | |
| Investment Income | 2 | 4,312 | - | 4,312 | 5,055 | |
| Total Income | 201,493 | - | 201,493 | 177,388 | ||
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||||||
| Charitable Activities | 3 | 193,382 | - | 193,382 | 164,897 | |
| Total Resources Expended | 193,382 | - | 193,382 | 164,897 | ||
| Net Outgoing/ Incoming | 8,111 | - | 8,111 | 12,491 | ||
| Resources | ||||||
| Gross Transfer between | - | - | - | |||
| Funds | ||||||
| Net movement in Funds for | 8,111 | - | 8,111 | 12,491 | ||
| the Year | ||||||
| Reconciliation of Funds | ||||||
| Total Funds brought forward | 351,534 | - | 351,534 | 339,043 | ||
| Total Funds carried forward | 8 | 359,645 | - | 359,645 | 351,534 |
The notes on pages 15 to 20 form part of these accounts.
The Charity has no recognised gains or losses, other than those dealt with in the statement of financial activities.
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BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30[TH] SEPTEMBER 2025
| Total | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Funds | Funds | ||
| Notes | Funds | Funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed Assets | |||||
| Tangible Assets | 4 | 1,176 | - | 1,176 | 1,474 |
| Current Assets | |||||
| Debtors | 5 | 10,761 | - | 10,761 | 15,077 |
| Cash at bank and in Hand | 369,199 | - | 369,199 | 354,585 | |
| 379,960 | - | 379,960 | 369,662 | ||
| Liabilities | |||||
| Creditors falling due within one | 6 | 21,491 | - | 21,491 | 19,602 |
| year | |||||
| Net Current Assets | 358.469 | - | 358.469 | 350,060 | |
| Net Assets | 359,645 | - | 359,645 | 351,534 | |
| Fund Balances | |||||
| Unrestricted Funds | 8 | 359,645 | - | 359,645 | 351,534 |
| Restricted Funds | 8 | - | - | - | - |
| 359,645 | - | 359,645 | 351,534 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30th September 2025. The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year ended 30th September 2025, in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The Directors acknowledge responsibility for:
i) ensuring the charitable company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006; and
ii) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and its profit and loss for each financial year in accordance with Sections 394 and 395, and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the charitable company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies and with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).
The financial statements were approved by the Directors on 26[th] February 2026
Signed by David Smith – Chairman
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East Dorset Heritage Trust (Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30[th] SEPTEMBER 2025
1) ACCOUNTING POLICIES
a) Basis of Accounting
- i) The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective January 2019) and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity has taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard 1 from the requirement to produce a cash flow statement on the grounds that it qualifies as a small Charity.
The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling.
The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
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b) Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets in use at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value (where applicable) of each asset over its expected useful life. Assets costing less than £500 are written off as expenditure in the year of acquisition. The depreciation rates have been reviewed, and the following were agreed as appropriate: -
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i) Furniture and Equipment - 20% and 33% p.a. straight line
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ii) Tractor - At residual value
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c) Grants and Donations, Trust Training and Events
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i) Revenue Grants and Donations, Trust Training and Events are credited to the Income and Expenditure Account on receipt. However, if the grant or donation or Trust Training or Event covers more than one financial year then the amount relating to future years is shown as Deferred Income under Creditors.
d) Expenditure
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i) Liabilities are recognised and expended as soon as there is a legal and constructive obligation committing the Charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to that category.
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ii) Costs of charitable activities include costs directly associated with running the centre and associated activities.
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iii) Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the Charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. These costs include costs related to accountancy services.
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iv) The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and contributions are shown in the SOFA in the period to which they relate.
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East Dorset Heritage Trust (Limited by Guarantee)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS CONTINUED
e) Fund’s accounting
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by the donor and/or within restricted purposes included in the objects of the Charity.
Unrestricted funds comprise those funds which the Trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the Trustees, at their discretion, have created a fund for a specific purpose.
f) Legal Status
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The company is registered in England and Wales, and the registered office is shown on page 4.
2) ANALYSIS OF INCOME
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Donations and Legacies | ||
| Friends Subscriptions | 4,031 | 3,664 |
| Dorset Architectural Heritage Week | 1,990 | - |
| Grants – Local Authority | - | 2,500 |
| Donations | 1,131 | 548 |
| Miscellaneous Income | 2,392 | 1,330 |
| 9,544 | 8,042 | |
| Restricted Income | ||
| Dorset Architectural Heritage Week | - | 2,505 |
| Income from Charitable Activities | ||
| Hire of Facilities | 74,302 | 71,795 |
| Catering | 5,873 | 5,865 |
| Courses | 84,692 | 58,451 |
| Heritage Events | 22,770 | 20,030 |
| Provision of Services | - | 5,645 |
| 187,637 | 161,786 | |
| Investment Income | 4,312 | 5,055 |
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East Dorset Heritage Trust (Limited by Guarantee)
3) ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Premises | 23,525 | 17,153 |
| Advertising and Marketing | 2,882 | 2,574 |
| Establishment Expenses | 12,608 | 12,411 |
| Catering | 4,992 | 4,698 |
| Courses | 47,013 | 31,059 |
| Heritage Events | 12,346 | 7,325 |
| Dorset Architectural Heritage Week | 3,111 | - |
| Depreciation | 838 | 658 |
| Support Costs (note A) | 86,067 | 79,761 |
| 193,382 | 155,639 | |
| Restricted Expenditure | ||
| Dorset Architectural Heritage Week | - | 9,258 |
| Total Expenditure | 193,382 | 164,897 |
| Support Costs (note A) | ||
| Wages and Salaries | 78,828 | 73,700 |
| Social Security costs | 1,809 | 1,000 |
| Pension costs | 2,365 | 2,212 |
| Governance Costs | 1,465 | 1,369 |
| Independent Examiners fees | 1,600 | 1,480 |
| 86,067 | 79,761 |
The Charity had an average of four employees during the period. There are no employees earning more than £60,000.
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East Dorset Heritage Trust (Limited by Guarantee)
4) TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Furniture & | Tractor and | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other | Trailer | |||
| £ | £ |
£ | ||
| Cost | ||||
| 1stOctober 2024 | 64,355 | 6,621 |
70,976 | |
| Additions | 540 | - |
540 | |
| Disposal of Assets | 7,460 | 7,460 | ||
| 30thSeptember 2025 | 57,435 | 6,621 |
64,056 | |
| Depreciation | ||||
| 1stOctober 2024 | 62,881 | 6,621 |
69,502 | |
| Provision for the year | 838 | - |
838 | |
| Disposal of Assets | 7,460 | 7,460 | ||
| 30thSeptember 2025 | 56,259 | 6,621 |
62,880 | |
| Net Book Value | ||||
| 30thSeptember 2025 | 1,176 | - |
1,176 | |
| 30thSeptember 2024 | 1,474 | 1,474 | ||
| 5) DEBTORS | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Trade Debtors | 5,691 | 8,242 | ||
| Prepayments and Accrued Income | 5,070 | 6,835 | ||
| Total | 10,761 | 15,077 | ||
| 6) CREDITORS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Trade Creditors | 247 | 89 | ||
| Accruals and Deferred Income | 21,244 | 19,513 | ||
| Total | 21,491 | 19,602 |
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East Dorset Heritage Trust (Limited by Guarantee)
7) DEFERRED INCOME
Deferred income represents money received in advance of future events/training and grants.
Brought forward at 1[st] October 2024 Increase in Income in the year Carried forward at 30[th] September 2025
8) FUNDS
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed Asset Reserve | 1,176 | - | 1,176 | 1,474 | |
| Designated Reserve - | 48,528 | - | 48,528 | 49,068 | |
| Equipment | |||||
| Building Repairs | 41,457 | - | 41,457 | 41,820 | |
| Legal Liabilities | 54,800 | - | 54,800 | 48,973 | |
| Development | 55,000 | 55,000 | 55,000 | ||
| General Reserve | 158,684 | - | 158,684 | 155,199 | |
| Restricted Reserve | - | - | - | - | |
| Total | 359,645 | - | 359,645 | 351,534 | |
| OVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | 2024 | |||
| General | DAHW | Total | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| At 1 October 2024 | 351,534 | - | 351,534 | 339,043 | |
| Net movement in funds | 8,111 | - | 8,111 | 12,491 | |
| Transfers between funds | - | - | - | - | |
| At 30 September 2025 | 359,645 | - | 359,645 | 351,534 |
9) MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
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East Dorset Heritage Trust (Limited by Guarantee)
10) COMMITMENTS
As at the 30[th] September 2025 the Trust had annual commitments under non-cancellable
Operating leases as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Within one year | 864 | 1,719 |
| Within two and five years | 2,592 | 3,456 |
11) PROPERTY
The Trust operates from Allendale House, Wimborne under a 35-year lease from the East Dorset District Council that runs until November 2036.
12) TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
During the current and previous year no remuneration or other benefits were payable to the Trustees by the charity. There were no Trustees expenses during the year.
13) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
There were no related party transactions during the current or previous year.
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