SHROPSHIRE HISTORIC CHURCHES TRUST (Charity Number 101690) Trustees, Re rt for the Year ended 31st December 2023 Ob ectlves The charitable objective of the charity is to apply the income and capital of the Trust to the repair, preservation and improvement of the buildings and contents of Shropshire churches and chapels of all christian denominations. This includes churches that are outside Shropshire but controlled by either of the Archdeaconries of Salop and Ludlow. Many are 'listed' as being of architectural or historical importance. Structure The board of Trustees administer the charity under the terms of a Trust Deed. They meet quarterly to review the financial position and the value of the investrnents that support the reserves, and to consider grant applications. There must be a minimum of four and a maximum of t¥venty-five Trustees and the Archdeacons of Salop and Ludlow are 'ex-officio'. Trustees appointed a￿ expected to have some knowledge of the structure of the Church of England and of other denominations and to support our ideals, and we seek as Trustees people whose experience complements that of the existing members of the board. The Charity's address during 2023 was Parkfields, Pontesbury Hill. Pontesbury, Shrewsbury SY5 OYH. TrusteOS The people hokling office during 2023 were: Mr Tim Bridges Mr John Clark (appointed 20th July) Mr John Cole Revd Preb David Crowhurst Mrs Caroline Dudley (resigned 18th April) Mrs Anne Edge Archdeacon Fiona Gibson Mr David Hardham Mrs Angel Hughes Mr Roger Hughes Mr Harvey James (died 8th May) Mrs Rachel Pittaway (appointed 20th July) Revd Canon William Price Archdeacon Paul Thomas (resigned 241h March) Mr Stephen Winwood Activities There was an Annual Members, meeb.ng providing an opportunity to hear about the Trust's work. There were tours for members and their fn.ends to tell them about the history and architecture of churches and chapels in Shropshire and adjoining counties. This year there were coach trips to Cheshire and Worcestershire in addition to two tours in Shropshire. A lecture in Church Stretton on medieval stsined glass in churches along the Welsh border was very well received. We organised the annual Ride+Stride day in September (the Shropshire part of a national cycling and walking event) to raise sponsorship money from participants to support the Trust and to benefit the participants, nominated churches. We are grateful to the National Churches Trust for help with publicity for this event. As in previous years we ran the Open Gardens scheme whereby throughout the summer single gardens or groups of gardens in a village or town fonning a trail were opened to the public for the benefit of the Trust and local parishes. Publlc beneflt The Trust benefits many churches and chapels, both large and small, with its grant aid. It helps ease the burden falling on those responsible for the repair and maintenance of many of Shropshire's fine churches and chapels. The county has a comparatively small population Y￿th many churches in ￿rnOte areas, and the grants offered encourage these communities to embark on projects that may appear daunb'ng. The Trust is increasingly called upon to make buildings more welcoming and comfortable for both congregations and visitors by grant aiding, for example, projects for lighting, heating and aC￿sS and for community facilities such as kitchens and toilets. By arranging talks and visits the Trust encourages aPp￿CIatIOn of our lovely churches and of their architecture, local history, stories and place in the landscape. These events help to promote a wider interest in heritage and the countyside. Visitors to the gardens that are open as part of our programme enjoy their wide variety, the availability and sharing of readily given horticultural advice and knowledge, the sociability and the surroundings. All these factors contribute to the visitors, relaxation and wellbeing and to a happy atmosphere, and we were delighted to offer free enty to a number of Ukrainian refugees. Ride+Stride encourages cyclists and walkers to visit churches other than their own and to enjoy going to diffe￿nt parts of the county. Many churches provide generous hospitality to participants. Many volunteers help distribute the thousands of Gardens Open leaflets, assist in different ways at the gardens when they are open and man churches to welcome participants in Ride+Stride. They give their ts'me willingly and enthusiasb'cally for which we are extremely gratefvl. The Trustees have given regard to the Charity Commission's guidan￿ on public benefit. Flnancial hi hli During 2023 the Trust has, through its fundraising effi)rts, been able to consolidate its financial situation and also to maintain previous levels of grant aid to churches. Having a recruitment campaign through a mailing and a presen￿ at Diocesan events prodU￿d a significant increase in church membership with 30 churches joining for the first time or renewing their lapsed membership and taking the total to 209. Plans were laid to in 2024 canvas more individuals to become members. These membership subscriptions have contributed over £14,100 to Trust funds and we value the Gift Aid we can claim on individuals. subscriptions. Our Gardens Open scheme raised a record amount of just over £39,000 which was shared between the Trust and the local churches. This beat the previous best figure by £13,300. Ride+Stride also had its best ever year raising £37,000 and it was heartening to see twenty- two churches participats.ng who raised money for the first time ever or had not done so for a long time. and as with membership subscriplions we appreciate the generosity of individuals who agree to the Trust claiming Gift Aid on their sponsorship. The Millichope Foundation maintsined its support for the Trust with a further donation of £5,000 and we were fortunate to receive another £700 from Savills towards the printing of the Gardens Open leaflets. Our investments continue to perfomi satisfactorily. Reserves The policy of the Trust is, subject to market conditions, to reduce the level of reserves by up to £70,000 annually for the foreseeable fvture. This gives us additional funds with which to provide grants. Our reserves are geared to cover, at any given time, at least the total of outstanding grants payments and incurred overheads. Grants Grants paid In 2023 (related to awards made that year 8fKI in previous ones) arnounted to £120,221. This figure varies each year accLYding to when churthes complete projects and submit invoices for payment. Grants outstanding (awarded but as yet unpaid) at the end of the year totalled £151.375. For 2023 the Trustees reduc¥d the maximum grant amount for any on8 thurch to £1 0,000 whllst retaining the rlght to exceed Ihis figure In exceptlonal GIrC￿mStances. Thls will enable us to help mora churches than hitherto. The twenty.two grants awarded in 2023 totslled £97.920, the hlghest belng £10,000 (one onty) and the lowest £500. They take into account the nature of the work (from both the archltectural and hlstoncal viewpolnts) and the viabilty of the thurch or chapel in the local communlty. Besides the Iradlllonal. 8pplicatitins to rernedy leaking roofs. rotten timber8 and defective 8toneworf( we have considered requests for organ repairs. electrical improvements, repairs to bells, Instsllation of kitchen and toilet f8dlllles, dock repalrs, conservatlon of famlly memorlals and rebulldlng of churchyard walls. Wfthout this help projects stretch the churches, finandal resource8 and the grants support the Dioceses of Lichfidd Hereford in the woth they do to bring people into their churches. As part of fts policy of 8UPPOrtlng churches the Trusl Increased frorn £2.500 to £4.000 its annual contributlon to the funding of the Church Buildings Support Officer for Hefeford Diocese. This is an English Heritage appoinknent and we are commStted to It for a three year term. Co The Trustees c(￿sider that the charity is in a sound financial positi￿ and well equipped to 6UPPOrt this very important part of our heiit8ge. 7RCZ John Clark Chainnan Date: CHARITY COMMISSIO FOR ENGLAND AND WALE Shropshire Historic Churches Trust Receipts and payments accounts 101690 CC16a For the period from 1stJanuray 2023 31¥t Decemb&r 2023 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrlcted funds Restrlcted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to tho nvr•8t to the n￿roSt £ to th• ngar98t £ to the nèargst £ to the ngar88t £ A1 Recelpts Membèrship ind Grft Aid Donations and Legacies Garden scheme Tours 14.333 5.864 19.264 3,327 30,955 1,400 16.310 129 14.333 6,864 19.254 3,327 30,955 1,400 16,310 129 18.509 8,433 13,938 1.800 26,836 Ride and Stride Incl Glft Ald Sponsorship Interest on investmen18 Olher 17,850 Sub total (Gross income forAR) 91,572 91,572 87,372 Asset an (soa table). Withdrawal from Investment Fund nvestment sa 70,000 tota 70,000 91,572 91,672 157,372 A3Pa ments Garden s¢heme Tours Rlde and Stride- PCC share Grants to churche8 3,883 2,782 14356 109,221 8,091 106 3.883 2,782 14,356 109,221 8.091 106 2,782 10,819 185,150 9,880 Trust expenses Fund ralsing costs Sub total 138,438 138A38 208.631 A4 A880t and Investment urchases see table Sub total 138,438 138A38 208,631 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfors between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 46,867 46,867 51,259 53,844 6,977 ,844 6,977 ,103 53,844 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to near08t £ Restricted funds Categorles Endowment funds to near￿t £ Details to noarnst £ B1 Cash fund8 Bank Accounts 8.977 Total cash funds 6,977 lagr99 bgLqrKes wfth r￿ipts and payments ateountl811 Unrestrlcted funds to no•rnst £ Restrlct•d fund8 Endowm•nt funds to nMre•t £ Details to noamt £ Fund to whlch 88$•t b•lon Unr••trlctod Curront valu• lon•1 061,699 Details Inv¢8lmonl Fund8 Cost (optlonall 83 Investment assets Fund to whlch a$¥•t bolon Details C￿1 loptlonal) Currnnt ￿lue tonal B4 Assets retsined for the charity's own usa Fund to whlch Ilabllty relates Unreslncted Amount du8 Whgn duo (optlonal) Details A¢¢ounlancy fees 2022 loptional} 1.713 85 Liabilities Signed by on• or tN8tees b¢h8Wol811 lh8 trLtytee8 SlgTr3ture Prfrrt Name Date of roval ## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of the Shropshire Historic Churches Trust (Charity registration number 101690)** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Shropshire Historic Churches Trust for the year ended 31 December 2023 which are set out on pages 4 and 5. ## **Respective responsibilities of the trustees and examiner** As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (`the Charities Act'). The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act; - follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and - state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner's report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently, no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a "true and fair" view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **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 which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect: - accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Charities Act, or - the accounts do not accord with the accounting 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. Signed ## **Malcolm Crawford CPFA** 20 Rycroft Avenue St Neots Cambridgeshire PE19 1DT Date 8[th] September 2024