## **ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY**
## **ACCOUNTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024**
## **ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY**
## **Index to Accounts**
## **For the Year Ended 31st October 2024**
Page 1 Reference and Administration Pages 2 - 4 Trustees' Report Page 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Statement of Assets and Liabilities Page 7 Receipts and Payments Account Page 8 Charitable Giving Page 9 Accounting Policies
Page 1
## **ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY**
## **Reference and Administration**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024**
## **Charity Name and Number**
Ellingham & Ringwood Agricultural Society
Registered Charity Number 1033756
## **Correspondence Address**
2 Drake Close, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 3ET
## **Trustees**
Mr Stephen Thompson Mr Christopher Snow Mrs Elizabeth Davis Mrs Alison Vandervelde Mr Paul Hammond Mr Tom Hasted Mrs Elizabeth Green Mrs Samantha Packham
## **Professional Advisors**
Bankers:
Natwest 11 High Street, Ringwood, Hampshire BH24 1BA CCLA Investment Management Limited 80 Cheapside, London EC2V 6DZ Virgin Money, Jubilee House, Gosforth, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE3 4PL
Independent Examiner:
J.P.Carter ACA 35 Vallis Way, Ealing, London W13 0DD
Page 2
## **ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY**
## **Trustees Annual Report**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024**
## **Status**
Ellingham and Ringwood Agricultural Society is an unincorporated association and is governed by a constitution. The original Constitution has been amended in January 1994, January 1998 and most recently in March 2023, when the position of Health and Safety Officer was added to the Trustees. The number of Trustees now stands at 9.
The association consists of members who subscribe annually to the association. The management is vested in a board of Trustees, all members of which are appointed or re-appointed annually at the Annual General Meeting.
## **Objectives and Activities**
The objects of the Association are:
To promote agriculture and to such end to generally improve it in all its branches and to encourage skill and industry in it and in all trades, crafts and professions connected with it.
To hold in pursuance of its main object an annual agricultural show provided that the society shall not be obliged to hold a show in any year in relation to which the committee of the society shall resolve that the holding of such show is impracticable
To apply the income for charitable purposes or for such charitable organisations or institutions to be determined by the committee.
This is achieved through the collection of subscriptions from the charity's members, and income raised from holding an annual agricultural show.
## **Future Strategy**
The Charity plans to continue the activities as outlined above in the forthcoming years subject to satisfactory funding arrangements.
## **Reserves Policy**
As explained in the risk management section of this report the largest financial risk is the impact of bad weather or the outbreak of a contagious livestock disease as this could lead to the cancellation of a show or the requirement to relocate the show ground.
The costs of operating the show have increased significantly over recent years and with continuing pressure on public sector services such as Police, Ambulance and Highways combined with the increasing burden of regulations these costs are expected to rise well ahead of inflation.
Consequently the reserves policy has been set at a level that is sufficient to meet the costs arising from cancellation of a show due to unforeseen circumstances, the additional costs required to fund the launch of the subsequent years show and, if necessary, the costs of relocating the show ground.
At the balance sheet date, the association held reserves of £173,473 (2023 - £176,036) all of which is in unrestricted funds.
**ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY**
Page 3
## **Trustees Annual Report (contd..)**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024**
## **Risk Management**
The Trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems and controls to manage and monitor these are in place.
As with any outside agricultural event the primary risk is the financial impact of bad weather or the outbreak of a contagious livestock disease as it may impact on show attendance or, in extreme circumstances, result in the cancellation of a show. The costs of insuring are prohibitive therefore the Trustees maintain a level of reserves sufficient to cover the costs of an abortive show and enable funds to be available to finance a subsequent show or, if necessary, relocation of the show ground.
Another major risk is health and safety of those participating in or attending the show as well as the volunteers. The Society has detailed plans for emergencies, traffic management and health and safety assessments which are reviewed and updated throughout the year.
As can be seen from the balance sheet the reserves of the charity are held in cash funds. These are spread across several banking institutions so as to minimise and risk and whilst returns are low the Trustees consider the equity and bond markets to be too volatile and, as funds may be required at short notice, lack flexibility.
## **Contributions from volunteers**
The Association is greatly indebted to the volunteers who give their time freely to assist throughout the year and at the annual show. No estimate of the monetary value has been placed on this work in these accounts.
## **Review of Activities and Financial Performance**
In 2024 the show was held in the grounds of The Somerley Estate on the 10th August 2024. As with any outdoor show the weather plays a significant part in ensuring spectator attendance levels being achieved. On the day we had good weather, this being reflected in a good turnout and represented in the gate takings on the day.
The total income for the year from the society was £173,130 (2023 - £182,619), made up from Gate entries and membership, Sponsorship, Trade Stands, Entry fees and any donations.
## **Trustees**
The Trustees set out below have held office, unless otherwise stated, for the whole of the period from 1st November 2023 to 31st October 2024
Mr Stephen Thompson Mr Christopher Snow Mrs Elizabeth Davis Mrs Alison Vandevelde Mr Paul Hammond Mr Tom Hasted Mrs Elizabeth Green (appointed 25th March 2024) Mrs Samantha Packham (appointed 25th March 2024) Mrs Catherine Hedge (resigned 25th March 2024)
Mrs Jacqueline Rose (resigned 25th March 2024)
The Trustees do not make any charge for their services.
## **Independent Examiner**
The Trustees intend to reappoint Mr J Carter as the independent examiner for the following year.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on ………………….. and signed on their behalf by
…………………………………….. S Thompson Trustee
…………………………………….. E Davis Trustee
Page 5
## **ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY**
## **Independent Examiners Report**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024**
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31st October 2024, which are set out on pages 6 to 8.
## **Respective responsibilities of the Trustees and examiner.**
The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act") and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act
- follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
- state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement**
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.**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act.
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the
- accounts to be reached.
J P Carter A.C.A 35 Vallis Way Ealing London
**ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Statement of Assets and Liabilities As at 31st October 2024**
Page 6
|**CURRENT ASSETS**
Charities Official Investment Fund Deposit Account
Cash at Bank
Cash in hand
**Represented by :**
Unrestricted Reserves
Balance at 1st Nov.2023
Surplus/(Deficit) for the Financial Year|**2024**
£
70,000
101,970
190
172,160
176,036
3,876
-
172,160|**2023**
£
70,000
106,036
176,036
163,554
12,482
176,036|
|---|---|---|
**ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Receipts and Payments Account As at 31st October 2024**
Page 7
|**SHOW**
**Receipts**
Gate Receipts
Programme - Sales
Programme Advertising and Sponsorship
Trade Stands
Craft Tent
Horticulture
Entry Fees
Other Income (Donations)
**Total Receipts**
**Expenditure**
Subscriptions
Web site & Advertising
Printing & Stationary
Jumps and Hurdles
Judges
Prizes and Rosettes
Tents, Chairs and Tables
Refreshments
Committee Expenses
Attractions
Insurance
Signs
Rent of showground
Grounds Maintenance & Security
Toilets and Hand wash facilities
First Aid
Public Address and Power Supplies
Donations to Volunteer Organisations (Page 8)
Other Expenses
**Surplus from Show**
**MEMBERSHIP**
**Income**
Subscriptions
Interest
**Expenditure**
Secretarial Expenses
Subscription refunds
Insurance
**Surplus from Membership**
Charitable Donations (Detailed on Page 8)
**(Deficit)/Surplus for the Year**|£
£
102,417
850
16,475
24,910
4,301
190
7,420
296
156,859
523
7,405
2,471
765
2,385
6,930
27,813
6,253
1,369
8,930
6,474
3,378
22,087
24,503
6,870
2,551
17,723
11,045
2,629
162,104
5,245
-
12,238
3,996
16,234
1,362
120
383
1,865
14,369
9,124
13,000
-
3,876
-
**2024**|£
£
100,643
3,300
18,990
25,952
3,659
6,264
1,250
160,058
483
10,614
4,118
4,057
1,006
6,578
28,349
7,194
2,189
6,920
6,194
4,154
21,675
17,425
6,971
2,316
16,927
9,111
449
156,730
3,328
19,669
2,893
22,562
1,069
383
1,452
21,110
24,437
11,955
-
12,482
**2023**|
|---|---|---|
**ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Charitable Giving As at 31st October 2024**
Page 8
## **period from 1st November 2023 to 31st October 2024**
|**Charitable Donations**
Race
Bursery
Cross Keys
Counselling together
Forest Home
Hope Housing
Roots to Roots
Michaels house
MacMillan Caring Locally
Elsies Rose
Poulner Infants school
My Time
Poulner Junior School
New Forest driving for disabled
Salisbury Hospice Charity
Sturts Community Trust
Ringwood Carnival
Wessex food bank
Starf
Children against cancer
HIOWAA
Ukraine appeal
**Note only**
**Volunteer Associations on Show Day**
1st Poulner Scouts
3rd Ringwood Scouts
2nd Verwood scouts
Fordingbridge Rotary
Avon Valley Young Farmers
Ferndown Rotary
HFRS Ringwood Fire Cadets
Ringwood Rotary
East Dorset Dockers
1st Wesex Scouts
Ringwood Carnival
Brock YF
Burley Scouts
2 young helpers
**Total Charitable Giving**|3,000
1,000
1,000
1,500
500
1,000
1,000
500
1,000
1,000
500
1,000
500
500
350
500
500
250
5,145
700
500
500
500
500
600|**2024**
**2023**
£
£
500
2315
500
500
1,000
500
1,000
1,000
2,140
1,000
1,000
500
13,000
11,955
13,000
11,955
500
200
500
500
250
4,911
750
500
500
500
11,045
9,111
**24,045**
**21,066**|
|---|---|---|
Page 9
**ELLINGHAM AND RINGWOOD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY**
## **Accounting Policies**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024**
## **1. Accounting Policies**
## **1.1. Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
## **1.2. Income**
Voluntary income is received by way of subscriptions, donations, gifts and fundraising events and is recognised in the receipts and payments account in the year of receipt.
Investment income is recognised in the year of receipt.
Significant debtors at the year end are shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
## **1.3. Expenditure**
Expenses are included in the accounts in the year paid. Irrecoverable VAT is included.
Significant liabilities at the year end are shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
## **1.4. Taxation**
Ellingham and Ringwood Agricultural Society is a registered charity and the results of its normal activities are not liable to Corporation Tax. The society is not registered for VAT.
## **1.5. Fund Accounting**
The charity funds are unrestricted and they are freely available for expenditure or appropriation to reserves for internally designated purposes.
## **2. Trustees' Expenses**
Purchases made on behalf of the charity were reimbursed during the year to the committee members.
## **3. Related Party Transactions**
None