2025-07-31-accounts

THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 02850118 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1038170

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

FOR THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE.

Mr G D Jones

29 Marble Hal Road

Milford Haven Pembrokeshire SA73 2PD

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

CONTENTS

Report of the Trustees	Page 3 – 6
Independent Examiner’s Report	Page 7
Statement of Financial Actvites	Page 8
Balance Sheet	Page 9
Notes to the Financial Statements	Page 10 - 14

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2025. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and Aims: The Darwin Centre for Biology and Medicine is a Pembrokeshire charity established in 1994, it aims to engage and enthuse young people, families, and communities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). There are two elements to the charity: The Education Programme known as the Darwin Experience, and the Research and Engagement Programme. The Darwin Experience continues to form the core of the activities delivered by the charity.

Significant activities: The education programme has been funded by Dragon LNG since September 2005. Dragon LNG are the core sponsors of the programme with a contribution from Pembrokeshire County Council to support our work with secondary school pupils. The programme works with every school in the county of Pembrokeshire on a 3-year cycle, offering a range of field trips and workshops to complement the curriculum for Wales. Alongside our schools’ programme we delivered sessions for local families, home school groups and the Scouting Association.

All the events including transport are free to the participating schools, the cost is covered through the core sponsorship from Dragon LNG with additional support this year from Sea Changers for workshops linked to plastic pollution and funds from the Marine Conservation Society as part of the Natur am Byth project, aiming to restore Wales’ threatened species.

Research and Engagement Programme: Dr Valerie Morse, who led the research and engagement programme retired, the laboratory in Milford Haven has been vacated and there were no events delivered during the 2024/25 academic year.

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Charitable Activities – Darwin Experience Numbers and Events:

Number of events : 184

Number of participants: 5,238

School group activities – a range of workshops and fieldtrips including but not limited to:

• Rock pooling

• Marine Biology days

• Glowing plastic detectives (Sea Changers)

• Freshwater sampling

• Ocean Acidification

• Garden minibeasts

• Dragon LNG Solar Park – renewable energy & climate change

• Solar system workshops

• Forces workshops

• Oyster Hotels and Oyster Walks (Natur am Byth)

Home school group activities –

• Rock pooling

• Oyster walk

Public/family events –

• Rock pooling and push netting

• Seashells, plankton & microscopes ( Festival of the Sea)

• Oyster Walks & Hotels (Natur am Byth)

• Nautical Medley (Tall Ships Wales Trust / Family services)

• Taster sail & overnight voyage (Tall Ships Wales Trust / Family services)

Scouting Association events –

• Marine Biology Day

• Garden Minibeasts

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Reserves Policy: The financial activity for the year is shown in the annexed accounts. The charity's funds as at the end of the period 2024/2025 totalled £96,352.82 (2023/2024: £97,003) and will be utilised for the purpose of funding the 2025/2026 Darwin Experience and other related activities.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNACE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document: The Charity is controlled by its governing document, its memorandum and articles of association, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees: The existing trustees are responsible for the recruitment of new trustees. When selecting new trustees we attempt to identify people who are able to add relevant expertise to the board and are willing to volunteer to help us with our objectives.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number:

02850118 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number:

1038170

Registered office:

Darwin Centre L1.4 Pembrokeshire College Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire SA61 1SZ

Trustees:

• Professor A K Campbell

• Mr D O J S Lort-Phillips

• Dr S B Matthews

• Mr A E Sangster (Chairman of the Board)

• Dr B N Walters

• Professor K T Wann

• Mr D Clee

• Mr N P Harries

• Dr V M Jones

• Mrs V Stoddart

• Miss L Callan

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

Charity Manager:

Samantha Jane Williams

Independent Examiner:

Mr G D Jones

29 Marble Hall Road Milford Haven Pembrokeshire

SA73 2PD

Approved by order of the board of trustees on Thursday 26[th] March 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Mr A E Sangster – Chairman of the Board

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Darwin Centre for Biology And Medicine ('the

Company'): I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 July 2025.

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:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. 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 a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4. 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 (FRS 102)).

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.

Mr G D Jones

29 Marble Hall Road

Milford Haven Pembrokeshire SA73 2PD

Date: Wednesday 25[th] March 2026.

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

	Income and Expenditure Table
	Category	Notes	Unrestricted Fund(£)	Restricted Fund(£)	2025 Total Funds(£)	2024 Total Funds(£)
	INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
	Donations and legacies					-
	Other tradingactivities	2	86,233		86,233	101,432
	Investment income	3	903		903	1,180
	Other income					-
	Total Income		87,136		87,136	102,612
	EXPENDITURE ON
	Charitable activities
	Lectures & events		4,298		4,298	6,342
	Other		85,656		85,656	86,083
	Total Expenditure		89,955		89,955	92,425
	NET INCOME		-2,819		-2,819	10,186
	RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS		-2,819		-2,819
	Total funds brought forward		107,189		107,189	91,003
	TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		104,370		104,370	101,189

The notes form part of these financial statements.

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

BALANCE SHEET 31 JULY 2025

Statement of Financial Position	Statement of Financial Position	Statement of Financial Position	Statement of Financial Position	Statement of Financial Position	Statement of Financial Position	Statement of Financial Position	Statement of Financial Position
	Category	Notes	Unrestricted Fund(£)	Restricted Fund(£)	2025 Total Funds(£)	2024 Total Funds(£)
	CURRENT ASSETS
	Cash at bank		-	104,369	104,369	107,190
	CREDITORS
	Amounts falling due within oneyear	8	-		-	-
	NET CURRENT ASSETS		-	104,369	104,369	107,190
	TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES		-		104,369	107,190
	NET ASSETS		-		104,369	107,190
	FUNDS	9
	Unrestricted funds		-	-	-	-
	Restricted funds		-		104,369	107,190
	TOTAL FUNDS		-		104,369	107,190

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 July 2025 .The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a) ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b) 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 of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on Thursday 26[th] March 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

Mr A E Sangster – Chairman of the Board

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements: The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income: All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure: Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets: Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Office equipment : Straight line over 3 years

Taxation: The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting: Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

1. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

Sponsorships:

2025 2024 £ £ 78,805 86,744

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1. INVESTMENT INCOME

Deposit account interest:

2025	2024
£	£
903	1180

4. TRUSTEES’ REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees’ remuneration of other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.

Trustee expenses: There were no trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31 July 2025 nor for the year ended 31 July 2024.

5. STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

Full tme: Part tme:	2025 2 1 3	2024 2 1 3

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

1. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

	Category	Unrestricted Fund (£)	Restricted Fund (£)	Total Funds (£)
	INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
	Donations and legacies		7,000	7,000
	Other tradingactivities		79,233	79,233
	Investment income		903	903
	Other income
	Total Income		87,136	87,136
	EXPENDITURE ON
	Charitable activities		5,724	5,724
	Lectures & events		84,955	84,955
	Other
	Total Expenditure		89,955	89,955
	NET INCOME		-2,819	-2,819
	RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
	Total funds brought forward

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1. COMPARATIVES FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES – continued

Total funds carried forward:	Unrestricted Fund £ 104,370	Restricted Fund £	Total Funds £ 104,370

7. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Category	Details	Office Equipment (£)
COST	At 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025	15,081
DEPRECIATION	At 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2024	15,081
NET BOOK VALUE	At 31 July 2025	-
	At 31 July 2024	-

8. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

Accruals and deferred income: 9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS	2025 £ -	2024 £ -

	Funds Movement
	Category Fund Type At 1.8.24 (£) Net Movement in Funds (£) At 31.7.25 (£) Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted funds 107,189 -2,819 104,369 TOTAL FUNDS
	Breakdown of Net Movement in Funds
	Category Fund Type Incoming Resources (£) Resources Expended (£) Movement in Funds (£) Unrestricted funds General fund Restricted funds Restricted funds 87,136 89,995 -2,819 TOTAL FUNDS

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

9.MOVEMENT IN FUNDS – continued

Comparatives for movement in funds:

Category	Fund Type	At 1.8.24 (£)	Net Movement in Funds (£)	At 31.7.25 (£)
Unrestricted funds	General fund
Restricted funds	Restricted funds	107,189	-2,819	104,370
TOTAL FUNDS

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Category	Fund Type	Incoming Resources (£)	Resources Expended (£)	Movement in Funds (£)
Unrestricted funds	General fund
Restricted funds	Restricted funds	107,189	-2,819	104,370
TOTAL FUNDS

A current year 12 months and prior year, 12 months combined position is as follows:

Category	Fund Type	At 1.8.24 (£)	Net Movement in Funds (£)	At 31.7.25 (£)
Unrestricted funds	General fund
Restricted funds	Restricted funds	102,612	92,426	10,186
TOTAL FUNDS

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Category	Fund Type	Incoming Resources (£)	Resources Expended (£)	Movement in Funds (£)
Unrestricted funds	General fund
Restricted funds	Restricted funds	102,612	92,426	10,186
TOTAL FUNDS

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THE DARWIN CENTRE FOR BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025

1. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 July 2025

1. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY

The charity was under the control of the trustees and the charity manager, as detailed on page 1, throughout the current year.

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