## **Registered Charity No. 1053883** 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 



## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

||**CONTENTS**||
|---|---|---|
|||**Page**|
|Annual Report of the Trustees||1-6|
|Report of the Independent Examiner||7|
|Statement of Financial Activities||8|
|Balance Sheet||9|
|Notes to the Financial Statements||10-17|





Page 1 

**THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

The Trustees of The Ecclesiastical History Society (“the Society” or “the Charity”) present their report and the independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. 

The financial statements comply with 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 2015). 

## **1. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS** 

The names of the Committee Members who served during the year and to the date of this report are: 

- Prof Peter Marshall President) 

- Prof Katy Cubitt (Past President) 

- Prof Mike Snape (Vice-President) 

- Dr Jacqueline Rose (Secretary until 20 July 2023) 

- Dr Joseph Hardwick (Secretary from 20 July 2023) 

- Mr Simon Jennings FCA (Hon Treasurer) 

- Prof Elizabeth Tingle Conference Secretary until 20 July 2023) 

- Dr Angela Platt (Conference Secretary from 20 July 2023) 

- Dr Chris Langley (Publicity Secretary until 20 July 2023) 

- Dr Edmund Wareham (Publicity Secretary from 20 July 2023) 

- Revd Prof Charlotte Methuen (co-editor) 

- Prof Andrew Spicer (co-editor until 20 July 2023) 

- Dr David Ceri Jones (co-editor) 

- Revd Dr Kenneth Jeffrey (until 20 July 2023) 

- Dr Géraldine Vaughan (International Relations Secretary) 

- Prof Hilary Carey (International Relations Secretary from 20 July 2023) 

- Canon Prof Mark Chapman (until 20 July 2023) 

- Dr Dan Cruickshank (2021-2024) 

- Dr Anna French (2021-2024) 

- Dr Emilie Murphy (2023-2025) 

- George Palmer (2023-2025) 

- Dr Felicity Hill (2023-2026) 

- Dr Laura Mair (2023-2026) 

Prof Peter Marshall was inducted as President of the Society by Prof Katy Cubitt at the start of the Society’s annual summer conference in July 2022, and Prof Mike Snape was elected Vice President at the 2023 AGM and will succeed Prof Peter Marshall as President for 2024-2025. 

## **Bankers:** 

COIF Charity Funds – Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4ET 

National Westminster Bank Plc – Tavistock Square Branch, PO Box 83, Tavistock House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9XA 

## **Independent Examiner:** 

Mr Peter J Stevenson, FCA – 8 Harbord Road, Oxford OX2 8LJ 



Page 2 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **2. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (INCLUDING TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT)** 

The Society is established under a formal written constitution, as periodically revised, most recently in 2023. The Society is based and administered in the United Kingdom. Management is vested in the Society’s Committee which is responsible for the day to day running of the Charity, organising various events and maintaining contact with the members to ensure they are kept up to date with events and issues. The Committee is also responsible for the maintenance of accounting records and the preparation of the annual accounts. 

The Committee also constitutes the body of the Trustees of the charity and is responsible for the report made on their behalf. 

## **Induction and Training** 

Trustees receive training informally. All Trustees are informed of their responsibilities on appointment and are kept informed at meetings of their duties and obligations under the law in addition to their proper conduct in accordance with Charity Commission guidance. 

## **Related Parties** 

None of the Trustees receives remuneration or other benefit from work with the Charity, save that essential officers as are required to attend conferences do so free of charge or receive re-imbursement of costs and expenses. Any transaction between the Charity and related parties must be approved by the Trustees. 

## **Pay policy for staff and consultants** 

The trustees comprise the key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling the charity. The day to day running and operations of the Charity are delegated to appropriate administrative helpers and subcommittees. The Business Manager, a Website Manager and an administrative and accounting assistant are engaged as consultants. 

All trustees give up their time freely and no trustee received remuneration in the year. The pay of any consultant reflects the level of responsibilities and skill set required. The pay is reviewed annually. 

## **Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement** 

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). 

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charity for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP FRS 102; 

- make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; 

- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. 

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the principles above. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 



Page 3 

**THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the financial information included on the charity’s website. 

## **Internal Controls** 

The Trustees have overall responsibility for ensuring that the charity has appropriate systems of internal controls. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements follow best practice. They are also responsible for the charity safeguarding its assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. 

The system of internal controls is designed to provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance against material misstatement or loss. 

## **Risk Management** 

The Trustees have undertaken a risk assessment which comprises: 

- an annual review of the risks the charity may face; 

- the establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks; and 

- the implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise. 

This continuing process will identify risk areas to which the charity is vulnerable and highlight any necessary safeguards that will need to be put in place. The Trustees identified the following areas of risk and safeguards to mitigate them: 

- Insufficient conference attendance: mitigated by careful planning around projected numbers to avoid penalty payments for missing targets, providing flexibility for different types of attendance e.g. day rates, keeping the conference fee under review (having surveyed Members in summer 2022 about pricing points) to ensure it was accessible while not bound to lead to a loss, regularly reviewing the conference format, and active publicity campaigns; 

- Increasing movement towards open access undermining the current model for publication of _Studies in Church History_ (SCH) and the membership offer: the Editors keep up to date with developments and liaise with Cambridge University Press about the topic.  Risk in this area had reduced compared to two to three years ago, given CUP’s move into Read & Publish agreements; 

- Insufficient submissions to produce the annual volume of _Studies in Church History_ mitigated by continued active work to ensure the conference theme is sufficiently clear and broad to attract submissions and encourages high quality conference proposals, making the publication schedule clear early on in the conference call/paper selection process, and promoting the prestige of publishing in _SCH_ .  The Society’s production of ‘The Church in Sickness and in Health’  (SCH 58) demonstrated its ability to produce a volume even if there was no conference (due to COVID restriction).  The Society also ensures it retains sufficient funds to cover the costs of two years’ publications with CUP. If further mitigation was needed consideration could be given to developing a hybrid model for submissions both through the conference and independently of it; 

- Declining membership due to cost-of-living pressures: the high-quality offer to Members was important, with promotion through the website and social media, and additional activities; new members are being encouraged through opportunity to participate in conferences, through incentives offered by prizes as well as the possibility of papers being published, and through social media; 

- Difficulties in recruiting unpaid officers to run the Society: involvement at all career stages was encouraged and ways to proactively encourage membership of the Committee were considered; 

- The Society’s position as a data controller: this would be reviewed regularly.  Appropriate measures were in place to secure and regulate access to the membership database.  Names and emails might be sent to the Conference Secretary but personal financial details were not passed to her; both she and the Secretary used bcc when sending material to email lists.  Most Committee members would be members of HEIs and receive training on GDPR from them, but good practice in this area would be included in handover notes.  The Society is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office. 

- The trustees have insurance against trustee and public liability. 



Page 4 

**THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **3. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT** 

The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit and confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to it. They consider the information which follows in this annual report, about the Charity’s aims, activities and achievements in the areas of interest that the Society supports demonstrates the benefit to its beneficiaries and through them to the Public that arise from those activities. 

The Trustees may use the income and the capital of the charity in promoting the objects. 

## **Objectives** 

The main object of the Society, as set out in its Constitution, is to advance public education in ecclesiastical history, mainly through conferences and publications. 

## **Activities and Achievements** 

The Summer Conference at Warwick in July 2023 on “Margins and Peripheries” marked a welcome return to in-       person Summer Conferences. Five postgraduates were awarded bursaries that covered the cost of the registration fee for the Summer Conference at an effective cost of £1,800. The Winter Meeting on the same theme, which remains an online event to facilitate participation, was also highly successful. 

Publication of volume 60 of _Studies in Church History_ , resulting from the Summer 2022 and Winter 2023 Conferences on the theme: “The Church and Hypocrisy” was scheduled for June 2024, but technical issue at Cambridge University Press in June has delayed production. The electronic version of SCH 60 was published on 23 May, but at the time of writing (15 July), the Society is still waiting to hear when to expect publication of the hard copies of the Volume. News of the issue and the delay to publication, was communicated to subscribing members. 

The Society also organised an online Post-Graduate Colloquium in December 2023 on the theme “New Directions for Church History: Opportunities and Challenges”.  This event was held in collaboration with the American Society of Church History and featured six papers in two panels, as well as a round table discussion with three post-graduate students, two from North American institutions, and the third from a French university.  This event continued the Society’s successful record of organising academic gatherings that help to nurture international connections in the fields of religious and church history. The Society, led by its International Relations Secretaries, plans to organise a similar online post-graduate event early in 2025. During the year, the Society also awarded prizes. The Kennedy Prize for the best communication given by a post-graduate student at the previous year’s conference (£500 ) was paid to Alice Kinghorn ( University of Bristol ) for her paper : ‘ Reverend John Stainsby and the “Diffusion of Gospel Truth” in early Nineteenth Century Jamaica. ‘The President’s Prize for the best communication given by an early career academic at the previous year’s conferences ( £1000 ) was awarded to Paula Tutty ( Independent Researcher ) for her paper: “’ A Disgrace to his Schema”: Monastic ( Im)piety in Late Antique Egypt.  The recipients of both prizes are decided by that year’s President and the editorial team.  The Society also awarded a Book Prize for the best first monograph published in the field of the history of Christianity during the 2022 calendar year.  This prize amounting to £1000, was awarded jointly to Meg Leja for: _‘Embodying the Soul: Medicine and religion in Carolingian Europe’_ ( University of Pennsylvania Press ) and to Alison Knight for : _’The Dark Bible: Cultures of Interpretation in Early Modern England’_ ( Oxford University Press ). The recipients of this Prize were determined by a specially convened sub-committee. 



Page 5 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

Finally, the Society supported a project on ‘Ghana’s Oral Bible’, a research project done by two PhD researchers (Mateo Baechtold of University de Lorraine\ College de France, and Joseph Asuming of the University of Ghana) in coloration with the National Folklore Ghana and the Interfaith and Ecumenical Relations Department of the Christian Council of Ghana. The project aims to document and study the Christianisation of the oral traditions of the Akan people in the Twentieth and Twenty-first Centuries. 

This support was extended under the Society’s scheme offering endorsement for approved projects in the field of Ecclesiastical History. Projects must be proposed by members in good standing, be within the scope of the Society’s academic remit and demonstrably have the support of another organisation external to the proposer (e.g. Church/ Diocese/ Archiver/ Think Tank/ Charity/ Funding Council, but their own University). The scheme which allows use of the EHS name and logo, but does not involve financial support, is intended to build public awareness in Ecclesiastical history and advance scholarship in the subject. 

During the year, members’ subscriptions and donations (exclusive of subscribing payments for the year’s volume of SCH) amounting to £8,857 were received.  The Committee would like to express its gratitude to those who continue to subscribe to the Society and to welcome new members. 

Other receipts have predominantly come from conference fees and subscriptions to, and sales of, Studies in Church History. Income has been generated from investments in the M&G Charifund. The value of this investment has slightly increased this year but continues to be affected by market uncertainties and the Committee continues to monitor it. 

The 2023 AGM appointed three members to serve on the Committee (Drs Laura Mair, Felicity Hill and Emilie Murphy) and by Clause 8A of the Constitution at the March meeting the Committee co-opted a fourth member, George Palmer, to serve on the Committee for two years. The 2023 AGM also appointed Joseph Hardwick as Secretary to the Society, David Jones as Co-Editor, Edmund Wareham as Publicity Secretary and Angela Platt to the post of Conference Secretary. Emily Betz continues her work as website and publicity manager, Alice Soulieux-Evans as Assistant Editor for the Society, and Dr Maria Harff continues to assist with bookkeeping and the management of the membership database. 

## **4. FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Incoming Resources** 

Incoming resources totalled £38,011 for the year to 31 March 2024 (2023 - £29,213).  The increase in incoming resources in comparison with the previous years is attributable to fees for attendance at the resumed residential conference arranged in 2023, which produced delegate fees of £14,766. The Charity’s other income was derived principally from membership subscriptions (£8,857), subscriptions to, and direct sales of Studies in Church History (£4,480), and royalties from sales by CUP (£8,573). Two exceptional payments of accumulated royalties collected by the Publishers’ Licencing Agency from older volumes of SCH amounting to £4,566 were also received. 

## **Charitable activities** 

Total expenditure amounted to £41,719 (2023 - £43,236).  Charitable activities comprised the running of conferences, the publication costs of Studies in Church History and the award of prizes.  The cost of such activities amounted to 

£25,178 (2023 - £25,896). 



Page 6 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **Result of the year** 

After publication costs £4,540 (2023 - £5,120) and other costs, including governance costs, of £5,946 (2023 - £4,363), the Charity realised a net surplus of £5,624 (2023 – deficit £5,225).  The Summer Conference result showed a deficit of £3,339 (2023 - deficit £2,372), accountable in part by the cost of bursaries (£1,800).  After taking account of modest appreciation of the Charifund holding amounting to £1,160, £4,405 accumulated dividends, and foreign exchange losses of £74 (2023 – loss of 23), the funds of the Charity increased by £6,710 (2023- £10,513 decrease). 

## **Financial position** 

The Trustees consider that the financial position of the Charity as at the year-end is satisfactory, with reserves of £133,106 (2023 – £126,396) and cash balances of £46,707 (2023 – £31,582). 

## **Reserves Policy** 

There are no outstanding commitments or cash demands which are not adequately covered by our existing resources.  The single recurrent commitment is to Cambridge University Press for publication of Studies in Church History.  This commitment can be securely met for the foreseeable future. Consequently, the Committee feels it would be inappropriate at this stage to adopt a specific reserves policy, beyond ensuring that sufficient funds are retained to cover the likely cost of 2 years’ publications (approximately £12,000). The Committee is confident that the Society remains a going concern for at least twelve months from the date of this report, and that it is appropriate to prepare accounts on that basis. 

## **Investment Policy** 

£50,000 was invested in the M&G Charifund on 1 April 2014.  The market value has fluctuated since with the effect of Covid 19 and subsequent global instability.  It now stands at £84,025 having risen slightly over the past year but mainly due to accumulation dividends of £4,405. 

## **5. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE** 

The Trustees do not propose to deviate from the current objectives and activities of the charity as detailed above. 

**Approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by** S P Jennings.                                                     8 November 2024 

………………………………………………. …………………………… [Name] [Date] 



Page 7 

**THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

## **REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

I report on the financial statements of The Ecclesiastical History Society for the year ended 31 March 2024, as set out on pages 8 to 17. 

## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner and basis of report** 

The Trustees of The Ecclesiastical History Society are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for maintaining proper accounting records. They are also responsible for making available to me the charity’s accounting records and all other records and information, including minutes of meetings, relevant to my examination. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”), and that an independent examination is needed. 

Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: 

- Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act; 

- Follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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 financial statements 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 financial statements present a “true and fair view”, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. 

## **Independent reporting examiner’s statement** 

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: 

- (1) Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to 

   - Keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and 

   - Prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply to the accounting requirements of the 2011 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. 

## **Peter J Stevenson FCA, 8 Harbord Road, Oxford OX2 8LJ** 

20 November 2024 



Page 8 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**Page**<br>**INCOME FROM:**<br>Subscriptions (note 1)<br>12<br>Investments (note 2)<br>Charitable activities (note 3)<br>12<br>12<br>**Total income**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON:**<br>Cost of raising funds (note 5)<br>13<br>Charitable activities (note 6)<br>Other (note 7)<br>13<br>13<br>**Total expenditure**<br>Net income (expenditure)<br>Net gains/(losses) on investments (note 4)<br>12<br>**Net movements in funds**<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward<br>9|**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>8,857<br>-<br>8,857<br>9,296<br> <br>906<br>15,556<br>4,405<br>17,619<br>5,311<br>33,175<br>3,100<br>25,615|
|---|---|
||25,319              22,024<br>47,343<br>38,011|
||3,275<br>7,320<br>10,595<br>12,977<br>18,115<br>4,381<br>7,063<br>1,565<br>25,178<br>5,946<br>25,896<br>4,363|
||25,771<br>15,948<br>41,719<br>43,236|
||(452)<br>6,076<br>5,624<br>(5,225)<br>(74)<br>1,160<br>1,086<br>(5,288)|
||(526)<br>7,236<br>6,710<br>(10,513)<br>52,440<br>73,956<br>126,396<br>136,909|
||51,914<br>81,192<br>133,106<br>£126,396|



All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. 

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. 

The notes on pages 10-17 form part of these financial statements. 



Page 9 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

## **BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

|**Page**<br>**FIXED ASSETS:**<br>Quoted investment at market value<br>(note 11)<br>14<br>**CURRENT ASSETS:**<br>Debtors (note 12)<br>14<br>Cash on deposit (note 13)<br>15<br>Cash at bank (note 13)<br>15<br>**Total current assets**<br>**TOTAL ASSETS**<br>**LIABILITIES:**<br>Creditors: Amounts falling due within one<br>year (note 14)<br>15<br>**Total net assets**<br>**The funds of the charity:**<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>Members’ Reserve<br>8<br>Publications Reserve<br>8|**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>-<br>**£**<br>84,025<br>**£**<br>84,025<br>£<br>78,460<br>1,439<br>8,573<br>10,012<br>18,507<br>23,466<br>(5,066)<br>18,400<br>29,494<br>28,307<br>-<br>28,307<br>2,088<br>53,212<br>3,507<br>56,719<br>50,089<br>£53,212<br>£87,532<br>£140,744<br>£128,549<br>(1,298)<br>(6,340)<br>(7,638)<br>(2,153)<br>£51,914<br>£81,192<br>£133,106<br>£126,936<br>51,914<br>-<br>51,914<br>52,440<br>-<br>81,192<br>81,192<br>73,956<br>£51,914<br>£81,192<br>£133,106<br>£126,396|
|---|---|



**The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board and were signed of its behalf by:** 

## **S P Jennings** 

**……………………………………………..** 

**Peter Marshal.                                                   8 November 2024** 

………………………………………………. …………………………… [Date] 

The notes on pages 10-17 form part of these financial statements 



Page 10 

**THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES** 

## **Legal status of the trust** 

The Ecclesiastical History Society (“the Society” or “the Charity”) is a registered charity (charity number 1053883).  It is a members association governed by a constitution.  The property of the Society is held by the Committee as charitable trustees. 

The contact address is given in the charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. 

## **Basis of Preparation** 

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 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 2016) – (Charities SORP FRS 102) and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). 

The presentational currency of these financial statements is Pounds Sterling. 

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value with the following significant accounting policies applied. 

## **Going concern** 

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no material uncertainties exist. The Trustees have considered the level of funds held and the expected level of income and expenditure for 12 months from authorising these financial statements. The forecast income and reserves are sufficient to cover all of the budgeted expenditure to be able to continue as a going concern. 

## **Income & Expense recognition** 

Voluntary donations (including membership subscriptions- see below) and income from interest bearing deposit accounts are recognised when the charity has entitlement to the income, any conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount can be measured reliably. Publication royalties are recognised when the relevant account has been produced by the Cambridge University Press, sales when volumes have been sold and conference fees and expenses when there is a contractual commitment. 

Income from membership, comprises an annual subscription and (if members so choose) payment for the annual publication. Annual subscriptions are considered donations and are recognised on receipt. The payment for the publications is shown as sales, but the cost of the volume sent to subscribing members is recognised on payment to the publishers. 

Life membership subscriptions are included as income in full in the year of receipt. The payment of a lifetime subscription does not bestow a benefit beyond that enjoyed by members who choose to pay their subscription annually and the Charity is not bound to repay any portion of their membership if it ceases to operate. 

All expenditure is included on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Trustees to the expenditure ((save for the cost of publication of the annual SCH volume – which is recognised on receipt of the invoice from CUP). Expenditure is categorised under the following headings: 

- The cost of raising funds – consists of advertising, marketing and direct mail materials, including publicity costs not associated with educational material, designed wholly or mainly to further the charity’s purposes. 



Page 11 

**THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)** 

## **Expenditure recognition (continued)** 

Charitable activities comprise grants and donations made during the period, and prizes awarded (which are recognised when the offer is conveyed to the recipient), and the costs of publication of SCH which are recognised when invoiced. 

## **Status of funds** 

All funds are unrestricted and the Trustees have complete discretion for their use in pursuance of the Charity’s objectives. 

## **Foreign currency** 

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the rate of exchange ruling at the Balance Sheet date. Transactions denominated in foreign currencies are converted at the rate of exchange ruling at the date of the transaction. All transaction differences are taken to the statement of financial activities as they arise. 

## **Taxation and irrecoverable VAT** 

The Charity is not subject to tax on its income, provided that all surplus funds are used for charitable purposes. Accordingly, no provision is made for taxation. 

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred. 

## **Gift Aid** 

As membership subscriptions carry a right to acquire copies of Studies in Church History at a price substantially below the retail price charged by the publisher, HMRC will not permit subscriptions to be gift aided.  Other donations may be. 

## **Basic financial instruments** 

Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Any losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure. 

Investments in equity instruments are measured initially at fair value, which is normally the transaction price.  Investments are restated at market value each year at the Balance Sheet date, with changes recognised in the statement of financial activities. 

## **Provisions** 

Provisions are recognised when the charity has an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount can be reliably estimated. 

## **Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty** 

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees have considered how best to apply the Charity’s accounting policies and make estimates in the preparation of the financial statements, where relevant. The Trustees have not made any significant estimates in these financial statements. 



Page 12 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **1. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES** 

|**ONATIONS AND LEGACIES**|**ONATIONS AND LEGACIES**|**ONATIONS AND LEGACIES**|
|---|---|---|
|**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Subscriptions &<br>General donations<br>8,857<br>-<br>8,857<br>9,296<br>-<br>**9,296**<br>8,857<br>8,857<br>9,296<br>-<br>**9,296**<br>**VESTMENT INCOME**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Interest<br>906<br>-<br>906<br>514<br>-<br>5174<br>Dividends<br>-<br>4,405<br>4,405<br>-<br>2,586<br>2,586<br>906<br>4,405<br>5,311<br>514<br>2,586<br>3,100<br>**COME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Sales of Publications<br>-<br>4,480<br>4,480<br>-<br>5,279<br>5,279<br>Publication royalties<br>-<br>13,139<br>13,139<br>-<br>9,252<br>9,252<br>Summer Conference<br>14,766<br>-<br>14,766<br>10,418<br>-<br>10,418<br>Winter Conference<br>790<br>-<br>790<br>666<br>-<br>666<br>15,556<br>17,619<br>33,175<br>11,084<br>14,531<br>25,615<br> <br>**THER GAINS/LOSSES**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>Foreign exchange gain<br>(loss)<br>(74)<br>(54)<br>(23)<br>(23)<br>(Depreciation)/<br>Appreciation of<br>investments<br>1,160<br>1,160<br>(5,265)<br>(5,265)<br>(74)<br>1,160<br>1,086<br>(23)<br>(5,265)<br>(2,288)|||
|||15,556<br>17,619<br>33,175<br>11,084<br>14,531<br>25,615|
|||**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>(74)<br>(54)<br>(23)<br>(23)<br>1,160<br>1,160<br>(5,265)<br>(5,265)|
|||(74)<br>1,160<br>1,086<br>(23)<br>(5,265)<br>(2,288)|



## **2. INVESTMENT INCOME** 

## **3. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES** 

## **4. OTHER GAINS/LOSSES** 



Page 13 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **5. COST OF RAISING FUNDS** 

|**COST OF RAISING FUNDS**||
|---|---|
|Fundraising and<br>publications<br>**CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES**<br> <br>Post Graduate<br>Symposium<br>Summer Conference<br>Publications<br>Book Prizes<br>Conference Bursary<br>Ukrainian<br>Scholarship<br>**OTHER EXPENDITURE**<br>Secretarial expenses<br>Bank charges & commissions<br>PayPal charges<br>Independent examiners fees<br>Subscriptions<br>Accountancy &<br>administration fees<br>Trustee expenses<br>Database development costs<br>Trustee insurance|**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>3,275<br>7,320<br>10,595<br>3,282<br>9,695<br>12,977<br>3,275<br>7,320<br>10,595<br>3,282<br>9,695<br>12,977<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>0<br>263<br>263<br>18,115<br>18,115<br>12,790<br>-<br>12,790<br>4,540<br>-<br>5,120<br>5,120<br>2,523<br>2,523<br>-<br>2,523<br>2,523<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>200<br>200<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>5,000<br>5,000<br>18,115<br>7,063<br>25,178<br>18,253<br>7,643<br>25,895<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>150<br>-<br>150<br>161<br>-<br>161<br> <br>200<br>200<br>200<br>-<br>200<br>191<br>191<br>208<br>-<br>208<br>250<br>25<br>250<br>-<br>250<br>149<br>149<br>-<br>2,350<br>2,350<br>1,787<br>1,787<br>-<br>1,565<br>1,565<br>-<br>933<br>933<br> <br>792<br>792<br>824<br>-<br>824<br>299<br>299|
||4,381<br>1,565<br>5,946<br>3,430<br>933<br>4,363|



## **6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES** 

## **7. OTHER EXPENDITURE** 

The expenses, including attendance at Conferences, of the Editorial team, have been charged to the Publications Account. 



Page 14 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **8. EMPLOYEES** 

No persons were employed during the year. 

## **9. TRUSTEES** 

Trustees received no remuneration. Expenses reimbursed amounted to £1,374 (2022 - £266) of which £441 is shown in note 7 under data development costs.  They were paid to 2 trustees in relation to the editorial committee and one for database costs. 

## **10. GOVERNANCE COSTS** 

Governance Costs are considered to comprise the Independent Examiner’s fee of £250 (2023: £250). 

## **11. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS** 

|M&G Charifund<br>(Market Value)<br> <br>**EBTORS**<br>Summer Conference<br>Prepayment<br>Publishing royalties||**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>84,025<br>84,025<br>-<br>78,460<br>78,460|
|---|---|---|
|||**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,439<br>-<br>-<br>8,573<br>1,439<br>8,573<br>9,255<br>-<br>-<br>9,252<br>9,255<br>9,252|
|||1,439<br>8,573<br>10,012<br>9,255<br>9,252<br>18,507|



## **12. DEBTORS** 



Page 15 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **13. CASH AT BANK** 

|**CASH AT BANK**||
|---|---|
|Cash on deposit<br>Cash at bank<br>Inter fund transfer|**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>12,845<br>5,555<br>18,400<br>24,196<br>5,298<br>29,494<br>28,085<br>10,843<br>222<br>(10,843)<br>28,307<br>-<br>1,843<br>18,929<br>245<br>(18,929)<br>2,088<br>-|
||51,773<br>(5,066)<br>46,707<br>44,968<br>(13,386)<br>31,582|



## **14. CREDITORS – amounts falling due within one year** 

|Summer/Conference<br>Post Graduate<br>Symposium<br>Accounts &<br>Administration<br>IT Costs<br>Independent<br>Examiners’ Fees<br>Book Prize<br>Consultants Fees<br>CUP Publishing costs|**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2024**<br>**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>370<br>370<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>263<br>263<br>675<br>675<br>270<br>-<br>270<br>103<br>103<br>250<br>250<br>250<br>-<br>270<br>-<br>1,800<br>4,540<br>-<br>2,070<br>4,540<br>1,000<br>-<br>-<br>1,000<br>-|
|---|---|
||1,298<br>6,340<br>7,638<br>1,783<br>370<br>2,153|





Page 16 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **15. Comparative breakdown for Statement of Financial Activities** 

|**Page**<br>**INCOME FROM:**<br>Donations and legacies (note 1)<br>12<br>Investments (note 2)<br>Charitable activities (note 3)<br>12<br>12<br>**Total income**<br>**EXPENDITURE ON:**<br>Cost of raising funds (note 5)<br>13<br>Charitable activities (note 6)<br>Other (note 7)<br>13<br>13<br>**Total expenditure**<br>Net income (expenditure)<br>Gains/(losses) on investments (note 4)<br>NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS<br>**Reconciliation of funds:**<br>Total funds brought forward<br>Total funds carried forward<br>8|**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>9,296<br>9,296<br>514<br>11,084<br>2,586<br>14,531<br>3,100<br>25,615|
|---|---|
||20,894<br>17,117<br>38,011|
||3,282<br>9,695<br>12,977<br>18,253<br>3,430<br>7,643<br>933<br>25,896<br>4,363|
||24,965<br>18,271<br>43,236|
||(4,071)<br>(23)<br>(1,154)<br>(5,265)<br>(5,225)<br>(5,288)|
||(4,094)<br>(6,419)<br>(10,513)<br>56,534<br>80,375<br>136,909|
||52,440<br>73,956<br>126,396|





Page 17 

## **THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024** 

## **16. Comparative breakdown for Balance Sheet** 

|**Page**<br>**FIXED ASSETS:**<br>Quoted investment at market value (note 11)<br>14<br>**CURRENT ASSETS:**<br>Debtors (note 12)<br>14<br>Cash on deposit (note 13)<br>15<br>Cash at bank (note 13)<br>15<br>**Total current assets**<br>**LIABILITIES:**<br>Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (note 14)<br>15<br>**Total net assets**<br>**The funds of the charity:**<br>**Unrestricted funds**<br>Members’ Reserve<br>16<br>Publications Reserve<br>16<br>8/16|**Members’**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Publications**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**Funds**<br>**31 March**<br>**2023**<br>78,460<br>78,460<br>9,255<br>9,252<br>18,507<br>24,196<br>5,298<br>29,494<br>20,772<br>(18,684)<br>2,088|
|---|---|
||54,223<br>(4,134)<br>50,089|
||(1,783)<br>(370)<br>(2,153)|
||52,440<br>73,956<br>126,396|
||52,440<br>-<br>52,440<br>-<br>73,956<br>73,956|
||52,440<br>73,956<br>126,396|



## **17. STUDIES IN CHURCH HISTORY** 

The Ecclesiastical History Society produces an annual volume in the series “Studies in Church History” (SCH), which is available to members at a discount, and to the general public. Subscribing Members receive a copy of the year’s volume. Of the subscribing membership fee of 2022/23, £20 is attributable to Volume 58, and is included within Publications Income in note 3 on Page 12. 

## **18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS** 

Details of trustee expenses are given in note 9. There were no other related party transactions in either year. 

## **19. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY** 

The trustees consider that, while the trustees are in the main elected by the members, it is the trustees who are in day-to-day control of the charity and there is no ultimate controlling party.