Registered Charity No. 1053883 THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
THE ECCLESSASTICAL HISTORY SOCIErY CONTEPUS Page Annual Report of the Trustees Report of the Independent Examiner Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet io Notes to the Financial Statements 11-18
Page I THE ECCLESIAsficAL HISTORY SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT QF THE TRUSfEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The Trustees of The Ecclesiastical History Society l-the Society- or "the Chari) psent thelr report and the independently examined financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The financial statements comply with Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charityes pParIng their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Iland IFftS 1021 leffective l January 20151. I. REFERENCE AND ADMINisfRATIVE DETAIL5 The names of the Committee Members who served during the year and to the dote of thi5 report are.. Prof Mike Snape (President) Prof Peter Marshall (Past President) Dr Sara Par¥is Ivice-presidentl Dr Joseph Hardwick (Secretary) Mr Simon Jenning5 FCA (Hon Trea5urerl Dr Angela Platt (Conference Secretary) Dr Edmund Wareham (Publicity Secretary) Revd Prof Charlotte Methuen Ico-editorl Dr David Ceri Jones Ico-editorl Dr Amold Hunt Ico-editor from 3 March 20251 Prof Hilary Carey Ilnternational Relations Secretaryl Dr Aude de Mezerac-zanetti Ilntemational Relations Secretary from 24 July 20241 Dr Dan Cruickshank luntil 23 July 20241 Dr Anna French (until 23 July 20241 Or Emilie Murphy12023-20261 George Palmer12023-20251 Dr Felicity Hill12023-20261 Dr Laura Mair12023-20261 Michael Fraser Ilrom 24 July 2024) Dr Stephanie Burette (co-opted to ¢omrnittee 11 October 2024 and to be formally voted on to committee at Annual General Meeting 16 July 20251 Prof Mike Snape was inducted as President of the society by Prof Peter Marshall at the start of the Society's annual summer conference in July 2024. and Dr Sara Parvis was elected Vice President at rhe 2024 AGM and will sucteed Prof Mike Snape a5 President for 2025-2026. The postal address of the Society is clo S P Jennings. 18 Warwick Street, Oxford OX4 ISX. Bankers: COIF Charity Fund5- Senator House. 85 Queen Victoria Street. London, EC4V 4ET National Westmirister Bank PIC London. WCIH 9XA Tavistcrk Square Branch. PO Box 83. Tavistock House, Tavi5tock Square. Independent Examiner.. Mr Peter J Stevenson. Flat 25. Cherwell Court, Banbury Road. Kidlington. O¥fordshire OXS 2BG.
THE ECCLESIAStICAL HISTORY SOCIErY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2. STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (INCLUDING TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT) Pa The Society is established under a formal written constitution. as periodically revised, most recently in 2024. The Society is based and administered in the United Kingdom. Management is vested in the Sociells Committee which is responsible for the day to day running of the Charity. organi5tn8 various event5 and maintaining contatt with the members to ensure they are kept up to date with events and issues. The Committee is also responsible for the rnaintenance of accounting record5 and the preparation of the annual accounts. The Comrnittee also constitutes the body of the Trustees of the tharity and is responsible fof the report made on their behalf. Induction and Training TrLfStees receive training informally. PJI Trustees are informed cf their responsibilities on appointment and are kept inforrned at meetings of their dutres and oblrgations under the law in addifion to their proper Conduct in accordance with Charity Commission guidance. Related Partie5 None of the Trvstee5 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 pers0?nel of the charity in char8e of directing and cuntrolling the charity. The day to day running and operations of the Charity are delegated to appropriate administrative helpers and subcommittees. The 8usiness Manager. a Website mar.ager and an administrative and accounting assistant are engaged as consultants. All trustee5 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 15 reviewed annually. Trustees. Responsibilities Statement The Trustee5 are responsible for preparing the Annual Report of the Trustee5 and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards Iunited Kingdom Generallv Accepted Accounting Prartice). Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare finanaal statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and ol the incoming resources and application of resources. including the incorne and expendirure, of the charity for the year. In preparing these financial statements. the Trustees are required to: select suitable accountin8 polities and then apply them consistently.. observe the methods and prinoples in the Charifies SORP FRS 102.. make judgments and estimates that are reasonab.'e and prydent.. state whether applirable UK Accounting Standards have been followed. subjert to any material departure5 di5c105ed and explained in the finantial statements,. and prepare the financial statements on the goin8 conceTh basis unle5S it Is inappropriate to presume that the chority will continue Fn operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate account:'ng records that disclose with reasonable accuraty at any time the financial posltion of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial st3tements comply with the prin¢iple5 above. They are a150 responsible for safeguarding the a55ets of the charity and hence for takin8 reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irre8ularities.
Page 3 THE ECCLESIASTICAL HisfoRY SOCIErY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 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 responsibillty for ensurlng that the Charity ha5 appropriate systems of internal controls. They are also responsible for keeping proper accounting records which d¥sc105e with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial ststements follow bèst practice. They are also responsible for the cbarity safeguarding its assets and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detettion of fraud and other irregularitie5. The system of internal controls is designed to prcNide reasonable, but not absolute. assurance against material misstatement or105S. Risk Management The Trustees have undertaken a risk assessment which comprises= an annual review of the ri5k5 the charity may face- the establishment of system5 and procedu., es to mitig3te those risks.. and the smplementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise. This continuing process will identÉfy risk areas to which the charity is vulnerable and highlight any necessary safe8uards that will need to be put in place. The Trustees identified the following areas of risk and safeguards to mitigate them.. Insufficientconference attendance- mitigated by careful plannin8 aroynd projected numbers to avoid penalty payment5 for msssing targels, providing flexibility for different types of attendance e.8. day rates. keeping the conference fee under review Ihaving Surveyed Members in stsmmer 2022 about pricing points) to ensure it was accessible iyhile not bound to lead to a Ioss. reglarlY revieviing the conference formaL and artive publicity campaigns.. The Committee has been aware that moves in academic publishing toward5 open access may impact the Society through a withdrawal of hard copy versions of Studies in Church History and through ihe conseouent1055 Of royalty revenue. A ne%v contract has been concluded with CUP under which there will be provision for retention of a hard copy option for an experimental period at enhanced cost and subject to there beinE at least I( subscriber5 at the enhanced price. Members have been invited to increase the element of their SLtbscription payments relating to SCH to £35 if they wisb. to continue to receive hard copy editions with effect from l July 2025 arsd the Committee intends to try to ensure that the minimum commitment is achieved. If there is a shortfall. the Committee will review and decide whether to Fund any temporary shortfall or allow CUP to cease hard copy printing. The Committee feels it is prudent to take accouyt of the probable105s of royalty revenue along with rising overheads in assessing the seneral rates for membership subscriptions and wll propose increases at the 2025 Annual General Meeting. Insufficient submissions lo produce the annual volume of Studies in Church History mitigated by continued active work to ensure the cOnfeftce theme is sufficiently clear and broad to attract svbmi$5ions and encourages high Quality conference proposaJ5, making the publication Schedule clear early on in the conference calllpaper selectiort process. and promoting the prest'.'ge of publishing in SCH. The Society's production of The Church in Sicknes5 and in Health. ISCH 581 demonstrated its ability to produce a volume even if there was no conferente Idue to COVID restriction). The Sotiety also ensures it retains sufficient fsJnds to Cover the costs of two years, publications with CUP. If further mitigation was needed consideration could be gtven to developing a hybrid model for submissions both through the Conference and independently ol i( Declining membership due to cost-of-livin8 pressures-. the high-quality offer to Mernbefs was important, with promotion through the website and social media. and additional activities,. new members a being encouraged through opportunity to participate in conferences. through incentive5 offered by prizes ès well as the possibiliiv of papers being published. artd through social media,.
Page 4 THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIErY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Difficultie5 in recruiting Llnpaid officers to run the Society.. involvement at all career sta8es was encouraged and ways to proactively encourage membership of the Commtttee were con51dered.. The Society's positiort as a data controller: this would be reviewed regularly. Appropriate measure5 were in place to secure and regulate access to the membershi? database. Names and emails might be sent to the Conference Secretary but personal financial detai15 were not Passed to her,. both she and rhe Secretary used bcc when sending material to email lists. Most Cornmittee members would be members of HEIS and receive training on GDPR from them. but good practice in this area would be induded in handover notes. The Society 15 registered with the Information Commissionerfs Office. The trustees have insurance against trustee and public liability. 3. OBJECTIVE5 AND AcfiviTIES FOR THE PUBUC BENEFrr The Trustees are aware of the Charity Commission guidance on Public Benefit and confirm that they have complied with the duty in Setiion 4 of the Charitie5 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 Inte5t that the Society supports demonstrates the benefit to its beneficiaries and through them to the Public that arise from those activities. ObjÈctiYes The main object of the Society, as set out in its Constitution. 15 to advance public education in ecclesiastical history. mainly through conferences and publications. Activities and Achlevements Th&SummerConference at Duth3rn from 23-25 july 2024 wason the theme The Church and the Military,. The committee awarded five post8raduates bursaries that tovered the cost of the registration fee for the Summer Conference. The sixth bursary wo5 kindly prov,.ded by the Anglo-catholic History Society and this award helped to cont*rtue long-running links between the two societies. The Winter Meeting on the same theme, which remains an online event to facilitste participation. took plate on Saturday 11 January 2025, and wa5 also successfvl. The Winter Meeting featured three plenary lectures and thirty-four communications. Publication of volume 61 of StJdie5 in Church History, resulting from the Summer 2023 and Winter 2024 Conferences on the theme.. 'Mar8in5 and Peripheries in Christian History. was scheduled for early July 2025. The elertronic version of SCH 61 was published on 20 May 2025. The Society has renewed the contr3rt to publish Studies in Church History with Cambridge University Press. In line with recent developments in academic publishing. a key feature of the new contrart is th3t starting with SCH 62. all subsequent volumes will be entirety open access and therefore available to everyone. A hard copy Ipaperbackl wi15 be available to subscribing members of EHS onlv. The society also organised an online Post-Graduate Colloquium on 7 March 2025 on the theme 'New Directions for Church History.. Methods and Sources,. Thths event fea&ured ten papers in two panels and two conversations. The colloquium, which Ibke similar events EHS has OaniSed ift the past. was intended to extend and develop the Socie5 international reach= postgraduètes from German. French. Italian, Indtan, British and Filipino institutions delivered papers and talk5 at the event. The Society, led by its International Relations Secretaries. plans to or8anise a similar online p05t-gra(5uate events in future years.
Page 5 THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIErY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 During the year. the Society also awarded priies. The Kennedy Prize for the best communication given by a post-graduate student at the previous yearfs conference IE5001 was awarded to Teodora Popovici (University of Bucharestl for her paper. Papal Indulgences and the Conversion of Schismatics in Late Medieval Transylvania.. The Presidenys Prize lor the best communication given by an early career academic at the previous yearfs conferences l£l,LMXII was awarded to Robert Evans Icambfidgel for his paper.. -Corrèctio from the Margins" Geosraphical Peftpheries and Moral Conformities in Latèr Carolingian Annals,. The recipient5 of both prizes are decided by that yearfs Psident 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 2023 calendar year. The panel 5hortlisted three books. and the prize. which amounts to £1.0. was awarded to Kyle Jackson for The Mizo Disrovery of the British Roj.- Empire t7ndReli¢Jion in Northeast Indio. 1890-1920 ICambrrd8e University Press). The panel. which determrned both the shortlist and the winner, w35 made up of a specially convened 5ub<orr.rp.ittee. Finally. as part of the 5ocietrfs 'endor5ement scheme., the Society SLtpported a project title Two More Episcopal Court Books for the Diocese of Lincoln, 1526-1562.. The project focuses on editing and publishing previously unpublÈshed records from the Bishop o,. Lincoln's Audience Court created during the first sixty years of the sixteenth century. Drawing upon underutilised materials housed in the Lincoln Diocesan Archive, the project seeks to illuminale the workings of a court that maintained a significant interest in regulating the moral condurt of both cler8y and laity. The project is led by Martin Roberts of the University of Lincoln and is supported with funds from Lincoln Record Society and their Nigel Burn Memorial Research Grant 5theme. This SLtpport was extended under the S(Kiety'5 scheme offering endorsement for approved projects In the field of ecclesiastical history. Projects must be proposed by members in good 5tandin& be within the scope of the Society's academic remit and demonstrably have rhe support of another organrsation external to the proposer le.g. Churchl Diocesel Archiver/ Think Tènkl Charity/ Funding Council. but their not own University). The scheme which allows use of the EHS name and logo, bilt does not tnvolve financial sUPPOrt, is intended to build public awareness in Ecclesiastical history and advance scholarship in the subject. Durin8 the year. members. subscriptions and donations (exclusive of subscribing payments for the yeads volume of SCHI 3mounting to £8,509 were received. The Committee would like to express it5 gratitude to those who continue to subscribe to the Society and to welcome new members. Other receipts have preéominantty come from conference fee5 and subscriptions to, and sale5 of. Studies in Church History. Income has been generated from investrnents in the M&G Charifund. The value of this investment has slightly increased this year birt continues to be affected by market uncertaintie5 and the Committee continues to monitor it. The 2024 AGM appointed two members to serve on the Committee. Michael Fraser and George Palmer. George Palmer had been co-opted on to the committee at the spring committee meeting in March 2024, and the AGM was the opportunity to formally vote George on to the committee. To take the number of committee members to six, the committee co-opted Stephanie 8urette on to the committee at the Autumn meeting on 11 October 2024.
Pa8e 6 THE ECCLESIASTtCAL HlSfoRY SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT OFTHE TRusfEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 After years of service to the society, Charlotte Methuen had signalled her intention to leave the Editor p05t. Charlotte was appointed editor in 2010 and the first SCH volume she worked on was SCH 48, The Church and Literature. Charlotte does not vacate her p05t immediately and will work wth Sara Parvis on the volume ol Studies of Church History thatwould come out of the conferences in 2025-26 ISCH 631. In earfy 2025 the Society advertised for the editor post and interviewed three candidate5. Dr Arnold Hunt of the University of Durham was offered and accepted the role in eady March 2025. Arnold joined the editorial team immediately so that he could be involved in the design and running of Sara Par¥is' Conference and take a part in all aspects of the PLtblitation of SCH 63. Emily Bets continues her work as website and publicity manager, as does Alice Soulieux-Evan5 as Assistant Editor for the 5oaety. Dr Maria Harff continues to assist with bookkeeping and the management of the membership database. 4. FINANCIAL REVIEW Incomin8 Resources Incoming resources totalled E44,601 for the year to 31 March 202512024- E47.3431. The fees for èitendance at the residential conference arranged in 2024 produced delegate fees of £15,391. The Charity's other income was derived principally from membership SLtbscriptions1£8,5091, subscription5 to, and direct sales of Studies in Church History IE4.884). and royalties from sales by CUP1£9,2711. Charitable activities Total e¥penditure amounted to £38.418 12024 £41.7191. Charitable artivities Comprised the runninB of conferences, the publication costs of Stuaies in Ctrurch History ané the award of prizes. The cost of Such activities amounted to £19.828.12024- £25.1781. Result of the year After publication costs E4,18012024 - £4,5401 and other costs. includin8 govemance costs, of £5,67412024 - £5,9461. the Charity realised a net surplu5 of £6,18312024- £5,624). The Summer Conference result showed profit of É2,25812024- deficit £3,349). After taking account of modest appreciation of the Charifufid holding amounting to £4,088. £4,943 accumu13ted dividends. and foreign exchonge1055es of £2812024-105s of £741. the funds of the Charity increased by £10.24312024- £6.7101. Financial position The TnJ5tees consider that the financial position of the Charity as at the year-end is satisfartory. with seThe$ of £143.34912024- £133.1061 and cash balances of £41.86212024- £46,707). Reserves Policy There are no outstanding commitments or cash demand5 which are not adequately covered by our existing resources. Consequently. the Committee fee15 It Would be inappropriate at this stage to adopt a specific reserves policy. beyond ensuring that suffirient funds are retained to cover six months èdministrative costs plu5 the likely costs of the annual summer conference I:ogether estimated at £30,000). However, the Committee think it appropriate to conserve the surplus on the Publitations Account which has accumulated through sales of SCH and royalties in the past. With online access to SCH. this source of income will largely disappear, and the Committee think it proper to expeA(J the accumulated surplu5 gradually, using it to fund bursaries to permit appropriate candidates to participate in its conferences. The Committee 15 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 atcounts on that b3SI5.
Page 7 THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIErY ANNUAL REPORT OF THE TRUSfEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Investment Policv £50.000 was invested in the M&G Charifund on l April 2014. The market value has fluctuated since with rhe effect of Covid 19 and subsequent global instobility. It now stands at £93.056 having risen sllghtly over the past year taken togeiher with accumulation dividends of £4,943. 5. PLANS FOR THE FuRE The Trustees do not propose to deviate from the CL•rrent objectives and activities of the charity as detailed above. Approved by the Trustees on and signed on their behalf by z/ Zé Z {N3mel [Datel
THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIErY REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Page 8 I report on the financial statements of The Ecclesiastical History Society for the year ended 31 March 2025. as set out on pages 9 to 18. Respettive responslbilities of trustees and examlner 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 settion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Acv). 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 Art: Follow the procedures laid down in the general directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(511bl of the Act: and State whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examlnerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination intludes 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 frnancial 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 examinerf5 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 5ettton 130 of the 2011 Att- and Prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply to the accountin8 requirements of the 2011 Art have not been met: or 121 To which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. l¥/oi 2L71 Peter J Stevenson. Flat 2S, Cherwell Court, Banbury Road. Kidlington. Oxfordshire OX5 2BG
THE ECCLESIAsncAL HISTORY SOCIErY srATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES (INCLUDINfj INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Page 9 Page Member< Publications Unrestrirted Unrestricted Funds Funds Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 2025 2024 INCOME FROM: Subscriptions (note 11 Investments (note 21 Charitable activities (notè 31 13 8.509 993 8.5C13 5,936 30.156 8.857 5,311 33,175 13 4.943 14.155 13 16.(KJl Total rncome 25.503 19.098 44.601 EXPENDITURE ON.. Cost of raising funds Inole 51 Charitable activities Inote 6) Other (note 71 Totsl expenditure 47.343 14 3.424 13.133 4.392 9.492 6.69S 1,282 12,916 19.828 5.674 10,595 25,178 5,946 14 14 20.949 17.469 38,418 41,719 Net income lexpenditurel 4.554 1.629 6,183 5,624 Net gainslllosses) on investments {note 4) 13 1281 4.060 1,086 Net movements in funds 4.526 5.717 10.243 6.710 fteconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward 51,914 81.192 133.106 126,396 Total funds carried forward io £56.440 £86.909 £143,349 £133,106 l 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 11-18 form part of these financial statements.
FOR nff YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 1025 Mernb Publk•tl¢xN Umstrtrt•d Unr•strlrted Funds Funds Funds 31 M•r¢h JI Mar¢h 31 March 2025 2024 JI Mh AXED A5SErs: Quoted Investment at market v•lue (note 111 93.056 84P25 CURAENT ASSErs: Debtors (note 121 Cash on deposit Ino¢• ia) Cash ai bank Inote 131 8J81 ,0 27563 9,127 33.393 8.469 16 28.307 14.153 50.843 $6,719 TOTALASSErs E56%90 £87,209 E143,899 £140,744 LIABIUTIES: Creditors.. Amounts f•1118 wlthn one vear (note 141 Iss01 17.6381 Total fiet £56.440 E86.gJ9 £143,349 É133.106 Th• funds olihe ch•rrty. 56.44Q P¥bli¢atiws Re5w¥e 51.914 8L192 £133.106 £56.440 £143,349 jOat•] The on pJees 11.18 ftym part of these fmino* stat•lts
THE ECCLESIAsficAL HISTORY SOCIErY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 MARCH 202S Page 11 I. ACCOUNTING POUCIES Legal status of the trust The Ecclesiastical History Society 1.the socie or "the Charitv'l is a registered charity Icharity number 10538831. It is a members association governeitt by a constitution. The property of the Society is held by the Committee as tharitable trustees. The contact address is given in the charity information on page l of these financial statements. Basls of Preparation The charity Constitutes a public benefbt entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accountin8 and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reportin8 Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20161- Icharities SORP FR5 1021 and the Financial Reporting Standard ?pplicable in the UK and Republic uf Ireland IFRS 1021. 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 5iEnificant accounting policies applied. Going concern The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believe that no fftaterlal 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 statement5. The forecast income and reserves are sufficient to cover all of the budgeted expenditure to be able to continue as a goin8 concern. Income & Expense recognltion Voluntary donations (including membership subscriptions- see below) ae)d 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, anij the amount can be measured reliably. Publication royèlties 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, tomprises an annual subscription and lif members $0 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 4s recognised on payment to the publishers. Life membership 5ubscriptFons are included as rncome 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 rep3y any porkn.on of their membership if It ceases to operate. All expenditure is included on an ac¢ruals basis and is OgnIsed when there is a legal Dr constructive obligation committin the Trustees to the expenditure Ilsave for the costof publication ol the annual SCH volume- whith is recognised on receipt of the invoice from CUPI. Expenditure is categorised under the following headings- The cost of raising funds consists of advertisin& marketing and direct mail rnateria15. Including publicity t05ts not associated th educational Material, designed wholly or mainly to further the charity's purposes.
Page 12 THE ECCLESIAsficAL HISTORY SOCIErY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEp¥rs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 I. ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) Expenditure recognition {continued) Charitable activities comprise grants and donations made during the period, and prizes awarded (which are reco8nised when the offer 15 conveyed to the recipient). and the costs of publication of SCH which are retognised when invoiced. Status of funds All funds are unrestricted and the Trustees have complete discretion for their use in pursuance of the Charity'5 Qbjettives. Foreign currencv Assets and liabilitie5 denominated in foreign currenae5 a translatefl at the rate of exchange ruling at the Balartce Sheet date. Transactions denominated in foreign currencie5 are converted at the rote of exchange ruling at the date of the transartion. All transaction diffÈrences are taken to the statement of finanaal 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. Accordrngly, no provision is made for ta¥ation. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the ca:egory of resour5 expended for which it was incurred. GiftAid As membership subscriptions carry 3 right to acquire copies of Stvdie5 in Church History at a price substantially below the retail price chorged by the publisher. HMRC will not perm-:t 5ubscf5Pt£ons to be 8ift aided. Other donations May be. Basic financial instruments Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year ore recorded at transaction price. Any105ses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure. Investrnents in equity instruments are measured initiallv 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 economi¢ benefits will be required in settlemeftt and the amount cèn be liablY estimated. Judgements and key sources of e5timatlon uncertainty In prep8ring the financial staternents, the Trustees have considered how best to apply the Charity's account.'ng policies and make estimates in the preparation of the financial statements. where relevant. The Trustees have not made any Significant estimates in these financial Statement5.
Page 13 THE ECCLESIASficAL HisfoRY SOCIErY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 DONATIONS AND LEGACIES Member5. Publications Unrestricted Funds Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 31 March 2025 2025 2025 Memberf Publications Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 2024 Z024 Unrestricted Funds 31 March 2024 subscriptions & General donations 8.509 8.509 8.857 8,857 8,509 8,509 8,857 8.857 INVESTMETrif INCOME Members. Funds 31 March 2025 Publications Unrestricted Fund5 Funds 31 March 31 March 2025 2025 Member5, Funds 31 March 2024 Publications Funds 31 March 2024 Unrestricted Funds 31 March 2024 Interest 993 993 906 906 Dividends 4.943 4.943 4,943 5,936 4,405 4,405 4,405 5,311 993 906 INCOME FROM CHARITA8LE A1VITIEs Members, Publications Unrestricted Funds Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 31 March 2025 2025 2025 Members. Funds 31 March 2Q24 Publications Funds 31 March 2024 Unrestricted Funds 31 March 2024 Sales of Publications 4.884 4.480 4,480 Publitation royaltie5 Summer Conference 9.271 9,271 13.139 13,139 15.391 15.391 14.766 14,766 Winter Conference 610 610 790 790 IG.(KII 14.155 30.156 15,556 17,619 33.175 OTHER GAINS/LOSSES Members. Funds 31 March 2025 Publications Unrestricted Funds Funds 31 March 31 Marth 2025 2025 Members, Funds 31 March 2024 Publications Funds 31 March 2024 Unrestrirted Funds 31 March 2024 Foreign exchange gain 110551 IDepreciationl/ Appreciation of investment5 {281 1281 1741 1741 4.088 4,088 1,160 1,160 1281 4.088 4.060 1741 1,160 1,086
THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY soaErY Page 14 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 5. COSTOF RA151NG FUNDS Members, Funds 31 March 2025 Publications Unrestricted Member5, Publications Unrestricted Funds Fund5 Funds Funds 31 March Funds 31 March 31 March 31 March 31 March 2025 2025 2024 2024 2024 Fundraising and publitations 3.424 9.492 12.916 3.275 7,320 10.595 3,424 9,492 12.916 6. CHARITABLE AcfiviTIES 3.275 7,320 10,595 Memberg Publications Unrestrirted Funds Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 31 March 2025 2025 2025 Members, Publicatlons Unrestrirted Funds Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 31 March 2024 2024 2024 Summer COnfence Publications Book Prizes 13.133 13.133 18.115 18,115 4,540 4.180 4,180 4,540 2.515 2.515 2,523 2,523 13,133 6,695 19,828 18.115 7,063 25,178 7. OTHER EXPENDITURE Members. Publications Unrestricted Funds Fund5 Funds 31 March 31 March 31 March 2025 2025 2025 Members, Funds 31 Marth 2024 Publicatlons Unrestricted Funds Fund5 31 March 31 March 2024 2024 secretarial expenses 150 150 Bank charges & commlssions 2(Kl 21JO 200 Paypal charges 196 196 191 Independent examiners fees 250 250 250 250 Subscriptions Accountancy & administration fees 149 149 2,340 2.340 2.350 2,350 Trustee expenses Database development costs Trustee insurance 1.282 1.282 1,565 1,565 1.107 1.107 792 792 299 299 299 299 4,392 1,282 5.674 4.381 1.565 5,946 The expenses. Includin8 attendathce at cferKe& of the Ediiorial tearn, Pave b chargedto the Pvlth"cations Account_
Page 15 THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIETY NOTE5 TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 EMPLOYEES No persons were employed during the year. nor in the previou5 year. TRUSTEES Trustees received no remuneration. Expense5 reimbursed amounted to £1,282 (2024- £1,374). 10. GOVERNANCE COSTS Governance Costs are considered to comprise the Independent Examinerfs fee of £250 (2024- £2501. 11. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS Members. Publications Unrestricted Funds Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 31 March 2025 2025 2025 Members. Publications Unrestricted Funds Funds Fund5 31 March 31 March 31 March 2024 2024 2024 M&G Charifund {Market Value) 84.025 84,025 20,(K 73.056 93.056 To rectify a notional overdrawn cash position on the Publications account. a decision was made to allocate £20,000 of the market value ofthe M&G Charifund to the Members Fund. 12. DEBTORS Members, Funds 31 March 2025 Publications Funds 31 March 2025 Unrestricted Funds 31 March 2025 Members. Funds 31 March 2024 Publications Unrestritted Funds Fund5 31 March 31 March 2024 2024 Summer Conference Prepayment 1,439 1,439 8,981 8.981 8,573 8.573 Publishing royalties 8,981 8.981 1,439 8,573 10.012
Page 16 THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY SOCIEFY NOTESTO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 13. CASH AT BAIYK Members. Funds 31 March 2025 Publications Unrestricted Members, Funds Funds Fund5 31 March 31 March 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Publications Unrestricted Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 2024 2024 Cash on deposit Cash at bank Inter fund transfer 27,563 7.593 1,534 5,830 876 33,393 8.469 12,845 28.085 10,843 5,555 222 18.400 28.307 11.5341 110,8431 36,690 5,172 41.862 51.773 15.0661 46.707 14. CREDITORS- amounts falling due within one year Member< Publications Funds Funds 31 Mafeh 31 March 2025 2025 Unrestricted Funds 31 March 2025 Members, Publication5 Unrestricted Fund5 Funds Funds 31 March 31 March 31 March 2024 2024 2024 Accounts & 675 675 Admiftistration tT Costs 103 103 Independent Examiners, Fees 250 250 250 250 Consultants Fees 3C 270 1,800 2,070 CUP Publishing costs 4,540 4,540 250 550 1,298 6,340 7.638
THE ECCLESIAsrrcAL HisfoRY SOCIErY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEfqTS FOR THE YEAR ENOED 31 MARCH 2025 Page 17 15. Comparative breakdown for Statement of Financial Activtties Page Member5, Publications Unrestricted Funds Funds 31 March Fund5 31 March 31 March 2024 2024 2024 INCOME FROM: Donations and legacies (note 11 Investments Inotè 2) Charitable artivities (note 3) Totsi income 13 8,857 906 15,556 25.319 13 8,857 5,311 33.175 47,343 4,405 17.619 22.024 13 EXPENDITURE ON: Cost of raising funds (note 5) Charitable activities Inote 61 Other (note 71 Total expenditure 14 3.275 18,115 4,381 25.771 7,320 7.063 1,565 15.948 10.595 25,178 5.946 14 14 41,719 Net income lexpenditure) Gains/llosses1 on investments Inote 41 NET MOVEMENTIN FUNDS 14521 1741 {5261 6.076 1.160 5,624 1,086 6,710 7.236 Reconciliation of funds: Total funés brought forward Total fund5 carried forward 52,440 73,956 126.396 51,914 81.192 133.106
Page 18 THE ECCLESIASTICAL HisfoRY SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 202S 16. Comparative breakdown for Balance Sheet Page Members, Publications Unrestrlcted Funds Funds Fund5 31 March 31 March 31 March 2024 2024 2024 FIXED ASSETS: Quoted investment at market value {note 111 Is 84,025 84.025 CURRENT ASSETS: Debtors (note 121 L439 8,573 10,012 Cash on deposit (note 131 16 23.466 I5.16) 18,41)J Cash at bank Inote 131 16 28,307 28,307 Total current assets 53.212 3.507 56,719 UABILITIES: Creditors.. Amounts fallin8 due within one yeor (note 141 16 11.2981 16,3401 17,6381 Total net assets 51,914 81,192 133,106 The funds of the Charrty: Unrestricted funds Members. Reserve 17 51.914 51.914 81,192 133.106 Publication5 Reserve 17 81,192 81,192 9117 Sl.914 17. sfuDIES IN CHURCH HISTORY The Ecclesiastical History Society produces an annual volume in the series"StsJdies in thurch Historf ISCHI. which is available to members at a discount, and to the general public. Subscribing Members receive a topy of the yearfs volume. Of the subscribing membership fee of 2023124. £20 is 3ttrlbLrtable to Volume 58, and is included within Publications Income in note 3 on Pa£e 12. 18. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS Details of trustee expenses are given in note 9. There were no other related party transactions elther year. 19. ULTIMATE CONTROLLING PARTY The tru5tee5 ton5ider that, while the trLtstees are in tie m3in elected by the member5, it is the trustee5 who are in day-to-day control of ihe charity and there is no ultimate controll&n8 Party.