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2023-08-31-accounts

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust

Annual Report and Accounts

31 August 2023

Charity Registration Number 1063237

Contents

Reports

Reports Reports
Reference and administration details of the
charity, its trustees and advisers 1
Trustees’ report 2
Independent auditor’s report 19
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 23
Balance sheet 24
Statement of cash flows 25
Principal accounting policies 26
Notes to the accounts 31

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust

Reference and administration details of the charity, its trustees and advisers

Trustees Rt Rev Paul Gunter OSB (Chairman)
Rev Alexander Austin OSB
Mr John Elliott (resigned 2 June 2023)
Rev Alistair Alban Hood OSB (appointed 1 February 2023)
Rev Francis Hughes OSB
Mr Stephen Jones
Rt Rev Geoffrey Scott OSB
Rev Hugh Somerville-Knapman OSB
Rev Godric Timney OSB
Rev Benedict Thompson OSB
Rev Gabriel Wilson OSB (resigned 1 February 2023)
Administrative address Douai Abbey
Upper Woolhampton
Reading
RG7 5TG
Charity registration number 1063237
Auditor Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Principal bankers HSBC Bank plc
69 Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5EY
National Westminster Bank plc
250 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 4AA
Principal investment managers Rathbones Investment Management Limited
8 Finsbury Circus
London
EC2M 7AZ

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 1

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

The trustees present their statutory report together with the accounts of the Douai Abbey Parishes Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 August 2023.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 26 to 30 of the attached accounts and comply with the charity’s trust deed, the Charities Act 2011 and 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

Introduction

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust (the “Trust”) is a charity established and governed by a trust deed dated 3 June 1997. It is registered with the Charity Commission, Charity Registration Number 1063237.

The Trust was established in 1997 by the separation of the activities of parishes, appropriated to Douai Abbey, from the other activities of Douai Abbey Monastery which are accounted for within Douai Abbey Trust, a registered charity.

The seven parishes accounted for within the charity are as follows:

Public Benefit

In formulating the charity’s aims and in planning the work of the individual parishes and hence the overall charity, the trustees have had regard to the general guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans

The activities of the charity can be divided into four principal areas: the administration of the Sacraments and maintenance of Divine Service, the education of young people in accordance with the Roman Catholic faith, pastoral work in propagation of the Roman Catholic faith and charitable work in connection with any of the foregoing activities. Each of these is briefly considered in turn below.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 2

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans (continued)

Individual parishes review the income and expenditure each year, which is determined to be the key performance indicator for the parishes.

Administration of the Sacraments and maintenance of Divine Service

Following the emergence from the COVID pandemic, at Alcester the number attending the two Sunday Masses has risen from 60 to over 100 and included a large number of young children. The number of altar servers has doubled since the end of the pandemic. The choir and organist provide a good lead for the congregation. The primary school attends Mass on most Fridays. One of the Sunday Masses continues to be streamed and a newsletter is published weekly. An average of nine persons attend one of the three weekday Masses. During the year there have been eighteen baptisms, six confirmations, and eleven funerals. Marriage preparation courses are held at Redditch and Stratford. The parish is responsible for the maintenance of a number of rotas including church reading, welcoming, and cleaning. The parish priest has weekly sick communion visits and a parishioner visits the main nursing home on a weekly basis. The parish priest and a parishioner attend Alcester Churches Together committee meetings. The town’s unity service took place in Our Lady’s in January 2023. A permanent deacon in formation and some young adults receive spiritual guidance from Father Geoffrey.

The Woolhampton parish comprises three churches located at Woolhampton (St Mary’s), Pangbourne (Our Lady and St Bernadette’s) and Theale (St Luke’s). Mass is celebrated regularly at Pangbourne and at Theale, and from time to time during the week. Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist also take communion to the sick and housebound in their homes. Bi-annual courses are run for First Holy Communion and Confirmation candidates. Weddings and baptisms are regularly celebrated.

St Benet's, Kemerton, has a weekend Mass attendance of about seventy, slowly recovering from a drop after the pandemic, with three to nine people for weekdays. A mass for those who suffered a bereavement during the pandemic was held in October. Funerals, weddings and baptisms continue to be held at the church.

The Ormskirk parish is served by one priest and two deacons. There is much involvement of lay volunteers as readers, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, church cleaners, catechists, and musicians. There are about 3,000 parishioners in the parish of whom about 500 + regularly attend the two Masses on Saturday evening and Sunday mornings. About 20 people attend daily Mass during the week. Under usual circumstances at Easter and Christmas the congregation can number in excess of 1,200. Other special services are held at various times and for particular occasions. Many non-Catholics attend the services.

The COVID ‘lockdown’ still impacts on our parish in that some elderly parishioners are still cautious about coming to church. However, we now ‘stream’ Sunday morning Mass and other services, and many people, up to 200 sometimes, join Mass ‘on line’.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 3

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans (continued)

Administration of the Sacraments and maintenance of Divine Service (continued)

During the past 12 months there were 65 baptisms, 8 weddings and 39 funerals. There were 57 First Communions. There are about 30 young people who serve on the altar and assist in the liturgy. The priest is on call 24 hours a day. He is the Catholic chaplain to the local hospital in Ormskirk. There are many care homes in the parish and the priest makes regular visits to them. The priest visits the sick and housebound in their homes.

St Anne’s parish is a vibrant community and very much involved in the life of Ormskirk. The church itself is obviously the place of worship for Roman Catholics but many others come to use the church. In gathering as we do, the building becomes the centre of our outreach to the people of the town. When the local Mayor is a Catholic we hold the annual civic service in St Anne’s and Fr Godric has been the mayor’s chaplain on several occasions, taking part in civic ceremonies and leading prayers before the meetings of West Lancs Council.

St Elizabeth’s Scarisbrick is a small, rural parish, covering a wide area of farmland and a few small hamlets. Sunday Mass attendance averages around seventy-five in the wake of the Covid pandemic. Decline in numbers has mainly been due to a higher-than-average number of deaths. Offsetting these to a limited extent has been the arrival of some new faces in church from outside the parish borders. The Catholic population of the parish is estimated at around two hundred.

The parish is an incorporated parish of Douai Abbey. Father Hugh Somerville Knapman OSB has been parish priest since September 2021. He has commitments, beyond the parish, to the monastery. In the past year there has one Mass on Sunday morning, as well as a vigil Mass on Saturday evenings preceded by the opportunity for confessions. Two public Masses are celebrated in church during the week. On high feast days there is also Mass in the church. Seven baptisms, two weddings, and eight funerals have been celebrated during 2022/23.

The parish at Stratford continues with the administration of the sacraments of baptism, confession, weddings, funerals and First Holy Communions. Much of the year has been taken up with the Synodal Way, a consultation with parishioners on their needs and desires for the church. There were extensive meetings and a report submitted to the diocese. As a result a pastoral council is in formation and an Alpha Course and Open Day are in preparation. St Gregory’s is now continuously live-streamed which heightens security and enabled a robber who was stealing from money-boxes in the church to be apprehended red-handed, The bulletin continues to be e-mailed but an abbreviated hard copy is now also produced. The renovation of our Shottery church continues and a consensus reached on the way forward with general enthusiasm for the scheme. It will be a great asset not only for the parish but for the local community as it’s hall and meeting room will be hired out. Planning permission has been obtained but we are still awaiting the all clear from the local planners.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 4

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans (continued)

Administration of the Sacraments and maintenance of Divine Service (continued)

At Studley the year has seen the usual baptisms, weddings and funerals, as well as twentyeight First Holy Communions and twenty-nine confirmations. We have ten housebound parishioners and people in nursing homes. There are four nursing homes in the parish all of which we are in contact with. Our Marriage Preparation Course has, unfortunately, ceased. We do still offer preparation for the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).

Education

At Alcester , the parish priest has visited St Benedict’s, the Catholic comprehensive school, which has its own priest chaplain, and the Catholic primary school where a new head has been appointed. Sacramental instruction is given within the primary school. Some candidates for the sacraments come from the local grammar school and independent schools, as well as the local universities, and are instructed by the parish priest. The withdrawal of the subsidy from the local authority for travel to St Benedict’s appears to have reduced the number of its pupils. It was built to offer Catholic secondary education to Catholics in the local villages. Sixth form pupils studying theology at St Benedict’s visited Our Lady and St Joseph’s and had a question-and-answer session with Father Geoffrey. The schools have held receptions in the recently renovated parish hall.

In the Woolhampton parish a major thrust is the theological and spiritual formation of our people, and a small group of parishioners helps the parish priest in preparing and organising a series of teachings and reflections on current topics.

In Kemerton, Father Francis Hughes visits St Gregory’s School, Cheltenham to assist in the services of reconciliation and participate in pre-school liturgies.

Within close proximity to the church at Ormskirk are two schools: St Anne’s Catholic Primary School with about 400 pupils, and St Bede’s High School with about 700 pupils. Both are highly successful and over-subscribed. Father Godric Timney OSB, the parish rector, is a foundation governor and priest chaplain to both schools and he plays a significant role in the life of both schools. We have scouts, cubs, beavers, squirrels, guides, brownies and rainbows, and the parish employs a part-time youth minister to support activities for teenagers. He successfully runs the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in which over 120 young people participate. Over 20 young people from the area took part in the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes where they help with the assisted pilgrims. In the parish we run programmes helping parishioners prepare for the celebration of the sacraments of Baptism and First Eucharist, Reconciliation and Marriage.

At Scarisbrick , St Mary’s Primary School adjoins the church land. It is a small school of about one hundred pupils, of whom less than half are Catholic, and only about half live in the parish. Father Hugh and several parishioners are active governors of the school and offer the head teacher friendly and significant support as needed. In September 2023 the head teacher announced his retirement from the end of term and in January 2024 a new head teacher was appointed.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 5

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans (continued)

Education (continued)

First Communions are now held every other year. Therefore, there were no First Communions this year. The school will take the greater part in preparing the candidates for both First Holy Communion and Confirmation, to be celebrated in July 2024.

The parish school at Stratford has two hundred and five pupils and a new head, Katie Wilkes, who has settled in very well. The ties between the parish and school are being strengthened and there are three parishioners who are governors. There have been meetings with the parents for first confessions and First Holy Communion and a junior St Vincent de Paul established. Children who do not attend the parish school are prepared for First Holy Communion at Shottery where the children’s liturgy continues to be popular.

At Studley the parish school is an Extended Services School working with the local social service and other schools. It has a Rainbows Group helping children cope with bereavement and marital breakdown. It is an Eco and Healthy school and has just received the Gifted and Talented Award. It is part of COMENIAS, the British Council global links and has active links with schools in Germany, Finland, South Africa and Palestine, as well as being recognised for its stress on cultural diversity. It has now joined Our Lady of the Magnificat Multi-Academy Company (registered company number 090644485), which currently has seventeen schools across Warwickshire and Worcestershire. The school has been rated 'Good' by OFSTED.

Pastoral work

At Alcester , the parish and the town provided funding for a young parishioner to attend the World Youth Day in Lisbon. Coffee is available in the hall monthly, after the 10:30am Mass service. The hall is used for receptions after funerals and baptisms. It also provided a warm hub for townsfolk who found heating their own homes expensive. Parishioners participate in the town’s churches joint activities such as the Good Friday Walk of Witness. Stiffening of requirements for baptism have resulted in an increase of families returning to the church. The hall is central in the town and has an extensive parking facility. It is increasingly used by a number of local groups. A successful joint Day of Recollection in the hall between thirty parishioners of Alcester and Bidford-upon-Avon was led by Father Geoffrey and a local priest. Father Geoffrey has his own round of parish visits and delegates a parishioner to visit the only nursing home in the town. Since Bidford is still awaiting appointment of a new parish priest, it has been supplied occasionally from Alcester. One baptism took place at the Throckmorton family’s private chapel at their home at Coughton Court and Father Geoffrey has given advice on how the building might be adapted for future use.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 6

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans (continued)

Pastoral work (continued)

In the Woolhampton parish, the PCT (Parish Care Together) group quietly provides both practical and spiritual support to the elderly needy of the area, regardless of church affiliation. In addition, a small local charity fund, set up by a very generous donor in 1996, enables the parish to help those in need to meet exceptional expenses, for example a child’s school trip, a washing machine, or a new carpet. The two church halls are let to various organisations within the local communities, including a number of charities. In April 2022, the parish began holding weekly coffee mornings to support Ukrainian refugees living in the area.

In Kemerton , the St Benet's Pastoral Council meets regularly to discuss needs and organise events. There was a parish day of reflection in March. Meetings were held as part of the Synod process.

In Ormskirk , the priest ministers to the people of the parish through the celebration of the sacraments, through the various programmes and talks held in the parish, by visiting people in their homes, as well as being available to people at St Anne’s Priory. There is a parish RCIA programme for those wishing to join the Catholic Church and a prayer group which has been meeting weekly for 20 years. Other groups which play an important part in parish life but which cannot be readily categorised include the following: the Union of Catholic Mothers, the Knights of St Columba, the St Vincent de Paul Society, the Justice and Peace Group, the St Anne’s Players and the parish environment group.

Our Pastoral Centre can be booked for functions and the use of the Centre is not restricted to just our own Catholic parishioners. The rooms in the Centre have been refurbished to a high standard of décor.

The safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, and health and safety requirements are taken seriously by the parish, and nominated persons are very conscientious in ensuring the high profile of these two areas. The Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults is on the agenda of every parish meeting.

Volunteers look after the church grounds, including the graveyard, and have saved the parish many thousands of pounds in doing this.

Father Hugh at Scarisbrick , like most parish priests, is on call for parishioners 24 hours a day. Especially since Covid, much pastoral support is given by parishioners who know individuals’ circumstances well. When a particular need arises, such as illness, Father Hugh is called in to administer the Sacrament of Anointing or to offer spiritual guidance or comfort.

A parish Finance Committee, consisting of the parish priest and members of the parish with appropriate skills, meets several times a year, to assist the parish priest in his financial responsibilities. Given the small number of parishioners, a pastoral council has not yet been revived, as most planning and exchange ideas can be done easily and informally as needed, and the finance committee can deal with matters requiring more formal consultation.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 7

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans (continued)

Pastoral work (continued)

Since the sale of the parish centre in 2020, the parish is without any facility for meetings and pastoral activities. This has left a gap in the life of the parish which the parish will try to address in the future. In the summer of 2023, morning tea was held after Sunday Mass every three weeks, in the presbytery garden. This proved a great success, enabling newer parishioners to get to know older ones. Parishioners provided pastries and cakes in generous amounts. This will become a regular feature in the warmer months. The parish Christmas party at Master McGraths was attended by sixty-seven people, far more than expected. This, too, will be a regular parish event.

We regularly support charities locally, nationally and, when necessary, the parishioners are quick to respond to international appeals. St Elizabeth’s maintains positive relations with other Christian denominations in the village.

Safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults, and health and safety requirements, are taken seriously by the parish. A new parish safeguarding lead was appointed, who has previous high-level experience in schools. In June 2023 the Archdiocese of Liverpool removed safeguarding support for religious order parishes such as Scarisbrick, which means the parish now falls under the oversight of the Religious Life Safeguarding Service, under the oversight of the Safeguarding Lead at Douai Abbey.

At Stratford , Mass attendance as elsewhere has fallen but numbers are slowly increasing and are now around six hundred. There are forty housebound parishioners who receive communion at home. There have been days of recollection and training for eucharistic ministers. Ecumenical relations are good and the local ministers meet regularly. The Good Friday Walk of Witness drew large crowds. There was a very successful Life in the Spirit Course which inspired many. The weekly supper for the homeless has continued and a local social centre, the Fred Winter Centre, has been opened where a number of the parishioners help out. Parishioners are involved with much local voluntary work including members in local government. The St Vincent de Paul Society do tremendous work in the area helping those in need and the parish bereavement group provides solace and hope to many organising masses and socials. We continue to support many charities, particularly Father Clement’s Lyerekhu School for displaced orphans in Nigeria, Mary’s Meals, Stratford Foodbank and CAFOD.

At Studley the parish priest continues to provide Mass for the primary school and to help with preparation for the Sacraments. Although the congregation has halved to around one hundred, we continue to be as supportive as possible to the local area. The priest visits the sick in their homes, the local hospital and the four nursing homes in the parish. He is helped in this by the support of the parish deacon. The Catholic Women's League has been disbanded due primarily to the age range of the members. However, some of the former members still undertake the visiting of elderly people in the parish, whether Catholic or not. At Christmas, through various fundraising events, they provide essential groceries for those who live on their own or have no one else to provide for them.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 8

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans (continued)

Other charitable work

During the year at Alcester , the parish has hosted a sale of Fair-Trade items and a presentation by a former parishioner to help fund a school in Tanzania. A Spiritan priest appealed for aid to the missions in Africa. Within the parish itself, there is a successful food bank maintained by parishioners, and to help parish funds, a successful Italian evening was held, which raised nearly £1,000. This was later followed by a cream tea and a visit to a disused nuclear bunker within the parish. The church and modernised hall are surrounded by gardens maintained by the parish, a setting which attracts a number of groups seeking a venue to sponsor charitable events.

The Woolhampton parish, as its social outreach project, continues to raise funds for Young People and Children First, a local charity which supports young people coming out of care. Some fundraising events took place during the year. The parish also collects food and other donations to support the foodbanks in Reading and West Berkshire.

The Kemerton parish supports Tewkesbury Foodbank and Gloucestershire Nightstop (two local charities) by holding fundraising events. The housebound are visited each week with Holy Communion.

The parish hall is used by a group of retired musicians and it was also made available to a village committee supervising the refurbishment of the Village Hall.

In Ormskirk some of the parish groups are directly geared to help those in need in the locality. The SVP Society is particularly worthy of mention. Much quiet support is provided throughout the year. We have raised money by collections and social events for CAFOD and other charities, both local and distant. St Anne’s parish plays a prominent part in the life of the Ormskirk Community and contributes to town events. We are members of the Ormskirk Churches Together.

The church roof appeal still requires funds to cover the cost of repairs to the church, which are on-going.

Over the past five years St Anne’s parish has worked with the Home Office to provide a home for a Syrian refugee family. The family has now settled in very well and a wonderful support group of parishioners keeps in touch with them on a regular basis.

Through collections in church the Scarisbrick parish has contributed to national and local charities, including CAFOD, Nugent Care, and the St Vincent de Paul Society which supports local people in need. Weekly collections of food are taken to St Marie’s Centre for the homeless in Southport. Discreet assistance is provided occasionally to a few families of pupils in our school who are in need from time to time, especially at Christmas.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Activities, specific objectives, achievements and future plans (continued)

Other charitable work (continued)

Studley parish's involvement with the Arden Food Bank Project has come to an end due to cessation of the charity's activities, but many other charities have been supported over the year including CAFOD and Father Hudson's Society. We also support the Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) in Redditch whose members include parishioners from Studley. The SVP helps several families in the parish, regardless of faith, both financially and physically.

Policy for donations

The parishes each donate to other charitable causes whose aims and objectives are consistent with those of the charity i.e. the advancement and maintenance of the Roman Catholic religion and the relief of poverty. Donations are made from special collections held within each parish for each specific cause. In addition, each parish makes contributions towards the costs of the Roman Catholic Diocese in which it is situated and assists with meeting the expenses of the repair and maintenance of local Roman Catholic Schools.

Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults

Like all other organisations who serve in the community, the trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all those the charity serves in any way. This means that the trustees, volunteers and staff engaged in the work of the charity in Great Britain must obtain clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

The trustees are fully committed to implementing all policies and procedures of the Catholic Safeguarding Standards Agency (CSSA). Each parish has a Child Protection Officer which operates under the safeguarding authorities of the relevant Roman Catholic Diocese of which the parish is a part.

Investment policy

The charity has both investment properties and a portfolio of listed investments.

The trustees’ overall policy with regard to the charity’s listed investments is to maximise total return through a diversified portfolio, with the aim of providing the level of income advised by the trustees and, at the same time, with a view to ensuring capital appreciation exceeding inflation over any five-year period. The trustees are conscious of the potential short to medium term impact of current geopolitical and macro-economic events. The trustees are meeting regularly with the investment manager in order to remain apprised of the situation.

Similarly, the trustees acknowledge that current events may lead to short-term volatility in the property market, but believe that the market will recover in the medium to long term. The charity has no plans to dispose of its investment properties and regards them as long-term investments.

Individual parishes review their investment performance at the end of the year.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Activities, objectives, achievements, future plans and relevant policies (continued)

Fundraising policy

The charity aims to achieve best practice in the way in which it communicates with donors and other supporters. It takes care with both the tone of its communications and the accuracy of its data to minimise the pressures on supporters. It applies best practice to protect supporters’ data and never sells data, it never swaps data and ensures that communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charity manages its own fundraising activities and does not employ the services of Professional Fundraisers. The charity undertakes to react to and investigate any complaints regarding its fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve its service. During the year to 31 August 2023, the charity received no complaints about its fundraising activities.

Financial review

Results for the year

A summary of the charity’s income and expenditure can be found on page 23 of the attached accounts.

Income for the year totalled £836,249 (2022 – £825,001). The main source of income for the charity is the weekly collection carried out in each parish. In the year to 31 August 2023 general collections accounted for £383,823 (45.9%) (2022 – £355,296 (43.1%)) of the charity’s income, whilst special collections used to fund donations and grants accounted for a further £49,703 (2022 – £29,138). Other significant income sources include the proceeds from small scale fundraising events; legacies; income from parish centre, room and hall hire; investment income; and interest receivable.

Expenditure in the year totalled £811,990 (2022 – £695,617) with the major expenses being in connection with the upkeep of parish churches, presbyteries and similar buildings and the necessary living and personal expenses of the priests serving the seven parishes.

Net income for the year before investment gains and losses, therefore, amounted to £24,259 (2022 – £129,384). Net losses on the revaluation and disposal of listed investments of £114,981 (2022 – net gains of £186,820) and net gains on the revaluation of investment properties of £332,000 (2022 – £105,000), resulted in an overall net increase in funds for the year of £241,279 (2022 – £47,564).

Reserves policy

It is the trustees’ current policy to retain free reserves (i.e. those unrestricted funds not represented by tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed) of between six months’ and two years’ expenditure on unrestricted funds. This is not regarded as excessive when viewed in the light of the need to retain sufficient funds at a central level to cover the administrative costs of the charity and, importantly, provide short term loans to parishes in the event of special projects, unforeseen events and/or emergencies.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Financial review (continued)

Financial position

At 31 August 2022 the free reserves of the charity amounted to £54,427 (2022 – £59,734). The unrestricted funds of the charity represent:

The trustees note that free reserves currently exceed the target set out in the reserves policy above but consider this to be prudent given current economic challenges and rising costs.

The restricted funds amounting to £5,873,415 (2022 – £5,626,830) represent the net assets (including land and buildings) of the seven parishes that form part of the charity. Under Canon Law each parish is a separate financial entity and as such each is treated as a separate restricted fund (note 16). Whilst the macroeconomic and geopolitical climate creates challenges, the trustees do not expect material concerns to arise over the charity’s financial position or for the charity’s going concern to be threatened.

Governance, structure and management

Governance and management

The Abbot of Douai Abbey is Chairman of the Trust. The Abbot appoints a minimum of two other trustees, who must be practising Roman Catholics and of whom at least one shall be a priest working in one of the Trust’s parishes and at least one shall be a layperson who is active in one of the Trust’s parishes.

The names of the trustees in office at the date on which this report was approved and of those who served during the year are set out on page 1 of this Annual Report and Accounts. Brief biographical details on each of the trustees in office at the date on which this report was approved are given below:

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Governance and management (continued)

Reverend Paul Gunter OSB

Father Paul Gunter became Parish Priest of Alcester in 2016. At the same time, he serves as Secretary for the Department of Christian Life & Worship of the Conference of Bishops of England & Wales beginning in 2012. Father Paul has been a monk of Douai Abbey since 1985 and was ordained priest in 1991 after graduating in theology from Heythrop College, University of London. Over ten years of parish ministry followed, at Cheltenham in the Diocese of Clifton 1992-1999, where he was contemporaneously chaplain of Cheltenham General Hospital from 1992-1999, chaplain of St Benedict’s School Cheltenham 1997-1999, and deanery representative of the Clifton Diocesan Council of Priests 1995-1999; then parish priest of Studley in the Archdiocese of Birmingham from 1999-2002. In 2002, he went to Rome pursuing further studies in Liturgy, gaining a license in 2004 and a Doctorate in 2006, both from the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy. He is an associate professor there, having lectured there from 2006-2016, at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum 2008-2014, and at the same time was a Consulter to the Office of the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff 2008-2013. During 2021/22, Father Paul was appointed as Abbot of the Community at Douai Abbey.

Reverend Alexander Austin OSB

Reverend Alexander Austin is parish priest of St Gregory's, Stratford upon Avon. He has degrees in Social and Political Science, in Theology and a master’s degree in Christian Spirituality. A priest since 1980, he taught art and Religious Education at Douai School for fifteen years where he was also a housemaster and school chaplain. At the same time he also undertook pastoral work in the monastery for many years including the roles of infirmarian and guestmaster, as well as serving as a councillor to three different abbots. He was novice master at the Abbey for eight years whilst simultaneously serving as assistant priest at Woolhampton and Burghfield Common. In 2000 he left the monastery to become parish priest of Pershore from where he moved in 2002 to become parish priest of St Mary's, Studley. He has been at Stratford since 2010 and is a governor and chaplain to St Gregory's Primary School and to St Benedict's Secondary School in Alcester. He also serves on the Birmingham Diocesan Historic Churches and Art Commission.

Mr John Elliott

John Elliott is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators. John joined The Bird Group of Companies Limited as Divisional Chief Accountant in 1977 and currently is a Director and Group Company Secretary. He is also Treasurer of the Stratford-upon-Avon & District Manufacturers’ Association and Treasurer of St Gregory’s Roman Catholic Parish. He resigned as a trustee on 2 June 2023.

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Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Governance and management (continued)

Reverend Alistair Alban Hood OSB MA, PhD, PGCE, AdvDip Couns

Father Alban served as Prior of Douai Abbey from September 2014 until June 2021. He was a teacher at Douai School, 1992 - 1995, served on the Douai parish of Ormskirk, 1995 - 2002, (during which time he was a trustee of the Douai Abbey Parishes Trust), was Novice Master, 2002-2021 and has been Choirmaster at Douai since 2002. He was formerly a trustee of the charity from 1998 until 2006. He is on the editorial board of the Douai Magazine and since September 2022 has been Parish Priest of the Douai Abbey parish.

Reverend Francis Hughes OSB

Reverend Francis Hughes, formerly assistant at St Osburg's, Coventry, Pangbourne and Theale, St Anne's Ormskirk, St Joseph's Centre for the Deaf, Manchester, and Parish Priest of Scarisbrick is parish priest of St Benet's Kemerton. A graduate of University College, Galway in Chemistry and Mathematics, he has worked as a teacher. He studied Theology at Oxford and has a MA in Canon Law from the University of London. He completed courses in counselling at the Richmond Fellowship and Manchester University and in Deaf Studies with the Open University. He has worked with the Deaf Community as chaplain and pastoral worker and has been a governor for St Mary's School, Scarisbrick. He has been Prior and Junior Master at Douai Abbey and was also a governor for St Gregory’s School, Cheltenham. He currently assists the Clifton Marriage Tribunal.

Mr Stephen Jones

Steve Jones is a graduate of the University of Liverpool with a degree in Computational and Statistical Science. In the 1980’s he worked as a software engineer specialising in Financial Systems for small and medium sized businesses. In the 1990s, Steve specialised in Payroll and HR systems becoming one of the UK’s experts in the interpretation and application of Profit Related Pay and Salary Sacrifice schemes. In 1996, Steve set up Fairbanks Environmental Ltd with long-time friend and Civil Engineer, Bob Conlin, to employ data analysis to identify leaks within the underground storage systems at retail petrol stations.

Fairbanks enjoyed national and international success, employing two hundred UK staff, and providing its services to major petrol retailers in thirty-five countries, both directly and through a network of distributors. In 2016 Fairbanks was sold to the US based Dover Corporation. Steve continued as Managing Director of Dover’s Data Analysis Business Unit for a further two years, before retiring in 2018.

Right Reverend Geoffrey Scott OSB

Right Reverend Geoffrey Scott of the English Benedictine Community of Douai Abbey has worked as a teacher, headmaster, chaplain and parish assistant. He is at present librarian at Douai Abbey and is a trustee of a number of charities. He has previously served the community at Douai Abbey as Abbot.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 14

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Governance and management (continued)

Reverend A Somerville Knapman OSB, MPhil, MA (Theol), STB, BA

Joining the monastery in early 2001, Father Hugh was ordained a priest in April 2007 after studying in Oxford and Rome. His recently completed theological research at Bristol University was published by Paulist Press of New York in the autumn of 2018. Before entering the monastery, he studied at the University of Sydney and worked in education and then in a civilian role in communications for the New South Wales Police in Sydney, Australia. Currently he serves as the priest in residence at the parish of Scarisbrick in Lancashire and is the Community webmaster. He is engaged in doctoral studies and undertakes various publishing projects for the Community under the imprint of The Weldon Press. He is on the editorial board of the Douai Magazine.

Very Reverend Godric Timney OSB

Father Godric Timney OSB, the Rector of St Anne’s, is a member of the Benedictine Community of Douai Abbey. Father Godric is Cathedral Prior of Worcester and is an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral. He is also a trustee of the Archdiocese of Liverpool, a member of the Archbishop’s Council, Dean of the Pastoral Area of Ormskirk and Maghull, a trustee of the Douai Abbey Parishes Trust. He spent nearly 28 years in secondary education and from 2003-2006 was Chairman of the National Conference of Priests of England and Wales. He is Chairman of the Conference of Vicars for Religious and has been involved in parish and Catholic ministry for 48 years.

Reverend Benedict Thompson OSB

Reverend Benedict Thompson is parish priest of the Studley parish. He is an Associate of the Royal College of Music, London; a Licentiate of Trinity College of Music, London; a graduate of National Opera Studio, London; and a former Principal Tenor with English National Opera. He studied Theology at St Benet's Hall, Oxford and counselling at Westminster Pastoral Foundation, London. He is a former Monastic Choir Master and was assistant bursar to Father Peter in 1997-1998; assistant Priest, Douai Abbey Parish between 2000-2001; Chaplain to Southampton General Hospital between 2001-2004 and was appointed as parish priest of Douai Abbey Parish in 2005 and subsequently as parish priest of Studley in 2010.

Reverend Gabriel Wilson OSB

Reverend Gabriel Wilson was a teacher of English from 1992 to 2008 and an Advanced Skills Teacher in Hertfordshire. He was Director of the Abbey’s Pastoral Programme (Retreats) from 2008 until 2021, has been Vocations Director since 2014 and has been parish priest of Woolhampton since July 2021.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 15

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Training of trustees

At each of the meetings of the trustees throughout the year, held in the various parishes, recent changes and developments in charity law, in financial strategy, and in questions relating to health and safety are discussed and, if necessary, implemented. A number of the trustees attend in-service training days provided by the dioceses and by the local education authorities in which they are situated. The trustees remain satisfied with the quality of financial and legal advice given to them by their professional advisers and are able to bring to this Trust the expertise they possess through their work with other trusts and charitable bodies.

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that year. In preparing accounts the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the relevant Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the trust deed. 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.

Structure and management reporting

The overall responsibility for the charity lies ultimately with the trustees who meet three times a year.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 16

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Governance, structure and management (continued)

Structure and management reporting (continued)

At Woolhampton (Douai Abbey) a parish administrator is responsible for general financial record keeping and the management of the parish office. There is a Finance Committee of five members, and a Parish Pastoral Council with members from each of the three local church committees. This facilitates communication between each of the local churches and any of its individual committees.

At Kemerton there is a Parish Finance Committee composed of the parish priest, the treasurer and four other parishioners. The Finance committee decided that there is no need to meet so often and that on-line discussions would be sufficient to decide on extraordinary expenditure.

At Studley the parish is run by a Parish Committee which is supported by mission, social and finance committees.

At both Stratford and Scarisbrick , there is a Finance Committee, a parish committee and a pastoral group which helps to run the parish.

At Alcester there is a Parish Finance Committee which meets monthly. The Parish Development Committee, propels projects for maintenance and general purposes, as well as for parish community building projects. There is a qualified coordinator for safeguarding and a data-controller responsible for GDPR.

At Ormskirk the parish priest administers the parish on behalf of the Douai Abbey Parishes Trust. The Parish Pastoral Council meets regularly and offers advice and practical help in organising events. The Finance Committee oversees financial matters and one of the members, a qualified accountant, prepares the accounts for our professional auditors. Health and Safety and Risk Assessments are regularly discussed at the meetings.

Key management personnel

The trustees consider that they alone comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.

The Parish Priest at each parish is also a trustee. The trustees receive no remuneration or additional reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees to the charity. The Parish Priests are all members of Douai Abbey, the Community of St Edmund of the English Benedictine Congregation of the Order of St Benedict, Charity Registration Number 236962, and their living and personal expenses are borne by that charity.

Employees

The charity strives to be an equal opportunities employer and applies objective criteria to assess merit. It aims to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 17

Trustees’ report Year to 31 August 2023

Risk management

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the specific operational areas of the charity, its investments and its finances. The trustees believe that by monitoring reserve levels, by ensuring controls exist over key financial systems, and by examining the operational and business risks faced by the charity, they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks. The trustees review a risk management matrix annually, which includes such potential risks as the loss of key staff, disaster recovery and reputational risk.

The key risks for the charity, as identified by the trustees, are described below together with the principal ways in which they are mitigated:

The trustees are aware that they are very dependent on certain key people and the implications of losing these people would be serious. The trustees consider that strong support from financial advisers, training of trustees, and ongoing discussion of ways of lightening the load of the Abbot will all mitigate this risk. In addition the English Benedictine Congregation, of which the Abbey is a member, has developed structures of congregational support, including the lending of personnel, to assist any parishes who find themselves in difficulties.

The charity relies to a large extent on the returns from its investment portfolio to cover its outgoings. The performance of the investment portfolio and the investment strategy are reviewed in meetings of the trustees and in regular meetings with the investment managers, taking into account current and future political and economic uncertainties. This risk and its mitigations are especially important at the present time in light of the current geopolitical and macroeconomic environment.

Like all other organisations who serve in the community, the trustees recognise the absolute necessity of ensuring the protection and safety of all those the charity serves in any way. This means that members engaged in any ministry in Great Britain must obtain clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The trustees are fully committed to implementing all policies and procedures of the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS)

Volunteers

The trustees are very grateful to the many volunteers who have given their time to the charity within the individual parishes over the past year and who have provided invaluable assistance.

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

………………….

Trustee: Rt. Rev. Paul C. F. Gunter OSB

Approved by the trustees on: 5 June 2024

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 18

Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023

Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of Douai Abbey Parishes Trust

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of Douai Abbey Parishes Trust (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 August 2023 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statements of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the accounts:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the accounts are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 19

Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023

Other information (continued)

In connection with our audit of the accounts, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the accounts or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 20

Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the Charity’s accounts to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 21

Independent auditor’s report 31 August 2023

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

30 June 2024

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 22

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 August 2023

Notes
Unrestricted
funds
£
 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
Income from:
Donations and legacies
1
Other trading activities
. Fundraising activities
Investments and interest receivable
2
Charitable activities
3
Refund in respect to sale of property
during the prior year
Other sources
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
4
Charitable activities
. Charitable donations payable
5
. Support of the Parishes
and their ministry
6
Total expenditure
Net (expenditure) income before
investment gains (losses)
8
Unrealised gains on investment
properties
Realised and unrealised losses on
listed investments
13
Net (expenditure) income and net
movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
at 1 September 2022
Total funds carried forward
at 31 August 2023
—
—

1,631

—
—
144		 549,269
15,654
186,261
76,785
—
6,505		 549,269

15,654

187,892
76,785
—
6,649		 —
—
1,879
—
—
5,803		 477,886
10,724
186,151
59,160
50,000
33,398		 477,886

10,724

188,030
59,160
50,000
39,201
1,775 834,474 836,249 7,682 817,319 825,001

354

—

3,911		 20,223
101,571
685,931		 20,577
101,571
689,842		 380
—
35		 18,457
73,880
602,865		 18,837
73,880
602,900
4,265 807,725 811,990 415 695,202 695,617

(2,490)
—

(2,817)
26,749
332,000
(112,164)		 24,259
332,000
**(114,981) **		 7,267
—
(3,689)		 122,117
105,000
(183,131)		 129,384
105,000
(186,820)
(5,307)
59,734
246,585
5,626,830		 241,278
5,686,564		 3,578
56,156		 43,986
5,582,844		 47,564
5,639,000
54,427 5,873,415 5,927,842 59,734 5,626,830 5,686,564

All recognised gains and losses are included in the above statement of financial activities.

All of the charity’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 23

Balance sheet 31 August 2023

Notes
2023
£		 2023
£		 2022
£		 2022
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
12
Investments
13
Current assets
Debtors
14
Short term deposits
Cash at bank and in hand
Current liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year
15
Net current assets
Total net assets
The funds of the charity:
Funds and reserves
Income funds:
Restricted funds
16
Unrestricted funds
. Commune Depositum
17
. Central funds


169,755
153,664
508,169		 1,057,787
4,464,207		 144,296
—
687,161		 995,333
4,195,402
5,521,994

405,848		 5,190,735
495,829
831,588

(425,740)		 831,457
(335,628)

5,927,842 5,686,564
5,873,415
21,655
32,772		 5,626,830
21,655
38,079
5,927,842 5,686,564

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

…………………….

Trustee: Rt. Rev. Paul C. F. Gunter OSB

Approved on: 5 June 2024

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 24

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 August 2023

Notes
2023
£		 2022
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment income received
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from the disposal of listed investments
Purchase of investments
Cash placed on deposit
Net cash used in investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 September 2022
B
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 August 2023
B

**(22,808) **		 93,285


184,507
(138,625)
451,582
(587,193)
**(150,280) **		 188,030
(174,469)
320,571
(460,997)
—
**(240,009) ** (126,865)

(262,817)


787,546
 (33,580)
821,126

524,729		 787,546

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 August 2023

A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

activities
2023
£		 2022
£
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charge
Losses on the revaluation and disposal of listed investments
Gains on the revaluation of investment properties
Losses on the disposal of tangible fixed assets
Investment income and dividends receivable
(Increase) decrease in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash(used in) provided by operating activities
241,279
76,171
114,981
(332,000)
—
(187,892)
(25,459)
90,112		 47,564
76,071
186,820
(105,000)
176
(188,030)
3,749
71,935
(22,808) 93,285
Analysis of cash and cash equivalents 2023
£		 2022
£
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash held by investment managers
Total cash and cash equivalents		 508,169
16,560		 687,161
100,385
524,729 787,546

No separate reconciliation of net debt has been prepared as there is no difference between the net cash (debt) of the charity and the above cash and cash equivalents.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 25

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 August 2023 with comparative information provided in respect to the year to 31 August 2022.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts requires the trustees and management to make significant judgements and estimates.

The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

Assessment of going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts. There are no material uncertainties that cast doubt on the going concern of the charity.

Whilst the current macroeconomic and geopolitical climate may create challenges, given the charity’s, as well as individual parishes’, current levels of reserves and continuing income, the trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 26

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income comprises donations, legacies, investment income, interest receivable, income from the sale of books votives and candles, funerals and church yard income, parish centre, hall and room hire, and other miscellaneous income.

Donations and Gift Aid tax recoverable are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.

Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charity. Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title of the asset having being transferred to the charity.

Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Income from sale of books, votives and candles, funerals and church yard income, parish centre, hall and room hire, and other miscellaneous income, including refund income received in respect to the sale of a property in the prior year, is measured at fair value of the consideration received or receivable, excluding discounts.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 27

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. All expenses, including support costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings. The classification between activities is as follows:

Allocation of support and governance costs

Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity it is necessary to provide support in the form of financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment.

Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs in respect to its compliance with regulation and good practice. Governance costs are apportioned using percentages based on the expenditure incurred on the activities of the charity.

All expenditure on support of the charity’s seven parishes are allocated to the support of the parishes and their ministry as costs in respect to raising funds and giving donations are considered to be minimal.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 28

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing more than £1,000 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.

The freehold of the land and buildings legally owned by the charity and occupied rent free on behalf of the trustees of the governing body of Catholic voluntary-aided schools, which are separate charities and publicly funded, are valued at £nil. The trustees consider that no meaningful value can be attributed to these assets, since they are not used directly by the charity, do not generate income and cannot be disposed of in the open market or put to alternative use while such occupation, which may be indefinite, continues.

The trustees are the legal owners of churches and similar land and buildings situated within the seven parishes operated by the charity. In the event of the charity ceasing its work in any of these parishes, the trustees would consider themselves obliged to allow such assets to be used indefinitely to meet the needs of the parish for its church and similar property. As such assets are not, therefore, susceptible to a meaningful valuation and there is no reliable information as to their cost, they are excluded from the accounts.,

Functional freehold properties are depreciated at a rate of 2% per annum on a straight line basis in order to write the buildings off over their estimated useful economic life to the charity.

Improvements to functional freehold buildings are included in the accounts at cost as incurred. The improvements, once complete, are depreciated at 10% per annum on a straight line basis, in order to write the cost of these improvements off over their expected useful life.

Other tangible fixed assets are capitalised and depreciated at the following annual rates in order to write them off over their estimated useful lives:

10% to 25% per annum based on cost

Fixed asset investments

Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.

The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 29

Principal accounting policies 31 August 2023

Fixed asset investments (continued)

As noted above, the main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.

Fixed asset investments comprising long term deposits are stated at the value of the initial deposit as this will be returned in full upon maturity.

Fixed asset investments comprising freehold land and buildings are included in the accounts at a valuation based on market value. Professional valuations are carried out every five to six years on a rolling basis.

Realised and unrealised revaluation gains (or losses) on both listed and property investments are credited (or debited) to the statement of financial activities in the year of valuation.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short-term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Fund structure

Restricted funds comprise monies raised for, or their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or contributions subject to donor-imposed conditions.

Unrestricted funds represent those monies which are freely available for application towards achieving any charitable purpose that falls within the charity’s charitable objects.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 30

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

1 Income from: Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
General collections
Special collections
Roof restoration project appeal
Legacies
Other donations
Grants receivable
Syrian refugee sponsorship
Youth project
Chaplaincy		 —
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—		 383,823
49,703
19,947
43,612
44,092
500
(240)
7,832
—		 383,823
49,703
19,947
43,612
44,092
500
(240)
7,832
—
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
355,296

29,138

19,848

29,000

34,402

—

260

7,440

2,502		 355,296
29,138
19,848
29,000
34,402
—
260
7,440
2,502
— 549,269 549,269
—
477,886		 477,886

2 Income from: Investments and interest receivable

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
Income from listed investments
Rental income
Bank interest and other income		 1,599
—
32		 66,776
115,300
4,185		 68,375
115,300
4,217		 1,879
—
—
74,833

111,264

54		 76,712
111,264
54
1,631 186,261 187,892 1,879
186,151		 188,030

3 Income from: Charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
Sales of books, candles and
votives
Funerals and church yard income
Parish centre, hall and room hire		 —
—
—		 10,209
42,627
23,949		 10,209
42,627
23,949		 —
—
—
6,597

39,764

12,799		 6,597
39,764
12,799
— 76,785 76,785 —
59,160		 59,160

4 Expenditure on: Raising funds

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£


Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
Fundraising costs
Investment property costs
Investment management fees		 —
—
354		 4,053
2,065
14,105		 4,053
2,065
14,459
—

—

380
2,536

1,171

14,750		 2,536
1,171
15,130
354 20,223 20,577
380
18,457		 18,837

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 31

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

5 Expenditure on: Charitable donations payable

The charity makes donations to charitable causes in accordance with its policy for donations set out in the trustees’ report. Donations payable during the year were as follows:

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£


Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
Diocesan levies
Special collections
Syrian refugee sponsorship
Miscellaneous donations under
£1,000 each		 —
—
—
—		 47,244
36,895
1,140
16,292		 47,244
36,895
1,140
16,292
—

—

—

—
34,711

24,740

1,145
13,284		 34,711
24,740
1,145
13,284
— 101,571 101,571
—
73,880		 73,880

6 Expenditure on: Support of the Parishes and their ministry

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£


Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
Church expenses, clergy living
and personal costs and sundry
parish costs
Staff costs (note 9)
Priests’ salary and NI equivalent
Depreciation
Transport costs
Youth project
Support costs (note 7)
Miscellaneous expenses		 —
—
—
—
—
—
3,270
641		 357,399
81,887
37,021
76,171
15,864
5,213
106,412
5,964		 357,399
81,887
37,021
76,171
15,864
5,213
109,682
6,605
—

—

—

—

—

—

—

35		 323,900
89,577
16,000
76,071
14,629
6,885
70,187
5,616		 323,900

89,577

16,000

76,071

14,629

6,885

70,187

5,651
3,911 685,931 689,842
35		 602,865
602,900

7 Support costs

Support costs
Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2023
£


Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£
Office costs
Bank charges
Governance
Professional		 3,270
—
—
—		 34,484
3,180
22,330
46,418		 37,754
3,180
22,330
46,418
—

—

—

—		 24,931
1,795
14,450
29,011
24,931

1,795

14,450

29,011
3,270 106,412 109,682
—		 70,187
70,187

8 Net income before investment gains (losses)

This is stated after charging:

2023
£		 2022
£
Staff costs (note 9)
Auditor’s remuneration
. Statutory audit services
. Other services
Depreciation		 81,887
18,610
3,720
76,171		 89,577
14,300
150
76,071

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 32

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

9 Employees, staff costs and key management personnel

Staff costs during the year were as follows:

Employees, staff costs and key management personnel
Staff costs during the year were as follows:
2023
£		 2022
£
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs		 78,284
2,567
1,036		 87,805
1,291
481
81,887 89,577

The average number of employees during the year was 9 (2022 – 11).

No employee earned £60,000 per annum or more (including taxable benefits) during the year (2022 – none).

The trustees consider that they comprise the key management of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day to day basis.

The Parish Priest at each Parish is also a trustee. The trustees receive no remuneration or additional reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees to the charity. The Parish Priests are all members of Douai Abbey, the Community of St Edmund of the English Benedictine Congregation of the Order of St Benedict, Charity Registration Number 236962, and their living and personal expenses are borne by that charity.

10 Trustees’ remuneration

Many of the trustees are parish priests in the parishes operated by the charity. As such, certain living and personal expenses during the year are borne by the charity. No trustee received any remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees during the current or previous year.

11 Taxation

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust is a registered charity and therefore is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 33

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

12 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets
Freehold
land and
buildings
£		 Freehold
buildings
improvements
£		 Furniture
and
equipment
£		 Motor
vehicles
£		 Total
£
Cost or valuation
At 1 September 2022
Additions
Disposals
At 31 August 2023
Cost
Deemed cost: valuation
Depreciation
At 1 September 2022
Charge for year
Eliminated on disposal
At 31 August 2023
Net book values
At 31 August 2023
At 31 August 2022		 1,037,052
7,581
—		 596,297
99,960
—		 181,723
20,084
(9,018)		 84,025
11,000
(18,542)		 1,899,097
138,625
(27,560)
1,044,633 696,257 192,789 76,483 2,010,162
291,245
753,388		 696,257
—		 192,789
—		 76,483
—		 1,256,774
753,388
1,044,633 696,257 192,789 76,483 2,010,162
243,290
16,115
—		 420,050
49,153
—		 158,653
7,504
(9,018)		 81,771
3,399
(18,542)		 903,764
76,171
(27,560)
259,405 469,203 157,139 66,628 952,375
785,228 227,054 35,650 9,855 1,057,787
793,762 176,247 23,070 2,254 995,333

It is likely that there are material differences between the open market values of the charity’s freehold land and buildings and their book values. These arise from the specialised nature of some of the properties and the effects of inflation. The amounts of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant cost, which, in the opinion of the trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefits to the users of the accounts.

As permitted by FRS 102, the charity has continued to adopt a policy of not revaluing its tangible fixed assets. The historical cost of the properties included above at an historic valuation cannot be ascertained with any accuracy. Other tangible fixed assets are stated at cost.

Certain of the charity’s properties are subject to covenants which restrict their use and disposal.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 34

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

13 Investments

Investments
Investment
properties
£		 Listed
investments
£		 2023
£
Market value at 1 September 2022
Additions at cost
Disposal proceeds
Realised losses
Disposals at book value
Net unrealised investment gains (losses)
Market value at 31 August 2023
Cash held by investment managers for reinvestment
Cost of listed investments		 2,113,000
—		 1,982,017
587,193		 4,095,017
587,193
—
—		 (451,582)
(273)		 (451,582)
(273)
— (451,855) (451,855)
332,000 (114,708) 217,292
2,445,000 2,002,647 4,447,647
16,560
4,464,207
2,002,218
Investment
properties
£		 Listed
investments
£		 2022
£
Market value at 1 September 2021
Additions at cost
Disposal proceeds
Realised gains
Disposals at book value
Net unrealised investment gains (losses)
Market value at 31 August 2022
Cash held by investment managers for reinvestment
Cost of listed investments		 2,008,000
—		 2,028,410
460,998		 4,036,410
460,998
—
—		 (320,571)
26,259
(320,571)

26,259
— (294,312) (294,312)
105,000 (213,079) (108,079)
2,113,000 1,982,017 4,095,017
100,385
4,195,402
1,832,135

At 30 August 2023, the following listed investment holding represented a material holding (greater than 5%) when compared to the value of the listed investments in total:

Holding Market
value at
30 August
2023
£		 Percentage
of portfolio
%
EquityTrustees’ Fund Services 103,301 5.16

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 35

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

13 Investments (continued)

Investment properties comprise certain of the charity’s properties situated at Ormskirk, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Kemerton and Scarisbrick.

The trustees obtained valuations from Armitstead Barnett LLP, Chartered Surveyors, in relation to two properties and adjacent land at Ormskirk (St Anne’s Social Centre and adjacent land, and the former site of St Anne’s School) as at 31 August 2023, the valuations being carried out on an open market value basis. On the basis of the advice obtained, the properties were valued at £500,000 and £60,000 respectively.

The charity’s investment property situated at Stratford-Upon-Avon, St Gregory’s Hall (including the adjoining car park) was valued by ehB Reeves, Chartered Surveyors of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire as at 31 August 2022 on the basis of open market value. The valuation was £535,000 for St Gregory’s Hall and £625,000 for the adjoining car park. In the opinion of the trustees, these valuations are not materially different to the values of the property and land as they stood at 31 August 2023.

The Coach House at Stratford-Upon-Avon was valued on an open market value basis at £400,000 by Carter Chartered Surveyors as at 16 January 2024. In the opinion of the trustees, there was no material difference between the valuation of the Coach House between the balance sheet date and the date of the inspection for the formal valuation.

The charity’s property based at Kemerton was valued by Andrews Estate agents on 6 February 2023 on the basis of open market value as at that date at £325,000. In the opinion of the trustees, the valuation as at 6 February 2023 is not materially different to the value of the property as it stood at 31 August 2023.

14 Debtors

Debtors
2023
£		 2022
£
Tax recoverable on Gift Aid donations
Prepayments and accrued income		 95,770
73,985		 92,031
52,265
169,755 144,296

15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2023
£		 2022
£
Diocesan levies payable
Expense creditors
Accruals and other creditors
Amount owed to the Archdiocese of Liverpool
Amount due to Douai Abbey Trust		 105,597
11,456
131,854
156,833
20,000		 80,824
5,481
72,490
156,833
20,000
425,740 335,628

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 36

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

15 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (continued)

16 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trusts to be applied for specific purposes:

At 1
September
2022
£		 Income
£		 Expenditure
£		 (Losses)
gains
£		 At 31
August
2023
£
Parishes:
. Our Lady of St Joseph,
Alcester
. St Mary’s, Douai
. St Benet’s, Kemerton
. St Anne’s, Ormskirk
. St Elizabeth’s, Scarisbrick
. St Gregory the Great,
Stratford
. St Mary’s, Studley		 233,128
400,548
707,011
803,363
242,807
2,925,181
314,792		 80,800
110,061
62,748
191,491
58,255
259,837
71,282		 (49,300)
(94,591)
(57,969)
(193,719)
(53,879)
(281,622)
(76,645)		 (1,666)
(19,386)
—
89,916
(8,324)
170,173
(10,877)		 262,962
396,632
711,790
891,051
238,859
3,073,569
298,552
5,626,830 834,474 (807,725) 219,836 5,873,415
At 1
September
2021
£		 Income
£		 Expenditure
£		 (Losses)
gains
£		 At 31
August
2022
£
Parishes:
. Our Lady of St Joseph,
Alcester
. St Mary’s, Douai
. St Benet’s, Kemerton
. St Anne’s, Ormskirk
. St Elizabeth’s, Scarisbrick
. St Gregory the Great,
Stratford
. St Mary’s, Studley		 208,650
400,727
587,072
817,894
253,879
2,974,717
339,905		 51,289
99,214
82,690
170,684
103,179
263,252
47,011		 (24,414)
(71,960)
(52,751)
(171,454)
(61,902)
(248,404)
(64,317)		 (2,397)
(27,433)
90,000
(13,761)
(52,349)
(64,384)
(7,807)		 233,128
400,548
707,011
803,363
242,807
2,925,181
314,792
5,582,844 817,319 (695,202) (78,131) 5,626,830

The restricted funds represent the net assets held by each individual parish.

17 Commune Depositum

At 31 August 2023, funds amounting to £21,655 (2022 – £21,655) and representing the original funds deposited by the parishes, had been set aside in a fund known as the Commune Depositum. These funds are to be used towards funding any unforeseen events or emergencies or special projects.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 37

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

18 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£


Total
2023
£


Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£		 Total
2022
£

995,333
2,113,000
2,082,402

495,829
5,686,564
Fund balances at 31 August
are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
. Investment properties
. Listed investments and cash held
for reinvestment
Net current assets
Total net assets		 —
—
49,064
5,363		 1,057,787
2,445,000
1,970,143
400,485		 1,057,787
2,445,000
2,019,207

405,848
—

—

51,054

8,680		 995,333
2,113,000
2,031,348
487,149
54,427 5,873,415 5,927,842
59,734		 5,626,830

The total unrealised gains on listed investments as at 31 August 2023 constitute movements on revaluation and are as follows:

2023
£		 2022
£
Unrealised gains on listed investments at 31 August 2023
Reconciliation of movements in unrealised gains on listed
investments:
Unrealised gains at 1 September 2022
In respect to disposals in year
Net losses arising on revaluation in the year
Total unrealisedgains at 31 August 2023		 429 149,882
149,882
(34,745)
**(114,708) **		 404,151
(41,190)
(213,079)
429 149,882

It is not possible to determine the historic cost of investment properties with reasonable accuracy. As such, the effect of cumulative unrealised gains in respect to investment properties has not been reported in the above.

19 Connected charities and related party transactions

The Douai Abbey Parishes Trust is connected to two other charities by virtue of the fact that the charities have some trustees in common.

the charities have some trustees in common.
Charity
Name Reg. No Charitable objectives
The Community of St Edmund of the English Congregation 236962 The advancement and
of the Order of St Benedict established at Douai Abbey, maintenance of the
Woolhampton, Berkshire (Douai Abbey Trust). Roman Catholic religion.
The Benedictine Trust 1086872 To further the religious
and other charitable work
of the Roman Catholic
Church in Scarisbrick.

During the year ended 31 August 2023, rent of £12,000 (2022 – £12,000) for the use of St Mary’s Church was paid to Douai Abbey Trust from Douai Abbey Parishes Trust.

During the year ended 31 August 2022, £6,259 was paid to Douai Abbey Trust in respect of roof works at St Mary’s Church carried out by the Abbey. There were no further amounts paid in respect of this work during the year ended 31 August 2023.

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 38

Notes to the accounts 31 August 2023

During the year ended 31 August 2023, the charity received aggregate donations from trustees of the charity amounting to £nil (2022 – £1,500).

Douai Abbey Parishes Trust 39