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2025-11-30-accounts

Charity Registration No. 1068450 Company Registration No: 03464303 (England and Wales)

THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

_______________

Trustees Mr GH Lambrick
Mr R Smitten
Mrs M Harper
Mrs A Hitchcox
Mr SC Palmer Resigned 15.9.25
Mr RC Allen
Mr D Poore
Mrs S Vaughan
Mrs H Kimberley
Secretary Mrs A Hitchcox
Charity number 1068450
Company number 03464303
Registered office International House
55 Longsmith Street
Gloucester
GL1 2HT
Independent Examiner Rachel Wood

THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

CONTENTS

Page
Trustees’ report 1 -4
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities 5
Independent Examiner’s report 6
Statement of Financial Activities 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9-14

THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

_______________

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019)”.

Objectives and activities

The charity's objects are:

1 To protect and conserve the Rollright Stones, other sites and monuments in the vicinity, and their environment in a manner that promotes their long term physical preservation for the benefit of the public. 2 To facilitate and promote research and educational activities relating to the Rollright Stones and their environment.

3 To promote the conservation of Megalithic and other sites and monuments, and of their environment and to facilitate and promote research and educational activities relating to such sites and their environment.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee without share capital.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr GH Lambrick Mr R Smitten Mrs M Harper Mrs A Hitchcox Mr SC Palmer Resigned 15.9.25 Mr RC Allen Mr D Poore Mrs S Vaughan Appointed 2.12.24 Mrs H Kimberley Appointed 2.12.24

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

_____________

Statement regarding payment of creditors

The company’s current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to follow the CBI’s Prompt Payers Code (copies are available from the CBI, Centrepoint, 103 New Oxford Street, London WC1A 1DU).

The company’s current policy concerning the payment of trade creditors is to:

Governance and administration

During the year a recruitment process was initiated for four new trustees following the passing of two longstanding stalwart members of the Board, Ron Dudley-Smith in the previous year and David Shirt in August 2025 – both much missed. Stuart Palmer stepped down having moved away – we thank him for his service and wish him well.

Unusually, the year was marked by a series of unbooked events – notably including a wedding celebration on the same day as an authorised 3[rd] party event and a gathering for the Trust’s own volunteers. A series of open-invitation gatherings was also advertised, disregarding the Trust’s booking system and standard terms and conditions designed to safeguard the site, limit traffic problems and not impinge on other visitors. In the end the cases were resolved (taking account of whether the breach was due to misunderstanding or more deliberate). A public statement explaining the Trust’s ownership of the Stones and arrangements for access was published.

Partly in the light of both these items, an ongoing review of governance documentation initiated after the Trust’s 25[th] anniversary was revived with a new approach to digital storage and access for Trustees. This will be continuing into 2026 and kept up to date thereafter.

The Trust continues to welcome very wide and diverse uses of the site while ensuring that the interests of ‘ordinary’ visitors are not compromised and that the Stones continue to play a role in present day society as a source of well-being, not just as ancient relics from long-gone cultures.

Finances

Following the increase of the still very modest entry charge last year plus a warm dry summer, visitor numbers were strong and income growth was significant (the first full year when the increased charge has applied). Significantly more volunteer wardening, alongside the introduction of electronic payment on site, also helped this and the sale of merchandise.

This has put the Trust’s finances on a more sustainable and reliable footing. Reserves remain in an adequate state and will continue to be monitored against identifiable risks – including for example escalating tree surgery costs arising from storm damage and trees suffering disease or old age.

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A beginning was made on developing a new initiative to improve merchandise income, partly in diversifying what is available without generating significant stock-holding issues and more specifically strengthening the symbiotic relationship with the local garden centre, café and farm shop who provide many of the facilities that are not possible on site and naturally attract significant custom from visitors to the Stones. This should begin to see fruition in the main 2026 season.

Ongoing maintenance and improvements

The clearing of storm damage, felling of dead and dying larches and diseased and dying ash trees together with clearance of excess blackthorn, along with planting to diversify the area round the King’s Men stone circle has dramatically altered its immediate surrounding, especially the large copse to the west. This seems to reflect an 80- to 100-year cycle in significant vegetational change and raises the issue of what the Trust should plan for the next century, the emphasis being on native trees, shrubs and plants especially those known to have particular uses in prehistory at the time of the Stones. A Rowan tree was planted in memory of Ron Dudley-Smith. Ongoing management of paths, fences and hedges continues; visitor-wear round the King’s Men remains problematic.

A great deal of support in carrying out this work comes from a growing band of loyal volunteers, supplemented by visiting groups such as Chipping Norton Green Gym. In parallel there has been a significant revival in the Trust’s team of volunteer wardens, whose engagement with visitors both greatly enhances their experience and is one of the core ways in which the Trust can fulfil its broad remit as a conservation and educational charity.

In May, a group of trustees visited Broadway Tower to view their Royal Signals Corps nuclear monitoring station – built to the same model as the one by the King Stone which the Trust wishes to present to the public in some way. It was immediately clear that the Trust could not aspire to such a complete, authentic and impressive display but a meeting has since taken place to explore possibilities of digital and other links (both sides are registered radio stations). The other main project being explored is a ‘topograph’ panel to explain the ‘King’s view’ – in which by long tradition he could not see Long Compton. It is hoped both projects will come to fruition next year.

Education and research

The number of school visits declined in the last year, having never fully recovered from the impact of the Covid pandemic. The increased cost and complication of organising coach travel seems to be a key issue for the majority of schools which do not have their own minibuses. It is ten years since prehistory was introduced to the National Curriculum and the Trust started welcoming schools with a range of activities; a brief review of the pattern of schools’ visits has been carried out and published in the Trust’s Newsletter. Conscious of not promising beyond its limited capacity to host school visits, the Trust has not marketed its hosting of them, and this plus transport issues may be the reason why only a very few local schools have become regular visitors. All feedback has been that the content of the visits has been welcomed and enjoyed (as the teachers and children often tell us). Perhaps also due to the absence of any deliberate marketing to local schools, the catchment area was surprisingly wide, broadly equivalent to an hour’s journey time. A strategic review of how the Trust delivers its educational support to schools and others is due in 2026.

Supporting research relevant to the Stones is one of the Trust’s charitable objects, and the last year has seen a varied flurry of activity for which the Trust has offered financial or practical input or simply moral support. They have included a couple mapping the great east-west watershed of England which follows the ridge on which the Stones were built; a proposal to investigate the medieval ‘Marvels of Britain,’ of which the Stones

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appeared alongside Stonehenge and the Uffington White Horse; further work on the grave goods of the Saxon Lady burial (which is to figure in a major exhibition at the Ashmolean Museum in 2027); and a project to investigate the character and perhaps origin of perceived energies at the Stones through the application and comparison of dowsing and seismic recording (also intended to generate a new way of experiencing the site through seismic vibrations turned into audible sound waves.)

There were only a few requests for filming in the last year, albeit relatively high-profile. One was an extremely short clip of the King’s Men included at the last minute in the Princess of Wales’ film, ‘Summer’ in her four seasons documentary exploring wildlife, landscape, friendship and family life. The King’s Men also provided a backdrop in footage shot for the 2026 series of the BBC’s Digging for Britain presented by Professor Alice Roberts.

Communication: Website, Newsletter and Friends

In addition to the beginning of the overhaul noted above of the Trust’s internal communications and central storage of key governance, policy and operational documents, a wider revamp of the Trust’s website has been put in hand along with some selective revision of various pages (notably covering visitor access and booking) which will continue into next year.

Management of the Friends of the Rollright Stones (the Trust’s formal supporters’ group) has passed back to Sandy Vaughan who was its initiator in the earliest years of the Trust. The 4-monthly Newsletter, one of the main benefits that the Friends enjoy, has started a quiet process of gradual development and refreshment. Alongside established features such as Robin Smitten’s regular update on developments on and off-site, the last year has seen the completion of the first long (5-part) article (on the landscape history of the Stones and their surroundings). A new ‘gallery’ of pictures featuring a particular theme has been added, while regular short ‘Notes’ items are also being established. Friends and other supporters of the Trust are being encouraged to contribute.

Art and events

Another successful Oxfordshire Artweeks drawing day was held in April, with a subsequent exhibition at Wyatts Garden Centre in May, extended into June, courtesy of John Wyatt. This was the third year of what is fast becoming an annual fixture. This year’s results formed the first ‘Gallery’ feature in the Trust’s Newsletter.

The Trust’s own annual August Bank Holiday Open Day brought some new stalls and activities for visitors to enjoy. Almost 500 people joined us for this relaxed, friendly day, for which again we had managed to book the good weather.

In various ways 2024-5 was a busy, often rewarding and in some respects challenging year, making the Board think deeply about how the Trust best goes about continuing to fulfil its charitable objects.

The trustees’ report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

_________ Trustee

Dated__________

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

The trustees, who are also the directors of The Rollright Trust Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the stats of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES ON THE UNAUDITED STATUTORY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

I report on the accounts for the year ended 30[th] November 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the directors of The Rollright Trust Limited (and also its directors for the purpose of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2026 (the 2026 Act)

I have satisfied myself that the financial statements of The Rollright Trust Limited are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2026 Act and are eligible for independent examination.

It is my responsibility to:

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matter has come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in the report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached

Rachel Wood FCCA

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

_______________ _______________ _______________ _______________
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds funds
2025 2024
Notes £ £
Income from:
Charitable activities 2 43,897 29,666
______ _
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities 3 23,650 19,866
______ _
Net expenditure for the year/
net movement in funds 20,246 9,800
Fund balances at 1 December 2024/2023 153,311 143,511
_ _
Fund balances at 30 November 2025/2024 173,557 153,311
======= =======

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 30 NOVEMBER 2025

______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________
2025 2024
Notes £ £ £
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 6 115,942 116,819
Current assets
Stocks 7 1,372 1,585
Debtors 8 453 453
Cash at bank and in hand 55,990 34,454
______ ______
57,815 36,492
Creditors: amounts falling
due within one year 9 200 -
______
Net current assets 57,615 36,492
_ _
Total assets less current liabilities 173,557 153,311
======= =======
Income funds
Unrestricted funds 173,557 153,311
_ _
173,557 153,311
======= =======

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 November 2025.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

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

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on…………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………

Trustee

Company Registration No. 03464303

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

1. Accounting policies

Charity Information

The Rollright Trust Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is International House, 55 Longsmith Street, Gloucester GL1 2HT.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s constitution, the Companies Act 2006 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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)”. The charity is a Public benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Endowment funds are subject to specific conditions by donors that the capital must be maintained by the charity.

1.4 Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the charity has been notified on an impending distribution the amount is known, and receipt is expected. If the amount is not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset.

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

1. Accounting policies (Continued)

1.5 Expenditure

Income and expenses are included in the financial statements as they become receivable or due.

Expenses include VAT where applicable as the company cannot reclaim it.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives of the following bases:

Freehold land and buildings Not depreciated Plant and equipment 20% straight line basis

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

1.7 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.8 Stocks

1.9 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

1.10 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity’s balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

1. Accounting policies (Continued)

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction prices including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction prices unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised costs using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________ ________________
2. Charitable activities
Charitable Charitable Charitable Charitable Charitable Total Total
Income - Income - on Income - off Income - Income - 2025 2024
Entrance fees, site postcards site postcards Private event Subs to Friends
donations etc. etc. fees
2025 2025 2025 2025
2025
£ £ £ £
£ £		 £
Charitable income 41,100 101 586 1,255 855 43,897 29,666
====== ======= ======== ======= ======= ====== ======
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 41,100 101 586 1,255
855 43,897		 29,666
====== ======= ======== ======= ======= ====== ======
For the year ended 30 November 2024
Charitable Charitable Charitable Charitable Charitable Total
Income - Income - on Income - off Income - Income - 2024
Entrance fees, site postcards site postcards Private event Subs to
donations etc. etc. fees Friends
£ £ £
£ £		 £
Charitable income 28,199 245 47 430 745 29,666
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds 28,199 245 47 430 745 29,666
====== ====== ====== ====== ====== ======

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

3.
Charitable activities
Charitable Charitable
Expenditure Expenditure
2025 2024
£ £
Fence repairs and paths 19 18
Site maintenance 15,995 15,048
Books and leaflets 538 (323)
Event expenses 474 384
Site rent and rates 786 777
Insurance 494 494
Other charitable expenses 988 1,446
Professional fees – admin 493 395
Site wardening facility expenses 1,679 210
Subscriptions 86 75
Internet costs 83 -
Depreciation 877 877
Cost of fundraising 684 465
Trustee expenses 454 -
_ _
23,650 19,866
_ _
23,650 19,866
======= =======

4. Trustees

R Smitten received an agreed annual honorarium of £10,500 (2024 £10,500) covering the application of his particular knowledge, skills and experience in managing aspects of the site within a workplan to deliver a range of outcomes. This work required close knowledge and understanding of the monuments and the site, but is outside the scope of his duties as a Trustee and does not clash with those duties.

5. Employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

2025 2024 0 0 Total - -

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THE ROLLRIGHT TRUST LIMITED

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 NOVEMBER 2025

______________

6. Tangible fixed assets
Freehold land Plant and Total
and buildings equipment
£ £ £
Cost
At 1 December 2024 115,942 4,925 120,867
_ _ _
At 30 November 2025 115,942 4,925 120,867
_ _ _
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 December 2024 - 4,048 4,048
Depreciation charged in the year - 877 877
_ _ _
At 30 November 2025 - 4,925 4,925
_ _ _
Carrying amount
At 30 November 2025 115,942 - 115,942
======== ======= =======
At 30 November 2024 115,942 877 116,819
7. Stocks
2025 2024
£ £
Raw materials and consumables 1,653 1,585
===== =======
8. Debtors
2025 2024
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Prepayments and accrued income 453 453
===== ========
9. Creditors
2025 2024
Amounts falling due within one year: £ £
Prepayments and accrued income 200 -
===== ========

10. Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024- none).

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