Uckfield and District Preservation Society Limited
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
Company registered in England 04471316
Registered Charity 1102573
UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED
| CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
|---|---|
| Page No. | |
| 1 | Trustees Report |
| 4 | Independent Examiner Report |
| 5 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| 6 | Balance Sheet |
| 7 |
Notes to the Financial Statements |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED
The Uckfield and District Preservation Society is an incorporated association and registered charity number 1102573. The company is registered in England number 04471316 and is a Company limited by guarantee with no shareholders.
Website: www.bridgecottageuckfield.co.uk
Members of the Executive Committee
Mick Harker (Chairman) Andrew Ledward (Secretary and Treasurer) Brian Pike Robert Pike
Correspondence address
Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, High Street Uckfield, East Sussex TN22 1AZ
Registered Office
Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, High Street, Uckfield East Sussex TN22 1AZ
Bankers
Lloyds TSB Bank plc 180 High Street Uckfield East Sussex TN22 1AX
National Westminster Bank plc 49, High Street, Uckfield East Sussex TN22 1GW
Solicitors
Dawson Hart LLP The Old Grammar School Church Street Uckfield East Sussex TN22 1BH
Independent Examiner
Mrs VMR Anderson BA(Hons) FCA DChA Carpenter Box 2 St Andrews Place Lewes East Sussex BN7 1UP
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED
The Directors/Trustees of the charity present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2024
Aims and objectives
The aim of the Society is promote and encourage, public interest in and care for the beauty, history and character of Uckfield and the surrounding district.
Method of operation
The Society has five main activities that go towards achieving its aim. It owns Nutley Windmill, runs Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, promotes local history, monitors planning issues and has a subsidiary charity shop to generate revenue.
The organisation is managed by the Executive Committee, who are the Directors/Trustees of the charity. There are sub-committees as required, including other members of the Society, for each of the activities carried out by the organisation. The sub-committees include at least one director/trustee and report regularly to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee is elected by the members in accordance with the constitution of the charity.
Activities
Nutley Windmill is an early open trestle postmill on Ashdown Forest, which has been restored and maintained by the Society. The importance of this windmill is recognised by its 2* listed status. Nutley Windmill is open to the public regularly and has many group visits.
Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre is a mediaeval “Wealden” hall house in the centre of Uckfield, dated by dendrochronology to 1436. Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre is owned by Uckfield Town Council and leased to the Society.
Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre was restored and initially supported by substantial grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Uckfield Town Council. It is now being run as a community building with a wide range of activities taking place including talks, educational visits, concerts, exhibitions, room lettings and sales. The Society employs one part time person working with the dedicated volunteers to expand these activities.
The use of Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre has enabled the local history archives of the Society to be brought together in one place to be safely stored and accessible. Work is ongoing to catalogue and create a digital archive of relevant local material. Exhibitions and publications using this material are now a regular feature of activities at the Heritage Centre.
The Society monitors local planning applications and other planning matters and makes comments where these impact on matters within the remit of the Society if necessary.
The Society runs a Charity shop through our trading company UDPS Heritage Ltd. The trading company has two paid employees at the shop supported by volunteers. In late 2023 the shop moved to new better premises near Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre. This move involved considerable work by the staff and volunteers as well as additional costs but it is has resulted in much better results.
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REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES OF UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED
Review and future developments
Regular repairs and maintenance of Nutley Windmill continued and there were open days from Easter to October.
Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre was used for various functions including craft markets, local history talks, exhibitions, concerts and private hire. The Society is gradually expanding the use to generate additional income.
The charity shop generates useful income to support the activities of the Society and is another point of contact with the local community providing information about the Society. The increased income from the new shop has enabled us to invest in our new website https://www.uckfieldheritage.co.uk/ covering all aspects of the Society.
We are very grateful to the public, members of the Society and particularly the wonderful staff and volunteers who have continued to support the Society. We look forward to our renewed efforts to promote and encourage, public interest in and care for the beauty, history and character of Uckfield and the surrounding district.
The Executive Committee of the charity continue to review the major risks involved in these activities, particularly relating to the ownership of Nutley Windmill and the development of Bridge Cottage Heritage Centre, including taking expert advice when appropriate.
Public Benefit
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and works to ensure that all activities are accessible to all members of the community and follow the aims of the Society for the benefit of the public.
On behalf of the directors/trustees
A Ledward Company Secretary
Date: 22 September 2025
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED
I report on the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 5 to 11.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s financial statements as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the ‘2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s report
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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(2) the financial statements do not accord with those accounting records; or
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(3) the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the financial statements give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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(4) the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
V M R Anderson BA (Hons) FCA DChA Chartered Accountant Carpenter Box 2 St. Andrews Place
Lewes East Sussex BN7 1UP
Date: 23 September 2025
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UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| INCOME | ||||
| Charitable activities | 12,954 | - | 12,954 | 15,549 |
| Donations and grants | 42,030 | - | 42,030 | 21,154 |
| Investment income | 150 | - | 150 | 170 |
| TOTAL | 55,134 | - | 55,134 | 36,873 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Charitable expenditure:- | ||||
| - Property costs and other expenditure | 42,861 | - | 42,861 | 34,115 |
| - Administration | 2,859 | - | 2,859 | 2,090 |
| 45,720 | - | 45,720 | 36,205 | |
| Net movements in funds (Net income for | ||||
| the year) | 9,414 | - | 9,414 | 668 |
| Total funds brought forward | 45,212 | 11,000 | 56,212 | 55,544 |
| Total funds carried forward | 54,626 | 11,000 | 65,626 | 56,212 |
The detailed 2023 comparative statement of financial activities is reported in note 2.
The notes form part of these financial statements
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UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED COMPANY NUMBER: 04471316 BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024
| Note FIXED ASSETS 5 Tangible fixed assets Investments CURRENT ASSETS Stock Debtors 6 Cash at bank CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year Net Current Assets TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES FUNDS Unrestricted 7 Restricted 8 |
2024 £ 3,735 28,086 34,632 66,453 1,250 |
£ 422 1 423 65,203 65.626 54,626 11,000 65,626 |
2023 £ 422 1 423 3,735 24,193 29,893 57,821 2,032 55,789 56,212 45,212 11,000 56,212 |
|---|---|---|---|
The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31st December 2024.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:
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(a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and
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(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Section 396 and which otherwise comply with the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 22 September 2025 and were signed on its behalf by:
A Ledward - Director
The notes form part of these financial statements
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UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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(a) The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102, effective 1st January 2019), hereafter referred to as the Charities SORP (FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
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(b) Uckfield and District Preservation Society Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note.
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(c) In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
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(d) The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised, if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. However, there are no judgements or assumptions that have a significant risk of causing material adjustment.
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(e) Income received by way of subscriptions, donations and fund raising is included in full in the statement of financial activities when received.
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(f) Restricted funds are to be used for the specific purpose laid down by the donor.
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(g) Unrestricted funds are general funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
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(h) Expenditure is included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.
All expenditure is directly attributable to specific activities and has been included in those cost categories.
- (i) Fixed assets are used by the charity in fulfilling its main charitable objects and are capitalised and depreciated. Depreciation is provided on all fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost of each asset over its estimated useful life as follows:-
Fixtures, fittings and furniture – 25% reducing balance
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UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
2. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds £ £ INCOME Charitable activities 15,549 - Donations and grants 21,154 - Investment income 170 - TOTAL 36,873 - EXPENDITURE Charitable activities 36,205 - Net movements in funds 668 - Total funds brought forward 44,544 11,000 Total funds carried forward 45,212 11,000 3. OPERATING SURPLUS The Operating surplus is stated after charging Independent examiners remuneration 4. STAFF COSTS Gross wages Social security costs Pension contributions |
Total 2023 £ 15,549 21,154 170 36,873 36,205 668 55,544 56,212 2024 2023 £ £ 1,325 1,250 2024 2023 £ £ 13,046 15,156 - - 1,462 1,492 14,508 16,648 |
|---|---|
There were 1 employees during the year (2023: 2) No employee earned more than £60,000. No trustee received any remuneration from the charity. No trustees were reimbursed expenses. The total employee benefits of key management personnel were £0 (2023: 0) as the managers are voluntary trustees.
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UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
5. FIXED ASSETS
| Nutley Windmill Tools and equipment Investment in subsidiary Total Fixed Assets |
2024 £ 422 - 1 423 |
2023 £ 422 - 1 423 |
|---|---|---|
The Society acquired Nutley Windmill under an agreement that places restrictions on the use of the land and building and prevents the sale of the building. The cost represents legal costs of arranging the agreement for the land. Tools and equipment represents the written down value of small tools and equipment used by the Society from an original cost of £4,000.
The Society holds 100% of the issued share capital of UDPS Heritage Limited, (registered in England and Wales number 06111894) which acts as a trading subsidiary for the charity, operating a charity shop selling donated goods to raise funds for the general purposes of the charity. A Summary of the trading results is shown below.
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Turnover | 100,145 | 63,927 |
| Other operating income | - | - |
| Administrative expenses | (63,807) | (57,293) |
| Distribution to Uckfield & District Preservation | **(36,338) ** | (6,634) |
| Net surplus | - | - |
| The Assets and Liabilities of the Company were: | ||
| Assets | 30,673 | 20,624 |
| Creditors falling due within one year | (30,672) | (20,623) |
| 1 | 1 | |
| Aggregate share capital and reserves | 1 | 1 |
| 6. DEBTORS |
||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Sundry debtors | 1,896 | 2,170 |
| UDPS Heritage Limited | 23,499 | 20,623 |
| VAT | 2,691 | 1,400 |
| Total debtors | 28,086 | 24,193 |
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UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
7. UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
The Society has designated some unrestricted funds to the main projects of the organisation based on how they have been raised and spent. This designation is to assist the Trustees with the efficient management of the funds of the charity and they may transfer between funds without restriction if needed.
| Unrestricted Funds summary Nutley Windmill Bridge Cottage General Total unrestricted funds Nutley Windmill Funds Sales, donations and grants Expenditure Net income Fund brought forward Fund carried forward Bridge Cottage Funds Sales and donations Other expenditure Net income/(expenditure) Fund brought forward Fund carried forward General Fund Membership and donations Other income Investment income Expenditure Net (expenditure)/income Fund brought forward Fund carried forward |
2024 £ 38,778 6,042 9,806 54,626 2024 £ 6,563 1,858 4,705 34,073 38,778 2024 £ 31,648 30,625 1,023 5,019 6,042 2024 £ 16,773 - 150 16,923 13,237 3,686 6,120 9,806 |
2023 £ 34,073 5,019 6,120 45,212 2023 £ 12,760 9,304 3,456 30,617 34,073 2023 £ 21,776 24,810 (3,034) 8,053 5,019 2023 £ 2,166 - 170 2,336 2,090 246 5,874 6,120 |
|---|---|---|
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UCKFIELD AND DISTRICT PRESERVATION SOCIETY LIMITED NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
8. RESTRICTED FUNDS
| Restricted Funds General Legacy Fund |
2024 2023 £ £ 11,000 11,000 |
|---|---|
The General Legacy Fund represents the balance of a legacy received by the Society.
9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Tangible Fixed Assets Net Current Assets £ £ Restricted funds - 11,000 Unrestricted funds 423 54,203 423 65,203 |
Total 2024 £ 11,000 54,626 65,626 |
Total 2023 £ 11,000 45,212 56,212 |
|---|---|---|
ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS (PRIOR YEAR)
| Tangible Fixed Assets Net Current Assets £ £ Restricted funds - 11,000 Unrestricted funds 423 44,789 423 55,789 |
Total 2023 £ 11,000 45,212 56,212 |
Total 2022 £ 11,000 45,544 55,544 |
|---|---|---|
10. TAXATION
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
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