REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1128774
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
FOR
WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
Gibson Whitter Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers Larch House Parklands Business Park Denmead Hampshire PO7 6XP
WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustee | 1 to 2 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 3 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 4 |
| Balance Sheet | 5 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 6 to 13 |
WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustee presents their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. The trustee has adopted the provisions of 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).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
Promotion of the Military Efficiency and Operational Effectiveness of the Armed Forces by the provision of mess facilities to Commissioned Officers serving in His Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth.
Public benefit
This fund provides public benefit by assisting Service personnel to more effectively perform their roles within the Armed Forces of the Crown. It does this by providing and supporting mess facilities and social activities. This assistance enables Service personnel to face the challenges and danger associated with military service by developing and maintaining teamwork, spirit and attitude, and morale. As a result, the fund promotes the efficiency of the Armed Forces of the Crown by enhancing the Royal Navy's and Royal Marines' capability to undertake the roles demanded of it including the defence of the United Kingdom and its interests.
I confirm that I have paid due regard to the Charity Commission of England and Wales's guidance on public benefit when deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Grant Policy
Grants may be made to mess members to assist with the personal contributions to sporting, adventurous training or other activities where this is not available from the Leisure and Amenities Fund.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
To have resources available for expenditure on improvements to the quality of life, and the engenderment of espirit de corps. The mess puts on a full social programme for its members. Generous subsidies have been provided to selected functions from the profits made from the bar and other taxable activities.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial position
The worth of the mess fell by £17,489 to £502,030. This is a significant improvement on last year's deficit of £57,101.
The fund had £59,715 in readily accessible bank and deposit accounts with creditors of £52,410. It had £213,043 in investments which could be liquidated if the need arose. Despite a loss of £17,489 the fund has significant reserves and was worth £502,030.
Investment policy and objectives
The investment funds are managed by Quilter Cheviot. The objective is to grow the capital value of the portfolio as well as generating some degree of income from the portfolio. Medium risk, can accept moderate variation or disruption to capital value or current income in order to meet the longer term objectives.
Reserves policy
The Trustee has considered the level of reserves required appropriate to the charity's needs. The Trustee aims to ensure that the charity will be able to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income and unexpected expenditure. The reserves are held in the investment portfolio, which had a market value of £213,043. The Trustee will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily but significant funds may be required when the Wardroom moves to a new site.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
Recruitment and appointment of new trustee
Appointed as such by the Naval Secretary.
Page 1
WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Risk management
The Trustee reviews the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and systems have been established to manage those risks and believes that by maintaining the free reserves stated it would provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. Quarterly independent examination of the accounts will mitigate the risk of any mismanagement by the committee.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1128774
Principal address
HMS Nelson Queen Street Portsmouth Hampshire PO1 3HH
Trustee
Captain L McLocklan Royal Navy
Independent Examiner
Gibson Whitter Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers Larch House Parklands Business Park Denmead Hampshire PO7 6XP
Bankers
RBS Holts Lawrie House Victoria Road Farnborough GU14 7NR
Approved by order of the sole trustee on 12 March 2026.
Captain L M McLocklan - Trustee
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEE OF WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
Independent examiner's report to the trustee of Wardroom Mess HMS Nelson
I report to the charity trustee on my examination of the accounts of Wardroom Mess HMS Nelson (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustee of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since your charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a listed body. I can confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 accounts to be reached.
Gavin Whitter
Gibson Whitter Chartered Accountants and Chartered Tax Advisers Larch House Parklands Business Park Denmead Hampshire PO7 6XP
Date: 12 March 2026
Page 3
WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 31.3.25 Unrestricted funds Notes £ INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM Charitable activities 4 Mess facilities and activities 236,925 Other trading activities 2 10,451 Investment income 3 7,584 Total 254,960 EXPENDITURE ON Raising funds 5 1,667 Charitable activities 6 Mess facilities and activities 270,031 Total 271,698 Net gains/(losses) on investments (751) NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) (17,489) RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS Total funds brought forward 519,519 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 502,030 |
31.3.24 Total funds £ 199,902 19,026 7,061 225,989 1,403 301,772 303,175 20,085 (57,101) 576,620 519,519 |
|---|---|
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 4
WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2025
| 31.3.25 Unrestricted funds Notes £ FIXED ASSETS Tangible assets 11 194,587 Investments 12 213,043 407,630 CURRENT ASSETS Stocks 13 49,066 Debtors 14 38,029 Cash at bank 59,715 146,810 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 15 (52,410) NET CURRENT ASSETS 94,400 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 502,030 NET ASSETS 502,030 FUNDS 16 Unrestricted funds 502,030 TOTAL FUNDS 502,030 |
31.3.24 Total funds £ 204,098 213,794 417,892 33,945 39,274 103,772 176,991 (75,364) 101,627 519,519 519,519 519,519 519,519 |
|---|---|
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Sole Trustee and authorised for issue on 12 March 2026 and were signed by:
Captain L M McLocklan - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.
Income
Voluntary income including donations, gifts and legacies and grants that provide funding of a general nature are recognised where there is entitlement, the receipt is probable and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. Such income is only deferred when:
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the donor specifies that the grant or donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or
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the donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.
Income from activities for generating funds, such as vending income, are recognised on a receivable basis.
Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis.
Income from charitable activities relates to mess subscriptions and events. Such income is recognised on a receivable basis.
Volunteers and donated services
The value of services provided by volunteers is not incorporated into these financial statements.
Where goods or services are provided to the charity as a donation that would normally be purchased from suppliers, this contributions is included in the financial statements at an estimate based on the value of the contribution to the charity.
Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised when a liability is incurred. Contractual arrangements are recognised as goods or services are supplied.
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Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income.
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Charitable activities include expenditure associated with mess facilities and events and include both the direct costs and support costs relating to those activities.
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Support and governance costs include central functions and have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £100. They are valued at cost or a reasonable value on receipt. Non depreciating items such as artefacts, silver and pictures and revalued periodically. Depreciation is straight line over the estimated life of the item but is not allocated to any of the activity costs.
Stocks
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
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WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES
| Functions (non mess) Function levy and surplus Memento sales 3. INVESTMENT INCOME Interest income Investment dividends 4. INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Activity Bar sales Mess facilities and activities Mess subscriptions Mess facilities and activities Associate member subscriptions Mess facilities and activities Mess functions Mess facilities and activities |
|
|---|---|
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WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
5. RAISING FUNDS
Raising donations and legacies
| Functions (non mess) 6. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS Mess facilities and activities 7. DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Bar purchases Ticket function costs Subsidy function costs Mementos Shop costs Repairs and renewals Tea / coffee Newspapers TV and amenities LAF sports Christmas decorations Insurance costs Trophy hire Laundry and cleaning Printing, postage and stationery Performance rights society Fish tank Mess guests Presentation costs Bad debt written off |
Direct Costs (see note 7) £ 252,868 |
31.3.25 £ 1,667 Support costs (see note 8) £ 17,163 31.3.25 £ 22,218 77,873 89,188 400 248 3,351 14,248 14,429 3,760 3,300 13,228 1,267 689 2,910 115 1,045 246 91 355 3,907 252,868 |
31.3.24 £ 1,403 Totals £ 270,031 31.3.24 £ 29,178 79,094 98,671 552 400 1,388 13,664 13,390 4,053 3,300 12,564 937 674 4,214 43 1,699 333 111 641 12,571 277,477 |
|---|---|---|---|
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WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
8. SUPPORT COSTS
| Governance Management costs £ £ Mess facilities and activities 14,663 2,500 Support costs, included in the above, are as follows: Management 31.3.25 Mess facilities and activities £ Bank and card charges 2,819 Committee meeting costs 30 Depreciation of tangible and heritage assets 11,814 14,663 Governance costs 31.3.25 Mess facilities and activities £ Accountancy and legal fees 2,500 |
Totals £ 17,163 31.3.24 Total activities £ 4,742 115 15,198 20,055 31.3.24 Total activities £ 4,240 |
|---|---|
9. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2025 nor for the year ended 31 March 2024.
10. COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | |
|---|---|
| funds | |
| £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |
| Charitable activities | |
| Mess facilities and activities | 199,902 |
| Other trading activities | 19,026 |
| Investment income | 7,061 |
| Total | 225,989 |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |
| Raising funds | 1,403 |
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WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 10. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - continued | |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | ||
| funds | ||
| £ | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Mess facilities and activities | 301,772 | |
| Total | 303,175 | |
| Net gains on investments | 20,085 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (57,101) | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||
| Total funds brought forward | 576,620 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 519,519 | |
| 11. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |
| Fixtures | ||
| and | ||
| fittings | ||
| £ | ||
| COST | ||
| At 1 April 2024 | 298,844 | |
| Additions | 2,303 | |
| At 31 March 2025 | 301,147 | |
| DEPRECIATION | ||
| At 1 April 2024 | 94,746 | |
| Charge for year | 11,814 | |
| At 31 March 2025 | 106,560 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||
| At 31 March 2025 | 194,587 | |
| At 31 March 2024 | 204,098 |
Included in tangible fixed assets are assets totalling £130,230 (2023: £130,230) which are not depreciated.
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WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
12. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
| FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS | |
|---|---|
| Listed | |
| investments | |
| £ | |
| MARKET VALUE | |
| At 1 April 2024 | 213,794 |
| Revaluations | (751) |
| At 31 March 2025 | 213,043 |
| NET BOOK VALUE | |
| At 31 March 2025 | 213,043 |
| At 31 March 2024 | 213,794 |
| There were no investment assets outside the UK. | |
| Cost or valuation at 31 March 2025 is represented by: | |
| Listed | |
| investments | |
| £ | |
| Valuation in 2024 | 13,808 |
| Valuation in 2025 | (751) |
| Cost | 199,986 |
| 213,043 |
The Mess's investments are all held in Quilter Investors Limited's QC Global Income & Growth Fund.
13. STOCKS
| Stocks 14. DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Trade debtors VAT Prepayments |
31.3.25 £ 49,066 31.3.25 £ 31,135 598 6,296 38,029 |
31.3.24 £ 33,945 31.3.24 £ 21,130 2,905 15,239 39,274 |
|---|---|---|
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WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
15. CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
| Trade creditors Other creditors |
31.3.25 £ 35,083 17,327 52,410 |
31.3.24 £ 51,914 23,450 75,364 |
|---|---|---|
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| At 1.4.24 £ Unrestricted funds Insurance provision (designated fund) 24,000 General fund 495,519 519,519 TOTAL FUNDS 519,519 Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: Incoming Resources resources expended £ £ Unrestricted funds General fund 254,960 (271,698) TOTAL FUNDS 254,960 (271,698) |
Net movement At in funds 31.3.25 £ £ - 24,000 (17,489) 478,030 (17,489) 502,030 (17,489) 502,030 Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ (751) (17,489) (751) (17,489) |
|---|---|
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Unrestricted funds Insurance provision (designated fund) General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
At 1.4.23 £ 24,000 552,620 576,620 576,620 |
Net movement in funds £ - (57,101) (57,101) (57,101) |
At 31.3.24 £ 24,000 495,519 519,519 519,519 |
|---|---|---|---|
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WARDROOM MESS HMS NELSON
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
16. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
| Unrestricted funds General fund TOTAL FUNDS |
Incoming resources £ 225,989 225,989 |
Resources expended £ (303,175) (303,175) |
Gains and Movement losses in funds £ £ 20,085 (57,101) 20,085 (57,101) |
|---|---|---|---|
17. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
The Managing Trustee holds the same position in the Leisure and Amenities Fund (LAF).
The Wardroom pays monthly sports contributions to the LAF which in 2024/25 totalled £3,300 (2023/24: £3,300).
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