WARRANT OFFICERS’, SENIOR RATINGS’ and SENIOR NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS’ MESS
HMS EXCELLENT
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For Period
1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025
Registered Charity No. 1129720
Trustees’ Annual Report and Comments
Warrant Officers’, Senior Ratings’, and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers’ Mess HMS EXCELLENT
Charity Registered No: 1129720 Covering Accounting Year: 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025 Address: HMS EXCELLENT Whale Island Portsmouth PO2 8ER Governing Document: Constitution (Mess Rules) Objects: Promotion of the Military Efficiency and Operational Effectiveness of the Armed Forces by the provision of mess facilities to Warrant Officers, Senior Ratings and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers serving in HMS EXCELLENT and lodger units located on Whale Island. Trustee: Commander S Gale Royal Navy (until 27 April 2025) Commander C M Woolhead Royal Navy (from 28 April 2025) Trustee selection method: Appointed as such by the Naval Secretary. Bankers: RBS/Holts Farnborough GU14 7NR Independent Examiner: P A Nicholls MBE MAAT 5 Nursery Road Havant Hants PO9 3BG Activities and achievements: To have resources available for expenditure on improvements to the quality of life, and the engenderment of espirit de corps. The mess put on a social programme largely funded by profits from the bar and other trading activities. Financial Review: The fund had increased by £18.6K over the year as:
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Subscription income exceeded running costs by £15.2K.
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Interest and other income - £1.9K.
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Grants paid for property assets - £8.7K.
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Offset by
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Subsidies exceeded trading profits - £6.2K.
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• Extra VAT - £1K.
The fund was worth £134.6K with £25.4K represented by property and stocks. Bank and deposit accounts held £132.9K which easily covered liabilities of £39.4K.
Investment Selection Policy: No investments were held.
Financial Reserves Policy: The Trustee has considered the level of reserves to retain, appropriate to the charity’s needs. Reserves of £19K are held in a deposit account. 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 Trustee will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily. Grant Policy: Grants may be made to mess members to assist with the personal contributions to sporting or other activities.
Risk Assessment: 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 will provide sufficient resources in the event of adverse conditions. Quarterly independent examination of the accounts will mitigate the risk of any mismanagement by the mess committee.
Public Benefit Statement: This fund provides public benefit by assisting Service personnel to perform their roles more effectively 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.
Declaration:
I declare, in my capacity of Charity Trustee, that I have approved the above report.
Signature Signed on Original Name Commander C M Woolhead Royal Navy. Appointment Commanding Officer and Sole Managing Trustee Date 18 December 2025
HMS EXCELLENT WOs, SRs & SNCOs MESS FUND
Registered Charity No 1129720
BALANCE SHEET
31-Oct-25
| Fixed Assets Note Property 7 Current Assets Stocks 8 Mess Subscriptions Misc Debtors & Prepayments 9 Cash & Floats Current & Deposit Accounts Charities Deposit A/C Liabilities VAT Creditors 10 Net Current Assets Net Assets |
8,522.73 £ 9,809.77 £ 3,512.19 £ 2,388.19 £ 113,884.66 £ 18,980.23 £ 157,097.77 £ 4,481.06 £ 34,915.65 £ 39,396.71 £ |
16,849.00 £ 7,951.00 £ 12,457.74 £ 11,523.48 £ 2,073.08 £ 4,333.85 £ 86,659.73 £ 18,176.10 £ 135,223.98 £ 3,176.88 £ 24,107.30 £ 27,284.18 £ 117,701.06 £ 107,939.80 £ 134,550.06 £ 115,890.80 £ 31-Oct-24 |
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Approved on 18 December 2025 Signed on Original Commander C M Woolhead Royal Navy Sole Managing Trustee
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XSRBSOct25Z2BALANCE SHEET
HMS EXCELLENT WOs, SRs & SNCOs MESS FUND
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
For Year ended 31 October 2025
| Income from: Notes Voluntary Income Charitable Activities Other Trading Activities Investments Total 3 Expenditure on: Raising Funds Charitable Activities Total 4 Net Income Previous Year Correction Net Movement in Funds Total Funds Brought Forward Total Funds Carried Forward |
8,705.84 £ 139,581.50 £ 9,363.27 £ 1,178.32 £ 158,828.93 £ 7,057.47 £ 133,112.20 £ 140,169.67 £ 18,659.26 £ - £ 18,659.26 £ 115,890.80 £ 134,550.06 £ |
Year to 31 Oct 24 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,611.96 £ 160,693.67 £ 12,360.11 £ 1,522.35 £ 176,188.09 £ 7,677.73 £ 140,534.33 £ 148,212.06 £ 27,976.03 £ 141.67 £ 27,976.03 £ 87,773.10 £ 115,890.80 £ |
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HMS EXCELLENT WOs, SRs & SNCOs MESS FUND
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
Note 1 - Accounting policies
a. The financial statements are prepared under the historic cost convention (as modified by the revaluation of fixed asset investments) and in accordance with applicable accounting standards: Charities Statement of Recommended Practice. UK Accounting Standards and the Charities Acts.
Income
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a. Donations are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the mess becomes entitled to the donation or grant and it is reasonably certain that it will be received.
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b. Income from fund raising is reported gross in the SOFA.
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c. Intangible income is not included in the accounts.
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d. The mess receives no unpaid volunteer help.
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e. Investment income is included in the accounts when receivable.
Expenditure and Liabilities
a. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Mess to the expenditure.
Assets
a. Tangible fixed assets are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year and cost at least £50. They are valued at cost or a reasonable value on receipt. The Mess does have a policy of revaluation. Depreciation is monthly, straight line and over the estimated life of the item.
b. Stocks are valued at the lower of cost or market value.
Note 2 - Investments
The Mess has no Investments.
Note 3 - Income
| Voluntary Income Donations Charitable Activities Mess Subscriptions Associate Mess Subscriptions Bar Sales Mess Functions Private Functions - Mess Members CCTV Refund Misc Income Other Trading Activities Private Functions - Non Mess Members Tablecloth Hire Facilities Hire Mess Port Mess Shop Investment Income Interest Received Total Income |
69,192.79 £ 2,720.40 £ 40,203.51 £ 9,279.82 £ 17,419.60 £ 720.00 £ 45.38 £ 4,014.87 £ - £ 1,128.02 £ 2,995.87 £ 1,224.51 £ |
Year to Oct 24 8,705.84 £ 1,611.96 £ 68,742.06 £ 2,418.37 £ 57,132.19 £ 13,540.19 £ 18,860.86 £ - £ - £ 139,581.50 £ 160,693.67 £ 5,431.99 £ 372.04 £ 1,394.37 £ 4,191.09 £ 970.62 £ 9,363.27 £ 12,360.11 £ 1,178.32 £ 1,522.35 £ 158,828.93 £ 176,188.09 £ |
Year to Oct 24 8,705.84 £ 1,611.96 £ 68,742.06 £ 2,418.37 £ 57,132.19 £ 13,540.19 £ 18,860.86 £ - £ - £ 139,581.50 £ 160,693.67 £ 5,431.99 £ 372.04 £ 1,394.37 £ 4,191.09 £ 970.62 £ 9,363.27 £ 12,360.11 £ 1,178.32 £ 1,522.35 £ 158,828.93 £ 176,188.09 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 176,188.09 £ |
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XSRBSOct25Z2SOFAI
| Note 4 - Expenditure Raising Funds Private Functions - Non Mess Members Mess Port Mess Shop Charitable Activities Trading Costs Entertainment & Functions (from tickets) Private Functions - Mess Members Function Subsidies Bar Costs Additional VAT Mess Running Costs Minor Functions Xmas Draw Subsidy Mess Guests TV Video & Audio Newspapers Coffee Water Dispense Machine Dining Hall Extras Insurance & Trophy Hire Grants - Fireworks & Welfare Grants Out Welfare Grant Flowers & Presentations Performing Rights Repairs, Renewals & Improvements Refurbishment - Various Areas Misc Expenditure Governance Costs Account Examination Support Costs Mess Bill Write Off Postage, Printing & Stationery Bank and Card Charges Commiittee Costs Depreciation Total Expenditure |
4,014.87 £ 2,714.15 £ 328.45 £ 9,279.82 £ 17,419.60 £ 20,116.35 £ 31,293.70 £ 1,030.00 £ 3,902.73 £ 2,848.09 £ 6,641.27 £ 8,035.88 £ 285.30 £ 16,465.59 £ 597.51 £ 481.57 £ 345.64 £ 275.00 £ 50.00 £ 500.00 £ 835.97 £ 1,267.20 £ 2,064.88 £ - £ 216.51 £ 2,310.00 £ 41.00 £ 104.99 £ 2,140.60 £ 413.01 £ 4,149.99 £ |
Year to Oct 24 4,806.90 £ 2,633.10 £ 237.73 £ 7,057.47 £ 7,677.73 £ 13,540.19 £ 18,225.29 £ 16,674.78 £ 39,187.87 £ - £ 1,044.67 £ 2,928.69 £ 3,475.17 £ 7,693.62 £ 863.15 £ 19,492.94 £ 478.97 £ 401.88 £ 744.00 £ 300.00 £ 490.00 £ 500.00 £ 1,561.81 £ 1,196.74 £ 1,078.36 £ 2,872.74 £ 84.58 £ 2,250.00 £ - £ 169.98 £ 2,078.47 £ 431.16 £ 2,769.27 £ 133,112.20 £ 140,534.33 £ 140,169.67 £ 148,212.06 £ |
Year to Oct 24 4,806.90 £ 2,633.10 £ 237.73 £ 7,057.47 £ 7,677.73 £ 13,540.19 £ 18,225.29 £ 16,674.78 £ 39,187.87 £ - £ 1,044.67 £ 2,928.69 £ 3,475.17 £ 7,693.62 £ 863.15 £ 19,492.94 £ 478.97 £ 401.88 £ 744.00 £ 300.00 £ 490.00 £ 500.00 £ 1,561.81 £ 1,196.74 £ 1,078.36 £ 2,872.74 £ 84.58 £ 2,250.00 £ - £ 169.98 £ 2,078.47 £ 431.16 £ 2,769.27 £ 133,112.20 £ 140,534.33 £ 140,169.67 £ 148,212.06 £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 148,212.06 £ |
Note 5 - Paid Employees
There were no employees who were paid by the fund.
Note 6 - Trustees and Other Related Parties
a. No expenses or emoluments have been paid to the Sole Managing Trustee.
b. There were no related party transactions, although the fund makes an annual contribution to the Welfare Fund which has the same trustee.
- c. There are no amounts due to or from the Sole Managing Trustee.
| Note 7 - Tangible Fixed Assets - Property Account - Fixtures | Note 7 - Tangible Fixed Assets - Property Account - Fixtures | & Fittings |
|---|---|---|
| Property Valuation as at 1 Nov 24 | £ | 7,951.00 |
| Additions | £ | 13,047.99 |
| Depreciation/Disposals | £ | (4,149.99) |
| Property Valuation at 31 Oct 25 | £ | 16,849.00 |
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| Note 8 - Stocks | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bar | £ | 4,224.51 |
| Mess Port | £ | 2,215.66 |
| Mess Shop | £ | 2,082.56 |
| £ | 8,522.73 | |
| Note 9 - Miscellaneous Debtors and Prepayments | ||
| Interest Accrued Oct | £ | 62.00 |
| Bar Sales | £ | 19.00 |
| Private Function Sales | £ | 434.16 |
| Christmas Ball 2025 Expenditure Prepaid | £ | 2,468.03 |
| Insurance Prepaid | £ | 179.00 |
| Trophy Hire Prepaid | £ | 29.00 |
| PRS/PPL Prepaid | £ | 321.00 |
| £ | 3,512.19 | |
| Note 10 - Creditors falling due within one year | ||
| HMRC - Additional VAT | £ | 1,030.00 |
| Bar - BOC | £ | 58.75 |
| Bar - Green King | £ | 438.17 |
| Christmas Ball 2025 Tickets Prepaid | £ | 3,996.41 |
| Xmas Draw 24 Prize | £ | 300.00 |
| Xmas Draw Tickets Prepaid | £ | 2,600.76 |
| Private Function ESS Bills | £ | 15,027.31 |
| Wardroom (RFA 120) | £ | 4,180.00 |
| Phot Branch | £ | 136.28 |
| Dogs In Mess | £ | 486.00 |
| Corps Fund | £ | 427.09 |
| Corps Birthday | £ | 2,417.96 |
| Welfare Fund Grant | £ | 500.00 |
| Credit Card | £ | 9.00 |
| Bank Charges | £ | 14.98 |
| PNIE | £ | 580.00 |
| ESS Milk | £ | 423.80 |
| Newspapers | £ | 30.00 |
| Soundnet | £ | 96.36 |
| Charity Bottle | £ | 781.74 |
| Meat Raffle | £ | 1,270.04 |
| Dry Cleaning | £ | 111.00 |
| £ | 34,915.65 |
Note 11 - There are no restricted or designated funds.
Note 12 - Other Information
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a. The fund does not have any material commitments not provided for in the accounts.
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b. The fund has not given any guarantees to any third party that could be called on at the year end.
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c. The fund has not granted any loans.
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d. The fund did not make any ex gratia payments during the year.
Declarations
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a. The Trustee has not changed the year end date nor the length of the financial year.
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b. All the fund's operations are continuing operations.
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c. The fund has no marketable intangible assets.
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d. There were no interfund loans outstanding at the balance sheet date.
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e. None of the funds functional assets have been revalued during the year.
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f. The fund has no material fixed assets which have not been capitalised and included in the Balance Sheet.
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| Sales Sales at Cost Opening Stock at 1 Nov 24 Add: Purchases Less: Closing Stock at 31 Oct 25 Total Cost of Sales Gross Profit Gross Profit to Sales (Excl at Cost) Gross Profit to all Sales Gross Profit to Cost of Sales (ie av mark up) Bar Expenses: Spoilage/Spillage/Pipeclean Bar Sundries Total Bar Expenses Net Profit --------- Port Sales Less Cost of Sales Profit --------- Shop Sales Less Cost of Sales Profit |
12 Months to 31 Oct 25 12 Months to 31 Oct 24 38,325.16 £ 54,307.78 £ 1,878.35 £ 2,816.41 £ 40,203.51 £ 57,124.19 £ 6,033.43 £ 5,393.04 £ 25,151.76 £ 34,606.90 £ 31,185.19 £ 39,999.94 £ (4,224.51) £ (6,033.43) £ 26,960.68 £ 33,966.51 £ 13,242.83 £ 23,157.68 £ 34.6% 42.6% 32.9% 40.5% 49.1% 68.2% 1,878.35 £ 2,816.41 £ 2,454.67 £ 2,404.95 £ 4,333.02 £ 5,221.36 £ 8,909.81 £ 23% 17,936.32 £ 33% -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,995.87 £ 4,191.09 £ (2,714.15) £ (2,633.10) £ 281.72 £ 1,557.99 £ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,224.51 £ 970.62 £ (328.45) £ (237.73) £ 896.06 £ 732.89 £ Bar Trading Account Port Trading Account Shop Trading Account |
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XSRBSOct25Z2BAR
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustee of the Warrant Officers’, Senior Ratings’, and SNCOs’ Mess HMS Excellent. Registered Charity No. 1129720
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 October 2025 which are set out in pages 1 to 6.
Responsibilities and basis report
The charity’s trustee is responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustee considers that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination; I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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The accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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The accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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The accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than in 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.
Signed on Original
P A Nicholls MBE MAAT 5 Nursery Road Havant Hants PO9 3BG
18 December 2025