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2025-05-31-accounts

PACT for Autism

Charity Registration Number 1148170 Company Registration 08076243

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

PACT for Autism

CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Page
Legal and administrative Information 1
Trustees Report 2-11
Statement of Financial Activities 12
Balance Sheet 13
Notes forming part of the financial statements 14-16
Independent Examination report 17

PACT for Autism

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Trustees:

Other members:

Chloe Rich (Chair) Wendy Dunlop (Treasurer) Andrew McIntyre Debbie Hannam Sam Draper June Fleming (retired June 2024) Julia Carr (retired March 2025) June Fleming (appointed as Patron July 2024) Selina Avery (Co-opted) Vern Lacey (Co-opted retired November 2024) Aimee Carr (Co-opted retired November 2024)

Registered company number: 08076243

Registered charity number: 1148170

Premises: Office 50 Latton Bush Centre Southern Way Harlow CM18 7BL

Independent Examiner:

Community360 Winsley's House High Street Colchester Essex, CO1 1UG

Bankers:

Lloyds Bank East Gate Harlow

1

PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

The Trustees are pleased to present their Annual Directors' Report together with the Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ending 31 May 2025 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for the Directors' Report and Accounts for Companies Act purposes. The Financial Statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, 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 2015).

Chair's Report

This year has been one of both achievement and transition for PACT for Autism. As Chair, I am immensely proud of the commitment, compassion and resilience shown by our staff, volunteers and trustees as we continued to support autistic children, young people, adults and their families across Harlow and surrounding areas.

Demand for our services has continued to grow, reflecting both an increasing awareness of autism and the very real need for accessible, lived-experience support within our community. Despite operating within a challenging funding landscape, the charity has delivered a wide and meaningful programme of connection, wellbeing and inclusive activities. These achievements are only possible because of the dedication of the people who make up PACT.

This year also brought significant change with the resignation our Charity Manager. Although Kevin Gay formally tendered his resignation in January 2025, he very kindly remained with PACT for Autism for the entirety of this reporting period and beyond, providing the Trustees with much needed time to prepare for his departure and ensure continuity for the charity. I would like to place on record the Board’s sincere thanks to Kevin Gay for his leadership, commitment and hard work during his time with PACT for Autism. Kevin played a key role in developing services, strengthening partnerships and guiding the charity through a period of growth. We are grateful for his contribution and wish him every success for the future. The Trustees are currently reviewing and reshaping our senior staffing arrangements to ensure the charity remains strong, sustainable and well placed for the next chapter.

During the year, Julia resigned from the Board of Trustees. Julia brought valuable insight to the Board. On behalf of the Trustees, I would like to thank Julia sincerely for her time, energy and commitment, and we wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.

Thank you is a phrase that appears often in our reports, but it is never routine. My heartfelt thanks go to our staff team and volunteers, whose professionalism, empathy and lived experience sit at the heart of everything we do. I also thank my fellow Trustees for giving their time, skills and care so generously, ensuring strong governance and shared accountability.

Finally, I would like to thank our funders, donors, partners and supporters. Your belief in PACT for Autism enables us to continue providing essential services and creating spaces where autistic people and their families feel understood, supported and connected.

As we move into the next year, we do so with optimism, reflection and determination. Change brings opportunity, and the Trustees remain fully committed to ensuring PACT for Autism continues to thrive and serve its community with integrity and purpose.

Chloe Rich Chair

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Legal and Administration

PACT for Autism is a registered charity limited by guarantee, originally established as PACT Harlow, in December 2005. The Charity is run by a small team of staff and volunteers, most of whom are parents of autistic individuals, as well as professionals with a special interest in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Our Purpose and Activities

The purpose of the Charity is to provide for, and advance the needs and welfare of autistic children, young people and adults, along with their families and carers who live in Harlow and surrounding areas.

In particular:

Plans For Future Periods

We look forward to the coming year when we aim to:

Achievements and Performance

PACT for Autism is a charity founded by a group of parents of autistic children. Our charity is unique in that all trustees, staff and volunteers have lived experience of autism and neurodiversity, and that diagnosis is not required for access to our services. This report shows a summary of the main achievements of PACT for Autism, and the work carried out to improve the outcomes of our beneficiaries and communities.

Connecting parents and carers of autistic children, young people and autistic individuals

PACT for Autism Accept | Explore | Connect

We are a small charity dedicated to achieving our aims by connecting with parents, carers, autistic individuals, families, the wider community, organisations and services.

Connection Services

During the year ending 31 May 2025, the number of individuals registered to receive PACT services grew to 2,184 (27% increase).

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Training and Workshops

During the year, PACT provided the following training opportunities to our registered parents and carers:

The sessions below were held for our autistic adult groups:

Improving people’s understanding and acceptance of autism

At PACT for Autism, we are always looking for ways to educate and enlighten the public about Autism.

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

PACT staff and volunteers attend many events where you will see us at a stall, welcoming conversations and connections with members of the public and providing insights into lived experiences of autism. Here are a few of the many places you may have seen us during this year:

Improving opportunities and access to sport and leisure activities

PACT for Autism actively seeks out opportunities for autistic children and adults to enjoy access to local activity and leisure facilities. This year has seen arrange of activities provided by our charity.

Regular activities for PACT registered families and individuals include the following:

Indoor Soft Play at Wild n Wacky, Harlow

This essential twice monthly family activity continues to be extremely popular, and an easy way to join PACT and meet the staff and volunteers. Families can connect and many friendships are formed in this private hire opportunity where everyone can relax in a safe and friendly environment.

Gaming experiences at Gamers Cage, Harlow

Our monthly Gamers Cage sessions in Harlow Town Centre were set up for children aged 8-15 years and became so popular that we now hold an additional session specifically for the over 16s. Parents and carers can relax in the Café where they can chat to staff and other parents.

PACT Art Empowerment

Monthly sessions were set up for Female, Transgender and Non-binary individuals. A space for Parents / Carers to get a cuppa and chat to each other, and our team while the session goes ahead.

Last year, we extended the service into two sessions, 11-16 years and 18-25 years, and this year we held our first Art Empowerment Exhibition. Harlow Civic Centre welcomed over 40 visitors who attended and admired the wonderful artwork by the group. This was open to the public so also provided valuable insights to further understand the challenges faced by our young people.

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Swimming experiences

A monthly session at a local school (Freshwaters Primary) pool provides an opportunity for short term swim experiences for children who cannot easily attend a public swimming pool. The shallow, warm water is an ideal introduction for getting water confident in a safe environment.

Wellbeing Gong Bath

This year we introduced monthly Gong Bath sound and wellbeing sessions, designed for deep relaxation for parents and carers, and Neurodivergent adults. The session is held on a Sunday evening for restoration and preparation before a new week begins!

Trips and Other Events

Grants, Donations and Fund Raising

PACT for Autism’s vital operations is entirely dependent on securing these essential grants, donations and fund raising. In this section we recognise the importance of expressing how grateful we are for all contributions and say a big THANK YOU to all contributors. We cannot do it without you.

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

During this financial year, PACT acknowledged the date that it was formed in December 2005, as PACT Harlow. We launched an appeal to raise £20,000 for the 20 years since formation! The appeal started in January 2025.

Grants

The Charity carried forward remaining grants from the prior year and secured two additional grants this financial year, which have ensured that our on-going work can continue to support parents, carers and autistic individuals.

Donations

PACT received some amazing donations this financial year:

Fund Raising

PACT held several fund-raising events as part of its ‘20[th] Anniversary’ Year, set to end in December 2025, including:

Many people actively carry out fundraising activities for PACT, and we are very grateful to everyone. Here are a couple of key fund raisers during the year ending 31 May 2025:

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Trustees and Governance

PACT for Autism's governing document is its ‘Memorandum of Association’. The liability of the members is limited to a sum not exceeding £10, being the amount that each member undertakes to contribute to the assets of the Charity in the event of it being wound up while he/she is a member, or within one year after he/she ceases to be a member.

PACT for Autism is governed by the Board of Trustees. The Directors of the Charity are trustees and are referred to as such throughout the Annual Report and Accounts. There are currently five trustees who cover a breadth of skills, four of whom are parents of young autistic adults and our Chair is an autistic adult. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no monetary benefits from the Charity.

The Trustees may by ordinary resolution appoint a person who is willing to be a trustee either to fill a vacancy or become an additional trustee. At a general meeting, a person may be appointed trustee if he or she is recommended by the Trustees in accordance with the Articles, or is a member qualified to vote at the meeting nominates a person in accordance with the Articles.

Trustees' Responsibilities in Relation to the Financial Statements

The Charity Trustees (who are also the Directors of PACT for Autism for the purposes of Company Law) are responsible for preparing a Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements in accordance with the applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charitable Company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

• State whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements

• Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial position of the Charity and to 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 taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Statement as to disclosure to our auditors

In so far as the Trustees are aware at the time of approving our Trustees' Annual Report:

• There is no relevant information, being information needed by the Auditor in connection with preparing the report, of which the Auditor is unaware of, and

• The Trustees, having made enquiries of fellow Directors and the Auditor that they ought to have individually taken, have each taken all steps that he/she is obliged to take as a Director in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Auditor is aware of that information.

Staff and Volunteers

PACT for Autism has seven part time paid staff and a small, dedicated team of volunteers, working on a regular basis. The Trustees express deepest thanks to the Charity Manager, Kevin Gay (resignation notice provided in January 2025, last day worked 31 October 2025) and his team including Lisa Gay, Kim Darby, Emma Berou, Ruth Bolwerk, Rita Dovey and Jo Perring, together with the energy and enthusiasm of our volunteers Alison Doe, Tess Miller, Kath Rencontre, Nikki McIntyre, Callum Gay, Olivia Bolwerk, and Charlie Doe. This small team of highly motivated, committed individuals work together to deliver the objectives of the Charity.

Pay Policy for Senior Staff

No member of staff receives an FTE salary over £60,000 p.a. A market rate, based on the size of the Charity, is used to set all salary scales. Pay rates are reviewed annually in line with inflation.

Risk Management

The Trustees regularly review the risks facing the organisation. The principal risks during the financial period ending 31st May 2025 were the sustaining of funding streams to maintain existing services with the increased staffing levels this year, in addition to the recruitment of a new Charity Manager by the end of 2025. The Trustees regularly review controls, including the budget, to sustain the required levels of services.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in making decisions on the activities undertaken by PACT for Autism. Our information and support services are provided free of charge to neuro diverse families and individuals, with just a small contribution requested towards the cost of heavily subsidised leisure activities and events. Our autism awareness talks are tailored to meet the needs of the audiences and often open to the wider public.

Reserves Policy and Going Concern

The Trustees regularly review the Charity's financial reserves to ensure that the minimum policy requirements of 6 months running costs for reserves is achieved. This is held within the designated funds. The Trustees increased the designated funds to £72,562 (prior year £64,820) to reflect the increase in staffing. There are plans to utilise reserves in the next financial year, while we recruit for a new Charity Manager who can source new funding streams.

The accounts are prepared on a Going Concern basis.

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PACT for Autism

Trustee Annual Report FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Investment Powers and Policy

The Trustees have kept available funds in an interest-bearing deposit account. Total interest received during the year totalled £1,409.

Small Companies Provisions

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions for small companies under Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006.

Signed by order of the Trustees

Chloe Rich Chair

Date: 06/01/2026

11

PACT for Autism

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

Unrestricted Designated Restricted 2025 2024
Notes Fund Fund Fund Total Total
£ £ £ £ £
Incoming resources from
generated funds
Investment income 2 1,409 - - 1,409 1,246
Incoming resources from
charitable activities
3 64,115 - 34,874 98,989 134,354
Total incoming resources 65,524 - 34,874 100,398 135,600
Resources expended
Raising funds 4 1,201 - - 1,201 15,188
Charitable activities 5 66,108 - 34,874 100,982 89,857
Total resources expended 67,309 - 34,874 102,183 105,045
Net incoming resources
before transfers
(1,785) - - (1,785) 30,555
Gross transfers between funds (7,742) 7,742 - - -
Net income for the year (9,527) 7,742 - (1,785) 30,555
Total funds brought forward
at 1 June 2024
22,487 64,820 - 87,307 56,752
Total funds carried forward
at 31 May 2025
12,960 72,562 - 85,522 87,307

Notes on pages 14 - 16 form part of these financial statements

12

PACT for Autism

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 May 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
Computerised Software
7
Current assets
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling
9
due within one year
Net current assets / (liabilities)
Total assets less current liabilities
Funds of the charity
Unrestricted Funds:
10
Restricted Funds
10
Designated Funds
10
Total Funds
2025
£
3,600
2,191
96,655
98,846
16,924
81,922
85,522
12,960
-
72,562
85,522
2024
£
-
3,451
97,761
101,212
13,905
87,307
87,307
-
-
87,307
87,307

For the year ended 31 May 2025 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect

to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

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

The directors declare that they have approved the accounts above.

----- Start of picture text -----
08/01/2026
Date
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Chloe Rich (Chair)

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PACT for Autism

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

1. Accounting policies

1.1Basis of the preparation of the accounts

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on 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 2015) '-(Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Cash flow statement

The directors have taken advantage of the exemption in Financial Reporting Standard 1 (revised) from including a cash flow statement in the financial statements on the grounds that the company is small.

1.2 Incoming Resources

Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable.

When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants are for a particular restricted purpose, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable.

1.3 Resources expended and recognition of liabilities

All expenditure is incurred on an accruals basis. The majority of costs are directly attributable to the specific charitable activities.

Liabilities are recognised on the accruals basis in accordance with normal accounting principles.

1.4 Fund Accounting

Funds held by the Charity are either:

Unrestricted general funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the Trustees.

Designated funds - these are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted funds for specific future purposes or projects.

Restricted funds - these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity.

1.5 Taxation Status

The company is a registered charity and is not subject to Corporation tax on its charitable activities.

1.6 Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are determined as an individual item exceeding £500 with a useful life of 3 years or more. Once purchased, assets are recorded at their historical cost and depreciated under a straight line method, over the useful life, with regard to regular valuation.

Computer Software 20% Straight Line

2. Investment income
Interest receivable
Unrestricted
Fund
£
1,409
1,409
Restricted
Fund
£
-
Total
2025
£
1,409
1,409
Total
2024
£
1,244
- 1,244

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PACT for Autism

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025 0th November 2019

3. Incoming resources from
Unrestricted
charitable activities
Fund
£
Donations & legacies
38,792
Fundraising
2,994
Trading income
-
Income from Charity Services
3,579
Grants
18,750
64,115
2024
101,161
4. Raising funds
Unrestricted
Fund
£
Charity Ball
-
Charity promoted events
726
Online giving website service
475
1,201
2024
15,188
5. Charitable activities
Unrestricted
Fund
£
Direct costs
Charitable activities
9,381
Salaries
45,536
Support costs
Rent and Rates
3,836
Office expenses
359
Travel & Subsistence
260
Insurance
763
Training
846
Professional Fees
609
Office phone and broadband
462
Finance charges - booking tool
332
IT Costs - Software applications
1,228
Office equipment
1,157
Depreciation - computer software
900
Accountancy & Companies House
439
Total
66,108
2024
56,663
Restricted
Fund
£
-
-
-
3,550
31,324
Total
2025
£
38,792
2,994
-
7,129
50,074
98,989
134,354
Total
2025
£
-
726
475
1,201
15,188
Total
2025
£
21,620
65,742
3,836
359
775
763
863
609
462
1,225
1,433
1,955
900
439
100,982
89,856
Total
2024
£
34,690
1,063
22,591
7,007
69,003
34,874 134,354
33,193 Total
2024
£
14,500
472
216
Restricted
Fund
£
-
-
-
- 15,188
- Total
2024
£
22,627
55,424
3,660
728
945
526
1,163
702
649
1,274
619
1,131
-
409
Restricted
Fund
£
12,239
20,206
-
-
516
-
17
-
-
893
205
798
-
34,874 89,857
33,193

6. Key Personal & Staff

During the year total remuneration of £20,451 was paid to key management personnel. The remuneration of key management personnel is decided upon and authorised by the trustees.

An average of 7 staff were employeed during the year with no member of staff receiving remunerations of over £60,000.

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PACT for Autism

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
th November 2019
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
th November 2019
7. Fixed Assets
Cost
At the beginning of the year
Additions
At the end of the year
Depreciation
At the beginning of the year
Depreciation
At the end of the year
Net book value at beginning of the year
Net book value at end of the year
8. Debtors
Debtors
Prepayments
Total
9. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Accruals
Creditors
Deferred income (Grants)
Total
10. Analysis of Funds
Opening
Income
Expenditure
£
£
£
Unrestricted funds
22,487
65,524
(67,309)

Designated Funds
Personnel Fund
64,820
-
-

Restricted Funds
Activities and Support
-
22,863
(22,863)

Adult Role
-
12,011
(12,011)

Total Restricted
-
34,874
(34,874)

Total
87,307
100,398

(102,183)
Intangible Asset
£
-
4,500
4,500
£
-
900
900
-
3,600
Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
770
1,796
1,421
1,655
2,191
3,451
Total
Total
2025
2024
£
£
595
695

1,529
1,547
14,800
11,663
16,924
13,905
Transfers
Closing
£
£
(7,742)
12,960

7,742
72,562
-

0
-

-
-

0
-

85,522
Computerised
Software
£
-
4,500
4,500
£
-
900
900
-
3,600
Total
2024
£
1,796
1,655
3,451
Total
2024
£
695

1,547
11,663
13,905
Closing
£
12,960

72,562
0
-
0
85,522

Software
-
34,874
(34,874)
-
87,307
100,398

(102,183)
-

11. None of the Trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration during the year.

12.Going concern

The charity is operating on a going concern basis.

13.Related parties

There were no related parties within the year.

16

PACT for Autism

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025

I report on the accounts of PACT for Autism for the year ended 31 May 2025 which are set out on pages 12 to 16.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner’s statement

In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I 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.

David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of: Community360

Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex Date 21/01/2026

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