OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2025-08-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number 1153570

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION)

REPORT AND ACCOUNTS For the year ending 31 August 2025

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

As the Board of Trustees, we present our report and financial statements for the year to 31 August 2025.

Registered Charity Number

1153570

Registered Office Kielder Observatory, Black Fell, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1EJ

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing Documents

Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society (KOAS) was established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 29 August 2013. As a CIO, it is governed by its constitution. This was amended in April 2020 and is in a form specified by the Charity Commission for a Foundation CIO whose only voting members are its Trustees.

Charitable Purpose

KOAS’s charitable objects are:

Structure and Governance

The charity currently has a board of six non-executive Trustees.

Board of Trustees

The Trustees of KOAS during the period and to the date of signing this report were as follows:

Ms Charlotte Emmett Mr Tom Grieveson Resigned 16 November 2025 Mr Cassian Harrison Mrs Catherine Hindle (Chair) Chair from 15 April 2025 Dr Nigel Metcalfe Appointed 14 October 2024 Mr Trevor Robinson (Treasurer) Mr Peter Standfield (Vice Chair) Chair to 15 April 2025 Chief Executive Officer Leigh Venus

Independent Examiner

Pete O’Hara FCA, Chartered Accountant, 26 La Sagesse, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AF

Legal Advisers

Muckle LLP, Time Central, 32 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BF

1

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

Board Meetings

The Board meets at least four times a year, in person or online. It may also deal with some business by email. The Board aims to hold at least one away day each year for strategic planning, team building and organisational development.

The Chief Executive and, where relevant, the Officers of the Board prepare the agenda and written reports. These papers are sent to trustees before each meeting. Trustees carry out their duties and responsibilities with care, skill and diligence.

Recruitment and Appointment of Board of Trustees

The charity can have up to 12 Trustees. New Trustees are appointed by the existing Trustees. When appointing Trustees, the Board aims to maintain a mix of skills, knowledge and experience that supports the effective running of the charity.

Trustees are normally appointed for a three-year term and may serve up to three consecutive terms. After three terms, a Trustee must step down for at least one year before they can be considered for re-appointment.

Trustee Induction and Training

New Trustees are inducted by the Chair and the Chief Executive. They receive information and training materials to help them understand KOAS’s work and their role as a Trustee.

Management

The Trustees delegate the day-to-day running of the charity to the Chief Executive, within the annual budget they have approved.

The staff team during the year, and at the date this report was signed, was as follows:

Reserves Policy

The Trustees have reviewed the charity's reserves requirements in accordance with Charity Commission guidance. The Trustees aim to maintain a level of unrestricted reserves that would cover the charity’s liabilities if KOAS had to stop operating. The current estimated amount needed for this is approximately £125,000.

2

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED)

Reserves Policy (Cont.)

The Trustees also aim to hold an additional £25,000 in unrestricted reserves, allowing the charity to respond flexibly to unexpected issues, one-off financial needs, or new initiatives that are not covered by the annual budget.

Therefore, the targeted minimum level of reserves is £150,000.

The charity’s total Unrestricted Reserves shown in the Balance Sheet as at 31 August 2025 are £109,964 (2024: £136,865). Of these reserves, £23,086 were represented by Fixed Assets (2024: £26,047), leaving £86,878 available as Unrestricted Free Reserves (2024: £110,818).

The charity remains committed to rebuilding its reserves and is looking at ways to return to a position where its reserves can grow. It aims to reach the target level of reserves within two years, depending on financial performance.

The Trustees review this Reserves Policy every year as part of the charity’s budgeting process.

Grant Making Policy

The charity does not currently make grants.

The Contribution of Volunteers

The charity benefits from a dedicated group of volunteers who give their time to help run events. Volunteers come from many different backgrounds but share a passion for astronomy. Recruitment is open throughout the year, and the observatory holds regular open days for people who are interested in volunteering.

To maintain high standards of quality and safety at events, all volunteers receive training. This starts with an induction that covers the basic operations of the observatory and is supported by a handbook that explains the charity’s policies and procedures.

New volunteers are paired with experienced team members for their first events. As their confidence grows, they take on more responsibilities, such as setting up and closing events, leading telescope tours, finding celestial objects and helping visitors, always under supervision.

During the reporting period, KOAS had 49 registered volunteers.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Aims & Objectives

The charity exists to:

3

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Aims & Objectives (Cont.)

In 2022 we published a new strategy based on a thorough analysis of emerging trends and the outcomes KOAS aims to achieve, identifying key market opportunities.

The development of the strategy and supporting business plan strengthened our commitment to our mission of infinite inspiration, clearly aligning it to impacts, outcomes, and priorities.

Kielder Observatory’s core offer is an inspirational experience which we describe as the Kielder moment . Our primary activity is public outreach, inspiring people with our love of the night sky. Our strapline is Infinite Inspiration .

Our mission is:

To create opportunities for people of all backgrounds and abilities to experience moments of inspiration, revelation, wonder and hope through observing the cosmos.

Our strategic outcomes are as follows:

  1. People: Everyone feels represented, welcomed, enriched and inspired, enabling equality of access to opportunities in science, whether as a one-off engagement, participation in study (formal or informal), and/or a career.

  2. Place: We consistently inspire more people of all backgrounds and abilities to reflect upon their place in the universe and the fragility of the Earth and catalyse individual and collective action in response to the need to protect our dark skies, and wider natural heritage.

  3. Organisation: We welcome the uncertainty of fresh challenges and continuously improve our offer as opportunities emerge from new technologies, new audiences and evolving practice.

Our business planning process revealed four emerging opportunities:

  1. Creating a flexible, agile programme of face-to-face public experiences for delivery anywhere, including on site, around Kielder, and remote access.

  2. Enhancing the quality of our STEM curriculum enrichment, to offer a golden thread of support from primary through to GCSE astronomy (and beyond), CPD for teachers, and pathways to careers.

  3. Creating a coherent digital offer that underpins the experience and education delivery, including publishing distinctive, high-quality content that anyone can access from anywhere.

  4. Taking a clearly defined leadership position for dark sky experiences aligned with responsible tourism.

Our strategic priorities are:

  1. To strengthen our organisation:

  2. Invest in our team by contributing to learning projects and formal study and implementing 10% time for self-directed projects.

  3. Improve representation and inclusion by assessing how representative we are of our communities, taking action, and publishing an annual impact study.

  4. Improve our approach to environmental responsibility by using the B-Corp framework to assess our areas of strength and areas for development, taking action, and publishing an annual impact study

4

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Aims & Objectives (Cont.)

During the reporting period the charity:

5

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Aims & Objectives (Cont.)

During the reporting period the charity:

6

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Aims & Objectives (Cont.)

  1. To extend the reach of our public events:

  2. Establish informal events, "Kielder PopUps", around the North East.

  3. Pilot event delivery in national and international locations.

  4. Open up the wonders of the dark skies to all by working with partners to deliver dark sky tourism and cultural experiences.

During the reporting period the charity:

4. To develop programmes with high impact:

7

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Aims & Objectives (Cont.)

During the reporting period the charity:

8

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Aims & Objectives (Cont.)

Ensuring our Work Delivers our Aims

We review our aims, objectives and activities every year. We use this review to:

This helps us make sure our aims, objectives and activities stay aligned with our charitable purpose and continue to deliver clear benefits for our target groups.

We continue to link staff performance appraisals to our strategic priorities. We do this through clear Key Performance Measures. This helps staff understand the strategy, feel involved in it, and deliver our current priorities while building the skills we need for the future.

During the reporting period, we agreed and signed off a refreshed organisational strategy. It will guide Kielder Observatory towards our 20th anniversary in 2028 and beyond. We developed the strategy through workshops with trustees and staff. It reflects learning from our 2022 to 2025 plan, the CEO’s first period in post, and changes in the funding, economic and environmental landscape.

The strategy restates our vision and mission. Our vision is to be a world-class observatory that inspires connection with the universe, protects our dark skies, and creates life-changing moments of wonder for all. Our mission is to open up the universe for everyone through transformative astronomy experiences and learning, with Kielder Observatory as our home.

The strategy uses a clear framework called STAR (Sustain, Transform, Amplify, Reimagine) to improve focus and delivery.

Sustain means building long-term resilience through strong governance, staff and volunteer wellbeing, environmental responsibility, and diversified income.

Transform means delivering thrilling, high-quality experiences and learning pathways. It also means using audience insight to improve continuously and removing barriers for underserved communities.

Amplify means extending our reach, reputation and partnerships across science, culture, tourism and education. This includes stronger digital and hybrid delivery, and a more visible leadership role on dark skies.

Reimagine means investing in future-ready infrastructure and delivery models. It also includes innovation, new technologies, and leadership development to build future capability.

9

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Public Benefit

The Trustees understand their duty to show that the charity is set up for public benefit, as required by the Charities Act 2006. They have discussed this duty and considered the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance. The Trustees are confident that the charity meets both principles of public benefit.

Principle 1: There must be an identifiable benefit

Our main benefit is set out in our charitable objects. We exist to:

The Observatory is central to delivering our charitable aims. From this base, we run a wide range of events, including premium late-night sessions, family-friendly events and introductory sessions. We design our programme for people with different interests and levels of experience, and we aim to make it accessible to all.

Our activities include children’s workshops, talks on topics such as the birth of the universe, aurora and the life of stars, and specialist classes in astrophotography.

We also offer concessionary tickets. Ticket sales are the charity’s main source of income.

We assess all activities to make sure the public benefit is clear and outweighs any potential harm. We review events using risk management and evaluation. We gather evidence through audience surveys, social media feedback, project participant feedback, media coverage, and peer feedback.

Our 2026 to 2030 strategy, finalised this financial year, sets out the public benefits we deliver. These include access to high-quality astronomy experiences, STEM learning, and engagement with dark skies as a shared natural and cultural heritage.

Through our Sustain, Transform, Amplify and Reimagine priorities, we commit to:

These benefits are practical, measurable and directly linked to our charitable objects.

Principle 2: Benefit must be to the public, or a section of the public

We design our Observatory events for people with no prior knowledge. Feedback shows we explain complex ideas in an engaging way, without being patronising. In recent years, we have focused more on reaching people who face barriers to visiting the Observatory.

To address financial and cultural barriers, we created a STEM enrichment programme that brings the inspirational Kielder experience into schools. This programme has reached hundreds of schools and tens of thousands of students. We extended this work through the STEM to Stars initiative, which sets up regular observing groups in schools and links young people to STEM careers.

10

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Public Benefit (Cont.)

We also launched cultural programmes to engage imprisoned people, excluded children, urban community groups and sanctuary seekers.

We will use the learning from this work to shape our ongoing approach with marginalised and underrepresented audiences.

We provide free access to astronomy through our Kielder PopUps, where staff take telescopes into public spaces. We also run an active volunteer programme, host work placements for schools and universities, offer opportunities for artists to develop their creative work.

We regularly welcome visits from organisations that want to set up their own observatory or dark sky initiative. We offer free advice and share good practice. We see other observatories and stargazing groups as partners, with a shared aim of opening up astronomy for all.

Although Kielder Observatory is a physical place, we also work beyond the site. Building on last year’s co-creation work through the Mindsets and Missions project, we continue to work with community groups to reduce barriers to participation in innovation, research and the natural heritage of dark skies.

Our 2026 to 2030 strategy puts public access and inclusion at its core. It focuses on making sure benefits are available to the public, including groups who may otherwise face barriers. The strategy prioritises removing barriers for underserved communities, extending our reach through partnerships, outreach and digital delivery, and offering fair and transparent access to experiences that inspire connection with the universe.

By embedding inclusion, accessibility and geographic reach across all four strategic priorities, the Trustees are confident that our work benefits a broad and appropriate section of the public, in line with Charity Commission guidance.

Kielder Observatory is increasingly a beacon of connection and inspiration. Building on last year’s cocreation work through the Mindsets and Missions project, we continue to work with community groups, breaking down barriers to participation in innovation, research, and the natural heritage of dark skies.

Risk Management

The Trustees regularly review the charity’s main governance, operational and financial risks as part of our annual business planning. They also make sure we have systems in place to manage and reduce these risks.

KOAS has a risk management approach that includes:

11

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Risk Management (Cont.)

Major risks at the time of writing include:

Age and condition of the main Observatory building

The age, condition and long-term suitability of the main Observatory building remain a significant strategic risk. As we approach the building’s 20th anniversary, it is used more intensively than originally designed. This reflects the charity’s success, but it increases wear and tear, maintenance demands, and the risk of failure.

The Trustees continue to work with Forestry England on essential repairs, alongside longer-term renovation, renewal and planned preventative maintenance. Our 2026 to 2030 strategy confirms that we must plan for facilities that are future-ready, accessible and sustainable. If we cannot secure investment in time, this could affect safety, visitor experience, income and delivery of our charitable objects.

Impact of climate change

Climate change presents a growing risk to our operations, infrastructure and income. Northumberland is experiencing storms, heavy rainfall and more extreme weather. This has already caused disruption and increased maintenance needs, and it increases the risk of damage at the Observatory site.

Over time, climate change may also reduce the number of suitable observing nights, which could affect our core activity. Our strategy commits us to improving environmental responsibility, adapting our infrastructure and delivery models, and building resilience through innovation, hybrid delivery and income diversification. However, the pace and severity of climate impacts remain a major risk that is outside the charity’s direct control.

Financial resilience and income diversification

Financial resilience remains a key risk in a volatile funding and economic environment. Rising costs, inflation and uncertainty in public funding continue to affect the charity and the wider cultural and science sector.

Our strategy focuses on building reserves, diversifying income through trading, fundraising and partnerships, and aligning growth with our capacity. If we cannot maintain this balance, we may need to reduce delivery, delay infrastructure investment, or limit our ability to respond to unexpected challenges.

Controls, Policies and Assurance

The Trustees are confident that we have appropriate financial systems and controls, and sound employment policies and practices. We review our staff handbook, financial policies, and health and safety handbook every year to make sure they are accurate, up to date and in line with legislation and recognised good practice.

12

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED)

Risk Management (Cont.)

During the year, we strengthened our approach by:

We support staff training and compliance through structured inductions, refresher training where needed, and additional assessments. This helps ensure consistent understanding and application across the organisation.

Managing financial risk

To manage financial risk, the Trustees make sure that:

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year

13

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (CONTINUED)

Summary of the Charity’s Main Achievements During the Year (Cont.)

Financial Review

The outturn for the year is an unrestricted deficit of £(26,901) (2024: deficit of £28,170). The deficit will be deducted from Unrestricted Reserves, leaving a balance on Unrestricted Funds at 31 August 2025 of £109,964 (2024: £136,865).

Financial policies are reviewed annually, and the Finance and Risk Committee reviews performance against agreed budgets every two months. The Executive Team monitors operational performance against financial controls regularly.

14

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

FUTURE PLANS

The Trustees and staff team produced a new strategy while preparing the budget for the 2025/2026 financial year. They agreed that the strategy is a clear and useful guide for the charity’s development, growth and impact.

Our priorities for the next 12 months are set out below.

Organisational sustainability, governance and people:

Experiences, learning and inclusion:

Innovation, digital and future readiness:

15

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025 TRUSTEES’ REPORT

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees are responsible for managing the business of the charity and may exercise all the powers of the charity unless restricted by the Charities Act or the constitution of the charity.

The Trustees are responsible for the preparation of financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as at the balance sheet date and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including income and expenditure, for the financial year.

In preparation of the financial statements the Trustees should follow best practice and:

  1. Select suitable accounting policies and apply them.

  2. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.

  3. Prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue on that basis.

The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity.

The Trustees 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.

DECLARATIONS

This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (issued in March 2005 by the Charity Commission England and Wales).

This report was prepared using AI support for drafting, and the final text was reviewed for Plain English and accessibility, including its structure and presentation, so it is clear and accessible.

This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 20 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Cath Hindle Trustee and Chair

Trevor Robinson Trustee and Treasurer

16

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS OF KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

I hereby report to the Trustees/Members of Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society (Charity Registration Number 1153570) on the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages 18 to 29.

Responsibilities and Basis of Report

As the charity’s Trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently does not cover all the matters that an auditor considers in giving their opinion on the accounts. The planning and conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited assurance that an independent examination can provide. Consequently I express no opinion as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and my report is limited to those specific matters set out in the independent examiner’s statement.

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charity are not required to be audited under charity law and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts 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 Statement

Since the Company’s gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I 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 matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 130 of the 2011 Act 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; or

  4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods or principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102)).

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.

Pete O’Hara, FCA, Chartered Accountant Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales

26 La Sagesse, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3AF

20 January 2026

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025

Note
Income
Income from Investments
2
Income from Charitable Activities
3
Income from Grants, Donations &
Legacies
4
Other Income
5
Total Income
Expenditure
Expenditure on Raising Funds
6
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
7
Total Expenditure
Net Income/(Expenditure)
8
Balance brought forward at 1 Sept
Balance carried forward at 31
August
18		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2025
Total
2024
£
£
£
£
4,703
-
4,703
3,394
598,014
-
598,014
578,005
100,606
110,000
210,606
212,518
3,455
-
3,455
5,560
706,778
110,000
816,778
799,477
26,786
-
26,786
26,540
706,893
99,555
806,448
791,737
733,679
99,555
833,234
818,277
(26,901)
10,445
(16,456)
(18,800)
136,865
317,350
454,215
473,015
£109,964
£327,795
£437,759
£454,215

The notes on pages 20 to 29 form part of the financial statements

There are no recognised gains and losses during the year other than as shown above.

All the activities for the year are continuing activities.

18

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION/BALANCE SHEET At 31 AUGUST 2025

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets
11
Fixed Asset Investments
12
Current Assets
Stock
13
Debtors
14
Cash at Bank and In Hand
Creditors:
Amounts Falling Due Within 1 Year
15
Net Current Assets
Creditors:
Amounts Falling Due After > 1 Year
16
Total Net Assets
17
Represented By:
Unrestricted Funds
18
Restricted Funds
18		 2025
2024

£
£
£
£
218,379
244,504
10
10
218,389
244,514
14,192
12,045
35,674
42,327
446,559
328,844
496,425
383,216
(236,722)
(160,182)
259,703
223,034
(40,333)
(13,333)
£437,759
£454,215
109,964
136,865
327,795
317,350
£437,759
£454,215		 2025
2024

£
£
£
£
218,379
244,504
10
10
218,389
244,514
14,192
12,045
35,674
42,327
446,559
328,844
496,425
383,216
(236,722)
(160,182)
259,703
223,034
(40,333)
(13,333)
£437,759
£454,215
109,964
136,865
327,795
317,350
£437,759
£454,215
£454,215
136,865
317,350
£454,215

The notes on pages 20 to 29 form part of the financial statements

The financial statements were approved by the Board, and authorized for issue, on 20 January 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

Cath Hindle Trustee and Chair

Trevor Robinson

Trustee and Treasurer

19

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

1. Accounting Policies

Charity Information

Kielder Observatory Astronomical Society is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The registered office is Kielder Observatory, Black Fell, Kielder, Hexham NE48 1EJ.

The charity is a public benefit entity.

Basis of Accounting

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom accounting standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 – 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' ('FRS 102'), and with the Statement of Recommended Practice (Charities SORP FRS 102) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared on the historical cost basis, modified to include certain financial instruments at fair value.

Advantage has been taken of the provisions in the SORP for Charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a statement of cashflows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.

Income

All income, including grant income, is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA), net of VAT, 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.

Such income is only deferred when the donor or funder has specified that the grant or donation can only be used in future accounting periods or where the donor or funder has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement.

Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.

Income from Investments

Interest receivable on fixed interest securities and bank deposits is included on an accruals basis.

Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when a liability is incurred.

20

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

1. Accounting Policies (Cont.)

Expenditure (Cont.)

Irrecoverable VAT

All resources expended are classified under activity headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the category of resources expended for which it was incurred.

Operating Leases

The charity classifies the lease of certain printing equipment as operating leases as the title to the equipment remains with the lessor. Rental charges are charged against income on a straightline basis over the period of the lease.

Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Depreciation is provided on the fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the assets over their remaining useful lives as follows:

Office & ICT Equipment – between 3 and 5 years Observatory Equipment – between 5 and 15 years New Observatory – over 25 years

A full year’s depreciation charge is applied in the year of acquisition and no charge is made in the year of disposal.

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).

Cash and Cash Equivalents

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

Fund Accounting

The charity has a number of restricted income funds to account for situations in which a funder requires that a grant must be spent on a particular purpose or where funds have been raised for a specific purpose. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in Note 18 to the financial statements.

All other funds are considered Unrestricted Funds and are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the charity.

21

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

1. Accounting Policies (Cont.)

Pensions

KOAS contributes to a defined contribution pension scheme. For the defined contribution scheme, the amount charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in respect of pension costs is the contributions payable in the year. Differences between contributions payable in the year and contributions actually paid are shown as either accruals or prepayments in the balance sheet. Further details can be found in Note 10.

Taxation

KOAS is a registered charity and, as such, is not liable to taxation on its income in the current year.

Foreign Currencies

Assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the balance sheet date. Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the date of the transaction. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving at the surplus/deficit.

Financial Instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instrument Issues’ of FRS102 to all its financial instruments.

The charity only has financial assets and liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2. Income from Investments

Interest on cash deposits Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
4,703
-
4,703
3,394
£4,703
£-
£4,703
£3,394

The 2024 total of £3,394 was wholly attributable to Unrestricted Funds.

3. Income from Charitable Activities

Ticket & Event Sales
Merchandising Sales		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
532,511
-
532,511
527,852
65,503
-
65,503
50,153
£598,014
£-
£598,014
£578,005

The 2024 total of £578,005 was wholly attributable to Unrestricted Funds.

22

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

4. Income from Grants, Donations & Legacies

Donations & Legacies
Donations & Memberships
Gift Aid
Corporate Sponsorship
Grant Income
Association for Science &
Discovery Centres – National
Astronomy Week
Association for Science &
Discovery Centres – Valuing
Inclusion
Joicey Trust
Museums Association
Northumberland CC /
Northumberland National Park
Authority
Reece Foundation		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
16,064
-
16,064
1,764
83,542
-
83,542
77,554
-
-
-
30,000
-
500
500
-
-
9,500
9,500
-
1,000
-
1,000
-
-
-
-
200
-
-
-
3,000
-
100,000
100,000
100,000
£100,606
£110,000
£210,606
£209,518

Of the 2024 total of £209,518, £109,318 was attributable to Unrestricted Funds and £103,200 to Restricted Funds.

5. Other Income

Other Income Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
3,455
-
3,455
5,560
£3,455
£-
£3,455
£5,560

The 2024 total of £5,560 was wholly attributable to Unrestricted Funds.

23

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

6. Expenditure on Raising Funds

Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Fundraising Fees 1,669 - 1,669 -
Merchandising Costs 25,117 - 25,117 26,540
£26,786 £- £26,786 £26,540
The 2024 total of £26,540 was wholly attributable to Unrestricted Funds.
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Direct Costs
Advertising & Marketing 14,065 - 14,065 13,273
Project Costs 2,896 28,791 31,687 33,376
Salaries & On Costs 472,252 55,586 527,838 521,959
Speakers’ Fees & Event Costs 19,741 - 19,741 13,494
Other Direct Costs 3,076 - 3,076 -
Support Costs
Bank & Credit Card Charges 14,526 - 14,526 11,261
Depreciation 14,940 15,178 30,118 32,175
Legal & Professional Fees 7,098 - 7,098 8,989
Loan Interest 468 - 468 800
Premises & Insurance 76,177 - 76,177 75,460
Repairs & Maintenance 21,207 - 21,207 9,870
Staff, Speakers’ and Volunteers’
Expenses		 15,802 - 15,802 20,821
Telephone, ICT & Website Costs 12,152 - 12,152 11,757
Other Overhead Costs 26,532 - 26,532 32,516
Governance Costs
Accountancy & Payroll Fees 5,324 - 5,324 4,899
Trustee Travel & Meeting Costs 637 - 637 1,087
£706,893 £99,555 £806,448 £791,737

7. Expenditure on Charitable Activities

Of the 2024 total of £791,737, £697,907 was attributable to Unrestricted Funds and £93,830 to Restricted Funds.

24

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

8. Net Income/(Expenditure)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
Independent Examiner’s Fees
Depreciation of Owned Fixed Assets
9.
Staff Costs
Gross Salary Costs
Social Security Costs
Employer’s Pension Contributions –
Defined Contribution Scheme
The average monthly number of staff employed during the year, was
as follows:
Education & Learning Programmes		 2025
2024
£
£
2,160
2,160
30,118
32,175
2025
2024
£
£
472,121
468,252
42,346
41,927
13,371
11,780
£527,838
£521,959
2025
No.
2024
No.
18
15

The number of the above staff expressed as full-time equivalents was 13 (2024: 13.5).

No employees received remuneration in excess of £60,000 in the year.

No remuneration was paid to or waived by Trustees/Directors in the year (2024: £Nil).

£165 (2024: £403) was reimbursed to 1 (2024: 1) Trustee in respect of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.

10. Pension Scheme

Pension benefits are provided through a Group Personal Pension Scheme, which is a defined contribution scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in a separately administered fund. KOAS makes an employer's contribution of 3% of pensionable pay, provided that the employee makes a minimum contribution of 5%.

Employer’s contributions totalling £13,371 (2024: £11,780) were paid during the year into the defined contribution pension scheme operated by KOAS.

These amounts are paid over to the scheme on a monthly basis.

£4,932 in pension contributions were outstanding at 31 August 2025 (2024: £2,370).

25

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

11. Tangible Fixed Assets

Leasehold
Improvements
– New
Observatory
Observatory
Equipment
Office &
ICT
Equipment
Total
Fixed
Assets
Cost
£
£
£
£
At 1 September 2024
234,502
194,292
28,195
456,989
Additions
-
-
3,993
3,993
Disposals
-
-
-
-
At 31 August 2025
234,502
194,292
32,188
460,982
Depreciation
At 1 September 2024
69,021
121,150
22,314
212,485
Charge for year
11,195
14,857
4,066
30,118
Disposals
-
-
-
-
At 31 August 2025
80,216
136,007
26,380
242,603
Net Book Value
At 31 August 2025
£154,286
£58,285
£5,808
£218,379
At 1 September 2024
£165,481
£73,142
£5,881
£244,504
12.
Investments
2025
2024
£
£
Investment in Kielder Observatory Services Limited
10
10
£10
£10		 Leasehold
Improvements
– New
Observatory
Observatory
Equipment
Office &
ICT
Equipment
Total
Fixed
Assets
£
£
£
£
234,502
194,292
28,195
456,989
-
-
3,993
3,993
-
-
-
-		 Leasehold
Improvements
– New
Observatory
Observatory
Equipment
Office &
ICT
Equipment
Total
Fixed
Assets
£
£
£
£
234,502
194,292
28,195
456,989
-
-
3,993
3,993
-
-
-
-
234,502
194,292
69,021
121,150
11,195
14,857
-
-		 32,188
460,982
22,314
212,485
4,066
30,118
-
-
80,216
136,007
£154,286
£58,285		 26,380
242,603
£5,808
£218,379
£165,481
£73,142		 £5,881
£244,504
2025
2024
£
£
10
10
£10
£10

As the value of merchandise sales is well below the small trading exemption limit, the charity is currently conducting all trading directly, rather than through its wholly owned subsidiary, Kielder Observatory Services Ltd (KOSL). KOSL remains extant and the Trustees will review its continuing relevance on a regular basis.

26

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

13.
Stock
Goods for Resale
14.
Debtors
Accrued Income - Gift Aid
Accrued Income - Other
Grant Debtors
Intercompany Debtor - Kielder Observatory Services Limited
Prepayments
Trade Debtors
15.
Creditors - Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
Accruals
Advance Ticket Sales
Bounceback Loan
Income Received in Advance
National Heritage Lottery Fund Loan
Other Creditors
PAYE & National Insurance
Pension Scheme Creditor
Trade Creditors
Unredeemed Gift Vouchers
16.
Creditors - Amounts Falling Due After One Year
Bounceback Loan
National Heritage Lottery Fund Loan		 2025
2024
£
£
14,192
12,045
£14,192
£12,045
2025
2024
£
£
7,903
8,226
10,344
8,774
4,961
9,911
1,974
1,235
4,766
7,286
5,726
6,895
£35,674
£42,327
2025
2024
£
£
42,055
3,768
70,375
57,481
10,000
10,000
8,965
12,369
9,000
-
111
5,848
11,422
10,883
4,932
2,370
20,518
6,084
59,344
51,379
£236,722
£160,182
2025
2024
£
£
3,333
13,333
37,000
-
£40,333
£13,333

The Bounceback Loan is repayable over 5 years, with an interest rate of 2.5% applicable after the first year.

27

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

17. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds

Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted 2025 2024
Funds Funds
£ £ £ £
Fixed Assets 23,086 195,303 218,389 244,514
Stock 14,192 - 14,192 12,045
Debtors 30,713 4,961 35,674 42,327
Cash at Bank and In Hand 319,028 127,531 446,559 328,844
Creditors – Due Within 1 Year (236,722) - (236,722) (160,182)
Creditors – Due After 1 Year (40,333) - (40,333) (13,333)
£109,964 £327,795 £437,759 £454,215
18. Analysis of Charitable Funds
Fund at 1 Incoming Resources Fund at 31
Sept 2024 Resources Expended August
for Year for Year 2025
£ £ £ £
Movement on Unrestricted Funds
Unrestricted General Fund 136,865 706,778 (733,679) 109,964
Movement on Restricted Funds
Association for Science & Discovery
Centres – National Astronomy Week		 - 500 (500) -
Association for Science & Discovery - 9,500 (6,692) 2,808
Centres – Valuing Inclusion
Corporate Sponsorship/Donations 30,033 - - 30,033
Museums Association 4,312 - (2,064) 2,248
New Observatory Fund 179,770 - (11,732) 168,038
Northumberland Business Services 346 - (346) -
Northumberland CC – Tanlaw Telescope 17,704 - (1,036) 16,668
Reece Foundation – Stem To Stars
Phase 1		 8,000 - - 8,000
Reece Foundation – Stem To Stars
Phase 2		 77,185 - (77,185) -
Reece Foundation – Stellar Futures - 100,000 - 100,000
Total Restricted Funds 317,350 110,000 (99,555) 327,795
Total Funds £454,215 £816,778 £(833,234) £437,759

28

KIELDER OBSERVATORY ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (A CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS At 31 AUGUST 2025

18. Analysis of Charitable Funds

Name of Restricted Fund Description, Nature & Purpose of the Restricted Fund

Association for Science & Towards the cost of events celebrating National Astronomy Discovery Centres – National Week Astronomy Week

Association for Science & Discovery Centres – Valuing Inclusion

Towards the cost of the Explore Your Universe project

Corporate Towards the cost of a wind turbine Sponsorship/Donations Museums Association Towards the costs of the Missions & Mindsets project New Observatory Fund Funding received towards the cost of the new observatory building, which opened in 2018 and is now known as the Gillian Dickinson Astro-imaging Academy Northumberland Business Towards the cost of video equipment and editing software Services Northumberland County Towards the cost of the Tanlaw Telescope project Council Reece Foundation – STEM Towards the cost of the STEM To Stars project To Stars Reece Foundation – Stellar Towards the cost of the Stellar Futures project Futures

19. Related Party Transactions

Details of transactions with Trustees are disclosed in Note 9.

There were no other transactions in the year with related parties, such as are required to be disclosed (2024: None).

20 Financial Commitments

No material financial commitments have been made in respect of future financial periods. (2024: None).

29