THE SECRET WW2 LEARNING NETWORK REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1156796
REPORT OF THE CHAIR AND TRUSTEES AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2021
| CONTENTS: | Page |
|---|---|
| •Reference and Administrative Details | 2 |
| •Report of the Trustees | 3 - 8 |
- Statement of Financial Activities (attached as a separate document)
THE SECRET WW2 LEARNING NETWORK REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1156796
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS, year ending 31 March 2020
TRUSTEES: Louisa Russell, Chair Martyn Bell Rod Kedward Paul McCue Brian Spencer Juliette Pattinson (appointed 14.7.20) PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 29 Wiseton Road Tooting LONDON SW17 7EE BANKERS: NatWest Bank PLC 5 East Street CHICHESTER West Sussex PO19 1HH
THE SECRET WW2 LEARNING NETWORK REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1156796
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES, for the year ending 31 March 2021
The Trustees present their report with the draft financial statements of the Charity for the year ending 31 March 2021. The Trustees have 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 2015).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims
The objects of the Charity are the advancement of the education of the general public in the nature, context, history and impact of covert operations during times of conflict and in particular the covert allied operations during the Second World War.
Significant activities
| Significant activities | Significant activities |
|---|---|
| Significant activities for this year are listed below under the relevant headings: | |
| The following personnel from the Charity involved in the Programme are listed below: | |
| Martyn Cox, MC | Co-Founder |
| Louisa Russell, LR | Chair, Trustee and Friend |
| Paul McCue, PM | Trustee and Friend |
| Martyn Bell, MBe | Co-Founder and Trustee |
| Brian Spencer, BS | Trustee, Treasurer and Friend |
| Sue Spencer, SS | Volunteer and Supporter |
| Carol Browne, CB | Information Officer and Friend |
| Ray Windmill, RW | Supporter, Friend and Sponsor |
| Nick Fox, NF | Supporter and Friend |
| Peter Robinson PR | Membership Officer and Friend |
| Ian Titman IT | Supporter and Friend |
| Trevor Butterworth TB | Supporter and Friend |
| Rod Kedward RK | President, Trustee and Friend |
| Edward Jones EJ | Supporter and Volunteer |
| Guy Audibert GA | Supporter |
| Carole Yates CY | Supporter and Friend |
| Barbara Cronk BC | Supporter and Friend |
| Juliette Pattinson JP | Trustee |
| Tony McCallum TM | Supporter and Photographer |
| Ashley Barnett AB | Supporter and Friend |
Trustees’ Report: 1.4.20 to 31.3.21
The Covid19 Pandemic has curtailed most of the planned events and activities for this financial year resulting in many cancellations. They are listed below.
Greater detail and information including photographs may be found on the Charity’s website, www.secret-ww2.net.
Events organised/presentations planned:
5 to 6 May 2020 – Annual commemoration of SOE agents at Romorantin-Lanthenay and at Valencay, France. Events cancelled
10 May – 75[th] anniversary of the Prague Offensive and Uprising, Czechoslovakian Military Plot, Brookwood. Event cancelled
16 May – ‘Spies and Intrigue’. Evening Airshow at Shuttleworth Collection. Event cancelled
9 June – Tour of Southside House, Wimbledon, former home of SOE agent Malcolm Munthe. Event cancelled
18 June – L’appel, annual ceremony in Carlton Gardens, to mark the call by General de Gaulle for French resistance to occupation in 1940. Event cancelled
. 12 July – The Annual Memorial Gathering at Violette Szabó GC Museum. Event cancelled
14 July - AGM of The SWW2LN – conducted by Zoom.
6 September – Annual Commemorative Ceremony with an introduction/Talk by PM at the Memorial to the Missing 1939 -1945, Brookwood Military Cemetery for Jewish SOE personnel. Attendees included LR, CB, and Tony McCallum. Mike Bluestone, Chairman of AJEX in attendance.
12 and 13 September – Annual week-end event at Wanborough Manor, Surrey’s School for Secret Agents. Events cancelled
20 and 24 September – ‘Rommel’s Atlantic Wall’. PM gave three (rule of 6) ‘smallscale walks and talks’ on Hankley Common Training Area during the month of September.
Additional Events Attended/Activities/Networking:
8 November – PM placed a wreath in memory of those at SOE Special Training School ‘STS 3’ at Stodham Park, Liss, from 1941 – 44.
11 November – PM, CB, EJ and TM placed wreath at Memorial to the Missing and poppy crosses, Star of David of graves of French BCRA and F Section SOE agents. Attended French Embassy four-person ceremony in French plot, Brookwood Military Cemetery, wreath laid. LR visited The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymeade.
18 November - Zoom presentation by PM to Liss (Hants) Area Historical Society re SOE’s STS 3 at Stodham Park, Liss.
6 December – 80[th] Anniversary of the Intelligence Corps at Brookwood Military Cemetery. Organised by PM and TF, EJ and TM in attendance.
15 February - Zoom presentation by PM to Wandsworth (London) U3A re ‘secret war’ aspects of the Royal Victoria Patriotic School and HM Prison Wandsworth.3 March –
Zoom presentation by PM to Walton and District History Society on Surrey’s Secret War/STS 2 Bellasis project.
BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
PM introduced a series of newsletters for Friends, Supporters and those on the Charity’s email list with effect from August 2020. The first edition featured the 75[th] Anniversary of VJ Day. These have been exceedingly informative and very well received. Currently produced on a bi-monthly basis.
BI-MONTHLY PRESENTATIONS
During lockdown PM has organised a programme of online lectures courtesy of Zoom, for which a subscription was purchased. The following have taken place:
12 August SOE in Burma, by Dr Richard Duckett
14 October Yvonne Cormeau, by Paul McCue, Trustee
3 December Captain Paul Tessier of F Section, SOE by Paul McCue, Trustee 17 December ‘Bower Force’ film presented by Martyn Cox, Co-Founder followed by Q&A with Paul McCue
24 February The Search for Captain Jumeau, by Nick Fox.
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Bellasis Project: PM liaised with Ashley Barnett, AB, to further develop this project with the National Trust and using Holdsworth Trust funding. AB raised additional funds from Mole Valley District Council and assisted the National Trust with nonsecret war elements.Walking trails on the National Trust web site went live in January 2021. Project covers SOE’s Special Training School (STS 2) at Bellasis and OPERATION ANTHROPOID.
Two Honorary Life Friends appointed in December: Geoffrey Pigeon (ex SIS/MI6) and Jack Mann (ex LRDG, SAS/SBS)
Award of Legion D’donneur in December to Squadron Leader (Retired) Stanley Booker, MBE. Initiated by SWW2LN Friend Pat Vinycomb, PM assisted by contacting British politicians, MoD, French Embassy and the Grande Chancellerie in Paris. Paris plaque installed in February 2021 for Lillian Rolfe, WAAF and F Section, SOE, initiated by SWW2LN Friend Barbara Cronk, a member of the Rolfe family, with plaque wording help from PM. Funded by City of Paris.
Mauthausen plaque. PM has obtained the approval of the Mauthausen memorial site authorities in Austria for a SWW2LN plaque in respect of six SIS/MI9/SOE agents who were killed or died at Mauthausen or its Ebensee sub-camp. National press. February/March - Daily Mail and BBC newspaper articles were researched by PM and included links for www.secret-ww2.net
Israel plaque. PM continued research into location for plaque commemorating SOE and SAS (Special Boat Squadron) activity in Mandate Palestine. Funding application in progress.
Australia plaque. Commemorating role of SOE in founding of SO(A), ‘parked’ due to Covid restrictions.
Chichester plaque for Lt-Colonel A. Hue . Ininitiative of SWW2LN Friend Trevor Butterworth, now resurrected and being taken forward by PM and (via Chichester City Council) MB.
Official records. Submissions were made and research conducted to amend official records in respect of SOE agents: the CWGC re Leccia and Geelen; the Czech and Slovak Ministry of Defence in respect of Hoffman and Pichl. Project continuing.
India plaque. Early consideration by AB of practicality of a plaque commemorating the service of Ursula Graham Bower and the Naga people, the idea arising from MC’s film. AB and PM progressing.
Film re SOE’s STS 5, Wanborough Manor. Project commenced by PM and IT. Information Board for STS 5, Wanborough Manor. PM and AB progressing, funding contribution agreed by Holdsworth Trust.
The Valençay 104 – roll of honour for F Section, SOE – PM project on behalf of The SWW2LN, expected to complete in 2021. W/P support by SS, LR and CY.
Support from other organisations and individuals and partnership working
The SWW2LN acknowledges and is extremely grateful for the support and/or partnership activity of the following organisations in the 2020-21 year:
The Gerry Holdsworth Special Forces Charitable Trust
Eddie and Dagmar at The Trench Experience, Brookwood Cemetery
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
AJEX (London and Brighton)
Walton and District Local History Society
The National Trust
Mole Valley District Council
The Intelligence Corps
Embassy of the State of Israel/Defence Section.
Ognisko Polskie.
Memorial Association of Free Czechoslovak Veterans (MAFCV)
Wyrdlight Photography
The Buchenwald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation
Mauthausen Memorial
Jon Kelly, BBC
Brigadier-General Erez Maisel, International Co-operation Unit, IDF
Mr Paul Wates, Bellasis House
Escape Lines Memorial Society (ELMS)
The Brookwood Last Post Association
Public benefit
The Trustees have due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Results for the year
There was a surplus for the year of £2,456.
The state of affairs of the Charity, which The Trustees consider to be satisfactory is set out in the Balance Sheet and there are adequate resources available for the Charity to be able to meet its commitments at the balance sheet date.
Reserves policy
The Charity has very limited need for future reserves whilst it is in its initial period of operations. The Trustees believe that the Charity holds sufficient reserves to enable it to meet those costs for the foreseeable future.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The Secret WW2 Learning Network is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by its constitution. It was constituted on 24 April 2014.
Recruitment, Appointment, Induction and Training of Trustees
It is the policy of The Secret WW2 Learning Learning Network to invite new Trustee members to give an expression of interest to join the board outlining their reasons for doing so, what they can bring to enrich the organisation and the experience and knowledge they can offer. The Trustee Board then discusses the application, formally votes on the application, and then if successful, the new Trustee is inducted onto the Board and into the Organisation. All new Trustees are provided with copies of its constitution, accounts and documentation, explaining the approach the Charity takes on a number of key issues. It is expected that most new Trustees will already be experienced in that role, if not some training will be given.
Organisational structure
The Trustees oversee the day to day management of the Charity.
Risk management
The Trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the Charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently:
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Observe the methods and principles and in the Charity SORP
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Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent:
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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 accounting records which 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 Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the Board of Trustees on 27 April and signed on its behalf by Louisa Russell, Chair and Paul McCue, Trustee.
The Secret WW2 Learning Network Statement of Financial Activities year ended 31st Mar
Income and Expenditure Account
| 2019/2020 | |
|---|---|
| Income | £ |
| Donations | 160 |
| Donations :- Gift aid | 270 |
| Donation Cranleigh - Arts centre | 981 |
| Donations - P. McCue for speeches | |
| and research given to external organisations | 367 |
| Grants - Gerry Holdsworth Trust | 1,620 |
| Mole Valley Distict Council | |
| Friends | 1,019 |
| Trading Activities | 47 |
| Educational Activities | |
| Total | 4,464 |
| Expenditure | |
| Raising funds | |
| Advancement of charity's core | |
| educational objectives | 600 |
| Office Costs :- | |
| Website | 202 |
| Zoom Subscription | - |
| Stationery | 167 |
| Insurance | 89 |
| Equipment | 24 |
| Memorial activities (Wreaths) | 70 |
| Gerry Holdsworth Trust | 704 |
| Total | 1,856 |
| Surplus | 2,608 |
The Secret WW2 Learning Network Statement of Financial Activities year ended 31st Mar
Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2021
2019/2020
| Cash at Bank (Note 1 & 2) Represented by: Accumulated Reserve Balance Bt/Fwd Surplus Note 1 2019/20 Bank Balance Reserved funds - Note 2 2020/21 Bank Balance Reserved funds - Current Assets |
4,169 4,169 1,561 2,608 4,169 Gerry Holdsworth Trust Mole Valley District Council Gerry Holdsworth Trust |
|---|---|
rch 2021
2020/2021
£ 674 200 -
- 150
2,948
-
492
2,456
rch 2021
2020/2021
6,625 6,625 4,169 2,456 6,625
916 916 450 1,366