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2025-04-05-accounts

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

Contents

5 Dec 2025 Page 2 of 19

Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Legal and Administrative Information

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

Charity Name:

Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Registered Charity Number:

1159122

Trustees:

Mr A J Dunham (Chair)

Mr D L Wheatcroft

Mr G H Griffiths

Mr M G K Cooper

Mr C A Griffiths (Resigned May 2024)

Treasurer:

Mr D L Wheatcroft

Principle Address: South Hill Fosseway Stow On The Wold GL54 1JU

Independent Examiner:

Laverne Eames Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliott Court Herald Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB

Accountant:

Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliott Court Herald Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB

Bankers:

Barclays Bank Plc Cheltenham Area Branches Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL50 1EL

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 5 April 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on page 11 and comply with the Trust Deed and applicable law.

Structure, Governance and Management

Governing Document

The Charity is an unincorporated trust constituted by a Deed of Trust dated 22 July 1982, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 12 August 2014. The trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 07 November 2014 under Charity Registration Number: 1159122

Recruitment and appointment of new Trustees

The Trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 3. None of the Trustees, nor any person connected with them, received any remuneration or expenses from the Charity in the year ended 5 April 2025.

The Trust operates one Gospel hall and Trustees are chosen from among the regular congregation of the hall. New Trustees are nominated by the existing Trustees or by the congregation and must be appointed by unanimous resolution of the congregation. They are selected according to their skills and experience and are expected to use both in furthering the objects of the Charity. Checks are made to ensure the Trustees’ eligibility to act and incoming Trustees are made aware of their responsibilities by the existing Trustees, who ensure that new Trustees read the Trust Deed and relevant Charity Commission guidance.

Wider Network

The Trustees maintain informal links with similar Charities with a view to pooling experience considered useful in pursuing the objects of the Charity. The Charity also maintains particular links with Oddington Gospel Hall Trust with which it shares members of its congregation.

Risk Management

The Trustees have identified and reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and confirm that they have established systems to manage and mitigate those risks.

Objectives and Activities

Objectives and Aims

The charitable purposes of the Charity are the advancement of the Christian religion for the public benefit, including by the carrying on of the service of God in accordance with the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible as followed by those Christians forming part of the world-wide fellowship known as the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (the “Brethren”) and any other charitable purposes connected with Brethren. The core doctrine of the Brethren and proper practices in furtherance of certain aspects of doctrine are summarised in two schedules to the Trust Deed.

Public Benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty under section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance to charities on public benefit.

Details of public benefit activities carried out by Stow Gospel Hall Trust can be found in the separate appendix to this report.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees

Main activities and achievements

The Trust provides and maintains one Gospel hall where religious meetings are held by the local Brethren community. Details of the origins, teachings and way of life of the Brethren can be found on the website - www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org and in the schedules to the Trust Deed.

Plans for future periods

Despite the increased cost of energy, the trustees feel that these increased costs are not significantly impacting on the ability of the charity to continue as a going concern.

The trust plans to make improvements to the car parking area at the gospel hall, so is seeking to obtain planning permission for this.

Meetings

Meetings held at the Gospel halls include the Lord's Supper (Communion), Gospel preachings, Bible readings and Bible addresses. There is a structured weekly schedule of meetings and, depending on the particular meeting, between 40 and 320 people normally attend these occasions.

The meetings are attended by the regular congregation and most are open to other properly disposed visitors. The notice board outside the Hall welcomes visitors and displays the times of Gospel preachings, along with a telephone number for those seeking further information or help. Gospel tracts, which are distributed by street preachers, also display this information.

Bibles and an extensive range of other Christian reading material are on display at the halls and visitors are free to help themselves.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees

Spreading the Gospel message and the life of a Christian

The Gospel halls are a base from which the regular congregation and others who attend the meetings are encouraged to spread the Christian Gospel, in word and deed.

Members of the congregation participate in a programme of street preaching where Gospel tracts are provided free of charge by the Charity to such preachers to be handed out to interested members of the public.

In addition to street preaching, members of the congregation also worked with the Rapid Relief Team, a separate charity, to provide meals for NHS workers, and support the local Stow Council in an event which brought the local people together.

In carrying out this work, the congregation considers itself to be living out its faith in practice, as particularly exemplified in the following extract from the schedule to the Trust Deed on living a Christian life:

Funding

Funding is sought through gifts from the congregation and Gift Aid is claimed on eligible donations. Funding is sometimes received from other charitable trusts with complementary objectives.

Financial Review

In the year ended 5 April 2025 the Trust had a deficit of incoming resources over resources expended. This was due to non-cash expenses such as depreciation.

Total voluntary income received this year was £58,551 compared to £48,973 in the previous year.

All funds held were unrestricted funds.

Reserves Policy

The Trustees have considered the level of reserves they wish to retain, appropriate to the charity's needs, based on its size and the level of its financial commitments. The Trust has no employees and its regular outgoings are minimal. The Trustees have sought to receive collections to fund the extension of the carpark accompanying the gospel hall.

The congregation is kept regularly informed as to particular needs for funds, and other relevant matters and the Trustees aim to ensure that the Charity will be able to continue to fulfil its charitable objectives even if there is a temporary shortfall in income or unexpected expenditure, by raising a funds appeal to the congregation.

Free Reserves at the year end were £89,847 (2024: £84,599)

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Trustees

Statement of Trustees Responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and 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 and the provisions of the Trust Deed require 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:

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 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. All transactions have been reviewed and approved by two trustees.

On Behalf of the board:

..................................................................................

Mr D L Wheatcroft (Trustee)

..............................................................

Date

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Report of the Independent Examiner

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Stow Gospel Hall Trust for the year ended 5 April 2025.

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. 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 consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking of 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 no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statements below.

Independent Examiner's Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

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

  3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

...................................................................................................

Laverne Eames Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliott Court Heral Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB

5 December 2025

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Statement of Financial Activities

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

Statement of Financial Activities
Stow Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2025
Statement of Financial Activities
Stow Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2025
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2025
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Income and endowments:
Donations and Legacies:
Collections
32,171
-
-
32,171
25,305
Gift Aid Donations
10,775
-
-
10,775
9,910
Income Tax refunds
6,735
-
-
6,735
2,478
Other donations
8,870
-
-
8,870
7,780
Other Income
-
-
-
-
3,500
Total Income and endowments:
58,551
-
-
58,551
48,973
Expenditure:
Running Meeting Rooms (note 8)
75,097
-
-
75,097
69,665
Cost of donated services (note 4)
15,150
-
-
15,150
14,811
Total Expenditure:
90,247
-
-
90,247
84,476
Net Income/(Expenditure)
(31,696)
-
-
(31,696)
(35,503)
Net Movement In Funds
(31,696)
-
-
(31,696)
(35,503)
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2025
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Reconciliation of funds (note 10)
Total Funds bought forward
1,532,734
-
-
1,532,734
1,568,237
Net movement in funds
(31,696)
-
-
(31,696)
(35,503)
Total Funds carried forward
1,501,037
-
-
1,501,037
1,532,734

The notes on page 11 - 19 form part of these financial statements.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Balance Sheet

Stow Gospel Hall Trust As at 5 April 2025

Balance Sheet
Stow Gospel Hall Trust
As at 5 April 2025
2025 2024
Fixed Assets
Tangible assets (note 5) 1,411,190 1,448,135
Total Fixed Assets 1,411,190 1,448,135
Current assets
Prepayments and accrued income 5,430 7,519
Cash at bank and in hand 86,378 78,834
Total Current assets 91,808 86,352
Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year
Accruals and deferred income 1,961 1,753
Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 1,961 1,753
Net current assets/(liabilities) 89,847 84,599
Total assets less current liabilities 1,501,037 1,532,734
Net Assets 1,501,037 1,532,734
Funds (note 9)
Unrestricted funds 1,501,037 1,532,734
Total Funds 1,501,037 1,532,734

The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of Stow Gospel Hall Trust on .........................................and were signed on its behalf by:

.............................................................................................

Mr D L Wheatcroft (Trustee)

The notes on pages 11 - 19 form part of these financial statements.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

1.1 Basis of financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014, and incorporating update bulletins 1 and 2, and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

The functional currency of the charity is sterling (£).

The Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

1.2 Income

Donations are recognised in the year in which there is entitlement and probability of receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. Income is only deferred when the charity has to fulfil conditions before becoming entitled to it or where the donor has specified that the income is to be expended in a future year. Gift aid is added to the value of the donation to which it relates.

Donated services are recognised as income and expenditure in the financial statements when organisations or individuals offer their services and support pro bono. The value of these donated services to Stow Gospel Hall Trust is considered to be equal to market value which would be paid were the service formally procured. This includes services paid for by other trusts.

Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis.

1.3 Expenditure

Expenditure is included on an accruals basis. Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Charitable activities comprise those costs directly attributable to the fulfilment of the charitable objects.

1.4 Governance and support costs

Support costs have been allocated between governance costs and other support costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and costs related to statutory requirements. Governance and support costs are allocated to charitable activities on the basis of capacity used.

1.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Tangible fixed assets (costing more than £100) are stated at cost less depreciation. Freehold land is not depreciated. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset over its expected useful life as follows:

useful life as follows:
Freehold land & buildings 2% straight line
Fixtures & fittings 10% reducing balance

1.6 Taxation

The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income or corporation tax on charitable activities, provided income falls within the charitable exemptions and is spent on charitable purposes.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

1.7 Funds

The general unrestricted fund is free for the Trustees to use for any purposes in furtherance of the trust’s charitable objects.

Restricted funds arise from donations to the trust, which are made for a specific purpose. Restricted funds can only be used for the purpose for which funds were given.

1.8 Preparation of consolidated financial statements

The Charity does not have a trading subsidiary.

1.9 Going Concern

The Trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.

1.10 Significant estimates and judgements

The trustees do not consider that there are any sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next reporting period.

2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES

No Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits from an employment with the charity and no Trustees were reimbursed for expenses (2024: none)

3. WAGES AND SALARIES

There are no employees (2024: none)

4. Donated Services

2025
2024
2025
2024
Donated Services
Donated To:
Donated services to Oddington Gospel Hall Trust
15,150
14,811
Total Donated Services:
15,150
14,811

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Notes forming part of the Financial Statements

5. Tangible Fixed Assets

Cost Freehold Land & Buildings - South
Hill, Fosse Way
Fixtures, Fittings &
Equipment
Total
At 6 April 2024 1,826,400 25,460 1,851,860
Additions - 721 721
Disposals - - -
At 5 April 2025 1,826,400 26,181 1,852,581
Depreciation
At 6 April 2024 389,016 14,709 403,725
Current Year Depreciation 36,528 1,138 37,666
Eliminated on disposals - - -
At 5 April 2025 425,544 15,847 441,391
Net Book Value
At 5 April 2025 1,400,856 10,334 1,411,190
At 5 April 2024 1,437,384 10,751 1,448,135

The land registry title of the above property held is GR380027.

6. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

During the financial year, aggregated donations of £9,530 (2024: £6,288) were received. No material reimbursements were made.

7. VOLUNTEERS

Stow Gospel Hall Trust relies entirely on volunteers to carry out the management, administration and general maintenance work. The Trust has no paid staff or paid Trustees.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements

Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Resources Expended

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

8. Resources Expended

MEETING ROOMS OTHER
CHARITABLE
ACTIVITIES
TOTAL COSTS
2025
TOTAL COSTS
2024
Direct Costs
Premises costs - repairs and maintenance 1,461 - 1,461 8,730
Premises costs - heat, light and power 16,827 - 16,827 8,141
Health and Safety 2,224 - 2,224 1,606
Legal and professional 3,576 - 3,576 -
Congregation Support - - - (150)
Depreciation 37,666 - 37,666 37,583
Insurance 3,852 - 3,852 3,059
Other Expenses 8,340 - 8,340 9,598
Governance 1,152 - 1,152 1,098
Total Direct Costs 75,097 - 75,097 69,665

Governance costs include £180 (prior year: £180) in respect of independent examiners fees.

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Analysis of Net Assets - Current year

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

9. ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS

9.1 Current Year
UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS 2025
Funds
Tangible Fixed Assets 1,411,190 - - 1,411,190
Current Assets 91,808 - - 91,808
Current Liabilities (1,961) - - (1,961)
Total Funds 1,501,037 - - 1,501,037

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Analysis of Net Assets - Prior Year

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

9.2 Prior Year

UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS 2024
Funds
Tangible Fixed Assets 1,448,135 - - 1,448,135
Current Assets 86,352 - - 86,352
Current Liabilities (1,753) - - (1,753)
Total Funds 1,532,734 - - 1,532,734

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Movement in Funds - Current Year

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

10. Movement in Funds

10.1 Movement in funds - current year

UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS 2025
Movement in Funds
Total funds bought forward 1,532,734 - - 1,532,734
Incoming resources 58,551 - - 58,551
Resources expended (90,247) - - (90,247)
Total funds carried forward 1,501,037 - - 1,501,037

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Movement in Funds - Prior Year

Stow Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025

10. Movement in Funds

10.2 Movement in funds - Prior year

UNRESTRICTED DESIGNATED RESTRICTED TOTAL FUNDS
FUNDS FUNDS FUNDS 2024
Movement in Funds
Total funds bought forward 1,568,237 - - 1,568,237
Incoming resources 48,973 - - 48,973
Resources expended (84,476) - - (84,476)
Total funds carried forward 1,532,734 - - 1,532,734

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust

Comparative Statement of Financial Activities

Stow Gospel Hall Trust

For the year ended 5 April 2025

Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Stow Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2025
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Stow Gospel Hall Trust
For the year ended 5 April 2025
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Income and endowments:
Donations and Legacies:
Collections
25,305
-
-
25,305
Gift Aid Donations
9,910
-
-
9,910
Income Tax refunds
2,478
-
-
2,478
Other donations
7,780
-
-
7,780
Other Income
3,500
-
-
3,500
Total Income and endowments:
48,973
-
-
48,973
Expenditure:
Running Meeting Rooms (note 8)
69,665
-
-
69,665
Cost of donated services (note 4)
14,811
-
-
14,811
Total Expenditure:
84,476
-
-
84,476
Net Income/(Expenditure)
(35,503)
-
-
(35,503)
Net Movement In Funds
(35,503)
-
-
(35,503)
UNRESTRICTED
FUNDS
DESIGNATED
FUNDS
RESTRICTED
FUNDS
TOTAL FUNDS
2024
Reconciliation of funds (note 9)
Total Funds bought forward
1,568,237
-
-
1,568,237
Net movement in funds
(35,503)
-
-
(35,503)
Total Funds carried forward
1,532,734
-
-
1,532,734

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Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Stow Gospel Hall Trust