Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
Contents
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3 Legal and Administrative Information
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4 Report of the Trustees
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8 Report of the Independent Examiner
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9 Statement of Financial Activities
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10 Balance Sheet
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11 Notes forming part of the Financial Statements
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14 Resources Expended
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15 Analysis of Net Assets - Current year
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16 Analysis of Net Assets - Prior Year
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17 Movement in Funds - Current Year
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18 Movement in Funds - Prior Year
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19 Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
28 Jul 2025 Page 2 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Legal and Administrative Information
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
Charity Name:
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Registered Charity Number:
1159148
Trustees:
Mr A Fowler (Chair)
Mr J McCroft
Mr R Groombridge
Mr C South
Mr G Hibbert
Treasurer:
Mr J McCroft
Principle Address:
10 The Close, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 5DF
Independent Examiner:
Lloyd Tunley Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliott Court Herald Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB
Accountant:
Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliott Court Herald Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB
Bankers:
National Westminster Bank Plc 19 High Road Beeston Nottingham NG9 2JX
28 Jul 2025 Page 3 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the Trustees
Hillside 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 06 May 1982, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 08 August 2014. The trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 11 November 2014 under Charity Registration Number: 1159148
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 halls. 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 Derwent Valley Gospel Hall Trust, Nottingham Gospel Hall Trust and Derby 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 Hillside Gospel Hall Trust can be found in the separate appendix to this report.
28 Jul 2025 Page 4 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements
Hillside 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.
During the year, volunteers from Hillside Gospel Hall Trust actively engaged in a range of outreach initiatives, including visits to local foodbanks and homeless charities, providing humanitarian support.
In addition to outreach work, the Trust supported the extension and refurbishment of a church hall owned by Derwent Valley Gospel Hall Trust, an associated charity with whom it shares members of its congregation. This project aimed to enhance the facilities available to the congregation and to support the ongoing spiritual and community activities held at the premises.
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
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 25 and 550 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.
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 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:
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We seek and are encouraged to live exemplary lives in all our relationships with others in the wider community (including former Brethren), in accordance with the teachings of Holy Scripture (1 Tim 2:2).
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We regularly go out from our homes to preach on the streets, to distribute Christian literature and engage with the wider community (including former Brethren) in order to present eternal salvation, available to all men by faith in Jesus Christ. (2 Tim 4:2).
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We seek as members of the public to lead Christian lives as husbands and wives, parents, children, employers, employees and neighbours. (Col 3:22-25, Col 4:1).
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The preservation and protection of the family unit is fundamental and children are prized as a blessing from God. (Psalm 127:3-5). The elderly are valued members of the community, for whom both their family and the wider community are expected to care.
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Holy Scripture commands us to be good neighbours to others, and deal with all other people (including former Brethren) openly, honestly and fairly and consistent with these principles, we should give our time, talents and money to assist those in need in the wider community, in so far as reasonable given our abilities and our available resources. (Matt 7:12, Matt 22:39, Eph 4:28).
28 Jul 2025 Page 5 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the Trustees
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 is mostly due to the large donated services to Derwent Valley Gospel Hall Trust.
Total voluntary income received this year was £114,667 compared to £100,878 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 Trustees aim for the Charity to hold approximately £25,000 in a current account to meet the day to day expenses, plus an allowance for any urgent repairs and capital expenses. The Trustees will endeavour not to set aside funds unnecessarily. Free reserves accumulated in excess of the minimum will be used at the discretion of the Trustees for the strategic development of Hillside Gospel Hall Trust. 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 £673,372 ( 2024: £823,585)
28 Jul 2025 Page 6 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside 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:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP (FRS 102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
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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 operation.
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 J McCroft (Trustee)
..............................................................
Date
28 Jul 2025 Page 7 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Report of the Independent Examiner
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Hillside 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:
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Accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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The accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
...................................................................................................
Lloyd Tunley Oldfield Advisory LLP 1120 Elliott Court Herald Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB
28 July 2025
28 Jul 2025 Page 8 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Statement of Financial Activities
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
| Statement of Financial Activities Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025 |
Statement of Financial Activities Hillside 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 84,083 - - 84,083 72,376 |
|
| Payroll giving 827 - - 827 827 |
|
| Gift aid donations 24,136 - - 24,136 22,140 |
|
| Gift aid refunds 5,621 - - 5,621 5,535 Investments |
|
| Interest Received 16,718 - - 16,718 19,873 |
|
| Total Income and endowments: 131,386 - - 131,386 120,751 Expenditure: |
|
| Running Meeting Rooms (note 8) 141,305 - - 141,305 121,305 |
|
| Cost of donated services (note 4) 171,090 - - 171,090 33,485 |
|
| Total Expenditure: 312,395 - - 312,395 154,790 |
|
| Net Income/(Expenditure) (181,009) - - (181,009) (34,040) |
|
| Net Movement In Funds (181,009) - - (181,009) (34,040) UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2025 TOTAL FUNDS 2024 |
|
| Reconciliation of funds (note 10) | |
| Total Funds bought forward 2,846,257 - - 2,846,257 2,880,296 |
|
| Net movement in funds (181,009) - - (181,009) (34,040) |
|
| Total Funds carried forward 2,665,248 - - 2,665,248 2,846,257 |
The notes on page 11 - 19 form part of these financial statements.
28 Jul 2025 Page 9 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Balance Sheet
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust As at 5 April 2025
| Balance Sheet Hillside Gospel Hall Trust As at 5 April 2025 |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Fixed Assets | ||
| Tangible assets (note 6) | 1,991,876 | 2,022,672 |
| Total Fixed Assets | 1,991,876 | 2,022,672 |
| Current assets | ||
| Prepayments and accrued income | 9,783 | 8,303 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 665,623 | 819,935 |
| Total Current assets | 675,406 | 828,238 |
| Creditors: amounts falling due withinone year | ||
| Accruals and deferred income | 2,034 | 4,653 |
| Other creditors | - | - |
| Total Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | 2,034 | 4,653 |
| Net current assets/(liabilities) | 673,372 | 823,585 |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 2,665,248 | 2,846,257 |
| Net Assets | 2,665,248 | 2,846,257 |
| Funds (note 10) | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 2,665,248 | 2,846,257 |
| Total Funds | 2,665,248 | 2,846,257 |
The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of Hillside Gospel Hall Trust on .........................................and were signed on its behalf by:
.............................................................................................
Mr J McCroft (Trustee)
The notes on pages 11 - 19 form part of these financial statements.
28 Jul 2025 Page 10 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements
Hillside 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 Hillside 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:
| Freehold buildings | 2.5% straight line |
|---|---|
| Property improvements | 2.5% straight line |
| Fixtures and Fittings | 10% reducing balance |
28 Jul 2025 Page 11 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements
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.
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 Derwent Valley Gospel Hall Trust 169,443 19,513 |
|
| Donated Services to Nottingham Gospel Hall Trust 824 10,203 |
|
| Donated Services to Derby Gospel Hall Trust 823 3,769 |
|
| Total Donated Services: 171,090 33,485 |
28 Jul 2025 Page 12 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Notes forming part of the Financial Statements
5. Tangible Fixed Assets
| Cost | Freehold Property | Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| At 6 April 2024 | 2,534,755 | 201,958 | 2,736,714 |
| Additions | 17,396 | - | 17,396 |
| Disposals | - | - | - |
| At 5 April 2025 | 2,552,151 | 201,958 | 2,754,110 |
| Depreciation | |||
| At 6 April 2024 | 567,366 | 146,676 | 714,042 |
| Current year depreciation | 42,664 | 5,528 | 48,192 |
| Eliminated on disposals | - | - | - |
| At 5 April 2025 | 610,029 | 152,204 | 762,233 |
| Net Book Value | |||
| At 5 April 2025 | 1,942,122 | 49,754 | 1,991,876 |
| At 5 April 2024 | 1,967,390 | 55,282 | 2,022,672 |
Land registry title of the above property held is NT23261.
6. TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
During the financial year, aggregated donations of £14,056 ( 2024: £9,360) were received from related parties of the trustees. The trust also purchased equipment for £279 (2024: £955) from Willow Select, a company to which a trustee is connected. The trust also spent £26,984 (2023: £0) with Accent Office Interiors Ltd on improvements and refurbishments of which a trustee is a director of the company. All transactions with related parties were made at arms length.
7. VOLUNTEERS
Hillside 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.
28 Jul 2025 Page 13 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Resources Expended
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
8. Resources Expended
| MEETING ROOM | CHARITABLE | TOTAL COSTS | TOTAL COSTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COSTS | ACTIVITIES | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Direct Costs | ||||
| Premises costs | 77,421 | - | 77,421 | 55,840 |
| Legal and professional | 4,716 | - | 4,716 | 4,663 |
| Depreciation | 48,192 | - | 48,192 | 44,082 |
| Insurance | 2,469 | - | 2,469 | 2,575 |
| Telephone | 664 | - | 664 | 618 |
| Donations | 950 | - | 950 | 1,100 |
| Bank charges | 71 | - | 71 | 4 |
| Health and safety | 1,350 | - | 1,350 | 2,358 |
| Other expenses | 3,888 | - | 3,888 | 8,555 |
| Governance | 1,584 | - | 1,584 | 1,510 |
| Total Direct Costs | 141,305 | - | 141,305 | 121,305 |
Governance costs include £180 (prior year: £180) in respect of independent examiners fees.
28 Jul 2025 Page 14 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Analysis of Net Assets - Current year
Hillside 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 | 1,991,876 | - | - | 1,991,876 |
| Current Assets | 675,406 | - | - | 675,406 |
| Current Liabilities | (2,034) | - | - | (2,034) |
| Total Funds | 2,665,248 | - | - | 2,665,248 |
28 Jul 2025 Page 15 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Analysis of Net Assets - Prior Year
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
9. Analysis of Net Assets between Funds
| 9.2 Prior Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNRESTRICTED | DESIGNATED | RESTRICTED | TOTAL FUNDS | |
| FUNDS | FUNDS | FUNDS | 2024 | |
| Funds | ||||
| Tangible Fixed Assets | 2,022,672 | - | - | 2,022,672 |
| Current Assets | 828,238 | - | - | 828,238 |
| Current Liabilities | (4,653) | - | - | (4,653) |
| Total Funds | 2,846,257 | - | - | 2,846,257 |
28 Jul 2025 Page 16 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Movement in Funds - Current Year
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
10. Movement in Funds
| 10. Movement in Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.1 Current Year | ||||
| UNRESTRICTED | DESIGNATED | RESTRICTED | TOTAL FUNDS | |
| FUNDS | FUNDS | FUNDS | 2025 | |
| Movement in Funds | ||||
| Total funds bought forward | 2,846,257 | - | - | 2,846,257 |
| Incoming resources | 131,386 | - | - | 131,386 |
| Resources expended | (312,395) | - | - | (312,395) |
| Total funds carried forward | 2,665,248 | - | - | 2,665,248 |
28 Jul 2025 Page 17 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Movement in Funds - Prior Year
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
10. Movement in Funds
| 10. Movement in Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10.2 Prior Year | ||||
| UNRESTRICTED | DESIGNATED | RESTRICTED | TOTAL FUNDS | |
| FUNDS | FUNDS | FUNDS | 2024 | |
| Movement in Funds | ||||
| Total funds bought forward | 2,880,296 | - | - | 2,880,296 |
| Incoming resources | 120,751 | - | - | 120,751 |
| Resources expended | (154,790) | - | - | (154,790) |
| Total funds carried forward | 2,846,257 | - | - | 2,846,257 |
28 Jul 2025 Page 18 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025
| Comparative Statement of Financial Activities Hillside Gospel Hall Trust For the year ended 5 April 2025 |
Comparative Statement of Financial Activities Hillside 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 72,376 - - 72,376 |
|
| Payroll giving 827 - - 827 |
|
| Gift Aid Donations 22,140 - - 22,140 |
|
| Gift aid refunds 5,535 - - 5,535 Investments |
|
| Interest Received 19,873 - - 19,873 |
|
| Total Income and endowments: 120,751 - - 120,751 Expenditure: |
|
| Running Meeting Rooms (note 8) 121,305 - - 121,305 |
|
| Cost of donated services (note 4) 33,485 - - 33,485 |
|
| Total Expenditure: 154,790 - - 154,790 |
|
| Net Income/(Expenditure) (34,040) - - (34,040) |
|
| Net Movement In Funds (34,040) - - (34,040) UNRESTRICTED FUNDS DESIGNATED FUNDS RESTRICTED FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS 2024 |
|
| Reconciliation of funds (note 10) | |
| Total Funds bought forward 2,880,296 - - 2,880,296 |
|
| Net movement in funds (34,040) - - (34,040) |
|
| Total Funds carried forward 2,846,257 - - 2,846,257 |
28 Jul 2025 Page 19 of 19
Trustees Report & Unaudited Financial Statements Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Public Benefit Report 2024 - 2025
1 | P a g e
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust Public Benefit
The Plymouth Brethren were established in 1828 when John Nelson Darby broke with the established Church in Dublin. Darby and others formed a fellowship based on strict observance of Christian teaching as set out in the Holy Scriptures. Darby came to Plymouth in the early 1830s and the congregation grew rapidly. Early publications were produced in Plymouth and distributed to other congregations of followers throughout the globe.
One of the Trust’s principal activities that furthers its objectives is providing a facility for the coordination of outreach work within the wider community.
Members of the congregation, acting under the directions of the Trustees and with their full active encouragement, have continued with outreach work as they have done for many years.
2 | P a g e
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Introduction
There are over 18,000 Plymouth Brethren members in the UK, spread across 86 locations.
There have been Brethren Gospel, or meeting halls across the Nottingham and Derby areas for over 180 years.
The Hillside Gospel Hall Trust was formed on the 6[th] May 1982 to acquire buildings to be used for the advancement of the Christian religion by carrying on the service of God, including the celebration of the Lord’s Supper, Gospel Preachings, Bible Readings and addresses on the Word of God and other meetings of a Christian religious character according to the injunctions contained in the Holy Scriptures and the tenets and practices of those Christians forming a worldwide fellowship known as Plymouth Brethren.
The Hillside Gospel Hall Trust has 265 members covering the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire areas. Weekend occasions would usually involve residents from the Leicestershire area along with other visitors from further afield, meaning these services would be attended by around 600 persons, from young babies to nonagenarians.
3 | P a g e
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Our Network
To read more on the PBCC way of life, visit the https://www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org/ website.
4 | P a g e
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
2024 – 2025 Summary
The Trustees of the Hillside Gospel Hall Trust confirm that they have complied with their duty under Section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commissions general guidance to charities on public benefit.
With the ongoing war in Ukraine, conflict in the Middle East and many natural disasters, 2024 – 2025 has been yet another year of challenges for families, businesses, and charities in their continued support for those suffering hardship and sorrow. This has highlighted the extraordinary humanitarian needs that exist in the world today.
The Trustees and the regular congregational members have committed to continue their public benefit works and have found 2024 – 2025’s financial year has demanded further resource as we support people and communities around our Places of Worship.
5 | P a g e
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Street Preaching and Tract Distribution
Street Preaching has been actively promoted by the Plymouth Brethren for many years, at least from the 1920’s, and today is enthusiastically supported by members of the Hillside Gospel Hall Trust congregation, as we seek to follow the example set out by our Lord Jesus Christ (Luke ch4 v17-20)
The essential activity of publicly preaching the name of Jesus and God’s wonderful Gospel indiscriminately, gives joy and encouragement to our daily lives; as having personally proved the tangible benefit and immense improvement believing in Jesus brings, we seek to highlight the availability of Jesus to all mankind.
Romans 10v13; “For everyone whosoever, who shall call on the name of the Lord, shall be saved”
The aim of the street preaching is not to recruit additional members for the Plymouth Brethren but to present eternal salvation as available to all men by faith in Jesus Christ and His blood and His work of atonement.
Across Nottingham and Derby town centres, a total of 444 Street Preachings were held, and 1,763 tracts distributed during the period 6[th] April 2024 – 5[th] April 2025.
Any enquiries received by the Trustees, or made to Central Office, have been followed up fully and where applicable people have been directed to the following website where literature can be purchased or downloaded for reading in multiple languages.
https://christiandoctrineandgospelpublishing.org/
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Working with other local charities
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust, purchased a selection of non-perishable food items, clothing etc, totalling approximately £950 which we donated to various local needs such as, homeless charities, vulnerable shelters and parish councils. Those we supported were:
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Emmanual House (charity number 1077424)
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Canaan Trust (charity number 1105657)
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Friary (charity number 1056825)
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West Hallam Parish Council – Hillside Gospel Hall Trust donated a new blind for the Parish Council office, which is local to where a number of the congregation live and meet.
EMMANUAL HOUSE
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Good morning,
On behalf of the trustees may I add my sincere thanks for your donation. We appreciate all the support you give to Canaan to enable us to continue our support for the homeless.
God bless.
NOTE RECEIVED FROM THE CANNAAN TRUST FOLLOWING DONATION
CANAAN TRUST
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
FRIARY
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
LETTER RECEIVED FROM THE FRIARY FOLLOWING DONATION
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Nottingham RRT Events
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust and its members of the congregation see the Rapid Relef Team (RRT) as a significant charity that is supporting communities in times of need and therefore have continued supporting it by providing voluntary labour for the following events. (Registered charity no 1161586)
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
April 2024 : On Saturday 6[th] April, Nottingham RRT mobilised a team of 9 volunteers to assist at the Canaan Trust’s annual Sleepout event to support those raising awareness and funds for homelessness. Volunteers arrived on-site at 5:00am to provide hot breakfast meals to participants who had spent the night sleeping out.
A total of 60 meals were served, consisting of RRT’s standard hot breakfast offering, helping to restore warmth and energy after a cold night outdoors. The event took place in aid of The Canaan Trust, a local homelessness charity offering 24-hour support to those in crisis.
This was a powerful display of community compassion, and RRT was proud to stand alongside those advocating for vulnerable individuals.
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
July 2024: On Wednesday 10[th] July, a team of 13 volunteers from Nottingham RRT mobilised to serve a BBQ lunch, delivering approximately 85 meals to attendees from various LRF (Local Resilience Forum) agencies. This event was in support of Exercise Tollard, a multi-agency evacuation training event run by Nottinghamshire County Council. The purpose of the exercise was to test the resilience and preparedness of the voluntary sector to respond to mass evacuation incidents, modelled on scenarios such as the Plymouth UXB. RRT was invited to attend the desktop exercise and support the day by providing welfare catering for delegates.
This event offered a valuable opportunity to build relationships with Nottinghamshire County Council’s Emergency Planning Team and other key stakeholders within the local resilience structure.
Testimonial:
" Thank you so much for you and your team offering your time and services to help us during Exercise Tollard last week, it really did lift delegates’ spirits and gave everyone an opportunity to network and get to know each other in a more informal setting... Your colleagues were very obliging and a joy to talk to... I would have no hesitation in recommending you and your team to assist in any future exercises or response situations within our LRF."
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
September 2024: On Tuesday 10[th] September, RRT Nottingham supported the reopening of the Hayward House Garden at Nottingham City Hospital, a milestone celebration marking the £1 million fundraising achievement by Nottingham Hospitals Charity.
The refurbished garden was unveiled as a tranquil and beautiful space for palliative care patients and their families to enjoy — a testament to the ongoing commitment to compassionate care.
To contribute to the event, 5 RRT volunteers were on site providing refreshments, including doughnuts, fruit, and soft drinks. The presence of RRT added to the sense of community and appreciation, offering a small gesture of kindness to staff, patients, and visitors on a meaningful day.
September 2024: On Wednesday 11[th] September, 3 Nottingham RRT volunteers attended and served doughnuts, fruit, and soft drinks to guests at a special event held at Queen’s Medical Centre which marked the opening of the largest Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the East Midlands. The event brought together key donors, NHS staff, and supporters of the Nottingham Hospitals Charity campaign that made the facility possible.
While the event itself was led by NHS and charity partners, RRT’s welfare support offered a small but appreciated gesture of hospitality and community spirit to those who had contributed to this vital healthcare milestone.
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
November 2024: On Friday 8[th] November, RRT Nottingham once again supported the annual CEO Sleepout at Notts County Football Ground, a high-profile event bringing together local business leaders to sleep rough for one night in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness — and to raise vital funds for frontline charities.
As part of RRT’s ongoing national partnership with CEO Sleepout, 8 volunteers mobilised locally to serve approximately 100 hot breakfast meals to participants the following morning. The breakfast offering provided comfort, conversation, and a sense of warmth to those who had braved the cold night for a good cause.
This event continues to be a key opportunity for RRT to demonstrate practical compassion while engaging with influential community figures who are united by a desire to make a difference.
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
November 2024: On Thursday 21[st] November, 2 Nottingham RRT volunteers delivered a dedicated support package to Rosslyn Park Primary and Nursery School in Bilborough. This was part of RRT’s national Early Bird Learning Programme.
The donation included:
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300 Smart Cookie breakfast bars
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30 workbooks
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A cuddly mascot: Cookie the Kookaburra
The Early Bird Learning Programme, launched in 2021, is designed to give infant and primaryaged children a better start to their school day, particularly those from challenging households. The initiative supports both healthy eating and mental wellbeing, combining physical resources with educational tools such as worksheets and video content aimed at promoting breakfast habits and school readiness.
Delivered just ahead of the Christmas holidays, the kit brought tangible support to the school community at a time of heightened need due to rising living costs and food insecurity.
See link for local news about this donation
LOCAL NEWS LINK
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust rning Boxes
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
December 2024: On Friday 13[th] December, 3 Nottingham RRT volunteers partnered with the Friary Drop-in Centre in West Bridgford to deliver 21 Holiday Food Boxes, equating to approximately 252 meals. This enabled RRT to support families facing hardship during the festive season.
Each RRT Holiday Food Box was carefully packed by volunteers and contained a mix of nonperishable essentials — including pasta, rice, cereal bars, and a selection of festive treats such as Christmas pudding, custard, and candy canes — helping to ease the pressure on families during a costly time of year.
This outreach was part of a coordinated effort across the UK to bring joy and practical support to those in need, with Nottingham’s distribution making a tangible impact in the local community.
Testimonial:
"Thank you very much for your donation. It’s about giving those
suffering with homelessness something different at this time of year
– something for them to enjoy. It has been a fantastic initiative,
thank you.” Ben Talbot, CEO of the Friary
See link for local news
about this donation
LOCAL NEWS ARTICLE
See link for video testimonial
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VIDEO TESTIMONIAL
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust 11 to end essness me the-fri TrE SIASOMOF GMMG BRT FOODBOX 20 | Page
Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
February 2025: On Wednesday 19[th] February 2025, volunteers from Nottingham RRT attended and supported the “Preparing for Life in Civvy Street” event which was hosted at Chetwynd Barracks. The event supported the 66 Works Group of the Royal Engineers during their All Ranks Briefing (ARB) — a day focused on operational updates, transition planning, and mental health awareness for service personnel.
Following a morning of presentations, which included:
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Forces operational briefings
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A mental health session led by RRT partner charity Forces in the Community
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A presentation from RRT outlining how we could support the MoD nationally through emergency welfare deployment
The RRT team then provided a hut lunch service for all attendees. Approx. 150 meals were served by the Nottingham RRT team, offering practical support and an opportunity to engage informally with personnel and stakeholders.
This event was designed to aid the transition from military to civilian life and with RRT’s presence which helped to highlight both ongoing support options and future collaboration opportunities within military resilience planning.
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Hillside Gospel Hall Trust
March 2025: On Saturday 8[th] March, RRT Nottingham once again supported YMCA Derbyshire’s Sleep Easy — an annual event that raises vital funds to combat youth homelessness. Held on 8th March 2025, individuals across the community spent the night outdoors to raise awareness and support for those without a safe place to call home.
A dedicated team of 8 Nottingham RRT volunteers were on site throughout the event, providing approximately 120 hot breakfast meals the following morning. The catering offered warmth, encouragement, and a positive close to a night of reflection and solidarity.
This year’s event raised £29,335, a powerful reminder of what’s possible when communities come together — and RRT was proud to play a part in its success.
Testimonial:
"On behalf of all of us at YMCA, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your incredible support at Sleep Easy on March 8th, 2025. Your time, effort, and dedication played a huge role in ensuring the event ran smoothly, and we truly couldn’t have done it without you... This achievement reflects the kindness and generosity of people like you... We are so grateful for your commitment and hope to see you again at future events."
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