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2025-01-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 February 2024 To 31 January 2025

Charity name: Exeter Dissenters’ Graveyard Trust

Charity registration number: 1159449

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 To assist in the restoration, preservation,
improvement, maintenance and
conservation of Exeter Dissenters'
Graveyard and to advance education in the
graveyard and an understanding of the
history and heritage of the graveyard and
the people who were buried there.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 Improvement of the site allowing access
to members of the public
For many years the site known as the
Exeter Dissenters’ Graveyard was derelict
and was targeted by fly-tippers and
substance abusers. The graveyard lies just
outside Exeter’s Roman walls in an area of
historic significance - the Southernhay and
The Friars Conservation Area, next to a
major hotel. It was an eye-sore for locals
and visitors alike and was a constant target
for developers.
The principal work of the Trust is now to
maintain the graveyard, conduct research
into the people buried there and their
families, and carry out repair work where
appropriate.
Research
The Research Group continues to
investigate individuals and families
associated with the Graveyard. Over 120
family biographies have been uploaded to
the Trust’s dedicated website
(www.edgt.org.uk).
Website and social media
Our website (www.edgt.org.uk) is regularly
updated with information about the project
as well as photographs of the work and
data about the people buried at the site.
Education
Dr Ian Varndell, one of the founder
trustees, continued to give talks to local
history societies about the graveyard and
the research undertaken on the people
buried in the graveyard.
Public benefit and EDGT trustees
The trustees have regard to the guidance
on public benefit issued by the Charity
Commissioner and the trustees confirm
that they have had regard to public benefit
guides PB1, PB2 and PB3 issued by the
Charity Commission when making
decisions to which they are relevant.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The trustees confirm that they have
complied with the requirements of section
17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due
regard to the public benefit guidance
published by the Charity Commission for
England and Wales.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference
Policy on grant making Para 1.38 NA
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment		 Para 1.38 NA
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Para 1.38 Volunteers
The EDGT has no employees and relies
entirely on volunteers to plan, manage,
undertake and report on the work of the
charity, and maintain the site using paid
contractors only where specialist
knowledge, skills or equipment are
required. Since 2014 volunteers have
undertaken duties ranging from clearance
work, building, pointing, stone repair and
gardening to research work, stewarding
and charity administration.

Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.		 Para 1.20 Restoration
The principal restoration of the Graveyard
was completed in 2018/19.
The main emphasis for the trustees is the
maintenance of the graveyard, but they
continue to increase its exposure to
members of the public and ensure that
fundraising meets the priorities for
improvement works.
The trustees agreed to open the graveyard
on Wednesdays and Saturdays for most of
the year. From January 2025 the
graveyard will be open to the public 24/7
until the end of October 2025.
Research
The Research Group has continued to
expand the quantity and accuracy of its
biographical database.
The Research Group met four times in
2024 and shared a lot of data
electronically.
On-line Activity
The website continues to report progress
on the Project and publicise events. The
Trust has an occasional presence on
Facebook and Twitter.
Visitor numbers are monitored and the
most popular page visited is Social History
which includes output from the EDGT’s
active Research Group.
As QR codes are scanned by visitors to the
graveyard this activity is captured
electronically. Over 1850 scans were
recorded in the period 2021-May 2025.
More QR code plaques will be installed in
the graveyard in the coming years.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Para 1.41

Achievements against
objectives set
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 Para 1.41
Investment performance
against objectives		 Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 The trust has £18,333 total funds, of which
£126 are unrestricted, £207 are restricted,
and £18,000 relate to Heritage Assets.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 EDGT aspires to accumulate reserves to
the level of three years’ operating
expenditure. This will be kept under review
during the current financial year. The
trustees have not identified any potential
concerns.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 The trust has £18,333 total funds, (2023-
24: £18,760) of which £126 are unrestricted
(2023-24: £553); £207 are restricted (2023-
24: £207); and £18,000 relate to Heritage
Assets (2023-24: £18,000).
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 NA
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 NA
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 NA

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)		 Para 1.47 Principal sources of funding
None.
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46 Fund raising for closed graveyards is
challenging. The trustees have identified
fund-raising opportunities for the financial
year 2025-26.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)
Para 1.25		 Foundation model constitution
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 Appointed for a three-year term by the
current Board of Trustees by resolution at a
properly convened meeting of the Board.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51 Board of Trustees
The initial Board was composed of
members representing several heritage and
community associations operating in the
county of Devon. Close relationships were
therefore formed with those associations,
all of whom contributed seed funding for
the early feasibility work. Whilst close
working relationships still exist with the
founding associations, new trustees are
invited on the basis of their experience and
appropriate expertise.
Induction and training of trustees
New trustees are sought from the local
community on the basis of appropriate
expertise as required by the Board or have
a demonstrated interest in the Objects of
the Trust. The charity trustees make
available to each new charity trustee, on or
before his or her first appointment: (a) a
copy of the current version of our
constitution; and (b) a copy of the CIO’s
latest Trustees’ Annual Report and
statement of accounts.
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51

Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name Exeter Dissenters’Graveyard Trust
Other name the charity uses EDGT
Registered charity number 1159449
Charity’s principal address Brimley Cross
Bovey Tracey
NEWTON ABBOT
TQ13 9DL

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

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20		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
**year **		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Anne Amosford
Ian Varndell Treasurer
Paul Chant Secretary
Nigel Fitzhugh
SallyDyer
Jane Marston
Claire Rudkins
CathyMoran
Stephen Wills Chair

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser
Name
Address
Accountants Thompson Jenner LLP 1 Colleton Crescent, Exeter EX2 4DG

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Position (eg Secretary,
Chair, etc)
Date
Ian Michael VARNDELL Robert Paul CHANT

Hon. Treasurer		 Hon. Secretary
14 November 2025
14 November 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Exeter Dissenters' Graveyard Trust 1159449
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period 01/02/2024 31/01/2025
To
from
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Donations and Legacies - - - - 375
Charitable Activities 74 - - 74 33
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
74 - - 74 408
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 74 - - 74 408
A3 Payments
Charitable Activities 501 - - 501 1,168
- - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total [ 501 ] - - 501 1,168
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 501 - - 501 1,168
Net of receipts/(payments) (427) - - (427) (760)
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 553 207 - 760 1,520
Cash funds this year end 126 207 - 333 760
----- End of picture text -----

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

14/11/2025

1

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B1 Cash funds		 Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Bank
Cash
Details
Details
Graveyard Land
Details
Accountacy Accrual
Signature		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
27
207
99
-
-
-
126
207
OK
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
Heritage
18,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
Unrestricted
330
-
-
-
-
Print Name
Ian Michael Varndell
Robert Paul Chant		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Date of
approval

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

14/11/2025

2