The Magic of Life Trust Charity Number 1159917 Accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 The Magic of Life Butterfly House CwmRheidol Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 3NB
TrusteM' Annual Report 2024 The Maglc of Llfe Trust Reference and administration Charity Name: The Magic of Life Trust Other names: The Magic of Life Butterfly House Rogist•red Charlty Number.. 1159917 Charlty's address: The Magic of Life Butteffly House, CwmRheidol, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3N8 Names of Trustse8 who manag• the Charlty: Dr Peter Jenkins - Chair - whole year rim Allman - whole year Sacha Bush - whole year Lewis Richards - whole year
Trustees. Annual R•port 2024 The Maglc of Llfe Trnst Structure, Governance and Management Legal Entity: The Magic of Life Butterfy House is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. In the event of the Trust being wound up, any assets of the Trust remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred by the charity trustees to such other charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the charity, a8 the charity tru8te8s may decide. Funds Funds are unrestricted funds which are availablé for use at the discretion of thè twstees in furtherance of the general objectives of tho Trust and which have not been designated for other purposes. Typo of Governlng Document: Constitution How the Charity18 constitut. Charitable Incorporated Organisation Trustee Selection Methods: Elected by Trustees
Trustees. Annual Report 2024 The Maglc of Llfe Trust Objectives and Activities 1) to promote the conseNation and proteGtlon of the natural envimnment by promoting biodiversity 2) to advance the education of the public in matters conc8ming tha natural wortd for the mutual benefft of both people and nature 3) to establish and maintain breeding progr8ms of rare species of plants and animals The Charity was registered as a CIO on 13th January 2015. Before that, The Trust operated a8 a not-for-profft organisation constituted on 5th May 2002. All profits are invested back into th8 Charity. Inccmne is through visitor admission fees and grant-making bodie8. The Trust oversees the running of The Magic of Lrfe Butterfly House. The butterfly house 18 an educational visitor centre in the Rheidol Valley. Ceredigion. It is open to the public from mid- February to the start of December. Public Benefit Statement In 2024 the Magic of Lrfe Butterfly house was open to all members of the Public from the 15th of February to the 1st of December. We had a successful year with a total of 17,500 visitors. This was though down slightly on the previous year {-50A). The income (excluding Gift Aid) for the year was
Trustee8' Annual Report 2024 The Magic of Llfe Trust £184,171, down -3.50h vs. 2023 {£190,948). The Trust is dedicated to the promotion of education and the conservation of both tropical and indigenous wildlife. This mission is accomplished through maintaining high'quality exhibits of plants and insects that are open to the Public. Our team, comprised primarily of trained biologists, actively engages the public through infonnative talks on all days that we are open. These presentations are tailored to individual families, with a core emphasis on the ecology and conservation of butterflies and other insects. Ultirnately, our aim is to inspire a deep sense of wonder for the Natural World. This year we consolidated our butterfly breeding programme. We reared 3,260 of our own pupae, includlng 39 different species of butterflies and moths. In terms of buttertly con8ervalion, the Manager made a trip out to record and film The Ae8acus Birdwing, one of the rarest butterflies in the world. Thi8 is known from just a few villages in Indonesia and is in grave danger of going extinct. A 28-page document was written on this trip and sent lo contacts in the Government in Jakarta as well the Natural History Museum, London. The idea is to promote awareness and the future conservation of this species. The second trip in December was more successful, with at least three females being spotted and filmed. Other conseryation projects continue such as our Pied Flycatcher Breeding Project in the neighbouring Rheidol woods. The Cynarina project is still being established where we are trying to develop a method for successfully breeding this rare coral. In this way, the trustees are complying with their duty to pay due regard to the guidance on public benefit in exercising their powers or duties (Section 4 Charities Act 2006).
Tru8to08' Annual Report 2024 The Magic of Life Trust Declaration The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees, Report above. Signed by two trustees on behalf of the Trustee8. Trustee 1: Full Name: érkK bL2hl/K{ Signature: Date: Trustee 2: Full Name: FIUL Signature: Date:
Tru8teeG' Annual Roport 2024 The Magle of Life Trust Charlty Number 1159917 Independ•nt Examlner's Report to tha Tru8toe8 I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are set out on pages 9 to 12. Respective rnsponsiblliti88 of trustees and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charity's Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibilty to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act; - lo follow the wocedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and - to state whether particular matters have come to my atterrtion. Basls of ind•p•ndent •xamlnerf• stst•mont My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Direction8 givén by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with tho88 records. It also ineludes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidenGe that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a Irue and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in Ihe ststement b810w. Ind•pend•nt •xamlnef8 Statsment In connection with my examination, no matter ha8 come to my attention.. 1) lthich gives me reasonable cause lo believe that in any material respect the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the Charit188 Act,. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charrties Act have not been met,. or 2) To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ié/s/202f Gar h Jones ACMA 26 Bridge Street Aberystwyth SY23 1QB Date:
Trustoes. Annual Report 2024 The Maglc of Lifo Trust Maglc of Llfe Trust Statsment of financial artlvltles 31 December 2024 2024 Unrestricted Funds 2024 Total 2023 Totsl Incomlng Resources Donations, legacies and grants Membership subscriptions Gift aid Admission fees Bank Interest Incorne Fundraising Total Incoming resources 313 59,307 -6,627 124,551 313 59,307 -6,627 124,551 127 60,658 26,970 127, 142 3,(J)I 20 217,918 177,544 177,544 Resources expended Livestock, horticulture and display Shop goods Wages and national insurance Marketing Rent Heating Insurance Office and travel costs Bank charges Sundries Write-offs Depreciation 32,665 12,842 118,487 2,993 1,814 32,665 12,842 118,487 2,993 1,814 24,396 11,992 92,892 2,372 1,780 6,565 922 13,311 1,037 13,311 1,037 10,842 10,842 9,917 Totsl resources expended 201,047 201,047 1&),338 Net movement in funds Totsl funds broughtforward Totsi funds carried fOard -23,503 193,784 170,281 -23,503 193,784 170,281 57,635 136,149 193,784
Trustees. Annual Report 2024 The Maglc of Llfo Trust MagSc of Llfe Trust Balance Sheet as at 31 December 24 Totsl Total Flxed assets Tangible assets 75,393 73,862 Total fixed assets Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 6,237 13,227 97,740 114,148 Totsl current assets 103,976 127,375 Credltors: due within one year 7,452 Total assets less current liabilities 170,281 193,784 Credltors: due afterone year Net assets 170,281 193,784 Funds of the Charfty Unrestricted funds 170,281 193,784 Totsl funds 170,281 193,784 Signed by two trustees on behalf of all of the trustees Date of approval
Trustees. Annual Report 2024 The Maglc of Llfe Trust Notss to the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Note 1. Basis of preparation 1.1 Basis of accountin These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic cost in accordance with: Accounting and Reporting by Charities - Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP 2005)., And with the Charities Act 2011 1.2 Chan e in basis of accountin There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and methods of accounting) since last year. No changes have been made to accounts for previous years. Note 2. Accountlng pollclos This standard list of accounting policies has been applied by the charity. 2.1 Incomin resources Recognition of incoming resources These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when: The charity becomes entitled to the resources; The trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and The monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Grants and donations Grants and donations are only included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charty has unconditional entitlement to the resources. 2.2 Ex nditure and liabili Liability recognition Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. 2.3 Assets Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year. They are valued at cost or reasonable value on receipt. 10
Trustoes. Annual Report 2024 The Magic of Life Trust Note 3. Details of certain items of expenditure 3.1 Fees for examination This year Last year Independent examiner's fee 640 625 Note 4. Paid employees 4.1 Staff costs This year Last year Gross wages and salaries Pension costs 114,055 89,154 Note S. Tangible fixed assets 5.1 Cost 8alance brought forward Addltions Balance carried forward Plant & machinery Butterfly house Computers 14,794 33,412 17,806 473 1,932 15,267 35,344 Kfir Equipment Gardens Landscaping Miscellaneous Fixtures & frttings 5,574 4.393 74,200 7,146 8,458 1,174 23,380 78,593 7,146 8,458 1,174 177 322 5.2 Accumulated de reciation Balance brought forward Depreclation for the year Balance carrled forward Plant & machinery Butterfly house 11,701 21,636 534 12,235 ,ThYr Computers Equipment Gardens Landscaping Miscellaneous Fixtures & fittings 1,371 3,060 4,428 13,181 34,314 3,310 23,007 16,241 38,742 3,694 4,755 605 411 63 590 542 101929 5.3 Net book value Brought fOard Carried forward 73,862 75,392 11