Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] January 2021 Period start date To 31[st] December 2021 Period end date
Charity name: The Harwich Society
Charity registration number: 1161931
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote public interest in the Harwich area, encourage high standards of planning and architecture and to secure the preservaton, protecton, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest in Harwich and its hinterland |
| 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 |
Reviewing and commentng upon as necessary the planning applicatons placed before the Planning Authority. Encourage interest in and awareness of local history by maintaining The Harwich Redoubt, a fort built to defend Harwich Harbour during the Napoleonic War. The Society also operates museums chartng the maritme history of the town, manages the High Lighthouse and runs a Visitor Centre on Harwich Quay which acts as a focal point for tourist informaton. The Society encourages awareness of local history by organising guided walks and arranging lectures for local residents, visitors and fourists. Managing a small wildlife reserve in the town enables the Society to encourage local interest in natural history. The Society's sites are popular destnatons for people of all ages including local primary schools and young people. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees confrm they have complied with Sec.4 of the Charites Act 2006 in having due regard to the Charity Commissioners general guidance on public beneft. The Trustees actvely review the success of the Society’s actvites and the beneft accrued to local residents and visitors. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | The purpose of the charity is not primarily as a grant giving body. Any request received would be considered on its merits. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | The Society does not undertake social investment as its focus is on environmental work. However by creatng volunteering, opportunites, encouraging public interest in the local environment and managing visitor atractons for the public good we enhance opportunites for community and social engagement. |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The Society would be unable to exist without the support of volunteers, including our trustees. Many others volunteered to ensure the sites operated by the Harwich Society are managed, maintained and opened to visitors, provide guided walks, undertake research, maintain our archives and ensured the Highlight magazine is published and distributed. |
| Other | This organisaton was formed to update the consttuton of Harwich Society. On 1stJanuary 2016 the charitable actvites for public beneft were transferred from the original Harwich Society (Charity no 261798) to this new charity including assets and liabilites. The original Harwich Societywas formed in 1969. |
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 | The Society contnued to publish quarterly the ‘Highlight’ magazine and distribute it to all members whether local, in the UK or abroad. This magazine is seen as an important link in binding together residents and former residents of the town. The magazine includes artcles about the history of the area, conservaton and planning maters, promotes current events and volunteering and creates a platorm for people to share informaton and reminiscences. In normal years Society volunteers manage and staf the seasonal Visitor Centre in Harwich and the iconic historic buildings and museums under its ownership or control which are a signifcant tourist atracton in the Harwich area. This was seriously disrupted during 2021 due to Covid pandemic restrictons. |
The Bobbits Hole town wildlife area was managed, improved, and was open to the public including families with children during 2021 to promote safe accessible access to the natural environment. The new Society website was developed with linked social media facilities to better promote public interest in the Harwich area. The Society provided guided walks for residents, visitors, including foreign tourists, school groups and parties wishing to explore the locality prior to the Covid 19 pandemic restrictions. The Society participated in the statutory planning policy and development control processes for the Harwich area. The Society participates in town enhancement and tourism initiatives in partnership with others. The Society continued to promote interest and knowledge about the Harwich area including conducting research into the history of the area and publishing information.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
|
|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 financial position at the end
The Society was in a sound financial position at the end of the accounting period. Income
| of the period | exceeded expenditure during 2021 and the value of its liquid assets increased over theyear. |
|
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The Society has no formal policy on fnancial reserves other than to ensure sufcient funds are available to conserve and preserve 5 Church Street Harwich ( ‘Foresters’) probably the oldest house in Harwich and The Redoubt Fort a key Harwich ancient monument for the beneft of futuregeneratons. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | As recorded in the Annual Accounts we had £113,586 in the designated Foresters Fund and £94,335 in the designated Redoubt Fort Fund. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | The Society is in sound heart having over 2000 members and a sound balance sheet. |
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 |
Membership subscriptons, museum admission fees, donatons and fundraising from the annual Redoubt Rafe, pub quizzes and a 200 club quarterly draw provide most of the income in regard to the designated and unrestricted funds. Restricted fund income is mainly bank interest, grants and sponsorship. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | We adopt low risk investments for funds for future use to promote the objectves of the charity. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The risks are low since the charity generates sufcient funds to maintain its annual programme of actvites and insures against risk. We would need to seek grant support for a major preservaton projects with the historic buildings in our care, but we seek to minimise this risk by undertaking survey and tmely repairs. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Charity Commission Associaton Consttuton |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisaton |
| 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 | Trustees appointed by members |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and Para 1.51 training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | The Harwich Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the charityuses | n/a |
| Registered charitynumber | 1161931 |
| Charity’s principal address | 5 Church Street Harwich Essex CO11 3DR |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colin Farnell | Chairman | |||
| David Whitle | Vice Chairman | To 30/03/2022 | ||
| PhillIip Alder | Secretary | To 08/10/2020 | ||
| Diane Bitmead | Treasurer | |||
| Dan Beck | ||||
| Garry Calver | ||||
| Richard Colley | ||||
| Sue Daish | ||||
| Maria Fowler | ||||
| Andy Schooler | ||||
| Robert Barham | ||||
| Richard Oxborrow | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name n/a
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
none |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
n/a |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
n/a |
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
We employ no paid staff- we are a volunteer based organisation managed by our Board of Trustees.
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
n/a
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) Colin Farnell Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Chairman Date 07/05/2022
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THE HARWICH SOCIETY REGISTERED CHARITY No. 1181931 NOTES TO THE ACCOUPITS Y68rendod 318t DECEIIBER 2021 1 FORESTERS FREEHOLO PR(XJERTY STATED AT REBUILD COST 2 FORESTERS CONTENTS STATED AT REPLACEMENT COST 3 BOBBITS HIXE FREEHCLD LAND VALUED AT ESTIMATED MARKETVALUE 4 PAINTINGS AND PWUES VALUEDAT COST 5 MUSEUM EXHIBITS I OFTEN Crf)MATEDI AT COST PLUS 1% PER ANNLIM 6 TOOLS VALUED AT COST LESS 20% WA8TAGE PER ANNUM 7 SMALL ASSETS. OFFICE EQUIPMENTWRifTEN fM)WN AT 2tN PERMNUM INDEPENDENT EXAAIINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES OF ThE +IARIMCH SOCIErY I report on the accounts of Tr Har%4ich SWfor the year eNle(131st Lknmbet2021. arE set out on pages 1 to 3. The chantys INstees a rewsthle F¥epwation Of ac(¥yJts. oWiYs cMsthatan alit i5 t r8quiW forlh&8 year 14412) ofts Chth Ata 2011 2011 an tihThNexaminatm 1$ needed. It Is my re5ponsibiltyto'. eXam1r the arxwnts mjer sedK)n 145 olthe Chit$ kl 2011 lofvlow the proaUre3 kY don in Ike geral threfakrts gNen ty ts (WC¢)rnmwicffj sedK)n 145(Sllbl of the 2011 Act. aTht to ¥t8te pariiryjlar m8ttets c>Jmpto my81. aASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAIIINERS REPORT Myexaminalion was frried In accordan ilh Ihe gerwal tylhe Chatity Ccrfnmtsslon. An exarninalon 1nrJleS a of the ar£ounw records kept bytr charty and a I1parn of Ike a(xx)unt5 presented Vlh those records. It aL%o indude5 conshjerats.on of any unusual items (wdi%dowres in Ihe actAxJnts. ar¥J 5ethirKJ expLanatiws from you a5 ItU51ee8 confmlng such matter5. The pro(dures undertaken do t1 al trÉ evNIe[ Ihal be reqLWE¢ In an aLklit and cOnseqnIY no opin40n is given 8$ 10 thB aThl fair VW ¥rKJ b)e rewt knited lo tt88 matte[5 set out in the slalement bdow. IDEPENDEIITEXAMINER'SSTATEMENT In conneron ilh my exarninatJn. Ma CL¥rt lo my akntitin." 10 keep accwntiTYJ records In ar00re bilh seccfi 130 of ts 2011 Ac*. aTrJ requrernents ofts 20t1 ALI. have nDI been rrnL or 12) lo whth.n my opinw)n, attwit shrthj be dra in order a proF4ruThkniarKlvwJ of a¢xwn151o be reached. SIGNED NlE. QUALIFICATh)M ADDRESS". IOVALLEY RaiD. 114RWth. ES DATE.
THE HARWICH SOCIETY REGISTERED CHARrrY No. 1161931 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS Year•nded 318¢ DECEIIBER 2021 1 FORESTERS FREEHOLD FR(RTysTAJED AT REBUILD COST 2 FORESTERS CCfftNTS STATED AT REPLACEMENT COST 3 BOBBITS HOLE FREEFK)LD LAND VALUED AT ESTtMATED MARKETVALUE 4 PAINTINGS AND PLAQUES VALUED AT COST 5 MUSEUM EXHIBITS I OFfEN tQNATEDI AT COST PLUS 1% PER ANNUM 6 TOOLS VALUEDAT COST LE&S Th WASTAGE PER ANNUM 7 SPMLL A&TS. OFFICE EaUIPklENT WRirrEN LX)WN AT 20% PER ANNUM INDEPEtIDEiif EXAIIINER% REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ThE HARcH SOCIErY I report on the accounts ofTtE Sow for SEar 3181 tLYmt¢r 2021. ich e set ¢)n pages 1 to 3. RE8PECThE RESON3181LmES OF TRUSTEESANO EMMINER TrE charfvs ItU51ees are respowible fortre prep8f8bw oftr aty8. thaws an i8 nut rw4uvd forthls ar uThJer sectitin 144PI ofttE Charth5P42011 (ts X)11 Attl Ihat 8n exaMInafy 15 eded. 1$ my resVJnsi1ty lo.. exam th8 acrLrt uTrJ8r 145 ofthe Chgribes Ad 2017 to fc4low wOcedU dm) in lhe thrEcab)rts gNen iylhe Chaty Commwh)n m1er 14515110) of 11 2011 Atx. and to state paTh¢xrtar matters have comto myatterikn. BASIS OF INDepENDENT EXAIIINEn REPORT My examination wa5 carried rxrt in aco)rdarte tregeal Direcons ChHFity Commissim. An examinati indudes a revw ofthe accountiNJ recor(Is kept by ts rtharity aThl a cpar ofthe aco)unts yesenied those reL)rds. It also indudes consideration Df Hny unusL421 rtems w di8dosures in If 8UXMJnt5. ewanations from you as trustees eonceffliry such mattets. The procedures wdertaken do rrt)I provKle all eV1kn that wtyJbJ be requir&Y in an aL1rt and Cth5equenity no op10 is gNen as lo wlbleftr a i1 aTrJ aTrJ ts rep)rt ts Ilnit to Ihose matters get r¥Jt in ytatsment below. INDEPENDE14f EXAMNEFYSSYATEAIENT 111 gives me rea50nab Ihai in wry rn8tsri re¥edthe er1.. lo keep acLountirvJ rety)rds in accordarte secticfi 130 of 2011 Afl. arwj reqUetynts of the 2011 Act. have 1 t*8n mei". or 121 lowhlch.in my opinion. atternb)n be li (x¥wtoenaNe a WDper LnSgfstsMirvJ of accounts 10 reached . SIGNED M4ME'. WR&4REf ¥<iCHER QUALIFICATION ADDRESS". DATE..