2025-04-05-accounts

Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Charity Registration No: 1161969

Springfield Gospel Trust

Report of the trustees and unaudited financial statements Year ended 5 April 2025

T B Tax Services Bridge House Pattenden Lane Marden Kent TN12 9QJ

Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Contents

	Pages
Reference and administrative details	3
Report of the trustees	4-7
Independent examiner’s report	8
Statement of financial activities	9
Balance sheet	10
Notes to the financial statements	11-17

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Reference and Administrative Details For the year ended 5 April 2025

Charity name	Springfield Gospel Trust
Registered charity number	1161969
Trustees	Nick Clarke (Resigned 15/01/2025)
	Peter Wickland (Appointed 15/01/2025)
	Ian King (Resigned 15/01/2025)
	Daniel Woodcock (Appointed 15/01/2025)
	Edwin Kerkham (Resigned 15/01/2025)
	Wade Devenish (Appointed 15/01/2025)
	Russell Wickland (Chair)
	Hamish Penson
Treasurer	Hamish Penson
Principal address	The Gospel Hall
	Nyton Road
	Aldingbourne
	PO20 3TX
Independent examiner	Mike Prior FCA
	Sherlocks Chartered Accountants
	13 Plantation Way
	Whitehill
	Hants
	GU35 9HD
Accountant	T B Tax Services
	Accountants
	Bridge House
	Pattenden Lane
	Marden
	Kent
	TN12 9QJ
Bankers	Cater Allan Private Bank
	Bridle Road
	Bootle
	L30 4GB

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Report of the Trustees 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 11-12 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 June 2004, most recently amended by Deed of Variation dated 28 February 2014. The Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 3 June 2015 under Charity Registration Number: 1161969.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The names of the Trustees who 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 (2024: £nil) other than that disclosed in Note 10.

The Trust operates two Gospel halls 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 Chalcraft 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 or procedures 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.

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 5 April 2025

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 this Trust can be found in the separate appendix to this report.

Main activities and achievements

The Trust provides and maintains two Gospel Halls 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.

The Trust has continued to engage with the congregation and visitors and encouraging good works by them which benefit the wider community, as described in the annexed report.

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 40 and 800 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 hall 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 and 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:

• 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).

• 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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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 5 April 2025

Objectives and activities

(continued)

• 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).

• 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.

• 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).

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

Financial position

In the year ended 5 April 2025 the Trust had a surplus of incoming resources over resources expended. This was due to contributions in during the year towards a new gospel hall.

Total voluntary income received this year was £330,323 compared to £333,742 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 a programme of raising further funds by way of donations and collections, and if necessary, loans, in order to fund intended projects, including future plans as referred to below.

The Trust is holding large reserves with a view to providing new Gospel Halls in the area.

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 £626,767 (2024: £390,146).

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Report of the trustees (continued) For the year ended 5 April 2025

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

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and 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:

Hamish Penson Trustee 2/3/2026 Date: ...........................................

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees For the year ended 5 April 2025

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Springfield Gospel Trust for the year ending 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’).

BASIS OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS 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 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 statement 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.

Mike Prior FCA 2/4/2026

Sherlocks Chartered Accountants 13 Plantation Way Whitehill Hants GU35 9HD

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Statement of financial activities For the year ended 5 April 2025

Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies: Collections Contributions from the congregation Gift Aid donations Income tax refunds Donated services Other donations Grants from other Trusts Investments Bank interest Other Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities Running meeting rooms 5 Charitable events 5 Cost of donated services 4 Total Net income/(expenditure) Gains/(losses) on sale of fixed assets Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds Designated funds Total funds 2025 Total funds 2024 £ £ £ £ 0 0 0 0 273,948 0 273,948 269,136 45,100 0 45,100 51,685 11,275 0 11,275 12,921 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 0 0 0 0
	330,323 0 330,323 333,796
	162,339 0 162,339 159,361 13,824 0 13,824 46,274 6,043 0 6,043 6,426
	182,206 0 182,206 212,061
	148,117 0 148,117 121,735 0 0 0 0 148,117 0 148,117 121,735 1,476,606 0 1,476,606 1,354,871
	1,624,723 0 1,624,723 1,476,606

The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements. All of the above activities are classed as continuing and there are no gains and losses other than those included above.

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Balance sheet As at 5 April 2025

Notes Fixed assets Intangible assets Tangible fixed assets 6 Current assets Debtors: Loan 7 Prepayments and accrued income Cash at bank and in hand Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year: Other creditors Accruals and deferred income Loans Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year: Loans Net assets 8 Funds Unrestricted income fund Designated funds Restricted funds Total charity funds 9	0 997,956	2025 £ 997,956 626,767	0 1,086,460	2024 £ 1,086,460 390,146
	222,000 11,275 395,172		222,000 12,921 154,385
	628,447 0 (1,680) 0		389,306 0 840 0
		1,624,723 0		1,476,606 0
		1,624,723		1,476,606
		1,624,723 0 0		1,476,606 0 0
		1,624,723		1,476,606

The unaudited financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees of Springfield Gospel Hall Trust on and signed on their behalf by 2/3/2026

Hamish Penson

Trustee

The notes on pages 11 to 17 form part of these financial statements

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements 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 Springfield 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 £1000) 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 3.33% straight line Improvements to property 8.33% straight line Fixtures and Fittings 8.33% straight line

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025

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 and there is no requirement to prepare consolidated accounts

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) other than that disclosed in Note 10.

3. Wages and salaries

There are no employees (2024: none).

4. Donated services

Chalcraft Gospel Hall Trust	2025 £ 6,043 6,043	2024 £ 6,426
		6,426

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025

5. Resources expended

Current Year Direct costs: Insurance Repairs & Maintenance Event expenses Utilities Health & Safety Donations Legal and Professional Fees Depreciation Governance costs Prior Year Direct costs: Insurance Repairs & Maintenance Event expenses Utilities Health & Safety Donations Legal and Professional Fees Depreciation Governance costs	Meeting rooms £ 3,460 42,709 2,016 15,914 1,330 0 3,744 93,166 0 162,339 Meeting rooms £ 3,707 37,894 1,763 19,165 935 0 3,120 92,777 0 159,361	Other charitable activities £ 0 0 927 0 0 10,617 0 0 2,280 13,824 Other charitable activities £ 0 0 0 0 0 45,194 0 0 1,080 46,274	2025 £ 3,460 42,709 2,943 15,914 1,330 10,617 3,744 93,166 2,280
			176,163
			2024 £ 3,707 37,894 1,763 19,165 935 45,194 3,120 92,777 1,080
			205,635

Governance costs include £1,680 (2024: £1,080) in respect of independent examiner’s fees.

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025

6. Fixed assets Cost B/f at 06/04/2024 Additions Disposals At 5 April 2025 Depreciation B/f at 06/04/2024 Charge for the year Impairment Disposals At 5 April 2025 Net book value At 5 April 2025 At 5 April 2024 Freehold Property: Nyton Road Yapton Road 7. Loans Chalcraft Gospel Hall Trust TOTAL	Freehold Property 1,745,098 0 0 1,745,098 690,955 86,629 0 0 777,584 967,514 1,054,143 Title No WSX 305125 WSX 199813	Freehold Land Nyton 22,304 0 0 22,304 0 0 0 0 0 22,304 22,304 Cost 1,365,038 380,060 1,745,098		Equipment 195,044 4,662 0 199,706 185,031 6,537 0 0 191,568 8,138 10,013 2025 £ 222,000 222,000		Total 1,962,446 4,662 0
						1,967,108
						875,986 93,166 0 0
						969,152
						997,956
						1,086,460
						2024 £ 222,000 222,000

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025

8.	Analysis of net assets	between funds
8.1	Current year
				Unrestricted funds	Designated funds	Restricted funds	Total
				£	£	£	£
Fixed	assets			997,956	0	0	997,956
Current assets				628,447	0	0	628,447
Current liabilities				(1,680)	0	0	(1,680)
Long	term liabilities			0	0	0	0
Total	funds			1,624,723	0	0	1,624,723
8.2	Prior year
				Unrestricted funds	Designated funds	Restricted funds	Total
				£	£	£	£
Fixed	assets			1,086,460	0	0	1,086,460
Current assets				389,306	0	0	389,306
Current liabilities				840	0	0	840
Long	term liabilities			0	0	0	0
Total	funds			1,476,606	0	0	1,476,606
9.	Movement in funds
9.1	Current year
		Balance at 6 April 2024		Incoming resources	Resources expended	Realised/ unrealised gains and losses	Balance at 5 April 2025
			£	£	£	£	£
Restricted funds			0	0	0	0	0
Designated funds			0	0	0	0	0
Unrestricted funds		1,476,606		330,323	(182,206)	0	1,624,723
Total	funds	1,476,606		330,323	(182,206)	0	1,624,723

Springfield Gospel Trust

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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025

9.2 Prior year

.2 Prior year
Restricted funds Designated funds Unrestricted funds Total funds	Balance at 6 April 2023 £ 0 0 1,354,871 1,354,871	Incoming resources £ 0 0 333,796 333,796	Resources expended £ 0 0 (212,061) (212,061)	Realised/ unrealised gains and losses £ 0 0 0 0	Balance at 5 April 2024 £ 0 0 1,476,606
					1,476,606

10. Transactions with related parties

During the year there were donations totalling £60,500 (2024: £55,620) from Trustees, related parties, and businesses controlled by the Trustees.

During the year reimbursements were made totalling £4,013 (2024: £6,018) to Trustees and persons related to them. These were made at arms length.

11. Volunteers

Springfield Gospel 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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Docusign Envelope ID: B5CEEF7C-0116-40CA-8045-3AF438531314

Springfield Gospel Trust

Notes to the Financial Statements For the year ended 5 April 2025

12. Comparative Statement of Financial Activities

Notes Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies: Collections Contributions from the congregation Gift Aid donations Income tax refunds Donated services Other donations Grants from other Trusts Investments Bank interest Other Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities Running meeting rooms 5 Charitable events 5 Cost of donated services 4 Total Net income/(expenditure) Gains/(losses) on sale of fixed assets Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	Unrestricted funds Designated funds Total funds 2024 £ £ £ 0 0 0 269,136 0 269,136 51,685 0 51,685 12,921 0 12,921 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 0 54 0 0 0
	333,796 0 333,796
	159,361 0 159,361 46,274 0 46,274 6,426 0 6,426
	212,061 0 212,061
	121,735 0 121,735 0 0 0 121,735 0 121,735 1,354,871 0 1,354,871
	1,476,606 0 1,476,606

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