CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
31ST DECEMBER 2024
CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)
YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
|---|---|
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION | 1 |
| TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT | 2 - 3 |
| ACCOUNTANTS REPORT | 4 |
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT | 5 |
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES | 6 |
CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)
YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1162454
ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL OFFICE: Royal Air Force College Cranwell Sleaford NG34 8HB
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Rowhurst Cottage
De La Warr Road Milford-on-Sea Hampshire SO41 0PS
TRUSTEES: Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville KCB FRAeS, Chairman
Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon GCB CBE (retired 22[nd] June 2024) Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford (co-opted 22[nd] June 2024)
Air Marshal Philip Oliver Sturley CB MBE (co-opted 24[th] July 2024)
Air Vice-Marshal Gavin Mackay CB OBE AFC BSc FRAeS
Air Vice-Marshal Paul Robinson
Philip Bright
Christopher Meynell
Michael Horton
Philip Rodgers
Keith Mans, Secretary
Richard Taplin MBE, Treasurer
Page 1
CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)
YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES' REPORT
The Trustees present their report with the receipts and payments accounts of the charity for the year ended 31st December 2024.
Objectives and activities
To promote the efficiency of the Royal Air Force, to advance the education and understanding of the general public and serving/retired officers in the fields of leadership and air power and to preserve the ethos and heritage of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Air Force College in particular by such means as may be charitable. Nothing in the constitution shall authorise an application of the property of the association for purposes which are not charitable.
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and planning future activities.
Trustees give their time freely and no trustee remuneration was paid in the year.
Achievements and performance
The Cranwellian continues to enjoy a strong membership, although the demographics continue to be a cause for concern, as I will mention later in this report.
The Annual Reunion, always the highlight of the Association’s year, had to be rescheduled, owing to unexpected commitments on the RAF College resulting from the Coronation of our Patron, HM King Charles III. This resulted in a substantial reduction in expected attendance, but despite this setback the weekend was most enjoyable, with 120 diners including several young guests from the Universities’ Air Squadrons and the College. The move towards the afternoon programme to a conference/forum setting continued, with service speakers on current operational aircraft and their deployments. While the 2025 Reunion will take its customary format, major building works could impact our 2026 event.
An innovation for the Association has been the introduction of webinars, jointly conducted with the Freeman Air & Space Institution (DASI) of King’s College London. Two webinars have been held so far, focussing on deterrence and future capabilities, and a further one will follow the outcome of Phase One of the Defence Review. This move towards increasing our contacts with the RAF has been welcomed by our membership, and this year’s Reunion will address next generation capabilities, including space and cyber.
Charitable objects have been satisfied by our better contacts with the service, awards to Cranwell and University Cadets and a major contribution to a painting of Air Marshal Sir Keith Park, arguably the most important commander in the Battle of Britain, whose portrait was unveiled in Autumn at the RAF Club. The event was attended by the Association President and other representatives. Additionally, some £20,000 has been set aside to cover the cost of a painting of HM The King for the College; a decision from the RAF is awaited before this initiative can be taken forward.
As mentioned above, despite a successful year, concern continues at the failure to attract younger members into the Association. A study is underway to address future options for sustainability, and will be reported on next year.
At the AGM, we bid a fond farewell to our President, Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Sir Michael Graydon, and welcomed his successor, ACM Sir Andrew Pulford.
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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)
YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
TRUSTEES' REPORT (Continued)
Financial review
Financial results for the year were satisfactory with a cash reserve in unrestricted funds down marginally at £94,618. The Association has no restricted funds. The Association had total assets of £97,119 when the memorabilia stocks are included. IT assets – including laptops – are written down in the year of purchase.
There is no restricted cash balance.
Reserves policy
The reserves policy is that any monies being held and not required for specific purposes in the immediate future should be held in an interest-bearing account. Reserves should be kept at a level to enable the Trustees to meet their charitable objectives for a 12-month period. This policy is reviewed annually.
Of the total reserves an amount of £20,000 has been designated by the Trustees to commission a portrait of King Charles III for the College.
Structure and governance and management
The governing document of the Cranwellian Association is a constitution adopted 10th February 2015 and amended on 22 June 2024. Details of trustees who served during the year are detailed on page 1.
The day-to-day management of the Association is carried out by the Executive Committee appointed by the trustees.
The recruitment and appointment of trustees is in accordance with sections 12, 13 and 14 of the amended constitution.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
……………………………………………………………………….
Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville Chairman of the Cranwellian Association
………………………………………………………..
Date
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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)
YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
In order to assist you to fulfil your responsibilities we have prepared for your approval the receipts and payments accounts of Cranwellian Association for the year ended 31 December 2024 which comprise of a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and liabilities from the Charity’s accounting records and from information and explanations you have given to us.
This report is made solely to you, in accordance with our terms of engagement. Our work has been undertaken solely to prepare for your approval the receipts and payments accounts of Cranwellian Association. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than you for our work or for this report.
You have approved the receipts and payments accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 and have acknowledged your responsibility for them, for the appropriateness of the financial reporting framework adopted and for providing all information and explanations necessary for their compilation.
We have not verified the accuracy or completeness of the accounting records or information and explanations you have given us and we do not, therefore, express any opinion on the financial statements.
Duncan & Toplis Limited 18 Northgate Sleaford Lincolnshire NG34 7BJ
Dated: ………………………………
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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454) YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024
RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
| RECEIPTS Subscription fees Reunion fees Merchandise Donations Investment income TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Reunion Charitable activities Merchandise Postage Travel and subsistence Accountant fees IT Support Other payments TOTAL PAYMENTS (DEFICIT)/SURPLUS FOR THE YEAR TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS CASH FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD CASH FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
Year to 31/12/2024 Year to 31/12/2024 Year to 31/12/2024 Restricted Unrestricted Total £ £ £ - 9,343.75 9,343.75 - 9,830.01 9,830.01 - 220.00 220.00 - - - - 948.57 948.57 - 20,342.33 20,342.33 - 10,448.65 10,448.65 - 3,600.00 3,600.00 - 299.75 299.75 - - - - 165.00 165.00 - 1,308.00 1,308.00 - 6,073.75 6,073.75 - - - - 21,895.15 21,895.15 - (1,552.82) (1,552.82) - - - - 96,171.31 96,171.31 - 94,618.49 94,618.49 |
Year to 31/12/2023 Total £ 9,390.75 10,465.00 190.00 1,250.00 963.64 |
|---|---|---|
| 22,259.39 10,054.55 - - 168.64 377.83 810.00 10,407.80 111.88 |
||
| 21,930.70 | ||
| 328.69 - |
||
| 95,842.62 96,171.31 |
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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)
31ST DECEMBER 2024
STATEMENT OF RESTRICTED AND UNRESTRICTED ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
| CASH FUNDS Unrestricted Total Cash Funds OTHER MONETARY ASSETS Merchandise Total other monetary assets Total Assets LIABILITIES TOTAL FUNDS |
2024 Restricted 2024 Unrestricted 2024 Total £ £ £ - 94,618.49 94,618.49 - 94,618.49 94,618.49 - 2,501.00 2,501.00 - 2,501.00 2,501.00 - 97,119.49 97,119.49 - - - - 97,119.49 97,119.49 |
2023 Total £ 96,171.31 |
|---|---|---|
| 96,171.31 2,471.00 |
||
| 2,471.00 98,642.31 |
||
| - 98,642.31 |
Note - The above funds include a designated fund of £20,000 which has been set aside by the Trustees to commission a portrait of King Charles III for the College.
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:
a) ensuring that the Association keeps all relevant records and information; and
- b) preparing receipts and payments accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Association as at the end of each financial period.
Approved by the trustees on
...............................................
Signed on behalf of the trustees by
...............................................
Air Marshal Sir Christopher Coville
Chairman of the Cranwellian Association
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