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2025-12-31-accounts

CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED

31 DECEMBER 2025

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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454) YEAR ENDED 31st DECMBER 2025

CONTENTS

Page
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION 3
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 4 - 5
FINANCIAL EXAMINER’S REPORT 6
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 7
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES 8

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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)

YEAR ENDED 31st DECMBER 2025

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER:

1162454

ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL OFFICE:

Royal Air Force College Cranwell SLEAFORD

Lincolnshire

NG34 8HB

ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE:

Rowhurst Cottage De La Warr Road Milford-on-Sea Hampshire SO41 0PS

TRUSTEES:

Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Douglas PULFORD GCB CBE (appointed 22 June 2024), President

Air Vice Marshal Gavin MACKAY CB OBE AFC BSc FRAeS (appointed 11 May 2020)

Air Vice Marshal Canon Paul ROBINSON OBE (appointed 6 June 2022)

Air Vice Marshal Nigel BAIRSTO CB, MBE, CEng, FIMechE, FRAeS, FCMI (appointed 3 March 2025)

Michael Paul HORTON (appointed 6 June 2022)

Keith MANS, Secretary AE FRAeS (appointed 24 March 2023)

ChristopherStuart MEYNELL (appointed 21 February 2022)

Philip John RODGERS (appointed 8 August 2022)

Richard Keith TAPLIN, Treasurer MBE MA (appointed 18 October 2023)

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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)

YEAR ENDED 31st DECMBER 2025

TRUSTEES’ REPORT

The Trustees present their report with the receipts and payments accounts of the charity for the year ended 31[st] December 2025.

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 Commissions guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and when planning future activities.

Trustees give their time freely and no trustee remuneration was paid in the year.

Achievements and Performance

The Association continues to enjoy a healthy membership, although the demographics remain a cause for concern, with a growing need to identify a deliverable, and sustainable, operating model for the future. The Annual Reunion, the highlight of the Association’s year, was a success but the number of attendees was disappointing and well below that of previous, healthy, years. The revised format of a ‘mini’ Air Power symposium was well received by the majority of attendees but I suspect there were some who found it to be too far removed from the traditional reunion format. We will adjust this year’s programme to attempt to balance these two important aspects of the event. The inclusion of young guests from the Universities’ Air Squadrons and the College, with the opportunity for young and old to share experiences, was a highlight of the weekend being enjoyed by both parties and we will repeat this exercise in future years. The introduction of Association webinars, jointly conducted with the Freeman Air & Space Institution (DASI) of King’s College London, intended to increase our contacts with the RAF has continued with the hosting of two topical events during the year: one on the recent Defence Review and one on Integrated Air and Missile Defence. Charitable objects have been satisfied by our better contacts with the service, awards to Cranwell and University, and an exciting new initiative to sponsor two scholarships; one for gliding and one for aerospace engineering. Valued at nearly £6000, these scholarships will offer successful applicants the opportunity to experience flight through a well proven scheme operated by the Air League. Assuming this year’s initiatives are a success, we will look to repeat the exercise in future years. Additionally, we still have £20,000 set aside to cover the cost of a painting of HM The King for the College; a decision from the RAF is still awaited before this initiative can be taken forward. Finally, work continues alongside the RAF to address future options for Association sustainability, with interesting discussions taking place with the Royal Navy and the British Army regarding their alumni organisations. This is a topic that will require continued focus and energy, and I hope to report positive progress next year.

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Financial Review

Financial results for the year were satisfactory with a cash reserve in unrestricted funds down marginally at £90,975. The Association has no restricted funds. The Association had total assets of £93,868 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 retained for specific purposes in the immediate future should be held in an interest-bearing account. Reserves will be kept at a level to enable the Trustees to meet their charitable objectives for a 12- month (5-year?) period. This policy is reviewed annually.

Of the total reserves, an amount of at least £20,000 has been designated by the Trustees to commission a portrait of King Charles III for the Royal Air Force College.

Structure, Governance and Management

The governing document of the Cranwellian Association is a constitution adopted on 10[th] February 2015, and amended on 22[nd] 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

ADPulford

……………………………………………… Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford President and Acting Chairman of the Cranwellian Association

24 April 2026

………………………………………………. Date

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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454)

YEAR ENDED 31st DECMBER 2025

FINANCIAL EXAMINER’S STATEMENT

I have examined the accounts for the Cranwellian Association as presented by the Treasurer, Richard Taplin.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the Association's Officers you are responsible for preparing the accounts in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for voluntary organisations. As a registered charity, you have chosen to follow the general principles set out in Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011.

Although yours is a small operation with a turnover of less than £25,000, you have, nonetheless, decided to have the accounts independently examined. I certify that I meet the requirements of an 'independent person' as defined in those regulations and, in particular those of Guidance Document CC32.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination and confirm that no matter came to my attention that gives me reasonable cause to believe that:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Association; 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 general accounting regulations.

I have no further concerns and have come across no major 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.

CJ Blencowe

26 January 2026

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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454) YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025 RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

(Note: currently the Association has no Restricted funds)

RECEIPTS
Subscriptons - NatWest Bank
Subscriptons - Cooperatve Bank
Reunion Fees
Merchandise takings
Donatons
Investment Income
TOTAL RECEIPTS
PAYMENTS
Reunion Costs
Charitable Actvites
Purchase of Merchandise
IT Support
Travel & Subsistence
Accountants Fees
Postage
Other Payments
TOTAL PAYMENTS
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)FOR THE YEAR		 Year to
31/12/2025
£
4,829.75
3,605.00
8,288.00
308.00
408.40
1,278.76
18,717.91
11,217.46
5,951.00
954.00
3,027.27
0.00
1,170.00
41.20
0.00
22,360.93
-3,643.02		 Year to
31/12/202
4
£
6,248.75
3,095.00
9,830.01
220.00
948.57
20,342.33
10,448.65
3,600.00
299.75
6,073.75
165.00
1,308.00
0.00
0.00
21,895.15
-1,552.82
Cash Funds Brought Forward
Surplus/(Loss) for Year
Cash Funds Carried Forward		 94,618.49
-3,643.02
90,975.47		 96,171.31
-1,552.82
94,618.49

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CRANWELLIAN ASSOCIATION (REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1162454) YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025

STATEMENT OF UNRESTRICTED ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

(Note: currently the Association has no Restricted funds)

----- Start of picture text -----
Year to Year to
31/12/202
31/12/2025 4
CASH FUNDS £ £
NatWest Bank Current Account 1,569.75 840.00
Cooperative Bank Current Account 1,500.51 2,852.05
Cooperative Bank Savings Account 88,205.20 90,926.44
TOTAL CASH FUNDS 91,275.46 94,618.49
Less/Liabilities
(2025 Uncleared Veritas Payment) 300.00
TOTAL CASH ASSETS 90,975.46 94,618.49
OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Merchandise 2,893.00 2,501.00
TOTAL OTHER ASSETS 2,893.00 2,501.00
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSET VALUE OF ASSOCIATION 93,868.46 97,119.49
----- End of picture text -----

Note: the above funds include a designated fund of £20,000 which has been allocated by the Trustees to commission a portrait of King Charles III for the Royal Air Force College Cranwell

The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for:

Approved by the Trustees on:

……………………………….

Signed on behalf of the Trustees by:

………………………………………..

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