Registered as a Charity in EngFand and Wales No 1162687
Re8lStered as a Charity in Scotland No. SC046208
THE FRIENDS OF THE UNION CHAIN BRIDGE
In th• parlsh¢s of Horncllffe IEnzland) •MI Hutton (Stotlwd)
TRUSTEES. REPORT AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED
31" MARCH 2025
Ilob•rt Humphrnyi Honor￿ Tr•asuv•r
E O Cawthory Honorary Secretary
The Frlends of thÈ Union Chajn Bridge 45 a charit3￿e IncorporatÈd Or￿￿￿tiOn cortstitut*l under the
Charmes Act 2011
Page l of 10

CHARITY INFORMATION
ss
Chain Bridge Hous< Horncliffe. Bwwick-upon-Tweed TD15 Lyr
1162687 (England and Wales) SC046208 (Sc¢xJand)
Dr Prof R A Paxton MBE Msc PhD HonDEng CEng FICE FRSE Heriot-watt Universrry
Professor Paxton died on the 3￿ October 2025
Martha Veronica AndreVI￿ (retired March 13° 2025)
Edward Oates Cawthorn (retired March 13° 2025)
Elizabeth Edgerton (representy'ng the interests of the Parish of Hutton)
Sadie Holland
obert Humphrey (appolnted March 13 2025. following COknOPQ'on)
Carol Jones (office of trustee fdca*d 12th June 2025)
Stephen Kedwyn Jones
Philip Rowett (appointed March 13 2025. following COwOPtion)
Clive Simpson
Carol 114hinnom (appointsd March 13° 2025)
Eric Wood (appoinced March 13° 2025)
Ross Woodrow
Vacant
Robert Humphrey
8 Palace Green
Berwick-upon-Tweed
TDIS IHR
EdvArd O Cawthorn
Chain Bridge House
Horncliffe
Berwick.upon.Tweed
TD15 2Kr
Barclay5 Bank plc
Edinburgh Princes Street Branch
Edinburgh
EH2 2AN
James Waugh
34 Goldstone
BerMck-upon-Tweed
TD15 2ER
Page 2 of 10

TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 31" MARCH
2025
The Trustees present their Rewrt and Financial Stat￿nert for the financial year ended 3 1st March
2025.
The provisions of the Statement of Re¢ommended Prac￿ (SORP) "Accounting and Rewrting by
Charities" (March 2005) amended 2(hX is used in preF>aring this knnual Report and Financial
Statemen( so far as it is applicable to the Charity5 cirfumstance&
Constltution
The Friends of the Union CtrRin Wge is a Charity regtstered in Enghnd and Wales and in Scodand
and constttuted as a Chaiitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under a CanstttUQon dated the 4th
May 2015. The conversion of the chaiitable tnjst inro a CIO vrds approved at ￿ Extraordinary
General Meeting of the member5 of the Charity held in the Village Hall, Paxton on the 29th January
2015. The Constitution was amended at the Annual Generdl Meetr'ng in December 2021 to allow
the TN5tees to invrte an appropriate OWdni5ation opernting in the parishes of Horncliffe or Hutton
to nominate a resident of the parish to repre5ert the interests of the community of that parish on
the CIO in the event of the irubility or failure of the Parish or Community Council, as the case may
be. to appoint a representaiive in that capacity.
The Objects of the CIO
The objeccs of the CIO are:
To promote for the benefft of the public the consemtion, protection and improvement of
the physical, natyral and man-made environment by promoting the histori￿ and 2rchitetturdl
heritage of the Union Chain Bridge C'the Bn'dge.? in the parishes of Horndrf¢ Northumberlantl
England and Hutton. Ber￿Ck$hIr< Scotland and of the naturnl environment in which the Bridge IS
situated.
To advance the education of the publi< in Farticular in relation to the history and
architecture of the herrifage of the Bri(ige by developing public interest in the archiocture. history
and heritage of the Bridge by means of publications public lectures and exhibitsons and ctroperation
Ivith xhools artd other educational establish￿￿ts and other bodies and societies.
All the activrtses of the CIO to date have been in full accordan￿ with its objert&
Statement of Truste¢s' Responslbilities
The law applicable to chartties in En812nd and Wales requires the T￿SteeS to prepare financial
statements for each financial year which ￿ve a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity
and of the incoming re￿urCeS and application of resources of the Charity for that wiod. In
preparing these financial statemen￿ the Trnstees are required to."
select suitable accounting policies and then appty them consiscently
observe the method5 and princtples in the chariti.es SORP
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
state whether appli¢able accounting standard5 have been followed. subjert to any material
departures disclosed and explained in the financial ststsment
prepare the financial statements on the g01ng-co￿ern basi5 unless It is inapproprrate to
presume that the Charity will continue in operation
Page 3 of 10

The Trustee5 are responsible for keeptng proper accounting r&ords that disclose with ￿sonable
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Chartty and enaNe them to ensure that the financi
statements comply with the Charities Act 2011 {En￿and and Wales) and the Chariues and Truscee
Investment (Scotland) 2005 Att and Regulations 2m made under those Acts and the PrO￿S1on$ of
the Chari￿$ Constitution dated 4th May 2015. They are a150 reS￿n$t￿e for safegLtarding the
assets of the Charity and hence for tthng reasonabte steps for the prevention and detection of fraud
and other irregularitres.
Invertmtnt Policy
The ConttTtution all￿NS the Trustees to invest fijnds in any investment they think f￿ in their
absolu￿ discretion. To da￿ thvy have not exercised th&'r to invest fund&
Rlsk Review
The Trustees continue to keep under wew the major risks to which the CIO is, or is likely to be
exposed and of the systems and checks to mititye such risks arising from ffinanCr￿ managemen¢
Invescments. contract5 etc. Charity propercy and the105s of se￿ceS of officers either temporarily or
permanently. The Trustees have adopted a BU￿ne$S Continuity Plan to ensure the proper
continuance of financial and Secretarial services in this event
Public Benofit
By considering the operation, achievements and perfomwKe and the finances of the Charity. the
TrLFStees are satisfied that public beneftt has been provrded in accorthance wrth the Charities Att
201 l and the Charttyes and Trustee Invesonent (Scottand) 21x15 Act and the guidance provided
the Charity Commissioners and the office d the Scottish Chaiity Regulator.
Meetings
The Trustres meet in accordance with a m*ting calendar. they meet in a bi-monthty cycle. with
additional rneetings arranged as required. MeetiJw are held remotely by means of zoom or in
hybrid frdshion in person and a zwm facilTty, as vns the case wtth the Annual General Meetin&
The Charl￿S business is condutted in accordance with its Constitutson. There is no forni
committee Structure but ad hoc commrttees and W￿Ing group5 are appointed from tirne to time to
deal •Mth specific aspects of business delegated to them. The Yart maioriry of business, however. is
conducted by the full Trustse body.
December 2025
Page 4 of 10

31ItM
The Trustees continued to meet on a Eit4nonthly basis thr￿ the year under revlew following
their decision to move from monthly rneetings in December 2023. after completion of the rertoration
works.
The transiuon in the Charrtls acDNTts4 from close involvemert in the restoration proces5 as a partner
in the Unron Bridge Projec¢ to a role as continuing guardian of the Bridge at lotal level and promoter
of its heritage 2nd historical and enginwng 3ss¢ciations continued throughout the year. Talks on the
Bridge's history, Capt Brown and the recent restofdtion were given to lo¢￿ history societies and
other organisations and work startd on the preparation ￿ a small and affordable guide to the Briese
and its restoration, ￿leh it 15 hoped wtll be published during the forthcoming year. Work also
proceeded w6th Kreative Technology of 8er￿.Ck-Up9n-Tweed, to assernb￿ a new Friends, website
with full details of the rertordtion. makn'ng use of the rega￿ payment from Museums Northumberland,
mentioned in the last reporL (rhe new website V*dS completed following the end of the year under
review and has been widely prdlsed as a comprehensive introduction to the Bridge and its engineer
and of the restoration work5. www.unionbridgefn'end&com). The number of visitors arriving at the
Brldge having firrt seen the exhiL¥tions at erther Paxton House or the Honey Farni confirmed the
Tnjrtees. view that the publicity now in place adeq￿tety meets the need to publicise the Bridge In
accordance with the conditions of the Lottery avrdrd.
During the year under review, Tnjstees assumed responsilyllty for the estsblished "&'tentenary
events, preyiousty organised by Museums Northumberland and takn'ng the form of a picnic with music
and dancing at the Chain &idge Honey Farni. They decided the forniat would benefir from
driatyon and on the 26th July 2024 they orrdnlsed 3 Successful ceilidh and supper at the Hi)rncllffe
Memorial Hall ￿￿th muslc provided powerfulty by the GlerKlaie C￿lidh Band.
The avrdrd of a National Trnnsport Trust "Red l#Vhe¢l" made in March 2024, but too late for
inclusion in the last reporL This prestigious award. unveiled on behalf of the Nrr by its vKe chairnian,
John Campbell C8e with retired trustee John Home Robertx)n. an¢J the only one in the Scottish
Borders. FS di$played on the vrdll adjaceArt to the Scottish tower and has been Wide￿ admired.
On the 19th July 2024. our Chair Martha Andrews was the guest of Spentv Engineering at the New
Ctvil Engineer annual abydrds Ceremony in London when the company VAS pre5eneed wr¢h the Award
for a Historlc Bridge ProjecL recognlslng Spencer5' delivery of the Union Bridge contract and its
"positive collabordtion partners and stakeholders"
We were delighted when Diane Rowe of the
company travelled especialty to Ber+vick on the 26th Juty 2024 - the 204th anniversary of the Bridge'$
opening. to present to the Friends the Award that Sp•ncars had rnceived & week earlier.
Last yearfs report referred to problems concerning the disappearanty durtng the restoration, of the
ancient track leading from the riverside to the public high￿aY at Bridge Hou$& Trustees continued to
express concern to Scottish Borders Council about the loss of the track and continued to make
representat"ons. both directly and through the Scottish W of Way SocTrety. for its reinstatement
and an acknowledgement of rt$ 5tstLF$ as a public right of way. Some more posruve indicats'ons of an
acceptance of the Friends, concerns were evident during the year and the Trustees are hopeful that
the issue 15 capable of solution satisfactory to all partie&
Trustees were sadderled to learn of the death. in January 2025. ofjohn Harnilwn who had retFred as
Honornry Treasurer in March 2024.
Finally. the Trustees continue to value the continurng support and interes¢ of Friends in our most
remarkable Brrdge of which we are the unofficial, and self-appoin￿￿ local custodiarbs.
December 2025
Page 5 of 10

TH
FRIENDS OF THE UNION CHAIN BRIDGE
E SHEEfAT 31" MARCH 2025
2024
2025
1,981
Flxed Assets
2J06
5to¢k
Debtovs
26N35
Cash: Ba￿lIV5 Bank eurrent account (fornierfy general
fundsl
26,600
Cash: Bar¢lay5 Bank doposlt account (fornwrty desl8nated
fund5)
Current Uabllttle5
30.064
Page 6 of 10

THE FRIENDS OF THE UNION CHAIN BRI
STATEMEPlf OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES
INCORPORATING THE INCOME AND EXPENDMJRE ACCOUNr
FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 315r MARCH 2025
2024
Incom1￿ resour¢es
2,034
59,450
Resources expended
1.869
149.6021
Net m¢)vement In funds
165
76,037*
Totsl funds brought forward
26A35
26,435
Totsl funds carried forward
26,600
as per note 1.2 In 2022123 Accounts
The Ilnanclal staternents were approved by the Trustees on
2025
and slgned on thelr behall by:
~ITrusteel
Page 7 of 10

Notes to the Accounts
Accounting policies
l. I Charity irrforn)ation
The Friends of the Union Chain BridD a Charity registered in both England and
Wales and Scottand. was established on 4th May 2015. to promote for the benef
of the public the historical and archttectural heritsge of the Union Chain Bridge
and to develop public interest in the archttetture. history and heritage of the
Bridge.
1.2 Accountlng conventlon
The financial ststements have been wepared under the historical cost convention.
The Accounts (financial statsmerbts) have been prepared in accordance wrth the
Statement of Recommended Practice.. Accounting and reporting by Charities
preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Stsndard
applicable in the UK and Republic of IreLand (FRS 102) issued in the UK and
Republic of Ireland. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with FRS
102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of
Ireland" {"FRS 102"). "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" the Statement of
Recommended Practice ft>r charities applying FRS 101 the Charities Act 201 l. the
Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2(K)5 Att and UK Generally Accepted
Accounting Practrce as it applies from l JanLUry 2019. The Charity 15 a Public
Benefit En(iw as defined by FRS 102.
The accounts are prepared in sterlin& whlch is the funttional currency of the
Charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the
nearest £.
1.3 Accounting Policy
As the Charity obtained sponsorship for the refurbishment projec¢ it carried
substsntial income requiring r( to use accrual accounting methods for the period
between 2019 and 2022. With the disbursement of the funds and the reduttion of
gr0$5 income. a reversion to the cash accounting methods previousty used is now
being used. This was disclosed in the Accounts for the financial year 2022123.
Golng Concern
At the time of approving the accounts. the trustees have a reasonable expectation
that the Charity has adequatr resource5 to continue in operational existence for
the foreseeable future. The trustees continue to adopt the "going concern" basis
of accounting in preparing the accounts.
1.5 Charitable funds
Unrestricted fiJnd5 are avaitable for use at the discreti¢)n of the trustees in
furtherance of their charitrble objeccs unless the funds have been designated for
other purpose&
Restrithd funds are subjett to specifK conditions by donors as to how they may
be used. The Charity held no such restricted funds in the financial year to 31 st
March 2025.
Page 8 of 10

Designated funds are donations held by the Charity in respect of non-statutory
elements of the Union Bridge restoration contract 2019_2023 and are designated
for transfer to Northumberland County Council in that conneccion.
1.6 Incomlng resources
Income is recognised when the Charity is legalty entided to it after any
performance conditions have been me( the amounts on be measured reliably. and
it is probable that income will be received.
Cash donations are recognised on receipL Other donations are recognised once
the Charity has been notif￿ of the donation. unless perfornll￿e conditions
require deferral of the amounL Income rax recoverable in relatlon to donations
received under GFft Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the
donation.
Legacies are recognised on receipt or otherwise if the Charity has been notified of
an impending distribution, the amount is knovm, and receipt is expected. If the
amount Ss not known, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset
1.7 Cash and cash equlvalents
Cash and cash equirdlents include cash in hand. deposits hekl at call with banks.
other shorc-terni liquid investments w￿h onginal maturiries of three months or
less. and bank overdrafts.
Income Detallj
2024
2025
Members subscriptlons
Donatlons
1,055
899
6.6T7
405
Sales
1.369
330
Glft Ald
697
Other Income
50
400
Expenditure Detalls
2024
2025
NCC
50.0
Printing
650
Hall Hire
Event Expenses
989
Photography
PaEe 9 of 10

Audit
Insurance
281
281
3.8 rr
1146
120
3.9 Other Expenditure
1.503
471
Bank and Deposits
Bank and Deposits
2024
2025
Barclays Bank Business Account
Barclays Bank Savings Account
26.435
26,600
Investments
The Chaiity hold5 no investments and there was rbo investment actsvity during the
year.
Income from Investments
There was no inc¢xne from investments during the accounting period.
Employees
There y￿re no employees of the Ch￿ryty during the year.
Current Creditors and Debtors
Debtors are the amounts owed to the Charny. They are measured on the basis of
their recovernble amount
Creditors are the amounts owed by the Charity. They are measured at the
amount the Charity expects to have to pay to settle the debL
Dlrect Charitable Expendlture
No expenditure was incurred that was not for tsitable purposes.
Governance Costs
No governance costs were M)curred during the accountancy period.
Trustees, remuneration and Expenses
No trustee received any expenses during the accountancy period other than
reimbursement for postage and prinung costs incurred in the administration of th•
Charity or travel whilst representing the Charity. No remunerdtion directly or
indirectly out of funds of the Charity was paid or payable for the year to any
trustee or to any person or persons known to be connected wlth them.
10
Page 10 of 10

CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examinerfs report on the
accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner s Report
Report to the trustees
The Frierth ￿ tha Union Chan BrvJg8
On accounts forthe year
ended
31 Mar¢h %f25
Charity no
(rf any)
1162687
(*arFty fft Twsn forthe year ended 31 Mar¢h 2025.
Responsibilities and
aCc￿nts in accord￿ Ihe reWEr￿nts of the Charities Act 2011 fthe
A¢*)
I rewrt in respect of my ekimination of the Tnjsfs accowtts Carr1￿ out
u￿ler seth.on 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examinatw, I
have follo￿￿ atl the apF4icat4e ￿'r￿trOrts given by the CharTty Commission
ur•Yer seclion 145(5)(b) ofthe A¢
Independent
examinevs statement
I have completed my examination. I CLMfirm that no material matters have
coma to my attenli(xb n Connecaion th the 8xaminats.0n10the￿
grves me cause to belwe that in, any mat￿yal
of the Chanties Art or
Ihe drd not ac£ord with the a(xwnts'ng records., or
the Th)t comjy th• applioble requirements
con￿mMg the fonrs and conterrt of acccxjnts set out in the Charittes
(AcC￿n￿ aKI ReForts) Reg￿al￿)n$ 21x18 other than any requirement
that the aiLwits gv8 a knje and vw vthich is not a matter
I have no arKf have come aL¥OSS othar matters li connecaion
ryth ts examination to attenbcn shwkl be thawn in this report in
Ord￿ to enabk a of the accounts to be read*d.
. word8 in the bftckets 11tt￿Y do not apply.
ned".
Relevant professional
IER
Oct 2018

qualmcation(s} or body
(IF any):
Sèction 8
Disclosure
Onty complete if the examiner ￿dS to h￿￿ha￿jhI material matters of con￿rn
{see CC32, Independerrt examinat¥￿ of charity accounts: i*rections and
guidart8 forexaniners).
Give here brief detaus of
any Items that the
examiner wishes to
disclose.
IER
Oct 2018