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2025-03-30-accounts

V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E Heritage Development Trust

Trustees Annual Report 2024-2025

Est. 2015

To find out more visit https://valleyheritage.org.uk

Get in touch at info@valleyheritage.co.uk

or follow us on:

Facebook Valley Heritage BPT Instagram @valleyheritage LinkedIn Valley Heritage

Valley Heritage | Annual Report 2024-2025

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V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Statutory Information

Registered Office:

18-20 Market Street Bacup Lancashire OL13 8EZ

Registered Charity number:

1164935

Company Registration number:

CE005911

Trustees:

Stephen Anderson Rachael Gildert Courtnay Ives Jacob Landers James Steel Andrew Walmsley

Independent Examiner:

Martin Urquhart FCCA Lumb Accountancy Services Suite 1, Second Floor, New Hall Hey Business Centre, New Hall Hey Road, Rawtenstall BB4 6HL

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V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

Contents

1 Report of the Trustees 5
2 Statement from our Chair 6
3 Our why 10
4 Stories of impact 12
5 10 years in 10 numbers 14
6 Our work in action 16
7 Our heritage, our hands 30
8 Governance 34
9 Financial report 38
10 Looking ahead 48
11 Get involved 50

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Report of the Trustees

The Trustees of Valley Heritage are delighted to present their annual report and financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31st March 2025.

The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, our governing document and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective 1 January 2019.

Valley Heritage is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2015. As a group of volunteers, our objectives are to breathe new life into Rossendale’s heritage. We want the historic buildings of Rossendale to have purpose, contribute to their communities, and be filled with people. We will do this through actively caring for buildings, places and collections at risk, helping to find new viable uses.

Valley Heritage preserves and celebrates our region’s cultural heritage, while promoting sustainable development and community engagement.

We will afford opportunities for positive social impact within our local community and strengthen engagement through project activity and events.

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Stateme our Chai *T 111

Year at a glance

Valley Heritage's main focus in the 2024-25 financial year has been our 'Rossendale Heritage Futures' project.

This strategic project promises to create a roadmap for the future of heritage across Rossendale, for Valley Heritage and our partners. The first year of the three year programme, supported by Historic England, has already given us insight into the scale of the challenge to bring redundant and derelict heritage assets across Rossendale back into socially and economically beneficial use.

We have welcomed new team members, Jo and Mhorag. Jo is our Project Assistant, supporting project development and administration. Mhorag, who joins us on secondment from Rossendale Borough Council, is our Project Officer, leading project development and managing the grant from Historic England, reinforcing our partnership with the Council.

We have brought together a stakeholder group, who have assessed and prioritised the heritage assets identified. The second year of the project will see us working to better understand the particular challenges faced in each case and developing projects around the highest priorities.

More can be read about the detail of the project elsewhere in our Annual Report.

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Alongside Rossendale Heritage Futures, we have been continuing to develop key projects and to build Alliance as the main trading income for Valley Heritage. The residential apartments at Alliance continue to provide homes at an affordable cost for our community, having been fully let since October 2022. The co-working offer continues to develop, with improved marketing seeing an increase in users, occupancy and income. We will continue to develop the offer, with this being a major building block in our organisational sustainability.

Our work with the Rossendale Footwear Collection has continued, with the 'Rossendale Sole' project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, reaching a successful conclusion. Our amazing volunteers have continued to catalogue, conserve and collect, with new accessions adding to the completeness of the record the Collection provides of Rossendale's footwear industry.

Efforts to secure a permanent home for the Collection are ongoing, with Valley Heritage aspiring to make the Collection accessible to the public in future.

Looking ahead to the next financial year, Rossendale Heritage Futures will move to a stage where we work through the priority buildings, gathering information, working with owners and other stakeholders, seeking to remove barriers to appropriate re-use. We anticipate that some of these buildings will become Valley Heritage projects. We will seek out partners to ensure sustainable and viable end uses for as many of the buildings as possible. We anticipate launching at least one major capital project in the next financial year.

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Towards the end of the next financial year, our focus will need to turn to what happens beyond the Rossendale Heritage Futures project. The revenue support it has provided has been vital for Valley Heritage's sustainability as we build our asset base and income streams. It is likely that this revenue support will need to be replaced to some extent, developing this into a fundable programme will therefore be essential.

That said, our financial position has been strengthened through the course of the financial year, particularly with improvements in the surplus being generated by Alliance Rossendale Ltd and donated to Valley Heritage. The organisation has gained resilience with the recruitment of new Trustees and our additional staff capacity, meaning we can look forward to 2025-26 with confidence.

Stephen Anderson BA(Hons) BArch PGDip RIBA

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Our Why

Rossendale’s landscape tells a story of industry and innovation, of creativity and community, and of resilience and reinvention. Yet too many of our historic buildings, the landmarks that shape our towns and sense of belonging, now stand silent or forgotten. Valley Heritage believe those stories should continue to be lived and not left behind.

Valley Heritage are a Heritage Development Trust dedicated to unlocking the potential of Rossendale’s historic environment. Our purpose is to breathe new life into Rossendale’s heritage. We want the historic buildings of Rossendale to have purpose, contribute to their communities, and be filled with people; to fulfil their potential as powerful drivers of social, cultural, and economic renewal.

Across Rossendale, we see both challenge and opportunity. Exceptional buildings at risk and communities seeking spaces that foster connection, creativity, and pride.

Our work bridges that gap. Through collaboration, forward-thinking partnerships and strategic project development, we aim to transform underused and heritage at risk into vibrant purposeful places that deliver measurable community benefit and sustainable growth.

Rossendale's distinct cultural heritage and identity is a source of inspiration. By celebrating its stories, we harness this as a force for regeneration and afford opportunities for positive social impact through project activity.

Our aim is to help Rossendale to thrive, now and for future generations to come. Every project we deliver begins with a simple idea: that historic buildings can be catalysts for change, strengthening communities, creating opportunity, and renewing pride in our towns. The following stories capture a few examples of what happens when collaboration, creativity, and heritage come together to shape a better future.

Our Mission

To breathe new life into Rossendale’s heritage, ensuring that our historic buildings have purpose, contribute to their communities, and are filled with people.

Our Vision

A Rossendale where heritage is a catalyst for positive social impact, sustainable regeneration and community pride.

Our Values

Community | Collaboration | Integrity | Hope

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"Living as a tenant here has been an incredibly positive experience"

Valley Heritage have transformed vacant accommodation on the upper floors of the former Lancashire and Yorkshire building into four flats, providing rented accomodation that contributes towards a shortfall in local housing. Working with M3 Projects, a specialist charity in East Lancashire providing support to young people at risk of homelessness, we let a proportion of our rental accommodation below the market rate as affordable move-on accommodation within a town centre location.

The flats have been fully let since 2022, with one of our long term residents commenting, "living here has been an incredibly positive experience. It's helpful to be so close to public transport links and local shops, especially given how quiet it is inside the building."

"The shared working space provided by Alliance was the perfect solution for us"

Local business GrowTraffic have used Alliance for the last 3 years. Having given up their office during the Covid pandemic, they were in need of a new space to work as a team, but weren’t yet in a position to commit to a full time office. We have helped them along their journey.

"The shared working space provided by Alliance was the perfect solution for us. One of the biggest issues we experienced as an employer during the pandemic was that of managing a team of remote workers. As a specialist SEO agency, our work is highly skilled yet constantly changing, and this requires ongoing professional development within the team. We found that remote working posed challenges around training and team cohesion, and this resulted in a drop in the quality of the work we delivered to clients.

By utilising the shared working space, we were able to meet as the team on a more regular basis, usually at least once, sometimes twice, a week. This ensured information was shared more fluidly and staff upskilling could be done on a much more continual basis. The result was a marked improvement in not only our company culture but also the quality of the work delivered to our clients, which in turn resulted in a slow and steady growth to our business."

Rachel Weinhold, GrowTraffic

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10 years in 10 numbers

Towards the end of 2025 Valley Heritage will celebrate our 10th birthday.

Over the years our work and project activity has brought people back into remarkable buildings, formed new partnerships, and demonstrated the social impact and economic value of delivering heritage led transformation and meaningful change.

We can measure our impact through our projects, community engagement, and the opportunities created.

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Valley Heritage | Annual Report 2024-202S

Our work in action

----- Start of picture text -----
01 RHF 02 PVG 03 PVG
04 RS 05 Alliance 06
Pipeline
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01

Rossendale Heritage Futures

Our flagship strategic project for heritage assets.

Introduction

Rossendale is a place of remarkable heritage, both natural and built. The decline of local industry throughout the 20th century, coupled with a long term lack of investment and compounded by decades of austerity, the Covid pandemic and, more recently, the cost of living crisis, has left many of the heritage assets within Rossendale disused and derelict. As a result, there is a real risk of further substantial loss and erosion of the character and identity of Rossendale, beyond that which has already taken place.

Those best placed to address these challenges often lack the capacity, resources and resilience required, whilst the private sector has larged proved unable to resolve these issues to an appropriate quality or viable level of financial return.

Our Rossendale Heritage Futures project has been designed to identify and prioritise the heritage buildings across the borough that are most in need of intervention and to explore viable, sustainable futures for each. The project represents a community focused approach to heritage conservation, placing strong emphasis on partnership working, capacity building, and sustainable development.

In February 2024, with support from Rossendale Borough Council, Valley Heritage secured a grant of £150,900 from Historic England’s Funding for Capacity Building programme to enable this work to commence.

Purpose

The funding enables Valley Heritage to put in place the capacity and resources needed to strengthen and formalise public and voluntary sector partnerships. It aims to build the resilience of these partners and, in turn, facilitate appropriate private sector involvement, strengthening the sector’s ability to respond to challenging heritage assets.

The funding has supported the creation of a new Project Officer role, early stage project development, and core organisational support, allowing Valley Heritage to develop a structured programme of intervention to appraise heritage assets across Rossendale. Delivered over three years, our project has the following aims;

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Bringing historic buildings back into use signals confidence in Rossendale. Heritage assets can act as anchor projects that de-risk wider investment and encourage both public and private funders to invest in surrounding areas.

Outcomes

The key outcomes of our project will include;

Activities

Over the past year, our Rossendale Heritage Futures project has made significant progress in planning, partnership development and public engagement.

Project officers Jo and Mhorag have identified a preliminary list of heritage assets and established a Steering Group to guide the development and prioritisation of the list under their direction. A Chair has been appointed, and draft terms of reference have been agreed with our partner, Rossendale Borough Council.

The first Steering Group meeting was held in October with broad attendance from around 20 participants, to review the initial heritage asset register and refine the priority scoring matrix.

Alongside this we have tailored social media activity and press releases to build a local media presence for the project. We have delivered consultation workshops across the valley with community groups in Whitworth and Rawtenstall, and feedback was reported back to the Steering Group at subsequent meetings to inform ongoing decision making.

The plight of GII Waterbarn Chapel, destroyed by fire

The priority list has been refined to 17 assets, distilled from a much wider review of individual and grouped sites. This assessment was crossreferenced with Historic England’s National Heritage List for England and Heritage at Risk Registers, Rossendale Borough Council’s Local List and Conservation Areas, and has been informed by wider regeneration initiatives running in parallel with our project programme.

Early outputs from the project have already led to viability discussions and feasibility studies, helping to shape a pipeline of projects that may be eligible for future funding.

Alongside this, our staff and trustees have undertaken training with the Architectural Heritage Fund on compulsory purchase orders and regeneration topics, further strengthening our inhouse expertise as the project progresses.

What’s next?

With a clear strategy in place and an engaged group of stakeholders, the project is beginning to shape a coherent long term vision for the heritage assets most at risk across Rossendale.

During the next financial year, the Rossendale Heritage Futures project will continue to compile Asset Information Sheets, progress feasibility work, and explore re-use options in collaboration with students from the Manchester School of Architecture.

We will continue to co-ordinate site visits and progress reviews with Historic England’s Project Adviser, and host public consultations to share emerging ideas and gather local feedback.

The finalised shortlist of priority assets will be presented to the Steering Group for endorsement before being submitted later this year to the Valley Heritage Trustees, as the accountable body, for review. These assets will then undergo more detailed development work.

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02

Project Viability Grant

Revival of a high street landmark to bridge a proud past with a vibrant future.

Introduction

Valley Heritage have successfully secured a £15,000 Project Viability Grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund to explore the potential purchase and redevelopment of a prominent town centre building which will soon become vacant.

The building is in poor condition and in need of significant investment. Valley Heritage are exploring opportunities to ensure this local landmark continues to have an active high street presence within the community for generations to come.

Activities

During the year, Valley Heritage have built strong foundations for the project, including the appointment of an external professional team to lead surveys and develop proposals. We have also commissioned a quantity surveyor to prepare a detailed cost plan and operational budget.

As the project has progressed, clear opportunities have emerged to connect this work with our wider project work, linking local identity and storytelling with place-based, heritage led regeneration.

Purpose

Valley Heritage are undertaking a feasibility study to determine the viability of the purchase and any eventual redevelopment. The focus will be on assessing the building condition, exploring potential uses, and evaluating whether the proposed use is suitable for the building and potential for long-term sustainability.

The project aligns with our mission to ensure that historic buildings have purpose, contribute to their communities, and are filled with people.

Outcomes

We will commission the professional services and baseline information required to gain a better understanding if the project is viable for further development.

Alongside this, we have maintained ongoing dialogue with the current owner regarding potential sale terms and have explored possible funding routes to support future capital investment.

What’s next?

Within the next financial year we will complete and submit the final project viability report, incorporating fully costed design options to inform decision making around further project development.

We will continue discussions around the possible acquisition of the building and develop a clear strategy for the next phase, focusing on securing funding, building capacity, and establishing partnerships to enable restoration of the fabric and returning the property to full, sustainable use.

The final project viability report will set out a clear understanding of investment needs and repair priorities, with a robust evidence base to attract future regeneration funding.

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Bringing historic town centre buildings in Rossendale back into use will help to increase footfall, support local businesses and provide space for mixed use activities, to strengthen the vitality of our high streets and neighbourhoods.

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03

Project Viability Grant

Living heritage for lasting homes.

Introduction

Valley Heritage have successfully secured a £15,000 Project Viability Grant from the Architectural Heritage Fund to explore the potential redevelopment of two Grade II listed residential properties within a conservation area at risk.

Long vacant and in very poor condition, the properties detract from the amenity of the conservation area and require significant intervention to prevent accelerated deterioration and decline.

Purpose

The project reinforces Valley Heritage's commitment to sustainable development within at-risk conservation areas.

The feasibility study will establish if a viable intervention is possible and outline the requirements to safeguard the heritage assets and bring back into use as dwellings.

If taken forwards, it will demonstrate how small scale, sustainable housing developments can breathe new life into our historic streets.

We will consider how we can apply best practice and lessons learned through our collaboration with Rossendale Valley Energy on the previous Net Zero Terraced Street project. It will provide further opportunities to engage with the local community around appropriate energy performance upgrades to Rossendale's traditional housing stock so that benefits can be shared and not extracted.

Outcomes

We will commission the professional services and baseline information required to gain a clearer understanding of the property condition, the level of investment needed, and the risks involved, including legal, financial and phasing considerations.

The final project viability report will set out clear, evidence based recommendations to enable an informed decision on whether and how the project should progress.

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Restoring historic buildings aligns with sustainable development principles, by retaining embodied carbon and avoiding demolition. This can lower maintenance costs and environmental impacts, whilst still meeting modern needs.

Activities

Valley Heritage is part way through delivering the project. Since project inception we have commissioned a professional team to appraise the condition of the property, and have obtained the necessary survey information.

These steps have established a strong foundation for outline design development and budget cost analysis, enabling us to appraise the emerging proposals, explore viable housing options. We have begun early, informed discussions around potential options for acquisition, delivery routes and project partnership.

What’s next?

As the project progresses into the next financial year, Valley Heritage will seek market valuations for the properties to inform the development of a detailed cost plan by others and provide us with a robust business model for testing.

This work will enable us to assess affordability, risk and financing options as we finalise the Project Viability Report.

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04

Rossendale Sole

Preserving Rossendale's footwear heritage.

Introduction

Once housed at Greenbridge Works, Rawtenstall, the Rossendale Footwear Collection was rescued from disposal by Valley Heritage in 2021, suffering significant damage following the 2015 Boxing Day floods.

The Collection is growing in our care, with an impressive inventory of over 1000 items that our dedicated team of volunteers continue to catalogue, conserve and collect. It contains not only shoes but photographs, videos, archival records, sewing machines and other objects closely associated with Rossendale's industrial history and prolific role within the footwear industry.

Our Rossendale Sole project is a celebration of that legacy and a step toward safeguarding the Collection for the future. Each shoe reveals a story of skill, identity and spirit and we invite everyone to step into the past, discover the craftsmanship and provenance behind each shoe, and appreciate the role the footwear industry played in shaping Rossendale.

Purpose

Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project was developed to shape the future of the Rossendale Footwear Collection and ensure its long term care, accessibility, and interpretation. Our aims included;

Creating a comprehensive Interpretation Strategy. Establishing catalogue and documentation systems. Exploring possibilities for museum accreditation. Digitalising the Collection to make accessible to the public whilst still in storage. Building the skills and confidence of our volunteers, staff, and trustees in conservation and storytelling.

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The Collection documents our cultural heritage. We see real potential to give it new life whilst keeping its story alive.

Activities and outcomes

This year we have continued to conserve and catalogue the Collection to align with MODES as a fully operational system for long term care. We celebrated closing out the Rossendale Sole project with our 2024 Heritage Open Day at Stubbylee Hall, one of our busiest yet which saw 58 visitors engage with the Collection throughout the day.

This coincided with the launch of our dedicated website, which hosts 3D scans of shoes by Christians Surveyors, making the collection digitally accessible. The website also hosts our Interpretation Strategy by Sarah Lee, a brilliant piece of work which explores the past, present and possible futures for the Collection that is well worth a read.

Pat, our project officer, facilitated a handson conservation course in October 2024 at Stubbylee Hall, during which participants could learn more about how to conserve and record to best practice and try their hand at techniques. The course was well received by the 13 attendees, who enjoyed the day and found the content interesting and relevant, meeting contacts at other local heritage projects.

Another exciting output has been the animations we have commissioned for deeper community engagement. We commissioned local artist Amy Callaghan of Pigs In Mud Art Studios to bring to life oral history recordings from former workers in the Rossendale's footwear industry, which have proved popular.

What’s next?

Building on the successful completion of the project with The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we continue to explore accreditation and potential partnerships with local museums, artists, and organisations.

Our volunteers are continuing to catalogue, conserve and care for the Collection in parallel with our ongoing efforts to secure a permanent home for the Collection, making it accessible to the public as a cultural asset.

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05

Alliance

Our local community offering and headquarters.

Introduction

Valley Heritage's first major capital project was bringing the former Lancashire & Yorkshire Bank in Bacup back into viable use. The iconic Grade II listed property in the town centre was previously in very poor condition and progressively deteriorating whilst vacant. With grant funding support and loan financing we have been able to convert the property into a co-working space after identifying a need within the local community.

Purpose

The Alliance co-working space opened in late 2022 and provides various resources for businesses, freelancers and employees working from home. Across the ground floor and basement of the building there are ten hot desks and two meeting rooms available for flexible hire 24/7, with alternative membership packages for occasional and regular use. As part of the package there is access to digital monitors, printing facilities, a communal kitchen with barista grade coffee machine, shower facilities, and digital key access for an ‘easy in, easy out’ system.

The fruits of our project activities and community engagement are evident throughout the character of the co-working space; from the repurposed bespoke desks commissioned from the Stubbylee Community Greenhouse; to the wall hung tapestries by local artist Cath Ford and the Weir Knit and Knatter group; the entrance mural by another local artist Amy Callaghan depicting characters and memories of local folk; and the colourful 'Bacup' posters from two local primary schools.

The upper floors of the building contain four flats, two of which are leased in collaboration with M3 projects, a local charity which supports young people at risk of homelessness.

Activities and outcomes

Within this reporting year we have welcomed lots of new faces, businesses and community organisations looking for spaces to work and meet. We've hosted events, both our own and by others, and continued to support other local businesses.

Behind the scenes we have closed out the Alliance project and re-financed our Heritage Impact Fund loan with the Architectural Heritage Fund, which permitted the purchase of the former Lancashire & Yorkshire Bank.

We've steadily developed Alliance as a commercial offering to cover the operational and maintenance costs of the building and introduced dedicated meetings for Alliance as its own entity to improve both organisational structure and building operations.

We've continued with minor repairs and routine maintenance to ensure that the building remains in good condition as it enters its third year in use. We overcame a challenging start to 2025 when a major electrical fault affected the heating systems and appliances, which has since been resolved.

We've also upgraded our chairs, provided digital monitors and have been gradually adding to the interior, thoughtfully building it up just as you would a home.

What’s next?

Next year we aim to improve the marketing of Alliance and continue to grow the co-working offer to reach new audiences to drive performance, as the surplus income generated from Alliance helps to sustain our charitable activities and builds our organisational resilience.

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----- Start of picture text -----
"Working from Alliance gives me the
opportunity to get away from the isolation
of a home based office into a bright, historic
and sensitively restored environment."
Jane Pallister, co-worker
----- End of picture text -----

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06

Project pipeline

Looking ahead to exciting projects on the horizon.

Stubbylee Hall

As our interim use of Stubbylee Hall concludes and the Footwear Collection is relocated, we remain in discussion with Rossendale Borough Council over the future of the building.

Over the coming months we intend to support Rossendale Borough Council to explore possible funding opportunities in hope of securing a sustainable future for the building.

Community Engagement

Alongside the project work outlined, we have continued working with education providers this year to expand our reach to young people.

In November 2024 our project officers Mhorag and Jo attended a local high school careers fair to discuss our work within the community and answer questions about careers in the built environment, including opportunities in heritage and urban regeneration.

Feasibility Work

We have further feasibility work planned for the months ahead as we look to close out some of our current projects and map out potential opportunities emerging from our Rossendale Heritage Futures Project.

Having laid the strategic groundwork this year, and strengthened our organisations resilience, we hope to take at least one capital works project forward from our feasibility work within the next financial year to develop our portfolio of properties.

We are in very early discussions with potential local operator partners for possible future opportunities that may emerge from this work.

In December 2024 our project officer Pat visited a local primary school to speak with Year 6 pupils about urban regeneration and explore ideas around what could be done with some of the empty buildings in the local town centre conservation area.

In the coming months, we will again be partnering with the Manchester School of Architecture through their MSA Live programme, providing undergraduate and postgraduate architecture students with opportunities to collaborate with us on live projects that create social impact and community benefit. The feasibility work will be centred on Waterbarn Chapel, one of the assets being explored through the Rossendale Heritage Futures project.

We are exploring the possibility of facilitating a work placement later this summer through Historic England’s Emerging Talent Placement Programme, which aims to offer heritage sector career opportunities to young people from underrepresented audiences.

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Ill

Moving forwards with confidence

Over the next financial year, we will focus on building sustainable income streams and starting to diversify our asset base through project work. This will support our planned trajectory of growth and enable us to focus our efforts and drive forward meaningful change.

Every achievement is made possible through the dedication, talent and collaboration of those who share our vision for Rossendale’s future.

Our expanding team of volunteers, employees and trustees brings together our professional expertise and genuine passion for heritage regeneration and community development.

Our shared values shape the way we approach every project, ensuring that our work is thoughtful, creative and delivered with integrity, resulting in lasting benefits for places and communities.

Collaboration sits at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to work alongside a wide network of partners, including local authorities, funding bodies, community organisations, craftspeople and other Heritage Development Trusts.

Each play a vital role in helping us reimagine historic buildings and cultural heritage, strengthening local identity and creating opportunities for people to thrive.

Through our shared purpose and collective efforts we will help our communities to grow more connections and confidence in their future.

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Our Employees

Pat Smith, Project Officer

As Project Officer at Valley Heritage, Pat plays a key role in organising activities and managing day-to-day operations, ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, on time, and to the highest standards of quality and community impact.

Pat has extensive experience in the community sector, working across community development, education, and support for local organisations in both volunteer and employee roles.

A respected community member, she has built a strong local network through long-standing voluntary involvement.

Mhorag Saxon, Project Officer

Mhorag is an experienced Project Manager within the Economic Development team at Rossendale Borough Council, having secured external grant funding and delivered several towncentre heritage regeneration projects. Her work spans building restorations, public realm improvements, and community engagement.

Seconded one day a week to Valley Heritage, Mhorag supports the Rossendale Heritage Futures project, bringing valuable expertise in heritage regeneration and partnership working to strengthen our impact and community connections.

Jo Strachan-O'Donnell, Project Assistant

Jo has extensive project management experience gained through roles in social housing and social care charities.

Holding a BA (Hons) in Social Science and a Postgraduate Certificate in Guidance, she has also worked in education, providing advice and support to children and young people.

Jo’s skills and experience enable her to empower communities to grow and thrive. As a Rossendale resident, she is passionate about supporting her local community and preserving the area’s rich heritage.

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Our Volunteers

We couldn't achieve as much as we do without the continued support of our amazing volunteers; the time they generously donate and the care they pour in to each project.

Those who regularly contribute to project activities, others who are always happy to lend a pair of helping hands at our events or working party days, and our valued professional network acting as critical friends.

Our Partners

We are pleased to have formalised our Partnership Agreement with Rossendale Borough Council this year. We see this as as an important milestone which will allow Valley Heritage and the Local Authority to utilise our complimentary skillsets and experience to deliver significant pieces of work towards aligned objectives;

To have a thriving economy, built around our changing town centres, creating a quality environment for all and improving the life chances of all those living and working in our borough.

To conserve and celebrate our region's cultural heritage whilst promoting sustainable and community engagement.

With thanks to our grant funders;

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Governance Valley Heritage | Annual Report 2024-202S 34

Our commitment to good governance

Valley Heritage operates with a clear commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of our work. We recognise that effective governance is fundamental to ensuring that our ambition is sustainable and our impact accountable.

We also recognise that good governance is the framework that allows creativity to thrive and ensure our projects deliver long term social, cultural, and economic benefit for the people of Rossendale.

Our organisation is led by a dedicated board of trustees, who bring together a wide range of specialisms; from heritage, architecture, landscape and planning through to finance, funding, regeneration and community. Our trustees act as project sponsors to guide the delivery of our projects and reporting.

Their role is to provide strategic direction, safeguard our values, and ensure that the Valley Heritage fulfils it's charitable objectives with professionalism and purpose.

As we grow, we remain committed to strong leadership, transparent decision-making, and responsible management of our resources, so that we can continue to build our trusted relationships with our partners, funders, and the communities we serve.

With the help of our project officers, this year we have focused our efforts on the following aspects of governance;

We uphold robust policies on safeguarding, equality, health and safety, and environmental responsibility. We regularly review our performance, risks, and policy compliance to maintain the highest standards of governance.

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Our Board of Trustees

Stephen Anderson, Chair

Stephen is a Chartered Architect with over 20 years experience specialising in historic buildings and environments. A Director at Buttress Architects, he leads the Arts, Culture & Heritage team.

Stephen has extensive experience with National Lottery Heritage Fund projects, from preparing and writing bids to delivering multi-million-pound schemes.

His expertise includes

Conservation Plans, design, and management of complex projects involving Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments. He also serves as a RoSS Consultant, advising the Heritage Fund and its grantees.

Rachael Gildert, Secretary

Rachael is a Chartered Landscape Architect and member of the Landscape Institute with over 20 years’ experience in the community and voluntary sector. Her background includes housing renewal, play and recreation projects, monument and heritage site improvements, and footpath and bridleway development.

Based in Rossendale, she works as Senior Landscape Architect for a Community Interest Company delivering community-led projects across the Northwest, collaborating with grant funders, local authorities, and partners to design, fund, and deliver impactful community schemes.

Jacob Landers, Board Trustee

Jacob is a Senior Planning Officer in the Policy team at Chorley Council.

Previously, at Rossendale Borough Council, he was instrumental in the adoption of the Council’s Local Plan and developed supplementary planning policy documents, including a Climate Change Policy, to guide future development.

As a Trustee of Valley Heritage, Jacob contributes his extensive planning and policy experience to strengthen the organisation’s strategic direction and ensuring that heritage-led regeneration and environmental priorities remain central to future initiatives.

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Courtnay Ives, Vice Chair

Courtnay is a Senior Conservation Accredited Architect with over 10 years experience delivering heritage focused projects, specialising in the conservation and repair of ecclesiastical buildings.

Based in Rossendale, she is the appointed Quinquennial Inspector for churches across the valley and neighbouring boroughs, and serves on a Diocesan Advisory Committee as architectural advisor.

As a Trustee, Courtnay offers valuable professional insight towards Valley Heritage’s mission to preserve and enhance the built environment.

James Steel, Board Trustee

James is an experienced security systems specialist, having spent years working across Rossendale supporting customers with installations, maintenance and advice. With a background in service delivery and engagement, James brings reliability, problem solving skills and a commitment throughout his work.

Living in Rossendale, James is passionate about the community and its future. Combining his professional experience with his interest in heritage and place, he now supports Valley Heritage as a Trustee, helping to champion local projects and contribute to Rossendale’s development.

Andrew Walmsley, Treasurer

Andrew works in the voluntary sector as a finance manager and is active in many non-finance community roles. A lifelong Rossendale resident, he has over 35 years’ experience across audit, industry and charities in senior finance and strategic roles, championing community, stakeholder engagement and funding initiatives that deliver wider benefit and growth.

Andrew is an elected councillor and Cabinet Member for Resources at Rossendale Borough Council. As a Trustee, Andrew applies his extensive financial and community expertise to support the charity’s strategic development and long term sustainability.

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Financial report Valley Heritage | Annual Report 2024-202S 38

Trustees

Valley Heritage is a registered Charity (registration number 1164935) and a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. It is registered at Companies House (Company Number CE005911). The governing document is the Constitution dated 18th December 2015, which following review, remains fit for purpose.

The Board of Trustees is required to carry out the affairs and general business of the Trust and meets regularly.

The Trustees, at 31st March 2025, are:

Stephen Anderson (Chair)

Rachael Gildert (Secretary)

Courtnay Ives (Vice Chair)

Jacob Landers

James Steel

Andrew Walmsley (Treasurer)

The Trustees regularly review of the needs of Valley Heritage and its Board and seek to recruit new Trustees with skills and experience appropriate to the needs and activities of the organisation.

Reserves, Public Benefit & Risk

The Trustees have approved a Reserves Policy which requires that Valley Heritage maintain unrestricted funds of a minimum of three months operational outgoings and before any discretionary expenditure.

The Trustees have complied with their duty under the Charities Act 2011 and have paid due regard to public benefit when preparing this report. The benefit provided to the public is consistent with the charitable aims of Valley Heritage and is in due regard to the Charity Commission guidelines.

The Trustees review risk at each board Meeting and undertake a comprehensive strategic risk review annually. The Trustees have satisfied themselves that systems and allowances are in place to manage these risks.

Current principal risks identified include;

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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).

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company 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:

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 Companies Act 2006 and the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.

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.

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Charity number: 1164935

VALLEY HERITAGE REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Lumb Accountancy Services Limited Chartered Certified Accountants New Hall Hey Business Centre New Hall Hey Road Rawtenstall Lancashire BB4 6HL

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Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Valley Heritage For The Year Ended 31 March 2025 Charity No. 1164935

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Valley Heritage (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

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.

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.

21 November 2025

Lumb Accountancy Services Limited Chartered Certified Accountants New Hall Hey Business Centre New Hall Hey Road Rawtenstall Lancashire BB4 6HL

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Valley Heritage Statement of financial activities For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

Notes
Income
Consultancy and Management Income
Donations and gifts
General grants provided by government/other
charities
3
Total Income
Expenditure
Charitable activities
4
Total Expenditure
Net Surplus/(Deficit)
Transfers between funds
Transfer to revaluation reserve
Net movement on funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
2025
2024
£
£
£
£
£
223
-
-
223
-
17,102
-
-
17,102
8,029
17,748
69,952
-
87,700
63,620
35,073
69,952
-
105,025
71,649
39,195
82,448
-
121,643
87,938
39,195
82,448
-
121,643
87,938
(4,122)
(12,496)
-
(16,618)
(16,289)
-
-
-
-
-
4,476
-
-
4,476
4,315
354
(12,496)
-
(12,142)
(11,974)
16,754
15,175
-
31,929
43,903
17,108
2,679
-
19,787
31,929

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Valley Heritage Balance Sheet As At 31 March 2025

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Assets
6
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
7
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
8
NET CURRENT ASSETS (LIABILITIES)
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors: Amounts Falling Due After More Than
One Year
9
NET ASSETS
FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Revaluation reserve
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
TOTAL FUNDS		 2025
£
£
386,012
386,012
4,837
42,292
47,129
(33,881)
13,248
399,260
(181,152)
218,108
198,321
2,679
17,108
218,108		 2025
£
£
386,012
386,012
4,837
42,292
47,129
(33,881)
13,248
399,260
(181,152)
218,108
198,321
2,679
17,108
218,108		 2024
£
£

395,707

395,707
11,219
46,230
57,449
(27,647)

29,802

425,509

(190,783)

234,726

202,797

15,175

16,754

234,726		 2024
£
£

395,707

395,707
11,219
46,230
57,449
(27,647)

29,802

425,509

(190,783)

234,726

202,797

15,175

16,754

234,726
386,012




13,248		 395,707



29,802
47,129
(33,881)		 57,449
(27,647)







399,260 425,509
(181,152) (190,783)
218,108 234,726
198,321
2,679
17,108		 202,797
15,175
16,754
218,108 234,726

Approved on behalf of the trustees by:

Mr Stephen Anderson Director 21 November 2025

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Valley Heritage Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

1. Accounting Policies

1.1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

1.2. Income

Recognition of income

Income is recognised when the charity becomes entitled to the resources; it is probable that the charity will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Grants and donations

Income from grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, conditions have been met, is probable to be received and can be measured reliably.

1.3. Government Grant

The charity has received government grants in the reporting period.

1.4. Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

1.5. Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost of the fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected useful lives on the following bases:

Freehold 2% straight line basis

Computer Equipment 4 years straight line basis

2. Average Number of Employees

Average number of employees, including directors, during the year was as follows: 1 (2024: 1)

3. Analysis of receipts of general grants provided by government/other charities

Government Grants
Rossendale Borough Council
Other
Total government grants
Other Grants
National Lottery Heritage fund
Architectural Heritage Fund
Historic England
Total other grants
Total grant income		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
This year
Last year
£
£
£
£
7,748
-
7,748
8,842
-
-
-
-
7,748
-
7,748
8,842
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
This year
Last year
£
£
£
£
-
10,015
10,015
54,778
10,000
20,022
30,022
-
-
39,915
39,915
10,000
69,952
79,952
54,778
17,748
69,952
87,700
63,620

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Valley Heritage Notes to the Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

4. Analysis of expenditure

4. Analysis of expenditure
Expenditure on charitable activities:
HDT project expenses
Property restoration expenses
Employee Expenses
Administration & office costs
Insurance
Advertising and marketing costs
Accountancy fees
Bank Loan Interest
Depreciation
Total expenditure on charitable
activities		 This year
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
income
funds
Endowment
funds
Total
funds
Last Year
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
-
-
13,766
13,586
49,205
-
62,791
35,180
-
21,497
-
21,497
5,255
2,051
5,348
-
7,399
6,072
4,306
1,973
-
6,279
6,079
-
2,246
-
2,246
181
-
300
-
300
300
10,919
-
-
10,919
10,979
8,333
1,879
-
10,212
10,126
39,195
82,448
-
121,643
87,938

5. Defined contribution pension scheme or defined benefit scheme accounted for as a defined contribution scheme.

This year Last year
£ £
Amount of contributions recognised in the SOFA as an
expense		 1,818 140

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Valley Heritage Notes to the Financial Statements (continued) For The Year Ended 31 March 2025

6. Tangible Assets

Cost
As at 1 April 2024
Additions
As at 31 March 2025
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2024
Provided during the period
As at 31 March 2025
Net Book Value
As at 31 March 2025
As at 1 April 2024
7. Debtors
Due within one year
Trade debtors
Other debtors
8. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due Within One Year
Trade creditors
Bank loans and overdrafts
Other creditors
Taxation and social security
9. Creditors: Amounts Falling Due After More Than One Year
Bank loans		 Land &
Property
Freehold
£
400,000
-		 Land &
Property
Freehold
£
400,000
-		 Computer
Equipment
£

7,170

518		 Total
£
407,170
518
400,000
7,688		 407,688
8,333
8,333
3,130

1,879		 11,463
10,213
16,667
5,009		 21,676
383,333
2,679		 386,012
391,667
4,040
395,707
2025
£
-
4,837
4,837
2025
£
13,941
19,200
458
282
33,881
2025
£
181,152		 2024
£
7,500
3,719
11,219
2024
£
12,065
15,000
300
282
27,647
2024
£
190,783

10. General Information

Valley Heritage is a charitable incorporated organisation incorporated in England & Wales, charity number 1164935. The registered office is 18-20 Market Street, Bacup, Lancashire, OL13 8EZ.

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oking: ahead . ',r (' I'(Jiil Trl I'u.. 01 &4

Future priorities

Valley Heritage remains in a strong and stable position. Our income during the financial reporting year reflects a balance between grant revenue, earned income from rental property and workspace initiatives, partnership contributions and donations from individuals.

We remain grateful to all of our funders and partners whose generous support enables us to pursue our objectives.

We are committed to ensuring that every pound entrusted to us delivers a measurable benefit for people and places across Rossendale. Our priorities for the year ahead include;

Continuing to deliver: Advance existing project work as a trusted, reputable organisation and identify new opportunities to bring public benefit to Rossendale.

Implement strategic growth: Strengthen our earned income, recruit additional volunteers and seek future funding opportunities.

Enact new initiatives: Develop new projects that respond to local needs and reflect our shared values.

Celebrate identity and place: Continue to share the stories, histories and creativity that connects people to the valley they call home.

Champion heritage and sustainability: Encourage participation that will prepare and equip our communities to care for our heritage in the years to come.

Where we’re going...

Next year we are moving from feasibility to development and delivery. We will build on our existing partnerships and look to form new ones to ensure our projects are viable, well-governed and robust.

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Get involved...

There's always room for new volunteers within Valley Heritage to share skills, gain experience, and help us to drive positive change together.

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Every success we have shared has been made possible by the people and organisations who believe in what we do. Valley Heritage extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed to our work and placed trust in us over the last decade.

Our annual report reflects on another year of progress, marked by strategic feasibility work, growing resilience, organisational improvements, and the weaving of new stories with old.

The impact of each project, creative collaboration and meaningful conversation reminds us why we began this journey back in 2015, whilst also building confidence and hope for what lies ahead.

We look forward to finding out where the next ten years will take us!

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Thank you

V A L L E Y H E R I T A G E

To find out more visit https://valleyheritage.org.uk

Get in touch at info@valleyheritage.co.uk

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