Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
Period start date 01/04/22 To Period end date 31/03/23
Charity name: Snodhill Castle Preserva;on Trust
Charity registra;on number: 1165749
Objec8ves and Ac8vi8es
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its the Parishes of Dorstone and Peterchurch, Herefordshire and the governing document Na?on ("the beneficiaries"), the historic, architectural and construc?onal heritage that exists in and around the Castle of Snodhill ("the area of benefit") in buildings (including any building as defined in Sec?on 336 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990) of par?cular beauty or historical, architectural or construc?onal interest, including but without limi?ng the generality of the foregoing acquiring, renova?ng, restoring and u?lising for the benefit of the beneficiaries the structure, cur?lages, site and environs of Snodhill Castle, Snodhill, Herefordshire, and to educate the general public in the geography, history, natural history, architecture and economic and social history of the area of benefit (“the Objects”)
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Summary of the main ac?vi?es in rela?on to those purposes for the public benefit, in par?cular, the ac?vi?es, projects or services iden?fied in the accounts.
The aim of the charity is to rescue, restore and open up to the community for research, educa?on and enjoyment the remains and site of Snodhill Castle – a liSle-known but highly significant Marcher castle set in Herefordshire’s Golden Valley.
Decades-long neglect by its owners had led to the 10-acre site becoming impassably overgrown, leaving the castle’s standing remains perilously close to collapse and loss. Thanks to the persistent lobbying of a few individuals, English Heritage and laSerly Historic England were drawn to the plight of this unique structure and temporary works were undertaken while the local community and enthusiasts assembled a trust to start clearing the site, obtaining ownership of it, then commence its rescue and restora?on (including its landscape se[ng) for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of the community, the county and the na?on.
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Invi?ng an organised archaeological excava?on of the site by students from Manchester University, Cardiff University and the American ins?tute for Field Research (the ‘Beneath Hay Bluff’ project)
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Involving the local community with the objects, including through social media and other local media
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Invi?ng prac?cal par?cipa?on in the pursuit of those objects by regular volunteering sessions
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Invi?ng wider par?cipa?on in the objects through the commissioning of a new website with wider appeal, greater func?onality and in the building of a new database
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Conduc?ng media interviews including appearing on Radio 4’s Open Country
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Recording the Trust’s ac?vi?es through an emailing programme and social media (Facebook and Instagram)
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Taking out appropriate liability insurances
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Liaising with associated relevant conserva?on bodies, local and na?onal
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the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public
through all the conduct and ac?vi?es of the charity. Details of the ac?vi?es of the Trust during the year are set out below.
Addi?onal informa?on (op?onal) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policy on grant making | The charity does not grant funds |
|---|---|
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
The charity has no investments |
| Contribu?on made by volunteers |
ARCHAEOLOGY The ‘Beneath Hay Bluf’ project engaged 40 archaeology students, supervised by Tim Hoverd, Archaeological Projects Manager, Herefordshire Council, and contributed 5096 student and volunteer hours. (plus 848 professional staf hours). SITE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT The Trust runs volunteering sessions on a weekly basis throughout the autumn, winter and early spring, dedicated to clearing overgrowth and maintaining the site’s amenity and accessibility for visitors. The volunteers contributed 336 hours in the year under review. PROJECT MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION AND MARKETING The Trust is managed by four ofcers (‘constables’) whose volunteer hours during the year in review exceeded 1000. |
| Other |
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Achievements and Performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, iden?fying the diference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its benefciaries and any wider benefts to society as a whole. |
During the year under review the charity focused on six areas of ac?vity: - Con7nuing the restora7on works - Improving public access, awareness and apprecia7on - Administra7on, fund raising and fnance - Land management - Community outreach 1) RESTORATION WORKS The Trust con?nued to make progress in the inves?ga?on and restora?on of the standing remains and to explore the archaeology of the site: North Keep Following consolida?on of the North Keep in 2021, the Trust designed and installed public access stairs to its interior in September 2022. A custom-designed secure cover was installed over the newly discovered well as a safety precau?on for visitors. Royal Free Chapel A major discovery during the year in review was that of the site and layout of the unique Royal Free Chapel. Excava?ons undertaken by the students during June-July 2022 revealed the remains of an altar, nave walls, the remains of a chancel arch and an exquisite enamelled fgurine, which together with fragments of poSery, wall- plaster and other ar?facts cons?tute evidence of a high status building. As a result of these discoveries the Trust decided to launch a long-term fund-raising appeal for its research, explora?on and conserva?on. North Curtain Wall and possible Barbican Tower Further archaeology revealed a collapsed tower structure outside and below the curtain wall boundary, which the Trust intends to further inves?gate in the years to come. 2) PUBLIC ACCESS, AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION IMPROVED PUBLIC ACCESS The site remained open (free of charge) throughout the year and proved an increasingly popular des?na?on for castle enthusiasts, nature lovers, walkers, families and locals, in addi?on to those curious to view the fndings from the digs. |
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We welcomed Golden Valley pilgrims and conducted guided tours on bank holidays.
History Field Club and other interested groups.
We marked the occasion of the Queen’s Diamond jubilee with a spectacular bonfire, a fi[ng tribute given the 800-year record of the castle’s loyalty to the Crown.
The constables invited our insurance broker (Hayes Parsons) to visit the site and advise on elements of liability and risk management. The Trust purchased a quan?ty of hand-made chestnut paling, a visually sympathe?c yet effec?ve moveable barrier which can be installed in areas of poten?al public hazard as required
The no?ceboard was updated regularly with news of recent discoveries, health and safety precau?ons, news and informa?on
NEW AND ENHANCED WEBSITE
A completely new website was commissioned, designed and launched in April 2022. The new site brings greatly improved func?onality, security and accessibility and connects donors to Givey, the Trust’s dona?ons engine, as well providing a comprehensive contact form connected to a mailchimp database. At the end of the year under review the database had some 400 names.
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The Constables (trust officers) con?nued to meet on a regular basis (online and face-to-face) to track finances and to consider how to manage ac?vi?es. In addi?on full trustees mee?ngs were held online/in person twice during the year. In August 2022 we were honoured to welcome Sarah Lewis, laSerly Heritage at Risk Adviser, Historic England, as Trustee. The Trust con?nued to take measures to ensure it was compliant with General Data Protec?on Regula?on. The Trust con?nued to maintain a good working rela?onship with Historic England, local community groups and tourism bodies. 3) Land Management Under the management of Nick Longman (Vice Chairman and volunteer manager) a regular team of volunteers met weekly to clear and maintain the site for the benefit of both ecology, heritage and public access. During the year in review the Trust procured some 150 na?ve hedging plant whips from the Woodland Trust which were planted to enhance the long-term hedge cover of the site’s northern boundary. Selec?ve clearing, felling, burning and brash removal was undertaken with regard to the trust’s ecology survey of 2019, the archaeologically sensi?ve site, and the standing remains of the castle. The volunteers contributed 336 hours during the permiSed clearance season.
combina?on of woodland, woodland grazing and cropped turf against which the ruins might be best displayed and maintain riskfree access by archaeologists, historians, and the public. In addi?on, the volunteers cleared and reclaimed an important adjacent ancient Holloway to the site - Ga[mer Lane - for public access.
Ash dieback was reported as a problem na?onally and subsequently found to have affected a number of trees on site. With careful monitoring and stewardship, affected trees were assessed and treated professionally. Affected trees were cut and it
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is intended that the ?mber will be sold locally to boost income for the Trust.
had trampled some of the turf capping. Sheep grazing con?nues to be kept under review.
Badger ac?vi?es con?nued to be monitored around the site (under the supervision of a professional ecologist and under licence from Natural England). LiSle or no ac?vity was recorded.
The Trust has regard to its obliga?ons regarding gaining Scheduled Monument Consent for all its works where required.
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4) Community Outreach
During the year in review the Trust welcomed visits and tours from various groups ranging from lepidopterists to local running clubs, and specifically from the Longtown History Group, the Castle Studies Group and the Woolhope Naturalists’ Field Club. We intend to broaden our community involvement, ac?vely engaging with both visitor, community and special interest groups to further our objects.
Addi7onal informa7on (op7onal)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objec?ves set |
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|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising ac?vi?es against objec?ves set |
The Trust was delighted to receive two substan?al dona?ons from individuals during the year, in addi?on to the modest yet con?nuous funds raised from dona?ons for leafets and organised tours. A volunteer generously donated hand-turned wooden bowls created from willow and alder from the site for sale for the Trust’s beneft. Details of our fundraising results are recorded in our Accounts. |
| Investment performance against objec?ves |
The charity has no investments |
| Other |
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Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s fnancial posi?on at the end of the period |
The charity’s fnancial posi?on during the year is set out in the aSached Annual Accounts. Income was less than £25,000 and therefore did not meet the threshold for independent examina?on. |
|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves sta?ng why they are held |
The Trust maintained a balance of £10,000 as per its reserves policy. |
| Amount of reserves held | £10,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
N/A |
| Details of fund materially in defcit |
There are no funds in defcit during the year in review |
| Explana?on of any uncertain?es about the charity con?nuing as a going concern |
N/A |
Addi7onal informa7on (op7onal)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
The principal sources of funds in the period 2022-3 were dona?on income from individuals, and earned income from the sale of leafets and tours. |
|---|---|
| Investment policy and objec?ves including any social investment policy adopted |
The Trust has no investments |
| A descrip?on of the principal risks facing the charity |
Public and employers’ liability insurance was taken out to protect visitors and volunteers. Risk assessments and method statements have been prepared to cover this ac?vity. The use of chainsaws was restricted to those qualifed to use them, and the site’s coordinates are known to the emergency services. |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
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| Descrip?on of charity’s trusts: | |
|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Cons?tu?on |
| How is the charity cons?tuted? (e.g unincorporated associa?on, CIO) |
Charitable Incorporated Organisa?on |
| Trustee selec?on methods including details of any |
Elected and appointed by exis?ng trustees |
| cons?tu?onal provisions e.g. elec?on to post or name of any person or body en?tled to appoint one or more trustees |
Addi7onal informa7on (op7onal)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induc?on and training of trustees |
All new trustees are provided with a copy of the cons?tu?on, a copy of mee?ng minutes, a link to the Charity Commission’s guidance on becoming a trustee (The Essen?al Trustee) as well as an opportunity to have a guided tour of the castle. |
|---|---|
| The charity’s organisa?onal structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
The charity is governed by a board of trustees, among whom certain management du?es are undertaken by ‘Constables’: they are Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. Specifc and ?me-limited projects are undertaken by Working Groups as necessary. |
| Rela?onship with any related par?es |
The charity has informal links with Hay Castle Trust, St Faith’s Church (Dorstone), the Dorstone History Society, the Longtown and District Historical Society, the Castle Studies Group, The Hay Fes?val, Kilvert Society, Wellington Historical Society, the Woolhope Club, the SuSon Walls Conserva?on Group, the Eaton Camp Historical Group and the Mor?mer History Society. We have a close rela?onship with Historic England, and we aim to strengthen links with other like-minded bodies regionally, na?onally and interna?onally. |
| Other |
Reference and Administra8ve details
Charity name The Snodhill Castle Preserva?on Trust
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| Other name the charity uses | SCPT |
|---|---|
| Registered charity number | 1165749 |
| Charity’s principal address | The Green, Snodhill, Dorstone, Herefordshire HR3 6BH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Corporate trustees – names Trustee name Garry Crook Bridie Sullivan Surrey Garland Nick Longman Bridget Knight Louise McIntyre Ruth Woolmer Susannah Garland Kate Hayward Jade Leigh-Beresford Joe EmmeS Tom Oliver Sarah Lewis |
Trustee name | Ofce (if any) | Ofce (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) en<tled to appoint trustee (if **any) ** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garry Crook | Chair | |||||
| Bridie Sullivan | Secretary | |||||
| Surrey Garland | Treasurer | |||||
| Nick Longman | Vice-Chair | |||||
| Bridget Knight | ||||||
| Louise McIntyre | ||||||
| Ruth Woolmer | ||||||
| Susannah Garland | ||||||
| Kate Hayward | ||||||
| Jade Leigh-Beresford | ||||||
| Joe EmmeS | ||||||
| Tom Oliver | ||||||
| Sarah Lewis | 10/08/2022 | |||||
| of the directors at the date the report was approved | ||||||
| Director name | ||||||
Name of trustees holding ?tle to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
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Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
| Descrip?on of the assets held in this capacity |
N/A |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
N/A |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segrega?on |
N/A |
| of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
Addi7onal informa7on (op7onal)
Names and addresses of advisers (Op7onal informa7on)
| Type of | Name | Address |
|---|---|---|
| adviser |
(Op7onal informa7on)
Exemp8ons from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other op8onal informa8on
Declara8ons
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
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Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustee
Signature(s) Surrey Garland Full name(s) Bridie Sullivan Posi7on (eg Secretary, Chair, Secretary Treasurer etc) Date 30 January 2024
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