CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period Perfod start date 05104123 Perlod end date 04104124 Charlty narne: 5nodhlll Castle Preservatlon Trust Charlty reglstratlon number: 1165749 ObJertFves and Activities ummary of the purposes ofthe harity a5 set out in its overning document o preserve for the benefit of the people of the Hamlet of Snodhill, he Parlshes of Dorstone and Peterchurch, Herefordshire and the Nation I'the beneficlarles"), the hlstorlc, architectural and onstructional heritage that exists in and around the Castle of nodhill I'the area of benefit") in bulldlngs lincludlng any building as efined In Section 336 ofthe Town and Country Plannin8 Act 19901 of parkncular beauty or hlstorlcal, architectural or onstructional interest, includlng but wlthout limltlng the generality f the foregoing acquiring, renovating, restoring and utilisln8 for the benefit of the beneficlaries the structure, curtiloges, site and nvirons of Snodhill Castle, Snodhill, Herefordshire, and to educate he general public in the geography, historyi natural hSstory, rchitecture and economi¢ and social history of the area of benefit "the Objects")
ummary of the main acknvities n relation to those purposes for he public benefit. in parkncular, he attivities, projects or ervices identified in the ccounts. he aim of the charity 15 to rescue. restore and make open to the ommunity for research. education and enjoyment the remain5 and ite of Snodhill Castle- a still little-known and little-understood but ighly significant Marcher castle set in Hef0rdshIre'S Golden Valley. cades-long neglect by its owner5 had led to the I(ac site coming impas5ably overgrown, leaving the castle'5 Stdndin8 remains perilously close to co113pse and loss. Thanks to the ersistent lobbying of a few individuals, English Heritsge and latterly Historic England were drawn to the plight of this unique structure nd temporaryworks undertaken while the local community and nthusiasts assembled a trust to start clearing the site, obtaining wnership of it, then commence its rescue and restoration (including ts landscape setbngl for the enjoyment and cultural enrichment of he community, the countyand the nation. s the restoration has continued. so have the discoveries, and so ave the trust's efforts to involve and engage wider constituenties of nterested parknes in our endeavours. uring the year in review (Apr 2023- 20241 the charity aimed to ulfil its objects by= launthing an appeal for the research, investigation and onservation of the newly uncovered Royal Free Chapel site within he castle's bailey; holding a launch event for the appeal attended by ICK) VIPS and Friends. presented by Tv's Nik Gowing with readings and erformances: welcoming Alice Roberts and the BBC'S Dig8ing for Britain TV roduction crew to film at the castle: hosting further archaeological excavations of the site by students rom Manchester University, Cardiff University and the Institute of Field Research (USI hosting a multi-faith'Hedgerow communion. and Samhain eremony on Beltanèl All Hallows eve: continuing to involve the local communlty with the objects, ncluding the 'castle in a box, project at Fairfield High School initiating trust-wide preparations for a grant application to the ational Lottery Herltage Fund
hosting a comprehensive moth survey of the site. identifying over 140 species Undertaking over 2(iKJ hours of volunteer Vrk during the year inviting donations for tours, craft objects and leaflets from the site producing christmas cards and seasonal artworks for sale: conductin8 a Series of well-attended Expert guided tours over aster 2024; lia15in8 Wlth other mutual Interest groups durlng the year, Includlng he Mortimer History Society. Hay Castle and Hereford Museum and rt Gallery (full details below),. continuing to engage with local and nattonal medla, In¢ludln8 the BC, Daily Mail. and the Oldie magazine as well as the Hereford imes and BBC H&W Installing a generously donated new shipping contsiner for the torage of dlsplay and malntenance equipment contlnuing restoration work at the site of the South East bastion chapel) malntalnlng publlc access to the slte, wlth updated Informatlon oards and signage, and required insurances appointin8 a distinguished Patron, General Slr Mark Carleton-smith C8, CBE. DL and further Trustees Statement confirmlng whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance Issued by the Charlty Commlsslon on public benefit Trustees have had regard to the guidance Issued on Publlc Benefit throu8h all the conduct and actlvitles of the charity. Details of the activities of the Trust during the year are set out below. Addidonal Informatton loponall You may choose to Include further statements where relevant about: Policy on 8rant makin8 The charlty doe5 not grant funds Policy on social iTwestment including program related investment The charity has no investments
Contribution made by volunteers ARCHAEOLOGY As part of the 'Beneath Hay 81uff' projett. we once again welcomed some 40 archaeology students, supervised by rim Hoverd, Archaeological Projects Manager, Herefordshire Councll. and staff. During the overall 16 days dLtration over 5500 student and volunteer hours plus over 8(* professional stsff hours were contributed. The results of their work is detailed below. SITE MAINTENAN AND MANAGEMENT The Trust runs volunteering sessions on a weekly basis throughout the autumn, winter and early spring, dedicated to clearing overgrowth, removing felled timber and maintaining the site's amenity and accessibility for visitors. The volunteers contributed some 300 hours in the year under review. PROJEcf MAt4AGEMENT. ADMINisfRATION AND MARKEnNG The Trust is managed by four officers I'constables'l and 14 trustees whose volunteer hours during the year in review exceeded 21.
Achievements and Performance Summary of the main In addition to maintaining the 51te for publlc acce55. during the year achievement5 of the charity. under review the charity focused on three areas of athvity: identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstsnces of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. ContlntsinE the arthaeologlcal Investlrdtlon and restoration works Wldening awareness, appreciation and engagement of the trust's work Developing'Fortlfying the Future,, a three-year stTrtegy to develop the trust's reslllence, widen our wmmunlty 0reath and so secure thÈ castle's long-term future l) Archaeological investl8atlon and restoration The Trust continued to make rewarding progress in the archaeological investigation and restoration of the standin8 remains. During the year. the particular focus wa5 on the postern gate area alld the newly exposed chapel site. The postern 8ate was located and excavated, and revealed as a structure of great complexlty, adding to the growing evidence of the castle's high status forhfications. The chapel wa5 further excavated, revealing wall sequence. a nave much longer than previous thought and evidence of its deliberate destruction rather than demolitFOn. Limited precautionary works were undertaken here prior to the Chapel appeal fundrdising initiative (see below) bearing fruit. The archaeology works in progress We inspected by Professor Alice Roberts and the crew of Digging for Britain, which was broadcast in January 2024. Royal Free Chopel Event Followin8 the discoverie5 made in 2022, the Trust launched the Royal Free Chapel Appeal Fund with an event in May 2023 hosted by Nik Gowing. This was attended by some 100 distinguished guests, includin8 the High Sheriff of Herefordshire Robert Robinson. Lord Lipsey and representatives of His Majest(s Chapels Royal. Prayers were offered on the site and a dedication given by the Rt Rev John Oliver. Bishop of Hereford 1990-21x13. The event raised some £40LKJ on the day. 2) WIDENING AWARENESS, APPREaATION AND ENGAGEMENT The castle remained open (free of charge) throughout the year and we invited enthusiasts from a wide range of interest groups to explore the site. including lepidopterists and those seeking spiritual nourishment both Pagan and Christian, as well as castle enthusiasts. nature lovers, pilgrims, walkers, ley line enthusiasts, families, picnickers and locals, as well as those simply curious to view findings from the digs. We secured an official place in the 2024 Hay Festival programme, offering expert guided tours on
three days during festival week. and the transmission of BBC'S Digging for Britain on Jan 4th 2024 {5howcasing Alice Roberts, visit to the summer 2023 student excavations in which she was accompanied by Tim Hoverd, Archaeological Projects Manager, Herefordshire Council) had a positive impact on the overall awarenes5 of the castle and our mission. 3) 'FORTIFYING THE FUTURE'THE TRUSfs 3-YEAR STRATEGIC INITIATIVE During the year in review we began the formulation of a three-year grant-aided pmgramme to strengthen the trust's Infrastructu - enhancing governance, upgrading digitsl systems. and broadening volunteer and community engagement in order to safeguard the trust's and the castle's long-term sustainability. 'FofyIng the Future, is a bold and innovative plan designed to expand our reach, engage entirely new audience5- and harness their passions. expertise and interests in support of the castle's long-term preservation. During this development period. a diverse range of organisations and individuals visited the site and pledged their SUPF)Ort. including groups focused on mental health and 'green well-being' notably the Cart Shed, the Family Place Foundation, and Herefordshire armed forces veterans as well as educational and cultural institutions such a5 NMITE IHerefordshire's new university), the new Hereford Museum and Art Gallery, the Woolhope Club, the Morknmer History Society. Hereford Civlc Society and others. These activities built on the momentum of a successful Expression of Interest presentation to the National Lottery Heritsge Fund. who encourdged us to move forward with a full applicètion for a Development Grant. The application was submitted towards the end of the review year.
Addltlonal Information loptional} You may choose to include further ststements where relevant about: Achievements against The Trust achieved its objectives of successfully launchlng a chapel objectives set appeal fund and engaging with, and subsequently applying to, the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The Trust was delighted to receive donations totslling £9271.61 durlng the year in review, of which £4558.07 were restricted funds supportlng the Royal Free Chapel appeal. The sale of Christmas cards, lino cuts, leaflets and condurted tours contributed £875.lJ). Performance of fundraising activitie5 a8ain5t objectives set Investment performance a8ainst objective5 The charity has no investments, but malntslns a reserve fund of £IO,(KIO for contlngencies. Flnanclal Review Revlew of the charity's financial position at the end of the perlod The charlty's fTrnancial posit5on during the year Is set out In the attached Annual Accounts. Income was less than £25,COJ and therefore did not meet the threshold for Independent examlnatlon. Statement explalnlng the pollcy for holding reseNes stating why they are held The Trust maintslned a balance of £IO,CM)O as per Its reserves pollcv. Amount of reserves held £io,o Reasons for holdin8 zero reserves NIA Detalls of fund materially in deficit There are no funds In deflclt during the year In revlew Explanation of anv uncert8inties about the charity continuing a5 a 8oin8 concern NIA Additlonal information (optionall You may choose to include further statements where relevant about.. The charity's principal sources The principal sources of funds in the period 20234 were donation of funds lincluding any income from in(lividuals. and earned income from the sale of fundraislngl leaflets, cards, artwork and tours.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted The Trust has no investments A description of the principal risks facing the charlty Public and employers, liability insurance was taken out to protect visitors and volunteers. Risk assessments and method statements have been prepared to cover this activity. The use of chainsaws was restricted to those qualified to Use them. and the site's coordlnates are known to the emergency services. Structure, Governance and Management Oescrlption of charity'5 trusts.. NIA Type of 8overnln8 document Constitution How Is the charSty constrtuted? le.g unincorporated "o)ciation, CIO) Charitable Incorporated Organlsatlon Trustee selectlon methods Includlng detslls of anv constitutional provisions e.8. electlon to post or name of any person or body entitled to olnt one or more trustees Elerted and appointed by existin8 trustees Addltlonal Inforniatlon {optlonall You may choose to include further ststements where relevant about: Policles and procedurè5 All new trustees are provided with a copy of the constitution, a copy adopted for the Induction and of meetfng mlnutes, a1Snk to the Charity Commission's guidance on training of trustees becoming a trustee (The Essential Trustee) as well as an opportunlty to have a guided tour of the castle. The charity's organisation?I structure and any wider network with which the charitv works The charity is governed by a board of trustees, among whom certain management duties are undertaken by 'Constables': they are Chair, Vice-chair, TreaSur and Secretary. Speclfic and time-limited projects are undertaken by Working Groups a5 necessary.
Relationship with any related parties The charity has informal links with Hay Castle Trust, St Faith's Church IDorstone}, the Dor5tone History Society, the Longtown and District Historical Society, the Castle Studies Group, The Hay Festival, Kilvert Society. Wellington Historical Society, the Woolhope Club, the Sutton Walls Conservation Group. the Eaton Camp Historical Group, the Mortrmer History Society, the Abbey Cwm Hir Heritage Trust, The Leintwardine History Group* the Cambrian Archaeology Soclety and the Hereford Civic Society. We have a close relationship with Historic England, and we aim to Strengthen links with other like-mlnded bodies regionally. naonallY and Internationall Reference and Admlnlstrative details Charlty name The Snodhlll Castle Preservation Trust Other name the charlty uses SCPT Registered charity number 1165749 Charity's prlnclpal address The Gen, Snodhlll, Dorstone, Herefordshlre HR3 68H Name$ of the charlty trustees who mana8e the charlty io
Olfke Ilf aryl Dotes arted If not for whole year Nameof peIN lor body) entitled to appo5nttnth111 nome Garry Crook Chair Louise Maclntyre Secretsry 0110112024 Surrey Garland Treasurer Nick Longman Vice-chair Bridget Knight Bridle Sullivan Ruth Woolmer Susannah Garland io Kate Hayward li Jade Lei8h-Beresford 12 Joe Emmett 13 14 Tom Ollver 15 16 Sarah Lewis 1010812022 William Klemperer 1110112023 Corporate trustees- names of the dlrectors at the date the report was approved Dlrector name n/a Name of trustees holding tttle to property belongln8 to the charlty Trust•• nam• Dat•s •ct•d If not for whohy••r nl* Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets held N/A In thls capaclty Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the a55ets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objects N/A li
Details of arrangements for safe custody and se8re8ation NIA of such assets from the tharity's own assets Addltional infomiatlon loptional) Names and addresses of advisers {Optional Infomiationl Type of Narne Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior stsff members {Optlonal Infomiation) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details DECLARATION The tru8tees declare that they hove approved the trustee5' report ale. 12
Signed on behalf of the chariws trustees 5ignaturÈ{5) J.i.dA(, Full name{sl Posltlon leg Secretary. Chair, etc) Louise Macintyre Surrey Garland Secretary Treasurer Dat }( 01 13
Snodhill Castle Preservation Trust Accounts th ri12023-4 A th ril 2024 I) INCOME AND EXPENDITURE OPENING BALANCES: Current account: Savings account: TOTAL: £ 2,455.32 £ 9,787.45 £12,242.77 INCOME: Interest Donatlons Ifriends, Jam Jarl Sales {cards, tours) Restricted Donatlons (Royal Free chapel appeal) TOTAL INCOME: £153.19 £4,713.54 £875.00 £4,558.07 £10,299.80 EXPENDITURE: Insurance Container Website Mower (repair & fuel) Booklets Toilet hire TOTAL EXPENDITURE: £917.22 £4,188.00 £478.15 £149.37 £55.00 £114.00 £5,901.74 EXCESS OF INCOME OVER EXPENDITURE £4,398.06 BALANCE AT YEAR END £16,fAO.83
21 BALANCE SHEET FIXED ASSErs Land and buildings DEPRECIATION £1.00 VALUE OF FIXED ASSErs £1.00 CURRENT ASSETS Bank account- current Bank account- savln8S Cash Amount receivable Prepayments £514.45 £16,126.38 £0.00 £0.00 TOTAL CURREMf ASSETS: £16 fAO.83 LESS CURRENT LIABILrriES: BBQ monies owed to SG 122-231 Unpald book keepln8 Involce122-231 £54.76 £50,00 AL UABIUTIES: £104.76 NET ASSETS AT 04 2024: £16 536.07 NOTES.. SIGNED: SURREY GARLAND, TREASURER SIGNED: é?. L/ LOU MACINTYRE. SECRETARY DATE: