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← Woolwich Garrison Church Trust

2024-12-31-accounts

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust

Charity No. 1168633

Trustees' Report and Unaudited Accounts

31 December 2024

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Trustees Annual Report

The Trustees present their report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Charity No. 1168633

Principal Office

White House Crooms Hill London SE10 8HH

Trustees

The following Trustees served during the year:

Key Management Personnel

Chairman Secretary Treasurer

Tim Barnes KC Andrew Blundy Miles Storey

Bankers

Handelsbanken 1 Creswell Park Blackheath London SE3 9RD

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Trustees Annual Report

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

(substantially a ruin), to ensure its enhancement by landscaping, and to maintain the mosaics and surviving parts of the Church in a good state of repair

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

The trust has had a busy year, focusing on its relationship with the community, in particular the Army and the Royal Artillery. We try to keep these links as close as possible and I like to think that we have had some success in this respect in the last 12 months. We have had visits from the young Officers’ Group from Larkhill some 25/30 strong and there was our involvement in Armed Forces Day. The Remembrance Day Service is always pivotal in our calendar and we had our biggest congregation ever with about 150 in attendance.

School children and teenagers bring a vitality and life to the Church. Our principal connection at Primary School level is with Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School in Charlton. They have paid 3 visits to the Church for a short history of the place, followed by a quiz, a visit to the crypt and lunch. In addition we had visits from Notre Dame Primary School and Thorntree Schools whilst Montbelle and Sherington Primary School Choirs performed on the Main Stage on Barrack Field for Armed Forces Day. When it came to teenagers we had a number of visits from the Air Cadets under Mark Bird with their very impressive Band, and also regular visits from students from Shooters Hill 6th Form College for students with learning difficulties.

The third issue involves the Garrison Church and the local community. We are fortunate to have the support of this year’s Mayor (Cllr Jit Ranabhat) who has made the Commonwealth & Gurkha Garden one of his designated Charities, and Cllr Antony Okereke ,the Leader of the Council and one of our 2 Ward Councillors.

The Interfaith Service was well attended as was St George’s Day Service in April and we are getting increased local support for various events, such as the Midsummer Concert by the Blackheath Concert Halls Orchestra, the opening night of the Greenwich and Docklands International Festival, the Caribbean Social Forum Party, and Windrush celebration to name some of the events this summer.

I am also delighted that we are developing close connections with the Gurkha and Nepali community. They have done great work clearing the land at the back and side of the Church (where the Garden will eventually be located) and planting a Nepali garden.

Finally I want to acknowledge how much the Trust depends on and appreciates those who give their time and effort to the Church. Steve and Michelle Barton McIntosh work at least once a fortnight for 3/4 hours in the garden and cleaning the surrounds of the Church. It looks better than it has ever looked as result of their ministrations. Volunteer Jane Bonwick looks after the Shooters Hill 6th Form College visits and Rita Hayes is at the Church every Sunday. And we remain indebted to Ruth Dodson, our Administrator, who helps the Trust enormously.

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Trustees Annual Report

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed according to the constitution dated 1st December 2015.

At every annual general meeting of the members of the Trust, one third of the trustees shall retire from office, but are eligible for re-appointment. If the number of trustees is not 3 or a multiple of 3 then the number nearest to one third shall retire from office, but if there is only one trustee he or she shall retire.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The Charity is primarily reliant on a mix of donations from the public and grants, as well as Charitable Activities and other trading Activities. In 2024, total income was £70,689 (2022 £50,500) against total expenditure of £72,683 (2022 £40,635).

Reserves policy

The trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately 6 months of unrestricted charitable expenditure. The trustees consider that this level will provide sufficient funds to respond to applications for grants and ensure that there are sufficient funds available to cover support and governance costs.

Statement of trustees' responsibilities in relation to the financial statements

The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees

T.Barnes Chair 30 March 2025

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Independent Examiners Report

Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Woolwich Garrison Church Trust

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Woolwich Garrison Church Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act'). The trustees consider that an audit is not required under s.144(2) of the Act and that an independent examination is needed.

The report on the examination of the charity's accounts was carried out under s.145 of the Act and following the applicable Directions given by s.145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with examination of the accounts giving me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

I 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.

John Cockrell

Independent Examiner 35 Woodside Road Essex IG8 0TW

15 March 2025

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Statement of Financial Activities

Statement of Financial Activities for Year ended 31 December 2024 Statement of Financial Activities for Year ended 31 December 2024 Statement of Financial Activities for Year ended 31 December 2024
2023
2024
All figures in £
Notes		 Unrestricted
Funds
Total
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
Income & Endowments
Donations & Legacies
3
Charitable Activities
4
Other trading activities
5		 20,283
47,697
67,979
45,690
284
-
284
2,705
2,426
-
2,426
2,105
22,992
47,697
70,689
50,500
Expenditure
Charitable Activities
6
Other
7
Net Gains on Investments		 9,630
47,515
57,145
21,209
15,538
-
15,538
19,426
25,168
47,515
72,683
40,635
-
-
Net Surplus/Deficit (2,176)
181
(1,994)
9,865
Transfers between funds
Net surplus before other gains/losses
Other gains/losses
Net movement in Funds
Reconciliation of Funds
total Funds brought forward
Total Funds carried forward		 -
-
-
-
(2,176)
181
(1,994)
9,865
(74)
-
(74)
25
(2,250)
181
(2,068)
9,890
-
15,187
83,360
98,547
88,657
12,938
83,541
96,479
98,547
Balance Sheet for Year ended 31 December 2024
Notes 2024
2023
Fixed Assets
Tangible Assets
9		 1,635
1,723
Current Assets
Cash at Bank and in hand
Debtors
10
Creditors due within 1 year
11
Net Current Assets		 94,383
95,400
2,414
2,414
98,432
99,537
(3,588)
(2,713)
94,844
96,824
Total Net Assets 96,479
98,547

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Notes to the Accounts

1 Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 and the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

Change in basis of accounting or to previous accounts

There has been no change to the accounting policies (valuation rules and method of accounting) since last year and no changes have been made to accounts for previous years.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds These are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objects of the charity. Restricted funds These are available for use subject to restrictions imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal. Income Recognition of Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity income becomes entitled to, and virtually certain to receive, the income and the amount of the income can be measured with sufficient reliability. Income with related Where income has related expenditure the income and related expenditure is expenditure reported gross in the SoFA. Donations and Voluntary income received by way of grants, donations and gifts is included in the legacies SoFA when receivable and only when the Charity has unconditional entitlement to the income. Tax reclaims on Income from tax reclaims is included in the SoFA at the same time as the donations and gifts gift/donation to which it relates. Donated services These are only included in income (with an equivalent amount in expenditure) and facilities where the benefit to the Charity is reasonably quantifiable, measurable and material. Volunteer help The value of any volunteer help received is not included in the accounts. Expenditure Recognition of Expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis. Expenditure includes any Expenditure VAT which cannot be fully recovered and is reported as part of relatable expenditure Expenditure on These comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and Raising funds fundraising trading costs Expenditure on These comprise the costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of its Charitable activities and services in the furtherance of its objects. Activities

Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Notes to the Accounts

Other expenditure These are support costs not allocated to a particular activity.

Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life

Leasehold property 4% straight line Plant & machinery 20% straight line Fixtures and fittings 20% straight line

Trade and other debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank and on hand, demand deposits with banks and other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts. In the statement of financial position, bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings or current liabilities. In the Statement of Cash Flows, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the company's cash management.

Trade and other creditors

Short term creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

2 Income from Donations & Legacies All figures in £

All figures in £
Individuals
Grants
Membership Subscriptions		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
2024
2023
693
3,465
4,158
17,505
19,500
44,232
63,732
28,000
90
90
185
20,283
47,697
67,979
45,690
3
Income from Charitable Activities
All figures in £
Fundraising events
4
Income from other trading Activities
All figures in £
Hire of Church Premises
5
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
All figures in £
Repairs & Maintenance
Staff Costs
Fundraising events
6
Other Expenditure
All figures in £
Printing & Stationary
Premises Costs
Amortisation & Depreciation of Assets
Staff Costs & Consultancy
General Administration Costs
Legal & Professional Costs		 Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
2024
2023
284
-
284
2,705
284
-
284
2,705
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
2024
2023
2,426
-
2,426
2,105
2,426
-
2,426
2,105
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
2024
2023
6,860
3,826
10,686
2,926
-
-
-
7,700
2,769
43,689
46,459
10,583
9,630
47,515
57,145
21,209
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Total
2024
2023
1,467
-
1,467
2,690
1,093
-
1,093
603
88
-
88
501
8,000
-
8,000
-
3,994
-
3,994
3,837
897
-
897
11,796
15,538
-
15,538
19,427

7 Trustee Remuneration & Expenses

No Trustees were paid expenses in the current or prior period

8
Tangible Fixed Assets
All figures in £
Cost or revaluation
At 1 January 2024
Additions
At 31 December 2024
Depreciation and impairment
At 1 January 2024
Depreciation charge for the year
At 31 December 2024
Net Book Value
At 31 December 2024		 2,200
2,098
500
4,798
-
-
-
-
Leasehold
Property
Plant &
Machinery
Fixtures &
Fittings
Total
2,200

2,098
500
4,798
477
2,098
500
3,075
88
-
-
88
565
2,098
500
3,163
1,635
-
-
1,635

On 6th August 2018, the London Historic Buildings Trust (formerly Heritage of London Trust Operations) made a grant of a 25-year lease to the Woolwich Garrison Church Trust in respect of St George’s Garrison Church.

The lease allows the Trust to “quietly enjoy the Premises… without any interruption or disturbance by the Landlord.” The annual rent has been fixed at £100 plus VAT per annum for the term of the lease. There was a lease premium paid of £1,000 plus VAT.

The Charity believes the Church falls within the definition of a heritage asset as defined by the Charities SORP, in that it is an historical building held and maintained principally for its contribution to knowledge and culture. It serves as a place of remembrance, has memorials to service personnel and is available as an attraction within the local community.

The Charity has decided not to recognise the Church in its balance sheet for the following reasons:

Firstly, the Church was gifted under a 25-year lease. This would require the Charity to disclose the gift of the building as a donation in the Statement of Fund Activities and then depreciate the building over the following 25 years. To do so would likely distort the accounts to the point where they no longer presented a true and fair view of the activities of the Charity.

More so, valuing the Church is problematic in itself as the building is a ruin, having been bombed during WW11. Valuing the ruin would likely be quite onerous for such a small charity and the value of doing so has to be questioned.

Recognition has only been made of the lease premium on the Church and associated legal costs.

9
Debtors
Other Debtors
Prepayments & Accruals		 2024
2023
-
-
2,414
2,414
2,414
2,414
10 Creditors
Amounts falling due within 1 year
Loans from Trustees
Other Creditors
Accruals & Deferred Income
11 Movement in Funds
Restricted Income Funds
Armed Forces Day
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Commonwealth & Gurkha Garden		 2024
2023
-
-
-
2,663
560
50
560
2,713
-
42,750
(42,208)
542
3,826
-
(3,826)
-
79,534
3,465
-
82,999
At 1 Jan.
2024
Incoming
Resources
Resources
Expended
At 31 Dec.
2024
83,360
46,215
(46,034)
83,541
Unrestricted Funds
15,187
24,474
(23,695)
15,966

Purposes and restrictions in relation to the restricted funds:

Commonwealth & Gurkha Garden

Individual Donations and Events held towards the construction of a garden to commemorate the contribution of Commonwealth & Gurkha Armed Forces

Royal Borough of Greenwich Armed Forces Day

Grant to pay for new Kitchen plus residual of Noticeboard Grant

Event in Woolwich on 29[th] June 2024 showing support for our Armed Forces