Woolwich Garrison Church Trust
Charity No. 1168633
Trustees' Report and Unaudited Accounts
31 December 2025
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 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Charity No. 1168633
Principal Office
White House Crooms Hill London SE10 8HH
Trustees
The following Trustees served during the year:
S. Ahmad
D. Ball
T. Barnes MBE
D. Beattie OBE (resigned 10-12-2025)
A. Blundy
P. Franklin
S. Gurung
J. James (resigned 31-03-25)
D. Rome
M. Storey
P. Waller
C. Young (resigned 10-12-2025)
S. Edwards (resigned 08-10-2025)
E. O’Leary
- L. Fletcher
V. Sefton (appointed 10-12-2025)
Key Management Personnel
Chairman Secretary Treasurer
Tim Barnes KC Andrew Blundy Miles Storey
Bankers
Handelsbanken 50 Southwark St.
London SE1 1UN
Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Trustees Annual Report
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
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To accept from Heritage of London Trust Operations Limited a long lease of the Listed Building known as St
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George’s Garrison Church, Woolwich, and the land adjacent thereto
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To fund raise on behalf of the Church and to complete the restoration of subsisting parts of the Church
(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
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To use the Church for services and inter-faith events and for community events appropriate to its history,
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military connections and Listed Building Status
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To maintain regular public access to the Church
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To develop a Friends organisation to support its objectives
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To provide an education centre for people to learn about the history of the Church, its connections with the
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Royal Artillery and the people of Woolwich, and the significance of the Victoria Cross memorial
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
In 2025 the activities of the Church have been a combination of the new and the old since our last Newsletter.
Among the new has been the initiative to bring young people with additional needs to the Garrison Church. Our partners have been the Brighter Futures Group in Woolwich, the Mencap Rivermead Centre and the Shooters Hill 6th Form College. The students and staff come to the Church for up to 3 hours. We provide refreshments and either we or one of the participating organisations provide music. When the main gates are closed the Church is a safe environment, and all of those attending enjoy being out in the open air, mixing with others, (including trustees and volunteers from the Church), dancing to the music, and carrying out some basic tasks.
Among the established events are the commemoration of the death of Lee Rigby in May. Ride for Respect, involving hundreds of motor cyclists, from the largest Chapter in the UK ride past the Church. A splendid variety of bikes and riders take part and some stop to enter the Church, to pay their respects at the Memorial to Lee Rigby (and others) and to lay a large wreath.
The second event was the Interfaith Event on Sunday 20th July. This was organised by Peter Waller, one of our trustees, and brought together representatives of the many religious faiths represented in our Borough, as well as some of our civic leaders. The theme of the event was Wisdom, Worship and Service in Troubling Times. The speakers were interspersed with musical performances by Cantor David Rome, one of our Trustees.
The third event I wish to mention was our Remembrance Day Service on Sunday 9th November 2025. We had over 100 in the congregation including a sizeable number from the local Gurkha Community, a large contingent from the Army Cadets, 4 Councillors from RBG and our MP. The Service followed the time-honoured tradition, including the Reveille and Last Post, the Exhortation and the Kohima Epitaph and hymns such as Abide With Me, O God our Help in Ages Past and Fight the Good Fight. Readings included In Flanders Field by John McRae and passages from Pilgrims Progress. This year we had readings about the life and death of Lt.Tom Tanswell who died in Iraq in 2006 and Ernest Horlock who received his VC for acts of extraordinary valour in Northern France in September 1914.
We say farewell to two of our longest standing trustees. Diana Beattie was the Chairman of Heritage of London Trust Operations which began the work of restoring parts of the Church after acquiring the freehold from the Ministry of Defence. We owe a great debt of gratitude to her for her sterling work over the years in obtaining funding for the restoration of the Church and being the source of valued and valuable advice.
Cyril Young will be known to many. He was a Deputy Lieutenant for many years and Churchwarden of St Luke’s Charlton. Cyril has great knowledge of diocesan affairs and church procedures. This was invaluable as the Garrison Church does not fit within the Diocesan framework and Cyril has had to advise on solutions to practical problems. We are delighted to welcome Lt Col Veronica Sefton as a Trustee. She is the first female Commanding Officer of Woolwich Station, a prestigious Royal Artillery position. She values the links between
Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Trustees Annual Report
the Barracks and the Garrison Church and hopes that they will continue.
Ruth Dodson resigned from this position at the end of September. I would pay tribute to her commitment to the Garrison Church during her years as Administrator. We are delighted to have found an excellent replacement in Carmel O’Beirne who will be known to many readers of the Newsletter. Her son, now an enthusiastic Army Cadet and rugby player, was for many years, as a boy, a keen supporter of the Garrison Church, and in particular a guide to the crypt.
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 2025, total income was £13,820 (2024 £70,689) against total expenditure of £34,517 (2024 £72,683).
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 June 2026
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 2025.
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:
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the accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 May 2026
Woolwich Garrison Church Trust Statement of Financial Activities
| Statement of Financial Activities for Year ended 31 December 2025 | Statement of Financial Activities for Year ended 31 December 2025 | Statement of Financial Activities for Year ended 31 December 2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 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 |
5,052 3,300 8,352 627 - 627 4,840 - 4,840 |
67,979 284 2,426 |
|
| 10,520 3,300 13,820 |
70,689 | ||
| Expenditure | |||
| Charitable Activities 6 Other 7 |
4,945 659 5,604 13,480 15,433 28,913 18,425 16,092 34,517 |
57,145 15,538 |
|
| 72,683 | |||
| Net Surplus/Deficit | (7,905) (12,792) (20,697) |
(1,994) | |
| 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 |
- - - (7,905) (12,792) (20,697) - - - (7,905) (12,792) (20,697) 11,952 83,541 95,493 4,047 70,750 74,796 |
- | |
| (1,994) | |||
| (74) | |||
| (2,068) | |||
| 97,561 | |||
| 95,493 | |||
| Balance Sheet for Year ended 31 December 2025 | |||
| Notes | 2025 | 2024 | |
| Fixed Assets | |||
| Tangible Assets 9 |
1,547 | 1,635 | |
| Current Assets Cash at Bank and in hand Debtors 10 Creditors due within 1 year 11 Net Current Assets Total Net Assets |
71,504 3,065 74,569 (1,320) 73,249 74,796 |
94,383 2,414 |
|
| 96,797 | |||
| (2,939) | |||
| 93,858 | |||
| 95,493 |
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.
| 3 Income from Donations & Legacies All figures in £ Individuals Grants Membership Subscriptions 4 Income from Charitable Activities All figures in £ Fundraising events 5 Income from other trading Activities All figures in £ Hire of Church Premises 6 Expenditure on Charitable Activities All figures in £ Repairs & Maintenance Fundraising events 7 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 2025 2024 3,462 300 3,762 4,158 1,500 3,000 4,500 63,732 90 - 90 90 |
|||||||
| 5,052 3,300 8,352 67,979 |
||||||||
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 2025 2024 627 - 627 284 |
||||||||
| 627 - 627 284 |
||||||||
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 2025 2024 4,840 - 4,840 2,426 |
||||||||
| 4,840 - 4,840 2,426 |
||||||||
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 2025 2024 1,976 - 1,976 10,686 2,969 659 3,628 46,459 |
||||||||
| 4,945 659 5,604 57,145 |
||||||||
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Total 2025 2024 2,562 - 2,562 1,467 - - - 1,093 88 - 88 88 6,800 14,760 21,560 8,000 3,960 673 4,633 3,994 70 - 70 897 |
||||||||
| 13,480 15,433 28,913 15,538 |
8 Trustee Remuneration
No Trustees were remunerated the current or prior period
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 Tangible Fixed Assets All figures in £ Cost or revaluation At 1 January 2025 Additions At 31 December 2025 Depreciation and impairment At 1 January 2025 Depreciation charge for the year At 31 December 2025 Net Book Value At 31 December 2025 10 Debtors Other Debtors Prepayments & Accruals |
2,200 2,098 500 4,798 - - - - 2,200 2,098 500 4,798 565 2,098 500 3,163 88 - - 88 653 2,098 500 3,251 1,547 - - 1,547 2025 2024 - - 3,065 2,414 3,065 2,414 Leasehold Property Plant & Machinery Fixtures & Fittings Total |
|---|---|
| 11 Creditors Amounts falling due within 1 year Loans from Trustees Other Creditors Accruals & Deferred Income Movement in Funds Restricted Income Funds Armed Forces Day RBG Disability Work Grant Commonwealth & Gurkha Garden Unrestricted Funds |
2025 2024 - - - - (1,320) 3,588 (1,320) 3,588 542 (542) 0 - 500 (117) 383 82,999 2,800 (15,433) 70,366 83,541 3,300 (16,092) 70,750 11,952 10,520 (18,425) 4,047 At 1 Jan. 2025 Incoming Resources Resources Expended At 31 Dec. 2025 |
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 Grant towards work with those with Disabilities
Royal Borough of Greenwich