2025-12-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/01/2025 To 31/12/25 Charity name: East Dorset Antiquarian Society Charity registration number: 1171828

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	To advance education in the archaeological heritage and local history of Dorset and the surrounding areas through the exploration, excavation, recording and conservation of archaeological monuments, the conservation of antiquities and organising and delivering public events such as talks, visits, training and open days.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	A key focus remains field archaeological work, when possible, to advance knowledge of our heritage, and members have been involved in three archaeological interventions. The joint purchase of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) equipment has, even from a few initial surveys, expanded our archaeological knowledge and extended our reach into the wider community. A large part of any project is the work towards publication, where five projects at different stages have been worked upon and two published. Monthly lectures provide archaeological and historical information to our members, and are open to all without charge. Monthly newsletters and frequent emails to members provide information on our own activities, other events and activities likely to be of interest, and archaeological and historical articles. Our website provides access to archaeological reports, links for research and frequent updates on relevant events and activities.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	In planning our activities at trustee meetings, and in carrying them out, we have kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public beneft.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policyongrant making	N/A
Policy on social investment	N/A
Contribution made by volunteers	EDAS has no employees or paid staff; all trustees and those involved in our activities give their time voluntarily without remuneration (significant personal expenses may be recompensed on a basis agreed in advance).
Other

Achievements and Performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.

It proved possible to undertake only one small excavation of our own, though we were able to involve many members in archaeological interventions and training on three sites directed by others. The new jointly-owned GPR equipment, which we direct, undertook four surveys as its capabilities were explored and extended. These provided community outreach, obtaining results for other bodies which may lead to further archaeological interventions. Labelling and packaging the extensive finds from the Druce Farm Roman Villa Project for deposition was almost completed, and completed for the Druce Farm Bath House Project. Post-excavation work for the Druce Farm Neolithic Project continues. Reports were published in the county archaeological journal on two excavations, with progress toward publication of an earlier excavation delayed by illness, and considerable work towards publication of two excavations directed by others but with mostly EDAS excavators. EDAS won the prestigious Britannia Award of the Roman Society for the excavation and publication of Druce Farm Roman villa by volunteers. We provided a full programme of monthly lectures (except in summer), often attended by visitors, and newsletters, both covering a wide range of subjects. Eight guided archaeological walks and visits for members were run during the year.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against objectives set	N/A
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives	N/A
Investment performance against objectives	N/A

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Regular income of £3,207 and expenditure of £1,903 gave a surplus of £1,304. A legacy was received early in the year which, with interest, totalled £26,714 of which £6,000 was spent on the GPR equipment. Total funds at end year were £32,779, of which £2,585 is set aside for known projects, with expectations of more projects resulting from GPR surveys. FULL DETAILS BELOW
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	The minimum balance of funds to be held is reviewed regularly, after deducting funds set aside for known archaeological projects, and for other known and anticipated expenditure and their levels of certainty.
Amount of reserves held	Standard minimum £1,000 plus funds set aside.
Reasons for holding zero reserves	N/A
Funds materially in deficit	None
Uncertainty about continuing	N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:	Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	The main sources of general purpose income are membership subscriptions and associated Gift Aid, usually more than sufficient to cover the normal costs of operating, as above, leaving funds for archaeological interventions. The large legacy has provided the ability to extend activities, initially with the GPR purchase.
Investment policy and objectives	We aim to earn interest on as much of the funds as possible without undermining our ability to meet known and anticipated expenditure in a timely fashion.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	None known

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	Unincorporated association
Trustee selection methods	Elected from the membership in a General Meeting

Additional information (optional)

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training oftrustees	Eligibility checked and Charity Commission information on trustees provided. Attend committee meetings and ‘learnon the job’ withguidance and support.
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Relationship with any related parties	The charity operates through quarterly committee meetings and communications between meetings. EDAS is a member of, or strongly linked with, several heritage organisations including Bournemouth University, Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society (DNHAS), CBA Wessex, Dorset Archaeology Committee and the Museum of East Dorset, though without other legal or formal links.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	East Dorset Antiquarian Society
Other name the charity uses	EDAS
Registered charity number	1171828
Charity’s principal address	224 Leigh Road Wimborne Dorset BH21 2BZ

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
	Philip John D'Eath	Chair
	Peter David Walker	Treasurer
	Geoffrey Taylor	Secretary
	Alan Robert Dedden
	Ian Drummond		01/01/25 – 12/03/25
	Robert David Heaton
	Vanessa Anne Joseph
	Winston Krone
	Karen Mann
	Andrew John Morgan
	Steve Smith		01/01/25 – 12/03/25

– Corporate trustees names of the directors

N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity N/A Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of assets held None

Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details N/A

Detailed accounts and examiner’s report

Report to the trustees/members of East Dorset Antiquarian Society On accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 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 Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).

I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under s145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under s145(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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect, accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached .

Signed: David J Long Date: 23 January 2026

Relevant professional qualifications or body (if any):

Address: 13 Oakley Road, Wimborne, Dorset BH21 1QJ Brief details of any items the examiner wishes to disclose: None to report

Receipts and payment accounts (all to nearest £)

Receipts	Unrestricted funds	Last year
Membership fees	2,144	1,961
Donations	60	83
Gift Aid receipts	424	417
Legacy	25826	0
Interest on legacy	888	0
Other interest	159	208
Receipts for future event	420	0
Totals	29,921	2,669
Payments
Room/hall hire	537	497
Speaker costs	300	155
Insurance	462	282
Affiliation fees	104	108
Other administration costs	150	589
Project expenditure	110	1,840
Payment for future event	240	0
Subtotals	1,903	3,471
Asset & investment purchases
GPR equipment (50% share)	6,000	0
Totals	7,903	3,471
Net receipts less payments	22,018	(802)

Asset and liabilities

Cash at banks £32,779 of which £790 relates to a restricted fund Physical assets ( note that showing cost and value are optional, so I won’t ) Ground Penetrating Radar equipment (50%)

Lecture equipment (laptop, projector, PA) Excavation equipment and consumables

Declarations

Declarations
Signature	P J D’Eath	Geof Taylor
Full name	Philip John D'Eath	Geoffrey Taylor

Position	Chair	Secretary
Date	9 May 2026	9 May 226