## **BISHOP AUCKLAND ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY** ## **CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1172061** ## **Trustees Annual Report for the year ending 31stMarch 2023** B.A.A.S. Trustees are pleased to present our Annual Report for the year ending 31[st] March 2023. The charitable organisation was registered with the Charity Commission on 15[th] March 2017 and officially commenced activities on the 1[st] April 2017. The CIO replaced, and has continued the work of the previously unregistered organisation ‘Bishop Auckland Astronomical Society’. All assets and liabilities were transferred to the registered charitable organisation on that date. ## **Structure Governance and Management:** B.A.A.S. is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), we use the foundation model constitution as the basis for our governing document. The CIO has no paid employees, the trustees do all the work of the organisation and are not paid, nor are our volunteer society members. ## **Summary of objectives:** The objectives of the CIO are: To bring astronomy to people of all ages and abilities, primarily in and around the Bishop Auckland and Weardale areas; to host monthly meetings with speakers; to organise and conduct astronomical observing events; and to arrange astronomy/space themed talks for the general public, schools and other organisations, including those with special needs. We now also provide Solar observing sessions with specialised equipment, primarily for (but not limited to) schools and other youth groups. ## **Activities undertaken for Public Benefit:** The trustees have complied with their duty in section 4 of the 2006 act to have due regard to guidance on public benefit published by the charity commission. The charity: Holds occasional observing events which are open to the general public. Helps scout groups to acquire their “Space” badges Has expanded our Solar observing sessions for schools and youth groups, via the acquisition of Solar telescopes with highly specialised solar filters. Now that we have satisfied the original funding criteria we are continuing to use the equipment for further events. Give educational and/or entertaining talks to many other groups, which include The W.I. and Salvation Army youth groups. Helped a number of schools in fun and educational ways with ‘Space Camp’ events, in conjunction with the Stephen Hawking Foundation. ## **Achievements and performance:** Since re-commencing activities after the coronavirus pandemic, the charity has continued our usual outreach/educational work, as well as our monthly meetings. We continue to support the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales’ (AONB) “Dark Sky Initiative” program, and the National Nature Reserves in England (NNR). ## **Financial Reserves Policy:** The charity intends to hold sufficient funds to purchase future equipment as determined by the Trustees from time to time, and to have enough funds to sustain the society in its activities for at least 12 months. This includes occasional ‘tombola’ events at public shows, while showing filtered telescope views of the Sun to members of the public. At the year end, the charity holds £2,059. ## **Future Plans:** We are pleased to announce that now social distancing rules no longer need to be strictly observed, the society will continue our usual outreach activities and monthly meetings as normal. ## **Announcement:** It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our long standing Trustee and Secretary Maureen Parkin-Magson. ‘Mo’ will be hugely missed, both personally, and for her outstanding contribution to the society. In light of this sad loss we have appointed 2 new Trustees – Mrs. Karen Susan Walker, who is also our new secretary, and Mr. Jeffrey ‘Alan’ Dickinson. **Registered Address;** 11 Wykes Close, Sedgefield, TS21 2DY **Accountant:** Jane Ascroft - Certified Accountant – Enterprise House, Barnard Castle. **Bank:** Lloyds Bank plc. Spennymoor, Co Durham. ## **Trustees of the Charity:** Mr. Duane Cox (Chair) - Mr. Karl Jennings (Vice-chair) - Mrs. Lynda Cox (Treasurer) Mrs. Karen Susan Walker (Secretary) - Mr. Jeffrey Alan Dickinson Signed on behalf of the Trustees: 29th June, 2023 I CHARITY COMMISSION FOR INGLAND AND IVALI.S 11 12061 Recei ts and pJments accounts CC16a For tho porlod from To Section A Recelpts and payments Unrostrlcted funds Ro8trictod funds Endowintsr>t lund8 Total funds L38t year to IhA nooro&t E lo Iho noaro81 £ lo the neareli E A1 Recel ts 1,460 1.480 872 Donic IIDn5 ss 11?con? or AR) 1,570 1.570 872 sset an See table nvestment sa es, tota Total receipt5 1.570 1,570 872 A3Pa ments 541 37 9S 120 98 335 154 S41 37 24-, 01fice cosis InS￿l2n¢e A¢coiini8rt¢y 96 ".20 120 98 335 Oilier c0$15 40 Sub total 1,381 1,381 572 A4 Asset and Investment Sub total Tot81 paymonts 1,J131 1.581 572 Nor of rocolptsl(pEJymontsJ A5 Transfor8 bctwoon funclB A6 Ca$li fltnds la&t yoar ond Cash funds Éhls yoor ond IB 189 300 1.570 1,S70 2,Ob 2.059 CCXX141 liC￿LI1111., (S￿> 22106J?023 Section B Ststsment of assets and liabilities at the end of the period CdL&yurie¥ Deiaiis Unrestricted funds to nearest E Restricted funds to nearest £ Endowfflent funds to nèarnst £ B1 Cash funds Bank 1,817 Cash 242 Total cash funds 2.059 (wie• retÈiw5and paymenis Unrestrlcted fund5 to nearv8t£ Restricted funds to noarg5¢ f Endowment funds to n•arest £ Detall$ Fund lo whl¢h asset belon Detalls C￿1 loptlonall Cvrreni ¥alue o tional 83 Investment assets Fund to which 55et belon Detalls Co$¢ Iopiionall Current value 84 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fund to whl¢h la Amounl due When du• Detslls 85 Liabiliti8$ Svjned by one or ￿ ITuslee$ on oha11 of all Ihe IrusiÈe5 Dale of rov81 Si9n8lu Pfinl Namè KACL ScfvlThJ ifyj &S 2q-6-23 CCXX R2 acrK)unts ISSI 2M2023