REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1172355
Report of the Trustees and
Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
for
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
A.J. Bennewith & Co. Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Report of the Trustees | 1 to 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7 to 10 |
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2026. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives and aims
The objects of the CIO are to promote public benefit by the advancement of education about the history of the Great War and the commemoration of those who have died whilst on active service.
Public benefit
To educate young people about aspects of the Great War and to commemorate the fallen by the creation and implementation of three specialist education projects.
The trustees maintain regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission.
Page 1
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
We are very pleased that overall visitor numbers appear to have increased slightly through 2025 and into 2026 and we are expecting a jump in the 110th anniversary period of the Battle of the Somme over the coming summer and autumn of 2026.
We have seen more French educational trips visiting the Lochnagar Crater this past year and the site continues to be a key destination for British school trips as well. Individual, family and other group visits remain steady with visitors of all nationalities from across the globe.
Our Ceremonies on July 1st and November 11th have been very well attended with significantly higher numbers attending the autumn event in 2025 than in recent years. Our 'Facebook Livestream' broadcasts of both events have attracted many views both live and as catch-up and attract much interest and positive engagement from a wider audience unable to attend or visit the Crater.
And previous recorded ceremonies now form a useful archive for us to use as we plan future events.
We have also produced periodic 'Facebook Livestream' events from the Lochnagar Crater which have received positive feedback and engagement.
Our major and ongoing project to replace the entire walkway around the lip of the Crater to provide access for wheelchair and other users with reduced mobility around the complete circumference was completed in early 2026 at considerable cost. This is a significant achievement as such users were previously unable to see and appreciate the full scale of the site and the surrounding landscape as there had been several flights of steps preventing full access. We have received positive feedback since completion.
We have reviewed our 'schools' webpage and liaised with external educationalists to see if we can make any improvements. We were grateful for their assistance and conclusions such that they felt we have addressed all the necessary points to engage and assist young people with their study or preparation for visits and educational trips to Lochnagar Crater and that it was not necessary to make changes.
A new Lochnagar Commemorative Plaque team has now fully taken over our principal fundraising tool. We have seen an increase in interest from the public for these personalised engraved commemorative plaques which we hope will continue especially in this 110th anniversary year.
We have also completed a major overhaul of our website, and ease of use has been much improved.
Our social media presence remains strong with followers of our Facebook page and group now over 5,000.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves policy
The Lochnagar Crater Foundation has no requirement for a reserves policy as it has no on-going dependencies. The Foundation has only undertaken projects as funding became available.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number
1172355
Page 2
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
Principal address
Little Down Hog's Back Seale, Farnham Surrey GU10 1HD
Trustees
R Dunning MBE - Chair L Felstead J Wright - Secretary D Disbrey - Treasurer J Thomson D Thomson I Fry R Prissett
Independent Examiner
A.J. Bennewith & Co. Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA 12th June 2026 Approved by order of the board of trustees on ............................................. and signed on its behalf by:
........................................................................ R Dunning MBE - Trustee
Page 3
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Lochnagar Crater Foundation
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Lochnagar Crater Foundation (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
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 requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do 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 no concerns and 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.
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, CChA, FRSA Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA
Date: .............................................
Page 4
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
| 31.3.26 | 31.3.25 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| fund | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | |||
| Donations and legacies | 41,305 | 14,961 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | |||
| Charitable activities | |||
| Charitable expenditure | 24,910 | 21,396 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | 16,395 | (6,435) | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 3,876 | 10,311 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 20,271 | 3,876 |
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 5
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Balance Sheet
31 March 2026
| 31.3.26 | 31.3.25 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Total | ||
| fund | funds | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | |
| FIXED ASSETS | |||
| Tangible assets | 4 | 211 | 282 |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Cash at bank | 20,804 | 4,314 | |
| CREDITORS | |||
| Amounts falling due within one year | 5 | (744) | (720) |
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 20,060 | 3,594 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES | 20,271 | 3,876 | |
| NET ASSETS | 20,271 | 3,876 | |
| FUNDS | 6 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | 20,271 | 3,876 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 20,271 | 3,876 |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 12th June 2026 ............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:
............................................. R Dunning MBE - Trustee
The notes form part of these financial statements
Page 6
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Income
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.
Expenditure
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.
Computer equipment: 25% reducing balance
Taxation
The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.
Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.
2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.
continued...
Page 7
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
2. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS - continued
Trustees' expenses
There were no trustees expenses during the year.
| 3. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | |
|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | ||
| fund | ||
| £ | ||
| INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM | ||
| Donations and legacies | 14,961 | |
| EXPENDITURE ON | ||
| Charitable activities | ||
| Charitable expenditure | 21,396 | |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | (6,435) | |
| RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS | ||
| Total funds brought forward | 10,311 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 3,876 | |
| 4. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |
| Computer | ||
| equipment | ||
| £ | ||
| COST | ||
| At 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 | 1,650 | |
| DEPRECIATION | ||
| At 1 April 2025 | 1,368 | |
| Charge for year | 71 | |
| At 31 March 2026 | 1,439 | |
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||
| At 31 March 2026 | 211 | |
| At 31 March 2025 | 282 |
continued...
Page 8
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
| 5. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31.3.26 | 31.3.25 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Other creditors | 744 | 720 | ||
| 6. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | |||
| Net | ||||
| movement | At | |||
| At 1.4.25 | in funds | 31.3.26 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 3,876 | 16,395 | 20,271 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 3,876 | 16,395 | 20,271 | |
| Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement | ||
| resources | expended | in funds | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Unrestricted funds | ||||
| General fund | 41,305 | (24,910) | 16,395 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 41,305 | (24,910) | 16,395 |
Comparatives for movement in funds
| Net | ||
|---|---|---|
| movement | At | |
| At 1.4.24 | in funds | 31.3.25 |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| General fund 10,311 |
(6,435) | 3,876 |
| TOTAL FUNDS 10,311 |
(6,435) | 3,876 |
| Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: | ||
| Incoming | Resources | Movement |
| resources | expended | in funds |
| £ | £ | £ |
| Unrestricted funds | ||
| General fund 14,961 |
(21,396) | (6,435) |
| TOTAL FUNDS 14,961 |
(21,396) | (6,435) |
continued...
Page 9
Lochnagar Crater Foundation
Notes to the Financial Statements - continued
for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
7. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
Lochnagar Crater (France) is a French Association, registered number W804007072. Its council members are the same persons as the trustees of Lochnagar Crater (UK). In this financial year being reported, the Lochnagar Crater Foundation has transferred out a total of £15,970 to Lochnagar Crater (France). The French charitable association has the same objects as the U.K charity and the monies provided are spent on projects approved by both entities. The above monies were spent on the replacement of the walkway around the perimeter of the crater.
In the year ended 31 March 2026, the UK charity has received a total of £5,000 in transfers in from the French Association.
8. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REMUNERATION
| Independent Examiner's remuneration | 2026 £ 744 |
2025 £ 720 |
|---|---|---|
Page 10