2026-04-05-accounts - Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust

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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 6[th] April 2025 Period start date To 5[th] April 2026 Period end date

Charity name: Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust

Charity registration number: 1178614

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	In summary, the objects of the charity are: For the public benefit 1) To promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue amenity and related areas 2) To advance the education of the public in the natural history of the flora and fauna of the Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue amenity 3) To assist with the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation in order to improve conditions of life for those living, visiting or working in the area of benefit.
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.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	During the year the main activities carried out, having regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission, on public benefit, are as follows: 1. Professional trimming of 136 mature yew trees during September and October 2025 to restore the shape and texture of the trees 2. Early season grass cutting of the rides and end of season (August) cutting, baling and removal from site of hay to encourage wild flower meadow creation of the main ride. 3. Cutting of hedges and removal of arisings

4. Strimming and clearing of ditches and water courses and removal of arisings. Statement confirming Para 1.18 whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	Our team of volunteers has carried out a range of duties including periodic visitor surveys and litter picking. Volunteers have also attended a short course for beginners on yew tree clipping, the course being provided by professional craftsmen. Arrangements have continued with Rutland County Council to provide a litter binand a regular collection.
Other

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference

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.	Para 1.20	When we completed our negotiations with Forestry England in June 2018 and our agreement to care for the site was first established, the yew trees had not been cut for 4 years. The professional clipping in September 2019 achieved a remarkable degree of restoration. This work has continued with an annual professional clip of all trees each year (September 2020, October 2021, October 2022, October 2023, October 2024 and September 2025), further improving their health and appearance every year. Similarly, annual maintenance of the grassland in accordance with professional ecology and biodiversity advice, has improved the nature of the site as a visitor attraction.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41	Each year we agree with Forestry England a Management Plan for the Yew Tree Avenue for the year ahead, and at the end of the year, we report on the achievement of that Plan.
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	Since 2019 our fund-raising efforts can be considered entirely successful, based upon our success in gaining specific grant funding for defined projects and supported by very generous donations from a few local individuals. In December 2024 the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) awarded CYTAT a grant of one hundred and fifteen thousand pounds to be applied over a 5 year period for the maintenance and conservation of the Avenue. The first half of this grant was paid in January 2025. The NLHF have appointed a mentor to advise and assist us to achieve further long term funding, to follow on from our 5 year term. Our grant has also provided funds for the appointment of an experienced “External Evaluator”. Following our recruitment process this appointment was successfully confirmed in June 2025.
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	Not applicable
Other		Not applicable

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Our Charitiy’s cash reserves at the 5th April 2026 were £51,396 This should allow us to continue with our full maintenance and conservation programme for the next one and a half to two years.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Our financial policy is to ring-fence sufficient funds as soon as they are available for the main clipping project which is estimated to cost £16,000 this coming September 2026. Maintaining the grassland, ditches and hedges is also an essential requirement and is estimated to cost a further £2,500 per annum at present day prices. Any other desired improvements for the public experience need to be successfully funded by new grant applications before any commitments are made.
Amount of reservesheld	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	Not applicable
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	Not applicable
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	See paragraph 1.41 above.
Other		Not applicable

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	CYTAT is established as a Foundation CIO
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Foundation CIO
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	The three founding trustees remain in post. The appointment of Mrs Helen Sismore to our Trustee Board was confirmed at our AGM on 24th July 2025 and we are delighted with the additional resources she is providing and with the additional communication and social media skills which she has demonstrated during her first year.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction Para 1.51 and training of trustees The charity’s organisational structure and any wider Para 1.51 network with which the charity works Relationship with any related Para 1.51 parties Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust
Other name the charity uses	Not applicable
Registered charity number	1178614
Charity’s principal address For Contact	Mr Clifford Bacon The Old Schoolhouse, CLIPSHAM Oakham Rutland LE15 7SE

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Dr Patrick Candler	Chairman
Mrs Sue Thomas	Publicity and Website
Mr Cliff Bacon	Secretary and Treasurer
Mrs Helen Sismore	Trustee	From 24thJuly2025

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name Not Applicable

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
Not applicable

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address	Type of adviser Name Address	Type of adviser Name Address




Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Not applicable

Other optional information

Not applicable.

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	C J Bacon	Sue Thomas
	Clifford James Bacon	Susan Mary Thomas
	Secretary and Treasurer	Trustee
	31stJuly 2025
	31stJuly 2025

	Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust	Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust	Clipsham Yew Tree Avenue Trust	1178614	CC16a
	For the period from	6th April 2025	To	5th April 2026

Section A Receipts and payments
A1 Receipts	Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 1,733 1,011 - - - - 2,744 - - - 2,744 - 613 233 30 60 - 935 - - - 935 1,809 - 11,949 13,758	Restricted funds to the nearest £ 5,122 2,100 - - - - 7,222 - - - 7,222 13,840 1,833 2,330 - - - 35 3,000 - 21,038 - - - 21,038 - 13,815 - 51,454 37,638	Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -	Total funds to the nearest £ 6,856 2,100 - 1,011 - - - - 9,967 - - - 9,967 13,840 1,833 2,330 613 233 - 65 3,060 - 21,973 - - - 21,973 - 12,006	Last year to the nearest £
Donations	1,733				3,684
Charitable Donations					3,600
Grant from NLHF					57,325
Other Income	1,011				3,105
	-				-
	-				-
	-				-
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*Sub total*(Gross income for AR)	2,744				67,714

A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table).
	-
	-				-
*Sub total*	-				-
*Total receipts* A3 Payments
					67,714

Yew Tree Clipping					7,626
Site works					-
Grass & hedge maintenance	-				1,730
Insurance	613				603
Website maintemance	233				58
Printingand stationery					647
Sundry	30				67
Consultancy	60				-
	-				-
**Sub total **	935				10,731

A4 Asset and investment purchases (see table)
,	-
	-
**Sub total **	-				-
*Total payments* *Net of receipts/(payments)* A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end *Cash funds this year end*
					10,731

	1,809	- 13,815	-	- 12,006	56,983
	-	-	-	-	-
	11,949	51,454	-	63,402	12,031
	13,758	37,638	-	51,396	6,419

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

16/06/2026

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period	Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B1 Cash funds	Details Not applicable Details *Total cash funds* (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Not applicable BANK ACCOUNT Details Details Not applicable Details Not applicable Sue Thomas Signature C J Bacon	Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 13,758 37,638 - - - - 13,758 37,638 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Clifford James Bacon Susan Mary Thomas	Endowment funds to nearest £
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			zero
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			Endowment funds to nearest £
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			Current value (optional)
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			Date of approval
	C J Bacon	Clifford James Bacon	20/07/2026
	Sue Thomas	Susan Mary Thomas	20/07/2026

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

16/06/2026