2025-08-31-accounts - Fenland Black Oak CIO

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REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1178790

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

`FOR`

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP
Chartered Accountants
Landgate Chambers
24 Landgate
Rye
East Sussex
TN31 7LJ

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

`CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025`

	`Page`	`Page`	`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`
`Detailed Statement of Financial Activities`		`11`

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

`REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025`

Thetrusteespresenttheirreportwiththefinancialstatementsofthecharityfortheyear ended
31August2025.ThetrusteeshaveadoptedtheprovisionsofAccountingandReportingby Charities:
StatementofRecommendedPracticeapplicabletocharitiespreparingtheiraccountsinaccordance with
theFinancialReportingStandardapplicableintheUKandRepublicofIreland(FRS102)(effective 1
January 2019).

`OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES`

`Objectives and aims`

The objectives and aims of the charity are:

-topreserveandpromotetheheritageandhistoricalimportanceofthejubileeoakandfenlandblack oak
moregenerallybycraftingajubileeoaktableandensuringthattheresultingworkofcraftsmanship is
displayed to the public;

-topromoteandraiseawareness,researchandknowledgerelatingtothejubileeoakandall matters
relatingtoorassociatedwiththeformation,historyandconservationoffenlandblackoakinsuch ways
as the trustees deem appropriate;

-toadvancetheeducationandtraininginthecraftsofcarpentryandjoineryassociatedwith preserving
and working with fenland black oak.

`Significant activities`

In2012anenormous5,300year-oldtreetrunkwasunearthedandexcavatedintheEastAnglian Fens.
Thediscoverypresentedanopportunitytopreservethisanduseittomakeaunique13.2metre long
tableandgiftittothenation.Additionally,itwouldalsoservetohighlighttheimportanceof farmers
preservingthedwindlingsuppliesofthisrarestofnativehardwoodsandtocastlightfor future
generations on the ancient high forests of Fenland Britain of 3,300 BC.

TheFenlandBlackOakProjectwouldalsoserveasatraininganddiscoveryexperienceforthe next
generation of master craft men and women.

Accordinglythecharitywasfoundedtoputthisintoeffectandtoenableateamofdedicated, skilled
craftsmen to turn this unique piece of Black Oak into a table for the nation.

`Public benefit`

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to public benefit.

Page 1

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

`REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025`

`ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE`

`Charitable activities`

FollowingtheestablishmentoftheCharitabletrustinJune2018ateamoftrusteeswithwideand varied
skillswasrecruited.Thesetrusteesincludedamastercabinetmaker,afarmer,acollegeprincipal, a
lawyer,anaccountant,anadministratorandafilmmaker.Additionally,thecharityhas attracted
considerablegoodwillandbeenhelpedbyparticipationandservicesfrommanycompanies and
individuals around the world.

Asreportedpreviouslytheoriginaloaklogwasraisedfromthegroundin2012andthetable top
fabricated, which was completed in August 2019.

InApril2024thetablewasmovedtoits3rdresidencyatLincolnCathedral,Lincolnshirewhereitwas on
displayfor12monthsandwasusedforagreatmanyactivitiesbylocalcommunitygroupsand other
charities.'ATablefortheNation'wasverywellplacedintheSouthTranseptatLincolnCathedral forming
its own stand alone visitor attraction alongside all the Tables exhibition panels.

FollowingonfromthesuccessfulLincolnresidencytheTablecontinuedonitstourofthecountrywith its
4thyearlongresidencyatLichfieldCathedralfromApril2025untilApril2026.TheTablehasagain been
usedforavarietyofactivitiesandeventsandattractedmanyvisitorswhohaveproudlylaidclaimto an
associationwiththeNationsTablebytakingpartinitsmanyuses.Thetablehasnowbeenvisitedby an
estimatedtotalofeighthundredandfiftythousandpeopleandwecontinuetogivetalks and
presentations to promote craft and the constructive use of Black Oak.

InApril2026theTablecontinuesonitsjourneyroundthecountrywitha5thresidencytobe at
BlackburnCathedralforafurther12months.BlackburnCathedralhasaverymodernaestheticsowe are
all very much looking forward to seeing the table there.

Thankstothecontinuingsupportofourmanydonorsandthesalesoftablerelatedmerchandiseat each
residency,theFenlandBlackOakCIOretainssufficientfundstocovercoststomaintaintheTable and
continue its display to the public for a number of years to come.

`FINANCIAL REVIEW`

`Financial position`

Intheperiodunderreviewthecharityhasaddedtoitsreserves,asthesaleofmerchandiserelating to
thetablehasbeenenoughtocoverthemaintenanceexpensesandthecostsassociatedwithmoving the
table to its new exhibition space in Lichfield Cathedral.

TheTrusteesareconfidentthattherearesufficientfundstomaintainthetableoverthenext twelve
months and to fund its next move to Blackburn Cathedral.

`Reserves policy`

Thepurposeofthecharityistoraisesufficientfundstobuildthetable,andgifttothenation.Costs are
onlyincurredwhenthefundshavebeenraised,sothetrusteesdonotconsideritnecessaryto maintain
reserves.Accordingly,thelevelofreservesattheendoftheperiodisanamountof£19,252which is
sufficient to cover ongoing expenditure.

`STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT`

`Governing document`

Thecharityiscontrolledbyitsgoverningdocument,aconstitutionadopteduponregistrationas a
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

`Recruitment and appointment of new trustees`

EveryTrusteemustbeappointedforatermofthreeyearsbyaproperlyconvenedmeetingofthe charity
Trustees.

InselectingindividualsforappointmentascharitytrusteestheTrusteesmusthaveregardtothe skills,
knowledge and experience need for effective administration of the CIO.

`REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number`

Page 2

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

`REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025`

`Principal address`
`Adamson & Low`
`The Old Piggery`
`Cuckoo Lane, Brenchley`
`Tonbridge`
`Kent`
`TN12 7HX`
`Trustees`
`H Low (Chairman)`
`G P Shropshire`
`L Conway`
`Mrs A King`
`S Butler-Gallie`
`G Richards`
`Independent Examiner`
`Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP`
`Chartered Accountants`
`Landgate Chambers`
`24 Landgate`
`Rye`
`East Sussex`
`TN31 7LJ`
`Approved by order of the board of trustees`	`on .............................................` `and signed on its behalf`
`by:`

......................................................
H Low - Trustee

Page 3

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF

`FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO`

`Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Fenland Black Oak CIO`

IreporttothecharitytrusteesonmyexaminationoftheaccountsofFenlandBlackOakCIO(the Trust)
for the year ended 31 August 2025.

`Responsibilities and basis of report`

AsthecharitytrusteesoftheTrustyouareresponsibleforthepreparationoftheaccountsin accordance
with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

IreportinrespectofmyexaminationoftheTrust'saccountscarriedoutunderSection145ofthe Act
andincarryingoutmyexaminationIhavefollowedallapplicableDirectionsgivenbythe Charity
Commission under Section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

`Independent examiner's statement`

Ihavecompletedmyexamination.Iconfirmthatnomaterialmattershavecometomyattention in
connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by Section 130 of the Act; or

2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3. 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.

Ihavenoconcernsandhavecomeacrossnoothermattersinconnectionwiththeexaminationto which
attentionshouldbedrawninthisreportinordertoenableaproperunderstandingoftheaccountsto be
reached.

Mr K M Luck FCA

Gibbons Mannington & Phipps LLP
Chartered Accountants
Landgate Chambers
24 Landgate
Rye
East Sussex
TN31 7LJ

Date: .............................................

Page 4

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

`STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025`

`Unrestricted` `Restricted` `fund` `fund` `Notes` `£` `£` `INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM` `Donations and legacies` `2` `9,754` `-` `EXPENDITURE ON` `Raising funds` `389` `-` `Charitable activities` `3` `Jubliee Black Oak Project` `11,449` `-` `Total` `11,838` `-` `NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)` `(2,084)` `-` `RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS` `Total funds brought forward` `21,336` `-` `TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD` `19,252` `-`	`2025` `Total` `funds` `£` `9,754` `389` `11,449` `11,838` `(2,084)` `21,336` `19,252`	`2024` `Total` `funds` `£` `8,756`
		`3,068` `2,723`
		`5,791`
		`2,965` `18,371`
		`21,336`

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 5

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

`BALANCE SHEET 31 AUGUST 2025`

`Unrestricted` `Restricted` `fund` `fund` `Notes` `£` `£` `CURRENT ASSETS` `Stocks` `7` `386` `-` `Cash at bank` `19,866` `-` `20,252` `-` `CREDITORS` `Amounts falling due within one year` `8` `(1,000)` `-` `NET CURRENT ASSETS` `19,252` `-` `TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT` `LIABILITIES` `19,252` `-` `NET ASSETS` `19,252` `-` `FUNDS` `9` `Unrestricted funds` `TOTAL FUNDS`	`2025` `Total` `funds` `£` `386` `19,866` `20,252` `(1,000)` `19,252` `19,252` `19,252` `19,252` `19,252`	`2024` `Total` `funds` `£` `386` `21,950` `22,336` `(1,000)` `21,336` `21,336` `21,336` `21,336` `21,336`

ThefinancialstatementswereapprovedbytheBoardofTrusteesandauthorisedforissue on
............................................. and were signed on its behalf by:

.............................................
H Low - Trustee

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 6

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

`1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES`

`BASIS OF PREPARING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS`

Thefinancialstatementsofthecharity,whichisapublicbenefitentityunderFRS102,have been
preparedinaccordancewiththeCharitiesSORP(FRS102)'AccountingandReportingby Charities:
StatementofRecommendedPracticeapplicabletocharitiespreparingtheiraccountsin accordance
withtheFinancialReportingStandardapplicableintheUKandRepublicofIreland(FRS 102)
(effective1January2019)',FinancialReportingStandard102'TheFinancialReporting Standard
applicableintheUKandRepublicofIreland'andtheCharitiesAct2011.Thefinancial statements
have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

`INCOME`

AllincomeisrecognisedintheStatementofFinancialActivitiesoncethecharityhasentitlement to
thefunds,itisprobablethattheincomewillbereceivedandtheamountcanbe measured
reliably.

`EXPENDITURE`

Liabilitiesarerecognisedasexpenditureassoonasthereisalegalorconstructive obligation
committingthecharitytothatexpenditure,itisprobablethatatransferofeconomicbenefits will
berequiredinsettlementandtheamountoftheobligationcanbemeasuredreliably. Expenditure
isaccountedforonanaccrualsbasisandhasbeenclassifiedunderheadingsthataggregate all
costrelatedtothecategory.Wherecostscannotbedirectlyattributedtoparticularheadings they
have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

`STOCKS`

Stocksarevaluedatthelowerofcostandnetrealisablevalue,aftermakingdueallowance for
obsolete and slow moving items.

`TAXATION`

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

`FUND ACCOUNTING`

Unrestrictedfundscanbeusedinaccordancewiththecharitableobjectivesatthediscretionof the
trustees.

Restrictedfundscanonlybeusedforparticularrestrictedpurposeswithintheobjectsof the
charity.Restrictionsarisewhenspecifiedbythedonororwhenfundsareraisedfor particular
restricted purposes.

Furtherexplanationofthenatureandpurposeofeachfundisincludedinthenotestothe financial
statements.

`DONATED GOODS AND SERVICES`

Donationsofsignificantgoodsandtheservicessuppliedbythosewhoholdparticularskill sets
necessary to the project are included in the accounts as a Pro Bono restricted fund.

Thetrusteeshaveusedtheirbesteffortstoplaceavalueondonatedcostsandtime using
estimates,whereprecisecostsandtimeswerenotavailable.Thetrusteesbelievethat the
monetaryvalueplacedondonatedcostsandtimeanddisclosedintheaccountsisa reasonable
approximation

The time donated by general volunteers has not been included in these accounts.

`DEBTORS`

Debtors(includingtradedebtorsandloansreceivable)aremeasuredoninitialrecognition at
settlementamountafteranytradediscountsoramountadvancedbythecharity. Subsequently,
they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.

`CREDITORS`

The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts

continued...

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FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

`1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued`

`HERITAGE ASSETS`

Thetrusthasraisedfundstodesignandcreatethespectacular13metrelongtable assembled
from 5,000 year old wood excavated from the fens of Norfolk.

Thetableisnotrepresentedintheaccountsasanasset.Itsvalueisliterallypriceless,asit is
uniqueanditscraftsmanshipcannotbeequaled.Thetableisinsuredfor£170,000tocover the
potential costs of repair and restitution should the surface be damaged.

`2. DONATIONS AND LEGACIES`

`Donations` `Sale of merchandise` `Donated services and facilities`	`2025` `£` `1,540` `3,520` `4,694` `9,754`	`2024` `£` `2,565` `6,191` `-` `8,756`

`3. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS`

	`Unrestricted`	`Restricted`	`Total`
	`fund`	`fund`	`funds`
`Jubilee Black Oak Project:`	`£`	`£`	`£`
`Understructure`	`-`	`-`	`-`
`Moving costs`	`5,451`	`-`	`5,451`
`Insurance costs`	`1,012`	`-`	`1,012`
`Other costs`	`3,882`	`-`	`3,882`
`Governance costs`	`1,104`	`-`	`1,104`

`Total`	`11,449`	`-`	`11,449`

`4. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER`

Fees payable to the charity's accountants:

	`£`
`Independent examination of the charity's financial statements`	`1,104`

`5. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS`

Therewerenotrustees'remunerationorotherbenefitsfortheyearended31August2025nor for
the year ended 31 August 2024.

`TRUSTEES' EXPENSES`

Therewerenotrustees'expensespaidfortheyearended31August2025norfortheyear ended
31 August 2024.

continued...

Page 8

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

`NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025`

`6.` `COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES` `Unrestricted` `fund` `£` `INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM` `Donations and legacies` `8,756` `EXPENDITURE ON` `Raising funds` `3,068` `Charitable activities` `Jubliee Black Oak Project` `2,723` `Total` `5,791` `NET INCOME` `2,965` `RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS` `Total funds brought forward` `18,371` `TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD` `21,336` `7.` `STOCKS` `Stocks` `8.` `CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR` `Other creditors` `9.` `MOVEMENT IN FUNDS` `At 1/9/24` `£` `Unrestricted funds` `General fund` `21,336` `TOTAL FUNDS` `21,336`	`Restricted` `fund` `£` `-` `-` `-` `-` `-` `-` `-` `2025` `£` `386` `2025` `£` `1,000` `Net` `movement` `in funds` `£` `(2,084)` `(2,084)`	`Total` `funds` `£` `8,756` `3,068` `2,723` `5,791` `2,965` `18,371` `21,336` `2024` `£` `386` `2024` `£` `1,000` `At` `31/8/25` `£` `19,252` `19,252`	`Total` `funds` `£` `8,756`
			`3,068` `2,723`
			`5,791`
			`2,965` `18,371`
			`21,336`

continued...

Page 9

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

`9. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued`

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

`Unrestricted funds` `General fund` `TOTAL FUNDS`	`Incoming` `resources` `£` `9,754` `9,754`	`Resources` `Movement` `expended` `in funds` `£` `£` `(11,838)` `(2,084)` `(11,838)` `(2,084)`

`Comparatives for movement in funds`

		`Net`
		`movement`	`At`
	`At 1/9/23`	`in funds`	`31/8/24`
	`£`	`£`	`£`
`Unrestricted funds`
`General fund`	`18,371`	`2,965`	`21,336`
`TOTAL FUNDS`	`18,371`	`2,965`	`21,336`

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

	`Incoming`	`Resources`	`Movement`
	`resources`	`expended`	`in funds`
	`£`	`£`	`£`
`Unrestricted funds`
`General fund`	`8,756`	`(5,791)`	`2,965`
`TOTAL FUNDS`	`8,756`	`(5,791)`	`2,965`

Bytheirverynature,theProBonodonatedgoodsandservices,otherthanthoseof general
volunteers,aregiveninordertofacilitateaparticularpartoftheprojectandaretherefore treated
as restricted funds.

`10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES`

Guy Peter Shropshire - Trustee

In2012farmersG.S.Shropshire&SonsLtd,ofwhichGuyPeterShropshireisa director,
uncoveredanddonatedamassivetrunkofblackbogoaktotheDiamondJubileeBlack Oak
Project.TheprojectlatterlybecametheFenlandBlackOakCIOwhenitformeda Charitable
IncorporatedOrganisation.Nomonetaryvaluewasplacedonthedonationasthe farmers
recognised the importance of the find to the nation as a whole.

Page 10

FENLAND BLACK OAK CIO

`DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025`

`INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS` `Donations and legacies` `Donations` `Sale of merchandise` `Donated services and facilities` `Total incoming resources` `EXPENDITURE` `Raising donations and legacies` `Just giving subscription` `Website costs` `Cost of merchandise` `Charitable activities` `Insurance` `Sundry costs` `Display costs` `Moving costs` `Support costs` `Governance costs` `Independent examination fee` `Total resources expended` `Net (expenditure)/income`	`2025` `£` `1,540` `3,520` `4,694` `9,754` `9,754` `216` `173` `-` `389` `1,012` `1,814` `2,068` `5,451` `10,345` `1,104` `11,838` `(2,084)`	`2024` `£` `2,565` `6,191` `-` `8,756` `8,756` `216` `192` `2,660` `3,068` `1,265` `-` `1,166` `(776)` `1,655` `1,068` `5,791` `2,965`

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 11