## **Ascott Martyrs Educational Trust** ## **REPORT ON ACTIVITIES 2021-22** Contrary to expectations at the start of the financial year, 2021-22 saw COVID continuing to have a major impact on many aspects of our lives and therefore of the Trust’s activities. Some booked talks were postponed or cancelled as the group to whom they were to be given had not switched to online meetings. Four online lectures were delivered during the year, to Adderbury History Society, Charlbury Society, Fairford WI and the Hexagon Quilting Group in Berkshire. Further lectures both online and face-to-face have been arranged for 2022-3. ## **Study Group** Members of the Study Group continued to work independently on various aspects of the story of the Martyrs and the wider context, with occasional meetings taking place online. One live meeting was held with a local historian, who shared the results of his research into religious nonconformity in the Wychwood villages. But with all archives closed, progress was limited to what could be achieved online. The Trust’s link with Reading University has seen a second cohort of History students undertake an independent study of aspects of the Martyrs’ story and the wider context, as part of their coursework. The final report on their research has been made available to the Trust and added to our growing online resources library to support and inform future studies and publications. The Study Group’s online shared repository continues to have new material added to it both original material and secondary sources, with the aim of creating a definitive archive. This database has now been made available to a group of local historians who are planning to publish a collection of essays to mark the 150[th] anniversary of the Incident. It is also being used to provide answers to questions from members of the public, who are reaching the Trust in increasing numbers through the website and Facebook page. ## **Martyrs’ Meadow** The Trust considered its position at a meeting on 20 March 2021 and submitted a response to the planning application in respect of the Cowsheds site at the end of the High Street in Ascott-under- Wychwood. This response was that the Trust’s support of the proposal to create a Martyr’s Garden as part of the development, was conditional upon the proposal enjoying community support. Subsequently a village petition suggested that there was widespread opposition to the development and therefore, by implication to the creation of the Martyrs’ Garden as part of this. The planning application was rejected and has now gone to Appeal, and the Chair has confirmed that the Trust’s position remains unchanged. ## **Trustees** At the 2020-21 AGM Paul Jackson, founding Trustee, stood down as Chair and Trustee, and Carol Anderson was elected as Chair. Officers were confirmed as Andrew Weaver (Treasurer), Cynthia Bryant (Secretary). Paula Nielsen-Tickner and Marilyn Baker continued as Trustees. Sadly, Marilyn Baker resigned in advance of the October meeting of the Trustees. Now that COVID restrictions have been removed the Trust is actively seeking new Trustees, especially in the context of delivering a programme of activities in 2023 ## **Forward Plan** The key focus for the Trust’s activities in 2022-3 will be to continue to research and disseminate through talks and online activities, the story of the Martyrs and the social context for the events that led to their imprisonment and to prepare for a modest programme of activities to mark the 150[th] anniversary of the imprisonment of the Martyrs. Carol Anderson Chair Ascott Martyrs Educational Trust 20 February 2022 A•cott ftrtyr• ASCOTh MARTYRS EDUCATIONAL TRUST Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending February 5th 2023 PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT INCOME Sales. Lecture Fees & Donations 2022-2023 Donations Grants Book Sales Textile Booklet Sales Leaflet & Postcard Sales Bad8e & CD Sales Commemorative Wall Han8ing Lecture Fees Event5 251 483 £734 Cost of Sales Leaflet & Postcards Textile Booklet Badges & CDS Commission/8ook purchases £0 Gross Profit £734 PAYMENTS Administration Expenses Website lyrs 2022-231 Accountancy Fees Printinglstationery IT Support Insurance Bank Fees Sundries 150 62 £212 Projert Expenses Venue Hirè Events Commemoration Ilnterpretative Panels) Video produrtion Fees Performer / Speaker fees Subscriptions Research Group Materials £0 Total payments £212 SURPLUS FOR THE PERIOD £522 ASCOTh MARTYRS EDUCATIONAL TRUST BALANCE SHEET FIXED ASSErs 2022-2023 None CURRENT ASSETS Bank Balance Stock of Books (Paid for) Stock of Textile Booklets Stock of CD5 Stock of Badges Stock of Postcards Oebtors 1899 666 306 149 175 £3,196 CURRENT LIABIUTIES Stock of Books (not paid for) Commemoration Plaques Creditors £0 NET AssErs £3.196 REPRESENTED BY:. ACCUMULATED FUND Cash funds Brought forward El,378 Add SURPLUS for the per￿d £522 Cash fvndsthis year end Signed & dated Trustee &013 Trustee ./>L93