GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Governing Document
The Charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by a constitution dated 17 January 2019.
Trustees
Trustees during the year were as follows:
N.W. Kingsley Chairman Miss S.E. Brown Treasurer D.H. Aldred Dr. J.R. Broadway Miss H.M. Forbes Sir Nicholas Mander Bt. R.R. Mullings (appointed 17.07.2024) Dr. G. Owen (appointed 17.07.2024) Mrs S.B. Parsons Mrs S.P. Self T.M.H. Shearer (appointed 14.10.2024) Dr. R. Wallis
Structure, Governance and Management
Trustees are appointed for a term of three years. Trustees are eligible for reappointment for two further terms of three years after which they must stand down for one year. They are then eligible for re-election again.
Objectives of the CIO
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a. to advance the education of the public in the history of the historic county of Gloucestershire (including South Gloucestershire) and of the city of Bristol, and to foster public knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the history of Gloucestershire and Bristol
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b. to advance research and other work in connection with the preparation of the Victoria County History of England relating to the historic county of Gloucestershire and the city of Bristol
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c. to encourage, promote and support local history research and writing in or about the historic county of Gloucestershire and the city of Bristol, drawing especially on the use of historical resources and furthering the active participation of the public through education and learning and providing the means of communication between those involved with local history.
The Trustees met on a quarterly basis and remained in regular contact between meetings.
Principal Address
The Charity’s principal address is c/o Gloucestershire Heritage Hub, Clarence Row, Alvin Street, Gloucester GL1 3DW.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT ( cont. )
FOR THE YEAR ENDED TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
Activities and achievements
Since its establishment in January 2019, the Charity has carried forward the programme of work begun under its Unincorporated Association (UA) predecessor (Regd No 1138520). Following the implementation of section 33 of the Charities Act 2022 in March 2024, the charity successfully applied to the Charity Commission for the merger of the UA with the CIO, and the unincorporated association was removed from the charity register on 1 July 2024.
During the year, three new trustees were appointed to the trust (Richard Mullings and Dr Grace Owen, who were appointed on 17 July 2024, and Thoss Shearer, who was appointed on 14 October 2024). Heather Forbes was reappointed as a trustee for a further three-year term on 9 January 2024. There are currently no trustee vacancies.
The CIO remained focused on its stated aims of educating the public in the history of the historic county of Gloucestershire, and advancing research and other work in preparation for further instalments of the Victoria County History (VCH) of Gloucestershire. The series of workshops for the general public, run in conjunction with Gloucestershire Archives and the University of the West of England, to provide training in historical research methods which the Trust delivered in 2022-23 was successfully repeated in 2023-24. The model developed for the training was praised by the Institute of Historical Research and was adopted for use in Wiltshire in 2024-25. This trust was not directly involved in that initiative, although some of our contracted researchers were tutors on the course. The trustees are particularly grateful to Dr John Chandler for developing and co-ordinating the delivery of the workshops. Dr. Chandler retired from his role as County Editor of the Gloucestershire VCH at the end of March 2024, and the Trustees entered into an arrangement with the Oxfordshire VCH Trust by which Dr. Simon Draper, one of their employees, devotes 10% of his time to acting as County Editor of the Gloucestershire VCH and we reimburse them for that proportion of his employment costs. This arrangement was made initially for six months, and having proved satisfactory to all parties was renewed for a further year, with the possibility of future extensions.
During the year the Charity had five contributing editors (historical researchers) under contract, supported by the work of a pool of volunteers whose activities range from cataloguing, indexing and calendaring records relevant to current research projects, to the analysis of records and drafting of text. Steady progress was achieved with the research on the three current projects, which will lead to hardback volumes in the Victoria County History of Gloucestershire Series, covering the Yate and Chipping Sodbury area of South Gloucestershire (Vol XIV); the Cheltenham district (Vol XV); and the Cirencester district (Vol XVI). Work continued on all three volumes during the year, and was completed on the history of Coates, the medieval history of Cirencester, and the architectural history of Cirencester and the adjacent parishes (for vol. XVI). Work is now in progress on finalizing the text, illustrations and introduction for volume XVI, which should go to press in 2025 or 2026. Work was begun on Charlton Kings and continues on Leckhampton and Swindon (for volume XV) and on Dyrham (for volume XIV). Once again, trustees were indebted to the staff of the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub for their support of our researchers and volunteers.
The Trust’s continuing task is to raise the funds to keep the research going. During 2024, our focus was on raising the funds to complete work on volume XIV (Chipping Sodbury and district), and in May our royal patron, HRH the Duke of Gloucester, attended a fundraising event at Little Sodbury Manor to help raise the £60,000 required to research the four remaining parishes that will feature in this volume. Some twentyfive attendees made donations towards our appeal, and thanks in particular to one exceptionally generous donor, the target was reached. Contracts for two work packages to undertake the research and writing of the four parishes were advertised at the end of year, and contracts have since been agreed. During the year the trust also received an initial payment of £7,999 under the will of a Gloucestershire local historian, and a further payment is anticipated once the estate has been wound up. The trust continues to benefit from the generosity of a number of regular donors, whose monthly donations of sums between £5 and £100, in most cases with gift aid, currently provide about £13,000 a year towards the ongoing costs of the organisation.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT ( cont. )
FOR THE YEAR ENDED TO 31 DECEMBER 2024
Activities and achievements (cont.)
As the current volumes move towards completion, the trustees’ planning turns to the next areas to be tackled: the market town of Winchcombe and its hinterland (volume XVII) and Marshfield and the Boyd Valley (volume XVIII). The trust held a launch event for work in the Winchcombe area in the spring of 2024, and has been working with volunteers to catalogue and analyse historical resources relating to the parishes in this area, ahead of the commencement of work by paid contractors. In the spring of 2024 a scoping document for the Marshfield/Boyd Valley volume was drawn up and approved by Trustees, but the focus on fundraising to complete work on the adjoining Sodbury area means active steps have not yet been taken to initiate work on this volume.
Reserves Policy
Beyond meeting agreed contractual commitments, the Trustees’ aim is to maintain a sufficient reserve to be able to respond to unexpected opportunities and requirements.
Review of Major Risks
During the year under review, the Trustees reviewed and either rewrote or updated the policy documents that provide a framework for their work; reviewed the Trust’s risk register, and took appropriate action.
Accounts
The attached accounts show the current state of the finances, which the Trustees consider to be sound.
N. W. Kingsley, Chairman 7 April 2024
On behalf of the Trustees
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Gloucestershire County History Trust CIO (“the charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees 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 charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the 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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act;, or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
W.J. Abbott FCA Randall & Payne LLP Chargrove House Shurdington Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL51 4GA
Date: 31 July 2025
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
----- Start of picture text -----
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted and Designated Funds|
|Funds|Volume|Volume|Volume|Volume|
|XIV|XV|XVI|XVII|
|Sodburys|Chelt|Ciren|Winch-|
|combe|
|(Note 5)|(Note 6)|(Note 7)|Total|2023|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Receipts|
|Donations from individuals|10,690|5,100 2,425|-|-|18,215|11,223|
|Donations from groups|36|-|-|-|-|36|132|
|Donations from charities|-|1,950|-|-|-|1,950|-|
|Donations from companies|-|52,300|-|-|-|52,300|-|
|Legacies|-|-|-|-|7,999|7,999|-|
|Gift Aid|2,488|-|-|-|-|2,488|15,382|
|Workshops|-|-|-|-|-|-|2,000|
|Book sales|40|-|-|-|-|40|20|
|Bank interest|1,305|846|1,592|202|36|3,981|2,670|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|
|Total Receipts|14,559|60,196|4,017|202|8,035|87,009|31,427|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|Payments|
|Editorial costs|10,817|- 17,675|8,580|-|37,072|40,300|
|Travel|36|-|-|-|36|134|
|Fundraising costs|-|40|-|-|-|40|-|
|Workshops|1,158|-|-|1,158|1,938|
|Website|106|-|-|-|106|105|
|Insurance and subscriptions|105|-|-|-|-|105|30|
|Bank charges|60|-|-|-|60|60|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|Total Payments|12,282|40|17,675|8,580|-|38,577|42,567|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|Net Receipts/Payments|
|for the period|2,277|60,156 (13,658) (8,378)|8,035|48,432|(11,140)|
|Cash funds as at|
|31 December 2023|50,103|-|63,921|10,274|-|124,298|135,438|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|Cash funds as at|
|31 December 2024|52,380|60,156|50,263|1,896|8,035|172,730|124,298|
|===========|==========|==========|==========|===========|===========|===========|
----- End of picture text -----
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
Cash funds
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted and Designated Funds|
|Funds|Volume|Volume|Volume|Volume|
|XIV|XV|XVI|XVII|
|Sodburys|Chelt|Ciren|Winch-|
|combe|
|(Note 5)|(Note 6)|(Note 7)|Total|2023|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Cash at bank|(Note 8)|52,380|60,156|50,263|1,896|8,035|172,730|124,298|
|===========|==========|==========|==========|==========|===========|===========|
|Other monetary assets|
|Gift Aid|2,523|856|606|-|-|3,985|2,488|
|Accrued interest|343|406|377|25|54|1,205|-|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|2,866|1,262|983|25|54|5,190|2,488|
|===========|==========|==========|==========|===========|===========|===========|
----- End of picture text -----
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Accounting
The Receipts and Payments Account has been prepared on a cash basis. Assets and Liabilities at the year end are noted on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
2. COMMITMENTS
At 31 December 2024, commitments on contracts with the editors totalled £52,420 as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Volume XIV | 0 |
| Volume XV | 40,750 |
| Volume XVI | 6,000 |
| Unallocated | 5,670 |
3.
USE OF HERITAGE HUB
The CIO has free use of the Dunrossil Suite for meetings of the Trustees and of the Elrington room for use by the editors.
4. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS
No remuneration or benefits were paid to trustees during the year.
5. RESTRICTED FUND FOR VOLUME XV CHELTENHAM
| Charlton | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| General | Kings (a) | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Balance 1 January 2024 | - | 63,921 | 63,921 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Income | |||
| Donations | 2,425 | - | 2,425 |
| Interest | - | 1,592 | 1,592 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 2,425 | 1,592 | 4,017 | |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Editorial costs | 2,425 | 15,250 | 17,675 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 2,425 | 15,250 | 17,675 | |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Balance 31 December 2024 | - | 50,263 | 50,263 |
| =========== | =========== | =========== |
(a) With the agreement of the donor, the trustees have designated the donation of £50,000 initially to fund work relating to Charlton Kings in volume XV with any balance being used for other aspects of the same volume.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (cont.)
6. RESTRICTED FUND FOR VOLUME XVI CIRENCESTER
| Coates | Editorial | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Town | |||
| and | and | |||
| general | adjoining | |||
| editorial | parishes | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | ||
| Balance 1 January 2024 | 2,560 | 7,714 | 10,274 | |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| Income | ||||
| Interest | 20 | 182 | 202 | |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| 20 | 182 | 202 | ||
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Editorial costs | 2,580 | 6,000 | 8,580 | |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| 2,580 | 6,000 | 8,580 | ||
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | ||
| Balance 31 December 2024 | - | 1,896 | 1,896 | |
| ========== | =========== | =========== | ||
| 7. | DESIGNATED FUND FOR VOLUME XVII WINCHCOMBE | |||
| Total | ||||
| £ | ||||
| Income | ||||
| Legacy | 7,999 | |||
| Interest | 36 | |||
| ------------- | ||||
| 8,035 | ||||
| ------------ | ||||
| Expenditure | ||||
| Editorial costs | - | |||
| ------------ | ||||
| - | ||||
| ------------- | ||||
| Balance 31 December 2024 | 8,035 | |||
| =========== | ||||
| 8. | CASH AT BANK | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Current account | 660 | 851 | ||
| Deposit accounts | 112,070 | 123,447 | ||
| One year fixed term bond (matures August 2025) | 60,000 | - | ||
| ------------- | ------------- | |||
| 172,730 | 124,298 | |||
| =========== | =========== |
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