GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025.
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 Dr. G. Owen Mrs S.B. Parsons Mrs S.P. Self T.M.H. Shearer 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 2025
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) which was merged with this Charity in 2024.
During the year, there were no changes to the Trustee body, but Sir Nicholas Mander, Dr Jan Broadway, Mrs Sally Self and Mrs Sue Parsons were re-elected to serve for a further term. Sir Nicholas Mander and Dr Broadway are now serving the third and final term permitted under the Charity’s constitution. 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, chiefly through advancing research and other work in preparation for further instalments of the Victoria County History (VCH) of Gloucestershire. Dr. Simon Draper continued to act as County Editor of the Gloucestershire VCH on secondment from his post with the Oxfordshire VCH Trust for 10% of his time until December 2025, when the percentage of his time devoted to Gloucestershire matters was temporarily increased to 20% for a period of five months. This Charity reimburses the Oxfordshire VCH Trust for the proportion of his time spent on Gloucestershire affairs. During the autumn of 2025 Dr Draper and Dr Neil Holbrook, the chief executive of Cotswold Archaeology and author of a chapter on Roman Corinium for our forthcoming Cirencester volume, spoke at an event organized by the Cirencester History Festival on the transition from Roman Corinium to Medieval Cirencester. The event, held at the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester, attracted an audience of 300, demonstrating the interest in local history in the locality, and raising the profile of the Victoria County History ahead of the publication of our forthcoming Cirencester volume.
During the year the Charity had six 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 (Volume XIV); the Cheltenham district (Volume XV); and the Cirencester district (Volume XVI). Work continued on all three volumes during the year, and the writing of the Cirencester volume was completed. Work is now in progress on finalizing the text, illustrations and introduction for that volume, which should go to press in 2026. Work continued on Charlton Kings, Leckhampton and Swindon (for Volume XV). A major step forward with Volume XIV was taken with the appointment of two new contractors to work on researching and writing the histories of Acton Turville, Tormarton, Dodington and Wapley & Codrington; they began work in April and July 2025, although one of them withdrew from her contract in December 2025; the other will now complete all four parishes. Work on Dyrham (also for Volume XIV) was substantially completed by a volunteer author during the year. Once again, Trustees were indebted to the staff of the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub for their support of our researchers and volunteers.
The Charity’s continuing task is to raise the funds to keep the research going. The success of our fundraising efforts in 2024 meant that this year we were more focused on applying the money raised last year than in new fundraising, but a number of medium-sized donations were received towards our current projects, and we also benefit from regular monthly or annual donations of sums between £1 and £100 by a number of keen supporters. During 2024 the Charity received an initial payment of £7,999 under the will of a Gloucestershire local historian, and we have been informed since the year end that a further payment of £28,407.51 will be received once the estate has been wound up.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
TRUSTEES’ REPORT ( cont. )
FOR THE YEAR ENDED TO 31 DECEMBER 2025
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). During 2025 work began on the Winchcombe area volume with volunteers cataloguing documents, and transcribing wills, census documents and other key materials for the Winchcombe area, ahead of the commencement of work by paid contractors.
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 Charity’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 25 April 2026
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 2025.
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: 9 August 2026
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
----- 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|2024|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Receipts|
|Donations from individuals|12,356|- 2050|4,500|-|18,906|18,215|
|Donations from groups|33|-|-|-|-|33|36|
|Donations from charities|-|-|-|-|-|-|1,950|
|Donations from companies|-|-|-|-|-|-|53,300|
|Legacies|-|-|-|-|-|-|7,999|
|Gift Aid|2,535|856|606|-|-|3,997|2,488|
|Book sales|40|-|-|-|-|40|40|
|Bank interest|2,226|2,212|1,979|35|314|6,766|3,981|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|
|Total Receipts|17,190|3,068|4,635|4,535|314|29,742|87,009|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|Payments|
|Editorial costs|10,459|16,654|4,050|6,431|-|37,594|37,072|
|Travel|-|-|-|-|-|-|36|
|Fundraising costs|-|-|-|-|-|-|40|
|Recruitment costs|-|818|-|-|-|818|-|
|Printing and stationery|120|-|-|-|-|120|-|
|Workshops|-|-|-|-|-|-|1,158|
|Website|106|-|-|-|-|106|106|
|Insurance and subscriptions|205|-|-|-|-|205|105|
|Bank charges|60|-|-|-|-|60|60|
|Sundries|10|-|-|-|-|10|-|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|Total Payments|10,960|17,472|4,050|6,431|-|38,913|38,577|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|Net Receipts/Payments|
|for the period|6,230|(14,404)|585 (1,896)|314|(9,171)|48,432|
|Cash funds as at|
|31 December 2024|52,380|60,156|50,263|1,896|8,035|172,730|124,298|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|------------|
|Cash funds as at|
|31 December 2025|58,610|45,752|50,848|-|8,349|163,559|172,730|
|===========|==========|==========|==========|===========|===========|===========|
----- 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 2025
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|2024|
|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|Cash at bank|(Note 8)|58,610|45,752|50,848|-|8,349|163,559|172,730|
|===========|==========|==========|==========|==========|===========|===========|
|Other monetary assets|
|Gift Aid|2,969|-|513|1,125|-|4,607|3,985|
|Accrued interest|329|300|294|1|47|971|1,205|
|Legacy (Note 7)|-|-|-|-|28,408|28,408|-|
|------------|------------|------------|------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|
|3,298|300|807|1,126|28,455|33,986|5,190|
|===========|==========|==========|==========|===========|===========|===========|
----- 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 2025
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 2025, commitments on contracts with the editors totalled £68,724 as follows:
| £ | |
|---|---|
| Volume XIV | 19,800 |
| Volume XV | 36,700 |
| Volume XVI | 3,550 |
| Unallocated | 8,674 |
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 2025 | - | 50,263 | 50,263 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Income | |||
| Donations | 2,050 | - | 2,050 |
| Gift Aid | 606 | - | 606 |
| Interest | 85 | 1,894 | 1,979 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 2,741 | 1,894 | 4,635 | |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Editorial costs | - | 4,050 | 4,050 |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| - | 4,050 | 4,050 | |
| ------------- | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Balance 31 December 2025 | 2,741 | 48,107 | 50,848 |
| =========== | =========== | =========== |
With the agreement of the donor, the Trustees have initially allocated the donation of £50,000 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 2025 (cont.)
6. RESTRICTED FUND FOR VOLUME XVI CIRENCESTER
7.
| Coates | Editorial | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston | Town | ||
| and | and | ||
| general | adjoining | ||
| editorial | parishes | Total | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Balance 1 January 2025 | - | 1,896 | 1,896 |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Income | |||
| Donations | 4,500 | - | 4,500 |
| Interest | 10 | 25 | 35 |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 4,510 | 25 | 4,535 | |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Expenditure | |||
| Editorial costs | 4,510 | 1,921 | 6,431 |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| 4,510 | 1,921 | 6,431 | |
| ------------ | ------------- | ------------- | |
| Balance 31 December 2025 | - | - | - |
| ========== | =========== | =========== | |
| DESIGNATED FUND FOR VOLUME XVII WINCHCOMBE | |||
| Total | |||
| £ | |||
| Balance 1 January 2025 | 8,035 | ||
| Income | |||
| Interest | 314 | ||
| ------------- | |||
| 314 | |||
| ------------ | |||
| Expenditure | |||
| Editorial costs | - | ||
| ------------ | |||
| - | |||
| ------------- | |||
| Balance 31 December 2025 | 8,349 | ||
| =========== |
The Charity is the beneficiary under the will of a local historian who died in 2022. The initial payment of £7,999 was received in 2024 with the balance of £28,408 to be paid in 2026. The Trustees designated the initial sum to a fund to finance Volume XVII. It is their intention to also allocate the balance to this fund.
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GLOUCESTERSHIRE COUNTY HISTORY TRUST CIO REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 1181794
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025 (cont.)
| 8. | CASH AT BANK | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Current account | 353 | 660 | |
| Deposit accounts | 103,206 | 112,070 | |
| One year fixed term bond matures August 2026 (2024 August 2025) | 60,000 | 60,000 | |
| ------------- | ------------- | ||
| 163,559 | 172,730 | ||
| =========== | =========== |
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