Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1[st] November 2024 To 31[st] October 2025 Charity name: Chatterley Whitfield Friends CIO
Charity registration number: 1183093
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The object of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is to advance the education of the public in the history of mining at the former Chatterley Whitfield colliery by the demonstration of mining methods and the exhibition of machinery and ancillary matters connected with mining transportation social conditions and industrial archaeology and in such other ways as the trustees consider appropriate. |
| 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 |
Cataloguing, preserving, renovating, erecting, digitising and displaying artefacts, documents, photographs, maps and plans linked to the mining industry and the community. Constructing the Bevin Boys memorial to who lost their lives during world war two. Maintaining a mining heritage centre with displays and exhibitions, for research, projects and meetings, and as a drop-in centre for social activity, memories and oral history. Providing tours and information about Chatterley Whitfield on Heritage Open Days, other open days and for parties from schools, colleges and community associations. Liaising with Stoke-on-Trent City Council (the owners of the site) and other organisations, including Historic England, to preserve the several listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments on site. |
| Applying for grant funding to maintain, enhance and develop the Chatterley Whitfield Friends heritage centre and other buildings and site assets. Cultivating a social media presence to inform the wider public about Chatterley Whitfield. Supporting the security of the complex. Producing an on-going photographic record of Chatterley Whitfield to monitor the state of the buildings. Providing volunteering opportunities for community members. Being successful in acquiring the services of an archivist as part of a Scoping Grant. Making progress in our application for Museum Accreditation. Applying to Stoke on Trent City Council for a 25 year lease to secure our presence as an established Heritage Centre. |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | In planning the activities for the period the trustees reviewed and incorporated Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Para 1.38 Policy on grant making Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment
All the members of Chatterley Whitfield Para 1.38 Friends are volunteers who freely give their Contribution made by time, experience and expertise to benefit the volunteers charity and the local community. The charity relies upon their dedication, passion and enthusiasm to preserve the Chatterley Whitfield colliery and memories of miners and mining communities. 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 | The number of Chatterley Whitfield Friends now stands at over 310 supporting members, We restricted our monthly sites visits to the second Saturday of envy month from March until August. The 2025 HODs and open days were all fully booked and there was a waiting list, showing the continuing interest that remains in the former colliery both locally and further afield. This year attracting visitors from Australia and South Africa. In 2025 we were able to maintain our opening hours at our heritage centre (with working parties on Thursday and Saturday mornings) so that more people were able to visit without appointment (the main colliery site itself is usually cordoned off due to potential “pitfalls”). We have noticed an increase in overseas visitors. We were also available by appointment at suitably convenient times to guide tours around the colliery site itself for individuals, film crews and community groups. We have also hosted more school visits. We continued to develop the memorial garden (with seating for reflection and flower and herb beds) including the miners epitaph and memorials commemorating the 1881 disaster at Chatterley Whitfield a World War memorial, the memorial to Lidice and this year the unveiling of the Bevin Boys memorial in MAY |
We have maintained co-operatation with the local Keele University on two projects - “Decommissioning the 20[th] Century” and “Planning Creativity”. The former concerned with how major industrial sites are decommissioned and the latter regarding how communities can participate in the planning process. This has lead to Keele University offering placements for academic students.. We have co-operated with other universities, colleges and schools, who are undertaking a variety of projects, including architecture, marketing, media, history and others, to show them the site and inform them of its past, present and future potential. One particular project with a student from Newcastle college researching her Italian mining relatives who came to the uk in the 1950's We held an outdoor remembrance service in November, to remember with gratitude and indebtedness all those colleagues who lost their lives fighting for their country in all armed conflicts. We have continued development of an outside demonstrator tub rail network and adjacent to the memorial compound showing visitors how work was done and coal moved in the mine. Which now includes a Dint Header. In the summer we cleared the compound of rubble extra, making a new greased area.. This was supported by a Unitas Helping Hans grant.We have also managed to recover large artefacts from the site including man riders and a cage, which are now on display in our new outdoor compound .
We continue to maintain and enhance our presence on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter now X, LinkedIn and YouTube which, together with our website, informs and acquaints the public and community about what is happening at Chatterley Whitfield. We continue to work with Historic England with regular meetings as part of the Heritage Crime Risk Assessment and Planning group. This was established following the burglary in 2022.
We have obtained funding during the year to enhance the amenity and security of the heritage centre for members and visitors.
Unfortunately, we continue to be the subject to vandalism, damage, arson and trespass on site which is damaging irreplaceable heritage; We have had thefts from the site and are liaising with the Council to get access to buildings, which have been vandalised with a view to recovering artefacts. This has not been and straight forward process. The Lamps House has nothing left in it to be smashed and is not water tight. We removed the LampRacks to a more secure building. The grade two star Pit head baths is now being targeted and was the subject of an arson attack. Despite the CCTV and mobile foot patrols by council security nothing ever gets reported. We continue to digitise several thousand photographs and documents and are in the process of digitising several thousand maps and plans, which are held at Chatterley Whitfield, with the intention of cataloguing them on our website (with excerpts on Facebook and Instagram) and making the collections available, subject to copyright, to researchers, both amateur and professional. This has been an ongoing process.
We are presently working on a collections policy as part of our Museum Accreditation application.
We are continually grateful for those items which still get donated to us by members of the mining community public and others, local uses for the former colliery, organisations and private companies as well as the considerable help given by local, regional and national authorities.
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the period the CIO held £19532 in non restricted funds, an increase of approximately £2426 over the preceding accounting year end, the increase mainly being made up of membership fees, donations and ward funding. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | The main sources of unrestricted income are membership fees and donations. These can fluctuate from year to year, as can monthly outgoings. We aim to have a minimum of the approximate equivalent of six months reserves based on the expenditure figures from the accounting year. We aim to hold enough funds to cover the cost of our annual business rates in case our rate relief is withdrawn. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £12,500 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | - |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | - |
| 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) |
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|---|---|---|
| Para 1.47 | Funds derive from membership fees, donations and grants. |
| 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 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: | ||
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution. |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation. |
| 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 | Officers of the charity are elected / re-elected at the AGM (or at a general meeting). There is a maximum of 11 and a minimum of 5 trustees. The constitution states that five positions (chair, deputy chair, secretary, treasurer, membership secretary) automatically become trustees. There are in addition up to 4 trustees elected by the membership at the AGM or general meeting (nominations for election may be made by any member) and, also, up to 2 trustees can be co-opted by the membership of the CIO. Membership is open to any member of the public for a small fee. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and Para 1.51 training of trustees
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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
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Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Chatterley Whitfield Friends CIO |
| Other name the charity uses | - |
| Registered charity number | 1183093 |
| Charity’s principal address | Unit 29b Enterprise Centre, Chatterley Whitfield, Biddulph Road, Stoke-on-Trent. ST6 8UW |
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) 1 Nigel Bowers Chair 2 Secretary 3 Isabel Newsome Treasurer 4 Daniel Bowers Membership 5 Graham Unwin Elected 6 Henry McDonald Elected 7 Alistair Lias Elected 8 Ann James Elected 9Sharon Bowers Elected 10 Martin ChallinorCo-opted 11 Adrian Cartlidge Co-opted 19 20 Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets 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 |
Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) 1 Nigel Bowers Chair 2 Secretary 3 Isabel Newsome Treasurer 4 Daniel Bowers Membership 5 Graham Unwin Elected 6 Henry McDonald Elected 7 Alistair Lias Elected 8 Ann James Elected 9Sharon Bowers Elected 10 Martin ChallinorCo-opted 11 Adrian Cartlidge Co-opted 19 20 Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets 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 |
Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) 1 Nigel Bowers Chair 2 Secretary 3 Isabel Newsome Treasurer 4 Daniel Bowers Membership 5 Graham Unwin Elected 6 Henry McDonald Elected 7 Alistair Lias Elected 8 Ann James Elected 9Sharon Bowers Elected 10 Martin ChallinorCo-opted 11 Adrian Cartlidge Co-opted 19 20 Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets 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 |
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| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
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| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
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| 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 Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Isabel Jane Newsome Full name(s) Nigel Thomas Bowers BEM Position (eg Treasurer Chair Secretary, Chair, etc) Date 15 December 2025 15 December 2025
Chatterley Whitfield Friends CIO - Accounts for the year ending 31 October 2025 (Receipts and Payments Format) RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT 1 November 2024 to 31 October 2025
| Lottery | Staffs | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant 2 | Memorial | Postcode | Community | Police - Hi | Scoping | |||||
| General Fund | Improvements | Project | Building 30 | Lottery Grant | Grant | Viz Jackets | Grant | Total | Last year | |
| 01/11/24 - | 01/11/23 - | |||||||||
| 2024 - 2025 | 31/10/2025 | 31/10/24 | ||||||||
| Receipts : | ||||||||||
| Membership | £1,317.58 | 1317.58 | £1,600.81 | |||||||
| Donations | £1,824.88 | £1,824.88 | £1,571.57 | |||||||
| Merchandise Donations | £8.60 | £8.60 | £12.00 | |||||||
| Room Hire | £50.00 | |||||||||
| Grants | 5,000.00 | £3,000.00 | £8,000.00 | £0.00 | ||||||
| Heritage Open Days Donations | £622.12 | £622.12 | £1,035.07 | |||||||
| Heritage Open Days Membership | £110.00 | £110.00 | £260.00 | |||||||
| Council Ward Funding | £1,000.00 | 1,000.00 | £2,000.00 | £1,000.00 | ||||||
| Historic England Grant Donation | £2,400.00 | £2,400.00 | £2,944.00 | |||||||
| Refunds | £92.99 | |||||||||
| TOTAL RECEIPTS | £7,283.18 | £0.00 | £0.00 | 6,000.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | £3,000.00 | £16,283.18 | £8,566.44 |
| Payments : | ||||||||||
| Grants | 7,800.00 | £7,800.00 | £1,006.61 | |||||||
| Memorial Project | £185.93 | £185.93 | £45.84 | |||||||
| Displays | £505.15 | £495.58 | 68.98 | £1,069.71 | £737.16 | |||||
| Insurance | £462.19 | £462.19 | £442.48 | |||||||
| Merchandise | £0.00 | £0.00 | ||||||||
| Health & Safety | £50.50 | £89.39 | £139.89 | £179.40 | ||||||
| Stationery | £81.60 | £81.60 | £75.58 | |||||||
| Fixtures & Fittings | £0.00 | £199.99 | ||||||||
| Cleaning & Refreshments | £216.39 | £216.39 | £346.97 | |||||||
| Repairs & Maintenance | £315.19 | 34.39 | £349.58 | £286.13 | ||||||
| Furniture | £105.95 | £105.95 | £262.95 | |||||||
| Subscriptions | £67.00 | £67.00 | £72.98 | |||||||
| Outdoor Amenities | £0.00 | £310.00 | ||||||||
| Miscellaneous | £0.00 | £38.00 | ||||||||
| Security | £0.00 | £267.05 | ||||||||
| Donations | £0.00 | £49.99 | ||||||||
| Digitalisation | £24.00 | £24.00 | £776.38 |
| Room Hire Internet & Website £161.98 Scoping Consultant £2,518.86 Solicitor fees £2,349.60 Information TechnologyEquipment £331.55 |
Room Hire Internet & Website £161.98 Scoping Consultant £2,518.86 Solicitor fees £2,349.60 Information TechnologyEquipment £331.55 |
£0.00 £50.00 £161.98 £144.00 £2,518.86 £0.00 £2,349.60 £331.55 |
£0.00 £50.00 £161.98 £144.00 £2,518.86 £0.00 £2,349.60 £331.55 |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOTAL PAYMENTS £4,857.03 £0.00 £495.58 7,903.37 £0.00 £0.00 £89.39 £2,518.86 NET RECEIPTS LESS PAYMENTS £2,426.15 £0.00 -£495.58 -1,903.37 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £481.14 Transfer Between Funds Grant 2 to Building 30 -£950.00 950.00 Cash funds last year end £16,926.38 £3,540.69 £502.24 4,143.45 £3,584.00 £866.22 £94.19 £0.00 |
£15,864.23 £5,291.51 £418.95 £3,274.93 £29,657.17 |
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| CASH FUNDS THIS YEAR END £19,352.53 £2,590.69 £6.66 3,190.08 £3,584.00 £866.22 £4.80 |
£481.14 | £30,076.12 | £29,657.17 |
| MONETARY ASSETS Business Account - Lloyds Bank REPRESENTED BY FUNDS General Fund Grant 2 (Improvements) Memorial Project Lottery Community Fund Building 30 Postcode Lottery Staffs Police Hi Viz Jackets Scoping Grant Total NON-MONETARY ASSETS Information Technology Equipment Audio Visual Equipment Security Equipment Office Equipment, Furniture & Fittings Artefacts Total LIABILITIES Debtors Creditors Due Within One Year |
This Year Last year |
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| £30,076.12 | £29,657.17 | ||
| This Year Last Year 19,352.53 £16,926.38 2,590.69 £3,540.69 6.66 £502.24 866.22 £866.22 3,190.08 £4,143.45 3,584.00 £3,584.00 4.80 £94.19 481.14 |
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| 30,076.12 | £29,657.17 | ||
| This Year Last Year £1,796.43 £1,786.44 £556.10 £678.18 £676.79 £825.35 £1,012.97 £1,106.12 £14,750.00 £14,750.00 |
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| £18,792.29 | £19,146.09 | ||
| This Year Last Year £0.00 0.00 £0.00 0.00 |
£0.00
0.00
Total
These accounts were approved by the trustees on the xx NOV 2025 and signed on their behalf by :
Nigel Bowers Isabel Newsome Chair Treasurer
Notes to the accounts:
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These accounts are prepared on a receipts and payments basis with all revenue and expenses shown on a cash basis. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are shown as estimates of the value at the end of the year.
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The CIO has eight funds, one unrestricted funds (general fund) and seven restricted funds. The restricted funds are :
Stoke on Trent City Council Community Investment Fund grant awarded 2018 £17,520.00 (Grant 2).
This grant is to undertake improvements to Chatterley Whitfield Friends Heritage Centre, including insulation, electrics, heating and security.
Memorial Project Fund
Chatterley Whitfield Friends are constructing memorials in commemoration of North Staffordshire miners who have lost their lives in the collieries or in war.
Building 30 Project Fund
This fund is for the repairs and upkeep of an additional building to display artefacts for the interest and education of visitors.
Postcode Lottery Grant awarded 2021
This grant is to improve the roof of the Chatterley Whitfield Friends Heritage Centre.
Lottery Community Fund
This grant is for the pavers (£1000), Sports Gates (£750) and Lidice Trellis (£200)
Staffs Police Hi Viz Jacket Grant
This grant is to purchase high visibility jackets for visiting children.
Scoping Grant
This grant was to provide consultant support for assessing the archives. £2400 fees and £600 towards expenses. The balance will be returned to the Arts Council.
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No depreciation is assumed for artefacts.
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The CIO has no outstanding guarantees to third parties nor any debts secured on the assets of the CIO.
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No remuneration was paid to any trustee or members. No expenses were paid to trustees or members.