Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1 January 2025 To 31 December 2025 Charity name: Bath and Counties Archaeological Society
Charity registration number: 1189630
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote for the public benefit the study of archaeology in all its branches. |
| 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 |
The society achieves these aims by organizing public lectures given by leading archaeological professionals and excursions to study archaeological and historic sites. Members participate in fieldwork projects using the society's own archaeological equipment. Projects include geophysical studies as well as excavations under the direction of the society's director of archaeology. The society provides training and experience of a broad range of archaeological and historical investigative techniques which may be applied to the study of the local heritage and from time to time organizes specific training sessions in contemporary archaeological techniques. Reports of all projects undertaken are published on the society's website or in the society's journal of record Camertonia. Access to society records is possible via the society's website. The society also publishes a regular newsletter which informs readers of current society activities and other activities organized by local groups to provide a useful resource for those interested in archaeological events. The society answers general enquiries from members of the public and works with the local authority to enhance the Historical Environment Record (HER). |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees can confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. |
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 | Activities Excavations continued at Oldfield (previously known as Marston Mill), near Frome, with the uncovering of medieval remains. An excavation was conducted in partnership with the National Trust of the Prior Park Bason. This was the third year of investigation. A geophysical survey was carried out at Dyrham Park to investigate features in LiDAR scans. A possible ditch and bank were identified. Allotments at the edge of Royal Victoria Park, Bath, were surveyed using resistivity profiling. The results were largely negative. In July, we had a stall at a Festival of Archaeology day at Combe Down, Bath, organised by Bath and NE Somerset Heritage Services. Also in July, we carried out a further geophysical survey in Royal Victoria Park. Two of the days were designated as Open Days when members of the public could participate in a geophysical survey. External representation We contributed to the Bathscape project and attended meetings of the Bath World Heritage Site Advisory Group. Excursions The society was able to organise a full programme of visits:Bristol Cathedral and 1831 Riots(April);Lydney Quay and the Lost Fleet(May);Three Somerset Churches(June);Ebbor Gully Cave(July); Beckington Village(August);Newport Ship and Town Museum(September). Lectures Lectures were held on_National Trust_ Archaeology in Wessex over 38 years (Martin Papworth, retd. National Trust); Newport Medieval Ship(Bob Evans, Friends of Newport Ship);Discovering Avebury – landscape and people(Dr Nick Snashall, National Trust);The Chalkland Landscape of Stonehenge, Avebury and Cranborne Chase(Dr Mike Allen, Environmental Archaeologist);The use of sonar imaging techniques in Mapping and Visualising Maritime Wrecks(Capt FC Morgan Davis). Publications Regular Newsletters were sent to members. New project reports were published on the website and together with |
the Facebook site both were updated on a frequent basis to maintain communication with members. A number of mailshots on specific subjects were also made to members. Committee The Committee held five meetings to plan the society’s business and to review the financial situation of the Society to ensure that such decisions were taken as necessary to support the organisation. Trustees The trustees met in September and approved an application for an online banking account. AGM The AGM was held in March. Shaun Wilson received the Clive Peacock Memorial Award. A motion calling for BaNES to reinstate the post of County Archaeologist was passed.
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Income was up at £9749 (2024: £4556). Expenditure was £5435 (2024: £3856) resulting in a surplus of £4314 (2024: £701). The income includes a grant of £5000 for equipment from Bathscape which was not spent before the year end. The expenditure includes the return of an unspent grant of £3113 to the Association for Roman Archaeology for the Durley Hill project. Membership income was £3069 (2024: £2856). Lectures showed a surplus of £817 (2024: £695) and Excursions a surplus of £532 (2024: £483). Increasing costs led us to decide to put the lecture prices up from £4 to £5 for members and from £5 to £7 for non-members. ACCUMULATED FUNDS now stand at £27391 (2024: £23077) and Available Cash of £22041 (2024: £19564), represented by Accumulated Funds less Bathscape Grant of £5000 less Members’ Project Deposits of £350. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Trustees maintain under review the financial risks to which the charity is exposed. In a typical year society costs would include insurance, room and other hire fees, subscriptions to other organizations, social media and website fees, repairs to and replacement of equipment, and other potential costs that may arise as a consequence of the work that BACAS undertakes. The Trustees have reached the view that it would be prudent for BACAS to aim to retain a level of reserves of some £5000. Cash over and above the reserves may be used to fund ongoing activities. This policy is reviewed annually. No change to this policy was required in 2025. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £5000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None identified. |
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 | CIO |
| 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 | Trustees are elected from the membership. |
Additional information (optional)
| Additional information (optional) | Additional information (optional) | |
|---|---|---|
| You may choose to include further statements | where relevant about: | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The Society is managed by a General Committee all of whom are elected from the membership. Five of the Trustees are also members of the General Committee. Specialist groups/committees reporting to the Trustees are formed as necessary. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Bath and Counties Archaeological Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | BACAS |
| Registered charity number | 1189630 |
| Charity’s principal address | 7 Maycliffe Park Bristol BS6 5JH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HenryLowe | Chair | |||
| Dr Janet Pryke | ||||
| John Richards | Secretary | |||
| Shaun Wilson | ||||
| Roger Underhill | ||||
| Marek Lewcun | ||||
| Tim Lunt |
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name None
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year None
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None held in this capacity Name and objects of the N/A charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for N/A safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
N/A
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) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
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Bath and Counties Archaeological Society 1189630
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 31.12.24 31.12.25
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Subscriptions 3,069 - - 3,069 -
Lecture entrance fees 817 - - 817 -
Excursion income 532 - - 532 -
Gift Aid 274 274
Survey Deposits 50 50
Donations 8 - - 8 -
Bathscape grant 5,000 - - 5,000 -
Sundry sales - - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
AR) 9,749 - - 9,749 -
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total receipts 9,749 - - 9,749 -
A3 Payments
Room Hire 827 - - 827 -
Surveys 50 50
Print postage stationery 47 47
Insurance 483 483
Publications 66 - - 66 -
Camertonia - -
Subscriptions 163 - - 163 -
Paypal TicketLab 110 - - 110 -
Misc 52 - - 52 -
Equipment repairs 292 - - 292 -
Website 80 - - 80 -
Durley Hill exp 3,113 - - 3,113 -
Portacabins Rates 152 - - 152 -
Sub total 5,435 - - 5,435 -
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total payments 5,435 - - 5,435 -
Net of receipts/(payments) 4,314 - - 4,314 -
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 23,077 - - 23,077 -
Cash funds this year end 27,391 - - 27,391 -
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Categories Details funds funds funds
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1
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
15/09/2023
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to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B1 Cash funds Nat West Bank 26,887 - -
Cash
10 - -
Paypal Account 494
- - -
Total cash funds 27,391 - -
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s)) OK OK OK
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
funds funds funds
Details to nearest £ to nearest £ to nearest £
B2 Other monetary assets - - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
- - -
Fund to which Current value
Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional)
B3 Investment assets - -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Fund to which Current value
Details asset belongs Cost (optional) (optional)
B4 Assets retained for the Plant and Equipment @ W D value - -
charity’s own use - -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
- -
Fund to which Amount due When due
Details liability relates (optional) (optional)
B5 Liabilities Unused Grant 0 -
Refundable survey deposits 250 -
-
-
-
Signed by one or two trustees on Signature Print Name Date of
behalf of all the trustees approval
HENRY LOWE 03/07/2026
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2
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
15/09/2023