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2025-12-31-accounts

GRAFFHAM DOWN TRUST

CHARITABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION

TRUSTEES’ REPORT AND ACCOUNTS 1 JANUARY 2025-31 DECEMBER 2025

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Graffham Down Trust CIO

Reference and administrative information

For the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

Charity name Graffham Down Trust Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Charity number 1190268
Principal address Boswell’s Cottage Graffham Petworth GU28 0NL
Trustees Trustees who served during the period were as follows:
James Kirke (Chair)
Neil McLean
Matthew Sennitt
Jude Sennitt
Fiona Scully
Bankers Barclays Bank Plc
Bournemouth Town 2, Leicestershire, LE87 2BB
Independent Sarah Alexander FCCA FCA,
Examiners Lewis Brownlee (Chichester) Limited,
Appledram Barns, Birdham Road, Chichester PO20 7EQ
Solicitors Glanvilles LLP
45 South Street, Chichester,
West Sussex PO19 1DS

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Graffham Down Trust CIO

Trustees’ Report

For the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

The Trustees present their report and financial statements for the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

The reference and administrative arrangements set out on page 1 form part of this report. The financial statements comply with current requirements and the charity’s constitution.

Objectives and activities

Objectives and aims

The objects of the charity are the preservation and protection of areas of open downland interspersed with woodland, trees and scrub on Graffham Down and in the neighbourhood of Graffham in order to preserve, enhance and to reintroduce species of flora and wildlife, which have been indigenous to Graffham and the neighbourhood, but which are, or may be in danger of extinction or substantial diminution in numbers and to allow residents of the Parish of Graffham and others access, but on foot only, to the open downland.

Review of the Charity

Governance

The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission and operates as the successor to the former charity known as Graffham Down Trust (288498) which transferred its assets and operations to the charity on 1 January 2021 and has been subsequently dissolved.

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Graffham Down Trust

Trustees’ Report

For the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

Strategy

The Trustees have reviewed the strategy of the charity and have continued the activities previously carried out of working closely with landowners, the South Downs National Park, Natural England and volunteers in order to pursue its objectives.

Activities

Normal management and regenerative activities in the reserves continued in compliance with Rural Payments Authority commitments within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Considerable efforts were made to continue the care and management of the reserves by mowing, brush cutting and coppicing with associated timber and brash clearance and habitat creation and preservation. The clearance of fallen trees and fencing repairs and control of deer were also undertaken as necessary. Focus was given to the provision of dormice boxes and through the season, wildlife recordings indicated that the reserves were maintaining their vital role in sustaining indigenous species in the area, including a greater understanding of the array of bird life living in and dependent on the reserves.

The management and maintenance of the reserves and monitoring of wildlife was enthusiastically supported by numerous volunteers.

The issue of newsletters to supporters continued alongside social activities.

Plans for the year ahead

A continuation of maintenance, inspection and recording activities throughout the reserves will be carried out with the support of volunteers. Compliance with our agreements with Natural England will be undertaken together with the recording of all necessary activities and outcomes. Activities such as a picnic and butterfly walk will be pursued in order to encourage visitors to the reserves and thank volunteers for their support

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Graffham Down Trust CIO

Trustees’ Report

For the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

Public benefit

The work undertaken by the charity is in accordance with its charitable objectives and for the public benefit and the Trustees have had due regard for the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.

Financial Review

Investment policy

The Trustees manage the charity’s limited resources carefully placing sufficient funds with their bankers to meet anticipated ongoing expenditure and holding reserves with CCLA Investment Management Limited.

Reserves

The charity has no requirement to retain reserves to support specific on-going activities and seeks to ensure that it has sufficient on liquid resources to meet known liabilities.

Financial Review

The financial position of the charity is shown on the attached financial statements which comply with relevant requirements and the charity’s governing documents.

The Charity’s total funds at the year-end were £44,513 and the finances of the charity remain in a good state commensurate with its operations.

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The income for Graffham Down Trust is sourced from a combination of the Country Stewardship Scheme, Membership subscriptions from the charity supporters, a quiz night fund raiser/community engagement activity and oneoff grants for specific projects of work.

Graffham Down Trust is run by volunteers and as a result, all the spending is focused on conservation management activities including running costs to manage the land and capital investments to facilitate appropriate land management.

Income Details:

Spending details:

Structure, governance and management

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its constitution dated 24 May 2020 which is a ‘Foundation Model’.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.

Any expenses reclaimed from the charity are recorded in the accounts.

Organisational structure

The Trustees meet regularly during the year to discuss strategic direction and all other relevant matters including grant applications, operational plans and activities and financial accounts.

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The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the period and of its financial position at the end of the period and the Trustees comply with these requirements and the requirements for keeping proper accounting records and safeguarding the charity’s assets.

2026 and signed on their behalf by

James Kirke Chair of Trustees.

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Graffham Down Trust (Charity no. 1190268)

Section A - Receipts & Payments Account

Accounting Period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

Activity Based Analysis
Receipts
Gifts, donations and other
Friends Donations (Gift Aid)
voluntary receipts
Friends Donations (Non Gift Aid)
Other Donarions (Gift Aid)
Other Donations
Receipts from activities
Rural Payment Agency
Dividends and interest
CCLA - COIF Charities Deposit Fund interest
Other receipts
Tax recovery
Ticket sales
Other sales
A1
Sub Total - Gross Income
A2
Asset and investment sales
Receipts from sale of fixed assets
Total Receipts
A1 + A2
Payments
Payments directly for charitable
Reserve management maintenance
purposes
Vehicle running expenses
Machinery and equipment costs
Professional fees - livestock management
Payments for publicity, fund
Insurance premiums
raising, management & admin
Web hosting
Ticket reimbursement
Quiz related costs
Other expenses
Legal fees
A3
Sub Total
A4
Purchase of fixed assets
Equipment
Total Payments
A3 + A4
Net Receipts/(Payments)
(A1+A2) - (A3+A4)
Cash funds bought forward at 1 January 2025
Cash funds carried forward at 31 December 2025		 Unrestricted Funds
2025
£
970
40
-
1,746
8,700
705
728
1,267
-
14,156
-
14,156
2,255
708
3,000
1,361
432
-
432
474
-
8,662
1,613
10,275
3,881
40,632
44,513		 Unrestricted Funds
2024
£
940
170
1,000
110
8,700
805
225
1,106
692
13,748
-
13,748
481
860
4,035
1,361
18
-
1,443
502
2,472
11,172
464
11,636
2,112
38,520
40,632

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Graffham Down Trust (Charity no. 1190268)

Section B - Statement of Assets and Liabilities at period end

Accounting Period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025

B1
Cash Funds
Cash
Barclays Bank - Trust account
CCLA - COIF Charities Deposit Fund
Total Cash Funds
B2
Other Monetary Assets
Gift Aid tax recovery due
Total Monetary Assets
B3
Investment Assets
Total Investment Assets
B4
Assets retained for Charity's own use
Tractor and cutting equipment for maintaining reserves
(at Trustee's valuation based on indicated trade-in values)
Total Assets retained for Charity's own use
Total Assets
B5
Liabilities
Sheep grazing costs
Total Liabilities		 Unrestricted Funds
2025
-
27,307
17,206
44,513
243
243
-
17,828
17,828
62,584
-
-		 Unrestricted Funds
2024
-
24,131
16,501
40,632
486
486
-
16,215
16,215
57,333
-
-

Note: The Charity has no Restricted Income or Endowment Funds

These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis, under Section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 and in compliance with the related guidance of the Charity Commission.

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Graffham Down Trust (Charity no. 1190268) Independent Examiner's Report

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Graffham Down Trust

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of Graffham Down Trust for the year ended 31st December 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all 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:

I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Sarah Alexander FCCA FCA Lewis Brownlee (Chichester) Limited Chartered Accountants Appledram Barns Birdham Road Chichester West Sussex PO20 7EQ

29 June 2026

Date: .............................................

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