TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2023.
Aims and Objectives
To advance education, including increasing individual and collective knowledge and understanding of the history of Saddleworth, in particular, but not exclusively, by:
-
Documenting the history of Saddleworth,
-
Promoting an interest in the history of Saddleworth,
-
Facilitating research into the history of Saddleworth, and
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Maintaining a publicly accessible archive and library relating to the history of Saddleworth.
Membership.
Membership is growing and at the end of the year stood at 271; roughly half living outside of Saddleworth and 16 living overseas. Approximately 80 members have opted to join as digital members which helps to lower printing and postage costs.
Trustees. Name Date Appointed
| Trustees. Name |
Date Appoin |
|---|---|
| Michael Fox | 10.10.23 |
| Graham Griffiths | 11.10.23 |
| Kenneth Waddington | 10.10.23 |
| Robert McCracken | 10.10.23 |
| Michael Buckley | 24.08.22 |
| Mary Rodgers | 13.10.21 |
| Lesley Brown | 13.10.21 |
| Christine Barrow | 13.10.21 |
Lectures.
Monthly lectures have again proved popular and are well attended by both members for whom admission is free, and visitors who pay a fee of £3.00. The Society is grateful to all the speakers, some of whom travel long distances, and many refuse payments. Our Programme Secretary has arranged another interesting full itinerary for 2024.
In April we held a seminar to further the debate on the authenticity of the Tudor bed reputed to be the marriage bed of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. The bed had, apparently, once been in the possession of George Shaw of St. Chad’s, Uppermill and a heraldic shield, once part of the bed, still remains at St. Chad’s. Some speakers are
Saddleworth Historical Society Charity No. 1195706
convinced of the bed’s authenticity while others are strongly of the opinion that it is a George Shaw forgery. In depth scientific tests results were presented, some inconclusive. However, the verdict of the audience was that the bed was certainly Tudor, however proving its links to Henry VII would require further historical research.
Bulletin and Newsletter.
The quarterly Bulletin, now in its 53[rd] year, continues to be a mix of research articles and lighter subjects and is well received. Sadly, we have not been able to issue the quarterly Newsletter this year due to the indisposition of the two editors. We hope to change this situation at an early date.
Guided Walks.
As in recent years, Summer guided historical walks around various Saddleworth villages were arranged by two members and proved very popular
Projects
The Society continues its programme of documenting the monumental inscriptions in all the Saddleworth graveyards. In 2023 we worked along with members of St. Chad’s Church to uncover the nineteenth century graves in the Lower Graveyard. Approximately a quarter of the graves have been cleared and their inscriptions transcribed. Work is also well advanced on transcribing and indexing the MIs in the four Delph graveyards. Publications on these two projects are planned when work is completed.
Work continues on the colossal task of publishing the 370 Saddleworth Probate Records of the sixteenth and seventeenth century. Containing extensive notes on the individuals and places concerned, it is hoped it will form the ultimate work on early modern Saddleworth and its inhabitants.
Holly Bank.
The conversation of Holly Bank, the Society’s new base in Greenfield has been a major focus and continues steadily but slowly. Much of the work during 2023 was concerned with insulating the building and preparing the floor for underfloor heating. Parts of the building also needed re-roofing. The Society is grateful to the Saddleworth Hydro Scheme for the generous grant towards insulation costs. We continue to seek grant opportunities to further this refurbishing project.
As well as a base for the Society, it is hoped that the new premises will become a regional facility for family history research and the large garden and first floor room a community hub for Greenfield where other organisations can meet and hold events.
Website.
Enhancing our website continues, although the lack of a committee member to take on the role of webmaster limits progress. Book sales are almost exclusively through the website and an increasing number of members pay their membership subscription by this method.
Archives.
Saddleworth Historical Society Charity No. 1195706
Our archive is constantly receiving new donations. A particularly valuable gift this year has been the collection of the late Ken and Barbara Booth which contains a wealth of archaeological books and maps. Accessioning new material is slow due to the lack of an Archivist, however, a new member of the Committee, is helping with the archives and this is making a difference.
2023 has been challenging year, but despite difficulties the Trustees look forward to the future with optimism.
Saddleworth Historical Society Charity No. 1195706
Charity Name Saddleworth Historical Society
No (if any) 1195706
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period Period start Period To from date end date 31.12.2 1.1.2023 3
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 4,982.00 - 30,000.00 3,989.00 792.00 531.00 51.00 - 40,345.00 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - |
Endowmen t funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membership Subscriptions | 4,982.00 | - | - | 4,982.00 |
| Gift Aid yet to be claimed | - | - | - | - |
| Loans for Holly Bank | 30,000.00 | - | - | 30,000.00 |
| Grants and Donations for Holly Bank | 3,989.00 | - | - | 3,989.00 |
| Publication Sales | 792.00 | - | - | 792.00 |
| Proframme | 531.00 | - | - | 531.00 |
| Misc. Walks | 51.00 | - | - | 51.00 |
| Bank Interest | - | - | - | - |
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
40,345.00 |
- | - | 40,345.00 |
| A2 Asset and investment | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sales, (see table). | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | |||
| Total receipts | 40,345.00 | - | - | 40,345.00 | |||
| A3 Payments | |||||||
| Publication Costs | |||||||
| 1,876.00 | - | - | 1,876.00 | ||||
| Postge of Bulletins | |||||||
| 839.00 | - | - | 839.00 | ||||
| Saddleworth Museum Room Hire | |||||||
| 1,140.00 | - | - | 1,140.00 | ||||
| Society Memberships | |||||||
| 168.00 | - | - | 168.00 | ||||
| Administration | |||||||
| 185.00 | - | - | 185.00 | ||||
| Website | |||||||
| 64.00 | - | - | 64.00 | ||||
| Assets Bought (Grave Books) | |||||||
| 1,176.00 | - | - | 1,176.00 | ||||
| Holly Bank Bildg & Assoc Works to | |||||||
| 31.12.2023 | 23,573.00 | - | - | 23,573.00 | |||
| Programme | |||||||
| 409.00 | - | - | 409.00 | ||||
| Sub total | |||||||
| 29,430.00 | - | - | 29,430.00 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment | |||||||
| purchases, (see table) | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
| Sub total | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
| Total payments | 29,430.00 | - | 29,430.00 |
| - | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 10,915.00 | - | - | 10,915.00 | ||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | ||||||||
| - | **- ** | - | - | |||||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||
| Cash funds this year end | 10,915.00 | - | - | 10,915.00 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories monetary assets |
Details Charity Name Saddleworth Historical Society Receipts and payments accounts Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricte d funds to nearest £ No (if any) - Agreement Error Unrestricte d funds to nearest £ - - - - - - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Restricted funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| - | - |
B2 Other monetary assets
Charity Name Saddleworth Historical Society
No (if any) 1195706
Receipts and payments accounts
For the period Period start Period To from date end date 31.12.2 1.1.2023 3
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 4,982.00 - 30,000.00 3,989.00 792.00 531.00 51.00 - 40,345.00 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - |
Endowmen t funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membership Subscriptions | 4,982.00 | - | - | 4,982.00 |
| Gift Aid yet to be claimed | - | - | - | - |
| Loans for Holly Bank | 30,000.00 | - | - | 30,000.00 |
| Grants and Donations for Holly Bank | 3,989.00 | - | - | 3,989.00 |
| Publication Sales | 792.00 | - | - | 792.00 |
| Proframme | 531.00 | - | - | 531.00 |
| Misc. Walks | 51.00 | - | - | 51.00 |
| Bank Interest | - | - | - | - |
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
40,345.00 |
- | - | 40,345.00 |
| A2 Asset and investment | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sales, (see table). | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| - | - | ||||||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | |||
| Total receipts | 40,345.00 | - | - | 40,345.00 | |||
| A3 Payments | |||||||
| Publication Costs | |||||||
| 1,876.00 | - | - | 1,876.00 | ||||
| Postge of Bulletins | |||||||
| 839.00 | - | - | 839.00 | ||||
| Saddleworth Museum Room Hire | |||||||
| 1,140.00 | - | - | 1,140.00 | ||||
| Society Memberships | |||||||
| 168.00 | - | - | 168.00 | ||||
| Administration | |||||||
| 185.00 | - | - | 185.00 | ||||
| Website | |||||||
| 64.00 | - | - | 64.00 | ||||
| Assets Bought (Grave Books) | |||||||
| 1,176.00 | - | - | 1,176.00 | ||||
| Holly Bank Bildg & Assoc Works to | |||||||
| 31.12.2023 | 23,573.00 | - | - | 23,573.00 | |||
| Programme | |||||||
| 409.00 | - | - | 409.00 | ||||
| Sub total | |||||||
| 29,430.00 | - | - | 29,430.00 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment | |||||||
| purchases, (see table) | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
| Sub total | |||||||
| - | - | - | - | ||||
| Total payments | 29,430.00 | - | 29,430.00 |
| - | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net of receipts/(payments) | 10,915.00 | - | - | 10,915.00 | ||||
| A5 Transfers between funds | ||||||||
| - | **- ** | - | - | |||||
| A6 Cash funds last year end | ||||||||
| - | - | - | - | |||||
| Cash funds this year end | 10,915.00 | - | - | 10,915.00 |
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories monetary assets |
Details Charity Name Saddleworth Historical Society Receipts and payments accounts Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricte d funds to nearest £ No (if any) - Agreement Error Unrestricte d funds to nearest £ - - - - - - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Restricted funds to nearest £ |
|||
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| - | - | ||
| - | - |
B2 Other monetary assets