Report and Financial Statements Year ended 31 March 2025
FRIENDS OF COVERHAM CHURCH CHARITY NO. 1197585
HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, COVERHAM LANE, LEYBURN, DL8 4RN, UNITED KINGDOM www.coverhamchurch.com enquiries@coverhamchurch.com
Legal and administrative information:
Trustees:
Colin S Bailey Harriet Corner Jo Harrison-Topham Linda Dent
Independent Examiner
Frank Fletcher FCA
Bankers:
Barclays Bank, High Row, Darlington
Charity Trustees Annual Report for the Financial Year ended 31 March 2025
Status:
Friends of Coverham Church was registered as a charity for tax purposes in line with Paragraph 1 of Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and status took effect from 19 January 2022. For tax purposes, Friends of Coverham Church is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) under the number 1197585.
Mr Colin Bailey is the charity’s authorised official.
As of 19 January 2022, under the charity registration number assets of £500 plus £16,690.91cash at bank were the opening balance for the CIO.
Objectives:
For the benefit of the public, to conserve, preserve, repair, and improve the fabric, fittings, furnishings of the historic Holy Trinity Church and churchyard at Coverham, in Coverdale (near Middleham), North Yorkshire, UK.
Reserves Policy:
The revenue reserves, shown as funds on the balance sheet, consist mainly of cash held at bank. These are equivalent to expenditure for more than a full year and are therefore considered to be more than satisfactory.
Risk management:
The charity trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, particularly those relating to its operations and finances, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate the exposure to those risks.
Independent Examiner
Mr Frank Fletcher FCA
Report to Friends of Coverham Church:
The website launched in 2023 has enabled FCC to reach a wider audience and keep in touch with the community. News, services, events, and stories can be shared via the Journals that are being produced on a regular basis.
Made possible by kind donations and support, completed projects include installation of the benches for the church yard, which include a circular bench for around the oak sapling. These were handmade by Tom’s Yard in Herefordshire and were chosen for their maintenance-free and timeless quality. In addition, a locally made noticeboard has been installed.
Rubble has been removed near boundary walls and a sedum carpet laid in areas inaccessible to the mower.
A new mower and strimmer have been purchased and the groundsman has done a great job keeping the grass and paths in such good order.
Ongoing works include tree maintenance, rebuilding walls, replacing top stones where required.
Between April 2024 and March 2025 some amazing events have been held at Coverham Church.
The Wild Coverdale Flower Festival on 31[st] May & 1[st] June, these two days had such amazing support. Locally grown seasonal flowers and foliage created a superb backdrop for the Friday night performance. FCC have been made Ambassadors of Sustainable Church Flowers and the ambition for a more sustainable approach is rolling out across the diocese. This event was generously sponsored by Sustainable Opps and 350 PPM.
Katherine Tickell and her Northumberland band gave a unique performance at the start of her World Tour. A very evocative film can be viewed on the website.
On 5[th] September ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ production was held at the Church by ‘This is My Theatre’ performers. Many friends of the Church came along to watch and enjoyed a glass of rose wine as well as strawberries and cream canapes.
The Advent Concert by the Jervaulx Singers at the end of November was a super evening, many thanks to local solicitors Scotts Wright and Tennants Auctioneers of Leyburn for the very generous sponsorship towards this fabulous night.
The Candlelit Carol Service was held on 22[nd] December, this now annual local event becoming a wonderful way to start the Christmas week with the Church decorated with seasonal foraged foliage and berries.
Over the course of the year, various funerals have taken place, supported by members of Friends of Coverham Church. The United Trinity Sunday service is always a wonderful gathering of the community in June.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner:
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts, with the independent examiner reviewing these on an annual basis.
Independent Examiner’s Report:
My examination was carried out in accordance with the directions from the Friends of Coverham Church trustees, this includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, seeking explanations from the trustees.
The Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet for the Year Ended 31 March 2025
| Receipts | March 2025 | March 2024 | March 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance brought forward | £9,958.99 | £16,073.32 | £17,940.91 | |
| Donations toBank | £1070.00 | £1070.00 | £2205.00 | |
| Sponsorship /Flower Festival | £5810.15 | £2000.00 | ||
| GiftAidTax recovered | £291.95 | £763.73 | ||
| SundryDonations | £4237.77 | £2570.00 | £200.00 | |
| Clay ShootDonation | £675.00 | £475.00 | ||
| PayPal receipts | £772.01 | £1160.00 | £0.01 | |
| TheatreProduction | £595.55 | |||
| TOTAL Receipts | £13,452.43 | £8,038.73 | £2,405.01 | |
| Payments | ||||
| VariousTreeWorks | £1488.00 | |||
| Fencing and Gates | £3424.39 | |||
| Bench Tree Seat and Stonework | £3586.00 | |||
| Joinery / General Works | £1749.60 | £3537.20 | ||
| Grass Cutting /New Mower | £1221.13 | £2181.00 | ||
| Web-siteDesign/Artwork | £1185.60 | £1169.40 | £2784.00 | |
| Church Insurance | £319.55 | £255.07 | ||
| Event Costs | £7933.60 | |||
| Equipment / Service Organ | £654.78 | |||
| TOTAL Payments | £13,064.26 | £14,153.06 | £4,272.00 | |
| Cash in hand | £83.57 | |||
| TOTAL Year End Funds | £10,263.57 | £9,958.99 | £16,073.32 | |
No other monetary assets, investment assets, assets retained for the charity’s own use, or liabilities.
Declaration:
The Statement of Financial Activities for the year and the Balance Sheet as at: 31 March 2025 are as approved by the Trustees.
Signature:
Date: 24[th] June 2025
C S Bailey
C S Bailey, Authorised Official / Trustee