Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 01/07/2024 Period start date To 30/06/2025 Period end date Charity name: Rochdale Hope Chapel Heritage Centre
Charity registration number: 1199472
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | 1. The restoration, maintenance and preservation of the land and building known as Rochdale Hope Chapel for the benefit and use of the public. 2. The advancement of public education and interest in the historic and cultural significance of Rochdale Hope Chapel. |
| 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 |
Continued the restoration work commenced in 2023/2024 to bring the Hope Chapel building to a standard as befits a Grade II* listed building through using materials and craftsmen (paid and volunteers) who were conscientious in the work undertaken within and outside the building as well as the grounds. Held an Opening Event on Friday, 20 December 2024 which involved advertising and raising awareness of the Heritage Centre in the UK and Holland. Also invitations were extended to places of worship in the immediate and surrounding area to join with those gathered to view the building and understand the work of the Rochdale Hope Chapel Heritage Centre. Built on and strengthened the links established, in 2023/2024, with individuals and congregations worshipping in Holland who had expressed an interest in the work of the RHCHC by freely volunteering their time and donating monies to the Heritage Centre. After seeking legal help a Loan Agreement using the Charity Commission guidance within ss 124-126 of the Charities Act 2011 was entered into with an individual in |
| Holland. The process of ratifying the Loan Agreement was undertaken, on the advice of solicitors, by non-conflicted trustees in the best interests of the charity to relieve the debt/charge incurred by one of the founding trustees in acquiring the building prior to the establishment of the Charity. This is also helped ensure the ownership of the building the future generation. |
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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 | The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to ensure there is/has been public benefit accruing from establishing the Rochdale Hope Chapel Heritage Centre. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | Not applicable |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | Not applicable |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | During this period volunteers, both from the UK and Holland, assisted with the restoration work including helping with decorating, plaster, roof and window repairs, cleaning the property the maintenance of the outside areas. |
| 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 two main achievements of the Charity during this third reporting period has been firstly, continuing the works commenced in 2023/2024 as a result of obtaining listed building consent to restore restoring the Rochdale Hope Chapel (a Grade II* listed building) as part of the planned opening of the RHCHC in late 2024. The Heritage Centre as previously reported will be a record in testimony to the impact that nonconformists had on Rochdale and the surrounding area in the 19thand 20th centuries particularly in supporting those in poverty and being a voice for the poor and needy during this time. Secondly, holding an Opening Event on Friday, 20 December 2024 when 200 people from Holland and the UK held services of thanksgiving, in the afternoon and evening, to acknowledge the help given both of individuals but more importantly Almighty God in the restoration and commencing of the work of the Heritage Centre and the importance of “that ye may tell it to the generation following” Psalm 48:13. Those attending the event were able to see the work that had been undertaken and meet trustees and others together with sharing a meal at a local eatery. A collection was also taken to help further the work of the Charity. The Charity, wherever possible, continues to use local and regional suppliers in the restoration work and thereby contributing to the economy and the area. The Charity continues to collect artefacts relating to the purpose of the Heritage Centre that will be used in illustrating the work of those that had concern for the spiritual and physical well-being of those in Rochdale and surrounding areas during the 19thand 20thcentury together with highlighting its relevance today. As reported, under Objectives and Activities, the ownership of the Rochdale Hope Chapel building is now vested with the Charity. Thereby securing the building for future generation. |
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 | During the reporting period expenditure was in excess of income. Thankfully, the Charity had accumulated reserves to underpin the shortfall. A significant cost in the operating loss was, due to circumstances, bringing forward the start of work on sealing an external wall to prevent ingress of moisture. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | This was the third year of the Charity’s activity and the intention will be, as appropriate, to hold reserves to cover three months operating expenditure. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £4,922.35 (cash available) |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None identified at the present time. The trustees are confident that income will exceed expenditure in 2025/2026. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: Donations from individuals and other charities The charity’s principal sources of funds (including Para 1.47 any fundraising)
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Any surplus monies are held in the CAF Bank Gold Account |
|---|---|---|
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Ensuring sufficient numbers of trustees with an appropriate skills and experience base to further the work of the charity and its next development stages. |
| 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 | All trustees appointed every three years. New trustees identified and, after interview, formally invited by the trustees to serve on the Board of Trustees |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | The current trustees have been in post for two years and the rota for re-election commenced in June 2024. If and when new trustees are appointed, existing trustees will follow best practice and draw on the experience of one of the trustees in their involvement in recruiting and inducting new trustees to two other charities |
|---|---|---|
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | None at the present time |
|---|---|---|
| Other | No reportable serious incidents occurred during this reporting period |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Rochdale Hope Chapel Heritage Centre |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1199472 |
| Charity’s principal address | 7 High Firs Gardens, Halterworth, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 5QA |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roland Knight | Chairman | ||||||
| Michael Riley | |||||||
| Michael Ridout | Treasurer | ||||||
| Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name Not applicable |
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| Director name | |||||||
| Not applicable | |||||||
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | Dates acted if not for whole year | |
|---|---|---|
| Not applicable | ||
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Nil 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
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 Nil/Not applicable
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
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Signature(s)
Full names Roland Laurence Knight Michael David Ridout
Position Chairman Treasurer
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| Full names | Roland Laurence Knight |
Michael David Ridout |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Chairman | Treasurer |
| Date | April 22 2026 |
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Rochdale Hope Chapel Heritage Centre
Statement of financial activities 30/06/2025 30/06/2025
for the year ended 30 June 2025
Incoming Resources 2025 2025
Donations £13,635.43
Grants £10,467.00
Interest Bank A/Cs £73.33 £24,175.76
Resources Expended
Repairs and Renewals £16,044.44
Utilities £2,426.11
Bank Charges £60.00
Foreign Payment Charge £30.00
Website £260.85
Security Alarm System £1,252.24
Equipment £735.81
Administration £6,736.69
Opening Event £3,356.60 £30,902.74
Net Incoming/(Outgoing Resources for the Year) -£6,726.98
Fund Balance b/f £11,649.33
Fund Balance c/f £4,922.35
Represented by
Current Account £3,051.43
Deposit Account £1,870.92
£4,922.35
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Prepared and signed by: Michael David Ridout (Trustee/Treasurer)
Date: 21-April-2026
Countersigned by: Roland Laurence Knight (Trustee/Chairman)
Date: 22-April-2026
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Rochdale Hope Chapel Heritage Centre
Balance sheet (30 June 2025)
2025 2025
£ £
Fixed assets
RHCHC Building £50,000.00
Current assets
CAF Cash Account £3,051.43
CAF Gold Account £1,870.92 £54,922.35
-
Long Term Liability
Capital Loan £50,000.00 £50,000.00
Net Assets £4,922.35
Represented by
Accumulated Income and expenditure £4,922.35
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Prepared and signed by: Michael David Ridout (Trustee/Treasurer)
Date: 21-April-2026
Countersigned by: Roland Laurence Knight (Trustee/Chairman)
Date: 22-April-2026
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Indeptrndent Examiner's Rèport R•port to tho tru•t•M Rochdalo Hope Chapel Heritage Centre On accounts for th• y•ar •nded 30 Jun• 2025 Charlty no Ilf •ny} 119947 Set out on pag• One and h¥0 I reptsrt to the trust8ag on my examination of thè Accourrt of the abov• charity Iyhe Tru$l'l for the year ended 30 106 12025. R••pon•lbllltl•• and ba$1• of report A8 the ¢harity's Iru81e88, you ar¥ r¥8pon8ible for the prepgr8tion of the 8ccounts in accordan¢& with the requirements of th• Charitie8 Act 2011 I'th• AGI'I. I report in reS¢t of my examination of the Trust's accounls carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I hava folliwied all tho apICabl8 Direth'ons gwen by tha Charity Commi98ion under section 14515)Ibl of the Act. Indèpond•nt I have eompleled my examination. I confimi th81 no material matters have examln•r's statoment come to my attention in connection wrth the examination (other than that disdosed low.) which gives m8 cou$0 lo believè that in. 8ny matsrial rè5ped'. the accounting record8 re not kept in accofdance with 8èCtion 130 of tho Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the 4ccounb.ng record8', or the ac¢ounl8 did not comply wrth the applicable requirements conceming the form and eentent of a¢¢ounls sel out in the ChaTrties {Account8 and Reports) R¢gulation8 2008 other than any requirement that tha accounts give a Yrue and fair. view which 18 not a matter con8idergd 8$ part of an indeptrnd?nt examination. I have no con¢ems and have come no other m8tters in Gonnection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper under8tsnding of the a¢¢ounls to be reached. Slgned: D•t•: 2110412026 N*m•: Paul Gooper R•levant profvg•ional qualiflcatlon($} or body {It any).. ICAEW Addrèss: 49d Middleton Way, F6n Drayton. CB24 4SU IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs lo highlight material mallers of concern 18e8 CC32, Independent examination of th8rrty accounts.. directions and guidance for examinei81. Glve hero brl8f dfrtsll¥ of any Item8 that the •xamlner wlshe# to dl•clo••. IER Oct 2018