Berkshire Family History Society CIO
BERKSHIRE
Registered Charity Number 1204390
Trustees. Annual Report
for the 12 months to 30 April 2024
Reference and admlnlstratlve details of the charity, its Trustees and advisors
The Society was established in 1975 as Berkshire Family History Society. In Aiigllst 2023 It became a
Charitable Incorporated O￿anisatiOn. Its new charity registration number is 004390, previously being
charity niimber 283010.
Its address is The Centre for Heritage and Family History, 2MI Floor Reading Central Library, Reading,
Berkshire, RGI 3BQ
4￿liV HISTORY sobil
Trustees {and Executive Committee members) in the year ending 30 April 2024
Trustee$ at 30 April 2024
Name
Date of appointment
(if during the year)
Role
Catherine Sampson
Nick Prince
Chairman
Viee-chairman
Martin Pilkington
Variessa Chappell
Sandra Barkwith
Treasurer
Secretary
Bracknell and Wokingham Branch
Compiiter (Woodley) branch
Newbiiry Branch
Reading Branch
Vale of the White Horse
(Abingdon) Braneh
Windsor, Slough and Maidenhead
Branch
Gillian Stevens
Nick Prince
Vieki Chesterman
Dave Purling
7,June 2023
Leigh Dworkin
.lohn Diinne
Andrew Rice
Paiil Barrett
Alison Pedley
7June 2023
Other Trustees during the 12 months to 30 April 2024
David Wooldridge
Tony Henty
Malcolm Gray
Trustees receive no remuneration for their work on behalf of the Society.
section continues on nextpage
Page l of 12
Berkshire Family Historysoaely
CharityCotDmissionTrLLsLeeAnnu*l Report￿BrendIng 30.4pril 2ts24

Professional Advisors in the year ending 30 April 2024
JA)iiisa James, 38 Raymond Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 6DF
CAF Bank, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent, MEI9 4JQ
Sh2wbrix)k Bank Ltd, Lutea House, Warley Hill Business Park, The DrÉve, Great Warley. Brentwood.
Essex, cm￿ 3BE
PIB Insuranee Brokers, Southgate House, Southgate Street, Cloucester, GLI IUB
Blandy & Blandy LLP, One Friar Street, Reading. RGI IDA
Structurei governance and management
Originally established in 1975 as Berkshire Family History Society, Berkshire Family History Society CIO
is registered wtth the Charity Commission (Registered Charity Number 1204390) as a Charitable
Incorporated Organisation.
The Society's eonstitiition was written in 2023 to reflect the change to a CIO. This new constitiition was
adopted in.Tiine 2023 by the membership. Triistees will keep the constitiition linder active review and
are satisfied that it remains fiilly consistent with contemporary requirements and that it properly guides
what the charity does and how it operates.
An Executive Committee, comprising no more than 15 Society members, manages the Soeiews affairs.
There are foiir designated officer posts - chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer. These
officers and the addttion21 Trustees form the SoCiet￿s Executive Committee.
Society members elect the officers and otheT Trustees at the Annual General Meeting. Each Trustee
seTves a term of one year and, if eligible, retiring Trusiees may be re-elected for a further year. No
Trustee may serve more than five consecutive terms without then taking a break from office.
The combination of direct election and set lirnits to length of Trustee seThice safeguards continuity and
integrity of Society management. It also serves to re-energise it, introducing a small number of new
TrLJStees into the management group each year.
In the year ending 30 April 2024, the Executive Committee met on ten occasions, including a special
meeting to approve fiill year accounts before the Annual General Meeting, two strategy meetings and
once to discuss the Society's relocation.
The Society constitution permits the Executive Cornmittee to delegate certain funrtions to
sub-committees. In every case, such sub-committees contain at least one Twstee in their permanent
membership together with other Society members. A]1 sub-committees are responsible to the Execiitive
Committee and report to it regularly on their activities and discussions. They also have clearly defined
Terms of Reference which are regularly reviewed.
section continues on nextpage
Page 2 of 12
Berkshire Family History Society
Ch8rityQ)mmissioDTru5te¢Annual ReportTrEarending,'iJ April 2U24

Structurer governance and management (continued)
Projects and Publications Sllb-committee (PPC)
Projert work represents a major part of the Society's charitable activity. The purpose of this committee is
to manage and direct the Society's project workto agreed standards. Keytasks of the PPC include setting
project priorities and overseeing the indexing and transcribing of original Berkshire reeords, the
checking of those indexes and transcriptions against original reeords and bringing project outputs to
timely publication in an appropriate form for the benefit of members and the wider public.
Research Zone Sub-committee (RZC)
The Society's premises at The Centre for Herttage and Family History in Reading Central Library,
provides Berkshire's foremost facility for family history research. The Centre provides a wide range of
online and traditional resources that are regularly used by Members of the public and Society members
and it also serves as an educational facility.
The Research Zone Committee is responsible for ensiiring the efficient day-to-day operation of the
services and facilities of the Centre to ensiire that the needs and expectations of present-day family
historians are recognised and satisfied effectively.
Education and Events Sub-committee
This group focuses on the organisation and delivery of events that promote understanding of social. local
and family history through regular series of talks, walks, workshops and coiirses. This group also
arranges for Berkshire Family History Society to be represented at fairs and open days. The groiip
reports its activities and plans to the Executive Comrnittee.
Marketing and Communications Sub￿0Mmittee (incorporating the Webslte Team)
This groiip oversees the design and fiinctionality of the Society's signage and promotional material. The
8roiip feeds back to the Exeeiitive Committee regularly. The Website Team, originally raised to create the
Sociews new website and one for its shop (run by its siibsidiary- Berkshire Family History Enterprises),
now continues to develop the websites and within its part of the Marketing and Communications Group,
Continues to produce regular email newsletters to members.
IT Working Group
This groiip manages the rr purchases and infrastrurtiire for the Society including AV, telephony and
connectivsty into The Centre, with the exception of the website, which is managed by the Marketing and
Communications Group (above). identify, test and cost the irnplementation ofthird party software. and
manage the Societ￿$ email delivery systems. The Group will develop policies, practices and procedures
and how-to-guides relative to the Society IT equipment, including security of data. The Groiip reports its
aetivities and findings to the Executive Committee.
Branches and Branch Sub-committees
The constitution empowers the Executive Committee to set up Branches to further the objectives of the
Society. The Society has six local branehes that are active across the historic Royal County of Berkshire.
Branch Committees - nominated and elected by local members at their respective annual meetinss -
run these branches and report to the Executive Committee on their activities. From their Branch
Committee me.mbers, each braneh proposes a representative for elertion at the Society AGM to serve as a
Society Triistee and to represent that branch on the Executive Committee for the next year. Eaeh Branch
Committee thus contains at least one Trustee member.
section continues on n￿tpage
Page 3 of 12
Berkshire Family History Soaety
CharityCommissionTrusteeAnnual Report yearending3O April 2024

Structurei governance and management (continued)
Policies Pdnd Procedures Sllb-eommittee
This groiip is tasked with e.nsiiring that all Olir policies and procedures are rigoroiis and current. They
look at the formation of new policies or procedure5 should they be necessary to the effertive and lamrful
work of the Society. The Group meets at least 5 times a year and reports directly to the Executive
Committee.
Day-to-day aCtI￿ties, such as staffing The Centre for Heritage and Family History, assisting researchers,
and indexing and transeribing of records
to give three examples - are all undertaken by volunteers,
none of whom reeeive remuneration foi theirwork. There are no employees or paid staff.
Like many voluntary OTganisations, the Society flnds increasing difficiilty in attracting and retaining a
siifficiently large eore of committed helpers to ensure that it continues to fiinetion effectively and, more
importantlyj to tackle the miiltiple challenges of today's operating enyironment. The Soeiety> its
membership and the wider piiblie are all indebted to that small groiip of volunteers th2t eontinues to
take responsibility for a disproportionate number of the tasks that the Society has to address if it is to
remain a meaningful and Sliceessful organisation.
Since the beginning of 2016, the Societys quarterly magazine has been produced by an editorial panel.
BFHE is a trading company wholly owned by the Society and registered with Companies House, Number
04733795. In the year to 31 March 2024, its directors were- Chad Hanna (Chairman), Ivan Diek250n
(Managing Director), Tony Roberts, Catherine Sampson and Paul Barrett. The company pays the Society
for it5 PTOPOrtionate use of Society premises and facilities, retails prodiicts purchased from the Society
and other bodies, and donates any siirpliis profit generated to the Society. In the year ending 31 March
20¥, BFHE again traded siiccessfiilly, with unwavering support throughout the year frorn a small and
dedicated operating tearn.
Financial and other major risks to which the Society and its operations coiild be exposed are siibject to
regular and ongoing assessment. Established procedures are in place to manage those risks and these are
kept under active reTriew.
During the year linder review the Trustees have eontinued to monitor the handling and storage of
personal inforrnation (UK General Data Protection Regiilation 2021). This led to a review of our
procedures and updatins of our current policies regarding Data Protection.
In addition to this we took the opportunity to review all our policies regarding health and safety, and risk
assessed our premises to ensure a safe environment for our volunteers and visitors.
The Tnistees give full and carefiil consideration to their obligations under the Charities Aet, 2011
(cDnsolidating earlier legislation) and the Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016, to
report on publie benefit, and to do so in accordance with ciirrent Charity Commission guidance.
The principal benefits provided by Berkshire Family History Soeiety fall within two primary descriptions
contained in Section 3 of the Charities Art, 2011.
+ advancement of ediication - in the fields of genealo&v and fatnily history. and
dvancement of the arts, Culture, heritage or science - and particularly the advancement of related
heritage issiies
section continues on nextpage
Page 4 of 12
Berkshire Family Hiskory thoety
CharityCo]n]nlssionTr￿IeeAnnUa7 R¢portyearendin830.4pril 2024

Structurei governance and management (continued)
Its activities also contribute to improvement of the historie environment and to heritage conservation.
The Society's first objective (see below) addresses piiblic ediication. Family history research remains one
of the most POPLilar interests for people of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. Many who set out to
research their family's aneestry do not always have the iinderstanding, research expertise, perspectives
and skills that are needed to eondurt researeh effertively. The skill set and experience required to find
and to prove family links and connections are not easily aequired withoiit ready access to traditional and
online resources, and to informed help, support and advice - all of which Berkshire Family History
Society is well positioned and able to offeT.
The Society's second objective addresses Pllblie benefit directly, for present and futUTe generations. That
benefit derives from all that the Society does to help and to support the preservation, care and
responsible use of the archival heritage of the historic Royal Coiinty of Berkshire.
This report illustrates how the Society has delivered public benefit in the past year.
* benefits are readily available to all members of the public
in Berkshire and further afield
+ benefits are easy to access for many- at The Centre for Heritage and Family History, centrally
located in Reading
benefits are delivered actively to local Berkshire communities, through an extensive programme of
branch meetings, events at The Centre for Heritage and Family History and outreach events
benefits are Tnade available, wherever practicable, free of charge at the point of deliverf
. Where the Society has paid to subscribe to key products and se￿iCeS from outside organisations,
a iiser fee rnay be payable. Siich fees are nominal and make OT)ly a modest contribution towards
offsetting the costs inciirred in providing the service,
Central and loeal government funding continues to fall for loeal and national archive 5ervic.es, librnries
(including local stiidies), heritage events and continuing adiilt edueation. The Trustees seek to ensiire
that, whenever practicable. services proTrided by the Society take due account of the ramifieations of local
changes in levels of public funding and siipport. The Society seeks to deliver serviees of good valiie to all
family historians - wherever their research interests may lay, whatever the extent of their research
experienee and whether or not they are Society members.
Throughout the past year we have continued to nln face-to-f2ee activities, as well as maintaining, and
even expanding, our online activities for the publie benefit. This has enabled lis to continue to attract a
new audience from all over the UK and overseas. as well as re-engaging with previous audiences who
were not able to access online offerings.
Objectives and Actlvltles
The objectives of the Society are:
To advance education of the public in research into family history and
genealogy? primarily but not exdusively within the boundaries of the pre-1974
Royal County of Berkshire.
and
To workto promote the preservation, transcription, indexing and ready public
accessibility of related reeords and infornlation.
section continues on n￿tpage
Page 5 of 12
Berk5bire Famdy History SoLMety
Chdjity Q)mrnissioD TrusteeAnnual Report yearendin8.30.Ipril 2()24

Objectives and Activities (continued)
vities: Public benefit
This section siimmarises where the Societys efforts have been directed in the year linder review:
+ managing The Centre for Heritage and Family History in Reading to ensure that Berkshire's
foremost facility for family history research remains compliant with any prevailing guidance
regarding public health issues
facilitating the continuation of one oiit of three of our paid for family history website
subscriptions to be avai12ble to members from their homes, outside of oiir Centre for Heritage
Family History opening hours, enabling personal family history research on a local, national and
international scale
benefits are made available, wherever praeticable, free of charge at the point of delive
* organising meetings each month either online or face-to-face, covering our six branches in the
historic county of Berkshire
at Abingdon, Bracknell, Newbury. Reading, Windsor and
Computer - open to all
monthly evening inforrnal sessions online to dIs￿ISS and enlighten on particular topics
* holding online and face-to-face advice sessions (all free-of-charge events)
+ supporting community organised events, includins Heritage Open Days
+ giving talks and presentations on family history research to eommunity organisations
+ producing and publishing a 44-page quality quarterly journal - Berkshire Family Historian
+ publishing a bi-weekly email newsletter for our members and on alternate weeks a bi-weekly
events newsletter for members and non-rnembers
* maintaining an online forum, to host a valuable interehange of questions, answers, news and
ideas for Society members worldwide
continuing activtties in an online format as well as running face-to-face events, thus maintaining
the accessibility to those living at a distance from Berkshire.
+ providing, maintaining and pro-artively developing a website berl-.sfh.
. This was eonstantly
linder review to ensure that it was lip to d2te, made fiill Iise of the latest technology and provided a
pleasant and easy user experience. It offers substantial free content on general research principles,
research in Berkshire, and on Society activities
+ utilising social media (Twitter and Faeelx)ok) to reach family and local historians
+ maintaining the Berkshire pages of GENUKI (UK and Ireland Genealo&v) a virtual reference
library for Berkshire local and family history research interests
+ providing online workshops, coiirses, talks, and special interest groups designed to increase
knowledge of farnily, local 2nd social history
section continues on nutpage
Page 6 of 12
P£rksbire Family History Sooety
Charity￿]￿￿7￿0nTrU¥lee Annual Reportyearending 30..IpTiI 2024

Objectives and Activities (continued)
+ answering questions and providing one-to-one online and in-person advice session, as well as via
telephone or email or on social media
This section summarises where the Society's efforts have been directed in the year under review:
indexing and transcribing of original records, including parish register data and historic newspaper
articles, for publieation in CD format, downloaded PDF, and online. this greatly reduces the need
for freqiient or direct acces5 to fragile original documents, and enables wider and improved access
to such records
recording, photographing and mapping memorial inscriptions, incliidin8 war memorials, aeross
the county, and PLiblishing this information so as to preserve details for future generations; this is
important as many monuments and inscriptions are unlikelyto Survive due to headstones being
moved, eroded by weather and pollution, or vandalised
+ securing online publication of the Society's transcriptions on fmdmypast (previously DC
Thomson Family History) website, with support from the Royal Berkshire Archives (forrnerly
Berkshire Record Office)
* maintaining The Centre for Heritage and Family History, run by Society members, where visitors
may access worldwide online resourees, CD datasets, microfilm records, and a library of printed
material
• providing a general source of advice on family history matters to all
representing family history and genealogical interests on local bodies, including the Standing
Conference on Arehives for Berkshire
+ through a wholly owned subsidiary organisation an online shop is provided retailing Society
publications and specialist items from other sources
maintaining and continiially improving a digital service (Yourffrees) for our members to upload
their family trees for vtewing by other members
providing free replacement baptism registers to Berkshire's smaller churches, in conjunction with
the Royal Berkshire Archives Iformerly Berkshire Record Office), to enable them to deposit thelr
longstanding, biit not yet fiill, registers for safekeeping with the Royal Berkshire Archives
+ donating funds to the Royal Berkshire Archives for replacement computers within their search
r(>om
Achievements in the year ending 30 April 2024
The achievements of the Society diiring the p2St year are set oiit below:
retaining our Society President, who has immense standing within the Berkshire, and national,
commiinity
+ retaining 1,067 paid Society memberships (single, family and overseas), representing about 1,250
family historians (a continued robust achievement in a challenging operating climate). This is a
slight decrease on the previous yearfs figures
+ organising and running 50 brarAch meetings online and face-to-face with over 1050 recorded
attendees (of which a total of just over 5% were not Society members). This is down aroiind 350 on
last year's figures. There was a noticeable reduction in face-to-face branch attendances with a
section continuas on nextpage
Page 7 of 12
Berkshire Famity Hi5torySoaety
Charity Commission TrusteeAnnual Reportyear ending Ji).4pril 2a24

Achlevements in the year ending 30 April 2024 (continued)
continued hesitancy of people to rejoin group meetings, with online meetings being better attended
+ running braneh and other face-to-face meeting5 alongside a range of online activities that also have
the effect of widening participation to include the whole of the UK and abroad
+ continuing bi-anniial Combined Branches Meetings where we can access more renowned speakers,
and attract miieh larger audiences over wo attendees for the year in review
+ continuiDg the recording of branch meetings, subject to agreernent by the speaker, for access by
our members on our website, so that those who Could not attend can still access the meeting
content
+ recording of family history courses for access by all on our website
+ recording video toiirs for access by our members on our website
creating and delivering a programme of events held online and face-to-faee, inclliding 25 social
history talks, 12 family, social and local history workshops, 2 family, social and loeal history
courses, 14 guided tours and walks, 2 tours of the Centre for Heritage aTtd Family History, 22
advice sessions li natter groiips and a day school
continuing face-to-face advice sessions at The Centre for Heritage and Farnily History
+ maintaining a DNA inteTest group by a nationally noted expert and author in this field thal met
on 4 occasions online
+ delivering another County Heritage Fair (the second ever), a joint online venture with BerkshiTe
iA)cal History Association. with 30 'Stallholders' and, again, attracting over 200 attendees
+ supporting lo￿1 family history societies by attending i virtual fair that they organised
+ supporting popular Heritage Open Day events in September 2023 over 3 days welcoming visitors
to The Centre for Heritsge and Family History and running a talk especially for the event
* giving talks and presentations
+ maintaining members discounts on Society products and events
* iMpro￿n8 services and f2eilities for researchers at The Centre for Heritage and Family History in
Reading with regular maintenance and upgrade of the available computers
• opening The Centre for Heritage and Family History, with regular reviewing of safety Procedures
and our opening hours, and extending our openins hours when possible
+ cataloguing of our reference librdry and launching the catalogue online to aid visitors to The Centre
for Heritage and Family History
reviewing ar]d updating point of sale processes to irnprove our customer experience
+ welcoming 442 people into The Centre for Heritage and Family History (over 60 more than in the
previous year), of which 38°A were non-members
+ attracting ￿75 members and visitors during the year to attend online and face-to-face events (of
which nearly 30°A were not Society members)(figures incliide ￿sItOrS from Canada, America,
Eiirope, Australia and all over the UK). The attendance figure is slightly down on last year, but the
proportion of non-members has increased
section continues on nextpage
Page 8 of 12
Berkshire Family HistorySo¢iety
a)arityCommissionTrustreAnnual R¢porL ￿aren01￿% Ju April 2024

Achievements in the year ending 30 April 2024 (continued)
+ welcoming 71 people to our library drop-in adviee sessions, family history siirgery sessions and
other events arranged and nin by Society members across historic and modern Berkshire - at
Bracknell, Wokingham, Newbiiry, Faringdon and Reading. This is an inerease on the number who
attended the previous year. We were able to hold 33 sessions. Of the 71 people who attended, ifA
were non-members
continuing online publication on findmypast of more Berkshire parish re8i5ters transcribed by
Society voliinteers aDd widening public aecess to them
+ Tetaining a discount to findmypast foT our members
continiiing refinement of the Society website, with upgraded website seciirity, the addition of new
web pages and a number of datasets aTJd data extracts
expanding our electronic journal exchange with other family history societies
+ internal reviewing of our Code of Conduet, Offiee Risk Assessment, Privary and Data Protection
Policies, and an independent external review of oiir Health and Safety Policy, to ensure currency
and Compliance
attracting a healthy number of posts from members on the online Members Forum
strengthening the Society presence on Twitter (@BerkshireFHS) and branch presence on
Facebook a5 a means of extending communication with Society stakeholders
supporting a Society voliLnteer in maintaining the Berkshire pages of GENUKt - the searchable
virtual reference library for the UK and Ireland- where Berkshire pages, including Towns and
Villages and the Berkshire Church database, are now essentially'complete.
indexing and transcribing additional Berkshire records, including parish registers and
monllmental inscriptions and progressing them for fiiture CD and online publication
+ preparation for and release of a further 108 piirchasable data downloads covering marriages and
banns across the coiinty
* continiiing work on the prodiiction of 3 new CD covering Winkfield Parish Registers, also CDS on
Bray Parish Reg￿ters, Tilehurst Stmichaels Memorial Inscriptions, Windsor Memorial
Inscriptions, and Berkshire BaptiSTns (4 and è eds)
+ creating a Berkshire Name Index accessible our website
<• preparation of more burial data downloads
+ ongoing work on a further batch of parish register transcription5 and burial ground monumental
inscTlPtions recording, and also on recording war memorials in the county
+ publishing in print and online four issues of the Berkshire Family Historian each with 44 A4 pages.
with copies sent to all tnembers and mailed, by request. to libraries and other organisations
+ promoting the involvement and development of young people through the engagement of 2 college
student as videographer for the Society, and continued engagement of 2 Student graphic designer
maintaining healthy accounts in Itght of economic uncertainty and rising costs
•> continuing a regular fortnightly email newsletter to members and non-members with advice on
family history matters and links to related events and publieations, as well as continuing to
produce a fortnightly events email newsletter
section continues on next page
Page 9 of 12
Berkslire Family HistoryS(xiety
CharilyCotnmi55ionTrw4tee Annual Reportirar endin830.4pril 2024

Achievements in the year ending 30 April 2024 (continued)
+ providing complimentary back-copie5 of the SoCiet￿s journal to visitors to The Centre for Heritage
and Farnily History and the Berkshire record Office
+ donating new computers to the Royal Berkshire Archives for use by visitors in their readtng room
This short summary reveals the scale of the collective investment of knowledge, skills and time that
volunteers make to the work of the Berkshire Family History Society. Their support is vital for the
Soeiety to continue to deliver public benefits
not just in Reading and across Berkshire but nationally
and internationally.
The Trustees woiild like to record their recognition and appreciation of the contribution made by those
volunteers and of the level of support they bring to the Society, its produets and services.
Flnanclal review
min
Total Society income in theyearto 30 April 2024 was £41,6￿ (LY£45,124).
Our overall tot21 ineome decreased from the 202212023 figiire, this change is attributable to a decrease
in the income from donations.
Gift Aid income did not come through in the year in qiiestion. The donation of £2,680 from Berkshire
Farnily History Enterprises is £1,620 down on that in the year 202212023. Interest in print publieations
has continued to show a slight downtiJrn dliring the yeaT.
Royalty income from online publication of Society transcriptions has remained steady.
Income from events has increased slightly by nearly 4%.
Overall, Society income was less than the operating costs of É54,779 (LY £41,157) to generate a loss of
£￿,164 (LY £3,9671. This is primarily due to spending on iipgrading oiir IT eqiiipment and an increase
in the cost of subscription packages for use within The Centre for Heritage and Family History. Since the
last report we have continued to be settled in our new premises at The Centre for Heritage and Family
History, within Reading town centre. Unfortiinately, we are aware that we will need to move premises
within the next year.
The objectives remain to cover all foTecast management, administrative and support costs incurred by
the Society and to replace or upgrade Society assets when indicated.
It is Society policy to maintain a generdl reserve that is at least equivalent to a minimum of twelve
months, unrestricted ftjnd expenditure at prevailing levels.
In addition, the Society Seeks to generate sufficient income to enable siipport to be given to deserving
local archiY21 initiatives and projects at the Trustees. discretion and to allow for siipport of specific
educational projects.
The Trustees consider this to be the proper level at which to preserve the Society's financial integrity.
Tnistees actively revtew all elements of the Society's cumulative financial performance, including
expenditure against annually agreed pre-approval limits, on a bi-monthly basis.
section continues on nextpage
Page 10 of 12
Berkshire FatDily History Soiiety
CharityCommiSsionTr￿t¢eknllUa] Report vear ending30 April 2024

Financial review (continued)
The Trustees appreciate the Current reserves are maintained at 29 months expenditure. Now that we
have physically and financially settled into our new prernises, The Centre for Heritage and Family
History, the Trustees are looking to give support to archival projects and will look to reduee reserves
while retaining a prudent level of retained reserves. Trustees are also m3ndful that in the near future
significant capital may be needed to secure new prernises.
Lookin
forward
As the UK economy eontinues to suffer in uncertain times, the Trustees recognise the seale of the
challenge to maintain or, better still, to increase income from rnembership fees, donations, and the
provision of educational events available to all.
The Trustees appreciate that family history research is not an inexpensive pastime. They accept that the
Society must invest more in effective, wider-reaching piiblic and member proTnotion to create and raise
awareness of its services. The Society has also to work to counter a mistaken belief among many
researchers that online publishers now offer all that they need for successful research.
The skill mix reqiiired by family history societies from their volunteers is widening steadily, particularly
in applications of information technology in the research process itself and ir) the Societgs management.
Where siieh skills cannot be foiind readily frorn within the Society's voliinteer grollp, the Trustees
acknowledge that they may well have to eonsider non-member volunteers or paying to acqiiire necessary
technical skill sets.
The Trustees had Consciously held back from giving major financial support to archival initiatives biit we
did make a donation of new equipment to the Royal Berkshire Archives (formerly Berkshire Reeord
Office) to ftirther their work. Future potential projects are regularly discussed in oiitline with Royal
Berkshire Archives.
The Trustees are awaTe that the Society will need to move premises, most likely within the next year, due to
the closiire of the biiilding we currently oceupy. The aim is that this will not impact a majority of the
Soeiet)ds activities, biit it is antieipated there will be a significant financial impact.
Not least, Trustees recognise that ￿turnS from the Society's investments are likely to remain at very
modest levels in the near to medium term. Any realistic opportunities to improve on those returns will be
kept Linder active review.
Looking foThFard, the Berkshire Family History Soctety will seek to broadly maintain current levels of
income, at the same time eontiniiing to explore wider applications of technolo￿ to contain increases in
costs likely to be seen in traditional areas of expenditure.
Planning for 2024/2025
The Tnistees have identified eleven key tasks and initiatives for the coming year:
to Complete the Societys move in charitable status to that of a CIO (Charitable Incorporated
Organisation)
to bring Berkshire Farnily History Enterprises back under the management of Berkshire Family
History Society
to seek and secure future premises for the Soeiety actively
section continues on nextpage
Page 11 of 12
erkshire Family History So(iety
Charitycommission TrusteeAnnuB] Rcport yearendins.'io.Ipril 2024

Plannlng for 2024/2025 (continued)
to maintain current rates of indexing and transeribing of original Berkshire records and, consistent
with high quality data standards, publishing further transcriptions of Berkshire baptisms,
marriages and burials as 'state of the art, CDS, data downloads and also online
+ to continue developing the Society website, by extending content, developing online membership
serrices, and embracing aceess implications for mobile devices. Also strengthening evaluation
techniques to make increased use of traditional and electronic media to raise awareness of the
Society and its products and services in order to increase public support and sustain membeiship
numbers
to build on the programme of regu12r outreach activities across the historic Royal County of
BerkshiTe to inerease the Society's public Nisibility and public interaction, Mthile striving to
maintain and bolster online alternatives for those who are OUt-of￿ullty
+ to continue to devdop education and information serviees that can facilitate greater engagen)ent
between the Society, other famlly historians and other historians
to secure additional volunteers, some of whom will have particular specialist skills, and all of whom
have a genuine cornmitment to help to drive forward the next stages of the Society's developrnent
+ to continue supporting a sub-committee structure which helps establish the expeetstions of family
historians and prepare to meet those expectations, ineorporating and developing in detail some of
the initiatives described above
+ to review the St￿CtUre and scope of the sub-con)mittees supporting the Trustees Executive
Committee
+ to organise and host more online Berkshire Heritage Fairs in association with the Berkshire IA)cal
History Assoeiation
to organise a one day collference and series of associated visits to celebrate the Sociews 50th
anniversary
Approval
The Trnstees of Berkshire Family History Society CIO approved this report on 24th January 2025. It is
Sl8Thed on theiT behalf by two Trnstees, Vanessa Chappell, Society Secretary during the year under
review, and Catherine Sampson, the Society Chairman during the year under review.
Signed
, Secretary
Signed
, Chairnian
Date
30 JcmLW 2025
Page 12 of 12
BeTkshiTe Family History kniety
eharityc4Jmml&8ion TNstee Annual Report yeRr Endittg 3oApril 2024

BERKSHIRE
4rt*iLY HISTORY SOG
BERKSHIRE
FAMILY HISTORY
SOCIETY
Financial statements
for the year ending
30 April 2024
Regastered Charity No. 1204390

BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
coNrENfS
Page
Independent Examiner's Report
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the financial statements
6-10

BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
Independent examiner's report
I report on the accounts of Berkshire Family History Society for the year ended 30
April 2024, which are set out on the following seven pages.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The
charity's trustees Consider that an audit is not required (under section 144 of the
Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examlne the accounts (under section 45 of the 2011 Act)
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity
Commission (under sectlon 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Aet)
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out iii accoidance with the Genera] Directions given by
the Charity Commission. An exalnination 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. and
seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The
procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an
audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ttrue
and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement
below.
Independent examinerfs statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the
trustees have not met the requirements
to keep accounting records in aceordanee with section of the 2011
to prepare accounts which accord with the aecounting records and
comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a
proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Louisa James
38 Raymond Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 BDI
LIIKtCK)MD_S
Date:
16191lOJU

BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
Statejnent of Nnancial A¢ll￿tieS
for the year ending 3oApAI 2024
2024
2023
Note
INCOME FROM
Voluntary incovne
Activities for generatingfim
Investment incorne
25.587
30,905
2,614
949
Charitsble aetivities
79
13,270
TOTAL INCOME
41,6
45,124
Raising funds
11,623
10,948
Charitable activÈties
43.156
30,209
549779
41,157
NET INCOME
13yi64
3*967
TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHf FORWARD
147,657
143,690
J34?494
147,657
The note5 form partofthesefiTra￿a1 statements.

BERILSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIErY
Balance Sheet
at 30 April 2024
2024
2023
Note
Tangible assets
Debto
Deposit aceount
Cash at bank and ill haLd
7,248
52,541
106,518
7,231
$2,176
100,722
166,307
A60,12
CREDrroRS:
4mounts fallingdue one year
(31,8u)
(12AT2)
Provi8ionsfoT liabilities and
{31,84)
{12?479)
A34?494
147,657
134
94
147.657
Unrestricted funds
130.494
4.0(K)
143.657
4,000
FAlu(ztÉon
134A94
147,6s7
The Tn￿teeS collsiderthat the company is entitled to exemption from the requirementto have
all audit under the provision5 of section 477 of the Cornpanies Art 2006 (Wie ACV,) and members
bave not required the 0)mpa￿yt0 obtain an &uditfortheyear in questioll in a¢o)rdancewsth
seetion 476 ofthe Art.
The Th￿teeS acknowledgetheir responsibilities for o)mplying with the ￿quireMents of the
CompaniesAet 2006 respectto accounting reeords andthe preparation of financial Statements.
The financial statements were approved by the Th￿eeS on th May 2022 and signed on theirbehalf,by
Cathwine Sa7n50n
Date.. 2024
202
hlartin Pilkitwon
Date: 2024
211iQ IZ
Thenote50ll Pa8es4to 8form p3rtofthese flnanclal st*emÈnts.

BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
Notes to the accounts
for the year to 30 April 2024
i Accounting Policies
1.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and
Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to
charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting
Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective i
January 2015) (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act
2006.
The Berk8hire Family History Society meets the definition of a public benefit
entity under FRSIo2.
1.2 Organisation statss
The charity is an unincorporated organisation.
1.3 Fund accounting
General ￿ndS are unrestricted ￿ndS which are available for use at the discretion
of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which
have not been designated for other purposes.
There are no funds which have been restricted by specific restrictions imposed by
donors. All funds are unrestricted.
1.4 Income
All income is reeognised once the charity has entitIernent to the income, it is
probable that the income will be received and the amount of income can be
measured reliably.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the
extent that goods have been provided or on completion of the serviee.
1.5 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to
transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of
economic benefit will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation
can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is inelusive of ]￿ecOVerable VAT.

BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
Notes to the accounts
for the year to 30 April 2024 (continued)
1.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are carried at cost, net of depreciation and any provision for
impairment. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the costs of
fixed assets, less their estimated residual value, over their expected usefijl lives on
the following bases:
Computer equipment - 33% straight line
Office equipment - 20% straight line
1.7 Interest Receivable
Interest on ￿ndS held on deposit is induded when re￿]Vable and the amount can
be measured reliably by the charity. this is nonnally upon notification of the
interest paid or payable by the bank.
1.8 Debtors
Prepayments are valued at the an]ount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
1.9 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand indudes cash and short terni highly liquid investments
with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or
opening of the deposit or similar account.
i.io Liabilities
tAabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the balance sheet date as
a result if a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be
required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated
reliably. Liabilities are reeognised at the amount that the charity estimates it will
pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payment for
goods it services it must provide.
i.ii Financial Instruments
The charity only has financial instruments of a kind that qualify as basic financial
instruments. Basic financial instrnments are initially reeognised at transaction
value and subsequently me&8ured at their settlement value.

BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
Notes to Ibeaeeounts
fortheyear tO3oApril 2024 (contd)
2024
2023
Sub%Tiptions
HM Reventr 8tCu8tortts. Gift Aid
Donations
Total Volun
Advertisin
Artivities for
]lank interest
20,266
20,620
OR
30tr905
2.6k4
949
Events
eTkshire Dame seardj and birtb biiefs
Royalties
Printing￿d (wyillg
Br￿c￿ aetiiryry
Miseellaneous income
Cbarltsble *rtSvltles
6,044
5,843
6.992
6,813
68
100
128
X3•379
320
180
13y270
1.615
024
gog3
ne
ubiÈc8ti0n
11,623
11.6
749
20,542
10.948
JQy948
i%ase of prejni
Rttharge8to Berk8hire Family Hi8tory E￿te￿rises
,441
{4,540)
(4,7361
1.854
2,165
2,689
1,712
1,652
1,328
￿￿ting￿&￿S And speake
Events
Brazjth artivity
Compuiercosts
I)epreciatio
F4uipment MaIDten￿Ce
SubseriptsoDS. FIDd My PasL Gertea]ogast, et
15,833
7,189
223
732
2,454
953
Charitable a<*ivitle•
0,*09
To
nalture
54*779
X>X57
T(YTALFUNDS BROUGHTFORWARD
147.657
X43,690

BERKSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
Note8 tothe accounts
fortheyettr to 30 April 2024 (tontitiued)
2024
2023
Thistee &xpenses
Number of trustees who were pvid expenses
Total paid- reimburnement of c(ksts.
£0
£103
Tanglble fixed a55ets and depreclatlon
All tangible fixed assets are stated at C05t le￿ depreciation. Depreciation forthe
year hasbeen calculated ioityTite off the cosl of tsngiblt assets, less their
estimated residual value, over their exp￿￿ed ￿8eful lives- betV￿ three
and fiYeyeArs.
CoTllPUter
equiptnent
Computer
equipment
Other
¥4uipment
Total
2023
equipment
2024
Brought forward
Additions
DisFwals
12J97
21,044
12.391
21.044
12
21.0
12a
21
33
Brougbt forward
Charge fortheyear
Disposals
12*397
21,044
33A41
11.640
21,044
32,684
751
12•397
21,044
33A41
12?397
21,044
bwk value
2024
20513
Owed by Berkshire Famity History Enterprises I
Prepa)rynents and income
Other debtors
Totsl debtors
3,926
3,320
3,873
3J59
7*248

BEIULSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
Notes to the accounts
fi>r the year to 30 AprAI 2024(continued)
2024
2023
12
The trustees have decided to devote a portion of the unrestricted fuods of
the Society to advanee the knowledge of Family History.
The Trustees have agreed that the amount of £4000 should be retsined
in the Education Fund for the year 2023/24
Transactions with related parties
At 30th April 2024, the balance owed by Berkshire Family History Enteryrises
Limited, which is a wholly owned trading company of the Soeiety. was £3,928
(2023: £3,873). This is a trading balance between the Society and the Company
at the end of the year.
Income includes a donation of £2,680 (2023: £4,300) from
Berkshire Famity History Enterprises lirnited. An estimate
of utilities to be recharged of £0 is induded with
debtors and prepayments. A proportion of rent and other costs have been
recharged to the Company amounting to £4,736 (2023 £4,673).
io
Independent examiners renjuneration
The Independent exarniners remuneration an)ounted to a fee of £50.
11 Staff costs
The charity employed no staff during the year. All work was carried out byvolunteers.
10