# **Bristol & Avon Archaeological Society 37th Annual General Meeting TRINITY-HENLEAZE URC, WATERFORD ROAD, HENLEAZE ,BRISTOL , BS9 4BT. 11th March 2026, 7.30pm** ## **MINUTES** ## **1. Welcome from the Chair James Lyttleton** James welcomed everyone to the 37th AGM at Trinity Henleaze URC ## **2. Confirmation of a Quorum and Apologies** 30 people were in attendance and the meeting was declared quorate. Apologies were received from Mary Ison, Bill Martin, Ian Chard, Gundula Dorey, Marianne Pitman, Philip Lovell, Julie Bassett, Donal Lucey, Elliott Mouelhi and Paula Gardiner. ## **3. Acceptance of Minutes of the 36th Annual General Meeting, Wed 12 March 2025** - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1E 3IrCCt0nVhqcd5tHPcUKtXN7JW3HfcOdKKmdY7cMo/edit?usp=sharing The minutes were emailed in advance of the meeting to the membership and available at the AGM. The minutes were proposed as a true record by Mike Gwither and seconded by Kate Iles. The minutes of the 36th BAAS AGM were then duly accepted. ## **4. Officers’ reports** Officer’s reports were emailed to the membership for review in advance of the AGM. Chairperson James Lyttleton presented Officer’s reports to the membership highlighting the following: ## **The Treasurer’s report by Steve Hastings** £50,000 was taken out of cash and invested in the CCLA Ethical Investment Fund this is to spread risk from holding a large amount of cash as well as earn income as the bank interest rate is beginning to fall. Funds in the Barclays Business Premium Account at year end were £229,824.63. The value of the investment (£14,068.13) has been ascertained from Barclays UK Equity Income Fund. The cash value of this deposit fund of £29,078 was reported to the society by the CCLA as at the 31st December 2025. ## **Secretary’s report by Kate Iles** We have introduced online payments via Paypal, introduced a pay on demand service for paper copies of the journal and issued grants. We continue to make grants available. Two grant funding streams are available: The James Russell grant (up to £1000 per award) and the Leslie Grinsell grant (up to £500 per award). Grants are awarded twice a year by a dedicated BAAS panel. The next deadline is the 31 March 2026 We welcome input from the membership so if you would like to participate in the running of the society, please do speak to a Trustee. We have a number of vacant posts on the committee including bulletin editor, website editor, vice chair and committee members and always welcome people coming forward. If you would like to get involved but don’t want to be on the committee, we also need help running the talks on the night, marshalling the summer walks or anything else you would like to offer. ## **Membership Officer’s report by Julie Bassett** At the start of 2025, membership stood at 161. We finished the 2025/26 membership year with 128 members. This is a disappointing position to be in, but is a reflection on what has been discussed before: our ageing membership. For the last few years, I’ve reported that we have been looking at ways of making subscription payment easier including online payments. I’m pleased to say we now have PayPal set up so we can accept renewal subscriptions via online payments. I’m hoping it will encourage more new members to consider joining BAAS. It is important that we increase our membership for several reasons, but mainly to encourage and enable a new generation of members to enjoy the society, become involved in its operation and continue its legacy. If you have any friends or acquaintances who would be interested in joining BAAS please let me know or share the website with them. ## **Report from interim BAAS Bulletin editor by Dr James Lyttleton** The Chair is acting as interim editor of the BAAS Bulletin until it is filled. Only one issue of the BAAS Bulletin was produced since last year’s AGM – the summer (no. 97) issue. The editor always welcomes submissions from the membership and further afield, and will be issuing a call for another round of submissions for BAAS Bulletin issue no. 98 from Historic Environment Record Offices in Bristol and surrounding areas, commercial archaeology companies and the university sector. If you have an item, please do contact me at jilyttleton@hotmail.com ## **Programme Officer’s Report by Keith Stenner** We enjoyed another complete year of talks and events. - In January Gail Boyle spoke on EVIDENCE OF EARLY HUMAN ACTIVITY IN SOUTHERN GLOUCESTERSHIRE. - Our annual Leslie Grinsell Memorial Lecture was given by Tony Roberts of Archeoscan who updated us on SLIMBRIDGE : AN IRON AGE AND ROMAN FORT ON THE SEVERN ? - Our Chair, James Lyttleton, spoke in March on COASTAL SETTLEMENT IN TUDOR AND STUART IRELAND. - In April Peter Insole related MOVING A RIVER TO GROW A TOWN - We began our Summer Walks programme in May when we visited the excavations at CHEWTON MENDIP and the church of St Mary Magdalene with Pip Osbourne. - Committee member Mike Gwyther was our excellent guide for our James Russell Day in June when a large group toured CHEPSTOW CASTLE, PRIORY AND TOWN WALLS . - In July we walked DOLBERRY WARREN HILL FORT, a classic Iron Age site, with Lee Newton the North Somerset Council Archaeologist. - Our final walk focussed on SISTON, A SAXO/NORMAN HAMLET with Zillah Savage - The Autumn programme began with our participation in BRISTOL’S BRILLIANT ARCHAEOLOGY EVENT at Blaise Castle Estate in September. - Tony Roberts returned in October when he spoke on THE REDISCOVERY OF STANCOMBE ROMAN VILLA AND UPDATE ON WICKWAR. - The Winter Programme began in November with a talk from Committee member Donal Lucey. He presented a wide-ranging overview of THE ARCHAEOLOGY OF SHIREHAMPTON from the Palaeolithic to the Second World War.. - In December we welcomed Dr Toby Jones from the Newport Ship Project who spoke on BASQUE OAK AND PORTUGUESE WINE : THE NEWPORT MEDIEVAL SHIP. An interim, Issue 1, of the 2026 Programme has been issued in February and a final definitive programme for the year should be available very shortly. ## **Website Co-ordinator’s Report (BAAS Trustees)** It is with sadness that we have to report that our long-standing website editor Paula Gardiner has stepped down from her role as the BAAS website co-ordinator. The Trustees would like to take this opportunity to thank Paula for all that she has done for the society not just in this role, but in her many years of dedicated service to BAAS. The committee is talking to our website manager about a way forward for the BAAS website and would welcome input from the membership. ## **Project Officer’s report by Donal Lucey** A report on the SMART excavations at Sea Mills is due to be published this year. This report will take the format of a standard archaeological report according to CIfA standards and guidance. Once the finalised report has been agreed, it will be submitted to the Bristol Historic Environment Record. We hope to also publish the findings in article form in the next BAA Journal. Donal will be stepping down as Project Officer and the Trustees wanted to record their thanks to Donal for his hard work and contribution to the society. ## **BAA Editor’s report (BAAS Trustees)** With the latest issue of the BAA, we say farewell to Bruce Williams, one of the society's longest standing officers. Bruce has edited 18 Journals issued over 30 years and the Trustees would like to thank him for his amazing work and the lasting legacy he leaves. We are also pleased to welcome Elliott Mouelhi as the new BAA Editor. The Trustees will be working closely with Elliot and Assistant Editor Bev Knott to ensure a smooth handover. As always, we welcome input for the next BAA from the membership. ## **Votes of thanks** The chair concluded this part of the AGM by thanking the Trustees stepping down for their service to BAAS. The membership gave a round of applause for Paula Gardiner, Bruce Williams and Donal Lucey. The chair also offered a vote of thanks to Liz and John for making the refreshments at the evening lectures. The membership thanked Liz and John with applause. ## **5. Acceptance of Accounts and Election of Examiner** Jinx Newley proposed that the accounts shared by the Treasurer and audited by Steve Hillyard were accepted by the membership. XX (Jinx’s husband?) seconded this proposal and the accounts were duly accepted as a true record. Steve Hillyard was proposed as the Examiner and duly elected by the membership. The membership thanked Steve for his hard work. ## **6. Election of Officers and Committee Members** ## **Election of Officers and Committee Members for 2025-2026** All officers and committee members are eligible for re-election. The following nominations have been received: Chairperson: James Lyttleton Secretary: Kate Iles Treasurer: Steve Hastings Membership Secretary: Julie Bassett Programme Secretary: Keith Stenner Editor: Elliot Mouelhi Assistant Editor BAA: Bev Knott The following roles are currently vacant: Vice Chairperson, Bulletin Editor, Website Editor, Project Officer, Committee Members (x4) Nominations were uncontested and Mike Gwyther proposed that all of the officers named above were duly elected. Liz ?? (lady that makes the tea) seconded this motion and the officers listed above were unanimously elected by the membership for 2026/26. ## **7. Life Membership** The BAAS Committee nominated Andrew Smith to be awarded life membership. The privilege of Life Membership is awarded to members who have made an outstanding and demonstrable contribution to the society. The Committee unanimously and whole heartedly agreed that Andrew had made a significant contribution to BAAS over many years and were delighted to award Andrew with this privilege. Congratulations and thanks to Andrew. The membership applauded and Andrew said a few words on how pleased and honoured he was to accept. ## **8. AOB*** None received in advance. None taken from the floor. ## **9. Date of the next AGM** ## **11 March 2027** The AGM then concluded and was followed by an illustrated talk by our Mike Gwyther on Medieval Castles. 319126, 10..10AM Copy of BAAS Financwl Statements YE 2025- Googb Docs Bristol and Avon Archaeologl¢al Soclety Financial Report and Stalemont Year Ended 31 December 2025 Her8With the Financial report for the year ended 2025 Income The current year Operational Income incsea$e is £31. Had historfc assets not been transferred lo the sorAety by Barclays Asset Management Ltd of £1.261 then a loss would have been reported This reduction in eamings is mainly due to the decrease in savings interest. See note 5cii. The decrease in Operdling Expenses befvleen 2025 and 2024 of £5,640 is mainly due to l¢)wer BAAS gfant payments. In 2024 £7k was paid for a SMART project report whereas in 2025 £1 K was granted lo CAMP. Also the BAAS joum81 anb'clpaled in 2025 is currerrtly being prepared for publication and the resulting cost of th8 publicat40n will be included the 2026. 3. Inv Bar¢lays UK Equity Income 2.761.163 £14,088.13 3110112025 CCLA COIF Charities 5nv8slmenl Fund- Grin8ell 879.09 £16,985.69 3111212025 CCLA COIF Charitios Short Duration Fund- Grinsell 5,923.25 £7,637.44 3111212025 CCLA COIF Charities Investment Fund- Russell 5,299.36 £102,393.70 3111212025 CCLA COIF Ethical Inveslmant Fund - Russell 15,825.7897 £46,439.20 3111212025 Totsl Value of Investments in Finaneial year 2025 i8.. £50,000 was taken out of cash and invested in the CCL4 Eth￿al Investmenl Funij this is to spread risk from holding a large amount of cash as well as eam incorne as the bank interest rate is beginning to fall. 5. Movement In Cash Assets a. Barda s Communit Account This account has decreased by £248 during the year. httys.'Ilthxts.gWle.wWd¢)¢uff￿vdI1U 2153RGQ8pMEj6w2QP¢U¢Cxo3mqLS4bxG$r7UCnOCOleditlab=LO 1110 319126, 1tr.10AK4 Copy ofBAAS Finanoal StatemtntsYE 2025- Googl6 Docs Bristol and Avon Ar¢haeologl¢al Soclety Financial Report and Stat•ment Yoar Endod 31 Docomb•r 2025 Pr nl The funds in Ihe Business Premium a¢¢ounl at the year end were £229,824.63 this 1$ a decrease of £34.743. This is mainly due to the investment of £50,000 in the CCLA Ethical Investment Fund, offset by £15.623 of interest and earnings from the society's investments. . Barcla UKE ui Incom lil £349 has been received in income in the financial year. The value of the inveslment1£14,068.131 has been ascertained by using the market valuation supplied by Barclays Asset Management Ltd., as at 31 December 2025. IFII Bar¢lays Asset Management Ltd sent £1,261 of pr8vious years rètalned eamings linked to the old accounts managed by MT James Russell and Mr R Williams. The accounts currently used to hold the BAAS investment were raised when the company was infomied that the signatories had lo be changed following the demise of Messers Russell and Williams. Tha aamings arising from the new accounts have been paid inio th6 BA4S Community Account. However, the accumulated eamings of the old accounts were left as ￿$￿lU81 balances the payments received in 2025 were dearing these old accounts. In18resl from this investment of £1,946 has bgèn e8rned 8nd paid dI￿¢ty into the COIF Charities Deposit Fund held by the CCLA. The cash value of this deposf( fund of £29,078 was reported lo the soclety by the CCLA as at the 31st December 2025. e.Ru li} Income from the COIF Gharitres Investment Fund1£2,261} Is p8id directly into the Society's bank and is held in the Business Premium account The valuation of the investment is as at 31 December 2025 on the CCLA Statement of Account dated 0510112025. lil) Income from tha COIF Chartties Ethical Investment Fund1£1,0641 has been paid directly into the Society's bank and is held in the Business Premlum account. The valuation of the investrr*nt is as at 31 December 2025 on th8 CCLA Statement of Account dated 0510112025 Illil Interest from the CCLA Deposit account has been r￿1Ved m￿thlY an¢J ￿0￿nts to £7.719 and Is held in the 8usiness Premium Account. . Clifton Cathedral provided the Apostte rcK>m lo the society In 2023 and In 2024 but has lo dale not presented an Invol￿ for payment. Therefore an accfual raised in lieu of the invoice to recognise the debt to the Cathedral tolaling £732 has neither been increased or Teleased. b. Holy Trinity Church provided the meeting room and Plasma television from Septembèr to Decèmber 2024. To allow for the cost of hire in the 2024 financial year the cost of the hire charges £332 were a¢crued and indudgd in the 2024 Financial statgmgnt. The subsoquent recelpl of Snvoices for £134 showed that the accrual was significantly overestimated by £200. To enable a fair comparison betsveen years 2025 and 2024 the 2024 FinancAal Statement expenses and accrual have been adjusted lo reflect the actual expendiluie and liability. http8.'Ildrts.ocQgl8.cernldeoJff￿aVdl1U 2153RG08pMEffjw2QP8UcCMo3mqLSgbxGsr7UCnOCOl8dlt*ab-t.O 3110 319126, 1tr.10AM Copy ofBAAS FlTh8ndal Stai•n•nts YE 2025. Goog￿ Docs Bristol and Avon Ar¢haeological Soclety FinancFal Report and Statement Year Ended 31 Dacembor 2025 Incom• and Expandliur• 2026 2024 Varian¢• Membe￿h*P Subse4Ipti￿IS AfJvance¥ £ 1.601.50 £ 1,992.50 £1391.00>, Arrears £ 15.00 £115.DOI Lloyds TSB Dmdend £ 65.53 £ 57.07 £ 8.46 BAA Sales Mi8c. Sales MeetingslGuest Irwme Don8tions £ 128.01 £ 32.36 £ 95.65 £ 25.00 £ 20.00 £ 5.00 Sund¢r88 £ 1,820.04 £ 2,116.93 £1296.89) Bardays Prernhjrn AJC Interost Bardays Multr"man• Curr8nt y8ar DNKleThJs Bard8￿ Multi-Rotum ol ￿taIne￿I b81a COIF Charities Funds- Grinsg118equest COIF Charities F￿nds. Russoll B8qU8St Totsl Operating I￿￿)rne £ 2.968.51 £ 4.168.08 £ 436.16 £ 565.96 £ 1,261.47 £ 1,945.57 £ 1,974.24 £ 11,677.21 £ 18.288.92 £ 11252.27 £ 17.960.$5 £ 328.37, £ 20,108.96 1 £ 50,000.00 £ 20.077.48 £31.48 James Russdl bequest IExceptk)naS iteml £ 107,945.31 r {107,945.311 £ 128,022.79 £157,913.83). £ 70,108.96 http$..Ildocs.woqb.￿M1d0cuM0nu￿1lv 21S3RGQ8pM￿8W2QP8u¢cXts3m0LsqbxG5r7￿cnoColorkt￿b¥1.o 319r26, 10:10AM Copy of BAAS Finanual Statements y￿ 2025- GooglÈ Dots Bristol and Avon Archaoological Society Flnan¢lal Report and Statement Yèar Ended 31 December 2025 2024 Prinbng & Stat'onery Postag• Bulletin Expenses BAA £ 9.30 £19.30) £19.35) £ 172.60 £ 9.35 £ 184.30 £11.70 Insuranca Subsctiption Lectures £ 225.00 £ 218.00 £ 7.00 £ 540.00 £ 445.46 £ 94.54 Meetings Clifton Cathedral IAc£ruall' Unrted Reforrn Church:. £ 252.00 £ 328.50 £ 132.Crf) Other Expenses £ 326.50 £ 384.00 £ (57.501: offi￿r$ Expenses Website £ 172.00 £ 172.00 Sundri8S £ 45.01 £ 35.84 £9.17 BAA Projects- Equipm8nt & Projects Grants £ 669.99 £ 699.00 £129.01). £ 6,818.40 £15.818.401' £ 1,lJ)O.00 Op8rabng Expen58S £ 3.162.80 £ 8.803.05 £15,640.2SI Invèstmént in CCLA £ 50,C(JO.00 £ 100,000.00 £150.000.001 £ 108,803.05 £155.640.251 Total Expendlture £ 53.162.80 Incom• over Expendlture movèmwrt SurplusllDeere8sel IA Tot81 Income £ 16,946.16 £ 19,219.74 £ 36,165.90 httpsJldof£.gcM¥JI8.eomldooJmenVd11u 2153RG08pMQ6%QQP8UCCxo3rThJLSgbxGsr7UCr￿Co1edil?tab￿0 7110 319126, 10'.10AM Copy of BAAS Fln*dal Stslernents YE 2025- Googlè Docs Bristol and Avon Archaeologlcal So¢lety Flnan¢ial Report and Ststemenl Year Ended 31 D•¢•mb•r 2025 Barclays UK Equity Incorne COIF Chariti8s Investsnent Fund- Grins811 £ 14.068.13 £ 11,483.68 £ 2.584.45 £16,985.69. £ 17.839.64 COIF Charibes Fixed Interesi Funttr Grinsell £7,637.44 £ 24,623.13 £ 7,486.85 £ 25,306.49 £1683.38), COIF Chariltgs Investment Fund- Russdl 1 £102,393.70 £ 107,541.50 COIF Charities Ethical Investrngnt Fund- Russell £ 148.832.90 £ 107,541.50 £41,291.40 £ 187,524.16 £ 144,331.67 £ 43,192.49 Total Dgbtor8 han h Inve Cash £ 108.07 £ 90.07 £18.00 Barclay5 Community Alc I Currentl Bar¢lays Business AJC (Deposit) COIF Charitiès Funds D8POSit- Russdl Bequest COIF Chatiti8s Fund5- Dgposit Grinsell Bequest Totsl Liquid A¥8918 £ 2,255.08 £ 2.503.11 £1248.03) t 264,568.03 £134,743.40) £ 229,824.63 £ 200.000.00 £ 200,000.C £ 29,078.05. £ 27,132.48 £ 1,945.57 £ 461.265.83 £ 494,293.69 £133,027.86) Total Liquid and Near Liquid Assets £ 648.789.99 £ 638,625.36 £ 10,164.63 United Refomi Church BcA)klng Clifton Cathedral Room booking Totsl Llabllltles £1132.00) £1732.00) £ 132.00 £1732.001 £1732.00) £1864.00) £ 132.00 £ 648.057.99 £ 637,761.36 £ 10,296.63 Prlor year adlustment to Cost of Trlnlty URC meeting Room and Accrual shown as a liability | £132 Room hlre Involced In 2025. htty5'.Ildoc5.gooL4e.comldocum8nVd11u 2153RGQ8pMEfvI2QPaUcCxo3nwLSgbxGsr7uCnOCOledit7ta￿-t.o gf10 Steve Hillyard 24 The Bluebells Bradley Stoke 8ristol BS32 8BE btinternet.com 0117 923 6595 s.hill ardOO 6 Mar 2026 Dear Steve, This is my report to the Trustees of the Bristol and Avon Archaeological Society IBAASI in my role as the Independent examiner of their accounts for the calendar year 2025. The Trustees of BAAS, a charity registered as number 1211005, are responsible for the preparatlon of accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matter5 have come to my attention In connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect, the income and expenditure accounts were not kept to the reqLtired standard. I have examined the records of income, expenditure and bank transactions, bank statements, cheque book and paying in books and written invoices. I have also checked that the starting and ending balances for each of the society's assets can be reconciled to income, expenditure, transfers and capital gains and losses attributable to 2025. Given the size of your assets and the complex Set of accounts you have Inherited l am pleased to hear that you have arranged for a firm of accountants to produce the end of year accounts from 2026 and to provide advice to and yo¥Jr fellow trustees. Best wishes, To: Stephen Hastings Treasurer, BAAS 222 Cranbrook Road Bristol BS6 7QX CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Bristol and Avon Archaeological Society On acGounts for the year ended 31 Dec 2025 Charity no (If any 1211005 Set out on pages nla I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity {"the Trust") for the year ended 31 Dec 2025. Responsibilities and As the charity twstees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance wrth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's a￿ounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying oul my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)(b} of the Act. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ with section 130 of the Act or the accoLsnts do not accord wilh the accounting records Independent examinerfs statement I have no Goncerns and have come arAOSS no other matters in connection wilh the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Date: 6 Mar 2026 Signed: Name: Steve Hillyard Relevant profasslonal qualification(s) or body (if any): Address: 24 The Bluebells, Bradley Sloke, Bflstol, BS32 8BE IER October 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. None IER October 2018