LNHS Annual Report to 30[th] June 2023
## **LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Registered Charity 206228**
## **Report of the society for the year ending 30 June 2023**
## **Objects**
The objects of the London Natural History Society are the study and recording of natural history, archaeology and other kindred subjects within twenty miles of St Paul’s Cathedral, the promotion of scientific investigations, the appreciation and conservation of the natural environment and the publication in the Society’s journals of scientific and educational papers. Activities and achievements in respect of these objectives are described below.
## **Governance: Council, Committees and Sections**
The Society is governed by a Council of Trustees comprising the officers (President - currently vacant, Treasurer Mike West, & Secretary Annie Wilson), up to ten members’ representatives - David Bevan, Ian Woodward, Jan Hewlett, Wendy Knight, Robin Blades, Joanne Maddox, Pete Mantle and Noel Brock - and one representative of each of the Society’s sections - Liz Andrew (London Bird Club), Maureen Parry (Botany), Anke Marsh (Ecology and Entomology) and Kat Duke (Hampstead Heath Survey). The post of Bookham Commons representative is vacant.
The President's role remains unfilled and this year the Society is very sorry to say goodbye - and a huge thank you - to Mike West who is stepping down as Treasurer after more than thirty years. We are very keen to fill all the vacancies on Council, so please consider joining us to help keep your Society going. We are looking for people with a range of skills and interests, but you do not need to be an expert in natural history.
The Administration and Finance Committee, chaired by Michael Wilsdon, meets five times a year to deal with delegated business, whilst Robin Blades soldiers away in the background managing our membership. We are pleased to welcome Elliot Newton as our Conservation Officer taking over from David Bevan after many years, and Leslie Bolsover taking over the role of Librarian from Julie Berk. The Trustees would like to thank all participants for their contributions and commitment to the Society.
Despite a relaxation of restrictions, people's work patterns have not returned to the pre-covid norm so a lot of society business continues to be conducted using Zoom technology. The 2022 AGM amended the Society’s rules to make explicit that General Meetings and meetings of the trustees can be held online or by hybrid methods. On a positive note, this makes attendance possible for those who live further afield. The Society is exploring accessibility considerations for outdoor meetings and plans to arrange some field meetings which are programmed with accessibility in mind.
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LNHS Annual Report to 30[th] June 2023
## **Finances**
The annual financial report accompanies this report. The Society continues to benefit from members who subscribe to the gift aid scheme, for which we are very grateful. Members who qualify to use the gift aid scheme but have not signed up are encouraged to consider doing so. The Society has also been the grateful recipient of several generous bequests.
## **Activities**
The Virtual Talks team continues to host 'online' talks using Zoom, which are available for a limited time on YouTube after the meeting. These talks remain very popular and still attract new audience members from more geographically diverse locations than in-person meetings. The Society thanks our many speakers, who generously share their time and expertise to entertain us and recognises the hard work of the team to facilitate and support the talks.
A full and varied programme of field meetings was offered throughout the year. The walks were well supported, regularly attracting new attendees who sometimes became members. Many thanks to everyone who volunteers their time and knowledge to make these events happen. New leaders and attendees are always welcome.
Regular monthly Saturday field meetings at Bookham Commons continue despite the lack of a committee. The LNHS ecological survey of Bookham Commons, a Site of Special Scientific Interest near Leatherhead in Surrey, has been running continuously for more than eighty years with the result that Bookham Commons is one of the best-documented sites in the UK. Members are strongly encouraged to visit this wonderful site and contribute to the survey. We would love to be able to form a new committee to guide this work.
## **Journals and other publications**
The London Naturalist 101 (2022), ably edited by Clive Herbert for the first time, was distributed to members in December. It comprised annual reports from officers and articles of interest covering natural history of the London area contributed by members. The editorial team continues to produce a high-quality journal of which the Society can be proud.
The London Bird Report No 86 for the year 2021 was published in May 2023. This annual publication is a tribute to the many individuals who contribute significant time and effort to produce a high quality record of London's bird observations for 2021. Thank you to everyone involved.
The Newsletter edited by Mark Burgess and published four times a year continues to provide members with regular news on the activities and operation of the Society, and members’ contributions. We encourage all members, old and new, to consider submitting items for publication.
Amy Muyi Lui efficiently manages production of the programme twice a year. This is one of the Society’s key publicity tools for attracting new members.
Leslie Williams (LNHS Butterfly Recorder) is nearing publication of the updated ‘Butterflies of the London Area’, originally published in 1987. Colin Plant (LNHS Moth Recorder) and Les Evans Hill continue work on an updated version of 'Larger Moths of the London Area', and Mark Spencer (LNHS Flowering Plant Recorder & Vascular Cryptogam Recorder) is making good
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LNHS Annual Report to 30[th] June 2023
progress on an updated edition of 'Flora of the London Area', both last published in 1983. Each of these publications will contribute to the conservation of London habitats and wildlife. The Publications Committee is being reconvened to manage these imminent publications and help bring them to fruition.
We thank all our social media editors for publicising the Society and its events. All platforms - website, Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram - continue to prove extremely useful in keeping members up to date and attracting new joiners.
## **Membership**
130 new members joined the society during the membership year ending 30/09/2023. The total membership was 981, down from 1020 last year but still above pre-pandemic levels.
While many new members are attracted by our programme and social media presence, we are very grateful to existing members who recruit friends because they think will enjoy what we have to offer. We encourage people to keep doing this and help the Society to continue to grow. Everyone is welcome to join field meetings or virtual talks to get a taste of the Society before they join.
We are very sorry to record the deaths of the following members (date of joining in brackets) during the year and thank them for their support of the Society, in several cases over many decades: Mrs Patricia Dickinson (2010), Mr David Harrison (1998), Mr Simon Ogram (2002), Mr Peter Oliver (1965), Dr Arthur Harold Smith (1946), Mr Duncan Tait (2020).
## **Recording and research**
Thanks go to all our recorders for their support and continuing hard work. They do an invaluable job of gathering data on most of the species to be found in the London area, ensuring that the information is shared, and generously help individuals with their enquiries.
In 2022, the LNHS was awarded a grant from the City of London Corporation to map key flora, fungi and lichens in the different habitats on Hampstead Heath. The project, known as the Millennial Flora of Hampstead Heath Project 2022, led by Liz Andrew (the Hampstead Heath Survey Chair), is about halfway through and will provide a baseline to monitor changes that might occur in the future due to habitat degradation or/or climate change.
In 2022, the Rewild London Programme funded a project to map and improve hedgehog and wildlife populations in north London. Led by the Institute of Zoology and Jeff Waage, on behalf of LNHS, the project focused on the possibility of improving and linking established populations in Regents Park and Hampstead Heath, particularly through local Sites of Interest for Nature Conservation (SINCs). The findings have been shared with local groups to develop connecting corridors around Hampstead Heath.
The Council met with GiGL (Greenspace Information for Greater London) in September 2022 to discuss setting up a data sharing agreement. We know this is not popular with everyone, but several recorders already have very productive relationships with GiGL and a majority of members are in favour. Discussions will, hopefully, reach a positive conclusion very soon.
## **Library**
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LNHS Annual Report to 30[th] June 2023
The LNHS library, located in the Angela Marmont Centre for UK Biodiversity in the Natural History Museum, is an important resource for both the public (for reference) and LNHS members (for borrowing) providing access to a wide range of out of print and hard to find natural history titles. The library is open every Wednesday and hosted several successful field meetings making use of the facilities and specimens in collaboration with the Angela Marmont Centre. Members are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this very valuable asset. The Library Committee has reconvened after a covid-imposed absence and a new book order has been placed. Anyone who is interested in helping Leslie to keep the library open is strongly encouraged to step forward – library experience is not essential. Many thanks to Leslie Bolsover for all her hard work.
## **Conservation of the natural environment**
Rich habitats are still under threat from developers. The Society is often asked to lend its voice to protest against such developments. Council’s view is that an appropriate campaigning body in such cases is the London Wildlife Trust, the LNHS being better positioned to provide evidencebased advice if required. Our proposed partnership with GiGL will help ensure that our highquality validated records are available for such purposes.
_This report has been prepared with due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit._
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## **SUMMARISED ACCOUNTS**
## **Mike West - Treasurer**
|**ASSETS at year end**
**Bank & cash**
**Investments**
**TOTAL**
**RECEIPTS**
**Subscriptions**
**Donations**
**Bequests (Restricted)**
**Grants (Restricted)**
**Gift Aid**
**Investment income**
**Investment sales**
**Other**
**TOTAL**
**PAYMENTS**
**The London Naturalist**
**London Bird Report**
**Newsletter**
**Mailing**
**Library**
**Services**
**Hampstead (Restricted)**
**Investment purchases**
**Other**
**TOTAL**
**Surplus (deficit) in year**|**2022/2023**
**28,897**
**323,782**
**352,679**
**17,790**
**881**
**26,386**
**3,338**
**3,654**
**8,664**
**-**
**789**
**61,502**
**4,464**
**5,030**
**5,451**
**11,824**
**669**
**4,908**
**4,149**
**20,000**
**3,839**
**60,334**
**1,168**|2021/2022
27,729
314,491|
|---|---|---|
|||342,220|
|||18,919
1,068
-
5,562
3,552
7,920
7,500
871|
|||45,392|
|||4,920
5,567
3,101
7,108
1,608
4,207
-
7,500
3,921|
|||37,932|
|||7,460|
London Natural History Society
(Charity Registration Number 206228)
Accounts
For The Year Ended 30th June 2023
Hentons
Chartered Accoiintants
Stag House
Old London Road
14ei%ford
Herifordshire
SG13 7LA
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIEITY
TREASURER'S REI PORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30" JUNE 2023
The Society's accounts are again pi'e5ented on a Receipts and Payments basis, as pei'mitted by the Chai'ity
Coininission.
Receipts from Inembers and siipporter5 totalled £48,807 (coinpared with £23,645 last year) with the incTease
due to a legacy of £26,386 received in the year. This was giveii specifically towai'ds Ilic piiblication of results
of1'¢5ear¢li or SLII'vey sponsored by th¢ Society. and is beinLi held in a reslricled fund foi. futUlE projects Ineeling
tliis definition. Siibs¢riplion incoine decreased from £18.919 to £17.790.
In addition lo this, fiirther in5talments of a gi'ant awarded by The City of London Corporation were received
during the yeai., totalling £3.338. The naliiir of this incoine is restricted, specifically for the piirpose of the
Hainpstead Heath proj¢¢l for wl)ich costs wei'e inciirred in the year of £4,149. As at the end of the year this
r¢slri¢led fund had a balance of £4.75].
Total receipts were £61,502 coinpared with £45,392 last year.
Ovei'all expenditiir¢ totalled £60,334 {coinpai'ed to £37,932 last yearl which included an inYe5tment of £20,000
made to the Chai'ity's CCLA COIF Chai'ities Fixed Interest Fiind. Increases in the costs of N¢ivsletters and
mailing are prompting consideration of acceptable economies.
Despite a 7.5 % fall in the valiie of the Charity's investment in its M&G Cliaribond FLind the overall valLie of
the Society's inve%lment assets increased by 2.90/0 as a Tesult of tlie £20,000 furtl)ei' investiiient illade dui'ing the
year lo it5 CCLA COIF Chai'ities Fixed Inleir5t Fiind.
At the year end the total net assets of the Society as detailed in the Statein¢nt of Assets and Liabilities l)ad
increased by £12,733 10 £352,679 coinpai'ed witli £339,946 last year.
Reserves Policy
Tlie Loiidon Natui'al History Society may hold fLinds in the form of Ch, stocks, shales, bonds. collective fiiT)ds
and otl)ei' classes of investment deemed fiom tiine to time to be appi'opriate (hereafter 'the reserves,). Tlie
resei'ves will be held for the piirpose of providing an incoine stream to suppoit the Society's a¢tivitics and
PLiblications, and maintain mcinbership l'ates at affordable Icvcls so as not to e.xcliide people from the
edLicational benefits of the Society, and to eiicolirage inci'eased and inforined pailicipation in wildlife recoi'ding
activity.
WheiE income fi'om the reserves is siifficient to meet these piirposes the Society Inay Inake additional payiMent5
from the reserves to tliird parlics lo fiiiid researcl) and ecological study (with a pai'ticular einphasis on the Londo
area) wheie sucl) reseaich 15 con5iStenl witli the objects of the Society.
Tlie ti'lteeS Inay decide to Lise amoiints held as part of the resei'ves to fund publications or other projects which
ruither the Society's charitable aims.
The Society Lises investments spccifically set lip for charities, wliich invest in bonds and deposits, and not
directly in the equity of individiial companies. Each of these fiinds has associated ethical policies, and the
Society considers this is a prudent and pi.opoi1ionale Tneans of balancing our financial needs and etliical
concei'ns.
Statement ofTrustees' Responsibilities
Tlie Ii'iistees are iesponsible foi. prepai'ing the Tr115tees' Anniial Repoi'l and the financial statemenlg in
a¢cordance with applicable laiv and United Kingdoin Accoiinting Standards (United Kii)gdoin Gcnerally
Accepted Accolinting Practi¢e).
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
TREASURER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2023
Statement of Tru5tees' Responsibilities - Continued
The law applicable to charities in England & Wales reqLiires the trustees to prepare financial statements for ea¢h
financial year which give a trlie and fair view of the state of affairs of tlie cliarity and of the incomiiig TesoLirces
and application of resources of the chai'ity for that period.
In pi'eparing these financial stateinenls, the tl'U5tees are required to..
a) Select suitabl¢ a¢¢oiinling policies and apply them consistently;
b) observe the Inethod5 and principles in the Chai'ities SORP-
c) make judgments and accounting estimates tliat are reasonable and prudent.,
d} state whethei. applicable accounting standards have been followed. subject to any material depailiires
disclosed and explained in the financial staleTnents.
el Ppare the financial statements on the going concem basis Linless it is inappropriate to presume that the
liarity will conlinii¢ in operation
The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accountingT records that discltsse with reastsnable aL¢urucy al
any time the financial position of the charity and enable thein to ensui'e that the financial statements coinply
with tlie Cl)ai'ities Act 2011, tlie Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regiilation5 2008 and the provision5 of tlie
trust deed. Tliey ai'¢ also I'esponsible for safeLJuai'ding tl)e assets of the chai'ity and lience for taking i'easonable
steps for the prevention and del¢¢lion of fraud and otlier iri'egulai'ities.
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
(Charity Rcgistereil Number- 206228)
Independent Examiner's Report lo the Trustees of
London Natural History Society
I repoit to the trLlStees on Iny examination of the accounts of the London NatLlI'al Hisloi'y Society ('the cliaTity')
for the year ended 30 Jiine 2023 which comprise of receipts and payments and the statement of assets and
This Tepoit is Inade solely lo ilie chai'ily'5 trustees, as a body. in a¢¢oi'dan¢e with se¢lioi) 145 Chai'ities Act 2011.
My woi'k has been iindertaken so that I might state to the chai'ity's trLlStees those mattel'5 1 am reqiiiiEd to state
to them in thi5 report and for no other PLlI'pose. To the fiillest extent pei'initted by law, we do not accept oi.
assiiine IEswnsibility to anyone other tl)an the charity and the cl)arity's membei's as a body, for tliis report, or
for the opinions I liave forined.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the ti'iistees of tlie cliLII'Ity YOLI are responsible foi. the pi'epaTation of the accoLints in accordance with the
requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('The Act,).
I repoit in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out undei. s¢¢lion 145 ofthe Act and in
carrying oiil Iny cxamination I have followed all the applicable Dire¢tions given by the Ch8rity Coininission
linder section 145(5){b) of the Act.
An independent examination does not involve gatliei'ing all the evidence tliat WOLild be required in ali audit and
¢onseqiienily does not cover all the Inatteys that an auditor considei's in giving their opinion on the accounts.
The planning and condLlCt of an audit goes beyond the limited assiirance that an independent examination can
provide. Conseqiiently, l express no aiidit opinion on tlie accoiints and my I'eport is limited to those specific
Jnalters sel out in tlie independeiil exaFniner's slateinenl.
INDEPENDENT KXAMINER>S STATEMENT
I have completed iny examination. I confii'in tliat no matei'ial malters have come to Iny attention in connection
with Ilie exainination giving me ¢ause to believe that in any material respect..
accounting records were not kept in respect of the ¢harity as required by se¢lion 130 of the Act. or
the aceoiints do not accord with those records.
I liave no concei'ns and l)ave come aci'os5 no other Inatters in coiinection witli Ilie examination to whicli atlcntion
sliL)uld be draivn in this repoi't in ol'der lo enable a pi'oper undeistanding of the accounts to be l'eached.
R J Sears FCCA
Hentons
CliaTtered Ac¢oiinlanls
Stag14oiisc,
Old London Road
Hertfoi'd.
Herts.
SG13 7LA
Date..
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIEITY
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIEI S
As at 30tli June 2023
Notes
2023
2022
Monetary Assets
Bank Balances..
National Westininster ciirrent accoiinl
National We5tminsler I'eserve account
28,562
27,270
Cash in hand
335
459
28,897
27,729
Investment Assets
M&G Charibond
COIF Fixed Interest Flind
COIF Charitics Deposit Fund
123,886
195,431
134,018
176,008
323,782
314.491
Trade Creditor
{2,274)
Net Assets
352,679
£339.946
Funds
Unresli'icted
Reslricled- Hampstead Heath Project
Restricted- Resear¢h/%urvey Publication Bequest
321,542
4,751
26J86
334,384
5,562
Total Funds
352,679
£339,946
Approved on behalf of the Trustees on 25 September 2023
A E Wilson
S¢¢retary
Mjwest
TreasLlI'er
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
For the year eThded 30th June 2023
RECEIPTS
2023
2022
Receipt5 from Members and Supporters:
Siibsci'iptions
Donations
Restricted Lega¢y incoTne
Tax recovered on SLibscriptions and Donations under Gift Aid
Reading Circle I'eceipts
17,790
881
26,386
3,654
96
18,919
1,068
3,552
106
48,807
23,645
Sales:
Journals
693
436
Other ineome:
'Tlic London Bii'd Atlas"
Royalty Incoine
RefLind of contribution from tlie London Bird Club
Restricted Grant income- City of London Coi'poration
65
264
5,562
3,338
4,031
6,327
InvestTllent ome:
Charitlcs Fixed InteiESt FLind
Chai'ities Deposit Flind Interest
Incoine fi'oin M&G Cliaribond
Bank Deposit Accoiint Interest
Interest on Gift Aid lax recoveiEd
4,597
242
3,661
117
47
5,330
2,565
8,664
7,920
Asset and Investment disposals
Disposal of COIF Investment
7,500
Total Reeeipls
61,502
45,392
Less: Total Payments (Page 6)
(60,334)
(37,932)
Net Reeeipts for the year
1,168
7.460
Cash at Bank and in Hand as at I. Jiily 2022
Cash at Bank and in Hanil as at 30111 June 2023
£28,897
£27.729
Uni'esti'icted Net {ExpenditiireV Rec¢ipts
Restricted Net Receipts
(24,407)
25,575
1,898
5,562
Total Net Receipts for the year
£1,168
£7,460
LONDON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMf.NTS ACCOUNT (Continued)
For the year ended 30th June 2023
PAYMENTS
2023
2022
Meeting Costs, Sectional &
Generlll Expcnditurc:
Lectiii'ers, Fees and Expenses.
Scction21 Expenses etc.
Reading CiTcle Joiii'iials
Postage and Tclepl)on¢
Office Supplies and copying
Services
Indepei)dent Examineis, Fees
Insurance
Expense Allowan¢e and Honoraj'ia payinent
Paypal accoiint charges
238
432
64
912
798
1,980
2,130
466
435
93
,176
1,800
1,846
59
180
150
6,704
6,666
Publieations:
Pi'inting and Expenses..
London N81Lif