## The Incorporated
## SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH
## ANNUAL REPORT of COUNCIL
## **1[st] October 2023 to 30[th] September 2024**
|Council, Officers, Staff and Advisers ……………… 2|
|---|
|President’s Report …………………………………. 3|
|Research|
|Research Grants Committee …………………….. 4|
|Buckmaster Oversight Committee …………….... 4|
|Spontaneous Cases Committee …………………... 4|
|Survival Research Committee ……………….. 5|
|Library …………………………………………….. 6|
|Archives …………………………………………... 6|
|Education and Publicity …………………………… 7|
|Website Manager ………………………………….. 8|
|The_Journal_……………………………………….. 8|
|The_Magazine_………………………………………. 9|
|Annual Conference ……………………………..... 9|
|Secretary’s Report …………………………..
10|
|Data Protection Officer’s Report ............................ 10|
|The Financial Position .......................................... 11|
|Agenda for 2025 A.G.M. ……………………...… 13|
|Minutes of 2024 A.G.M. ……………………...…. 14|
|Notes on Candidates for Election to Council ……. 15|
A Company Limited by Guarantee Registered No. 44861 England Registered Charity No. 207325
## **COUNCIL, OFFICERS, STAFF AND ADVISERS as of 30[th] September 2024**
**President:** Prof. A. D. Parker, MA, PhD
## **Vice-Presidents**
Dr R. S. Broughton, BA, PhD Prof. B. J. Carr, MA, PhD Prof. D. L. Delanoy, BA, PhD
Dr A. O. Gauld, MA, PhD, DLitt Prof. J. C. Poynton, MSc, PhD Prof. C. A. Roe, BSc, MSc, PhD, AFBPsS
## **Elected Members of Council**
Mrs M. E. Barton Dr R. S. Broughton, BA, PhD Prof. B. J. Carr, MA, PhD Dr B. G. Colvin, BSc, PhD Prof. C. E. Cooper, BSc, MRes, PhD, CPsychol., FHEA Mr C. J. Farrell, BSc, GRSC Mr J. Fraser, BA
Dr G. T. B. Kidd, MBBS, Dr T. H. Ruffles, BSc, BA, MA, PhD, MRCPsych ARPS Mr R. G. McLuhan, BA, BLitt Dr L. Ruickbie, BA, MA, PhD, Assoc. Mr A. D. Murdie, LL B of King’s College Prof. C. A. Roe, BSc, MSc, Mr A. P. Ryan PhD, AFBPsS Dr M. J. Willin, BMus, MMus, PhD, Dr D. N. Rousseau, BSc, PhD LRAM Mrs J. A. Rousseau, BSc
_(for the purpose of the Companies Act 2006 the elected members of Council are directors)_
## **Co-opted Members of Council**
Dr D. L. Erickson, MBA, PhD Mr A Knibb Mr S. T. Parsons Dr M. B. Schofield, BSc, MRes, PhD
Dr D. J. Vernon, BSc, PhD Dr Z. Weaver, BA, PhD Dr A Winsper, PhD Mrs T. Tuijl
## **Council Appointments**
**Officers:**
**Hon. Secretary** – Dr Kidd
**Hon. Treasurer** – Dr Broughton
**Other appointments:**
**Hon. Editor, Journal & Proceedings** – Dr Schofield **Editorial Assistant** – Dr Tammy Dempster **Associate Editor** – Dr Weaver **Hon. Editor, Paranormal Review** – Mr Gordon Rutter **Hon. Communications Officer** – Dr Ruffles
**Hon. Archives Liaison Officer** – Dr Willin **Hon. Website Manager** – Dr Erickson **Website Content Manager** – Mr Nemo Mörck **Data Protection Officer** – Mr Farrell **Hon. Book Review Editor, JSPR** – Mr Nemo Mörck
**Secretary:** Mr Peter Johnson **Librarian:** Mrs Karen Patel
## **Council Committees**
**Committee Chairman Members Education & Publicity** Prof. Carr Dr Erickson, Mr McLuhan, Mr Nemo Mörck, Prof. Roe, Dr Ruffles, Mr Gordon Rutter. **Research Grants** Mr Ryan Dr Broughton, Prof. Carr, Prof. Delanoy, Dr Gauld, Prof. Caroline Watt **Buckmaster Oversight** Dr Broughton Prof. Carr, Mr Fraser, Mr Murdie, Dr Kidd, Mr Ryan, Dr Weaver **Library** Dr Ruffles Dr Kidd, Mr McLuhan, Mr Mörck, Dr John Newton, Mrs Patel, Prof. Poynton, Dr Willin **Spontaneous Cases** Dr Kidd Dr Colvin, Prof. Cooper, Mr Paul Cropper, Mrs Beth Darlington-Bailey, Mr Farrell, Mr Fraser, Dr Matthew Hopkins, Mr Ashley Knibb, Mr Randy Liebeck, Mr Aaron Lomas, Dr John Newton, Dr Ruickbie, Dr Malcolm Schofield, Mr Nick Terrell, Dr Weaver. **Survival Research** Prof. Cooper Mrs Barton, Mr Dennis Bury, Dr Matthew Colborn, Dr Gauld, Dr Rousseau, Dr David Saunders **Conference Programme** Prof. Cooper Prof. Carr, Dr Gauld, Mr Murdie, Prof. Parker, Prof. Roe, Dr Ruffles
## **Professional Advisers**
Independent Examiners & Accountants: Kreston Reeves Investment Manager: Newton Investment Management Ltd.
## **Registered Address: 1 Vernon Mews, London, W14 0RL**
A Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered No. 44861 England. Registered Charity No. 207325
## **ANNUAL REPORT**
## **Report (as of April 2025) of the President - Professor Adrian Parker**
The work of the SPR has been extremely productive during the year 2025 so much so that I shall not attempt to summarise or comment on the individual attainments other than those I think are requiring some special focus. It is indeed a good sign that it is no longer feasible with this task because the activities have become so intense and involve too many individuals as to make a fair summary. The reports below stand as a testimony to the intensity of engagement of individuals in the success of the various committees and enterprises.
as in appropriate instances conducting investigations. There occur also some new expressions of apparently psychic phenomena.
We have had recently some deaths of persons who made major contributions to the SPR, in particular: Peter Fenwick, Alan Gauld, and Dennis Bury. I will also record the death in recent days of Charles Tart who, while not specifically involved in the SPR, has been during many years a major contributor to psychical research and parapsychology.
Not only this year has been conflict-free but one major very favourable event occurred in the form of a major donation and testimony to the SPR which will do much to secure its future. I will leave our treasurer Richard Broughton to provide further details. The funding should in the first instance encourage research in area once central to the SPR, of possible postmortem consciousness. Lasting thanks are due to Richard Broughton and Peter Johnson for seeing this process through.
The Journal of the SPR, now under the editorship of David Vernon, merits a comment since it is currently being adapted to modern standards which in the long run will enable digital on-line access via libraries and internet searches to be made. This involves giving the journal and its articles identification codes and David has provided in his report an excellent concise guide to the various codes that are expressed the form of acronyms.
The Magazine continues to be a success, and the editor Gordon Rutter has more than fulfilled the hopes that the Council had that we would continue the high standard set by Gordon’s predecessors.
The Annual Conference was held at Derby, again in November, and was deemed another success thanks to the efforts of many individuals but of course principally due to work of the programme leader, Callum Cooper, and to the organiser, Peter Johnson.
The work of the Spontaneous Cases Committee is still central to the SPR, and the report here provides a comprehensive documentation of how the SPR continues to provide advice and understanding, as well
One area that may be of some concern is that of membership numbers, which have declined somewhat in the post-Covid years. In particular, an argument can be made for recruiting more student members. In this context, the work of David Vernon and Callum Cooper for organising study days and that of Steve Parsons for his educational courses, becomes vital.
Furthermore, I believe the efforts of those publishing outside the usual scientific journals deserve recognition. I am thinking here of the Council members who publish articles in the Magazine of the SPR, the Paradigm Explorer, and Fortean Times. There are clearly many unsung heroes in the following reports but Tom Ruffles and Nemo Mörk should be mentioned for their book reviews and blogs and news updates.
The role of the SPR president should ideally provide some vision and inspiration for positive change. One aim here, which will add to publicity for the SPR thereby potentially adding to membership numbers, is to promote the SPR as a news hub for providing information about international events related to our subject matter. Many of these events occur through other European SPRs and consciousness research organisations. Ciaran Farrell has provided us with a current assessment of the vicissitudes of Data Protection laws in how they restrict giving this information directly to members. We have as yet made a very limited use of “News” on the SPR website and our social media in lieu of membership access. My suggestion is that we expand this section to be more all-inclusive and that we inform members of this change.
## **RESEARCH**
## **Report of the Research Grants Committee** Chairman: **Adrian Ryan**
The committee received ten grant applications in the period, and after careful deliberations the committee decided to fund four of these. We send our congratulations to the successful applicants and wish them every success with their research. The successful applicants are as follows: **Álex Escolà-Gascón** - Quantum-like psi learning: Neuromodulating extraocular vision in blind individuals - £5,666.40
**Chris Roe, Matthew Hopkins and Deborah Patton -** Testing the theory of 'First Sight' using the Bem 'feeling the future' paradigm – funding request for phase 3 - £7,000.00
**Rodrigo Monetenegro -** Neurophysiological and Phenomenological Effects of tPBM on Synchronized REM States: A Comparative Analysis of REM Lucidity - £7,000.00
**Malcolm Schofield -** I feel, therefore I am: Investigating what emotions underly the variables that correlate with paranormal belief and experience - £6,982.95
The total value of grants awarded this year is £26,649.35.
I would like to encourage SPR members to consider making donations and/or bequests specifically to the SPR’s Research Fund, so that we can continue to support this important work far into the future.
## **Report of the Buckmaster Oversight Committee (BOC)** Chairman: **Dr Richard S. Broughton**
The role of the Buckmaster Oversight Committee is to oversee the projects approved by Council that are funded by a legacy from Mr Nigel Buckmaster.
The SPR’s online Psi Encyclopedia, the flagship project of the Buckmaster fund continues to provide an unmatched online information source for Psychical Research under the direction of Editor Robert McLuhan. This year has seen a host of new topics added along with editorial improvements and enhanced web links across the site. The team is also progressing on a major upgrade of the underlying web platform that has been made necessary by the technical obsolescence of the existing one. Details of its activities this year are in the report of the Education and Publicity Committee.
The two printed volumes of the _Is There Life After Death?_ book project that are associated with this project remain delayed although editor Leo Ruickbie reports that progress has been made this year and that publication is ‘within sight’.
Dr David Rousseau has reported that the Systems Methodology for Exploratory Science project is again on track after an unavoidable pause due to family matters. He expects to complete the remaining product of this project. the practical handbook for applying Systems Methodology to the problems of psychical research by summer of 2025. In the interim he has added an important paper to his collection of published papers arising from this project that is available in the SPR Library.
The Psi Open Data Systems project under Adrian Ryan has continued to accumulate data sets for the use of other scientists, but, as with the Psi Encyclopedia, it is also facing the need to upgrade its web platform, and Adrian is reviewing options for continuing this service in the future.
The BOC regrets the few delays mentioned above but is pleased that the bulk of the benefits from Mr Buckmaster’s generosity have been and continue to be delivered to our scientific colleagues as well as to our members and the general public.
## **Report of the Spontaneous Cases Committee** Chairman: **Graham Kidd**
We have had the usual busy year with some 200 people from every corner of the world reporting their experiences. Of these some 55 have been taken up for investigation by members of the SCC. This of course leaves some 150 available for further investigation, most of whom have agreed.
Beth Darlington is currently the hard-working Case Coordinator and Ciaran Farrel the likewise secretary.
We have expanded the SCC membership by three. Kirsty Allan introduced us to a new measuring device, the
Wyrdoscope, which is random number generator which comes with sophisticated software. We surmise that it may be able to indicate changes in fields correlating with possible psychic effects and demonstrating a field of consciousness outside the skull. Our treasurer kindly agreed to the purchase of a machine, and we hope to use it soon in the first instance with the investigation of those experiencers who purport to have the gift of PK, as well as in poltergeist field investigations. Kirsty is arranging training in its use.
We have also been joined by Sabrina Davis, a psychotherapist and also an expert in forensic psychology, and by Corrine Gretton-West, a much-needed photography expert.
We continue to meet every six weeks to review cases. We are continuing to anonymise cases as they come in and file them, investigated or otherwise, in a system that in due course will be available to Council members and, via a process of basic vetting, to members of the SPR and academics.
Bearing in mind the vast overlap and clustering of types of experience, for the record cases over the past 12 months include 12 apparitions, 5 after death
.
communications, 5 astral projections 31 poltergeists/hauntings, 9 Pk abilities, 7 JOTTs, 25 premonitions, 8 OBEs, 33 telepathy / psychic abilities, 4 cryptid sightings, 5 UFO sightings ,1 reincarnation, 5 possessions, 1 reincarnation, 1 prebirth memory, 19 photos / videos, 4 clairvoyants, and 2 healers. Clearly many are judged to be mistaken as to the paranormal nature of their experience, but all in my view are worth attempting to understand.
The ongoing poltergeist case in Essex seems to be subsiding, if that is the right word, after some five years of activity involving bangs, apports of coins, the falling of large objects off shelves, and electrical interference with messages on the television, and will be reviewed and written up in the coming months.
The Protocol and Procedure document of the SCC is being revised in the light of recent experiences involving a member undergoing a private investigation. This will advise that all those who are undertaking an investigation should agree any relevant conditions that may be deemed to apply, albeit negotiable at a later time, and sign a document accordingly so that there is no misunderstanding.
## **Report of the Survival Research Committee** Chairman: **Callum Cooper**
I would firstly like to offer my appreciation and thanks to Mrs Marian Barton, having led the Survival Research Committee (SRC) as Chair 11 years and having stepped down in this role in mid-2024. The role was immediately offered over to me by the SRC, and I am proud to take on this position. We are also grateful to Dr David Rousseau, who also had to stepdown due to family circumstances, but we await his return when such circumstances become more comfortable for him. I am thankful to the committee members: Mrs Marian Barton (who remains on the committee), Dr Matthew Colborn and Dr David Saunders.
Sadly, Dr Alan Gauld passed away in December 2024, so too, Mr Dennis Bury. However, Mr Bury was able to join an online SRC meeting regarding the recruitment of new members in July 2024, which he gladly approved. These new members are Dr Rachael Ironside and Mr Matthew Arnold.
Despite the various changes to the SRC in the last year, Drs Colborn, Saunders, Rousseau, Mrs Barton and Mr Bury, all carefully considered various applications received for grants, and where possible, Dr Gauld was visited and informed of the incoming projects between 2023-2024. Applications included topics areas of: afterdeath communication experiences, terminal lucidity, past life memories, photography and the afterlife, mediumship, experiences in the funeral industry and
archival work and associated travel.
The following are the awards we have made this year:
## **Professor Chris Roe and Professor Callum**
**Cooper** - Investigation of the phenomenology and Impact of perceived direct and spontaneous After-Death Communications (continuation) - £7,518.92
**Dr Maryne Mutis** - Luciveille: Phenomenological study on the spectrum of terminal lucidity University of Lorraine - £3,000.00
**Elaine Rycroft** - Evaluating the premise that Past Life Memories indicate that ‘personality’ survives death - £3095.00
**Aaron Lomas** - The Phenomenology of Anomalous Experiences Reported during the Covid Pandemic - £2795.00
## **Corrine Gretton-West** - Communicating
Exceptional Human Experiences through Photographic Art’ Continuation - £3150.00
**Prof. Callum Cooper** - for his research on Scott Rogo and correspondence with Raymond Bayless - £260.00
**Patrizio Tressoldi** (Italy) - Living in the AfterLife clues from direct experiences’. (To obtain detailed information about it, and how they live there from participants who claim to be able to visit or contact people there.) - £3,000.00
**Professor Chris Roe, Ashlee Lewis-Earl** ,
Research Assistant, Northampton - The Truth in the Light: Conducting a systemic analysis of the Fenwick collection (continuation) - £2,964.00
**Kirsty Allan** - A New Bridge between the Physical and the Psychical Detecting synchronicity in the field of consciousness during physical mediumship - £3089.00
**Felicity S Kinnersley** , Northampton - Psychic or Spirit? A phenomenological investigation into the process whereby developing Spiritualist mediums learn to attribute received information to ostensible psychic or discarnate sources - £3,000.00
**Corrine Gretton-West** , Northampton - Communicating Exceptional Human Experiences through Photographic Art (continuation) - £2,695.00
**Natalia Mae Lavin** , Northampton - After-Death Communication Experiences in the Funeral Industry - £3,000.00
It should be noted that the Gwen Tate Lectures have now run their course, as funds from the Gwen Tate legacy have since been used for various projects over time. However, we are pleased to report we have
received (after the end of this reporting period) a substantial donation to the Society from Professor YewKwang Ng `黄有光` (Monash University, Australia). Part of the agreement for this is that grants awarded by the SRC in future are to be given in his name, from the renamed **Yew-Kwang Ng (** `黄有光` **) Fund for Survival Research.**
Professor Ng has indicated that the fund should be administered as it is now, by the Survival Research Committee, and that the funds should be managed to provide support in perpetuity. Much like the Gwen Tate Lectures, we may begin to hold Yew-Kwang Ng `黄有 光` Lectures, occasionally, for successful applicants to report back to the SPR on their research.
We continue to support the Hon. Archives Liaison Officer, Dr Melvyn Willin. We also respond to survival themed questions from the Hon. Communications Officer, Dr Tom Ruffles through the website and various media outlets which he also manages.
## **Report of the Library Committee** Chairman: **Dr Tom Ruffles**
The Library Committee approves acquisitions for the Vernon Mews library. The members are: Graham Kidd, Robert McLuhan, Nemo Mörk, John Newton, Karen Patel (Librarian), John Poynton, Tom Ruffles (chair) and Melvyn Willin.
We have seen a steady increase in library usage since the end of the Covid restrictions. During the current reporting year, 140 loans were made (compared to 107 the previous year). Eighteen books were purchased at a cost of £379.60. A further 35 books were donated, and we are grateful to donors for their
generosity. The Librarian operates a sale of secondhand books, available via the website as well as in the library.
The Library continues to be open on Wednesday afternoons, attracting both regular and occasional users, and interested non-members. Requests to visit at other times are arranged with the Secretary.
For members unable to visit, there is a postal loan service; details can be obtained from the Librarian. The library catalogue is on the website.
## **Hon. Archives Liaison Officer’s Report Dr Melvyn Willin**
The work of cataloguing and conservation has continued, as have regular visits to Cambridge University Library (CUL) where relations with the staff are very positive. Having completed the cataloguing of Donald West’s Research Files, I am now cataloguing the hitherto unpublished SPR ‘Hauntings and Poltergeist Files’ which should be completed in 2025.
Correspondence and meetings with a number of academics, members of the SPR and the general public have been undertaken with contacts including the Freiburg Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health and the College of Psychic Studies. Close co-operation with the latter resulted in the purchase of artworks from the Society for conservation and display at the College.
There are on-going conversations with the film company that produced the Enfield Poltergeist documentaries last year – the company received three BAFTA nominations for their work – which will involve further research of the archives.
The ‘SPR Archive Office’ at my premises in Norfolk contains the complete audio-visual collection as well as artefacts from the Enfield Poltergeist case and numerous other items awaiting deposit at CUL. Visits by members are possible by direct contact with me to fix mutually convenient times. Three mainline stations are all approximately ten miles away.
I finish with a request repeated from previous years. Some members receive financial and archival support from the SPR. Please send me copies of these
dissertations, photographs, correspondence and articles for inclusion in the archives when they are of relevance to psychical research. We need more contemporary material to add to the enormous amount of research deposited in the past. Items given to the SPR archives will then be available in the future for the education of
the public and academics alike. When collections are deposited in universities they are, of course, made available to the staff and students therein, but once they are part of the SPR archive collection their availability is increased worldwide.
## **Education and Publicity Committee Chairman: Professor Bernard Carr**
The Education and Publicity Committee (EPC) coordinates the SPR’s educational activities and develops strategies for publicising these. The promotion of our events is now primarily via the internet and our website, so our members include Deborah Erickson (Honorary Website Manager) and Nemo Mörck (Website Content Manager). Other members are Chris Roe, Robert McLuhan, Tom Ruffles (Honorary Communications Officer) and Gordon Rutter (editor of _The Magazine_ ). Some of these members report their activities more fully in their individual reports.
This year our educational programme has again mainly comprised of Zoom events, although we’re beginning to hold physical meetings again. David Vernon continues to organize and host regular Wednesday webinars. In the reported period, these were given by Debra Katz, Jon Barker, Damien O’Dell, Sean Richards, Arnaud Delorme, Roger Nelson, Thomas Rabeyron, Erika Pratte, Mario Varvoglis, Karen Muter and Kyle Hankee. Although we miss meeting physically, webinars have the advantage of attracting speakers and participants from all over the world and it also reduces the expenses involved.
Our educational role also includes overseeing evening discussion forums, organized by Dennis Bury and Ciaran Farrell, and study days, organized by Cal Cooper and David Vernon. A zoom forum on ‘Healing’ took place in January 2023, chaired by Bernard Carr. In October 2023, instead of the usual study day, Rodrigo Montenegro led a physical workshop on vibrational states entitled “Self-Tuning to Higher Consciousness: A Neuroscience-Based Approach”. A hybrid study day in April 2024, entitled “From the Mouths of Babes: Children and Psychical Experience”, was chaired by Cal Cooper with contributions from Donna Thomas, Natalia Lavin, Kate Adams, Kirsty Allan and Elaine Rycroft. The same week the Royal Society was the venue for Ed Kelly’s Myers Memorial lecture and Chris Roe’s Presidential Address, which had been postponed because of the pandemic.
The Committee also plays a part in the annual conference, with Carr, Roe and Ruffles serving on the Programme Committee. However, this year’s conference (held at Derby) was in November 2024 and so will be covered in next year’s report.
Steve Parsons’ excellent _Guidance Notes for the Investigation of Spontaneous Cases_ , financed by the Buckmaster Fund, continues to establish the SPR’s crucial role in this area. In the past year he has built on this foundation, working towards a common approach by all major UK organisations, as well as independent groups and individuals. Further support in this area is provided by the freely downloadable ‘Quick Guides’ and these are being promoted by the EPC. Additional ‘Quick Guides’ are planned to increase the scope of this material. Steve’s main focus is promoting ethical and critical approaches for investigators of spontaneous experiences. He has implemented a standardised training package, based on the _Guidance Notes_ . ASSAP has now adopted this for their investigator training and this is frequently cited as a reason for people joining that organisation. He hopes to offer SPR members a similar provision and is developing an SPR training package appropriate for both in-person and online delivery. Steve’s latest book, _Paravision, Sight & the Paranormal_ , co-edited with Cal Cooper, will be published by White Crow books in 2025. It examines the visual aspects of a wide range of paranormal experiences and follows the success of their previous collaboration in examining sound and acoustic aspects of paranormal experiences.
New articles continue to be published in the _Psi Encyclopedia_ , which is funded by the Buckmaster bequest and now contains 650 articles and almost two million words. It is currently undergoing an upgrade necessitated by the switch to a new software platform. This will see some changes to the design and navigation, and new features such as pdf files of key research papers that can be downloaded, along with links to online articles, books and videos that are free to view. Another Buckmaster project, two volumes of essays on aspects of survival, has unfortunately been delayed through factors beyond our control, but progress continues to be made.
Tom Ruffles regularly responds to enquiries via the website and social media. Frequent references to the SPR, both in print and online, can be followed on our Facebook page and Twitter feed, both of which are overseen by Tom. At the end of the reporting year the Facebook page had 18,874 ‘likes’ and the general Twitter (X) feed had 11,948 followers. These sites
publicise SPR events and carry news about the field in general. Tom also runs a Twitter feed dedicated to _Psi Encyclopedia,_ which had 2,870 followers. Posts on all three are circulated by readers and thereby reach a very large audience. ASSAP’s regular e-bulletin includes forthcoming SPR events. Significant information relating to the SPR appears on our website as news
items posted by Nemo Mörck, who also adds information about new books and their reviews. SPR members frequently make media appearances, and these are mostly reported on our website. We continue to build bridges with other organisations since this allows news of our activities to reach a wider audience.
## **Report of the Hon. Website Manager Dr Deborah Erickson**
The SPR website has continued smooth operations this reporting period. Content Manager Nemo Morck published 18 book reviews in 2024, including reviews of popular books in addition to the academic. Reviewers are thanked for their time and expertise. Nemo would also like to remind members/readers that he and Tom Ruffles, Hon. Communications Officer, appreciate tips about new
books, surveys, lectures and events. We are happy to give attention on the SPR website and on social media when it is appropriate.
David Vernon, Editor, will report on the move of the Journal of the SPR to another technology platform.
## **The Journal of the Society for Psychical Research** Editor: **Dr David Vernon**
I took over the Editorship of the Journal of the Society for Psychical Research in January 2024 from Dr Malcolm Schofield. I would like to begin by thanking Malcolm for all the work he has done for the Journal and for the smooth handover and his support during that period and since.
During the period 1[st] October 2023 to 31[st] September, we have produced and published four issues of the Journal: those for October 2023, January 2024, April 2024, and July 2024. The aim, as always, is to have these issues distributed to subscribers in their designated month of publication but this is in part dependent on the amount of sufficiently high-quality material ready for publication and on ensuring its production to the highest quality. Additionally, in order to keep distribution costs down, mailings are sometimes delayed so as to include other materials being prepared for members. Taken together, these five Journal issues included 8 refereed articles, 20 book reviews, one obituary and two Society notices. The Journal continues to have international reach, which is reflected in contributions from Brazil, the USA, as well as the United Kingdom. Prospective contributors are reminded that the email address for submissions is journal@spr.ac.uk and we encourage electronic submissions as Word files.
The published material continues to reflect the breadth of interest within psychical research, ranging from experimental research (both quantitative and qualitative), field investigations, case studies, theoretical contributions, reviews and historical perspectives. I trust that this diversity assures members
that the Editorial Board will consider any empirical approach or topic of relevance to psychical research so long as it is original, provides a significant contribution to the field and is underpinned by a highly rigorous methodology.
Looking ahead, in an effort to enhance the visibility of the Journal and bring it more into line with similar journals, we will be working to link the Journal content to various persistent identifiers (PID). The initial aim will be to link the Journal with Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) and author ORCID data. A Digital Object Identifier, or DOI, represents a persistent identifier (PID) for a piece of online content, such as a journal article, research note, book review etc. Whereas ORCID stands for Open Researcher and Contributor ID, and is a free, unique PID for authors. Hence, a simple way to think of these is that the DOI is a PID for Journal _content_ whereas ORCID is a PID for the _author_ of that content. Once these have been obtained and are in place the aim will then be to try again to secure indexing of the journal.
Editing and producing the JSPR is both a time consuming and demanding task, and not one carried out alone. Hence, I would like to offer my very special thanks to both the Associate Editor, Dr Zofia Weaver, and the Editorial Assistant, Dr Tammy Dempster, for their excellent work and very much appreciated support. Thanks also to Julie Gorman from Helius (https://helius.co.uk/), our typesetter, for her prompt and scrupulous attention to detail when helping to shape the articles. A big thank you to our Book Review Editor, Nemo Mörck, for his help and guidance with the
book reviews and more. Last, but by no means least, my sincere thanks to all those who help to make the JSPR possible by submitting manuscripts and to those that help review them, providing a high level of useful
and effective feedback to help ensure that the JSPR remains a useful and valuable publication within the field of psychic research.
## **The Magazine of the Society for Psychical Research** Editor: **Gordon Rutter**
During the reporting period only three issues of _The Magazine_ were produced. Partly this has been due to the learning curve of getting to grips with the software. As I write this one more issue has been produced and another is almost ready to go, this coming year will see an inroad into reducing the backlog.
The issues are all full colour and twenty-eight pages, and all are submitted as a print ready PDF and a compressed version for electronic distribution. Due to the time taken to print the physical copies the online version appears first and is available from the SPR website members’ section.
During this year _The Magazine_ has continued its wide range of articles. Each issue contains a piece from the President, Adrian Parker. Over the course of the year, we have had interviews such as that with Danny Robins who promotes the paranormal through his BBC Podcast, stage show and TV series _Uncanny_ . Another interview has been with David Vernon giving us some behind the scenes views on the popular series of online talks. This is the first of a series of articles about and with personages of the SPR, giving us a look behind the curtain of the SPR. Within this vein we also had Tom Ruffles and “The SPR on Social Media” and Nemo Mörck “Opportunities and Challenges: the SPR Web Pages”. Paul Lee provided us with “A Ghostly Gazetteer”.
“Food and the Psychic Investigator” by Mike Daws provided a different approach to our subject. We have also had some historical overviews such as Trevor Harley “Parapsychology in Cambridge in the 1970s”, and some forward-looking articles such as Sean Richards “Furthering Research into Electronic Voice Phenomena”. And there have been several event reports including the 2023 annual conference and Ashley Knibb on “The Myers Memorial Medal, the Presidential Address and the Royal Society”.
Add in some news items, some letters and a wealth of newly received materials for the SPR Library.
And there was one other article from David Ellis. “A Paradigm for the Paranormal”. David has been proofreading _The Magazine_ and before that _The Paranormal Review_ for many years and several editors. As usual I offer my heartfelt thanks to have for the excellent work he does.
Over the year I have received some positive comments from the membership about _The Magazine_ , and I am very grateful for them all and I am glad that people are enjoying it. I am also grateful to all who have contributed articles or letters, and I hope to continue to receive many more of both.
The continued use of Open-Source software to produce _The Magazine_ saves the SPR quite a large fee in licensing.
.
## **Annual Conference**
Programme Chairman: **Prof. Callum Cooper,** Conference Organiser: **Peter Johnson**
The 47[th] SPR International Annual Conference took place 8[th] - 10[th] November 2024 at the Derby Mickleover Hotel. This was an in-person only event and online attendance was not provided. We had just over 70 people registered throughout the weekend.
Speakers joined us from throughout the UK, across Europe and from the United States. A total of 25 talks were scheduled over the weekend, including 2 invited talks from Dr Richard Broughton and Dr William van Gordon, as well as a guest after-dinner talk from , Prof. Paul Gilbert, OBE.
Talks were arranged into themed sessions such as ‘observing the exceptional’, ‘the latest from the labs’, ‘experimental and theoretical’, ‘death, dying and beyond’, ‘history and legacy’, ‘case studies, collection and method’, ‘spirit and the end of the tunnel’ and ‘beliefs and perceptions’. Video recordings will be available via the SPR website. The abstracts of the papers are available on the website.
A note of thanks is due to the SPR Conference Programme Committee (Prof. Carr, Mr Nemo Mörck, Mr Murdie, Prof. Parker, Prof. Roe and Dr Ruffles). Thanks are also due to Mr Johnson, especially, for
assistance in scouting out locations, and all the admin hours that go into setting up contracts with venues, creating and the booking packages, editing and printing the book of abstracts and badges, etc., etc. The hard work all paid off as I have never seen and heard so much positive feedback for a conference before. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all. My thanks to all involved
and the speakers for giving their time to create such an event.
## **Secretary’s Report Peter Johnson**
In the table below, you will be able to see that our membership numbers have reduced this year, in line
with the experience of many other membership organisations during these difficult times for everyone.
||**Members & Associates**|**Members & Associates**|**Members & Associates**|
|---|---|---|---|
||**2024**|2023|Change|
|UK|**437**|480|-8.96%|
|USA|**133**|153|-13.07%|
|Other|**135**|151|-10.60%|
|**TOTAL**|**705**|784|-10.08%|
|**Student Associates**|**Student Associates**|**Student Associates**||**TOTALS**||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**2024**|2023|Change|**2024**|2023|Change|
|**51**|39|30.77%|**488**|519|-6%|
|**23**|21|9.52%|**156**|174|-10%|
|**17**|24|-29.17%|**152**|175|-13%|
|**91**|84|8.33%|**796**|868|-8%|
Note that, in addition to the Members and Associates, we also send copies of our publications to over 100 subscribers. An increasing number of members are opting to take advantage of the £15 discount for digital-only publications.
Audio recordings of all our events are available free of charge for members only, and for purchase by nonmembers. Thanks to David Vernon for finding so many interesting speakers for our online Web Events during the year. Thanks to Melvyn Willin for maintaining our archive catalogue of recordings. Please note that, in addition to borrowing physical recordings, members may also listen to recent talks directly from our website.
when visitors may come without an appointment.
We held our 2024 Annual General Meeting in person at Vernon Mews in April.
The following six members of Council retired and were re-elected at this meeting to serve for three further years:
- C. J. Farrell, BSc, GRSC.
- J. Fraser, B.A.
- R. G. McLuhan, B.A., B.Litt.
- C. E. Cooper, BSc, MRes, PhD, CPsychol., FHEA,
- C. A. Roe, BSc., MSc., PhD
- A. P. Ryan
The Office and Library have continued to operate mainly from home, with Karen Patel (Librarian) attending the SPR Library on Wednesday afternoons
All other motions on the agenda were passed unanimously.
## **Data Protection Officer’s Report Ciaran Farrell**
During the course of the reporting year the SPR’s General Data Protection Implementation Team, GDPRIT, continued to monitor and evaluate the SPR’s operation to ensure that the systems that had been put in place were the correct ones and that they were functioning as they were intended to do.
In order to do this GDPRIT held physical and Zoom meetings online and exchanged correspondence within GDPRIT, the SPR, and with other organisations as we continued our work reviewing and updating the SPR’s overarching Privacy and Data Protection policy.
This work has now been completed and the new policy has been adopted and placed on the SPR’s website. It was concluded during the review process that the provisions of the 2023 Online Safety Act did not essentially affect the SPR’s operation in any material way so its provisions did not need to be incorporated within the policy.
In addition to this we again reviewed the operation of the SPR’s website and administrative and events email mailing lists. This was to ensure that SPR members can take up the benefits of SPR membership
by way of the information services and other services the SPR has to offer, as well as publicising SPR events.
A general Data Processing Agreement, DPA, for the SPR which was discussed in the last reporting year was developed within GDPRIT during the current reporting period, finalised, and installed as a policy for internal guidance. The DPA contained guidance on the use of emails by SPR Council members, staff and volunteers as well as the use of WhatsApp which is being used internally within the SCC for discussion rather than decision making processes. We wanted to ensure that current SPR practice conforms to the standards used by government as set out in government guidance for the use of WhatsApp and other messaging Apps. The DPA also contained an integral Bring Your Own Device policy.
A BYOD policy is recommended for small charitable companies like the SPR by the Charity Commission and the UK’s data regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, ICO. This is because the SPR is a ‘distributed’ organisation with many key SPR personnel, Council members, staff and volunteers working from home using their own computers and other communications devices. A BYOD policy is a means by which an organisation like the SPR can ensure that common standards are worked to by all concerned in relation to the safety, security and management of data across the organisation even when people are using their own equipment at home.
GDPRIT also reviewed the use and operation of the SCC’s Policy and Protocol policy from a data protection point of view after a number of changes were made to it to update the policy following a review of the policy in connection with fresh requirements for on-site investigations.
In addition to this, GDPRIT reviewed the SPR’s internal processes and procedures for Subject Access Requests, SARs following further SARs which were made during the course of the year. A Subject Access Request is an official request under The Data Protection Act 2018, known as UK GDPR for the applicant(s) to have a copy of the data that is held on them by an organisation. The data was provided to the applicant(s) within the timescales laid down by the ICO, and in accordance with ICO guidance. It was acknowledged that people may make SAR applications for a verity of reasons some of which might diverge from the original intended purpose of the legislation to ensure the data held on them is correct and accurate. Furthermore, GDPRIT also considered how complaints
might best be handled from a data protection point of view, to ensure that confidentially and impartiality of the existing SPR complaints procedure is maintained in the run up to a prospective review of the complaints procedure itself.
The previous government’s Data Protection and Digital Information Bill which was making its way through Parliament when the then Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, called the general election did not complete its parliamentary hurdles in time to be passed into law. The incoming Labour government has seen the need to build on some of the work done by the previous government and has announced through the King’s Speech that they will introduce a Digital Information and Smart Data Bill into parliament. This will focus on the need to ensure that people and organisations will have secure digital identities for the safety and security of all concerned online in order to protect the nation against fraud and cyber-attacks. Hopefully they will also see the wisdom in relaxing some of the more the more onus restrictions and requirements of GDPR. In particular, they want to reduce the burden of red tape for small companies and charities like the SPR including the burden of work associated with SARs and the operation of email mailing lists.
During the course of the year, I have continued to work with the Policy Advisory Panel, PAP in order to develop SPR policy that is relevant and related to the data protection work of the DPO and to liaise with the SCC in their work to develop their own policies and protocols.
I have also made regular reports to the SPR Council on data protection and policy matters related to this as well as communicating with my colleagues within the SPR on data protection matters. This is in keeping with the requirement under the Data Protection Act 2018 for corporate boards of Trustees/Directors to be kept informed and involved with the requirements of data protection work as it applies to their own organisations including ICO guidance.
The DPO looks forward to working with GDPRIT and the PAP in the future as well as the SPR Council over the forthcoming year.
The Data Protection Officer would like to thank the other members of GDPRIT for all their hard work. They are Peter Johnson - SPR Secretary, Richard Broughton - Honorary Treasurer and Adrian Ryan.
## **The Financial Position** Honorary Treasurer: **Dr Richard Broughton**
I am pleased to report that the Society has concluded the fiscal year in reasonably good financial health. Our reserves are up slightly on last year, thanks in part to our own income-generating activities, but mostly to a healthy investment market. We were able to provide substantial financial support to a good number of research projects as detailed elsewhere in this report, but we are in a position to do more, and our research committees are being encouraged to seek good quality projects worthy of support. Support from the Society is vitally important for both early career researchers and students as well as established scientists who are unable to obtain financial support for research from the usual sources.
The general economic environment remains challenging for the Society and its members as costs continue to rise on all fronts. Our membership numbers have dipped a bit but income remains steady. We are enormously grateful for our members who can continue to support the Society through membership in these difficult times.
Most of our programmes for academics and the public are being conducted on-line or in a hybrid format. Our Annual Conference offered both on-site and video participation and drew a good attendance. Our Study Days are migrating to a hybrid format as well, and our completely on-line discussion group evenings remain popular. The Society’s _Journal_ and
the _Magazine_ continue to be produced to a high standard, but skyrocketing mailing charges have led the Society to encourage on-line receipt of our publications.
The Society continues to weather difficult financial circumstances in reasonable shape thanks to the continued hard work of our staff and volunteers to provide our services as economically as possible. We continue to see the effect of the cost-of-living crisis on our membership which, for many people, especially for students and young people, is a matter of discretionary income. More than ever, it remains vitally important that the Society receives donations to the general fund that can provide the additional income required to offer our scientific and educational services at the lowest possible cost to our members. Those who are in a position to be generous now can help future generations of psychical researchers develop into productive scientists.
The Society has engaged a different accounting firm this year and you will notice that the Annual Financial Statement looks different, however all the essential information is present. The accounts have been subject to an Independent Examination and no issues of concern have been noted. The full report of this examination is included in the financial statement.
## **THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH**
## **1 Vernon Mews, London, W14 0RL**
## **For full Members of the Society.**
**ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING** of The Incorporated Society for Psychical Research to be held at 1 Vernon Mews, London, W14 0RL on Saturday, 26[th] April 2025 at 5.15 p.m.
## **AGENDA**
- **1) To approve and sign the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 27[th] April 2024**
- **2) To receive the Report of the Council and the Annual Statement of Accounts made up to 30[th] September 2024.**
- **3) To elect six members to the Council**
Six members of the Council are due to retire from office and all six offer themselves for re-election. No further nominations having been received, there is no requirement to hold a vote on this matter:
Mrs M E Barton Dr B G Colvin Mrs J A Rousseau Dr L Ruickbie Mr A D Murdie Dr M J Willin
- **4) To appoint Kreston Reeves LLP as Reporting Accountants for the period prescribed by the Companies Act 2006.**
- **5) To authorise the Council to determine the remuneration of the Reporting Accountants.**
**No other business will be transacted at this meeting.**
## **THE INCORPORATED SOCIETY FOR PSYCHICAL RESEARCH 1 Vernon Mews, London, W14 0RL**
## **MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING**
## **HELD ON Saturday, 27[th] April 2024 at 5.15 p.m.**
Dr Richard Broughton (Hon Treasurer of the Society) opened the meeting at 5.15 p.m., welcoming 10 voting members to the Annual General Meeting of the Society.
## **The President was not present; Dr Broughton was unanimously appointed as the Chairman.**
## **1) To approve and sign the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 29[th] April 2023, which was adjourned and reconvened on 27[th] May 2023.**
Dr Broughton proposed that the Minutes of the AGM held on 29[th] April 2023, adjourned for Item 2 only and reconvened on 27[th] May 2023 should be approved. **This was seconded by Mr Farrell and was agreed unanimously.**
## **2) To receive the Report of the Council and the Annual Statement of Accounts made up to 30[th] September 2023.**
Dr Broughton explained that the Report of the Council and the Annual Statement of Accounts made up to 30[th] September 2023 were not ready to bring to the meeting. This item would be adjourned to a date to be agreed. It was agreed that this date should be Wednesday 5[th] June 2024, at 2.00 p.m.
- **3) To elect six members to the Council**
Six members of the Council are due to retire from office and all six offer themselves for re-election. No further nominations having been received, there is no requirement to hold a vote on this matter:
C. J. Farrell, BSc, GRSC. C. E. Cooper, BSc, MRes, PhD, CPsychol., FHEA, J. Fraser, B.A. C. A. Roe, BSc., MSc., PhD R. G. McLuhan, B.A., B.Litt. A. P. Ryan
## **4) To re-appoint PK Audit LLP Chartered Accountants as Reporting Accountants for the period prescribed by the Companies Act 2006.**
Dr Broughton reported that, along with Mr Johnson, he was still considering alternative options for appointing new Accountants. Mr Farrell proposed that PK Audit LLP Chartered Accountants should be reappointed as Reporting Accountants for the period prescribed by the Companies Act 2006 and such other Accountants as Council determines during the coming year. **This was seconded by Mr Fraser and was agreed unanimously.**
## **5) To authorise the Council to determine the remuneration of the Reporting Accountants.**
- Dr Cooper proposed that the Council should be authorised to determine the remuneration of the Reporting Accountants. **This was seconded by Mr Farrell and was agreed unanimously.**
No other business was transacted at this meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
## **RECONVENED ON Wednesday, 5[th] June 2024 at 2.00 p.m.**
Dr Broughton welcomed 5 members to the reconvened meeting. The President was not present; Dr Broughton was unanimously appointed as the Chairman.
## **Item 2) held over from the meeting on Saturday, 27[th] April 2024. To receive the Report of the Council and the Annual Statement of Accounts made up to 30[th] September 2023.**
Dr Broughton proposed that the Report of the Council and the Annual Statement of Accounts made up to 30th September 2023 should be received. This was agreed unanimously.
No other business was transacted at this meeting. The meeting closed at 2.10 p.m.
**NOTES ON CANDIDATES FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING TO BE HELD ON 26[TH] APRIL 2025**
## **IN THEIR OWN WORDS**
## MRS M E BARTON
Marian Barton joined the Society in 1963. Her grounding in psychical research was by attending courses given by other members of the SPR in the 1960s. In the early days she helped investigate spontaneous cases with her late husband Arthur Ellison. She acted as the Society’s Social Secretary for some years, providing a welcome to new members and introducing them to others in the Society at SPR events.
Marian worked at the Institute of Psychiatry for 5 years helping with the research on twins via Hans Eysenck’s twin register, where she was also the contact name for the twins when they needed help and advice. Marian worked for over 13 years as Admissions Officer at St Christopher’s Hospice, London and considers that survival is an important aspect of research into the paranormal, believing that a knowledge that we may survive bodily death can help the bereaved.
Marian has been on the Survival Research Committee for some years, and was co-opted to the Council and appointed Chairman of the Committee in 2013. She oversaw the reprint of the Scole Report and is a member of the Conference Planning Group. Marian has also given Workshops and lectures on the paranormal at the Theosophical Society Summer Schools and other meetings. She resigned as Chair of the SCC in 2024 but remains on the committee.
## DR B G COLVIN, BSc, PhD
Barrie Colvin joined the SPR in 1973 and was co-opted to Council in 2007. He was appointed by the Council to fill a temporary vacancy in the list of elected members of Council in January 2014, following the resignation of Dr Sommer. He has been actively involved in the investigation of mental and physical mediums, including directvoice, transfiguration and materialisation mediumship. Past projects have included the investigation of haunted houses, the human aura, X-ray analysis of hair reported to be taken from the head of Katie King and evaluation of evidence presented by Gerard Croiset in a missing person case. His principal interest in recent times has been the physics of poltergeist activity, including the development of instrumentation for this branch of the subject. He developed and successfully trialled infra-red absorption equipment as well as a bespoke mid-frequency infra-red camera for poltergeist field work. His most recent projects have been a study of the acoustic properties of poltergeist rapping sounds and the analysis of voices generated at a materialisation séance.
## MRS J A ROUSSEAU, BSc (Hons)
Julie Rousseau joined the SPR in 1994 and has been a member of Council since 2002. She served as the SPR's Hon Website Manager from 2006 to 2014, introducing online subscription and membership management, and providing tools for non-technical volunteers to add editorial content to the website easily. She is currently an e- commerce strategy consultant helping businesses to optimise their online operations, having provided mathematical decision support in areas as diverse as fisheries management, aeronautics and new business development. She promotes interdisciplinary and systems approaches to the study of anomalous phenomena and has a particular interest in the mechanisms by which new ideas catalyse social transformation. She is a co-founder of the Library of Exploratory Science, which houses the SPR's Online Library.
DR L RUICKBIE BA (Hons), MA, PhD (Lond), AKC (Associate of King's College)
Dr Ruickbie has been a member of the SPR since 2010 and was co-opted to the Council in 2017 and was appointed by the Council to fill a temporary vacancy in the list of elected members of Council in June 2022. He is the author of several books on witchcraft, magic, and the supernatural. His published articles, covering such subjects as theories of magic, the historical development of personalised conceptions of evil, folk beliefs in the external soul, and the representation of angels in modern media, show his broad interest in the history and sociology of belief and anomalous phenomena. Dr Ruickbie served for a number of years as Editor of _The Magazine_ of the Society for Psychical Research.
## MR A D MURDIE, LLB, Barrister
Alan Murdie has been a member of the SPR since 1997 and was co-opted to the Council in 1999. He was appointed by the Council to fill a temporary vacancy in the list of elected members of Council, replacing Chris Roe in 2005. He is a lawyer by profession, has investigated spontaneous cases both in Britain and abroad and is
the Chairman of the Society's Spontaneous Cases Committee. He served for several years as Chairman of The Ghost Club.
## DR M J WILLIN, PhD
Dr Willin has been a member of the Society since 1992, was co-opted to Council in 1997 and became an elected member in 2000. He currently serves as the Society's Hon. Archives Liaison Officer, working on the archives held in Cambridge University Library. He holds two PhDs, both about music. The first is in connection with the paranormal and the second studying its place in pagan and witchcraft ritual and culture. Melvyn previously taught parapsychology and psychical research at a college in Essex. He has led investigations into alleged haunting and poltergeist cases and continues to support the serious research of all such phenomena.
**Registered number: 00044861 Charity number: 207325**
## **The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Unaudited**
**Trustees' report and financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research (A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Contents**
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers**|1|
|**Trustees' report**|2 - 4|
|**Trustees' responsibilities statement**|5|
|**Independent examiner's report**|6|
|**Statement of financial activities**|7|
|**Balance sheet**|8|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|9 - 22|
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **Trustees**
The members of the Council
## **Company registered number**
00044861
## **Charity registered number**
207325
## **Registered office**
1 Vernon Mews West Kensington London W14 0RL
## **Company secretary**
P M Johnson
## **Independent Examiner**
Lucy Hammond Kreston Reeves LLP 9 Donnington Park 85 Birdham Road Chichester West Sussex PO20 7AJ
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ NatWest Bank plc 55 Kensington High Street London W8 5ZG
## **Investment advisors**
BNY Mellon Fund Managers Ltd PO Box 366 Darlington DL1 9RF
Page 1
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report For the year ended 30 September 2024**
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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 (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **a. Policies and objectives**
The Incorporated Society for Psychical Research (the Society) was incorporated in 1895 and is governed by a memorandum and articles of association, being both a company limited by guarantee without a share capital and a registered charity.
The Society is controlled by a Council whose elected members are directors of the Society, and all of whose members, elected and co-opted, are trustees of the Society. The names of members of Council and subsidiary committees are listed in the Annual Report of Council preceding these accounts. The day-to-day administration of the Society is managed by a full-time administrator supported by a part time librarian.
The objects and principal activities of the Society during the year continued to be the investigation of psychic and other paranormal phenomena, including awarding grants, and other services to further such investigation, the publication of research findings and related matters in its journal and magazine, the maintenance of a library and archives, the maintenance of an information website and an online library of the Society’s publications, the holding of public lectures, symposia and an international conference, and the reception of and due response to enquiries and requests for information from the Society’s members and the general public.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Society's aims and objectives and in planning future activities and settling the grant making policy for the year. Specific details of how these objectives have been achieved and maintained during the year can be found in the preceding individual reports of the various Committees and Officers.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
## **a. Main achievements of the Company**
SPR can report several achievements, including the reopening of the library, the success of the film "The Enfield Poltergeist" due to Melvyn Willin's efforts, and the addition of Quick Guides for Investigators on the SPR website. The Psi Encyclopaedia now has 650 articles, and the SPR's social media presence has grown significantly. The JSPR published eight peer-reviewed articles and 19 book reviews in 2023. The SPR also hosted successful web events and an international conference. Additionally, SPR acknowledges the need for improved investigatory standards and a simple complaints procedure.
Page 2
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **Financial review**
## **a. Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
## **b. Reserves policy**
The unrestricted reserves of the charity stand at £2,177,264 (2023: £2,151,203) whilst the restricted reserves of the charity stand at £1,767,440 (2023: £1,660,979).
The planned use of the SPR Reserves is as follows. The use of the General Fund (GF) is unrestricted, and it is invested in a medium-risk portfolio to provide income for the payment of the SPR’s operational expenses, and such expenditure is reported in the Accounts. The SPR Research Fund (RF) is restricted for use towards research. This fund is invested in a medium-risk portfolio, and the dividend earnings from this investment are made available for grants to be awarded by the Research Grants Committee. Such awards are reported in the Accounts and in the annual report of the Chairman of the Research Grants Committee. The Survival Research Fund (SRF) is restricted for promoting activities that might lead to a scientific theory of life after death. This fund is invested in a medium-risk portfolio, and the annual increase in portfolio value is made available for grants to be awarded by the SPR Council on recommendations from the Survival Research Committee. Such awards are reported in the Accounts and in the annual report of the Chairman of the Survival Research Committee.
The Buckmaster Fund is restricted in accordance with the Will of the donor, Nigel Buckmaster, for collating and presenting the best evidence for anomalous phenomena relevant to Psychical Research and related work, and allowing a portion to be used for securing a freehold premises for housing the SPR headquarters and library. In 2014, the SPR Council approved that £250,000 of the legacy be reserved for use in purchasing new premises, and the remainder be reserved for project use. In 2015, the capital of the Buckmaster Building Fund was applied to the purchase of a long leasehold on the 1 Vernon Mews property for the Society’s offices resulting in a zero balance and the Buckmaster Building Fund was wound up. The Buckmaster Projects Fund is invested in medium risk portfolios. The capital and earnings of the Buckmaster Projects Fund is available for spending on appropriate projects approved by the SPR Council, and these projects are managed by the Buckmaster Oversight Committee. Such expenditure is reported in the Accounts and the report of the Chairman of the Buckmaster Oversight Committee. The earnings on the investment of the Buckmaster Funds will be transferred for use to the SPR Research Fund and Survival Research Fund at the beginning of each fiscal year in equal parts.
All three restricted funds are assessed a small administration charge to defray the costs of administering the funds.
## **c. Financial review**
The Statement of Financial Activities shows a net deficit before gains or loss on investments of £132,605 (2023: £159,102).
Gains on investments changed from a increase of £156,458 in 2023 to an increase of £265,127 in the current year. This was as a result of the positive movement on markets during the year. The net movement in funds for the year was an increase of £132,522 (2023: decrease of £2,644).
The closing balance on reserves, representing the net assets of the Society, increased by this amount from £3,812,182 as at 30 September 2023 to £3,944,704 as at 30 September 2024.
Page 3
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **a. Directors and Trustees**
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and incorporated in England and Wales. The company’s registered office is 1 Vernon Mews, London W14 0RL.
All of the elected members of Council are directors of the company and trustees of the charity and there are a further seven coopted members who are also trustees. All the members listed in the attached Annual Report of Council served throughout the year. No remuneration is paid to the Society’s officers in their capacity as trustees or directors.
The Society’s Articles of Association stipulate that 24 trustees are elected by the voting members of the Society. Co-opted trustees are appointed by the Council and are recruited primarily through coming to the attention of existing trustees through their interest in the goals and work of the Society. Co-opted trustees are sought who can bring to the Society particular talents, expertise and experience not only in science but also in other professions such as can enhance and facilitate its operations and future direction.
## **Plans for future periods**
With well over a century’s experience in providing reliable information on psychical research to the public and high quality professional research reports to the scientific community, as well as financially supporting new research, the Society plans to continue its work as described in the accompanying Annual Report of its activities. Near term plans including continuing the Society’s policy of keeping costs low for membership, conferences, and other educational activities in order to encourage greater participation by students and academics from around the world. Recognising that this places a considerable burden on the general fund of the Society efforts are ongoing to attract benefactors and develop new sources of funding that can provide additional support to the General Fund.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Adrian Parker (Apr 9, 2025 17:01 GMT+2)
**Prof. A. D. Parker** President (Director and Trustee) Date:
**Dr R S Broughton** Honorary Treasurer (Director and Trustee)
Page 4
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Statement of Trustees' responsibilities For the year ended 30 September 2024**
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 105);
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Adrian Parker (Apr 9, 2025 17:01 GMT+2)
**Prof. A. D. Parker** President (Director and Trustee) Date:
**Dr R S Broughton** Honorary Treasurer (Director and Trustee)
Page 5
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Independent examiner's report**
**For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research ('the Company')**
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the Trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: Lucy Hammond BSc FCA
## **Kreston Reeves LLP**
Chartered Accountants 9 Donnington Park 85 Birdham Road Chichester West Sussex PO20 7AJ
Page 6
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) For the year ended 30 September 2024**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
4
Charitable activities
5
Other trading activities
6
Investments
7
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
**Net expenditure before net gains on**
**investments**
Net gains on investments
**Net income/(expenditure)**
Transfers between funds
19
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
**Total funds carried forward**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**214**
**-**
**-**
**38,154**
**38,368**
**-**
**96,218**
**96,218**
**(57,850)**
**170,727**
**112,877**
**(6,416)**
**106,461**
**1,660,979**
**106,461**
**1,767,440**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**50,948**
**12,473**
**40,258**
**21,301**
**124,980**
**21,086**
**178,649**
**199,735**
**(74,755)**
**94,400**
**19,645**
**6,416**
**26,061**
**2,151,203**
**26,061**
**2,177,264**|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**51,162**
**12,473**
**40,258**
**59,455**
**163,348**
**21,086**
**274,867**
**295,953**
**(132,605)**
**265,127**
**132,522**
**-**
**132,522**
**3,812,182**
**132,522**
**3,944,704**|Total
funds
2023
£
13,933
2,484
36,602
63,986|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||117,005
31,650
244,457|
|||||276,107
(159,102)
156,458|
|||||(2,644)
-|
|||||(2,644)
3,814,826
(2,644)|
|||||3,812,182|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 9 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
Page 7
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number:**
## **Balance sheet As at 30 September 2024**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
14
Investments
15
**Current assets**
Stocks
16
Debtors
17
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
18
**Net current assets / liabilites**
**Total net assets**
**Charity funds**
Restricted funds
19
Unrestricted funds
19
**Total funds**|**2,854**
**5,461**
**65,292**
**73,607**
**(45,688)**|**2024**
**£**
**1,269,954**
**2,646,831**
**3,916,785**
**27,919**
**3,944,704**
**1,767,440**
**2,177,264**
**3,944,704**|2,706
9,519
40,745
52,970
(69,692)|2023
£
1,271,526
2,557,378|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||3,828,904
(16,722)|
|||||3,812,182
1,660,979
2,151,203|
|||||3,812,182|
The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Adrian Parker (Apr 9, 2025 17:01 GMT+2) ................................................ ................................................ **Prof. A. D. Parker Dr R S Broughton** President (Director and Trustee) Honorary Treasurer (Director and Trustee) Date:
The notes on pages 9 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **1. General information**
The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 1 Vernon Mews, London, W14 0RL.
The members of the charitable company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member.
## **2. Accounting policies**
## **2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
## **2.2 Going concern**
The trustees have carried out a detailed review of the charity’s financial position including a review of cash flow forecasts taking into account the increasingly broad effects of cost crisis as a result of its negative impact on the global economy and major financial markets.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **2.3 Income**
All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the Company has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the Company, can be reliably measured.
Income from membership and journal subscriptions, conferences and sales of publications and other items is accounted for in each case as the amount due for the year. Provision is made against a proportion of outstanding subscriptions on the basis of non-recoveries experienced in previous years.
Other income is accounted for when received. Government grants are accounted for when receivable and included in other sales.
Page 9
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.4 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 benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Company to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of investment management.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **2.5 Foreign currencies**
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date.
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.
Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of financial activities.
## **2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, .
Depreciation is provided on the following bases:
- Freehold property Over 100 years - Office equipment 15% p.a. on written down value - Computer equipment 25% p.a. on cost
Page 10
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.7 Investments**
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.
## **2.8 Stocks**
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks.
## **2.9 Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **2.10 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term 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.
## **2.11 Liabilities and provisions**
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of 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 recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
## **2.12 Financial instruments**
The Company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **2.13 Pensions**
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Company to the fund in respect of the year.
Page 11
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.14 Fund accounting**
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Endowment funds comprise capital donated to the charity, together with accumulated realised and unrealised investment gains or losses. The Trustees have the power to expend the endowment funds. Investment management charges and other professional fees relating directly to the fund are charged against the fund. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **2.15 Library**
The Society owns a library of books which have been acquired over a considerable period of time since the Society was founded. Since there is no reliable cost information, and any conventional valuation would either lack sufficient reliability, or the costs involved in valuing the library would be onerous compared with the additional benefit to the users of the financial statements in assessing the directors’ and trustees’ stewardship, no valuation has been carried out and the library is excluded from the balance sheet.
## **3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment**
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the directors required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Residual value of the leasehold property
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives. As at 30 September 2024 the estimated residual value of the leasehold amounted to £1,264,610 (2023: £1,264,610).
Page 12
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **4. Income from donations and legacies**
|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
Gifts and donations
20
Bequests and legacies
-
Similar incoming resources
194
214
Total 2023
445
**5.**
**Income from charitable activities**
Income from charitable activities
Total 2023
**6.**
**Income from other trading activities**
**Income from non charitable trading activities**
Membership and journal subscriptions
Total 2023|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
17,114
7,448
26,386
50,948
13,488
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
12,473
2,484
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
40,258
36,602|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**17,134**
**7,448**
**26,580**
**51,162**
13,933
**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**12,473**
2,484
**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**40,258**
36,602|Total
funds
2023
£
416
10,482
3,035|
|---|---|---|---|
||||13,933|
||||Total
funds
2023
£
2,484|
||||Total
funds
2023
£
36,602|
|||||
Page 13
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **7. Investment income**
|Income from local listed investments
Total 2023|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
38,154
40,420|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
21,301
23,566|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**59,455**
63,986|Total
funds
2023
£
63,986|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
## **8. Expenditure on raising funds**
## **Costs of raising voluntary income**
|Publication costs
Total 2023|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
21,086
31,650|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**21,086**
31,650|Total
funds
2023
£
31,650|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities**
|Expenditure on charitable activities
Grants for research and education
Total 2023|**Grants**
**payable**
**2024**
**£**
31,787
63,946
95,733
106,176|**Support**
**costs**
**2024**
**£**
179,134
-
179,134
138,281|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**210,921**
**63,946**
**274,867**
244,457|Total
funds
2023
£
170,479
73,978|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||244,457|
||||||
Page 14
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of support costs**
|Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Software
Website and internet expenses
Administration fee
Lectures
Library and archive
Premises
Postage and stationery
Telecommunications
Study days
Advertising and marketing
General expenses
Accounting services
Audit fees
Bank charges
Legal and professional fees
Council meetings
Total 2023|**Activities**
**2024**
**£**
100,611
1,927
3,008
3,691
34
26,483
339
8,440
4,292
709
2,215
-
10,716
10,306
2,750
3,394
35
184
179,134
138,281|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**100,611**
**1,927**
**3,008**
**3,691**
**34**
**26,483**
**339**
**8,440**
**4,292**
**709**
**2,215**
**-**
**10,716**
**10,306**
**2,750**
**3,394**
**35**
**184**
**179,134**
138,281|Total
funds
2023
£
82,028
1,681
2,432
6,031
-
320
254
7,604
4,083
680
263
169
9,097
14,551
6,000
2,687
41
360|
|---|---|---|---|
||||138,281|
|||||
## **10. Analysis of grants**
|Psi Encyclopedia grants
Grants for research and education
Total 2023|**Grants to**
**Individuals**
**2024**
**£**
31,787
63,946
95,733
106,176|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**31,787**
**63,946**
**95,733**
106,176|Total
funds
2023
£
32,198
73,978|
|---|---|---|---|
||||106,176|
|||||
Page 15
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research (A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **11. Independent examiner's remuneration**
The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £2,750 _(_ 2023 _-_ £6,000 _)_ , and accounts preparation fee of £10,306 (2023 - £14,551).
## **12. Staff costs**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes|**2024**
**£**
**94,661**
**2,721**
**3,229**
**100,611**|2023
£
79,398
1,206
1,424|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||82,028|
The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:
||**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|
||**No.**|No.|
|Employees|**7**|7|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
## **13. Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL).
During the year ended 30 September 2024, expenses totalling £1,337 were reimbursed or paid directly to 6 Trustees (2023 - £123 to 2 Trustees) for travel and other expenses.
Page 16
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **14. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 October 2023
Additions
At 30 September 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 October 2023
Charge for the year
At 30 September 2024
**Net book value**
At 30 September 2024
At 30 September 2023|**Freehold**
**property**
**£**
**1,264,608**
**-**
**1,264,608**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**1,264,608**
1,264,608|**Office**
**equipment**
**£**
**32,742**
**355**
**33,097**
**27,135**
**1,490**
**28,625**
**4,472**
5,607|**Computer**
**equipment**
**£**
**16,052**
**-**
**16,052**
**14,741**
**437**
**15,178**
**874**
1,311|**Total**
**£**
**1,313,402**
**355**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**1,313,757**|
|||||**41,876**
**1,927**|
|||||**43,803**|
|||||**1,269,954**
1,271,526|
## **15. Fixed asset investments**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 October 2023
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
At 30 September 2024
**Net book value**
At 30 September 2024
At 30 September 2023|**Listed**
**investments**
**£**
**2,557,378**
**38,154**
**(213,828)**
**265,127**|
|---|---|
||**2,646,831**
**2,646,831**|
||2,557,378|
Page 17
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **16. Stocks**
||**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Stocks of publications|**2,854**|2,706|
## **17. Debtors**
|**Due within one year**
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred income at 1 October 2023
Membership subscriptions deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods|**2024**
**£**
**2,292**
**3,169**
**5,461**
**2024**
**£**
**-**
**1,728**
**-**
**43,960**
**45,688**
**2024**
**£**
**25,503**
**(25,503)**
**36,120**
**36,120**|2023
£
3,398
6,121|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||9,519|
|||2023
£
9,483
891
294
59,024|
||||
|||69,692|
|||2023
£
15,478
(15,478)
25,503|
||||
|||25,503|
## **18. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
Page 18
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **19. Statement of funds**
## **Statement of funds - current year**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
General Funds
**Restricted**
**funds**
SPR Research
Fund
Survival
Research Fund
Buckmaster
Project Fund
**Total of funds**|**Balance at 1**
**October**
**2023**
**£**
**2,151,203**
**717,191**
**780,999**
**162,789**
**1,660,979**
**3,812,182**|**Income**
**£**
**124,980**
**16,716**
**17,970**
**3,682**
**38,368**
**163,348**|**Expenditure**
**£**
**(199,735)**
**(20,149)**
**(43,797)**
**(32,272)**
**(96,218)**
**(295,953)**|**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**6,416**
**(6,416)**
**-**
**-**
**(6,416)**
**-**|**Gains/**
**(Losses)**
**£**
**94,400**
**74,187**
**80,322**
**16,218**
**170,727**
**265,127**|**Balance at**
**30**
**September**
**2024**
**£**
**2,177,264**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**781,529**
**835,494**
**150,417**|
|||||||**1,767,440**|
|||||||**3,944,704**|
Page 19
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **19. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Statement of funds - prior year**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
General Funds
**Restricted**
**funds**
SPR Research
Fund
Survival
Research Fund
Buckmaster
Project Fund
**Total of funds**|Balance at
1 October
2022
£
2,194,252
690,021
750,908
179,645
1,620,574
3,814,826|Income
£
76,140
22,927
24,495
(6,557)
40,865
117,005|Expenditure
£
(156,128)
(38,726)
(45,551)
(35,703)
(119,980)
(276,108)|Transfers
in/out
£
(21,289)
1,418
5,763
14,109
21,290
1|Gains/
(Losses)
£
58,228
41,551
45,384
11,295
98,230
156,458|Balance at
30
September
2023
£
2,151,203|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||717,191
780,999
162,789|
|||||||1,660,979|
|||||||3,812,182|
The Society’s restricted funds include:
SPR Research Fund - Under the terms of its Trust Deed the fund’s assets are to be applied solely for investigations, experiments and other research activities appropriate to the purposes of the Society.
Survival Research Fund - The funds of the Survival Research Fund are to be applied for the pursuance of such activities as may lead to the establishment of a theory of survival after death.
Buckmaster Fund - The Buckmaster Fund was donated by Mr. Nigel Buckmaster for the purpose of collating and presenting the best evidence for each class of anomalous phenomena relevant to Psychical Research, and related work.
The SPR Council has made a prudent and reasonable assessment of the costs involved in relation to the SPR’s stated aims and objectives in order to strike a fair and reasonable balance between the SPR’s general administration and running costs and the SPR’s priority for the vital research and educational work conducted through the application of these Restricted or Designated funds. The assessments for the SPR Research Fund and the Survival Research Fund amounts to 1% of the respective fund’s closing balance at the end of the previous fiscal year and is taken from the fund’s capital and placed in the General Fund. For the Buckmaster Fund, a short-term fund with higher operational costs, the assessment amounts to 1.75%. Any funds created in the future shall enter the scheme at the 1% level pending review of the operational costs associated with the fund. The levels of assessment may be subject to review and revision as necessary.
Page 20
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **20. Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - current period**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
-
1,767,440
-
-
1,767,440|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
1,269,954
879,391
73,607
(45,688)
2,177,264|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**1,269,954**
**2,646,831**
**73,607**
**(45,688)**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**3,944,704**|
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**|Restricted
funds
2023
£
-
1,660,979
-
-
1,660,979|Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
1,271,526
896,399
52,970
(69,692)
2,151,203|Total
funds
2023
£
1,271,526
2,557,378
52,970
(69,692)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||3,812,182|
## **21. Pension commitments**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the group to the fund and amounted to £Nil (2023 - £Nil) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
Page 21
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **22. Related party transactions**
The following Council members received honoraria, grants and expenses in recognition of specialised services rendered to the Society and in accordance with the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association:
Dr C. Cooper: £260 (2023: £1,008) as a grant from the Survival Research Fund and £81 (2023: £71) for travel expenses.
Mr Robert McLuhan £4,600 (2023: £8,057) as a grant from the Buckmaster Projects Fund for work done for the PSI Encyclopaedia project.
Dr Malcolm Schofield £1,500 (2023: £3,600) as Editor of Journal and £6,983 (2023: £Nil) as a grant from the SPR Research Fund.
Prof. C. A. Roe: £10,213 (2023: £9,508) as a grant from the Survival Research Fund, £7,000 (2023: £6,343) as a grant from the SPR Research Fund and £115 (2023: £52) for travel expenses.
Dr T. H. Ruffles £5,132 (2023: £5,611) as Hon Communications Officer.
Dr L Ruickbie £400 (2023: £800) for typesetting fees.
Dr D J Vernon £360 (2023: £320) for internet expenses, £2,400 (2023: £Nil) as Editor of Journal and £57 (2023: £Nil) for travel expenses.
Dr Melvyn Willin £6,416 (2023: £Nil) as Archives Liaison Officer, £6,089 (2023: £Nil) as a grant from the Buckmaster Projects Fund for work done for the PSI Encyclopaedia project and £308 (2023: £Nil) for travel expenses.
Prof. Adrian Parker £681 (2023: £Nil) for travel expenses.
Dr Ann Winsper £95 (2023: £Nil) for travel expenses.
Other than these payments and receipts no trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.
Page 22
**Registered number: 00044861 Charity number: 207325**
## **The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Unaudited**
**Trustees' report and financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research (A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Contents**
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers**|1|
|**Trustees' report**|2 - 4|
|**Trustees' responsibilities statement**|5|
|**Independent examiner's report**|6|
|**Statement of financial activities**|7|
|**Balance sheet**|8|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|9 - 22|
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Reference and administrative details of the Company, its Trustees and advisers For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **Trustees**
The members of the Council
## **Company registered number**
00044861
## **Charity registered number**
207325
## **Registered office**
1 Vernon Mews West Kensington London W14 0RL
## **Company secretary**
P M Johnson
## **Independent Examiner**
Lucy Hammond Kreston Reeves LLP 9 Donnington Park 85 Birdham Road Chichester West Sussex PO20 7AJ
## **Bankers**
CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue Kings Hill West Malling Kent ME19 4JQ NatWest Bank plc 55 Kensington High Street London W8 5ZG
## **Investment advisors**
BNY Mellon Fund Managers Ltd PO Box 366 Darlington DL1 9RF
Page 1
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Trustees' report For the year ended 30 September 2024**
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "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 (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Company qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **a. Policies and objectives**
The Incorporated Society for Psychical Research (the Society) was incorporated in 1895 and is governed by a memorandum and articles of association, being both a company limited by guarantee without a share capital and a registered charity.
The Society is controlled by a Council whose elected members are directors of the Society, and all of whose members, elected and co-opted, are trustees of the Society. The names of members of Council and subsidiary committees are listed in the Annual Report of Council preceding these accounts. The day-to-day administration of the Society is managed by a full-time administrator supported by a part time librarian.
The objects and principal activities of the Society during the year continued to be the investigation of psychic and other paranormal phenomena, including awarding grants, and other services to further such investigation, the publication of research findings and related matters in its journal and magazine, the maintenance of a library and archives, the maintenance of an information website and an online library of the Society’s publications, the holding of public lectures, symposia and an international conference, and the reception of and due response to enquiries and requests for information from the Society’s members and the general public.
The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Society's aims and objectives and in planning future activities and settling the grant making policy for the year. Specific details of how these objectives have been achieved and maintained during the year can be found in the preceding individual reports of the various Committees and Officers.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
## **a. Main achievements of the Company**
SPR can report several achievements, including the reopening of the library, the success of the film "The Enfield Poltergeist" due to Melvyn Willin's efforts, and the addition of Quick Guides for Investigators on the SPR website. The Psi Encyclopaedia now has 650 articles, and the SPR's social media presence has grown significantly. The JSPR published eight peer-reviewed articles and 19 book reviews in 2023. The SPR also hosted successful web events and an international conference. Additionally, SPR acknowledges the need for improved investigatory standards and a simple complaints procedure.
Page 2
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **Financial review**
## **a. Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
## **b. Reserves policy**
The unrestricted reserves of the charity stand at £2,177,264 (2023: £2,151,203) whilst the restricted reserves of the charity stand at £1,767,440 (2023: £1,660,979).
The planned use of the SPR Reserves is as follows. The use of the General Fund (GF) is unrestricted, and it is invested in a medium-risk portfolio to provide income for the payment of the SPR’s operational expenses, and such expenditure is reported in the Accounts. The SPR Research Fund (RF) is restricted for use towards research. This fund is invested in a medium-risk portfolio, and the dividend earnings from this investment are made available for grants to be awarded by the Research Grants Committee. Such awards are reported in the Accounts and in the annual report of the Chairman of the Research Grants Committee. The Survival Research Fund (SRF) is restricted for promoting activities that might lead to a scientific theory of life after death. This fund is invested in a medium-risk portfolio, and the annual increase in portfolio value is made available for grants to be awarded by the SPR Council on recommendations from the Survival Research Committee. Such awards are reported in the Accounts and in the annual report of the Chairman of the Survival Research Committee.
The Buckmaster Fund is restricted in accordance with the Will of the donor, Nigel Buckmaster, for collating and presenting the best evidence for anomalous phenomena relevant to Psychical Research and related work, and allowing a portion to be used for securing a freehold premises for housing the SPR headquarters and library. In 2014, the SPR Council approved that £250,000 of the legacy be reserved for use in purchasing new premises, and the remainder be reserved for project use. In 2015, the capital of the Buckmaster Building Fund was applied to the purchase of a long leasehold on the 1 Vernon Mews property for the Society’s offices resulting in a zero balance and the Buckmaster Building Fund was wound up. The Buckmaster Projects Fund is invested in medium risk portfolios. The capital and earnings of the Buckmaster Projects Fund is available for spending on appropriate projects approved by the SPR Council, and these projects are managed by the Buckmaster Oversight Committee. Such expenditure is reported in the Accounts and the report of the Chairman of the Buckmaster Oversight Committee. The earnings on the investment of the Buckmaster Funds will be transferred for use to the SPR Research Fund and Survival Research Fund at the beginning of each fiscal year in equal parts.
All three restricted funds are assessed a small administration charge to defray the costs of administering the funds.
## **c. Financial review**
The Statement of Financial Activities shows a net deficit before gains or loss on investments of £132,605 (2023: £159,102).
Gains on investments changed from a increase of £156,458 in 2023 to an increase of £265,127 in the current year. This was as a result of the positive movement on markets during the year. The net movement in funds for the year was an increase of £132,522 (2023: decrease of £2,644).
The closing balance on reserves, representing the net assets of the Society, increased by this amount from £3,812,182 as at 30 September 2023 to £3,944,704 as at 30 September 2024.
Page 3
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Trustees' report (continued) For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **a. Directors and Trustees**
The Charity is a company limited by guarantee and incorporated in England and Wales. The company’s registered office is 1 Vernon Mews, London W14 0RL.
All of the elected members of Council are directors of the company and trustees of the charity and there are a further seven coopted members who are also trustees. All the members listed in the attached Annual Report of Council served throughout the year. No remuneration is paid to the Society’s officers in their capacity as trustees or directors.
The Society’s Articles of Association stipulate that 24 trustees are elected by the voting members of the Society. Co-opted trustees are appointed by the Council and are recruited primarily through coming to the attention of existing trustees through their interest in the goals and work of the Society. Co-opted trustees are sought who can bring to the Society particular talents, expertise and experience not only in science but also in other professions such as can enhance and facilitate its operations and future direction.
## **Plans for future periods**
With well over a century’s experience in providing reliable information on psychical research to the public and high quality professional research reports to the scientific community, as well as financially supporting new research, the Society plans to continue its work as described in the accompanying Annual Report of its activities. Near term plans including continuing the Society’s policy of keeping costs low for membership, conferences, and other educational activities in order to encourage greater participation by students and academics from around the world. Recognising that this places a considerable burden on the general fund of the Society efforts are ongoing to attract benefactors and develop new sources of funding that can provide additional support to the General Fund.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Adrian Parker (Apr 9, 2025 17:01 GMT+2)
**Prof. A. D. Parker** President (Director and Trustee) Date:
**Dr R S Broughton** Honorary Treasurer (Director and Trustee)
Page 4
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Statement of Trustees' responsibilities For the year ended 30 September 2024**
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 105);
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on its behalf by:
Adrian Parker (Apr 9, 2025 17:01 GMT+2)
**Prof. A. D. Parker** President (Director and Trustee) Date:
**Dr R S Broughton** Honorary Treasurer (Director and Trustee)
Page 5
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
**(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Independent examiner's report**
**For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research ('the Company')**
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 September 2024.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the Trustees of the Company (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Company's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the Company's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Company's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Signed: Dated: Lucy Hammond BSc FCA
## **Kreston Reeves LLP**
Chartered Accountants 9 Donnington Park 85 Birdham Road Chichester West Sussex PO20 7AJ
Page 6
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Statement of financial activities (incorporating income and expenditure account) For the year ended 30 September 2024**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
4
Charitable activities
5
Other trading activities
6
Investments
7
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
**Total expenditure**
**Net expenditure before net gains on**
**investments**
Net gains on investments
**Net income/(expenditure)**
Transfers between funds
19
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
**Total funds carried forward**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**214**
**-**
**-**
**38,154**
**38,368**
**-**
**96,218**
**96,218**
**(57,850)**
**170,727**
**112,877**
**(6,416)**
**106,461**
**1,660,979**
**106,461**
**1,767,440**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**50,948**
**12,473**
**40,258**
**21,301**
**124,980**
**21,086**
**178,649**
**199,735**
**(74,755)**
**94,400**
**19,645**
**6,416**
**26,061**
**2,151,203**
**26,061**
**2,177,264**|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**51,162**
**12,473**
**40,258**
**59,455**
**163,348**
**21,086**
**274,867**
**295,953**
**(132,605)**
**265,127**
**132,522**
**-**
**132,522**
**3,812,182**
**132,522**
**3,944,704**|Total
funds
2023
£
13,933
2,484
36,602
63,986|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||117,005
31,650
244,457|
|||||276,107
(159,102)
156,458|
|||||(2,644)
-|
|||||(2,644)
3,814,826
(2,644)|
|||||3,812,182|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 9 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
Page 7
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee) Registered number:**
## **Balance sheet As at 30 September 2024**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
14
Investments
15
**Current assets**
Stocks
16
Debtors
17
Cash at bank and in hand
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
18
**Net current assets / liabilites**
**Total net assets**
**Charity funds**
Restricted funds
19
Unrestricted funds
19
**Total funds**|**2,854**
**5,461**
**65,292**
**73,607**
**(45,688)**|**2024**
**£**
**1,269,954**
**2,646,831**
**3,916,785**
**27,919**
**3,944,704**
**1,767,440**
**2,177,264**
**3,944,704**|2,706
9,519
40,745
52,970
(69,692)|2023
£
1,271,526
2,557,378|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||3,828,904
(16,722)|
|||||3,812,182
1,660,979
2,151,203|
|||||3,812,182|
The Company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Adrian Parker (Apr 9, 2025 17:01 GMT+2) ................................................ ................................................ **Prof. A. D. Parker Dr R S Broughton** President (Director and Trustee) Honorary Treasurer (Director and Trustee) Date:
The notes on pages 9 to 22 form part of these financial statements.
Page 8
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **1. General information**
The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 1 Vernon Mews, London, W14 0RL.
The members of the charitable company are the Trustees named on page 1. In the event of the charity being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £1 per member.
## **2. Accounting policies**
## **2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
## **2.2 Going concern**
The trustees have carried out a detailed review of the charity’s financial position including a review of cash flow forecasts taking into account the increasingly broad effects of cost crisis as a result of its negative impact on the global economy and major financial markets.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
## **2.3 Income**
All income is recognised once the Company has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
The recognition of income from legacies is dependent on establishing entitlement, the probability of receipt and the ability to estimate with sufficient accuracy the amount receivable. Evidence of entitlement to a legacy exists when the Company has sufficient evidence that a gift has been left to them (through knowledge of the existence of a valid will and the death of the benefactor) and the executor is satisfied that the property in question will not be required to satisfy claims in the estate. Receipt of a legacy must be recognised when it is probable that it will be received and the fair value of the amount receivable, which will generally be the expected cash amount to be distributed to the Company, can be reliably measured.
Income from membership and journal subscriptions, conferences and sales of publications and other items is accounted for in each case as the amount due for the year. Provision is made against a proportion of outstanding subscriptions on the basis of non-recoveries experienced in previous years.
Other income is accounted for when received. Government grants are accounted for when receivable and included in other sales.
Page 9
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.4 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 benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Expenditure on raising funds includes all expenditure incurred by the Company to raise funds for its charitable purposes and includes costs of investment management.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Company's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
Grants payable are charged in the year when the offer is made except in those cases where the offer is conditional, such grants being recognised as expenditure when the conditions attaching are fulfilled. Grants offered subject to conditions which have not been met at the year end are noted as a commitment, but not accrued as expenditure.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **2.5 Foreign currencies**
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at rates of exchange ruling at the reporting date.
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated into sterling at the rate ruling on the date of the transaction.
Exchange gains and losses are recognised in the Statement of financial activities.
## **2.6 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, .
Depreciation is provided on the following bases:
- Freehold property Over 100 years - Office equipment 15% p.a. on written down value - Computer equipment 25% p.a. on cost
Page 10
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.7 Investments**
Fixed asset investments are a form of financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction cost and subsequently measured at fair value at the Balance sheet date, unless the value cannot be measured reliably in which case it is measured at cost less impairment. Investment gains and losses, whether realised or unrealised, are combined and presented as ‘Gains/(Losses) on investments’ in the Statement of financial activities.
## **2.8 Stocks**
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks.
## **2.9 Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **2.10 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term 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.
## **2.11 Liabilities and provisions**
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of 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 recognised at the amount that the Company anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
## **2.12 Financial instruments**
The Company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value with the exception of bank loans which are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
## **2.13 Pensions**
The Company operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Company to the fund in respect of the year.
Page 11
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.14 Fund accounting**
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Company and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Endowment funds comprise capital donated to the charity, together with accumulated realised and unrealised investment gains or losses. The Trustees have the power to expend the endowment funds. Investment management charges and other professional fees relating directly to the fund are charged against the fund. Income arising on the endowment funds can be used in accordance with the objects of the charity and is included as unrestricted income.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Company for particular purposes. The costs of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
## **2.15 Library**
The Society owns a library of books which have been acquired over a considerable period of time since the Society was founded. Since there is no reliable cost information, and any conventional valuation would either lack sufficient reliability, or the costs involved in valuing the library would be onerous compared with the additional benefit to the users of the financial statements in assessing the directors’ and trustees’ stewardship, no valuation has been carried out and the library is excluded from the balance sheet.
## **3. Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgment**
In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the directors required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Residual value of the leasehold property
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives. As at 30 September 2024 the estimated residual value of the leasehold amounted to £1,264,610 (2023: £1,264,610).
Page 12
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **4. Income from donations and legacies**
|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
Gifts and donations
20
Bequests and legacies
-
Similar incoming resources
194
214
Total 2023
445
**5.**
**Income from charitable activities**
Income from charitable activities
Total 2023
**6.**
**Income from other trading activities**
**Income from non charitable trading activities**
Membership and journal subscriptions
Total 2023|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
17,114
7,448
26,386
50,948
13,488
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
12,473
2,484
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
40,258
36,602|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**17,134**
**7,448**
**26,580**
**51,162**
13,933
**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**12,473**
2,484
**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**40,258**
36,602|Total
funds
2023
£
416
10,482
3,035|
|---|---|---|---|
||||13,933|
||||Total
funds
2023
£
2,484|
||||Total
funds
2023
£
36,602|
|||||
Page 13
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **7. Investment income**
|Income from local listed investments
Total 2023|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
38,154
40,420|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
21,301
23,566|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**59,455**
63,986|Total
funds
2023
£
63,986|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||
## **8. Expenditure on raising funds**
## **Costs of raising voluntary income**
|Publication costs
Total 2023|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
21,086
31,650|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**21,086**
31,650|Total
funds
2023
£
31,650|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities**
|Expenditure on charitable activities
Grants for research and education
Total 2023|**Grants**
**payable**
**2024**
**£**
31,787
63,946
95,733
106,176|**Support**
**costs**
**2024**
**£**
179,134
-
179,134
138,281|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**210,921**
**63,946**
**274,867**
244,457|Total
funds
2023
£
170,479
73,978|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||244,457|
||||||
Page 14
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of support costs**
|Staff costs
Depreciation and impairment
Software
Website and internet expenses
Administration fee
Lectures
Library and archive
Premises
Postage and stationery
Telecommunications
Study days
Advertising and marketing
General expenses
Accounting services
Audit fees
Bank charges
Legal and professional fees
Council meetings
Total 2023|**Activities**
**2024**
**£**
100,611
1,927
3,008
3,691
34
26,483
339
8,440
4,292
709
2,215
-
10,716
10,306
2,750
3,394
35
184
179,134
138,281|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**100,611**
**1,927**
**3,008**
**3,691**
**34**
**26,483**
**339**
**8,440**
**4,292**
**709**
**2,215**
**-**
**10,716**
**10,306**
**2,750**
**3,394**
**35**
**184**
**179,134**
138,281|Total
funds
2023
£
82,028
1,681
2,432
6,031
-
320
254
7,604
4,083
680
263
169
9,097
14,551
6,000
2,687
41
360|
|---|---|---|---|
||||138,281|
|||||
## **10. Analysis of grants**
|Psi Encyclopedia grants
Grants for research and education
Total 2023|**Grants to**
**Individuals**
**2024**
**£**
31,787
63,946
95,733
106,176|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**31,787**
**63,946**
**95,733**
106,176|Total
funds
2023
£
32,198
73,978|
|---|---|---|---|
||||106,176|
|||||
Page 15
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research (A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **11. Independent examiner's remuneration**
The independent examiner's remuneration amounts to an independent examiner fee of £2,750 _(_ 2023 _-_ £6,000 _)_ , and accounts preparation fee of £10,306 (2023 - £14,551).
## **12. Staff costs**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes|**2024**
**£**
**94,661**
**2,721**
**3,229**
**100,611**|2023
£
79,398
1,206
1,424|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||82,028|
The average number of persons employed by the Company during the year was as follows:
||**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|
||**No.**|No.|
|Employees|**7**|7|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
## **13. Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
During the year, no Trustees received any remuneration or other benefits (2023 - £NIL).
During the year ended 30 September 2024, expenses totalling £1,337 were reimbursed or paid directly to 6 Trustees (2023 - £123 to 2 Trustees) for travel and other expenses.
Page 16
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **14. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 October 2023
Additions
At 30 September 2024
**Depreciation**
At 1 October 2023
Charge for the year
At 30 September 2024
**Net book value**
At 30 September 2024
At 30 September 2023|**Freehold**
**property**
**£**
**1,264,608**
**-**
**1,264,608**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**1,264,608**
1,264,608|**Office**
**equipment**
**£**
**32,742**
**355**
**33,097**
**27,135**
**1,490**
**28,625**
**4,472**
5,607|**Computer**
**equipment**
**£**
**16,052**
**-**
**16,052**
**14,741**
**437**
**15,178**
**874**
1,311|**Total**
**£**
**1,313,402**
**355**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||**1,313,757**|
|||||**41,876**
**1,927**|
|||||**43,803**|
|||||**1,269,954**
1,271,526|
## **15. Fixed asset investments**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 October 2023
Additions
Disposals
Revaluations
At 30 September 2024
**Net book value**
At 30 September 2024
At 30 September 2023|**Listed**
**investments**
**£**
**2,557,378**
**38,154**
**(213,828)**
**265,127**|
|---|---|
||**2,646,831**
**2,646,831**|
||2,557,378|
Page 17
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
## **Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **16. Stocks**
||**2024**|2023|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Stocks of publications|**2,854**|2,706|
## **17. Debtors**
|**Due within one year**
Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income
Deferred income at 1 October 2023
Membership subscriptions deferred during the year
Amounts released from previous periods|**2024**
**£**
**2,292**
**3,169**
**5,461**
**2024**
**£**
**-**
**1,728**
**-**
**43,960**
**45,688**
**2024**
**£**
**25,503**
**(25,503)**
**36,120**
**36,120**|2023
£
3,398
6,121|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||9,519|
|||2023
£
9,483
891
294
59,024|
||||
|||69,692|
|||2023
£
15,478
(15,478)
25,503|
||||
|||25,503|
## **18. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
Page 18
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **19. Statement of funds**
## **Statement of funds - current year**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
General Funds
**Restricted**
**funds**
SPR Research
Fund
Survival
Research Fund
Buckmaster
Project Fund
**Total of funds**|**Balance at 1**
**October**
**2023**
**£**
**2,151,203**
**717,191**
**780,999**
**162,789**
**1,660,979**
**3,812,182**|**Income**
**£**
**124,980**
**16,716**
**17,970**
**3,682**
**38,368**
**163,348**|**Expenditure**
**£**
**(199,735)**
**(20,149)**
**(43,797)**
**(32,272)**
**(96,218)**
**(295,953)**|**Transfers**
**in/out**
**£**
**6,416**
**(6,416)**
**-**
**-**
**(6,416)**
**-**|**Gains/**
**(Losses)**
**£**
**94,400**
**74,187**
**80,322**
**16,218**
**170,727**
**265,127**|**Balance at**
**30**
**September**
**2024**
**£**
**2,177,264**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||**781,529**
**835,494**
**150,417**|
|||||||**1,767,440**|
|||||||**3,944,704**|
Page 19
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **19. Statement of funds (continued)**
## **Statement of funds - prior year**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
General Funds
**Restricted**
**funds**
SPR Research
Fund
Survival
Research Fund
Buckmaster
Project Fund
**Total of funds**|Balance at
1 October
2022
£
2,194,252
690,021
750,908
179,645
1,620,574
3,814,826|Income
£
76,140
22,927
24,495
(6,557)
40,865
117,005|Expenditure
£
(156,128)
(38,726)
(45,551)
(35,703)
(119,980)
(276,108)|Transfers
in/out
£
(21,289)
1,418
5,763
14,109
21,290
1|Gains/
(Losses)
£
58,228
41,551
45,384
11,295
98,230
156,458|Balance at
30
September
2023
£
2,151,203|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||||717,191
780,999
162,789|
|||||||1,660,979|
|||||||3,812,182|
The Society’s restricted funds include:
SPR Research Fund - Under the terms of its Trust Deed the fund’s assets are to be applied solely for investigations, experiments and other research activities appropriate to the purposes of the Society.
Survival Research Fund - The funds of the Survival Research Fund are to be applied for the pursuance of such activities as may lead to the establishment of a theory of survival after death.
Buckmaster Fund - The Buckmaster Fund was donated by Mr. Nigel Buckmaster for the purpose of collating and presenting the best evidence for each class of anomalous phenomena relevant to Psychical Research, and related work.
The SPR Council has made a prudent and reasonable assessment of the costs involved in relation to the SPR’s stated aims and objectives in order to strike a fair and reasonable balance between the SPR’s general administration and running costs and the SPR’s priority for the vital research and educational work conducted through the application of these Restricted or Designated funds. The assessments for the SPR Research Fund and the Survival Research Fund amounts to 1% of the respective fund’s closing balance at the end of the previous fiscal year and is taken from the fund’s capital and placed in the General Fund. For the Buckmaster Fund, a short-term fund with higher operational costs, the assessment amounts to 1.75%. Any funds created in the future shall enter the scheme at the 1% level pending review of the operational costs associated with the fund. The levels of assessment may be subject to review and revision as necessary.
Page 20
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **20. Analysis of net assets between funds**
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - current period**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**|**Restricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
-
1,767,440
-
-
1,767,440|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
1,269,954
879,391
73,607
(45,688)
2,177,264|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
**£**
**1,269,954**
**2,646,831**
**73,607**
**(45,688)**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**3,944,704**|
## **Analysis of net assets between funds - prior period**
|Tangible fixed assets
Fixed asset investments
Current assets
Creditors due within one year
**Total**|Restricted
funds
2023
£
-
1,660,979
-
-
1,660,979|Unrestricted
funds
2023
£
1,271,526
896,399
52,970
(69,692)
2,151,203|Total
funds
2023
£
1,271,526
2,557,378
52,970
(69,692)|
|---|---|---|---|
||||3,812,182|
## **21. Pension commitments**
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the group in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the group to the fund and amounted to £Nil (2023 - £Nil) were payable to the fund at the balance sheet date and are included in creditors.
Page 21
**The Incorporated Society For Psychical Research**
## **(A company limited by guarantee)**
**Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 30 September 2024**
## **22. Related party transactions**
The following Council members received honoraria, grants and expenses in recognition of specialised services rendered to the Society and in accordance with the company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association:
Dr C. Cooper: £260 (2023: £1,008) as a grant from the Survival Research Fund and £81 (2023: £71) for travel expenses.
Mr Robert McLuhan £4,600 (2023: £8,057) as a grant from the Buckmaster Projects Fund for work done for the PSI Encyclopaedia project.
Dr Malcolm Schofield £1,500 (2023: £3,600) as Editor of Journal and £6,983 (2023: £Nil) as a grant from the SPR Research Fund.
Prof. C. A. Roe: £10,213 (2023: £9,508) as a grant from the Survival Research Fund, £7,000 (2023: £6,343) as a grant from the SPR Research Fund and £115 (2023: £52) for travel expenses.
Dr T. H. Ruffles £5,132 (2023: £5,611) as Hon Communications Officer.
Dr L Ruickbie £400 (2023: £800) for typesetting fees.
Dr D J Vernon £360 (2023: £320) for internet expenses, £2,400 (2023: £Nil) as Editor of Journal and £57 (2023: £Nil) for travel expenses.
Dr Melvyn Willin £6,416 (2023: £Nil) as Archives Liaison Officer, £6,089 (2023: £Nil) as a grant from the Buckmaster Projects Fund for work done for the PSI Encyclopaedia project and £308 (2023: £Nil) for travel expenses.
Prof. Adrian Parker £681 (2023: £Nil) for travel expenses.
Dr Ann Winsper £95 (2023: £Nil) for travel expenses.
Other than these payments and receipts no trustee or other person related to the charity had any personal interest in any contract or transaction entered into by the charity during the year.
Page 22