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← Mount St Bernard Abbey Trustees Registered

2024-03-31-accounts

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville

(Registered as ‘Mount St Bernard Abbey Trustees Registered’)

Annual Report and Accounts

31 March 2024

Charity Registration Number 211004

Contents

Reports

Reports
Reference and administrative information
about the charity, its trustees and advisers 1
Trustees’ report 3
Independent auditor’s report 13
Accounts
Statement of financial activities 17
Balance sheet 18
Statement of cash flows 19
Principal accounting policies 20
Notes to the accounts 27

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville

Reference and administrative information about the charity, its trustees and advisers

Trustees Rt Rev Peter Claver
Rt Rev Joseph Delargy
Rev Nicholas Palmer
Rev Andrew Stojanovic
Rev Terence Wilson
Abbot/Superior Rt Rev Peter Claver (Superior from 19 May 2022 to 28 July 2023)
Rt Rev Joseph Delargy (Abbot from 28 July 2023)
Address Mount Saint Bernard Abbey
Oaks Road
Whitwick
Coalville
Leicester
LE67 5UL
Telephone 01530 832298/ 832022
Website www.mountsaintbernard.org
Charity Registration Number 211004
Auditor Buzzacott LLP
130 Wood Street
London
EC2V 6DL
Bankers National Westminster Bank plc
Market Place
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE11 3NZ
Investment managers Brewin Dolphin Limited
9 Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2BJ

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 1

Reference and administrative information about the charity, its trustees and advisers

Investment property managers Fisher German LLP Chartered Surveyors The Estates Office Norman Court Ashby de la Zouch Leicestershire LE65 2UZ Solicitors Moss Solicitors LLP 80-81 Woodgate Loughborough Leicester LE11 2XE

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 2

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

The trustees present their statutory report together with the accounts of The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville (registered as ‘Mount St Bernard Abbey Trustees Registered’) (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 20 to 26 of the attached accounts and comply with the comply with the Charity’s Trust Deed, applicable laws, applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and the requirements of 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 United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

The purpose of the monastery is to promote religion by:

In addition to providing public worship, preaching, hearing confessions and giving spiritual guidance the Community’s works comprise:

The charity maintains the properties where the religious live and from where they carry out their work. In addition, it has a number of tenanted properties, including The Abbey Grange which is run by MONOS, an organisation set up for the promotion of monastic life amongst lay people.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 3

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (continued)

Public benefit

In formulating the charity’s aims and in planning the work of the members of the Community, the trustees have had regard to the general guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit. The trustees believe that the Abbey and works of the monks have influenced morals and attitudes and enhanced the spiritual wellbeing of those visiting the Abbey. Public benefit is also demonstrated by making donations to individuals and organisations in need.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Review of activities and future plans

At 31 March 2024, the Community of Mount Saint Bernard numbered 19 solemnly professed monks (two are currently living in Ireland) and one junior monk. During the year, the charity continued to assist the monks with their charitable and religious work.

Prayer, reading and work are the elements that make up the life of a monk. The Order as a whole seeks to move forward, while preserving the fundamentals of its history of community life and dedicated service to the wider community.

Liturgy and worship

Our liturgy continued to be the centre of our life. After the pandemic, we are seeing our congregation numbers returning to normal. During the year we moved one Sunday Mass to 30 minutes later, and this has seen an increase in attendance. Members of the public regularly appreciate the solemnity of the worship and singing and variety of celebrants. On weekdays we have had a regular group of about ten members of the public coming to Mass, not counting guests who may be staying. A new time for the celebration of the Easter vigil and a new format for vigils of Christmas continues to be very successful and appreciated by the visitors who come.

We continue to offer the sacrament of reconciliation every day from 2.30pm-3.00pm. On average about five people come each day.

Our small shrine to Blessed Cyprian Tansi continues to develop. Many people find solace there, leaving their prayer requests and lighting a candle. Each day prayer intentions are left at the shrine.

Other groups sometimes ask to use our church and facilities and we do our best to accommodate them.

Hospitality

The guesthouse has remained closed due to the ongoing fire safety works. We are taking this opportunity to review how we will offer hospitality in the future. Once we open up again, we are confident that visitors will continue to stay. We are accepting visitors at the ladies guesthouse in small numbers.

We are still able to host a number of school groups, where a monk gives a talk and they can ask questions. These are always very fruitful and the children enjoy their visit. During the year we offered a series of retreat days for the English Martyrs School, Leicester.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville

4

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Review of activities and future plans (continued)

Hospitality (continued)

The gardens continue to attract visitors. We receive letters and emails saying how the gardens help maintain people’s mental health. We continue to develop the gardens and grounds and the number of casual visitors coming for a few hours of peace and quiet is increasing. We see this is as an important ministry – providing a haven of peace for people in a hectic world. Our grounds are open to the general public for free from 7:00am to 7:00pm every day of the year. Some of the comments of visitors this year follow:

It is wonderful to call in and walk around the grounds.

A special place and some days to long remember.

A beautiful place of peace.

A little piece of heaven on earth.

Thank you for your kindness, hospitality and silence. A beautiful place to rest in the Lord.

Outreach

We support a number of charitable projects, both in the UK and overseas, by means of financial aid. We support a number of local charities, particularly those helping the homeless, the local foodbank and some local schools providing breakfast clubs. We have a collection point for items for Ukraine.

Shop

The shop continues to attract a great number of customers, offering an excellent selection of religious books and objects of piety. In addition, the community produces various items for sale, including literary work, pottery, cards and vegetables. Our original photocard products and annual MSB-calendar continue to prove popular. Ceramics produced in our Pottery department are a major attraction, featuring in local and regional tourist brochures. Rosaries made by the monks at our Rosary department also continue to be popular.

For us the shop is not just a business venture – we see it as part of our ministry and service to the local population. Often people visit the shop for prayer requests, Mass intentions and a kind word in time of need.

The shop has now become the main outlet for our beer. We are pleased to note that the sale of beer in the shop has not negatively affected other sales and on the contrary, they have increased due to the greater number of people coming to the shop.

Brewery

The brewery has now been running for five years and we are pleased with the results. We have reached a level of production and sales that we are happy with. Not only is the brewery a source of income but by conducting tours we are providing educational and outreach dimensions. During the year we employed a brewer and a brewery assistant. We also have a team of approximately 20 volunteers, who help with bottling: they are a great asset, and it helps to bring them closer to community life.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 5

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE (continued)

Review of activities and future plans (continued)

Caring for the members of the Monastery

The monastery has an obligation, both moral and legal, to provide care for its members, none of whom have resources of their own and all of whom have devoted their lives to serving in the monastic life. As the age of the senior monks increases so too does the need to provide increasingly expensive care for the monks. We endeavour to care for the monks within the monastery, their own home, only resorting to outside care when we are unable to cope ourselves.

Caring for the environment

The community is conscious of its obligation to care for the environment. Efforts have been made to attract more wild birds to our gardens. A wild flower meadow has been planted and additional works have been made on cleaning up the wooded areas and securing gate access and fencing. We recycle as much as we can. The spent grain from the brewery is used to feed a local herd of cows. All the trees on the property have been surveyed for health and a number of remedial actions have been taken.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Results for the year

A summary of the year’s results is given on page 17 of the attached accounts.

Total income during the year amounted to £1,189,339 (2023 – £1,009,162). 37.5% (2023 – 32.5%) of this total comprises donations, legacies and other sources of voluntary income including £57,024 (2023 – £43,361) being the pensions, salaries and other gifts from individual members of the Community donated to the charity under Gift Aid.

£546,704 (2023 – £494,490) of the charity’s income derives from charitable activities including the shop and the brewery. Income from other trading activities of £nil (2023 – £188) includes income from the literary work and other arts and crafts carried out by individual members of the Community.

Investment income, including rental income from the charity’s investment properties, totalled £191,336 (2023 – £178,805) and accounted for approximately 16.1% (2023 – 17.7%) of total income. Such income is important to the charity and highlights the need for the charity to retain the real value of its investment portfolio in the medium to long term.

Expenditure amounted to £1,128,308 (2023 – £1,125,985). £608,477 (2023 – £571,509), being 53.9% (2023 – 50.8%) of total expenditure, related to the care of members of the Community and to supporting them in their ministry. Grants and donations totalled £16,573 (2023 – £18,779). £38,855 (2023 – £58,204) comprised the expenditure incurred on the operation of the guesthouse. Expenditure during 2022/23 and 2023/24 related primarily to ongoing fire safety works, which have resulted in the closure of the guest house for the time being.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 6

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)

Results for the year (continued)

A further £102,948 (2023 – £118,918) was expended directly on the charity’s shop. Expenditure on the running of the brewery, including the annual depreciation charge on plant and equipment, amounted to £260,695 (2023 – £296,856). The cost of maintaining the investment properties and of managing the charity’s listed investments totalled £91,140 (2023 – £57,348). In addition, the Community incurred a one-off charge of £64,648 in respect of the write-off of a wind turbine during the prior year, 2022/23. No such charge was incurred during 2023/24.

Net income (before other gains and losses) therefore stood at £61,031 (2023 – net expenditure (before other gains and losses) of £116,823).

Net gains on the charity’s listed investments amounted to £65,001 (2023 – net losses of £69,578). Revaluations of the charity’s investment properties resulted during 2022/23 resulted in gains of £165,000; there were no gains arising from the revaluation of the investment properties during 2023/24. The overall net increase in funds for the year was therefore £126,032 (2023 – net decrease of £21,401).

Reserves policy

The trustees have examined the requirement for free reserves i.e. those unrestricted funds not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed. The trustees consider that the nature of the charity’s work and the heavy reliance on investments for generating income necessitates that the charity always retain a modest level of free reserves. The trustees consider it prudent to hold at least an amount equivalent to approximately two year’s expenditure as free reserves. The trustees believe that such a level of reserves enables them to plan for the future and have flexibility to cover temporary shortfalls in income and allows the charity to cope and respond to unforeseen emergencies.

Financial position

The balance sheet shows total funds of £10,276,107 (2023 – £10,150,075).

Funds totalling £5,490,353 (2023 – £5,564,878) have been set aside by the trustees as a tangible fixed assets fund which represents the tangible fixed assets. A decision was made to separate this fund from the general funds of the charity in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are essential to the day to day work of the charity and as such their value should not be regarded as funds that would be realisable with ease, in order to meet future contingencies.

£3,000,000 (2023 – £3,000,000) has been designated by the trustees to provide for the care and welfare of the community. Given the increasing age profile of the monks, the sum will provide only modest resources to look after the monks, many of whom will need increasing and increasingly expensive care and support in the years ahead. A further £12,397 (2023 – £13,453) represents amounts set aside for the purchase of new books, journals and periodicals for the community library.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 7

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

FINANCIAL REVIEW (continued)

Financial position (continued)

General funds (or free reserves) of the charity at 31 March 2024 totalled £1,173,357 (2023 – £1,571,744). The free reserves fall short of the above reserves policy following investment in the new brewery during 2017/18, the subsequent Covid-19 pandemic and the volatility arising from the geopolitical issues of the past two years. However, the trustees believe that with the establishment of the brewery, the increased activities since the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions and the expected long-term recovery of the global stock markets, future income will be sufficient to replenish free reserves to the desired level during the coming few financial years. In particular, the level of reserves is deemed sufficient when considered in the light of the uncertainties of the current macroeconomic and geopolitical climate.

Investment policy

The charity’s listed investments are managed by Brewin Dolphin Limited and its investment properties are managed by Fisher German LLP. There are no restrictions on the charity’s power to invest and the charity’s trust deed provides the trustees with full authority over investment decisions.

The policy with regard to listed investments is to maximise total return through a diversified portfolio whilst providing a level of income advised by the trustees from time to time. There is also an ethical policy precluding investment in any company which, after reasonable enquiry, clearly has significant profits from an activity which is contrary to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Investment properties comprise those properties on the site owned by the charity which are not required for the charity’s own activities and which, therefore, are rented to tenants and managed by property agents.

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT

Governance

Mount Saint Bernard Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in Leicestershire in 1835. Following the traditions of the Cistercian Order it is a monastic institute wholly ordered to contemplation. The monks dedicate themselves to the worship of God in a hidden life within the monastery under the Rule of St Benedict.

The Cistercian Order is a worldwide Roman Catholic Religious Order founded in 1098. Today it consists of approximately 4,000 members, monks and nuns, in 150 monasteries.

The monastery is governed by the Constitutions and Statutes of the monks and nuns of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, and other legislative documents, approved by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, in Rome on 3 June 1990. The assets comprising the monastery are held on a charitable trust, registered with the Charity Commission (Charity Registration No 211004) and it is through this trust that the varied works of the community are accounted for.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 8

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

Governance (continued)

In terms of the Rule of St Benedict, our Constitutions and Canon law the monastery is governed by the Superior who is elected by the solemnly professed members of the community for a six year term of office. The Superior’s governance is overseen by the Father Immediate, who makes a visitation every two years, and also by the General Chapter, which meets every three years, and the Abbot General who resides in Rome.

Trustees

The trustees are appointed by the Superior. There are currently five trustees and their names are set out on page 1 of this report and accounts. At any one time there must be a minimum of three trustees.

Brief details on each of the trustees that served from 1 April 2023 are given below:

Father Peter Claver Craddy – Superior from 19 May 2022 to 28 July 2023, Bursar from 1 September 2023

Father Peter Claver has been a member of the community for 58 years. He has served as Novice-master, Cantor and Choirmaster, Accountant, on the Bursar’s Council, in charge of the Engineering workshop and also the Heating and Plumbing and water supplies. For the last 16 years, he has been chaplain to a community of the Bernardine Cistercian nuns, who run a Retreat Centre. He led retreats and provided spiritual direction and led training days. He returned to the community at Mount St Bernard in April 2022 and was appointed superior on 19 May 2022. Father Peter subsequently stepped down as Superior on 28 July 2023 and took up the role of Bursar on 1 September 2023.

Father Joseph Delargy – Abbot until 29 April 2023 and from 28 July 2023

Father Joseph has been a member of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey for 35 years. He served as bursar of the monastery for two years. He served as Abbot to the community for the twelve years to June 2013 and then for two years as guest-master. He served as bursar once again from September 2016 and was re-elected abbot on 22 January 2019. He resigned for health reasons on April 2022, but was re-instated as abbot on 28 July 2023.

Father Nicholas Palmer

Father Nicholas has been a monk for 14 years. He has been gardener, novice master and is now currently guest master and keeps the abbey’s Facebook page up-to-date.

Brother Andrew Stojanovic

Brother Andrew entered Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in October 2005. He has worked on carpentry and driving and provisioning and has been much engaged in the new brewery project. He is the community secretary and carpenter.

Father Terence Wilson

Father Terence has been a monk for 56 years and is the sub prior of the monastery. He has worked in many roles in the monastery as guest master, novice master, bursar’s office and chaplain. Currently he is librarian, along with a number of other tasks and duties.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville

9

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

Key management personnel

The trustees consider that they alone comprise the key management of the charity and are in charge of directing and running the day to day operations of the charity. None of the trustees received any remuneration from the charity in respect to their services during the year (2023 – £nil).

Statement of trustees’ responsibilities

The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and accounts in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period.

In preparing these accounts, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charity’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011, the relevant Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the charity’s trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Structure and management reporting

The trustees are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charity. They meet during the year to review developments with regard to the charity or its activities and make any important decisions. When necessary, the trustees seek advice and support from the charity’s professional advisers including property consultants, investment managers, solicitors and accountants. The day-to-day management of the charity’s activities and the implementation of policies is the responsibility of the Superior.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 10

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

GOVERNANCE, STRUCTURE AND MANAGEMENT (continued)

Risk management

The trustees have a risk assessment inventory, including those relating to the specific operational areas of the charity, its investments and its finances. The trustees believe that they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks.

There are risks, also, connected with the running of a brewery but by following the advice of the environmental health department of the local council and trading standards the trustees believe they have reduced those risks to a minimum.

National and international events keep the trustees ever conscious of the danger of fire. A statutory fire inspection during 2021/22 raised a number of issues and short comings in the monastery’s fire protection which continue to be addressed.

It has not escaped the notice of the trustees that year-by-year Community numbers have been falling and they are concerned that before long the Community may cease altogether to attract recruits.

To counter this tendency, the Community members are doing everything possible to live their contemplative life and values authentically and to observe the Rule of St Benedict and the Cistercian Constitutions as faithfully as is possible.

Finally, the trustees are very much aware that a significant proportion of the charity’s asset base comprises listed investments, the value of which is dependent upon movements in UK and world stock markets. The trustees have engaged Brewin Dolphin Limited, a reputable investment manager, who has been instructed to maintain a sufficiently diverse portfolio in order to reduce the impact of such volatility. The trustees meet regularly with the investment manager to discuss performance.

Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults

The monastery follows the policies and procedures of the Catholic Safeguarding Services Agency (CSSA) and the Religious Life Safeguarding Service (RLSS) as they apply to a contemplative monastery. The trustees implement a process whereby all community members have Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We participate in the safeguarding training days provided by the diocese and have also run a special training day for our priests on safeguarding in confessions. The trustees have appointed a new safeguarding representative and introduced a dedicated email for safeguarding.

Fundraising policy

The charity aims to achieve best practice in the way in which it communicates with donors and other supporters. It takes care with both the tone of its communications and the accuracy of its data to minimise the pressures on supporters. It applies best practice to protect supporters’ data and never sells data, it never swaps data and ensures that communication preferences can be changed at any time. The charity manages its own fundraising activities and does not employ the services of Professional Fundraisers. The charity undertakes to react to and investigate any complaints regarding its fundraising activities and to learn from them and improve its service. During the year to 31 March 2024, the charity received no complaints about its fundraising activities.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 11

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Benefactors

The trustees are profoundly grateful for the financial and other support received from friends and families of the community, guests, visitors and members of the public. The many benefactors of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey are remembered in the prayers of the community.

Employees and members of the Community

The trustees wish to record their recognition of the hard work, professionalism and commitment of all their staff and the individual members of the community. Their dedication and support are very much appreciated.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 12

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Independent auditor’s report to the trustees of Mount St Bernard Abbey Trustees Registered

Opinion

We have audited the accounts of the Mount St Bernard Abbey Trustees Registered (the ‘charity’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the statement of cash flows, the principal accounting policies and the notes to the accounts. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the accounts:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts section of our report. We are independent of the Charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the accounts in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the accounts, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the accounts is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the accounts are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report, including the trustees’ report, other than the accounts and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the accounts does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 13

Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Other information (continued)

Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the accounts or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the accounts themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charity and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the trustees’ report

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the trustees’ responsibilities statement set out on page 10, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of accounts that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the accounts, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts

We have been appointed as auditor under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and report in accordance with the Act and relevant regulations made or having effect thereunder.

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the accounts as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.

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Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these accounts.

Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

Our approach to identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, was as follows:

We assessed the susceptibility of the charity’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur. Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

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Independent auditor’s report 31 March 2024

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the accounts (continued)

To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:

In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:

There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the trustees and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.

Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the accounts is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

21 October 2024

Buzzacott LLP Statutory Auditor 130 Wood Street London EC2V 6DL

Buzzacott LLP is eligible to act as an auditor in terms of section 1212 of the Companies Act 2006

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 16

Statement of financial activities Year to 31 March 2024

Notes Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
2024
£		 2023
(Restated)*
£
Income from:

Donations and legacies
1
Other trading activities
2
Investments and interest receivable
3
Charitable activities
5
Miscellaneous sources
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
6
Charitable activities
. Grants and donations
7
. Support of members of the Community and
their ministry
8
. Guesthouse
9
. Brewery
10
. Other primary purpose trading
11
Total expenditure
Net income (expenditure) before other
recognised gains (losses)
14
Net gains (losses) on listed investments
18
Net gains on investment properties
18
Net movement in funds for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward at 1 April 2023

Total funds carried forward at 31 March 2024
444,384

—

191,336

546,704
5,514
1,401
—

—

—

—

445,785
—
191,336
546,704
5,514		 327,931
188
178,805
494,490
7,748
1,187,938
1,401
1,189,339		 1,009,162

100,760

16,573
608,477

37,454

260,695

102,948
—

—

—

1,401

—

—

100,760

16,573
608,477

38,855
260,695
102,948		 61,719
18,779

571,509

58,204

296,856

118,918
1,126,907
1,401
1,128,308		 1,125,985

61,031

65,001

—
—


—
—
61,031
65,001
—
(116,823)
(69,578)
165,000
126,032
10,150,075
—

—		 126,032

10,150,075
(21,401)
10,171,476
10,276,107
—		 10,276,107 10,150,075

All recognised gains and losses are included in the above statement of financial activities.

All of the charity’s activities derived from continuing operations during the above two financial periods.

All income and all expenditure in 2022/23 related to unrestricted funds with the exception of a donation of £14,000 received to support ongoing fire safety works. This amount expended in full during 2022/23.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 17

Balance sheet as at 31 March 2024

Notes
2024
£		 2024
£		 2023
£		 2023
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
17
Investments
18
Current assets
Stocks
19
Debtors
20
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
21
Net current assets
Total net assets
Represented by:
Funds and reserves
Income funds:
Restricted funds
24
Unrestricted funds
. Tangible fixed assets fund
22
. Designated funds
23
. General funds






242,036

125,618
348,698
5,490,353
4,148,888


146,124
53,245
281,883		 5,564,878
4,144,735
9,639,241












636,866
 9,709,613




440,462
716,352

(79,486)		 481,252
(40,790)











10,276,107 10,150,075




—


5,490,353
3,012,397
1,773,357		 —
5,564,878
3,013,453
1,571,744
10,276,107 10,150,075

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 18

Statement of cash flows Year to 31 March 2024

Notes
2024
£		 2023
£
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash used in operating activities
A
Cash flows from investing activities:
Investment income and interest received
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Proceeds from the disposal of listed investments
Purchase of listed investments
Net cash provided by investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April 2023
B
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March 2024
B

**(168,847) **		 (162,258)


210,470
(35,656)
292,262
**(235,721) **		 153,741
(10,464)
170,853
(190,194)
231,355 123,936

62,508



299,106		 (38,322)
337,428

361,614		 299,106

Notes to the statement of cash flows for the year to 31 March 2024.

A Reconciliation of net movement in funds to net cash used in operating activities

2024
£		 2023
£
Net movement in funds (as per the statement of financial activities)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation
Net (gains) losses on listed investments
Net gains on investment properties
Investment income and interest receivable
(Increase) decrease in stocks
Increase in debtors
Increase in creditors
Net cash used in operating activities		 126,032
110,181
(65,001)
—
(191,336)
(95,912)
(91,507)
38,696		 (21,401)
114,955
69,578
(165,000)
(178,805)
18,216
(3,640)
3,839
(168,847) (162,258)

B Analysis of changes in cash and cash equivalents

Analysis of changes in cash and cash equivalents
2023
£
 Cash flows
£		 2024
£
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash held by investment managers
Total cash and cash equivalents		 281,883
17,223
66,815

(4,307)
348,698
12,916
299,106
62,508
361,614

No separate reconciliation of net debt has been prepared as there is no difference between the net cash (debt) of the charity and the above cash and cash equivalents.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 19

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are laid out below.

Basis of preparation

These accounts have been prepared for the year to 31 March 2024 with comparative information presented in respect to the year to 31 March 2023.

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (Charities SORP FRS 102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are presented in sterling and are rounded to the nearest pound.

Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement

Preparation of the accounts requires the trustees to make significant judgements and estimates.

The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 20

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Assessment of going concern

The trustees have assessed whether the use of the going concern assumption is appropriate in preparing these accounts. The trustees have made this assessment in respect to a period of at least one year from the date of approval of these accounts.

Whilst the current macroeconomic and geopolitical climate undoubtedly pose challenges for the charity, the trustees do not expect material concerns to arise over the charity’s financial position or its ability to continue as a going concern. The trustees are of the opinion that the charity will have sufficient resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due.

The most significant areas of judgement that affect items in the accounts are detailed above. With regard to the next accounting period, the year ending 31 March 2025, the most significant areas that affect the carrying value of the assets held by the charity are the level of return from listed investments and the performance of the investment markets.

Income recognition

Income is recognised in the period in which the charity has entitlement to the income, the amount of income can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.

Income comprises donations and legacies, investment income and interest receivable, income from charitable activities, income from other trading activities and income from miscellaneous sources.

Donations, including pensions of individual religious received under Gift Aid or deed of covenant, are recognised when the charity has confirmation of both the amount and settlement date. In the event of donations pledged but not received, the amount is accrued for where the receipt is considered probable. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

In accordance with the Charities SORP FRS 102 volunteer time is not recognised.

Legacies are included in the statement of financial activities when the charity is entitled to the legacy, the executors have established that there are sufficient surplus assets in the estate to pay the legacy, and any conditions attached to the legacy are within the control of the charity.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 21

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Income recognition (continued)

Entitlement is taken as the earlier of the date on which either: the charity is aware that probate has been granted, the estate has been finalised and notification has been made by the executor to the charity that a distribution will be made, or when a distribution is received from the estate. Receipt of a legacy, in whole or in part, is only considered probable when the amount can be measured reliably and the charity has been notified of the executor’s intention to make a distribution. Where legacies have been notified to the charity, or the charity is aware of the granting of probate, but the criteria for income recognition have not been met, then the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed if material. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title of the asset having being transferred to the charity.

Income from listed investments is recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.

Income derived from the letting of the charity’s investment properties is recognised in the period to which the tenancy relates.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

Income from charitable activities, income from other trading activities and income from miscellaneous sources is recognised to the extent that economic benefits will flow to the charity and the income can be reliably measured. It is measured as the fair value of the consideration received or receivable excluding discounts, rebates and value added tax.

Services provided by members of the Community

For the purposes of these accounts, no value has been placed on administrative and other services provided by the members of the Community.

Expenditure recognition

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to make a payment 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. All expenditure is stated inclusive of irrecoverable VAT and accounted for on an accruals basis.

Expenditure comprises direct costs and support costs. The majority of expenditure is directly attributable to specific activities and any apportionment between headings is negligible. The classification between expenditure headings is as follows:

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville

22

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Expenditure recognition (continued)

Support costs represent indirect charitable expenditure. In order to carry out the primary purposes of the charity, it is necessary to provide support in the form of financial procedures, provision of office services and equipment and a suitable working environment.

Governance costs comprise the costs involving the public accountability of the charity (including audit costs) and costs of compliance with regulation and good practice.

Support costs, including governance costs, are allocated to the support of members of the Community and their ministry in full.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 23

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Tangible fixed assets

All assets costing more than £1,500 and with an expected useful life exceeding one year are capitalised.

Depreciation is provided at 0.5% per annum on a straight line basis in order to write the buildings off over their estimated useful economic life. The estimated useful life of such buildings is deemed to be 200 years in view of their age and historic nature. Certain additions to freehold land and buildings are depreciated over a 20 or 30 year period on a straight line basis in order to write off these items over their estimated useful economic life.

Land purchased separately, where values are available, is not depreciated.

This comprises equipment purchased and installed for use in the charity’s brewery operations. The equipment is depreciated over a period of twenty years on a straight line basis.

Where there is an indication that an asset may be impaired, an impairment review is carried out and a provision made where necessary.

Investments

Listed investments are a form of basic financial instrument and are initially recognised at their transaction value and subsequently measured at their fair value as at the balance sheet date using the closing quoted market price.

The charity does not acquire put options, derivatives or other complex financial instruments.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 24

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Investments (continued)

As noted above the main form of financial risk faced by the charity is that of volatility in equity markets and investment markets due to wider economic conditions, the attitude of investors to investment risk, and changes in sentiment concerning equities and within particular sectors or sub sectors.

Investment properties are included in the accounts at fair value which is the estimated current market value of the properties based on open market value. The valuation has been determined by the trustees after consultation with their professional property advisers.

Realised gains (or losses) on investment assets are calculated as the difference between disposal proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value where the investment is acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value at that date. Realised and unrealised investment gains (or losses) are combined in the statement of financial activities and are credited (or debited) in the year in which they arise.

Stocks

Stocks held in the charity’s retail shop comprise publications, religious artefacts, and sundry supplies and are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

Stocks relating to the charity’s brewery include ingredients and empty packaging (raw material), beer contained within the brewery’s fermentation vats (work in progress), and bottled beer for resale (finished goods). These items are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. Labour costs and production overheads are not included in the value of work in progress or finished goods as all brewing activities are carried out by the monks (who are not remunerated for their work) and the cost of overheads used during the production process such as water and electricity is not considered to be material.

Debtors

Debtors are recognised at their settlement amount, less any provision for non-recoverability. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash receipt where such discounting is material.

Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand represents such accounts and instruments that are available on demand or have a maturity of less than three months from the date of acquisition. Deposits for more than three months but less than one year have been disclosed as short term deposits. Cash placed on deposit for more than one year is disclosed as a fixed asset investment.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 25

Principal accounting policies 31 March 2024

Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions 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. Creditors and provisions are recognised at the amount the charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt. They have been discounted to the present value of the future cash payment where such discounting is material.

Fund structure

Restricted funds are monies raised for, and their use restricted to, a specific purpose, or donations subject to donor imposed conditions.

Designated funds comprise monies set aside out of unrestricted general funds for specific future purposes or projects.

The tangible fixed assets fund comprises the net book value of charity’s tangible fixed assets. The existence of such assets is fundamental to the charity being able to perform its charitable work and thereby achieve its charitable objectives. The value represented by such assets should not be regarded, therefore, as realisable.

General funds represent those monies which are freely available for application towards achieving any charitable purpose that falls within the charity’s charitable objectives.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 26

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

1 Income from: Donations and legacies

Unrestricted
funds
£
47,080
25,698
302,709
11,873
57,024
444,384		 Restricted
funds
£
1,401
—
—
—
—
1,401		 2024
Total
funds
£
48,481
25,698
302,709
11,873
57,024
445,785


Unrestricted
funds
£

17,906

37,992

206,427

8,245

43,361

313,931


Restricted
funds
£

14,000

—

—

—

—

14,000
2023
Total
funds
£

31,906

37,992

206,427

8,245
43,361

327,931
Donations
Collections and offerings
Legacies
Mass stipends
Pensions and other donations
from individual religious given to
the charity under Gift Aid

2 Income from: Other trading activities

Unrestricted
funds
£
 Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£


8,123


—

7,114

947

270

16,454
(16,454)
—		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£

—

—

—

—

—

—
—
—		 2023
Total
funds
£
Pottery income
Miscellaneous
. Book binding and press
. Photocards
. Rosary
. Candles
Less: interdepartmental
sales		 8,123
—
7,114
947
270
—

—

—

—

—		 12,620
188
5,813
201
440		 12,620
188
5,813
201
440
16,454
—		 19,262 19,262
(16,454) — (19,074) (19,074)
— — 188 188

3 Income from: Investments and interest receivable

Unrestricted
funds
£
 Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£
 Unrestricted
funds
£
 Restricted
funds
£
2023
Total
funds
£

6,431

9,786

12,806
14,580

43,603

135,103

99

178,805
Income from listed
investments
. UK fixed interest bonds
. UK equities
. UK unitised funds
. Overseas equities and
unitised funds
Income from investment
property
. Rental income (note 4)
Bank interest receivable		 5,236
7,388
1,036
29,057
—

—

—
—
5,236

7,388

1,036
29,057
6,431
9,786
12,806
14,580

—

—

—
—
42,717
146,274
2,345
—

—

—
42,717

146,274


2,345		 43,603
135,103
99
—

—

—
191,336
—
191,336		 178,805
—

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 27

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

4 Rental income less expenses

Rental income (note 3)
Repairs
Management fees
Miscellaneous expenses
Total investment property
expenses (note 6)		 Unrestricted
funds
£

146,274		 Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£

146,274		 Unrestricted
funds
£		 Restricted
funds
£
2023
Total
funds
£
— 135,103
—
135,103
(68,030)
(12,591)
(2,407)		 —
—
—
(68,030)

(12,591)

**(2,407) **		 (30,919)
(15,601)
(2,572)		 —
—
—
(30,919)

(15,601)

(2,572)
(83,028)
63,246		 —
(83,028)

63,246		 (49,092) —
(49,092)
— 86,011
—
86,011

5 Income from: Charitable activities

Unrestricted
funds
£

Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£
10,961
310,748
333,965
655,674
(108,970)
546,704		 Unrestricted
funds
£

1,627
282,574
300,720

584,921
(90,431)

494,490

Restricted
funds
£

—
—
—

—
—

—		 2023
Total
funds
£
Guesthouse receipts
Primary purpose trading
income from the operation of a
shop
Primary purpose trading
income from the operation of a
brewery
Less: interdepartmental sales		 10,961
310,748
333,965
—
—
—
1,627
282,574
300,720
655,674
(108,970)
—
—
584,921

(90,431)
546,704
—
494,490

6 Expenditure on: Raising funds

Unrestricted
funds
£

Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£

3,004
49,092

8,256

1,278

—

89

61,719

Restricted
funds
£

—
—

—

—

—

—

—		 2023
Total
funds
£
Pottery expenses
Investment property expenses
(note 4)
Investment manager’s fees
Miscellaneous
. Photocards
. Wind turbines
. Rosary		 4,287
83,028
8,112
847
4,232
254
—
—

—

—

—

—		 4,287
83,028
8,112
847
4,232
254
3,004
49,092

8,256

1,278

—

89
100,760
—		 100,760
61,719

7 Expenditure on: Charitable activities – Grants and donations

Unrestricted
funds
£
2,250

14,323
16,573


Restricted
funds
£

—

—

—		 2024
Total
funds
£
2,250
14,323
16,573		 Unrestricted
funds
£

480
18,299

18,779

Restricted
funds
£

—

—

—		 2023
Total
funds
£
Grants payable to individuals
Grants payable to institutions
(see below)
480
18,299

18,779

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 28

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

7 Expenditure on: Charitable activities – Grants and donations (continued) During the year grants and donations were paid to 3 individuals (2023 – 1 individual).

Grants and donations payable to institutions during the year comprised the following:

Unrestricted
funds
£
1,334
3,774
3,547
8,655
5,668
14,323


Restricted
funds
£

—
—
—
—

—

—		 2024
Total
funds
£
1,334
3,774
3,547
8,655
5,668
14,323		 Unrestricted
funds
£
—
11,491
—
108

11,599
6,700

18,299

Restricted
funds
£

—
—
—
—

—

—		 2023
Total
funds
£
—
11,491
—
108
11,599
6,700

18,299
Grants of £1,000 or more
Our Lady of Bamenda,
Cameroon
Order of Cistercians of the
Strict Observance – Generalate
Aid to the Church of in Need
Commission of Aid France
Aarden Charitable Trust
CAFOD
CityHub Ukraine
. Abbaye of San Isidoro grant
(intentions for Masses)
Total
Grants and donations each of
less than £1,000
Total

8 Expenditure on: Charitable activities – Support of members of the Community and their ministry

their ministry
Staff costs (note 15)
Depreciation (note 17)
Living and personal expenses
Church upkeep including altar
Support costs (note 12)
Other premises costs		 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£
 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£

—

—

—

—

—

—

—
2023
Total
funds
£
63,770
74,410
97,190
15,215
173,111
184,781
—

—

—

—

—

—		 63,770
74,410
97,190
15,215
173,111
184,781
72,510

79,188

112,871

6,116

116,541

184,283
72,510

79,188

112,871

6,116

116,541

184,283
608,477
—		 608,477
571,509
571,509

9 Expenditure on: Charitable activities – Guesthouse expenses

Premises costs
Provisions
Household and miscellaneous
expenses		 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£

14,000

—
—

14,000
2023
Total
funds
£
36,527
326
601
1,401

—
—
37,928
326
601
42,513

—
1,691
56,513

—
1,691
37,454
1,401
38,855
44,204
58,204

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 29

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

10 Expenditure on: Charitable activities – Brewery expenses

Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£		 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
2023
Total
funds
£
Cost of sales
Staff costs (note 15)
Professional fees
Alcohol duty
Repairs and maintenance
Depreciation (note 17)
Other brewery costs
Less:
Interdepartmental Sales		 83,198
69,987
3,886
25,815
11,734
35,771
36,256
—

—

—

—

—

—

—		 83,198
69,987
3,886
25,815
11,734
35,771
36,256
174,931

43,165

3,275

19,086

5,477

35,767

15,155
—

—

—

—

—

—

—
174,931

43,165

3,275

19,086

5,477

35,767

15,155
266,647
—		 266,647
296,856
—
296,856
(5,952) — (5,952) — — —
260,695
—		 260,695
—
—
296,856

11 Expenditure on Charitable activities – Other primary purpose trading expenses

Unrestricted
funds
£
21,056
193,413
1,674
6,277
222,420
(119,472)
102,948		 Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£
 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
2023
Total
funds
£
—
—
—
—		 21,056
193,413
1,674
6,277
21,445

190,965

10,605

5,408

—

—

—

—
21,445

190,965

10,605

5,408
— 222,420
228,423
—
228,423
— (119,472) (109,505) — (109,505)
— 102,948
118,918
—
118,918

12 Support costs

Support costs comprise:

Unrestricted
funds
£
118,060
1,569
13,219
8,823
8,300
8,795
14,345
173,111


Restricted
funds
£

—

—

—

—

—


—

—		 2024
Total
funds
£

118,060
1,569
13,219
8,823
8,300
8,795
14,345
173,111		 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
2023
Total
funds
£
Staff costs (note 15)
Bank charges
Postage, stationery and
elephone
Professional fees
Travel
rrecoverable VAT
Governance costs (note 13)
77,079

1,261
13,791

2,823

7,992


13,595
—

—
—

—

—

—
77,079

1,261
13,791

2,823

7,992

13,595

116,541
—
116,541

All support costs are allocated to the support of members of the Community and their ministry (note 8).

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 30

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

13 Governance costs

Governance costs
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£		 2024
Total
funds
£
 Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
2023
Total
funds
£
Auditor’s remuneration 14,345
—		 14,345
13,595
—
13,595

14 Net income (expenditure) before investment gains (losses)

This is stated after charging (crediting):

2024
Total
funds
£		 2023
Total
funds
£
Staff costs (note 15)
Auditor’s remuneration
. Statutory audit services
. Other services
Depreciation(note 17)		 272,873
13,750
595
110,181		 214,199
10,800
2,795
114,955

15 Staff costs and trustees’ remuneration

Staff costs during the year were as follows:

2024
£		 2023
£
Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Pension costs
Staff costs per function were as follows:
Support of members of the Community
Brewery
Shop
Support		 246,577
20,874
5,422		 193,100
17,153
3,946
272,873 214,199
63,770
69,987
21,056
118,060		 72,510
43,165
21,445
77,079
272,873 214,199

No employees earned in excess of £60,000 per annum (including taxable benefits) or more during the year (2023 – none).

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 31

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

15 Staff costs and trustees’ remuneration (continued)

The average number of employees during the year, analysed by function, was as follows:

2024
Number		 2023
Number
Support of members of the Community
Shop
Brewery
Support		 4
1
3
3		 1
1
3
5
11 10

Key management personnel

The key management personnel of the charity in charge of directing and controlling, running and operating the charity on a day-to-day basis comprise the trustees alone. As members of the Community, the trustees’ living and personal expenses during the year were borne by the charity but they received no remuneration or reimbursement of expenses in connection with their duties as trustees during the year (2023 – £nil).

16 Taxation

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville is a registered charity and, therefore, is not liable to income tax or corporation tax on income derived from its charitable activities, as it falls within the various exemptions available to registered charities.

17 Tangible fixed assets

Freehold
land and
buildings
£		 Furniture
and
equipment
£



Motor
vehicles
£		 Plant and
machinery
£		 Brewery
equipment
£


Total
£
Cost or deemed cost
At 1 April 2023
Additions
At 31 March 2024
At cost
Deemed cost – 1989 valuation
Depreciation
As at 1 April 2023
Charge for the year
At 31 March 2024
Net book values
At 31 March 2024
At 31 March 2023		 5,762,251
11,836
746,601

926
26,100

—
87,842

22,727
715,345

167		 7,338,139
35,656
5,774,087
747,527
26,100
110,569
715,512		 7,373,795
1,346,417
4,427,670
747,527

—
26,100

—
110,569

—
715,512

—		 2,946,125
4,427,670
5,774,087
747,527
26,100
110,569
715,512		 7,373,795
754,310
67,338
735,485

415
21,463

1,854
85,794

4,803
176,209

35,771		 1,773,261
110,181
821,648
735,900
23,317
90,597
211,980		 1,883,442
4,952,439
11,627
2,783
19,972
503,532		 5,490,353
5,007,941
11,116
4,637
2,048
539,136		 5,564,878

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 32

Notes to the accounts

17 Tangible fixed assets (continued)

The book value of the land and buildings which were held at 31 March 1989 is based on a trustees’ valuation made in 1989 with professional assistance and, under the transitional arrangements set out in FRS 102, is deemed to be equal to cost. Subsequent additions and other tangible fixed assets are stated at cost net of depreciation.

It is likely that there are material differences between the open market values of the charity’s land and buildings and their book values. These arise from the specialised nature of the property and the effects of inflation. The amount of such differences cannot be ascertained without incurring significant costs, which, in the opinion of trustees, is not justified in terms of the benefit to the users of the accounts.

18 Investments

Investments
Investment
properties
£

Listed
investments
£


Total
2024
£
Fair (market) value at 1 April 2023
Additions
Disposals at book value (proceeds:
£292,262; gain £5,592)
Net unrealised gains
Fair (market) value at 31 March 2024
Cash held by investment managers for reinvestment
Total investments at 31 March 2024
Cost of investments at 31 March 2024 (excluding cash
held for reinvestment)		 2,975,000
—
—
—		 1,152,512
235,721
(286,670)
59,409		 4,127,512
235,721
(286,670)
59,409
2,975,000
—		 1,160,972
12,916		 4,135,972
12,916
2,975,000 1,173,888 4,148,888
242,176 1,024,035 1,266,211
Investment
properties
£		 Listed
investments
£		 Total
2023
£
Fair (market) value at 1 April 2022
Additions
Disposals at book value (proceeds:
£170,853; gains: £2,949)
Net unrealised gains (losses)
Fair (market) value at 31 March 2023
Cash held by investment managers for reinvestment
Total investments at 31 March 2023
Cost of investments at 31 March 2023 (excluding cash
held for reinvestment)		 2,810,000
—
—
165,000		 1,202,749
190,194
(167,904)
(72,527)		 4,012,749
190,194
(167,904)
92,473
2,975,000
—		 1,152,512
17,223		 4,127,512
17,223
2,975,000 1,169,735 4,144,735
242,176 1,095,690 1,337,866

All investment properties were valued by the trustees as at 31 March 2024 with professional assistance on an open market value basis, assuming vacant possession and no restrictive covenants or other onerous encumbrances.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 33

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

18 Investments (continued)

Listed investments held at 31 March 2024 comprised the following:

2024
£		 2023
£
UK fixed interest bonds
UK equities
UK unitised funds
Overseas equities and unitised funds		 114,941
271,675
290,982
483,374		 131,189
191,533
599,488
230,302
1,160,972 1,152,512

At 31 March 2024 listed investments included the following individual holdings deemed material when compared with the overall portfolio valuation as of that date:

2024
Market
value of
holding
£		 2024
Percentage
of portfolio
%		 2023
Market
value of
holding
£		 2023
Percentage
of portfolio
%
Vanguard Inv UK LT US Equity
MI Select Managers Bond Instl Dis		 67,715
77,740		 5.8%
6.7%		 73,697
61,989		 6.4%
5.7%

All listed investments were dealt in on a recognised stock exchange.

19 Stocks

Stocks
2024
£		 2023
£
Shop stocks
Brewery stocks
. Raw materials
. Work in progress
. Finished goods
Other stocks		 124,165
89,448
3,690
21,326
3,407		 108,273
26,717
1,369
7,254
2,511
242,036 146,124

20 Debtors

Debtors
2024
£		 2023
£
VAT recoverable
Prepayments and sundry debtors
Trade debtors
Legacy receivable
Investment income and interest receivable		 282
16,259
4,476
58,260
46,341		 3,870
2,972
1,123
—
45,280
125,618 53,245

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 34

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

21 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
£		 2023
£
Expense creditors
Other taxation and social security costs
Other accruals and deferred income		 39,172
6,358
33,956		 17,547
5,856
17,387
79,486 40,790
Tangible fixed assets fund Total
2024
£		 Total
2023
£
At 1 April 2023
Net movement in year
At 31 March 2024		 5,564,878
(74,525)		 5,669,369
(104,491)
5,490,353 5,564,878

22 Tangible fixed assets fund

The tangible fixed assets fund represents the net book value of the Abbey’s tangible fixed assets. The trustees have decided to separate this fund from the general funds of the charity in recognition of the fact that the tangible fixed assets are essential to the day-to-day work of the charity. As such, their value should not be regarded as funds that could be realisable with ease, in order to meet future contingencies.

23 Designated funds

The income funds of the charity include the following designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes:

At
1 April
2023
£		 Designated
in year
£		 Utilised/
released
£		 At
31 March
2024
£
Care of the Community fund
Library fund		 3,000,000
13,453		 —
—		 —
(1,056)		 3,000,000
12,397
3,013,453 — (1,056) 3,012,397
At
1 April
2022
£		 Designated
in year
£		 Utilised/
released
£		 At
31 March
2023
£
Care of the Community fund
Library fund		 3,000,000
14,900		 —
—		 —
(1,447)		 3,000,000
13,453
3,014,900 — (1,447) 3,013,453

The Care of the Community fund represents monies which the trustees have set aside in order to meet the cost of the care and welfare of members of the Community. The value of the fund has been actuarially calculated to provide future income to the Community. The calculations take into account the resources available and do not represent the total fund that might be required.

The Library fund represents monies raised by the charity to acquire new books, periodicals and journals for the Community library and for repair works to the library.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 35

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

24 Restricted funds

The funds of the charity include the following restricted funds which were donated towards the cost of fire safety improvements:

At
1 April
2023
£		 Income
£		 Expenditure
£		 Transferred
£		 At
31 March
2024
£
Fire safety and guesthouse
renovation fund		 — 1,401 (1,401) — —
— 1,401 (1,401) — —
At
1 April
2023
£		 Income
£		 Expenditure
£		 Transferred
£		 At
31 March
2024
£
Fire safety and guesthouse
renovation fund		 — 14,000 (14,000) — —
— 14,000 (14,000) — —

The fire safety and guesthouse renovation fund relates to donations received for continuing work on the modifications required to modify the fabric of charity’s guesthouse in order to make it compliant with the most recent fire safety regulations.

25 Analysis of net assets between funds

Unrestricted funds Unrestricted funds Total
2024
£
Tangible
fixed
assets
fund
£		 Designated
funds
£		 General
funds
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets		 5,490,353
—
—		 —
3,000,000
12,397		 —
1,148,888
624,469		 5,490,353
4,148,888
636,866
5,490,353 3,012,397 1,773,357 10,276,107
Total
2023
£
Tangible
fixed
assets
fund
£		 Designated
funds
£		 General
funds
£
Fund balances at 31 March 2023 are
represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Net current assets		 5,564,878
—
—		 —
3,000,000
13,453		 —
1,144,735
427,009		 5,564,878
4,144,735
440,462
5,564,878 3,013,453 1,571,744 10,150,075

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 36

Notes to the accounts 31 March 2024

25 Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

The total unrealised gains as at 31 March 2024 constitute movements on revaluation of listed investments and investment properties and are as follows:

listed investments and investment properties and are as follows:
2024
£		 2023
£
Unrealised gains:
On listed investments
On investment properties
Total unrealised gains at 31 March 2024
Reconciliation of movements in unrealised gains:
Total unrealised gains at 1 April 2023
Add (Less): changes in respect of disposals in the year
Net gains (losses) arising on revaluations of listed investments
Net gains arising on revaluations of investment properties
Total unrealisedgains at 31 March 2024		 136,937
2,732,824		 56,822
2,732,824
2,869,761 2,789,646
2,789,646
20,706
59,409
—		 2,719,598
(22,425)
(72,527)
165,000
2,869,761 2,789,646

26 Related party transactions

£20,104 (2023 – £13,132), being pensions, stipends and other donations made to the charity under Gift Aid.

There were no other related party transactions requiring disclosure in the year (2023 – none).

27 Ultimate control

The charity, which is constituted as a trust, was controlled throughout the period by the Community of monks resident at Mount Saint Bernard Abbey. The Community does not hold any assets, incur liabilities or enter into any transactions in its own right. Assets and liabilities of the Community are vested in the trust, which undertakes all transactions entered into in the course of the Community’s charitable activities.

28 Prior period restatement

Comparative information has been restated to eliminate income and expenditure internally generated and recorded within the charity’s ledger. This restatement has led to a of £109,505 reduction to both income and expenditure reported in the comparative period with no impact on the overall results for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The Trust of Mount Saint Bernard Abbey in Coalville 37