**TRUSTEES & ACTIVITIES REPORT 2025** 

## **Plymouth Athenaeum** 

Email: info@plymouthathenaeum.co.uk Tel: 01752 266079 Website: www. plymouthathenaeum.co.uk Derry’s Cross, Plymouth, PL1 2SW 




**2** 

## **TABLE OF CONTENTS** 

OUR MISSION Research, study and discussion ___________________________________________ 3 Meetings, lectures and dissemination of information ___________________________ 3 Writing, printing, filming _________________________________________________ 3 Libraries, activities and research __________________________________________ 3 OUR HISTORY Foundation ___________________________________________________________ 4 The Blitz _____________________________________________________________ 4 From the Ashes _______________________________________________________ 4 The Library ___________________________________________________________ 4 BUILDING NEWS Activating the Athenaeum ________________________________________________ 5 High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) __________________________________ 5 Building management ___________________________________________________ 7 Members’ Update Events ________________________________________________ 7 Friends Network _______________________________________________________ 7 Social Investment ______________________________________________________ 7 MANAGEMENT Trustees, committees and positions ________________________________________ 8 Financial Report _______________________________________________________ 9 Membership __________________________________________________________ 9 Statement of public benefit _______________________________________________ 9 ACTIVITIES Art Group ___________________________________________________________ 10 Astronomy Group _____________________________________________________ 10 Documentary Zone ____________________________________________________ 11 Lectures ____________________________________________________________ 11 Literature Group ______________________________________________________ 13 Photographic Group ___________________________________________________ 14 Science & Technology Forum ___________________________________________ 14 Talks _______________________________________________________________ 14 Writers’ Group ________________________________________________________ 15 



**3** 

## **OUR MISSION** 

## **Research, study and discussion** 

Promote the cultivation of useful knowledge, to encourage habits of research, and to afford opportunities to persons of various pursuits to study and discuss with each other any scientific, literary or artistic subject. 

## **Meetings, lectures and dissemination of information** 

Hold, conduct or promote meetings, conferences, lectures, exhibitions or training courses and to disseminate information to publicise the work of the Charity and other organisations operating in similar fields, and to disseminate cultural, artistic and scientific knowledge. 

## **Writing, printing, filming** 

Cause to be written and printed or otherwise reproduced and circulated, gratuitously or otherwise, periodicals, journals, magazines, books, leaflets or other documents, films, recorded tapes or materials reproduced on electronic media. 

“Promote the cultivation of useful knowledge, to encourage habits of research, and to afford opportunities to persons of various pursuits to study and discuss with each other any scientific, literary or artistic subject.” 

## **Libraries, activities and research** 

Form and carry on libraries, collections and museums and to present displays and exhibitions. Form and carry on sections of the Charity devoted to particular branches of literature and the arts, science and technology. Promote or carry out research and disseminate and exchange the results of it. 



**4** 

## **OUR HISTORY** 

## **Foundation** 

The Society was founded in October 1812 as the Plymouth Institution. Architect and founding member, John Foulston, designed the building that would become the permanent home of the Society. ‘The Athenaeum’ had a classical Greek-style facade and opened in February 1819. The Institution strengthened through mergers with the Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society (1851) and the Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute (1899). 


## **The Blitz** 

Foulston’s original ‘Athenaeum’ was a victim of the Luftwaffe during World War Two. It was destroyed during the Blitz on the night of 21-22 April 1941. The damage resulted in the loss of the Institution’s library, art and museum collections. A ‘homeless’ period of 20 years followed with the Institution basing itself at 13 Alexandra Road, Mutley, and holding meetings and lectures in venues including the city museum. 

## **From the Ashes** 

The Institution was renamed the Plymouth Athenaeum when it moved into its present building in June 1961. It is located on almost the exact location of Foulston’s pre-Blitz original. 

## **The Library** 

Before the Blitz, our library housed more than 10,000 volumes. The library was restored as part of the rebuilt Athenaeum in 1961. 



**5** 

## **BUILDING NEWS** 

## **Activating the Athenaeum** 

During 2024/25 we concluded the Plymouth Octopus Project (POP) funded Activating the Athenaeum feasibility study with WonderZoo Arts and Plymouth South Enterprise 

Network. Work undertaken during the study has contributed to developing our strategy to 

create a viable future for the sustainable operation of the Athenaeum building. 


## **High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ)** 

During 2024/25 we completed façade improvements works to the Plymouth Athenaeum building. The works were part funded by the award of a grant, facilitated by Plymouth City Council, of £86,194 from Historic England. 

The HSHAZ works included: 

- repair and repainting window glazing and steel frames 

- repair and specialist cleaning of concrete wall cladding and brickwork 

- repair of concrete columns and plinths 

- repair of roof parapets and edging 

- repair and update original external lighting and signage. 



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The Plymouth HSHAZ programme – ‘reinvigorating the Abercrombie Estate' – was a fouryear programme celebrating, enhancing and adapting the city centre's post-war heritage and making it a more attractive, engaging and vibrant place for people to live, work and spend time. 

Managed by Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Culture, with support from The Box and Plymouth Octopus Project, the scheme was part of a £95 million government-funded programme delivered by Historic England to unlock the potential of 60 different high streets across the country. 

## **Honours on display** 

In early 2025, the Society’s honours boards were relocated from the Upper to the Lower Foyer to improve their visibility for visitors to the building. The boards list the Society’s Presidents since 1812 and Honorary Life Members since 1961. 




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## **Building management** 

The Board would like to thank the Building & Maintenance and Health & Safety teams for their ongoing work to make the ensure that the spaces open within and outside the Athenaeum, including car parks, are fit for members and building users. 

The team - Roy Hexter, Ian Manning, David Ryles and Owen Ryles – undertake important maintenance, repair and health & safety work inside and outside the building, saving the Society tens of thousands of pounds every year. Without them, the Society simply could not function. 

## **Members’ Update Events** 

During the year we held two members’ update events in July and December 2024. At the December event, we shared our new Strategic Review with members attending. The events provided members with an opportunity to find out more about our progress to fully reopen the Athenaeum building and how we will start rebranding the activities of the Society during 2025/26. 

## **Friends Network** 

At the end of the year, we set up a ‘Friends of the Athenaeum’ membership scheme. Its aim was to draw community support for the building through volunteering, raising awareness of its place in the community, promoting its activities and fundraising. The Trustees believed establishing a thriving community network of ‘Friends’ supporters could support the Society’s aim of making the building alive and flourishing as an arts, culture and learning hub in the heart of Plymouth. 

## **Social Investment** 

During the year we began to hold detailed discussions with a group of local social investors keen to support and facilitate the refurbishment, full re-opening and operation of the Athenaeum building. We hope to bring these discussions to a successful conclusion during 2025/26. 



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## **MANAGEMENT** 

## **Trustees, committees and positions** 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 

Mr W. Telford (Chair) Mr J. Hutchins (Vice-Chair) Mr R. Hexter Dr P. Holden Mr I. Manning Mrs J. Pengilley 

Mrs M. Tully Met: 4 times 

COMPANY SECRETARY 

Mr O. Ryles 

## MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE 

Mr O. Ryles (Chair) Mr R. Hexter Mr I. Manning Mrs M. Tully Met: 13 times 

PRESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENTS Prof Sir Ghillean Prance FRS Mr D. Ryles and Mrs E. Willey 

## Staff and volunteers 

The Board of Trustees would like to put on record its great thanks to Owen Ryles for his ongoing work in the management and operation of the Society. 

The Trustees thank the Society’s volunteers who helped to undertake catering, library, activities and cleaning duties. 



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## **Financial Report** 

A full report - Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements - is sent separately. 

## **Membership** 

There were 65 Full members, 5 Life members, 1 Family member (Under-16) and 1 Junior member (16-18) at 31 March 2025. 

## **Statement of public benefit** 

During the year 2024/25, the Society organised a programme of in-person and online events, activities, and publications that helped it to fulfil its charitable aims of promoting learning in the fields of science, technology, literature and art. 

Outside our regular programme of members’ activities, we also offered free public entry to lectures and talks during the year and provided contemporary and archival digital material and lectures and talks on our website and through YouTube and Soundcloud. 

We also collaborated with or provided facilities for individuals and organisations within the Athenaeum building to engage in learning in the arts and sciences. 

“the Society organised a programme of in-person and online events, activities, and publications that helped it to fulfil its charitable aims” 



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## **ACTIVITIES** 

## **Art Group** 

The Art Group members continue to maintain their cheerful meetings and have even attracted a couple of new members. Our attendances vary with the season and personal engagements but are usually well into double figures. 

The Spring Project “Plymouth” allowed us to paint the town, so naturally the next topic could only be “Red”! This dominant colour featured in paintings of robins, squirrels, letter boxes and red wine. 

The Autumn project, “Amazon”, was designed to complement an upcoming lecture by incoming President, Prof Sir Ghillean Prance, who joined in our critique. Pictures of colourful flora and fauna were accompanied by scenes of deforestation and culture contact with indigenous tribes. 

In contrast to the Equatorial climate, our Winter project was “SNOW ‘N ICE”, where the challenge was to paint white. Winter landscapes and sports vied with animals in white coats. 

In Spring we all became as Shakespeare said “rude mechanicals” in preparing an exhibition to join in the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Plymouth Mechanics’ Institute (more on this in next year’s report). 

Finally, the group sends it thanks to Joy, Monica, Roy and Owen for keeping the teas and coffees going! 

## Wilf Harrison 

## **Astronomy Group** 

The Astronomy Group explored a range of subjects during the year. In May it discussed ‘Recent Events in Astronomy’. The group discovered more about exoplanets, a solar eclipse over the U.S. and northern Europe, a comet over Normandy and the latest Artemis and James Webb telescope news. 

In July, the Group focused on the exploration of Mars, from orbital satellites to surface rovers to a manned landing. The theme for its September session was All about the Sun – how it was formed, how it works and how long it will last. 



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Comet c/2023 A3 was the subject for the Group’s November session. The session covered Comet c/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) and other things you may have missed recently. ‘The Weird & Wonderful Athenaeum Christmas Astronomy Quiz’ rounded off 2024 with questions that tested cosmic knowledge, memory and powers of recall. 

## **Documentary Zone** 

The Group presented a screening and discussion of the Netflix documentary Our Great National Parks: Chilean Patagonia in November. Narrated by President Barrack Obama, the documentary revealed how the magnificent Chilean Patagonia is rapidly becoming one of the most protected places on the planet. 

## **Lectures** 

Our first spring lecture of 2024 saw Prof Karl Cordell discusses Poland and Ukraine: An unlikely alliance. The two countries have a long, shared history – some parts of western Ukraine, such as Lviv, formed part of the Polish state for several centuries and parts of eastern Poland once had large native Ukrainian populations. 

Dr Harry Bennett then lectured on the operation Exercise Tiger tragedy of 28 April 1944 when German motor torpedo-boats attacked a convoy of American tank landing ships in Lyme Bay during a practice invasion exercise (Exercise Tiger) for the landings on Utah Beach. Two vessels of convoy T4 were sunk and a third badly damaged. The official death toll was put at 749 US Navy soldiers and US Army sailors. 

Maintaining the Second World War theme, The business of D-Day: Cashing in on Operation Overlord, told the story of how the Normandy landings has become a multibillion dollar industry 80 years on from D-Day. Held on the 80[th] anniversary of the landings, Owen Ryles revealed how Operation Overlord has become a global money-maker, reaping returns in billions of dollars from battlefield and remembrance tourism, to merchandise, films and video games. 

The Autumn series began with the President’s Address - A Summer Stroll Around the Barbican. Eileen Willey provided an illustrated talk and a gentle pictorial journey around Plymouth's historic Barbican. 

Prof Sir Ghillean Prance then discussed the irreplaceable Amazon rainforest and the impact of man’s intrusion into it in The survival of the Amazon rainforest is under threat. Prof Prance is a botanist and has travelled and researched extensively in South America, 



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with a focus on sustainability and management of the environment. He has carried out extensive fieldwork, principally in the Amazon rainforest, where he lived with many Amazonian tribes and identified more than 350 new species of plant. 


In November, Bryan Short lectured on Cleopatra, Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt from 51 to 30 BCE. The lecture revealed what we know of her life and illuminated aspects of her character and appearance that may provide a better understanding of what it was that enabled her to captivate the two most powerful men of her time and, what events led to her downfall and untimely death. 

The Autumn series concludes with Dr Sandra Barkhof’s lecture on the wave of Germanophobia that swept across Britain during the First World War. During World War One, Britain was gripped with Germanophobia, with both the government and the press playing central roles. Germanophobia impacted the German community living in the UK and resulted in a change of name for the British Royal Family. 

In the spring, Dr Patrick Holden looked at The end of the ‘Liberal International Order’: implications for Europe. Dr Holden discussed the impact of the decline of liberalism in 



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international affairs (in particular the rise of Donald Trump) on European states and institutions. 

## **Literature Group** 

The year began with the Group sharing their favourite non-fiction works in April. The following month they delved into the Just So Stories by Rudyard Kipling. Published in 1902, it is among Kipling's best-known works. 

In June the Group looked at the poetry of World War II. Less well known than the First World War poets, soldiers, conscientious objectors, civilians, editors, and journalists all published poetry during the Second World War. Play reading was back on the agenda in July with Augustus Does His Bit: A True-to-Life Farce, by George Bernard Shaw. Augustus Does His Bit is a comic one-act play about a dim-witted aristocrat who is outwitted by a female spy during World War I. 

The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin was the subject of the Group’s September session. The book is a vivid travel memoir as well as a detailed scientific field journal covering biology, geology, and anthropology from Darwin’s Beagle voyage between 1831 and 1836. Darwin, who made a number of visits to the original Athenaeum building preparing for the voyage, sailed from Plymouth in December 1831. 

In October, the Group’s play-reading session focused on The Last Straw, a one-act play by Bosworth Crocker. The Last Straw is a one-act tragedy, based upon the psychological law of suggestion. The following month, the Group gave members a chance to share and discuss the poems of Dylan Thomas. Born in Swansea, Wales, in 1914, Dylan Thomas is famous for his acutely lyrical and emotional poetry, as well as his turbulent personal life. 

Christmas stories was the festive theme for the Group’s final session of 2024 in December, while 2025 kicked off with members sharing their favourite nature or wildlife books in January. 

Limericks was the theme for the Group’s final session of 2024/25. A limerick, which was popularised by Edward Lear, is a humorous form of verse that appeared in County Limerick in the early years of the 18th century. 



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## **Photographic Group** 

During the year, the Group presented a monthly showcase of members’ work. The themes included reflections, industry, summer, sport and leisure, cityscapes, landscapes and nature. 

## **Science & Technology Forum** 

The Science & Technology Forum met once, in November, to put the life and work of 19th century natural historian, Charles Spence Bate under the miscroscope. Correspondent of Charles Darwin, leading authority on Crustacea and one of the country's foremost dentists, Spence Bate was a Fellow of the Royal Society and the Linnean Society and President of the British Dental Association and the Odontological Society – the first from outside the capital. He also served as President of both the Devonshire Association and the Plymouth Athenaeum. 

## **Talks** 

A full programme of in-person lunchtime talks took place for the first time since the Covid19 pandemic during 2024/25. The first talk in the autumn series focused on the film Dartmoor: The Source of Many Rivers. The film, which was be preceded by a short talk from Eileen Willey, was made and narrated by Brian Maddock, who was a walks guide for Dartmoor National Park Authority for more than 30 years. 

This was followed by An inconvenient truth: Richard Owen, dinosaurs and Plymouth. In it Owen Ryles investigated Plymouth’s long – and falsely - laid claim to be the venue for the naming of dinosaurs. Join us as we try to separate fact from fiction in the city's assertion that it be credited as the birthplace of these ‘terrible reptiles’. 

In Future Saltram: Investing in heritage, nature and wellbeing in Plymouth, Cat Richards discussed the Future Saltram project and how the house and estate can continue to play a pivotal role in supporting health, well-being, and education in Plymouth as the historic estate grows. 

The autumn series concluded when Prof Sir Ghillean Prance discussed the horticulture, science and education at the heart of the work of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Founded in 1840, the Gardens house the largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world. Prof Prance, who is a Fellow of the Royal Society and past President of the Linnean Society, was Director of the Gardens from 1988-99. 



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The Spring series saw Robert King discussing the Past, present and future of Drake's Island. With a background as a 22-year veteran in the Royal Engineers, Robert spent more than a decade as a dive instructor running marine conservation sites for UK NGOs around the world. In 2017 he became the Warden of Drake’s Island for the then owners. Part of the remit was to research the history of the island. 


The city’s wildlife was in the spotlight as Eileen Willey shared her experience of Recent encounters of a natural kind in Plymouth and Spies, spas and science: Devon & Cornwall Natural History Society 1838-51 was the topic for the third of our Spring talks series. Owen Ryles revealed the story of Darwin, dukes and discovery at the Devon & Cornwall Natural History Society, one of the three organisations that merged in the 19[th] century to form the current Plymouth Athenaeum. 

Members were also able to attend for free a series of talks at the Athenaeum provided by the Devonshire Association during the year. 

## **Writers’ Group** 

In May, the Group began holding its twice-monthly Write on the Night sessions. 

Participants were given a prompt – such as a photograph or quote – and a set time in which to write. Participants then shared their work with the rest of the group. In its other online sessions, members had the opportunity to share and receive feedback on work they had produced. The Group also regularly held monthly in-person sessions. 



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## **Plymouth Athenaeum** 

Email: info@plymouthathenaeum.co.uk Tel: 01752 266079 Website: www. plymouthathenaeum.co.uk Derry’s Cross, Plymouth, PL1 2SW 




**Charity registration number 216963** 

**Company registration number 00019639 (England and Wales)** 

## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

# **ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

|**Trustees**|Mr R B K Hexter|
|---|---|
||Dr P G Holden|
||Mr J N Hutchins|
||Mr I Manning|
||Mrs J Pengilley|
||Mr W Telford|
||Mrs M Tully|
|**Secretary**|Mr O D Ryles|
|**Charity number**|216963|
|**Company number**|019639|
|**Principal address**|22 Derry's Cross|
||Plymouth|
||PL1 2SW|
|**Registered office**|22 Derry's Cross|
||Plymouth|
||PL1 2SW|
|**Independent examiner**|One Plus One Accountants|
||34/36 Fore Street|
||Bovey Tracey|
||Devon|
||TQ13 9AE|





## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **CONTENTS** 

||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|1 - 2|
|Independent examiner's report|3|
|Statement of financial activities|4|
|Balance sheet|5|
|Notes to the financial statements|6 - 13|





## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with 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)". 

## **Objectives and activities** 

The company is a charity and its objects are that of the study and promotion of the fine arts, literature, science and technology. The company achieves its objectives by holding meetings and lectures on subjects within its constitution and the provision of a library. 

## **Achievements and performance** 

This association has published its Proceedings continually from its foundation in 1812. The latest set of proceedings was published in 2014 and work is in hand towards producing our next set of Proceedings. A programme of activities, including talks and discussion groups, took place at the Athenaeum building and online during the year with arts and science themes. The year’s lecture programme took place at Plymouth Athenaeum and online. 

## **Financial review** 

In accordance with the trust deed, the directors have the power to invest in stock, shares and investments in which they see fit. The policy is to adopt an investment strategy to build value to the portfolio with a medium degree of risk. The investment yielded a return of £4,964 (2024: £4,542) 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

The Plymouth Athenaeum is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 1 April 1884 as amended by Special Resolutions dated 21 December 1961, 29 June 2009, 20 August 2018 and 4 December 2023 

- 1 - 



THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees, who are also the director5 for the purpose of e(•mpany la4Y, and who Se￿ed during the year and up
to the date of signature of the financial statements were..
Mr R B K Hexter
Dr P G Holden
Mr J N HLrtchins
Mr l Manning
Mrs J Pengilley
Mr W Telford
Mrs M Tully
The report was approved by tha Board and signed on its behalf by..
Dated..

THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM
I report lo the trustees on my examination ol the financial statements of The Ptymoulh Athenaeum Icharftyl for
ihe year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilitles and basis of report
As th9 trustees of the charity {and also its diraetors for the purp058s of company lawl you are rest￿sIble for the
prep8r8lion of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the
2006 Acll.
Having sab'sfied mys8lf that the financial statements of the charity 8re not required to be audited under Part 16
of the 2006 Actand are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination ol thè charity's
rinancial statements carried out under section 145 of the Chariti8s Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my
examination I have followed all the applicable Diraetions given by the Charity Commission und8r sgclion
1451Sllbl of the 2011 Act.
Ind&p•nd•nt ¢xamlnerfs statem8nt
I have complet9d my examination. I confimi that no rrtattgrs have come to my attention in Connection with the exami-
nation giving me cause to belleve that in any material respect..
acc()unting records We￿ not kept In respect (rfthg char￿ty as required by section 386 of the 2006Act', or
the financial statements do not accord with those records.. or
the financial statements do not comply wth the accounting requlrements of sèetion 396 of the 2006 Act
other than any rtrquiremenl that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considere(l as
part of an independent examination,. or
the finanGial statements have not b88n prepared in 8CCOTdance with the methorls and principles of the
Statement of Rectsmmènd8d Practice for accounling and reporting by ¢h8rilies applicable to charities pro-
paring their ac¢ounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Repub-
lic of Ireland IFRS 1021.
I have no concems and have come across no olhgr matter8 in connection with the examination lo which attention
should be drawn in this rèport in ord8rto enable a proper understanding of the financial ststements to be reached.
0.,(&sd£knkJf.
One Plus One Accountsnts
34136 Fore Straèt
Bovey Tracey
Devon
TQ13 9AE
Dated..
3011ts12o2r

## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**Income from:**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**3**<br>1,510<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>**4**<br>22,045<br>-<br>Investments<br>**5**<br>3,4171,862 <br>**Total income**<br>26,9721,862 <br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities<br>**6**<br>51,386<br>689<br>Governance cost<br>**9**<br>996<br>-<br>**Total resources expended**<br>52,382689<br>Net gains/(losses) on investments<br>**10**<br>(1,230)<br>(739)<br>**Net (expenditure)/income for the year/**<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>(26,640)<br>434<br>Fund balances at 1 April 2024<br>119,301153,332<br>**Fund balances at 31 March 2025**<br>92,661153,766|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,510<br>69,573<br>22,045<br>25,771<br>5,279<br>4,936|
|---|---|
||28,834<br>100,280|
||52,075<br>106,474<br>996<br>972<br>53,071<br>107,446|
||(1,969)<br>12,357<br>(26,206)<br>5,191<br>272,633<br>267,442<br>246,427<br>272,633|



All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. 

- 4 - 



THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM
BALANCE SHEET
AS A T31 MARCH 2025
2025
2024
Note8
Flx•d a8￿ts
Invèstmènt
Tangible a8sets
189,399
49.777
188,144
47,665
12
239.176
235,809
Curront 3$80ts
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
13
3,681
16,096
31,864
17,524
19.777
49,388
Cr•dltOTS: amounts falllng duè wlthln
one yèar
14
112,5261
112,5641
Net current assets
7,251
36.824
Total assets less current Ilabllltles
246,427
272,633
Incom• fund8
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds- general
153,786
92,661
153,332
119.301
246,427
272,633
The Company is entitled to the exernption from the audit requiiemenl containèd In section 477 of the Companies Act
2￿6, for the year enLl$d 31 March 2025. No member of the company has deposited a notice, pursuant to 5e¢knon
476, requiring an audit ol these financjal staternents.
The trusleos ackno1￿edge their r¢sponsibilits"es lor ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which eomply
th secbon 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give 8 true and fair view olthe stste ol affairs
olthe company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resource5 and 8ppIic81ion of reSoUr￿s, includ-
ing Ils Income arTrd expénditure, frir the financial year in accordan￿ with the requirernent5 01 section5 394 and 395
and which otherwise comply with the requirements ol the Companies Act 20Ce relating to fin8nci81 st*ments, so far
as applicable to the company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provi3ion8 appli¢abl8 to o)mpanies subject
to the small c4)rnP8nies regirne.
The financaal
tements were approved by the trustees on ..
Tdford
Mr O O Ryles
Company Secretary
Compally R8918tratlon No. 019639

## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **Charity information** 

The Plymouth Athenaeum is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 22 Derry's Cross, Plymouth, PL1 2SW. 

## **1.1 Accounting convention** 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain fixed assets, and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005)', issued in March 2005, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) and the Companies Act 2006. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

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. 

## **1.3 Charitable funds** 

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. 

Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. 

## **1.4 Incoming resources** 

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the statement of financial activities at the same time as the gift to which they relate. 

Donations are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when: 

-The donor specifies that the donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or 

- -The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement. 

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis. 

## **1.5 Resources expended** 

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them 

- 6 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **(Continued)** 

## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets** 

Individual fixed assets costing £100 or more are initially recorded at cost. 

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows: 

|Freehold land and buildings|Equally over the term of the lease to 2060|
|---|---|
|Fixtures and fittings|10% straight line basis|
|Computers|25% straight line basis|
|Fixed asset investments are included|at market value at the balance sheet date.|



Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the statement of the financial activities in the period of disposal. 

Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the statement of financial activities based on the market value at the year end. 

## _**Basic financial assets**_ 

## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** 

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are 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. 

## **3 Donations and legacies** 

|Donations and legacies<br>Government grant|**2025**<br>**£**<br>1,510<br>-<br>1,510|**2024**<br>**£**<br>31,989<br>37,584<br>69,573|
|---|---|---|



- 7 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **4 Charitable activities** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||
|---|---|---|
|Charitable|Charitable|
|Income|Income|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Subscriptions|3,161|3,312|
|Catering|1,502|2,315|
|Bar Surplus|(295)|(295)|
|Rental income|17,677|20,439|
|Other income|-|-|
|22,045|25,771|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **5 Investments** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|funds|funds|2025|2024|
|general|
|£|£|£|£|
|Income from listed investments|3,102|1,862|4,964|4,542|
|Interest on cash deposits|315|-|315|394|
|3,417|1,862|5,279|4,936|
|For the year ended 31 March 2025|
|For the year ended 31 March 2024|3,233|1,703|4,936|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


- 8 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **6 Charitable activities** 

|Employment cost<br>Establishment costs<br>Portfolio management costs<br>Legal and professional<br>Repairs and maintenance<br>Office expenses<br>Subscription and donations<br>Sundry and other costs<br>Cleaning<br>Bank charges<br>Printing, postage and stationery<br>Activity expenses<br>Depreciation of tangible fixed assets<br>**Analysis by fund**<br>Unrestricted funds - general<br>Restricted funds<br>**For the year ended 31 March 2024**<br>Unrestricted funds - general<br>Restricted funds|**Direct costs**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>1,837<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,837<br>1,837<br>1,148<br>689<br>1,837<br>1,083<br>650<br>1,733|**Support**<br>**costs**<br>**£**<br>21,000<br>18,323<br>-<br>-<br>3,781<br>1,266<br>1,054<br>63<br>1,456<br>135<br>462<br>597<br>2,101<br>50,238<br>50,238<br>50,238<br>-<br>50,238<br>104,741<br> <br>-<br>104,741|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>21,000<br>18,323<br>1,837<br>-<br>3,781<br>1,266<br>1,054<br>63<br>1,456<br>135<br>462<br>597<br>2,101<br>52,075<br>52,075<br>51,386<br>689<br>52,075|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>88,176<br>1,733<br>4,268<br>6,125<br>1,212<br>1,202<br>13<br>1,197<br>136<br>355<br>526<br>1,531|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||106,474|
|||||106,474|
|||||105,824<br>650|
|||||106,474|



## **7 Trustees' remuneration and expenses** 

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. 

## **8 Employees** 

The average monthly number employees during the year was : 

||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
|Total|1|1|



**2025 2024** 

**Employment costs** 

- 9 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**8**<br>**Employees**<br>Wages and salaries<br>**9**<br>**Governance**<br>Independent examiners' fees|**(Continued)**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>21,000<br>-<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>996<br>972<br>996<br>972|**(Continued)**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>21,000<br>-<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>996<br>972<br>996<br>972|
|---|---|---|
|||972|



## **10 Net gains/(losses) on investments** 

|Gain/(loss) on sale of investments<br>Revaluation of investments<br> For the year ended 31 March 2025<br>For the year ended 31 March 2024|**Unrestricted Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**general**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,844 1,106 <br>(3,074)<br>(1,845)<br>(1,230)<br>(739)<br>7,723<br>4,634|**Total**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>2,950 8,288<br>(4,919)            4,069|
|---|---|---|
|||(1,969)<br>12,357|
|||12,357|



- 10 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**11**<br>**Investments held as fixed assets**<br>**Cost**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>Additions - separately acquired<br>Disposals<br>Revaluation<br>At 31 March 2025<br>**Amortisation and impairment**<br>At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 31 March 2025<br>At 31 March 2024<br>**12**<br>**Tangible fixed assets**<br>**Cost**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31 March 2025<br>**Depreciation and impairment**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>Depreciation charged in the year<br>Depreciation on disposal<br>At 31 March 2025<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 31 March 2025<br>At 31 March 2024|**Listed Cash Deposits**<br>**Total**<br>**Investment**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>184,678<br>3,466<br>188,144<br>19,818<br>20,547<br>40,365<br>(12,536)<br>(21,655)<br>(34,191)<br>(4,919)<br>-<br>(4,919)|
|---|---|
||187,041<br>2,358<br>189,399|
||-<br>-<br>-<br>187,041<br>2,358<br>189,399|
||184,678<br>3,466<br>188,144|
||**Freehold land**<br>**and buildings**<br>**Plant and**<br>**equipment**<br>**Total**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>85,199<br>79,693<br>164,892<br>-<br>4,213<br>4,213<br>-<br>(21,937)<br>(21,937)|
||85,199<br>61,969<br>147,168|
||37,799<br>79,428<br>117,227<br>1,317<br>716<br>2,033<br>-<br>(21,869)<br>(21,869)|
||37,799<br>58,275<br>97,391|
||46,083<br>3,694<br>49,777<br>47,400<br>265<br>47,665|



- 11 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **13 Debtors** 

|**Amounts falling due within one year:**<br>Trade debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income|**2025** <br>**£** <br>2,875 <br>806 <br>3,681|**2024**<br>**£**<br>30,951<br>913|
|---|---|---|
|||31,864|



## **14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** 

|**Notes**<br>Other taxation and social security<br>Deferred income<br>**15**<br>Trade creditors<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income|**2025** <br>**£** <br>238 <br>660 <br>-<br>- <br>11,628 <br>12,526|**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>106<br>1,424<br>-<br>11,034|
|---|---|---|
|||12,564|



## **15 Deferred income** 

|Other deferred income<br>Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:<br>Deferred income is included within:<br>Current liabilities<br>**16**<br>**Analysis of net assets between funds**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by:<br>Investments<br>118,174<br>Tangible assets<br>49,777<br>Current assets/(liabilities)<br>7,251<br>175,202||**2025**<br>**£**<br>660<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>660<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>71,025<br>-<br>-<br>71,025|**2024**<br>**£**<br>106|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**2024**<br>**£**<br>106|
||||**Total**<br>**£**<br>189,399<br>49,777<br>7,251<br>246,427|



- 12 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **17 Related party transactions** 

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none). 

- 13 - 



**Charity registration number 216963** 

**Company registration number 00019639 (England and Wales)** 

## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

# **ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025** 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** 

|**Trustees**|Mr R B K Hexter|
|---|---|
||Dr P G Holden|
||Mr J N Hutchins|
||Mr I Manning|
||Mrs J Pengilley|
||Mr W Telford|
||Mrs M Tully|
|**Secretary**|Mr O D Ryles|
|**Charity number**|216963|
|**Company number**|019639|
|**Principal address**|22 Derry's Cross|
||Plymouth|
||PL1 2SW|
|**Registered office**|22 Derry's Cross|
||Plymouth|
||PL1 2SW|
|**Independent examiner**|One Plus One Accountants|
||34/36 Fore Street|
||Bovey Tracey|
||Devon|
||TQ13 9AE|





## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **CONTENTS** 

||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|1 - 2|
|Independent examiner's report|3|
|Statement of financial activities|4|
|Balance sheet|5|
|Notes to the financial statements|6 - 13|





## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

The Trustees present their report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. 

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with 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)". 

## **Objectives and activities** 

The company is a charity and its objects are that of the study and promotion of the fine arts, literature, science and technology. The company achieves its objectives by holding meetings and lectures on subjects within its constitution and the provision of a library. 

## **Achievements and performance** 

This association has published its Proceedings continually from its foundation in 1812. The latest set of proceedings was published in 2014 and work is in hand towards producing our next set of Proceedings. A programme of activities, including talks and discussion groups, took place at the Athenaeum building and online during the year with arts and science themes. The year’s lecture programme took place at Plymouth Athenaeum and online. 

## **Financial review** 

In accordance with the trust deed, the directors have the power to invest in stock, shares and investments in which they see fit. The policy is to adopt an investment strategy to build value to the portfolio with a medium degree of risk. The investment yielded a return of £4,964 (2024: £4,542) 

## **Structure, governance and management** 

The Plymouth Athenaeum is a company limited by guarantee and a registered charity governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 1 April 1884 as amended by Special Resolutions dated 21 December 1961, 29 June 2009, 20 August 2018 and 4 December 2023 

- 1 - 



THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM
TRUSTEES. REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS. REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
The trustees, who are also the director5 for the purpose of e(•mpany la4Y, and who Se￿ed during the year and up
to the date of signature of the financial statements were..
Mr R B K Hexter
Dr P G Holden
Mr J N HLrtchins
Mr l Manning
Mrs J Pengilley
Mr W Telford
Mrs M Tully
The report was approved by tha Board and signed on its behalf by..
Dated..

THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM
I report lo the trustees on my examination ol the financial statements of The Ptymoulh Athenaeum Icharftyl for
ihe year ended 31 March 2025.
Responsibilitles and basis of report
As th9 trustees of the charity {and also its diraetors for the purp058s of company lawl you are rest￿sIble for the
prep8r8lion of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the
2006 Acll.
Having sab'sfied mys8lf that the financial statements of the charity 8re not required to be audited under Part 16
of the 2006 Actand are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination ol thè charity's
rinancial statements carried out under section 145 of the Chariti8s Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my
examination I have followed all the applicable Diraetions given by the Charity Commission und8r sgclion
1451Sllbl of the 2011 Act.
Ind&p•nd•nt ¢xamlnerfs statem8nt
I have complet9d my examination. I confimi that no rrtattgrs have come to my attention in Connection with the exami-
nation giving me cause to belleve that in any material respect..
acc()unting records We￿ not kept In respect (rfthg char￿ty as required by section 386 of the 2006Act', or
the financial statements do not accord with those records.. or
the financial statements do not comply wth the accounting requlrements of sèetion 396 of the 2006 Act
other than any rtrquiremenl that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considere(l as
part of an independent examination,. or
the finanGial statements have not b88n prepared in 8CCOTdance with the methorls and principles of the
Statement of Rectsmmènd8d Practice for accounling and reporting by ¢h8rilies applicable to charities pro-
paring their ac¢ounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Repub-
lic of Ireland IFRS 1021.
I have no concems and have come across no olhgr matter8 in connection with the examination lo which attention
should be drawn in this rèport in ord8rto enable a proper understanding of the financial ststements to be reached.
0.,(&sd£knkJf.
One Plus One Accountsnts
34136 Fore Straèt
Bovey Tracey
Devon
TQ13 9AE
Dated..
3011ts12o2r

## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**Income from:**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**Notes**<br>**£**<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>Donations and legacies<br>**3**<br>1,510<br>-<br>Charitable activities<br>**4**<br>22,045<br>-<br>Investments<br>**5**<br>3,4171,862 <br>**Total income**<br>26,9721,862 <br>**Expenditure on:**<br>Charitable activities<br>**6**<br>51,386<br>689<br>Governance cost<br>**9**<br>996<br>-<br>**Total resources expended**<br>52,382689<br>Net gains/(losses) on investments<br>**10**<br>(1,230)<br>(739)<br>**Net (expenditure)/income for the year/**<br>**Net movement in funds**<br>(26,640)<br>434<br>Fund balances at 1 April 2024<br>119,301153,332<br>**Fund balances at 31 March 2025**<br>92,661153,766|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>1,510<br>69,573<br>22,045<br>25,771<br>5,279<br>4,936|
|---|---|
||28,834<br>100,280|
||52,075<br>106,474<br>996<br>972<br>53,071<br>107,446|
||(1,969)<br>12,357<br>(26,206)<br>5,191<br>272,633<br>267,442<br>246,427<br>272,633|



All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities. 

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006. 

- 4 - 



THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM
BALANCE SHEET
AS A T31 MARCH 2025
2025
2024
Note8
Flx•d a8￿ts
Invèstmènt
Tangible a8sets
189,399
49.777
188,144
47,665
12
239.176
235,809
Curront 3$80ts
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
13
3,681
16,096
31,864
17,524
19.777
49,388
Cr•dltOTS: amounts falllng duè wlthln
one yèar
14
112,5261
112,5641
Net current assets
7,251
36.824
Total assets less current Ilabllltles
246,427
272,633
Incom• fund8
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds- general
153,786
92,661
153,332
119.301
246,427
272,633
The Company is entitled to the exernption from the audit requiiemenl containèd In section 477 of the Companies Act
2￿6, for the year enLl$d 31 March 2025. No member of the company has deposited a notice, pursuant to 5e¢knon
476, requiring an audit ol these financjal staternents.
The trusleos ackno1￿edge their r¢sponsibilits"es lor ensuring that the charity keeps accounting records which eomply
th secbon 386 of the Act and for preparing financial statements which give 8 true and fair view olthe stste ol affairs
olthe company as at the end of the financial year and of its incoming resource5 and 8ppIic81ion of reSoUr￿s, includ-
ing Ils Income arTrd expénditure, frir the financial year in accordan￿ with the requirernent5 01 section5 394 and 395
and which otherwise comply with the requirements ol the Companies Act 20Ce relating to fin8nci81 st*ments, so far
as applicable to the company.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provi3ion8 appli¢abl8 to o)mpanies subject
to the small c4)rnP8nies regirne.
The financaal
tements were approved by the trustees on ..
Tdford
Mr O O Ryles
Company Secretary
Compally R8918tratlon No. 019639

## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **Charity information** 

The Plymouth Athenaeum is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 22 Derry's Cross, Plymouth, PL1 2SW. 

## **1.1 Accounting convention** 

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of certain fixed assets, and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2005)', issued in March 2005, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective January 2015) and the Companies Act 2006. 

## **1.2 Going concern** 

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. 

## **1.3 Charitable funds** 

Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. 

Restricted funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. 

## **1.4 Incoming resources** 

Incoming resources from tax reclaims are included in the statement of financial activities at the same time as the gift to which they relate. 

Donations are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability. 

Deferred income represents amounts received for future periods and is released to incoming resources in the period for which, it has been received. Such income is only deferred when: 

-The donor specifies that the donation must only be used in future accounting periods; or 

- -The donor has imposed conditions which must be met before the charity has unconditional entitlement. 

Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis. 

## **1.5 Resources expended** 

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. 

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them 

- 6 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **1 Accounting policies** 

## **(Continued)** 

## **1.6 Tangible fixed assets** 

Individual fixed assets costing £100 or more are initially recorded at cost. 

Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows: 

|Freehold land and buildings|Equally over the term of the lease to 2060|
|---|---|
|Fixtures and fittings|10% straight line basis|
|Computers|25% straight line basis|
|Fixed asset investments are included|at market value at the balance sheet date.|



Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their market value at the start of the year, or their subsequent cost, and are charged or credited to the statement of the financial activities in the period of disposal. 

Unrealised gains and losses represent the movement in market values during the year and are credited or charged to the statement of financial activities based on the market value at the year end. 

## _**Basic financial assets**_ 

## **2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements** 

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are 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. 

## **3 Donations and legacies** 

|Donations and legacies<br>Government grant|**2025**<br>**£**<br>1,510<br>-<br>1,510|**2024**<br>**£**<br>31,989<br>37,584<br>69,573|
|---|---|---|



- 7 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **4 Charitable activities** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||
|---|---|---|
|Charitable|Charitable|
|Income|Income|
|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Subscriptions|3,161|3,312|
|Catering|1,502|2,315|
|Bar Surplus|(295)|(295)|
|Rental income|17,677|20,439|
|Other income|-|-|
|22,045|25,771|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


## **5 Investments** 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|Total|Total|
|funds|funds|2025|2024|
|general|
|£|£|£|£|
|Income from listed investments|3,102|1,862|4,964|4,542|
|Interest on cash deposits|315|-|315|394|
|3,417|1,862|5,279|4,936|
|For the year ended 31 March 2025|
|For the year ended 31 March 2024|3,233|1,703|4,936|

**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


- 8 - 



## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **6 Charitable activities** 

|Employment cost<br>Establishment costs<br>Portfolio management costs<br>Legal and professional<br>Repairs and maintenance<br>Office expenses<br>Subscription and donations<br>Sundry and other costs<br>Cleaning<br>Bank charges<br>Printing, postage and stationery<br>Activity expenses<br>Depreciation of tangible fixed assets<br>**Analysis by fund**<br>Unrestricted funds - general<br>Restricted funds<br>**For the year ended 31 March 2024**<br>Unrestricted funds - general<br>Restricted funds|**Direct costs**<br>**£**<br>-<br>-<br>1,837<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>-<br>1,837<br>1,837<br>1,148<br>689<br>1,837<br>1,083<br>650<br>1,733|**Support**<br>**costs**<br>**£**<br>21,000<br>18,323<br>-<br>-<br>3,781<br>1,266<br>1,054<br>63<br>1,456<br>135<br>462<br>597<br>2,101<br>50,238<br>50,238<br>50,238<br>-<br>50,238<br>104,741<br> <br>-<br>104,741|**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>21,000<br>18,323<br>1,837<br>-<br>3,781<br>1,266<br>1,054<br>63<br>1,456<br>135<br>462<br>597<br>2,101<br>52,075<br>52,075<br>51,386<br>689<br>52,075|**Total**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>88,176<br>1,733<br>4,268<br>6,125<br>1,212<br>1,202<br>13<br>1,197<br>136<br>355<br>526<br>1,531|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||106,474|
|||||106,474|
|||||105,824<br>650|
|||||106,474|



## **7 Trustees' remuneration and expenses** 

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year. 

## **8 Employees** 

The average monthly number employees during the year was : 

||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||**Number**|**Number**|
|Total|1|1|



**2025 2024** 

**Employment costs** 

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## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** 

## _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**8**<br>**Employees**<br>Wages and salaries<br>**9**<br>**Governance**<br>Independent examiners' fees|**(Continued)**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>21,000<br>-<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>996<br>972<br>996<br>972|**(Continued)**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>21,000<br>-<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>996<br>972<br>996<br>972|
|---|---|---|
|||972|



## **10 Net gains/(losses) on investments** 

|Gain/(loss) on sale of investments<br>Revaluation of investments<br> For the year ended 31 March 2025<br>For the year ended 31 March 2024|**Unrestricted Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**funds**<br>**general**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>1,844 1,106 <br>(3,074)<br>(1,845)<br>(1,230)<br>(739)<br>7,723<br>4,634|**Total**<br>**Total**<br>**2025**<br>**2024**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>2,950 8,288<br>(4,919)            4,069|
|---|---|---|
|||(1,969)<br>12,357|
|||12,357|



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## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

|**11**<br>**Investments held as fixed assets**<br>**Cost**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>Additions - separately acquired<br>Disposals<br>Revaluation<br>At 31 March 2025<br>**Amortisation and impairment**<br>At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 31 March 2025<br>At 31 March 2024<br>**12**<br>**Tangible fixed assets**<br>**Cost**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>Additions<br>Disposals<br>At 31 March 2025<br>**Depreciation and impairment**<br>At 1 April 2024<br>Depreciation charged in the year<br>Depreciation on disposal<br>At 31 March 2025<br>**Carrying amount**<br>At 31 March 2025<br>At 31 March 2024|**Listed Cash Deposits**<br>**Total**<br>**Investment**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>184,678<br>3,466<br>188,144<br>19,818<br>20,547<br>40,365<br>(12,536)<br>(21,655)<br>(34,191)<br>(4,919)<br>-<br>(4,919)|
|---|---|
||187,041<br>2,358<br>189,399|
||-<br>-<br>-<br>187,041<br>2,358<br>189,399|
||184,678<br>3,466<br>188,144|
||**Freehold land**<br>**and buildings**<br>**Plant and**<br>**equipment**<br>**Total**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>**£**<br>85,199<br>79,693<br>164,892<br>-<br>4,213<br>4,213<br>-<br>(21,937)<br>(21,937)|
||85,199<br>61,969<br>147,168|
||37,799<br>79,428<br>117,227<br>1,317<br>716<br>2,033<br>-<br>(21,869)<br>(21,869)|
||37,799<br>58,275<br>97,391|
||46,083<br>3,694<br>49,777<br>47,400<br>265<br>47,665|



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## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **13 Debtors** 

|**Amounts falling due within one year:**<br>Trade debtors<br>Prepayments and accrued income|**2025** <br>**£** <br>2,875 <br>806 <br>3,681|**2024**<br>**£**<br>30,951<br>913|
|---|---|---|
|||31,864|



## **14 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year** 

|**Notes**<br>Other taxation and social security<br>Deferred income<br>**15**<br>Trade creditors<br>Other creditors<br>Accruals and deferred income|**2025** <br>**£** <br>238 <br>660 <br>-<br>- <br>11,628 <br>12,526|**2024**<br>**£**<br>-<br>106<br>1,424<br>-<br>11,034|
|---|---|---|
|||12,564|



## **15 Deferred income** 

|Other deferred income<br>Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:<br>Deferred income is included within:<br>Current liabilities<br>**16**<br>**Analysis of net assets between funds**<br>**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by:<br>Investments<br>118,174<br>Tangible assets<br>49,777<br>Current assets/(liabilities)<br>7,251<br>175,202||**2025**<br>**£**<br>660<br>**2025**<br>**£**<br>660<br>**Restricted**<br>**funds**<br>**£**<br>71,025<br>-<br>-<br>71,025|**2024**<br>**£**<br>106|
|---|---|---|---|
||||**2024**<br>**£**<br>106|
||||**Total**<br>**£**<br>189,399<br>49,777<br>7,251<br>246,427|



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## **THE PLYMOUTH ATHENAEUM** 

## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)** _**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025**_ 

## **17 Related party transactions** 

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none). 

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