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2021-07-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 247761

Report of the Trustees and Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

for

The Order of The Cross

Town & Forest Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Cornerways House School Lane Ringwood Hampshire BH24 1LG

The Order of The Cross

Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

Page
Reference and Administrative Details 1
Report of the Trustees 2 to 10
Report of the Independent Auditors 11 to 12
Statement of Financial Activities 13
Balance Sheet 14
Notes to the Financial Statements 15 to 20
Detailed Statement of Financial Activities 21 to 22

The Order of The Cross

Reference and Administrative Details for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

TRUSTEES Mr Richard Ashley
Mrs Jacqueline Baillie
Mr Bernard Fallon
Mrs Rayleen Finn
Mr Ian Heathcote
Mr Roger Score
Mrs Sarah Palmer
PRINCIPAL ADDRESS 27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3AX
REGISTERED CHARITY 247761
NUMBER
SENIOR STATUTORY Zara Dunster FCA
AUDITOR
AUDITORS Town & Forest
Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors
Cornerways House
School Lane
Ringwood
Hampshire
BH24 1LG
SOLICITORS Hewetts
55 - 57 London Street
Reading
Berkshire
RG1 4PS
INVESTMENT MANAGERS Brewin Dolphin Limited
4 King Edward Street
Oxford
OX1 4HS
CCLA Investment Management Ltd
COIF Charity Funds
80 Cheapside
London
EC2V 6DZ

Page 1

The Order of The Cross

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

The trustees present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 July 2021. The trustees have adopted the provisions 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 UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

The Order of the Cross is an informal Christian Fellowship, dedicated to the Compassionate Life and the realisation of the Christ within. Since its foundation in 1904 it has promoted a pacifist and vegetarian way of life.

Our aim is to offer support and encouragement to all who would espouse the Aims and Ideals expressed through the writings of the Founder, the Reverend J Todd Ferrier.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and Activities

The Order seeks to achieve the purpose through a) the holding of worship services, meditations and meetings where the Founder's writings (referred to as "the Teachings") are read and studied in an elevated atmosphere conducive to spiritual aspiration and healing and b) the publication, sale and dissemination of the literature that contains the Teachings.

The Order organises and provides financial support for regular "Gatherings" of Members and Enquirers (interested non-members) at retreat centres in the UK, North America and Australia. Central to the programmes of the Gatherings are worship services and meetings to study the Teachings. The programmes include times of informal fellowship for individuals to share experiences. Some of our services and Gatherings are for attendance by families with children.

Worship services and meetings for the study of the Teachings are held in Members' homes in some localities in the United Kingdom, North America and Australasia to which interested Enquirers are invited. There are weekly services and readings by conference call that are particularly valued by isolated Members and Enquirers. During and following lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic these activities continued over the internet by means of videoconference facilities.

The Members in local Groups appoint representatives to Area Councils who meet annually as United Councils whose function is to support the spiritual culture of the Membership and to guide Enquirers in the Teachings and in the way of life of the Members.

The Order announces itself to the wider public by means of its website (orderofthecross.org) which is indicative of the nature of the Teachings, how contact may be made with the Order and how the Order's literature may be obtained.

The Trustees have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance to charities for the advancement of religion. The Trustees seek to bring the Teachings to the attention of all those who may be drawn to their deeply spiritual message and to include in the religious and social activities of the Fellowship any who may wish to share in the personal development that such contact brings.

Page 2

The Order of The Cross

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Membership and Enquirers

Membership of the Order is available to those who show a deeply held interest in the Teachings and a commitment to the way of life described therein which includes non-violence and a strict vegetarian diet. Admission to Membership of the Order is at the Trustees' discretion. Anyone seeking Membership applies in writing indicating why he or she wishes to become a Member. The application must be supported in writing by two Members. We are willing to welcome new Members regardless of their colour, ethnicity, race, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

The Trustees provide a point of contact for members of the public through our website (orderofthecross.org). It includes attractively arranged material that indicates the nature of our values, literature and activities. We continually seek to improve and refresh the website.

We refer to individuals, non-members, who are interested in the Teachings as "Enquirers". Contact is usually made initially by email. Where an Enquirer shows strong interest and looks for personal contact, we may be able to arrange this with a local Group if there is one close to the Enquirer or after an initial meeting, we may invite the Enquirer to attend one of our Gatherings. We send such Enquirers a regular publication, "Spiritual Reflections", that includes articles relating to the Teachings and the programme of forthcoming Gatherings. This serves as a form of contact with those seeking to understand more of the life to which the Order calls.

All Members worldwide receive a regular Newsletter of articles and information. There is no membership fee. Members and Enquirers may make financial contributions on an entirely voluntary basis. UK Members are encouraged (if eligible) to contribute under the Gift Aid Scheme. The Order does not conduct any public fund-raising.

Only Members are invited to minister at worship services or to lead study meetings. Members sometimes minister at funerals and at blessings of babies and of marriages. Members train for this ministry initially through participating in the activities at local level, or at Gatherings, and then through leading services and study meetings in small groups and through informal guidance and feedback.

Offices held by Members are honorary. Members may claim travel and other incidental expenses necessary for the performance of their duties

Groups and Councils

Where Members resident in a particular locality are sufficient in number, energy and experience to sustain a regular programme of worship and support for Enquirers they may apply to the Trustees to be recognised as a "Group" or as a "Reading Circle". There are nine Groups and Reading Circles in the UK and three in North America.

The Groups and Reading Circles in the UK are divided into five Areas and, where Members are sufficiently numerous, a representative Area Council meets at least once a year to share the experiences of the work in the Area, to plan Area Gatherings of Members and Enquirers and to consider any other matters that may arise. Each of the five Areas sends one or more representatives for a similar annual sharing in a body known as the "United Councils" where there are also representatives sent from the Councils in North America and Australasia.

A representative from each Area in the UK, together with an executive comprising Chairman, Treasurer and Clerk meet twice during the year in a committee known as the United Councils Committee. The Committee may include representatives from overseas at its meetings if convenient. The Committee plans the United Councils Convocation, an annual Gathering for Members held in July (see under Gatherings). Close liaison between the United Councils and the Trustees ensures that the views and needs of all Members of the Order are taken into account.

The structure of the Councils is such that everyone who is deeply interested in and involved with the Order of the Cross as a Member or Enquirer can have their needs recognised, their ideas considered and their spiritual life nourished. Members of the Councils pay particular attention to keeping in contact with frail, isolated and new Members in their Areas. They contact Enquirers who have expressed the desire to know more of the Order Teachings and the way of life of the Members.

Page 3

The Order of The Cross

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

The Groups, Reading Circles and Area Councils are essential to the carrying out of the Order's charitable objectives and manage their own funds largely independently of the Trustees. The United Councils committee receives income from the Order's restricted funds. They receive donations from Members. The Councils draw as and when needed from the Order's unrestricted funds. The financial reporting of the United Councils Committee are consolidated into this Annual Report and Accounts.

Gatherings in the UK

Gatherings, where for a few days at a time Members and Enquirers, scattered geographically, come together at a retreat centre to share worship, study and fellowship, are central to the functioning of our community. However due to national measures starting with the lockdown implemented in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, and subsequent social distancing, the Order cancelled all such gatherings from March 2020 onwards until July 2021 when the following gatherings took place in the UK:

o 22nd to 27th July 2021, the United Councils' Convocation at Ammerdown Centre near Bath, Somerset, o 27th July to 1st August 2021, the Natural Movement Dance and Families Gathering at Ammerdown Centre.

At the second of these two gatherings there were opportunities for the young or Enquirers to participate. Aside from a modest deposit no fees are charged for attendance at the Gatherings. Instead, attendees are informed of the cost of accommodation and food and are invited to make a financial contribution. This generally provides for a significant part of the costs of the Gatherings.

Children and Young People

Although children are taught the way of life exemplified by our founder primarily in the home, special times of worship suitable for children are arranged by the Groups if they have young children in their area. The main event that catered specifically for children was:

Ammerdown Centre near Bath

A Family and Dance Week was held at the Ammerdown Centre near Bath from 27th July to 1st August 2021. This was once a most successful gathering open to Members and Enquirers and comprised times of worship and study of the teachings of the Order. The programme included music-making, art and crafts. The needs of the children were well catered for with a special programme of activities.

The Trustees have a policy for the protection of children that is brought to the attention of the organisers of gatherings and other activities. The Trustees regularly review their Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for children and vulnerable individuals.

The Order's Work in North America

This has been a very similar to last year with continuing Covid restrictions but unlike last year it was anticipated so activities followed a familiar similar pattern.

Again, many members joined in video meetings and shared phone readings which seem to have increased over the year. Two American members were able to travel to the UK in July 2021 to attend Gatherings, the first to be held since 2019.

The annual North American Council Meeting was held again by Zoom in September and attended by many members. The Ojai Retreat Centre is still booked for next September's Council Meeting. There was much rejoicing that rebuilding has started on the larger venue at La Casa de Maria in California, which has been used for gatherings for so many years and which was almost completely destroyed by a mud slide 4 years ago. There is a hope that sometime in the future it can be used again.

Members remain positive and have much pleasure in their restricted but very welcome communications and sharing.

Page 4

The Order of The Cross

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Australia and New Zealand

During a period of severe travel restriction, it has not been possible for our members in Australia to travel interstate or internationally. However, several residential gatherings were managed in WA (Western Australia) and regular Zoom and phone call meetings have taken place with members throughout the world.

International Conference Calls

The sharing of services and meetings by means of conference calls was started by members in North America a few years ago and now forms an international "virtual" community involving also members in Europe and Australasia. This is known as the Communal Sharing Circle and provides for those members and enquirers worldwide who wish to take part in a weekly service or reading of the Teachings. This initiative is particularly appreciated by isolated Members who have no local group.

Publications

Our main stock of printed books is maintained at a self-storage facility in Gloucestershire. This is close to, and accessible to, our Literature Secretary who responds to requests for copies of the books and sends them by post. We also have Literature Secretaries based in North America and Australasia who keep stocks of books for distribution in their part of the world.

Whenever the stock of any book becomes low it is reprinted to replenish the stock. Six titles were reprinted and made available in 2021.

A new paperback book, Divine Mysteries, was published in 2020: a selection of the writings of our founder that are particularly suitable for someone new to studying the teachings of the Order of the Cross. It has also been published as an eBook.

To make our books more readily available a new pricing policy was introduced in 2021. Books can now be obtained by members free of charge with no charge made for postage, but voluntary contributions are encouraged. Members have taken full advantage of this policy. Our books can still be purchased in the usual way by anyone from a range of public suppliers at commercial recommended retail prices. If purchased from the Order of the Cross via our Literature Secretary our hardback books are now priced at just £5.00, paperbacks at £4.00 and booklets at £1.00.

Guaranteed authentic versions of our printed books are available worldwide from Gazelle via our website. Our printed books continue to be available from Amazon and Alibri and other distributors, but authenticity cannot be guaranteed. The placement of our main titles into retail outlets and Gazelle by our Agency, Four Corners continues.

PDF versions of five of our booklets continue to be available, free of charge, for download from our website.

Together with Divine Mysteries we now have six titles available as eBooks from most on-line bookstores.

Page 5

The Order of The Cross

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Periodicals

Although based in the United Kingdom the Order is a fellowship of like minded individuals dispersed around the globe, some in locations isolated from the main centres of activity. The periodicals produced by the Order are therefore central to maintaining the communication links which unify the Order as a fellowship. There are four periodicals:

1. Members' Newsletter

The Members' Newsletter is the principal periodical issued quarterly in an A5 full colour booklet format. The Newsletter continues to be distributed to every Member around the world, some of whom receive it electronically at their request. It always opens with a quotation from the Teachings and provides details of Order events around the world; notification and the means of application are provided before events and reports are published after events. The Newsletter is a forum for Members to contribute articles which reflect upon the Teachings and their relevance to contemporary living and the arts, and for Members to share their creative gifts, especially in the writing of poetry and in the visual arts, including colour photography.

2. American Newsletter

In America the Members have continued to produce great newsletters with informative and inspiring articles directed mainly to American Members and Enquirers though they are sent all over the world.

3. Australian Newsletter

Newsletters serve to link all Australasian members and enquirers. These are sent out quarterly.

4. Spiritual Reflections

The periodical Spiritual Reflections is sent to interested non members and Enquirers. In parallel with the Members' Newsletter, four issues a year are produced. It opens with the same quotation from the Teachings as the Members' Newsletter and provides details of the Order events around the world where seekers and friends are encouraged to attend; notification and the means of application are provided before such events and reports are published after events.

Items and articles from the Members' Newsletter are included in Spiritual Reflections that are of interest to this wider readership, including colour features. Comment and interpretation is provided to introduce the extracts from the teachings and make them accessible to newcomers.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

In May 2018, in compliance with GDPR, the Trustees sought formal written confirmation from all Members that they wish to continue to have their contact details held by the Trustees for contact by other members for pastoral reasons, and to receive the Members' Newsletter. The Trustees sought similar written confirmation from Enquirers to receive the Spiritual Reflections. Virtually all Members and a majority of Enquirers affirmed their wish to continue to have their contact details held.

Website

Sadly, one of the Web group (James Burnham) passed away in December 2020. He was a most valuable member of the group and did much to create the website through his technical know-how and will be much missed.

In 2021, a Member with many areas of expertise, particularly in graphic design, joined the group. The group has met via Zoom and have been working on making the site more accessible for both enquirers and members. Some of these ideas were shared at a summer gathering at Ammerdown in Somerset and most helpful feedback was given.

Page 6

The Order of The Cross

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE

Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic

The main impact of the pandemic is that members of the Order of the Cross have not met up in person in the UK between March 2020 and the Gatherings at the Ammerdown Centre in July/August 2021. Initially this was due to the "lock down", though later the social distancing measures needed were considered not conducive to satisfactory services and meetings; moreover, the risks of transmission of the virus to more elderly members has been considered too great. Instead, various groups of members met up virtually by means of video- and teleconferencing. These have proved successful and popular and remain ongoing. Similar arrangements have been made to include interested enquirers. Where planned gatherings were cancelled, appropriate cancellation fees were paid, or deposits were rolled over to fund future planned gatherings. It proved possible to replace some gatherings with virtual events where some aspects of worship and readings could be shared.

Donation to The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay

For more than two decades the Trustees have met for retreat weekends at The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire, these being vital for our work. We have always appreciated the spiritual atmosphere, the provision for our outer needs, the welcome extended to us on these occasions, and not least the convenience of the location. We became aware in late 2020 that The Abbey, a registered charity, faced critical financial difficulties due to loss of income resulting from the pandemic. We knew of nowhere else as suited to our requirements. After considering carefully the Charity Commission's guidance on charities donating to other charities, and the extent of the alignment between the Order's charitable aims and those of The Abbey Trustees, we concluded that we could make a one-off donation that would see The Abbey through the pandemic. The amount of the donation, £200,000, while readily accommodated by the Order's finances, we are aware makes a huge difference to The Abbey and is expected to ensure its continued use as a retreat centre.

Premises

The Order owned premises in London used primarily for the provision of public worship services until 2012 when the property was sold. After consultation with the Order's Membership and a working group set up to explore the possibility of new premises, the Trustees concluded that due to the geographical dispersion of the active members and the limitations in the practical support that they can give, the interests of the membership and the work of the Order were best served if, for the time being, the Order did not acquire premises. This has released resources so that Members can give greater support to their local areas and focus on a rich spiritual programme of meetings and gatherings, without the distraction of managing human and physical resources associated with property ownership.

The Order's literature stock and any essential artefacts used for Gatherings are held in conveniently located secure self-storage. Trustee meetings normally take place at The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay. Rooms are hired when needed for meetings for other purposes. Artwork and a few special furnishings that could be used for new premises are in long term storage.

Based on experience since 2012 the Order has continued to be satisfactorily administered without the need for a headquarters property.

Page 7

The Order of The Cross

Report of the Trustees

for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial Review

A major part of our income is from investments and deposits. Particular attention is given to investing ethically, consistent as far as possible with the Order's Aims and Ideals. We adopt a moderate degree of risk in our investment policy with a balance between income and capital growth. Approximately 10-15% of our advised investments are in fixed interest stocks and bonds and the remainder are mainly in equities. A major part of our equity and bond holdings are in ethically guided collective funds. Much of the remainder of our invested funds are in directly held UK shares selected from a list supplied by EIRIS (Ethical Investment Research and Information Service) based on our ethical criteria. The selection of collective and listed investments is advised by our investment manager, Brewin Dolphin. 8% of our invested funds are held in the CCLA Property Fund. 1.5% of our invested funds are held in a high yield bond issued on behalf of a registered housing charity. Subject to prudent limits, our deposits are held with banks that have ethical policies and with building societies.

Following the sale of our London Headquarters the Trustees have considered our property needs and concluded that for the time being we do not need to own premises - see comments above under "Premises". Some of the money that we had earmarked for the possible purchase of our own premises has been invested and put into longer term deposits to provide income in support of our work, though this should not limit our scope to purchase property should the need arise.

Major Risks

The possible risks associated with the Order's activities are reviewed regularly by the Trustees and where necessary addressed proportionately.

Review of the Accounts (1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021)

The following comments are intended to indicate the main reasons for significant year-on-year changes to income and expenditure shown in the Statement of Financial Activities included with this Report.

Total income was reduced compared with the previous year. Almost all sources of income, notably from investments and deposits, have been lower. Activity was almost entirely online due to the Covid-19 pandemic so that donations and other income from Members were reduced. Also, in the previous year income had been much increased due to a generous legacy.

Resources expended would have been far lower than previous years except that the Trustees made a substantial donation to The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay - see earlier in this report. The major items of expenditure were generally lower due to the hiatus in meetings and gatherings in person in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions. So there was much reduced expenditure on accommodation and travel (indeed there were some late air fare refunds due to the cancellation of flights booked before the pandemic). Expenditure on publications increased due to the reprint of existing publications. Other items of expenditure were subject to the usual year on year fluctuation.

Page 8

The Order of The Cross

Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust and constitutes an unincorporated charity.

Charity constitution

The Order is administered by a Council of Trustees who have ultimate responsibility for carrying out the work of the Order and for dealing with its finances. The governing document of the Order is the Declaration of Trust drawn up by the Trustees of the Order in August 1944. This document incorporates a Letter concerning the Future Administration of the Order, written by the Founder in 1942. The charitable purposes of the Order of the Cross are set out in a Supplemental Trust Deed executed in 1972 prior to registration with the Charity Commission.

The Supplemental Trust Deed reads:

"The primary purposes of the Order are as follows

Overseas, The Order of the Cross USA is a Registered Corporation which attends to financial and legal matters concerning the Order in the USA and works in close cooperation with the Trustees. In Australia our Australasian Area Committee went through a legal process of incorporation becoming a formally recognised Charity and Non Profit known as Australian Council of The Order of the Cross Ltd. This provides our organising committee in Australia with certain financial and legal safeguards.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The Founder's Letter concerning the Future Administration of the Order stipulates that the number of Trustees continues to be nine. When a vacancy occurs (normally as the result of retirement) the continuing Trustees, who are all Members of the Order of the Cross, appoint another representative Member to fill the vacancy. The current number of Trustees has reduced to seven as a replacement has not been identified to replace the last Trustee to leave.

Responsibilities for the various aspects of the work and administration of the Order are assigned to individual Trustees. The Trustees keep in touch frequently, and up until the start of the pandemic met quarterly for working weekends at a retreat centre to share consideration of developments and plans. A time of prayer and meditation is an integral part of every Trustee meeting. These weekends provide valuable opportunities for extended consideration of the Order's work. Since March 2020 the Trustees have met every month or two by videoconference.

The names of the current Council of Trustees are listed at the start of this report. There has been no change since April 2020.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland.”

Page 9

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Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of The Order of The Cross

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Order of The Cross (the 'charity') for the year ended 31 July 2021 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

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 Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements 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 financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements 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 financial statements 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 trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in 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 financial statements 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

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

Page 11

Report of the Independent Auditors to the Trustees of The Order of The Cross

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, 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.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

We have been appointed as auditors 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 financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors 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. 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 financial statements.

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:

We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the entity and determined that the most significant are those that relate to the Charities Act 2011 and FRS 102.

We assessed the risks of material misstatement in respect of fraud as follows: we made full enquiries with management and those charged with governance. As part of our fraud discussions, we discussed particular areas we believed to be susceptible to misstatement. Also, during our audit, we paid particular attention to looking for any related party transactions, however there were no related party transactions in this entity.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

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 auditors' 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.

Zara Dunster FCA (Senior Statutory Auditor) Town & Forest Chartered Accountants & Statutory Auditors Cornerways House School Lane Ringwood Hampshire BH24 1LG

Date: ............................................. 31 May 2022

Page 12

The Order of The Cross

Statement of Financial Activities

for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Donations and legacies
Activities for generating funds
2
Investment income
3
Total
EXPENDITURE ON
Costs of raising funds
Charitable activities
Other
Total
Net gains/(losses) on investments
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
Transfers between funds
10
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD		 Unrestricted
funds
£
3,522
3,901
170,765
178,188
19,016
237,018
60,282
316,316
1,315,967
1,177,839
240
1,178,079
11,111,134
12,289,213
Restricted
funds
£
-
-
775
775
120
1,500
-
1,620
6,335
5,490
(240)
5,250
53,037
58,287		 31.7.21

Total
funds
£
3,522
3,901
171,540
178,963
19,136
238,518
60,282
317,936
1,322,302
1,183,329
-
1,183,329
11,164,171
12,347,500		 31.7.20
Total
funds
£
81,611
5,781
208,810
296,202
12,631
164,991
76,665
254,287
(82,948)
(41,033)
-
(41,033)
11,205,204
11,164,171

The notes form part of these financial statements

Page 13

c l)rder ie Croji ¥lancL.,Slicct Jul 2021 31.7.21 Tutal fimds 31.7.20 T(Trtal fund Unrc4trictcd futids Re5triLlcii fund5 Nuics -IXLD ASSLTS 1-thrt8iblc a4%Lts 4.417 700250 4,417 7 059 535 5,447 5 729 670 7.006,925 57.027 7.063.952 5,735.117 CURRF.NT ASSETS Siocks Debiors C&h ar bank 2,160 36,254 5 262 702 2.160 37,514 5 262 702 1.260 90,185 53419 5,301.116 1.260 5.302,376 5.433.526 CREDITORS Amounts tallin8 due withjn onc y¢ar 118.828) 118,828) 14.472) NET CURRENT A.￿ETs 5 282 288 5 283 548 5 429 054 TOTAI, ASSF.TS I.FSS CURRENT LIABILITIES 12.289.213 58.287 12,347.$00 11.164.171 NET A.8SET 12 2119213 12 347500 1 164 171 FUNDS Unrc5trict¢d funds R¢.%lTiCted fun(ts 10 12.289.2l3 TOTAL TrUNDS 12347500 11.164,171 30" The finllncial st8ments wcre approved by the Board of Tn￿lec$ and outhoris¢d for issuc on ........................ und weTC s1￿Cd on its bch¥41f by.. 2Dzz Mr RoBeT Scor¢ - Tn]5tee Th¢ forni pHrt ot'thcsc finwi¥ial 8tstcm¢ii¢s P&8¢ 14

The Order of The Cross

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Income

Voluntary Income

Legacies are accounted for in the period in which the legacy is received or if, before receipt, there is sufficient evidence to provide the necessary certainty that the legacy will be received and the value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

No amounts are included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers.

Donations are recognised once the charity has entitlement to the resources, it is probable that the resources will be received and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured reliability.

Activities in furtherance of charity's objects Income is accounted for on a accruals basis.

Activities for generating funds Income is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Investment Income

Investment Income is included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

Other Income

All other income is accounted for on a accruals basis.

Expenditure

Resources expended are included in the statement of financial activities on an accruals basis.

Due to the nature of the charity's activities, the distinction between administration and charitable activities cannot be precisely measured because much of the work undertaken by the members is directly related to the various charitable and welfare activities.

For accounting purposes, expenditure is allocated as follows:

Charitable activities

All direct expenditure is in respect of promoting the aims of the charity including, the newsletter and various publications and subsidies and donations to other groups.

Governance costs

All other expenditure not directly allocated above including financial expenses and professional expenses.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Page 15

continued...

The Order of The Cross

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES - continued

Tangible fixed assets

Plant and machinery - 15% on reducing balance Computer equipment - 25% on reducing balance

Stocks

Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.

Cost is based on the cost of purchase on a first in first out basis. Net realisable value is based on estimated selling price less additional costs to completion and disposal.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Funds held by the charity are either:

Unrestricted general funds - these are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds - these are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for a particular restricted purpose.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Provisions and accruals

Provisions are recognised when there is a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of past events and the amount can be reliably estimated. Provisions are not recognised for future operating losses.

Investments

Investments are included in the financial statements at market value. Movements in market value are recognised in the statement of financial activities as unrealised gains or losses.

2. ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS

31.7.21 31.7.20
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total
funds funds funds funds
£ £ £ £
Accommodation 3,610 - 3,610 5,718
Publications and literature 291 - 291 63
3,901 - 3,901 5,781

Page 16

continued...

The Order of The Cross

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

INVESTMENT INCOME
Unrestricted
funds
£
UK Listed investments
111,180
Non-Listed investments
1,381
Interest receivable
58,204
170,765		 Restricted
funds
£
775
-
-
775		 31.7.21
Total
funds
£
111,955
1,381
58,204
171,540		 31.7.20
Total
funds
£
132,054
1,582
75,174
208,810

4. TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 July 2021 nor for the year ended 31 July 2020.

Trustees' expenses

During the year Trustees and United Councils Committee were reimbursed travel and other expenses of £14,868 (2019 - £13,216).

5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Plant and Computer
machinery equipment Totals
£ £ £
COST
At 1 August 2020 5,805 2,827 8,632
Disposals - (349) (349)
At 31 July 2021 5,805 2,478 8,283
DEPRECIATION
At 1 August 2020 1,895 1,290 3,185
Charge for year 587 365 952
Eliminated on disposal - (271) (271)
At 31 July 2021 2,482 1,384 3,866
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 July 2021 3,323 1,094 4,417
At 31 July 2020 3,910 1,537 5,447

continued...

Page 17

The Order of The Cross

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued

for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

6. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

Listed
investments
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 August 2020
5,680,921
Additions
111,051
Disposals
(103,489)
Revaluations
1,312,303
At 31 July 2021
7,000,786
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 July 2021
7,000,786
At 31 July 2020
5,680,921
There were no investment assets outside the UK.
7.
STOCKS
Stocks
8.
DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Held by Brewin Dolphin Ltd
Held by Canaccord Genuity
Wealth Management
Other debtors
Income tax recoverable
Prepayments		 Unlisted
investments
£
48,749
-
-
10,000
58,749
58,749
48,749
31.7.21
£
2,160
31.7.21
£
11,214
1,782
20,660
92
3,766
37,514		 Totals
£
5,729,670
111,051
(103,489)
1,322,303
7,059,535
7,059,535
5,729,670
31.7.20
£
1,351
31.7.20
£
8,939
22,279
55,257
138
3,572
90,185

continued...

Page 18

The Order of The Cross

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

9.
CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
Other creditors
10.
MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
Net
movement
At 1.8.20
in funds
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
11,111,134
1,177,839
Restricted funds
Restricted
53,037
5,490
TOTAL FUNDS
11,164,171
1,183,329
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming
Resources
resources
expended
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
178,188
(316,316)
Restricted funds
Restricted
775
(1,620)
TOTAL FUNDS
178,963
(317,936)
Comparatives for movement in funds
Net
movement
At 1.8.19
in funds
£
£
Unrestricted funds
General fund
11,150,921
(40,027)
Restricted funds
Restricted
54,283
(1,006)
TOTAL FUNDS
11,205,204
(41,033)		 31.7.21
£
18,828
Transfers
between
funds
£
240
(240)
-
Gains and
losses
£
1,315,967
6,335
1,322,302
Transfers
between
funds
£
240
(240)
-		 31.7.20
£
4,472
At
31.7.21
£
12,289,213
58,287
12,347,500
Movement
in funds
£
1,177,839
5,490
1,183,329
At
31.7.20
£
11,111,134
53,037
11,164,171


continued...

Page 19

The Order of The Cross

Notes to the Financial Statements - continued for the Year Ended 31 July 2021

10. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS - continued

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Unrestricted funds
General fund
Restricted funds
Restricted
TOTAL FUNDS
Restricted Funds Analysis
Winifred Cottrell Bequest
Kemmis Bequest		 At 1.8.20
£
51,467
1,570		 Incoming
resources
£
295,182
1,020
296,202
Incoming
resources
£
752
23		 Resources
Gains and
Movement
expended
losses
in funds
£
£
£
(252,667)
(82,542)
(40,027)
(1,620)
(406)
(1,006)
(254,287)
(82,948)
(41,033)
Resources
expended
Gains and
losses
At 31.7.21
£
£
(1,440)
6,147
56,926
(420)
188
1,361
53,037 775 (1,860)
6,335
58,287

The Winifred Cottrell Bequest was set up for the benefit of United Councils.

The Kemmis Bequest was set up with the provision that the income is split between United Councils (1/7[th] ), publications (2/7[th] ) and general use by the charity (4/7[th] ). The capital is available for general use by the charity

11. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 July 2021.

Page 20

The Order of The Cross

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 July 2021
31.7.21 31.7.20
£ £
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS
Donations and legacies
Donations 824 6,987
Offertory - 1,283
Legacies 2,698 73,341
3,522 81,611
Activities for generating funds
Accommodation 3,610 5,718
Publications and literature 291 63
3,901 5,781
Investment income
UK Listed investments 111,955 132,054
Non-Listed investments 1,381 1,582
Interest receivable 58,204 75,174
171,540 208,810
Total incoming resources 178,963 296,202
EXPENDITURE
Other trading activities
Publications and literature 19,256 12,631
Charitable activities
Gatherings 14,863 66,243
Worship facilities (2,876) 8,491
Travel subsidies (300) 29,842
Donations to Order of the Cross USA - 23,799
Donations to Order of the Cross Australia 14,331 27,027
Newsletter, website and announcements 12,380 9,589
Donation to The Abbey, Sutton Courtenay 200,000 -
238,398 164,991
Other
Storage costs 12,567 11,917
Plant and machinery 586 690
Carried forward 13,153 12,607

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 21

The Order of The Cross

Detailed Statement of Financial Activities
for the Year Ended 31 July 2021
31.7.21 31.7.20
£ £
Other
Brought forward 13,153 12,607
Computer equipment 365 512
Loss on sale of tangible fixed assets 78 -
13,596 13,119
Support costs
Management
Telephone 1,466 1,021
Printing, postage and stationery 2,681 1,115
Sundries 2,216 3,375
Trustees meetings - 8,581
Trustees travel and telephone 259 13,919
Professional charges 34,790 30,832
Auditors' remuneration 4,889 4,470
46,301 63,313
Finance
Bank charges 385 233
Total resources expended 317,936 254,287
Net (expenditure)/income before gains and
losses (138,973) 41,915
Recognised gains and losses
Gains/(losses) on fixed asset investments 1,322,302 (82,948)
Net income/(expenditure) 1,183,329 (41,033)

This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements

Page 22