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2025-04-05-accounts

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

The MGroup Partnership Chartered Certified Accountants C9 Gylme Court, Oxford Office Village Langford Lane Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1LQ

Charity Number: 259638

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

CONTENTS PAGES
Charity information 1
Report of the trustees 2 to 4
Independent examiner's report 5
Statement of financial activities 6
Balance sheet 7
Notes to the financial statements 8 to 12
Institutional grants 13 to 14

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

CHARITY INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

TRUSTEES

Mrs J E Warnick Mrs K Willis J S S Bosley

PRINCIPAL OFFICE

20 Mill Street Shipston-on-Stour Warwickshire CV36 4AW

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER

259638

ACCOUNTANTS

The MGroup Partnership Chartered Certified Accountants C9 Glyme Court Oxford Office Village Langford Lane Kidlington Oxford OX5 1LQ

BANKERS

HSBC 13 Chapel Street Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 6ET

INVESTMENT MANAGERS

Harris Allday 33 Great Charles Street Birmingham B3 3JN

LGT Wealth Management Limited 14 Cornhill London EC3V 3NR

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

The trustees present their report along with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 5 April 2025. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 8 to 10 and comply with the charity's trust deed and applicable law.

CONSTITUTION AND OBJECTS

The Charity of Stella Symons is constituted under a Trust Deed dated 1 February 1968 and is a registered charity (number 259638). The Trust Deed gives the trustees the power to apply the annual income of the trust upon such charitable trusts and for such charitable purposes as they shall in their uncontrolled discretion determine.

The objects of the charity continued to be that of providing financial support to a wide range of charitable organisations providing benefits for the public in the United Kingdom and overseas. The support may take the form of a loan but more usually is made as a donation.

The trustees have a policy of only making contributions where they believe that a public benefit will be derived from the use of the funds made available.

The trustees currently have a policy of supporting organisations in a wide geographic area including those active in the United Kingdom and overseas and cover a wide range of activities including those living in poverty.

We have referred to the guidance contained on the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

ORGANISATION

The trustees who have served during the year and since the year end are set out on page 1.

All decisions are made by the trustees.

New trustees are appointed by agreement between the existing trustees.

TRUSTEE INDUCTION AND TRAINING

Trustees are given information regarding the financial state of the trust including expected income and expenditure for the forthcoming year. Trustees have access to financial information at all times.

The charity is a member of the West Midlands Charitable Trust Group and copies of the Charity Commission Newsletter are made available for trustees. New trustees, when appointed, will undergo an induction process to make them aware of their duties and responsibilities as trustees and of the specific objects and operating procedures of this trust.

GRANT MAKING POLICY

The trustees respond to applications for grants where a grant is to be made and in the main will only support organisations registered as charities with the Charity Commission. If this is not the case the trustees will only offer support where they are confident that the funds are to be used for public benefit.

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

The charity has distributed the income arising from its investments in each year and a record of distributions is kept and included in the annual accounts for the charity. The trustees believe that the charity provides a valuable and much needed and appreciated source of funding for the organisations it supports.

FINANCIAL REVIEW AND INVESTMENT POLICY

The activities of the trust included receiving income during the year from both investments and bank interest receivable of £78,926 (2024 - £83,507), which were the only sources of income. The charitable distributions during the year amounted to £66,614 (2024 - £77,050), which were to various charities upon receipt of applications as set out in the objectives.

The total funds of the trust decreased to an aggregate of £2,044,139 as at 5 April 2025 (2024 - £2,094,528), due to a decrease in the market value of investments held.

The investment strategy is set by the trustees.

Investment performance is monitored by the trustees through monthly valuations and annual investment reports provided by the fund managers, Harris Allday and LGT Wealth Management. (Day-to-day management is carried out by Harris Allday and LGT Wealth Management). The Trustees operate an investment policy which is updated periodically.

FUTURE PLANS

The future plans for the trust are to distribute income realised during each year in excess of costs in accordance with the distribution policies which are reviewed periodically.

RESERVES POLICY

It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are the free reserves of the charity.

The trustees oversee the level of income reserves held and consider whether they are sufficient in order that the charity meets its needs effectively.

RISK MANAGEMENT

The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established so that the necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks.

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards.

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:

J S S Bosley Trustee

Date:- 30 August 2025

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 5 April 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 12.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charties Act 2011 ("the Act"). The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

  1. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;

  2. to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and

  3. to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

BASIS OF INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and the seeking of explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

  2. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act: and

  3. to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or

  4. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

CHRIS DENTON

THE MGROUP PARTNERSHIP CHARTERED CERTIFIED ACCOUNTANTS C9 GLYME COURT, OXFORD OFFICE VILLAGE LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON OXFORD, OX5 1LQ

Date:- 30 August 2025

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds
Notes 2025 2024
£ £
INCOME
Investment income 3 78,926 83,507
EXPENDITURE
Charitable activities:
Grants payable 4 66,614 77,050
Governance costs 5 19,294 18,503
Total expenditure 85,908 95,553
Net loss on sale of investments (167,573) (11,383)
NET DEFICIT (174,555) (23,429)
Gain on revaluation of investments 6 124,166 21,280
Net movement in funds (50,389) (2,149)
Total funds brought forward 10 2,094,528 2,096,677
Total funds carried forward 10 2,044,139 2,094,528
----- End of picture text -----

The results for the year derive from continuing activities and there are no gains or losses other than those shown above.

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 5 APRIL 2025

----- Start of picture text -----
Unrestricted Funds Unrestricted Funds
Notes 2025 2024
£ £
FIXED ASSETS
Investments 6 1,931,952 1,951,070
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors 8 40,002 84,289
Cash at bank and in hand 75,702 62,289
115,704 146,578
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year 9 3,517 3,120
NET CURRENT ASSETS 112,187 143,458
NET ASSETS 2,044,139 2,094,528
THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY
Unrestricted funds 10 2,044,139 2,094,528
----- End of picture text -----

J S S Bosley Trustee

Dated:- 30 August 2025

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

1 GENERAL INFORMATION

The Charity of Stella Symons is a registered charity and is a public benefit entity. Its principal office is:

20 Mill Street Shipston-on-Stour Warwickshire CV36 4AW

The financial statements are presented in Sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting convention

The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.

The accounts have been prepared under the receipts and payments principles. The items have been recognised at their cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Investment income

Dividends are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when they are declared at an amount excluding the tax recoverable from HM Revenue and Customs.

Bank interest is included within investment income when the charity is entitled to receipt.

Expenditure

Expenditure is included on a receipts and payments basis.

Grants payable are recognised upon date of payment.

Management and administration comprises costs for the running of the charity itself as an organisation.

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued…)

Financial Instruments

The company only enters into basic financial instruments transactions that result in the recognition of financial assets and liabilities like trade and other accounts receivable and payable, loans from banks and other third parties, loans to related parties and investments in non-puttable ordinary shares.

Financial assets are measured at cost and are assessed at the end of each reporting period for objective evidence of impairment. Where objective evidence of impairment is found, an impairment loss is recognised in the profit and loss account.

The impairment loss for financial assets measured at cost is measured as the difference between an asset's carrying amount and the best estimate, which is an approximation, of the amount that the company would receive for the asset if it were to be sold at the reporting date.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the balance sheet when there is an enforceable right to set off the recognised amount and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Impairment of non-financial assets

At each reporting date non-financial assets not carried at fair value, like goodwill and plant, property and equipment, are reviewed to determine whether there is an indication that an asset may be impaired. If there is an indication of possible impairment, the recoverable amount of any asset or group of related assets (which is the higher of value in use and the fair value less cost to sell) is estimated and compared with its carrying amount. If the recoverable amount is lower, the carrying amount of the asset is reduced to its recoverable amount and an impairment loss is recognised immediately in the profit and loss account.

If an impairment loss is subsequently reversed, the carrying amount of the asset, or group of related assets, is increased to the revised estimate of its recoverable amount, but not to exceed the amount that would have been determined had no impairment loss been recognised for the asset, or group of related assets, in prior periods. A reversal of an impairment loss is recognised immediately in the profit and loss account.

Fixed asset investments

Stocks and shares quoted on the London Stock Exchange have been revalued in the balance sheet at market value. Any gain or loss on revaluation is taken to the Statement of Financial Activities. No unquoted investments are held.

All investments are held primarily to provide an investment return for the charity.

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued…)

Debtors

Short term debtors are measured at transaction price, less any impairment.

Creditors

Short term trade creditors are measured at the transaction price. Other financial liabilities, including bank loans, are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs, and subsequently at amortised cost.

VAT

As the charity is not registered for Value Added Tax, all costs are VAT inclusive.

Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the company has a legal or constructive obligation at the reporting date as a result of a past event, it is probable that the company will be required to settle the obligation and the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated.

Provisions are recognised at the best estimate of the amount required to settle the obligation at the reporting date.

Fund accounting

General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

3
INVESTMENT INCOME
Dividends and interest on listed investments
Overseas unit trust income
Interest on cash deposits
Sundry income
Total investment income (unrestricted)		 2025
£
35,845
37,869
1,297
3,915
78,926		 2024
£
35,430
47,040
1,037
-
83,507

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

4
GRANTS PAYABLE
Grants payable
5
GOVERNANCE COSTS
Accountancy fees - examining the accounts
Accountancy fees - other
Management fees
Bank charges
Printing, postage and stationery
Subscriptions
6
INVESTMENTS
Market value at 6 April 2024
Additions to investments at cost
Disposals at carrying value
Net gain in the year on revaluation
Market value at 5 April 2025
Investments at market value comprised:
UK equities
Non UK equities
UK fixed interest securities
Historical cost
The charity provides donations to a wide range of institutions, shown on pages 13 to		 2025
£
66,614
2025
£
500
3,400
14,811
393
-
190
19,294
2025
£
1,951,070
612,689
(755,973)
124,166
1,931,952
1,207,983
359,493
364,476
1,931,952
1,977,363
14.		 2024
£
77,050
2024
£
500
3,280
14,239
181
113
190
18,503
2024
£
2,005,587
270,322
(346,119)
21,280
1,951,070
1,385,006
331,728
288,853
2,005,587
2,120,647

All investments are listed securities and are shown at market value.

Investments in individual entities held at 5 April 2025 which are over 5% of the portfolio by value are:

VOLARE (Offshore) Income Fund - market value £672,108 (2024 - £700,123)

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

7 STAFF COSTS

During the year the charity had no employment related expenditure and the trustees were not reimbursed for any expenses.

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |8|DEBTORS|2025|2024| |£|£| |Other debtors|40,002|84,289|

----- End of picture text -----

Included within 'Other debtors' are loans to Shipston Sports Clubs totalling £12,500 (2024: £17,500). All loans have been measured initially at fair value and subsequently at amortised cost. 'Other debtors' also includes the cash held in accounts managed by the investment managers totalling £27,502 (2024: £66,789).

----- Start of picture text -----
||||| |---|---|---|---| |9|CREDITORS|2025|2024| |£|£| |Accruals and deferred income|3,517|3,120|

----- End of picture text -----

10 SUMMARY OF FUNDS MOVEMENTS

----- Start of picture text -----
||||||| |---|---|---|---|---|---| |Fund|Fund| |balance|Other|balance| |brought|recognised|carried| |forward|Income|Expenditure|losses|forward| |£|£|£|£|£| |Unrestricted funds|2,094,528|78,926|(85,908)|(43,407)|2,044,139|

----- End of picture text -----

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

£
St. Edmunds Church 300
Abbotshall Healthy Lifestyle Centre 300
Big Give Bees for Monmouth 550
Big Give Fareshare London 550
Big Give Surfers Against Sewage 550
Big Give Tusk Trust 550
Big Give LEWA Wild 550
Big Give The Turing Trust 550
Big Give Chipembele Trust 550
Big Give TEMWA UK 550
Big Give Renewable Brighton 550
Big Give Sophia AK 479
MOVE Charity 300
St.Edmonds Church 300
Halford Village Hall 500
Shipston Town Council re Sensory Garden 500
Enthuse/RABI 248
Global Giving/ Spanish Red Cross 250
Givewheel London 275
Trussell Trust 1,000
St Wilfrid’s Hospice 500
The Felix Trust 1,075
City Harvest 538
Surfers Against Sewage 538
The Brain Tumour Charity 538
Fareshare Bristol 538
The Tusk Trust 538
The Ghurka Trust 538
Sumatran Orangutan Organisation 538
The Africa Trust 538
AMREF 538
Dreams Come True 538
Village Water 538
Children on the Edge 538
Toynbee Hall 538
Dementia Support Chichester 1,075
Children on the Edge 538
The Theatre Chipping Norton 538
Friends of the Earth 538
Smile Train 500
Freedom from Torture 538
Tall Ships Youth Trust 1,075
Prison Ad 538
Build It International 538
Katharine House Hospice 538
MSUK 538
Changing Faces 538
David Shepherd Wildlife Trust 538
Global Care 538
Care International 538
Kids Club Kampala 538
Project Luangwa 538

THE CHARITY OF STELLA SYMONS

INSTITUTIONAL GRANTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025

EMMAUS UK
Maggies Centre
Refugee Council
River Action
North Cotswold Community
Tall Ships Youth Trust
Humpris re Beds4Badger Group
Shelter UK
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf
Stop the Traffik
Mary’s Meals
BBC Charity Appeal
Fareshare UK
Support TCT
Just Giving British Eventing
Enthuse
Enthuse
Cobnor Activity Centre
Home Start South Warwickshire
Give as you Live
Just Giving British Eventing
Steps Charity worldwide
Twins Trust
Coventry & Warwickshire
Lowlands Farm Trust RDA
Refuge
Farming Community Network
Hearing Dogs for the Deaf
St Mungo’s
Chipping Norton Theatre
Myron Hospice
David Shepherd Wildlife Trust
GD MND Association
Army benevolent Fund
Dementia Trust
Institute for Cancer Research
Freshfields Rescue Liverpool
RBLI
Caring for Life
Sight Research UK
RNID
Water Harvest
AR UK
Bowel Cancer UK
Donation via CAF 03000123000
Hopefull
War Child
The Isla
Bristol Chil
TOTAL		 £
538
538
538
538
500
10,000
1,000
250
250
250
506
250
250
500
281
538
281
1,000
3,000
800
731
800
800
800
1,000
900
800
550
550
365
800
500
500
500
500
1,000
250
500
250
523
500
500
500
500
500
500
250
550
250
66,614