**Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** **Charity Registration No. 269535 (England and Wales)** **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve** **Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026** Page 1 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ||**CONTENTS**
Legal and Administrative Information
Report of the Trustees
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
Notes to the Financial Statements|**Page**| |---|---|---| |||
3
4
8
9
10
11| Page 2 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ## **LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION** |**Charity registration number:**|269535 (England and Wales)| |---|---| |**Trustees**|Barry Yates: Chairman| ||John Baker: Hon. Secretary| ||Alan Martin: Hon. Treasurer| ||Patrick Bonham: Membership Secretary| ||Claire Bayntun| ||David Bentley| ||Christine George| ||Philip Jones (appointed 11thOctober 2025)| ||Stephen Masters| ||James Tomlinson| ||Linda Wren| ||Anne Yates| |**Independent examiner**|Roy Holland BSc (Econ.), FCA| ||Holland Harper LLP| ||26 High Street| ||Battle| ||East Sussex TN33 0EA| |**Bankers**|Lloyds Bank| ||New Romney Branch| ||PO Box 1000| ||BX1 1LT| |**Charity office**|Rye Harbour Discovery Centre| ||Rye Harbour Road| ||Rye| ||East Sussex TN31 7FW| Page 3 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES** The Trustees of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2026. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity. ## **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 (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & 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: - select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; - - - observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP; - make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; - state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; - prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper 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 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. ## **Trustees** Trustees are appointed by the Members and those who have served during the year are as follows Dr Barry Yates: Chairman John Baker: Hon. Secretary Alan Martin: Hon. Treasurer Patrick Bonham: Membership Secretary Claire Bayntun David Bentley Christine George Philip Jones Stephen Masters James Tomlinson Linda Wren Anne Yates Page 4 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **Constitution and Objects** The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve is constituted by a Deed of Trust dated 31[st] May 1974 and is a charity registered in England and Wales, number 269535. The trustees shall hold the Trust Fund and its income upon trust to apply them for the following objectives: - assisting the management of the Rye Harbour Nature Reserve through voluntary work and contributions. - fundraising by way of subscription and activities and organising local publicity for the Nature Reserve. - recruiting members to support the Nature Reserve. - co-operating with other Local Bodies and Authorities and SWT taking all such other steps as may from time to time be necessary to preserve the interests of the Nature Reserve. - to do all such things and to take all such measures as may be considered to be in the interest of the Nature Reserve at the discretion of the group and with the approval of the Management Committee and SWT or such other body as shall from time to time be responsible for the running of the Nature Reserve. **Review of developments, activities and achievements – Report for the year ended 31 March 2026** The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (Friends) had another good year, reporting a financial surplus of income over expenditure of £15,647 after contributing £52,985 towards the nature reserve and Discovery Centre costs. This surplus when added to the brought forward balance, left the Friends at the end of the year with financial reserves of £728,465 of which £262,802 was in cash or deposit accounts. Whilst membership income continues to be the largest source of income at £24,100 plus Gift Aid of £5,044 the charity also received donations and legacies of £22,993. Sales of Friends badged items sold primarily through the Discovery Centre and local shops, contributed a profit of £2,750 and a further £4,576 was generated from a combination of sales from the Craft Group, second-hand wildlife books and donations made at the monthly talks held on ‘Friends Days’. The Trustees met formally on seven occasions during the year in addition to the AGM in October, but were in regular contact through less formal meetings and correspondence in order to progress Friends business. Separate meetings with representatives of the Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) were held regularly, both with regard to the wildlife management and the delivery of education through the Discovery Centre and out on the reserve. Whilst the ultimate responsibility for managing the reserve lies with the SWT, they can only provide the current level of reserve management, education work and visitor engagement with the support of the Friends. The Friends were consulted on the new SWT management plan for the reserve and we fed back our comments. In the last year we subsidised the travel costs for local schools to visit the reserve and will do so again this year. We also commissioned an animated film, by Will Rose, about our three breeding terns – this has been seen at the Discovery Centre, online and at the Rye Kino and has raised awareness of these birds that find a safe place to nest at Rye Harbour. Our newsletters are the main link with our members, and they are edited by our trustee, David Bentley and volunteer Victoria Pope, as the designer, puts it all together beautifully. Victoria is also Page 5 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ working with the Rye Harbour History Group on a book of old photographs of Rye Harbour, and we hope to see how that looks at our AGM. One of our most important opportunities to engage face to face with members is through the monthly ‘Friends Days’ which are held on the second Saturday of each month in the Discovery Centre. These days include a morning guided walk around the reserve and then an illustrated talk on topics of local wildlife or local history, in the afternoon organised by our trustee Chris George. There are also stalls of used wildlife books and the Friends craft group that contribute to our fund raising. A monthly guided walk on a Sunday later each month provides more opportunities to see the wildlife and meet some trustees. Many of the Friends committee and members are actively involved in supporting the work of SWT at the nature reserve by volunteering with them – one of these events is the monthly ‘Guide in a Hide’ organised by our trustee Linda Wren. This popular event regularly enables more than a hundred people to experience, perhaps for the first time, birds through binoculars and telescopes with the assistance of knowledgeable volunteers. We funded new binoculars and telescopes to improve the experience. During February the Parkes hide was found to be unsafe, but the Friends (thanks to trustee James Tomlinson) were able to step in and make repairs before the birds started nesting. This hide has a limited life, so we have been working with SWT on the plans to replace it and re-landscape the approach to it. We should have an update at our AGM. In September the Friends organised walks, talks and workshops as part of the Rye Arts Festival and we shall be having similar events this year. The number of members at the end of the year was 1,991. Members receive three newsletters a year with 991 being sent out electronically and 366 by post. Reducing the number of hard copy subscribers even further will reduce the printing costs, and encouraging more members to sign up for Gift Aid will boost our income. Since it was established in 1973, the Friends has always supported projects and work to improve the special wildlife and the facilities for visitors. This has made an enormous difference to this special place and has only been possible through the support and encouragement of our members. ## **Review of financial transactions** The financial statements as set out on pages 9 to 14 summarise the transactions of the charity during the year ended 31 March 2026, at which date there was a surplus for the year of £15,647 (2025: a surplus of £9,213), which when added to the funds brought forward of £712,818 leaves total funds to be carried forward of £728,465. ## **Reserves policy** The trustees’ policy is to maintain a level of reserves which will provide a stable base for its continuing activities while at the same time ensuring excessive funds are not accumulated. The trustees believe that the free reserves of £262,802 are sufficient for its current purposes and these are reviewed on a regular basis. Page 6 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **Risk Management** The trustees have examined the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces and confirm that systems have been established to enable regular reports to be produced so that necessary steps can be taken to lessen these risks. ## **Public Benefit** The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives and in planning future activities and setting grant making policies. They will only provide grants which clearly demonstrate public benefit. Dr Barry Yates Chairman Alan Martin Honorary Treasurer 2026 Page 7 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve (the Trust) for the year ended 31 March 2026. ## **Respective Responsibilities of trustees and examiner** As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. ## **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 seeking 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** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. **Roy Holland BSc (Econ.), FCA** 2026 **Holland Harper LLP** 26 High Street, Battle **Chartered Accountants** East Sussex TN33 0EA Page 8 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES** |**Note**
**Income from**
Membership subscriptions
Donations and legacies
Trading income
Gift Aid
Events
Interest
Other income
**Total income**
**Expenditure on**
Nature reserve projects and salary contributions
Merchandise costs
Newsletters and leaflets
Legal and professional costs
**7**
Other expenses
**7**
Bank charges
**7**
**Total expenditure**
**Net income/(expenditure)**
Fund balances as at 1 April 2025
Property revaluation
**Fund balances at 31 March 2026**
**6**|**2026**
**Total**
**£**
24,100
22,993
6,423
5,044
4,576
7,866
7,780
**78,782**
52,985
3,673
1,910
2,470
2,017
80
**63,135**
**15,647**
712,818
-
**728,465**|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
24,124
42,465
5,727
4,717
2,892
8,444
7,298| |---|---|---| |||**95,667**| |||76,343
3,116
2,401
2,313
2,215
66| |||**86,454**| |||**9,213**
703,605
-| |||**712,818**| The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the period. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities. The figures shown for both years are all unrestricted funds. The notes on pages 11 to 14 form part of these financial statements. Page 9 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31[ST] MARCH 2026** |**Note**
**Fixed Assets**
Freehold property
**2**
**Current assets**
Cash at bank
Deposit accounts
Trading stock
**3**
Debtors and prepayments
**4**
**Total current assets**
Creditors falling due within one year
**5**
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Fund balances**
**6**|**2026**
**Total**
**£**
450,000
52,642
210,160
5,102
12,063
**279,967**
(1,502)
**278,465**
**728,465**
**728,465**|**2025**
**Total**
**£**
450,000
42,756
207,525
4,439
9,581| |---|---|---| |||**264,301**
(1,483)| |||**262,818**
**712,818**| |||**712,818**| The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue on behalf of the Board by: Alan Martin **Honorary Treasurer** 2026 The notes on pages 11 to 14 form part of these financial statements. Page 10 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** ## **1. Summary of significant accounting policies** ## **1.1 Basis of accounting** The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's Deed of Trust, the Charities Act 2011, FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019). The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the 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 issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, (modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties). The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. The Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The functional currency of the charity is £. ## **1.2 Going concern** At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Trust 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 Income** ## **1.3.1 Donations and gifts** Income is recognised in the year in which the charity is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty. ## **1.3.2 Investment income** Investment income is accounted for on a receivable basis. ## **1.3.3 Volunteer time** No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP. ## **1.3.4 Trading income** Income from trading activities includes income earned from fundraising events and trading activities to raise funds for the charity. Income is received in exchange for supplying goods and services in order to raise funds and is recognised when entitlement has occurred. Page 11 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **1.4 Expenditure** Expenditure is included on an accruals basis including irrecoverable VAT, and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. ## **1.5 Taxation** The Trust is a registered charity and is not liable to United Kingdom income tax or corporation tax on charitable activities. ## **1.6 Charitable funds** Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. ## **1.7 Tangible fixed assets** Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of any impairment losses. It is not considered necessary to depreciate the freehold property held which is instead shown at a valuation in the accounts. ## **1.8 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. Page 12 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **2. Tangible fixed assets** At 31 March 2026, had the revalued asset been carried at historic cost, the carrying amount would have been £48,000 (2025 - £48,000). It was revalued to £450,000 in April 2023 by two Rye-based Estate Agents, Rush, Witt & Wilson and Phillips & Stubbs. The revaluation surplus is disclosed in note 6. |**Freehold, Land & Buildings**
**Cost or valuation**
At 1 April 2025
Revaluation
**At 31 March 2026**|**£**
450,000
-| |---|---| ||**450,000**| ## **3. Trading stocks** Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cos **t** includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing stock to its present location and condition. Cost is calculated using the first-in, first-out formula. Provision is made for damaged, obsolete and slow-moving stock where appropriate. |Opening stock
Purchases
Less cost of sales
**Closing stock**
**4. Debtors and prepayments**
Other debtors and prepayments
Gift Aid
**Total debtors and prepayments**|**2026**
**£**
4,439
4,336
(3,673)
**5,102**
**2026**
**£**
7,041
5,022
**12,063**|**2025**
**£**
5,341
2,214
(3,116)| |---|---|---| |||**4,439**| |||**2025**
**£**
4,883
4,698| |||**9,581**| Page 13 **Friends of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2026** ________________________________________________________________ ## **5. Creditors** |Subscriptions paid in advance
Stock purchases
Independent examination fees
**Total creditors**|**2026**
**£**
502
-
1,000
**1,502**|**2025**
**£**
483
-
1,000| |---|---|---| |||**1,483**| ## **6. Fund balances** |At 1 April 2025
Surplus for the year
Land and buildings revaluation
**At 31 March 2026**
**ing costs**
Independent examination fees
Insurance
Watch Cottage refurbishment
Other costs
Bank charges
**Total costs**|**Unrestricted Revaluation**
**Funds**
**Reserve**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
310,818
402,000
712,818
15,647
-
15,647
-
-
-|**Unrestricted Revaluation**
**Funds**
**Reserve**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
310,818
402,000
712,818
15,647
-
15,647
-
-
-|**Unrestricted Revaluation**
**Funds**
**Reserve**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
**£**
310,818
402,000
712,818
15,647
-
15,647
-
-
-| |---|---|---|---| ||**326,465**|**402,000**|**728,465**| |||**2026**
**£**
900
1,570
956
1,061
80
**4,567**|**2025**
**£**
900
1,413
1,010
1,205
66| ||||**6,594**| ## **7. Running costs** Running costs of the charity include governance costs and general administration. The Trustees, who are considered to be key management personnel, received no remuneration or expenses during the year (2025: £Nil). ## **8. Related party transactions** There have been no transactions with related parties during the year (2025: none). Page 14