AN,NUAL STATUTORY REPORT 2025 Friends of Bristol Cathedral Registered Charity No 274399
Friends of Bris1 Cath¢drni: Annual R¢port 2025 CONTENTS PAGE NO. Legal & Admlnlstratlon 4-5 Report of the Trustees Financial Revlew Report of the Independent Examlner Statement of financial Activities Balance Sheet io ststement of cash flows 11-12 Notes to the financlal statements
Friends of Bristol CathedrnL' Annual R¢port 2025 LEGAL & ADMINISTRATION Reglstered Charlty Number: 274399 {England and Wales) ReBlstered Address BRISTOL Cathedral, College Green Brlstol BSI 5TJ Executlve Commlttee Chalrman The Revd. Rachel Barrett (Retlred 13th July 20251 Dr Penelope Starn5 IAppointed July 2025) Chairman Hon. Secretary Patricia Morris (Retired 13 July 2025) Susan Stevens (Appolnted 13th July 2025) Margaret Taylor The Revd. Paul Barrett {Retlred 13th July 2025) Mary Opie (Retired 13 July 20251 Penelope Parsons Hon Secretary Hon. Treasurer Trustee Trustee Trustee Trustee Sally Morris Trustee Oliver Hibbert Trustee (Richard) Alexander Mccomas {Appointed 13 July 20251 Chapter Representatlve Canon Neil Patterson Bankers Barclays 55 8roadmead Brfstol BSI 3£A Independent Examiner LorraFne Dorrfn8ton ACA FCCA cfA
Friends of Bristol Cathed. Annual Rwt2025 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE 12 MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2025 The Trustees present thelr report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2025. The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Ststement of Recommended Practice known as FRS 102 (SORP) introduced in January 2015. Structure. Governance and Mana8ement The company is registered as a charitable company limited by guarantee. The Friends of Bristol Cathedral is run by an Executive Committee of Trustees. The Committee nornially meets every 3 months. ision and Mission The objertives of the Friends are: To further the rellglous and other charltable work of Bristol Cathedral and To assist and promote the restoratlon, malntenance and repair of the fabrlc, ftttin8S, ornaments, vestments and other contents of Bristol Cathedral Values and Strategic Aims To work together with the Cathedral Chapter to fund projects which beautify the Cathedral, care for its fabric and enrich its worship. To support the worshlp and muslc of the Cathedral To support the educational work of the cathedral To raise and invest money to further the objertives of the Friends. To arran8e activities which further these aims and promote fellowship among members of the Friends.
Friends of Bristol Cathedral: Annyal R¢Nxt 2025 Achlevements and Perforniance In 2025 •Coundl of Frlends: The Council rnet five times in 2025. •AGM: The 2025 AGM was held in July. Penny Starns was elected as Chalr. Sue Stevens was welcomed as Trustee and elected as Secretary, and Alex Mtcormas was welcomed as Trustee. Margaret Taylor kindly agreed to continue her role as Honorary Treasurer. • Sodal Events On February 27th Dr Penny Stsrn5 gave an illustrated presentation which hi8hli8hted the importance of Bristol Cathedral and Diocese duTin8 the 8rlstol BIFtz of the Second World War. In particular, the crucial leadershlp provided by Bishop Cliffttyrd Woodward MC, and Dean Harry Blackburne D50, MC. During a perlod when all Bristolians faced extrne adverstty, they provided shelter, hope, insplratlon and a palpable, livin8 Christian community. The talk was attended by 70 members and guests. On July iolh the Friends enjoyed a sunny social evenin8 in the Cathedral's award-winning garden. Head gardener Bill 8ave the Friends a guided tour introducing marjy of the plants and explaining some of the Seasonal tasks associated with maSntainin8 the beauty of this afea throughout the year. Refreshments were provided and the event wa5 well attended. During our September coffee morning Friends were asked to make suggestions regarding future events. Followlng this social gathering Ben Silvey and Chris Jones walked members through the Cathedral areas designated for future reconstruction and fundamerbtal to the 'Access for All, projett. Friends were able to Vi5ualize these changes more dearfy because of this guidance, and to ask pertinent questions. November 20th the Friends celebrated the completion of the Cathedral café In the company of Dean Mandy Ford who 8ave a warm and welcomln8 speech thankln8 the Frlends for their generous support. Free coffee and cake were enjoyed by all. On December 71h Friends gathered for lunchtime Advent drlnks, klndty hosted by two of our mernbers. • Projects: Friends gave £50,0(M) to the 'Access for All project., Thls is a major on80ing project, which involves the moving of some monuments, installing a lift, relocating the vergerg small office, and raising the clolster floor to provide access to areas of the Cathedral. A new Set of green vestments was bought, courtesy of the Prudence Cotterell legary. Additionally fundin8 was provided to purchase equipment for sustainable floristry. Friends also contributed to the costs of a Beer & Carols event which was a joint venture between Bristol Cathedral and St Nicholas Church. • Future Plan5: To provide a varled programme of events and fundraising artivities to enable us to achieve our aims. Dr Penelope Starns Chalr
Fri¢Dds of Bristol Cathedtai.. Annual Report 2025 Financial Review Income for the perlod totaled £87,200.12024 £19,697) from member subscrlptlons, donatlons, events, income from investments and a generous le8ary of £71.995 from the estate of Angela Harrls. This was transferred to the Barclays deposit account in readiness to pay. later in the year. the 8rant of £50,0(M), agreed at the AGM in July. A grant to the Cathedral towards the 'Access for All, projett. Expendlture was £65,884 {2024 £5,7281 including grants of £64,5(2024 £3,089). The grants to Brlstol Cathedral were £13.240 for new vestments. £IO,O(X) of which was from the PrudÈnce Cotterell legacy. £1,350 for prayer books and materials for the heritage sewing group. Lastly, £50,000 for the 'Access for AIY project. Administration costs of £1,294 included a donation of £150 towards the Bristol branch of Cats Protection as requested by Lorraine Dorrington in lieu of a charge for the Independent Examinatson of the Annual Report. £420 was paid to have the Friends book repaired. The remalnder is for small amounts; mostly costs assoclated with Friends events. The resultant operatlng surplus was £21,316 in the year,12024 operatin8 surplus £13,969) Financial Assets are held with the CBF Church of England Funds, in line with the Diocese and National standards. The majority is held in equity funds which shOvd a decrease in value of £13,488, giving a 4% loss on the year. However, £ll,(XY) of dividend payments were paid dirert into the current bank account instead of increasing the inve5trnent value5. At the end of the year, the charlty had reserves of £410,472.12024 £402,644). Although there was a resultlng Increase of £7,828 It was mainly due to the generous legacy of nearly £72,000, less the grants of £64,590 and the poor performance of the Investments resultlng In a £13,488 loss of the investments. There was also an increase in dtvidends and bank interest of £7,(X)O. Trustees. Responslbllltles in relation to the Financial Statements The Trustees are responslble for maintaining proper accounting record5 which dlsclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any tlme the finanaal position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wlth the new FRS 102 {SOFA) and the Charities Att 2011. The Trustee5 are also responsible for the safeguarding of the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detertion of fraud and other irre8ularitles. Reference and Administratlon The financial statements comply with the current statutory requtrements, the tharitys governing document and the SORP 'Accounting and Reportln8 by Charlties,. On behalf of the Trustees Dr Penelope Stams Chair
Frien&% of Bristol Cath¢drnl: Annual R¢port 2025 Report of the Independent Examiner I report on the accounts of the charityforthe 12 months to 31 December 2025, set out on the following pages: Respective re5ponslbllltles of trustees and examlner As the charlvs trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the account5. You conslder that the audit requirements of the Charitles Act 2011 (the Art) does not apply. It is my responslbility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directlons glven by the Charities Commission under s145{5){bl of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of the Independent examlnerfs report My examinatlon was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 include5 consideration of any unusual item5 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, I do not express an audit opinion on the view 8iven by the account& Independent examiner's stateMt In connection with rny examination. no matter has come to my attentlon: which 8ive5 me reasonable cause to belleve that, In any material respert, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with Sertion 130 of the Act; and b to prepare accounts whlch in accordance wlth the accounting records and to comply with the accountin8 requirement5 of the Act have not been met; or to which, in my opinion, attentlon should be drawn In orderto enable a proper understandln8 of the accounts to be reached. Lorraine Dorriiwon ACA FCCA cfA
FTithds of Bristol catTrke. Annual Rep)rt 2025 Frlends of Brlstol Cathedral ststement of Financial Aetivities for yeAr ended 31 December 2025 Note UnrestricteA Restrictal Total 2025 2025 2025 Total 2024 Individual and Corpyate Sublp1[0nS 2181 2181 2144 Donations 950 950 182 Legaci¢s 71995 71995 10000 Commissions and Events 315 315 2615 Intsrest and Investment Income 11759 11759 4756 Total Resources 872(KJ 00 19697 Grants 64590 64590 3089 Operating costs 1294 1294 2639 Total resourtt8 expended 63884 65884 5728 N$t IMeomitigl{oulgoiug) resour 21316 21316 13969 Other unrealised Gains and SSeS (13488) (13488) 14435 Net Movement of FuDdJ 7828 7828 28404 Funds IKought forward at l Jalluary 2025 242785 159859 402644 4026U Fund8 ejfwd ai 31 De¢ember 2024 410472 410472 402644 The Statement of Financial Activities h&8 been Prepared on the basis that all operations are ¢ontAnuing operations. The Chlty has no gains OT losses other than dealt with in the Statement of Financial Activities. The notes on pages I I to 12 fomi part of these fuwcial statan¢nts.
Frithds of Bristol Cathdral.. Annual Report 2025 Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2025 Note 2025 2024 Fixed Assets tnvestments 378223 391711 Current Assets Dcbtors C&th at Bank 32249 10933 Total Current Assets 32249 10933 Total Assets 410472 402644 Liabilities Cr¢ditoTs . Amounts falling due within I Net Asjets 4104n 402644 The Funds of the Charity Unrestricted Funds 410472 242785 Restricted funds 159859 Total Charlty Funds 410472 402644 The not¢s on the following pages forni part of tbese financial statements Dr Penelope Starns
Friends of Bristol Cathedrnl: ADllualRry 2025 Slatement of Cash Flows for the year ended 31 De¢ember 2025 Casb Flow from OprntiDg Artivilies 2025 2024 Net movement of funds per SOFA 7828 28404 Adjustments for PUTCle of Fixed A5t5 Net ¢ash provided by operaling adivilie 7828 28404 ChaDg¢B in equlvAkDts in the opernting period Cashlcash ¢quivalentS &8 &t 31 December 2024 402644 374240 Net cash PTovid¢d as above 7828 28404 C&shI¢h equivalents &$ at 31 December 2025 410472 402644 io
Frien(Ls of Bri#ol Cathpthl.. Annual R¢t 2025 Notes to the Financial Statements as at 31 December 2025 Basis of Preparation The financial statements have been prep under the historic cost Conventio with the exception of investments. which are included at fair value following the Teconmiendations of the Statement of Recomm¢nded Practice known as FRS 102 (SORP) introduced in 2014 covering charities with a year end after January 2015 Ac¢ounting Poli¢ies a) Income All income is accounted for on a cash basis. Incoming receipts from tax reclaims are included in the SOFA on receipt of funds. b) Fixed Assets The frlends have no ed assets. ¢) Recognition of Liabilities These financial statements recognise all liabilities that the charity bas reSnSIbIlity for. The charity is not aware of any contingent liabilities Resources Expended 3.1 ExF*nditure for rdising fimas 2025 2024 Direct fundralsing expense 3.2 DI¢t CIwAtable ExEKnditurc 2025 2024 Grnnts 64590 3089 Administrative costs 1294 2639 Total Direct Cbaritable EXnse 65884 5728 The Trustees received no remuneration or expenses for Ite¢ activities in the year. 11
Fri¢nth of BTi5tol Cathedrnl. AmIU Report 2025 4. Investments The TnL8t(ts have arranged the following Inveslments with UK Registered Financial InstitutioL8 CBF General fimds deposit alc 389 CBF Lilian Simmons Tn DesIt 21493 CBF Lilian Sinunons fixed interest income shares 20616 CBF Lilian Simmons Income sbares 113516 CBF Church of England Investment fund 222209 Year-end investments are valued in totsl at £ 378223. (2024 £391711) 5. Debtors - £NIL 6. R¢stri¢ted Fund8 Balance 31.12.24 Additions ill year Charge in year Balance 31.12.25 Lilian Simmons fund At the AGM in July 2024, il w&s vot¢d that the Lilian SInons funds will no long¢r be restricted due to a re-reading of the 11. Therefore, from I" January 2025 these funds will no longer be shown &$ restricted. Anatysis of group net 888ets between funds Funds at 31.12.25 are represented by: Unr¢stri¢t¢d R¢stricted Total Funds £ Funds £ Funds £ Bank accounts 32249 32249 Investments 378223 378223 Totsl 410472 410472 Commitments Th¢r¢ are no other commitments that are not recorded in tbe fllwicial statements. 12