WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY CHARITY NUMBER 290284
REPORT AND ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
CHARITY NUMBER 290284 CHARITIES ACT 2011
The trustees present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered charity name Wiltshire Family History Society Charity registration number 290284 Unit 3 Bath Road Business Centre Devizes Wiltshire SN10 1XA
THE TRUSTEES
The trustees who served the charity during the period were as follows: Mr Jerry King Mr Bob Knightley Mr Michael Langtree Mr John Mills Mrs Jenny Pope Miss Jane Syckelmoore Rev Graham Warmington Ms Sue Wight Mrs Persis Wiltshire
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Society is an unincorporated association, administered in accordance with its Constitution and is a member of the national Family History Federation.
There has been no change to the revised Constitution which took effect on 15 September 2018.
A revised version of the Constitution will be presented to the AGM on September 20th 2025 for consideration. The major change will be to increase the number of elected Executive Committee members from 6 to 8.
This is felt necessary because of the reduction of Branch elected members from 6 to 4 due to the closure of the Chippenham and Malmesbury branches .
Like most other Family History Societies the COVID-19 pandemic in the early part of the 2020’s has had a long term effect on the activities of the Society. There are now only four branches which meet at Devizes, Salisbury, Swindon and Westbury. These branches which previously had meetings twice a month now have monthly face to face meetings with some additional meetings held virtually. The Virtual Branch has flourished and proved a useful addition for out of county and overseas members.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
During the year the Society was involved in promoting the ideals and objectives contained in the Constitution. The objectives are:
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To promote and encourage the public study of Family History, Genealogy, Heraldry, and Local History with particular reference to Wiltshire.
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To promote the preservation, security and accessibility of archival material.
In furtherance of the above objectives but not further or otherwise the Society shall have a number of powers including:To promote and to engage in educational activities including the issue of a regular journal and the publication and sale of other appropriate material.
The trustees believe that our activities of preserving, transcribing and publishing original source material in paper form, CD, as downloads, and online, for the benefit of everyone, are within the accepted interpretations of education. The quarterly journal, available to all members, both in paper form and online, contains many informative as well as interesting articles.
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WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (cont.)
Public benefit
We believe that our attendance at national family history events and local shows, together with the publication of our own transcriptions in a variety of formats, which are available to the public, are a realistic interpretation of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. All our branch meetings are open to the public without charge. Similarly the Open Saturdays at the Resource Centre are open to the general public. The data transcribed by the Society over many years which has been placed on the Findmypast website is a further indication of public benefit.
Membership
We welcomed over 100 new members during the last year but more than 200 members did not renew their membership bringing the total members to 1300. This continues the trend of the last few years.
Thanks to our Membership Secretary, Sue Pawlowski, for maintaining our membership database and processing annual payments.
Wiltshire FHS activities at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre (WSHC)
For many years we have been actively involved with the Wiltshire and Swindon Archives, initially at the Archive’s original site in Trowbridge and, since 2007, at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in Chippenham, where the Archives form a component part of the integrated heritage services funded by Wiltshire and Swindon Councils. Our main activity has been to transcribe documents we felt would be of value to family historians with a Wiltshire connection. In 2024 we were asked by the History Centre if we would be able to assist WSHC provide an improved family history advice service, and we were happy to agree to do so as both partners felt that the History Centre’s expertise focuses on the wide range of documents held in Chippenham, and less on the methodology and range of sources employed by family historians.
Four WFHS members initially responded to an appeal for people who lived within travelling distance of Chippenham and felt they might be able to advise others seeking help with their family history searches – or to help them start their journey. Later joined by two other members, our advisers have been given a brief introduction to the range of resources available to them and their potential clients at both the History Centre and at WFHS’s Resource Centre in Devizes. We are very grateful to Paul Cole, Nick Dark, Charles Eldridge, Mike Norman, Ali Palmer, and Jan Pennington for volunteering.
Family Advice service began in July 2024, initially as one session monthly. In January 2025, with additional volunteers, this has now increased to fortnightly, providing support to both casual callers and those booking in advance for a session. In addition, our volunteers are now dealing with email requests for family history assistance, thus freeing WSHC staff time and providing an enhanced service for enquirers.
Quarterly Journal
Our quarterly Journal was published in April, July, October and January.
Bethanie Afton has now stepped down as our Journal Editor after 20 years service. We are greatly indebted to the many hours she has worked to make our Journals such truly professional publications.
Transcribing
The highlight this year has been completion of the transcription and checking of all the Wiltshire parish registers of baptisms and burials. This has been celebrated in our Journal and noted in family history magazines, We were delighted that the WSHC chose to feature this achievement in February 2025 at their annual Volunteers’ Event, where examples of the range of our transcription work as well as other volunteers’ activities were on display.
We currently have 14 transcribers working on Wednesdays or Fridays at the History Centre. Work continues on Jurors’ Lists and Deposition records. Both relate to the Wiltshire Quarter Sessions: the former lists those across the county who were eligible by property qualification to be jurors and the latter, the statements by those accused of crimes or the witnesses to the crimes that would be tried in the courts. Finally, we are delving into Manor Court records, covering some of the surviving records from the 16th to 19th centuries and through which we see families and the properties they own or rent evolve over time.
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WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (cont.)
Coach Trips
In 2024 we offered two trips to members and friends, with contrasting destinations and (initial) weather conditions! Both, however, were well subscribed and made a small surplus for WFHS funds. In April, we travelled to Kew, to the National Archives, enabling potential researchers the opportunity to explore the amazing range of records available to them, or to enjoy the very warm sunshine in Kew Gardens. In July, the focus was not on the documentary records but the buildings our ancestors lived and worked in, when we visited the Weald and Downland Museum. We set off in drenching rain, but luckily this passed and we were able to explore in sunshine the houses of varying periods and status and their associated barns and gardens – and admire horses working the fields. Seeing the physical remains of their surroundings, their tools and equipment helps build a better understanding of our ancestors’ lives and brings us that much closer to them.
Publications
This year was a milestone for us, when we saw the publication of Wiltshire baptism and burial parish register transcripts for the final three parishes, Ludgershall, Ramsbury and Wilton. This brings the total number of parish register transcripts to 302.
We have made the information of these publications available through Findmypast, as well as in print, on CD-ROM and downloads.
Other than parish registers, we also published Alderton Manor Court and Settlement Examinations for Trowbridge 17401829. This was information collated by the former WSHS Archivist Ken Rogers.
With the completion of the parish register project, we then looked at other sources of information that could be made available on-line. In furtherance of our outreach measures, we have reviewed our non-parish records publications, in particular the A4 County series. We are greatly indebted to David Chilton for preparing the transcriptions for publication and loading the data onto our Genfair Stall and Findmypast. Providing information through Findmypast not only makes for a wider readership, but also raises funds for the Society.
Website
Technical enhancements to our website were completed this year including a new menu structure and changes to screen layouts when seen on tablets and mobile phones. Our website can be used by members to view our quarterly journals, order our publications and to keep up to date with latest news. Thanks to our website manager Kevin Hurley for overseeing these changes.
Resource Centre
The Society’s Resource Centre in Devizes is our focal point. It is usually active on one morning a week for administration, printing, and despatch of publications. It is also used regularly by committees, on one Saturday each month for hosting visiting researchers, and on occasion for ad hoc visits. About a half-dozen research queries arrive each month and are answered by a small team using a mixture of Society’s Library and computers, working-at-home, and on occasion the County Archives. The Resource Centre’s storage space is invaluable for holding the stock of sales publications and CDs etc, the supplies needed for sending them out, and the paraphernalia for open days. The Library’s holdings continue to increase, more noticeably in recent years due to the collections of books and research paperwork being given to the Society when family historians, often elderly, no longer pursue the hobby. Each collection requires careful, often lengthy, sifting to ensure that appropriate material is retained or found a suitable home by our Librarian Mike Langtree and Vice President David Weaver.
Presentation
The Society maintains an outreach presence by attending family history shows, whether arranged by other Societies, by a large corporate player, or by the Family History Federation. On these occasions, which are attended by a range of commercial and voluntary groups from the wider world of family history, visitors can meet our team, see our products, receive advice, and possibly become WFHS members. This year we attended five such shows in person and attended three virtual shows. Virtual shows include the same range of participants as real shows, but everyone – whether exhibitor, or lecturer, or visitor from UK or abroad, appears via the internet. In the summer our Swindon Branch hosted our Family History Day and we were joined by neighbouring family history societies. The event was concentrated on North Wiltshire and adjacent counties. It was a success, and in the coming year our Salisbury Branch will host a similar day with a South Wiltshire emphasis.
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WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES (cont.)
Achievements and Performance
Our thanks go to our General Secretary, Jane Syckelmoore and our trustees for their dedication and support over the last year.
The trustees acknowledge the debt the Society owes to the small group of volunteers comprising transcribers, Branch Officers, Journal and Website Officers, all committee members, and the Resource Centre volunteers, who contribute a considerable amount of time to the Society. Without their enthusiasm and support the Society would be less successful in looking after the needs of the members and promoting the objectives of the Society to the public at large.
Our four branches have continued more or less as normal although with sometimes reduced attendances, with Devizes branch continuing to meet only once a month. Swindon branch has changed to one face-to-face meeting and one virtual meeting a month. The Virtual Branch has continued to flourish with increased attendances at the meetings although the possibility of overseas regional virtual meetings did not get off the ground.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Expenditure for the year exceeded income by just over £4000. This was less than that the budgeted overspend. Although this is not ideal for a charity, the trustees believe that the overall financial position of the Society is healthy with a considerable surplus of assets over liabilities. Full details can be found in the accounts section of this report.
The Society has a reserves policy which ensures that there are sufficient funds to cover a minimum of 12 months expenses. At the present time the reserves considerably exceed that figure.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE
As mentioned above, the Society is in a reasonably healthy position even with the steady reduction in membership numbers, due in no small measure because of its financial position built up over a number of years. Whilst there are no plans to increase the annual membership subscription in order to reduce the expected deficit financial situation, donations from existing members would be gratefully received to help us reduce the deficit. The cost of printing and posting the quarterly journal particularly to overseas members is a cause of concern as it often exceeds the annual subscription. Members are encouraged to access the digital copy from our website rather than having a posted copy.
The trustees’ annual report was approved on 5th August 2025 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
Bob Knightley Chairman
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2025.
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
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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 seeking explanations from the 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:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the trustees have not met the requirements:
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to keep proper accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting
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requirement of the Charities Act; or
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to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
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S.E. Brown FCA, CTA
24 August 2025
2 Chancel Way Charlton Kings Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 7RR
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WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
GENERAL UNRESTRICTED FUND
RESOURCES EXPENDED
INCOMING RESOURCES
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charitable activities: | Incoming resources from generating funds: | ||||
| Resource Centre Costs: | Donations and Legacies | ||||
| Rent | 8,000 | 8,000 | Subscriptions | 14,294 | 17,268 |
| Service Charges including Utilities | 2,623 | 2,277 |
Gift Aid | 1,899 | 2,301 |
| Rates | 680 | 637 |
General Donations | 835 | 754 |
| Premises Expenses | 574 | 627 |
Bequests | - | - |
| Computer Maintenance and Security | 687 | 1,243 | Branch Income | 724 | 967 |
| Telephone and Broadband | 675 | 613 | ---------- | ---------- | |
| ---------- | ---------- | 17,752 | 21,290 | ||
| 13,239 | 13,397 | ---------- | ---------- | ||
| Journal Production | 5,119 | 6,254 | Other Trading Activities | ||
| Journal Postage | 5,194 | 4,445 |
Genfair Sales and Postage | 3,519 | 3,406 |
| Journal Editor Costs | 3,377 | 3,308 | Other Sales | 620 | 641 |
| Branch Expenditure | 3,288 | 3,760 | Internet Royalties | 8,083 | 9,848 |
| Open Days WFHS | 488 | 700 | Research | 360 | 500 |
| Open Days other | 645 | 218 | Coach Trips Income | 2,200 | 1,090 |
| Donations | - | 40 | Open Days WFHS | - | 124 |
| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ||
| 31,350 | 32,122 | 14,782 | 15,609 | ||
| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ||
| Raising Funds | Investments | ||||
| Publication costs adjusted for stock | 456 | 1,049 | Interest | 6,149 | 5,373 |
| Publication Postage | 152 | 109 | ---------- | ---------- | |
| Nimrod Royalties | 257 | 229 | 6,149 | 5,373 | |
| Commission on Sales and Postage | 511 | 490 | ---------- | ---------- | |
| Research Costs | 100 | 81 | |||
| Coach Trips Expenditure | 1,755 | 750 | |||
| Investment Manager’s Fees | 44 | 84 |
|||
| ---------- | ---------- | ||||
| 3,275 | 2,792 |
||||
| ---------- | ---------- | ||||
| Governance Costs: | |||||
| Independent Examiner’s Fees | 500 | 500 | |||
| Finance Officer | 2,748 | 2,660 | |||
| FFHS Subscription | 475 | 545 |
|||
| Other Subscriptions | 490 | 280 | |||
| Insurance | 497 | 511 |
|||
| Administration, Postage and Stationery | 438 | 342 | |||
| Membership Postage and Admin Costs | 185 | 270 |
|||
| Advertising | 109 | 150 |
|||
| Website Hosting and Maintenance Costs | 2,371 | 4,547 |
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| Annual General Meeting Costs | 60 | 38 |
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| Travel | - | 15 |
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| PayPal Fees | 188 | 205 |
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| Commission on Subs and Donations | 46 | 60 |
|||
| Depreciation of fixed assets | 152 | 191 |
|||
| Loss on Disposal of Fixed Assets | - | - | |||
| ---------- | ---------- | ||||
| 8,259 | 10,314 | ||||
| ---------- | ---------- | ||||
| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ||
| TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | 42,884 | 45,228 | TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | 38,683 | 42,272 |
| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ||
| NET MOVEMENT OF FUND | - | - | NET MOVEMENT OF FUND | 4,201 | 2,956 |
| ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | ||
| £ 42,884 | £ 45,228 | £ |
42,884 £ 45,228 | ||
| ========= | ========= | ========= ========= |
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WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (cont.)
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| Incoming Resources | ||
| Donations and Legacies | 17,752 | 21,290 |
| Other Trading Activities | 14,782 | 15,609 |
| Investments | 6,149 | 5,373 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| Total receipts | 38,683 | 42,272 |
| ============ | ============ | |
| Resources Expended | ||
| Charitable Activities | 31,350 | 32,122 |
| Raising Funds | 3,275 | 2,792 |
| Governance Costs | 8,259 | 10,314 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| Total expenditure | 42,884 | 45,228 |
| ============ | ============ | |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| Net Movement in Funds | (4,201) | (2,956) |
| ============ | ============ | |
| Reconciliation of Funds | ||
| Net Movement in Funds | (4,201) | (2,956) |
| Total Funds brought Forward | 157,345 | 160,301 |
| -------------- | -------------- | |
| Total Funds Carried Forward | £ 153,144 | £ 157,345 |
| ============ | ============ |
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WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 MARCH 2025
| NOTE | 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIXED ASSETS | 3 | 611 | 763 | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Stock | 4,986 | 5,155 | |||
| Debtors | 4 | 13,635 | 13,165 | ||
| Current Bank Accounts | 2,663 | 3,426 | |||
| Deposit Accounts and Bonds | 133,134 | 139,096 | |||
| Cash in hand | 728 | 465 | |||
| -------------- | ---------- | ||||
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 155,146 | 161,307 | |||
| ---------- | ---------- | ||||
| CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year | |||||
| Creditors and accruals | 5 | 2,613 | 4,725 | ||
| ---------- | ---------- | ||||
| 2,613 | 4,725 | ||||
| ---------- | ---------- | ||||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 152,533 | 156,582 | |||
| -------------- | -------------- | ||||
| NET ASSETS | £ 153,144 | £ 157,345 | |||
| ============ | ============ | ||||
| FUNDS OF THE CHARITY: | |||||
| Unrestricted Fund | 153,144 | 157,345 | |||
| -------------- | -------------- | ||||
| Total Charity Funds | £ 153,144 | £ 157,345 | |||
| ========= | ========= |
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WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (FRS 102).
Recognition of incoming resources
These are included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity becomes entitled to the resource, the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Tax reclaims on donations, gifts and subscriptions
Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered is considered to be part of that donation, gift or subscription.
Recognition of outgoing resources
Expenditure is generally recognised when a liability is incurred.
Stock
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Debtors
Debtors are stated at the amount expected to be recovered.
Liability recognition
Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is legal or constructive obligation committing the Society to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Depreciation policy
Provision for depreciation of fixed assets held by the Society is made at rates calculated to spread the cost less residual value of each asset evenly over its expected useful life. The rates applied are as follows:
Fixtures and Fittings 20% Reducing balance basis Office Equipment 25% Straight-line basis
2. TRUSTEE REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
No remuneration was received in the year by the trustees.
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WILTSHIRE FAMILY HISTORY SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (cont.)
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025
| 3. | TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixtures and | Office | |||
| Fittings | Equipment | Total | ||
| COST | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 36,547 | 9,401 | 45,948 | |
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ||
| At 31 March 2025 | 36,547 | 9,401 | 45,948 | |
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ||
| DEPRECIATION | ||||
| At 1 April 2024 | 35,784 | 9,401 | 45,185 | |
| Charge for the year | 152 | - | 152 | |
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ||
| At 31 March 2025 | 35,936 | 9,401 | 45,337 | |
| ----------- | ---------- | ----------- | ||
| NET BOOK VALUE | ||||
| 31 March 2025 | £ 611 | £ - | £ 611 | |
| ============ | ============ | ============ | ||
| 31 March 2024 | £ 763 | £ - | £ 763 | |
| ============ | ============ | ============ | ||
| 4. | DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Gift Aid | 1,899 | 2,301 | ||
| Accrued Income | 6,220 | 6,779 | ||
| Prepayments | 3,891 | 2,460 | ||
| Other Debtors | 1,625 | 1,625 | ||
| ------------- | ------------- | |||
| £ 13,635 | £ 13,165 | |||
| ======== | ======== | |||
5. |
CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Accruals | 729 | 3,717 | ||
| Income Received in Advance | 1,884 | 1,008 | ||
| ------------- | ------------- | |||
| £ 2,613 | £ 4,725 |
|||
| ======== | ======== |
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