## **Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society** 


## **Founded 1869** 

**Registered charity 291604** 

**REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE PERIOD 01 JANUARY 2021 TO 31 DECEMBER 2021** 

## **CONTENTS** 

|**CONTENTS**||
|---|---|
|Charity Information|2|
|Trustees’Report|2|
|�<br>Introduction|2|
|�<br>Organisation|3|
|�<br>Trustee names and responsibilities|3|
|�<br>Objectives and public beneft|4|
|�<br>Achievements and activities|4-7|
|Financial review|7|
|Statement of Financial Ac�vi�es|8|
|Declara�on|8|



_- 1 -_ 



## **CHARITY INFORMATION** 

**Founded:** The Society was founded in 1869 and registered as a charity in 1985. **Charity number:** 291604 

**Governing document:** Constitution adopted on 4 March 1983 as amended on 22 March 1985, 16 March, 1999, 21 March 2006, 10 March 2015, 12 March 2019, 10 March 2020 and 23 March 2021. 

**How the charity is constituted:** Unincorporated charitable association 

**Registered address** : (Honorary Secretary) James Emerson, 108 Sleaford Green, Norwich, NR3 3JT 

**Independent Examiner:** Martyn Benstead, Stephenson Smart, Fakenham 

**Bankers:** Barclays Bank PLC, St Stephen’s Street, 5-7 Red Lion Street, Norwich, NR1 3QH **Website:** www.nnns.org.uk 

**Email:** membership@nnns.org.uk 

## **Social media:** 

https://www.facebook.com/NorfolkNats and https://twitter.com/NorfolkNats 

## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT** 

This report will be published on the Charity Commission’s website, where reports from previous years may also be found. 

## **Introduction** 

The Council of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’Society has pleasure in presenting this Annual Report and Financial Statement for the year ending December 31[st] 2021. Despite restrictions on public meetings due to the pandemic, membership of NNNS has risen steadily throughout the year to 675 members (653 at the end of 2020). Other activities have continued and the Society’s research efforts have expanded significantly, whilst the Membership & Events Committee is in the process of recruiting members to develop a more focused educational role. 

In 2021 several trustees came to the end of their term in office or have stood down as members of Council and I thank them wholeheartedly for their service; Tony Irwin (Research Committee Chairman), Tim Hodge (Assistant Treasurer), Will Fitch (Council member) and Mary Goddard (Council member). We were delighted that Tony Irwin agreed to continue his association with the Society by becoming a Vice President, which was duly approved by the membership. Sincere thanks are also due to Carl Chapman, who stepped down as Society Chairman after four years in the role at the 2021 AGM, but continues on Council as Chairman of the Liaison Committee. 

I remain very grateful for the support and dedication shown by all members of the NNNS Council and, on our members’behalf, thank them. 

Tony Leech (NNNS Chairman) January 2022 

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## **Organisation** 

The key management personnel of the charity are the Trustees, and the Society has no staff. The Society relies heavily on the voluntary work of the Trustees and many other volunteers, who make a vital contribution to the Society and for which the NNNS Council is very grateful. 

Trustees are elected by the membership at the AGM either annually (Officers) or for three-year terms (members with no specific office). Trustees are aided on Council by Vice Presidents. These are members who have made major contributions to the study of natural history and have previously given long service on Council. They are elected for life by the membership and give advice, however they are not Trustees and do not vote at meetings. 

## **Vice Presidents: R.E. Baker, A.L. Bull, R. Hancy, A.G.Irwin** (from 23/03/21), **P.W. Lambley, D.I. Richmond.** 

The Society President is nominated by Council to serve for one year and is a person who has made a significant contribution to the understanding of natural history. **President until 23/03/21: Dr Jeff Price President from 23/03/21: Nick Acheson** 

## **Trustee names and responsibilities** 

The following individuals have held the position of Trustee during 2021. 

|**Name**|**Addi�onal role (if any), with dates in brackets**<br>**if the role changed during 2021**<br>|**Date served as Trustee**<br>**(if not whole year)**||
|---|---|---|---|
|Tony Leech|Chair (from 23/03/21)<br>Publica�ons Commi�ee Chair|||
|James Emerson|Secretary|||
|Francis Farrow|Assistant Secretary|||
|Jim Froud|Treasurer<br>Finance Commi�ee Chair<br>Membership & Events Secretary|||
|Tim Hodge|Assistant Treasurer<br>Finance Commi�ee Secretary|Un�l 23/03/21<br>||
|Tania Evanns|Assistant Treasurer<br>Finance Commi�ee Secretary<br>|From 23/03/21||
|Carl Chapman|Chair (un�l 23/03/21)<br>Liaison Commi�ee Chair|||
|Tony Irwin<br>|Research Commi�ee Chair<br>|Un�l 23/03/21||
|Nicholas Mark Collins <br>|Research Commi�ee Secretary (un�l 23/03/21)<br>Research Commi�ee Chair (from 23/03/21)<br>|||
|Danielle Engelbrecht|Membership & Events Chair|||
|Jo Parmenter|Publica�ons Commi�ee Secretary<br>Liaison Commi�ee Secretary<br>|||
|Janet Higgins<br>|Research Commi�ee Secretary (from<br>23/03/21)|||
|Will Fitch||Un�l 23/03/21<br>||
|Mary Goddard<br>||Un�l 23/03/21||
|Debbie Ashton||||
|Tim Kemp||||
|Trevor Williams<br>||||
|Alice Liddle<br>||||
|Sam Neal||From 23/03/21||



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## **Objec�ves and public beneft** 

The objec�ves of the Society are: 

“ _To promote, organise, carry on and encourage educa�on of the public and study and research for the advancement of knowledge in natural sciences and to protect endangered species_ ” 

To furtherance of the above objects but not further or otherwise the Society may: 

●Publish papers on the natural sciences, especially those rela�ng to Norfolk. 

●Encourage the exchange of informa�on between naturalists by means of mee�ngs and excursions. 

●Protect endangered species by the collec�on of informa�on, coopera�ve surveys, inves�ga�ons and the dissemina�on of the useful results of such inves�ga�ons. 

●Do all such other lawful things as shall further the a�ainment of the above objects. 

The Society was approved as a charity by the Charity Commission in 1985 in the category of “Environment/Conserva�on/Heritage”, and was deemed to benefit the general public as a Society that “ _provides advocacy/advice/informa�on/sponsors or undertakes research_ ” 

In carrying out our ac�vi�es this year the Trustees paid due regard to the Charity Commission guidance on providing public benefit. 

Some of the key ac�vi�es rela�ng to these areas of public benefit in 2021 were: 

- A series of online talks by a range of guest speakers and available free to all 

- Public workshops covering aspects of moth and fungi ID 

- Release of an occasional publica�on on plant galls 

- The establishing of a research library at Whea�en in partnership with the Ted Ellis Trust 

- Commencement of a three-year research programme at the newly created Broadland Country Park north of Norwich. The informa�on gathered will be used to aid the conserva�on of individual species, assemblages and habitats, and also to inform a management plan that will benefit the area for both people and wildlife. 

## **Achievements and ac�vi�es** 

## **Events** 

The only field event to go ahead this year was a joint event in Norwich held in conjunc�on with the Friends of Earlham Cemetery, although a small group were able to meet at Whea�en in August to celebrate the opening of the new research library. We were however pleased to be able to put on a variety of online talks via Zoom, covering topics such as the rewilding project at Wild Ken Hill, ci�zen science, a biodiversity audit of the North Norfolk Coast and Ash dieback disease. Our thanks go to all of the excellent speakers who made these events work, including Carl Chapman, James Brown, Jeff Price, Rob Hawkes, James Gilroy and Daniel Salliss, Dominic Buscall, Sam Neal and Liam Smith, 

_- 4 -_ 



Jonah Tosney and Tom Russell Grant. 

Educa�on of the public about the wildlife of Norfolk is a key aim of the Society and one that you will find running through the ac�vi�es described here. In addi�on to the talks, publica�ons, research and outreach carried out in 2021, “fungi for beginners” and “moths for beginners” workshops were well a�ended, whilst the Society had a stall at the popular Norwich Science Fes�val during their nature and environment day. Over the summer one of the Trustees also led several sessions introducing primary school children to the invertebrate life of Marston Marshes as part of an event organised by Eaton Vale Residents Associa�on. 

We are looking forward to a return to face-to-face events as soon as possible in 2022. 

_Secretary – James Emerson_ 

## **Publica�ons** 

The Society’s annual staples, the _Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report_ and _Transac�ons,_ were produced in 2021 although publica�on of the la�er has been delayed to the early part of 2022. The _Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report,_ slightly larger than usual due to greater use of photographs, is selling well from the usual outlets, with a steadily increasing demand for direct online sales. Nick Owens is stepping down a�er edi�ng _Transac�ons_ for six years; he has done a splendid job in maintaining the academic standards and interest levels in this publica�on which, as well as informing members, is placed in local and na�onal libraries. 

Early in the year we published, as an Occasional Publica�on, _Illustra�ons of Norfolk Plant Galls_ by Robert Maidstone, containing nearly 700 exquisite line drawings by the author. _Emma Turner: a life looking at birds_ has proved to be popular and we are contempla�ng a reprint. Publica�ons on Norfolk whales and the Rev. Maurice Bird are in the pipeline. 

Four issues of the Society’s quarterly bulle�n _The Norfolk Na�erjack_ have con�nued to inform members about Norfolk’s wildlife and I am con�nually grateful to Francis Farrow for his efficient and competent editorship producing such an a�rac�ve and interes�ng publica�on. 

## _Publica�ons Chair – Tony Leech_ 

## **Research** 

The Research Commi�ee plans and implements the Society’s research programme. In February, Dr Tony Irwin stepped down as Chair a�er many years of service and was replaced by Dr Mark Collins. The Commi�ee supports members involved in the Society’s research projects, including the 40 County Recorders and dozen Specialist Groups. It fosters individual or joint inves�ga�ons, keeps records of work and releases results through the Society’s publica�ons. 

In 2021 the Commi�ee closed the four-year project at Buckenham Carrs and the Chair 

_- 5 -_ 



prepared a full report for publica�on with inputs from County Recorders and Specialist Groups. Buckenham Carrs is an important element in the Broads Ramsar Wetland Site and the na�onal network of SSSIs. Its na�onally scarce vegeta�on types and ecological assemblages include many rare plants, birds and invertebrates. Based on thousands of hours of voluntary work, the study iden�fied a creditable 1600 species, but this may represent only a quarter of the total yet to be discovered at this important site. Thanks are due to Malcolm and Thomas Savory for allowing us to work at Buckenham Carrs. 

The Commi�ee selected the newly designated Broadland Country Park for its next priority and entered into a three-year Memorandum of Agreement with Broadland District Council. Following the establishment of a Working Group to liaise with the Park Management, County Recorders, Special Interest Groups and other experts were invited to begin surveys. A topographic map of the Park’s 16 ecological compartments supported detailed studies of invertebrates, vascular and non-vascular plants, and mammals. Scarce species and new records have emerged and a detailed work programme is planned for 2022. The Society is grateful to the Park staff, Sarah Burston and Julia Kennelly, for their support, and to all members of the Research Commi�ee and Working Group for their guidance and advice. 

NNNS member David Weaver was awarded the District Council’s 2021 _Community at Heart Award_ for his dedicated work at the Country Park. 

The Commi�ee par�cipated in the ground-breaking _Barcoding the Broads_ project in partnership with the Earlham Ins�tute and DNA barcoding research will con�nue into 2022. 

_Research Commi�ee Chair – Nicholas Mark Collins MA PhD_ 

## **Liaison Commi�ee** 

The func�on of the Liaison Commi�ee is to establish working rela�onships with other organisa�ons. The opera�ons of a commi�ee that is principally concerned with mee�ng people was once again curtailed by the pandemic. Mee�ngs where possible were conducted by Zoom and just when we thought things were ge�ng be�er the Omicron variant took hold. However, with the efforts of a dedicated commi�ee of Alice Liddle, Trevor Williams, Jo Parmenter and Bob Leaney many rela�onships and opportuni�es were developed during the course of the year. 

The commi�ee sought out and put forward areas and projects for the Research Commi�ee to consider. Factual informa�on was presented on planning issues that protected wildlife within the county and funds were sought out for the development of projects that would revolu�onise bat and bird migra�on monitoring in the county. 

Projects in 2022 that will be coming to the fore concern Roadside Nature Ru�onise bat and bird migra�on monitoring in the eserves and more monitoring and research possibili�es. 

_Liaison Commi�ee Chair - Carl Chapman_ 

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## **Online presence** 

The Society’s website remains our ‘shop window’ to the world and is expertly maintained by Jim Froud. Amongst a wide range of content it includes links to our series of species guides and digitised volumes of our older publications – an exceptional amount of information made freely available. It also now features recordings of some of the online talks given by our guest speakers. 

Social media has become an important way of connecting with both members and the wider public, allowing help with sighting identifications, sharing members’ wildlife sightings and the highlighting of interesting talks and ID resources from other likeminded organisations. The NNNS Twitter account had 916 followers at the end of 2021, whilst the Society Facebook page that functions mainly to promote our events was followed by 775 people. The Norfolk Wildlife Facebook page managed by Andy Musgrove on behalf of the Society now has an impressive 4440 members and is another important way of informing members and other wildlife enthusiasts about the work of the Society. A big thank you to Andy and his fellow Facebook group moderators. 

_Secretary – James Emerson_ 

## **FINANCIAL REVIEW** 

## **Summary** 

Full details of the Society’s accounts can be found on pages 8 and 9. The total cash balance of the Society on 31st December 2021 was £127,223. 

## **Reserves** 

Thanks to the receipt of various legacies in recent years, the Society’s finances are well above the amount required to cover the annual production costs of _Transactions_ and the _Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report_ , so that their publication is independent of the variability in cash flow from subscriptions and sales. Whilst the Society does not currently have a formal reserves policy, one will be proposed and adopted during 2022. 

## **Risk Management** 

In recent years the Society’s main source of income has been via grants and legacies, followed by money from subscriptions. A decrease in membership would lower the amount of money being received, but would also result in savings on printing and postage of publications. The Treasurer, assisted by the Finance Committee, supplies Council with regular updates to allow the Trustees to make informed decisions about planned expenditure. 

## **Plans for the Future Period** 

The Trustees are currently drawing up spending plans for both the short and medium term to ensure that the Society’s money is best used to address our aims. This has already begun with an increase in research spending during 2021 allowing a wide range of initiatives at Broadland Country Park. 

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## **Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society** _**Registered Charity 291604**_ **1st January to 31st December 2021 RECEIPTS** 

|**1st January to 31st December 2021**<br>**_Registered Charity 291604_**<br>**RECEIPTS**|||
|---|---|---|
|**RECEIPTS**|**2021**|**2020**|
|Voluntary sources<br>Subscriptions - (Note 1)<br>Grants / legacies - (Note 2)<br>Donations -(Note 3)|13,818<br>15,951<br>7,472|13,141<br>14,329<br>1,505|
|Trading activities<br>Bird & Mammal Report sales<br>Sales of other publications<br>Other sales<br>Delivery and postage costs - (Note 4)<br>Workshopattendance fees -(Note 5)|2,500<br>973<br>0<br>0<br>30|2,593<br>1,524<br>1,232<br>0<br>90|
|Income from assets<br>Interest|294|526|
|**Total receipts**|41,038|34,941|
|**PAYMENTS**|||
|**PAYMENTS**|**2021**<br>Total|**2020**<br>Total|
|Lectures & meetings<br>Room hire / speakers' expenses<br>Workshops - (Note 5)<br>Programme card printing<br>Exhibitions andpublicity|414<br>0<br>0<br>84|448<br>100<br>309<br>0|
|Publications - (Note 6)<br>The Transactions<br>The Bird & Mammal Report<br>Sales expenses, fees, postage<br>The Occasional Publications|0<br>6,879<br>596<br>3,729|7,542<br>6,497<br>45<br>7,520|
|Membership services - (Note 7)<br>Quarterly Natterjack - (inc. postage & stationery)<br>Postage to members and reminders<br>Paypal fees and welcoming new members - (Note 8)<br>Website|2,904<br>88<br>168<br>103|3,604<br>286<br>119<br>255|
|Research & education<br>Research<br>Education|2,189<br>135|349<br>0|
|Governance<br>AGM expenses: print+post<br>Public liability insurance<br>Consumables, envelopes, labels<br>(Note 9) - 2019 Committee for 150 year anniversary<br>Publication sales postage<br>Committee printing, stationery & postage<br>Sendingaccounts for examination|112<br>655<br>85<br>2,591<br>598<br>0<br>11|402<br>655<br>136<br>865<br>0<br>144<br>0|
|**Totalpayments**|21,342|29,276|





_**Registered Charity 291604**_ 

## **Norfolk & Norwich Naturalists' Society** 

## **1st January to 31st December 2021** 

## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES** 

||**2021**|**2020**|
|---|---|---|
|Start of year balance<br>**Movement in funds**<br>Receipts<br>Payments|107,527<br>41,038<br>21,342|101,863<br>34,941<br>29,276|
|**End of year balance**<br>**Assets at period end represented by:**<br>Cash at Barclays<br>Paypal account unbanked<br>Teachers Saving A/c<br>Unbanked cheques<br>Less uncleared cheques|127,223|107,527|
||28,743<br>166<br>98,314<br>0<br>0|13,273<br>0<br>98,020<br>0<br>-3,766|
|**End of year balance**|127,223|107,527|



## **Liabilities at period end:** 

Expenses incurred in 2021 but not claimed before the year ended, will be paid in 2022 **Notes** 

- 1) At year end we had 675 subscribing members (653 at end of 2020) 2) The Legacy of Barbara Ann Fox was nearly £16,000 

- 3) Note that in 2018 we discontinued to refer to "the Peet Fund" in accounts, the donations are no longer restricted, but we continue to acknowledge the Sarnia Trust, in our printed publications - they donated £7,000 in 2021 (The remaining £472 is the total of 38 other donations.) 

- 4) "Revenue" from PayPal postage was notional and is included in prices 

- 5) Few Workshops were held and no expenses claimed this year 6) Publications costs are listed with postage and packaging included. 

- 7) Natterjack is printed and sent free only to Members. 8) 50 new members joined in 2021 (56 in 2020) 

- 9) Purchase of books for the Wheatfen library. 

_J Froud - Treasurer_ 16/08/2022 











INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S UNQUALIFIED REPORT
NORFOLK AND NORWICH NATURALISTS, SOCIETY
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER 291604
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists,
Society
I report to the trustees on my examinaiion of the accounts of Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists.
So¢ieiy {'the chariiy.) for the year ended 31 December 2021 which comprise the summary of
receipts and payments and the siaien]ent of assets and liabilities.
This report is made solely to the charily's trustees. as a b(Kly, in a¢¢oTdance with Section 145
of the Charlties Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so ihai I might State to the charity's
trustees those matters I am required to stale to (hem in this report and for no other purpose. To
the fullest extent ￿rmItted by law, I do not accepi or assume respon5ibilily to anyone other
than the charity and the charily's trustees as a body. for my work. for thi5 report, or for the
opinions I have fonned.
Responsibilities and basi5 of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the account5 in
accordance with the requlremenls of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act,).
I report in respect of tny examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of
the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all Ihe applicable Directions given
by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act.
An independent examination does not involve gathering all the evidence that would be required
in an audit and consequently does noi cover all the matter5 that an auditor considers in giving
their opinion on the accounts. The planning 4ind conduct of an audit goes beyond the limited
assurance that an independeni exaTninalion can provide. Consequently I express no audit
opinion on the accoun1¥ and my report is limited io those specifjc matters set out in the
independent examiner's staiement.
Independent examiner's statement
I have compleied my exatnination. I confirm thal no material matters have come to my attention
in conneciion with ihe examination giving me cause lo believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were nol kept in respeci of ihe charity as required by section 130 of
Ihe Act. or
> the accounts do not accord with those records.
I have no concems Imd have come across no other mallers in connection with he examination
to which attentlon should be drawn in ihis reFK)rt in order to enable a
nderstanding of
the accounts lo b¢ reached.
Martyn Benstead FCCA FMAAT
Stephenson Smart (East Anglia) Limited
10 Oak Street. Fakenham
Norfolk
NR219DY