Charity Registration No. 313051
Company Registration No. 01002955 {En9land and Wales)
ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
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COUNCIL'S REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023

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CONTENTS
Pago
Council's report
Independent Examiners report
12
statement of financial actiwties
13
Balance sheet
14
Notes to the accounts
1&22

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COUNCIL'S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees (who are also directors of the Charty for Ihe purposes of the Companies Act) present their report and the
finanoal stalements for Alpine Club Library (the Company) for the year end 31 December 2023 which are also prepared
to meet the requirements for a directors, report for Companies Act purposes.
The accounts comply wth the CharTtses Ad 2011. the Companies Ad 20C6, the Memorandum and Artic188 of Assoriation.
and AGcounting and Reporting by Charilies: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their
accounts in aco)rdance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102)
(effective 1 January 2015).
Qur purposes and general activities
The Alpine Club Library charity's purpose and prinapal acts.vity is to ￿re for and manage the colledions of mountaineering
books, tracts. arthives. artefacts, photographs and paintings owned, in the main, by the Alpine Club, and to make them
available to the public. Based in the Alpine Club's London premises, the Alpine Club Library manages one of the most
signfficant collections of mountain material world-wide which provides an important SOU￿ of reference.
To achieve these purposes, fhe knbrary gains funds by: the sale of duplicate books; the sale of reproduction rights for
photographs., commissions from painting sales,. contributions from members of the public and organisalions who use the
Library", owasional support from grant making bodies and occasional appeals primarily - though not exdusively- to the
Club membership. The Library aciively seeks donations in kind of archives, photographs, paintings and books. We
consider all items for addition to our collections and we also retain duplicates (and triplicates or quadruples) as needed.
We publish a regular list of surplus books for sale- recycling books back into circulation for interested readers. The
acquisition and disposal of rare and importanl book volumes is only carried out in consultstion with the CILJb', a restricted
Acquisitions & Restoration Fund exists for the purposes of acquiring specialist books. There has been no change in
these policies during the year.
In shaping the objectives for the year and planning the activities. the Members of CounrAI have considered the Charity
Commission's guidance on wblic benefft. including the guidance 'Public Benefit: Running A Charity (PB2)'.
Financial review and reserves policy
The results for the year show a SUTplus of £59.455 (2022". deficit £182,801), after accounting for total gains on investmenls
of £54,917 {2022.' losses £206.557)- Realised gains for the year totalled £3,395 (2022= losses £47,562). Unrealised gains
whith are not cash iiems and solely reflect the movem8nt of the investments with regaid to the value of the portfclio at the
y8ar end totslled £51,522 (2022,'105ses £158.994).
Total funds carried forward were £1,457.369 (2022.. £1,397.914) of which £1.299,141 (2022: £1,247,315) were unrestricted
funds, £14,382 (2022: £nil) were designated and £143.846 were restn.cted funds (2022.. £150,599).
It is the policy ofthe charity that unrestrided funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be rnainlained
at a level equivalent to between three and six month's expenditure, which is between £20,000 and £40.000 al current
levels. Th8 trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure Ihat. in Ihe event of a significant drop in funding. thèy
will be able lo continue the charity's current activtbes Whi￿ consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may
be raised. In the event of reseNes nol meeting the required amount to fund the expenditure of the charity, the trustees
have discussed realising some of the Gharrws investments to meet the shortfall. The charity had free reserves of
£1.209.445 at the year end (2022: £1.146.166).
Wrth the authority of the Charity Commissioners. the Libratys investrnents were managed on a discretionary basis by
Quilter Cheviot Asset Management. These investments provide a vttal source of income lo support the salary for our
professional Librarian and the costs of our premises. Investment income for the year was £49,082 (2022: £36.382). The
value of listed investments increased from £1.119.247 to £1.222.862 at 31 December 2023.
Note 14 sets out an analysis of the assets attributable to the various fijnds and a description of the funds held. These
assets are SLJfficient to meet the charitys obligations on a fund by fund basis.

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People and Events
Just as for 2022. physical visitor numbers to the Library remained low during 2023 relative lo historical pr8-Cowd levels.
It seems that the majority of AC members now prefer to do their research and access material online. either through Ihe
website or via emails. As I have previously noled, although this approach is time efficient, I remain convinced that
leasing out key details is often enhanced by a physical visit and firsl-hand perusal of the relevant documents.
Arguably the most momentous event of the year was BaTbara Grigor-Taylorfs decision lo step down from her role as our
Honorary ￿brarIan at the end of the year. Barbara has been a stalwart member of the Library for two decades since
George Band. then Chair of the knbrary CounGil, invited her to become a Trustee in 2004. She then took over responsibility
for the listing and sale of donated duplicate books after the death of Mike Hewson in 2014 and has continued to issue
those listings to AC members ever since. Also in 2014, Batbara was appointed as deputy to Jery Lovatt, taking over many
of his day-to-day duties. especially during the interregnums be￿een Librarians. She was then appointed as Honorary
Librarian in 2016 when Jerry stepped down from that role. Barbara also served on the Club's Propety Sub-committee
during a somewhat fraught period when a move outside London was being contemplated and when architectural plans for
a major revamp of the Charlotte Road premises were submitted for planning consent. During her term as Honorary
Librarian Barbara re-established contact with renowned conservation binder Cyril Titus, who now handles all the Library's
rebinding and conseNation requirements for books. archives and Sor￿ original artwork. Her sales of donated duplicate
books have provided a Mtal source of funding for this essential consetvation work.
Barbara's appointment as Honorary Librarian more-or-less rxjincided with my appointment as a knbrary Trustee after being
involved with the logistics of mounting the major exhibition of AC paintings celebrating the Golden Age of Alpinism in the
Alpine Museum in Chamonix. So, I know from first-hand experience how much time. effort and resolve that she has d8vot8d
to the Library during her long tenure. A recent example of Ihat dedicated effort was the hugely succ8ssful landmark
exhibition Everest by 'those who were there, 1921.1922, 1924, curated by Barbara to commemorale the centenary of the
first reconnaissance expedttion to Mount Everest and the 1922 and 1924 climbing expeditions. exploring the experien￿$
of expedition members as told in their own words and through their arlefacts. Corresponden￿ and artworks. Barbara also
wrote the accompanying catalogue that reproduced every item from the exhibilion. This proved to be such a besl-seller
that the original print run of 300 copies ￿rnpletelY sold out and a seojnd impression had to be published. l am deeply
grateful for her amazing level of supp)rt, and it is therefore my great pleasure to be able to take this opportuntty io Ihank
her profusely for thal on behalf of the Library Council and the whole Library tearn.
Following Barbara's indication that she wished lo step down, the Club
had the unenviable task of seeking a new Honorary Librarian. The post
was adv8rtiS8d wdety to the whole AC membership and a number of
expressions of interest was received. Following a selection and interview
process. the President, on behalf of the AC Committee, was pl8ased to
offer the position to Gordon Tumer. Gordon is uirrently Director of
Clinical Govemance at the West London NHS Trust-, he has had a long
involvement in sports medicine and. amongsl other posts, was
previously the Head of Sports Medicine at Glenmore Lodge. H8 also has
a long-lerm interest in rafe and collectible mountaineering literature. and
has been an AC Library Volunteer since 2016. In fact. it was Gordon's
eagle eye that spotted a copy of Douglas Freshfield's Across Country
from Thonon to Trent for sale in an online auction catalogue in 2021.,
Freshfield's first and rarest book, published in 1865. It tums out that this
was the copy °missing' from the ACL bookshelves, and after many
phone calls and email exchanges the sale was eventually Can￿lled and
this valuable volume reslored lo its rightful place on the reserve shelves
of the Library, where it is nowonce more available forperusal. So, I think
it is fair to say that Gordon has an excellent knowledge of ACL
operations. He is already developing ideas for Library improvements.
and it is a pleasure to welcome him to the Library team.

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Another exijting development during the year was the stsrt of th8 Kapadia Interview project, overseen by Adam
Bulterwcrth and Emma MacDonald, which involved uploading Harish Kapadia's interview archive to YouTube. At the last
count tsventy-five episodes have gone live. including interviews with Chris Bonington, Stephen V8nables, Tamotsu
Nakamura. Bemadette M¢Donald and Tony Streather amongst others. All of the interwews can be viewed via a dedicated
YouTube playlist.
The Kapadia
I ntervieI17
Episcxle I
Chris Bi)ninuion
Tlie Kapadia IntervieTh's
This year the Club revived its photographic compelition. wilh four compètition categories," Alpine Climbing, Mountain
Landscape, AC Gatherings and The Unusual. A tolal of over 100 photographs were subrnttted, and they were judged by
John Cleare. The four winning photographs, together with Iwelve other highly commended images were then printed and
exhibited in the Leciure Room at Charlotte Road as Current AC Photographers during the aLrtumn. Following the
exhibition, the wnning photographs and nine other selected images were reproduced forthe Alpin8 Club 2024 Calendar.
and eight were reproduced in vinyl to strikingty adom the exterior windows in the side wall Df the clubhouse in Mills CourL
2024 Calendar
In October, we were extremely pleased to receive an unsolitited donation of $10.000 from the Chalten Fund of thé Marin
Community Foundation recommended by the Holdfast Collective, which is the new chartlable arm of Patagonia. The
donation was nol allocated for any specrfic purpose. but for 'general operating supporf. After discussion belween the
AC and the ACL, it was used to support the ongoing project to digitise and update the Himalayan Index. It was fell that
this was a worthy cause that both meets the aims of the Foundation aTKI has the potential to be of longstanding benefit
to alpinists and expeditioners globally.

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I reported last year that Library Twslee$ now have a fixed temi of Offi￿ of th￿e years. and it 15 therefore necessary to
appoint or r&appoint several trustees each year. At the 2023 AGM, Trevor Campbell Davis and Barbara Grigor-Taylor
wer8 r8-appointed as Ac-nominated Trustees. The Library and its Keepers continue to make progress towards our
goal of slreamlining and integrating online infom)alion about the collections in order to be able to provid8 a better and
more easily accessible service to members. In particJJlar. there is now a regular feature in the AC Newsletter, The
Bigger Picture, that highlights selected photographs, drawngs. liihographs and olher ariwoTks from the Club's
¢olleGtions. At the risk of reFetilion, I feel I need to reiterate that collections don't get srnaller but inevitably increase in
size over lime. This not only puls continual pressure on spa￿, bul also on the work required lo organise and manage
the holdings. We are therefore always looking for volunteers to help with Custc￿lanShiP of the collections. If you are
inte￿sted in helping out or would like more infommtion about volunteering opportunities. please contact me
(chair.acl@alpineclub.org) or any of the Keeper5. Not only can the work itself be very rewarding, but it also opens the
door lo a truly wondrous world of mountaineering heritage.
Exhibitions
Following the lead of 2022, we also had a full schedule of exhibitions in the Charfotte Road Lecture Room in 2023.
John Colton= Over Ihe Hill
The year started with John Cdlon's Over the Hill. which ran from Febnjary to April. This evocative exhibition paid
hornage to John's long and rith career as a dimber and painter. Indeed, as a peintre-alpiniste in the best sense of the
term, John Colton's pictures rnatched the (zlibre of his many climbs in technical tems. His caieful use of while
gouache {or body¢xlourl. for example, in his A5 sketchbook-sized paintings, suggested he was a far more Competent
practitioner than perhaps acknowledged by the light-hearted exhibition ti￿e. Lots of the w0￿S on display were also
accompanied by memorable anecdotes of mischief and of antagonrzing the authorities whilst climbing. This made for a
rewarding insight inlo John's approath to both his climbing and his painting and, yet, despite an obvious attempl to
look back and review a life in the mountains and the inevitable accompanying nostalgia. John's pictures always felt
fresh and relevant. In conveying strong memories of various cols, summits and ridges, many of the pictures favoured a
light, cheerful palette. Above all. Over the Hill revealed a great love of the suty'ect.
AÈEUIIk￿ byjohn ColrD
the WalkerSFvff byjohn Colton
Heather Dawe. No substan￿ but Light
A few of the pictures in this compelling exhibition by the poet and painter Heather Daw8, which ran from May to July,
were a first of their kind to be shown at the Alpine Club. Using a synthesis of preparatory sketches and the application
of Artificial Intelligence, the 'ridge' drawiros were unusual and thought provoking. As a specialist in implementing Al into
industy, Heatherfs works were a deliberate attempt to see how the lines would blur be￿een the human hand and
technology. Other paintings represented the Canadian Alps, the Himalaya. the Alps and. closer to home, the Highlands
and the Lake District. Together with the Al pictures, the other therne Heather was keen to explore through her work on
display was the power of'going places in my nNnd' as she summarized it. The sense of memory and even dream came
across in her mountain-scapes and, doublless, a reminis￿nCe from the lockdown peried. Heathels painting of Nanda
Devi, a mountain she is looking forward to seeing in person. was a perfect Éxample of this blend of imagination and
sense of longing.

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Current AC Photographers
In 2023, the Alpine Club held a photographic competition among its membership to seek out the best mountain
photography from the past five years wthin four competition calegories: Alpine Climbing. Mountain Landscape, AC
Gatherings and The Unusual. A lotsl of 113 photographs were submitted by 31 members, and th8 four winners were
selected by professional photographer and AC member John Cleare. The Viinners were., lan Welstead approaching the
North-west Summit of Mount Waddington, Canadian Coastal Mountains by Simon Richaidson, sgU￿ a'mhadaidh
Ruaidh. Trottemish, Skyeby Andrew Moore, Regroup on the Windjoch, Saas Feeby Nathan M¢)ore. and Lac Noirsummit
fishing by Tim MacLean, respectively. The four winning photographs, together with ￿e1ve other highly commended
images and a number of historic monochrome photographs from the Club's collection were exhibited in th8 Lecture Room
at Chadotte Road as Current AC Photographers during the autumn, curated by Bernie Ingrams.
elrtead iFprojeh￿r_ thcNo
cfblOT￿t

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James Hart-Dyke: Mont Blanc - The Summil Paintings
In July 2022, the landscape painter James Hart-Dyke set out to dimb Mont Blanc via the ancien passage. better kn¢Jwn
today as the Grands Mulets route. The aim of the exFedition was to emulate as closely as possible the conditions under
whi¢h Gabriel Loppé made his now well-known 'sunseV summit pictures on August 6th 1873. as witnessed by Leslie
Stephen and beautifully written up in The Playground of Europe. Since Loppé's time no artist had hilherto painted on the
summit of Mont Blanc and, therefore, accompanied by William Mitchell (AC Keeper of Pictures) and a retinue of guide5
and Loppé enthusiasts, the dimb was mounted and expertty led by erstsvhile French dimbing legend, Christophe ProfiL
150 years on, James Hart Dyke managed to complete two oil sketches on the summit between 8.30 and 9.45pm on that
dear but Cold summe¢s night. These tsvo pictures formed the ￿ntrepieCe of Mont Blan¢ - The Summit Paintings. our
final exhibition of the year, which featU￿d several olher oil studies painted on the spot during the climb made on foot
there and back from Chamonix. A number of much larger fomiat canvases. subsequently painted in James's studio,
further enhanced this wonderful exhibition.
badow of Mont B]aDC
psititedfro￿ th< summit" by
'i¢$ Pdixs
by ja￿¢5 Hart-DyLe
ColleGtions
Further iNJoks from the collection of J.H. Emlyn Jones (AC President 1979-1982) were donated to the Library by his
widow Louise. These included a number of volumes inscribed to him from George Band. Bernard Pierre and John Hunt.
Archives donated from his personal library included his diary from the 1950 Annapuma Himal exp8dition led by Bill
Tilman, Jock Harrison's diary from the 1938 Masherbrum expedilion and Amold Lunn's diary of his clitnbs in 1902 and
1903. The entire Emlyn Jones collection now features under his name in the online Library catalogue.

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Over the year, conservator Cyril fitus undertook ten major restoration projects, all fvnded by proceeds from the sale of
donated duplicate books. Amongst them were the three diaries from J.H. Emlyn Jones, library and a large volume of AC
Minutes. The latter was simply too large and too awkward to handle and read. So. it has been re-bound into three more
manageable volumes. This is part of an ongoing project to restore all historic AC Minut6 books for 8asier use and
reference.
The Honorary Arthivist, Glyn Hughes, has collected the remaining material from the Eileen Healey archive that relates
to Cho Oyu. This is a substantial amount of matertal, and will require sunificant ediling to select Ihe ffH)st appropriate
material for scanning. He has also received a tranthe of letters from John Porter relating to the 1953 Everest expedition.
These were written by Shiplon, Odell, Tilman and Hunt to Glen Denny, an American joumalist researching an article on
Eric Shipton for the journal Quest. Signtficanlly. we have also been offered the complete Wilfred Noyce archive. This
includes his diaries from expeditions to Everest. Trivor and Machapu¢harè. The material is currently held by a r81atlV8 in
Windsor, awaiting collection and delrvery to Chartotte Road.
We reported last year that the mountaineering photos of the late Rick Allen had been bequeathed to AC Member Roy
Lindsay who had loaned them to the AC for copying before Ihey are eventually deposited into the archives ofthe Scottish
Mountaineering Club and the National Library of Scotland. However, during the process of sorting and scanning, it was
discovered that many of the images of Nanga Parbal accredited to Rick Allen had actually been taken by Sandy Allen.
As a result, Bemie Ingrams and Peter Payne are engaged in the pror2ss of trying to resolve this issue for accreditation
and copyright purposes.
Interest in the pictures from the AC collection displayed on ArtUK and The Watercolour World continues to increase. with
our presence on ArtUK providing a small but steady income stream that hèlps to pay for conseNation of the picture
collection. In that context, during May we consulted Apelles Fine Art Servic*s about deaning Robert Collierfs large
painting of the Argentière Glacjer. It was duly removed from the wall next to Ihe bar and sent to the restorer Paola
Bernardi in West London. Thanks to the Victorian fad for glazing paintings, Paola was able to confimi that the picture
had never been touthed Sin￿ it was painted over 150 years ago. Behind the glass a thick film of grime. mostty tobacco
smoke and dust, had built up on the canvas overlaying an oxidised and yellowed vamish. Once this was removed the
colours regained their original intensity and the Collier retumed in September wholly transformed. It now sits
resplendently overlooking the bar once again.
TO￿ Bo￿.allIOn'S
ic¢-axe

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Nigel Buckley, Keeper of Artefacts, was excited to be offered Tom Bourdillon's ice axe and alpine guidebooks by David
and Kevin Fif2gerald. They are son5 of AC member Frank Fitzgerald who worked with Tom at the Rocket Propulsion
Establishment in Westcott. The ice axe was manufactured by Alfred Bhend of Grindelwald and is believed to hav8 been
used by Bourdillon on the 1953 Everest expedition.
It is always good to end on a high note, and l am deligmed to ￿port that the Mathews Monument has at last been moved
from its old location OLrtside the old Couttet Hotel in Chamonix. craned over the moraine ridge. and now sits on a much
more prominent site on the approach road to the raihvay station. This is the result of a prolonged three-year pro￿5$ of
negotiation wlh the Chamonix authorities that has called upon all the diplomatic skills of Charlie 8urbridge, our lactful
Keeper of Monuments. The move was treated as a major event by the Mayor of Chamonix, and enthusiastically driven
by Claire Burnett ofthe Chamonix Inforrnation Office, to such an extent that the Mayorfs offi￿ paid all the removal costs.
For our part, the AC has paid for the deaning of the monument and restoration of the inscription. As a result, it now
appears in the natural colour of the local granite from which it was hewed rather than being draped in its previous dingy
black, probably coal-fired, coat. Originally. the monument was dedicated lo the memory of C.E. Mathews, a founding
member of the AC. but has now been rededicated to also represent the shared history and comradeship belween
Chamonix and the Alpine Club. The Mayor has organised an official ￿rernonY for 5pm on Saturday the 6th of July. where
he will unveil the monument in its reslored state. The Chamonix authorities are keen to assemb18 as many members of
the AC and also the local British community, in addition to the great and good of Chamonix, for the event.
The cleaned and
I￿05.￿tea fvIatheTh-.s Monillnent
on its lle￿.- site on the road
froin the raiIiiy statiou ia
Chajnonix.

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End Not
As a￿aYs, l end this report by expressing my deep gratitude to everyone in the Library team. Librarian, Trustees,
Keepers, Members and Volunleers, who again gave their lime so generously and ungrudgingly throughout the year.
Thanks also to everyone who supplied me with the details of activities needed to compile this report" and especially to
William Mttchell for his delailed 8xhibitii)n reports.
Philip Meredith
Chair ofthe Council of Trustees of the Alpine Club Library
May 2024
Reference and administrative detalls
Charity number:
Company number:
Registered Offi￿..
Company secretary..
313051
01002955
55 Charlotte Road. London. EC2A 3QF
Profess￿ Philip Meredith
Our advlsers
Independent Examiners and Auditors
TC Group
Bankers
Natwest Group
Investmenl advisors
Quiller Cheviot Limited
Honorary solicitor
P G C Sanders
Members of Council
The directors of the charitable company (the charity) are its trustees for the purpose of charity law.
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since Ihe year end were as foll(Y￿s.
Professor Philip Meredith (Chairman)
Barbara Grigor-Taylor
Kimball Morrison
Robin Ashcroft
Trevor Campbell Davis
Alan Henderson
Stephen Venables

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Structure, govemance and management
Alpine Club Library is a company limited by guarantee govemed by its Memorandum and Articles of Assttiation dated
22 February 1971.11 is ￿gIStered as a tharity with the Charity Commission.
The Library is managed by a Council of Trustes, comprising five members nominated by the Alpine Club, one by the
Royal Geographical Society and one by the British Mountaineering Council. Day to day book library operations are in
the care of a salaried professional librarian who works dosely with the Honorary Librarian. Other collections are
managed by our volunteer Honorary Ke8pers and Honorary Archivist.
Nonè of th8 Members of Council has any benefictal interest in the (￿mpanY. All of the Members of Council are members
of the company and guarantee lo contribute £5 in the event of a winding up. The Members of Counal ar8 fully aware
of their responsibilities as Trustees of the charity.
Risk
The Board of Trustees holds overall reSp￿sibIlIty for Risk Management for the organisation and has conducted a
review of the major risks to which the organisation is exposed. Consequently and wher8 appropriate, systems or
procedures have been eslablished lo manage the risks that the Charity faces.
Appreclation
Finally, I cannot end this report without expressing gratitude to everyone in the Library Team and to all the
Volunteers who gave their time so ungrudgingly throughout the year. Without your efforts the ACL could not
function. Thankyou!
We aro open to the public 46 weeks of the year
The Library opens to the public on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (except during August and the Christmas- New
Year weekl, but please email to check, particularly if travelling from afar. Appointments are possible on other
days by prior arrangement with the Librarian. Some of our historic items are only available by appointment. The
catalogues of Books and Archives, and the Himalayan Index (which lists all summits and climbs in the Himalayas)
can also be accessed via the Alpine Club website. We always look forward to welcoming visitors.
ststement of the Members of Council's responsibilities
The directors, who constiiule the Exe¢uh've Committee. are responsible for preparing the Report and the finanaal
statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally
Accepted Accounting practi￿).
Company law requires the Executive Committee to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair
view of the state of the charitable company and of Ihe incoming reSoUr￿S and appli¢2tion of resources, induding the
income and expendilure. of the charitable company for Ihat year.
In preparing these accounts, Ihe EX￿Ul1Ve Commitlee is required lo:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently"
obs8rve the methods and principles in the Charilies, SORP:
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and pnjdent.,
state whelher applicable UK accounting standards have been foll1￿ed, subject to any material d8partures
disclosed and explained in the financial ststements- and
p￿pare the financial statements ￿ the going ￿ncern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Gharitable
company will continue in business.
io

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The Executive Committee is responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable
accuracy al any time the financial position of the charrty and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the
Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding Ihe assets of the charity and hen￿ for taking
reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other I￿egulatI11es.
The report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Ihe Companies Act 2006 relaling to small
companies.
On behalf of the board of Member5 of Council
Professor Phlllp Meredith (Chaimian)
Counal
10.10.2024
Dated..
li

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF COUNCIL OF ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
I report to the tharity tNstees on my examination of the accounts of the Charitable Company for the year ended
31 De￿mber 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the Charttable Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are
responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Compani8s Act 2006
('the 2006 Act,).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of Ihe Charilable Company are not required to be audited under Part
16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for irmlependent examination. I report in respect of rny examination of your
charity's accounts as ￿rried out under section 145 of the Charities Ad 2011 ('the 2011 Act.). In cArrying out my
examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) Ib) of the 2011
Ad.
Independent examinerfs statement
have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in conn8Ction wth the
examination giving me cause to believe:
accounting rewrds were not kepl in respect of the Charitsble Company as required by section 386 cf
the 2006Act', or
2. the accounts do not accord wtlh those records" or
3. the accounts do not comply wilh the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2CK6 Act other than
any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view whith is not a matter considered as part of
an independent examination- or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the method5 and principles of the Statement
of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by chariti8S.
I have no concems and have come across no other matters in conTrectyon 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.
,.Gf4
Mr Mark Cummins FCCA FCIE
for and on behaff of
TCGroup
The Courtyard
Shoreham Road
Upper Beeding
Steyning
West Sussex
BN44 3TN
Dated..
I I crlbla4( qcQ
12

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
(INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Unrestrlcted Designated Restricted
funds
Funds
funds
Total
2023
Totsl
2022
Income from:
Donalions and legacies
Other trading activities
Investrnent income
8.213
17.730
41.082
509
10.275
8.722
28.137
41,082
7,121
21,217
38,382
132
Total Income
67.025
10.784
132
77,941
64,720
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities-
"brary operation
8A95
8,495
8.872
50.574
6,885
64,908
32,092
Total expenditure
59.069
7,449
6,885
73,403
40.964
N8t gainslOos8) on investments
10
54.917
S4.917 (206.557)
Transfers ba￿een funds
(11,047)
11,047
Net movement in funds
51.826
14,382
16,753)
59.45S (182,801)
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
1.247,315
150.599 1,397,914 1,580,715
Total funds carried forward
15
1,299,141
14,382
143,846 1,457,369 1,397.914
The statement offinancial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure awount
under the Companies Act 2006.
All income and gains for the pericrfj are recognised above. All of the activities are dassified as continuing.
13

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
BALANCE SHEET
AS A T 31 DECEMBER 2023
2023
2022
Notes
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Investments
100,743
1.222.862
101,149
1,119,247
10
1.323,605
1,220.396
Current assets
Debtors
Cash at bank and in hand
11
995
147.939
1.095
179.837
148.934
180,837
Creditors: amounts falllng due
within one year
12
(1&170)
(3,414)
Net current assets
133,764
177,518
Total assets less current liabilitles
1,457,369
1,397,914
Funds of the charity
Restricted funds
13
143.846
150,599
Unrestricted general funds
15
1,299,141
1,247.315
Unrestrictsd designated funds
14
14,382
1.457,369
1,397,914
The directors are r8sponsible for ensuring that the charitable company keeps aixounting records which comply
wilh section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and for preparing financial statements which give a true and fair
view of the state of affaits of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its result for
each year in a(xordance with the requirements of section 396 of the Act and which oth8twise compty with its
requirements. so far as applicable to the chariLqble company.
The directors acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to
accounting records and for the preparats.on of amnts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to Ihe
stnall companies, regime.
The accounls were approved by the Board on 10.10.2024
Professor Phllip Meredith (Chalnnan)
Council
Company Raglgtration No. 01002955
14

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE}
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Legal status ol Charltable company
Alpine Club Library is a charitable Company. limited by guarantee. registered in England and Wales. The
charitable company's registered rwjmber and registered office can be found in the Council's reporL
In the evenl of the charity being wound up, the liabilrty in respect of the guarantee is limited to £5 per mernbér
of the charity.
Accounllng policies
Basls of preparation
The a￿ountS have been prepared in accordance with Acwunting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of
Recommended Practi￿ applitsble to charities preparing their accounts in accordan￿ with the Financial
Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 20151
(Charities SORP (FRS 102)). the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland
(FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2(K)6.
Alpine Club Librdry meets the definitM)n of a public benefit entty under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are
initially recognis8d al historical CL)St or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounling
policy note(s). There are no material uncertainties aboui Alpine Club Library's ability to continue as a going
concern.
The functional ujrrency of the charity is pounds sterling. Items are rounded to the nearest pound.
Income
Income is derrved from the promotion. support and Maintenan￿ of a rr•)untaineering library.
Primary income generating activities being the sale of duplicate books. the sale of reproduction rights for
photographs, commissions from painting sales alongside donations. Income from these activities is
rewgnised when the proceeds are realised.
All incoming resources are induded in the Ststement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled
to the income and the amount can be quanttfied wth reasonable accuracy.
Investment income is accounted for when receivable.
Expenditure
Expendiiure is aC￿Unted for on an accruals basis with the irrecoverable element of VAT included with the
item of expense to whth il relates.
Charitsble adivity costs are those costs incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objert5 of the
charity.
Govemance cosls include those ￿)$1$ associated with meeting the ¢onskn'tLrtional and statutory requirements
of the charity and indude independent examination fees and costs linked to the slrategic management of
the charity. These are shown within support costs.
Fund accounting
Funds held by the charity are either:
Restrided funds - these are funds subject to specifiG conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.
Unrestricted general funds - these are funds which can be used in ac￿rdance with the charitable obieds
at the discretion of the Members of Council.
15

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Accounting policles Icontinued)
Fund accounting (continued)
Unrestricted designated funds- Ihese are unrestrided funds that have been ring fenced by the Trustees for
projects and causes.
The pu￿SeS and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the accounts.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
DepreGiation is provided on tangible fLxed assets in use at rates to rnlculated to write off the cost of each
asset over its expected useful lrfe, as follows:
Fixlures, ffttings & equipment
Over 4 years
No depreciation has been provided on the paintings, as the directors consider that the nalure of Ihese assets
can only appreaate in value.
Investments
Investments are included at fair valu8 at the balance sheet date. Any gain or loss on revaluation is taken lo
the Statement of Financial Activitses.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discounts offered.
Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any Irade discounts due.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand indLKles cash and short term highly liquid investments. The Iruslees seek to use
short term deposits where possible to maximise the return on monies held at the bank and to manage cash
Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the tharity has a present obligation resulting from a past
event that VAII probably result in the transfer of funds to a third paty and the amount due to settle the
obligation can be measured or eslimated reliably.
2.10 Cash Flow Statement
In accordan￿ with the Charities SORP (FRS 1 (f2) the charity is claiming exemption from th8 requirement
to prepare a cash flow statement on accourrt of it being a small tharity.
2.11 Forelgn currency
Assets and liabilihes in foreign currencies are translated inlo sterling at the rates of exchange ruling at the
balance sheet dale. Day to day transactions in foreign currenaes are inrtially recorded at the rates of
exchange prevailing on the dates of the transactions. Exchange differences are taken into account in arriving
at the operating resuli.
2.12 Estlmates and judgements
Eslimates and underlying assum￿l0nS are reviewed by trustees on an ongoing basis. Revisions to
accounting estimates are recognised in the period in whith the estimate is revised.
The trustees do not consider that there are any rJitical estimates or areas of judgement that need to be
brought lo the attention of th8 readers of the financial ststements.
16

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS {CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Taxation
The charitable company is registered as a charity and all of its incom8 falls within the exemptions under Part
11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010.
Comparativg funds- Ststement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31 December 2022
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Total
2022
Income from..
Donations and legacies
Other trading activities
Investment incoffle
7,121
21,217
36.382
7,121
21,217
36,382
Total income
64,720
64,720
Expenditure on:
Raising fund5
Charitable aclivilies
Library operation
8.872
8.872
31.056
1,036
32.092
Total expenditure
39,928
1.036
40,964
Net gains on investments
(199,728)
(6.829)
(206,557)
Net movement in funds
(174.936)
17,865
(182,801)
Reconclliation of funds
Total funds brought forward
1,422.251
158,464
1,580,715
Total funds carried forward
1,247.315
150,599
1,397,914
Investment Income
2023
2022
Income from listed investments
41.082
36,382
41,082
36,382
17

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Expenditure
Staff
Other
Total
Total
co8ts
costs
2023
2022
Ralslng funds
Investment managernent
fees
8.495
8,495
8,872
Charitsble activitles
Library operation-
Activities undertaken
directly
Support costs
33.760
27.308
61.068
30,052
2.040
Total charitable activities
33,760
31,148
64,908
32,092
Total expenditure
33,760
39,643
73.403
40,964
Support cosls indude governan￿ costs which comptise payments to the Independent Examiner of £3,840 for
Examination Fees (2022.. £2.040). Other costs indude depreciation of £406 (2022: £405).
Members Of Councll
No Trustees received any remuneration during the year. During the year four trustees were reimbursed
expenditure totslling £2,416 (2022: four trustees were reimbursed expenditure totalling £2,278).
Employees
Number of employees
The average monthly number of empk)yees during the year was:
2023
Number
2022
Nurnber
Administration staff
Employment costs
2023
2022
Wages and salaries
33,760
4,046
33.760
4,046
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more in 2023 or 2022. The tmstees are
the key management and were not remunerated during the period or previous year.
18

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Tangible fixed assets
Palntlngs
Flxtures,
flttlngs &
equlpment
Total
Cost
At 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023
100,000
4.626
104,626
Depreclation
At 1 January 2023
Charge for the year
3,476
3,476
At 31 December 2023
3,883
3,883
Net book value
At 31 December 2023
100,000
743
100,743
At 31 December 2022
100,000
1.150
101,150
10 Flxed asset inveslments
Llsted
Investmonlg
Fair value at 1 January 2023
Disposals at opening book value
Acquisitions at cost
Change in value in the year
1.119,247
{147.064)
199,157
51,522
Fair value at 31 December 2023
1.222,862
The investment assets are held:
IntheUK
Outside the UK
847,421
375,441
1,222,862
Historical cost:
At 31 December 2023
943,737
At 31 De￿rnber 2022
862,791
19

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
10 Fixed asset investments
(contlnued)
Gain on investment assets tolalling £54,917 (2022: loss £206,55n are shown the Statement of Financial
Activities comprising a gain on disposal of investments of £3,395 (2022: loss £47.562). unrealised gain on
investments of £51.522 {2022: loss of £158,994).
11 Debtors
2023
2022
Trade debtors
Other debtors
995
1.095
995
1,095
12 Creditors: amounts falllng due within one year
2023
2022
Trade creditors
Accwals
11.330
3,840
174
3,240
15,170
3,414
13 Restricted funds
The income funds of the charrty include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of
donalions and grants held on trust for speciFic purposes..
Balance at
1 January
2023
Balance at
Gainsl 31 December
Ilosses)
2023
Incoming
resource5
Resources
expended
Himalayan Index Fund
Acquisition Fund
Librarian Fund
Pictures & PreseNation Fund
4,278
10,335
35,986
100.000
4,278
10.335
29,233
100,000
132
(6,885)
150,599
132
{6,885)
143,846
20

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
13 Restricted funds
(continued)
The Himalayan Index Fund is used to maintain the diaritys daiabase which stores data on aS￿nIS of, and
attempts on. mountsins over 6,000 metres.
The Acquisition Fund is used to facilitate the purchase, at short notice, ary special item which comes on the
market.
The Librarian Fund is used to fund one day a week of the staff costs of the pemianent librarian.
The Pictures and Preservation Fund relates to 3 specific Ruskin paintings donated by Dr Charles Warr8n.
14 Designatsd funds
Th8 income funds of the charity include designated funds comprising the following unexpended balan￿$ of
donations and grants held on trust for speafiG purposes..
Balance at
Balance at
1 January Incoming
2023 resources
ReSou￿e5
expended
Transfers 31 December
2023
Keeperfs Fund
10.784
(7,449)
11.047
14,382
10,784
(7,449)
11.047
14,382
The Keepels FurKI is used lo ring-fence funds to drectly support the activrties of our keepers. Incoming
resources represent income generated by keepers throughout the year.
15 Analysis of net assets between fundg
Unrestrict
ad funds
Deslgnated Restricted
funds
funds
Total
Fund balances at 31 De￿mber 2023 are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Currenl assets
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
743
1,222.862
90.706
(15,170)
100,000
100.743
1,222,862
148,934
(15.170)
14.382
43.846
1,299.141
14,382
143.846
1,457,369
21

ALPINE CLUB LIBRARY
(LIMITED BY GUARANTEE)
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
15 Analysis of net assets between funds
(continued)
Deslgnated Rostricted
funds
funds
Unr85trict
ed funds
Total
Fund balances at 31 December 2022 are represented by:
Tangible fixed assets
Investments
Current assets
Creditors". arnounts falling due within one year
1.149
1.126,076
122,468
{2.378)
1CD.000
(6.829)
58.464
(1,036)
101,149
1,119,247
180,932
(3,414)
1.247,315
150,599
1,397,914
16 Related parties
Th8 Alpine Club is a relaled party to the thanty as it has the pthver to appoint 5 members of the Council of the
Alpine Club Library.
During the year the charity paid rent & ser41￿S of £17,500 to the Alpine Club (2022.. £17.500). The Alpine Club
made donations lo the charity during the year of £17.500 {2022 £17,500). At the balancé sheet date the Alpine
Club Library owed £nil (2022.. £1.995) to the Alpine Club.
17 Control
The charity is under the control of the b08rd of Irustees. No one member has overall control.
22