2024-12-31-accounts - Scientific Instrument Society

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SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT SOCIETY Report to the Charity Commission

2024

1. INTRODUCTION

OBJECTS

In the interest of the public benefit and education, the objects of the Society are the promotion and advancement of the knowledge of the history of scientific artifacts and their preservation.

POLICIES

The main policy of the Society is to provide the infrastructure to gain its objectives and in approved cases to provide financial assistance by which its members and others may benefit in some aspect of their activities whilst helping to achieve the objects of the Society.

To achieve this overall policy, the Society maintains a worldwide membership, issues the Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society, holds regular meetings and conferences, and contributes where appropriate to debate on issues concerning the objects of the Society. In terms of direct financial benefits, membership for students is subsidised and grants are made to individuals for research work related to the Society's aims.

GOVERNANCE

The society was formed in 1983 and is a registered UK charity, number 326733. It is regulated by a written constitution last amended in 2024 (8.2 tenure reworded: ‘Officers listed in paragraph 8.1a shall retire annually at the AGM but shall be eligible for re-election. Should a member be standing for election to the office of Chairman, Vice-Chairman or Secretary for more than 5 years in succession, this term extension must be approved by the Membership at the AGM’. The appointment and induction of new trustees is carried out as appropriate to the needs and best interests of the society.

ORGANISATION

The controlling body of the Society is its Committee in which several members hold designated posts (e.g. Treasurer) and which includes up to seven ordinary members of the Society. Elected Members of the Committee are the Trustees of the Society during their terms of office. (The Committee may co-opt other members of the society but these co-opted members are not Trustees of the Charity.) There is an Executive Officer responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Society; this post is provided under contractual terms and is reviewed annually. No member of the Committee receives any remuneration for services to the Society but expenses may be paid in approved instances.

ACCOUNTING

The Society is not obliged to have a full audit of the accounts, and therefore the Committee has chosen to have the accounts examined. For this year the examination was carried out by Hunter & Co. Chartered Accountants.

Accountant Hunter & Co. Chartered Accountants 415 Blackburn Road, Bolton, BL1 8NJ

Bankers Lloyds Bank plc, Commercial Banking, P.O. Box 1000, BX1 1LT

2. REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

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Charity Report 2024

The 40[th] Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 15[th] July 2024 at 6pm at The British Optical Association Museum, 42 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NG and via Zoom.

The following elections were made:

Officers Chairman Neil Handley Vice Chairman David Howarth Treasurer David Howarth Editor Willem Hackmann Secretary Alison Boyle Meetings Secretary Vacant

Ordinary Committee Members

Nicolás de Hilster (Website); Michael Stewart (Advertising and Marketing); Alex Rose (Grants)

OTHER MEETINGS

On 9[th] and 10[th] March 2024, the Society was able to complete our long-held ambition of visiting Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, in Northern Ireland. Postponed numerous times by the pandemic, we finally made it and thoroughly enjoyed our exploration of the site and collections, courtesy of Professor Michael Burton and his team. Carol Conlin at Armagh Robinson Library also made us very welcome with an excellent visit to the historic collections on the Sunday morning.

The Annual Summer Study Tour took place in mid-May to Istanbul, assisted by a local member host, Dr. Taha Arslan, Professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University, along with the support of his students, Beyza Topçuoğlu and Afra Akyol. Members enjoyed a fabulous programme with visits to numerous venues, including the Rahmi Koç Museum, Museum of the History of Science and Technology in Islam, Kandilli Observatory (astronomy, seismology and meteorology) and a beautiful exhibition at the Pera Museum on the history of weights and measures. Having the opportunity to make a behind-the-scenes visit to Taha’s astrolabe workshop was a real highlight! There were 16 delegates from the UK, USA, Denmark, Italy and the Netherlands.

The Society’s AGM took place on Monday 15[th] July at at 12.30pm at The British Optical Association Museum, 42 Craven Street, London WC2N 5NG and via Zoom. It was attended by 27 people (19 on Zoom)

The Society continued with the monthly online lecture series for our members ‘Fireside Chats’, which proved to be a great way to stay connected with our international members. Eight talks took place with approximately 20-40 members attending each event. Our speakers spoke on a range of topics including Irish scientific instruments, the Bakken collection, College Heights Weather Station, the mythology of Marconi’s cigar box, and, in a very timely manner, the Greek School teaching collections located in Istanbul, which some of us were able to visit in person.

On Friday 8th November the Society’s 12[th] Gerard Turner Memorial Lecture in honour of the Society’s first President and founding Chairman took place at the History of Science Museum, Oxford, followed by a dinner locally. This attracted an audience of 47 people to hear guest speaker Dr Stephen Johnston, Curator Emeritus talk on ‘Back to the Future: New Approaches to the Astrolabe’. Prior to the lecture there was an opportunity for members to visit a new exhibition at Oxford’s Centre for Islamic Studies: Lines of Faith: Astronomy and the Art of the Astrolabe in the Islamic World, with a curator led tour by Stephen Johnston.

MEMBERSHIP

The annual membership subscriptions for the year 2024 were increased by 10% in order to keep pace with inflation:

Residence in UK £69.00 (Family £79.00) Residence in Europe £88.00 (Family £94.00 Residence in Rest of World £94.00/$136 (Family £100.00/$145) Student rate £25.00 in UK & £40.00/$58 elsewhere

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Charity Report 2024

There were 360 members as at 31 December 2024, a small decrease on last year.

THE SIS BULLETIN

Four issues of the Bulletin were published on time during the year. This continues to be the Society’s main vehicle for achieving its objectives.

THE WEBSITE

The website continued to be developed as an increasingly important vehicle of communication.

RESEARCH GRANTS

The Society has agreed as a means of furthering its objectives to award a number of grants to assist research in its field of study on a regular basis. Details were published in the Bulletin, on the website and by direct communications to academic departments. 6 applications were received and 4 awards were made for the 2024 awards. Grants are paid when applicants have carried out the relevant work but are accrued to our accounts at the time the application is approved. 2 were paid this year.

SUPPORT FOR PUBLICATIONS

The Society has a policy of making advance purchases, on behalf of members, of important reference works which can secure the publication of specialised works. In 2024 no purchases were made.

3. FINANCIAL RESERVES

The Society has no income from investments as such but has sums deposited in an interest-bearing savings account. This capital acts as a source for charitable activities and a reserve against uncertainties. The Society is not active in 'fund-raising' but receives small donations from time to time. Conferences are essentially self-supporting and any surplus is directed to furthering the Society’s objectives.

The Society supports student membership at reduced rates and seeks to promote specific items to achieve its aims rather than the general distribution of its charitable assets. Thus sums are made available from time to time for research, publications, etc., all requiring such sums to be available when required.

The reserves policy may therefore be stated as the maintenance of sums on deposit to provide a source for major charitable activities and a reserve against uncertainties, any income from which is directed towards the running costs of the Society.

Figures given for levels of reserves relate only to that money which is currently available for use by the trustees. As at 31 December 2024 the Society's net unrestricted funds amounted to £29,096.

4. RISK ASSESSMENT

A full risk assessment was carried out during 2008. The Committee reviews this on an annual basis and is once again able to confirm that the few risks to which the charity is exposed have been identified and suitable precautions are in existence.

5. ADMINISTRATION

The Committee met on five occasions during the year.

Our Executive Officer for the past 7 years has been Mrs. Sarah Cavalier. All enquiries should be addressed to: The Scientific Instrument Society, The Old School House, School Lane, Stadhampton, Oxfordshire, OX44 7TR E-mail info@scientificinstrumentsociety.org

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Charity Report 2024

The Society has a website at www.scientificinstrumentsociety.org

6. FULFILLMENT OF CHARITABLE OBJECTIVES

As detailed above the Society continues to fulfill its objectives by publishing its learned journal on time four times a year; by holding lectures on appropriate topics which are open to the public and in the case of the Annual Lecture without charge; by arranging and organising study tours, by supporting the publication of educational books in its field of interest and by the award of research grants.

7. DUTY OF TRUSTEES

The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the guidance published by the Charity Commission.

8. ADOPTION

This Report was adopted unanimously by the Committee in its meeting on Monday 15[th] July 2024

Neil Handley

Chairman of Committee of Trustees

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Charity Report 2024

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 326733 REPORT OF THE TRI,'STEF..S AYD UNAUDITED FlINAYCI,IL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 FOR SCIENTIFIC INSTRLMENT SOCIETY Hunter& Co. Chartered Accouniants 415 Blackburn Road Bolton BLI 8NJ

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT SOCIETY CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Page Report of the trustees Independent examiner's report Stsiement of financial aclivities Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements 5t07 Detailed siaiement of financial activities

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT SOCIETY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR Ei%DED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The trustees prtsent their report with ihe financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 December 20?4. The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORPI 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities, issued in IAarch 2005. REFERENCE AND ADMIliISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 326733 Principal address Sarah Cavalier The Old School House School Lan¢ Stadhampion Oxfordshire OX44 7TR Tru$tee5 Dr Neil Handley Dr Willem Hackmann Mr David Howarth Dr Louise Devoy Dr Alison Boyle Mr Michael Siewart Dr Stephen Bun Dr Nicolas de Hilster Dr Alex Rose resigned 1517124 resigned 1517124 Independent ex4miner lan Hunter ICAF.W Hunter& Co. Chartered Accountanis 415 Blackburn Road Bolton BLI 8NJ STRUC'fLRE, GOVERNAYCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by its gov¢rning documcnL a deed of trust, and constitutes an unincorpor*d charity. Rlsk management The trustee5 have a duty to identify and review the risks lo which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place lo provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error. Approved by order of the board of tNstees on ..... . and signed on its behalf by.. Dr Neil Handley stee Page I

INDEPENDEIYT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRL'STEES OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT SOCIETY I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024, whiGh are set out on pages three to %ven. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Acf ). I have examined your charity's accounts as required under section 145 of the Charities Act ?0 I l ('the Act,). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by ihe Charity Commission under section 145{5Xb) of ihe 2011 Ath. My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me Cause to believe.. that accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or that the accounts do not aecord wilh those reeords. or that the accounts do not comply wilh the accounting requirements of the Act: or that there is further inforniation needed for a proper understanding of Ihe accounts. Independent exAminer's statement I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters 11) to 14) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission I have found no matters ihat require drdwing to your atteniion. lan Hunter ICAEW Hunt¢r & Co. Chartered Accountants 415 Blackbum Road Bolton BLI 8NJ Page 2

SCIENTIFIC INSTRb,VIENT SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 Total funds 2093 Total funds Unrestricted fund5 Restricted fund Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income Activities for generating funds Investment income 28J21 7,930 576 28,821 7.930 576 28,784 19,344 2?0 Totsl Incoming resources 37J27 37J27 48.348 RESOIIRCES EXPENDED ChAritAble activities Expenditu Governance costs 37,650 659 37.650 659 50.574 660 Total resources expended 38J09 38J09 51.234 NET IIYCOMINGI(OUTGOING) RESOURCLS (982) {982) (2,886) RECOYCILIATIOiY OF FUNDS TotAI funds brought forward 27,078 27.078 29,964 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED bORWARD 26,096 26,096 27,078 The note5 fomi port of these financial slat¢m¢nts Page 3

SCIENTIFIC INSTRLIMENT SOCIETY BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 Total fun(ts 2023 Total funds Unrestricted funds Restricted fund Notes CURRENT ASSLTS Stocks Debtors Cash at bank 1,940 857 30,3?3 927 32200 927 32200 33.127 33.127 33,120 CREDI'foRS Amounts falling due within one year (7,031) (7,031) (6,042) ET CURREIYT ASSETS 26,096 26.096 27,078 TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIF.S 26,096 26,096 27,078 NET ASSETS 26.096 26,096 27,078 FUNDS Unrestricted funds 26,096 27,078 TOTAL FUNDS 26,096 27.078 So-1.z¥ The financial statemenls were approved by the Board of Trustees on ............................................. and were signed oft its behalf by.. DrNeil Hand Mr David Howarth -TNstee The not¢5 forni part of these financial statements Page 4

SCIEYTIFIC INSTRL'MENT SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sTATEmETs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting convention The financial statements have been prepared under the hislorical c05t convention, and in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April ?0081. the Charities Act 2011 and the requiremenis of the Statement of Recommended Prdctice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities. Incoming resourees All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activitie5 when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with aSOnable accuracy. Resources expended F.Xpendltu is aLcounled for on an accNals basis and has been classified under headings that ag8gate all cost lated to the Cegory. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated lo activitie5 on a basis ¢onsistenl with the use of resources. Stocks Stocks are valued ai the lower of cost and net realisable VUe, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving ilems. Taxation The charity is exempt from on ils charitable a¢tivities. Fund Accountlng Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the tnisiees. Restricted funds Can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanaiion of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial slalemenls. AcfiviTIES FOR GEIYERATING FUIYDS 2024 2023 Conferences 7,930 19.344 IIYVESTMENT INCOME 2024 ?023 Deposit account interest 576 ?20 TRUSTEES, REMUNERATION AND BEIYEFITS There were no trustees, remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 December ?0?4 nor for ihe year ended 31 December 2023 Trustees, expensos There were no tnJslee5' expenses paid for the year ended 31 December 2024 nor for the year ended 31 December 2023 . Page 5

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTINLED FOR TIIE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 STOCKS 2024 2023 Stocks 1,940 DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLIYG DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 2023 Trade debtors Other debtors 127 800 127 730 927 857 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DLE WITHIN ONE YEAR 2024 20?3 Other creditors 7,031 6,042 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS movement in funds At 1.1.24 At31.12.24 Unrestricted funds General fund 27,078 {982) 26,096 TOTAL FUNDS 27.078 (982) 26,096 Net movement in funds, included in the aiKJve are as follows.. Incoming re50urce5 Resources Movement in txp¢nd¢d funds Unrestricted funds General fund 37J27 (38J09) {982) TOTAL FUNDS 37J27 (38J09) (982) Page 6

SCIENTIFIC INSTRLMENT SOCIETY NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS- CONTIJUED FOR THF. YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS- continued Comparatives for movement in funds Net movement in funds At 1.1.23 At31.12.23 Unrestricted Funds General fund 29.964 (2,886) 27,078 TOTAI. FUNDS 29,964 (2,886) 27,078 Comparative net movement in funds. included in the above are as follows: Incomlng resources Resources expended Movement in funds Unrestrlcted fun(ts General fund 48J48 (51234) {2.886) TOTAL FLNDS 48J48 ($1234) (2.886) A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows: Net movement in funds At 1.1.23 At31.12.24 Unrestricted funds General fund 29,964 (3868) 26,096 TOTAL FUNDS 29,964 (3868) 26,096 A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined net movement in funds. included in the above are as follows: Incoming resource5 Resource5 Movement in expended funds Unrestricted funds General fund 85,675 (89,543) (3,868) TOTAL FUNDS 85,675 (89,543) {3,868) Page 7

SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT SOCIETY DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINAINCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 2024 2023 IIYCOMING RESOURCES Volunlary income Donations Giftaid Subscriptions Adverts Sales sundries- net of costs M-L book sales - net of costs Gee IK)ok sales - net of costs Poke b¢xsk sales - net Catalogue sale5 Ramsden book sales- net Books written off Grants rescindedlunderpaid 1,000 908 20,808 5,430 32 65 919 6.120 40 65 130 335 76 74 (1,940) 1,292 28821 28,784 Aetivities for generating funds Conferences 7.930 19.344 Investment income Deposit account interest 576 220 Total incomlng resources 37J27 48,348 RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitgble aetivities confe nces Bulletin Committee expenses Executive officer Office costs Grants PSentation medals W¢b site related costs Insurance and charges Donations 4,612 18,226 187 16,875 17,296 307 7,500 1,956 2,250 1,346 615 2,?79 150 2,243 206 2.001 37,650 50,574 Governance costs Accountancy 659 660 Total resources expended 38J09 51.234 Iyet expenditure (982) (2.886) This page does not fomi part of the statutory financial statements Page 8