Gurney X- istrict Bistorical“Soriet
Charity Number 513438
Annual Report and
Financial Statements
Year ended 31* August 2025
Page | 1
The Burnley and District Historical Society Reference and administrative details
Trustees
Mrs D North BA (Chair) Mr S M Child (Secretary) Mr T Mitchell (Treasurer)
Mr Mitchell was appointed 10.11.25
Correspondence address
66 Langdale Road Blackburn BB2 5DW
Bankers
Barclays Bank plc
Registered Charity Number 513438
Independent Examiner
M R Heaton FCCA FCIE DchA KM Chartered Accountants 18t Floor, Block C The Wharf Manchester Road Burnley BB11 1JG
Page | 2
The Burnley and District Historical Society Trustees Annual Report
Objects
The objects of the charity, as per its Rules adopted 21 January 1982 as amended 21 October 1982 are:
To advance the education of the public in the history of Burnley and District by means of excavations, discovery of antiquities, holding of exhibitions, publication of works and the promotion and assistance of students engaged in relevant studies.
Public Benefit
In accordance with their objectives for this year, and with due regard to the published Charity Commission guidance on the operation of the Public Benefit requirements of the Charities Act 2006, the trustees have undertaken appropriate activities in furtherance of these aims for the public benefit. This report explains how our activities achieve public benefit.
Activities in the year
The Society has had another successful year with good attendance at meetings, new members joining and some lapsed members re-joining. Members have reported that the purchase of the digital voice amplifier for the use of speakers has been beneficial. The website and facebook page are attracting a lot of attention which is a possible reason for the increase in membership. The publicity given has also seen an increase in enquiries for information and also some contributions to the Society. We have also managed to re-establish summer visits and by combining these with members of the Civic Society and Sion Church group have ensured their success.
At the year end we had 47 members.
Lectures:
Ernest Evans: From Weaver to Master of Natural Sciences — Nick Burton Oh! We do like to be beside the Seaside — Molly Haines
Parliament Peculiarities — Frank Bartram and Gordon Birtwistle Chance and Coincidence — Mike Towned and Linda Dawson
Burnley Film Makers — Mike Smith
Sex and Scandal in the Victorian Era — Lavnia Tod Lancashire Lads in the Scottish Rifles — Andrew Gill
Page | 3
Visit: There was one visit on June 23™ 2025 to the gardens of Arevinit, Ramsbottom Publications: There were no new publications or reprints during the year.
We report the death of one of our Patrons, Lord O’Hagan, in the year.
Financial review
Our normal recurring income is that of members subscriptions, donations and sale of publications. In the financial year we received a legacy from the Estate of Brian Hall, member of the Society, amounting to £45,000.
This has increased our cash and bank reserve from £2,457 to £47,246 by the end of the financial year. The trustees and supporting committee are considering the best use of this legacy and will be considering a reserves and investment policy to support this.
Structure, governance and management
The charity is governed by its rules. Trustees and committee members are appointed from the membership.
Risks and uncertainties
Risks are monitored by the trustees.
This report was approved by the trustees on 30% March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Mrs D North Chair
Page | 4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BURNLEY AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
| report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 315 August 2025.
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 Act’).
| report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
| have completed my examination. | confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
-
(1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by Section 130 of the Act; or
-
(2) the accounts do not accord with those records.
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection 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.
M R Heaton FCCA FCIE DChA KM Chartered Accountants 18t Floor, Block C, The Wharf Burnley Lancashire BB11 1JG
30" March 2026
Page | 5
THE BURNLEY AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
==> picture [409 x 426] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
Year ended Year ended
31.8.25 31.8.24
£ £
Receipts
Legacy 45,000 -
Members subscriptions 780 560
Donations 8 92
Sale of publications 101 944
45,889/ [1,196|
Payments
Charity events and running costs 1,110 1,519
Net receipts | [44,779|] | (333) |
Balances bfd 2.457 | | 2,790
Balances cfd | «47,246 | 2,457
ee eee
STATEMENT ee eee
LIABILITIES OF ASSETS AND PT
Bank ee ee
and cash balances ee80246 | |__2487ee
Publications stocks | [1240;] ee |eee
----- End of picture text -----
Approved by the trustees on 30" March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Mrs D North Trustee
Page | 6
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- 1 Basis of preparation
These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
2 Fund Accounting
-
(a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in the furtherance of the objects of the charity
-
(b) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor.
3 Taxation
- The charity is not liable to tax on its charitable activities.
The charity is not registered for VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the expense to which it relates.
4 Transactions with trustees
No remuneration nor expenses were paid to any of the other trustees or any persons connected with them during the year.
Page | 7