Swannington Heritage Trust Report and Financial Statements for Year Ending 31[st] March 2025
Report of the Council
The Council’s report of the Company is for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
.
Trustees from April 2024 to present
The Trustees during the year were: Clifford Aris Owen Bailey Thomas Powell[(1)] Katrina Pentlow Ian Baker Mark Temple Sue Lincoln Karan Sheffield Peter Smitherman
- (1) Co-opted onto the committee in May 2025
Selection of Trustees
Trustees are selected from members by vote at the Annual General Meeting. The quarter of the Trustees who have been appointed the longest retire from office each year. Retiring Trustees may stand for re-election. Election is open to all subscribing members.
Governing Document and Legal Form
The Trust is governed by the Articles and Memorandum of Association of its registration as a company in 1984, last amended in September 2019. The Trust is a company limited by guarantee, registration number 1858055. If wound up, members would be liable to a maximum payment of one pound. It was registered as a charity, number 515809, on 20[th] November 1984.
Objects
The principal objects of the Trust are to acquire, maintain, preserve and develop sites of industrial, environmental and heritage interest in and around the village of Swannington and to provide and preserve facilities for the study and research of the village’s history, ecology and archaeology for the benefit of present and future generations.
Governance
In May 2025, one new member was co-opted to the Management Committee and seeks formal appointment at the 2025 AGM.
Charity registration Number 515809
Company Number 1858055
1
Swannington Heritage Trust Report and Financial Statements for Year Ending 31[st] March 2025
All members of the committee have provided consistent and practical support to the work of the Trust. All have also volunteered in other roles within the Trust.
During the 2024-25 financial year, work mainly focused on the building works to construct a new shed building with workshop and visitor toilets plus an extension to the Neverson Centre to provide more meeting space.
Progress and Activities Undertaken
The work and activities of Swannington Heritage Trust are always wide ranging. This year we have focused on general maintenance and the continuation of ongoing large projects.
Following several years of preparatory works, in May 2024 construction started on our new storage, workshop and visitor toilet building plus an extension to our Neverson Centre. Initially work commenced on the footings using funds held by the Charities Aid Foundation from a generous legacy. It was important to complete the ground works during the summer months due to our local great crested newt population.
The funds were not sufficient to complete the whole building so further funds were sought. We were incredibly grateful to receive a £10,000 donation from a member which was used as match funding to secure an £86,642 grant from the Severn Trent Community Fund in June 2024. This meant the construction of the building could continue and it was completed through the autumn and winter of 2024 into 2025. External works on paths are ongoing. We look forward to using the buildings to their full potential to expand our offering. Huge thanks are extended to the volunteers who managed and supported this project. Their tireless efforts have ensured a successful project.
A UK Shared Prosperity Fund grant of £3,350 was received to fund the installation of kitchen a reception/kitchen area in the Neverson Centre.
We hosted our regular events including Easter at the Mill, May Day, the Strawberry Fayre, Take Teddy to the Mill and Christmas at the Mill. Unfortunately, poor weather impacted several of the events, particularly Christmas at the Mill where contingency plans were used and all stalls and games were kept within the buildings. The May Day event was particularly well supported, and thanks are extended to Roots Community Choir for their continued input. We are grateful to the community for their support of these events which help fund the ongoing costs of the Trust.
In addition to the large events, we hosted group visits and two wedding parties for photos. We took part in the National Forest Walking Festival, the Festival of Archaeology, NWLDC’s Hello Heritage and hosted displays at other external heritage events.
Trust partners, Leicestershire Industrial History Society (LIHS), have continued work clearing the Alabama dig area in the Califat and they started consolidation of the brickwork ready for interpretation and public viewing.
Charity registration Number 515809
Company Number 1858055
2
Swannington Heritage Trust Report and Financial Statements for Year Ending 31[st] March 2025
The land management team continue to work tirelessly throughout the year maintaining the Trust five sites with mowing, pruning, tree maintenance, pond maintenance and path maintenance. With at least eight sessions a month, this dedicated team are essential to the operations of the Trust.
In September, a tractor was employed to undertake an annual mow across the Gorse Field to help restore the acid grass heathland. Volunteers again helped rake in the grass to impoverish the soil in accordance with Wildlife Trust guidance.
The archive team continued work digitising and cataloguing the large archive on Monday evenings. Research work is ongoing and we are grateful for community engagement to support this. A Museum Development Midlands Grant of £3,328 was secured to fund cataloguing software, tablets and laptops which will ensure robust cataloguing of our collections and ultimately enable public access.
How Our Activities Deliver Public Benefit
The work of Swannington Heritage Trust volunteers helps maintain, enhance and showcase the Trust sites, buildings, archive and museum exhibits for the benefit of current and future generations.
Trust sites, including the Gorse Field, Califat Spinney, Incline and Snibston No 3, were maintained and open to the public via public and permissive footpaths every day of the year. The permissive footpath on the Incline, as part of a woodland management plan, is closed when winds in excess of 40 miles per hour are forecast for safety reasons.
Hough Mill was open to visitors every Sunday and bank holiday afternoon from April to September. Various events hosted by the Trust continue to engage large numbers of visitors. School visits, guided walks, talks and tours diversified our audience.
Gratitude
Swannington Heritage Trust is valued by the community who appreciate the sites we maintain for their benefit and the heritage we cherish. Our feedback through social media, visitor book and surveys is always positive and encouraging. We extend our thanks to our members and the community for this support.
Volunteers
Volunteers are the life blood of Swannnington Heritage Trust and without their ongoing help we could not achieve so much. Thanks are extended to each and every one of them.
Katrina Pentlow, Chair of the Council
Charity registration Number 515809
Company Number 1858055
3
Swannington Heritage Trust Report and Financial Statements for Year Ending 31[st] March 2025
SWANNINGTON HERITAGE TRUST
Registered Charity No 515809 Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England& Wales No 1858055
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - year ended 31st March 2025
| Charity registration Number 515809 Company Number 1858055 Incoming resources Generated Funds; Subscriptions 1,550 1,555 Donations received 12,524 7,454 Fund raising income(Gross) 4,105 2,600 Gift Aid reclaimed 2,079 20,258 1,486 13,095 Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities Grants received 85,737 14,122 CAF Legacy for Mill Sails Project 43,754 129,491 18,000 32,122 Other incoming resources Interest received 0 0 Insurance claim 0 9,151 Income on Disposal of fixed assets 0 0 0 9,151 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 149,749 54,369 Resources expended Costs of generating funds Publicity, web-site, etc 805 862 Fund Raising Expenditure 1,283 1,482 Charitable activities Land management 2,924 15,561 Publications 0 197 Mill expenditure 2,713 15,729 Exhibitions 0 0 Care of collections 219 84 Dilk Wood project 86 119 Archives 832 878 CAF Legacy Mill Sails Project 0 (2,459) CAF Building Project 0 260 Boiler Cover Project 0 2,210 Wild Escape Project 0 392 Depreciation of plant, etc 4,729 3,881 Equipment disposals 0 11,503 2,342 39,193 Governance Administration 679 443 Insurance 3,277 1,862 Consultancy & Training 1,080 5,036 0 2,305 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 18,627 43,843 NET INCOMING /(EXPENDED) RESOURCES 131,122 10,526 Accumulated funds brought forward 311,677 301,151 ACCUMULATED FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 442,799 311,677 Tangible Fixed Assets Land and buildings at cost less depreciation 416,948 273,064 Permanent displays at valuation 4,043 4,043 Plant and equipment at cost less depreciation 7,145 428,136 8,552 285,659 Current assets Stock of merchandise 0 0 Prepayments 2,173 Bank – Reserve account 0 0 - Current account 12,324 25,799 Cash 166 219 14,663 26,018 Creditors ( Accruals) 0 0 Net Current assets 14,663 26,018 NET ASSETS 442,799 311,676 Designated Funds – Dilk Wood Project 0 0 Designated Funds – Future Activities Fund 10,000 10,000 Designated Funds – Mill Sails Project 0 0 Unrestricted Funds 432,799 301,676 FUNDS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 442,799 311,676 BALANCE SHEET as at 31st March 2025 2023-24 2024-25 |
Charity registration Number 515809 Company Number 1858055 Incoming resources Generated Funds; Subscriptions 1,550 1,555 Donations received 12,524 7,454 Fund raising income(Gross) 4,105 2,600 Gift Aid reclaimed 2,079 20,258 1,486 13,095 Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities Grants received 85,737 14,122 CAF Legacy for Mill Sails Project 43,754 129,491 18,000 32,122 Other incoming resources Interest received 0 0 Insurance claim 0 9,151 Income on Disposal of fixed assets 0 0 0 9,151 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 149,749 54,369 Resources expended Costs of generating funds Publicity, web-site, etc 805 862 Fund Raising Expenditure 1,283 1,482 Charitable activities Land management 2,924 15,561 Publications 0 197 Mill expenditure 2,713 15,729 Exhibitions 0 0 Care of collections 219 84 Dilk Wood project 86 119 Archives 832 878 CAF Legacy Mill Sails Project 0 (2,459) CAF Building Project 0 260 Boiler Cover Project 0 2,210 Wild Escape Project 0 392 Depreciation of plant, etc 4,729 3,881 Equipment disposals 0 11,503 2,342 39,193 Governance Administration 679 443 Insurance 3,277 1,862 Consultancy & Training 1,080 5,036 0 2,305 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 18,627 43,843 NET INCOMING /(EXPENDED) RESOURCES 131,122 10,526 Accumulated funds brought forward 311,677 301,151 ACCUMULATED FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 442,799 311,677 Tangible Fixed Assets Land and buildings at cost less depreciation 416,948 273,064 Permanent displays at valuation 4,043 4,043 Plant and equipment at cost less depreciation 7,145 428,136 8,552 285,659 Current assets Stock of merchandise 0 0 Prepayments 2,173 Bank – Reserve account 0 0 - Current account 12,324 25,799 Cash 166 219 14,663 26,018 Creditors ( Accruals) 0 0 Net Current assets 14,663 26,018 NET ASSETS 442,799 311,676 Designated Funds – Dilk Wood Project 0 0 Designated Funds – Future Activities Fund 10,000 10,000 Designated Funds – Mill Sails Project 0 0 Unrestricted Funds 432,799 301,676 FUNDS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 442,799 311,676 BALANCE SHEET as at 31st March 2025 2023-24 2024-25 |
Charity registration Number 515809 Company Number 1858055 Incoming resources Generated Funds; Subscriptions 1,550 1,555 Donations received 12,524 7,454 Fund raising income(Gross) 4,105 2,600 Gift Aid reclaimed 2,079 20,258 1,486 13,095 Incoming Resources from Charitable Activities Grants received 85,737 14,122 CAF Legacy for Mill Sails Project 43,754 129,491 18,000 32,122 Other incoming resources Interest received 0 0 Insurance claim 0 9,151 Income on Disposal of fixed assets 0 0 0 9,151 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 149,749 54,369 Resources expended Costs of generating funds Publicity, web-site, etc 805 862 Fund Raising Expenditure 1,283 1,482 Charitable activities Land management 2,924 15,561 Publications 0 197 Mill expenditure 2,713 15,729 Exhibitions 0 0 Care of collections 219 84 Dilk Wood project 86 119 Archives 832 878 CAF Legacy Mill Sails Project 0 (2,459) CAF Building Project 0 260 Boiler Cover Project 0 2,210 Wild Escape Project 0 392 Depreciation of plant, etc 4,729 3,881 Equipment disposals 0 11,503 2,342 39,193 Governance Administration 679 443 Insurance 3,277 1,862 Consultancy & Training 1,080 5,036 0 2,305 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 18,627 43,843 NET INCOMING /(EXPENDED) RESOURCES 131,122 10,526 Accumulated funds brought forward 311,677 301,151 ACCUMULATED FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD 442,799 311,677 Tangible Fixed Assets Land and buildings at cost less depreciation 416,948 273,064 Permanent displays at valuation 4,043 4,043 Plant and equipment at cost less depreciation 7,145 428,136 8,552 285,659 Current assets Stock of merchandise 0 0 Prepayments 2,173 Bank – Reserve account 0 0 - Current account 12,324 25,799 Cash 166 219 14,663 26,018 Creditors ( Accruals) 0 0 Net Current assets 14,663 26,018 NET ASSETS 442,799 311,676 Designated Funds – Dilk Wood Project 0 0 Designated Funds – Future Activities Fund 10,000 10,000 Designated Funds – Mill Sails Project 0 0 Unrestricted Funds 432,799 301,676 FUNDS AT 31ST MARCH 2025 442,799 311,676 BALANCE SHEET as at 31st March 2025 2023-24 2024-25 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,555 7,454 2,600 1,486 13,095 14,122 18,000 32,122 0 9,151 0 9,151 54,369 862 1,482 15,561 197 15,729 0 84 119 878 (2,459) 260 2,210 392 3,881 2,342 39,193 443 1,862 0 2,305 43,843 10,526 301,151 311,677 273,064 4,043 8,552 285,659 0 0 25,799 219 26,018 0 26,018 311,676 0 10,000 0 301,676 311,676 |
||
| 311,676 | ||
| 0 10,000 0 301,676 |
||
| 311,676 | ||
4
Swannington Heritage Trust Report and Financial Statements for Year Ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity registration Number 515809
Company Number 1858055
5
Swannington Heritage Trust Report and Financial Statements for Year Ending 31[st] March 2025
Charity registration Number 515809
Company Number 1858055
6