Charity Registration No. 519042
THE FRIENDS OF LAUNDE
ANNUAL REPORT
AND
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th APRIL 2025
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THE FRIENDS OF LAUNDE ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Contents | 2 |
| Trustees' Annual Report | 3 - 6 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
| Financial Statements - | |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 8 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 9 |
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Reference and administrative information:
Charity name: The Friends of Launde Charity number: 519042 Principal office:
Launde Abbey, East Norton, Leicestershire LE7 9XB
Bankers
HSBC Bank plc, 2-6 Gallowtree Gate, Leicester. LE1 1DA CCLA Investment Management Limited, 1 Angel Lane, London EC4R 3AB
Independent examiner:
Ms Susan Steptoe 57 Rook Tree Lane Stotfold SG5 4DL
Executive Committee / Trustees as at 30th April 2025: Mrs Madeleine Wang Chairperson Mr Patrick Rendall Hon. Secretary Mrs Alison Collis Hon. Treasurer Mr Jan Zientek Hon. Membership Secretary Revd Dr Hazel Aucken
Ms Ann Green Revd Susan Leighton Mrs Beverley Lott Prof John Twidell Mrs Mary Weston
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Structure, governance and management
The Friends is an Unincorporated Association affiliated to the Launde Abbey Trust and is a Registered Charity governed by a written constitution originally adopted on 9th March 1987 and subsequently updated on 20th July 2009.
Under the constitution the officers are subject to re-election at each Annual General Meeting Other Committee members are elected at the AGM for a renewable term of three years. One third of these members are required to retire by rotation at each AGM.
Members can receive a copy of the annual accounts and Trustees' Report at the AGM or by application to the Secretary.
Objectives and activities
The object of the Charity is to provide financial assistance, to make grants and donations to provide equipment and apparatus for the furtherance of the objects of the Launde Abbey Trust.
When planning the activities for the year, the Executive Committee has considered the constitution of the Charity Committee in particular, and believe they satisfy the public benefit requirement by Launde Abbey as a Christian retreat and conference centre. It seeks to be a place of refreshment, renewal and peace and is open to all.
In addition, membership of the "Friends" is open to anyone who is interested in furthering the work of the Charity.
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Achievements and performance
Through the year we have produced a quarterly newsletter which has been sent digitally and also by post to those of our members with no access to email.
It includes a number of articles of interest to many of our members and is kindly hosted by Launde Abbey on their website. In the latter part of August 2024 we held a very successful Cream Tea Afternoon and then later in the year enjoyed a Retreat for our members with the theme Wells of Salvation led by Revd Rhona Knight, one of Launde Abbey’s College of Chaplains.
In the latter part of 2024 the Friends applied for and were awarded a Harborough District Council Environmental Grant of £13,000 part of which was to purchase tools for ongoing garden maintenance. This was match-funded by ourselves with the aim of reducing the overall carbon footprint of garden machinery, enhance bio-diversity and maximising the calm and peaceful spaces in Launde Abbey grounds.
In addition we have also granted further funds to Launde Abbey Trust towards the funding of the solar lighting of the Stables Pathway and the new website.
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Financial Review
The results for the year are set out in the Receipts and Payments account on page 8 and the Notes on page 9
Reserves Policy
The Executive Committee considers that the levels of reserves are adequate to meet the future objectives of the "Friends". We remain committed to supporting the Abbey and have assured the Launde Abbey Trust that we will make funds available to them when we can.
This report was approved by the Executive Committee on 25th November 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Mrs Madeleine Wang
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|
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
| report on the accounts of The Friends of Launde for the year ended 30th April 2025 which are set out on pages 8 and 9
Respective responsibilities of Trustees and examiner
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the 2011 Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; - follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; And state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act;
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
! } a Ms Susan Steptoe 57 Rook Tree Lane Stotfold SG5 4DL
.
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THE FRIENDS OF LAUNDE
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30th APRIL 2025
| RECEIPTS Voluntary receipts Subscriptons and donatons Gif Aid Actvites for generatng funds Investment income Deposit interest Other income Friends Retreat Cream teas Other Fundraising Legacy Grant Harborough District Council Total receipts PAYMENTS Charitable grants to Launde Abbey Trust Solar Bollards Website Chapel Organ Tables & Parasols Advance Payment Cost of Charitable Gifs to Launde Abbey Trust re Harborough District Council Environmental Grant Improvement Chapel Path Batery Powered Gardening Tools Costs of generatng funds: Cream Tea Postage, statonery & ofce costs Insurance General / Trustee Expenses Bank charges Other payments Chairman’s Retrement covered by donatons Friends' Retreat Total payments Excess of receipts over payments Bank Balances at 1st May 2024 Bank balances at 30th April 2025 |
2025 2024 £ £ 8,879.00 12,420.38 3,264.48 |
|---|---|
| 8,879.00 15,684.86 1,034.77 999.86 4,433.00 4,546.69 720.00 1,157.00 70.00 5,000.00 11,700.00 |
|
| 31,836.77 22,388.41 |
|
| 1,261.74 0.00 1.000.00 4,000.00 1,705.00 2,049.42 1,023.00 1,532.00 10,167.00 |
|
| 13.960.74 8,777.42 312.50 530.00 163.86 169.45 179.80 194.11 100.50 37.50 263.20 171.71 338.39 4,168.76 4,033.30 |
|
| 19,487.75 13,913.49 |
|
| 12,349.02 8,474.92 37,909.59 29.434.67 50,258.61 37,909.59 |
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Accounting policies Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared using the Receipts and Payments basis The financial statements include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the Charity is responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of groups that owe their affiliation to another body, nor those which are informal gatherings of members.
Fund accounting Funds held by the Charity may be as follows: Unrestricted - Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the Trustees' in furtherance of the Charity's objects. They include designated funds that have been earmarked for particular projects but the designation has an administrative purpose only and does not legally restrict the Trustees' discretion to apply the funds. Restricted - Restricted funds are funds subject to specific trusts which may be declared by donors or created through legal process. The funds can only be applied for particular purposes within the wider objects of the Charity. All our Funds are currently Unrestricted.
2025 2024 Assets Cash Funds HSBC - Bank current account No 21302132 27,180.31 16,146.06 HSBC - Bank current account No 01197843 1,105.48 825.48 CBF Deposit Fund 21,972.82 20,938.05 50,258.61 37,909.59
There were no grants to Launde Abbey Trust that were approved but not paid. However the Harborough District Council Environmental Grant is in the process of being match funded by ourselves with the purchase of a lawnmower costing £15,960 which will be then gifted to Launde Abbey Trust.
The accounts were approved by the Executive Committee on 25th November 2025
Madeleine Wang
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