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2022-03-31-accounts

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 701570

TRUSTEES REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 FOR THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

CONTENTS OF THE TRUSTEES REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Page
Trustees report 1 to 6
Independent Examiner's Report 7
Statement of Financial Activities 8
Balance Sheet 9
Notes to the Financial Statements 10 to 14

THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

The Trustees of The Aberfan Memorial Charity (the ‘’Charity’’) present their annual report and financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2022. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the Charity’s Trust Deed, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Ireland published on 16 July 2014 (as amended by Update Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016).

Objectives

On 14 December 1988, the Charity Commissioners for England and Wales established and approved a scheme separating the assets of The Aberfan Disaster Fund into two new charities known as:

The Aberfan Disaster Fund and Centre is administered by Wellbeing@Merthyr, a not-for-profit charitable company.

The Trustees apply the income of the Charity for either or both of the following main objectives and purposes, as prescribed by the Trust Deed:

The Trustees of the Charity over the past years and for the future have sought and will seek to employ the available funds to enable the Cemetery Memorial and the Memorial Garden (as well as the graves of victims located elsewhere) to be kept and maintained in a condition of the highest possible affordable order that is worthy of the objects of those who built and provided for both memorial sites in the period after the 1966 Aberfan Disaster.

Such maintenance aims also to enable all visitors, whether or not bereaved, to be content with the appearance and the care and attention afforded to these sensitive memorial sites which are important to the community as a whole, as well as to the people of Wales and of the rest of the United Kingdom and beyond.

As well as the Trustees themselves monitoring and carrying out works, the Charity continues to consult directly with bereaved parents and sibling next-of-kin in relation to proposals to maintain and enhance the Memorial Garden and Cemetery Memorial.

Activities and works carried out during the year

The grant monies received from the Welsh Government in 2007 enabled the Charity to plan with confidence a programme of works over a period of years to maintain all the memorials and the memorial sites to a high standard.

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Over the following decade, the Charity completed a programme of a major and costly phase of renovation and replacement works, as set out in previous Annual Reports. Together, these extensive works created a significantly enhanced appearance as well as reducing on-going maintenance costs.

All of these cumulative works carried out in recent years enabled the Trustees, the bereaved and the wider community to be content with the condition of all memorial sites as, in 2016 and continuing, we welcomed an overwhelming number of visitors from across the country and around the world to mark the 50[th] anniversary of the Aberfan Disaster.

Then in December 2018, the Charity was awarded grant funding by Welsh Government for the replacement of the walls and related works at the Memorial Garden, a significant project started in March and completed by the end of September 2019.

As well as the complete replacement of the walls (and much more), the planting scheme at the Memorial Garden was redesigned by National Botanic Garden, Wales. Some of our own local schoolchildren were able to help with the new planting too. Our contractors, Mossfords/Architectural Stone, took on several students for 6 months’ work experience, with some securing a stonemasonry apprenticeship.

The Memorial Garden was formally re-dedicated by the Bishop of Llandaff in a public ceremony in October 2019, attended by the First Minister, HM Lord Lieutenant for Mid Glamorgan, the High Sheriff of Mid Glamorgan, His Worship The Mayor of Merthyr Tydfil, and many others including our MP, AM, councillors and local schoolchildren and villagers. Representatives of the emergency services – who provided such vital assistance in 1966 – were also present. We were delighted that Ynysowen Male Choir performed for this special occasion.

The Memorial Garden has now become once again a place of peace and tranquillity for local people and visitors alike for years to come.

During the past year, the Charity also continued to plan and carry out works on the memorials of victims of the Aberfan Disaster (wherever located), as well as on the maintenance and improvement of the Aberfan Cemetery Memorial and some finishing works at the Memorial Garden.

The Charity contracted out its general ground maintenance requirements to Fantasia Gardening Services, who continued an on-going programme designed to enhance the general appearance of the Cemetery Memorial and the Memorial Garden even further and, at the same time, to reduce maintenance requirements. Trustees were delighted during the year also to engage the services going forward of Alison Howells, a volunteer at the National Botanic Garden Wales and an expert in perennials.

Mossfords remain our preferred contractor for renovations and improvements, plus monumental masonry and funeral works.

Public benefit statement

We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's General Guidance on Public Benefit when reviewing our aims and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the Trustees considered how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

All of our charitable activities focus on the maintenance and repair of the Aberfan Cemetery Memorial and the Memorial Garden, including the memorials (wherever located) to all those who died in the Aberfan

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Disaster, and are undertaken to further our charitable purposes for the public benefit. The 'public' whom we serve and seek to benefit comprises not only directly the parents or sibling next-of-kin of victims of the Disaster but also indirectly the wider local community and all visitors to these sensitive memorial sites. The 'benefits' we provide to them are the maintenance of these memorials to the highest affordable standard, thus enabling all visitors to be content with the care and attention given to, and the appearance of, these memorials which are important in local and national and wider terms.

All Trustees give their time voluntarily and received no benefits from the Charity.

Financial review

In the year to 31 March 2022, the Charity received total incoming resources of £26,236 (2021: £18,283) from investment income, grant funding and donations.

The Charity, which does not engage in fund-raising activities, received donations of £5,205 (2021: £415), including £2,000 from Mike Stone and a £3,000 bequest from the late Nia Jones. Trustees are most grateful for all the help and support received from near and far.

Professional investment advice continued to be obtained during the year. The Charity's capital allocation is organised so as to balance the maximisation of income with the need to take a low-risk approach to the capital value of the investment portfolio. This also takes into consideration the Charity's short-term plans, its liquidity needs and its cash requirements.

The Trustees take advice from Brewin Dolphin as to the investment strategy to protect the value of the portfolio while still seeking to generate income and capital growth. The Trustees have granted active management status to Brewin Dolphin to enable them to react to market conditions quickly and on a costeffective basis. The Charity's Statement of Investment Policy was reviewed and updated in June 2022.

Reserves policy

The Trustees seek to maintain the Charity's reserves at a level that is consistent with achieving its aims under the Trust Deed. At the year end the Charity held fund balances totalling £752,045 (2021: £734,711), of which £727,341 (2021: £728,789) was held in investments for long term capital growth and return. The Trustees anticipate revisiting the Reserves Policy on an as required basis and examining the appropriateness of that policy in the light of the then current income and outgoings.

Risk management

The Trustees are conscious of the need to consider Risk Management. Among the identifiable risks to the Cemetery Memorial and the Memorial Garden are the environmental risk and the risk of vandalism. The Trustees and the Charity can and do take out insurance against a number of these and other identifiable risks. At a broader level, the Trustees are aware of the potential risk of not maintaining the Cemetery Memorial, the Memorial Garden and the graves of victims located elsewhere to a standard less than acceptable to the next-of-kin and the community. Through careful and regular monitoring, the Trustees seek to minimise that risk.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cemetery Memorial and Memorial Garden have remained open, with Trustees relying on the good sense of all visitors to maintain appropriate social distancing. Any work carried out by contractors has only been undertaken after appropriate risk assessments have taken place to ensure the well-being of the personnel involved.

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Future plans

After such an extensive recent period of works so satisfactorily completed over the past decade or more, in 2022-23 Trustees will also consider whether further works need to be carried out to enhance both memorial sites. In addition, the Charity has already identified the need longer term to seek to reduce the maintenance requirements of the memorial sites, both for cost and aesthetic reasons. This approach applies to day-to-day, cyclical and one-off maintenance needs.

The usual cyclical works will continue to be carried out at the Cemetery Memorial and Memorial Garden to maintain the high standards of appearance now achieved, together with memorials outside Aberfan also being kept under review.

Structure, governance and management

The Charity is controlled by its governing document, a Trust Deed, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. The Charity is administered by the Trustees.

The Trustees are required under the Trust Deed to meet at least twice a year. In practice, the Trustees meet on an 'as required' basis which is typically six to eight times a year. The matters discussed and decisions taken at those meetings are recorded in the Minutes of the Charity. Trustees also maintain more frequent informal contact with each other by email, telephone and other means.

The Charity engages the professional services of accountants (EE Consult Ltd) and pro bono the services of an independent examiner (Mr. Rheon Tomos). The Charity obtains investment advice and investment management services from Brewin Dolphin Limited.

The Trustees and the people of Aberfan have also been grateful to receive pro bono for more than 40 years the invaluable general professional advice of Geraint Davies CBE, the former senior partner, Wales of chartered accountants Grant Thornton UK LLP.

Recruitment, appointment, induction and training of trustees

Trustee selection methods employed when a vacancy occurs can involve both local advertising and personal contacts, with applicants being interviewed for suitability by the Charity’s general professional adviser. A recommendation on any appointment or otherwise is then presented by the professional adviser to the Trustees for decision.

New Trustees are provided with copies of the Trust Deed and recent Annual Reports and Minutes; they also receive detailed briefings from the Chairman and from the Charity's general professional adviser. Continuous and on-going information on trusteeship good practice requirements and training is provided to all Trustees through circulation of materials received from the Charity's advisers and also as downloaded from the Charity Commission website and similar bodies.

Under the terms of the Trust Deed, Trustees may be re-appointed every five years.

Independent examination

The Trustees have an independent examination of the accounts. The Trustees appointed Mr. Rheon Tomos BA IPFA as independent examiner.

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Related parties

Brian Anderson and David John Davies who were Trustees of The Aberfan Memorial Charity during the year to 31 March 2022 were also Trustees of The Aberfan Education Charity. The income of The Aberfan Education Charity is applied in promoting the education of persons within the community of Aberfan and Merthyr Vale primarily through direct donations to schools. The Chairman of The Aberfan Education Charity is Mr. Brian Anderson of 1A, Cardiff Road, Merthyr Vale.

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

TRUSTEES REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Reference and administrative details Registered Charity number: 701570

Communication

The Trustees can be contacted via: Mr David John Davies JP Ynysygored House The Grove Aberfan Merthyr Tydfil CF48 4QA

Trustees

David John Davies JP (Chairman) Brian Anderson Belinda Davies Iestyn Morgan JP Tania Stephens

Independent examiner

Mr Rheon Tomos BA IPFA 37 Velindre Road Whitchurch Cardiff CF14 2TE

Bankers

Barclays Bank plc Merthyr Tydfil Business Centre PO Box 32 Pontypridd CF37 4YA

Investment advisers

Brewin Dolphin Limited 2nd Floor 5 Callaghan Square Cardiff CF10 5BT

Approved by order of the Board of Trustees on 17 August 2022 and signed on its behalf by:

D J Davies ............................................. Chairman

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Aberfan Memorial Charity

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Aberfan Memorial Charity for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').

I 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 I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner's statement - matters of concern identified

I have completed my examination.

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the Charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has since been withdrawn. I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  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; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Mr Rheon Tomos BA IPFA 37 Velindre Road Whitchurch Cardiff CF14 2TE

Date: 17 August 2022

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Notes
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM
Local Council Grant
Donations
Investment income
3
Total incoming resources
EXPENDITURE ON
Charitable activities
4
NET (EXPENDITURE) BEFORE GAINS ON
INVESTMENTS
Net gains on investment assets
Net movement in funds
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD
8
2022
2022
Total
restricted
funds
Total
unrestricted
funds
£
£
2,640
-
-
5,205
-
18,391
2,640
23,596
2,640
47,513
-
(23,917)
-
41,251
-
17,334
-
734,711
-
752,045
2022
Total
Funds
£
2,640
5,205
18,391
26,236
50,153
(23,917)
41,251
17,334
734,711
752,045
2021
Total
funds
£
-
415
17,868
18,283
53,313
(35,030)
136,808
101,778
632,933
734,711

The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2022

2022 2021
Total Total
unrestricted unrestricted
funds funds
Notes £ £
FIXED ASSETS
Investments 6 727,342 728,789
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank 33,292 22,119
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year (8,589) (16,197)
NET CURRENT ASSETS 24,703 5,922
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 752,045 734,711
NET ASSETS 752,045 734,711
FUNDS 8
Unrestricted funds 752,045 734,711
TOTAL FUNDS 752,045 734,711

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 17 August 2022 and were signed on its behalf by:

D J Davies Chairman
.............................................
B Davies
............................................. Trustee

The notes on pages 10 to 14 form part of these financial statements

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

1. STATUTORY INFORMATION

The Aberfan Memorial Charity is a registered charity, registered in England and Wales. The governing document is its constitution, and it is an unincorporated association. The principal address is Ynysygored House, The Grove, Aberfan, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 4QA. The nature of the Charity's operations and principal activities are disclosed within the Report of the Trustees.

The financial statements are presented in Sterling (£), the Charity's functional currency, and rounded to the nearest pound.

The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.

2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the Charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102 S1A Update Bulletin 1) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011.

The Charity has prepared the financial statements in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has since been withdrawn. This has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction values unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

The Aberfan Memorial Charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity as demonstrated within the Report of the Trustees.

There have been no material departures from Financial Reporting Standard 102

Income

All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty of receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Donations are recognised on notification of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance before the Charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the Charity and it is probable that those conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.

Interest on funds held on deposit is included upon notification of the interest paid or payable. Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared, and notification has been received of the dividend due. This is normally upon notification by our investment advisor of the dividend yield of the investment portfolio.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the Charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Irrecoverable VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.

Taxation

The Charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

General funds are expendable endowments which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.

The Charity had only general funds throughout the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 and the prior year.

Investments

Investments are included at market value at the balance sheet date. Realised and unrealised gains and losses on investments are combined on the face of the Statement of Financial Activities.

Financial instruments

The Charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

Creditors are recognised where the Charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

3. INVESTMENT INCOME

Dividends receivable
Interest received
4
DIRECT COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Unrestricted funds
Plants and general costs
CCTV for the Memorial Garden
Ground maintenance costs
Replacement and renovation work
Granite maintenance
Benches for Memorial Garden
Insurance
Charity administration expenses
Investment management fees
Accountancy
Restricted funds
Memorial Garden CCTV
2022
£
18,391
-

18,391
2022
£
1,013
3,048
15,381
10,206
7,380
1,219
2,074
-
5,302
1,890
47,513
2,640
50,153
2021
£
17,864
4
17,868
2021
£
736
-
15,649
9,836
18,450
-
2,024
-
4,818
1,800
53,313
-
53,313

5 TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no Trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2022 or for the year ended 31 March 2021.

Trustees' expenses

There were no Trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2022 or for the year ended 31 March 2021.

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

6. FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS

FIXED ASSET INVESTMENTS
Listed
investments
£
MARKET VALUE
At 1 April 2021 728,789
Additions 106,942
Disposals (134,708)
Revaluations 26,319
At 31 March 2022 727,342
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 March 2022 727,342
At 31 March 2021 728,789

There were no investment assets held outside the UK.

7. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

2022 2021
£ £
Financial assets at amortised cost 33,292 22,119
Financial liabilities at amortised cost 8,589 16,197
Fixed assets at market value 727,342 728,789

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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THE ABERFAN MEMORIAL CHARITY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

8. MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net
At 1/4/21 movement in At 31/3/22
funds
£ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 734,711 17,334 752,045
TOTAL FUNDS 734,711 17,334 752,045
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:
Incoming Resources Gains and Movement
resources expended losses in funds
£ £ £ £
Unrestricted funds
General fund 23,596 (47,513)
41,251
17,334
TOTAL FUNDS 23,596 (47,513)
41,251
17,334

9. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

There were no related party transactions during the year to 31 March 2022 which required disclosure.

10. COMMITMENTS

At 31 March 2022, the Charity had commitments amounting to £nil.

The Aberfan Memorial Charity Annual Report 2022/17 August 2022

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