BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
TRUSTEES. REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2022
The trustees present their annual report and finanaal statements for the year ended 31 October 2022.
The financial statements have been prepared in a¢cordance wtth the accounting policies set OLrt in note 1 to the
financial statements and comply with "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice
applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Finanual Reporting Standard applicable in
the UK and Republic of Ireland {FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019).
Objectives and activities
Our prime objective has continued to be 'the promotion of leaming and research in the arts and suences, and in
history and literature,.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidan￿ issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activtties the
charity should undertake.
The society organises lectures and evenls to promote interest in the arts, sciences, hislory and literature in Belfast
and surrounding region. We own the important grade A listed Old Museum Building in College Square North,
Belfast, which is let out to fyvo tenants and which we use for our activities.
The work of the society brings various important educational and heritage benefits to the citizens of Belfast and
region. The main emphasis recently has been on our lectures which are open to members and the general public.
We continue to work to make our grade A listed building accessible to the public. Publications produced by the
society and with the Ulster Hislorical Foundation are still available. We ctroperate with other heritage organisations
suth as the Belfast Naturalist Field Club and Ulster Arthitectural Heritage.
Achievements and performance
We ran a number of events to celebrate our bicentenary. On 29 July a group of members toured the ancient
Nendrum site. Co, Down, where members had visited in 1922. On 22 September a bi¢entenary dinner was held in
the Harbour Commissioners Offices, Belfast, with over 80 guests attending. Michael and Edna Longley were the
guests of honour. Work has continued on the refurbishment of the grave of our founding president, Dr James
Drummond, in Old Ahoghill Cemetery, and in the preparation of a history of our souety.
Financial review
Membership of the society stands at 80 paid up subscribers, plus 14 life members and 2 honorary members. The
fall in subscriptions in the first year of the pandemic has not recovered. However, many members continue to
support us with their subscriptions, often with additional donations. We are grateful for their financial support and
involvement in our activities. The main cause of our operating loss this year has been the greatly increased
electricty bill.
Plans for future periods
It is with regret that we said goodbye to our longstanding tenant, Kids in Control, at the end of October 2022. Last
year the National Lottery Heritsge Fund infomed us that our funding application had not been successful. The
Ulster Architectural Heritage who were our partners in this project to restore our building have now withdrawn from
the partnership. A subcommittee. chaired by our presidenl. has been formed to develop ideas for the building's
future. It is investigating other potential partners and sour￿$ of funding. This committee will also investigate options
for a tenant to replace Kids in Control.
Structure? govemance and management

BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY
TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2022
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the finaniial statements werè:
G Cleary
B Collins
A Damès
ADay
A Evans
R Froggatt
W Glover
C Harper
R Heslip
T Parkhill
M Patton
W Roulston
R Trainor
B Walker
B Widdis
C Gowdy
C Bardon
(Resigned 5 April 2023)
(Resigned 5 April 2023)
(Appointed 5 April 2023)
(Appoinled 5 April 2023)
Our ¢Xsuncil of 15 eleded members met on 4 occasions by zoom. These 15 elected members serve as trustees for
the society. Our executivè ¢ommittee, consisting of the president, secretsry, treasurer and programme organizer
and vice president, met on various ot￿s1ons. The annual general meeting of society members was held on 5 April
2023. At this AGM Brenda Collins and Robert Heslip stood down as council members and trustees. Colin Gowdy
and Carol Bardan were elected as the new council members and trustees.
The trustees, report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
Trustee