BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY TRUSTEES. REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 The tTUStees present their annual report and finanaal ststement5 for the year ended 31 October 2023. The financial statements have been prepared in aCrdan with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with "Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Stalement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Finanal 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 Yhe promotion of leaming and research in the arts and sciences, and in history and literature,. Public benefit The Iruslees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in de¢iding what activities the charity should undertake. Activilies The society organises lectures and events to promote interest in the arts. sciences. history and literature in Belfast and surrounding region. We own the important grade A listed Old Museum Building in Colleoe Square North, Belfast, which is let out to a tenant and which we use for our activities. The work of Ihe society brings various important educational and heritage benefits lo 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 conlinue to work to make our grade A listed building accessible lo the public. Publications produced by the Society and with the Ulstei Historical Foundation are still available. We co-operate with other heritage organisations such as the Belfast Naturalist Field Club and Ulster Architectural Heritage. Achlevements and perfonnance Significant activities and achievemenls against objectives Our bicentennial celebrations conduded in the autumn of 2023 with the publicalion of a history of the BNHPS. This 80 page full colour volume was edited by Angelique Day and William Roulston. The book was launched at a well- attended gathering in the Old Museum Building on 23 November when guest of honour Michael Longley spoke. The grave of our founding president, Dr James Drumrnond & his third wife, Eliza O'Rourke, has been successfully refurbished following a fund raising effort. A pamphlet on James Drummond wr¢tten by Alun Evans and William Roulston was published by Mid and East Antrim Council.- Financial revlew Membership of the society stands at approximately 100 paid up subscribers, excluding 14 life members and 3 honorary members. We welcomed 13 new paid-up members lo the society. The annual 2023124 subscflption was reluctanlly raised to £30 in light of the increased running costs for all aspects of the society activities. We had increased expenditure due lo essential work which had to carried out in our building. The costs for our book publicalion and grave restoration were met with income this year. plus money in restricted funds for this purpose from earlier years. There was a fall in rental income due to the loss of one of our tenants, Kids in Control, at the end of 2022. Income from subscriptions and gifts increased by around 15 per cent. Plans for future periods A council sub-committee, chaired by our presidenl, has been aclive in developing plans for our building's fulure.11 is investigating other potential partners and sources of funding. We are also seeking a tenanl to replace Kids in Control.
BELFAST NATURAL HISTORY & PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2023 Structure, governance and management The trustees who Served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were.. G Cleary B Collins A Davies ADay A Evans R Froggatt W Glover C Harper R Heslip T Parkhill M Patton W Roulslon R Trainor B Walker B Widdis C Gowdy C Bardon (Resigned S April 2023) (Resigned 5 April 2023) (Appointed 5 April 2023) {Appointed 5 April 2023) Recruitment and appointmant of tmst&es Our council of 15 elected members met on 4 occasions in person. These 15 elecled members serve as trustees for the society. Our executive committee. consisting of the president, secretary, treasurer and programme organizer and vice president, mel on various 0Sions. The annual general meeting of society members was held on 3 April 2024. In April 2023 Brenda Collins and Robert Heslip stood down as council members and Iruslees. Colin Gowdy and Carol Bardon were elected as the new council members and trustees. The trustees. report was approved by the Board of Trustees. B Walker Trustee 4 June 2024