Trustees’ Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2025
Charity Name: The cathedral church of Holy Trinity Down
Charity Registration Number: NI103586
Address: 36 English Street Downpatrick BT30 6AB
Trustees during the year:
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Very Revd Henry Blair – Chair
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Mrs Wendy Poxon – Treasurer
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Mrs Jennifer Stitt – Secretary
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Mr Brian Poxon
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Mr Peter McCartney
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Revd Canon Jono Pierce
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Revd Canon Ken McGrath
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Dr. Elizabeth Leonard
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Dr. Judith Harper
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Mrs June Butler
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Mr Malcolm Crichton
Charitable Purposes
The charity’s purposes are:
to support the advancement of the Christian religion by promoting through the work of the cathedral the whole mission of the Church, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical. Being open to and engaging with society as a whole and offering support for those needing help is fundamental to the practical delivery of the tenets of Christianity. As a result of activity in pursuit of the advancement of the Christian religion, the cathedral has custody of a large body of records, materials and artefacts of significance to the cultural heritage, the maintenance of which is undertaken by the cathedral as a secondary charitable purpose.
The trustees have had regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland when planning and carrying out the charity’s activities.
Activities and Achievements
During the year the charity carried out the following activities in furtherance of its charitable purposes:
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Regular services of worship in the cathedral each Sunday
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Opening the cathedral to the public throughout the year to enjoy the historic building
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Festival event around St Patricks day
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Community engagement throughout the year and providing a space for community services
These activities benefited approximately 30,000 people during the reporting period.
Financial Review
During the year the charity received total income of £185,240 , mainly from:
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Donations and fundraising primarily
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Grants
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Other income
Total expenditure for the year was £212,732 , which was used primarily to support the charity’s activities.
At the end of the financial year the charity held £279,727 in reserves .
The trustees consider this level of reserves to be adequate to support ongoing activities, however unrestricted reserves are being depleted each year.
Governance and Management
The charity is governed by the constitution of the church of Ireland.
Trustees are appointed in accordance with the governing document and meet monthly during the year to oversee the charity’s activities and finances.
The trustees are all volunteers and none received remuneration during the year.
Risk Management
The trustees have considered the main risks facing the charity and have taken reasonable steps to manage them, including:
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Regular financial monitoring
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Maintaining appropriate policies and procedures
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Ensuring adequate oversight of activities
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees on 26 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Name: Dean Henry Blair
[Chair of Trustees]
Signature: Henry Blair