BANGOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2023 CHARITY NUMBER- NI 104010 Principal Address: 28 Ballyholme Esplanade, Bangor, County Down BT20 5LZ
Contents Pages Cover and Contents The Societvs Trustees and Membership The Societvs Purpose / Public and Private Benefits Other Organisations / Administration Outputs / achievements / activities Supporting Heritage / GDPR / Website /Publicity Accounts Public Benefit Guidance-summary Signatures of Trustees 10 Appendix A- Bangor Historical Societvs Constitution Appendix B- Audited Accounts of Bangor Historical Society and Independent Examinerfs Report
Bangor Historical Society (BHS) Annual Report for the year ending 31 December 2023 The Trustees of Bangor Historical Society are pleased to submit to The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland its Report and Accounts, including a Report by an Independent Examiner, for the period l January to 31 December 2023. Trustees The Trustees / Committee members in 2023 were- Robert McKinley President lan Wilson Chairman Ronald Mcclements Honorary Setretary Adrianne Brown Honorary Treasurer Dr. Sandra Millsopp Trustee William Mcmullan Trustee BHS Trustees, Committee The Committee met twice during the year. It discussed the Societvs financial status, approved speakers and themes for meetings and considered heritage projects for possible support. The Committee's aim was to ensure that the Society's activitie5 and achievements would generate 'public benefit, in line with the guidance published by The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. Membershi On 31 December 2023 the Society had 66 members drawn mainly from the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. Visitor numbers however were only 66 compared with 203 on 31 December 2022.
The Socie spur ose The Societvs objectives, as set out in Part 2 of its constitution are- (a) The study of and the encouragement of public interest in historyi folklore, archaeology, and antiquities with special reference to the local area. (b) The holding of lectures, visits and outings and the encouragement of the study of local history. Purposes under The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 (a) The Advancement of Education; and (b) 'Heritage' under The Advancement of the Arts, Culture, Heritage or Science. Public and Private Benefits The Society's activities directly benefit its members and visitors. Attendees at meetings and outings enjoy learning interesting historical facts in a social atmosphere. As well as contributing to lifelong learning, the social interaction on these occasions is particularly helpful in combatting loneliness. Beneficiaries also include speakers and the guides and proprietors of historic buildings and museums also coach companies and restaurants/cafes who service the Society's outings although these were not used in 2023, Queen's Parade Methodist Church benefited from rent for the Society's Use of its Wesley Hall. Insurance premiums, which the Society pays to The Federation for Ulster Local Studies to cover the Society's public liability, obviously benefit the insurers. The Society may decide to support projects and events which promote or preserve local heritage- a benefit to the present and future community in addition to supporting the tourist trade. These private benefits are incidental and necessary because the Society could not function without these services from the wider community. The Societls purposes do not lead to any harm.
Membershi of other or anisations The Society is a member of the Federation for Ulster Local Studies Ltd {FULS) which promotes communication and co-operation between local historical societies and with similar bodies. The Federation's magazine 'Due North, also provides informative papers on historical subjects. Through FULS the Society insures its members by a Public Liability Insurance Scheme. The Society is also a member of The Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA) which represents voluntary and community bodies throughout Northern Ireland and has provided valuable advice to the Society. Contact is ongoing with FULS and NICVA to ensure that the Society is kept informed of relevant matters and offered relevant training courses. In 2023 the Society's Treasurer attended an online webinar on Trustee Annual Reporting. Administration The Society held 7 monthly meetings in 2023 from January to April and September to December, excluding March, when the meeting was cancelled due to a severe snowstorm. The Society acknowledges with thanks the excellent support given by the staff of Queen's Parade Methodist Church, Bangor where meetings were held using the excellent facilities of its Wesley Hall, Constitution A copy of the SocietVs Constitution is attached at Appendix A.
Outputs and Achievements - 2023 In accordance with the purposes of the Society as stated in its Constitution and under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, the following is a summary of the Society's outputs and achievements in 2023. Activities In the calendar year 2023 the Society held 7 monthly meetings from January to December at 8.00pm on the second Thursday of each month (excluding March). Pro ramme of Meetin Date eaker 12 January Peter Vannucci The County Down Railway 9 February Mercia Flanagan C.S.Lewis 13 April John Martin Andrew Bryson of the Cotton 14 September Jennifer O'Leary The Padre 12 October Alister McReynolds Captain Jack Crawford 9 November Peter Forbes Lt.Col.'Paddy' Blair Mayne Sir James Hamilton and the Raven Maps 14 December Leanne Briggs Outin Two guided walks were held this year. On 17 June members were conducted around sites of historic interest in Helen's Bay by Robin Masefield (author and historian). The village of Groomsport wa5 explored on 28 October with guidance from Peter Gibson of the heritage group 'Discover Groomsport,.
ortin Herita e-section 2 of the Charities Act Northern Ireland 2008 The Society donated £500 to the Bangor based charity 'Open House, which aims to regenerate this city and preserve its heritage. The sum of £100 was given to 'Discover Groomsport,, a charity which promotes the rich history and heritage of this village. The Society was represented at Heritage Cluster Group meetings organized by the Heritage Development Officer at North Down Museum for groups promoting heritage in the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. General Data Protection Re ulation GDPR GDPR compliance is regularly monitored, and members presented with copies of the Society's Privacy Policy. On registration members advise the Society how they wish to be contacted. Details of members (the minimum needed) are held by the Secretary and the Treasurer alone. Lists of members, contact details are destroyed when they cease to renew membership. The Socie s Website - htt www.ban orhistoricalsociet ni.or Throughout 2023 the website was maintained by volunteers and requests from researchers were received and dealt with appropriately. Publici Each talk was reported by Trustee Dr. Sandra Mi1150pp and published in the local newspaper 'The County Down Spectator,, along with date and time of the next meeting. Dr. Millsopp's reports also appear on the Societvs website.
Accounts Bangor Historical Society's revenue in 2023 came from an annual membership subscription of £15 and visitor's fee of £3. No additional funding was sought or received. The Society's accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023 have been audited by Elise Richardson, Chartered Accountant, 25 Ardnavanagh Avenue, Conlig, Newtownards BT23 7XE. Ms Richardson also conducted an Independent Examinerfs Report for the same period. The Society's Bankers are Santander, Bridle Road, Bootle L30 4GB. The Societ¢s address is 28 Ballyholme Esplanade, Bangor, County Down BT20 5LZ endix B for copies of accounts and related documents.
Public Benefit Guidance from the Chari Commission for Northern Ireland The Societ¢s Trustees bore in mind The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland'5 guidance on the public benefit requirement when planning and decision making throughout 2023. Bangor Historical Society is well supported by its membership, the majority of whom renew their subscriptions annually which suggests that they.derive benefit from it. They always show warm appreciation of the excellent talks provided and often express delight at having learned something new from a speaker. They also clearly enjoy social interaction with fellow history enthusiasts. Although suggestions may be made to trustees by members, complaints are very rare and of a minor nature. In co-operation with North Down Museum and The County Down Spectator, the Societ¢s activities help to keep both local and wider historical subjects at the forefront of public interest and debate in this area. The Society continued to promote the preservation of heritage which aids the regeneration of this area through attracting visitors. In summary, the Trustees of Bangor Historical Society are confident that this Society provides public benefit both to its membership and the wider community in Ards and North Down. ned below b Trustees of Ban or Historical Socie Date: 10 October 2024
Trustees of Ban or Historical Socie 2023 Robert McKinley- President lan Wilson- Chairman Ronald McClements- Honorary Secretary LU Adrianne Brown- Honorary Tréasurer Dr. Sandra Millsopp- Trustee William McMullan-Trustee 10 October 2024 10
APPENOIX A R•vts•d . 10 D•c 2015 CONSTITUTION OF 8ANGOR HISTORIC4L SOCIErY 1> Name The Soclety shall be callvd th• Ban8or Hlstorkal Sodety 21 Ob5•cts al The styjdy of ond the encouragement of public int£re5t In hlrtory. folklore, archaeolm and antlquitie5 vAth spedal relerence to the loc•1 am. b) The holdlng of lectures, vlslts and outlrbgs and the encourng•ment of th• rtudy of loc81 htstory. 3) Memb4rshlp Membershlp wlll be open to any person supportlng the obJ•cts of the kniety and paying tho annuat subsrylptlon. The anThua4 subserlption shall be dedded by the ¢ommitteÉ •fid subJ•¢t to aPPToval ofthe membeT5 at the Annual General Meeting of the Soc4ety. A membership ord will be issued ¥nnuallv. 4) Pr•sldent As nIceary0 memb•rs shall appaint a Prosldent who will be a member of the Executlve Commlttée. The President may hold offlct for up to tlvt years and may b• rlknappolnted. Tho PrIdent, or delwtsd deputy, wlll take the ¢halr forthe el•ction of thè incomin8 Chaiiman. In th• went ot equalty of vtiti the Presldent wlil have a castlng vot 5) Ex•ie Cthnmlits• a) At the Annual General Meetln8 of the Sodety the members shall elect Irrjm Its numbor, a Ch4lrnwn, a VlcfrCh4lrTrn, a Se¢ratary, a Treasurer, •tsd up to Jev•n oth•r members to forrn an Exttutive Commlttée. A pèrson so eléetad shall commence hlsjher ye•r of offlte lrnmedlatsly after electkjn. b) Subject to thls Constltutlon the Executlve Commlttee shall hav• the &•ner•l control, dlrectlon and managem•nt of the 4ffatrs, funds and records ol the Sodety. c) The Exacutlve Ccvnmltt•• ghall megt at l•ast tw1¢¢ In e8ch year and the quorum fof such meqtkngs shall be the rnajorlty of the Commltt¢¢. d) The Chairman it each ex•cutlve meetlnK shall have a castlnf vots.ln the event of equallty of votlns. e) If th• n••d should arls• the Ex•cutlv• Committ•• shall have the power of c4H)ption. 6} M••th)8s of M•mbffs a) The Annual Genornl m••ttng of the Socl•ty shall be held at thè last meetlng of the gusion - nomwlly In A wll- or at such d•ty tlme and placè as the Executlve Commfftee by resolutlon detennlne. b) The agenda of the Annu41 Gener•1 Meetln8 shall contain th• followlng . l) Secretsrfs Report 11) Treasurerfs Audlted Report 1111 Electlon of the Exa¢utlve Commlttté Iv} Appointrnt of Auditor vl Afty oth•r buslness c) Each member shall hav• one vote on each proposal/motlon 8t an¥ General Meetlni of the Society, except In voting at elethns when the Chalrman shall have 8 eastlng vote In the event of tyual ¥oting, d) Notlces of motlon5 to be debatsd at the Annual Genéral Meetlns must •rrlve In wrlting wlth the S&retsry at least fourte•n da befrye the meth'ng. e} Spttial General Meetin85 of the Society, may be called by dedsbon af the ExeCUve Commltittas scon Js may be ift•rth• recelpt of a roquisitlon In writlng t¢ the secretsry signed on behalf of not less than one thlrd of th• mernber>, Ind itatin6 th• object of the metln8. Any sudb meetlng th
R•vls•d . 10 D•¢ 2015 called must be notifted In vrftltlng to th• m•rnb•rship not les5 th•n fpurte•n days beftsrp the dats of the m0etin& l The notlce ola 5pxia) Gen8r31 Meetlng shal statè the purpose tor whleh.rt b to be held and no buslnw, other than that spechled In tha notl¢econvenlng I may be dealt wlth. 7) Anandd Pl0$10n5 a) The flnanclal y¢ar of the lety shall be I"January to 31X Pec•mber. b) AJI funds of the Soclty shall b• kvt in a recc£nised bank.or bulldlh8soclety a8te# bythv £x Cornrnrtteè and all recelpts and dlsburmments of the Soclety shall be recorded In the Treasurerfs attounts. The actouftts sh•ll be kapt in the narne of the Sodety. ¢) The Exeeutlve Commlttee shall have power to adrnlnister such funds. d) The accounts of the Soclety shall be avdlted annually by the Audltor appoliited by th• rnthTrbéts at triv Ail nuai General Meetln8. 8) Intwpr•t•Uon and Proradur•s In all matters of pro¢•dure and Interprntatlon of thts eAngtltution th• declsk>n of the Chalmian Shall b• fin81. 9) Affléndmffit The'conthution'of thÈ'io¢l¥ty'may only'be amended by è resolutlon Girried by not1$5 than'two thlrds olthe VDtsJ glven th•rqon at In Annual G•neRI Meetlng tv Speeiil Gen•rnl fvleeting of the Soclety, provlded that notlte of the woposad amendment has b•on glven In wrltln8 ts •aeh member of th• Soclety at fpurteen days before thq me•tln8. 10) Afflv•ttS The Soclety may affite wlth the F•derakn lor Ulst•r Studles or such other body the rnembershlp of whlth would be deemed to be In th• b•st Intsrfjsts of the Sodety. HOVVer, any su¢h affillatlon shall r•qulre the prfor approval of thé members it an Annual Genernl Me•tlng or Sp•clal G•neral M•etln8 ¢4Ued for th• purp059. 11) Mlx•Nanoou$ a) Any obJ•ct or d0mantS1v£n to thè knié)i Ivr ¥tsfaeeplni or o¢tièfwiS¥ >lbail reirfialn th• property olthe own•r unless otherwlse decreed by himlher In writing and siqned In the presn¢• of ind•ndeTht witnesses. b) A copy of this Constltutlon, logether wlth any amendments thereto, sham be dellver¢d fre• of charge to any member of the Sodety on request. ¢) Tre S(kl•ty rnay bei dissolved by the consent of th¥Ee fourths uf ghé vot$ given thtl'6M ar gibsi•ci•l GeneMI Meedng called for the PUfPOS¢, of whlch entyeIght days notk• has bo•n glvén In writing. d) If ¢)n dlssolutlon of th• tty th•re Temalns, after the satlsfartion of all Its debts and liabllltbes, any assets atsOever 4sspts shall not be kept 4rn0ng its members but shall be glven or transferred to such pther charlty or tharltl•s havlw objects 5ifflilar to the Soclety as the Committee may declde. Slgned .. lo