BANGOR HISTORICAL SOCIErY ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2025 CHARITY NUMBER- NIC 104010 Principal Address: 24 Killeen Drfve, Bangor BT19 IIZ
Contents Pages Cover and Contents The SocietVs Trustees and Membership The Societvs Purpose / Public and Private Benefits Other Organisations / Administration Output / achievements / artivities Supporting Heritage / GDPR / Website /Publicity Accounts Public Benefit Guidance- Summary Appendix A- Bangor Historical SocieVs Constitution Appendix B - Audited Accounts of Bangor Historical Society and Independent Examinerfs Report
or Hlstorlcal Socle BHS Annual Re ort for the ear endln 31 December 2025 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 2025. Trustees The Trustees / Committee members in 2025 were - Robert McKinley President lan Wllson Chalrman Adrianne Brown Honorary Treasurer Dr. Sandra Millsopp Trustee Willlam Mcmullan Trustee BHS Trustees, Committee The Committee met twice in 202S. The Socie5 financial position was considered satisfactory. The need to replace both Secretary and Treasurer was considered as both had served for thirteen years. Suggestions for talks were discussed and approved. At all times the Committee was mindful that the Socievs activities would generate 'public benefit, in line with the guidance published by The Charitv Commission for Northern Ireland. Membershl On 31 December 202S the Society had 63 members compared with 62 in 2024, drawn mainly from the Ards and North Down Borough Council area. Visitor numbers had increased to 43 compared with 33 on 31 December 2024.
The Socle 5Pur ose under Part 2 of its Constitution (a) The study of and the encouragement of public interest in history. folklore. archaeology. and antiquities with special reference to the local area. (b) The holdin8 of lertures, visits and outings and encouragement of the study of local history. Pur oses under The Charltles Act Northern Ireland 2008 (a) The Advancement of EducatFon: and (b) 'Heritage' under The Advancement of the Arts, Culture. Herita8e or Science. Publlc and Prlvate 8eneflts The Societvs activities at meetings, which are open to the public, directly benefit its members and visitors who enjoy learning historical facts in a social atmosphere. This provides cognitive stimulation a5 well as adding to lifelong learning. Social interaction on these occasions may combat loneliness. Beneficiaries also include speakers, guides and proprietors of historic buildings and museums also coach companies and restaurants/cafes who may service the Society's outings although these were not needed for the sole outing organized in 2025. Bangor Methodist Church benefited from rent for the Societls use of its Wesley Hall for meetings at its Queen's Parade premises. Insurance premiums, which the Society pays to The Federation for Ulster Local Studies IFULS) to cover the Society's public liability, obviously benefit the insurers. The annual membership fee of £50. payable to FULS, supports the work of that body. The Society may decide to support projects and events by donations which promote or preserve local heritage- a benefit to the present and future. No donations were made, however, in 2025. Private benefits are incidental and necessary because the Society could not function without services from the wider community. The purposes of Bangor Historical Society 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 Artion (NICVA) which represents voluntary and community bodies throughout Northern Ireland and has provided valuable advice to the Society in addition to relevant training courses for its committee. Contact is ongoing with FULS and NICVA to ensure that the Society is kept informed of relevant matters and is represented on relevant training course5. In 2025 the Society'5 Treasurer attended an online webinar on Governan. Admlnistration The Society held 7 monthly meetings in 2025 from February to May and from September to November (excluding the months of June to Au8USt and December 2025). The January 2025 meeting was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. The Society acknowledges with thanks the excellent SUPPOrt given by the staff of Bangor Methodist Church. Constltutlon A copy of the Socierfs Constltutlon is attached at Appendlx
Output and Achlevements - 2025 In accordance with the purposes of the Society as stated in its Constitution and under the Charities Act {Northern Ireland) 2(K)8, the following is a summary of the Society's Outputs and achievements in 2025. Artlvities In 2025 the Society held 7 monthly meetings from February to November at 8.00pm on the second Thursday of each month {excluding the months of June to August and December). An outing was held on 14 August 2025. Pro ramme of Meetin 5 2025 Date eoker 13 February Robert Phipps The Bangor to Belfvst Roilwoy 13 March Ken Dawson Somuel Neilson ond the Northern Star 10 April Peter Vannuccl Trolley Buses in Belfast 8May Freda Lemon Treosures of Mount Stewart 11 September Allison Murphy The Men who Bulft the Tltonlc 9 October Noel Russell Holocoust.._ The Saved & the Spurned 13 November Stephen Cameron The Prlncess Vlrtoria Disaster Outln On 4 August 2025, members of Bangor Historical Society braved Storm Floris to meet at Grey Point Fort at Helen's Bay. The Fort had been built about 1905 in response to growing concern about the European situation. Along with its fellow ft)rt in Kilroot, it was built to guard Belfast Lough and deter enemy shipping from reaching Belfast. It fulfilled this role in both World Wars. Abandoned in the 1950s, it was restored by the local Council in the 1980s and re- opened on 9 May 1987. Members explored the on-site buildings then viewed the two six-inch breech loading guns on their platform overlooking the Lough.
Su ortin Herits e-sertion 2 of the Charltles Art Northern Ireland 2008 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 Protertion Re ulation GDPR GDPR compliance is regularly monitored, and members are given copies of the Society's Privacy Policy. On re8iStration, members advise the Society how they wish to be contacted. Contact details of members (the minimum data needed) were held solely by the Secretary and the Treasurer. The Secretary destroyed his copy of membership records when he resigned. Contact details are deleted when membership of the Society ceases. The Socie s Website - htt www.ban orhistoricalsocie ni.or Throughout 2025 the website was maintained by volunteers and requests from researcher5 were answered. Publicl Each talk was reported by Trustee Dr. Sandra Millsopp and published in the local newspaper 'The County Down Spertotor,, along with date and time of the next meeting. Dr. Millsopp's reports also appear on the 5ocietVs website. This publicizes the Society and attracts new members and visitors.
Accounts Fees ex ected b eakers Bangor Historical SocieVs revenue in 2025 came from an annual membership subscription of £20 and a visitorfs fee of £4 up to May 2025. With effect from 11 September 2025, the visitorfs fee was set at £5 per meeting. These increases reflected the higher fees now expected by speakers. No additional funding was sou8ht or received. The Sociews accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 have been audited by Ellse Richardson, Chartered Accountsnt. 25 Ardnavana8h Avenue, Conl1& Newtownards BT23 7XE. Ms.Richardson also conducted an Independent Examinerfs Report for the same period. The Societvs Bankers are Santsnder. Brldle Road, Bootle L30 4GB. The Societvs address is 24 Kllleen Drlve. Bangor BT19 ILZ. See endIX B for coples of accounts and related documents.
Publlc Benefit Guidance from the Chari Commis51on for Northern Ireland The Societvs Trustees were mindful of the guidance on the public benefit requirement expected from Bangor Historical Society by The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, when plannin8 and making decisions in 2025. This means that the Society must serve the public interest by delivering historical education and promoting heritage. Bangor Historical Society is well supported by a core of some 50 -60 members who renew their subscriptions annually and are regular attenders at meetings. Good speakers are attracted to the meetings and attendees are obviously learning for pleasure in a warm social atmosphere. The large number of visitors who may attend only talks which interest them indicates that the Society is fully open to the public and to non-members. Thi5 is a measure of the success of Bangor Historical Society in benefiting the public. Through newspaper publicity the Society continues to attract new attendees from the wider public. This has boosted visitor numbers. In co-operation with North Down Museum and The County Down Spectator, the Society helps to keep both local historical issues at the forefront of public interest and debate in this area. The Society continued to promote the preservation of local heritage, which is not only a gift for future 8enerations but also aids the local economy of this area by attracting visitors. In summary, the Trustees of Bangor Historical Society are confident that this Society benefits both its membership, its visitors and the wider community in I Ards and North Down Borough Council area. ned: Date: 2026 lan Wilsorf- Chalrman of Ban or Historical Socle roved b remalnln Trustees of Ban or Historical Socie email.
ARFIMD/X Ppvised . 10 D•c 2015 CONSTITUTION OF BANGOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY l) Name The kniety shall be called the Hlstorkal 5odety 2) Oblecis al The study of and the encouragement of public interest in history. folklore. archeology and antiquities with special reference to the local area. bl The holding of lectures. visits and outings and the encouragement of the stuthi of loca1ffiistory. 3) Member5hlp Membership will be open to any person supporting the objects ofthe Society and paying the annual subscription. The annual subscription shall be decided by the committee and subject to approval of the members at the Annual General Meeting of the Society. A membership card will be issued annually. 4) Presldent As necessary, members shall appoint a President who will be a member of the Executive Committee. The President may hold office for up to five years and may be rtrappointed. The President, or delegated deputy. will take the chair for the election of the incoming Chairman. In the event of equality of voting the President will have a casting vote. 5) Executlve Cammlttee al At the Annual General Meeting of the Society the mernbers shall elect from its number, a Chairman. a Vice-ChaiTrnan, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and up to seven other member5 to form an Executive Committee. A person so elected shall commence his/her year of office immediately after election. bl Subject to this Constitution the Executive Committee shall have the general control, direction and management of the affairs. funds and records of the Society. cl The Executive Cornmittee shall meet at least l¢e in each year and the quorum for such meetin85 shall be the maiorrty of the Committee. dl The Chairrnan at each executs.ve meeting shall have a casting vote in the event of equality of voting. el If the need should arise the Executs"¥e Cornmittee shall have the power of ¢o-option. 6) Meetln8s of Members a) The Annual General meeting of the Society shall be held at the last meetin8 of the session - normally in April- or at such date, time and place as the Executive Committee by resolution determine. bl The agenda of the Annual General Meeting shall tontain the following . il Secretsrfs Report ii) Treasurerfs Audited Report iiil Election of the Executs've Committee iv) Appointrnent of Auditor vl Any other busine5$ cl Each member shall have one vote on each proposallmotion at any General Meeting of the S¢xiety, except in voting at dertions vthen the Chairrnan shall have a casting vote in the event of equal voting. dl Notices of motions to be debated at the Annual General Meeting must arrive in writing with the Secretsry at least fourteen days before the meeting. el Special General Meetings of the Society. may be called by decision of the Executive Committee as soon a5 may be after the receipt of a requisitlon in writin8 to the secretsry signed on behalf of Th)t less than one third of the members. and stating the object of the meetin8. Any such meeting thus
evised . 10 Dec 2015 called must be notified in writing tt> the membership not less than fourteen days before the date of the meeting. The notite of a Special General Meeting shall stste the purpose for whith it is to be held and no business. other than that Specified in the notite eonvening it rnay be dealt with. 7) Rnandal prO$10n$ al The financial year of the Society shall be I" January to 31" December. bl All funds of the Society shall be kept in a recognised bank or building slxiety agreed by the Exetutive Committee and all receipts and disbursements of the Society shall be recorded In the Treasurerfs accounts. The accounts shall be kept in the name of the Society. cl The Executive Committee shall have power to administer such fvnds. dl The accounts of the Society shall be audited annually by the Auditor appointed by the rnembers at the Annual General Meeting. 8) Interpretsllon and Procedures In all matters of procedure and interpretstion of this constitution the decision of the Chairman shall be flnal. 9) Amendment The Constitution of the S(Kiety may only be amended by a resolution carried by not less than two thirds of the votes glven thereon at an Annual General Meetin8 or Special General Meeting of the Society, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given in writin8 to each member of the Society at least fourteen days before the meeting. 10) Afflllatlons The Society may affiliate with the Federation for Ulster Local Studies or such other body the membership of which would be deemed to be in the best interests of the Society. However, any such affiliation shall require the prior approval of the members at an Annual Genernl Meeting or Special General Meeting called for the purpose. 11) Mlscellaneous al Any object or document given to the Society for safekeeping or otherwise shall remain the property of the owner unless otherwise decreed by himTher in Writing and sned in the presence of independent witnesses. bl A copy of this Constitution, together with any amendments thereto, shall be delivered free of charge to any member of the Society on requesL cl The society may be dissolved by the consent of three fourths of the votes given thereon at a special General Meeting called for the purpose, of which twentyoight days notice has been given in writing. dl If on dissolution of the Society there remains. after the satisfartion of all its debts and liabilities, any a55ets whatsoever Such assets shall not be kept •mon8 its members but sh411 be given or transferred to such other charity or charities havin8 objects similar to the Society as the Committee may decide. Signed -. ((1. ) Date: lo
ArrrMD/¥ B Bangor Hlstorlcal Soclety Accounts For the year ended 3tst December 2025 Charities No. 104010
Bangor Hlstorlcal Society Independent Examiner's Report For the year ended 31st December 2025 Indendent Examlnerfs Re rt to the Tru5W ofThe Ba or Hlstorl¢al Sode I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st Defflber 2025, which are set out on pages I to 6. Res Ive Res nslbllltles of cha trustee5 and examiner As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity'5 trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 65121 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2CQ8 and that an independent examination is needed. The charity is preparing accrual accounts and l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of Chartered Accountants Ireland. It is my responsibility to= examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act INI) 2LN)8 follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commi$5ion for Northern Ireland under5ertion 65{9llbl of the Charities Act state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls of Inde ndent examiner's re I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Chartties Act and my examination was carried out in accordan with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those record5. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you a5 charity trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given a5 to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the next Statement. Inde ndent exarniner'5 5tstement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention= 111 which 8ives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respert the requirements.. - to keep accounting retords in accordan with section 386 of the Companies Act 2(X)6 and section 44llllal of the 2IX)5 Act and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting OrdS. compty with the accounting requirements of the Companies Art 2C#)6 and sertion 44llllbl of the 2005 Art and Regulation 8 of the 2C(16 Accounts Regulation5 and - which are consistent with the methods and principles of the SORP: Accountin8 and Reporting by Charities. have not been met or 121 to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper under- 5tandin8 of the accounts to be reached. Name: Qualification= Addre55: Date: Elise Richardson Chartered Accountant IFCAI- Membership No. 09c0743 25 Ardvanagh Avenue. Conli& Nevrtownards, BT23 7XE 4th May 2026
Bangor Hlstorical Society ststement of Financial Activities For the year ended 31st December 2025 Unrestricted Fund5 2025 Unrestricted Fund5 2024 Notes to The Accounts Income Members Account Subscriptions Visitors Bank interest received Donations 1.260 1,235 119 18 20 13 Totsl Income 1.473 1.372 Ex enditure Speakers Fees Venue Rentsl Caretaker Federation Membership Insurance: Public Liabilsty Charitable Donation Secretary's Expenses Treasurer's Expenses Independent Examinerfs Fee Bank charges 455 210 i(M) 355 50 56 150 iio 24 150 74 ioi Iso Totsl Expendlture 1.185 1,125 Net Surplu5/Deficlt In fvnds 247 Reconclllatlon of fund5 Total funds brought foThvard Total funds carried f0Th4ard 6,041 6,329 5,794 6.041
Bangor Hlstorical Society Statement of Financial Position As at 31st December 2025 Unrestricted Funds 2025 Unrestrirted Funds 2024 Current Assets Current Account Savings Account Cash in hand 4,442 1.974 4,174 1,954 6,416 6,131 Current Llabllltles Creditor5 90 Net CurrertAssets 6.326 6,041 Long term Ilabllltles Net Current Assets 6.326 6.041 Funds of the chorfty Unrestricted fund5 6.329 6.041 6.329 6,041 These accounts were submitted in draft to the committee who approved them per emailed replies to the treasurer. Slgned bv: Trtwr•r Print Name= lan Wilson Adrianne Brown Date-.
Bangor Hlstorlcal Society Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 3tst December 2025 Accountl PoliTcles ststement of compliance The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities= Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 leffective l January 20161- (Charities SORP IFRS 10211. the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 and the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. Basls ot preparation The accounts are prepared under the historical costs convention on an accruals basis. Exemptlon from preparing a cash flow statement The charity opted to eady adopt Bulletin I published on 2 Februory 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial staternents. Revenue reco8nltlon Revenue is recognised upon receipt and the main activities of the society include: Subscriptions. ticket sales for member's evenin8 and bus outing5} Icurrently suspended Nature and purpose of Funds Unrestricted funds are available for general purposes in accordance with the the charity's purposes. There are no restricted funds or endowments. GolnE concern The Trustees consider that there a no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to Continue as a going concern. Taxatlon The charity is a re8lStered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. Trustee remuneration, beneffts and expenses No trustees are paid any remuneration or receive any other benefits from the charity. Expenses are only paid to refund expenditure in relation to charity business.
Bangor Hlstorlcal Soclety Notes to the Accounts For the year ended 31st December 2025 Treasurer's Note5 to the Accounts I Subscriptions- 63 members @ £20 per head - £1.260. The £20 annual membership remained at the same rate throughout the year. 2 Visitors. fees- 35 vi5itor5 @ £4 per head = £140 plus 8 visitor5 @ £5 per head= £40. Total for the year= £180. The £3 visitorfs fee increased to £5 frorn Ilth September 2025. (Jvo meeting wgs held irtjonuory 2025. No subscriptn5 orwsitors'ftes colle¢tedot the meeting on 11 September2025 due to the ubsen¢e of the Treosurerj 3 Members kindly made small anonymous donations at meetings. 4 The speakerfs fee was standardized at £75 per meeting from Ilth September 2025. Fees in 2025 were £455 compared with £355 in 2024. 5 BHS paid rent of £210 to The Methodist Church for 7 meetin85 at The Wesley Hall in former Queen's Parade Methodist Church up to May 25. A further 3 meetings are owed at the year end and accrued for. The venue rental remains at £30 per meeting. 6 Payment of £lIXI was made to the cataker of The Wesley Hall venue for his support at meetings. 7 No charitable donations were made to support heritage projects in 2025. 8 Secretary's expenses include administration costs for production of pro8rammes for visitors. photocopying and other general costs in Connection with the society- 9 Treasurer's expenses include administration costs for posta8e. photocopyin& ststionery and other general tosts in connection with the society. Adrianne L Brown Hon. Treasurer 30th April 2026