Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Annual reports and accounts for the year ended July, 31 2025
Charity Registration Number: 105693
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Annual reports and accounts
for the year ended July, 31 2025
Contents
| Reports Abbots Report |
i |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details | 2 |
| Trustees' report | 3 |
| Independent auditors report | 8 |
| Accounts Statement of Financial Activities |
11 |
| Balance Sheet | 12 |
| Statement of Cash Flows | 13 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 14 |
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Reference and administrative details
for the year ended July, 31 2025
Reference and administrative information
Trustees Fr Philip Scott Fr Francis Morgan Rev Celsus Kelly Br Michael McCourt (Deceased 28 April 2025) Abbot Rev Aelred Magee Address 11 Ballymena Road Portglenone BT44 8BL Charity Registration Number NIC 105693 Auditors Stavri Chartered Accountants incorporating James B Kennedy & Co., Outbuildings 65 Edenbane Road Garvagh, Coleraine BT51 5NA Bankers Allied Irish Banks plc 78 Wellington Street Ballymena BT43 6AF Allied Irish Banks plc Ballsbridge Dublin 4 Solicitors Paul McMullan 2-4 Church Street Ballynahinch BT24 8AF
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Trustees' report
for the year ended July, 31 2025
The Trustees present their report and the audited financial statements of the charity, Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust, for the year ended 31 July 2025 The Trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" in preparing the annual report and financial statements of the charity.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out on pages 11 to 19 of the attached accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, applicable laws and Accounting and Reporting by Charities Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) effective from accounting periods commencing 1 January 2015 or later.
Objectives and Activities
The purpose of the monastery is to promote religion by;
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providing a spiritual centre, of Christian culture and heritage, for people of all faiths and all people of good will;
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bearing witness to the contemplative dimension of Christian life;
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celebrating Mass daily and the Divine Office throughout every day;
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preaching and hearing confessions;
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demonstrating the monastic ideal to the individuals and groups who visit the monastery;
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providing accommodation for visitors seeking retreat and spiritual advice;
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helping people to pray.
In addition to providing public worship, preaching, hearing confessions and giving spiritual guidance the Community's works compromise:
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the operation of a guesthouse welcoming individuals and groups for retreat;
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the maintenance of gardens and grounds that are open to the public;
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the running of a printing press for the Community and the public;
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operation of a repository for the supply of religious artefacts.
The charity maintains the monastery, where the community lives, the guest house and the properties from where they carry out their work.
Public benefit
In formulating the charity's aims and in planning the work of members of the Community, the trustees have had regard to the general guidance published by the Charity Commission on public benefit and its supplementary guidance on the advancement of religion. The trustees believe that the Abbey and works of the monks have influenced morals and
attitudes and enhanced the spiritual wellbeing of those visiting the Abbey for retreat or prayer. The trustees, by making donations to individuals and organisations in need, also demonstrate public accountability.
Achievements and performance
Review of activities and future plans
At July 31, 2025 the Community of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey numbered eleven solemnly professed monks.
During the year the charity continued to assist the monks with their charitable and religious work.
Prayer, reading and work are the elements that make up the life of a monk. The Order as a whole seeks to move forward, while preserving the fundamentals of its history of community life and dedicated service to the wider community.
Liturgy and worship
While being central to our monastic life, our liturgy continues to draw visitors who are free to attend our celebration of the Eucharist and Divine Office. Members of the public regularly come to Mass here on Sundays and weekdays as they appreciate the solemnity of the worship and singing.
We are a contemplative order i.e. we do not do pastoral work, except helping out when a local priest needs someone from the monastery to say Mass when he is away, and some of the priests hear confessions.
Our main task in the church is our life of prayer.
We gather together in the church seven times each day to pray the Divine Office which is the official prayer of the church. These prayers start at 4 00am and finish at 8 00pm in the evening. Each monk spends a fair amount of time each day at spiritual reading and at personal prayer. If able each monk works part of the day at the different tasks needed to keep the monastery going.
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Trustees' report
for the year ended July, 31 2025
Achievements and performance (continued)
Hospitality
The guesthouse has continued to provide a much needed service, for people in need, and wishing to stay with us for a few days, and to appreciate the serene surroundings, prayer and hospitality we have to offer.
We continue to develop the gardens and grounds and the number of visitors coming for a few hours of peace and quiet is increasing. We see this is as an important ministry providing a haven of peace for people in a hectic world. Our grounds are open to the general public for free from 7:00am to 7:00pm every day of the year.
Printing press
Our printing press has been in operation for over 50 years and specialises in personalised laminated and traditional religious prayer cards also known as memorial cards.
Memorial cards are a lasting and befitting tribute to a departed loved one, and can be fully personalised with individual poem or eulogy and photo of the deceased loved one.
Shops
The Repository continues to attract a great number of customers, offering an excellent selection of religious books and objects of piety. In addition, the shops sell local produce including honey, jams and preserves.
For us the shop is not just a business venture - we see it as part of our ministry and service to the local congregation.
Caring for members of the monastery
The monastery has an obligation, both moral and legal, to provide care for its members, none of whom has resources of their own and all of whom have devoted their lives to serving in the monastic life. As the age profile of the community increases so too does the need to provide increasing and increasingly expensive care for the monks. We endeavour to care for the monks within the monastery, their own home, only resorting to outside care when we are unable to cope ourselves.
Financial review
Results for the year
The statement of financial activities is on page 9 of the accounts and a summary of the years results is as follows:
Total income for the year amounted to £919,205 (2024, £1,120,861).
Voluntary income amounted to £333,925, (2024, £516,705) and represents 36% (PY 46%) of total income to the Trust. Individual members of the Community donated £42,133.35 (2024, £30,296) being their pensions and allowances.
Income from trading activities amounted to £513,656 (2024, £537,584) and this accounts for 56% (PY 49% of total income to the Trust. This is of great importance to the charity and its continued existence in the community.
Other income, including rental income from farm land, investment income and disposal of land amounted to £71,624 (2024, £66,572).
Total expenditure for the year amounted to £988,740 (2024, £1,283,398).
Costs for the ministry and support of members of the community to include trading activities amounted to £293,276 (2024, £333,978)
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Trustees' report
for the year ended July, 31 2025
Financial review (continued)
Reserves policy
The trustees have examined the requirement for free reserves, (unrestricted funds) not invested in tangible fixed assets, designated for specific purposes or otherwise committed.
The trustees consider that the nature of the charity’s work and the heavy reliance on trading departments for generating income necessitates that the charity always retain a modest level of free reserves. The trustees consider it prudent to hold at least an amount equivalent to approximately one year's expenditure as liquid reserves. The trustees believe that such a level of reserves enables them to plan for the future and provides flexibility to cover temporary shortfalls in incoming resources and allows the charity to cope and respond to unforeseen emergencies.
The balance sheet shows total funds of £6,719,598 (2024, £6,547,768).
Funds totalling £3,484,636 (2024, £3,484,636) have been set aside by the trustees as a property fund which represents 90% of the book value at cost of the Abbey's freehold properties. The trustees recognise the charity assets are essential to to day running of the charity and as such their value should not be regarded as funds that could be realised with any ease the day in order to meet contingencies in the future.
Funds totalling £1,263,150 (2024, £1,263,150) have been designated by the trustees to provide for the care and welfare of the community. Given the increasing age profile of the monks, the sum will provide only modest resources to look after the monks, many of whom will need increasing and increasingly expensive care and support in the years ahead. Full details of the designated fund can be found in note 19 to the accounts.
Funds totalling £231,415 (2024, £241,913) have been set aside as a trading reserve, a contingency which equates to five months of average trading. The trustees consider this prudent given the importance of the trading departments in meeting the operational and upkeep costs of the charity.
Funds totalling £573,750 (2024, £573,750) have been set aside towards the construction of the new Coffee Shop in the area vacated by the Craft Shop which ceased trading on 1 February 2019. The Craft Shop functions were taken over by the Repository Shop. The Trustees have recognised that the public visiting of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey and its public gardens are in need place to rest and replenish in order to make their visit more accommodating.
General funds (or free reserves) of the charity at July,31 2025 totalled £1,166,916 (2024, £984,320) which equates to 118% (PY 77%) of the average annual resource cost by the charity. Noted in the figures is the increase in the value of investments by £241,365 and this accounts for 24% points.
The general fund level has increased over the years and given the charity's work and the combination of the reserves policy on trading contingency reserve, the trustees consider that these reserves exceed the minimum level required to be operational and support the charity's work.
Fixed assets
Acquisitions and disposals of fixed assets during the year are recorded in the notes to the accounts.
5
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Trustees' report
for the year ended July, 31 2025
Governance structure and management
Governance
The Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (also known as “Trappists”) is a Roman Catholic contemplative religious order, consisting of monasteries of monks and monasteries of nuns. We are part of the larger Cistercian family which traces its origin to 1098. As Cistercians we follow the Rule of St Benedict, and so are part of the Benedictine family as well. Our lives are dedicated to seeking union with God, through Jesus Christ, in a community of brothers.
Each monastery is autonomous.
The monastery is governed by the Constitutions and Statutes of the monks and nuns of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, and other legislative documents, approved by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, in Rome on 3 June 1990. The assets comprising the monastery are held in a charitable trust, registered with the Charity Commission (Charity Registration Number NIC 105693) and it is through this trust that the varied works of the community are accounted for.
In terms of the Rule of St Benedict, our Constitutions and Canon law the monastery is governed by the Abbot who is elected by the solemnly professed members of the community for a six year term of office. The Abbot’s governance is overseen by the Father Immediate, who makes a visitation every two years, and also by the General Chapter, which meets every three years, and the Abbot General who resides in Rome.
Trustees
The trustees are appointed by the Abbot. There are currently four trustees who have served from August. 1 2024;
Fr Philip Scott
Fr Francis Morgan Rev Celsus Kelly Br Michael McCourt (Deceased 28 April 2025)
Key management personnel
The trustees consider that they alone comprise the key management of the charity and are in charge of directing and running the day to day operations of the charity. None of the trustees received any remuneration from the charity in respect to their services during the year.
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in Northern Ireland requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming of resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to the United Kingdom and
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and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102);
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Trustees' report
for the year ended July, 31 2025
Governance structure and management
Statement of trustees' responsibilities (continued)
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.
They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the financial information included on the charity's website.
Structure and management reporting
The trustees are ultimately responsible for the policies, activities and assets of the charity. They meet during the year to review developments with regard to the charity or its activities and make any important decisions. When necessary, the trustees seek advice and support from the charity’s professional advisers including solicitors, investment managers and accountants. The day to day management of the charity’s activities and the implementation of policies is the responsibility of the Abbot.
Risk management
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, in particular those relating to the specific operational areas of the charity, its investments and its finances. The trustees believe that they have established effective systems to mitigate those risks.
It has not escaped the notice of the trustees that year by year community numbers have been reducing and are concerned that before long the community may cease altogether to attract recruits and that then the community could die out. To counter this tendency, everything possible is being done to enable the community to live its contemplative life and values authentically and to observe the Rule of St Benedict and the Cistercian Constitutions as faithfully as is possible.
Acknowledgements
Employees and members of the Community
The trustees wish to record their recognition of the hard work, professionalism and commitment shown by all their staff and by the individual members of the community. Their dedication and support are very much appreciated.
Benefactors
The trustees are profoundly grateful for the financial and other support received from friends and families of the community, guests, visitors and members of the public. The many benefactors of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey are remembered in the prayers of the community.
For and on behalf of the trustees
Rev Celsus Kelly Trustee
7
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Independent Auditor's Report
to the trustees of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust "(the charity)" the year ended July 31, 2024 which comprise the statement of financial activities, the balance sheet, the accounting policies and the notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards , including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
· give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs as at July 31, 2025 and of its total incoming resources and application of resources for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland ) 2008.
Basis of opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating going concern
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:
- the Trustee's use the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is not appropriate; or
· the Trustee has not disclosed in the financial statements any identified material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt about the charity's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting for a period of at least twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees report, other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon, The Trustees are responsible for the other information. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether there is a material misstatement in the financial statements or a material misstatement of the other information. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report this fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Independent Auditor's Report
to the trustees of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
(continued)
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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the information given in the financial statements is inconsistent in any material respect with the Trustees' report; or
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sufficient accounting records have not been kept; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of the Trustees
As explained more fully in the Trustee's responsibilities statement set out on page 6. the Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements which give a true and fair view, and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are responsible for assessing the charity's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustee either intends to liquidate the charity or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
We have been appointed as auditor under section 65(2) of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008 and report in accordance with regulations made under section 66 of that Act.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with ISAs (UK), we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional scepticism throughout the audit. We also:
· Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
· Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the charity's internal control.
· Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by the Trustee.
· Conclude on the appropriateness of the Trustee's use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the charity to cease to continue as a going concern
9
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Independent Auditor's Report
to the trustees of Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
(continued)
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
· Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the Trustees of the charity, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity's Trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and it's Trustees, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Loucas Stavri
(Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of Stavri Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor Coleraine
4 December 2025
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
----- Start of picture text -----
Statement of financial activities
for the year ended July, 31 2025
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds 2025 2024
£ £ £ £
Incoming resources -
Voluntary income 2 333,925 - 333,925 516,705
Investment income and interest 3 - - - -
Trading activities 4 513,656 - 513,656 537,584
Other 5 71,624 - 71,624 66,572
Total incoming resources 919,205 - 919,205 1,120,861
Resources expended -
Cost of generating funds
Investment management fees - - - -
Charitable activities
Ministry and support of members of the community 6 293,276 - 293,276 333,978
Upkeep of the Monastery and administering
the parish 7 234,097 - 234,097 484,685
Governance 8 20,766 - 20,766 23,274
Trading activities 9 440,600 - 440,600 441,461
Total resources expended 988,740 - 988,740 1,283,398
Net (outgoing) / incoming resources before other
recognised gains 10 ( 69,535) - ( 69,535) ( 162,537)
Other recognised gains
- - - -
Gains on revaluation of fixed assets for the charity's own use
Gain / (Loss) on investment assets 241,365 - 241,365 246,059
Net movement in funds 171,829 - 171,829 83,522
Total funds brought forward
at August, 1 6,547,768 6,547,768 6,464,246
Fund balances carried forward #### - -
at July 31, 6,719,598 - 6,719,598 6,547,768
Note
----- End of picture text -----
All recognised gains and losses are included in the above statement of financial activities.
The notes on pages 14 - 22 form part of these financial statements.
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Balance sheet
for the year ended July, 31 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets 12 Investments 14 Current assets Stocks 15 Debtors 16 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after one year Provisions for liabilities and charges Net assets The Funds of the Charity Unrestricted Funds Property Funds 18 Designated funds 19 General funds Restricted funds Total Funds |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds £ £ 3,513,786 - 2,880,160 - 6,393,946 - 98,380 - 90,912 - 234,399 - 423,691 - ( 98,040) - 325,651 - 6,719,598 - - - - - 6,719,598 - 3,484,636 2,068,045 1,166,916 6,719,598 - 6,719,598 - |
2025 2024 £ £ 3,513,786 3,547,123 2,880,160 2,638,795 6,393,946 6,185,919 98,380 92,620 90,912 88,909 234,399312,234 423,691493,764 ( 98,040) ( 131,914) 325,651361,850 6,719,5986,547,768 - - - - 6,719,5986,547,768 3,484,636 3,484,636 2,068,0452,078,812 1,166,916 984,320 6,719,598 6,547,768 6,719,598 6,547,768 |
|---|---|---|
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Rev Celsus Kelly
Trustee
Approved on:
4 December 2025
The notes on pages 14 - 22 form part of these financial statements.
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Statement of cashflows
for the year ended July, 31 2025
| notes Operating activities Net income in funds (as per the statement of financial activities) Adjustments for: Depreciation (Gains) in investments Investment income and interest receivable Decrease in stocks Decrease in debtors Decrease / (Increase) in creditors Net cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Investment income and interest receivable Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from the disposal of investments Acquisition of property, plant and equipment Purchase of investments Net cash used in investing activities Changes in cash and cash equivalents in the year Cash and cash equivalents at August, 1 Cash and cash equivalents at July 31, Cash and cash equivalents comprise: Cash at bank and in hand Cash held by investment managers - Cash and cash equivalents at July 31, |
2025 2024 £ £ 171,829 227,439 36,157 31,795 ( 241,365) ( 144,068) - ( 4,000) ( 5,760) 27,036 ( 2,003) 9,979 ( 33,874) ( 13,569) ( 75,015) 134,613 - 4,000 30,400 - - 300,000 ( 2,820) - - ( 400,000) 27,580 ( 96,000) ( 47,435) 38,613 312,234 651,647 264,799 690,260 234,399 690,260 - - 234,399 690,260 |
|---|---|
The notes on pages 14 - 22 form part of these financial statements.
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended July, 31 2025
1 Summary of significant accounting policies
1.1 General information an basis of preparation
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey is an unincorporated organisation governed by its Deed of Trust. The address of the organisation is given in the charity information on page 3 of these financial statements. The charity is involved in the furtherance of Cistercian Order and Catholicism.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (second edition - October 2020), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and UK Generally Accepted Practice as it applies from 1 January 2020.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policies below or the notes to these accounts.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest pound.
- 1.2 Critical accounting estimates and areas of judgement
Preparation of the accounts requires the Trustees to make significant judgements and estimates. It also requires management to exercise judgment in applying the Charity's accounting policies. The items in the accounts where these judgements and estimates have been made include:
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assumptions adopted by the trustees in determining the value of any designations required from the charity's unrestricted funds;
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estimating the economic useful life of tangible fixed assets used to determine the annual depreciation charge;
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judgements made by the trustees in estimating the fair values attributed to the charity's investments; and
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the estimation of the gross profit percentage achievable on trading stock shop in order to adjust the retail value to the cost figure and any associated write down for slow moving or obsolete stock.
1.3 Funds
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes. The cost of raising and administering such funds are charged against the specific fund. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
1.4 Income recognition
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when the charity is legally entitled to the income after any performance conditions have been met, the amount can be measured reliably and it is probable that the income will be received.
For donations to be recognised the charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the charity and it is probable that then will be fulfilled.
Donated facilities and donated professional services are recognised in income at their fair value when their economic benefit is probable, it can be measured reliably and the charity has control over the item. Fair value is determined on the basis of the value of the gift to the charity. For example the amount the charity would be willing to pan in the open market for such facilities and services. A corresponding amount is recognised in expenditure.
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended July, 31 2025
1.4 Income recognition (continued)
Income from commerce activities is recognised as earned. Investment income is recognised on a receivable basis Other income is credited to the Statement of Financial Activities when it falls due.
No amount is included in the financial statements for volunteer time in line with the SORP (FRS 102). Further detail is given in the Trustees' Annual Report.
Where practicable, gifts in kind donated for distribution to the beneficiaries of the charity are included in stock and donations in the financial statements upon receipt. If it is impracticable to assess the fair value at receipt or if the costs to undertake such a valuation outweigh any benefits, then the fair value is recognised as a component of donations when it is distributed and an equivalent amount recognised as charitable expenditure.
Gifts in kind donated for resale are included at fair value, being the expected proceeds from sale less the expected costs of sale. Where estimating the fair value is practicable upon receipt it is recognised in stock and 'Income from other trading activities'. Upon sale, the value of the stock is charged against 'Income from other trading activities' and the proceeds are recognised as 'Income from other trading activities'. Where it is impracticable to fair value the items due to the volume of low value items then are not recognised in the financial statements until then are sold. This income is recognised within 'Income from other trading activities'.
Fixed asset gifts in kind are recognised when receivable and are included at fair value. Then are not deferred over the life of the asset.
For legacies, entitlement is the earlier of the charity being notified of an impending distribution or the legacy being received. At this point income is recognised. On occasion legacies will be notified to the charity however it is not possible to measure the amount expected to be distributed. On these occasions, the legacy is treated as a contingent asset and disclosed.
Income from trading activities includes income earned from fundraising events and trading activities to raise funds for the charity. Income is received in exchange for suppling goods and services in order to raise funds and is recognised when entitlement has occurred.
Investment income is earned through holding assets for investment purposes such as shares and property. It includes dividends, interest and rent. Where it is not practicable to identify investment management costs incurred within a scheme with reasonable accuracy the investment income is reported net of these costs. It is included when the amount can be measured reliably. Interest income is recognised using the effective interest method and dividend and rent income is recognised as the charity's right to received payment is established.
Government grants in relation to tangible fixed assets are credited to the statement of financial activities over the useful lives of the related assets, whereas grants received in relation to operational expenditure are credited to the statement of financial activities for the full amount and designated to "Unrestricted Funds" due to the nature of the expenditure the grants were claimed and approved for funding. The nature and source of the grants are disclosed in the notes to the accounts.
1.5 Expenditure recognition
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Expenditure is recognised where there is a legal or constructive obligation to make payments to third parties, it is probable that the settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. It is categorised under the following headings:
~Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of running the charity's community as well as other costs associated with furthering the charitable purposes of the charity through the provision of its charitable activities. These costs comprise charitable grants and donations, direct and support costs in respect to the support of members of the Cistercian Order and the community. ~Expenditure on raising funds comprise fees paid in respect of fund management in relation to the charity's investments.
~Other expenditure represents those items not falling into the categories above.
Charitable grants and donations are made where the Trustees consider there is a real need following a review of the details of each particular case and comprise single year payments rather than multi-year grants. Grants and donations are included in the statement of financial activities when approved for payment. Provision is made for grants and donations approved but unpaid at the period end.
Irrecoverable VAT is charged as an expense against the activity for which expenditure was incurred.
15
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended July, 31 2025
1.6 Tangible fixed assets
Capital expenditure incurred prior to July 31, 1999 was written off as incurred. The Order purchased the guest house as the monastery in 1948 and related lands. During the 1960's the monastery was built to house the community and stands to this day. In order to assess a reasonable and fair valuation of the property, taking into account its type, age, condition and life expectancy, the Trustees considered that 2015 insured valuation be discounted by individual property and subsequent years be depreciated at 2% straight line. Subsequent acquisitions or improvements are capitalised at cost. The acquisition cost of fixtures and plant at 1st August 1999 has been capitalised in the financial statements.
Improvements to land, buildings and acquisitions of other assets of £ 2,000 or more are capitalised.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets, at rates calculated to write off the cost, less estimated residual value, of each asset on a systematic basis over its expected useful life as follows on a straight line basis:
| Freehold land | 0% |
|---|---|
| Freehold buildings | 2% |
| Plant and machinery | 7 - 25% |
| Fixtures and fittings | 15 - 25% |
| Motor vehicles | 15 - 25% |
- 1.7 Investments
Investments are recognised initially at fair value which is normally the transaction price excluding transaction costs. Subsequently, then are measured at fair value with changes recognised in 'net gains / (losses) on investments' in the SoFA if the shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably. Other investments are measured at cost less impairment
1.8 Stocks
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost includes all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing stock to its present location and condition. Provision is made for damaged, obsolete and slow-moving stock where appropriate.
- 1.9 Debtors receivable and creditors payable within one year.
Debtors and creditors with no stated interest rate and receivable or payable within one year are recorded at transaction price. Ann losses arising from impairment are recognised in expenditure.
1.10 Foreign currency
Foreign currency transactions are initially recognised by applying to the foreign currency amount the spot exchange rate between the functional currency and the foreign currency at the date of the transaction.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency at the balance sheet date are translated using the closing rate.
1.11 Fund accounting
The income funds comprise those monies which man be used towards meeting the charitable objectives of the charity and applied at the discretion of the trustees.
The trustees have at their discretion identified specific areas where funds are to be administered;
Property fund, represents the net book value of the charity's freehold property and property improvements. Programme related investment fund represents the carrying value of the charity's programme related investments. Designated funds are monies set aside out of the general fund and designated for specific purposes identified by the trustees. Restricted funds are monies raised for, or donations and legacies received restricted to a specific purpose, or subject to donor conditions.
General funds represent those monies which are freely available for application towards achieving any charitable purpose that falls within the charity's charitable objectives.
16
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
----- Start of picture text -----
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended July, 31 2025
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds 2025 2024
2 Voluntary income £ £ £ £
Masses 143,953 143,953 162,696
Donations 101,650 101,650 259,168
Legacies 1,000 1,000 6,100
Stipends 15,419 15,419 39,204
Guest donations 9,463 9,463 878
Votive candles 20,306 20,306 18,363
Covenanted pensions and monastic income 42,133 42,133 30,296
Total voluntary income 333,925 - 333,925 516,705
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds 2025 2024
3 Investment income and interest £ £ £ £
Investment income - - -
Interest receivable - - -
Total investment and interest income - - - -
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds 2025 2024
4 Trading activities £ £ £ £
Monastery shop 364,382 364,382 352,609
Printing press 149,274 149,274 184,975
Total trading activities income 513,656 - 513,656 537,584
Unrestricted Restricted
funds funds 2025 2024
5 Other £ £ £ £
Rents received 48,278 48,278 47,060
Asset disposal - - 450
Miscellaneous 23,346 23,346 19,062
- - -
Revenue grants (5.1)
Total other income 71,624 - 71,624 66,572
----- End of picture text -----
5.1 The Trust was in receipt of Job Retention Scheme grants totalling £- (2023 £ -).
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended July, 31 2025
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 2025 2024 6 Ministry and support of members of the community £ £ £ £ Support of the members of the Community and their ministry enables the members of the Community to carry out the work of the charity in the areas of the advancement of the Roman Catholic faith and the relief of poverty and suffering. Such expenditure comprises: Staff costs 72,607 - 72,607 67,818 Premises costs 87,105 - 87,105 89,438 Community and living expenses 83,113 - 83,113 80,616 Ecclesiastical and spiritual renewal 46,951 - 46,951 91,929 Repayments of community loans - - - - Charitable payments 3,500 - 3,500 4,177 Legacies - - - - |
|---|
| Total expensed on raising funds 293,276 - 293,276 333,978 |
Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include trading management carried out within the charity.
Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings then have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. Premises overheads have been allocated on an area basis and other overheads have been allocated on a usage basis.
| 7 8 9 |
Upkeep of the Monastery and administering the parish Staff costs Premises costs Maintenance and repairs Other costs Governance Auditor's remuneration Professional fees Professional fees and charges Trading activities Staff costs Monastery shop Printing press Costs directly associated with trading activities |
Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 35,044 35,044 32,947 98,224 98,224 100,856 45,938 45,938 297,014 54,891 54,891 53,869 234,097 - 234,097 484,685 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 10,000 - 10,000 10,000 10,766 - 10,766 13,274 20,766 - - 20,766 23,274 Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 177,257 - 177,257 167,094 263,343 - 263,343 274,367 - - - - 440,600 - 440,600 441,461 |
|---|---|---|
18
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Notes to the accounts
| 10 11 |
for the year ended July, 31 2025 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 2025 2024 Net (outgoing) / incoming resources before other £ £ £ £ recognised gains This is stated after charging (crediting) Depreciation 36,157 - 36,157 35,782 Auditors remuneration -: - .Statutory audit 10,000 10,000 10,000 .Non audit services 10,766 10,766 13,274 Forex loss (gain) 2,092 2,092 210 Revenue grants (5.1) - - - Unrestricted Restricted funds funds 2025 2024 Staff costs £ £ £ £ Staff costs during the year were as follows: Wages and salaries 251,525 - 251,525 240,153 Social security costs 21,324 - 21,324 17,221 Pension costs 12,060 - 12,060 10,483 284,908 - 284,908 267,858 No monetary value has been placed on administrative or other services provided by the members of the Community to the charity. The average number of employees during the year, analysed by function were as follows: 2025 2024 Number Number Ministry and support of members of the community 13 17 Upkeep of the Monastery and administering the parish 4 4 17 21 |
|---|---|
No employee earned £60,000 or more (including taxable benefits but excluding employer pension contributions) during the financial year (2024, none)
12 Trustees' remuneration
No trustee received remuneration in respect of his services during the year (2024, none).
As members of a religious community the trustees' living and personal expenses were borne by the charity. They were not reimbursed for any expenses incurred in connection with their duties during the year (2024, £-)
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Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended July, 31 2025
| 13 14 14.1 |
Tangible fixed assets Land and Plant and Motor Fixtures & Total Buildings machinery vehicles equipment £ £ £ £ £ Cost At August 1, 2024 3,871,818 127,813 41,715 78,495 4,119,841 Additions - - - 2,820 2,820 Disposals - - - - - At July 31, 2025 3,871,818 127,813 41,715 81,315 4,122,661 Depreciation At August 1, 2024 382,760 112,060 15,200 62,697 572,717 Charge for the year 27,340 1,165 4,500 3,152 36,157 Disposals - - - - - At July 31, 2025 410,100 113,225 19,700 65,849 608,874 Net book values At August 1, 2024 3,489,058 15,753 26,515 15,797 3,547,123 At July 31, 2025 3,461,718 14,588 22,015 15,465 3,513,786 2025 2024 Fixed asset investments £ £ At July 31, 2024 fixed asset investments comprised: Listed investments note 14.1 2,880,060 2,638,695 Cash held by investment managers for reinvestment 100 100 2,880,160 2,638,795 Total Listed investments and cash held for reinvestment £ Listed investments Market value at 1 August 2024 2,638,795 Additions at cost - Disposals at opening market value - Receipts - Gross unrealised investment gain / (loss) 241,365 Market value at July 31, 2024 2,880,060 Cash held by investment managers for reinvestment 100.00 Total investments at July 31, 2025 2,880,160 Investment Capital Cost at July 31, 2025 2,346,000 |
|---|---|
20
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Notes to the accounts
| 15 16 17 18 19 |
for the year ended July, 31 2025 2025 2024 Stocks £ £ House - - Trading 98,380 92,620 98,380 92,620 2025 2024 Debtors £ £ Prepayments and accrued income 30,185 28,947 Other debtors 60,727 59,962 90,912 88,909 2025 2024 Creditors, amounts due within one year £ £ Accruals and deferred income 36,480 22,165 Other creditors 61,560 109,749 98,040 131,914 2025 2024 Property fund £ £ Property fund, represents 90% of the full valuation cost of the Abbey's freehold land and properties. The trustees recognise the charity assets are essential to the day to day running of the charity and as such their value should not be regarded as funds that could be realised with any ease. At 1 August 3,484,636 3,484,636 Net movement in year - - At July 31, -442180% 3,484,636 3,484,636 Designated in the year 2025 2024 Designated funds £ £ £ The funds of the charity which have been set aside from unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes are: Care of the Community fund - 1,263,150 1,263,150 Trading reserve (10,768) 231,145 241,913 New Coffee Shop - 573,750 573,750 (10,768) 2,068,045 2,078,812 |
|---|---|
21
Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey Trust
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended July, 31 2025
19 Designated funds (continued)
Trading reserve
The trading reserve fund represents monies set aside for the continued provision, contingency and development of the trading activities run by the charity. They comprise the printing press and the monastery shops.
New Coffee Shop
With the closure of the Craft Shop in February 2019, the Trustees have recognised that they require an area for the visiting public to the monastery to rest and enjoy its spiritual surroundings within its grounds. Plans are been prepared for a new coffee shop adjacent to the Repository Shop and within easy access of the Guest House and Printing Press. The costs have been assessed and a revised provision of £573,750 has been set towards its construction.
20 Related party transactions
The total value of donations made by the trustees to the charity during the year was £42,133 (2024 - £ 30,295), been pensions donated to the charity.
21 Ultimate control
Under the guidelines of the Cistercian Order and its charter, the charity is controlled throughout the period by its Community of Cistercian monks resident at Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey, Portglenone.
The Community does not hold any assets, incur liabilities or enter into any transactions in its own right. All assets and liabilities of the Community are vested in the trust, which undertakes all transactions entered into in the course of the Community’s charitable activities.
22