HERVEY HERITAGE SOCIETY
Charity Commission No. NIC107432
Date registered: 15/04/2020
CONTENTS Pages Trustee’s Report 3 - 4 Independent Examiner’s Report 5 Income & Expenditure / Balance Sheet 6
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HERVEY HERITAGE SOCIETY
ANNUAL REPORT
2023 -2024
The Hervey Heritage Society was formed as an unincorporated organisation on 3 April 2019.
It opened a Community Account at Barclay’s Bank on 16 November 2018 and was granted Charitable Status on 15 April 2020.
The trustees present their report for the year 2023 -2024.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
Registered charity name Hervey Heritage Society Charity registration number NIC107432 Registered Office 18 Lodge Park COLERAINE BT51 1UN
Bankers:
Barclay’s Bank PLC, 27/29 Church Street, COLERAINE, BT52 1AW
The Trustees:
The Trustees who served the charity during the period were as follows:
Mr Jim Hunter (Chair) Mr Jerry Sayers (Secretary) Ms Loretto Blackwood (Treasurer) Mr Ken McCormack Mr Ian Bartlett
Mr Roy Hamilton (deceased November 2023) Ms Hester McCunn
Mrs Helen Mark
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HERVEY HERITAGE SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2023/2024
The Society held meetings during the period of the Report on 14 April 2023 at Hezlett House, Castlerock, on 26 June at St Columb’s Court, Derry/Londonderry, on 6 November 2023 at Hezlett House, Castlerock and on 1 March 2024 at St Columb’s Park House, Derry. The Annual General Meeting was held at St Columb’s Court, Derry on 25 July 2022.
There has been a considerable amount of business transacted at these meetings:
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a) Membership. The Society welcomed three new members: Margaret Boyce, Hazel Siberry and Ian Bunting
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b) Death of Roy Hamilton . The Society noted with sadness the death of Roy Hamilton one of its founding members. He had played an active role in the Society’s affairs and was working on a publication on the Earl Bishop right up to the time of his death.
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c) Constitution . It was agreed that Section 6 of the Constitution relating to the number of our Trustees should be updated as follows: ‘The number of Trustees should not be less than three but no more than twelve’.
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d) Presentations. The Society received two fascinating and well-researched presentations from Ken McCormack one on the Earl Bishop and Downhill House and the other on the Cabena family and their links with Downhill and Dublin. Ken received technical assistance from Gerard Harvey.
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e) Website . Lawrence Ghisoiu has agreed to assist Loretto Blackwood with the Society’s website and social media work.
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f) Downhill House. Ken McCormack, Keith Gilmour, Jerry Sayers and Lawrence Ghisoiu, have continued with their work in the production of accurate drawings to replace the current inaccurate plans and elevations of Downhill House. The Society has now an accurate survey of the House with the data loaded on a software system allowing easier changes of different layout options and offering walk-through imagery both internally and externally. It is planned for this team to meet with Malachy Conway, the National Trust archaeologist, to review the plans and make arrangements for the signage of rooms.
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g) Walks and Talks. Hester McCunn, Jerry Sayer and Lawrence Ghisoiu offered a successful programme of ’Walks and Talks’, at Downhill, during July and August 2023. The programme has been featured on Radio Ulster. The National Trust has agreed to continue with this programme during summer 2024.
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h) Auditor. BCRC who acted in the past as an examiner of our accounts are no longer offering their services. The Society has found a replacement Mr David Douglas FCA to audit the accounts. Loretto Blackwood has been preparing this year’s accounts in conjunction with him.
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i) Spanish Chestnut Tree. Ken obtained seeds from one of the remaining Spanish Chestnut trees planted by the Earl Bishop in the grounds of his summer residence, now the grounds of Lumen Christi College. Charlie Morrison nurtured a sapling from one of the seeds and kindly presented it to the National Trust. Una Quinn, the North Coast Garden Manager, is now looking after the sapling and plans to plant it in a suitable location at Downhill.
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j) Cabena Family. Ken McCormack has conducted in-depth research regarding the ancestors of one of our members, Marion Hamill. Her great-great-grandfather, Joseph Cabena was brought to Downhill from Italy by the Hervey-Bruces in 1813. They discovered that his brother, Luigi, had also come to Ireland and lived in Dublin. Ken and Marion are continuing their investigations.
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k) North Coast Association Talk. Ken McCormack has been invited and has agreed to give a talk on ‘The Earl Bishop and Downhill House’ on 18 April 2024 at Portballintrae Village Hall. This will provide an opportunity for him to thank the Association for their generous donations, which have assisted the work of the Society.
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l) Thanks. The Society owes a debt of gratitude to its President, Helen Mark, and to its members, who have given generously of their time during the period of the Report.
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HERVEY HERITAGE SOCIETY
Independent Examiners Report 2023 -2024
Independent examiners report to the charity trustees of Hervey Heritage Society
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 as set out on page 7.
Respective responsibilities of charity trustees and examiner
As the charity trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
It is my responsibility to:
Examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act
Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act
State whether particular matters have come to my attention
Basis of independent examiner’s report
I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. The examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
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That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act
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That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records
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That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
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That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Independent Examiners Statement
The charity’s gross income did not exceed £250,000.
I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) to (4) listed above and, in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland, I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention.
Signed: David Douglas
Name: David Joseph James Douglas FCA (Chartered Accountant)
Address: 1 Caw Hill Park, Londonderry BT47 6LU
Date: 30[th] August 2024
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L56 FWdra 619.7B 619.78 17Q( 147.78 411.78 247.n