Ancre Somme Association Page 2 Trustees. Annual Report for the period ended 30th September 2023 The trustees present the annual report and accounts for Ancre Somme Association for the year erbded 30th September 2023. Objectives and Activltles Educate our communlties about our Amied Forces history from WWI, WW2 and all subsequent wars and conflict's. Organi5e or as5iSt in organising ffleetings. lectures, classes and exhibitions. and publish or assist in publishing reports. periodicals. recordings, books or other documents or information.Remember the brave men and women ofour Armed Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice frorn WWI to the present day. Promote and carry out. or assist in promoting and rryIng out research, surveys and investigations and publish the usefijl results thereof. Recruit and train volunteers with relevant skills to carry out the purposes of the Charity. Support our Armed Forces and our Armed Force5 charities and leave a legacy for future generations. Achievements & Performance Nov 2022 we had our annual pilerimage to Stormont as we remembered Lord and Lady Craigavon. Jan 2023 we unveiled a memorial plaque in memory of our past mernbers. April 2023 our chafityannounced Squadron Leader Graham Dodds M8E DL as our new UK Ambassador. In the same month we also aereed to help with the purchase of new trees for the repopulation of Thiepval Wood. May 2023 we opened our Empire Poppy Store. The store is a Community Interest Company. Our Coronation brooch appeared on ITWsThis Morning programme. July 2023 we presented a portrait of Field Marshall Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, 1st Baronet, GCB, DSO to Carol Walker MBE the director of the Somme Association. The portrait now adorns the wall in Ulster Tower, France. Asjgust 2023 we held the inaugural meeting of the Bernard McQuirt VC Mem Committee to explore the possibility of erecting a memorial in his place of birth. Donaghcloney. Sep 2023 we launched our Purple Poppy Memorial Fund which will create the first memorial in N Ireland to animals served in WWI. Sep 2023 we also hosted a SeNice of Thanksgivin& Eiving thanks for the life of Queen Elizabeth 11. This w35 attended by various dignitaiies including Vice Lord Lieutenant of Co Armagh Mr Richard Hamilton-stubber. Lord Mayor, MPS. Councillors and MLAS also attended. Financial Review The charities funds continue to grow and remain strong allowing it to carry out its activities and objectives. Going Concern The trustees have reviewed their financial position and are in a position to continue running events next year. The nature and number of events will be dependent on the what funding opportunities arise and how they fit in with the groups aims and objectives. As such the financial statements for the year ended 30th Septernber 2023 can be signed off as a going concern.
Structure Governance and Mana ent Page 3 Governing Document and ConstitlOn of the Charity The charity is governed by its constitution_ Recrultment and Appolntment of Volunteers The Trustees welcome new volunteers to help with the running of the charity, any new volunteers initially meet with the Tf4JStees so they have 3 understanding of the work involved are given tra ining and support. Organisational Structure The governing body of the charity is the board of trustee's who are listed on the informatloll Pa8e. The charity is run by the trustee's who work together to make decisions regarding the running of the charity. Statement of Trustees. Responsibilities The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustee's Report and the Statement of Receipts and Payments and Statement of Assets and Liabilities in accordance with applicable law ènd regulations. The law applicable to Charities in Northern Ireland with income of less than £250.000 requires the Trustees to prepare a statement of Recelpt5 and Payments and a Statement of Assets and Lia bilities fDr each financial year. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are 5ufficent to show and explain the transactions and disclose with reasonable accruacy at any time the Assets and Liabilities of the charity. They are a150 responsible for 5afeguardine the A55ets of the charity and hence taking resaonable steps for the pievention and detection of fraud and other irregu larities. statement as to disclosure to our examiners In so far as the trustees are aware at the timing of approving our trustees, annual report= there is no relevant audit information of which the charity's auditor is unaware; and the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any releva nt audit information and to estsblish that the charity's auditor is aware of that information. Public Benefit statement The trustees are satisfied that it adheres to the public benefit test set out by the Charities Cornmission of Northern Ireland due to the objectives it provides. Independent Examiner The examiner, W J Mcclelland & Co have indicated their willingness to continue in office. On behalf of the Trustees M Jameson- Trustee G Bleakney - Trustee