Ancre Somme Association Annual Report and Recelpts and Payments Account For the period ended 30th September 2024 Northern Ireland Charities Number: 108368
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 ended 30th September 2023. ObJectlves and Actlvltles Educate our communities about our Armed Forces history from WWI, WW2 and all subsequent wars and confllct's. Or8anise or assist In organising meetings, lectures, classes and exhibitions, and publish or asslst in publishlng reports, periodlcals, recordings, books or other documents or information.Remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice from WWI to the present dav. Promote and carry out, or asslst In promoting and carrying out research, surveys and investigations and publish the useful results thereof. Recruit and train volunteers with relevant skills to carry out the purposes of the Charity. Support our Armed Forces and our Armed Forces charities and leave a legacy for future generation5. Achievements & Performance Nov 2022 we had our annual pllgrlmage to Stormont as we remembered Lord and Lady Craigavon. Jan 2023 we unveiled a memorlal plaque in memory of our past members. Aprll 2023 our charity announced Squadron Leader Graham Dodds MBE DL as our new UK Ambassador. In the same month we also agreed 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 Coronatlon brooch appeared on ITV'S This 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. August 2023 we held the inaugural meeting ofthe Bernard McQuirt VC Mem Committee to explore the possibility of eretting 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 Service of Thanksgivin& giving thanks for the Ilfe of Queen Ellzabeth 11. This was attended by various dignitaries including Vice Lord Lleutenant of Co Armagh Mr Rlchard 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. Golng Concern The trustees have reviewed their financial position and are in a position to contlnue runnlng events next year. The nature and number of events wlll be dependent on the what fundln8 opportunities arise and how they fit ir) with the groups aims and objectives. As such the financial statements for the year ended 30th September 2023 can be signed off a5 a going concern.
Structure Governance and Mana ement Page 3 Governlng Document and Constltutlon of the Charlty The charity is governed by its constitution. Recruitment and Appolntment of Volunteers The Trustees welcome new volunteers to help with the running of the charity, any new volunteers initially meet with the Trustees so they have a understanding of the work involved are given training and support. Organlsatlonal Structure The governing body of the charity is the board of trustee's who are listed on the information page. 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 wlth appllcable law and regulations. The law applicable to Charities in Northern Ireland with income of less than £250,000 requires the Trustees to prepare a statement of Receipts and Payments and a Statement of Assets and Liabilities for each financial year. The Trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records that are sufficent to show and explain thetransartions and disclose with reasonable accruacy at any time theAssets and Llabilities of the charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the Assets of the charlty and hence taking resaonable steps for the Prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. ststement as to dIsclosu 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 relevant audit information and to establish 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 Commission of Northern Ireland due to the objectives it provide5. Independent Examlner The examiner, W J Mcclelland & Co have indicated theirwillingness to continue in office. On behalf of the Trustees M Jameson -Trustee G Bleakney- Trustee
Independent Examiner's Report to Ancre Somme Assoclatlon Page 4 I report on the accounts of the charity forthe period ended 30th September 2024 which are set out on pages 5-6. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examlner As the charitws trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Irelandl 2008. It is my responsibility to: examinp the accounts under section 65 of the Charitles Act: follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65{9llbl of the Charitie5 Act- and State whether particular matter5 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 Dirertions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65{91{bl of the Charities Act. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration 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: l. That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act 2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting record5 3. That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act 4. That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matter5 {11 to141 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. WJ Mcclelland Certified Public Accountants 7A Gilford Street Tandragee County Armagh BT67 2DA Date: 28 July 2025
Ancre Somme Association Page 5 Statement of Receipts & Payments for the period ended 30th September 2024 Unrestrlcted Restrlrted Note funds funds Prior year Total funds total funds Income from: Donations Fundraising Grant Funding Total Income 11,600 24,992 12,025 48,617 11,600 24,992 12,025 48,617 1,165 42,659 8,588 52,412 Expenditure on: Fundraising Charitable Activities Total expendtture Net income / (expenditure) resources 40,047 29,866 69,913 121,295) 40,047 95.958 29.866 5,128 69,913 101,086 121,295) {48,674}
Ancre Somme Association Page 6 Statement of Assets & Liabilities- Period Ended 30th September 2024 2024 2023 Reconciliation of funds at 31st Sep 2024 Total funds brought forward Surplus/{deficit) this year end Total funds carried forward 59,164 -21,295 37,869 53,271 -2,893 50,378 Bank & Cash Balances Cash at bank and in hand 59,164 59,164 59,164 59,164 Represented by Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Funds 59,164 59,164 59,164 59,164 Notes on pages 7 to 8 are an integral part of these financial statements. The financial statements on pages 5 to 6 were approved by the Board of Trustees on 3 April 2025 and Signed on its behalf by: Mark Jameson Chair Person Gillian Bleakney Treasurer
Ancre Somme Association Page 7 Notes to the financial statements for the period ended 30th September 2024 l. Accounting policies The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the financial statements are as follows". a) Preparation of accounts on a going concem basis The Group meets its financial obligations mainly from income received at events the Group run and also from making grant funding applications for specific purposes. The Group has some reserves and so if there was a fall in income then it could still continue but with reduced activity. The expenditure relating to grant income is mostly dependent-on the funding being successful and a5 such rfthi5 income dropped then the group would also have a drop in expenditure. Therefore these financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. b) Income Income is accounted for on a cash receipts basis as the amount is collected and are allocated as either restrlcted or unrestricted funds according to the terms of the donation. cl Expenditure Expenditure is recognised on a cash payments basis. d) Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents includes cash in hand, deposits held at call wlth banks, other short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less and bank overdrafts, i) Funds Funds are classified as elther restricted funds or unrestricted funds, defined as follows.. Restricted funds are funds subject to 5pecrfic requirements as to their use which may be declared by the donor or with their authority or created through legal processes, but still within the wider objects of the Group. Unrestricted funds are expendable at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity. If parts of the unrestricted funds are earmarked at the discretion of the trustees for a particular purpose, they are designated as a separate fund. This designation has an administrative purpose only and does not legally restrict the trustees, discretion to apply the fund. 2. Fundraising Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Service Collection Sale of Merchandise Trip M¢Grath Festlval 841 14,127 20,608 1,015 36,592 841 14,127 20,608 1,015 36,592 31,873 loo 9,845 42,659 3. Grants Unrestrirted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Grants 12,025 12,025 8,588 12,025 12,025 8,588
Pa8e 8 4. Analysls of Expendlture Unrestrirted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2023 Fundraising Purchases 62,363 62,363 25,601 Total 62,363 62,363 25,601 Charitable Artlvlties Donatlons Printingi Postage & Stationery Trlp Refund Rent, Heat & Light To Empire Poppy Store Bank Charges Grant Refund General Expenses Bench Deposit Refund Heny Wilson Framing McGrath Festival Empire Poppy Store Band/Singer Bus Hlre Wreaths 350 745 350 745 275 59 200 3,504 1,105 109 150 879 275 120 461 9,681 3.504 3.504 136 136 2,808 2,808 Total 7,550 7,550 16,818 5. Taxatlon Ancre Somme Assoclatlon is not subject to taxation on Its charltable activities. 6. Analysls of trustee remuneratlon and expenses. No Trustee received any payments otherthan for out of pocket expense5 incurred on behalf of the group