ARMAGH NATURAL HisfoRY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIErY TRusfEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 ocfoBER 2023 The Trustees present their report for the year ended 31 October 2023. NAME ANDADDRESS The Society is named 'Amiagh Natural History and Philosophical SocieW. It is also known as 'ANHPS'. Its address is: The Society's House, Armagh County Museum, Armagh, BT6198E The Societ¢s Nl Charity Commission Registration Number is: NIC108682 The Society has a website: www.arma hsocie .or PRINCIPAL OBJECTIVE The Armagh Natural History and Philosophical Society (ANHPS) exists to promote education in, and discussion of, the natural sciences, philosophy, literature, the arts, and similar matters of common or public interest. The Society owns the Grade A listed Armagh County Museum building, which is leased to Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council for a nominal rent. The Society retains the use of its Reading Room within this building. This is available for use by other charities and societies. TRusfEES th The following Trustees have held office since its establishment as a charity on 8 June 2022: Dr John Faulkner Dr Gerald Millar Mrs. Jill Armstrong
TRusfEES' RESPONSIBIUTIES The Trustees are responsible for running the society with the assistance of the management committee. of which they are members. The Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the society and of the surplus or deficit of the Society for that period. In preparing the financial Statements, the Trustees are required (il to select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; (ill make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent and (iii) prepare the financial ststements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Society will continue in operation. The Trustees are also responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the income and expenditure for the year. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Society and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. FINANCIAL REVIEW The accounts for the period 1st November 2022 to 31" October 2023 show receipts of £1,744.19 and payments of £421.28. The balance at the beginning of the period was £1,106.40 and the closing balance was £2,429.31, showing a net increase in the current account of £1,322.91 The bulk of expenditure was on postage, refreshments, and insurance. The Society is funded mainly by membership subscriptions. with some income arising from its investment5 and bank interest. The Socievs reserves comprise a Progressive Building Society Fixed Rate Bond valued on st 31 October 2022 at £5,000, and an investment of £5,0(K) in the Nl Charities Fund. The Societvs accounts have been discussed at the Annual General Meeting. independently inspected and approved by the management committee.
ACTIVITIES AND PERFORMANCE IN 2021-22 The ANHPS organises events in the City of Armagh and its environs in accordance with its principal objective. The Societys programme comprised the following lectures, performances and outings: ritle Speaker Attendance In Person Online Views Total An Evening of Seasonal Readings 30 30 Trauma and Battle Injuries in Ancient Egypt Dr Gerry Miller 28 33 61 The Circular Economy Heidi Miller 18 22 30 Visit to Southem Regional College 18 18 Lord Kelvin, Absolute Zero Hero Declan Fitzmauri 30 17 46 Visit to the Organic Gardens at Townley Hall Political Postcards from the Island of Ireland Karen Mcshane 12 73 85 The Small Streets of Armagh Sean Barden 12 22 34 Previous talks are archived on our website and have continued to prove popular. The talk The Fucine Tunnel, has been viewed 209 times and 'Armour of Ballymonev 154 time5. The total number of people who have watched the Sociews recordings now stands at over 700. PUBLIC BENEFIT The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's Public benefit requirement statutory guidance. The events organised by the Society deliver sign¥ficant educational and heritage benefits to the citizens of Armagh and the surrounding areas. All our events are normally open to both members and the public, and no charge is made to attend them. Recordings of many of our events are available through our web%ite and on YouTube. We have made our Reading Room available free of charge for meetings of other charities and societies. We have publicised events run by other charitable societies and organisations.
PLANS FOR THE FUTURE The Society intends to continue its programme of events with a particular emphasis on widening the diversity- particularly in terms of age- of its of its membership and audiences. GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT The management of the Society is governed by its Constitution, which was last amended and approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting convened on 29 March 2022. A copy of the Constitution is available on the Socie5 website www.arma hsocie .or In 20212-23, the Society had 41 paid-up members. There are over 100 individuals on the Society's email distribution list. which comprises those who have asked to be kept informed of its events. The Societ5 Management Committee comprises nine elected members. It met on ten occasions during the year- including by Zoom videoconference. The Sociews officers comprise the President, Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. The committee and office-bearers are elected at the Sociews Annual General Meeting. The Annual General Meeting of Society members was held on 10 October 2023. [Signed] Mrs Jlll Arnistrong For the Trustees [Date]