GALLOWAY CONSERVATION SOCIETY
Annual Report & Financial Statement5
For the Year Ended
31 December 2025
Scottish Charity No SC021787

ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIALSTATEMENTS
For the Year Ended 31, December 2025
CONTENTS
Trustees. Annual Report.
Independent Examiner's Report....................-.....................................................
Statement of Receipts & Pèyments........ ..... .....
Statement of Balances........
Notes to the Accounts.............................................-..................................................

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
For the Year Ended 31" December 2025
The Trustees are pleased to present their report together with the financial statements and the
independent examiner's report of the charity for the year ended 3151 December 2025.
Reference & Administrative Information
Charlty Name
Galloway Conservation Society
Charity No
SC021787
Addres5
Lucewater House
New Luce
OG8 OAW
Current Trustees
MrA Buckoke
Dr D Steel
Mrs M Broom-smith
Dr D Hannay
Mr J Maitland
Chairperson
Vice-chair
Other Trustees who served throughout the year
Mr A Richardson- resigned I, January 2025
Mrs J Richardson- resigned 1$1 January 2025
Mr W Peto- appointed April 2025, resigned 31" January 2026
Website
www.
allowa
con5ervation50cie
.or
Bankers
Bank of Scotland
PO Box 1000
BX2 ILB
Independent Examiner
Jenny Milby
Kirkcudbright Development Trust
The Johnston
St Mary Street
Kirkcudbright
DG6 4EG

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
For the Year Ended 31, December 2025
Structure Governance & Management
Constitution
The Charity is an unincorporated organisation. It was registered in its current legal form on 23,
january 1978. Formerly known as G311oway Preservation Society, the Society changed its name
on17th October 2023.
Appointment of Trustees
The Executive Committee shall consist of their Office Bearer5 and a maximum of six other
members. Nominations for the election of members to the Executive Committee shall be made at
or before the Annual General Meeting. They must be in writing 5UPPOrted by a seconder and the
consent of the proposed nominee must be obtained. Members, like the Office Bearers, shall
relinquish their office every year and shall be eligible for re-election for a further period.
Objectives & Activities
Charitable purposes
The Galloway Conservation Society is a non-profit voluntèry Society which aims to:
l. Stimulate public interest and participation in the care for the beauty, history and character
of Gallowav
2. Encourage the preservation, development and improvement of featL*res of general public
amenity or historical interest
3. Encourage high standards of architecture and town and country planning in Galloway.
Achievements & Performance
Chairman's Report
The season began with lunch and the AGM at the Creebridge Hotel in Newton Stewart in April,
followed by a visit to The Museum, a fascinating Aladdin's Cave of local artefacts and memorabilia.
We reflected on the important role of Helen Drew in founding both the museum and the then
Galloway Preservation Society.
In May we paid a visit to Kidsdale Farm near Whithorn and learned much about new directions in
arable farming. Though not an organic farm, we particularly noted the benefits of a low-till regime
in reducing Nitrogen fertiliser use and nearly eliminating the use of Potassium and Phosphate
fertiliser5, a subject we were to encounter again at Rainton Farm near Gatehouse. Also visited
were questions about gème control, markets, diversification, public access and cultural heritage,
enjoying both the weather 2nd the fine coastal location. Many thanks to Chris Nicholson for giving
up his time to take us around the farm.
In early July we visited a variety of venues at New Abbey, which included the Sweetheart Abbey
and 3 tour of village èrchitecture courtesy the guide written by Martin Robertson. After a good
lunch at the Abbey Café, we were treated to a fascinating tour of the New Abbey Corn Mill, one of
the very few water-powered mi115 restored to full working order. Foi some the day concluded at
Sh3mbellie House and the walled garden below, now a private garden. Especial thank5 go to Mary
Broom-smith for organising a very pleasant day.

TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT
For the Year Ended 3151 December 2025
Chairman's Report cont.
At the end of July we were able to visit Rairiton Farm near Gatehouse of Fleet, an organi¢ dairy farm
which has been a hub of innovation in the industry. The farm has addressed the question of the
welfare of dairy calves through a looser breeding programme which permits a dual stream of calf
production into the dairy herd and into a beef production herd,- and a stock handling regime which
allows calves to remain with or in proximity to their mothers for much longer than is normally the
practice. The farm now benefits from a steep learning curve for not only the handlers but also for the
herd itself- milking cows are now èmenable to a system where they cari feed their calves und give milk
to the farm. The produce is diverted mainly to a cheese production unit which has been invested in on
the farm, allowing some flexibility away from a yield-focused regime. The farm has a digester, and
spread5 slurry on the fields, but Uses no artificial fertilisers. As èt Kidsdale. reseeding is done with very
low tillage, meaning that Phosphate and Potassium are only minimally leached. The farm was featured
on the BBC news late last year. Many thanks to David Findlay for 8ivin8 up his time to be a verv
informative host.
August was scheduled for a boat trip to Ailsa Craig, which can be a magical experience, but
unfortunately the operator was not able to provide the service which has long been available. It is
hoped that a new operator will emerge in due Course, and that this tfip can again be scheduled.
In September there was a memorable visit to Dalswinton House, Dalswinton Barony Church, and the
unexpected splendours of Durisdeer Parish Church, with a pleasant lunch at Thornhill included. While
the translation from corrugated iron to far-eastern trading to finely carved marble was perhaps
stretching sensibilities, the related historical and economic contexts explored furnished a rich
background to what we saw. Many thanks to Jane Maitland for organising a fine day.
We were finally able to accomplish the postponed visit to Roman Carlisle in October, consisting of a
talk on Roman Carlisle by Tullie House Museum staff, enjoying the newly refurbished facilities at the
Museum, followed by lunch at the Cathedral Cafe, and then a walk around Roman Carlisle in the
afternoon, including the Roman glass urn in the Cathedral Crypt Museum. the new Cricket Ground
Baths site and the site of Stanwix fort. Being able to explore the Roman ba515 for the layout of the city
centre areas was particularly rewarding, and provoked speculation about much which remains
undiscovered.
This was a particularly good season of event5, showing that the Society is able to provide a very good
product. What it is less good at is drawing in a wider membership to appreciate what is on offer.
Flnancial Revlew
Total Income of the charity was £52512024.. £9801. Expenditure was £86412024.. £6461, resulting
in a deficit of £339 12024.. £3341. Income is predominantly received from membership
subscriptions.
Approved by the trustees at their AGM on 23rd April 2026 and signed on their behalf by..
Trustee

INDEPENDENTEXAMINER'S REPORT
For the Year Ended 31st December 2025
Independent Examinerfs Report to the Trustees of Galloway Conservatlon Soclety
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31, December 2025 which are set out
on pages 7 to 9.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the
terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotlandl Art 2005 and the Charities Accounts
Iscotlandl Regulations 2006 las amended). The charity trustees consider that the audit
requirement of Regulation IOIII Idl of the 2006 Accounts Regulation5 does not apply. It is my
responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 4411) Icl of the Act and to state
whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basls of Independent examlnerfs statement
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations.
An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and 3 comparison
of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual item5
or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanation5 from the trustees concerning any such
matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an
audit. and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examinews statement
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements..
to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 4411) lal of the 2005 Att and
Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation
9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Jenny Milby
Kirkcudbright Development Trust
The Johnston
St Mary Street
Kirkcudbright
DG6 4EG

STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
For the Year Ended 31st December 2025
Recelpts
Notes
2025
2024
Membership Subscriptions
Refunded Donation5
Members, & Visitors. Donations
Total Receipts
475
480
500
50
525
980
Payments (reloting to choritoble
uctivitiesj
Donations
Subscriptions/Memberships
Website Costs
Gov. Costs- Room HirelAGM
BookkeepinglAdmin Support
Bank Charges
Independent Examination
Total Payments
50
20
50
ioi
591
35
567
46
50
864
646
Surplus1lDeficitl for the year
13391
334

**STATEMENT OF BALANCES** As at 31[st] December 2025 

|**Funds Reconciliation**<br>Cash at Bank 01/01/2025<br>Surplus/(Deficit) for year<br>**Cash at Bank & In Hand – 31/03/2025**<br>**Bank & Cash Balances**<br>Bank of Scotland Current Account<br>Outstanding Cheques|**Note**|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**5,123**<br>**(339)**<br>**4,784**<br>**4,784**<br>**-**<br>**4,784**|2024<br>£<br>4,789<br>334|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
||||5,123|
||||5,123<br>-<br>5,123|



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**NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS** As at 31[st] December 2025 

## **1. Basis of Accounting** 

These accounts have been prepared on the Receipts and Payments basis in accordance with the Charities and Trustees Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) regulations 2006 (as amended). 

## **2. Transactions with Trustees and Related Parties** 

- a) No remuneration was paid to the trustees during the year (2024: Nil) 

- b) No Expenses were paid to trustees during the year (2024: Nil) 

- c) There were no transactions with related parties 

## **3. Membership** 

There were 63 members of the Society at the end of the year of which 25 were Life Members. 

## **4. Donations** 

|Newton Stewart Museum<br>Protection of Rural Scotland Trust|**2025**<br>**£**<br>**50**<br>**-**<br>**50**|2024<br>£<br>-<br>20|
|---|---|---|
|||20|



Approved by the trustees at their AGM on 23[rd] April 2026 and signed on their behalf by: 

## Alistair Buckoke 

## **Trustee** 

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