BRECHIN CATHEDRAL TRUST SCIO A Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered number SC052872 LJrlicdril TruEI . A LIVING CATHEDFIAL FOR BREchiN'S FUTURF Brechin Cathedr81 Trust is reawakening gn iconic landmark through ¢on$ervetion, culture and community. We are opening the doors to heritage. music. learning and life at the heort of Brechin. TRUSTEES'ANNUAL REPORT AND RECEIP7SAND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS Forthe period from Incorporation on 4 October 2023 to Saturday 2 November 2024 Brechin Cathedral Trust SCIO- registered numbgi SC052872 Trustees. Annual Report and Accounts to 2 November 2024 CONTACT DETAILS: CIO Brechin Cathedral. Church Lane, Brechin, Angus, DD9 6JS Website-. INTROUIJLI*L)N- Brechin Cathedral Trust SCIO IBCT or the Trust) was incorporaied on 4 October 2023 and entered on ihe Register of Scottish Charities. The Truslees are delighted io present their tirst Report, and Receipis and Payment$ Aeeounts. for the period from Incorporation 10 2 November 2024. This first period has been a foundation period, involved with making connections with major funding bodies. with lh8 local community. and with local charilies, all with a view to being proactive and ready when the major woiks at present being carried out at the Cathedral by the Gener81 Trustees of the Church of Scotland ale completed and the scamolding is removed. PvRPOSE5: The Trust's Constitution states th81 its purposes are= 1 To promote. conserve and m8iniain Brechin Cathedral as an afchitectural, cullural and SPiTItLI81 resource of national and local heritage signifi¢8nce. and to provide inclusive access to the Cathedral which will enhance the experience of visitors coming to Brechin. 2 To conserve and maintain the fabric of 8rechin Cathedral and the Cathedral Hall and to allow them to be mode available tor study in the interests of acadomk and music81 research and public education. 3 To manage and promote Brechin Cathedral and the Cathedral Hall as venues for public events. especially for youths. for education and for music as approprlate. BACKGAOUND: The loundations of 8rechin Cathedral are dated to 1220. but il is ihought ihat ihere has been 8 Slte of religion there since the early 8" century. The adjacenl. now adjoining. Round Tower 15 one of onlytwo in Scotland. and is somewhat oldeT than the C81hedral. 8fechin Cathedral Trust SCIO- registered number SC052872 Trustees, Annual Report and Accountsto 2 November2024 The Cathedral has been used as a place ofworship tor centuries. but it was closed by the Church of Scotland In 2020, and was ihen tended by members ol the Society of Friends of Brechin Cathedral (the Society). The owners of the Cathedral, the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland. are keen to relinquish responsibility for the bullding. and It became clear that the Society. as an unincorporated Association. would be unable to take full ownership for the C8ihedral in the long tefm. After consideralion of various options, it was decided to set up the Brechin Cathedral Tru51 as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. and this was created on 4 October 2023. when it was entered on the Register of Scottish Charities. nurnber SC052872. with a view to its succeeding the Society and taking responsibiliry lor the Cathedral, Hall 8nd Allolment5. On 8 September 2024. the Honorary Officers oflhe Society signed an Assignment Agreement transferring all the assets and undertaking of the Society to the BCT. arKI substantial funds were iransferred shortly afterward$. as shown on the Statement ol Financial Activities. Further ftjnds subsequenily received by the Society by way of a legacy. and a small balance remaining Irom the transfer were assigned In May 2025. and the Society has been wound up. The Truslees of the BCT are extremely grateful lo the Society and to its Honorary Ofticers tor theii goodwill and co-operation in the transfer of assets an(J funds following the assignment. and for theiw 5tewaidship ol the Cathedral during the period following its closure by the Church ol Scotland. Also on 8 September 2024, the BCT signed a SeTvice Level Agreement with the General Trustees of the Church ot Scotland. who remain as legal and beneficial owners of the Cathedral. Under Ihe SLA. the BCT undertakes to maintain the Cathedral and manage it on a day to day basis, and Ihis undertaking brought to a n end the responsibilities of Ihe Society tor the Cathedra,. Th e BCT kijs erRapL,= Development Manager. BnKI Is Facilities Manager. These signings were followed by a Service of Thanksgiving in the Cathedral for the service and generous financi81 support and donation5 to rrte Cii lknpd Iiil from Ihe Socipfy %i'ice Ils loriiialion in 19d7. This Servicewas led J both ol whom had served as Minislers at the Cathedral. Since 8 September2024. the 8CT h8s managed the Cathedral. the Cathedr81 Hall. 8nd adminislered the Cathedral Allotments. The Cathedral Hall has 8 lully fitted kiichen and is used by a number of local organisations for a range of active purposes, and also in coniunction with the C8thedral foi Weddings. Concerts 8nd similar events. The Allotments are rented by local gafdeners lor recreation. enjoyment, pioduce and flowers. The Trustees welcome enquiries for rentals. Brechin CathedralTrust SCIO- registerèd number SC052872 Trustees. Annual Report and Account8 to 2 November2024 TRUSTEES: The following have served as Trustees Since the Trust was incorpoiated on 4 October 2023. or Ès stated.. AIMSAND INIÈrtliufvs' The BCT has ambitiOL>S pla ns to conserve the Cathedral and to bring it back into use lor the benefit ol the people o18rechin and for visitors through a combination of events. educational opportunit18s and op8ninE arcè*s. The CathedrBI was once again th8 Slte ol a concert in December 2024. welcoming families and friends Irorn across the town lor 8 festive evening ol music and d8 r)cing. Then followed the success ot our Altornative Hogman8y Gathering. where the doors were opened lor a peaceful, candlelit welcorne to the New Year. providing a space lor rellection and community at 8 time when many public celebr8tions were 5cJled back. In Juno 2025 the CathedrBI hosted a visit from the Scottish Cha mber Orchestra - Summer Serenade which gave a wonderful performance of lesser ho8 rd string ¢ompo$ition$ to a very appreciative 8udience. De9Plte the Queen's Aisle being fill¢d with scaffolding as Its roof was in the middle ol subsla nlial repairs, Ihe Cathedral was an inspiiing backdrop to a superb concert. Brechin CathedrBI 15 the perfect venue for a voice-based festival with an emphasis on choral music. Voice Festival lor VoiceFestl has been formed 8ppcilically with uti118in8 the Cathed ral in mind. The organisers are keen to bring the Cathedral back to life with a range of musical styles uniting Ioc81 people 8nd music lovers from across the country and getting them back Into the building. They hope the venue will be seen by prorrK)ters as one of the best lor musical performances in the area, and VoiceFest will be an advertisement for this. The first year of ihe event is planne(J tor 13114 September 2025, and is likely to be a small-scale version of what is hoped will come in future years. Theie will be an iniernationally renowned group performing alongside local choirs, and the Brechin Cathedral Trusl SCIO- registered number SC052872 Trust8es' Annual Roport and Accounts to 2 November 2024 festival is keen to attract a diverse audience to come together as a community of music lovers with the Cathedral at the heart of the event. Alongside musical and cultural events, BCT is also laying the foundations lor a broader programme of educational 2nd artisanal aciivity, with a strong emphasis on heritage skills. Buildingon Its successful partnershipwith the Stained Glass Symposium and involvement in the Saving Scottish Stonemasonry Working Group, the Trust aims to create a platform for hands-on learning. traditional craft demonstrations and schools, engagement. This is wilh a view to offering future generations the chance to engage with history in a practical and meaningful way. In the longer term, the Cathedral could become a regional centre lor bespoke heritage skills qualification5. developed in collaboration with education and conservation bodies. Events like the inaugural VoiceFest will play a dual role in this ambition, not only animati ng the space with lib performance, but also offering outreach opportunities that link music, heritage and communilylearning. The vision is to embed the Cathedral in Brechin's future as much as its past. creating a living space ol culture, education and craftsm8 nship. GENERAL TRUSTEES, WORK PROGRAMME: Shortly after the accounting date, the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland commenced an extensive programme ot work at the Cathedral intended to ensure that it becomes "wind and watertight" During the period since its closu re in 2020, a significant backlog of repairs had built up, and the condition ol the roof and gutters. in particular. had deteriorated. The work programme has involved extensive scaffolding both inside and out, and hos considerably disrupted other activities in the Cathedral, because of the Health and Salery limiiaiions imposed. This work continued through the winter and Into Summer 2025, and has included repairs and re-slating to the North and South Aisle roofs. repairs and restoration of the lower guttering and rain-water drainage on both the North and South faces. limited stonework and repointing, as well as Investigation ol the extent of rol in the beams and strurs of the Nave and Aisles, and substantial repair and replacement of the timbers and roof of the Queen's Aisle which was found to be particularly damaged. The works still to be undertaken by the General Trustees should also include the re- inslallation ol an effective heating system for the Cathedral, a fire and intruder Alarm system an(J repair of the Organ to fully working order. Because of the works to the roof and Queen's Aisle it h8s been impossible to re-open the Cathedral lo the public yet, although limited events have been held within the Cathedral. and occasional visits have been arranged for visitors. many of whom have travelled from overseas and are keen lo explore iheir local connections. Brechin Cathedral Trust SCIO- registered number SC052872 Trustees, Annual Report and Accounts to 2 Novernb8r 2024 Once the planned works have been completed. it is anticipated that the General Truslees will offer full ownership and responsibility lor the Cathedral, together with the Cathedral Hall. and the Cathedral Allotments, to the BCT lor a nominal price. At th•1 lime. itwill be essentialforthe Trusleesof the BCTto have a lull and costed undeislanding of the essential. and also the merely desirable, works and repairs remaining, and a timetabled plan for their completion, logelher with a credible fund- raising stiategy. FINANCIAL REVIEW: After con siderable ditficulty and delay, the Brec hin Cathedral Trust was able to open a CUTrent account with the Royal Bank of Scotland on 29 Mafch 2024. Funds of 1110.000 were transferred from the Society to the BCT and these are unrestricted and available for general use by the BCT. Grants for specific purposes were received from the 8ellefacl Trust1£4,9001 and the National Lottery1É12,0001 and these funds were on hand al the accounting date. Both the Grants received were awarded for our"OpeninE the Doors" project. which aims to make the Cathedral more accessible to local residents and visitors. Because ol the Restrictions caused by the works being undertaken by the General Trustees to the roof and Queen's Aisle. Ihe 'Opening the Doors- project has been delayed. and these restricted funds remain intact. Costs of £7.742 were incurred between 8 September and the accounting date man8ging the C8thedr81 btjilding and on development work. includ irng applying lor grant support. At 2 November 2024. Unrestricted fu nds were £102.627, and Resliicted funds were £16,900. RF8PnP4SIAII ITIFq nF THF TAIISTFFS.. The Trustees must prepare Financial Statemenls which give suff icient detail to enable an apprecialion ol the transactions of the Trusi during the financial period. They are responsible tor keeping proper accounling Tecords which, on request, must reflect the financial position ol the Trust at rhat time. This must be done to e nsure that the financial stalements comply with the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotlandl Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scollandl Regulations 2006. The Trustee5 are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Trust. and musl take reasonable steps for the prevention andlor the detection ot traud 8nd other irregu18rities. AnDrnvgrl hv thp Tri IqtppE nn 1 1 li ily ?n?4 4ivned on their behalf by= Brechin Cathedral Trust SCIO- regist&r&d number SC052872 Trustees, Annual Report and Accounts lo 2 November 2024 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of the Brechin Cathedral Trust SCIO l rn'pun on IhL aLLuuni% ol. thL Lharity Ivr ¢h¢ inilial p¢riud ol. dLLounl 10 2 NovLmbLr ?U24. Respective Responsibililies of Trustees and Examiner ThL Cliariiy .4 Iru%lCC% CC)nNider ihai the audit rLquifL'incni ol. RLg)ul.Ilii)n l O I I I Idi of the AiLI)unt% RLb)iJl jltii)n% d()Ls n(Il applv. li 1% my rL%pi)i)Nihility tc) IxaiiiinL thc A¥L()unt% as rLquirLd LindLI %¥Llivn 44 11 I IL l uf thL ALI dnd lu %ldtL whLIIILr pdrtlLLilar InJllLf* havL comc Ba¥is of Independent Examiner's Ststement My ex4iirillLltii)n 1% iJrried ()Llt in LILLI)rdanLe willi kLgulali()n I I i)f Ilie C"h4irilie% .QLLI)unis I %Liiilandl RL¥Juldiiuns ?006. An Lxdrninatioii InL IiidL.% a rLI'ILW' l)l- IliL .2LLountinbi rL'Lunl inLludLS considLrd(ivii of any unusiial il¥ms or dis¢lu5UILS in lh¥ AL¢ounis and SLtk5 Tl)i pri)LLLILII'LS iinclirt'ikiii do not pri)i'tdL all IliL" LwicILn¢L tli%il wi)uld iK' r¢ciLiÈfLII ii) ￿1n Aiidit. iinLI Ll)fiKIiLTr¢nily I dii iiol L¥prL%% in 'iiiclil i)piniiTrn i)n IhL I'lL￿. ¥FI ¥ Ln by IIIL ALLt)unls. Independenl Examiner, Ststemenl Iii ihe course ol. iiiy cxaininiiion. ni) 1114lrrer has LoillL ti) my .itteiiiiL)n. l. IllliiLh gikLN nic rca%oiiahlc L