The directors and trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the Society's Articles of Association, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)".
The Glendale Agricultural Society (the Society) objects for which the charitable company is established are:
To advance education and skills particularly in agriculture, the environment and all related or ancillary subjects; and
To advance such other charitable purposes related to agriculture and the environment as the directors and trustees shall decide.
The directors and trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the Society should undertake.
The Society's first event of 2023/24 was a Coffee Morning (27th January 2024) held at the Glendale Hall, Wooler. This was a successful event, bringing the community together while raising awareness of the Children’s Countryside Day and the work of the Society.
A second Coffee morning was held (7th May 2024) which was once again a very successful morning, raising funds for the Children’s Countryside Day. It was great to see new volunteers helping.
The AGM was held on 7th May 2024 at The Tankerville Arms Hotel, Wooler and was well attended. Several new Committee members were welcomed, as well as a newly elected Trustee that evening- David Hurst.
This was followed on June (6th) by the annual Children's Countryside Day held on the showfield. This one-day interactive educational event reinforces the objectives of the Society, aiming to give children of all abilities aged 5-11 years first hand experience of rural life.
It celebrates our local heritage and culture; engages the local community and showcases the rural diversification of the Glendale area. Exhibitors share their knowledge with the children attending, to explain where food comes from and how it is produced- with an emphasis on giving a wider understanding of the countryside, the environment and the people who work in the rural economy.
The event is organised by a team of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers for the benefit of schools from across the region, plus one full time and one part time members of staff. It is a highly anticipated event in the school calendar.
The Society are indebted to local organisations, businesses, individuals and 150 volunteers for their contributions (financial and in-kind) to the day. The effect of these contributions resulted in the attendance of 70 enthusiastic exhibitors without whom the event could not be staged. In conclusion - an excellent, successful day enjoyed by all who attended.
The Horticultural and Industrial Committee held their annual plant sale and coffee morning (10th June) which was the most successful of all coffee mornings held-boosting funds for the H & I section.
The Annual Show took place on August Bank Holiday Monday as usual (26 August).
Fortunately, the weather dry and calm, and visitors came in their hundreds. The actual numbers of attendees was about 6,500- slightly up on last year.
The proprietors of the trade stands reported a more profitable day was had than 2023, with cash sales increasing. There was a strong number of entries in both the livestock and equine sections, supported by an enthusiastic team of stewards.
In January, the Trustees welcomed Gemma Douglas as Event Manager- a change in role from her previous one as Project and Charitable Activity Officer. Gemma was delighted to be offered the role.
Sophia Tirelli- Hurst was also welcomed by Trustees in February as Administration Assistant.
There are now eight Trustees who manage the Society’s affairs.
The Directors and Trustees are satisfied with the outcomes of the Society’s year to 30 September 2024. The Trustees consider that the Society is in a healthy position and look forward to welcoming visitors to events and undertaking new ventures in line with its charitable objectives.
The total income for the year amounted to £164,308 (2023: £159,403), against total running costs of £165,264 (2023: £175,091) resulting in a deficit of £956 (2023: £15,688 deficit).
Capital expenditure for the year amounted to £Nil (2023: £2,325).
The balance of unrestricted funds at 30 September 2024 was £75,850 (2023: £76,806).
Reserves policy
The directors and trustees have accumulated reserves within the Society to ensure that there is a sufficient amount to provide for unexpected expenditure, which includes the provision for the cancellation of a Show in any year, as has been the case in recent years.
Risk management
The directors and trustees has assessed the major risks to which the Society is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Public benefit
In considering the operation, achievements and performance and finances of the Society, the directors and trustees are satisfied that public benefit has been provided in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 and the guidance provided by the Charity Commission.
Plans for the future
We are looking to the future, we are looking at new ways of expanding the work of the Society, and growing our educational outreach programme, while considering ways we can future proof and safe guard the Society.
The Society is a company limited by guarantee (No. 05192461) which was incorporated on 29 July 2004 by a Memorandum and Articles of Association, as amended 27 November 2019; and became a registered charity with the Charity Commission (No. 1187662) on 30 January 2020.
The directors and trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
None of the directors and trustees has any beneficial interest in the Society. All of the directors and trustees are members of the Society and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
Recruitment and appointment of directors and trustees
The directors and trustees are introduced by existing directors and trustees on the basis of the expertise that they can bring to the Society. They are fully briefed before accepting the appointment and are encouraged to attend directors and trustees meetings before being appointed.
The minimum number of directors and trustees shall not be less than three and shall not be subject to any maximum.
Induction and training of directors and trustees
After their appointment, directors and trustees are further briefed on their responsibilities and are encouraged to identify any gaps in their knowledge.
Statement of directors' and trustees' responsibilities
The directors and trustees, who are also the directors of Glendale Agricultural Society for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company Law requires the directors and trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Society and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors and trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Society will continue in operation.
The directors and trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Society and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. 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.
The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Directors And Trustees.
I report to the directors and trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Glendale Agricultural Society (the Society) for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the Society are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Society’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Society as required by section 386 of the Companies Act 2006.
the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no other concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Donations
Investments
Raising funds
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Glendale Agricultural Society is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 8 Market Place, Wooler, Northumberland, NE71 6FL.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Society's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)". The Society is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The Society has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the Society. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the directors and trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Society has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors and trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the directors and trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the Society has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
All grants are used for charitable expenditure and capital items and are recognised in full in the year in which they are receivable, or when the conditions for receipt have been met.
Membership subscriptions are recognised in the year in which they are received.
Investment income comprises bank interest receivable in the year.
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts.
Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the Society reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The Society has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the Society's balance sheet when the Society becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the Society’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.
Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the Society is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
In the application of the Society’s accounting policies, the directors and trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
Donations
Memberships
Show day income
Gate money
Investments
Raising funds
Fundraising costs
Show day costs
Children's day costs
Fundraising costs
Independent examination and accountancy fees
None of the directors and trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the Society during the year (2023: None).
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
There were no employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more.
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
The unrestricted funds of the Society comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used.
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2023: None).