Company registration number 01338347 (England and Wales)
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
Directors
Brian Newman-Smith
James Archer
Barbara Gibbs (resigned 14 October 2025)
Patrick Hogan
Peter Holgate (resigned 14 October 2025)
Secretary
Peter Holgate
Company number
01338347
Registered office
14 Ledborough Lane
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 2PZ
Auditor
S&W Audit
22 Wycombe End
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 1NB
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Directors' report
1 - 2
Independent auditor's report
3 - 5
Statement of income and retained earnings
6
Balance sheet
7
Notes to the financial statements
8 - 10
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
- 1 -
The directors present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 January 2026.
Principal activities
The principal activity of the company is to operate the commercial trading operations carried on at Bekonscot Model Village and Railway, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire; an attraction designed to preserve heritage, promote education and make contributions to charities.
Profits arising from this activity are donated to The Roland Callingham Foundation, Bekonscot Limited's parent charity.
Review of the business
The company showed a profit of £55,445 in 2025/26, compared with a profit of £75,114 in 2024/25. 2025/26 turnover was £657,861, this is comparable to the turnover in 2024/25 of £614,129.
The results for the business and the financial position of the company are shown in the attached financial statements.
The Board thanks Barbara Gibbs and Peter Holgate for their many contributions to Bekonscot Ltd over the years.
Brian Newman-Smith, our Managing Director, has announced his plans to retire in August 2026. His enthusiasm and skill in running and developing Bekonscot so smoothly over 30 years have been truly impressive, with so many highlights over that time. The directors heartily thank him for his commitment to the Village. He will be much missed.
Auditor
The auditor, S&W Audit, is deemed to be reappointed under section 487(2) of the Companies Act 2006.
Statement of directors' responsibilities
The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
make judgements and accounting 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;
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company 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 company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Statement of disclosure to auditor
So far as each person who was a director at the date of approving this report is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the company’s auditor is unaware. Additionally, the directors individually have taken all the necessary steps that they ought to have taken as directors in order to make themselves aware of all relevant audit information and to establish that the company’s auditor is aware of that information.
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
- 2 -
Going Concern
After reviewing the company's forecasts and contingency plans, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future. The company therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.
Small companies exemption
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies' exemption.
On behalf of the board
James Archer
Director and Chairman
4 June 2026
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT
TO THE MEMBERS OF BEKONSCOT LIMITED
- 3 -
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Bekonscot Limited (the 'company') for the year ended 31 January 2026 which comprise the statement of income and retained earnings, the balance sheet and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
give a true and fair view of the state of the company's affairs as at 31 January 2026 and of its profit for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of our audit:
the information given in the Directors' Report for the year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the Directors' Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF BEKONSCOT LIMITED
- 4 -
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors' report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of directors' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the directors were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies' regime and take advantage of the small companies' exemption in preparing the directors' report and take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.
Responsibilities of directors
As explained more fully in the Directors' Responsibilities Statement set out on page 2, the directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the directors are responsible for assessing the company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.
the engagement partner ensured that the engagement team collectively had the appropriate competence, capabilities and skills to identify or recognise non-compliance with applicable laws and regulations;
we identified the laws and regulations applicable to the company through discussions with directors and other management, and from our commercial knowledge and experience of the sector;
we focused on specific laws and regulations which we considered may have a direct material effect on the financial statements or the operations of the company, including the Companies Act 2006, taxation legislation and data protection, anti-bribery, employment, environmental and health and safety legislation;
we assessed the extent of compliance with the laws and regulations identified above through making enquiries of management and inspecting legal correspondence; and
identified laws and regulations were communicated within the audit team regularly and the team remained alert to instances of non-compliance throughout the audit.
We assessed the susceptibility of the company’s financial statements to material misstatement, including obtaining an understanding of how fraud might occur, by:
making enquiries of management as to where they considered there was susceptibility to fraud, their knowledge of actual, suspected and alleged fraud;
considering the internal controls in place to mitigate risks of fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations; and
understanding the design of the company’s remuneration policies.
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT (CONTINUED)
TO THE MEMBERS OF BEKONSCOT LIMITED
- 5 -
To address the risk of fraud through management bias and override of controls, we:
performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships;
tested journal entries to identify unusual transactions;
assessed whether judgements and assumptions made in determining the accounting estimates were indicative of potential bias; and
investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.
In response to the risk of irregularities and non-compliance with laws and regulations, we designed procedures which included, but were not limited to:
agreeing financial statement disclosures to underlying supporting documentation;
reading the minutes of meetings of those charged with governance;
enquiring of management as to actual and potential litigation and claims; and
reviewing correspondence with HMRC, relevant regulators and the company’s legal advisors.
There are inherent limitations in our audit procedures described above. The more removed that laws and regulations are from financial transactions, the less likely it is that we would become aware of non-compliance. Auditing standards also limit the audit procedures required to identify non-compliance with laws and regulations to enquiry of the directors and other management and the inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any.
Material misstatements that arise due to fraud can be harder to detect than those that arise from error as they may involve deliberate concealment or collusion.
A further description of our responsibilities is available on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at: https://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor's report.
This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Keir Singleton (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of S&W Audit
4 June 2026
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditor
22 Wycombe End
Beaconsfield
Buckinghamshire
HP9 1NB
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
- 6 -
2026
2025
Notes
£
£
Turnover
657,861
614,129
Cost of sales
(227,783)
(203,127)
Gross profit
430,078
411,002
Administrative expenses
(374,633)
(335,888)
Profit before taxation
55,445
75,114
Tax on profit
4
Profit for the financial year
55,445
75,114
Retained earnings brought forward
75,114
89,628
Distributions to parent charity under gift aid
(75,114)
(89,628)
Retained earnings carried forward
55,445
75,114
These financial statements have been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
31 JANUARY 2026
31 January 2026
- 7 -
2026
2025
Notes
£
£
£
£
Current assets
Stocks
30,100
37,000
Debtors
5
178,314
183,741
Cash at bank and in hand
10,031
18,373
218,445
239,114
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
6
(3,000)
(4,000)
Net current assets
215,445
235,114
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital
7
160,000
160,000
Retained earnings for distribution to parent charity
55,445
75,114
Total equity
215,445
235,114
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime and in accordance with provisions of FRS 102 Section 1A - small entities.
The financial statements were approved by the board of directors and authorised for issue on 4 June 2026 and are signed on its behalf by:
James Archer
Director and Chairman
Company Registration No. 01338347
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
- 8 -
1
Accounting policies
Company information
Bekonscot Limited is a private company limited by shares incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is 14 Ledborough Lane, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2PZ.
1.1
Basis of preparation
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) and the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 as applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The disclosure requirements of section 1A of FRS 102 have been applied other than where additional disclosure is required to show a true and fair view.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the company. 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.
1.2
Going concern
After reviewing the company's forecasts, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the company has adequate resources to continue operating for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the company's ability to continue as a going concern. |
1.3
Revenue
Turnover represents receipts from sales of souvenirs, refreshments, light railway rides and amusements, and is shown net of VAT.
Revenue from the sale of goods is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the goods have been transferred to the buyer. Revenue from services is recognised when the service has been delivered.
1.4
Stocks
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell.
1.5
Financial instruments
The company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments' of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the company's balance sheet when the company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial assets
Short term debtors are measured at transaction price less any provision for impairment.
Basic financial liabilities
Short term creditors are measured at transaction price. Other financial liabilities are measured initially at fair value, net of transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised costs using the effective interest method.
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 9 -
1.6
Employee benefits
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 company is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
1.7
Retirement benefits
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
2
Donations to parent charity
The operating profits retained are planned to be distributed to the parent charity, The Roland Callingham Foundation, under gift aid.
3
Employees
The average monthly number of persons (including the Managing Director, who is the only director under a contract of service) working for the company during the year was 48 (2025 - 48). All employees are employed jointly by Bekonscot Limited and the parent charity. Bekonscot Limited bears the cost related to the time spent on Bekonscot Limited activities.
Details of the total emoluments paid to employees of £956,052 (2025 - £876,778) are disclosed in the financial statements of the parent charity. Key management personnel are considered to be the Directors. The Managing Director was remunerated between £80,000 - £90,000 (including benefits) in the year (2025 - £80,000 - £90,000), and Bekonscot Limited bore its share of this. No other Directors received any remuneration.
4
Taxation
No provision is included for any potential tax liability arising on the company's profits because the directors propose that a distribution to the parent charity will be paid at a time and an amount sufficient to reduce any such potential tax liability to nil.
5
Debtors
2026
2025
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Amounts owed by parent charity
178,314
183,741
6
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2026
2025
£
£
Other creditors
3,000
4,000
BEKONSCOT LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2026
- 10 -
7
Called up share capital
2026
2025
£
£
Ordinary share capital
Issued and fully paid
160,000 Ordinary shares of £1 each
160,000
160,000
160,000
160,000
8
Related party transactions
The company is a wholly owned member of a group and is consolidated in the financial statements of The Roland Callingham Foundation. As such it has taken advantage of the exemptions permitted by FRS 102 section 1.AC.35 not to provide disclosures of transactions entered into with other wholly-owned members of the group.
Two of the Managing Director’s children were employed by the charity at various times during the year. Their remuneration was at the same level as other staff performing similar roles.
9
Parent company
The company is the subsidiary of The Roland Callingham Foundation, a charity (Reg. 1164475) and a company limited by guarantee (Reg. in England & Wales, 09644387). Its registered office is 14 Ledborough Lane, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, HP9 2PZ.