The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 30 November 2025.
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 charity's memorandum and articles of association, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)".
The charity exists to promote, advance and improve, for the benefit of the public, agriculture, horticulture, forestry and rural crafts and skills, in all their branches, by the improvement of livestock and the demonstration and showing of livestock, machinery, crafts, products, methods and processes connected with agriculture and agricultural education.
In furtherance of these objects a Show was scheduled to be held on 24 and 25 August 2025.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
To produce our show each year committees of volunteers, each trustee-led, take forward plans for their own section, supported by the Show Office and overseen by a Management Committee which reports to the Show Council. The Show is both a charity and a limited company. Members of Show Council are both trustees and directors.
The 2025 event was a well-attended, successful show with approximately 26,000 paying public attending. With the society’s members and their guests, sponsors, stewards and thousands of competition entrants, the total attendance for 2025 is estimated as 44,000 people. That represents a 5% increase on the 2024 number. The dates of the show (24th & 25th August) fell at their earliest possible in the calendar with plenty of school holiday time still to follow, and a full week before payday. Trustees were aware that ticket sales would be challenging as a result. There was considerable interest in and a clear correlation to ticket sales from the JCB Dancing Digger main arena attraction, and the prevailing fine weather ensured a good attendance.
Trade stand income was remarkably consistent compared to the prior year. With 210 trade stands on site and 45 caterers, a contribution to the charity’s income of some £137,000 was successfully delivered (2024: £138,000). Trade stand management on site is overseen by our Trade Stands Committee whose volunteers, assisted by office and paid contractors, prepared stand markings, welcomed all the traders and skilfully managed any issues on the ground.
This committee also oversaw the successful delivery of the public catering provision and its income. Working on a percentage commission payable, and using local suppliers where availability and quality permit, an increase in income for the charity was delivered for a fourth consecutive year. In 2025 the catering income rose to £73,000 (2024: £71,000). Whilst at 3% only an inflationary increase, and with a slightly bigger gate, this is still considered an excellent result given the pressures on families and disposable income in the holiday period and with the prevailing media narrative of a cost of living crisis.
Income from the society’s membership and sponsorship subscriptions saw similar inflationary increases. Making a more substantial increase to the society’s income from both sponsorship and membership in the coming years will remain a focus for both the Members & Sponsors Committee and for the trustee body to ensure sufficient new and higher value supporters are welcomed.
Competition entries were strong across all sections. Each held a full programme of sections and classes through which the charity promotes breed standards and contributes to public education about agriculture and equestrian sport.
Entries for equestrian showing were almost identical to prior year, although showjumping entries in affiliated classes had a notable decrease – thought to be from competitor preference for surface arena competition and concern over ground conditions given the long, dry summer.
Sheep entries increased to 812, almost double the pre-covid number from 2019. Steps will be taken in 2026 to further restrict pen bookings per competitor to help ensure fair access and strong competition for as many entrants across as many pedigree breeds as possible. 40 different pedigree breeds were exhibited in 2025.
Cattle entries increased again to 524 – up by 17% compared with 2019 and up 4% on the year. This despite some key exhibitors prevented from attending by TB testing and Bluetongue risk. Dairy cattle numbers were again extraordinarily well-represented, with increases in both Holstein and Ayrshire entries.
Pig and goat exhibitor numbers remained largely unchanged. These sections are consistently strong, with the pig section having doubled in size from pre-covid days.
To accommodate any increase in demand and entries particularly in the Sheep, Pig and Goat sections would only be possible with increased hired marquee space in future, adding significant operational cost. The current priority for these sections is to maintain strength and focus on breed standards, on good quality commentary and on public value with strong competition rather than on volume growth.
Horticulture competition entries will be a focus for the future, having decreased 15% on the prior year. This could be attributed to poor growing conditions from the prolonged heat of the summer, but would need to be addressed to ensure the continuing success of this section and to regain its forward momentum.
The Showground was presented in great condition and was well-prepared for the show. The grounds team worked around the clock at times to ensure the equestrian rings were watered to provide the perfect surface for competition. Their dedication and commitment was a great credit to the leadership in place and to good planning from the Showground & Gates Committee.
Operational costs increased in the year, with road haulage and labour being significantly more expensive. Following the retirement of our longstanding public address contractor, the Show had no option but to move to a more costly supplier for this service. We have benefitted from a lower than market price for some time prior so this was a foreseen increase.
We welcomed GW Events as our new car parking contractor in 2025. This team prepared and parked our key eastern fields and our overflow parking facility. Working together with a new traffic management company, despite significant numbers of vehicles not a single complaint was received about traffic congestion. Post-show, a costed proposal was reviewed whereby GW Events would assume responsibility for all car parking and gate staff on site. Whilst it was acknowledged that this would end a longstanding volunteering relationship with East Grinstead Scouts and with Judd Rugby, it would provide a more professional and reliable service at a time where smooth operations were essential. The proposal would deliver a small cost saving, increase accountability and would reduce financial risk from accounting discrepancies on the gates. Trustees agreed to extend the GW Events contract for 2026 and thanked the Scouts and Judd Rugby for their long service.
Another notable new contractor was the team from Collingwood Services who provided event medical support in 2025. They took exemplary care of 112 people requiring their assistance and a new contract for the 2026-2028 events has been agreed.
The Show’s office team remains as two employed members of staff, assisted by occasional part time resource from freelance contractors and a third temporary employee in the weeks ahead of the show.
The show’s event management software and website successfully delivered the 2025 event and are subject to upgrade for 2026 with commensurate project cost agreed.
The office team remains central to supporting the vision of each committee and delivering a best practice example in the industry.
Governance Update
Trustees have been active in a review of the governing documents for the charity, with an update to governance structure, memorandum and articles in progress. Legal advice has been taken from specialist solicitors, with draft documents approved in principle.
This project will proceed along with consultation with Companies House, the Charity Commission and with the charity’s membership body.
Accounts summary
The Trustees report that the net movement in funds for the year was a deficit of £302 (2024: surplus of £17,464). The Balance Sheet at the year end remains satisfactory with a total of unrestricted funds not designated amounting to £273,173 (2024: £265,397).
£1,222 was released from deferred income in the year in relation to life governor subscriptions.
Reserves and investments
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use or invested in tangible fixed assets should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months' expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised.
Following disappointing investment performance and disproportionate cost to value of investment advice going forward, trustees agreed to remove all cash and investments from Quilter Cheviot and to open a new savings account with agricultural specialist, Oxbury Bank.
There are no significant capital expenditure projects planned at the present time.
Risk management
In conjunction with the Show’s appointed Health & Safety advisor, a review is conducted each year of the principal risks and uncertainties faced in the delivery of the Show. This review helps establish policies and procedures to mitigate the risks identified, such that should those risks materialise, the impact is minimised or managed.
2020 highlighted the risk posed to the activity of charities such as ours from the covid pandemic when our charity had no choice but to use reserve funds to cover the inevitable loss. Similar risks come from great extremes of weather or from other uninsurable events such as war or civil unrest.
The Trustees’ first priority is to keep everyone safe, balancing risk against the continuing obligation to pursue our charitable objectives. Maintaining adequate reserves is essential, with the need to rebuild reserves after the deficit of 2020 and expenditure on the new hay barn building in 2024 a concern.
For the annual show event normal risk assessments are carried out on more familiar issues such as crowd movement, vehicle movement, anti-terror measures, marquees, demonstrations and attractions, food hygiene, power generation and distribution, waste, the control of zoonotic diseases, infectious disease control, the installation and operation of the water supply system and fire. An Event Management Plan is developed and reviewed in the course of the planning of the Show and is shared with relevant interested authorities.
In addition to this, trustees consider broader risks to the charity that come with its ownership of the land at Ardenrun – such as environmental risk, and its operational risks such as cyber attack, fraud and employee succession. Relevant insurance is in place where appropriate, with mitigation and prevention measures discussed and implemented.
The rate of inflation in recent years has resulted in increased costs and remains a risk. Global events can have significant cost spike impact on certain areas of operations too, for example fuel prices are a significant issue in 2026 following the war in Ukraine and military action in the Middle East. The charity relies on key contractors who are experiencing volatility and cost increases. Typically these risks have been managed with the help of long term contracts in key areas but even where contract prices have been agreed, surcharges may occasionally be required for performance of contract.
Supplier payment terms are also mainly front-loaded prior to the event, impacting cashflow and requiring negotiation and management. The trustees keep the Show’s operational model under review and continue to seek efficiencies for the long term.
The Show relies on high levels of public attendance to generate income. Adverse weather remains the greatest risk in this regard. Online ticket sales with discounted advance rates benefit our charity by advancing income ahead of the Show, with non-refundable transactions helping mitigate the risk of non-attendance due to weather.
The Trustees have sought to mitigate the risks listed here by holding what are considered adequate reserves, including a Contingency Fund for this purpose.
Financial Outlook
An improved income from the telecoms mast and from the Sustainable Farming Incentive 2024 programme have contributed to help ensure that maintenance and a programme of required renewals at the showground site at Ardenrun is now funded by self-sustaining activities.
It is clear that with good weather and good gate, and despite strong control of costs, an increase of income is required for the charity’s event to rebuild its reserves and be resilient against a year impacted by rain. To this end trustees voted post-show to impose a 28% price increase for an ‘on the day’ adult event ticket in 2026. Membership prices would also increase accordingly. Meaningful discounts to encourage advance purchase will remain, as will member cost value against gate price. A new ‘family ticket’ type is also to be introduced to encourage advance purchase and drive value with target audience.
Trustees will work to ensure that the quality of the event overall and the calibre of its attractions remains high, and that the overall experience continues to deliver value along with education and entertainment in accordance with charitable objectives.
Grant Making
The Show has historically endeavoured to provide financial assistance to other registered charities whose own objectives mirror charitable activities conducted by the Show. The Trustees agreed not to make such grants this year given that a surplus of income was not recorded.
Volunteers
The Show is totally dependent on its volunteers to enable it to function. The Trustees and Sub-Committees work tirelessly throughout the year, whilst countless other volunteers give their time freely before, during and after Show days to ensure a successful event. In accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, who served during the year were:
The trustees are also members of the Council and the Society's Sub-Committees.
Recruitment of trustees is made on recommendation from each Sub-Committee Chairman if and when a vacancy occurs. Generally, unless they possess a particular skill of value to the Charity, no trustee is appointed until they have served several years as a member of one of the sub-committees. Any new trustee is therefore well briefed on the aims of the Show and how it is run well before appointment to the Council.
The affairs of the Society are conducted by a Council consisting of up to forty five unpaid, voluntary members who are elected at the Annual General Meeting. There are currently eight sub-committees.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Show (the charity) for the year ended 30 November 2025.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity 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 charity’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.
Since the charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000, the independent examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ICAEW, which is one of the listed bodies.
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 charity 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 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.
Investments
Expenditure on raising funds
Expenditure on charitable activities
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the preparation of the accounts are as follows:
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and the Charities SORP "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)". The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
The uncertain economic outlook and the levels of attendance at the Show, particularly in the event of adverse weather, is a significant area of financial uncertainty which the trustees have sought to mitigate by holding what are considered adequate reserves, including the creation of a Contingency Fund for this purpose.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount.
No income value is attributed to services provided by volunteers.
Annual subscriptions from members and sponsorship income are included in the year to which they relate. Life Governors' subscriptions are credited to deferred income and released to income in equal instalments over 10 years.
Charitable expenditure is included on an accruals basis.
Grants are included in the accounts to which they relate. Grants are formally awarded by the trustees at their March meeting.
All costs, with the exception of investment management, are allocated to the sole charitable activity of providing an annual show.
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:
Freehold land is not depreciated.
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.
Fixed asset investments are a form of other financial instrument and are initially measured at fair value, which is normally the transaction price. They are subsequently carried at fair value and the changes in fair value are recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.
At each reporting end date, the charity 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 and deposits held at call with banks.
With the exception of fixed asset investments, the charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially measured at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
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 charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.
Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.
Edenbridge and Oxted Agricultural Show is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is The Old Dairy, Wintersell Farm, Dwelly Lane, Edenbridge, TN8 6QD.
Subscriptions
Investments
Expenditure on charitable activities
Direct costs
Support costs
Governance costs
Charitable expenditure
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year for their services as a trustee.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charity is exempt from taxation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.
Freehold land and buildings include land at a cost of £264,597. In the trustees' opinion the market value is in excess of this figure but a formal valuation has not been obtained.
The Show also owns a number of donated trophies which are shown at nil value in the accounts, but have an insurance value of £160,000.
M&G Charifund
Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:
During the year £1,222 (2024 - £1,222) was released to income in relation to Life Governor subscriptions
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.
The unrestricted income funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of show surplus, donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
A contingency fund has been created by the trustees to provide against the possibility of financial loss brought about by bad weather over the show weekend and also to provide funds for major repairs and improvements to the showground and any other contingencies. Although not due to bad weather, there was no show in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 global pandemic and thus the continency funds were part utilised.
The Tangible fixed assets fund represents the book value of tangible fixed assets used in the furtherance of the Show's objects as they are not part of the Show's free reserves.
Whilst the terms of the W Meadows dec'd legacy do not form a restricted fund, the trustees would like to apply the legacy in accordance with the wishes of the donor and so this has been designated for use on sponsorship of the goat section.
There were no amounts contracted for but not provided in the financial statements for the current or comparative year.
During the year the charity entered into the following transactions with related parties:
Trustees are considered key management personnel and therefore the transactions in the year have been included in the table above. More detail is given below.
H. Apps, a charity trustee, is also the director of Excell Electrical Event Solutions Ltd who provided the Show with its electrical resources as well as trailer hire in the year.
A. Bradford, a charity trustee provided labour on the showground and maintenance of machinery.
B. Riches, trustee, is also a trustee for the East Grinstead District Scouts who received a donation for helping with the Show.
The Show office at Wintersell Farm is rented from The Downing Partnership. John Downing, a past president of the show and a trustee since 2024 is a partner of The Downing Partnership.
J Young (relative of trustee L. Young) received a payment for field rental.
Alice Brock who is employed by the Show is also a named partner under the showground grazing licence.
'Rosie's Recipes' is owned by Rosie Downing, John Downing's daughter. A payment was made to Rosie's Recipes for catering at the charity AGM. The business also has a catering stand at the show which pays the show a commission.
The charity, in the normal course of its activities, enters into financial arrangements with certain suppliers in connection with the provision of services for future Shows. These arrangements are subject to cancellation clauses in certain circumstances.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum payments under non-cancellable agreements, which fall due as follows: