The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 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 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 objectives of the Charity are:
To advance the Protestant and Evangelical truths of the Christian Faith.
To educate, train and equip preachers, ministers, teachers, students, missionaries and other persons with the objects of the association and to make grants, donations and subscriptions or payments in respect thereof.
When planning and reviewing the activities for the year, the Trustees have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and, in particular, the specific guidance on Charities for the advancement of religion. In particular the Charity provides a facility to enable people to explore there knowledge and increase their faith in the Protestant and Evangelical truths of the Christian Faith.
In order for the objects of the Charity to be furthered, camps, conferences, retreats and house parties have been held which involve ecumenical groups from churches, youth organisations, national initiatives, schools and colleges.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Sizewell Hall benefits from significant volunteering work for those who prepare the campsite and assist with general maintenance around the grounds. We are grateful for all support but we are seeking to increase the support from volunteers wherever possible- particularly in the completion of various tasks which do not require significant amounts of skill or expertise.
Sizewell Hall is a Christian Conference Centre and Camping location in an idyllic location in the Suffolk coast. Our primary building is now 100 years old and we took it over 50 years ago when it was in a state of some disrepair. Since that time, we have made great improvements to the building and brought back the building to a high standard of repair and decoration.
Our year ending October 2025, was a very encouraging year, building on the progress of the previous year. As the recovery from the pandemic continues, bookings have increased and are now much closer to pre-pandemic levels, with the average group size exceeding that of the last 5 years. In September we celebrated the 50th Anniversary with an event at the hall sharing stories of how God has used the hall over its time as a Christian Conference Centre.
Sizewell Hall has experienced a time of stability in the staff team over the last year. Matt Shaddick has continued in his role as Centre Manager, overseeing the day to day running of the hall, alongside regular meetings with Adam Golding, Tom Boswell and Will Elphick who have provided support in their role as Trustees. Jason Shaw has continued bringing attention to detail and attentiveness to the needs of guests as the Hospitality Supervisor, while helping to maintain the building and grounds day-to-day. Sara continues to be the first point of contact for groups with Bookings and Accounts queries, as-well as assisting with managing the Gift Shop and has played a large part in the success of the shop over the last few years. We are also particularly grateful to our regular volunteers, Roger, Ray and Steve who have all contributed immensely to keeping the Hall’s grounds in good condition. The trustees have continued to support the staff team by regularly duty managing at weekends to allow for breaks, which has been very valuable particularly while the hall is operating with reduced staffing levels than in previous years.
Currently the Charity has agreed a purchase price with the Ogilvie family for the Hall and grounds. There is therefore an ongoing effort to raise a total of £2 million pounds, this would include the purchase price, fees and a considerable sum to allow for a number of renovation and capital projects to rejuvenate the site and address some of the key ongoing issues. In particular, addressing the need for accessible ensuite accommodation for the hall, and for additional shower and Toilet facilities on the campsite. There is also a focus on reducing ongoing costs, with plans for Solar Panels and a new waste processing biodigester to be installed once the premises are secured. Helping ensure that the charity lowers costs and continues to grow in its sustainability efforts.
Sizewell Hall reported a net expenditure after depreciation for the year of £28,253 (2024: net income £15,874). Income increased dramatically from £339,687 in 2024 to £394,601 in 2025.This is thanks to both an increased number of booking and also the donations in respect to the fundraising for the purchase of the site.
Expenditure rose in line with the increased bookings, rising from £323,813 to £422,854 in 2025.
Following a review of historic restricted funds, the trustees concluded that the related projects had been fully expensed and the fund restrictions fulfilled. Residual balances arising from depreciation charges have therefore been released from the relevant restricted funds.
Freely available unrestricted reserves remain at a level equivalent to three months' expenditure, enabling the charity to meet unforeseen expenditure should the need arise. The Trustees continue to monitor the reserve policy and the level of reserves held, keeping both under review throughout the year.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Churches remain enthusiastic about the Hall and the facilities we offer and have returned in increased numbers over the last 2 years despite the substantial increases in price in 2024 and 2025. While the year represents a strong indication of things stabilising following a long recovery from the pandemic, senior staff and the board will watch operations closely and make adjustments as required to mitigate any risks and help continue the stability moving forwards. The charity plans to maintain all its ongoing activities moving forwards, and we thank our visitors for all their loyal support and feedback.
The trustees have agreed smaller increase in hire charges in line with inflation for 2026 bookings, this reflects the increased cost of running the Hall. This, together with healthier bookings, encourages the charity to believe that income will continue to be closer to pre-pandemic levels as it has been for the last 2 years and provides them with greater confidence when deciding on further maintenance projects and the purchase of the Hall.
The charity is a company limited by guarantee.
The 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 trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
We are truly grateful to all those who give of their time, resources and finances to maintain the work of Sizewell Hall. We have been blessed to have employed conscientious and diligent staff who maintain the work on a day-to-day basis. We are also grateful to all the board of directors who give of their time to ensure that the finances, fabric and purpose of the Hall are maintained, and to our volunteers who help with practical matters around the site.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Sizewell Hall Limited (the charity) for the year ended 31 October 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 The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (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.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
Sizewell Hall Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Sizewell Hall, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4TX.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. 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 charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a statement of cash flows.
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 financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention. 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.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors or grantors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Income comprises of donations received from individuals and religious groups. During the year, the charity also received income from fundraising towards purchasing the site. The charity also received hire income for the hire of the conference centre, hall, on-site cottages as well as the campsite. To complement these, the charity also runs a shop on site which generates income from the sale of food and consumables.
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Expenditure is accounts for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs relating to the category. Where costs can not be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis constant with the use of resources.
The costs of the conference centre are those directly associated with the running, maintenance and operation of the Sizewell Hall Centre.
Governance, management and administration costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutionality requirements.
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 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).
Stocks are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell. Cost comprises direct materials and, where applicable, direct labour costs and those overheads that have been incurred in bringing the stocks to their present location and condition. Items held for distribution at no or nominal consideration are measured the lower of replacement cost and cost.
Net realisable value is the estimated selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be incurred in marketing, selling and distribution.
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 charity 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 charity's balance sheet when the charity 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 charity’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 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.
Centre and Hall
Shop and Food Store
Centre and Hall
Shop and Food Store
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.
The loan is a government backed bounce back loan. The loan is repayable over 60 months and interest is charged at 2.5% per annum.
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 restricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used.
Following a review of historic restricted funds, the trustees concluded that the related projects had been fully expensed and the fund restrictions fulfilled. Residual balances arising from depreciation charges have therefore been released from the relevant restricted funds.
The unrestricted funds of the charity 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. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.
At the reporting end date the charity had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases, which fall due as follows:
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).