REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 04913460 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1103123

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND

UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 APRIL 2026

FOR

THE LYNCHMERE SOCIETY

Page

Report of the Trustees

1

to

5

Independent Examiner's Report

6

Statement of Financial Activities

7

Balance Sheet

8

to

9

Notes to the Financial Statements

10

to

17

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 April 2026. The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and aims

The Charity's objects and principal activities are to:-

1) Promote high standards of planning and architecture in or affecting the area of benefit, which is the Lynchmere Civic Parish and some neighbouring areas.

2) Educate the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of the area of benefit.

3) Secure the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic, environmental and public interest in the area of benefit.

The main activities for the year continued to be educating the public in the geography, history, natural history and architecture of the area of benefit, and securing the preservation, protection, development and improvement of features of historic or public interest and through the restoration of the heathland of Lynchmere, Stanley and part of Marley Common (this being part of a much wider project across several counties supported and encouraged by Natural England and The South Downs National Park).

Public benefit

The Trustees of The Lynchmere Society review the aims, objectives and activities of the charity every year. The review process looks at what has been achieved and the outcomes of their work over the previous 12 months. The review considers the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people which the charity was formed to help. The review also helps the Trustees to ensure that the aims, objectives and activities of the charity remain focused on the stated purposes. The Trustees have referred to guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objectives, and in planning future activities. In particular, the Trustees have considered how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Educating the Public

Local schools, societies and youth organisations benefit from the Commons with their network of footpaths and bridleways, as well as the circular "easy access" path, which is heavily used, and due to be renovated with financial help from the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). We usually have a number of informal talks during the year on subjects of local interest, or from wildlife and habitat specialists relevant to our conservation and heathland restoration work.

Securing Features of Interest

Lowland Heath is one of the most endangered habitats in Europe, and the Commons owned and managed by the Society is the 5th largest area of such habitat in Sussex, and an important part of a much wider project across several counties supported and encouraged by Natural England and The SNDPA. The commons are an element of the Serpent Trail, which is 65 mile long route passing through lowland heath areas of the South Downs National Park.

Each year our restored areas are enlarged, with work being done on scrub clearance in winter and bracken control in late summer - done by cutting and pulling, and scything where possible. Our meadows are also of special interest, never having been ploughed, fertilised or sprayed within living memory, and so of special importance to butterflies, bees, and other insects.

The Commons, Meadows and Barn

The Society normally has about fourteen volunteer days for scrub clearance between early October and the end of February, when work stops for the nesting season, in addition to the work of the Winter Work team.

The Belted Galloway cattle (a rare breed) do valuable conservation work under the very careful watch of our grazier and his supporting team. The addition of the Pole Barn in 2025 has provided a much needed storage facility for hay and machinery, thereby freeing up Mare Barn for some traditional craft educational experiences led by some of our excellent volunteers.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Principal funding sources

The principal Funding sources of the Charity are:-

1) Natural England and The Rural Payments Agency, through the Higher Level Stewardship and Basic Payments Scheme.

2) Subscriptions, donations and bequests.

3) SSE through wayleaves.

4) Sales of hay bales to cover harvesting costs.

The 2025-26 year and recent developments

The Society recorded a surplus of £6,887 on a total income of £61,583 for the year to

30th April 2026, compared to a deficit of £847 and income of £49,511 in the previous year. The grants from the Rural Payments Agency under the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) and Basic Payment Schemes (BPS) were again the main source of the Society's funding, amounting to £37,146 or 60% of the total income for the 2025-26 year. These grants are for our heathland restoration and maintenance work, to support grazing on the Commons and for other environmental work. The funding from the BPS in the year was £4,897 however the scheme is being phased out and the income will decrease again in the 2026/27 financial year to an expected £408. The HLS is also being phased out until its closure in 2028. Both schemes are being replaced by ELMS (Environmental Land Management Scheme) but there have been delays in its roll-out and details of this new grant structure have yet to be finalised.

Extremely generous donations were also received from a number of the charity's individual supporters and from pledges made via the 1% for the Planet scheme. These funds are being used for the continued improvements on Mare Barn and the restoration work which has commenced on a dew pond and the society's other areas of wetland.

Costs for the year amounted to £54,695 (£50,358 prior year). Most areas of spend were broadly in line with the previous financial year, with increases in repairs and renewals, professional fees and depreciation.

Primary costs were as follows:

1. Winter Work scrub clearance programme and work on the commons totalled £14,226 (£17,893 in previous year)

2. Tree felling costs of £3,420

3. Grazing fee of £12k (consistent with prior year). Conservation grazing is an important aspect of commons management and it enables the Society to meet its HLS obligations. The grazing fee is set at a level that allows Lynchmere Community Grazing to operate on a sustainable basis.

4. The remaining spend was for operational costs such as insurance, utilities, repairs & renewals and depreciation of the Society's fencing, machinery and buildings.

Capital expenditure

Capital expenditure in teh year amounted to £6,324. £3,401 was spent on fencing and £2.923 on laying a hard floor and a soakaway at pole Barn.

Balance sheet

The balance sheet shows net assets of £662,608 as at the 30th April 2026 but approximately 72% of this figure is represented by the value of the Society's land and buildings (net book value £459k) held in trust for future generations. The cash balance as at 30th April 2026 was £178k

Investment policy and objectives

The trustees invest funds which are in excess of its immediate needs in deposit accounts.

Reserves Policy

The trustees monitor the Society's requirements for reserves to ensure sufficient funds are available to provide continuation of its aims, for any sudden emergencies and to meet longer term capital investments. This gives the trustees confidence that the Society's work can continue unimpeded.

FUTURE PLANS

The Charity plans to continue the activities outlined above in forthcoming years.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Lynchmere Society is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 26th September 2003 and registered as a charity on 7th April 2004. The company was established under a Memorandum and Articles of Association which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. In the event of the company being wound up, members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £10.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The directors of the company are also charity trustees for the purpose of charity law. One third of the trustees are elected each year and serve for a term of three years, and can be re-elected on the end of this term.

Organisational structure

The Lynchmere Society has a Trustees / Management committee which normally meets four to six times during the year and is responsible for the strategic direction and operational activities of the Charity. The Committee has members from a variety of backgrounds and experience.

Induction and training of new trustees

All trustees are already familiar with the practical work of the charity having been members. New trustees are given guidance regarding their responsibilities. The guidance is based on Charity Commission publications.

Trustee Succession Planning

There are currently 8 Trustees on the board. The Land Management Committee continues to meet regularly in order to enable coordination between local contractors and the work of volunteers, as well as generating a wealth of educational material to engage a younger generation interested in the environment.

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS

Registered Company number

04913460 (England and Wales)

Registered Charity number

1103123

Registered office

St Michael's Hall

Linchmere Road

Haslemere

Surrey

GU27 3QW

Trustees

P R Searight

Mrs L A Searight

The Hon Lady Rous (resigned 15.9.26)

B Middleton

Dr C Tibbs

M McCart

Mrs M Bancroft

Mrs A Martin

Independent Examiner

N Roberts

Traviss & Co Ltd

Chartered Certified Accountants

Newtown House

38 Newtown Road

Liphook

Hampshire

GU30 7DX

This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 15 September 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

M McCart - Trustee

Independent examiner's report to the trustees of The Lynchmere Society ('the Company')

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 30 April 2026.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

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:

1.	accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2.	the accounts do not accord with those records; or

3.	the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4.

the accounts 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 accounts 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 accounts to be reached.

N Roberts

Traviss & Co Ltd

Chartered Certified Accountants

Newtown House

38 Newtown Road

Liphook

Hampshire

GU30 7DX

Date: .............................................

2026

2025

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations, legacies and grants

2

46,004

6,777

52,781

39,166

Other trading activities

3

3,850

-

3,850

6,505

Investment income

4

4,953

-

4,953

3,840

Total

54,807

6,777

61,584

49,511

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

5

Restoration and maintenance of commons, fields and hay meadows

50,694

4,002

54,696

50,358

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

4,113

2,775

6,888

(847

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

647,150

8,573

655,723

656,570

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

651,263

11,348

662,611

655,723

2026

2025

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

Total

funds

funds

funds

funds

Notes

£

£

£

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

9

482,237

-

482,237

484,108

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

10

5,932

-

5,932

5,960

Cash at bank

166,485

11,348

177,833

168,745

172,417

11,348

183,765

174,705

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

11

(3,391

)

-

(3,391

)

(3,090

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

169,026

11,348

180,374

171,615

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES

651,263

11,348

662,611

655,723

NET ASSETS

651,263

11,348

662,611

655,723

FUNDS

12

Unrestricted funds

651,263

647,150

Restricted funds

11,348

8,573

TOTAL FUNDS

662,611

655,723

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 30 April 2026.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30 April 2026 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 15 September 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

M McCart - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, 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 accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost 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.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.

Governance costs

Governance costs include costs of the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Land & Buildings

-

not provided

Mare barn restoration

-

10% on cost

Plant and machinery

-

20% on cost and 10% on cost

Fencing

-

at varying rates on cost

The trustees have adopted a policy of not depreciating the freehold land and buildings. These are stated at historical cost rather than regular revaluations.

The trustees have opted to capitalise the fencing renewal works and the cost is being depreciated over 7 years.

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside at the discretion of the Trustees for specific purposes.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

2.	DONATIONS, LEGACIES AND GRANTS

2026

2025

£

£

Donations and subscriptions

13,218

7,028

Gift aid

2,417

-

Grants

37,146

32,138

52,781

39,166

3.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2026

2025

£

£

Fundraising events

96

123

Hay and wood sales

3,254

6,382

Other income

500

-

3,850

6,505

4.	INVESTMENT INCOME

2026

2025

£

£

Rents received

786

774

Deposit account interest

4,167

3,066

4,953

3,840

5.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

Direct

Support

Costs

costs

Totals

£

£

£

Restoration and maintenance of commons, fields and hay meadows

53,376

1,320

54,696

6.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2026

2025

£

£

Independent examiner's fee

1,320

922

Depreciation - owned assets

8,195

6,985

7.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 30 April 2026 nor for the year ended 30 April 2025.

Trustees' expenses

From time to time, the trustees incur costs on behalf of the Charity and these are reimbursed on presentation of the relevant supporting invoices.

8.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

funds

funds

funds

£

£

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations, legacies and grants

39,166

-

39,166

Other trading activities

6,505

-

6,505

Investment income

3,840

-

3,840

Total

49,511

-

49,511

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

Restoration and maintenance of commons, fields and hay meadows

50,358

-

50,358

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(847

)

-

(847

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

647,997

8,573

656,570

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

647,150

8,573

655,723

9.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Land &

Mare barn

Plant and

Buildings

restoration

machinery

Fencing

Totals

£

£

£

£

£

COST

At 1 May 2025

431,000

30,178

129,471

29,380

620,029

Additions

-

2,923

-

3,401

6,324

At 30 April 2026

431,000

33,101

129,471

32,781

626,353

DEPRECIATION

At 1 May 2025

-

2,240

127,594

6,087

135,921

Charge for year

-

3,262

696

4,237

8,195

At 30 April 2026

-

5,502

128,290

10,324

144,116

NET BOOK VALUE

At 30 April 2026

431,000

27,599

1,181

22,457

482,237

At 30 April 2025

431,000

27,938

1,877

23,293

484,108

10.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2026

2025

£

£

Trade debtors

104

524

Accrued income

1,892

1,341

Prepayments

3,936

4,095

5,932

5,960

11.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2026

2025

£

£

Accrued expenses

3,391

3,090

12.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.5.25

in funds

30.4.26

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

647,150

4,113

651,263

Restricted funds

Reptile Habitat Fund

8,573

(4,002

)

4,571

Ponds & wetlands

-

6,777

6,777

8,573

2,775

11,348

TOTAL FUNDS

655,723

6,888

662,611

Net movement in funds included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

54,807

(50,694

)

4,113

Restricted funds

Reptile Habitat Fund

-

(4,002

)

(4,002

)

Ponds & wetlands

6,777

-

6,777

6,777

(4,002

)

2,775

TOTAL FUNDS

61,584

(54,696

)

6,888

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.5.24

in funds

funds

30.4.25

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

180,447

6,138

(23,543

)

163,042

Commons fund

431,000

-

-

431,000

Equipment and capital works fund

36,550

(6,985

)

23,543

53,108

647,997

(847

)

-

647,150

Restricted funds

Reptile Habitat Fund

8,573

-

-

8,573

TOTAL FUNDS

656,570

(847

)

-

655,723

Comparative net movement in funds included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

49,511

(43,373

)

6,138

Equipment and capital works fund

-

(6,985

)

(6,985

)

49,511

(50,358

)

(847

)

TOTAL FUNDS

49,511

(50,358

)

(847

)

A current year 12 months and prior year 12 months combined position is as follows:

Net

Transfers

movement

between

At

At 1.5.24

in funds

funds

30.4.26

£

£

£

£

Unrestricted funds

647,997

3,266

-

651,263

Restricted funds

Reptile Habitat Fund

8,573

(4,002

)

-

4,571

Ponds & wetlands

-

6,777

-

6,777

8,573

2,775

-

11,348

TOTAL FUNDS

656,570

6,041

-

662,611