THE ROLAND CALLINGHAM FOUNDATION
The charity owns and operates the Bekonscot Model Village, created by the late Roland Callingham in 1929 and located in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.As well as preserving this heritage and educating visitors on life in communities since the 1930's; the charity gives grants to other charities, specifically those that advance religion and are local to Buckinghamshire.
Financial health, per its FY2026 accounts
The accounts state that the charity generated £1.8 million in income and recorded a net incoming resource of £97,232 for the year ended 31 January 2026. The trustees report that unrestricted funds available amount to £870,000, which they consider adequate to cover seasonal cash requirements and six months of regular expenditure. The financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis, with the auditor confirming no material uncertainties regarding the group's ability to continue operating.
What the accounts disclose
“One staff member was remunerated between £80,000 - £90,000 in the year” — page 23
“One staff member was remunerated between £80,000 - £90,000 in the year” — page 23
“Income from charitable activities 5 1,084,343” — page 13
“Funds considered freely available at 31 January 2026 amounted to £870,000 (2025 £760,000). These are adequate to cover the buffer required for seasonal requirements and six months of regular expenditure if unforeseen events curtailed the model village’s income.” — page 7
“Bekonscot Limited is the wholly owned trading subsidiary of the Foundation. The financial statements therefore include the wholly owned subsidiary.” — page 4
“During the year Bekonscot Limited made a distribution of £75,114 (2025 - £89,628) to the charity and paid £51,420 for intercompany services (2025 - £48,484).”
“Bekonscot Limited is the wholly owned trading subsidiary of the Foundation. The financial statements therefore include the wholly owned subsidiary.” — page 4
“During the year Bekonscot Limited made a distribution of £75,114 (2025 - £89,628) to the charity and paid £51,420 for intercompany services (2025 - £48,484).”
“Bekonscot Limited is the wholly owned trading subsidiary of the Foundation. The financial statements therefore include the wholly owned subsidiary.” — page 4
“During the year Bekonscot Limited made a distribution of £75,114 (2025 - £89,628) to the charity and paid £51,420 for intercompany services (2025 - £48,484).”
“Bekonscot Limited is the wholly owned trading subsidiary of the Foundation. The financial statements therefore include the wholly owned subsidiary.” — page 4
“During the year Bekonscot Limited made a distribution of £75,114 (2025 - £89,628) to the charity and paid £51,420 for intercompany services (2025 - £48,484).”
“Its wholly owned subsidiary, Bekonscot Limited, is responsible for the commercial activities undertaken at the site and distributes its available profits annually to the Foundation.” — page 4
Year-over-year changes
- Top pay band moved from £80,001 - £90,000 (FY2025) to £80,000 - £90,000 (FY2026).
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Brian — Managing Director
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/01/2026)
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (23/01/2019)
Trustees
- James Archer
- Jeanette Christina Howse BEM
- John Howard Lee
- MARK CALLINGHAM
- PETER ROY HOLGATE
- Tobias William Faber
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2026 | £1.8m | £1.8m |
| 31/01/2025 | £1.8m | £1.7m |
| 31/01/2024 | £1.8m | £1.6m |
| 31/01/2023 | £1.8m | £1.6m |
| 31/01/2022 | £1.7m | £1.5m |
Common questions
Is THE ROLAND CALLINGHAM FOUNDATION financially healthy?
Per its FY2026 accounts: The accounts state that the charity generated £1.8 million in income and recorded a net incoming resource of £97,232 for the year ended 31 January 2026. The trustees report that unrestricted funds available amount to £870,000, which they consider adequate to cover seasonal cash requirements and six months of regular expenditure. The financial statements were prepared on a going concern basis, with the auditor confirming no material uncertainties regarding the group's ability to continue operating. Its FY2026 accounts were audited by S&W Audit.
What does the highest-paid employee of THE ROLAND CALLINGHAM FOUNDATION earn?
Per its FY2026 accounts, the highest-paid employee was in the £80,000 - £90,000 band, and 1 employees earned over £60,000.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE WOODLAND TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| EAST END COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £19k |
| WILLIAM HARDING'S CHARITY | 1 | £14k |
| BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | 1 | £10k |
| THOMAS HICKMAN'S CHARITY | 1 | £5k |
| MOBBS MEMORIAL TRUST LIMITED | 1 | £3k |
| HUBBUB FOUNDATION UK | 1 | £253 |
| ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS | 1 | £190 |
Charities like this
- THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION
- JOHN SOUTHBY AND OTHERS
- THE TRAMWAY MUSEUM SOCIETY
- COMMUNITY IMPACT BUCKS
- BEECH VILLAGE HALL AND RECREATION GROUND
- WEST SILVERTOWN VILLAGE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE ROLAND CALLINGHAM FOUNDATION | £1.8m | £80,000 - £90,000 | 1 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE ROTHSCHILD FOUNDATION | £27.2m | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| JOHN SOUTHBY AND OTHERS | £127k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE TRAMWAY MUSEUM SOCIETY | £2.4m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| COMMUNITY IMPACT BUCKS | £617k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| BEECH VILLAGE HALL AND RECREATION GROUND | £143k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |