ACTON SCOTT HERITAGE FARM
The objects of the CIO are the advancement of education through operation of a heritage working farm which will provide in situ vocational courses to the general public in rural and endangered skills and crafts, and demonstrate historical agricultural practices. It will display and preserve historic buildings and equipment, promote biodiversity, and seek to enhance wellbeing through nature.
Objects
(1) FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT, THE ADVANCEMENT OF EDUCATION THROUGH OPERATION OF A HERITAGE WORKING FARM WHICH WILL:(A) PROVIDE IN SITU VOCATIONAL COURSES TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN RURAL AND ENDANGERED SKILLS AND CRAFTS, AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES, HISTORICAL INNOVATION, DIVERSIFICATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN RELATION TO THE FIELD TO FORK CYCLE / FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN.(B) PROVIDE SCHOOL AND COLLEGE VISITS FOR PRACTICAL ON-SITE EXPERIENCES FOR STUDENTS IN LINE WITH THE NATIONAL CURRICULUM.(C) PROVIDE OTHER VOCATIONAL TRAINING FOR STUDENTS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AS AGREED BY THE TRUSTEES THAT ENHANCES THE UNDERSTANDING OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL PRACTICES FROM THE PAST AND FOR THE FUTURE, AND THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ENGAGING WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.(D) PRESERVE AND DISPLAY HISTORIC BUILDINGS ON SITE.(E) DISPLAY AND DEMONSTRATE AGRICULTURAL ITEMS OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE TO RURAL LIFE.(2) TO PROMOTE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC THE CONSERVATION PROTECTION AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE PHYSICAL AND NATURAL ENVIRONMENT BY PROMOTING BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.(3) TO PROVIDE OR ASSIST IN THE PROVISION OF FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION OR OTHER LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION FOR THE PUBLIC AT LARGE WITH THE OBJECT OF IMPROVING THEIR CONDITIONS OF LIFE.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £275,874 for the period, primarily driven by a £340,000 grant from Shropshire Council. The trustees confirm adequate resources for going concern and note a reserves policy target of three months' running costs, against which free reserves of £262,430 were held at year-end.
What the accounts disclose
“The reserves policy is to maintain a sum equivalent to 3 months running costs.” — page 7
“During the period, the charity paid Trustee M Lawton £238 in relation to consultancy costs. During the period, the charity paid Trustee H Paris £300 in relation to consultancy costs.” — page 19
“During the period, the charity paid Trustee M Lawton £238 in relation to consultancy costs.” — page 19
“During the period, the charity paid Trustee H Paris £300 in relation to consultancy costs.” — page 19
“During the period, the charity paid Trustee M Lawton £238 in relation to consultancy costs.” — page 19
“During the period, the charity paid Trustee H Paris £300 in relation to consultancy costs.” — page 19
“During the period, the charity paid Trustee M Lawton £238 in relation to consultancy costs.” — page 19
“During the period, the charity paid Trustee H Paris £300 in relation to consultancy costs.” — page 19
Policies the charity declares
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Trustees
- Ian Pickleschair
- Alison Catherine Benbow
- Dr Megan Janet Lawton DProf
- Francis Stackhouse Acton
- Josephine Dawn Walker
- Mark Neil Bolton
- Sarah Farquhar
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £349k | £73k |
Common questions
Is ACTON SCOTT HERITAGE FARM financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net income of £275,874 for the period, primarily driven by a £340,000 grant from Shropshire Council. The trustees confirm adequate resources for going concern and note a reserves policy target of three months' running costs, against which free reserves of £262,430 were held at year-end. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE REED FOUNDATION | 2 | £24k |
| THE NFU MUTUAL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £224k |
| THE LINDER FOUNDATION | 1 | £27k |
| ISEAL ALLIANCE | 1 | £11k |
| MARGARET DAVIES CHARITY | 1 | £10k |
| THE JOHN COATES CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £8k |
| THE ROGER AND JEAN JEFCOATE TRUST | 1 | £6k |
| THE PANTHEON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- THE WILLIAM SCOTT ABBOTT TRUST
- COGGES HERITAGE TRUST
- LINKING ENVIRONMENT AND FARMING
- PATHWAYS CARE FARM
- THE FARMERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE FUND
- SWANSEA COMMUNITY FARM
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACTON SCOTT HERITAGE FARM | £349k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE WILLIAM SCOTT ABBOTT TRUST | £1.1m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| COGGES HERITAGE TRUST | £471k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| LINKING ENVIRONMENT AND FARMING | £3.2m | £80,001 - £90,000 | — | above | — | no doubt |
| PATHWAYS CARE FARM | £462k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE FARMERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE FUND | £318k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |