THE SUSSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit on unrestricted operations of £394,996 for the year ended 31 March 2024. Per the trustees' report, free reserves of £198,745 sit significantly below the stated policy target of £450,000, and trustees remain seriously concerned about the level of income and resources available to continue operating in the longer term.
What the accounts disclose
“Free reserves of £198,745 (2023: £574,681) therefore sit significantly below the target level.” — page 9
“Trustees however continue to remain seriously concerned regarding the level of income and resources available to the Society to continue operating into the longer-term and are closely monitoring the impact of the new Strategic Action Plan and the external operating environment.” — page 9
“This created a cessation event, with the Society’s deficit being valued at £293,000 as at that date.”
“The Society's catering, retail and events activities continued to be delivered through Sussex Past Trading Ltd (SPTL), a subsidiary company.” — page 5
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Amanda Joneschair
- EMMA LOUISE LONG
- Joseph Adam Bates
- MICHAEL CHARLES LA ROOY
- PAMELA KENT
- PAUL ALAN GRIFFITHS
- RICHARD WHITFIELD HOPKINS
- SARAH VICTORIA WATSON
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £1.6m | £1.7m |
| 31/03/2024 | £1.5m | £2.0m |
| 31/03/2023 | £1.6m | £2.1m |
| 31/03/2022 | £1.9m | £1.9m |
| 31/03/2021 | £2.6m | £1.9m |
Common questions
Is THE SUSSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit on unrestricted operations of £394,996 for the year ended 31 March 2024. Per the trustees' report, free reserves of £198,745 sit significantly below the stated policy target of £450,000, and trustees remain seriously concerned about the level of income and resources available to continue operating in the longer term. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by TC Group.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 06/09/2023 | £250k | "Resilience Funding - The Sussex Archaeological Society" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 10/08/2020 | £250k | "Covid 19: Sussex Archaeological Society" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 13/02/2018 | £89k | "Building Resilience at the Sussex Archaeological Society" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 20/03/2017 | £10k | "Exploring the Past at Fishbourne Roman Palace" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 24/06/2013 | £10k | "I dug at Fishbourne! Community Archaeology at the Roman Palace" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 25/05/2010 | £252k | "ESAMP Heritage traineeships" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 20/10/2009 | £50k | "The Battle of Lewes" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 28/11/2006 | £986k | "Lewes Castle and Barbican House" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 19/05/2003 | £48k | "Hamsey and Barcombe, East Sussex - Contrasting Histories" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 19/11/2001 | £2.7m | "Fishbourne Roman Palace, Chichester" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 14/10/1999 | £421k | "Marlipins Museum Annexe Rebuild, Shoreham" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 07/10/1997 | £262k | "Michelham Priory - Repairs" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 07/05/1997 | £35k | "Fishbourne Archaeology Centre - Feasibility Study" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 22/04/1997 | £15k | "Lambert Folio - Acquisition" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 10/01/1996 | £46k | "Michelham Priory Watermill, Halisham" |