FELIX THORNLEY COBBOLD AGRICULTURAL TRUST
The Felix Cobbold Trust provides grants to advance and improve agriculture, in particular to educate farmers and young people in agricultural methods, developments and techniques, in Suffolk and the adjoining counties.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total income for the year was £380,510, with net income and net movement in funds amounting to £56,661 after accounting for investment losses. The trustees report that free reserves (net current assets) were £167,209, though this effectively reduced to £22,346 after deducting contingent liabilities for future grant payments. The trustees and auditors confirm that resources are adequate to continue as a going concern with no material uncertainties identified.
What the accounts disclose
“£272,702 (72%) came from property rents” — page 8
“At 31 March 2025, free reserves (being net current assets) amounted to £167,209. After deducting contingent liabilities of £144,863 for grants awarded, free reserves effectively amounted to £22,346 (2024: free reserves deficit £67,710).”
“The Trust paid a grant of £5,000 in the prior year to Suffolk Horse Society, a related party by virtue of the fact that J Wall, trustee, is Past President, and A Hawes, trustee, is a trustee of Suffolk Horse Society.” — page 25
“The Trust paid grants of £23,000 in the year to Suffolk Agricultural Association, a related party by virtue of the fact that R Baker, trustee, is a director of Suffolk Agricultural Association (2024: £15,500).” — page 25
“The Trust paid a grant of £5,000 in the prior year to Suffolk Horse Society, a related party by virtue of the fact that J Wall, trustee, is Past President, and A Hawes, trustee, is a trustee of Suffolk Horse Society.” — page 25
“The Trust paid grants of £23,000 in the year to Suffolk Agricultural Association, a related party by virtue of the fact that R Baker, trustee, is a director of Suffolk Agricultural Association (2024: £15,500).” — page 25
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- Alan John Hawes
- Christopher John Leney
- DR Eric Schmieder Ober
- JAMES FORREST
- JOHN DAVID FIELD
- JOHN WALL
- MR MIKE MAY HNC
- Pamela Jane Forbes
- Robert James Baker
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £381k | £281k |
| 31/03/2024 | £299k | £219k |
| 31/03/2023 | £275k | £239k |
| 31/03/2022 | £273k | £224k |
| 31/03/2021 | £261k | £156k |
Common questions
Is FELIX THORNLEY COBBOLD AGRICULTURAL TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total income for the year was £380,510, with net income and net movement in funds amounting to £56,661 after accounting for investment losses. The trustees report that free reserves (net current assets) were £167,209, though this effectively reduced to £22,346 after deducting contingent liabilities for future grant payments. The trustees and auditors confirm that resources are adequate to continue as a going concern with no material uncertainties identified. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Lovewell Blake LLP.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL PARISH OF RINGMER | 1 | £1.0m |
| WESTMINSTER COLLEGE TRUST, OXFORD | 1 | £204k |
| THE AURORA TRUST | 1 | £144k |
| JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION | 1 | £60k |
| DARTINGTON CATTLE BREEDING TRUST | 1 | £59k |
| THE NFU MUTUAL CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £57k |
| YORKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY | 1 | £56k |
| THE MARK LEONARD TRUST | 1 | £40k |
Charities like this
- EAST SUSSEX FARMERS' BENEVOLENT FUND
- Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust
- THE FARMERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE FUND
- CHADACRE AGRICULTURAL TRUST
- REAL FARMING TRUST
- CLAN TRUST LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FELIX THORNLEY COBBOLD AGRICULTURAL TRUST | £381k | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| EAST SUSSEX FARMERS' BENEVOLENT FUND | £106k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust | £804k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THE FARMERS' COMPANY CHARITABLE FUND | £318k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| CHADACRE AGRICULTURAL TRUST | £202k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| REAL FARMING TRUST | £930k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |