FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH DOWNS

Registered charity 230329 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as SOCIETY OF SUSSEX DOWNSMEN, SOCIETY OF SUSSEX DOWNSMEN LIMITED, SOUTH DOWNS SOCIETY

The object for which the Society is established is the preservation of the beauty and amenities of the South Downs for the public benefit. The Society works through its many volunteers and skilled professional staff, guided by its trustees who are elected by the membership, to achieve its objectives.

Causes: General Charitable Purposes · Environment/conservation/heritage · website · Get email alerts

Latest income

£156k

Latest spending

£200k

Registered

1963

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that total unrestricted funds stood at £927,841 at the year end, representing an overall increase of £8,873 from the previous year. Although charitable expenditure exceeded income by £43,428, this was offset by gains on investment assets of £52,301. The trustees maintain funds at a level to support activities and projects consistent with their objectives.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: a level to provide income to support activities which would not otherwise be affordable and to fund projects which are consistent with its objectives (held: £928k)

“The Friends maintains its funds at a level to provide income to support activities which would not otherwise be affordable and to fund projects which are consistent with its objectives.” — page 6

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Related-party transaction: Tony Whitbread, a trustee, is also a trustee of Western Sussex Rivers Trust, to which the charity donated £5,000 for a citizen science project, and President of Sussex Wildlife Trust, to which the charity has donated £14,790 for a project at Ebernoe.

“Tony Whitbread, a trustee, is also a trustee of Western Sussex Rivers Trust, to which the charity donated £5,000 for a citizen science project, and President of Sussex Wildlife Trust, to which the charity has donated £14,790 for a project at Ebernoe.” — page 17

“Paul Gilchrist, a trustee, is employed by Brighton University, to which the charity has donated £1,000 for an academic prize.” — page 17

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Related-party transaction: Paul Gilchrist, a trustee, is employed by Brighton University, to which the charity has donated £1,000 for an academic prize.

“Tony Whitbread, a trustee, is also a trustee of Western Sussex Rivers Trust, to which the charity donated £5,000 for a citizen science project, and President of Sussex Wildlife Trust, to which the charity has donated £14,790 for a project at Ebernoe.” — page 17

“Paul Gilchrist, a trustee, is employed by Brighton University, to which the charity has donated £1,000 for an academic prize.” — page 17

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Related-party transaction: A trustee donated £2,000 anonymously to the charity in 2025.

“Tony Whitbread, a trustee, is also a trustee of Western Sussex Rivers Trust, to which the charity donated £5,000 for a citizen science project, and President of Sussex Wildlife Trust, to which the charity has donated £14,790 for a project at Ebernoe.” — page 17

“Paul Gilchrist, a trustee, is employed by Brighton University, to which the charity has donated £1,000 for an academic prize.” — page 17

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Corporate structure

Registered company of the charity Companies House 00319437

Company officers (Companies House)

Current officers of the charity’s own company per the Companies House register, cross-checked against the Charity Commission trustee list by name. A director not on the trustee list is usually a timing or naming difference between the two registers — check both records before drawing conclusions.

TAYLOR, David Anthony — director, appointed 15/10/2025on trustee list
LACEY-GUTSELL, Henrietta — director, appointed 13/01/2025on trustee list
WHITBREAD, Anthony Michael, Dr — director, appointed 13/01/2025on trustee list
GILCHRIST, Paul Martin — director, appointed 08/04/2024on trustee list
SMALL, Martin John — director, appointed 14/11/2022on trustee list
GOODY, Janet Helen — director, appointed 12/07/2022on trustee list
GREEN, David Gordon — director, appointed 23/07/2019on trustee list
LOVETT, Andrew Francis — director, appointed 11/05/2013on trustee list

Official officers record.

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

ANDREW FRANCES LOVETT
David Anthony Taylor
David Gordon Green
Dr ANTHONY MALCOLM WHITBREAD · trustee of 1 other charity
Henrietta Lacey-Gutsell · trustee of 1 other charity
Janet Goody
Martin Small
Paul Martin Gilchrist

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: East Sussex · Hampshire · West Sussex

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/12/2025	£156k	£200k
31/12/2024	£192k	£161k
31/12/2023	£142k	£170k
31/12/2022	£229k	£81k
31/12/2021	£108k	£125k

Common questions

Is FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH DOWNS financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total unrestricted funds stood at £927,841 at the year end, representing an overall increase of £8,873 from the previous year. Although charitable expenditure exceeded income by £43,428, this was offset by gains on investment assets of £52,301. The trustees maintain funds at a level to support activities and projects consistent with their objectives. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.

Who funds FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH DOWNS?

Funders whose own accounts filings name FRIENDS OF THE SOUTH DOWNS as a grant recipient include THE SIR JOHN RITBLAT FAMILY FOUNDATION.

Known funders

Grants to this charity found in funders’ own accounts filings.

Funder	Year	Amount
THE SIR JOHN RITBLAT FAMILY FOUNDATION	FY2025	£25k
THE SIR JOHN RITBLAT FAMILY FOUNDATION	FY2024	£5k
THE SIR JOHN RITBLAT FAMILY FOUNDATION	FY2022	£35
THE SIR JOHN RITBLAT FAMILY FOUNDATION	FY2023	—

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

Funder	Date	Amount	Purpose
The National Lottery Heritage Fund	07/08/2024	£71k	"Hampshire Schools South Downs Heritage"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund	10/11/2021	£60k	"A Picture of the South Downs: Past and Present (schools outreach)"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund	05/09/2019	£49k	"South Downs Schools Living History Project"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund	24/09/2014	£51k	"The Secret Shore - the songs and folklore of the Sussex coast"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund	30/03/2011	£50k	"Songs of the South Downs"