WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST
To protect, conserve and improve the route of the Wilts & Berks and North Wilts canals and branches for the benefit of the community and environment.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net income surplus of £97,512 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total funds increasing to £1,034,210. The trustees confirm that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, noting that expenditure commitments are managed to ensure funds are available to meet them. The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and has no disclosed pension deficits.
What the accounts disclose
“Grants (largest source by a long way)” — page 7
“As part of prudent active financial management, the Trust's reserves policy defines a minimum level of reserves that is appropriate to the needs of the Trust and is reviewed periodically.” — page 8
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- Andrew Bryan Rhoades
- BRIAN PETER STOVOLD
- Dr Gavin St John-Heath
- John Anderson Nigel Graham
- Justin D Lewis
- Martin Christopher Holliss
- Richard John Green
- STEPHEN PAUL BACON
- Stuart Cakebread
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £347k | £249k |
| 31/03/2024 | £302k | £262k |
| 31/03/2023 | £313k | £312k |
| 31/03/2022 | £389k | £279k |
| 31/03/2021 | £439k | £113k |
Common questions
Is WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net income surplus of £97,512 for the year ended 31 March 2025, with total funds increasing to £1,034,210. The trustees confirm that the financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, noting that expenditure commitments are managed to ensure funds are available to meet them. The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and has no disclosed pension deficits. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST as a grant recipient include THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST, THE UNDERWOOD TRUST, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WILTSHIRE & SWINDON, SCHRODER CHARITY TRUST, THE HILARY AWDRY CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £225k | |
| THE BANISTER CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £95k | Grants - to institutions to promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment |
| THE UNDERWOOD TRUST | FY2023 | £25k | Not specified in note 3, listed under The Environment and Wildlife |
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WILTSHIRE & SWINDON | FY2025 | £18k | Not specified in list |
| THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR WILTSHIRE & SWINDON | FY2022 | £15k | Grants awarded to groups within Wiltshire totalling £12,000 per group |
| SCHRODER CHARITY TRUST | FY2022 | £3k | |
| THE HILARY AWDRY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £2k | |
| THE HILARY AWDRY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £2k | |
| THE NINEVEH CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2025 | £2k | |
| THE WALTER GUINNESS CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £2k | |
| THE LORD FARINGDON CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £1k | |
| DORIS FIELD CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £1k | Single payment |
| ROCKCLIFFE CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2024 | £500 | |
| COMMUNITY FIRST | FY2025 | £0 | Landfill Community Funds Grant |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 03/02/2023 | £9k | West Vale Branch Volunteer Welfare Unit |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 10/09/2021 | £10k | Volunteer Welfare Unit |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 27/11/2014 | £50k | Studley Wildlife Trail |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 08/01/2014 | £8k | "Pewsham Locks: A Centenary Commemoration" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 15/11/2012 | £6k | Restoration of the Landing Stage at Pewsham Locks. |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 23/04/2009 | £5k | Working Safely With Chainsaws |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 14/05/2008 | £9k | Wilts & Berks Canal River Ray Valley Moredon |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 20/08/2007 | £10k | "A Project By A Tockenham Based Group To Open Up And Make Available A Canal Lock To The Community. The Grant Will Be Spent On Building Materi" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 19/07/2006 | £5k | "This Canal Trust Works To Restore Waterways With The Aim Of Environmental Conservation, The Protection Of The Natural Habitat Of Plant And A" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 16/07/2006 | £5k | The Long Dig |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 22/07/2005 | £5k | Publicity event to raise awareness and recruit members |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 23/06/2005 | £4k | reinstate coping stones on the Cricklade Aqueduct |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 23/06/2005 | £4k | "Volunteers Will Replace The Coping Stones From The Towpath Wall On The Cricklade Aqueduct, Which Were Removed After 1918 To Build The Purton" |