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FY2006 Annual Report · Athelney Trust Plc
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Athelney Trust plc

Annual Report

for the year ended 31 December 2006

Athelney Trust plc

CONTENTS

Chairman's Statement and Business Review

Investment and Portfolio Analysis

Report of the Directors

Report of the Auditors

Income Statement

Balance Sheet

Cash Flow Statement

Notes to the Financial Statements

Officers and Financial Advisers

Page

2 - 4

5 - 6

7 - 8

9

10

11

12

13 - 20

21

 1

Athelney Trust plc 

2 Queen Anne’s Gate Buildings, Dartmouth Street, London, SW1H 9BP 

Telephone: 020 7222 8989 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 

I have pleasure in enclosing the audited results for the twelve months to 31 December 2006.  The salient points 
are as follows: 

•  Audited Net Asset Value (“NAV”) is 189.7p per share (31 December 2005: 157.7p) a rise of 20.3 per 

cent. 

•  Gross Revenue increased by 10.8 per cent to £95,614 (31 December 2005: £86,265). 
•  On a like-for-like basis revenue increased by 12.5 per cent and dividend income rose by 15 per cent. 
•  Revenue return per ordinary share was 3.3p, an increase of 22.2 per cent (31 December 2005: 2.7p). 
•  Recommended dividend for the year of 3.25p per share (2005: 2.5p), a rise of 30 per cent. 

Review of 2006  

This has been another excellent year for investors, despite all the problems and worries that many had at the start 
of  the  year.   Could  the  world-wide  bull  market  continue for  an  amazing  fourth  year,  we  all  asked  ourselves  in 
January?   Well,  we  now  know  that  it  could,  thanks  to  no  avian  flu  pandemic,  a  mild  hurricane  season,  no 
successful terrorist attack on the West and no big hedge fund blow-up beyond Amaranth, which had wildly over-
exposed itself to natural gas prices.  There were plenty of nasty surprises, though, with Iraq and Palestine moving 
to the brink of civil war, the summer conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah, North Korea firing off nuclear 
weapons, Iran determined to acquire some of the same and Russia turning into the school-yard bully under its ex-
KGB president. Despite these international factors, the price of crude oil failed to stay high: there were confident 
forecasts in January that it could spike at $100 a barrel (from $61) but, in the event, it hit $77 during the Lebanon 
conflict and dropped to just over $50 by the turn of the year.  I believe that this fall in the oil price was critical to 
the health of world equity markets in 2006. 

Interest rates rose in the U.S., the U.K., Europe and Japan: as a consequence, the new housing market in America 
was  badly  hit  although  the  impact  of  two  rate  rises  here  at  home  was  less  marked,  nor  did  they  seem  to  have 
much effect on inflation which finished the year at 3 per cent.  Indeed, there was considerable scepticism as to 
whether  that  figure  was  high  enough  although  I  do  not seem  to  remember  too  many  people  pointing  out  that 
many  consumer  items  have fallen  in price  these  last  six years, such  as used  cars (an  average of 3.6 per  cent a 
year), IT equipment (20 per cent), photographic stuff (8 per cent), clothing (6 per cent), toys (5 per cent) and new 
cars (2 per cent).  

One  constant  and  hugely  positive  factor  last  year  was  the  tidal  wave  of  global  liquidity  (the  sum  of  corporate 
cash, funds available for investment by financial institutions and consumers' bank balances) which helped drive 
equities,  bonds  and  gilts  to  ever  higher  levels.   Investors'  attitude  to  risk  changed  as  well:  the  spread  between 
emerging  market  bonds,  corporate  debt  and  U.S.  Treasuries  narrowed  to  all-time  lows  in  December.   The 
reason?  Too many investors moving into ever-riskier areas of the market as returns in their traditional hunting 
grounds were squeezed. 

Commodities  on  average  fell  by  15  per  cent  in  2006  but  most  other  things  did  well:  China  was  the  top-
performing equity market (up by 138.4 per cent in Dollar terms), followed by Venezuela (99 per cent), Russia 
(70.7 per cent) and India (51.3 per cent).  Turkey, on the other hand, fell by 5.6 per cent and Saudi Arabia by a 
striking 52.5 per cent.  In the U.K., the FTSE 100 Index rose by a rather sedate 11 per cent whereas small caps., 
typically, were 17-18 per cent higher over the year.  

With  an  estimated  $300bn  in  'dry  powder'  (funds  available  for  investment  to  you  and  I),  private  equity  had  a 
major  effect  on  2006  and  will  again  this  year. At  its  crudest,  a  private  equity deal  is  no  more  than  an  old-
fashioned  asset-strip  (and  paying  themselves  a  huge  dividend)  and  gearing  up  the  balance  sheet  (and  paying 
themselves another huge dividend).  The aim is to 'strip and flip' in three years by selling the husk onto gullible  

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Athelney Trust plc 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 

(CONTINUED) 

investors.  As gearing ratios rise higher and higher, and the asking price of  suitable targets increases steadily, the 
risks of doing this type of business are enough to make one sleep uneasily in one's bed. 

Hedge funds are private pools of capital that are lightly regulated, often borrow heavily to enhance returns and 
are sometimes paid enormous performance fees to undertake quite simple tasks, such as borrowing at very low 
rates  of  interest in  Yen  or  Swiss  Francs  and  lending  at  high  rates  in  Australian  or  New  Zealand  Dollars  for 
instance.  Other strategies involve equities, bonds, distressed debt and so on.  If 20 per cent of trading in equities 
on  the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  and  30  per  cent  in  London  is  accounted  for  by  hedge  funds,  as  has  been 
estimated, then I think that it is very natural to worry about this opaque area of the fund management business.  

Yet  another  area  of  concern  is  the  new  issue  market  in  London.   The  collapse  of  the  London-listed  internet 
gaming  shares  following  the  Senate's  effective  ban  on  their  U.S.  activities  came  just  months  after  the 
controversial flotation of Rosneft.  This Russian oil giant's prospectus included a 26-page risk statement which 
acknowledged allegations that its assets were obtained via a 'conspiracy.'  AIM, the LSE's junior market, attracted 
companies as far apart as Silicon Valley and China but more than a handful, in my opinion, and particularly in 
mining,  oil  and  gas,  looked  to  be  poorly  put  together  with  low  governance  standards  and  speculative  business 
plans.  The continued survival of such companies should not be taken for granted. 

Proponents of private equity, hedge funds and new issues will no doubt think that the above comments are, to say 
the least, unkind.  Nevertheless, I believe that all three should be watched extremely carefully in the coming year 
and beyond by all investors, large and small.  

Am  I  the  only  one  to  be  worried  about  the  flood  of  take-overs  of  major  British  companies  and  the  lack  of 
reciprocity when our companies want to expand overseas?  I suspect that I am.  As the year finished (I will use 
the old names to remind you just how important they are), British Oxygen Company, British Airports Authority, 
Associated  British  Ports  and  Pilkington  Brothers  have  all  been absorbed  by  overseas  buyers,  British  Steel, 
Scottish Power and Gallagher were headed in the same direction and even the London Stock Exchange was under 
attack by American rival NASDAQ.  For good or ill, take-overs were a significant factor in 2006 and are likely to 
be so again this year.  As the market in high quality equities continued to shrink, someone invented the word 'de-
equitisation' when describing the short-term beneficial effect of take-overs and cash buy-backs on the remaining 
stock of equities.  

Finally  under  this  sub-heading,  it  is  interesting  to  read  that  India,  after  years  cast  as  China’s  underperforming 
neighbour, is now in hot pursuit.  Over the past year, the Indian economy has grown by an impressive 9.2 per 
cent, not far behind China’s 10.4 per cent. 

Results 

Gross Revenue increased 10.8 per cent compared to 2005. A breakdown of the companies paying dividends is 
given below: 

Companies paying dividends                                                             
Companies sold (therefore no true comparison)                                
Companies purchased (therefore no true comparison)                      
Increased total dividend in the calendar year                                     
Reduced total dividend in the calendar year                                        
No change in dividend                                                                                         

Number
82 
9 
17 
44 
7 
5 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Athelney Trust plc 

CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT AND BUSINESS REVIEW 

(CONTINUED) 

Corporate Activity 

Six  of  our  companies  were  taken  over  in  2006:  three  were  reported  at  the  half-way  stage,  namely  PD  Ports, 
Brandon Hire and Wyvale Garden Centres.  In the second half, cash offers were accepted in respect of Richmond 
Foods (a 24 per cent profit on book value), MSB International (60.6 per cent) and Biotrace International (44.6 
per cent). 

Portfolio Review 

A total of fifteen holdings were purchased for the first time or were existing holdings which were increased in the 
six months to 30 June; in the second half, the following investments were purchased: Arden Partners, Dowgate 
Capital,  Broker  Network  Holdings,  Johnson  Service  Group,  Somero  Enterprises,  Hitachi  Capital  (UK), 
Macfarlane Group, XP Power, City of London Investment Group, Speymill Group and Tristel. Five investments 
were sold, all in the first half. 

Dividend 

The Board is pleased to recommend an increased annual dividend of 3.25p per ordinary share for the year ended 
31 December 2006 (2005: 2.5p).  This represents an increase of 30 per cent over the previous year.  Subject to 
shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting on 23 May 2007, the dividend will be paid on 25 May 2007 
to shareholders on the register on 27 April 2007. 

Update 

The  unaudited  NAV  at  28  February  2007  was  192.6p  per  share,  whereas  the  share  price  stood  at  190p  on  the 
same date.  Further updates can be found on www.chelvertonam.com. 

Outlook 

I have already signposted my worries about hedge funds, private equity and the new issue market: other concerns 
include  the  possible  trend  in  interest  rates  (particularly  M.  Trichet's  propensity  to  push  up  rates  in 
Euroland against all evidence of static/falling output in France, Italy and elsewhere).  Mr. Greenspan, the former 
Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank, has taken to musing in public about the likelihood (one chance in three, 
he believes) of America sliding into recession - certainly, the housing market looks to be in a dreadful mess in 
some states.  Not just that, but so-called trailer-park lending is now throwing up huge bad debts.  Having said all 
that,  I  remain  positive  on  the  long-term  prospects  of  small  caps.  provided  one  stays  away  from  the  high 
risk sectors.   Selected  small  caps. offer  good  value,  rising  dividends,  strong  balance  sheets  and  are  targets  for 
larger competitors and financial buyers. 

Donald  Rumsfeld,  the  then  U.S.  Defense Secretary  said,  'I  would  not  say  that  the  future  is  necessarily  less 
predictable than the past.  I think that the past was not predictable when it started.'  However opaque prospects 
seem in the short-term, I am absolutely convinced that each and every investor should hold a strong portfolio of 
small caps. for long-term growth and a rising income. 

Hugo Deschampsneufs 
Chairman 

2 April 2007 

4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Athelney Trust plc

INVESTMENT AND PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS AT 31 DECEMBER 2006

SECTOR

STOCK

HOLDING

VALUE (£)

£

%

SECTOR

Construction & Building Materials

Drinks

Electronic & Electrical Equipment

Engineering 

Finance

Food

Healthcare

Insurance

Media

Real Estate

Retail

Support Services

Ben Bailey

Clarke (T)

Galliford Try

Gibbs & Dandy 

Latham (James)

Enterprise Inns

Nichols

Shepherd Neame "A"

XP Power 

Acertec

Gooch & Housego

Goodwin

Severfield-Rowen

Slingsby (H.C. )

Albemarle & Bond

Arbuthnot Banking Group

Arden Partners

Camellia

Charles Taylor Consulting

City of London Investment Group

Corporate Synergy Group

Davenham Group

Dowgate Capital

Hitachi Capital (UK)

Jarvis Securities

Park Group

S & U

Tenon Group

Vantis 

NWF Group

Treatt

Wynnstay Group

Tristel

Domestic & General

Personal Group Holdings

Chime Communications

Huntsworth

International Greetings 

Media Square

City Lofts Group

Colliers C.R.E.

Erinaceous Group 

Mountview Estates

Smart (J) & Co.

Unite Group

Blacks Leisure Group

European Motor Holdings

Flying Brands

Havelock Europe

Lookers

Mallett

SCS Upholstery

Stanley Gibbons

Broker Network Holdings

Dawson Holdings

Enterprise

Genus

Johnson Service Group

Litho Supplies 

Macfarlane Group

RWS Holdings 

Somero Enterprises

Speymill Group

VP Group

Waterman Group

WSP Group

6,800

18,000

35,000

10,000

16,000

9,000

16,500

5,400

8,000

20,000

15,000

12,000

5,000

4,000

20,000

10,000

18,000

1,200

8,000

17,000

100,000

10,000

4,000,000

16,000

20,000

80,000

8,000

50,000

36,667

12,000

10,500

30,000

71,500

3,300

22,000

85,000

35,000

18,000

213,179

35,000

17,400

13,000

1,750

4,000

7,426

6,000

7,160

15,000

24,000

30,000

12,000

10,000

70,000

14,000

34,000

16,000

15,000

8,000

50,500

100,000

14,000

27,550

54,000

17,000

40,000

20,000

5

209,892

5.66%

253,341

32,400

6.84%

0.87%

304,950

8.23%

616,801

16.64%

206,700

32,175

5.58%

0.87%

92,147

2.49%

193,995

5.23%

301,334

8.13%

43,044

35,685

56,963

39,000

35,200

121,770

40,095

91,476

32,400

36,600

59,250

92,400

68,700

48,000

45,000

54,000

32,760

108,000

31,060

36,550

24,500

33,000

23,200

40,680

18,600

14,400

41,200

24,750

89,101

105,000

33,600

68,100

32,175

40,887

51,260

46,325

34,563

77,400

35,707

37,800

33,060

44,850

116,375

29,000

40,249

23,850

34,816

45,000

37,920

51,900

29,760

51,000

119,000

393,246

10.61%

35,000

35,445

86,720

79,575

27,960

29,290

30,000

42,700

35,815

33,480

53,210

68,000

114,200

671,395

18.11%

               
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
                 
               
                       
             
                         
               
                         
                 
               
                         
                   
             
                         
             
                         
 
             
                         
               
                         
               
                         
                 
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
               
                       
               
                         
             
                         
           
                         
 
             
                         
        
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
               
                         
             
                         
             
                         
                 
             
                       
             
                         
             
                         
                 
             
                         
                   
               
                         
             
                         
                   
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
           
                         
                 
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
               
                       
              
                         
               
                         
                 
               
                         
               
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                       
                 
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
               
                         
             
                         
           
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                         
             
                       
                 
Athelney Trust plc

INVESTMENT AND PORTFOLIO ANALYSIS AT 31 DECEMBER 2006
( CONTINUED)

SECTOR

STOCK

HOLDING

VALUE (£)

£

%

SECTOR

Technology

Transport

AT Communications Group

Belgravium Technologies

Group NBT
Pennant International
Phoenix IT

Air Partner
Braemar Seascope
Clarkson
Fisher (James)

Portfolio Value
Net Current Assets 
Deferred tax
TOTAL VALUE
Shares in issue

Audited NAV 

50,000 

200,000 

19,000 
116,000 
8,500 

7,000
2,000
7,000
12,500

18,500 

27,000 

38,950 
22,040 
25,904 

55,650
78,800
56,735
74,438

£                   
£                        
£                     
£                   

3,706,392 
87,292 
(374,390)
3,419,294 
1,802,802

189.7p

132,394 

3.57%

265,623

7.17%

100.00%

Construction & Building Materials

Drinks

Electronic & Electrical Equipment

Engineering

Finance

Food

Healthcare

Insurance

Media

Real Estate

Retail

Support Services

Technology

Transport

FULL

AIM

PLUS

PLUS
2.47%

Portfolio 
by Sectors

7.17%

5.66%

3.57%

18.11%

10.61%

6.84%

0.87%

8.23%

16.64%

8.13%

5.58%

5.23%

2.49% 0.87%

Portfolio 
by Listing

AIM
40.29%

FULL
57.24%

6

                
                         
                
                         
                
                         
              
                         
                  
                    
 
REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF

Athelney Trust plc

The directors present their report and audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2006.

Principal activity and business review

The principal activity of the Company is that of an investment company. The investment objectives of the Company are to
achieve long term capital growth while at the same time producing a progressive income return.

Investments made by the Company are primarily in the equity securities of both unquoted and quoted UK companies,
including smaller companies with a market capitalisation of below £50 million.

During the period, the Company followed the normal activities of an investment company. Details of these are given in the
Chairman's Statement and Business Review on pages 2 to 4.

Directors and their interests

The directors who held office during the year and their interest in the ordinary shares of the Company are stated below:-

                                                                 31 December 2006                 1 January 2006
H.B. Deschampsneufs                                          69,913                               108,750
R.G. Boyle                                                          448,970                               485,000
D.A. Horner                                                          20,000                                20,000

H.B. Deschampsneufs' interest includes 19,163 shares held in his Self-Invested Personal Pension. R.G. Boyle's interest
includes 16,970 shares held in his Self-Invested Personal Pension. H.B. Deschampsneufs' and R.G. Boyle's previous
interest included a holding of 58,000 shares owned by a pension fund in which they both had an interest. D.A. Horner's
interest includes 20,000 shares (2005 - 20,000) owned by a pension fund in which D.A. Horner has an interest.

Statement of directors' responsibilities

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable
law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors
have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice ( United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).The financial statements are required by law to give
a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the result for the company for that period.

In preparing those financial statements, the directors are required to :                                                                                         
-select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;                                                                                         
-make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;                                                                                               
-prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will 
continue in business.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time
the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies
Act 1985. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for
the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

So far as each of the directors is aware at the time the report is approved :
there is no relevant audit information of which the  auditors are unaware, and the directors have taken all steps that they 
ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware 
of that information.

Corporate governance

The Board continues to give careful consideration to the principles of corporate governance as set out in the Combined
Code appended to the Listing Rules issued by the Financial Services Authority. However the Company is small and it is
the opinion of the directors that not all the provisions of the Code are relevant or desirable for a company of Athelney's
size.

7

REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS OF

Athelney Trust plc

(CONTINUED)

The Board meets regularly and has ultimate responsibility for the management of the Company, although the Remuneration
Committee makes recommendations to the Board relating to the remuneration of the managing director and the non-
executive directors.  

The Audit Committee assists the Board in relation to matters concerning corporate governance and financial reporting.
Both Committees, currently comprising H.B. Deschampsneufs and D.A. Horner, meet during the year as required, with the
Audit Committee to include external auditors if appropriate.

The Audit Committee assists the Board in relation to matters concerning corporate governance and financial reporting.
Both Committees, currently comprising H.B. Deschampsneufs and D.A. Horner, meet during the year as required, with the
Audit Committee to include external auditors if appropriate.

Results and dividends

The return on ordinary revenue activities before dividends for the year is £60,322 (2005: £48,825) as detailed on page 10.
It is recommended that a final dividend of 3.25p (2005: 2.5p) per ordinary share be paid.

Payment of suppliers

It is the Company's policy to obtain the best possible terms for all business and, therefore, there is no consistent policy as to
the terms used. The Company contracts the terms on which business will take place throughout the year with its suppliers.
There were no invoiced trade creditors outstanding at the end of the year, the amounts shown as creditors in the balance
sheet comprise expenses and proposed dividends.

Auditors
In accordance with Section 385 of the Companies Act 1985, a resolution proposing that Clement Keys be re-appointed as
auditors of the Company will be put to the annual general meeting.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

J.M. Davies
Secretary

2 Queen Anne's Gate Buildings

Dartmouth Street

LONDON  

SW1H 9BP                                                                                                           2 April 2007

8

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF

Athelney Trust plc

We have audited the financial statements of Athelney Trust plc for the year ended 31 December 2006, which comprise the
Income Statement, the Balance Sheet, the Cashflow Statement and the related notes. These financial statements have been
prepared under the accounting policies set out therein.

This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985.
Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to
them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by the law, we do not accept or assume
responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for
the opinions we have formed.

Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors
The directors' responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law
and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) are set out in the
Statement of directors' responsibilities.

Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements and
International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland).

We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and are properly prepared in
accordance with the Companies Act 1985. We also report to you whether in our opinion the information given in the Directors'
Report is consistent with the financial statements.This information includes specific information presented in the Chairman's
Statement that is cross referred from the Business Review section of the Directors' Report. In addition we report to you if, in our
opinion the company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all the information and explanations we
require for our audit , or if the information specified by law regarding directors' remuneration and other transactions is not
disclosed. 

We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial
statements. This other information comprises only the Directors' Report, the Chairman's Statement and the Investment and
Portfolio Analysis. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information.

Basis of audit opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) issued by the Auditing
Practices Board. An audit includes an examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the
financial statements. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgements made by the directors in the
preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the company's circumstances,
consistently applied and adequately disclosed.

We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order
to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free from material
In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error.
adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements.

Opinion

In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view, in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice, of the state of affairs of the Company as at 31 December 2006 and of the revenue, total return and cash
flows for the year then ended and have been properly prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act 1985 and
the information given in the Directors' Report is consistent with the financial statements.

Clement Keys
Chartered Accountants
Registered Auditors                                                                                                   
39 / 40 Calthorpe Road
Edgbaston
BIRMINGHAM
B15  1TS                                                                                                                                               2 April 2007          

9

Athelney Trust plc

INCOME STATEMENT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

 31 December 2006

 31 December 2005

Note

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

Revenue
£

Capital
£

Total
£

8 

2 

3 

3 

- 

708,480 

708,480 

- 

460,306 

460,306 

95,615 

- 

95,615 

86,265 

- 

86,265 

(8,216)

(24,164)

(32,380)

(7,266)

(21,362)

(28,628)

(35,355)

- 

(35,355)

(37,753)

- 

(37,753)

52,044 

684,316 

736,360 

41,246 

438,944 

480,190 

Profits on investments

Income

Investment management expenses

Other expenses

Return on ordinary 
activities before taxation

Taxation

5 

8,278 

(122,442)

(114,164)

7,579 

(77,234)

(69,655)

Return on ordinary 
activities after taxation

13 

60,322 

561,874 

622,196 

48,825 

361,710 

410,535 

Return per ordinary share

6 

3.3p

31.2p

34.5p

2.7p

20.1p

22.8p

Dividend per ordinary share 
paid during the year

2.5p

2p

The revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account for the Company.
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.
No operations were acquired or discontinued during the above financial years.
A statement of movements of reserves is given in note 13.

There have been no recognised gains or losses, other than the results for the financial years shown above. 

The notes on pages 13 to 20 form part of these financial statements.

10

 
Athelney Trust plc

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2006

Fixed assets

Investments

Current assets

Debtors

Cash at bank and in hand

Note

8 

9 

2006

£

2005

£

3,706,392 

2,985,922 

105,603 

32,486 

138,089 

145,109 

40,048 

185,157 

(33,769)

151,388 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

10 

(50,797)

Net current assets

87,292 

Total assets less current liabilities

3,793,684 

3,137,310 

Provisions for liabilities and charges

11 

(374,390)

(295,142)

Net assets

3,419,294 

2,842,168 

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

Share premium account

Other reserves - non distributable

                  Capital reserve - realised

                  Capital reserve - unrealised

Revenue reserve

Shareholders' funds - all equity

Net Asset Value per share

12 

13 

13 

13 

13 

14 

16 

450,700 

405,605 

719,086 

1,723,399 

120,504 

450,700 

405,605 

520,007 

1,360,604 

105,252 

3,419,294 

2,842,168 

189.7p

157.7p

Approved by the board of directors on  2 April 2007

………………………………..
R.G. Boyle

The notes on pages 13 to 20 form part of these financial statements.

11

Athelney Trust plc

CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

                           2006

                           2005

£

£

£

£

Net cash inflow from operating activities

68,111 

3,487 

Servicing of finance

Dividends paid

(45,070)

(36,056)

Net cash (outflow) from servicing of finance

(45,070)

(36,056)

Taxation

Corporation tax paid

Investing activities

Purchases of investments

Sales of investments

Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing
activities

Decrease in cash in the year

Reconciliation of operating net revenue to 
net cash inflow from operating activities

Revenue on ordinary activities before taxation
(Increase) / decrease in debtors
Increase in creditors
Management expenses charged to capital

Analysis of net debt

Cash at bank and in hand

(18,613)

(2,017)

(1,103,978)

1,091,988 

(529,075)

542,398 

(11,990)

(7,562)

£

52,044 
39,506 
725 
(24,164)

68,111 

2005
£
40,048 

13,323 

(21,263)

£

41,246 
(28,595)
12,198 
(21,362)

3,487 

Cashflow
£
(7,562)

2006
£
32,486 

The notes on pages 13 to 20 form part of these financial statements.

12

Athelney Trust plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

1.   Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of Preparation of Financial Statements

The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention modified to include fixed asset investments
at valuation.

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and, unless otherwise stated,
the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice in 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies'
(SORP) in effect for this period.

Change in accounting policy

The company adopted the provisions of FRS 25 'Financial Instruments: Disclosure and Presentation' and FRS 26
'Financial Instruments:Recognition and Measurement' during the year ended 31 December 2006. The effect of this is to
reduce the investment valuations from a mid-market price to a fair value price being market bid price.The impact of
valuing the portfolio at market bid price as at 31 December 2005 would have resulted in a downward adjustment of
£74,648, reducing the NAV at that date to 140.2p (previously stated 143.6p). Under the transitional provisions of FRS
26, the comparative figures for 2005 have not been restated. 

1.2 Income

Income from investments including taxes deducted at source is recognised as income on the date the dividend is due for
payment. UK dividend income is reported net of tax credits in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 16
'Current Tax'. Interest is dealt with on an accruals basis.

1.3 Expenses

Expenses (including VAT) and interest payable are dealt with on an accruals basis and charged through the Revenue
Account.

1.4 Investment management expenses

Investment management expenses have been allocated 25% to revenue and 75% to capital,
in line with the Board's
expected long term split of returns, in the form of income and capital gains respectively, from the investment portfolio.

1.5 Investments

Listed investments comprise those listed on the Official List of the London Stock Exchange. Profits and losses on sales
of investments are taken to realised capital reserve. Any unrealised appreciation or depreciation is taken to unrealised
capital reserve.

Investments have been classified as 'fair value through profit and loss' upon initial recognition.

Subsequent to initial recognition, investments are measured at fair value with changes in fair value  recognised in the 
Income Statement.

Securities of companies quoted on a recognised stock exchange are valued by reference to their quoted bid prices at the
close of the year.

1.6 Taxation

The tax effect of different items of income and expenses is allocated between capital and revenue on the same basis as
the particular item to which it relates, using the Company's effective rate of tax for the year.

13

Athelney Trust plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

1.   Accounting policies (continued)

1.7 Deferred taxation

Deferred taxation is provided in respect of all future obligations to pay additional tax arising as a result
of past events. Tax is provided at rates expected to apply in the period in which timing differences
reverse based on tax rates and laws substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.Deferred tax assets
and liabilities are not discounted.

1.8 Capital reserves

Capital reserve- Realised

Gains and losses on realisations of fixed asset investments are dealt with in this reserve.

Capital reserve- Unrealised

Increases and decreases in the valuations of fixed asset investments are dealt with in this reserve.

2.   Income

Income from investments
UK dividend income
Bank interest
Other income

Total income

UK dividend income
UK listed investments
AIM investments
Other investments

2006
£

91,470 
4,145 
- 

95,615 

£

57,800 
32,566 
1,104 

91,470 

2005
£

80,987 
5,219 
59 

86,265 

£

54,506 
25,365 
1,116 

80,987 

14

Athelney Trust plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

3. Return on ordinary activities before taxation

The following amounts (inclusive of VAT) are included
within investment management and other expenses:-

Directors' remuneration:-
 - Services as a director
 - Otherwise in connection with management

Auditors' remuneration:-
Audit services
- Statutory audit
- Audit related regulatory reporting
Further assurance services
-advice on accounting matters

4. Employees

Costs in respect of directors:-
Wages and salaries
Social security costs

Costs in respect of administrator:-
Wages and salaries
Social security costs

Total
Wages and salaries
Social security costs

Average number of employees

Chairman
Investment 
Administration

2006
£

9,000 
25,000 

6,921 
881 

1,350 

2006
£

34,000 
2,399 

36,399 

7,000 
253 

7,253 

41,000 
2,652 

43,652 

No.

1 
2 
1 

4 

15

2005
£

8,000 
22,000 

5,874 
752 

- 

2005
£

30,000 
2,194 

32,194 

3,500 
134 

3,634 

33,500 
2,328 

35,828 

No.

1 
2 
1 

4 

Athelney Trust plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

5. Taxation

(i) The tax charge for the year is 
based on the return for the year
Corporation tax for current year
Tax relief on management expenses
  charged to income

2006

2005

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

£

- 

£

£

34,916 

34,916 

£

- 

£

£

18,613 

18,613 

(8,278)

8,278 

- 

(7,579)

7,579 

- 

Adjustment in respect of previous years
Deferred taxation

- 
- 

- 
79,248 

- 
79,248 

- 
- 

- 
51,042 

- 
51,042 

(8,278)

122,442 

114,164 

(7,579)

77,234 

69,655 

(ii) Factors affecting the tax charge for the year

The tax charge for the period is lower than the average small company rate of corporation tax
 in the UK (19 per cent). The differences are explained below:

Total return on ordinary activities before tax

2006
£

736,360 

2005
£

480,190 

Total return on ordinary activities multiplied by the average small 
company rate of corporation tax 19% (2005: 19%)

108,472 

91,236 

Effects of:
UK dividend income not taxable
Revaluation of shares not taxable
Indexation relief for capital gains
Other

Current tax charge for the year

6.

Return per ordinary share

(17,379)
(52,556)
(3,621)
- 

34,916 

(15,388)
(53,619)
(3,361)
(255)

18,613 

The calculation of earnings per share has been performed in accordance with FRS 22
'Earnings per share'.

2006

2005

Attributable return on 
 ordinary activities after taxation

£
Revenue

£
Capital

£
Total

£
Revenue

£
Capital

£
Total

60,322 

561,874 

622,196 

48,825 

361,710 

410,535 

Number of shares

1,802,802 

1,802,802 

Return per ordinary share

3.3p

31.2p

34.5p

2.7p

20.1p

22.8p

16

Athelney Trust plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

7. Dividend

Final dividend in respect of 2005 of 
2.5p (2004 - 2.0p) per share.

2006
£

45,070 

2005
£

36,056 

A final dividend in respect of 2006 of 3.25p (2005 - 2.5p) per share amounting to a total of £58,591
(2005 - £45,070) is proposed by the Board. The dividend proposed will not be accounted for until
it has been approved at the Annual General Meeting.

8.

Investments

Movements in year
Valuation at beginning of year
Purchases at cost
Sales - proceeds
         - realised gains on sales
Increase in unrealised appreciation

Valuation at end of year

Book cost at end of year
Unrealised appreciation at the end of the year

UK Listed
AIM
PLUS

Gains on investment

Realised gains on sales
Increase in unrealised appreciation

2005
£

2,555,581 
529,075 
(559,040)
178,103 
282,203 

2,985,922 

£
1,306,753 
1,679,169 

2,985,922 

1,884,678 
1,027,444 
73,800 

2,985,922 

2005
£
178,103 
282,203 

460,306 

2006
£

2,985,922 
1,103,978 
(1,091,988)
266,437 
442,043 

3,706,392 

£
1,587,384 
2,119,008 

3,706,392 

2,121,748 
1,493,168 
91,476 

3,706,392 

2006
£
266,437 
442,043 

708,480 

17

Athelney Trust plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

9. Debtors

Amounts falling due within one year:
Investment transaction debtors
Other debtors

10. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

Corporation tax
Social security and other taxes
Other creditors
Accruals and deferred income

11. Deferred taxation

                2006

Provided

£

374,390 

374,390 

Tax on unrealised gains net of losses

Balance at beginning of year
Charge to the capital element of the 
Statement of Total Return

Balance at end of year

2006
£

103,452 
2,151 

105,603 

2006
£
34,916 
5,649 
148 
10,084 

50,797 

Not
Provided

£

- 

- 

2006
£
295,142 

79,248 

374,390 

2005
£

142,046 
3,063 

145,109 

2005
£
18,613 
3,731 
146 
11,279 

33,769 

£

- 

- 

            2005

Not
Provided

Provided

£

295,142 

295,142 

2005
£
244,100 

51,042 

295,142 

Tax is provided at the latest known rates on all taxable gains net of losses which would arise if investments were                
sold at the market value included in the balance sheet at the end of the financial year.

18

Athelney Trust plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

12. Called up share capital

Authorised
10,000,000 Ordinary shares of 25p each

Allotted, called up and fully paid
1,802,802 Ordinary shares of 25p each

13. Reserves

Balance at 1 January 2006 
Net gain on realisation of investments
Increase in unrealised appreciation
Management expenses allocated to capital
Taxation
Profit for the year
Dividend paid in year

2006
£

2005
£

2,500,000 

2,500,000 

£

450,700 

Share
premium
account
£
405,605 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

2006

Capital
reserve
realised
£
520,007 
266,437 
- 
(24,164)
(43,194)
- 
- 

Capital
reserve
unrealised
£
1,360,604 
- 
442,043 
- 
(79,248)
- 
- 

£

450,700 

Revenue
reserve
£
105,252 
- 
- 
- 
- 
60,322 
(45,070)

Balance at end of year

405,605 

719,086 

1,723,399 

120,504 

14. Reconciliation of movement on shareholders' funds

Retained net revenue for the year after taxation
Dividend

Total recognised gains for the year

Shareholders' funds at beginning of year

Shareholders' funds at end of year

2006
£
60,322 
(45,070)

15,252 
561,874 

577,126 
2,842,168 

3,419,294 

2005
£
48,825 
(36,056)

12,769 
361,710 

374,479 
2,467,689 

2,842,168 

19

Athelney Trust plc

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006

15. Risk management, financial assets and liabilities

The following information is given in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 13.

Risk management

The major risks associated with the Company are market and liquidity risk.  The Company has established a 
framework for managing these risks.  The directors have guidelines for the management of investments and
financial instruments.

Market risk arises from changes in interest rates, valuations awarded to equities, movements in prices and the 
liquidity of financial instruments.

The Company's portfolio is invested in UK securities.

Financial assets and liabilities

The Company's financial instruments comprise equity investments, cash balances and debtors and creditors
that arise directly from its operations, for example, in respect of sales and purchases awaiting settlement.  Short
term debtors and creditors are excluded from disclosure as allowed by FRS 13.

Fixed asset investments (see note 8) are valued at market bid prices where available which equate to their
fair values.  The fair values of all other assets and liabilities are represented by their carrying values in the 
balance sheet.

16. Net asset value per share

The net asset value per share is based on net assets of £3,419,294 (2005:£2,842,168) divided by 1,802,802
 (2005 :1,802,802)ordinary shares in issue. 

Net asset value

2006

189.7p

2005

157.7p

20

Athelney Trust plc

OFFICERS AND FINANCIAL ADVISERS

H.B. Deschampsneufs (Chairman)
R.G. Boyle (Managing Director)  Email: robin171@btinternet.com
D.A. Horner (Non-Executive Director)

J. Girdlestone F.C.A. 
Waterside Court
Falmouth Road
Penryn
Cornwall, TR10 8AW
Email: john@girdlestone.org.uk

J.M. Davies
9 Limes Road
Beckenham
Kent,  BR3 6NS

2 Queen Anne's Gate Buildings
Dartmouth Street
London,  SW1H 9BP

Noble & Company Limited
76 George Street
Edinburgh,  EH2 3BU

Speirs & Jeffrey Limited
36 Renfield Street
Glasgow, G2 1NA

Clement Keys
39 /40 Calthorpe Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham,  B15 1TS

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
London City Office
62/63 Threadneedle Street
London City Office,  EC2R 8LA

Share Registrars Limited
Craven House
West Street
Farnham
Surrey, GU9 7EN

CityRoad Communications
42 - 44 Carter Lane
London, EC4V 5EA

Directors:

Administrator:

Secretary:

Registered Office:

Nominated Adviser:

Stockbroker:

Auditor:

Banker:

Registrar:

Public Relations Consultants:

Company Number:

2933559

21