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2021-03-31-accounts

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2021

The Museum, 41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire. SN10 1NS 01380 727369 w ~~ww.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk~~

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ABOVE Lockdown-inspired ‘Positive Pack’ sold in Devizes, to boost spirits in January. Each box includes one positive postcard, two badges PUT YOUR POSITIVE PANTS ON / I GET LOCKED DOWN I GET UP AGAIN, one heart-shaped keepsake, a packet of sweets and herbal teabag. Donated by the creator, Katy Light, at Hillbilly Rocks Vintage, Devizes (2021.2) LEFT: ‘out of office’ message

Cover: Framed 19th century watercolour of a red-tiled and white-washed dwelling, with Avebury stone circle in the background. Signed D. Cox, 1820. (David Cox, 1783 – 1859). Donated by Brian Edwards, Devizes (2020.1003)

(A company limited by guarantee)

Charity Number 1080096 Company Registration Number 3885649

SUMMARY and OBJECTS

The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Society) was founded in 1853. The Society’s first permanent Museum opened in Long Street in 1874. The Society is a registered charity and governed by Articles of Association.

Objects. To educate the public by promoting, fostering interest in, exploration, research and publication on the archaeology, art, history and natural history of Wiltshire for the public benefit. Mission Statement. To explore the archaeology, art, history and natural history of Wiltshire.

Aims. The Society runs the Wiltshire Museum, organises a programme including conferences, lecture and events, learning and outreach for children and schools, provides access to our collections for academic and general researchers, reviews planning consents, supports the Wiltshire Archaeology Field Group, promotes Industrial Archaeology and publishes the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine ( WANHM ) . Further details are included in this Annual Report.

The Collections. These have been acquired by the Society over nearly 170 years and their strength lies in the prehistoric material. The Early Bronze Age collection is of exceptional importance because of its size and range, the uniqueness of many of the objects, the fact that it includes many important items, its association with the World Heritage Site of Avebury and Stonehenge, and its relevance to the history of archaeology. ‘Gold from the Time of Stonehenge’ is on permanent display.

Researchers. Every year academic researchers carry out important research on the collection. There are over 500,000 items in the collections and details can be found in our online searchable database. The collections are ‘ Designated ’ of national importance and ‘ Accreditation ’ status was first awarded in 2005. Overseen by the Arts Council the Accreditation Scheme sets out nationally-agreed standards, which inspire the confidence of the public and funding and governing bodies. It enables museums to assess their current performance, as well as supporting them to plan and develop their services .

The Library contains a local studies collection of books, journals, newspapers and other printed items including photographs and maps concerned with Wiltshire, all available to researchers. The archaeology section includes a general collection of archaeology books, the principal archaeology journals, the papers of Wiltshire antiquaries and the written records of more recent excavations in the county. The natural history section similarly includes general natural history books, specialist journals and the papers of early natural historians.

Funding. The Society and Museum are funded by its members, past and present; admission charges, Wiltshire Council and Devizes Town Council; grants from charitable trusts, fundraising activities and income from investments.

The Society holds an Annual General Meeting each year to which all Society members are invited. At this meeting the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31[st] March are presented for approval and Trustees elected.

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

(A company limited by guarantee)

Charity Number 1080096 Company Registration Number 3885649

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

CONTENTS

Summary and Objects 3
Denis Shelton Legacy for Archaeological Acquisitions 6
Letter from the Chair 7
Board of Trustees’ Report 9
Objectives and Activities of the Society
 9
About the Museum 10
Finds Liaison Ofcer, Fundraising 11
Lockdown, Furlough and Social Distancing: Covid and the Museum 12
Exhibitions 13
Loans 15
Collections - Acquisitions of the year 16
- Collections - Archaeology, Art, Archive and Library 17
Collections - Natural History, Numismatics, Recent History 18
Conservation 20
Activities, Events, Lectures and Outings 21
Membership 22
Research: A Wealth of Knowledge 23
Publications and Social Media 24
Learning, Outreach and Community Engagement 25
Volunteers 27
Wiltshire Archaeology Field Group 29
Society Committees and Working Groups 30
Development - Working with Partners 31
Development - Contemporary Collecting, Archaeological Archives 32
Plans for the Future; Devizes Assize Court 33
Trustees’ Financial Review 34
Structure, Governance and Management 37
Reference and Administrative Information 38
Report of the Auditors 39
Statement of Financial Activities 41
Balance Sheet 42
Statement of Cash fows 43
Notes to the fnancial statements 44
Collections Trust – Statement of Financial Activities and Balance Sheet 53
Collections Trust – Notes to the Financial Statements 54
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 17 October 2020 55

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DENNIS SHELTON LEGACY FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL ACQUISITIONS

Legacies are valuable in underpinning the Society’s finances and we are most grateful to those members who have made bequests to the Society in their wills - even a small bequest can help.

In 2011, Dennis (Den) Shelton, former WANHS Trustee and long-standing Member, bequeathed a £10,000 legacy to the Society for the sole purpose of acquiring archaeological finds. Over the past ten years this generous gift has been used to acquire almost 40 objects for the collection, most of which are Treasure finds, made by metal detectorists and reported through the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

Legacies like these are very important to the Museum enabling far more items to be acquired for the collection than would otherwise be possible. Such acquisitions strengthen our outstanding collections, Designated as being of national importance.

Den’s legacy not only enabled the purchase of smaller items ‘outright’ but has also been used to provide match-funding for more expensive items where grants were awarded from the V&A Purchase Grant Fund, Art Fund and Headley Trust. This includes a 10[th] - 11[th] century Viking Ring made from six strands of gold plaited together, found in the Stockley area, near Heddington (2015.14); and an Anglo-Saxon sword pommel of ‘cocked-hat’ type, dating to 7th century AD, from the Cricklade area (2011.61).

Some of the objects acquired are on display, others are in store and form part of an important research collection. All, and many others like them, are available to search online: www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/ collections/. Items purchased with the Den Shelton Legacy includes:

From the left: A coin from the Civil War hoard coins found in Stanton St Quintin; (2013.29); Roman green gem-set gold finger-ring (2015.16); Medieval silver penny (2017.24); Iron Age gold strip fragment (2014.9); Late Bronze Age gold plated penannular ring (2014.8). Not shown to scale.

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Charity Number 1080096 Company Registration Number 3885649

(A company limited by guarantee)

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

I am pleased to present the WANHS Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31 March 2021. This year has obviously been highly challenging, and on behalf of the Trustees, I want to start by thanking all our staff and volunteers for their commitment and professionalism which has ensured that we continue to have such a positive impact, engaging with a wide variety of audiences despite the extraordinary difficulties and disruptions. I also want to thank you, our members, for the tremendous support you have given the Society over the last year. It is particularly encouraging that we have had so many new members sign up over the last year – we look to forward to developing a long and rewarding relationship with you.

I am pleased to say that at the time of writing the Museum is open again and we are getting a steady stream of visitors. We have also achieved real traction with our online resources and events. A significant effort has ensured that a wealth of interesting and informative material is available online, and our programme of lectures have typically attracted audiences of more than 150, and at times as many as 400 participants, from across the UK and internationally. The topics have included the full range of our scope – archaeology, history, art and natural history. We have also been able to use our technical platform to host events in partnership with other heritage and arts organisations, further widening our audiences.

Our participation in the Wessex Museums Partnership continues to be highly beneficial. We are sharing programmes such as the recent “Wiltshire in the Red” virtual exhibition and the forthcoming Hardy show. Sharing best practice with the other museums in the partnership is helping further develop a number of our policies, including Equality, Diversity and Inclusion which has been an area of real focus. The partnership is currently rated as ‘strong’ in Diversity by Arts Council England, we are now working on achieving ‘outstanding’ in the future.

We continue to work closely with Devizes Assize Court Trust (DACT) to ensure that the Assize Court building can fulfil its full potential as a central part of the heritage of Devizes, for the local people and for visitors. Despite the constraints of lockdown, we were able to conduct an extensive consultation process to ensure the community’s views are reflected in the designs that are being developed by Purcell, the appointed architects. A significant fund-raising campaign will be launched in the next year. Although the process has been frustratingly delayed by the pandemic, we and DACT are using the time to good effect, working to ensure that the restored and extended Assize Court will have the maximum beneficial impact on the cultural, social and economic life of the area.

The Trustees of WANHS are pleased to report that despite the severe impact of the pandemic on our income and fund-raising activities, our financial situation has improved over the last 12 months, due to a combination of the increased value of our investment portfolios, prudent cost management and some generous legacies and gifts. We continue to greatly appreciate the support given by Chris Kelly, our Honorary Treasurer, to ensure the effective financial management of the Society.

The 2021 Annual General Meeting to review the past 12 months is scheduled to take place on 13 November, at which I hope to see many members so I can thank you personally for your ongoing support and encouragement at this difficult time.

Martin Nye

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Jane’s experience of Furlough

At the beginning of the first lockdown I mainly had the task of trying to keep my 3 year old boy entertained at home! This consisted of mainly playing with cars and dinosaurs whilst at the same time attempting to do other activities such as art, learning to count and recognise the letters in the alphabet. All with limited success. We also took part in the Museum’s Trilithon Challenge and attempted some of the Museum’s online activities. Once my little boy had returned to preschool then I started to research my family history and have so far got back to my 4x great-grandmother who was born in 1785 on my mother’s side and as far as my 3x great-grandfather who was born in 1833 on my father’s side. Jane Schön

From top left - Covid Support flyer, Rachael Holtom and Covid-measures at front of house; vaccinations at Salisbury Cathedral; examples from the Devizes Covid snake; a Key Worker badge from Morrisons.

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(A company limited by guarantee)

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Charity Number 1080096 Company Registration Number 3885649

BOARD OF TRUSTEES’ REPORT

The Trustees present their Annual Report, together with the financial statements of the charity, for the year ended 31 March 2021.

This Annual Report includes the reports and financial statements set out on pages 2 to 54. The Report of the Board of Trustees should be deemed to be the directors’ report for the purposes of Company Law.

The reports on the following pages show how the Objects of the Society - see below - are achieved to further the charities purposes for the public benefit. The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The Director is the senior member of staff responsible for the ongoing operations in consultation with the Chair and his report, and those of the staff, follow, on pages 9 to 31. The Society’s committees and working groups provide a number of services to members and the wider public. They cover a wide range of activities from fundraising, industrial archaeology through to expert advice on planning matters. Their work helps promote the Society and its Museum and Archive and Library to a wide audience and reports are included in this report. The Society could not operate without the hundreds of volunteer hours provided and also the invaluable funding and support of our membership. .

The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Articles of Association and the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice.

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE SOCIETY

The objects for which the Society is registered are to educate the public by promoting, fostering interest in, exploration, research and publication on the archaeology, art, history and natural history of Wiltshire for the public benefit . To achieve this the Society:

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ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Maintains a museum, library and art gallery, open throughout the year, and mounts exhibitions to stimulate and enhance appreciation of the county of Wiltshire. Loans objects to other organisations.

MISSION STATEMENT Inspiring people to explore the archaeology, history and environment of Wiltshire

About the Museum

The year has been overshadowed by the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Museum has been closed for much of the year and we have not been able to offer our usual programme of events, learning activities and exhibitions. However, we have managed to find different ways of engaging our audiences online and even to expand those audiences in the online world.

We are fortunate that, as far as we know, the health and well-being of our members, volunteers, trustees and staff has not been directly affected. Those who have been affected are in our thoughts.

We have been able to maintain core services to members and, when able to open, we have welcomed local audiences back to the Museum to enjoy our displays and exhibitions, even though we have had to restrict numbers and remove interactives that help to make the Museum so engaging to our younger visitors.

For many charities, the pandemic has had a serious economic impact. Careful management of Society finances, the continued support of our members and Government schemes, particularly the Furlough Scheme, have ensured that we remain in a good position.

The big success of the year has been our online events programme, engaging audiences well beyond Wiltshire. Our Archaeology in Wiltshire Conference, lecture programme, schools sessions and university field trips have all been delivered online and engaged new audiences: many from outside Wiltshire and a not insignificant number from outside the UK. Record numbers of people have attended these events, helping to raise our profile outside the County. We have also been able to use our technical platform to support other like-minded organisations, helping us to develop new partnerships.

With the Museum closed and staff on furlough leave until July 2020, it was not possible to develop the online shop. However, once the Museum reopened, and in order to take the Museum shop into the community a stall was set up every Thursday from September to December, in the Shambles Market, Devizes. The stall incorporated a Tourist Information Point, promoted the Assize Court consultations and sold Cards For Good Causes Christmas cards, which proved very popular, along with our own range of

Christmas cards, stocking fillers and tea towels. It was only possible to do this initiative with the support of Volunteers, who were very keen to return to duties after the Lockdown. Devizes Town Council did not charge and we hope to continue the initiative.

With changes to the Furlough scheme it was possible for staff to update the Museum’s online shop and offer a free delivery service in the Devizes area. We even sold out of one of our higher end products, the Gold Horn Pendant made exclusively for us by Tundra Jewellers. Net online sales increased, helping to offset losses from the closure of the Museum.

The Assize Court project has also been able to move forward, working closely with the Devizes Assize Court Trust and its new Chair, Peter Troughton. Purcell began their work on the project as architects and, despite lockdown, Niall Phillips and Claire Phillips developed imaginative plans that were showcased during a consultation held during Heritage Open Days in September. The Imagemakers team, led by David Masters and Deborah Hodson, developed an inspiring Interpretation Strategy for the displays and an insightful Audience Development Strategy for engaging with new audiences. Background work has progressed with seeking funding for the project, which will take a number of years to achieve.

David Dawson and Emma Sykes

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Volunteer Mary Rennie in the Shambles Market.
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Finds Liaison Officer/Portable Antiquities Scheme

As with many aspects of the museum, the work of the Portable Antiquities Scheme (a national scheme ran in partnership between the British Museum and local parties in order to archaeological finds made by members of the public) in Wiltshire has been greatly disrupted by Corona Virus and Associated restrictions. With the exception of a brief window in September and October, finds surgeries held at the Wiltshire Museum and other locations, such as the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, have not been possible, and nor have we been able to visit hobbyist Metal Detecting clubs around the county – both factors greatly reducing the quantity of archaeological artefacts reported and made available for recording. Due to this we have been largely limited to working through a backlog of finds reported previously, and those reported via email.

Unfortunately, this disruption has also been compounded by staffing issues over the course of the financial year. The present author reduced his hours with the scheme in order to take on a new role with the Wiltshire Museum in April 2020, however the hiring of a second Finds Liaison Officer to backfill this time was delayed significantly due to the impacts of coronavirus, resulting in only two days’ a week coverage through much of the spring and summer. The post again became open in December but was thankfully filled by the present post-holder, Sophie Hawke, at the beginning of the calendar year; they will be going on to take over as a full time Finds Liaison Officer from April 2021.

Despite these set-backs, the scheme was still able to create 807 records detailing 1482 objects in the 2019-2020 financial year; unusually, the normal dominance of the Romano-British period (and in particular late Romano-British coins) is not apparent. It is unclear why this should be so, but it may relate to decreased input from experienced metal detectorists, who will typically be both more likely to find these coins, but also have access to more ‘productive’ land. That there was a recording bias towards Roman coins in Wiltshire has previously been noted by this author elsewhere, and in light of this outreach strategies should perhaps be reviewed.

Although recording and outreach have been negatively hit, due to a significant underspend we have been able to fund an ongoing scheme of geophysical survey in Bowerchalke, South Wiltshire. The site was identified as being of interest by the presence of a large late Roman pewter ingot and a quantity of other finds suggesting Romano-British occupation extending to the very end of the Romano-British period. A magnetometry survey has been able to identify a probable Romano-British structure, as well as a series of enclosures and a line of previously unknown Bronze Age Barrows. Further Magnetometry and a resistivity survey are scheduled.

Fundraising

As a small, independent charity, WANHS depends on the support of members and the local community. Every subscription helps, so thank you to all our members. We also highly value support from Corporate Members - Wansbroughs Solicitors, Venture Chartered Accountants and AC Archaeology, and other local firms for ‘in-kind’ help.

We unsuccessfully applied for some of the Government’s Covid-19 Emergency Funding and although I was furloughed for part of the year some significant steps were taken.

In November, for the first time, we joined the virtual fundraising platform - Crowdfunder - to raise funds for our Education and Learning Programme; resulting in donations of £4,400 (before Gift Aid). The skills we learnt from this process will be built on in the future. As well as raising money, Crowdfunder was a great way of harness supportive comments left on the webpage and raise awareness of our charitable status, and need for funds, across the world via social media. The Museums’ Association requested a short article about our Crowdfunder experience which was included in a sector newsletter.

The Crowdfunder appeal formed part of the Members’ Appeal and in total £7,832 was raised. We are grateful to all Members and supporters for their donations.

A ‘Thanks to Trusts and Foundations’ page was added to the Wiltshire Museum website, together with a ‘Sponsor an Object’ page which lists items in the collection requiring urgent conservation.

An Ethical Fundraising Policy was agreed by the Board of Trustees and a similar one for the giving of legacies is being prepared.

As always, the Museum and Society has been very grateful for all donations and legacies received in the year, which are essential to our sustainability. Many members also donated to our forthcoming Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition. Once again – thank you.

Rachael Holtom

An example from the Sponsor an Object website page.

Wil Partridge

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LOCKDOWN, FURLOUGH AND SOCIAL DISTANCING: COVID AND THE MUSEUM

The World Health Organisation declared a Pandemic on 12 March 2020 and already the impact on tourism and museum visits was clear. People were increasingly worried about travelling, and museum visits were falling and cancellations were beginning to rise.

Over the next few days, we were assessing the risks of running the Archaeology in Wiltshire Conference, due to be held on 22 March, with over 200 delegates expected and considering whether to close the Museum as people were becoming increasingly concerned. Finally, on 16 March 2020, the Government announced that museums should close, and at 5pm we closed our doors, apprehensive about the course of the pandemic.

Preparations were already in place for members of staff to work from home, to have a minimal number of people in the Museum and to maintain our care for our nationally-important collections. A review of the budget for the year made dismal reading, as we modelled the impact of three months of closure and significant cuts to our income. The announcement by the Government of the Furlough Scheme on 20 March steadied our nerve and allowed us to begin to plan for the future. Our Board met to assess the potential impact of the crisis and to take key decisions about how we would operate during lockdown.

As the situation became clearer, several members of staff were placed on furlough as they were unable to carry out their roles under lockdown. Others continued to work - maintaining services to our members and ensuring that the basics of the organisation continued to function. Staff whose posts were publicly funded continued to work – at home wherever possible. We quickly adopted Zoom to keep in touch with each other and began to experiment with online delivery of lectures, children’s activities and volunteer coffee mornings.

As the course of the pandemic slowed, we began to plan how we might reopen, avidly reading all the best practice guidance. Children’s interactives were removed, a one-way system introduced with new signage, barriers and hand sanitizer purchased. Lavington School donated faceshield, 3D printed in their IT labs and we applied

for the Visit England ‘Good to Go’ mark to show that we were ‘COVID-safe’. Meanwhile, we cancelled or postponed events and exhibitions and invested time in submitting applications for COVID emergency funding that unfortunately were not successful.

We re-opened on 24 July, delighted to be welcoming visitors back to the Museum. Visitors were asked to book their visit in advance, wear a face-mask and socially distance (stay at least 2m apart from other people). Many of our volunteers were self-isolating as they were in at-risk categories, so we opened just three days a week with the front desk run by members of staff. We operated in two staff teams to manage the risk of cross-infection. Our visitors were very appreciative of their visit and the measures we put in place, but visitor numbers were approximately 25% that of a more usual year.

Meanwhile, we began to document the impact of COVID: we took photographs, collected objects and flyers that encouraged people to seek help. We began working with the Centre for Independent Living and we will be the long-term home for their project ‘Tales from the Town’ – recording the impact of COVID on people’s lives.

We began to experiment with delivering our events programme online, with an initial trial session on new research about one of our Bronze Age burials. Buoyed by the feedback from this trial, we rescheduled our Archaeology in Wiltshire Conference over mid-week evenings in November, began setting up an online lecture programme, and offered online sessions for schools and virtual University Field Trips.

As COVID case numbers rose with the second wave in October 202, we began to plan to reenter another lockdown, which finally came on 5 November. We returned to a similar situation to that earlier in the year, some staff working to maintain services or who were publicly funded, and others on part-time furlough. Although the Museum re-opened again on 3 December, it was no surprise that this re-opening was short-lived and the Museum closed again on 28 December for the remainder of the year, only reopening again on 20 May 2021.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus, which started to circulate across the globe in late 2019/early 2020.

COVID-19, for the majority of people is a mild to moderate respiratory illness and most people would recover without requiring special treatment. However it could develop into a serious illness, requiring hospital treatment, for older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer. The virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

With no natural immunity to the disease in 2020 measures were introduced to control the spread and impact of the virus, including socially isolating the population (lockdown - non-essential businesses and schools closed and the population were required to work at home wherever possible) and later requiring the wearing of face-coverings in public, minimising the numbers of people who could interact with each other (e.g. the rule of six), social distancing (staying 2m apart) and hand washing or use of hand sanitiser on entry to buildings.

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Exhibitions

Our two special exhibition galleries - the Oexmann Gallery and the Piper Gallery enables the Museum to offer either two small exhibitions or one larger exhibition. The Exhibitions Officer post is funded by the Arts Council and Wessex Museums Project.

The 2020/21 exhibitions programme, like many other aspects of the Museum’s work, was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, and unfortunately we had to postpone or cancel planned exhibitions. The Arts of Jomon exhibition, due to feature Japanese artwork and ancient Jomon pottery to coincide with the 2020 Olympics, was cancelled due to restrictions with travel from Japan.

One exhibition that the Museum was able to display from late summer to autumn 2020 was Out of Egypt , on loan from the Hampshire Cultural Trust. Intended as familyfriendly, the exhibition focused on how ancient Egyptians treated their dead and included scarabs and mummified animals, mummy masks and wrappings, shabti figures and much, much more. Although unable to feature the more family centred activities planned due to the pandemic, the exhibition was successfully supported online with many Egyptian themed children’s activities and resources.

Visitors can expect to enjoy some memorable exhibitions throughout the remainder of 2021 to 2022. The first of these is Ways of Seeing Wiltshire by guest curator Brian Edwards (May – August 2021). This will feature artworks not normally on display around the theme of the Wiltshire landscape - from chalk hill figures to prehistoric remains. The Museum is also extremely fortunate in that most of these artworks were recently acquired.

Members and supporters will also be looking forward to our postponed Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition to be held from 25 September 2021 – 30 January 2022. Work is ongoing to bring the exhibition to the Museum, which will be the first time that we have borrowed art on such a scale from national museums or galleries. The exhibition will focus on Ravilious’ fascination with the Wiltshire and Sussex downlands and is guest curated by James Russell, curator of the ‘Ravilious’ exhibition at Dulwich Picture Gallery in 2015.

Above: Mummy Mask (c) Hampshire Cultural Trust

Work is also underway on the 2022 programme, a main feature of which will be an exhibition about Thomas Hardy, which will be run in conjunction with our Wessex Museum Partners (Salisbury, Dorchester, Poole) in May – October 2022. The exhibition, curated by Harriet Still, will explore new perspectives on the life and work of Thomas Hardy in the stunning Wessex landscapes that shaped his view of the world.

Heather Ault

EXHIBITIONS – Long Room

Small displays are mounted in the Long Room display cases, with the aim of highlighting little known items within the collections or to compliment the main exhibition programme. This year only three displays were possible due to the Coronavirus pandemic:

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic a number of planned displays were cancelled including:

Jane Sch ö n

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Wildlife in the Red Virtual Exhibition & Declaring a Climate Emergency

Wildlife in the Red: Once collectors’ Curiosities, now Endangered Species , is a new online exhibition, coordinated by the Wessex Museums Partnership. It replaced this-years ‘Objects on Tour’, which could not go ahead due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Launched in October 2020 the theme is ‘Declaring a Climate Emergency’.

It has received lots of views and likes on various social media platforms. One of our Life Members and Chair of the Tisbury Natural History Society, wrote ….

this is absolutely brilliant, totally loved it. More! More! Whoever build that website deserves medals, what a fantastic achievement and how brilliantly timed. I’ve posted it on the website I manage for the TNHS. This has got everything we need to distract us from life’s horrors, I can hardly believe it, well done!

The exhibition was an opportunity to showcase the natural history collection, using the Donald Grose herbarium, donated to the Museum in 1981. Comprising 9,000 sheets of pressed plant specimens (mostly) from Wiltshire, many were collected during the time that he was writing The Flora of Wiltshire (1957).

Donald was a jeweller by profession with a shop in Swindon. Born in 1900, by the time of his death in 1973 he had established himself as Wiltshire’s most distinguished botanist. He was also the chief botanical Recorder for Wiltshire.

The wider aim of the project is to engage people with the Wiltshire Downland and the threat to wildflower meadows and the habitats it supports. The Museum teamed up with Plantlife, a conservation charity based in Salisbury, to deliver some of the objectives and raise awareness. www.plantlife.org.uk. #WhyMeadowsMatter .

Wildflower meadows are one of the most species rich habitats in the UK and since the 1930s, more than 95% of them have been lost due to intensive farming and housing developments - the equivalent 7.5 million acres. In April 2021 Plantlife raised awareness of this issue in an online talk about the threats to Wiltshire’s wildflower meadows.

The Community Curator worked with local artist, James Aldridge, to show families how to make a biodiversity journals using #MuseumConnect videos. ‘Spotter sheets’ were put on the website to encourage people to get out and about during Lockdowns 2 and 3 to see how many wildflowers and plants they could spot in the Wiltshire countryside.

Over the next year we will be working with uniform groups, including Wiltshire Girl Guide and Scout troops, to help raise awareness of the environmental and climate change issues on our doorstep. As outlined in the Contemporary Collecting Action Plan, we plan to work with these groups to acquire material relating to the Climate Emergency, with the aim to accession at least three items into the collections by the end of 2021. This will include not only material that comes from local environmental campaigns on combating Climate Change, but also the creative responses that the uniform groups will be tasked to produce, therefore developing the idea of the project legacy, ‘Create and Collect’. The results of this project will also be used to create a joint online exhibition for the Wessex Museums.

This is an ongoing project which will feature in the Museum’s outreach work with children and young people throughout 2021-23.

www.wessexmuseums.org.uk/what-we-do/ exhibitions-events/wildlife-in-the-red/

From the left: Buttercup sheet from the Donald Grose Herbarium and Donald Grose and friends on a field trip to Imber.

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Loans

The loans programme was impacted this year by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, loans to and from the Museum remain important in making the collections available to as many people as possible. The Museum lends items from its collections for display and research, subject to the proper security and environmental conditions being met. We are particularly pleased to lend objects for special exhibitions at other museums across Wiltshire.

Ongoing loans to the Stonehenge Visitor Centre were renewed in October 2020, including finds made by Maud Cunnington at Woodhenge; the early Bronze Age grave group Wilsford G60 and the Wilsford G54 beaker burial.

This year, objects also continued to tour the USA (Houston, Dallas and Denver), as part of a major touring exhibition about Stonehenge, in partnership with Museums Partner and Mike Parker Pearson at University College London. The tour includes objects from the early Bronze Age burials: Amesbury G54 (Stonehenge flint dagger); Roundway G8 (Roundway archer Beaker burial); Wilsford G8 (high status female burial with gold and amber). Looking ahead to 2022-23, Museums Partner are in discussions with the Auckland Museum in New Zealand, to host the exhibition and at least two exhibition venues in Australia.

Dr Chris Standish, Research Fellow at Southampton University & Dr Christina Tsoraki, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Leicester University, borrowed a small number of stone and metal objects from the early Bronze Age archaeology collection (including hammerstones, stone axes, whetstones and copperalloy awls), for non-destructive analysis, to look for possible traces of prehistoric gold. Dr Standish scanned the objects using an electron microscope.

Peter Saunders, former Director of the Salisbury Museum and WANHS Trustee, borrowed the Winterslow horn beaker, for panoramic photography and eventual publication in WANHM . The beaker depicts the attack on the Exeter mail coach at the Winterslow Hut by a lioness who escaped from a travelling menagerie in October 1816.

International loans planned for 2021

A loan agreed with the State Office for Heritage Management and Archaeology Saxony-Anhalt State Museum of Prehistory, Halle (Saale) was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and The World of the Nebra Sky Disc – New Horizons exhibition has been rescheduled for June - December 2021. The Museum has agreed to lend some early Bronze Age objects, including the sun disc from Monkton Farleigh; a circular dark red glass bead from Wilsford G42; and the early Bronze Age grave group from Marlborough, Preshute G1a.

Looking ahead, in September 2021 the Museum for Archaeology, Federal State Museum for Westphalia, Herne and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology, are borrowing objects for the exhibition, Stonehenge - People and Landscapes , guest curated by Julian Richards. The objects featured in this exhibition are the Wilsford G7 grave group, with gold, amber, jet and shale objects; Mere G6a grave group, with gold sun disc; Amesbury G56 Cursus barrow, with dagger and chert hammerstone; some of the minute gold studs from Wilsford G5 Bush Barrow dagger handle; and some early Neolithic stone axes from factories in Cornwall, North Wales and the Lake District. The exhibition will run for one year.

There were no loans from the Archive & Library collection this year.

Top - from the left: Winterslow horn beaker; Mere G6a Grave Group - loaned to Herne; Monkton Farleigh Sun Disc - loaned to Halle. Bottom - from the left: Gallery view of the MuseumsPartner USA Tour; Preshute G1a - loaned to Halle; Preshute G1a - (c) Halle Museum.

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Actively collects objects and documents, through the Collections Trust, that tell the story of Wiltshire

Collections

We continue to actively collect objects that tell the story of Wiltshire, to both enhance our displays and strengthen our research collections. There were many interesting additions made to the collections during the year. A complete list of acquisitions for the year can be found in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine (volume 114, 2021). Below are some of the highlights.

All Collections are available to search online www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/collections , making them accessible in the widest possible terms. To date there are 122,560 records of catalogued items to search on the database across all collections, along with 15,500 digital images.

This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the acquisition of new objects for the collections has been limited. For eight months, the Museum was closed, and collections staff were on furlough. However, we were able to collect a small number of objects that tell the story of Wiltshire, to both enhance our displays and strengthen our research collections.

Some items were collected as part of the Wessex Museums Contemporary Collecting Strategy and Action Plan, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, under the theme ‘Society and Health’ (these are marked with a * in the list below).

Contemporary Collecting is the collecting of objects and stories that reflect the recent past and what is happening today. Contemporary collecting means acquiring new material, to future-proof collections for as-yet-unknown exhibitions and research projects, therefore ensuring that museums remain relevant to and representative of their audiences. A great benefit of contemporary collecting is that the histories fall within living memory, so can be documented with insights from those who experienced them first-hand. This provides museums with the opportunity to work in partnership with other people and communities, to be creative, dynamic and inclusive.

Acquisitions of the Year

Two Viking gold stranded wire finger-rings , found in Beckhampton*, near Avebury, in 1994. Dating to 8th – 10th centuries AD, the rings were placed inside one another in antiquity. They are bent into an oval shape - possibly from the pressure of burial. Each gold strand is delicately spot-soldered and then finished with a flattened terminal at each end. The rings are very small (12 and 15 mm in diameter), and so probably belonged to an infant and older child. A rare and interesting find for Wiltshire. Until this year, the rings were in a private collection. Purchased by the Museum at auction in January (2021.1).

On display in the Anglo-Saxon Gallery

*Beckhampton falls under the collecting area for the Alexander Keiller Museum. However, it was agreed by both parties that the rings are better placed in Devizes, as the museum at Avebury focuses on the prehistoric element of the World Heritage Site. .

German cap badge and model German

U-boat made from wood and wire , marked in black ink 1945. J. DASHFIELD. Made by Hermann Siemonsmeier, a German anti-aircraft gunner who was captured off the Belgian coast towards the end of the Second World War, and incarcerated in the Devizes PoW Camp.

Hermann gave the wooden model and cap badge to John Dashfield, a 9-year-old boy who befriended the POW, when he was part of a working party sent from Devizes by lorry to help build prefabricated houses in the Pinehurst area of Swindon.

Hermann and John kept in touch throughout their lives, until Hermann died in April 2020. Donated by John Dashfield, Swindon (2020.32.1-2).

On display in the Story of Devizes Gallery .

Below from the left: Two Viking gold stranded wire finger-rings (2021.1); German cap badge and model German U Boat (2020.32.12)

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Framed 19th century watercolour of a redtiled and white-washed dwelling, with Avebury stone circle in the background . Signed D. Cox, 1820. (David Cox, 1783 – 1859). Donated by Brian Edwards, Devizes (2020.1003) [ illustrated on front cover ].

Archaeology

Incomplete late Bronze Age or early Iron Age copper-alloy hinged brooch, probably dating to 300 - 150 BC. In the form of two circular lobes decorated with a ring and dot pattern. Traces of coral inlay survive in the central dot of one lobe. Found in Calne Without, 2020. Donated by the finder, Sean Hinksman, Chippenham (2020.20).

Neolithic polished stone axe found in Warminster Purchased at auction (2021.3).

Art

Standing Still at Avebury, by Rachel Heard, 2020. Framed acrylic on canvas. Commissioned as part of the Wessex Museums Partnership Project, ‘Museum Connect’. Donated by the artist, Rachel Heard (2020.1002) [ image below ]

Avebury Ring. Unframed artist’s proof by Mark Cheverton, c.1980. Mark (1952 - 1991) was an art teacher at Marlborough College and, with his wife Lottie, founded the Leith School of Art, Edinburgh. Donated by Brian Edwards, Devizes (2020.1004). [ image below ]

Archive and Library

The Library and Archive collection continues to grow, albeit much slower this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. During the year 15 books were purchased and 51 donated, many by the authors themselves, contributing to the 102 new acquisitions to the library. Most of the books purchased were published during 2019-21, keeping the library collection up to date. Fewer books were purchased due to financial constraints imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Highlights include:

BOOKS

A bound scanned copy of Canon J.E. Jackson’s Journal of Parochial Duty volume VI, 18341889. The journal was written by Canon Jackson (1805-91) whilst he was Vicar of Farleigh and Rector of Leigh Delamere. The journal records his parish work - all the sermons he preached, all the baptisms, marriages and funerals he carried out, and contains numerous references to local (and national) events and personalities. With the journal are watercolours and sketches by Jackson himself. The journal was digitised by the donor’s cousin and a separate printed copy followed later for the collections. Donated by Anna O’Donoghue, niece of J.E. Jackson who was her two time Great Uncle (Book.18279 and 2020.7008).

JOURNALS

Each year the Archive and Library receive a large number of journals and newsletters via subscriptions, journal exchanges or gifts from donors. These include titles such as British Archaeology and Current Archaeology Magazines, Bromham Parish Magazine , the Local Historian , Local History New , Britannia , The Antiquaries Journal and Wiltshire Ornithological Society News to name a few. This year, although the number of book and tract acquisitions is lower than normal due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the number of journals acquired has increased from 141 to 168. Thus ensuring the collections are kept up to date with the latest published research.

DOCUMENTS

Wartime National Registration Identity Card for under sixteen years, numbered WRXA 383 and issued to Felicity H Davies, 1945-1955. Donated to the Museum by Mr Bob Walker, wife of the late Felicity Davies (MSS.4485). [ image below ]

There were 20 additions to the Archive collection including two maps, all of which were donations; 54 acquisitions to the photographic collection (50 donations), 24 of which were digital images.

‘Standing Still at Avebury’, by Rachel Heard (2020.1002); Avebury Ring; Unframed artist’s proof by ‘Mark Cheverton’, (2020.1004); Wartime National Registration identity Card issued to Felicity H Davies (MSS.4485).

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Collection of correspondence between Robin Tanner and Colin Mayhew, Wiltshire Museum and associated papers, 1985 – 1987. Colin was the museums Temporary Museum Assistant until October 1986 and his daughter Charlotte was the Museum Doorkeeper between 1985-6. Donated to the Museum by Mrs Charlotte Dawber, nee Mayhew, daughter of Colin Mayhew ( MSS.4488 ) [ image below ].

Eight black and white photographs of Robert Carter (born in Devizes August 13, 1888) who served in India with the Wiltshire Regiment in World War I. He was a piano tuner by trade and whilst in India he tuned pianos for Rajahs. Donated to the Museum by Mrs Margaret Carter, Carter family historian (2020.7007.1-8)

Seven digital photographs of the Covid vaccination centre at Salisbury Cathedral, February 2021. Mass vaccination centres were set up to roll out the vaccination programme to halt the spread of Covid-19. Many venues which could accommodate large numbers of people were used such as Cathedrals, football grounds and conference centres. Whilst being vaccinated in Salisbury Cathedral patients were calmed by music played by the Cathedral Organist. Donated by WANHS Member, Bill Perry ( 2021.7001.1-7 ) [see page 11]

Devizes Covid 19 Support Group flyers offering residents help and advice for those in need in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, March – July 2020. Produced by Devizes Town Council for the group of over 350 volunteers who supported residents in Devizes, 2020. Donated to the Museum by Mr David Dawson, Director ( MSS.4492 ) [ illustrated page 11 ]

Two driving licences issued to Mrs Dorothy Willis (nee Avery) of Park Farm, Westbury and Hawkeridge Farm, Westbury dated 1947-1975. Donated to the Museum by Mr Norman Willis, son of Dorothy Willis ( MSS.4496 )

A collection of black and white photographs of Orchard Cottage, Fisherton de la Mere and Dr Archibald Houghton Brown and his wife Molly who lived at this property from the 1930s until the 1980s. Also included with these photographs was a sales catalogue of Orchard Cottage, dated circa 1984. Donated to the Museum by Anthony Houghton Brown, grandson of Dr Archibald Houghton Brown. (2021.7003, 2021.7004 and SC.45.85)

British Legion souvenir programme for rally held at Roundway Park, Devizes, Saturday July 19, 1930. The programme possibly belonged to the donor’s aunt (Frances Alice Parrish, nee Roberts) whose brother served in the Navy during World War One. Donated to the Museum by Marie Campbell ( MSS.4497 )r

PHOTOGRAPHS AND POSTCARDS

Natural History

Black and white postcard of early aviation flight over Stonehenge, Wiltshire, May 1912. This postcard complements a glass lantern slide already in the photographic collection ( 2019.7035 ). Donated to the Museum by WANHS Member, Tim Daw ( 2020.5001 )

No acquisitions to report this year.

Numismatics

No acquisitions to report this year.

Recent History

Collection of seven colour photographs of key events at Stonehenge including a digger working on the A344 during road closure works. The heel stone and Stonehenge are in the background, 2014. Donated to the Museum by WANHS Member, Tim Daw ( 2020.7005.1-7 ). [ image below ]

A collection of items once belonging to Christopher L. Rice (known as Jim Rice). Jim was a police inspector in Devizes, retiring in the late 1950s - early 1960s. He was born in c.1907 and died in 1964. Donated by Nigel Amor, Croydon (Jim Rice’s grandson). Items include:

Work on the A344 near Stonehenge, 2014 (2020.7005.1-7); sample of correspondence with Robin and Heather Tanner (2020.7005.3)

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Two sets of collectable Anstie cigarette cards. One of the WILTSHIRE DOWNS, produced in1935 (set of 20) and another of STONEHENGE, produced in1936 (set of 10). E&W ANSTIE LTD TOBACCO FACTORY, DEVIZES. Purchased at auction (2020.8) [ image below ].

Orange paper carrier bag from ROBERT KEMP / TELEPHONE 2274, clothing shop, Devizes. Cockerel motif is featured on the front in black print, c.1980. Donated Dorothy Robertson, Devizes (2020.9).

China coffee mug. THE PERFECT EUROPEAN UNION SHOULD BE...... and two metal pins badges BREXIT NO THANKS! THERE IS NO BREXIT DIVIDEND #STOPBREXIT. 2019. Donated by David Dawson, Devizes (2020.13).

Two pieces of Victorian concrete with Bristol blue glass inclusions. Transported from Bristol to Wiltshire by canal and used to build workers cottages in All Cannings Cross, c.1868. Donated by Tim Daw, All Cannings (2020.15).

Plastic spray bottle containing RAMSBURY ALCOHOL HAND SANITISER. Manufactured in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ramsbury Brewing & Distilling Company, Aldbourne. Purchased (2020.17). [ image below ].

Two plastic face visors made on a 3D printer by Market Lavington Secondary School students, as part of a community project, ‘Shield Wiltshire’, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. These visors were made free of charge and were worn by staff when the Museum re-opened to the public in July 2020, after four months of lockdown. Donated by Market Lavington Secondary School (2020.18). [ image page 11 ].

Set of eight ‘Stonehenge 1984’ plastic pin badges, small and large size. The designs were drawn by David Stooke in early 1984, in the run up to the Stonehenge Free Festival, in June. These badges were recreated and made in 2020. Donated by Brian Edwards, Devizes (2020.19)

Devizes Scooter Club banner. Auctioned by the club to raise money for the National Health Service, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Donated by Brian Edwards, Devizes (2020.31).

Green metal pin badge with white lettering. MORRISONS / KEYWORKER / FEEDING THE NATION / #ITSMORETHANOURJOB. Worn by the supermarket employees and manufactured in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, 2020. Donated by Simon Dawson, Devizes (2020.33) [ image page 11 ].

Seventeen hand-painted stones that formed part of a ‘Covid-19 pebble snake’ on Quaker’s Walk, Devizes, in the spring / summer of 2020. A creative response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This snake was started by local resident, Sarah Cook. Other long lines of painted pebbles, called ‘snakes’, were created at Hillworth Park; along the path of the Kennet & Avon canal and on Windsor Drive. Some of the stones are marked DEVIZES ROCKS / SAVE THE NHS / STAY SAFE. With permission from Devizes Town Council, a selection of the stones were collected by the Museum, before the snake deteriorated and was taken away (2020.34) [ image page 11 ].

Fabric bandana-snood face covering, with transfer print of the iconic Stonehenge sarsen trilithon on it. Produced by English Heritage and sold at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre, 2020. Donated by Brian Edwards, Devizes (2020.36)

Lockdown-inspired ‘Positive Pack’ sold in Devizes, to boost spirits in January. Each box includes one positive postcard, two badges PUT YOUR POSITIVE PANTS ON / I GET LOCKED DOWN I GET UP AGAIN, one heart-shaped keepsake, a packet of sweets and herbal teabag. Donated by the creator, Katy Light, at Hillbilly Rocks Vintage, Devizes (2021.2) .

Police medal on a blue and white striped ribbon (2020.7.1); Plastic spray bottle containing RAMSBURY ALCOHOL HAND SANITISER (2020.17); set of Anstie cigarette cards, depicting the Wiltshire Downs (2020.8)

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CONSERVATION

Museum

Our collections require constant monitoring to ensure that they are preserved for future generations. Curatorial staff undertake routine preventative conservation to ensure that objects and archives are displayed and stored in the best conditions that we can achieve and we have been able to improve the storage of a number of collections over the last few years.

All remedial conservation is contracted in from qualified conservators from the Conservation Register.

During lockdown the museum stores and gallery displays were regularly checked by staff. After each lockdown ended, the collections team undertook detailed checks in all areas of the building, to ensure that the collections remained in good condition, after long periods of closure. No issues were detected.

A hoard of Roman pewter plates found on farmland at Hilmarton during a metal detecting rally were donated to the Museum in January 2019. Wessex Archaeology have since conserved and repacked them ( above right ). A rare find for the County, only two other hoards like this one are known, all found in North Wiltshire.

Archive & Library

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic the conserved letter book of 246 antiquarian letters written to William Cunnington 1 from fellow antiquarians discussing archaeological discoveries was eventually returned to the Museum in September. The letters are now stored within protective sleeves within bespoke archival binders. They have also been digitised and in the future they will be made available online. It is still hoped that in the future new high security display cases will be purchased for the Long Room so that these letters can be displayed for the first time.

Lisa Brown, Jane Schön and David Dawson

TRAINING

The Collections Officer: Archive & Library undertook a number of online courses: Novice to Know-how organised by The National Archives and delivered by the Digital Preservation Coalition (DPC). The aim of the course was to give a broad introduction to digital preservation issues and address some ways to tackle them; and two Museum Skills Essentials sessions organised and delivered by the South West Museum Development team: Working with Volunteers in a New Normal and Decolonising Collections, Exhibitions and Displays .

Hilmarton Pewter: before (above) and after (left) Conservation. Cunnington letters, before, during and after conservation.

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Organises lectures, conferences and visits to disseminate greater knowledge and appreciation of our heritage, to both the Society’s members and wider audience.

ACTIVITIES, EVENTS, CONFERENCES, LECTURES AND OUTINGS

The number of events held at the Museum during the year were reduced due to the pandemic, but with a move to online lectures - details below - we were able to develop an online audience.

Thank you to our speakers and walk leaders for their contributions to the Society as most do not charge a fee or claim expenses. We would also like to thank everyone who helps with organising and running our events and activities.

With the Museum in lockdown from 17 March 2020 all events had to be cancelled, including Easter Holiday and Curious Kids activities, lectures, the Wiltshire Archaeology Conference and outings. With the lockdown of unknown duration and most staff on fulltime furlough, no plans could be made to rearrange the events. All ticket holders were contacted and very few sought a refund, the majority prepared to wait until events could be rearranged.

As the year wore on and Covid-restrictions were introduced following the first lockdown our event offering was adjusted - lectures were moved online and numbers restricted attending events at the Museum. A few outings took place in the summer and autumn - and it was frustrating that after a lengthy period of good weather persistent rain caused some to be rearranged!

The lecture programme moved completely online, using the Zoom conference platform (Zoom webinar). Trialled with lectures in May to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the ending of World War II. By October, and just before the second lockdown, we had all got used to the technology - with a little trial and error (!) - and the first of the postponed lectures was held. The Archaeology Conference, postponed from March 2020, took place online over three weeks.

For the remainder of the winter, and during lockdown three online lectures continued, held on a weekday evening rather than the traditional Saturday afternoon. Q&A sessions were introduced, primarily for WANHS members (and free of charge).

Online lectures have many advantages - attracting speakers who would not be able to visit Devizes on a Saturday afternoon; attendees could view from across the globe; and more people can view online than can be accommodated in the Lecture Hall.

Lectures were also arranged in conjunction with other organisations, including the Dorset Natural History and Archaeology Society. Online talks can also be recorded easily and made available, a few weeks after the live event, via a ‘talks -catchup’ page on our website.

The online talks have received many positive comments and requests to keep them going and will, therefore continue during 2021/22.

Finally, we would like to record our thank you to all the speakers for giving of their time to present these lectures and to all the viewers for attending, and their patience when the technology let us down.

March 2021

Buzzkill: The Victorians and the Vibrator , by Dr Kate Lister

Story of Devizes Q&A : John Girvan

Building a new chronology for the Mount Pleasant megahenge : Susan Greaney

February 2021

Death is Not The End: Curation of the Dead In Bronze Age Britain: Tom Booth

Latest archaeological news and research about Stonehenge – Q & A session: Mike Pitts, Katy Whitaker, Matt Leivers and David Dawson

What Goes Around Comes Around: Wiltshire, from Stone Circles to Corn Circles : Tom Holland

T he prehistoric chalkland landscape of Stonehenge, Avebury and Dorchester – tearing up the textbooks and starting again : Dr Mike Allen.

January 2021

Prehistory in History : Dr Francis Young Geochemical fingerprinting the Sarsen stones at Stonehenge : David Nash

December 2020

The Forgotten Country House: The Rise and Fall of Roundway Park : Simon Baynes. The Inaugural Lorna Haycock Memorial Lecture

Stonehenge: new light on its origins: Mike Parker Pearson

November 2021

Archaeology in Wiltshire Conference :

Overpaid, oversexed, and under Aldbourne? Digging D-Day’s ‘Band of Brothers’ : Richard Osgood

Ludgershall Castle – recent archaeological investigations : Ray Kennedy

Hidden Elements: Folk Art and Protection Marks within the Lacock Barns : Tony Hack

Recent work on the Roman ritual complex at Teffont, Wiltshire: David Roberts

A Stourhead Notebook: David Dawson

What’s around the town? Results of initial geophysical exploration of the environs of Roman Verlucio : Andy Payne

New work on old rocks: recent fieldwork in the sarsen fields of Wiltshire : Katy Whitaker Recent Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds : Wil Partridge Ogbourne St Andrew Barrow – 3D Geophysics: Bruce Fox

A survey of recent archaeological discoveries in Wiltshire and Swindon: Melanie Pomeroy-Kellinger A Wealth of Knowledge: Unlocking a Decade of Archaeological Research: Lisa Brown

October 2020

Devizes Castle – Norman Stronghold to Victorian Folly: David Dawson.

May 2020

The Lacock Cup: a Medieval silver master-piece from St Cyriac’s Church : David Dawson

WW2 in Devizes: A Day in the Life of a German Prisoner of War in Devizes: David Dawson

Romans in Calne: The ‘Fates’ Sculpture : David Dawson WW2 and Devizes: The Home Front : David Dawson

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY: MEMBERSHIP

Members are very important to the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society and in addition to free entry to our award-winning Museum and special exhibitions, they receive other benefits:

There are a variety of subscription and payment options available, including monthly payments.

There were 62 new (or re-joining) memberships in the year (84 members); 44 (52) in 2019/2020.

NEW MEMBERS 2020/21

Ms L Abrahams ,Dubbo Ms G Allerton, Cirencester Mr N & Mrs J Amor, Croydon Ms V Amos, Bristol Mr A Barclaey & Ms P Bradley, Salisbury Mr D & Mrs J Bardwell, Royal Wootton Bassett Mr A Barrass-Haswell, Swindon Mr C Beer, Bath Ms H & Ms C & Mr N Berry, Melksham Ms S J Botfield, Peterborough Mr J & Mrs S Bowerman, Poole Mr S A C Boydell, Corsham Mr J Brace, Swansea Mrs J & Mr Bristow, Gosport Mr C & Mrs G Clark, Croydon Ms S Cooper, Salisbury Mr B Corbett Higgins & Mr Z Perry, Southampton Mrs S & Mr N Crean, Marlborough Mr D Cross, Southsea Mr R Davis & Mrs F Altinoluk-Davis, Chippenham Mrs B L Dixon, Chippenham Mr S Dunn, Salisbury Mr S East & Ms S Jackson, Pewsey Mr P Edwards, Devizes Dr R Fletcher, Trowbridge Ms C Gale, Pewsey Mr P & Mrs L Gallop, Calne Ms L R S Genevieve, Acharacle Ms E George, Salisbury Dr M Greenhall & Prof S Hackett, Calne Ms V Groke & & Mr W Rollason, Uxbridge Ms B Helps, Pewsey Mr R Henry, Salisbury Mr R A & Mrs S Hoyle, Melksham Mr M Leivers, Southampton Ms E Lupprian & Mr S Barkham Shaftesbury Mr S Marshall & Mrs K Kalina, Shepton Mallet Mr B & Mrs M Micklam, Bradford On Avon Ms S Miles, Brackley Mrs & Mr J A L Morelli, Devizes Mr J Noble, Devizes Mr C & Mrs V O’Brien, Marlborough Mr R F Olding, Abergavenny

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: at 1 January 2021 (retained at 2020 rate) Bronze: Individual - £44.00 Joint/Family - £56.50 Student - £20.00 Member Organisation - £51.00 Amber Donor - £69.00 Gold Donor - £129.00 Corporate membership - £100 and £450 Jadeite - £250 Life (over 50) - £750 Life (under 50) - £1,000 Subscriptions run for 12 months from the first day of the month of joining.

Student membership is open to individuals enrolled on a full-time accredited course of study, or on a part-time course of higher education leading to a recognised qualification in the areas of the Society’s interests.

Mr N & Mrs K Penny, Salisbury Mr A Platts, Sturminster Newton Ms G Pope, Salisbury Mr A Rees & Dr S Shelburne, Marlborough Mr A Rice, Twyford Mr S Roberts, Trowbridge Mr A Rumsey, Marlborough Ms H Sebire, Salisbury Mr W Sibley, Bath Mr W Smith, Bath Mr R Speight, Westbury Mr O Turney, Swindon Mr E Tyler, Glastonbury Ms B Vivian-Crowder, Chippenham Mr R Ward, London Mr J Webb, Shaftesbury Ms J Wexler, London Ms L Williams, Waterlooville Ms J Wright, Devizes

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Promotes, encourages and undertakes research and publishes newsletters, an annual magazine, reports, periodicals, books and other literature which are relevant to its activities.

Research: Archaeology Collections

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there were no research visits to the Museum. However, with the launch of the Wealth of Knowledge project in April 2020, it has been a busy year reviewing the research that has been undertaken on the archaeology collections over the past decade.

A Wealth of Knowledge: Unlocking a Decade of Archaeological Research

The Museum was awarded £47,000 in 2019 from Arts Council England’s Designation Development Fund for a project to review the results of the last ten years of research into the nationally important archaeological collections of the Wiltshire Museum and Salisbury Museum. The collections were accessed by some 200 academic researchers, building up a backlog of research results to be included in the museums’ records.

The project will update the Museum’s collections management system (MODES) records to include the latest research and to create ‘enhanced’ records. This will form the basis of an online publicly accessible database bringing together the collections of the Wessex Museums Partnership. We are also reviewing how the collections have been used, identifying underresearched sections, and developing priorities for future research, based on ideas and feedback from specialist researcher-led seminars. The final aim of the project is to ensure that future archaeological research can be incorporated into museum records with minimal curatorial time.

The disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic delayed the researcher seminars; however, the first of these has now been hosted, with more to follow. These seminars will keep museum staff up-to-date on current research priorities, as well as helping to identify new ways in which the collections can be utilised by researchers. We will promote those areas of the collections which are currently under-utilised to those who will undertake or supervise new research.

The project has identified 590 objects accessed 688 times, resulting in 781 records being updated. New high-quality photographs have been added, including those taken by David Bukach for the 250 objects featured in Woodward & Hunter’s Early Bronze Age Grave Goods . In addition to adding substantial detail to these database records, the information on how these objects are used allows us to build a profile of current research into the collections, and revealing future areas of research.

The results show that the Museum’s Early Bronze Age collections are accessed most often, largely due to ongoing interest in the richly furnished barrow graves of the region. This was to be expected, but it has also been possible to identify, for instance, that whilst similar numbers of Neolithic and Early Bronze Age human remains have been accessed, in the case of the

former this has been by far fewer researchers who employed more traditional methodologies. Speaking generally, so far it is possible to say that the interest generated by Late Bronze Age/ Early Iron Age sites such as the midden at Potterne has previously been underestimated, whilst the research interest in the Neolithic period has perhaps been overestimated. The Medieval, Roman, and pre-Neolithic collections would all also greatly benefit from increased attention. These are all insights that will be vital in guiding the Museum’s future research priorities.

Looking ahead, the Museum has been engaging with the Arts & Humanities Research Council, Towards a National Collection programme. This aims to bring together museum data at a national level and may provide a mechanism to get enhanced collections records and data online. We are one of eight organisations selected to take part in the Making it FAIR project , led by the Archaeology Data Service with Collections Trust and Culture24. Free training, mentoring and technical support will help us develop digital collections-focussed content, to stay connected with existing audiences and reach new ones.

Lisa Brown, Wil Partridge, David Dawson

Research: Archive & Library

The last researcher visited the Archive & Library in mid-March 2020. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic restrictions it was not possible to reopen during the year and visiting researcher requests were put on hold.

Between lockdowns and furlough a small number of enquiries were dealt with, including scanning documents and photographs. Research topics included the English Civil War, Moonrakers, Cerne Abbas Giant, Stanley Abbey, strip lynchets, Wedgwood, Westbury Manor, the villages of Imber, East Kennett and Enford, as well as numerous family history requests including the Ludlow family of HillDeverill, the McEvoy family of Aldbourne and the Mogg family of Upton Lovell.

Peter Lankester was provided with scans and images for new interpretation display boards and banners at Imber Church, about village life in Imber life during the 19th and 20th century.

Jane Sch ö n

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Publications and Social Media

Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine (WANHM)

Our annual magazine continues to be the journal for reports on archaeological discoveries in Wiltshire. It is sent to members every year and is available to non-members for a modest charge.

The 2020 volume (no. 113) contained articles on the natural history, archaeology and local history of the county. Subjects included ‘No provenance is better than wrong provenance’: Milford Haven and the Stonehenge sandstones; Pit digging and lifeways in Neolithic Wiltshire; Neolithic Pits and Middle Iron Age Settlement at Salisbury Road, Marlborough; An Early Bronze Age ‘log burial’ and other features along the Bulford to Tidworth cable trench, Defence Training Estate Salisbury Plain, 2017; An unusual Late Bronze Age palisaded site and settlement on land north of Bitham Park, Westbury, Wiltshire; Excavation of an Early Roman Settlement at Lay Wood, Devizes, Wiltshire, 2016; A controlled metal-detecting survey: Revising the Roman numismatic perspective of Sorviodunum; The Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Petersfinger, near Salisbury: an additional grave and associated settlement; Evidence for the Outer Defences of Devizes Castle at The Beeches, Castle Road, Devizes; Salisbury’s Black Friars; The Development of a walled garden in Wiltshire, an exemplar from a ‘Gentleman’s estate’; Bureau West Devizes, Wiltshire: An Early Component of the British Computer Landscape. .

The volume also contains reviews and notes of excavations and fieldwork. The volume was edited and indexed by Dr Stuart Brookes, with editorial assistance from Peter Saunders. Peter also coordinated the publication for the Society. Thanks are due to all of those involved in producing such a well-respected journal and especially to the many authors for their contributions.

Trilithon

This newsletter is produced regularly throughout the year and distributed to all Society members and via the Museum shop. The publication is a mixture of articles, items of interest and news about current and forthcoming activities and events. It was not possible to produce as many editions as usual during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Engaging audiences online

In addition to our printed publications, we use our monthly e-newsletter and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) to engage and develop with our audience. Social media is a great way to publicise upcoming events and news at the Museum and is an opportunity to reach new audiences and share more details about our collections in a more timely and immediate way. It also means we can engage with an audience that is unable to physically access the Museum or collections.

Non-furloughed staff were able to continue with e-newsletters and other communications, including adding content to the website, particularly during Lockdowns.

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Provides activities for young people to enable them to appreciate and develop their understanding of the local environment and its history (including school visits to the Museum and workshops at schools). Engages with local community groups to offer arts, culture and heritage activities for all generations.

LEARNING, OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

This year has certainly been very unusual for Museum learning with little chance to work with schools and families in person. Under such challenging circumstances we had to think of new ways of keeping in touch with our audiences and delivering our educational services.

I worked with a handful of groups in the school setting, but most sessions to schools have taken place virtually. This is something that took a little time to get used to, but it is something that quickly become the norm for school children.

Most of the virtual workshops were linked to the Stone Age and prehistoric sites in Wiltshire, with local schools borrowing artefacts to accompany their sessions to make them more interactive. A particularly positive outcome of offering virtual sessions is that I could reach schools that would not would not normally be possible, delivering sessions to classes as far away as Slough and Skegness. As a result of this success, we aim to continue and develop this offer for schools outside Wiltshire in the future.

The sessions delivered in schools were all Reception and Year 1 classes, illustrating how important hands-on activities and first-hand experiences are for this age group. The children were so excited to have a visitor in their school and to explore and play with the objects. They reacted well to the adjustments that had to be made to ensure the sessions were safe.

Our only family sessions at the Museum this year were during the October Half Term to accompany the Out of Egypt Exhibition. These were run for small groups but as expected were popular and very well received.

As our work with families has been limited, we added activities to our website, for families to do at home, so as not to lose touch completely. We also ran virtual sessions for community groups and our under-fives ‘Curious Kids’ club. We hope to be able to resume running holiday activities during the 2021 Spring Half Term and summer holidays, to start welcoming groups back and restarting our Museum club, as soon as possible.

We are hoping that next year we will be able to implement a blended learning model for schools and community groups. We look forward to welcoming groups back into the Museum, but still offering virtual sessions and online resources as part of our learning offer, particularly for those who may not physically be able to visit or may not yet feel comfortable doing so. With an exciting exhibition programme planned in the coming year, we will be hosting a variety of linked community projects and events and cannot wait to see our museum galleries bustling with families and school groups once again.

Ali Rushent

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COMMUNITY CURATOR

The Community Curator was not furloughed during the Covid-19 pandemic and moved most of her activities online.

# Museum Connect

We brought a little bit of the Museum to their sessions, as they learnt about the Donald Grosse Herbarium, took part in plant identification quizzes and quick draw art activities. The groups also watched the Wildlife in the Red Museum Connect video – with artist James Aldridge - and created their own Biodiversity Journals.

During Lockdown-1 I learnt how to make and edit videos, creating a range of video resources from reminiscence to kids craft.

From this experience a video pilot project - Museum Connect - for engaging new audiences was developed. We engaged five local artists to create six films, inspired by our collections and aimed at inspiring creativity at home. The videos were aimed at a family (the first three listed below) or adult audience spending more time at home, shielding, or living in a care setting:

The results of these workshops are on the Museum website, together with content from the young artists on their experiences of recording the natural world around them.

“I never noticed the variety of trees there were, until now”

“We did a really long walk … I might do this walk more often now”

“I don’t usually focus in silence. I paid more attention”

The Image

The Image, a project funded by Tidworth Area Board and the Wiltshire PCC, works in partnership with Wiltshire Youth Offending Team (YOT). A pilot project was designed to support and nurture young people by teaching them skills and enabling them to explore their relationship with their home town by documenting it in photographs.

The Museum Connect items will remain as a resource on the Wiltshire Museum website. The videos also supported six digital workshops for local community groups and have been re-used to maintain relationships with our communities and audiences through the subsequent lockdowns.

Sadly just four sessions into the planned 11 sessions lockdown began. However the sessions recommenced in October 2020 with the support of the participant’s school, The Wellington Academy.

We plan to continue working closely with several of the artists in 2021, including “Create and Collect – Communities and The Climate Emergency” with James Aldridge – our first youth-led contemporary collecting project.

The focus of the project shifted to enable the young people to explore their feelings around and experiences of the pandemic. It was hoped to exhibit at the school in the 2021 summer term, with a view to bringing elements of it to the Museum later in the year.

Curious Kids – Digital

Prior to the first lockdown in March 2020 our new under 5’s offer, Curious Kids , was regularly attracting 10 to 12 families for singing, stories and making connections to our collections and exhibitions. We stayed in touch with these audiences with video resources and in October 2020 began using Zoom digitally engage with families. The sessions were slightly shorter, culminating in a show and tell and an actions song - with everyone on mute!

Sarah Gregson

Wildlife in the Red Digital

The Wessex Museums digital exhibition, Wildlife in the Red, was the inspiration for online workshops offered to local uniformed groups, including 4th Devizes Guide & Rangers and 6th Devizes Cubs and Scouts, who met regularly between November 2020 and February 2021.

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Provides opportunities for volunteers, without whom the Society could not offer the scale and variety of activities.

Volunteers

This year saw a large disruption to the Museum’s normal volunteering programme. However, our wonderful team remained as dedicated and connected as could be, given the circumstances. Whilst we did not have the same level of activity in the building, our volunteers kept engaged through digital volunteering, Zoom coffee mornings, emails, and phone calls.

With the building closed for the majority of the year, the only volunteering to take place on site was our enthusiastic team of gardeners, who were able to keep the garden looking sprightly between June and October. In the autumn, our Front of House team were just starting refresher training when the Museum closed for the second lockdown. Members of the team gave their time to help run a weekly market stall in the Devizes Shambles between October and December.

Whilst physical volunteering was severely restricted, our digital volunteering programme was able to expand, although not as much as we would’ve liked due to staff being furloughed. However, seven new digital volunteers were welcomed and they, alongside our existing team, have been researching and writing ‘Collections Highlights’ for our website, creating social media posts, and producing blogs. Two new projects are also underway: one focuses on researching slavery links in the collection, the other, undertaken by a Bath Spa placement student working with Wessex Museums, centres upon developing a new partnership website for museums across Wiltshire.

One of the positives throughout our year in lockdown were the ‘Zoom’ volunteer coffee mornings. Started as a weekly catchup in April 2020 with volunteers they have continued throughout the year and have now become a regular staple. For staff these meetings were a real beacon of positivity in a difficult time. The coffee mornings contained quizzes, show & tells, gardening tips, local history discussions, and a wealth of smiles and laughter. Contact was maintained with those unable to join online, via phone, email, and regular newsletters.

“Thank you to everyone for organising these online meetings. I has been something I look forward to each week”

We hope next year will bring a chance to reunite with our wonderful team. The focus will be on supporting volunteers in returning to the Museum, helping to build confidence, and re-training. We will also be recruiting new volunteers to assist in the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition, opening in September.

Our volunteers are integral to the success of the Museum and will be even more vital as we restart day-to-day operations. Volunteers welcome and engage with visitors, look after researchers in our Library and Archive, assist with school groups and family activity days, help with maintenance and decorating, gardening, administration, mailings and events.

“It is so uplifting to see all the cheery faces at a pretty gloomy time.”

A team of 21 Library volunteers catalogue the Archive and Library collections, adding to the online catalogue and scanning the photograph collection. Although halted by the Coronavirus pandemic many continued to undertake their own research whilst at home and answer the occasional enquiry. Just before lockdown one several volunteers researched Wiltshire Female Authors and created an exhibition in the Long Room, which greeted returning visitors when the Museum reopened in July.

The volunteer team answer enquiries and assist with visiting researchers and their requests. We could not provide the service we deliver without our excellent team of volunteers and hopefully we can continue to do this again when we reopen.

Trustees of WANHS are also volunteers and we thank them for the time and expertise they continue to dedicate to the Museum.

We are extremely grateful to work alongside such a knowledgeable, hardworking and committed voluntary team. We wish to express our gratitude to every individual who has donated their time and work to supporting the Museum.

Nicola Trowell and Jane Schön

Image: The ‘best virtual background’ competition, volunteer coffee morning held via Zoom, February 2021

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Thank you to our volunteers:

Mr Thomas Bancroft Mr Jeff Goatman Mrs Laura Barker Mrs Jill Goatman Mrs Karen Bate Miss Beth Green Mr John Baumber Mr A Hack Ms Sharon Benfield Mrs Sandy Haynes Mrs Wendy Bishop Ms Netta Hemmins Mrs Astrid Bleich Mr Tony Hinchliffe Mr Mike Borro Miss Bethany Hocking Mrs Catherine Brown Mr Malcolm Holland Mrs Jane Brunning Mr David Hughes Ms Jan Bryant Mr Jonathon Hurwitt Mrs Judith Caldwell Mrs Shelagh Hurwitt Mrs Doreen Came Mrs Carole Jones Mr Cameron Chamberlain Mr Tony Jones Lt Col Colvin Chamberlain Mrs Mary Kane Mrs Janice Chapman Dr James Kay Ms Alison Christy Mr Dallas Kendall Mr Robert Clarke Mrs Ann King Mrs Margaret R Clarke Mrs Wendy Lansdown Mrs Nicky Clarke Miss Tabitha Lawrence Ms Clare Conybeare Mr Graham Lever Ms Sandy Corbyn Mrs Jane Lever Mr Michael Cornwell Mrs Marlene Lewis Mrs Jean Covington Mr Ralph Lewis Mr John Coxhead Ms Stella Maddock Mr John Cullimore Mr Robert McGrane Mrs Jan Dando Mr Mike McQueen Miss Lauren Doherty Mr Peter Melsom Mrs Catherine Dawson Miss Sasha Minnis Ms Tracey Delamere Mr Joseph Moore Mr Paul Draper Ms Philippa Morgan Mr Philip Edwards Mrs Sara Morgan Ms Lynne Farrow Mr Tony Morton Ms Pauline Ferguson Miss Tessa Nightingale Mr Michael Fletcher Mr Philip Nokes Dr James Flood Mr Kieran O’Donnell Mrs Sue Flood Miss E A Paddon Ms Heather Flower Mrs Dilys Peacock Mrs Isobel Geddes Mr Bill Perry Mr Aidan Gibbons Ms Caroline Power Mr John Girvan Mrs Sally Price Mrs Penny Price Jones

Mrs Angela Prophet Mr Stuart Raymond Mr Martin Rea Miss Emily Rees Ms Mary Rennie Ms Laura Richards Mrs Dorothy Robertson Mrs Diane Robinson Mrs Doris Roddham Mrs Sue Roderick Mr David Rolls Mrs Pamela Rolls Mr Doug Roseaman Mrs Judith Roseaman Mrs Marion Rowland Mr Rick Rowland Mr Jonathan Sanigar Mr Ethan Sault Mr Peter Saunders Mrs Anne Smith Mr Mike Smith Mr Peter Smith Mr Mike Stewart Mr Mike Stone Mr Michael Teale Mrs Sue Teale Mr Colin Thomas Mr Alistair Thomson Ms Judith Thomson Mr Peter Tolhurst Miss Lola Tovey Mrs Judith Triggs Miss Merryn Truscott-Davies Mr Oliver Turney Mrs Dawn Vernon Mrs Jean Volpi Mr John Watts Mrs Wendy Weller Mr David Weston Mrs Anne Willis Mr Jamie Wright

In Memoriam: Dr Walter Chisholm-Batten (1923-2020)

We were sorry to hear that our Library volunteer, Walter Chisholm-Batten, died shortly before Christmas 2020. Walter, who was a retired GP, much enjoyed his days at the Museum. He was not a computer user but was happy to settle into a routine of summarising the contents of our 19th century Wiltshire tracts onto proformae record sheets for others to enter onto our Modes database. He much enjoyed his days in the Library, so much that when he had to give up driving he paid for a taxi for the journey to and fro from Marlborough where he lived. We shall miss his company, but are grateful for the many records on the Library catalogue which are based on his meticulous summaries.

Whilst working Walter often talked about his family, his medical career, his school days in Marlborough and how he found people fascinating. But the memory I remember most is the notable archaeologist Harold St George Gray and his wife collecting Walter and his friends from school at Marlborough to go and dig at the Somerset Lake Villages and Harold telling Walter he should become a doctor and not an archaeologist! We never did find out what Walter found during those digs…..

Bill Perry & Jane Schön

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Operates an archaeological field group which encourages members to become involved actively in the current archaeological scene in the county.

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGY FIELD GROUP

The Wiltshire Archaeology Field Group (WAFG) is a community archaeology group, working to professional standards. It carries out excavations and fieldwork in Wiltshire including geophysical survey, ground survey and field-walking. Anyone can get involved in research projects, ranging from prehistoric sites to 20th century archaeology. Members have organised practical training sessions on topics including basic excavation and identifying pottery. There have been a number of social events, which include talks on a variety of recent discoveries and new finds.

Membership is open to members of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. Regular reports appear in our Trilithon newsletter, and on the WAFG Facebook page.

The past year has seen AFG activities come to an almost complete standstill due to Covid-19. In between lockdowns we have, however, undertaken some geophysical surveys that continued our support of the Bremhill/Foxham history project. Resistivity and magnetometry surveys were carried out the grounds of both Cadenham Manor, Foxham and Bremhill Manor, to look for possible early medieval features and attempt to ascertain the location of the medieval manor houses that predate the current buildings at both sites. This successfully identified some intriguing archaeological features and it is hoped this will lead to an opportunity to excavate some exploratory test-pits later this year, depending on permissions and any ongoing restrictions obviously.

It is also our clear intention to resume the Post-Excavation processing of the Rodbourne Bottom medieval grange site excavated by the AFG a few years ago. This exercise had only just got underway before lockdown forced a halt to proceedings and there remains a lot to do as the site yielded a large volume of interesting material, including 230 Special Finds which require additional cataloguing to make them ready for archiving into the museum collections.

It is unfortunately still too early to consider dates for the above or commit to other potential activities. We are however very much looking forward to the time when the AFG and our team of excellent volunteers can get back out in the field to continue our long-standing track record of archaeological research!

Mike McQueen and Ali Thompson

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Committees and Working Groups follow up on specific issues

We are always looking for more people to be involved in our work, a great way to meet people and to develop skills and experience.

A303 Working Group

In July 2020, the Government announced an additional consultation, following the announcement of the discovery of a Neolithic pit structure associated with Durrington Walls by the Stonehenge Hidden Landscapes Project. The Committee drafted a response to this additional consultation, which was agreed by the Board and submitted to the Government. In November, the Government announced that the Minister had agreed the A303 tunnel proposal, even though the recommendation from the Planning Inspectorate was that approval should be refused. Subsequently an application for Judicial Review was agreed. These developments were monitored by the Committee and reported to the Board.

David Dawson, Director

Buildings and Monuments

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions it was decided in March 2020 that the work of the committee would take place by email discussion. Each member of the Committee reviewed applications for a designated area of the County and presented to the other members (by email) their deliberations on any relevant Planning Application. Email exchange discussion then resulted in a response being made to the Local Planning department. No minutes were issued during the year as it was considered that the record of the responses made (copied to the Director and Secretary) formed a sufficient record of the committee activities and decisions.

Finance Committee

This committee ensures that the assets of the Society are managed in compliance with the various rules and guidelines pertinent to the WANHS status as a registered charity and limited liability company, and promulgates appropriate policies and procedures.

The routine and day-to-day monitoring and management of approved budgets is delegated to the Review & Development Committee. The Finance Committee meet when events demand it.

Rathbone Investment Management provided regular reports on the investment situation throughout the pandemic.

Industrial Archaeology

The committee continues to act as a focus for IA matters in the County and liaises with other interested bodies. Apart from individual research projects the Committee’s main focus this year has been to assist in bringing to publication the late David Pollard’s definitive work Digging Bath stone – a quarry and transport history which will be published in 2021 by Lightmoor Press. David was a member of the committee and Bath stone quarry owner and operator.

The 2020 IA Conference was postponed to 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Doug Roseaman, Committee Secretary

This has meant every LBC, WHS or heritage application had some form of review and 89 (last year 49) responses were made to either Swindon or the Wiltshire Council Planning departments. In 76% of cases our comments were actively recognised and either additional information sought from the applicant, conditions set or the application rejected.

The Committee welcomed new members during the year and their resilience and support during this difficult year has been very much appreciated.

The work of the committee continues to guide Wiltshire Councils’ decisions in protecting the heritage of the County, encouraging the continued use and survival of scheduled structures. It is our continued objective to ensure that any developments within the County do not adversely affect our listed buildings, scheduled monuments and archaeological landscapes of Wiltshire.

John Baumber, Chairman

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

DEVELOPMENT

WORKING WITH PARTNERS (organisations)

Wessex Museums and De-Colonising Collections

Collections staff from across the Wessex Museums Partnership are evolving a new aspect of their work in line with a national movement towards ‘Decolonising Collections’.

Museums Association Statement on Decolonisation

[…] Decolonisation is not simply the relocation of a statue or an object; it is a long-term process that seeks to recognise the integral role of empire in British museums – from their creation to the present

day. Decolonisation requires a reappraisal of our institutions and their history and an effort to address colonial structures and approaches to all areas of museum work.

This work has already started. Over the past decades museums have begun to recognise the trauma and suffering caused by the display and representation of objects that were obtained during or made as a result of the British Empire.

This vital work allows museums to provide additional information and context to the items they hold; to enter into meaningful dialogue with source communities and those in the diaspora relevant to these collections; and, in some cases, to explore options for restitution. Museums have also recognised the need for structural change, through a more diverse workforce and leadership. While some progress has been made on this front, there is still much to do [….]

Like many other heritage organisations across the county, the Museum has items in the collections that fit the Decolonisation criteria, and for Devizes in particular, this includes material associated with the Anstie tobacco factory, where there are links with the slave trade. There is work to do, reinterpreting and redisplaying this material in the Story of Devizes Gallery to create a more meaningful narrative to share with our audiences. The Museum has started to make links with groups in the community who can support this reinterpretation plan. These include the Devizes branch of Black Lives Matter, as well as a group of young people from Urchfont, who are recording the voices of those who have experienced rural racism. We are also making connections with a Devizes multi-faith group and the Wiltshire Race Equality Council. To facilitate this work and to ensure that it is undertaken properly, Wessex Museums is putting together a support package that can be built into both the Collections and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plans. Museums staff who work with collections have also been attending various online webinars and workshops, including Decolonising Collections, Exhibitions and Displays , hosted by the South West Museums Development programme in March 2021.

Wessex Museums Partnership

The Wessex Museums Partnership brings together Dorset County Museum, Poole Museum, Salsibury Museum and the Wiltshire Museum. During the year the Wessex Museums Partnership progressed delivering the four year, Arts Council supported National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), project to improve collections care, enhance the exhibitions programme and work with new audiences. The Community Curator for Wiltshire, a shared post with Salisbury Museum, is developing links with community groups across the County.

The Partnership is supported by the Wessex Museums Trust, a charity that aims to support museums in Wiltshire and Dorset. The Trust fundraises to enable the delivery of projects that the individual museums are not able to undertake on their own and take a more active role in the management of the NPO. The Society is represented on the Board by the Director.

The focus during the year has been on how the Partnership could continue to support the Museum, particularly through the ‘Wildlife in the Red’ virtual exhibition and events programme. The Arts Council has been very supportive, extending the NPO programme for an additional year, giving valuable breathing space. The Trustees have also been deciding on options to transfer the responsibility for the ACE-funded programme from Poole Borough Council to the Wessex Museums Trust.

Stonehenge Museums Partnership

We have kept in regular contact during the year, developing joint marketing where this has been possible.

Lisa Brown and David Dawson

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DEVELOPMENT , Cont’d...

Wessex Museums and Contemporary Collecting

The Wessex Museums Partnership Contemporary Collecting Strategy and Action Plan (2020-25) were both approved in January 2020.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the Action Plan has been updated to include collecting material under the theme ‘Society and Health’. A small amount of material has already been added to the collections, including a bottle of Ramsbury Alcohol Hand Sanitiser, manufactured by the Ramsbury Brewing & Distilling Company, Aldbourne, and two plastic face visors made on a 3D printer at Market Lavington School, as part of the, Shield Wiltshire Covid Response Project.

Throughout lockdown, the Archive & Library volunteers have also been collecting material relating to Covid-19, with a specific focus on how the virus has impacted our rural communities.

The Museum is also supporting a Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living (CIL) Project, Tales from the Town . A co-produced project exploring the individual experiences of people from Devizes during lockdown, with an emphasis on hearing from those who’s stories often go unheard.

The aim is to build on the kindness, neighbourliness, and community support shown in the town throughout these difficult times to create a mutually supportive recovery into not just a “new normal” but a better normal, where everyone feels welcome. The outcomes of the project will include a digital archive, with oral history recordings and photographs, which will eventually be archived at the Museum.

Archaeology Archives and Amesbury Store

The commissioning of a store in Amesbury, to accept the eight-year backlog of archaeological archives awaiting deposition, was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Work to progress the project would continue once the Curator and colleagues working in the post-excavation side of contractual archaeology returned from furlough. Installation of a mezzanine floor and roller racking would be undertaken first and once the space was prepared, the boxes for deposition would arrive in batches, which would ensure the items could be accessioned on to MODES (the museum’s documentation system). The first and largest batch of archives - comprising some 750 boxes from Wessex Archaeology - will take two to three months to document.

Box fees would be charged after the transfer of title has been agreed with the landowner and contractor archaeology unit and the archives are deposited in the museum store. A small batch of paper archives, where the fieldwork yielded no finds, have already been transferred to the new store.

In March 2021, the Museum attended an online workshop delivered by the Archaeology Data Service, for the roll-out of the new Online Access to the Index of Investigations OASIS V.

OASIS is an online reporting system enabling archaeological and heritage practitioners to provide information about their investigations to regional Historic Environment Records and respective heritage organisations, including museums. The learning outcomes were to explain how OASIS can assist with communicating the archiving process; highlight the value of using OASIS as a coordinated, central system to record grey literature and archives; and describe how OASIS can assist with the archive deposition process.

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Devizes Assize Court

In June 2020, the Devizes Assize Court Trust (DACT) appointed Purcell as architects to take forward plans to restore the building as a community hub and as the new home of the Wiltshire Museum. Work progressed swiftly on reviewing the detailed brief and developing plans for the building, led by Niall Phillips and Clare Phillips.

In September, during Heritage Open Days, a consultation was launched on the initial plans, with a socially distanced open-air exhibition at the rear of the building. Almost 150 people attended, giving useful feedback to the consultation, with over 200 people engaging online.

Imagemakers, an award-winning interpretive design consultancy, were commissioned by DACT to develop strategies for Interpretation and Audience Development, each essential to support funding applications. David Masters led on Interpretation and worked closely with Museum staff to identify key objects and stories from the collections and drew out how these might be developed with the building. The team also looked at how the space outside the building might be brought to life and how an impact can be made as people enter the building. Deborah Hodson led the work on Audience Development, preparing a series of consultation events, including a ‘World Café’ with stakeholders. A series of focus groups, run by Nicola Trowell and Sarah Gregson, involved more than 150 people, including youth and Alzheimers’ groups and the local SureStart Centre. Lockdown meant that all the events were held online, and were successful in obtaining results.

Now complete, these documents and plans provide the background needed for grant applications to make the project a reality. A key potential funder, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, was closed to new applications for much of the year, and announced new priorities in February 2021. A first Expression of interest was submitted in March, which although unsuccessful did receive positive feedback. A new Expression of Interest will be submitted which, if successful, will allow a Development Stage application to be submitted - the start of a long fundraising campaign. It is likely to be at least five years before the project is likely to be in a position where it can proceed.

Phil Harding and David Dawson outside the Assize Court, Devizes, September 2020

Strategic and Forward Plans

We are continuing to work towards achieving the objectives set out in the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan for the Society and Museum to continue to thrive as the Assize Court project proceeds.

A detailed Forward Plan had been agreed for 2020-2021, including mounting an ambitious exhibition programme, commissioning our new store and delivering a busy events programme. The COVID pandemic meant that little of the Plan could be delivered, with most actions postponed or cancelled.

The Forward Plan for 2021-2022 picks up the areas of activity planned for last year that could not be delivered and takes into account the uncertainty around re-opening the Museum and continuing restrictions. The key priority for the year is the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition, opening in September 2021 and featuring loans from national collections.

Wessex Museums Partnership

The Wessex Museums Partnership has developed a Business Plan for the 4 years of funding that meets Arts Council requirements. The Business Plan has been agreed by the WANHS Board and the Board receives minutes of all relevant meetings and is asked to agree an annual progress report and update to the Business Plan.

David Dawson

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

TRUSTEES’ FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

TRUSTEES’ FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Trustees (who are directors of the company for the purpose of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under the Law the Trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK Accounting Standards and applicable law). Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Society and the Income and expenditure for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees 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 2006. 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.

Internal risks are minimised by the establishment, documentation and regular review of a robust system of internal controls. Procedures have been implemented for the authorisation of all transactions and projects are costed initially and monitored on a regular basis.

The Board continued to employ Rathbone Brothers Plc to manage both the investment portfolio and the endowment fund with the primary objective to achieve a balanced return from income and capital at the low end of a medium level of risk.

The Society does not hold any indemnity insurance against any liability for negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust by a Trustee.

RISK ASSESSMENT

The risk assessments for all galleries are reviewed regularly and a risk assessment is made of all activities undertaken. On the financial side, a budget is prepared each year assessing the likely income receivable and costs of activities, which is monitored carefully and reported to the Trustees on a quarterly basis.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

The principal risks facing the Society include falls in the Stock Market which affect the investment portfolios, long-term staff or Trustee absence, inadequate staffing with dependence of a small team of full-time employees, physical risks to the collections or buildings from fire , theft or floods and reductions in grants from local authorities. The Trustees manage these risks by having an investment policy at the low end of medium risk with regular reviews from the investment managers, by having processes for trustee succession, by conducting reviews of staff availability and development and by regular reviews of security.

The Trustees consider, in line with the Charity Commission advice, that the Society should have unrestricted funds (i.e. designated funds plus unrestricted reserves) equivalent to at least one year’s core costs, that is some £300,000 to provide a measure of security; however, as the Society has become heavily dependent on its investments to provide ongoing but uncertain income for its operations, unrestricted funds have to be substantially greater than £300,000 to provide a measure of security since unrestricted funds are used to support the charitable activities of the Society where there is a deficiency of net income on core activities or to take account of new opportunities.

The Unrestricted Funds balance at 31 March 2021 was £728,632 (£695,868 at 31 March 2020).

The balance of Designated Funds (which are part of total unrestricted funds) was £430,535 at 31 March 2021 (£378,628 at 31 March 2020). The purpose of Designated Funds can be changed by the Board of Trustees. However, it must be borne in mind that the Designated Funds are and have been used to meet expenditure not charged to core activities such as the running costs of the Hopton Store, the Librarian’s salary and the depreciation charge on the Art Gallery and high security cases. Therefore, Designated Funds can only be utilised for other purposes if the expenditure they defray either ceases to exist or is charged to core activities.

Restricted Funds of £262,832 (£223,299 at 31 March 2020) must be used for a specific purpose. The capital of £407,444 (£348,744 at 31 March 2020) in the Endowment Fund is not distributable.

Included within the net book value of land and buildings of £301,471 is the land and buildings of the Museum. These assets are carried in the accounts at net book value of £114,540 (£114,540 at 31 March 2020). The net book value of this property is substantially smaller than its actual market value. There is provision in the Charity Accounting rules for tangible assets like the Museum land and buildings to be shown at market value in the accounts. However, the Trustees have decided that, for the moment, the property should be shown at net book value. This property is now used for the purposes of charitable activities but, if the Museum were to move, it may be available to generate funds to support the new opportunities.

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FINANCIAL REVIEW

The continuing impact of the COVID-19 crisis has affected the financial performance of the society and can be summarised as follows:

Reduced revenue through lower levels of activity or cancellation of planned events. However, the Society benefited from members and the public’s generosity through increased donations and legacies.

Additional costs associated with required mitigation.

Central government and Wiltshire Council grants specifically related to the COVID-19 crisis amounted to £101,861.

Performance of investments – following the initial shock the capital markets have recovered quite quickly and all the capital losses sustained in the previous accounting period have been recovered and are reflected in the carrying value of the Societies investments. In addition, investment income was significantly above trustee’s initial expectations.

Unrestricted reserves (i.e. Unrestricted Funds less Designated Funds) decreased in the year by a net £19,143. This was due to losses on operating activities of £68,196 being offset by gains on investments of £49,053.

The operating deficit of £68,196 was £30,149 lower than the adjusted budget, mainly due to income from unbudgeted grants that were received from Wiltshire Council and others. Other significant variances within this result were management’s decision to take additional income from the Sandell Trust (£20,625) and underspending across most expense areas due to the reduced level of activities. However, these positive variances were partially offset by a prior year VAT correction and current year adjustment (£24,653 in total) associated with the requirement to comply with the VAT cultural exemption rules.

Designated Funds increased during the year by £51,907 mainly because of investment income and gains.

The Society continues to receive support from Wiltshire Council with a grant of £11,880 in line with the previous year. This grant will be maintained at this level in 2021/22 but its continuation at this level or at all is not certain for future years. These funds are very valuable as they support core expenses. Specific project grants enable the Society to extend its work in ways it would be unable to undertake without such support and we are extremely grateful for all the grants we receive.

Restricted Funds increased by investment income and gains to £262,832.

Investment income from the Society’s main portfolio and from the Sandell Trust was £63,335 which was marginal down on the previous year (£1,487). A total of £20,000 was transferred out of the Society’s main investment portfolio to meet expenditure requirements. The overall return on investments on the combined main and endowment portfolios and including income and capital gains was 19.56% compared with a loss of -4.12% the previous year. This positive performance of the Societies investments reflects the rebound in the value of capital assets during the year. The overall income return before investment management expenses was 2.86% compared with 3.54% the previous year reflecting the increase value of the

assets against a relatively stable income stream.

The Society does not have a specific policy on social, environmental or ethical considerations. However, its investment managers have a corporate strategy that means that these are taken into account in all aspects of their business activities.

ENDOWMENT FUND

The Fund’s portfolio is managed at the low end of a medium risk mandate. The Endowment Fund balance has increased during the year by £58,449 driven by the gain on revaluation at 31 March 2021.

Under the terms of the Endowment Trust the capital is not available for distribution but must be invested to provide income for the Society at some future date to be decided by the Trustees. The Trustees have reserved the right to transfer income received by the Fund to unrestricted reserves from the year ended 31 March 2010. Net investment income of £8,564 after investment expenses of £3,583 was transferred to the unrestricted reserves during the year ended 31 March 2021.

COLLECTIONS TRUST

There are over 500,000 items in the Collections Trust of which 2,500 are displayed in the Museum. There are also some 30,000 items in the Archive and Library collections. Most of these items are assets which were acquired before 1 April 2005 and have no value placed on them in the accounts. These continue to be catalogued and conserved with some items on loan elsewhere as described on page 13. More recent items costing over £1,000 each and totalling £48,741 are included in the balance sheet at cost. During the year £2,655 was received in donations and legacies. These funds were used with existing cash balances to make acquisitions of £1,379 of items costing less than £1,000. These acquisitions are described on page 15 (for items in the Archive and Library) and page 14 for items in the main collections.

INCOMING RESOURCES AND LEGACIES RECEIVED

Incoming resources are allocated on the basis of the purposes for which they are raised, the income for designated and restricted funds being credited to the unrestricted fund and restricted funds respectively. The accounts include £262,832 for restricted funds and £407,444 for the Endowment Fund. These funds are not available to the Society for general use and must, therefore, be disregarded when assessing the Society’s financial position. During the year donations of £250 were received for the Endowment Fund.

FORWARD PLAN

Each year the Board approves a Forward Plan that contains objectives and targets for the year. The 2020/21 Forward Plan contained targets within the following categories: exhibitions and displays; collections; development; projects; Assize Court; learning and outreach; and governance and core activities. Within the context of management resources good progress was made in most of these areas - see page 33.

35

PARTNERSHIPS

For many years the Society has enjoyed a close relationship with the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum as demonstrated by the reciprocal arrangement for free entry to the museums for members of each organisation and co-operation on exhibitions. Although, by mutual consent, the Directors have ceased to be nominees on the other’s Board, good communication is maintained through the Wessex Museums Partnership. Supported by Arts Council England and led by Poole Museum Service, the partnership also includes Salisbury Museum and Dorset County Museum.

The support of Wiltshire Council in providing revenue grants to the Museum is gratefully acknowledged together with the contributions to the Board of their nominated Trustees. We are pleased to continue working in partnership with English Heritage and Salisbury Museum through the Stonehenge Museums Partnership.

The Board is aware that progress through partnership is the most effective pathway to success and will be pursuing every available opportunity to build strong partnerships.

AUDITORS

David Owen & Co. were re-appointed as auditors of the Company at the Annual General Meeting in October 2019 and have expressed their willingness to continue to act.

This report has been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and in accordance with the special provisions of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small entities.

The Trustees have taken all steps which they ought to have taken to be aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Society’s auditors are aware of that information. So far as the Trustees are aware there is no relevant audit information of which the Society’s auditors are unaware.

Approved by the Trustees on 30 September 2021,

and signed on their behalf by:

M J Nye Chair, on behalf of the Board of Trustees

36

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Constitution

Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Society) is a company limited by guarantee, registration number 3885649, governed by its Articles of Association and a charity, registration number 1080096. The latest Articles of Association were agreed by the members at the October 2015 Annual General Meeting. The Objects of the Society are detailed on the inner cover. The members of the Society are subscribing members; in the event of the Society being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member.

The Society is the corporate trustee of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Collections Trust, a linked charity, registration number 1080096. The Collections Trust holds all the heritage assets in its collections. The Society does not hold the endowment of the Collections Trust as corporate property.

The Society is also the corporate trustee of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Endowment Fund, a linked charity, registration number 1080096. Under the terms of the Charity Registration the accounts of the Fund are included in the Society’s accounts but as a separate charity its funds do not form part of the Society’s assets.

Directors and Trustees

The Directors of the charitable company (the Society) are its Trustees for the purpose of charitable law and throughout the report are referred to collectively as “the Trustees”.

The Society can have a maximum of 20 trustees. The Chair, Deputy Chair and Treasurer (the Officers) and nine Trustees are elected by the membership, with re-election after three years. Trustees, excluding the Officers, can serve a maximum of six years. Officers are elected annually from amongst the Trustees but can serve for no more than six years in any one role. As nominating bodies, Devizes Town Council and Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Trust, can each appoint one Trustee, and Wiltshire Council can appoint two Trustees. The Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Trust no longer appoint a Trustee to the WANHS Board. The Trustees have the power to co-opt additional Trustees who serve until the end of the next Annual General Meeting (AGM) at which they may be nominated and elected.

The Society is governed by the Board of Trustees which meets regularly throughout the year. It determines the general policy direction of the Society and discusses matters of importance to the Society. It approves and monitors budgets,

Forward and Strategic Plans, all developments, the prioritisation and allocation of resources and approves trustee appointments. Trustees bring outside experience and knowledge which supports that of our small staff.

There is a Review and Development Committee which meets regularly to review the management and financial affairs of the Museum delegated to the Director and his staff. There are a number of standing committees and working groups are formed as needed to deal with specific issues.

Risk Management

The Trustees have assessed the major risks to which the Charity is exposed including those related to the operations and finances of the Society and Museum, Archive & Library, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate any exposure to major risks. The Risk Register is regularly reviewed and updated as necessary.

Investment Powers

The Trustees have the power to invest in such stocks, shares, investments and property as they see fit. The Trustees have engaged Rathbone Investment Management as investment managers and a Finance Committee reviews the portfolio and investment strategy.

Trustee appointment, induction and training

The skills and experience of existing Trustees is reviewed annually and, together with future needs, taken into account when seeking new trustees. The Board has a succession plan and has drawn up a trustee role description. Vacancies are advertised to members and through archaeological and voluntary media. Prospective Trustees are invited to visit the Museum to discuss the role prior to a formal interview. A panel, including the Chair and Director, reviews applications and interviews candidates. References are obtained and checks on eligibility to be a trustee and company director made. Those who are considered suitable are recommended to the Board to go forward to the Society’s AGM for election by members.

There is an induction process to help Trustees understand their new role. An induction pack includes information on governance, accounts for recent years, forward plans, minutes of recent Board meetings, policies and other relevant information. New Trustees receive copies of Charity Commission advice (e.g. The Essential Trustee ), are signed up for their e-mail updates and receive a personal tour of the Museum, Archive & Library buildings. From time to time Trustees are offered training courses.

37

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

LEGAL INFORMATION

Names and registration numbers

Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (the Society) is a company limited by guarantee, registration number 3885649 and a charity, registration number 1080096.

The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Collections Trust is an unincorporated, linked charity, registration number 1080096.

The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Endowment Fund is an unincorporated, linked charity, registration number 1080096.

PATRONS

J B Bush, CVO, OBE, CSt.J, JP P Harding, DUniv, FSA, MIFA D Inshaw Mrs S R Troughton, CSt.J, HM Lord-Lieutenant for Wiltshire

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chair:

M J Nye, MA (Cantab)

Deputy Chair: A Hems, BA, PhD, AMA, FRSA

Hon. Treasurer: C R Kelly, BSc, FCA, FloD

Elected Trustees:

C Callow, BSc, ARCS, MBCS (to 17.10.20) R Cardiff T Daw, MA (Oxon) G Kenny, MA, PhD A La Vardera, FCPFA, MSc D S Miles, BA, MA, MIfA L Robertson, MA, BSc

Nominated Trustees:

P Evans, Member, Wiltshire Council Cllr. R. E. Gamble, BA (Hons), MIEx, Member, Wiltshire Council Cllr. A. I. Johnson, Member, Devizes Town Council (died 25 May 2020)

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

STAFF AS AT 31.3.2021

Director: David Dawson, BA, FSA, AMA Curator: Lisa Brown, BA (Hons), MA Marketing & Administration Manager: Karen Jones, BA (Hons) Collections Officer: Archive & Library: Jane Schön, BA (Hons), MA Development Officer: Rachael Holtom, BA (Hons), P.G. Dip, AMA Exhibitions Officer: Heather Ault, BA Finance Officer: Mandy Dixon Learning & Outreach Officer: Ali Rushent, BA, MA Museum Assistant: Administration: Emma Sykes Museum Assistant: Jackie Davies Projects Officer: Nicola Trowell, BA (Hons) Research Officer: Archaeology: Wil Partridge, PG Dip, BA (Hons)

Community Curator*: Sarah Gregson (employed by The Salisbury Museum, funded through the Wessex Museums Partnership) Finds Liaison Officer: Wil Partridge and Sophie Hawke (employed by The Salisbury Museum, funded through the British Museum and other partners)

[*part-time]

FORMAL APPOINTMENTS

Auditors : David Owen & Co., 17 The Market Place, Devizes, SN10 1BA

Bankers : Lloyds TSB plc, 38 Market Place, Devizes, SN10 1JD

Investment Managers:

Rathbone Investment Management, 8 Finsbury Circus, London, EC2M 7AZ

Company Secretary: Mrs K P Jones, BA (Hons)

Hon. Solicitors : Wansbroughs, Northgate House, Devizes, SN10 1JX

Editor - Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine : Stuart Brookes, BA (Hons), MA, PhD, PGCTiLL

REGISTERED OFFICE

41 Long Street Devizes Wiltshire. SN10 1NS

38

REPORT OF THE AUDITORS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Independent Auditors’ Report to the Members of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society for the year ended 31 March 2021 which comprise of the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and the related notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK”.

In our opinion, the financial statements:

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standards, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concerns

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the ISAs (UK) require us to report to you where:

Other Information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our

auditor’s report thereon. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.

We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ Report included within the Trustee’s Report.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters in relation to which the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

Responsibilities of Trustees

As explained more fully in the Trustees’ Responsibilities Statement (set out on page 34), the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company or the purposes of company law)

39

are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees’ are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Trustee’s either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditor’s Report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities . This description forms part of our Auditor’s Report.

Extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud We identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and then design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, including obtaining audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

In identifying and addressing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

Due to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, as with any audit, there remained a higher risk of non-detection of irregularities, as these may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. We are not responsible for preventing fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations and cannot be expected to detect all fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations

Use of our Report

The report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees 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 law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charity’s trustees as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Mr Michael Buckland (Senior Statutory Auditor)

For an on behalf of David Owen & Co, Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors 17 The Market Place, Devizes, Wiltshire, SN10 1BA Date: 30 September 2021

40

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Note
Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
1
Charitable activities
2
Other trading activities
5
Investments
7
Total
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
8
Charitable activities
9
Total
Net gains/(losses) on investments
14
Net income/(expenditure)
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
172,765
90,224
33,286
16,222		 Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
5,614		 Endowment
Funds
£
250
-
-
12,147		 Total
Funds
2021
£
173,015
90,224
33,286
33,983		 Total
Funds
2020
£
94,048
215,800
44,229
44,267
312,497 5,614 12,397 330,508 398,344
23,305
368,791		 2,006
-		 3,583
-		 28,894
368,791		 55,926
331,143
392,096 2,006 3,583 397,685 387,069
103,799
24,200
8,564		 35,925
39,533
-		 58,450
67,264
(8,564)		 198,174
130,997
-		 (95,721)
(84,446)
-
32,764
695,868		 39,533
223,299		 58,700
348,744		 130,997
1,267,911		 (84,446)
1,352,357
728,632 262,832 407,444 1,398,908 1,267,911

41

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2021

Notes
Fixed Assets
Tangible Fixed Assets
15
Managed Investments
Securities
16
Cash
Managed Endowment Investments
Securities
16
Cash
Total Fixed Assets
Current Assets
Stock
Debtors
17
Cash at Bank
Total current Assets
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
18
Net Current Liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one
year
19
The funds of the Society
Endowment Funds
22
Restricted income funds
23
Unrestricted funds (including Designated funds)
24		 2021
£
£
310,155
853,167
8,882
862,049
380,083
26,910
406,993
1,579,197
14,442
21,053
83,475
118,970
145,343
(26,373)
1,552,824
153,916
1,398,908
407,444
262,832
728,632
1,398,908		 2021
£
£
310,155
853,167
8,882
862,049
380,083
26,910
406,993
1,579,197
14,442
21,053
83,475
118,970
145,343
(26,373)
1,552,824
153,916
1,398,908
407,444
262,832
728,632
1,398,908		 2020
£
£
318,342
729,270
26,716
755,986
331,249
17,295
348,544
1,422,872
14,031
93,593
61,000
168,624
157,712
10,912
1,433,784
165,873
1,267,911
348,744
223,299
695,868
1,267,911		 2020
£
£
318,342
729,270
26,716
755,986
331,249
17,295
348,544
1,422,872
14,031
93,593
61,000
168,624
157,712
10,912
1,433,784
165,873
1,267,911
348,744
223,299
695,868
1,267,911
380,083
26,910		 331,249
17,295
14,442
21,053
83,475		 14,031
93,593
61,000
1,579,197
(26,373)		 1,422,872
10,912
118,970 168,624
145,343 157,712
1,552,824
153,916		 1,433,784
165,873
1,398,908 1,267,911
407,444
262,832
728,632		 348,744
223,299
695,868
1,398,908 1,267,911

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime and FRS 102 Section 1A.

The notes on pages 44 to 54 form part of these financial statements.

M J Nye, Chair

C R Kelly, Honorary Treasurer

30 September 2021

42

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Cash fows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(a)
Cash fows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds from sale of investments
Purchase of investments
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April
(b)
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March
(b)
(a) Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash fow
from operating activities
Net income/(expenditure) for the year as per the Statement of
Activities
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
(Gains)/losses on investments
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(Increase)/decrease in stocks
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(b) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
Cash at bank and in hand (incl. investment cash)		 Total
Funds
2021		 Total
Funds
2020
£
(43,265)
33,983
(1,905)
125,384
(99,941)		 £
(37,755)
44,267
(197,178)
236,125
(2,966)
57,521 80,248
14,256
105,011		 42,493
62,518
119,267 105,011
2021
£
(130,997)
10,092
(198,174)
(33,983)
(411)
72,540
(24,326)		 2020
£
(84,446)
9,647
95,721
(44,267)
(292)
(54,817)
40,699
(43,265)
2021
£
119,267		 (37,755)
2020
£
105,011
119,267 105,011

43

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1. Statement of Accounting Policies

Basis of Preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with:

The Company qualifies as a small company under the Companies Act 2006 and under SORP. However, the Company has continued to comply with the requirements of large charities and to this end has produced a cash flow statement for the accounting period and comparative figures for the previous accounting period.

The Company meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value except for the discounting of the liability for the pension deficit or unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.

Company Status

The Company is a company limited by guarantee. The members of the Company are subscribing members. In the event of the Company being wound up, the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £10 per member.

Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation

Tangible fixed assets costing more than £4,000 are capitalised and included at cost. Grant funded purchases are written off in the year of acquisition unless capitalisation is required as a condition of the grant. Depreciation is provided on all fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over the expected useful economic life as follows:

Freehold Land Nil Freehold Buildings Over 50 years Fixtures, fittings and equipment Over 5 years

Investments

Net gains and losses are taken to the Statement of Financial Activities and analysed between realised gains and losses and unrealised gains and losses in note 14 to the financial statements. Investment income has been accounted for on the basis of the due date of payment. Investment income and gains and losses in the Main Fund are allocated between Unrestricted Funds (including Designated Funds) and Restricted Funds on the basis of the average net assets of those funds.

Stock

Stock consists of purchased goods for resale and unsold publications. Stocks are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value after making allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stock.

Incoming Resources

Allocation of Expenditure

Throughout the financial statements, where it is necessary to allocate staff or other costs over objective heads (i.e. Museum Services, Library Services, Educational Services, etc.) this has been done on the assessment of the Director.

Pensions

During the year to 31 March 2021 pension provision was made for 9 employees by membership of a Pension Trust Scheme which is principally a defined contribution pension scheme. All employees who are not in the scheme are offered pension auto-enrolment into the scheme where applicable. Employer’s contributions of £9,482 have been charged to staff costs as incurred. The Scheme has a limited guarantee on losses under the scheme for those members of staff who transferred to it. This has led to small additional amounts in respect of a deficit being recovered from the Society.

Some years prior to the year ended on 31 March 2017 the Society ceased to be a scheme employer in the Wiltshire Pension Fund and, as stated in the 2012 report, entered into an agreement with Wiltshire Council to reimburse the deficit by payment of £21,000 for each year up to and including December 2031. Full provision of the liability was originally made in the accounts to 31 March 2016 for the amounts payable to December 2031, discounted at 5% per annum over the payment period. An amount of £9,626 was charged in the accounts to 31 March 2020 for the adjustment to the provision for the amounts payable, discounted at 5% per annum over the payment period.

Reserves

The reserves at 31 March 2021 are located to Unrestricted Funds, Restricted Funds and Endowment Funds. Unrestricted Funds include Designated Funds.

44

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Going Concern

These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Trustees consider the use of the going concern basis of accounting appropriate as there are no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt about the ability of the company to continue as a going concern.

The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Endowment Fund

The Endowment Fund is a charity established to raise and hold capital, the income from which will be used to support the activities of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society. The Company is the corporate trustee of the Fund which shares the Company’s charity registration number. Under the terms of the Charity Registration the accounts of the Fund are included in the Company’s accounts but, as a separate charity, these funds do not form part of the Company’s assets. The investment income from the Endowment Fund is credited to the Unrestricted Funds.

The Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society Collections Trust

The Company is the Corporate Trustee of the Collections Trust which own the Collections. On 3 March 2004, the Charity Commission issued a Uniting Direction under Section 96(5) of the Charities Act 1993 stating that the Collections Trust shall be treated as forming part of the Company for the purposes of registration and accounting. The Direction points out that the Company will be the reporting charity and the Collections Trust will be the linked charity. However, “the Company does not hold the endowment of the Collections Trust as corporate property. The Company is the trustee of the endowment and hold the property in trust. At no time can the endowment of the Collections Trust be considered an asset of the Company”.

Accounts for the Collections Trust have been set up within the Company’s books and separate bank accounts have been established. Acquisitions for the collections are made by the Collections Trust. The Collections Trust Accounts are included as a separate schedule with these financial statements.

45

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

1
2
3
4		 Note
Income from Donations and Legacies
Membership Subscriptions
Donations and Tax Refunds
Legacies
Job Retention Scheme
Income transferred by Old Society
Sandell Trust
Income from Charitable Activities
Grants and Contributions
3
Admissions
Exhibitions Commissions
Education Receipts
Income from Grants and Contributions
Arts Council - Wealth of Knowledge
Cunnington Letters
Community Curator Projects
Devizes Town Council
Ernest Cook Trust
Ravilious
Seeing the Light of Day
Stonehenge Avebury Bus
Wessex Museum Partnership
Wiltshire Council
WW1 Armistice Exhibition
Sundry Contributions for Projects
Grants carried forward
Arts Council - Wealth of Knowledge
Cauldrons - Bromsgrove
Devizes Area Tourism
Ernest Cook Trust
Ravilious
Sasakawa Foundation
Seeing the Light of Day
Stonehenge - Avebury Bus
Vale of Pewsey
Wiltshire Council		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
41,568
34,014
-
64,183
33,000
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
-
Endowment
Funds
£
-
250
-
-
-
Total
2021
£
41,568
34,264
-
64,183
35,750		 Total
2020
£
39,772
16,026
5,000
-
33,250
172,765 - 250 173,015 94,048
84,841
2,041
-
3,342		 -
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-		 84,841
2,041
-
3,342		 177,389
23,647
10,517
4,247
90,224 - - 90,224 215,800
15,185
4,750
900
-
-
(38)
-
-
19,900
43,569
-
575		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 15,185
4,750
900
-
-
(38)
-
-
19,900
43,569
-
575		 334
1,165
-
4,000
2,685
3,160
2,519
142
23,007
138,680
-
1,697
84,841 - - 84,841 177,389
2021
£
8,015
556
1,257
1,703
23,038
3,000
11,020
5,153
10,174
2,262
66,178

46

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

5
6
7
8
9
10		 Notes
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Total
2021
Total
2020
Income from Other Trading Activities
£
£
£
£
£
Shop Sales
6
6,408
-
-
6,408
19,105
Other Sales
34
-
-
34
2,418
Museum Income
26,844
-
-
26,844
22,317
Fund-raising Events
-
-
-
-
389
33,286
-
-
33,286
44,229
Shop Sales
Shop sales
6,408
-
-
6,408
19,105
Less Purchase cost
1,680
-
-
1,680
11,765
Gross Proft
4,728
-
-
4,728
7,340
Gross Proft % on sales
73.78%
38.42%
Investment Income
Income from Investments
16,222
5,614
12,147
33,983
44,267
16,222
5,614
12,147
33,983
44,267
Expenditure on Raising Funds
Cost of Sales
Shop
1,680
-
-
1,680
11,765
Salaries
9,111
-
-
9,111
9,154
Members’ services
3,068
-
-
3,068
3,843
Marketing
20
-
-
20
862
Fundraising costs
677
-
-
677
15,567
Investment management costs
5,795
2,006
3,583
11,384
12,695
Support costs
2,954
-
-
2,954
2,040
23,305
2,006
3,583
28,894
55,926
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
Museum Services
206,479
-
-
206,479
188,852
Library Services
33,614
-
-
33,614
38,197
Educational work
28,503
-
-
28,503
28,217
WANHM
13,742
-
-
13,742
11,782
Support and governance costs
86,453
-
-
86,453
64,095
368,791
-
-
368,791
331,143
Expenditure on Charitable Activities for Unrestricted Funds includes £10,344 (2020 £18,420) for Designated Funds.
Support and governance costs include audit fees of £6,000(2020 - £6,000)
Total
2021
Total
2020
Staff costs
£
£
Wages and Salaries
202,385
185,192
Social Security costs
9,637
9,623
Pension costs
20,012
19,434
232,034
214,249		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
6,408
34
26,844
-
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
Endowment
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
Total
2021
£
6,408
34
26,844
-		 Total
2020

£
19,105
2,418
22,317
389
33,286 - - 33,286 44,229
6,408
1,680		 -
-		 -
-		 6,408
1,680		 19,105
11,765
4,728 - - 4,728 7,340
16,222 5,614 12,147 73.78% 38.42%
33,983 44,267
16,222 5,614 12,147 33,983 44,267
1,680
9,111
3,068
20
677
5,795
2,954		 -
-
-
-
-
2,006
-		 -
-
-
-
-
3,583
-		 1,680
9,111
3,068
20
677
11,384
2,954		 11,765
9,154
3,843
862
15,567
12,695
2,040
23,305 2,006 3,583 28,894 55,926
206,479
33,614
28,503
13,742
86,453		 -
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-		 206,479
33,614
28,503
13,742
86,453		 188,852
38,197
28,217
11,782
64,095
368,791 - - 368,791 331,143
232,034
214,249

47

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

Staff costs attributable to activities :
Cost of raising funds
Charitable activities:
Museum
Library
Education
Governance		 2021
£
2020
£
9,104
9,154
137,997
117,248
25,702
25,414
22,930
24,265
36,301
38,168
232,034
214,249

In 2021 £0 of staff costs were funded from grants for projects. In 2020 £1,428 staff costs were funded from grants for projects. Pension costs include £9,044 (2020: £9,951) relating to charges for deficits in previous years.

During the year £21,000 ( 2020: £21,000) was paid towards the liability for the Wiltshire Council Pension deficit (see note 20). No employee received emoluments for the period exceeding £60,000.

Key management personnel which consist of the Trustees and the Director were paid a total of £52,391 (2020 £52,809).

This amount is gross of employer’s contributions towards pension and National Insurance.

The average number of employees in 2021 was 4 full time and 8 part time (2020: 4 full time and 8 part time).

11 Trustees’ Expenses

No trustee either received or waived any emoluments for acting as Trustee during the year. Trustees’ expenses totalling £0 (2020 £0) were paid during the year

12 Transactions with Related Parties

There were no transactions with related Parties during the year 2021 (2020 - £0).

13 Operating Leases

Payments for operating leases for a telephone system and for a photocopier amounted to £2,842 (2020 £2,842) during the year. Minimum lease payments are to be made as follows:

Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than fve years
Later than fve years
Unrestricted
Funds
£
14
Gains/(losses) on investment assets
Realised gains/(losses)
2,897
Unrealised gains/(losses)
100,902
103,799		 Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than fve years
Later than fve years
Unrestricted
Funds
£
14
Gains/(losses) on investment assets
Realised gains/(losses)
2,897
Unrealised gains/(losses)
100,902
103,799
Restricted
Funds
£
1,003
34,922
Main
Portfolio
£
3,900
135,824
Endowment
Portfolio
£
4,109
54,341		 2021
£
2,834
-
-		 2020
£
2,131
-
-
2,834 2,131

Total
2021
£
8,009
190,165

Total
2020
£
(4,651)
(91,070)
103,799 35,925 139,724 58,450 198,174 (95,721)

48

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

15 Tangible Fixed Assets

Opening Cost at 1st April
Addition - EPOS System Till
Addition - Amesbury Facility Land
Registry Fee
Closing Cost at 31st March
Accumulated Depreciation at 1st April
Charge in year
Accumulated Depr. at 31st March
Closing Net Book Value at 31st March		 Freehold
Land
£
72,750
-
-
Freehold
Buildings
£
298,352
-
135
Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
£
25,520
1,770
-

Total
2021
£
396,622
1,770
135
Total
2020
£
199,444
432
196,746
72,750 298,487 27,290 398,527 396,622
-
-		 63,751
6,015		 14,529
4,077		 78,280
10,092		 68,633
9,647
- 69,766 18,606 88,372 78,280
72,750 228,721 8,684 310,155 318,342

The freehold land and buildings transferred from the original unincorporated Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (Charity no. 309534) in November 2003 were included in the balance sheet at book values. Other tangible fixed assets acquired or created since have been included at cost. The Trustees have decided not to apply a valuation to the property.

16 Quoted Fixed Asset Investments
Opening Market Value at 1st April
Purchases
Sales
Net profts/(losses) :
Realised
Unrealised
Closing Market value at 31st March
17 Debtors
Trade Debtors
Prepayments
Gift Aid refund receivable
VAT recoverable
Monies owed by the Collections Trust
Monies owed by the Old Society		 Main
Portfolio
2021
£
729,271
46,995

Endowment
Portfolio
2021
£
331,248
52,946

Main
Portfolio
2020
£
1,005,352

Endowment
Portfolio
2020
£
384,047
2,966
776,266
62,822		 384,194
62,561		 1,005,352
220,520		 387,013
15,605
713,444
3,900
135,823		 321,633
4,109
54,341		 784,832
(1,279)
(54,283)		 371,408
(3,373)
(36,786)
853,167 380,083 729,270 331,249
Total
2021
£
2,422
13,214
4,766
651
-
-
21,053
Total
2020
£
17,470
17,989
4,200
45,384
50
8,500
93,593

49

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

18
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Grants received in advance (note 4)
Trade Creditors
Accruals
Taxes including NIC
Pension Defcit Creditor, due within one year (see note 20)
Prepaid membership subscriptions
Other income in advance
19
Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Pension defcit (see note 20)		 Total
2021
£
66,178
3,027
18,723
3,148
20,442
21,746
12,079		 Total
2020
£
70,138
19,420
14,738
2,955
20,442
21,378
8,641
145,343 157,712
153,917 165,873
153,917 165,873

20 Pension Deficit

The Society has an agreement with Wiltshire Council to reimburse a deficit with the Wiltshire Pension Fund in relation to two former employees by payment of £21,000 for each year up and including December 2031. Full provision, subject to discounting at 5% over time from 31 March 2018 has been made in creditors. The charge for the year to 31 March 2021 for the discounted part of the provision was £9,044 (2020 £9,626).

Analysis of net assets between 21 Funds

Analysis of net assets between
Funds
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds 2021 2020
£ £ £ £ £
Fund values at 31 March are represented by:
Tangible Fixed Assets 120,462 189,693 - 310,155 318,342
Managed Investments 820,307 41,742 406,993 1,269,042 1,104,529
Current Assets 87,122 31,397 451 118,970 168,624
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (145,343) - - (145,343) (157,712)
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (153,916) - - (153,916) (165,873)
728,632 262,832 407,444 1,398,908 1,267,910

22 Endowment Funds

Endowment Funds 728,632 262,832 407,444 1,398,908
Balance at
1 April 2020
Income
£
£
Endowment Trust Fund
348,744
12,397
Income in the Endowment Trust Fund includes:
Donations
Investment Income		 Balance at
1 April 2020
£
348,744		 Income
£
12,397		 Investment
expenses
£

(3,583)		 Gain on
investments
£
58,450		 Inter-Fund
Transfers
£
(8,564)		 Balance at
31 March
2021
£
407,444
£
250
12,147
12,397

The Endowment Trust Fund is a separate charity, of which the Company is the corporate trustee. It is established to raise capital, the income from which will be paid to the Company for its general use. The funds are invested separately and do not form part of the Company’s fixed assets.

50

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

23 Restricted Funds

Restricted Funds
English Heritage Fund
Legacies and Donations
Oexmann Fund
Amesbury Storage Facility
Wiltshire Environment Gallery		 Balance
at 1 April
2020
£
Income
£
Investment
income
£
Expenses
(incl.
investment
expenses)
£
Gain on
investments
£
Inter-
Fund
Transfers
£
Balance
at 31
March
2021
£
6,170
-
155
(55)
993
-
7,263
30,438
-
765
(273)
4,897
-
35,827
14,775
-
371
(133)
2,378
-
17,391
161,162
-
4,052
(1,448)
25,928
-
189,694
10,754
-
270
(97)
1,730
-
12,657
223,299
-
5,613
(2,006)
35,926
-
262,832

The restricted funds may only be used for specifc purposes :

English Heritage Fund To finance specific publications and projects. Legacies and Donations Legacies and donations received for use in future projects Oexmann Fund To finance a biennial art exhibition. Wiltshire Environment Gallery This fund was originally set up to cover the cost of Museum refurbishments to create a new Environmental Gallery. Discussions are proceeding to enable the Society to use some or all this money for the refurbishment of the office suite and the purchase of essential equipment.

These fund balances at 31 March 2021 are held as part of the Company’s overall assets and cash at bank. Investment returns have been allocated pro-rata to the average balance of individual funds in the year to 31 March 2021.

51

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

24 Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted Funds
Designated funds:
Archaeology Field Group
Improvement Fund
Library Fund
Programme Committee
Publications Fund
Ready to Borrow Applied
Shearing Library Fund
The Crofton Story
Wiltshire Life
Other unrestricted funds		 Balance at
1 April
2020
£
Donations
and
Legacies
£
Other
Income
(incl.
investment
income)
£
Expenses
(incl.
investment
expenses)
£
Gain on
investments
£
Inter-
Fund
Transfers
£
Balance at
31 March
2021
£
-
-
1,955
-
-
-
1,955
11,652
-
293
(105)
1,875
-
13,715
1,834
50
46
(28)
295
-
2,197
14,514
-
365
(130)
2,335
-
17,084
19,170
-
482
(172)
3,084
-
22,564
38,347
-
-
-
-
-
38,347
95,788
-
2,408
(5,258)
15,411
-
108,349
701
-
18
(441)
113
-
391
196,622
-
4,943
(7,265)
31,633
-
225,933
378,628
50
10,510
(13,399)
54,746
-
430,535
317,240
172,715
129,222
(378,697)
49,053
8,564
298,097
695,868
172,765
139,732
(392,096)
103,799
8,564
728,632

The purpose of the designated funds (which may be changed by the Company's Board of Trustees and which remain part of the unrestricted funds) is currently:

Archaeology Field Group
Improvement Fund
Library Fund
Programme Committee
Publications Fund		 To fnance archaeological activity.
Established by the original Society to fnance improvements to the Museum.
To fnance items of library conservation and management.
To fnance members' events.
To fnance publications. (The expenditure is the cost of a write down in the value of
stocks)
Ready to Borrow Applied The balance represents capital expenditure funded by Ready to Borrow Grant and
contributions used to defray the depreciation costs of new tangible fxed assets over their
useful life.
Shearing Library Fund To fnance the cost of employing a part-time Librarian and small library equipment
purchases.
Wiltshire Life To fnance the care and development of the Wiltshire Life Society Collections.
The expenditure consists of direct costs and does not include curatorial charges.

Allocation of expenditure from Designated Funds is reviewed regularly. The timing of expenditure is over a period which matches requirements of each purpose, potentially over a number of years. These fund balances at 31 March 2021 are held as part of the Company's overall assets and cash at bank. Investment returns have been allocated pro-rata to the average balance of individual funds in the year to 31 March 2021.

52

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY COLLECTIONS TRUST - Linked Charity Number 1080096 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities:
Grants
Sale proceeds
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Acquisitions costing less than £1,000
Museum
Library
Costs
Sundry
Net income/(expenditure)
Balance at 1 April 2020 brought forward
Balance at 31 March 2021 carried forward
BALANCE SHEET AT
Heritage Assets
Opening balance
Acquisitions over £1,000
Balance at 31 March 2021
Current Assets
Cash in Bank
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The Funds of the Trust
Balance at
1 April
2020
£
Unrestricted Funds - Museum and Art
46,835
Restricted Funds
4,252
51,087		 Income and Endowments from:
Donations and legacies
Charitable activities:
Grants
Sale proceeds
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Acquisitions costing less than £1,000
Museum
Library
Costs
Sundry
Net income/(expenditure)
Balance at 1 April 2020 brought forward
Balance at 31 March 2021 carried forward
BALANCE SHEET AT
Heritage Assets
Opening balance
Acquisitions over £1,000
Balance at 31 March 2021
Current Assets
Cash in Bank
Total current assets
Liabilities
Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
The Funds of the Trust
Balance at
1 April
2020
£
Unrestricted Funds - Museum and Art
46,835
Restricted Funds
4,252
51,087		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
£
£
2,655
-
-
-
-
-
2021
Total
2020
Total
£
£
2,655
396
-
-
-
-
2,655
-		 2,655
396
1,076
-
303
-		 1,076
570
303
712
1,379
-
-
-		 1,379
1,282
-
-
1,379
-		 1,379
1,282
1,276
-
51,087
-		 1,276
(886)
51,087
51,973
52,363
-		 52,363
51,087
31 MARCH 2021


Income,
Grants &
Donations
Inter Fund
Transfers
£
£
2,655
-
-
-		 46,271
46,271
2,470
-
48,741
46,271
3,672
4,866
3,672
4,866
50
50
3,622
4,816
52,363
51,087

Expendi-
ture
Balance at
31 March
2021
£
£
1,379
48,111
-
4,252
51,087 2,655
-		 1,379
52,363

53

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY COLLECTIONS TRUST - Linked Charity Number 1080096 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2021

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Museum and Art Collections: The collections fall within the definition of heritage assets for the purposes of the Charities SORP.

Accounting Policies:

  1. No value has been placed on the collections held prior to 1 April 2005. To establish a value would involve significant costs, onerous compared to the additional benefit derived by the users of the financial statements.

  2. The Trustees have adopted a policy whereby acquisitions costing less than £1,000 are not capitalised but are written off in the year of purchase.

  3. Acquisitions costing in excess of £1,000 are capitalised and stated at cost as heritage assets.

  4. No depreciation is provided on heritage assets as all are deemed to have indefinite lives.

Policies for acquisition, disposal and conservation of heritage assets meet Accreditation Standard, which has been awarded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), and have been approved by the Board of Trustees.

Summary of Transactions:
Cost of acquisitions of heritage assets
Value of assets acquired by donation and not reported
in the Balance Sheet
Carrying amount of heritage assets disposed of and
proceeds received
Cost of assets written of in year of purchase as per
accounting policy		 Year to:
31.03.2021
31.03.2020
31.03.2019
31.03.2018
31.03.2017
£
£
£
£
£
2,470
-
2,325
2,200
3,300

1,379
1,282
2,054
3,835
2,295

54

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No: 1080096 Company No. 3885649 MINUTES OF THE 21[st] ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE COMPANY held on Saturday 17 October 2020, commencing at 2.30 pm

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, which had been declared in March 2020 and government regulations restricting movements and gatherings the meeting was held online, via Zoom video-conferencing. A few were in attendance at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes

01/20 Present

Trustees: Mr M J Nye (Chair) and Mr C R Kelly (Hon Treasurer), at the Museum and Mr A La Vardera, Mr R Gamble and Mr D Miles online; and 30 members of the Society (two at the Museum and the remainder online).

In Attendance

At the Museum: Mr D Dawson (Director). Online: Mrs K P Jones (Minute Taker and Company Secretary).

02/20 Apologies for Absence

Apologies had been received from: Mr R Cardiff (WANHS Trustee), Mrs J Dando, Mr P Evans (WANHS Trustee), Mr A Heasman, Mrs G Swanton, Mr D Uren.

03/20 Chair’s Opening Address

The Chair, Martin Nye, welcomed members to the Annual General Meeting of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society (Company limited by Guarantee), whether at the Museum or online. He advised that the AGM would be run as normally as possible in the circumstances. The Director outlined how Zoom conferencing would work and how members could vote and ask questions.

The meeting acknowledged those members of the Society who had died since the last AGM: Mr Julian Brown, Lady Teresa Carter, Miss Penny Copland-Griffiths, Mr Colin Davies, Mrs Pamela Gough, Susan Graney, Mr Lionel Grundy, OBE, Mr Michael Handford, Mr Frank Howells, Mr Andrew Johnson (WANHS Trustee and Devizes Mayor), Mrs Adrienne Massey, Mr Adrian Mills, Mrs Carol Part, Mr William Ralph, Mr James Russell, Mr A J F Smith, Mr Eric Stanford, Mr Lindsay Symon, Mr Kenneth Watts and Mr Malcolm White.

Note: these names are those notified to the Membership Secretary; the Society apologises for any omissions.

04/20 Minutes of meeting held 19 October 2019 Proposed by Mr A La Vardera and seconded by Mr R Gamble, the minutes of the AGM held on 19 October 2019 were adopted as a true record of the meeting. The resolution was passed nem con.

.

05/20 Board of Trustees’ Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2020

a) Report by the Chair

Where to begin – a year like no other! It was all going so well …with impressive engagement with an everwidening range of audiences – and then the seismic impact of the coronavirus. For probably the first time in its long history, the Museum had to shut its doors. David and his team certainly rose to the occasion, demonstrating professionalism, commitment and flexibility through some extraordinary difficulties and

disruptions. We had to use the Government’s furlough scheme to minimise the financial impact, which meant that those staff who continued to work had even greater burdens placed upon them.

Despite this, the team produced a wide range of online talks, social gatherings and material for children to entertain, inform and engage our community which has undoubtedly helped many people cope with the challenges of the pandemic. And there has been an enormous amount of work planning and operating the re-opening of the Museum to the public over the last couple of months, which had been very well received.

At times like this there is greatly increased awareness of the positive contribution that museums, collections and their related stories make to increasing well-being and sense of belonging. On behalf of all the Trustees and members, I want to thank David and all his team – in alphabetical order – Ali, Emma, Heather, Jackie, Jane, Karen, Lisa, Mandy, Nicola, Rachael, Sarah and Wil - for their sterling work in such challenging circumstances – it really is appreciated by us all. My thanks also to my fellow trustees for their support and help, and to the large number of volunteers without whom the Society would not be able to function.

At the end of the meeting further details about the Assize Court will be given. The Devizes Assize Court Trust (DACT) have made sure that the building is weatherproof to minimise further deterioration, and architects Purcell have produced some exciting initial designs. The Society is working closely with DACT to give the building a new life, telling the story of its original function, providing a fitting home for the Museum’s collections and playing a pivotal role in the regeneration of Devizes. The universal support for the outline proposals during recent consultations was most encouraging, showing that the community is right behind what we are trying to do. In due course a significant fund-raising campaign will be launched - inevitably this will have been made more difficult and take longer because of the impact of the pandemic.

WANHS’ own finances have of course been directly impacted by the loss of much of our revenue and fundraising activities, and by the reduction of the value of our investment portfolios and the lower dividends being paid. However, thanks to the diversity of income sources we have, including our greatly valued members’ subscriptions, grants from Wiltshire Council, Devizes Town Council, the Arts Council and others, legacies and gifts, we are currently weathering the storm as Chris will show you shortly. Thank you to each and every one of you for your continuing support at this critical time. We really do depend on you.

b) Report by the Treasurer

Mr Chris Kelly presented his first report as Treasurer. He started by thanking Mr La Vardera for the handover he received, and his continuing advice to him and the Society. Mr La Vardera had initiated many of the improvements in the accounting process. Through

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a series of slides Mr Kelly highlighted the financial situation in the year to 31 March 2020.

Fundamentally the finances for the year to 31 March 2020 had been good, but were impacted in the last quarter by the Covid-19 pandemic, with events cancelled or postponed to the following year. Income and expenditure were both down in the year, and the investment portfolio showed at loss at the year end, compared to the previous year. Assets had increased due to the acquisition of a new archaeology store, although this reduced investments in the portfolio. We had not received the same value of legacies as we had in 2018/19; income for charitable activities increased due to a grant from Wiltshire Council for the purchase of the archaeology store. Funds raised from Museum events and activities were impacted by Covid-19 as events were postponed or cancelled. As a result the creditors figure on the Balance Sheet was higher than usual, as revenue for postponed events was carried forward. There was nothing major to report on expenses.

The Treasurer had reviewed core performance for the past two financial years, against a 4-year average. This showed net income of £273,000 against an average of £306,000 and core loss (expenses) of £114,000, against an average of £91,000. However, as there has been a reduction of £40,000 in recurring grants the situation was not as bad as it appears. The challenge was to increase revenue by 20-25% to close the gap to core loss. He did not believe that costs could be reduced further without reducing the activities provided.

A summary of movement on the investment portfolio was shown to the meeting, opening at £1.4m and closing at just over £1m, due to transactions during the year and its value at 31 March 2020. However, the stock market had since recovered and in October the portfolio was valued at £1.2m.

Financial challenges remained for the Society. A number identified last year had been completed, e.g. purchase of archaeology store, VAT issues and new accounting system; and recovery from Covid-19 had been added. Ongoing challenges remained rising running and exhibition costs and static operational income; political and economic uncertainty affecting the value of investments; and reliance on legacies and donations. We really had to focus on how to generate regular income, to ensure that legacies and donations were ‘the icing on the cake rather than the cake’.

The Treasurer reported that the VAT charged on the purchase of the archaeology store had been reclaimed. A review of our VAT process had highlighted that we were in error in claiming cultural exemption, e.g. we were applying VAT to admission charges. Our system had been reviewed with a VAT consultant and external accountants and reported to HMRC. No fine was imposed as we had declared the error, which had not been picked by a HMRC audit, and £17k had subsequently been repaid to HMRC.

A new accounting system had been introduced during the financial year to 31 March 2020. This had been set up and data transferred by external accountants. The new system allowed for online access enabling the Hon Treasurer to access records easily.

Covid-19 was a serious challenge, with a major impact on cashflow. Cash burn was approximately £20,000

per month. Excluding legacies due and unforeseen grants or income a recovery plan would be drafted to look at revenue generation in the Covid-world. Would look at ways to generate income (online events, subscriptions etc) and to make the new normal work for us.

On a question from a member Mr Kelly advised that the Society did not qualify as a large charity in 2019/20, although it had in 2018/19 – being based on level of income.

The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2020 are available from the Museum’s website or on request from the Museum Office.

c) Report by the Director

The Director highlighted a number of activities from the past year, current activities and plans for the future. He highlighted some of the key highlights added to the collection in the year, including the donation of a microscope once owned by William Cunnington III, a mourning ring, in memory of Maria Heathcote, who’s portrait hangs in the lobby of Devizes School [DETAILS], a penny struck in Wallingford and found in Collingbourne and items belonging to Norah Ussher who had been prominent in the local suffrage movement. The collections continued to be used by researchers with an average of 30 post-graduates visiting every year. Research and reports continued to be published in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, thanks to the hard work of the editorial team.

A building had been acquired during the year to be used as a store for the archaeology collection. It had not been possible to progress the commission of this however due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in due course it would hold material from excavations in the county. Some work did continue during the period with the conservation of letters sent to William Cunnington I taking place, with the support of a grant from the Association of Independent Museums and donations from members.

The Alchemy exhibition in May 2019, an exhibition which toured the Wessex Museums, had been very well received and would be going to a London gallery in 2021. A busy exhibition programme had been planned, although some dates were changed due to the pandemic. Another popular, although brief event, had been a small exhibition of finds from Barrow Clumps, to accompany the launch, at the Museum, of the publication [DETAILS]. Library volunteers had also used the Long Room to display small exhibitions, a notable one being about the Great Storm of 30 December 1857. Items from the collection were included in a touring exhibition of America, which may go to Australia and New Zealand in 2021/22.

Talks and walks continue to be very popular and the Director thanked all the speakers and leaders who gave their time, often not requesting a fee. Sadly 2020 had seen a reduction in these. The activities of the Wiltshire Archaeology Field Group had also been curtailed by the pandemic, although there had been much post-excavation work on the finds from Mother Anthony’s Well at Bromham before the pandemic. Activities for children had continued with holiday activities, Young WANHS and Curious Kids, the latter

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being particular with dads.

As everyone knew, the Covid-19 pandemic struck early in 2020 with the Museum having to close on 17 March 2020 until early July 2020, but special measures introduced and limited hours. Despite this a school had visited and sessions had also been delivered online. Events scheduled for the closure period had been rearranged as online events, including the Archaeology in Wiltshire Conference. A stall had been taken in the Shambles Market in Devizes to sell Charity Christmas Cards, promote the Museum and show draft plans for the Devizes Assize Court. The Out of Egypt exhibition (online from the Hampshire Cultural Trust), had opened in August (originally scheduled to open in April), although without many of the activities originally planned. The 2021 exhibition programme would include an exhibition of works donated to the Museum collection featuring Wiltshire landscapes, the Oexmann Art Award Competition and of course the Ravilious exhibition was now scheduled to open in late-September 2021 instead of 2020 as originally planned.

which had been suggested by a member prior to the meeting was raised. The Society was asked to consider a memorial to Dr Lorna Haycock, the former Sandell Librarian, who had died in April 2019. Some ideas had been suggested, such as the using a legacy received to purchase display cases for the Long Room or an essay competition, but others were welcome. It was hoped to progress these during the year.

There being no further business the Chair thanked everyone for joining the meeting. The meeting closed at 3.31 pm.

The meeting was followed by presentation about plans for the Devizes Assize Court, and responses from a recent public consultation, by David Dawson.

Date of next Meeting : Saturday 16 October 2021 To be held at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, Wiltshire

The Director thanked members, colleagues and volunteers for all they had done, as without their contribution we would not do anything.

Thanks were received from the audience for the excellent reports and endorsed the Chair’s thanks to all the staff for their efforts during the year. It was noted that research access to the collections would commence once the Curator was off-furlough leave and dealt with the backlog of work. It would take longer to get the Archive & Library to reopen with Covid-measures, but this would progress as quickly as staff time and resources allowed.

Proposed by Mr C Callow and seconded by Mr M McQueen, the meeting received the Trustees Report and Annual Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2020, together with the Auditors Report. One abstention.

Proposed by Mr C Callow and seconded by Mr M McQueen, the meeting received the Trustees Report and Annual Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2020, together with the Auditors Report. One abstention

06/20 Election of Trustees

There were two nominations this year – both Mr Alfred La Vardera and Mr Dan Miles were standing for reelection. Both had been proposed and seconded prior to the meeting.

No objection was raised to electing both in one resolution and the meeting duly re-elected Mr A La Vardera and Mr D Miles to the Board of Trustees. One abstention.

07/20 Appointment of Auditors

Proposed by Mr C R Kelly and seconded by Mr C Callow, the meeting re-elected Messrs David Owen & Co as Auditors, and authorised the Trustees to determine their remuneration.

08/20 Any Other Business

The meeting was opened to members and one item,

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Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Society 41 Long Street, Devizes, Wiltshire. SN10 1NS Tel: 01380 727369 Company No - 3885649 Registered Charity No - 1080096 VAT Registration No - 140 2791 91

www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk

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