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2022-03-31-accounts

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

ANNUAL REPORT and FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2022

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

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Cover: HM The Queen Consort (then HRH The Duchess of Cornwall) visiting Wiltshire Museum on 2 December 2021, accompanied by HM Lord Lieutenant for Wiltshire, Mrs Sarah Rose Troughton. Cadet Corporal Max Glibbery is saluting Her Royal Highness on arrival. Cadet Corporal Glibbery is a member of Wiltshire Army Cadet Force. Since July 2020 HM The Queen Consort is also the Colonel in Chief of The Rifles. Image (c) Anna Barclay

(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 2022

CONTENTS

Summary and Objects 3
Letter from the Chair 7
Board of Trustees’ Report 9
Objectives and Activities of the Society
 9
Highlights of the Year 10
Finds Liaison Ofcer 11
Fundraising 12
Exhibitions 13
Collections - Loans 14
Collections - Acquisitions of the year 16
- Collections - Archaeology, Art, Archive and Library 17
Collections - Natural History, Numismatics, Recent History 19
Conservation; Disposal 20
Activities, Events, Lectures and Outings 21
Membership; Publications and Social Media 22
Research 24
Learning, Outreach and Community Engagement 26
Community Curator 27
Volunteers 28
Wiltshire Archaeology Field Group 30
Society Committees and Working Groups 31
Development - Working with Partners; Plans for the Future; Forward Plans 32
Development - 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 13 November 2021 55

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Conservation work on the John Piper stained-glass window

Clockwise from the top: the window pre-conservation; at the conservators, Holywell Glass; work in progress; being reinstalled.

Bottom the newly reinstalled window, backlit by artificial light.

See page 20 for more detail.

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

(A company limited by guarantee)

Charity Number 1080096 Company Registration Number 3885649

LETTER FROM THE CHAIR

Welcome to the WANHS Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] March 2022. As you will see from the report, despite some headwinds including lockdowns and other restrictions, it has been a year of good progress and strong delivery against our charitable objectives.

Undoubtedly the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition was one of the highlights of the year, which from start to finish showed the Society and its Museum at our best. A clear vision about what we wanted the show to be, careful long-range planning and fund-raising, a close partnership with an expert curator and a successful marketing campaign led to a major boost to numbers with over 12,000 visitors during a four month period. Significant economic benefits to Devizes and the wider area were delivered, totalling an estimated £380,000. An extensive programme of related activities ensured we engaged with a broad range of audiences, including students with special educational needs from Fairfields Farm College and participants in the Arts Together art workshops, a group who aim to bring ‘arts and zest for life to older people in Wiltshire’, who all produced some moving and memorable artworks. Visitor feedback was first-rate, and helped drive another strong year of new members signing up. We recruited 32 new and 24 existing volunteers to help host the exhibition, who received widespread praise for their positive engagement with visitors. And finally we were proud to host a visit in December by HM The Queen Consort (then HRH The Duchess of Cornwall), accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant Sarah Troughton.

The Hardy’s Wessex: the landscapes that inspired an artist exhibition is ongoing at the time of writing (May to October 2022), and although it is not having as dramatic an impact on visitor numbers, it is proving popular, as are the related series of walks, talks and other events. This exhibition is being delivered in conjunction with the other three members of the Wessex Museums Partnership, one of many examples of the benefits of collaboration.

Over the last 12 months we have lent some of our collections to other museums and touring exhibitions, further widening our audiences, raising the profile of the Museum and in some cases generating much-needed revenues. The British Museum’s hugely impressive exhibition The World of Stonehenge put our treasured Bush Barrow and Shaman burial artefacts centre-stage, whilst other parts of our collections toured Europe and North America, and we have also made loans to museums closer to home. Conservation has been another focus this year, with important work completed on the Cunnington letters and the John Piper window.

We have continued to broaden our reach by further developing our online resources and by delivering a vibrant programme of talks and events, both online and in person. We established a Youth Panel to help ensure we are listening to – and acting upon – the voices of an important part of our audience.

We continue to work closely with Devizes Assize Court Trust (DACT) to ensure that the restored and extended Assize Court can fulfil its full potential as a central part of the cultural, social and economic life of Devizes, for local people and for visitors. Wiltshire Council and Devizes Town Council are highly supportive of our aims. We are busy preparing a submission to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, an important plank of our fund-raising strategy.

It is pleasing that despite the severe impact of the pandemic on our income and fund-raising activities over the last couple of years, the Society is currently in a reasonably strong financial situation. However, the combination of rising cost inflation and other economic challenges means that we cannot be complacent if we want to deliver our ambitious objectives. We will need to continue to creatively generate revenue, control costs and raise funds, and I have a high level of confidence that our committed and able staff and trustees will be successful in this task. Three new trustees joined us this year, all of whom have made a significant contribution already.

My thanks to you, our members, for your continuing support, generous gifts and legacies and enthusiastic engagement with our activities – all of which makes a very real difference for which we are most grateful.

Martin Nye

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Conservation work on the William Cunnington Letters Book (volume II)

Clockwise from the top: Internal view of binder showing a letter; selection of letters being washed in an alkaline solution to de-acidify and help remove remnants of the old paper guards; one of the letters being repaired; internal view of letter book showing letter 76 with an illustration and the letter guard lifting.

Below: the new archival clam-shell ring-binders.

See Page 20 for details.

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

(A company limited by guarantee)

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 2022.

This Annual Report includes the reports and financial statements set out on pages 9 to 56. 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 10 to 33. 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

Highlights of the Year

The highlight of the year was our stunning Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition, which was curated by James Russell, and managed by Heather Ault, our Exhibitions Officer. We welcomed over 12,000 visitors and the feedback from our visitors was extraordinary.

The exhibition ran from 29 September 2021 until 31 January 2022 and featured 21 works by Ravilious, with loans from private lenders, The British Museum, Towner Gallery, Tate, V&A and National Museums Wales. Everyone was involved in the exhibition, whether volunteer, trustee or member of staff. Tasks included managing the loans, ensuring that the works were properly cared for, security, training, marketing, promoting on social media, security, fund-raising, sourcing shop stock, evaluation or welcoming visitors. As we approached the Christmas period, increasing Covid-19 rates meant that we were constantly reviewing our procedures and January passed in a blur, with hundreds of people welcoming the chance to explore the exhibition during such challenging times. We were also delighted to welcome the HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, who remarked that Ravilious was her favourite artist.

The start of the year was anything but positive, as we were again in lockdown as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. This extended period of closure was difficult for everyone and we kept going with a programme of online talks and lectures, continuing to engage new audiences online. We reopened on 20 May 2021, cautiously at first with restricted days of opening and reduced hours. Careful planning enabled us to be awarded ‘Good to Go’ status as a Covidsafe visitor attraction. We took advantage of the closure to introduce a new till system and an online booking system – ArtTickets provided by Art Fund. These proved to be invaluable as we were able to manage the number of people in the building and provide more efficient contactless payments. The precautions we took during Covid proved their worth – as far as we can tell, no member of staff, volunteer or visitor has been infected with Covid while they were at the Museum.

As thoughts turned to building back after Covid, we developed closer links with the local business community, taking part in Devizes ‘Indies’ to help promote independent shops and cafés. The Ravilious exhibition brought trade to shops cafés, restaurants and hotels in the local area, delivering an economic impact of over £380,000. We also took part in the Government’s Kickstart Scheme which provided funding to employers to create jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit.

In 2021 we created a website for Museums across Wiltshire and used it as a platform to promote visits to museums as they re-opened, as well as holiday activities which were publicised by the Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Libraries. Our own welcome to visitors was recognised by VisitEngland, who awarded us an improved score of 82% in the Visitor Attraction Quality Assessment Scheme, enabling us to claim the ‘Hidden Gem’ status. This measures visitor experience, the warmth of the welcome and the cleanliness of the building during a ‘mystery shopper’ visit.

Behind the scenes, work began on fitting out the Amesbury Store, with work delayed by Covid-19 and impacted by materials cost increases and delivery delays. This will be able to accept new archaeology collections in the summer of 2022. Amongst the notable acquisitions during the year was an important medieval enamel incense boat cover, on loan from Bromham PCC. Conservation has revealed its’ stunning decoration (see page 15).

Meanwhile, the Assize Court project has moved on slowly. The announcement by Wadworth Brewery that they would be moving production from their current site led to Wiltshire Council commissioning an update of the 2017 Wharf Development Strategy to ensure close working between stakeholders. Although a first Expression of Interest to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was not successful, a second was submitted in March, which was then successful, marking an important first step towards realising the project.

David Dawson

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Finds Liaison Officer/Portable Antiquities Scheme

Joining PAS in January 2021 as FLO, in a job share with Wil Partridge during lockdown went very smoothly, despite the government restrictions. Wil left PAS in March 2021 to return to university, in addition to his research work at Wiltshire Museum, offering up the opportunity for the author to become FLO full time.

By April 2021, it was possible for the FLO to meet finders with Treasure items in museum car parks, although not indoors, due to Covid-19 restrictions. This meant that finds surgeries did not start up again properly until Autumn 2021. The FLO is based at The Salisbury Museum but also visits Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre, Chippenham and STEAM, Swindon, (as Swindon Museum and Art Gallery is relocating). Finders had been able to detect as part of their daily exercise during lockdown in February 2021 and had accumulated large numbers of finds but they had to be limited to a maximum of ten per finder for recording, as PAS volunteers could not return to The Salisbury Museum until Autumn 2021, and this was in limited numbers.

The situation has improved in 2022, although not all the regular PAS volunteers have felt able to return. The FLO and volunteers managed to record 1333 objects in 1181 records from April 2021 to March 2022. Funding was made available from the British Museum in February 2022 to finance short term assistance in dealing with Treasure finds.

Additional work has included further

magnetometer survey and ground penetrating radar survey carried out at Bowerchalke, where Romano-British buildings and Bronze Age barrows were identified in 2020, following finds reported to PAS; a magnetometer survey was carried out by Wiltshire Archaeology Field Group following the discovery of an Early Bronze Age dagger recorded by PAS, at a site east of Devizes, in the hope of finding a ring ditch, but only field drains were in evidence. It has been fruitful to work closely with many of our finders and the FLO is grateful to them for their patience whilst PAS recording at finds surgeries and metal detecting clubs resumes more regularly.

Sophie Hawke

TRAINING

The Collections Officer: Archive and Library attended three online sessions during September about Unlocking Our Sound Heritage delivered by Northwest Sound Heritage. She also attended two online sessions during November about preserving and rights clearance for sound collections delivered by Unlocking Our Sound Heritage team at The Keep, Sussex. The Unlocking Our Sound Heritage Project is a country wide project run by the British Library to document sound archives and make them more accessible. The knowledge gained has been put to good use in the Voices from the Assize Court project.

Jane Sch ö n

Poor George - the soldier in our Roman Gallery took a tumble and is seen here being carried into the Lecture Hall by Adam and David. Following a minor repair he was soon back on display.

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Fundraising

Fundraising is essential to ensure the Society can continue to achieve it’s aims and ambitions and to work with the local community. The Society’s continued success is rooted in the support of members and the local community through subscriptions, donations and being advocates of our work. Corporate Members include Wansbroughs Solicitors, Venture Chartered Accountants and AC Archaeology.

This report highlights some of the work undertaken in the year to develop interactives, conserve the collection and hold high profile exhibitions. There may some overlap with other reports.

Antiquarian Correspondence to William Cunnington I, 1799-1810

The National Manuscripts Conservation Trust contributed £2,364 in December 2021 towards the conservation of the second letters book of William Cunnington I (see pages 8 and 20). The grant was the last piece of the ‘funding jigsaw’, supplementing crucial legacies from members.

Choice and Circumstance: A Tess of the

D’Ubervilles Community Project

We were awarded £615 from the Wessex Museums partnership towards a project with Arts Together, a local charity which works with isolated older people. Art inspired by Thomas Hardy’s most famous heroine will be displayed during the Hardy’s Wessex exhibition (May to October 2022).

Eric Ravilious: Downland Man

Evaluation of the exhibition and its associated projects was undertaken at the end of the exhibition and was provided to those Trusts and Foundations who ‘made it happen’:

We also thank our Corporate Sponsors - Gaiger Bros and Wansbroughs Solicitors - for their support, and also the private donors and supporters who helped persuade the major funders that the project would be welcomed by members and local people.

Kemm watercolours - sponsor an object

A donation was received to conserve a volume of watercolours by Robert Kemm (1837-1895), one of the items on our ‘sponsor an object’ web page. Painted in the 1860s they record the exterior and interiors of many Wiltshire churches prior to their restoration ( DZSWS:1982.1077- 2338 ). We thank the member for the donation.

Long Room Cases

In July 2021 a £2,000 donation was received from the Samuel William Farmer Trust. Added to legacies from members, including former Librarian Lorna Haycock, it will fund new archival-quality cases for the Long Room.

Voices from the Devizes Assize Courts - how fundraising supports the Society’s aims In August 2021 we were awarded funds from Arts Council England for a Voices from the Devizes Assize Courts oral history project. The project aims to record the memories of people connected with the Assize Courts, either during its days as an important judicial centre or in subsequent years.

The grant of £14,394 funded expertise from oral historian Padmini Broomfield, recording equipment, oral history training for students and volunteers, interpretation banners and a designer for a booklet.

Based at home two volunteers researched the building and existing archives to create a timeline. This provided background information for the oral history interviews and booklet.

In February 2022 two MA Heritage Management students from Bath Spa University (Helen Meikle and Linda Redden) began placements (until June 2022) at the Museum to work on the project, undertaking oral history interviews, research and publicity for the project.

A projects web page was created to include details about the project, research results and sound clips from oral history interviews. These included contributions from a Gazette and Herald reporter, a retired Police Officer, a Wiltshire County Council Building surveyor and a juror. These memories will be published in a booklet alongside photos from the Archive and Library collections.

Rachael Holtom and Jane Schön

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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.

Despite disruption to the Museum’s exhibition programme due to Covid-19, the Museum was able to deliver an exciting programme in 2021/2022.

On reopening to the public in May 2021, the Ways of Seeing Wiltshire (20 May – 31 August 2021) exhibition showcased a range of works from our collection not often on display. Guest Curator Brian Edwards explored the theme of the Wiltshire landscape with particular focus on chalk hill figures and the prehistoric landscape.

In autumn came the much anticipated Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition (25 September 2021 to 30 January 2022) guest curated by James Russell. The exhibition featured the Museum’s dummy for the White Horse Puffin book (subsequently loaned to the Towner Eastbourne), together with many of Ravilious’ well known and much-loved works including the Westbury White Horse , Beachy Head , and Downs In Winter , all of which appealed to both Ravilious fans and a new audience alike.

The Museum was fortunate enough to have the support of numerous funders and through these important loans establish new working partnerships with national galleries such as the V&A, British Museum, Tate, Imperial War Museum and the Towner Eastbourne, together with private lenders. The Museum welcomed over 12,000 visitors in the four months the exhibition was open.

After Downland Man the Piper window (in the Piper Gallery) underwent conservation (see pages 6 and 20) and the galleries were prepared for the next exhibition: a small selection of recent acquisitions and loans to our collections, together with a photographic exhibition featuring work created by students from Wellington Academy. The school partnered with Wiltshire Museum and The Salisbury Museum on a project in 2020 just as Covid-19 struck.

In 2022/23 our major exhibition will be Hardy’s Wessex: the landscapes that inspired a Writer (28 May – 30 October 2022) run in conjunction with and simultaneously across our Wessex Partners Museums (Salisbury, Dorchester, Poole, and moving on to Swindon from October). The exhibition, curated by Harriet Still, will explore new perspectives in the life and work of Thomas Hardy in the beautiful and curious Wessex landscape that shaped his ideas. The exhibition at Wiltshire Museum will feature the original and very wonderful handwritten manuscript of Tess of the D’Urbervilles on loan from the British Library.

The 2022/23 programme will also include our popular Oexmann Art Competition and Exhibition (December 2022 to February 2023), previously postponed due to Covid-19. The competition is open to anyone born or living in Wiltshire and this year will feature, in addition to the usual prize categories, a People’s Vote. In 2023 there will be exhibitions by artists Joanna May, Robert Pountney, Anna Dillon and Hedley Thorne, and also Forgotten Voices a WWII focused exhibition.

Heather Ault Exhibitions Officer

From the Left: Westbury White horse by Eric Ravilious, loaned to the ‘Downland Man’ exhibition by the Towner Eastbourne; HM The Queen Consort (when HRH The Duchess of Cornwall), with guest curator James Russell. Image (c) Anna Barclay

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Wessex Museums Create & Collect: Declaring A Climate Emergency – My World, My Future

Following on from the successful Wessex Museums online exhibition Wildlife in the Red: Once Collectors’ Curiosities, now Endangered Species , a new project with a focus on climate change was launched: Create & Collect – Declaring a Climate Emergency – My World, My Future .

This was a co-curation project to engage young people in the Climate Emergency, to provide an opportunity for their voices to be heard and to hand-pick objects to be included in the Museum’s collections reflecting the issues in their local area (see page 27 for more details).

The Guides and Rangers created a protest banner, made from recycled and reused materials was displayed in the Long Room during the year and is now part of the Museum’s permanent collection, preserving the voices of young women and their views on climate change.

Also displayed in the Long Room during the year were the Donald Grose notebooks and photographs to coincide with Wessex Museums Objects On Tour online exhibition Wildlife in the Red (October 2020 to January 2022).

Lisa Brown and Jane Schön

Loans

The loans programme was impacted again 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.

British Museum: The World of Stonehenge

The early Bronze Age grave groups Wilsford G5 (Bush Barrow) and Upton Lovell G2a (Shaman burial) went on loan to the British Museum, as part of the blockbuster exhibition The World of Stonehenge (17 February to 17 July 2022). Focusing on connections in exchange, travel and migration between Britain, Ireland and continental Europe during the ‘Age of Stonehenge’, the displays told the story of the people behind monuments such as Stonehenge, especially their beliefs about society and the heavens.

Other items from our collections also featured in the exhibition were finds from West Kennet Long Barrow; the flint long-tailed oblique arrowhead from Marden Henge; and the gold sun disc from Jug’s Grave, Monkton Farleigh.

The loan involved the Curator spending 21 hours online as a ‘virtual courier’, supervising the unpacking and installation of the objects for display. The exhibition had recorded 56,500 visitors to the end of March 2022.

As part of a reciprocal loan agreement we borrowed objects from the British Museum to fill the gaps in our displays. This included three daggers from Egypt, Mycenae and the Royal cemetery at Ur, Iraq. The daggers are all broadly contemporary with Bush Barrow and tell the story of daggers with gold from across the world. Also displayed for the first time in Wiltshire since their excavation by Canon William Greenwell in 1878, was the early Bronze Age grave group (with Aldbourne Cup), Aldbourne IV.

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Aldbourne Heritage Centre

A small number of archaeological and recent history items were borrowed in March 2022, including - prehistoric flints tools, Bronze Age and Roman pottery, Post Medieval clay tobacco pipe stems, some copper-alloy Roman coins, the weathervane from the top of the Aldbourne church tower, and a framed testimonial from the building company for the Aldbourne Memorial Hall for the successful execution of their contract.

Athelstan Museum, Malmesbury

This loan included one of our newer acquisitions, a Roman silver finger-ring with blue glass intaglio, engraved with a depiction of Victory, found at St Paul Malmesbury Without in 2019. The ring and two other objects from Easton Grey (the carved head of a Celtic goddess and a bronze brooch with two dolphins) featured in their 2021-22 exhibition about the Romans in North Wiltshire.

Halle Museum of Prehistory: World of the Nebra Sky Disc – New Horizons

This exhibition opened in Germany in June 2021; a precursor to the British Museum’s exhibition The World of Stonehenge . We lent the early Bronze Age grave group from Preshute G1a (otherwise known as the Marlborough Lady), the Monkton Farleigh gold sun disc from Jug’s Grave; and a red glass bead from the Wilsford G42 burial. 60,000 visitors were recorded.

Herne Museum for Archaeology: Stonehenge

– People and Landscapes

In September 2021 the Museum for Archaeology, Federal State Museum for Westphalia, Herne and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Archaeological Prospection and Virtual Archaeology, borrowed objects for this exhibition. Guest curated by Julian Richards, it featured objects from 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 the Wilsford G5 Bush Barrow dagger handle; some early Neolithic stone axes from factories in Cornwall, North Wales, and the Lake District; and Mesolithic material from Oliver’s Hill Field, Cherhill. As at June 2022 over 21,000 visitors had been recorded.

Museums Partner: Stonehenge - Ancient Mysteries and Modern Discoveries

Objects continued to travel across the USA as part of this major touring exhibition, in partnership with Museums Partner and Mike Parker Pearson of University College London. The exhibition will open at Auckland War Memorial Museum in December 2022 with interest from museums in Australia, China, and the USA. The export licence has been renewed as it is anticipated that the tour will continue until 2025.

The exhibition 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).

ARCHIVE & LIBRARY

Dr Lloyd Bowen of Cardiff University made a request in April 2021 to view material for an AHRC-funded project Welfare, Conflict and Memory during and after the English Civil Wars, 1642-1710 ( www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk ). Although the Archive & Library was closed due to Covid-19 restrictions the following material was lent to Dr Lloyd Bowen and his team to scan and digitise for their project:

The books have been returned, with Dr Bowen saying

They have been enormously helpful for the project’s work – I really cannot tell you how valuable they will be for ensuring we complete the Great Rolls and order books work for Wiltshire to a high standard. We are enormously grateful .

Lisa Brown and Jane Schön

Far left: the Bush Barrow collection on display at the BM; Below: an X-Ray of incense boat lid showing the design (c) Drakon Heritage & Conservation

To the Museum: From the Parochial Church Council of Bromham, Chittoe and Sandy Lane .

Half lid of a medieval incense boat dating to c. AD 1250. Enamelled in green, blue, and red, with traces of gilding and made in Limoges, France. It was dug up in the churchyard of St Nicholas, Bromham in 1897.

This is only the second known example found in the UK. Incense boats were sacred vessels to store frankincense and myrrh, which were both used in many church rituals, including Mass. The curved dragon-headed handle on the lid is for symbolic protection of the incense. In medieval times the burning of incense was considered both an offering to God and an act of purification. It is a rare and important find for Wiltshire and is on display in the Medieval Gallery (2021.8).

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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.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the closure of the Museum and collections staff being on furlough impacted on the acquisition of objects telling the story of Wiltshire.

In response to the pandemic, we developed Wessex Museums Contemporary Collecting Strategy, under the theme ‘Society and Health’. Others were acquired under the subject of ‘Environment & Climate Change’ (these are marked * in the list below).

A complete list of acquisitions for the year can be found in the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine. All our Collections are available to search online www. wiltshiremuseum.org.uk/collections . To date there are 123,000 records of catalogued items to search across all collections, along with 17,800 digital images.

Below are some of the highlights.

Contemporary Collecting is the collecting of objects and stories that reflect the recent past and what is happening today. It 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 such collecting is that the histories fall within living memory so can be documented with insights from those who experienced them firsthand. This provides an opportunity to work in partnership with other people and communities and to be creative, dynamic, and inclusive.

Acquisitions of the Year

Roman silver finger-ring, with blue intaglio, engraved with a depiction of Victory, left with wreath in palm, probably standing on a globe, dating to AD 150 - 300. Found in St Paul Malmesbury Without, 2019. PAS Treasure find (2021.9) .

Collection of material once belonging to Miss Mary Niblett , a VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Nurse, who provided care for military personnel during World War Two. The VAD system was set up before World War One with help from the British Red Cross.

Small hoard of later Bronze Age metalwork , dating to 1500 - 1150 BC. Includes a copperalloy palstave axe; incomplete copper-alloy twisted bar torc; incomplete copper-alloy twisted bar bracelet; copper-alloy Liss-type annular bracelet; incomplete copper-alloy quoit pin. Found in Heywood, 2019. PAS Treasure find (2021.17) .

Miss Niblett’s family farmed in Highworth, Ashton Keynes and Cerney Wick. Mary enlisted in 1941 and nursed in Military Hospitals and Casualty Clearing Stations across the UK, ending her service in a British Military Hospital in Italy. She was discharged from nursing duties in 1946.

The collection includes a demob kit bag; Mary’s uniform (skirt, jacket, and belt) with cloth badges; Defence and War medals and armbands; identity documents; movement orders; numerous Red Cross certificates and a black and white photograph. Mary’s time in Italy is well documented with postcards and photographs. Donated to the Museum by Maurice Taylor, via Mary Niblett’s son, Will Seymour ( 2021.5 ).

Medieval copper-alloy and enamel horse harness banner pendant, dating to AD 12751350. The enamel decoration is of a white, longnecked bird, possibly a crane. It is surrounded by simplified, stylised turquoise/green foliage and blue and red flowers. Found in Enford, 2021. Donated by Dr Peberdy, Oxford (2022.1).

From the left: Mary Niblett’s Identity Certificate (2021.5); Incomplete palstave axe (2021.17); Medieval horse harness (2022.1); Roman fingerring (2021.9). Not to scale

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Watercolour and ink drawing of Stonehenge, with two horses and four people standing beside one of the great Trilithons. Written on the mount in pencil, ‘Stonehenge, Wiltshire’. 18th Century English School, artist unknown. The same scene, dated December 1790, is depicted in a painting published in Christopher Chippendale’s book, Stonehenge Complete , 1987. Purchased at auction (2021.1004) . (see back page)

Archaeology

Mesolithic or early Neolithic flint core used to produce blades. Found on Quakers Walk Allotments, Devizes, 2021. Donated by Edmund Nash, Devizes (2021.6) .

Later Bronze Age gold penannular finger-ring, dating to c.1300 - 1150 BC. Found in Preshute, 2017. PAS Treasure find (2021.11) . Medieval silver annular brooch, with projecting praying hands. Found in Wingfield, 2018. PAS Treasure find (2021.12) .

Anglo-Saxon silver pinhead, lozenge-shaped in original form, divided in four wedge-like quadrants by a straight-armed cross, dating to the 8[th ] Century AD. Found in West Lavington, 2018. PAS Treasure find (2021.13) .

Anglo-Saxon silver strap-end, dating to 8-10[th] Centuries AD. Found in Grafton, 2012. PAS Treasure find (2021.15) .

Anglo-Saxon silver hooked tag, dating to 8-12[th] Centuries AD. Found near Marlborough, 2019. PAS Treasure find (2021.16) .

Three trays of petrological thin sections taken from Stonehenge and its environs by William Cunnington III (1813-1906), between c. 1870 and 1893. Mostly removed from chips excavated from under the turf within the monument. The trays are labelled ‘Diabases’, ‘II Rhyolites, III Basic Tuffs’, and ‘IV Grits, V Doubtful’ and contain 9, 14, and 11 samples respectively, totalling 34 thin sections. Old collection, previously unaccessioned (2021.37) .

Incomplete, probably Post Medieval lead vessel, dating to c. AD 1066-1650. The vessel, made of 4.6mm thick lead sheet, has been distorted due to old damage. Found in West Ashton, 2021. Donated by Philip York, Trowbridge (2021.38) .

Fragment of a Neolithic polished flint axe. Found at Hilperton, 2021. Donated by Tony Hack, Herefordshire (2021.44) .

Art

Five paintings by Devizes artist Jim Condell, c.1990 - Westbury White Horse; St John’s Alley, Devizes; Standing Stone at Avebury; Wiltshire Harvest; Kennet & Avon Canal. Donated by Lynne Askey, Hampshire (2021.1001.1-5). The paintings were displayed in the ‘ Ways of Seeing Wiltshire ’ exhibition, (May – September 2021).

Pen and ink drawing - Wiltshire Museum on Long Street, no.40-41 ’, by Paul Sharp, 1964. Donated by Philippa Morgan, Devizes (2021.1002) .

Colour woodcut - Sunrise at Stonehenge , signed by the artist William Giles (1872-1939). Donated by Brian Edwards, Devizes (2021.1003) .

Limited edition print by Eric Ravilious (19031942) - Wiltshire Landscape , numbered 240/950. Purchased at auction (2021.1005) .

Limited edition print by John Piper (1903-1992), From Photo by EP, Stonehenge , numbered 7/850. Purchased at auction (2021.1006) .

Three metal vessels created by artist Linda Brothwell for a solo exhibition, Conservations in Making held at Stonehenge Visitor Centre in 2019. Inspired by three pots in the Museum’s prehistory collection. Donated by Sophie Scott, Gingko Projects, Somerset (2022.1001) . Displayed in the Oexmann Gallery, March – April 2022.

Portrait of Alfred James Underwood (1843/4 - 1884), Chief Warder of Devizes Prison. The portrait may have been painted by one of the prisoners. Part of a collection of items donated by John Underwood, Colwyn Bay (2021.40.1).

Archive and Library

The Archive and Library collection continued to grow despite the Covid-19 pandemic. 46 books were purchased and 87 donated - 41 by the authors themselves, contributing to the 137 new acquisitions during the year. Most of the purchased books were recently published, keeping the library collection up to date. Book purchases are still low due to financial constraints imposed by the pandemic.

From the left: Petrological thin sections taken by William Cunnington III (2021.37); Medieval brooch (2021.12); Gold finger-ring (2021.11); incomplete lead vessel (2021.38); pen and ink drawing of Wiltshire Museum, by Paul Sharp (2021.1002)

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There were 73 additions to the Archive collection including 16 donations related to the pandemic, and 58 new acquisitions (all donations) to the photographic collection, including three photograph albums of Rendell employees and four postcards. Highlights include:

BOOKS

The World of Stonehenge publication to accompany the British Museum exhibition 17 February – 17 July 2022. A number of objects from the Museum’s prehistoric archaeology collection were loaned to the exhibition. Gift to all exhibition lenders (Book.18481).

Volumes recording Life in Lockdown in West Lavington during 2020 . Volume One covers life in the village of West Lavington during the Covid-19 pandemic and Volume Two covers life in the village of West Lavington during the summer of 2020 as lockdown restrictions were gradually eased. Donated to the Museum by the author, Lyn Dyson (Book.18350).

JOURNALS

Each year the Archive and Library receives a large number of journals and newsletters via subscriptions, journal exchanges or gifts from donors. These include British Archaeology and Current Archaeology , Harnham Parish Church magazine, the Local Historian, Local History News, Wiltshire Life, The Antiquaries Journal and Wiltshire Ornithological Society news , to name a few. Although book and tract acquisitions are still lower than normal due to the pandemic the number of journals acquired has increased from 168 to 181. This ensures the collections are kept up to date with the latest published research.

DOCUMENTS

Printed pamphlet containing the funeral sermon preached in the Independent Chapel, Devizes on Sunday 27 February 1853 following the death of the Reverend Richard Elliott (1780-1853), pastor for 50 years of the church. Transcribed from the short-hand notes of Mr C Gillman, Devizes. Rev. Elliott was an anti-slavery campaigner and lived at 41 Long Street (now one of the Museum buildings) in the early decades of the 19[th] Century. Purchased (MSS.4514).

Devizes Carnival Diamond Jubilee Programme, Devizes Carnival Committee (1972). The programme lists all the events, has a map of the carnival procession route and many local business advertisements. Discovered whilst sorting out papers during lockdown by the donor Ann Osmond (MSS.4506) .

Great Western Railway (GWR) letter addressed to Mr F Edwards thanking him for his swift action when a tree had fallen onto the track near to the Devizes Tunnel on 8 May 1916. Donated to the Museum by Thomas Massey (MSS.4517) .

Second World War German ‘Wehrpass’ (service ID book) issued to Hans [Heinz] Slywezynski who was a prisoner at the Devizes POW Camp (19411944). Donated by James Birkett, Brighton, who inherited it from his grandfather, A E Ravenhall, a police superintendent in Devizes during and after World War Two (MSS.4519) .

Collection of NHS leaflets and letter to book first Covid-19 vaccination and guidance documents for Covid-19 testing kits, 2021. Donated to the Museum by Jane Schön (*MSS.4525).

Folio containing plans and sections for the proposed London, Newbury and Bath Direct Railway, 1845. Message on frontispiece reads: 30th November 1845. This Plan and Section deposited in my office at half past seven in the evening. Jn.[John] Swayne. Clerk of the Peace of the County of Wilts . Purchased at auction (MSS.4537)

Programme and information leaflet for a visit by The Queen to open Devizes Leisure Centre on Wednesday 8 August 1990, printed by Kennet District Council. The leaflet includes directions for attendees and how to act! Donated to the Museum by Mrs Barbara Fuller (MSS.4551) .

PHOTOGRAPHS AND POSTCARDS

Three colour photographs of the interior of Devizes Assize Court including the Magistrates Court room (court 2), Assize Court room (court 1) and Entrance Hall ceiling. Donated to the Museum by Architects Caroe and Partners, Wells ( 2021.7005 ) (see page 33)

The World of Stonehenge ; Devizes Carnival Diamond Jubilee Programme, Devizes Carnival Committee (1972); NHS Covid-19 leaflets; Life in Lockdown in West Lavington during 2020

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Black and white photograph of Sarah Elizabeth Bennett Godwin (1868-1943) who carried on her father’s business “Bennetts Antiques” in Devizes. Contained in a collection of black and white photographs of the Devizes and Avebury families Godwin, Bennett, Trelease, Higgins and Peak Garland. Also included were scenic photographs of Avebury, Wiltshire. Purchased at auction ( 2021.7006 ).

Natural History

No acquisitions to report this year.

Numismatics

Hoard of Medieval silver cut halfpenny coins, six of Henry III and one of Alexander III, dating to AD 1253 - 1280. All the coins are in particularly good condition suggesting the hoard was deposited not long after minting. Found in Brokenborough, 2015. PAS Treasure find (2021.10) .

Roman silver Republican denarius coin, found in the vicinity of another Republican denarius coin and therefore classed as a hoard. Faustus Cornelius Sulla, dating to 56 BC. Found in Aldbourne, 2019. PAS Treasure find (2021.19) .

Recent History

Wiltshire Working Men’s Conservative Benefit Society sash. Later known as the Wiltshire Friendly Society it was founded in Trowbridge in 1887. Friendly societies were insurance clubs with regular payments made for sickness and burial coverage, plus sociable activities. Donated by Lindsay McCormack, Swindon (2021.4) .

Rainbow mosaic. Rainbows were adopted as a symbol of hope during the Covid-19 pandemic. As rainbows appear when the sun comes out after a heavy rainfall they provided a reminder that there is always hope and light after challenging times. This is probably why the rainbow was chosen to show solidarity with key workers, including NHS staff, in the fight against Covid-19. Donated by Tim Daw, All Cannings and made by his daughter (*2021.7.1).

Angel Christmas tree decoration made from disposable face masks. Millions of masks were used by key workers and the public as protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Donated by Tim Daw, All Cannings and made by his daughter (*2021.7.2).

White metal 1st Volunteer Rifle Corp cap badge of the Wiltshire Regiment. 1st Wilts V.R.C. Moonraker insignia - brandy barrel with crescent moon, dating to c.1903. Donated by Brian Edwards, Devizes (2021.36).

Long stemmed clay pipe, given to Arthur Ernest Underwood of Potterne at an event at the Corn Exchange/Bear Hotel, Devizes. Donated by John Underwood, Colwyn Bay (2021.40.3). Set of five bowling blazer badges, including Devizes Bowling Club, with Devizes Castle emblem; South-Western Counties Bowling Association, with embroidered map; Wiltshire Bowling Association, with Stonehenge Trilithon emblem (2021.41.1) .

19[th] Century metal key to the main gate of Roundway Psychiatric Hospital, Devizes, also known as the Wiltshire County Lunatic Asylum, which opened in 1851. The donor’s father, John Kennedy, was a hospital maintenance engineer who brought the key home after the hospital closed in 1995. Donated by David Kennedy, Surrey (2021.42) .

China teapot with Devizes Castle transfer print. Made by Shelley, England. Manufactured for C H Woodward, Stationer, Devizes. Donated by Ruth Gilliam-Hill, West Lavington (2021.43). Box which had contained vials of the Pfizer Biotech Covid-19 vaccine. The vials were used at a Covid Vaccination Clinic at Devizes Corn Exchange in August 2021. Inside the box are several vaccination cards issued to those who attended the clinic, along with a description of how the clinic operated, written by a retired GP who volunteered there. Donated by Dr James Kay, Pewsey (*2021.45) .

Items created by the Devizes 4th Girl Guides and Rangers, as part of the Wessex Museums Climate Emergency project My World, My Future - a protest banner made from recycled and reused materials and a collection of painted pebbles. The Guides and Rangers expressed concern about local housing development and its impact on the nature reserve at Drew’s Pond, Devizes. The project was supported by artist, James Aldridge ( *2022.2-3 ).

The banner was displayed in the Library Long Room, January – October 2022. Some of the painted pebbles were put around Drew’s Pond for other children to find, and some were added to the Museum’s collection.

From the left: Roman silver Republican denarius coin(2021.19); Rainbow mosaic (*2021.7.1); White metal 1st Volunteer Rifle Corp cap badge of the Wiltshire Regiment (2021.36).

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CONSERVATION

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 several collections over the last few years.

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

Museum

The Museum stores, gallery displays and building were regularly checked during the lockdowns to ensure that the collections remained in good condition. No issues were detected.

A rare and exquisite half lid from a Medieval incense boat is now on loan to the Museum, from the Parochial Church Council of Bromham, Chittoe and Sandy Lane. Found in the churchyard of St Nicholas church in Bromham, it was dug up in 1897, and then kept in the church safe. Over the years its condition has deteriorated significantly, and the metalwork started to actively corrode. It has been conserved by Pieta Greaves at Drakon Heritage and Conservation and is on display in the Medieval Gallery.

In February 2022 the John Piper stained-glass window was removed from the Museum by Holywell Glass, specialist conservators from Wells, Somerset. The window, located in the art gallery, was bowing due to the heat of the sun on the lead matrix since installation over 40 years ago. The window was dismantled, cleaned and straightened. On re-installation in May a backlight was fitted, which will illuminate the window from behind when it is boarded from the outside. This will enable the stained-glass to be visible when additional security is required for incoming loans from National museums that require Government Indemnity Standard. See photographs on page 6.

Archive & Library

A second volume of 277 letters addressed to William Cunnington I (1754-1810) was conserved by specialist conservators, R & L Lancefield and funded by a grant from the National Manuscripts Conservation Trust, who awarded us £2,364 towards the total cost of £8,864. The remaining £6,500 was allocated from legacies.

The letters are now stored within protective sleeves inside bespoke archival binders. Digital photographs of all the letters were taken by the conservators, and these will be made available online in the future. See images on page 8.

The letters, written between 1798 and 1811, are from 54 correspondents including John Britton; Rev. Edward Duke; Rev. James Douglas; A B Lambert; H. Johnson; William Martin; Rev. Thomas Leman and James Sowerby. They help to illustrate correspondence between an antiquarian and contemporaries discussing archaeological ideas; proofing and amending each other’s published works and creating their own collections.

A postgraduate student placement from Bath Spa University, and a few Archive & Library volunteers, will undertake the second stage of the project - to transcribe the letters and record onto our Modes database and carry out research into some of the correspondents. The results will be made available online through project blogs and an online exhibition.

It is planned to display them in the Long Room, once new high security display cases have been purchased.

DISPOSAL

A small number of items, stored in an out-building within the walls of the Museum car park, were proposed for disposal from the collections, following our Collections Development Policy. The items were in extremely poor condition, had low intrinsic significance, were un-accessioned and had no traceable provenance information.

The WANHS Trustees approved the items for ‘Disposal by Destruction’ in July 2021.

Collections Development Policy - Disposal by Destruction:

16.13 If it is not possible to dispose of an object through transfer or sale, the governing body may decide to destroy it.

16.14 It is acceptable to destroy material of low intrinsic significance (duplicate mass-produced articles or common specimens which lack significant provenance) where no alternative method of disposal can be found.

16.15 Destruction is also an acceptable method of disposal in cases where an object is in extremely poor condition, has high associated health and safety risks or is part of an approved destructive testing request identified in an organisation’s research policy.

16.16 Where necessary, specialist advice will be sought to establish the appropriate method of destruction. Health and safety risk assessments will be carried out by trained staff where required.

16.17 The destruction of objects should be witnessed by an appropriate member of the museum workforce.

16.18 Full records will be kept of all decisions on disposals.

Lisa Brown, Jane Schön and David Dawson

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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

In the early months of the year Covid restrictions were relaxed and activities reintroduced at the Museum and walks organised. Many events were linked to the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition, both online and in the Museum. Events were also organised on behalf of, or jointly with, other organisations including the Victoria County History Society, the Prehistoric Society, the Bradford on Avon Museum and St Laurence Church, Bradford on Avon. Walks and tours were also jointly organised with Hidden Wiltshire and local historian John Girvan. The conferences - archaeology and industrial - were both postponed to 2022.

Activities for under-16s were also re-introduced, including holiday activities and the Young Curator’s Club (previously known as Young WANHS) for 7 to 14 year olds. A new Saturday club for 5-7 year olds - called Museum Explorers - was introduced to bridge the gap between Curious Kids and Young Curator’s. 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.

March 2022

Online: The Marlborough Bucket: Connections and Context in the Iron Age of Southern Britain , by Rebecca L Ellis Museum Explorers and Young Curators: Potty about pots! Online: Bremhill Parish: a community history project , by Louise Ryland-Epton and Martin Nye Lecture: Building Stonehenge: What Happened in Wiltshire , by Mike Pitts Curious Kids: Bugs Online: Staging the World of Stonehenge , by Neil Wilkin and Jennifer Wexler

February 2022

Online: Celtic Languages, Migrations and Milk: The genetics of Britain 1500 BC-43 AD , by Tom Booth Holiday Activities: Traditional Toys Museum Explorer’s Club: The Romans! Young Curator’s Club: Romans and the origins of Valentine’s Day

January 2022

Day course: Wood Engraving with Robin Mackenzie Online: Engaging our Community: Ravilious Downland Man Museum Explorers and Young Curators: Ravilious and the Chalk Downland Landscape

December 2021

Museum Explorers and Young Curators: Christmas Traditions Book Launch: Hidden Wiltshire: from near and far , Glyn Coy and Paul Timlett Curious Kids: Toys and Games Online: Eric Ravilious: Downland Man , James Russell

November 2021

Online: Connections: Avebury and Orkney , Alison Sheridan and Josh Pollard. Part of the celebrations for the 35th Anniversary of the Inscription of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site.

Online: Wiltshire’s White Horses , David Dawson Curious Kids: Horses Online: The World of the Nebra Sky Disk: new horizons in Bronze Age Europe , By Dr Regine Maraszek

October 2021

Online: Sutton Hoo 2021- old stories and new adventures , Professor Martin Carver*[1] .

Holiday Activities – Halloween and Chalk landscapes and White Horses

Art Course: Inspired by Ravilious, by Sue Martin Online: Ravilious in Wiltshire , by David Dawson Museum Explorers and Young Curators: Archaeological Discoveries

Online: All history is local: Wilton, 1066, and the VCH past, present and future , by Professor Catherine Clarke*[2] . Curious Kids: Egyptians

September 2021

Walk: Devil’s Den and Fyfield Down (Hidden Wiltshire Walk) Walk: Stonehenge Landscape Walk Curious Kids: Dinosaurs

August 2021

Walk: Erlestoke Wood and Salisbury Plain (Hidden Wiltshire Walk)

Summer Holiday Activities: Fossils and Dinosaur Crafts Walk: The Hills above Edington (Hidden Wiltshire Walk) Summer Holiday Activities: Prehistoric Cave Art Creations Walk: Erlestoke Woods Summer Holiday Activities: Ways of Seeing Wiltshire

July 2021

Summer Holiday Activities: Ancient Greek Olympics Walk: Bratton and Luccombe Springs (Hidden Wiltshire Walk) Online: Jomon Japan, Stone Circles and World Heritage , by David Dawson, Walk: Battle of Roundway Down – anniversary battlefield tour Walk: Box Hill circular walk (Hidden Wiltshire Walk) Online: Revising the Wiltshire Pevsner , by Julian Orbach*[2] .

June 2021

Walk: Milk Hill – Hidden Wiltshire Walk Walk: Bowood – Capability Brown’s landscape and lakeland Outing: Stonehenge Landscape Walk

Online: Bowood and Whetham: Capability Brown and Landscape Design , by Wendy Bishop, PhD Walk: Swindon Old Town

Online: Devizes Assize Court – a progress report Walk: Sutton Veny and Tytherington (Hidden Wiltshire Walk) Online: Eric Ravilious: Downland Man , James Russell Holiday Activities: Welcome back to the Museum

May 2021

Walk: Warminster Skyline (Hidden Wiltshire Walk) Online: Trying to Understand Wiltshire Townscapes , by John Chandler[2] . Online: King Athelstan and the Making of England , by Michael Wood, OBE[1] .

April 2021

Online: Making Public History Fun with Greg Jenner Online: Hartmoor and the Devizes Castle Deer Park Online: Mycenean Gold-working and parallels in Brittany and Wessex: New Research , by Nikolas Papadimitriou, with Akis Goumas, Eleni Konstantinidi-Syvridi and Maria Kontaki. Lecture jointly organised with the Prehistoric Society.

*[1] joint fundraising event for the Saxon Church of St. Laurence, Bradford-on-Museum, Bradford-on-Avon Museum, and Wiltshire Museum

*[2] . All proceeds to the Victoria County History Wiltshire Trust, who organised this lecture.

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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:

CURRENT SUBSCRIPTION RATES 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 parttime course of higher education leading to a recognised qualification in the areas of the Society’s interests.

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

There were 104 new (or re-joining) memberships in the year (139 members); 62 (84) in 2020/2021.

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. Members receive a free copy, and it is available to non-members for a modest charge.

The 2021 volume (no. 114) contained the following articles, including:

And the first shall be last: The Aubrey Holes and their stones (Rob Ixer and Richard Bevins) ; Petrography of sarsen debitage from the Stonehenge Landscape – a broad and perhaps scattered church (Rob Ixer and Richard Bevins) ; Re-assessing the Rocks Hill Long Barrow, near Old Sarum (Michael Gill) ; Cattle and Wiltshire Earthen Long Barrows: A Re-examination (Edward Shepherd); Middle to Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age occupation at Semington Road, Berryfield, Melksham, Wiltshire (Agata Socha-Paszkiewicz) ; Prehistoric Settlement and Economy at Roundhouse Farm, Marston Meysey, Wiltshire (Robin Holgate and Scott Williams) ; East Chisenbury Midden 2015−17: further investigations of the late prehistoric midden deposits, enclosure and associated settlement (Phil Andrews) ; Romano-British occupation and a late medieval farm complex at The Forty, Cricklade, Wiltshire (Gail Wakeham) ; A Summary Report on Medieval and Post-Medieval Activity at Salisbury Bus Station, Endless Street (Nicky Garland, Matt Nichol, and John Chandler) ; The

King of Morocco’s daughter living in Wiltshire, c.1600 (Graham Bathe, Ian Purvis, Robin Holley, Nicola Johnson, Ian Johnson) ; Rebuilding and Analysing the Blackmore Museum Library Catalogue (Anthony Hamber) ; The Culture of the Fields: Hay and Hay Makers in Wiltshire and Southern England before 1900 (Richard MooreColyer) ; Wiltshire County Council: First Elections 1889 (Ivor Slocombe) ; The Stonehenge Letter: reconstructing a preliminary stage of the Kon-Tiki expedition theory (Eirik Stokke) .

Notes and shorter contributions included: Restoring John Aubrey’s reputation as botanically competent with reference to records of his in The Flora of Wiltshire (1957); Late prehistoric and Romano-British funerary and settlement activity at Druids Lodge Polo Club, near Salisbury; Iron Age and Romano-British features at Western Way, Bowerhill, Melksham; Roman Roads at Monkton Deverill; Probable Late Romano-British/early post-Roman burial remains from Cranbourne Farm, Coombe Bissett; The Gomeldon Arrowhead; Geophysical Survey Report: Bradford-on-Avon Grange Barn; Commonwealth History and the Parish Register of Ashton Keynes; The Devizes white horse: rethinking a lost hill-figure; The Marlborough Artist, Mary Furnell May; Excavation and fieldwork in Wiltshire 2020; Highlights from the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) in Wiltshire in 2020.

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NEW MEMBERS 2021/22 Mr Andrew Affleck, Salisbury Mrs Bronwen Matters, Devizes Ms Lucy A Maxwell Scott, Devizes Mr John & Mrs Judith Aldersey-Williams, Devizes Ms Melanie May, Warminster Mr Mark & Mrs Patricia Alsop, Devizes Mrs Christina McClean, Devizes Mrs Hilary & Mr Les Antrobus, Devizes Ms Catherine Mitchell, Bath Ms Janette Armstrong, Chippenham Mr Benjamin Mogg, Bath Ms Nichola Bamford, Marlborough Ms Susan Morley, Bradford-On-Avon Ms Anna Bishop, Devizes Mr Michael Bloomfield, Trowbridge Mrs Katherine & Mr Harry Morley, Calne Ms Claire Nodder, Bath Ms Jane Brouner & Mr Phillip Steele, Devizes Ms Bo Novak, Melksham Mrs Victoria Bunyan, Pewsey Mr Jonathan Burn, Alresford Ms Joanna O’Brien, Romsey Mr Stephen Olliver, Devizes Mr Peregrine & Mrs Julia Chadwyck-Healey , Devizes Mrs Claire Osgood, Bradford On Avon Lord Richard Chartres, Salisbury Ms Emily Palmer, Dorchester Mr Dave Crisp, Devizes Ms Cara Pearl, Devizes Mr Ben Crofts, Salisbury Ms Ann Phillips & T J Cartwright, Devizes Mrs Caroline Dalrymple, Pewsey Mrs Janet & Mr Michael Polack, Marlborough Ms Catherine Dimmer, Berkhampstead Prenax Consolidation Centre Yeovil Ms Claire Dobbin, Devizes Mr Mark & Mrs Imogen Racz, Hungerford Leslie & Michael Doyle-Davidson, Devizes Mr Edward & Mrs Elizabeth Ellis, Baldock Mr Marc Rhodes-Taylor, Wroughton Mr Colin Ridler, Oxford Ms Janice Ephgrave, Calne Ms Imogen Riley, Trowbridge Mr Spencer & Mrs Amelia Ewen, Corsham Mr Andrew & Mrs Camilla Ritchie, Devizes Ms Nic Fleet, Pewsey Ms Tessa Rome, Devizes Ms Jackie Gardiner, Devizes Mr David Rowan, Marlborough Lady Lucy Garton, Melksham Mx Alison Gee, Devizes Mrs Dodie & Mr Richard Scott, Pewsey Ms Helen Simmonds, Calne Mr Edward George, Calne Mr Terry & Mrs Jenny Sinclair, Trowbridge Ms Anne Goodyer, Malmesbury Mr Peter & Mrs Sue Small, Devizes Ms Sarah Gould & Dr Andrew Watson, Andover Mr Paul Greaves, Warminster Mr Roland Smith, Southampton Miss Natalie Harrison & Mr Darren Revell, Devizes Mr Stephen & Mrs Pascale Stacey, Marlborough Ms Susan Stotter, Southampton Mr Rodney & Mrs Isabel Harward, Devizes Mr Stephen Sykes, Salisbury Ms Valerie Haye & Mr John Hambly, Liphook Mr Nicholas Tarrant, Chippenham Ms Sarah Helps, Corsham Mr Jim Theed, Princes Risborough Mr Gordon & Mrs Jessica Hotchkiss, Amesbury Mr Peter Thomas & Ms Joy Jenkins Salisbury Mr Antony Hubbard, Swindon Mrs Maeve Hunt, Devizes Mrs Barbara Thursten, Salisbury Ms Jane Jennion, Shrivenham Mr Christopher Tilley, Chippenham Mr Paul Timlett, Salisbury Mr Ian & Mrs Nicola Johnson, Pewsey Ms Sarah Tucker, Bristol Mr David & Mrs Carmel Kendrick, Birmingham Ms Beverley Turton, Pewsey Mr Christopher & Mrs Jessamy Kerr, Pewsey Mr Anthony & Mrs Angela Tuthill, Marlborough Mr Simon Kerry, Calne Mr Ben Urmston & Ms Zabada Sheikh, Salisbury Mr Danny Kruger, London Char Utton, Trowbridge Mr David Lacey & Ms Gill Crabtree, Swindon Mr Mark Warr, New Milton Ms Lorna Lathrope, Devizes Mrs Deirdre & Mr Malcolm Watson, Marlborough Mr Alan Lewis, Pewsey Mr Neil, Mrs Fiona & Mr Matthew Watson, Trowbridge Mr Jonathan Long, Godalming Ms Katherine Whitehead, Bradford-On-Avon Ms Felicity MacSwiney, Shaftesbury Mr Craig Williamson & Ms Sally Robson, Amesbury Mrs Elizabeth Mann, Chippenham Ms Christine Mansfield & Mr Ray Blackwell, Salisbury Ms Ruth Wilson, Bristol Mr Joseph Wood, Devizes Mr Alexander Marr, Marlborough Mr Alan & Mrs Nita Martin, Devizes Mr Francis Wright, Devizes

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 usually sent to all Society members throughout the year - but the Covid-19 pandemic has caused disruption to this routine. The publication is a mixture of articles, items of interest and news about events.

Engaging audiences online

A regular e-newsletter is sent out and social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) are used to engage and develop 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 immediate way. It also means we can engage with an audience that is unable to physically access the Museum or collections.

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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 ongoing Covid-19 pandemic there were only a small number of research visits during the year. However, it has been another busy year, reviewing the research that has been undertaken on the archaeology collections over the past decade, as part of the Arts Council Designation Development Fund, Wealth of Knowledge (WoK) project.

A Wealth of Knowledge: Unlocking a Decade of Archaeological Research

In November 2019 the Museum was awarded £47,000 from Arts Council England’s Designation Development Fund to review the results of the last ten years of research into the nationally important archaeological collections of the Wiltshire Museum and The Salisbury Museum. An interim report was submitted to the Arts Council in April 2021 highlighting the success of the project.

Due to Covid-19, lockdowns and reduced access to the collections the Arts Council agreed to extend the project to 31 October 2022. The bulk of the work required will be to update some displays in the Prehistoric Wiltshire Galleries. Opened in 2013, new research on the collections has resulted in some out-of-date interpretation; particularly for Bush Barrow and the ‘Shaman’ burials. The University of Leicester’s major research project - Beyond the Three Age System ( to be published in 2022) will require MODES records to be updated following their analysis of more than 100 of our early Bronze Age objects.

Building on the work of identifying underresearched areas of the collections, we have increased our engagement with universities, through a series of seminars, to encourage MA students to work on defined projects that will help us to learn more about our Palaeolithic / Mesolithic, Iron Age, Roman and Anglo-Saxon collections, which have received little research interest over the past 20 years or so. Reports are being written highlighting the potential for new research projects.

The Research Officer has also been developing new internal processes that will enable research beyond the life of WoK to be fed back more efficiently into the MODES management system.

We also participated in the FAIR project, led by the Collections Trust. This tested out approaches to displaying new research information to a range of communities through our website. We supplied data and images to a pilot service, bringing together information from eight museums in the FAIR project cohort; part of a £13m initiative by the Arts and Humanities Research Council – Towards a National Collection ’. We hope this platform will be able to deliver our NPO objective to create a ‘Virtual Wessex Collection’, including online exhibition authoring and social media publishing tools.

Decolonising Collections

As part of the Wessex Museums NPO1 programme, each museum in the Wessex Museums Partnership has started Decolonial work on their collections. The first stage was mentorship, working with Tehmina Goskar from the Curatorial Research Centre.

Funded by the Partnership, each museum is testing a different approach to Decolonising collections work. Each participant and museum has gained confidence in both modern ethical curatorial practice, as well as key considerations for Decolonisation. In Devizes we started the process by exploring the history of John Britton’s ‘Celtic’ Cabinet. It was commissioned by George Watson-Taylor (1771 – 1841) of Erlestoke Park and MP for Devizes 1826 - 32, an extremely wealthy Jamaican sugar plantation owner who had more than 2,000 slaves working for him.

Looking further ahead work will expand to include research and reinterpretation of the Anstie tobacco collection, which also has direct links to the slave trade. This tobacco enterprise, which lasted more than 200 years in Devizes, was one of the towns major industries, with the Anstie family one of its wealthiest commercial families.

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 [….]

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Researchers

Lisa Brown, Wil Partridge, David Dawson

Research: Archive & Library

The last researcher physically visited the Archive and Library on 13 March 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing and hygiene guidelines, it was not possible to reopen during the year. It is planned to reopen the Archive and Library from May 2022, initially to those researchers who had been in contact during the closure.

Although closed the Collections Officer: Archive and Library answered a number of enquiries, providing scans of documents or photographs where possible.

Research topics included Non-conformist Chapels, Moonrakers, All Cannings Brewery, Stourhead, the Old Bridewell, Drews Pond, Heytesbury village, St Clements Church in Fisherton Anger and assisting with numerous family history requests including the Earle family of Crudwell, the Talbot family of Devizes, the Keevil family and the Tropenell family of Great Chalfield.

Jane Sch ö n

Above: The Britton Cabinet

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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 fortunately seen both schools and families return to the Museum. It has been so lovely to hear the buzz of young people in the galleries, whether this be as they are searching for answers on their trails, excitedly exploring the round house and barrow models, or seeing who looks the funniest in our medieval costumes!

Schools began making trips as soon as they were able to, keen to give their students new opportunities and the chance to explore their local area. Many of the pupils visiting had never been on a school trip before, and as a result were quite excited but very keen to learn! Some school groups came by public transport, others from out of the county, and a good number of schools who had not previously made trips to the Museum. Some schools were initially more cautious on planning trips but were keen to have visitors to their classrooms. As a result quite a lot of outreach sessions took place in the Autumn term. Although not many schools were able to book trips and workshops from January to March, due to restrictions as Covid cases rose, bookings were arranged for later in the school year.

The Museum has continued to offer virtual school workshops this year. However, the demand for these has been less than we expected it would be. Those partaking have been schools from further afield, for whom visiting the museum would not have been feasible.

It has been lovely to welcome families back to the Museum. Our holiday activities remain popular, with many of our regulars returning, but also new families. On occasion we added more sessions to meet visitor demand. We ran activities linked to the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition as well as ones with seasonal and historic themes.

We relaunched our museum clubs after the pandemic with the Young WANHS Club, for those aged 8 to 14, being renamed Young Curators. Pre-lockdown we had set up a Curious Kids Club for the under five’s. However, this left a gap for families with children aged 5 to 7, so a new club called Museum Explorers has been added. The sessions focus on aspects of our collection and displays with the children taking part in practical activities such as investigating objects, visiting the exhibitions, quizzes, drawing and craft.

Other work in the year included a project for the Wiltshire Young Carers linked to the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition and sessions for home education groups, Guide and Scout Groups.

In 2022/23 we will be holding ‘Museum at Night’ sessions for guide and brownie groups as well as for a year 5 school class. The groups will have the Museum to themselves to explore and make noise in! They will also have an opportunity to see behind the scenes with cellar visits, take part in fun craft activities, watch Night at the Museum in cinema style with popcorn, and finally sleep on our very hard wooden floors! Although it’s uncertain how much sleep will be had, but it should be something they will remember!

We look forward to the learning opportunities that will arise with the projects and exhibitions planned in the coming year. With funding from the Crowdfunding appeal in 2020, the schools handling collection has been developed as are gallery interactives. These will provide further learning opportunities and improve accessibility of our collections for all ages.

Ali Rushent

From the left: Wiltshire Young Carers making white horses, which were then fixed to the outside of the Museum during the

‘Eric Raviliious: Downland Man’ exhibition.

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COMMUNITY CURATOR

The Community Curator post is funded by the Art’s Council NPO via Wessex Museum. Amy Hammett started in April 2021, as Sarah Gregson left to become Communities Manager for Salisbury City Council.

My World, My future

Image Project

Due to the pandemic some projects had to be adapted to ensure that the guidelines were followed. The hardest hit was the Image Photography project , which started in November 2019 but not finished until June 2021.

My World, My Future is an online exhibition amplifying the voices of children and young people living in Dorset and Wiltshire, about their concerns on environmental issues and the climate emergency. Working with our four partner museums on the Create and Collect for Climate Change project, the exhibition focused on their ideas for positive action to mitigate the impact of climate change.

The project focused on teaching photography skills to students from Wellington Academy (referred by Youth Offending Team and teachers). Originally planned to ‘learn to love your local area’ it naturally drifted to capturing their experiences of lockdown. Their work was exhibited at both The Salisbury Museum (August 2021) and Wiltshire Museum (March-May 2022).

At Wiltshire Museum we worked with Devizes 4th Guides and Rangers who were very concerned about development around Drew’s Pond in Devizes and the impact this would have on the local environment. Sessions were conducted online and in person, with the Guides and Rangers selecting objects from the collection for display, and, with artist James Aldridge, they created a protest banner out of recycled materials.

Chalk Hills

For the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition students with SEND from Fairfields Farm College created their own versions of Ravilious’ ‘Dummy Book’. This was influenced by Ravilious’s work and the landscape which inspired his art. At the end of the project they explored the Museum and talked about job opportunities within arts and heritage in the future.

View the exhibition at www.wessexmuseums.org. uk/what-we-do/exhibitions-events/my-world-myfuture/

Youth Panel

Whilst viewing the exhibition and the dummy book they sketched what they saw, and afterwards practiced using watercolours. They also explored the Wiltshire landscape - first stop Bratton white horse which featured in two of the paintings by Ravilious. Despite taking place in the middle of October the weather was lovely and one student even conquered their fear of heights! A second outing to Stanton St Bernard, which featured in Wiltshire Landscape, involved stopping in a field with the same view and a white horse behind them!

In the summer of 2021 a youth panel was set up for young people who wanted to be involved in projects to learn more about the Museum and gain work experience. They created a podcast and researched, scripted, recorded and edited it themselves. Moonraker’s Tale: Stories from Wiltshire is available on most of the major podcast platforms or at www.wiltshiremuseum. org.uk/museum-podcast-moonrakers-tales/

They have also been working on a smells interactive for the Roman Gallery. They have researched and considered accessibility to ensure that everyone can enjoy the activity.

Their final paintings, drawings and poems were displayed in the Museum and will be added to the collection. The project had lots of positive feedback from the students and the painting was featured in Special Needs Guide and White Horse local newspaper.

Amy Hammett

From the left: The Devizes Guides and their ‘My World, My Future’ exhibition; Students of Fairfields Farm College at Bratton.

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

Volunteers

It was a busy year at the Museum. From helping re-open the building to the public to playing an integral part in the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition, our volunteering team went above and beyond in their support. Our student volunteers and newly formed youth panel (see Community Curator’s Report on page 27) were also hard at work developing several projects for the Museum.

Volunteers play a vital role in all aspects of running the Museum. They welcome visitors, look after researchers in the Archive and Library, assist with school groups and family activity days, maintenance, decorating, gardening, administration, mailings and events. We also have a growing student volunteer programme focusing on skills development through creative projects. Trustees of WANHS are also volunteers and we are thankful for the time and expertise they continue to dedicate to the Museum.

Whilst many volunteer activities were paused due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were delighted to welcome them back from May 2021 onwards. Our front of house volunteers were especially instrumental in the successful re-opening of the Museum after lockdown.

Archive and Library Team

A team of 20 Library volunteers catalogue the Archive and Library collections, adding to the online catalogue and scanning the photograph collection. Although halted by the Covidpandemic many continued to undertake their own research whilst at home and answer the occasional enquiry.

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

Volunteering and the Ravilious Exhibition

In the summer of 2021 volunteers to help with the Ravilious exhibition, in both a security and visitor engagement role, were sought. They were required to ensure there would be two people in the exhibition galleries during opening hours throughout the exhibition. 32 new volunteers joined us and 24 of our existing volunteers also getting involved. To manage the recruitment and help organise the rota we introduced the online management software system, Better Impact. Training sessions on security and exhibition content were also undertaken.

2,791 hours were logged by our reception, engagement and maintenance volunteer teams (72 people in total) during the four month run of the exhibition. Using National Lottery Heritage Fund methodology this represents a financial value of £41,857.

The volunteer contribution to the exhibition played a huge part in its success. We received wonderful feedback from visitors, with many remarking that the knowledge and welcoming nature of the team was a stand-out element of their visit. Their remarkable dedication and team spirit continuously propelled us forward and we are hugely grateful for their time and support.

A special highlight of the year for members of our volunteer team was meeting HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at a private view of the exhibition.

Looking ahead

2022-23 will be another busy year. Our engagement volunteers will return for the Hardy’s Wessex: the landscapes that inspired a writer exhibition, and we will also be recruiting for new members to join the team. Our student volunteering offer will be developed and we will take part in a Wessex Museum project involving working with young disabled volunteers.

From left: HM The Queen Consort (then HRH The Duchess of Cornwall) meeting some of our volunteers, December 2021. Image (c) Anna Barclay, Mary Rennie and Museum Assistant Adam Lomas

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Student Volunteering

The Museum has a growing pool of young volunteers who are helping with holiday activities, writing website articles, producing social media content, and working on specific projects.

3D modelling project - as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award three students from Lavington School worked with the Museum and 3D Model Designer Sophie Russell to transform the Devizes Assize Court into a 3D model, using initial architect plans for the building’s redevelopment. This model was then imported into a virtual game engine to allow audiences to virtually walk around the building, using either a computer or a Virtual Reality headset.

Here’s hoping for a year with fewer disruptions than 2021/22. But whatever happens, we know our volunteer team will be there supporting the Museum in whatever way they can. We are exceedingly lucky to work alongside such an enthusiastic and united group of people. Our thanks to every individual who has offered their time in supporting the Museum.

Nicola Trowell and Jane Schön

A video demo of the game is available on our website.

Thank you to our volunteers:

Mr Thomas Bancroft Ms Geraldine Bateman Mr John Baumber Ms Sharon Benfield Mrs Wendy Bishop Mrs Astrid Bleich Mr Mike Borro Mrs Catherine Brown Mrs Jane Brunning Ms Jan Bryant Ms Margaret Bryant Miss Ruby Butler Mr Dave Coward Mr Cameron Chamberlain Lt Col Colvin Chamberlain Ms Alison Christy Mr Robert Clarke Mrs Margaret R Clarke Mrs Nicky Clarke Ms Clare Conybeare Ms Sandy Corbyn Mr Michael Cornwell Mrs Jean Covington Mr Martin Covington Ms Sarah Crean Mrs Jan Dando Ms Caroline Dalrymple Mrs Catherine Dawson Mr Sam Donovan Mr Philip Edwards Miss Amy Ellis Mr Michael Fletcher Dr James Flood Mrs Sue Flood Ms Elaine Gale Ms Jackie Gardiner Mrs Isobel Geddes Mr Aidan Gibbons Mr John Girvan Mr Jeff Goatman Mrs Jill Goatman

Mr Olly Gooden Mr Paul Greaves Ms Veronika Groke Mr A Hack Miss Anna Hallett Mrs Sandy Haynes Ms Netta Hemmins Mr Tony Hinchliffe Mr Thomas Hisscocks Miss Bethany Hocking Ms Rachel Holland Mr David Hughes Mr Jonathon Hurwitt Mrs Shelagh Hurwitt Mrs Carole Jones Mr Tony Jones Mrs Mary Kane Dr James Kay Ms Clare Kellar Mr Dallas Kendall Mrs Ann King Ms Laura La Turner Mrs Wendy Lansdown Miss Tabitha Lawrence Ms Emma Le Fleming Mr Graham Lever Mrs Jane Lever Mr Ralph Lewis Mrs Denise Leaning Mr Andrew Livesley Ms Lynn Livesley Ms Yvonne Loth Ms Stella Maddock Ms Henreitta Mcneile Mr Mike McQueen Ms Tracey Mead Mr Peter Melsom Mr Robert Mitchell Ms Philippa Morgan Ms Sara Morgan Mr Tony Morton Mr Philip Nokes Ms Louise Peak

Ms Dilys Peacock Mr Bill Perry Ms Caroline Power Ms Susanne Pickup Ms Penelope Price Jones Mrs Angela Prophet Ms Christine Purchas Mr Stuart Raymond Mr Martin Rea Ms Mary Rennie Ms Rosalind Robinson Mrs Sue Roderick Ms Barbara Rogers Mr Doug Roseman Mrs Judith Roseaman Mrs Marion Rowland Mr Jonathan Sanigar Mr Peter Saunders Miss Miasha Smith Mr Peter Smith Mr Mike Stone Mr Michael Teale Mrs Sue Teale Miss Caeli Thomas Mr Colin Thomas Ms Pam Thomas Mr Alistair Thomson Ms Judith Thomson Mr Peter Tolhurst Mrs Judith Triggs Miss Merryn Truscott-Davies Mr Oliver Turney Mr Erik Tyler Mrs Dawn Vernon Mr John Watts Ms Maggie Watts Mrs Wendy Weller Mr David Weston Ms Jirina Wheatley Mr Mike Williams Mr Francis Wright Mr Jamie Wright

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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.

For the AFG Steering Committee, the period April 2021-March 2022 centred upon restarting AFG activities post-Covid in a safe and responsible way, actively re-engaging with AFG members and planning for a busy summer of fieldwork projects in 2022.

The first AFG excavation post lockdown took place in October 2021, AFG members supporting a highly successful archaeological research evaluation near to Coombe Bissett in the south of the county. This exploratory excavation revealed what appears to be a rural late Iron Age or Romano-British domestic site with some interesting features including grain driers and large storage pits. AFG members will be returning to the site in August 2022, this time under the auspices of Cardiff University Archaeology which has adopted the site for an undergraduate summer-school, with larger trenches planned. More on the results of this project next year.

The Post-Excavation processing of the Finds Assemblage from the medieval grange site of Rodbourne Bottom, Malmesbury also resumed in October 2021. Huge progress has been made in tackling the large array of bulk finds, with over 95kg of pottery to process alone, and the detailed cataloguing of Special Finds. Following a summer break, “Post-Excavation Sunday” will be resuming in the autumn of 2022 to push this project forward to completion and to finally allow the accession of the Rodbourne Bottom material into the museum collections. An enormous thank you must be extended to the dedicated band of AFG volunteers who have helped push this forward!

The spring of 2022 saw the AFG Steering committee focus time and energy in securing a busy summer of fieldwork project opportunities for AFG members participation. These projects, such as All Cannings and Seend are to be AFG led projects, whilst Combe Bissett and the excavation of a Roman Tile kiln complex near Minety are research projects where AFG were seen as a key resource for project success. We have been really pleased to see so many AFG members come out and actively want to participate in hands-on archaeology – more to come on all of these projects in next year’s annual report!

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, a Judicial Review at the High Court required the Secretary of State to redetermine the decision to approve the Stonehenge Tunnel. The main grounds were that an alternative route had not been properly considered and that the carbon impact had not been taken into account. A call for information was issued by the Department for Transport, but the Working Group felt that there was nothing to add at this preliminary stage to the existing response by the Society, but would consider responding as the process moves forward.

David Dawson, Director

Buildings and Monuments

Since March 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, the diligent work of the committee continued by email with each committee member reviewing applications for their designated area. Their findings were presented to the other committee members and the consequent discussions forming the basis for the relevant response being made to the appropriate Planning depart-ment. No minutes were issued during the year as it was considered that the record of the re-sponses made (copied to the Director and Secretary) formed a sufficient record of the commit-tee activities and decisions.

This hiatus in normal process prompted review in October 2021 of the on-going committee’s requirements. Due to improvements that have been developed over the last ten years, there are very few planning applications concerning Listed Buildings and Monuments (LBC’s) that currently require a response. It was proposed and accepted by the Board of Trustees that the B&M Committee be held in abeyance and a nominated Trustee be appointed to undertake advising the WANHS Board of any controversial issue or application that warrants a re-sponse. The B&M Committee members would provide input of expertise and knowledge as required. This proposal retains the capacity for a quick response when needed and recognis-es that WANHS still has a role as an external voice for historic buildings and monuments preservation that is welcomed by county planning officers.

Under my Chairmanship over the last 10 years, approaching 2,000 applications have been reviewed in detail including major reports to protect archaeological sites from sand and gravel extraction, Core Strategy reviews, protection of demolition from significant structures and support of the WANHS response on the Stonehenge/A303 proposals. This has meant every LBC, WHS or heritage application has had some form of review and approaching 350 responses resulted in the recommendations being recognised in about 70-75% of the cases.

WANHS will continue to guide Wiltshire Councils’ decisions in protecting the heritage of the County and it is our continued objective to ensure that any developments within the County do not adversely affect the listed buildings, scheduled monuments and archaeological landscapes of Wiltshire.

John Baumber, C.Eng., F.I.Mech.E. B.Sc(Mech Eng) C.Dip.A.F., Chairman

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. Plans are going ahead for the 2022 Conference with a good selection of speakers booked.

Doug Roseaman, Committee Secretary

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

DEVELOPMENT

WORKING WITH PARTNERS and PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

Wessex Museums Partnership

The Wessex Museums Partnership brings together Dorset Museum, Poole Museum, The Salisbury 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 delivering the Hardy’s Wessex: the landscapes that inspired a writer’ exhibition , which opened on 28 May 2022.

A bid to continue NPO status for a further three years was prepared during the year, and was submitted in May 2022. If the bid is successful, then Swindon Museums will be joining the Partnership.

Stonehenge Museums Partnership

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

David Dawson

Wessex Museums Partnership

The Wessex Museums Partnership has developed a Business Plan for the 4 years of funding that meets Arts Council requirements, which runs until March 2023.. 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. A bid for the NPO status for 2023-2026 was submitted in May 2022, with a result expected in October. The bid include an outline Forward Plan for 2023-2024.

Archaeology Archives and Amesbury Store

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

Plans to re-start the project commenced in November 2021 and although costs had risen substantially within the last 18 months due to Brexit and Covid-19, building work started in February 2022. JJ Storage Systems Ltd, Marlborough, installed a mezzanine floor, together with fire cladding, new lighting, and mobile racking.

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.

As we were in lockdown at the start of the year, the Board were asked to agree an outline Forward Plan for 2021-2022, where key objectives were to re-open the Museum after lockdown, deliver the Ravilious exhibition and commission the Amesbury Store. The majority of targets for the year were achieved, or were under way by the end of the year, with the exception of a Stage 1 Bid to the NLHF and the re-opening of the Archive and Library.

The Forward Plan for 2022-2023 details priorities for the year ahead, with a particular focus on the Stage 1 bid to the NLHF for the Assize Court, the Hardy’s Wessex exhibition and completing the commissioning of the Amesbury Store. The Plan has monthly objectives and is reviewed by the Board on a Quarterly basis.

Lisa Brown and David Dawson

The store is expected to open for the deposition of archaeology archives in autumn 2022, with the first delivery of 600 boxes of finds and associated paperwork from Wessex Archaeology.

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE: DEVIZES ASSIZE COURT

Work has continued in partnership with eh Devizes Assize Court Trust (DACT) to prepare an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, following an unsuccessful Expression of Interest.

A revised Expression of Interest was submitted in March 2021 and we were informed in May 2022 that this had been accepted.

Following a very useful review meeting, work is now proceeding on a Development Stage application, with a target submission date in November. In the meantime, DACT has been successful in attracting support from private individuals towards the running costs, which includes a substantial insurance premium.

The Development Application requires several hundred pages of documentation, and assessment will take six months before we are informed of the result. In this stage, we will develop plans to engage new audiences and for the building over a two year period, before submitting a Delivery Stage bid.

Our current estimate for the opening of the building is 2029. During the Development Stage, we will launch a major fundraising campaign, as we need to raise substantial funding from trusts, foundations and individuals.

David Dawson

Clockwise from the left: interior photograph of the Devizes Assize Court; DACT logo; David Dawson with Hugh Dennis, from ‘The Great British Dig’; filming the interior for an episode of ‘The Great British Dig’. Unfortunately this section was not included in the finished broadcast, but the film was made available to us; HM The Queen Consort (then HRH The Duchess of Cornwall) meeting DACT Trustees, Peter Troughton and John Bush and architectural advisor Colin Johns, in December 2021, Image (c) Anna Barclay..

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

TRUSTEES’ FINANCIAL REVIEW FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

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 2022 was £852,340 (£728,632 at 31 March 2021).

The balance of Designated Funds (which are part of total unrestricted funds) was £441,027 at 31 March 2022 (£430,535 at 31 March 2021). 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.

34

Restricted Funds of £378,832 (£262,832 at 31 March 2021) must be used for a specific purpose. The capital of £524,608 (£407,444 at 31 March 2021) in the Endowment Fund is not distributable.

Included within the net book value of land and buildings of £295,456 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 2021). 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.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The activities of the Society returned to a level of pre-Covid normality. The Museum returned to its usual opening times and exhibitions and other activities proceeded as planned. Particular mention needs to be made of the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition which generated significant revenues through ticket sales but also shop sales associated with the significant increase in visitors to the Museum.

Unrestricted reserves (i.e. Unrestricted Funds less Designated Funds) increased in the year by £113,216. This was due to a surplus on operating activities of £97,473 and gains on investments of £15,743.

The operating surplus of £97,473 was £206,317 improvement on the adjusted budget deficit. This was mainly due to income from income from legacies (£79,341), unbudgeted grants that were received from Wiltshire Council and others Eric Ravilious: (£37,538), and profits related to the Downland Man exhibition (£63,966). Most expenditure related to the Societies operating activities was in line with the agreed budget, although there were some additional exhibition costs (£24,367) and unplanned expenditure on premises (£12,999). The Society suffered VAT of £8,112 that it was unable to reclaim.

Designated Funds increased during the year by £10,942 mainly because of investment income and gains.

The Society continues to receive support from Wiltshire Council with a grant of £12,780 and Devizes Town Council of £4,000. Both grants will be maintained at this level in 2022/23 but there 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 the Society is extremely grateful for all the grants it receives.

Restricted Funds increased by £116,000 due to the receipt of legacy income and investment income and gains.

Investment income from the Society’s main portfolio and from the Sandell Trust was £66,905 which was marginally up on the previous year (£3,570). The overall return on investments on the combined main and endowment portfolios and including income and capital gains was 7.37% compared with 19.56% the previous year. This reduction in performance of the Societies investments reflects the volatility in the worlds capital markets associated with the global geopolitical situation and reduced levels of consumer confidence. The overall income return before investment management expenses was 2.44% compared with 2.86% the previous year.

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 £125,853. In addition to gains on revaluation of the Fund’s investments, the trustees allocated £100,000 of legacy income to the Endowment Fund during the year.

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 £8,689 after investment expenses of £2,835 was transferred to the unrestricted reserves during the year ended 31 March 2022.

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 14. More recent items costing over £1,000 each and totalling £48,741 are included in the balance sheet at cost. During the year £22,000 was received in donations and legacies. These funds were used with existing cash balances to make acquisitions of £3,530 of items costing less than £1,000. These acquisitions are described on pages 16 to 19.

35

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 £378,832 for restricted funds and £524,608 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.

FORWARD PLAN

Each year the Board approves a Forward Plan that contains objectives and targets for the year. The 2021/22 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 32.

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 29 September 2022, and signed on their behalf by:

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

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 County Council and Devizes Town 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 on 13 November 2021 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

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

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

STAFF AS AT 31.3.2022

Director: David Dawson, BA, FSA, AMA Curator*: Lisa Brown, BA (Hons), MA Marketing & Administration Manager: Karen Jones, BA (Hons) Museum Assistant: Administration: Emma Sykes, BA Partnerships & Digital Lead: Nicola Trowell, 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: Carol Johnston Museum Assistant: Visitor Services: Bethany Hughes, BA (Hons) Research Officer: Archaeology: Wil Partridge, PG Dip, BA (Hons)

Chair:

Martin J Nye, MA (Cantab)

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

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

Elected Trustees:

Richard Cardiff Timothy Daw, MA (Oxon) Clare Dobbin, MA, MA, BA (Hons) (from Nov 2021) Gillian Kenny, MA, PhD Ruth B. Kerr, MA, BA (Hons) (from Nov 2021) Alfred La Vardera, FCPFA, MSc Katie Marsden, BSc (Hons) (from Nov 2021) Daniel S Miles, BA, MA, MIfA Lachlan Robertson, MA, BSc

Nominated Trustees:

Member, Devizes Town Council (from May 2021): Cllr. Mrs C Gay, BA (Hons), Dip Ed, FPS Members, Wiltshire Council: vacant

Community Curator*: Amy Hammett (employed by The Salisbury Museum, funded through the Wessex Museums Partnership) Finds Liaison Officer: 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 2022

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 2022 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: 29 September 2022

40

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

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
£
190,779
261,571
114,341
15,435		 Restricted
Funds
£
94,939
-
-
6,946		 Endowment
Funds
£
100,000
-
-
11,524		 Total
Funds
2022
£
385,718
261,571
114,341
33,905		 Total
Funds
2021
£
173,015
90,224
33,286
33,983
582,126 101,885 111,524 795,535 330,508
60,543
441,846		 1,763
-		 2,835
-		 65,141
441,846		 28,894
368,791
502,389 1,763 2,835 506,987 397,685
35,282
115,019
8,689		 15,878
116,000
-		 17,164
125,853
(8,689)		 68,324
356,872
-		 198,174
130,997
-
123,708
728,632		 116,000
262,832		 117,164
407,444		 356,872
1,398,908		 130,997
1,267,911
852,340 378,832 524,608 1,755,780 1,398,908

41

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2022

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 Assets/(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		 2022
£
£
347,224
978,823
3,508
982,331
466,711
57,447
524,158
1,853,713
15,733
42,771
96,726
155,230
111,814
43,416
1,897,129
141,349
1,755,780
524,608
378,832
852,340
1,755,780		 2022
£
£
347,224
978,823
3,508
982,331
466,711
57,447
524,158
1,853,713
15,733
42,771
96,726
155,230
111,814
43,416
1,897,129
141,349
1,755,780
524,608
378,832
852,340
1,755,780		 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
466,711
57,447		 380,083
26,910
15,733
42,771
96,726		 14,442
21,053
83,475
1,853,713
43,416		 1,579,197
(26,373)
155,230 118,970
111,814 145,343
1,897,129
141,349		 1,552,824
153,916
1,755,780 1,398,908
524,608
378,832
852,340		 407,444
262,832
728,632
1,755,780 1,398,908

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

29 September 2022

42

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Total
Total
Funds
Funds
2022
2021
£
£
Cash fows from operating activities:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(a)
208,226
(43,265)
Cash fows from investing activities:
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
33,906
33,983
Purchase of property, plant and equipment
(58,951)
(1,905)
Proceeds from sale of investments
110,416
125,384
Purchase of investments
(255,183)
(99,941)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(169,812)
57,521
Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting period
38,414
14,256
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 April
(b)
119,267
105,011
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 March
(b)
157,681
119,267
(a) Reconciliation of net income/(expenditure) to net cash fow from operating activities
2022
2021
£
£
Net income/(expenditure) for the year as per the Statement of Activities
356,872
130,997
Adjustments for:
Depreciation charges
21,882
10,092
Opening Balance adjustment
807
-
(Gains)/losses on investments
(68,324)
(198,174)
Dividends, interest and rents from investments
(33,906)
(33,983)
(Increase)/decrease in stocks
(1,291)
(411)
(Increase)/decrease in debtors
(21,718)
72,540
Increase/(decrease) in creditors
(46,096)
(24,326)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
208,226
(43,265)
(b) Analysis of cash and cash equivalents
2022
2021
£
£
Cash at bank and in hand (incl. investment cash)
157,681
119,267
157,681
119,267		 Total
Funds
2022		 Total
Funds
2021
£
208,226		 £
(43,265)
33,906
(58,951)
110,416
(255,183)		 33,983
(1,905)
125,384
(99,941)
(169,812) 57,521
38,414
119,267		 14,256
105,011
157,681 119,267
208,226 (43,265)
2022
£
157,681		 2021
£
119,267
157,681 119,267

43

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

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
Fixtures,		 Buildings
fttings and equipment		 Over 50 years
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.

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 2022 pension provision was made for 11 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 £11,496 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 2021 for the adjustment to the provision for the amounts payable, discounted at 5% per annum over the payment period.

Reserves

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.

The reserves at 31 March 2022 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 2022

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 2022

1
2
3		 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
Area Board (Community Area Grant - new boiler)
Arts Council - Wealth of Knowledge
Cunnington Letters
Community Curator Projects
Devizes Town Council
Ernest Cook Trust
Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition
Seeing the Light of Day
Stonehenge Avebury Bus
Vale of Pewsey
Wessex Museum Partnership
Wiltshire Council
Sundry Contributions for Projects		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
42,958
30,311
79,341
5,169
33,000
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
94,939
-
-
Endowment
Funds
£
-
-
100,000
-
-
Total
2022
£
42,958
30,311
274,280
5,169
33,000		 Total
2021
£
41,568
34,264
-
64,183
33,000
190,779 94,939 100,000 385,718 173,015
168,951
64,439
23,162
5,019		 -
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-		 168,951
64,439
23,162
5,019		 84,841
2,041
-
3,342
261,571 - - 261,571 90,224
2,262
15,501
-
1,165
8,000
1,672
47,988
11,020
-
10,174
23,157
31,842
16,170		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-		 2,262
15,501
-
1,165
8,000
1,672
47,988
11,020
-
10,174
23,157
31,842
16,170		 -
15,185
4,750
900
-
-
(38)
-
-
-
19,900
43,569
575
168,951 - - 168,951 84,841
Grants carried forward
Arts Council - Wealth of Knowledge
Cauldrons - Bromsgrove
Community Curator Projects
Cunnington Letters (NMCT)
Devizes Area Tourism
Ernest Cook Trust
Stonehenge - Avebury Bus		 2022
£
24,296
556
1,097
1,182
1,257
31
5,153
33,572

4 Grants carried forward

46

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

5
6
7
8
9
10		 Notes
Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Endowment
Funds
Total
2022
Total
2021
Income from Other Trading Activities
£
£
£
£
£
Shop Sales
6
92,274
-
-
92,274
6,408
Other Sales
-
-
-
-
34
Museum Income
22,067
-
-
22,067
26,844
Fund-raising Events
-
-
-
-
-
114,341
-
-
114,341
33,286
Shop Sales
Shop sales
92,274
-
-
92,274
6,408
Less Purchase cost
35,111
-
-
35,111
1,680
Gross Proft
57,163
-
-
57,163
4,728
Gross Proft % on sales
61.95%
73.78%
Investment Income
Income from Investments
15,435
6,946
11,524
33,905
33,983
15,435
6,946
11,524
33,905
33,983
Expenditure on Raising Funds
Cost of Sales
Shop
35,110
-
-
35,110
1,680
Salaries
9,573
-
-
9,573
9,111
Members’ services
3,297
-
-
3,297
3,068
Marketing
219
-
-
219
20
Fundraising costs
4,268
-
-
4,268
677
Investment management costs
3,918
1,763
2,835
8,516
11,384
Support costs
4,158
-
-
4,158
2,954
60,543
1,763
2,835
65,141
28,894
Expenditure on Charitable Activities
Museum Services
275,182
-
-
275,182
206,479
Library Services
43,445
-
-
43,445
33,614
Educational work
34,260
-
-
34,260
28,503
WANHM
12,733
-
-
12,733
13,742
Support and governance costs
76,226
-
-
76,226
86,453
441,846
-
-
441,846
368,791
Expenditure on Charitable Activities for Unrestricted Funds includes £15,992 (2021 £10,344) for Designated Funds.
Support and governance costs include audit fees of £6,300 (2021 - £6,000)
Total
2022
Total
2021
Staff costs
£
£
Wages and Salaries
216,992
202,385
Social Security costs
10,791
9,637
Pension costs
20,379
20,012
248,162
232,034		 Unrestricted
Funds
£
92,274
-
22,067
-
Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
Endowment
Funds
£
-
-
-
-
Total
2022
£
92,274
-
22,067
-		 Total
2021

£
6,408
34
26,844
-
114,341 - - 114,341 33,286
92,274
35,111		 -
-		 -
-		 92,274
35,111		 6,408
1,680
57,163 - - 57,163 4,728
15,435 6,946 11,524 61.95% 73.78%
33,905 33,983
15,435 6,946 11,524 33,905 33,983
35,110
9,573
3,297
219
4,268
3,918
4,158		 -
-
-
-
-
1,763
-		 -
-
-
-
-
2,835
-		 35,110
9,573
3,297
219
4,268
8,516
4,158		 1,680
9,111
3,068
20
677
11,384
2,954
60,543 1,763 2,835 65,141 28,894
275,182
43,445
34,260
12,733
76,226		 -
-
-
-
-		 -
-
-
-
-		 275,182
43,445
34,260
12,733
76,226		 206,479
33,614
28,503
13,742
86,453
441,846 - - 441,846 368,791
248,162
232,034

47

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

Staff costs attributable to activities :
Cost of raising funds
Charitable activities:
Museum
Library
Education
Governance		 2022
£
2021
£
9,573
9,104
151,445
137,997
26,206
25,702
23,611
22,930
37,327
36,301
248,162
232,034

In 2022 £15,069 (2021 £14,471) of staff costs were funded from grants for projects. Pension costs include £8,433 (2021: £9,044) relating to charges for deficits in previous years.

During the year £21,000 (2021: £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 £55,261 (2021 £52,391).

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

The average number of employees in 2022 was 4 full time and 8 part time (2021: 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 (2021 £0) were paid during the year

12 Transactions with Related Parties

There were no transactions with related Parties during the year 2022 (2021 - £0).

13 Operating Leases

Payments for operating leases for a telephone system and for a photocopier amounted to £2,842 (2021 £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
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Main
Portfolio
£
Endowment
Portfolio
£
14
Gains/(losses) on investment assets
Realised gains/(losses)
1,073
483
1,556
(1,028)
Unrealised gains/(losses)
34,209
15,395
49,604
18,192
35,282
15,878
51,160
17,164		 Not later than one year
Later than one year and not later than fve years
Unrestricted
Funds
£
Restricted
Funds
£
Main
Portfolio
£
Endowment
Portfolio
£
14
Gains/(losses) on investment assets
Realised gains/(losses)
1,073
483
1,556
(1,028)
Unrealised gains/(losses)
34,209
15,395
49,604
18,192
35,282
15,878
51,160
17,164		 2022
£
2,842
2,842		 2021
£
2,842
5,684
5,684 8,526

Total
2022
£
528
67,796

Total
2021
£
8,009
190,165
35,282
15,878
51,160
17,164		 68,324 198,174

48

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

15 Tangible Fixed Assets

Tangible Fixed Assets
Opening Cost at 1st April
Addition - EPOS System Till
Addition - Amesbury Storage Facility
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
£
298,487
-
-
Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
£
27,290
-
58,951

Total
2022
£
398,527
-
58,951
Total
2021
£
396,622
1,770
135
72,750 298,487 86,241 457,478 398,527
-
-		 69,766
6,015		 18,606
15,867		 88,372
21,882		 78,280
10,092
- 75,781 34,473 110,254 88,372
72,750 222,706 51,768 347,224 310,155

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		 Main
Portfolio
2022
£
853,167
113,660

Endowment
Portfolio
2022
£
380,083
141,523

Main
Portfolio
2021
£
729,271
46,995

Endowment
Portfolio
2021
£
331,248
52,946
966,827
39,149		 521,606
71,268		 776,266
62,822		 384,194
62,561
927,678
1,541
49,604		 450,338
(1,819)
18,192		 713,444
3,900
135,823		 321,633
4,109
54,341
978,823 466,711 853,167 380,083
17 Debtors
Trade Debtors
Prepayments
Gift Aid refund receivable
VAT recoverable
Monies owed by the Collections Trust
Monies owed by the Old Society		 Total
2022
£
6,758
14,620
11,948
6,705
-
2,740
42,771
Total
2021
£
2,422
13,214
4,766
651
-
-
21,053

49

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

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		 Total
2022
£
Total
2021
£
33,572
66,178
8,916
3,027
21,332
18,723
3,263
3,148
20,442
20,442
22,291
21,746
1,998
12,079
111,814
145,343

19 Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year

Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year
Pension defcit (see note 20) 141,349 153,916
141,349 153,916

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 2022 for the discounted part of the provision was £8,433 (2021 £9,044).

Analysis of net assets between 21 Funds

Analysis of net assets between
Funds
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment Total Total
Funds Funds Funds 2022 2021
£ £ £ £ £
Fund values at 31 March are represented by:
Tangible Fixed Assets 144,814 202,410 - 347,224 310,155
Managed Investments 852,880 129,451 524,158 1,506,489 1,269,042
Current Assets 107,809 46,971 450 155,230 118,970
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (111,814) - - (111,814) (145,342)
Creditors: amounts falling due after one year (141,349) - - (141,349) (153,917)
852,340 378,832 524,608 **1,755,780 ** 1,398,908

22 Endowment Funds

Endowment Funds 852,340 378,832 524,608 **1,755,780 **
Balance at
1 April 2021
Income
£
£
Endowment Trust Fund
407,444
111,524
Income in the Endowment Trust Fund includes:
Legacies
Investment Income		 Balance at
1 April 2021
£
407,444		 Income
£
111,524		 Investment
expenses

£

(2,835)
Gain on
investments
£
17,164
Inter-Fund
Transfers
£
(8,689)
Balance at
31 March
2022

£
524,608
£
100,000
11,524
111,524

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 2022

23 Restricted Funds

Balance
at 1 April
2021
£
English Heritage Fund
7,263
Legacies and Donations
35,827
Oexmann Fund
17,391
Amesbury Storage Facility
189,693
Wiltshire Environment Gallery
12,658
262,832
Income in the restricted funds includes:
Legacies
Grants
Other trading activities		 Balance
at 1 April
2021
£
7,263
35,827
17,391
189,693
12,658

Income
£
-
94,939
-
-
-		 Investment
income
£
161
1,927
385
4,193
280
Expenses
(incl.
investment
expenses)
£
(41)
(489)
(98)
(1,064)
(71)


Gain on
investments
£
367
4,405
879
9,587
640
Inter-
Fund
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
Balance
at
31 March
2022
£
7,750
136,609
18,557
202,409
13,507
262,832 94,939 6,946 (1,763) 15,878 - 378,832
£
94,939
-
-
94,939

The restricted funds may only be used for specifc purposes :

Amesbury Storage Facility Storage facility for archaeology archives deposited after 2021. 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 2022 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 2022.

51

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

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
2021
£
Donations
and
Legacies
£
Other
Income
(incl.
investment
income)
£
Expenses
(incl.
investment
expenses)
£
Gain on
investments
£
Inter-
Fund
Transfers
£
Balance at
31 March
2022
£
1,955
-
-
-
-
-
1,955
13,715
-
303
(77)
693
-
14,634
2,196
428
32
(1,753)
74
-
977
17,084
-
378
(96)
863
-
18,229
22,564
-
498
(201)
1,138
-
23,999
38,347
-
-
-
-
-
38,347
108,350
-
2,338
(9,127)
5,345
-
106,906
391
-
13
(3)
30
-
431
225,933
-
4,986
(6,766)
11,396
-
235,549
430,535
428
8,548
(18,023)
19,539
-
441,027
298,097
147,532
425,618
(484,366)
15,743
8,689
411,313
728,632
147,960
434,166
(502,389)
35,282
8,689
852,340

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 To fnance archaeological activity.
The Crofton Story Income from the sale of this publication.
Improvement Fund
Library Fund
Programme Committee
Publications Fund		 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 2022 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 2022.

52

WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY COLLECTIONS TRUST - Linked Charity Number 1080096 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Income and Endowments from:
£
£
Donations and legacies
22,000
-
Charitable activities:
Grants
-
-
Sale proceeds
-
-
22,000
-
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Acquisitions costing less than £1,000
Museum
3,530
-
Library
-
-
3,530
-
Costs
Sundry
-
-
3,530
-
Net income/(expenditure)
18,470
-
Balance at 1 April 2020 brought forward
52,363
-
Balance at 31 March 2022 carried forward
70,833
-
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2022
Heritage Assets
Opening balance
Acquisitions over £1,000
Balance at 31 March 2022
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
2021
Income,
Grants &
Donations
Inter Fund
Transfers
£
£
£
Unrestricted Funds - Museum and Art
48,111
22,000
-
Restricted Funds
4,252
-
-
52,363
22,000
-		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
Income and Endowments from:
£
£
Donations and legacies
22,000
-
Charitable activities:
Grants
-
-
Sale proceeds
-
-
22,000
-
Expenditure on charitable activities:
Acquisitions costing less than £1,000
Museum
3,530
-
Library
-
-
3,530
-
Costs
Sundry
-
-
3,530
-
Net income/(expenditure)
18,470
-
Balance at 1 April 2020 brought forward
52,363
-
Balance at 31 March 2022 carried forward
70,833
-
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2022
Heritage Assets
Opening balance
Acquisitions over £1,000
Balance at 31 March 2022
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
2021
Income,
Grants &
Donations
Inter Fund
Transfers
£
£
£
Unrestricted Funds - Museum and Art
48,111
22,000
-
Restricted Funds
4,252
-
-
52,363
22,000
-		 Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
£
£
22,000
-
-
-
-
-
2022
Total
2021
Total
£
£
22,000
2,655
-
-
-
-
22,000
-		 22,000
2,655
3,530
-
-
-		 3,530
1,076
-
303
3,530
-
-
-		 3,530
1,379
-
-
3,530
-		 3,530
1,379
18,470
-
52,363
-		 18,470
1,276
52,363
51,087
70,833
-		 70,833
52,363
48,741
46,271
-
2,470
48,741
48,741
22,142
3,672
22,142
3,672
-
50
22,142
3,622
70,883
52,363

Expenditure
Balance at
31 March
2022
£
£
3,530
66,581
-
4,252
52,363
22,000
-		 3,530
70,833

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY COLLECTIONS TRUST - Linked Charity Number 1080096 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022

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

  4. 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:
31.03.2022
31.03.2021
31.03.2020
31.03.2019
31.03.2018
£
£
£
£
£
-
2,470
-
2,325
2,200

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,530
1,379
1,282
2,054
3,835

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WILTSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY Charity No: 1080096 Company No. 3885649 MINUTES OF THE 22[nd] ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE COMPANY held on Saturday 13 November 2021, commencing at 3.00 pm

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, which had been declared in March 2020, government regulations remained in force to control the spread of the virus.

The AGM had been planned as a hybrid meeting - that is both online via Zoom video-conferencing and at the Museum. However on Wednesday 10 November 2021 notice was given to the Director that a member of staff had tested positive for Covid. Whilst no colleagues were required to immediately self-isolate, measures were put in place to ensure the safety of all staff, including those who had not come into contact with the person concerned on Tuesday 9 November – the only day they had been in the building for a couple of weeks.

As the Director and Company Secretary had met with the colleague concerned it was agreed with the Chair and Treasurer that to minimise the risk to members and other attendees at the AGM, that the meeting should be moved completely online. Consideration was given to the Director and Company Secretary attending via Zoom and other members of staff dealing with the AGM in person. However, as only two members of staff were not in the building on Tuesday 9 November this was not considered sensible: they would be expected to keep the Museum buildings open for visitors to the ‘Eric Ravilious: Downland Man’ exhibition, deal with members attending the AGM, look after volunteers, set up the IT for the meeting and monitor security. Consideration was given to postponing the meeting for at least two weeks as allowed in the Articles. This, however, would involve additional work and expense and the turnout for the AGM was not expected to be large – the majority opting to join via Zoom rather than in person. The demographic and geographical spread of our membership making this the preferred method; holding the meeting entirely via Zoom makes the meeting in that sense more equitable. All members who had advised they wished to attend in person were contacted prior to the meeting and advised of the change. However, facilities were made available at the Museum to enable members to view at the Museum if they arrived in person - although none did.

01/21 Present

Trustees: Mr M J Nye (Chair) and Mr C R Kelly (Hon Treasurer), Mr T Daw, Mrs C Gay (Devizes Town Council Nominee), Dr G Kenny, Mr A La Vardera, and 19 members of the Society.

In Attendance

Mr D Dawson (Director) and Mrs K P Jones (Minute Taker and Company Secretary).

02/21 Apologies for Absence

Apologies had been received from: Ms J Adams, Mr R Cardiff (WANHS Trustee), Lt Col R C Chamberlain, Mrs M R Clarke, Mr A & Mrs L Dedden, Mr P A Harding, Dr A Hems (WANHS Trustee), Ms S Maddock, Mr D Miles (WANHS Trustee) and Mr L Robertson (WANHS Trustee).

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) and 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. He thanked the staff for all their hard work and members for their support.

The meeting acknowledged those members of the Society who had died since the last AGM: Stephen Brockman, Mr R J Cawley, Walter Chisholm-Batten, Mr O D H Clauson, Mr R G Evans, Miss Kate Forbes, Dr Ian D Jenkins, Prof Sean McGrail, Dr Phillida Sneyd, Dr James Thomas, Mr M D Truckle, Paul Tucker and Malcolm D Watts.

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

04/21 Minutes of meeting held 17 October 2020

Proposed by Mr Saunders and seconded by Mr C Kelly, the minutes of the AGM held on 17 October 2020 were adopted as a true record of the meeting. The resolution was passed nem con.

05/21 Board of Trustees’ Report and Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021 a) Report by the Chair

.

i b) Report by the Treasurer

Mr Chris Kelly presented his report. He advised the meeting that although it had been a difficult year the Society had come through it strongly and identified new opportunities, despite the Museum being closed for much of the year.

The accounts had been approved by the Board of Trustees and signed by the auditors. In a series of slides he summarised the Society’s financial position for the meeting.

Income was down and expenditure was flat, but the movements in funds were all positive - much of it related to the rise in the valuation of investments. Income had been received from a variety of sources including donations and legacies, Museum activities the government’s ‘furlough’ scheme and a local authority Covid recovery grant. The latter two items, together with a drawn-down of £20,000 from investments, had ensured that the Museum had survived the Covid-19 lockdowns. The investment portfolio had increased during the year and was valued at 31 March 2021 at £1,2m (although values could go down as well as up!).

The challenges in this year and next included rising running and exhibition costs and static operational income; political and economic uncertainty affecting the value of investments; reduced reliance on legacies and donations; surviving Covid-19; fitting out and opening the Amesbury Archaeology Store; the success of the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition; and progress on the Devizes Assize Court project. The financial highlights in the seven months of the current financial year (2021/22) included the receipt of legacies and an increase in shop sales due to the Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition. Some of the legacy monies had been invested in the Endowment Fund and others in the main fund.

The Treasurer concluded that the Society had come through a difficult year and he thanked everyone for their help.

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c) Report by the Director

The Director reported on activities during 2020/21, what had happened to date during 2021/22 and what was coming up.

The Covid-19 lockdowns had moved many activities to digital platforms, which had been a good way to keep in touch with groups, such as volunteers and some school classes had taken place in this way too. The huge change though was in holding online lectures - starting with the 2020 Archaeology Conference. This had originally been scheduled for March 2020 but postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead, it took place online over a series of evenings in November 2020. The advantage of online talks was not only to be able to attract speakers from overseas, but also enabling an audience from a wide geographical area to view them.

When the lockdowns had lifted a stall was taken in the Shambles and there had been quite a bit of activity in the run up to Christmas 2020. An Out of Egypt exhibition was held at the Museum. This exhibition was aimed at familes, but sadly many of the planned activities and interactives had to be removed due to Covid-19 requirements.

A Crowd-funder appeal was held during the year, to raise funds to support curiosity and creativity, including developing new interactives for the galleries. Everyone was thanked for their support.

When flexi-furlough was introduced it became possible to hold online consultation events on the Devizes Assize Court project. This included seeking views on what should be included in the building, interpretation and activity planning. We only need £12m to complete the project!

Some activity continued as normal, such as producing the 2020 edition of the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine (WANHM), arranging conservation of some important items, including a volume of letters sent to William Cunnington I and additions to the collection. This included items related to the Covid-19 pandemic, such as a rock snake.

The importance of legacies in funding acquisitions was highlighted with a report on the Den Shelton Fund. The Fund, set up in 2011 with a legacy of £10,000, had resulted in 40 objects being purchased for the collection, the cost either being made in in full from the Fund or as ‘match-funding’ for larger acquisitions. A new fund had been set up with a legacy from Dr Pamela Gough for the same purpose.

In the current year (2021/22) the exhibition Art in Wiltshire had taken place, some of our artefacts were on tour in America, before going to New Zealand, and other items had been loaned for exhibitions in Germany (Halle and Herne). The Eric Ravilious: Downland Man exhibition had finally opened in September 2021, having been postponed from 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A large number of new volunteers had been recruited and over 4,000 visitors had been recorded to date. The Director was proud of all his colleagues for their hard work.

There were a number of interesting activities coming Great up, including filming with Channel 4 for their British Dig programme which was looking at the journey of prisoners and searching for the Devizes gaol. Funding had been awarded for an oral history project on the Devizes Assize Court and from February to July 2022 artefacts from Bush Barrow would be loaned to the British Museum for their exhibition The World of Stonehenge . We would be borrowing some

items from them, such as the Aldbourne Cup, which would be on display in Wiltshire for the first time since it was excavated. Work was also underway on the major exhibition for 2022/23 Hardy’s Wessex: landscapes that inspired a writer , due to open in late May 2022.

The Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 are available from the Museum’s website or on request from the Museum Office.

Proposed by Mr P Saunders and seconded by Mrs I Geddes, the meeting received the Trustees Report and Annual Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2021, together with the Auditors Report.

06/21 Election of Trustees

There were five nominations this year: three new members (Ms Claire Dobbin, Ms Ruth Kerr and Ms Katie Marsden) and two standing for re-election (Dr Gillian Kenny and Lachlan Robertson).

All had been proposed and seconded prior to the meeting.

No objection was raised to electing all in one resolution and the meeting duly elected Ms C Dobbin, Ms R Kerr and Ms K Marsden, and re-elected Dr Kenny and Mr Robertson to the Board of Trustees.

07/21 Appointment of Auditors

Proposed by Mr C R Kelly and seconded by

Mr A La Vardera, the meeting re-elected Messrs David Owen & Co as Auditors, and authorised the Trustees to determine their remuneration.

08/21 Special Resolution

Proposed by Mr Kelly and Seconded by Mr La Vardera the meeting APPROVED the Special Resolution (one abstention), that Subject to Charity Commission confirmation, the Articles of Association attached to the Agenda be approved and adopted as the new Articles of Association of the Company in substitution for and to the entire exclusion of the existing Articles of Association (including those provisions which are treated as part of those existing articles by virtue of section 28 of the Companies Act 2006). Such Articles of Association to be effective no sooner than 1 January 2022.

09/21 Any Other Business

The meeting was opened to members, but no items were raised.

There being no further business the Chair thanked everyone for joining the meeting. The meeting closed at 3.56 pm.

The meeting was followed by Looking back and moving forward: a Wealth of Knowledge Project update, by Wil Partridge, Research Officer: Collections. Wil is working on the ACE-funded A Wealth of Knowledge project, which aims to review 10-years’ worth of archaeological research into the collections and update the Museum’s records with this new information.

Date of next Meeting : TBC

To be held at Wiltshire Museum, Devizes, Wiltshire

56

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Stonehenge, Wiltshire. 18th century English School (undated). (2021.1004)

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

58