This year marked the start of a journey to creating a more structured approach to the running of the gallery in order remain sustainable in the face of rising costs and increased competition for funding and grants. Whilst we started to receive a modest income from both careful investment of the legacy Ken left from the sale of his house and the rental of the car park, there is still much to be done.
We therefore invested in a senior business development role for six months to put more efficient operational systems in place and raise the profile of the organisation. We also focused more effort into attracting external funding and sponsorship. This resulted in a very welcome grant from Bristol City Council’s Originators Fund to support our Collections Project, where students and young people responded to the Collection with their own artistic interpretation of the meaning of the word.
We also introduced consistent ticketing, a decision that was a difficult one after a history of mainly free entry. But we could not financially sustain this business model and felt that entry to three floors and a changing temporary exhibition merited a small charge, with some concessions. We have had an overwhelmingly positive response.
A long look at our programming strategy means we are now planning much further in advance, staging fewer exhibitions but increasing their quality. 60 degrees North, focusing on our rich Scandinavia glass and ceramic Collection and sponsored by Clevedon Salerooms, ran for some five months and was extremely popular.
In the last quarter of the year we collaborated with the Women’s Engineering Society to showcase Bristol’s All Electric House, which attracted a wide visitor profile keen to look back nostalgically at post war domestic design.
We continue to invest in our engagement with young people and students, with interns sponsored by both University of Bristol and Art Fund who bring another rich dimension to The Collection.
Of course a very sad moment in the year was the closure of The Guild in Park Street, where Ken Stradling honed his career as a pioneer in modernist design as both its buyer and, latterly, Managing Director. Nothing will replace it.
As we look forward to the future, we continue to be ever grateful to our volunteer stewards without whom none of this would still be possible. Volunteering is a labour of love and we know they all love this Collection as much as we do. Thank you.
# **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
## **Activities**
The Ken Stradling Collection is a growing collection providing opportunities for education and inspiration to all those interested in good design and craftsmanship. It has close links with art and design students in Bristol, Bath and beyond.
## **Financial review**
As shown in the Accounts on page 4 income amounted to £397,552 and expenditure to £68,660.
## **Trustees**
As at 31st December 2024:
K White (Chair), D Beech, P Dunscombe, J Elsworth, G Flanagan (Hon Treasurer), F Hallworth, J Inkson, R Jones (resigned 8/24), J Lanyon.
## **Bankers**
NatWest and CAF
## **Independent Examiner**
Manson Accountants Ltd. 20-22 Wenlock Road London N1 7GU
1
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
## **Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES**
Under the trust deed the Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of income over expenditure.
In preparing those financial statements, generally accepted practice entails that the Trustees:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether the recommendations of the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting by Charities have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are required to act in accordance with the trust deed and the rules of the charity, within the framework of trust law. They are responsible for keeping proper accounting records. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
2
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st December 2024 which are set out on pages 4 to 6.
## Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
## Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to my attention:-
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
_22 September 2025_
Manson Accountants Ltd. 20-22 Wenlock Road London N1 7GU
3
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|_all figures to the nearest £_
Incoming Resources
Legacy
Donations and subscriptions
Grants
Rent
Lectures and Tours/Events
Sales
Interest received
Tax repayment
Asset sales
Loan
Direct Charitable expenditure ( Note 1 )
Other expenditure ( Note 1 )
Asset purchases
Tax payment
Total Payments
Excess of Income over Expenditure
Reserves brought forward
Reserves carried forward
Resources Expended|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Total funds**
£
£
£
343,873
343,873
3,912
500
4,412
30,054
30,054
816
816
1,015
1,015
6,530
6,530
5,173
5,173
0
0
391,373
500
391,873
5,679
5,679
0
397,052
500
397,552
16,288
-
16,288
52,372
52,372
0
0
0
68,660
0
68,660
328,392
500
328,892
31,921
31,921
360,313
500
360,813|**_Last year_**
_£_
_0_
_9,982_
_25,038_
_0_
_1,785_
_3,845_
_0_
_2,095_
_42,745_
4,227
_0_
_46,972_
_35,573_
_12,045_
0
0
_47,618_
_-646_
_32,567_
_31,921_|
|---|---|---|
These Accounts were approved by the Trustees on 18 September 2025 and were signed on their behalf by
……………………………………….. 22 September 2025
K. White
4
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|**1. Resources expended**
_all figures to the nearest £_
Direct charitable–
Printing/publicity/exhibitions
Grant costs
Administration
Other-
Staff
Electricity, Rates and Water
Storage
Telephone and Communications
Other
Insurance
Accountancy and Professional Costs
Subscriptions
Equipment/Computer
Property expenses
Bank charges
Acquisitions|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Total funds**
£
£
£
3,619
3,619
12,481
12,481
188
188
16,288
-
16,288
37,608
37,608
4,026
4,026
2,557
2,557
641
641
1,159
1,159
1,622
1,622
1,632
1,632
1,047
1,047
822
822
756
756
502
502
52,372
-
52,372
0|**_Last year_**
_£_
_3,086_
_0_
_32,487_
_35,573_
_0_
_3,293_
_0_
_755_
_294_
_1,701_
_2,810_
_0_
_421_
_2,771_
_0_
_12,045_
_2,841_|
|---|---|---|
## **2. Trustees’ emoluments**
No emoluments or expenses were paid to the Trustees (2023 - nil).
## **3. Property**
The Charity is the beneficiary of a gift of the building from which it operates together with the adjacent car park. The value of this has not been determined.
5
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|All figures are to the nearest £
**Assets**
Fixed assets
Collection at valuation
Investment fund
Current assets
Loan
Prepayments
Bank - current account
Bank - deposit account
Current liabilities
Deferred Income
Accruals
Net current assets
**Net assets**
**Represented by:**
Valuation reserve
Excess of income over expenditure bfwd
current period|**£**
**£**
302,043
325,000
627,043
0
1,846
5,814
28,559
36,219
0
-406
-406
35,813
**662,856**
302,043
31,921
328,892
**662,856**|**_Last year_**
**£**
302,043
0
302,043
10,000
290
25,652
20,000
55942
-21107
-2914
-24,021
31,921
**333,964**
302,043
32,567
-646
**333,964**|
|---|---|---|
## **Property**
See the notes to the accounts
## **Investments**
The Charity has invested the legacy left to them by the Estate of Mr K Stradling in order to provide an income from the interest earned
## **Liabilities**
The Charity has no material liabilities.
6
# **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **TRUSTEES’ REPORT**
## **Activities**
The Ken Stradling Collection is a growing collection providing opportunities for education and inspiration to all those interested in good design and craftsmanship. It has close links with art and design students in Bristol, Bath and beyond.
## **Financial review**
As shown in the Accounts on page 4 income amounted to £397,552 and expenditure to £68,660.
## **Trustees**
As at 31st December 2024:
K White (Chair), D Beech, P Dunscombe, J Elsworth, G Flanagan (Hon Treasurer), F Hallworth, J Inkson, R Jones (resigned 8/24), J Lanyon.
## **Bankers**
NatWest and CAF
## **Independent Examiner**
Manson Accountants Ltd. 20-22 Wenlock Road London N1 7GU
1
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
## **Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES**
Under the trust deed the Trustees are required to prepare financial statements for each financial year which show a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of income over expenditure.
In preparing those financial statements, generally accepted practice entails that the Trustees:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether the recommendations of the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting by Charities have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are required to act in accordance with the trust deed and the rules of the charity, within the framework of trust law. They are responsible for keeping proper accounting records. They have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the charity and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities.
2
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st December 2024 which are set out on pages 4 to 6.
## Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner
The charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
## Basis of independent examiner’s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a “true and fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## Independent Examiner’s statement
In connection with our examination, no matter has come to my attention:-
1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met; or
2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
_22 September 2025_
Manson Accountants Ltd. 20-22 Wenlock Road London N1 7GU
3
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|_all figures to the nearest £_
Incoming Resources
Legacy
Donations and subscriptions
Grants
Rent
Lectures and Tours/Events
Sales
Interest received
Tax repayment
Asset sales
Loan
Direct Charitable expenditure ( Note 1 )
Other expenditure ( Note 1 )
Asset purchases
Tax payment
Total Payments
Excess of Income over Expenditure
Reserves brought forward
Reserves carried forward
Resources Expended|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Total funds**
£
£
£
343,873
343,873
3,912
500
4,412
30,054
30,054
816
816
1,015
1,015
6,530
6,530
5,173
5,173
0
0
391,373
500
391,873
5,679
5,679
0
397,052
500
397,552
16,288
-
16,288
52,372
52,372
0
0
0
68,660
0
68,660
328,392
500
328,892
31,921
31,921
360,313
500
360,813|**_Last year_**
_£_
_0_
_9,982_
_25,038_
_0_
_1,785_
_3,845_
_0_
_2,095_
_42,745_
4,227
_0_
_46,972_
_35,573_
_12,045_
0
0
_47,618_
_-646_
_32,567_
_31,921_|
|---|---|---|
These Accounts were approved by the Trustees on 18 September 2025 and were signed on their behalf by
……………………………………….. 22 September 2025
K. White
4
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS - YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|**1. Resources expended**
_all figures to the nearest £_
Direct charitable–
Printing/publicity/exhibitions
Grant costs
Administration
Other-
Staff
Electricity, Rates and Water
Storage
Telephone and Communications
Other
Insurance
Accountancy and Professional Costs
Subscriptions
Equipment/Computer
Property expenses
Bank charges
Acquisitions|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**Restricted**
**funds**
**Total funds**
£
£
£
3,619
3,619
12,481
12,481
188
188
16,288
-
16,288
37,608
37,608
4,026
4,026
2,557
2,557
641
641
1,159
1,159
1,622
1,622
1,632
1,632
1,047
1,047
822
822
756
756
502
502
52,372
-
52,372
0|**_Last year_**
_£_
_3,086_
_0_
_32,487_
_35,573_
_0_
_3,293_
_0_
_755_
_294_
_1,701_
_2,810_
_0_
_421_
_2,771_
_0_
_12,045_
_2,841_|
|---|---|---|
## **2. Trustees’ emoluments**
No emoluments or expenses were paid to the Trustees (2023 - nil).
## **3. Property**
The Charity is the beneficiary of a gift of the building from which it operates together with the adjacent car park. The value of this has not been determined.
5
**Registered Charity Number 1117689**
## **THE KEN STRADLING COLLECTION**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2024**
|All figures are to the nearest £
**Assets**
Fixed assets
Collection at valuation
Investment fund
Current assets
Loan
Prepayments
Bank - current account
Bank - deposit account
Current liabilities
Deferred Income
Accruals
Net current assets
**Net assets**
**Represented by:**
Valuation reserve
Excess of income over expenditure bfwd
current period|**£**
**£**
302,043
325,000
627,043
0
1,846
5,814
28,559
36,219
0
-406
-406
35,813
**662,856**
302,043
31,921
328,892
**662,856**|**_Last year_**
**£**
302,043
0
302,043
10,000
290
25,652
20,000
55942
-21107
-2914
-24,021
31,921
**333,964**
302,043
32,567
-646
**333,964**|
|---|---|---|
## **Property**
See the notes to the accounts
## **Investments**
The Charity has invested the legacy left to them by the Estate of Mr K Stradling in order to provide an income from the interest earned
## **Liabilities**
The Charity has no material liabilities.
6