2025-03-31-accounts

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Charity Registration No. 1129712

Company Registration No. 06893854 (England and Wales)

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

CONSOLIDATED

ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Trustees	L Allason-Jones
	M W Orde
	Dr A Best
	J W Combe
	O Knight
	Cllr C Seymour
Charity number	1129712
Company number	06893854
Principal address	Woodhorn Charitable Trust
	Woodhorn Museum
	QEII Country Park
	Ashington
	Northumberland
	NE63 9YF
Registered office	Woodhorn Museum
	QEII Country Park
	Ashington
	Northumberland
	NE63 9YF
Auditor	Sumer Auditco Limited
	Unit 2, Gosforth Park Avenue
	Newcastle upon Tyne
	NE12 8EG
Bankers	CafBank
	PO Box 289
	West Malling
	Kent
	ME19 4TA
	The Co-operative Bank
	PO Box 250
	Delf House
	Southway
	Skelmersdale
	WN8 6WT
Solicitors	Ward Hadaway
	Sandgate House
	102 Quayside
	Newcastle upon Tyne
	NE1 3DX

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

	Page
Trustees' report	1 - 19
Independent auditor's report	20 - 22
Group statement of financial activities	23 - 24
Group balance sheet	25
Charity balance sheet	26
Group statement of cash flows	27
Notes to the financial statements	28 - 44

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “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 (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019).

Museums Northumberland is the public name for Woodhorn Charitable Trust.

Objectives and activities

Museums Northumberland exists to deliver public benefit by protecting and preserving Northumberland’s heritage and improving people’s lives through arts, education, and cultural activities. The Trustees are fully aware of their charitable responsibilities and the need to evidence the public benefit they provide, and the summary of 2024/25 achievements below details both the myriad of opportunities that the Trust has delivered for learning, engagement, and enjoyment, as well as its actions in preserving and promoting the county’s heritage. The charity managed a portfolio of museums and historic sites, and our principal focus has been to deliver a programme of engaging exhibitions and events to enthuse and inspire the public; to provide educational opportunities for all ages; to increase access to arts and culture; to preserve Northumberland’s stories, sites, and collections and to deliver off-site engagement opportunities in partnership with communities throughout Northumberland and beyond.

The principal activities of the Trust, as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association have been:

to advance the education for the public benefit in the history, culture and heritage of the Woodhorn Colliery in Northumberland and the surrounding area;
to advance the education for the public benefit in the history, culture and heritage of the county of Northumberland and surrounding local areas;
to provide or assist in the provision of facilities in the interest of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have a need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interests of social welfare and with the object of improving their condition of life.”

The Trust’s mission is to:

Connect people with Northumberland’s stories, through cultural programming and cocreation

And our vision is to:

Share Northumberland’s stories to connect, enrich and inspire

Through the following strategic aims:

People First Collaborate with our communities and stakeholders to cocreate an inclusive service that embraces all people and perspectives.
Champion Northumberland’s Stories Partner with our communities to share Northumberland’s stories, past, present, and future.
Enrich our Communities Provide a valued service that raises aspirations by supporting placemaking, sustainable living and community wellbeing.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

The charity’s portfolio comprised Hexham Old Gaol Museum; Hexham Moot Hall; Hexham House of Correction; Berwick-upon-Tweed Museum and Art Gallery; the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum and Woodhorn Museum. In addition, the Trust delivered our Arts Council England NPO grant which facilitated community creativity in partnership with a plethora of creative practitioners.

Our education activity drew on the themes of the sites, our collections, and our temporary exhibition programme. The charity delivered fully taught education workshops to school groups at Woodhorn and Berwick-upon-Tweed and delivered formal and informal adult learning through a programme of talks, workshops, and creative opportunities. Community engagement was delivered in response to the interests and passion of our local communities. This work ranged from creating new community assets, co-authoring stories and supporting groups to pursue and fund their own projects.

In support of these activities the Trust raised funds through Trusts and Foundations, and operated small shops at Woodhorn, Berwick and Hexham, a popular café at Woodhorn and function rooms at Woodhorn, Hexham and Morpeth. The function rooms are used for meetings, conferences, weddings, performances, and events by a number of organisations and individuals. Though it should be noted that Woodhorn Museum’s outstanding repairs have relegated the Winding House (which includes the education spaces, staff offices, a suite of public toilets, a lift, a collections open store and a function suite) inoperable and have necessitated the conversion of a temporary exhibition gallery to a short-term education space, restricting both programme and commercial opportunities.

The Trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission, and to the guidance from, and agreements with, our principal funders and stakeholders, Northumberland County Council and Arts Council England, in deciding what activities the charity should undertake in support of our charitable purpose and strategic objectives.

Achievements and performance

The Trust was delighted to achieve a 73% uplift in Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding for 2023-26, securing £1,040,040 , an uplift of £429k on our 2018-22 NPO grant, however escalating fixed costs of running the service, combined with the 10% grant cut applied by Northumberland County Council proved difficult to overcome. Museums Northumberland has worked hard to address these budgetary limitations.

Our fundraising performance (excluding our ACE NPO grant) represents a £34 return for every £1 invested – well above the Fundraising Industry Standard Benchmark of £12 for every £1 spent.

Museums Northumberland has been working closely with Northumberland County Council, Arts Council England, and consultancy firm, Counterculture, throughout the year to review options for the future provision of the county’s museum service through a Delivery Model Assessment (DMA).

Museums Northumberland welcomed in excess of 70k people to our four museum sites this year, a slight decrease on 2023/24 footfall (76k), similar to regional and national sector peers MN is yet to return to pre-pandemic visitor numbers.

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum 11,651
Hexham Old Gaol received 10,702
Berwick Museum & Art Gallery 10,415
Woodhorn Museum both 40,818

Encouragingly, the average spend per visitor to Woodhorn Museum and Hexham Old Gaol has increased by 26% compared with 2023/24.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Visitors

Our charged-for sites – Woodhorn Museum, Berwick Museum & Art Gallery and Hexham Old Gaol continued to see an increase to Admissions and Secondary Income – up 15% compared with 2023/24.

Museums Northumberland achieved a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2024 for the fourth year running for Woodhorn Museum, putting the Museum in the top rated 10% of reviewed venues worldwide.

Woodhorn Museum

40,818 visitors – 7% decrease on 2023/24
26% Under 16s
33% Repeat Visitors
88% Excellent/Very Good TripAdvisor Rating

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Woodhorn Museum General Visitor Reviews and Feedback

‘ Visited here today from Yorkshire whilst on holiday for half term with the kids. Really interesting place to visit, I required the loan of the mobility scooter and the staff could not have been more accommodating and friendly. Cafe was also lovely, very clean with lovely freshly made food. Will definitely visit again when we come on holiday to beautiful Northumberland.’ Google review Feb 2025

‘What a day! Big Thank you to Woodhorn Museum and all their lovely staff. Our patients had a great day and the Social Prescribers loved it too’ Facebook review Jan 2025

‘So pleased we visited this museum. So much to see and so interesting. We were surprised how long we had been there because we didn't want to miss anything. Staff were friendly and the cafe was good value. Lovely gift shop that was reasonably priced. A wonderful experience and we will definitely return.’ TripAdvisor Nov 2024

Hexham Old Gaol

8,012 visitors – 24% decrease on 2023/24
25% under 16s
5% Repeat Visitors
70% Excellent/Very Good TripAdvisor Rating

Hexham Old Gaol General Visitor Reviews and Feedback

‘ A real gem. Excellent value. Some marvellous artefacts - loved the helmets, shackles and manacles - with a good, honest overview of how jails and jailers were corrupt right from the start! Highly recommend. And the lift is great.’ Google Review October 2024

‘A most interesting step back in time. The friendly and informative guide was concise and knowledgeable. Plenty to see over three floors.’ TripAdvisor August 2024

‘Really enjoyed our little guided tour around the Old Gaol. The guide was very good and extremely knowledgeable. It only takes about 20 minutes for the tour which is just right especially if you have kids with you’ Google Review August 2024

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Berwick Museum & Art Gallery

10,415 visitors – 6% decrease on 2023/24
24% under 16s
13% Repeat Visitors
86% Excellent/Very Good TripAdvisor Rating

Berwick Museum & Art Gallery General Visitor Reviews and Feedback

‘ Very informative and interesting. Nicely produced and suitable for all ages. Very clean and simple to follow. Thank you.’ Comment card October 2024

‘Very nice and helpful staff. You can walk around taking in everything on your own time or you can do a tour. Try some puzzles play a couple of games really enjoyed my time walking around.’ Google review September 2024

‘The staff member was very knowledgeable and provided some interesting insight!’ comment card August 2024

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

10,971 visitors – a 6% increase on 2023/24

‘Nice place to be. Music education excellent.’ Visitor, Durham

‘A Pipe Dream!’ Jane & Allan

‘What a surprise! Didn’t realise there would be so much content. Excellent museum.’

‘Brilliant museum, well worth the visit’ (Darrell, Norfolk)

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Online Engagement

Website

==> picture [454 x 449] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
Users Page Views Online Shop
101,615 340,484 540 purchasers
-1% -11% +72%
£11k + 61%
Email
Subscribers Open Rate Click Rate Revenue
13,024 38% 1.4% £693
+9% -7% -13% +118%
Instagram
Museum Reach Content Interaction Followers
Woodhorn 30,100 4,900 3,302
Museum +193% +26% +18%
Berwick Museum 2,600 159 1,337
& Art Gallery +31% -53% +3%
Hexham Old Gaol 1,700 331 675
-18% +5% +6%
Facebook
Museum Reach Content Followers Link Clicks
Interaction
Woodhorn 726,800 29,300 22,373 9,600
Museum +26% +25% +7% net followers -11%
Berwick Museum 61,600 2,000 1935 379
& Art Gallery -26% -42% +2% net followers -75%
Hexham Old Gaol 32,600 544 971 446
-55% -55% +5% net followers -59%
Morpeth Chantry 11,700 501 796 9
Bagpipe Museum -41% +1% +5% net followers +72%
----- End of picture text -----*

*The drop in link clicks is due to limiting the number of links within posts to increase reach and engagement in the platform

Media Engagement

Museums Northumberland is utilising the cultural assets in our care to support our county’s vital visitor economy. As the list below testifies, we’ve achieved significant broadcast and media exposure on a modest annual budget of £26k.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Television

7 pieces of TV news coverage across ITV Tyne Tees, BBC Look North and Tyne and Wear TV relating to the annual Northumberland Miners’ Picnic, Coalface Drawers / Pitmen Painters, Northumberland Open Exhibition, Mik Critchlow Gallery Announcement and End of the Miners’ Strike anniversary.

1 piece filmed for a TV travel show featuring the Pitmen Painters yet to be broadcast.

Radio

A radio broadcast announcing the Mik Critchlow Gallery.

Print / Online

50 pieces of coverage for our exhibitions, events and travel features including - Newcastle Chronicle, Newcastle Journal, News Post Leader, Northumberland Gazette, Hexham Courant, Berwick Advertiser, Metro Newspaper, Mirror Online, Guardian Travel, Independent Travel, Cultured North East, North East Bylines, B-Daily, The Bridge Berwick, Museums Association Journal, Museums & Heritage, Tyne Valley Express, British Photographic History.

Public Programme

The Northumberland Open Exhibition 2024: Northumberland Now

The Northumberland Open Exhibition 2024, ‘Northumberland Now’ was specially themed to connect to the Ashington Group 90 programme and the legacy of the Ashington Group as artists and documenters of their lives, work and environment. The Open Exhibition is the largest exhibition of its type in the North East and is housed in the Woodhorn Museum’s impressive Workshop Galleries.

The 2024 exhibition received a record number of artwork submissions (299 compared to 260 in 2023) from a record number of artists (149 compared to 126 in 2023). 229 artworks were selected for display. The exhibition ran from Saturday 17th February to Monday 6th May and was experienced by 9581 visitors. The People’s Choice award received 3175 votes from visitors during the exhibition run.

Visitor feedback to the exhibition included:

“ Diversity of artwork interesting and inspiring. Really gives a flavour of Northumberland. Thank you.”

“The Summer exhibition of the North! Superb!”

“The variety of work is amazing. Outstanding local artists, well done to all contributors.”

Northumberland Miners’ Picnic 2024

Over 2000 people attended, participated in and performed at the Northumberland Miners' Picnic 2024. The Northumberland Miners’ Picnic is our largest community event of the year and the programme focuses on three key strands of community, heritage and family activity.

In 2024 the community strand included performances from the four South East Northumberland brass bands; Ashington, Ellington, Bedlington and Newbiggin, Ashington Male Voice Choir, Age UK Gardening Group, The Young Northumbrian Ranters and Young Cloggers from two local schools with Music Partnership North Northumberland. The heritage strand included the Miners' Memorial Service, Friends of Crofton Field community group pop up exhibition with Headway Arts and Music Partnership North Northumberland's Young Folk and Clogging group performances. The family strand included an Oom Paa Paa artist led craft activity, Junk Jazz Band art activity, Fairly Famous Family Walkabout Theatre, Mr. Wilson's Second Liners performance and a Family Disco with Paul Smith of Maximo Park. The event also benefited from continued local partnerships including Ashington Town Council, WATbus and Ashington Leisure Centre.

The event achieved over 90% positive feedback, feedback examples include:

" Great atmosphere, plenty for the kids, bands were good, thoroughly enjoyed it."

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

"We really enjoyed it. Lovely memorial service, the brass band and the choir were really good. Sat in the deckchairs in the sun and watched the Ranters and brass bands... they were brilliant. Lovely to see the young ones performing. Later, after a nice lunch in the cafe, we saw the children clogging which was so good as well! Well done to everyone involved."

"Spent a good few hours there, thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the kids happy faces wearing their home-made band hats and playing their home-made instruments - what a great idea!", "A fantastic day!".

Ashington Group 90 was a year-long programme of exhibitions and events celebrating the 90th anniversary of the formation of the Ashington Group of artists in 1934.

This multi-layered programme included new exhibitions, family and lifelong learning activities, and online activity connecting people to the story of the Ashington Group of artists. The programme also provided a framework for fundraising, volunteer, retail and collections development opportunities.

Ashington Group 90 was supported by Northumberland County Council, Arts Council England, The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art, the Sir James Knott Trust and The Ashington Group Trustees.

Oliver Kilbourn: My Life as a Pitman

In late March 2024 we launched ‘Oliver Kilbourn: My Life as a Pitman’, a special collection of paintings that Ashington Group member Oliver Kilbourn made to record his 50-year career working underground as a miner.

The paintings serve not only as a remarkable artistic achievement and personal autobiography of Oliver’s working life, but also as an important historical record of twentieth-century coalmining in Northumberland. This was the first time that this collection has been on public display for 10 years.

The exhibition ran from 29th March 2024 until Sunday 15th September (concluding over Heritage Open Days). The exhibition was attended by over 22,000 visitors and a connected I-spy competition for CYP attracted hundreds of entries.

The exhibition received 189 completed Visitor Feedback cards and feedback examples include:

" Love the way Kilbourn depicts light on paper, the explanation of each picture and Oliver Kilbourn's own words quoted on the walls" “

A visit to Woodhorn is quite emotional for me. My father was a miner and it gives me a strong connection to the life he had. I love the art of the Pitman Painters.”

“Wonderful collection of paintings, showing the realities of a way of life that seems very mysterious to many of us these days. Wonderful to see a 'first hand' account of all that went on day to day. Too often we only hear about mining accidents or tragedies. The collection has been superbly presented in a way that doesn't interfere and simply lets the paintings tell their story.”

"It has been an honour and a privilege to see so much of Oliver Kilbourn's works on show. A fascinating insight into the hard life of mining. Thank you."

Coalface Drawers

‘Coalface Drawers’ was the cornerstone exhibition of the Ashington Group 90 programme. The exhibition launched in October 2024 to coincide with the 90th anniversary of the first meeting of the Ashington Group in 1924.

Reuniting artworks and artefacts back together where it all began in Ashington, Coalface Drawers offered an exciting opportunity to revisit the beginnings of the Pitmen Painters project and to celebrate their innovation and vision anew, nine decades on.

The exhibition was curated by guest curator, artist and Ashington Group Trustee Dr Narbi Price with support from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art Curatorial Grant Scheme in addition to support from the Ashington Group Trustees, Northumberland County Council and Art Council England.

8,500 people visited during the exhibition run (the exhibition closed one day early due to site closure for bad weather).

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Visitor feedback included:

“I enjoyed seeing the heritage of the area on display and seeing art made by people that are often unseen or undervalued.” Visitor feedback

“The whole exhibition was fabulous. What a brilliant new insight into the amazing world of the Ashington Group. A great privilege to see so many before unseen paintings and fascinating artifacts. Marvelous woodcuts, linocuts and sculptures. Excellent a wonderful experience and we'll come back to study again- very thought provoking.” Visitor feedback

“Impressed by the breadth of this exhibition, hearing Robert Lyon's and four of the painters' voices, and also Kilbourn's wartime pictures.” Visitor feedback

The Pop-Up Ashington Group Hut

The Pop-Up Ashington Group Hut was an immersive Family Learning experience inspired by the hut in which the Pitmen Painters met to make and discuss art. The Hut was open every day of the Northumberland school holidays throughout 2024-5 to offer family audiences free art activities inspired by the Ashington Group.

Woodhorn Museum’s Cage Shop was transformed into the pop-up hut by theatre designer and artist Imogen Cloet. Imogen worked with the Programme and Collections teams and Ashington Group Trustee Narbi Price to research how the original two huts used by the group looked, were used and changed over the years. The build was created from recycled materials to reflect how the Ashington Group used found and recycled materials to make their work. The art activities were devised by artist-educator Paul Merrick and paintings in the collection.

Over 6000 visitors participated in art activities in the Pop Up Hut during the Ashington Group 90 season.

Participant feedback included:

'We felt concentrated and relaxed. It's nice to bond with my son and his friend. Very well organised as always."

"I liked being able to reflect and look closely at past lives, pigeon crees and the pitmen painters through the textures, patterns and shapes."

"We enjoyed being able to spend time together and talking about the past history."

PITMAN ReDiscovered in partnership with Eliot Smith Dance (ESD)

During 2024-5 Museums Northumberland supported Eliot Smith Dance in the revision and expansion of his 2016 stage production PITMAN. This has included access to collections, subject specialists, comms support and advice and support for his successful ACE funding application.

In Q3 we worked with ESD to develop and shoot a short film of excerpts of PITMAN filmed on location at Woodhorn Museum. The film, ‘PITMAN Revisited’ launched to the public in early 2025 as a final celebration marking the end of our Ashington Group 90 programme.

PITMAN Revisited achieved a remarkable 22,500 views on Woodhorn Museum’s Facebook page.

Audience feedback for the PITMAN Revisited included:

“Amazing performance as usual by ESD, highlighting the Ashington group at Woodhorn where I saw the recording again. I'm also looking forward to seeing this live at Newbiggin. Well done all involved � ”

“Loved this. Seeing the dancers in familiar spaces we love.”

“Fabulous dancing in such a great setting and telling an important story. Thank you to all involved.”

Staff Uniform Initiative

Staff were invited to vote for their favourite Ashington Group paintings to feature on alternative uniform t-shirts for the Ashington Group 90 season. The t-shirts were worn by museum staff throughout the season as an opportunity for informal engagement with visitors.

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Strike 40 was a programme of activity commemorating 40 years since the 1984-5 Miners’ Strike.

Strike 40 Memory Wall

In March 2024 we launched a ‘Memory Wall’ adjacent to the Strike section of the permanent Coal Town exhibition offering visitors the opportunity to share their own stories about the Strike. By the end of the programme over 250 visitors had contributed their memories to the wall.

Strike 40 Spotlight Tour

A new daily talk was launched highlighting collections content connected to the Strike.

Haway the Lasses by Eliot Smith Dance (ESD)

We worked with Eliot Smith Dance (ESD) to develop ‘Haway the Lasses’ a community dance project inspired by the Brenkley women’s support group banner which was on special display at Woodhorn Museum as part of our Strike 40 programme. The project supported 7 community dancers to develop a new contemporary dance piece which was then performed beneath the Brenkley Banner at the museum on Saturday 9th November for an audience of 28 people. A new short film was made of this performance and was viewed over 2000 times through Woodhorn Museum’s Facebook page.

Audience feedback for ‘Haway The Lasses’ included:

“ Amazing, powerful performance, well done the lasses!”

“What a privilege to be involved, thank you to Woodhorn Museum and Eliot Smith Dance for the opportunity � ”

“Brilliant! Powerful and evocative “

The Northumberland Open Exhibition 2025

The Northumberland Open Exhibition 2025 launched in February 2025 and will run until June 2025. The Northumberland Open is the largest exhibition of its type in the North East and is housed in the Woodhorn Museum’s impressive Workshop Galleries.

The 2025 exhibition received a record number of artwork submissions (458 compared to 299 in 2024) from a record number of artists (197 compared to 149 in 2023). 379 have been included in the exhibition.

Visitor feedback to the exhibition to date includes:

“The vibrancy of the artwork on display matched the venue perfectly.”

“Beautifully presented and a diverse range of artwork, thank you.”

“The artwork is so lively. I loved looking at it. The space is perfect for this exhibition.”

Berwick Bridge 400 and Lasting Impressions

During the summer, MN undertook a community volunteering project to celebrate Berwick’s rich Tweed fishing heritage through co-production of a pop-up exhibition in an empty shop on the high street and family-friendly art at local events. Berwick Bridge, or the ‘Old Bridge’ as it is known locally, was built in 1624. It is built from sandstone, quarried at Tweedmouth. It is an important and locally loved crossing point over the River Tweed. King James VI of Scotland / King James I of England, while travelling south to his coronation in London, complained about the rickety wooden bridge and eventually, after some local campaigning, the Crown agreed to fund a replacement. The impressive civil engineering structure is now 400 years old, and, throughout that time, it has witnessed one of Berwick’s oldest trades: fishing. Once a busy port with many thriving fisheries, Berwick was a centre for the salmon industry. Traditionally, salmon fishermen would row out into the River Tweed in flat wooden boats named ‘cobles’ equipped with nets to encircle the fish. Today, the town continues to pay homage to one of its oldest traditions. The crowning of Berwick’s Salmon Queen traditionally takes place in mid-July as part of the annual celebrations of the Tweedmouth Feast.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Heritage Window :

To celebrate Berwick’s fishing history, on the 400th birthday year of Berwick Old Bridge, we recruited a team of volunteers to design a free, public window display about our local fishing past on Berwick high street. Volunteers researched stories of local fishing in the area, sourced heritage images, and installed the display in a dis-used unit on Marygate.

Featuring a rotating digital display of historical images, and Salmon Queen crowning celebrations through the ages, the heritage window was located just inside the Elizabethan Walls, next to Scots Gate, in the former ‘Iceland’ building. The window also included a variety of fishing objects sourced from Berwick Museum and Art Gallery, Berwick Civic Society, Norham History Society, and items from the fishing community and was freely available for everyone to see and enjoy during the peak tourism season.

Fishing Art: Gyotaku : MN staff went out into the community delivering free Gyotaku workshops alongside artist Claire Beattie at two local events in 2024. More than 500 people took part in the hands-on art activity to create their own fish print. First introduced by Japanese fishermen in the 1800s to record their catch before the widespread use of photography, Gyotaku (roughly translated as ‘fish-rubbing’) involves inking up a fish, placing a sheet of paper over it, and gently rubbing, thus transferring the texture of the fish onto the paper.

We undertook the family-friendly workshops at Berwick Bridge 400 Birthday Weekend on Berwick Quayside and Queen’s Gardens Tweedmouth and at Berwick Food & Beer Festival on The Parade in Berwick. Museums Northumberland would like to thank Destination Tweed and Connecting Threads, who are part of the Southern Uplands Partnership, for their support and match-funding, as well as Northumberland County Council and the North of Tyne Combined Authority, who are supporting these activities through the Create Berwick initiative.

Further activity

Additionally the team delivered:

The annual Easter Bunny event at Woodhorn Museum attracting over 700 participants over the Easter Weekend.

Piloting an additional Birds of Prey display in the Summer Mid Term holidays which successfully attracted over 600 visitors which, together with the annual Halloween birds of prey event, attracted 1564 visitors.

Piloting a partnership project with Blowing a Hooley Theatre Company by hosting their ‘Tales from Hjem’ production.

Delivering the annual Halloween Pumpkin, Skull and Bat Trail events at Woodhorn Museum, Hexham Old Gaol and Berwick Museum and Art Gallery attracting 2314 participants.

‘Coal, Carols and Choruses’ a community choir concert in partnership with Wercas Folk. The event was a successful sell-out with an audience of 80, with further income generated through refreshment and shop sales.

Learning

The Education Team welcomed over 2,400 school visits throughout the year, operating within the confines of the temporary exhibition space, owing to the outstanding MEND repairs referenced above and over 4,500 participants of all ages engaged in offsite informal learning activity.

Schools Sample Feedback:

‘I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for our recent visit to Woodhorn. Everything has been fantastic from organisation prior to the visit up until the moment we left. The staff were brilliant and very engaging.’

‘ I had 2 pupils in my group who struggle to stay in a whole lesson on a typical day in school, yet they were engaged and interested the whole day at Woodhorn which is credit to the museum and the staff themselves’

‘The children (and staff!) had a great time visiting the museum. The activities were interesting and engaging and you and your colleagues were friendly and knowledgeable. The children have all given very positive feedback to me and are all very keen to come back with their grownups to show off their new knowledge’.

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

STEM Communities:

The pioneering STEM Communities project (launched in early 2024) continues to build a self-sustaining community of family scientists in the south east Northumberland area. Working in collaboration with Northumbria University, the project, funded by the Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC) encourages engagement with physics through local heritage. The project targets families with children aged 8-11 from schools in the area local and uses a multidisciplinary approach to develop and deliver workshops that are tailored to the lived experiences of the children and their families, to create coherent, compelling, and enjoyable workshops. 1,058 children took part in school workshops, 194 families engaged during in school family workshops and 58 families took part in on site workshops at Woodhorn Museum.

Berwick’s Carboniferous Past:

The team collaborated with Berwick library and local First and Middle schools to support learning around to put on a fossil-themed library session for 3 local First Schools, providing handling real fossils found on Berwick’s beaches, becoming a ‘fossil hunter’ by uncovering replica fossils in the sandpits, and recreating fossils in clay for a “mini museum” exhibition. These sessions supported in-class learning on Rocks & Fossils as well as increased the children’s cultural capital of museums, libraries and their services. A total of 82, Yr 3 & 4 (aged 7-9 yrs), children from Spittal First School, Holy Trinity First School, and St Mary’s First School participated.

Teachers to Yr 6 (10-11yrs) at Tweedmouth Middle School have been provided with training information packs about Berwick’s Carboniferous Past fossil stories and pre-designed sessions with access to real fossils found on Berwick’s beaches to stimulate their lessons and were empowered to self-select the artistic practitioner Martha Ellis, to recreate Berwick’s Carboniferous plants and animals out of papier mâché, culminating in the creations being exhibited for public view at Berwick Barracks during Autumn 2025.

Further activity

Home Educator visits and workshops:

The Education Team developed workshops and on the day visitor experiences specifically for Home Educators.

Museum worked with Leading Link to support the Northumberland HAF programme offering free entry and lunch vouchers to family participants during the Summer School Holidays.

The Learning Manager presented at the North East Heritage Forum in November with Prof. Davenport, showcasing MN’s STEM engagement and learning from past and current activity.

Collections

Femmer to Firmer Project

Funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and originally planned as a 2-year project, the project timeframe was extended due to temporary halts owing to the pandemic and staffing changes. The project welcomed 19 Collections Advisory Panel members, who contributed 355 hours of their time over the course of the project, helping us to write a groundbreaking new co-authored Collections Development Policy and co-curate and install several off-site exhibitions.

Keeping Berwick Healthy –

In collaboration with the Bright Charity at Northumbria Healthcare Trust, an exhibition relating to medicine and the history of healthcare in Berwick, at Berwick Infirmary, to tie in with the building of a new hospital for Berwick. A fold out map accompanied the exhibition showing the history of medicine throughout Berwick’s history.

Jackie Milburn Centenary –

A celebratory display case exhibit of the great Newcastle United and England Centre Forward, who was born and bred in Ashington.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Hexham’s Adopted Ship –

Exhibited at the Hexham Forum Cinema and inspired by Hexham based objects relating to HMS Tynedale depicting what life was like for people living in Tynedale area during wartime.

Heritage Open Days

The Collections Team organised several special events for Heritage Open Days, beginning with a highly entertaining talk about Jackie Milburn in his centenary year by his friend John Gibson (aka Gibbo, sports reporter of the Newcastle Chronicle and Journal) - From boots in a paper bag on the bus to Newcastle United's first real footballing legend. Other events included a Curator’s talk on LS Lowry paintings at Berwick Museum & Art Gallery, and a small exhibition ‘Life in Hexham 1812’ organised by local historian Iain Duncan. An afternoon of costumed poetry reading with the Morpeth Poets happened at the Bagpipe Museum, with subjects ranging from marathon man Jim Alder to rock star Robert Plant, whose link is limited to a surprise visit to a Morpeth bar back in the 1980’s.

Vintage Car Rally

The Collections Team joined in with the vintage car enthusiasts on Sunday 11th July, placing the Kingfisher car out on public display for the first time in the Workshop Galleries. The car elicited much interest with visitors while the team learned much about vintage car restoration from the exhibitors.

Further activity

The Degas pastel drawing “Russian Dancers” was loaned to the Burrell Glasgow for a major exhibition entitled “Discovering Degas: Collecting in the Time of William Burrell”, which ran from 24 May - 30 September 2024. The exhibition brought together around 30 works on loan from leading national and international collections such as the National Gallery London, the Musee d’Orsay, Paris and the Courtauld Institute. The exhibition was viewed by 44,166 visitors.

The Collections Team worked with Berwick Civic Society, loaning a small collection of items relating to Old Berwick Bridge for the society’s summer exhibition, including James Wallace’s painting “Girls on Old Berwick Bridge”. A display of mining items and some handling collections (miners’ lamps, a pit helmet) were placed in the Riverside Care Home, Morpeth in May.

The Collections Team worked with the Friends of Crofton Mill Field and Headway Arts to display a new banner and exhibition about Crofton Mill Pit in Woodhorn’s Northern Rock Gallery, accompanying a selection of items from the mining collection.

The CEO and Keeper of Collections attended a special event at the House of Lords on 7th May. Organised by the English Civic Museums Network the parliamentary reception was entitled ‘Celebrating UK Museums’ to showcase the Ord Cross and Robert Lyons Projector. MN was one of eight institutions asked to bring an exhibit representative of our museum.

At Berwick Museum & Art Gallery the team displayed a selection of artefacts, from the Kings Own Scottish Borders, relating to Lieutenant Colonel Pennyman, who joined the regiment in 1878.

The Irish Pipers’ Society (na Piobairi Uilleann) met at Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum in honour of International Irish Piping Day, with 15 pipers, fiddlers, harpists and flute players playing Irish Music. Similar meetings took place in places as far away as Japan to Mexico, Australia to Argentina.

The Team supported 9 traditional music events, at Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, during the Morpeth Northumbrian Gathering. Events included piping demonstrations and competitions, workshop sessions and a concert of music by William Shield, the Gateshead born Master of the King’s Musicke. The St Oswald’s piping group, who meet regularly at the museum, took part in the opening procession.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notable 24/25 acquisitions include:

A series of black and white photographs of members of the Ashington Group , taken by photographer SirkkaLiisa Konttinen in 1971 have been given by the photographer in this, the 90th anniversary year of the Ashington Group’s inaugural meeting. The ten photographs in question were taken by Konttinen in 1971. This was a significant year in the history of the Ashington Group, beginning with the Arts Council exhibition of the Helen Sutherland Collection at the Laing Art Gallery (where William Feaver was introduced to the Group), and ending with the death of Harry Wilson in February 1972. It is also the year that the BBC produced a film about the Group (which is shown next to the Ashington Group gallery at Woodhorn). Prints of these and others from the 1971 shoot in Ashington (including images of coal tubs and pigeon crees) accompanied the touring exhibition of work by the Ashington Group in China, organised by the British Council.

LS Lowry’s painting, “Old Berwick” is being given as part of the Cultural Gifts scheme. Lowry shows a view of Berwick’s Guildhall seen from Strother’s Yard. The picture was exhibited in the artist’s first one-man exhibition in 1939 at the Lefevre Galleries, so is representative of a critical stage of his career. The painting has been on display at Berwick Museum in the 24-25 season, next to a more conventional painting of the same view by Berwick artist James Wallace.

Miss Choppington Sash worn by Miss Mildred Gibson in 1953

The Collections Team supported 426 collections enquiries, and accepted 2 donations for the Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum, and 406 items for Woodhorn Museum from 17 donors.

Cultural Collaboration

Museums Northumberland has engaged in a range of activities supporting organisations large and small. In addition to our sector partnership working on the steering groups of the English Civic Museums Network, Hexham Cultural Partnership, North East Cultural Partnership and Ashington Town Board, Museums Northumberland has worked with a range of third sector and charitable organisations, including Age UK, the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Northumberland County of Sanctuary, and welcomed hundreds of visitors through free community passes and free entry for carers and those in residential care.

Our Age UK Over 50s Gardening Social Group (AKA Woodhorn Weeders) consist of 15 regular members and during 2024-25 have contributed over 1,600 hours to plant up and maintain the seasonal planters at Woodhorn Museum. Working with the Northumberland Wildlife and MN’s Green Team to co-create a sustainable wildlife area on site, with wildflower planting, crown lifting, dry hedging, and bug hotels.

With NIECP, Ridley Family Trust and Community Foundation funding MN have improved our gardener’s facilities and provided training and development opportunities including co-authoring an illustrated wildlife trail for our younger visitors in Spring 2025.

Woodhorn Railway Group :

Woodhorn Railway volunteers have grown to 14 regular members and contributed over 3,000 hours in 2024-25 clearing the railway sheds and station area, preparing the station area for relaying of the track and repair of the station infrastructure. With NIECP funding, a number of training sessions including Health & Safety were undertaken by the railway volunteers.

Berwick’s Carboniferous Past :

Berwick’s Carboniferous Past is an inter-generational project exploring and celebrating Berwick’s rich Carboniferous history through our natural history collection at Berwick Museum & Art Gallery. The project was supported by Destination Tweed funding, a unique source-to-sea river revitalisation project centred on the creation of a 113-mile River Tweed Trail to connect communities and attractions along the route, improve the landscape and river habitat and provide a unique experience for locals and visitors alike.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Led by our Community Connector, MN recruited and trained 10 official volunteers to work directly with the fossils and/or on fossil-related interpretation and facilitated in-person volunteer fossil drop-in sessions at Berwick Museum and Art Gallery to identify, photograph, catalogue and re-package the fossils held in storage and not normally seen by members of the public.

The volunteers selected, commissioned and created interpretation and resource working with their chosen graphic designer / artist Daniel Weatheritt, the resources were distributed locally and shared online.

Collections volunteers : contributed 3,793 hours of their time over the course of the year, with 23 volunteers working across two days, predominantly on collections audit, photography, re-boxing, preventative conservation, social media and co-curated displays. Eight of our volunteers have since secured permanent employment within the museum and creative sectors. They are now working at Durham’s Palace Green Library, English Heritage, Glasgow Museums, television production, Kilmartin Museum, and Museums Northumberland. We have measured group wellbeing using the Warwick & Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) as a quantitative measure of the impact on wellbeing. Since the start of the project, there has been a 23% increase in group average wellbeing scores of our CAP members and volunteers.

As a thank you to volunteers and CAP members, and to mark the end of the Femmer to Firmer project we held an event on Tuesday 17th September to celebrate all that we have achieved together. In addition to delivering the innovative Femmer to Firmer Project, referenced above,

Plans for the future

The Trust’s relationship with its principal funder, Northumberland County Council is underpinned by a Service Level Agreement and Property Leases.

In October 2024 the decision was made by Northumberland County Council to bring the provision of museum services back in-house in order to join a local partnership managed by North East Museums (formerly known as Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums). The transfer took place on 1 April 2025.

The charitable group operated as normal up to 31 March 2025 and facilitated a smooth transfer of contracts and staff, to the new entity to ensure continuity of provision of cultural services across the county. Following the transfer, the charitable group will continue to exist for what is expected to be a relatively short period for any final remaining net assets to be disposed of and the companies wound up.

Financial review

The statement of financial activities shows total incoming resources to be £1,896,566 (2024: £1,942,179), with a net deficit of £184,428 (2024: deficit £151,205). Restricted funds at the end of the period amounted to £132,423 (2024: £194,315) and designated funds £nil (2024: £4,114).

The 'free reserves' of the charity (defined as those unrestricted funds not designated for specific purposes or tied up in fixed assets) stood at £85,336 (2024: £193,980).

The Trustees remain grateful for the support of Northumberland County Council during the year which provided a large proportion of the charity’s revenue as part of a Service Level Agreement. The Council sets performance measures associated with this funding, has a nominated Trustee on the Board and receives full quarterly updates and copies of all Board papers.

Museums Northumberland delivered a number of externally funded projects which is reflected in the level of restricted funding and expenditure that the Trust has experienced during the year. Museums Northumberland is able to use some of this funding to cover a share of its own administrative and office costs associated with the project.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Going Concern

When preparing financial statements, the management of the charitable group are required to make an assessment of the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. An entity is a going concern unless management either intends to liquidate the entity or to cease trading or has no realistic alternative but to do so. In assessing whether the going concern assumption is appropriate, management considers all available information about the future, which is at least, but is not limited to, twelve months from the date when the financial statements are authorised for issue. In view of the information below the accounts have been prepared on an other than going concern basis

In October 2024 the decision was made by Northumberland County Council (NCC) to bring the provision of museum services back in-house in order to join a local partnership managed by the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums. NCC provide approximately half of the charity grant income and are the owners of the museum sites. The transfer took place on 1 April 2025.

No adjustments in respect of the above have been made to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Board of Trustees and Management Team have prepared detailed forecasts for the remainder of the 2025/26 financial year to facilitate the smooth transfer to the partnership and are satisfied that adequate resources will be available. A Transition Board has been appointed to oversee the process, including representatives from Northumberland County Council, Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums and Museums Northumberland, led by Northumberland County Council.

Reserves Policy

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure. The Trustees consider that reserves at this level ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity’s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.

Fundraising practices

Woodhorn Charitable Trust (operating as Museums Northumberland) does not use a commercial participator to raise funds, nor have we engaged volunteers on our behalf/in aid of our charity, during the period relating to this report; all our fundraising has been conducted by Trust staff, with the support of a freelance consultant under contract with the charity (this arrangement is subject to annual appraisal and renewal). Any monies raised directly from the public follow all guidelines set out by the Charity Commission, the Code of Fundraising Practice and English & Welsh law in every respect. There have been no fundraising compliance issues nor have we received any complaints in relation to our public fundraising during the period relating to this report. We have robust protections in place for vulnerable people, through our Safeguarding Policy and annual training programme, and respect the privacy and contact preferences of donors.

Investment powers

The Trustees may invest funds after seeking advice from financial advisors so long as legal requirements and those referred to in the Constitution are followed, and the Trust abides by both the Museums Association’s Code of Ethics and the Charity Commission’s guidelines.

Risk Management

The Trustees monitor risks via a Risk Register which is tabled at each Board Meeting. Risks and mitigating factors are assessed, and actions regularly reported. The Trustees are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to major risks.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Museums Northumberland is grateful to the following partners & collaborators:

Northumberland County Council, Arts Council England, Ashington Town Council, The Society of Antiquaries Newcastle, The 1991 Society, The Friends of Berwick Museum & Record Office, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Supanaught, Eliot Smith Dance Company, The Northumbria Healthcare Trust, Northumberland College, The Northumberland CVA, Northumberland & Scottish Borders Councils Land Services, Historic England, Historic Environment Scotland, The Friends of the Union Chain Bridge, Headland, Arts & Heritage, Wessex Archaeology, Northumbria University NU STEM, The Ashington Group Trustees, The English Civic Museums Network, The North East Cultural Partnership, The Hexham Cultural Partnership, The North East Cultural Venues Partnership, The Museums Association, Akzo Nobel, The Artists’ Union, Newcastle University, The Ashington Town Development Board, Ashington Town Council, The Spencer Group, The National Heritage Lottery Fund, The Art Fund, Action for Children, CELL Big Local, Heart of Hirst, Age UK, Partnership Network, The Bridge Project, NCC Resettlement Team, Robson’s Choice, JIB, Kielder Observatory, The Berwick Preservation Trust, Glasgow Life, National Galleries Scotland, Claire Beattie, Kathryn Elkin, Emma Tominey, The Berwick Youth Project, The Chain Bridge Honey Farm, the Tweed Forum, the National Trust for Scotland, Jim Gibson, NCWEA, Bridge 400, the Berwick Literary Society, the Berwick-upon-Tweed Civic Society, the Border Archaeological Society, Horncliffe Memorial Hall, the Fishers Arms, the Berwickshire Naturalists’ Club, the Berwick Archives, the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, the Berwick Film and Media Arts Festival, the Berwickshire Marine Reserve, the Friends of Castle Parks, Jamie Sinclair, the Northumberland County of Sanctuary, Art Fund, Drapers’ Charitable Fund, The Linder Foundation, Ridley Family Trust, Historic England, North East Combined Authority.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association incorporated 19th April 2009 as amended on 15 March 2018.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

L Allason-Jones M W Orde Dr A Best

A Edwards (Resigned 16 December 2024) J W Combe S Martin (Resigned 16 December 2024) A C Willey (Resigned 1 August 2024) O Knight C Deane (Resigned 27 May 2025) Cllr C Seymour

Chief Executive Officer

R J Brown (until 14 February 2025)

Chief Operating Officer

J Raw

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Appointment of Trustees

As set out in the Articles of association Northumberland County Council is entitled to nominate up to two Trustees. The Board of Trustees may from time to time by resolution appoint further Trustees. When considering recruitment for the Board, the organisational priorities are considered, and the skills of the Board and the Executive Team are reviewed to prioritise the acquisition of complementary and business-sensitive skillsets.

Trustees are appointed to serve a term of three years and upon completion of a term may be reappointed with the Board’s consent to serve a maximum of two further terms. No paid employee may be a Trustee of the charity and no individual who has been deregistered from Companies House may serve on the Board. The Trust has a conflicts of interest policy, and a register of interests is maintained by the Board. At each meeting, Trustees are asked to share potential conflicts so that matters may be dealt with responsibly and managed within the context of the policy. Scheme of Delegation which is subject to annual review.

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

Organisation

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for the management of the charity. The Board meets at least quarterly and has a Finance Committee which meets regularly throughout the year. A Chief Executive Officer is appointed by the Board to manage the day-to-day operations of the charity and the duties and responsibilities are outlined in a

Trustee induction and training

New Trustees undergo an induction meeting with the Chair and CEO to brief them on their legal obligations, the responsibilities of Charity Trustees, the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and the policies and procedures which underpin the charity’s day to day operations. New Trustees are given an induction pack containing relevant documents and are required to submit an Appointment Form to Companies House, an Emergency Contact Form, a Declaration of Interests, and a Résumé.

Related parties

The charity’s wholly owned subsidiary, Woodhorn Enterprises Limited was established to run the trading arm of the charity comprising the retail, catering and commercial events. Profits from the subsidiary are to be gift aided annually to the charity.

The charity provides a service to Northumberland County Council as defined by the service level agreement. The Council owns five of the sites on which the charity operates (the sixth, the Berwick Barracks which is home to the Berwick-upon-Tweed Museum and Art Gallery is owned by DCMS).

There is no structural connection between the parties.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Statement of trustees' responsibilities

The trustees, who are also the directors of Woodhorn Charitable Trust for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity 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 charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Auditor

In accordance with the company’s articles, a resolution proposing that Sumer Auditco Limited be reappointed as auditor of the company will be put at a General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditor

Each of the trustees has confirmed that there is no information of which they are aware which is relevant to the audit, but of which the auditor is unaware. They have further confirmed that they have taken appropriate steps to identify such relevant information and to establish that the auditor is aware of such information.

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

on by:

M W Orde Trustee

11 July 2025 Dated:

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT

TO THE MEMBERS OF WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of Woodhorn Charitable Trust (the ‘parent company’) and it’s subsidiary (the ‘group) for the year ended 31 March 2025 which comprise the group statement of financial activities, the group balance sheet, the charitable company balance sheet, the group statement of cash flows and the 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 Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

In our opinion, the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and parent charitable company's affairs as at 31 March 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, for the year then ended;
have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

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 charity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard, 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.

Emphasis of matter – financial statements prepared on a basis other than going concern

We draw attention to accounting policy 1.2 to the financial statements which explains that the charitable group ceased to provide museum services from 1 April 2025 and therefore the trustees do not consider it to be appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Accordingly the financial statements have been prepared on a basis other than going concern as described in accounting policy 1.2. Our opinion is not modified in respect of this matter.

Other information

The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. 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. 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 course of 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 other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

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

the information given in the trustees' report, which includes the directors’ report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
the directors’ report included within the trustees' report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the directors’ report included within the trustees' 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:

adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
the trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies regime and take advantage of the small companies’ exemptions in preparing the trustees' report and from the requirement to prepare a strategic report.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the statement of trustees' responsibilities, the trustees, who are also the directors of the charity for the purpose of company law, 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 group’s and the parent 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 trustees 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.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is detailed below.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT (CONTINUED)

TO THE MEMBERS OF WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

Capability of the audit in detecting irregularities, including fraud

Discussions with and enquiries of management and those charged with governance were held with a view to identifying those laws and regulations that could be expected to have a material impact on the financial statements. During the engagement team briefing, the outcomes of these discussions and enquiries were shared with the team, as well as consideration as to where and how fraud may occur in the entity.

The following laws and regulations were identified as being of significance to the entity:

Those laws and regulations considered to have a direct effect on the financial statements including UK financial reporting standards, Company Law and Charity Law.
Those laws and regulations for which non-compliance may be fundamental to the operating aspects of the business and therefore may have a material effect on the financial statements include health and safety legislation.

Audit procedures undertaken in response to the potential risks relating to irregularities (which include fraud and noncompliance with laws and regulations) comprised of: inquiries of management and those charged with governance as to whether the entity complies with such laws and regulations; enquiries with the same concerning any actual or potential litigation or claims; inspection of relevant legal correspondence; review of board minutes; testing the appropriateness of journal entries; and the performance of analytical review to identify unexpected movements in account balances which may be indicative of fraud.

No instances of material non-compliance were identified. However, the likelihood of detecting irregularities, including fraud, is limited by the inherent difficulty in detecting irregularities, the effectiveness of the entity's controls, and the nature, timing and extent of the audit procedures performed. Irregularities that result from fraud might be inherently more difficult to detect than irregularities that result from error. As explained above, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements may not be detected, even though the audit has been planned and performed in accordance

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

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, 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 charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' 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 charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Mr Stephen Slater (Senior Statutory Auditor) for and on behalf of Sumer Auditco Limited Statutory Auditor Unit 2, Gosforth Park Avenue Newcastle upon Tyne NE12 8EG

11 July 2025 Date:

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Current financial year Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted funds funds funds general designated 2025 2025 2025 Notes £ £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 627,623 - 499,585 Charitable activities 4 20,911 - - Investments 5 23,976 - - Other trading activities 6 210,290 - - Other income 7 514,181 - - Total income 1,396,981 - 499,585 Expenditure on: Trading subsidiary 6 174,526 - - Charitable activities 8 1,340,877 4,114 561,477 Total resources expended 1,515,403 4,114 561,477 Net income for the year/ Net movement in funds (118,422) (4,114) (61,892) Fund balances at 1 April 2024 218,531 4,114 194,315 Fund balances at 31 March 2025 100,109 - 132,423	Total 2025 £ 1,127,208 20,911 23,976 210,290 514,181 1,896,566 174,526 1,906,468 2,080,994 (184,428) 416,960 232,532	Total 2024 £ 1,182,809 37,157 18,122 177,079 527,012 1,942,179 225,986 1,867,398 2,093,384 (151,205) 568,165 416,960

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from discontinued activities, as per note 1 of the financial statements.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (CONTINUED) INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Prior financial year

Unrestricted Unrestricted Restricted funds funds funds general designated 2024 2024 2024 Notes £ £ £ Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 625,419 3,736 553,654 Charitable activities 4 37,157 - - Investments 5 18,122 - - Other trading activities 6 177,079 - - Other income 7 527,012 - - Total income 1,384,789 3,736 553,654 Expenditure on: Trading subsidiary 6 225,986 - - Charitable activities 8 1,254,994 6,172 606,232 Total resources expended 1,480,980 6,172 606,232 Net income for the year/ Net movement in funds (96,191) (2,436) (52,578) Fund balances at 1 April 2023 314,722 6,550 246,893 Fund balances at 31 March 2024 218,531 4,114 194,315	Total 2024 £ 1,182,809 37,157 18,122 177,079 527,012
	1,942,179
	225,986 1,867,398
	2,093,384
	(151,205) 568,165
	416,960

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

GROUP BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

		2025			2024
	Notes	£	£	£		£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	14		95,090			124,946
Heritage assets	15		175,866			175,866
			270,955			300,812
Current assets
Stock		27,241		29,894	29,894
Debtors	18	290,551		228,455	228,455
Cash at bank and in hand		198,105		361,157	361,157
		515,897		619,506
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year	19	(378,455)		(327,492)
Net current assets			137,442			292,014
Total assets less current liabilities		408,398	408,398			592,826
Provisions for liabilities	20		(175,866)			(175,866)
Net assets			232,532			416,960
Income funds
Restricted funds	22		132,423			194,315
Designated funds	23		-			4,114
General unrestricted funds	23		100,109			218,531
			232,532			416,960

11 July 2025 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on

on by:

M W Orde Trustee

Company registration number 06893854 (England and Wales)

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

CHARITY BALANCE SHEET

AS AT 31 MARCH 2025

		2025			2024
	Notes	£	£	£		£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	14		95,090			124,946
Heritage assets	15		175,866			175,866
Investments	16		1			1
			270,957			300,813
Current assets
Debtors	18	404,685		353,286
Cash at bank and in hand		150,291		322,576
		554,976		675,862
Creditors: amounts falling due within
one year	19	(365,263)		(302,813)
Net current assets			189,713			373,049
Total assets less current liabilities			460,670			673,862
Provisions for liabilities	20		(175,866)			(175,866)
Net assets			284,804			497,996
Income funds
Restricted funds	22		132,423		194,315	194,315
Designated funds	23		-		4,114	4,114
General unrestricted funds	23		152,381		299,567	299,567
			284,804		497,996	497,996

As permitted by s408 of the Companies Act 2006, the charity has not presented its own income and expenditure account and related notes. The charity's net outgoing resources for the year was £213,192 (2024: net outgoing £158,298).

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on

11 July 2025

on by: M W Orde Trustee

Company registration number 06893854 (England and Wales)

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

GROUP STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Notes Cash flows from operating activities Cash generated from operations 27 Investing activities Investment income received Net cash generated from/(used in) investing activities Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	2025 £ £ (187,028) 23,976 23,976 (163,052) 361,157 198,105	2024 £ £ (134,768) 18,122 18,122 (116,646) 477,803 361,157

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies

Charity information

Woodhorn Charitable Trust is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Woodhorn Museum, QEII Country Park, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9YF.

1.1 Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s governing document, the Companies Act 2006 and “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 (FRS 102)” (as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2019). The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2 Going concern

1.3 Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

Designated funds comprise funds which have been set aside at the discretion of the trustees for specific purposes. The purposes and uses of the designated funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

Restricted funds are subject to specific conditions by donors as to how they may be used. The purposes and uses of the restricted funds are set out in the notes to the financial statements.

1.4 Incoming resources

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.

Grants receivable are recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities in full in the year which they become receivable, that is when the conditions for receipt have been met.

1.5 Resources expended

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement, and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.

Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.

All expenditure is accounted for on an accrual basis and has been classified under the headings that aggregate all costs to that category. Charitable activity costs includes expenditure relating to the operation of the charity and includes both direct and support costs relating to those activities. Support costs include central function expenditure and are allocated on the basis of staff allocated to each activity. Governance costs include those incurred in the governance of the charity and its assets, and are primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements.

1.6 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Property improvements 20% reducing balance Fixtures, fittings and equipment 10-20% straight line and 20% reducing balance Museum displays 20% reducing balance

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset and is recognised in net income/(expenditure) for the year.

Individual fixed assets in excess of £3,000 are capitalised otherwise items below this amount are charged to revenue.

1.7 Heritage assets

The Trust has a collection of heritage assets which are held in support of the charity’s objectives. These assets fall into the following categories:

Objects on short-term loan
Objects on long-term loan
Objects owned by the Trust

It is not possible for these assets to be capitalised as a current value for the items is not readily available and cannot be obtained at a cost commensurate to the benefit of including these items. The Trust has a clear duty of care for these assets and to make them available for the enjoyment and education of the public as far as is possible, commensurate with their long-term care and preservation. The highest possible standards of collection management are applied, and the catalogues are made available as widely as possible to facilitate all enquiries and requests for information, subject to appropriate security and data protection guidelines.

Conservation expenditure incurred on heritage assets is recognised through the Statement of Financial Activities.

The Trust acquired a number of paintings and a pendant, through grant funding, which meet the definition of heritage assets as per section 34 of FRS 102. Following guidance laid down in the provisions of FRS 102, heritage assets are to be initially recognised at cost and then subsequently measured at fair value, however it is the policy of the Trust to take into account cost implications that would be associated with the realisation of value from Heritage Assets and therefore only to attribute a valuation where the Heritage Assets are capable of realising a net value to the Trust upon disposal. Such cost implications include the consequent repayments of grants, including acquisition grants, as shown in Note 15.

1.8 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments are initially measured at cost.

A subsidiary is an entity controlled by the charity. Control is the power to govern the financial and operating policies of the entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities.

1.9 Impairment of fixed assets

At each reporting end date, the charity reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).

1.10 Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1 Accounting policies (continued)

1.11 Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors, are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

1.12 Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the charity has a legal or constructive present obligation as a result of a past event, it is probable that the charity will be required to settle that obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the consideration required to settle the present obligation at the reporting end date, taking into account the risks and uncertainties surrounding the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the amount expected to be required to settle the obligation is recognised at present value. When a provision is measured at present value, the unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in net income/(expenditure) in the period in which it arises.

1.13 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

1.14 Employee benefits

The cost of any unused holiday entitlement is recognised in the period in which the employee’s services are received.

Termination benefits are recognised immediately as an expense when the charity is demonstrably committed to terminate the employment of an employee or to provide termination benefits.

1.15 Retirement benefits

Payments to defined contribution retirement benefit schemes are charged as an expense as they fall due.

1.16 Leases

Rentals payable under operating leases, including any lease incentives received, are charged as an expense on a straight line basis over the term of the relevant lease.

2 Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

Critical judgements

Assessing indicators of impairment

In assessing whether there have been any indicators of impairment of assets, the trustees have considered both external and internal sources of information such as market conditions and experience of recoverability.

Determining residual values and useful economic lives of tangible fixed assets

The charity depreciates tangible fixed assets over their estimated useful lives. The estimation of the useful lives of assets is based on historic performance as well as expectations about future use and therefore requires estimates and assumptions to be applied by management. The actual lives of these assets can vary depending on a variety of factors, including technological innovation, product life cycles and maintenance programmes.

Judgement is applied by trustees when determining the residual values for tangible fixed assets. When determining the residual value trustees aim to assess the amount that the company would currently obtain for the disposal of the asset, if it were already of the condition expected at the end of its useful economic life. Where possible this is done with reference to external market prices.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

3 Donations and legacies

		Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Total	Total
		funds	funds	funds
		general
		2025	2025	2025	2025	2024
		£	£	£	£	£
	Donations and gifts	37,956	-	-	37,956	39,488
	Grants received	589,667	-	499,585	1,089,252	1,143,321
		627,623	-	499,585	1,127,208	1,182,809
		Unrestricted	Designated	Restricted	Total
		funds	funds	funds
		general
		2024	2024	2024	2024
		£	£	£	£
	Donations and gifts	39,488	-	-	39,488
	Grants received	585,931	3,736	553,654	1,143,321
		625,419	3,736	553,654	1,182,809
4	Charitable activities
					Public	Public
					programme	programme
					2025	2024
					£	£
	Sales within charitable activities				20,911	37,157
	Analysis by fund
	Unrestricted funds - general				20,911	37,157
5	Investments
				Unrestricted		Unrestricted
					funds	funds
					general	general
					2025	2024
					£	£
	Rental income				15,597	14,198
	Interest receivable				8,379	3,924
					23,976	18,122

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

6 Commercial trading operations and investments in trading subsidiary

The wholly owned subsidiary, Woodhorn Enterprises Limited (company number 07135083), which is incorporated in the United Kingdom pays its taxable profits to the charity by gift aid, when available. Woodhorn Enterprises Limited provides the trading services of the charity. The charity owns the entire issued share capital of 1 ordinary £1 share.

A summary of the trading results is shown below.

==> picture [477 x 468] intentionally omitted <==

----- Start of picture text -----
|||| |---|---|---| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Turnover|210,290 177,079| |Cost of sales|(75,526) (82,833)| |Gross Profit|134,764 94,246| |Administration Cost of sales|(99,000)|(143,153)| |Profit/(loss) before taxation|35,764 (48,907)| |-|-| |Tax on profit/(loss)| |Profit/(loss) for the financial year|35,764 (48,907)| |The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary were| |Current assets|76,143 70,053| |Creditors amounts falling due within one year|(177,413) (207,087)| |Net current liabilities|(101,270) (137,034)| |Aggregate share capital and reserves|(101,270) (137,034)| |Other income| |Unrestricted|Unrestricted| |funds|funds| |general|general| |2025|2024| |£|£| |Other income|161,476|74,000| |Parking fees and Annual Pass|182,651|152,160| |Consultancy|4,621|125,413| |Archive storage recharge|165,433|175,439| |514,181|527,012|

----- End of picture text -----

7 Other income

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

8 Charitable activities

Public Programme Visitor & building services Total Public programme Visitor & building services 2025 2025 2025 2024 2024 £ £ £ £ £ Staff costs 484,591 288,571 773,162 383,749 252,231 Depreciation and impairment 20,079 9,777 29,856 25,099 10,079 Other charitable costs 160,347 25,058 185,405 204,741 110,957 665,017 323,406 988,423 613,589 373,267 Share of support and governance costs (see note 9) Support 500,049 344,089 844,138 397,355 473,561 Governance 73,907 - 73,907 9,626 - 1,238,973 667,495 1,906,468 1,020,570 846,828 Analysis by fund Unrestricted funds – general 705,499 635,378 1,340,877 421,001 833,993 designated 4,114 - 4,114 6,172 - Restricted funds 529,360 32,117 561,477 593,397 12,835 1,238,973 667,495 1,906,468 1,020,570 846,828	Total 2024 £ 635,980 35,178 315,698
	986,856 870,916 9,626
	1,867,398
	1,254,994 6,172 606,232
	1,867,398

9 Support costs

Support costs Governance costs £ £ Staff costs 220,538 - Rent, rates, heat and light 191,840 - Repairs and maintenance 135,509 - Insurance 37,227 - Computer and software costs 44,850 - Travel and subsistence 14,279 - Marketing 57,919 - Security 90,653 - Other administrative costs 51,323 - Audit fees - 16,250 Legal and professional - 57,657 844,138 73,907 Analysed between Charitable activities 807,459 73,907	2025 £ 220,538 191,840 135,509 37,227 44,850 14,279 57,919 90,653 51,323 16,250 57,657 918,045 881,366	Support costs Governance costs £ £ 226,531 - 228,847 - 138,695 - 46,549 - 48,020 - 1,167 - 53,008 - 78,066 - 50,033 - - 9,626 - - 870,916 9,626 870,916 9,626	2024 £ 226,531 228,847 138,695 46,549 48,020 1,167 53,008 78,066 50,033 9,626 -
			880,542
			880,542

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

10 Net movement in funds

Net movement in funds
	2025	2024
	£	£
The net movement in funds is stated after charging/(crediting):
Fees payable to the charity's auditor:
- for the audit of the charity's financial statements	16,250	9,626
- for other assurance services	1,250	800
Depreciation of owned tangible fixed assets	29,856	35,178

11 Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

During the year none of the trustees claimed expenses (2024: none) in respect of travel costs.

12 Employees

Number of employees

The average monthly number of employees during the year was:

Collections Audience development Visitor and building services Administration Marketing Trading subsidiary	2025 Number 2 7 16 5 1 9 40	2024 Number 3 5 15 5 1 9
		38

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

12 Employees (continued)

Employment costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs	2025 £ 959,315 73,509 57,619 1,090,443	2024 £ 888,535 59,860 52,241
		1,000,636

The total employment costs includes an amount of £96,743 (2024: £138,125), which relates to the activities of the subsidiary.

The number of employees whose annual remuneration was £60,000 or more were:

	2025	2024
	Number	Number
£70,000 - £79,999	-	1
£100,000 - £109,999	1	-

Employment costs

The key management personnel of the charity comprises the Chief Executive Officer.

The remuneration of key management personnel was as follows:

Key management personnel remuneration and benefits, including pension contributions amount to £111,363 (2024: £76,527).

13 Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent these are applied to its charitable objects.

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

14	Tangible fixed assets – Group and Charity
		Property	Fixtures,	Museum	Total
		improvements	fittings	displays
			and
			equipment
		£	£	£	£
	Cost
	At 1 April 2024	84,307	493,191	250,000	827,498
	At 31 March 2025	84,307	493,191	250,000	827,498
	Depreciation and impairment
	At 1 April 2024	41,178	411,374	250,000	702,552
	Depreciation charged in the year	8,626	21,230	-	29,856
	At 31 March 2025	49,804	432,604	250,000	732,408
	Carrying amount
	At 31 March 2025	34,503	60,587	-	95,090
	At 31 March 2024	43,129	81,817	-	124,946
15	Heritage assets
					Artwork
					£
	At 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025				175,866

Throughout the years the Trust has acquired, through grant funding, pieces of Northumberland Folk Artwork and an early medieval gold cross pendant. In accordance with the Trust's accounting policies this has been recognised as a heritage asset. Conditions imposed by the funders are such that in the event that the painting is sold the funds would be returned to the funders, accordingly a provision has been recognised, as shown in Note 20.

16 Fixed asset investments

Fixed asset investments
		Other
Charity		investments
Cost or valuation
At 1 April 2024 & 31 March 2025		1
	2025	2024
Other investments comprise:	£	£
Investments in subsidiaries	1	1

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WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

17	Financial instruments			2025	2024
				£	£
	Carrying amount of financial assets
	Debt instruments measured at amortised cost			86,148	91,683
	Carrying amount of financial liabilities
	Measured at amortised cost			329,574	176,100
18	Debtors
		Group		Charity
		2025	2024	2025	2024
	Amounts falling due within one year:	£	£	£	£
	Trade debtors	86,148	91,683	86,148	91,683
	Amounts owed by group undertakings	-	-	115,165	126,409
	Other debtors	4,753 4,540	4,540	4,753	4,540
	Prepayments and accrued income	199,650 132,232	132,232	198,619	130,654
		290,551	227,491	404,685 353,286	353,286
19	Creditors: amounts falling due within one
		Group		Charity
		2025	2024	2025	2024
	Amounts falling due within one year:	£	£	£	£
	Trade Creditors	285,151 133,435	133,435	284,529	128,138
	Other taxation and social security	18,694 42,665	42,665	18,751	38,038
	Other creditors	1,434	-	-	-
	Accruals and deferred income	73,176 151,391	151,391	61,983	136,637
		378,455	327,491	365,263	302,813
20 Provisions for liabilities	20 Provisions for liabilities			2025	2024
		Notes		£	£
	Heritage asset funding provisions	15		175,866	175,866
	Movements on provisions:				£
	At 1 April 2024				175,866
	Provision made in the year				-
	At 31 March 2025				175,866

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

21 Pension and other post-retirement benefit commitments

Defined benefit schemes

The charity participates in the local government pension scheme, the Northumberland County Council Pension Fund, a statutory, funded, final salary scheme. The scheme is a multi-employer defined benefit scheme and it is not possible in the normal course of events to identify the assets and liabilities of the scheme that are attributable to the charity. Accordingly the scheme is accounted for as if it were a defined contribution scheme. The pension cost charge in the financial statements in relation to the scheme amounted to £28,361 (2024: £27,689).

Actuarial valuations are made every 3 years and the latest report at 31 March 2019 indicates that the scheme had an overall deficit of £1.2m with a funding ratio of 110%. The charity has been requested to make employer contributions of 9.7% for the 3 years to 31 March 2025, at which point the rate will be revised, based on the 31 March 2024 actuarial valuation.

Defined contribution schemes

The company also operates a defined contribution pension scheme for new staff. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the company in an independently administered fund. The pension cost charge represents contributions payable by the company to the fund and amounted to Group and Charity £29,258 (2024: £24,563).

22 Restricted funds

The income funds of the charity include restricted funds comprising the following unexpended balances of donations and grants held on trust for specific purposes:

Current financial year

Current financial year
		Movement in funds
	Balance at	Incoming	Resources	Balance at
	1 April	resources	expended	31 March
	2024			2025
	£	£	£	£
National Portfolio	-	346,680	(346,680)	-
Ready to Borrow - Capital assets	8,716	-	(1,743)	6,973
MN: bait - Creative People and Places	5,168	-	(5,168)	-
Bridge funding - Creative People & Places	15,630	-	(15,630)	-
Summer STEM Club	13	-	(13)	-
Collections Appraisal and Engagement	21,588	-	(21,588)	-
StART Project	5,630	-	(5,630)	-
STEM Learning (NUCLEUS)	-	30,087	(30,087)	-
Volunteer Gardening Group	5,250	46,635	(51,885)	-
Conservation materials	940	15,185	(15,146)	979
Playpark (phase II)	46,802	-	(13,789)	33,013
Ashington Group 90	24,000	7,000	(19,000)	12,000
Miners' Picnic	40	-	(40)	-
Respond and Reimagine	4,969	-	(4,969)	-
Recovery Funding	55,569	-	(15,239)	40,330
Berwick Learning	-	14,727	(14,727)	-
Access in Museums	-	150	(143)	7
Reimagining Hexham Old Gaol	-	19,121	-	19,121
Digital Learning	-	20,000	-	20,000
	194,315	499,585	(561,477)	132,423

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

22 Restricted funds (continued)

Prior financial year

		Movement	in funds
	Balance at	Incoming	Resources	Balance at
	1 April	resources	expended	31 March
	2023			2024
	£	£	£	£
National Portfolio	-	346,680	(346,680)	-
Ready to Borrow - Capital assets	10,896	-	(2,180)	8,716
MN: bait - Creative People and Places	31,669	-	(26,501)	5,168
Bridge funding - Creative People & Places	15,630	-	-	15,630
Summer STEM Club	-	8,550	(8,537)	13
Collections Appraisal and Engagement	36,886	19,598	(34,896)	21,588
StART Project	6,292	-	(662)	5,630
STEM Learning (NUCLEUS)	-	15,032	(15,032)	-
Volunteer Gardening Group	-	5,250	-	5,250
Conservation materials	1,560	1,000	(1,620)	940
Playpark (phase II)	57,118	-	(10,316)	46,802
Ashington Group 90	-	36,000	(12,000)	24,000
Miners' Picnic	-	3,000	(2,960)	40
Pop up Ashington Group Hut	-	7,000	(7,000)	-
Our Past, Your future	-	61,239	(61,239)	-
Respond and Reimagine	4,969	-	-	4,969
Recovery Funding	81,006	-	(25,437)	55,569
Ord Cross Acquisition	867	-	(867)	-
Critical Winding House 1 repairs	-	50,305	(50,305)	-
	246,893	553,654	606,232	194,315

National Portfolio Organisation 2023 to 2027 – This award is a National Portfolio grant from Arts Council England, supporting Museums Northumberland to deliver Arts Council England’s Let’s Create programme.

Ashington Group 90 – Funding received from the Ashington Group Trustees to support the planned programme activity and from the Paul Mellon Foundation to undertake a curatorial project relating to Ashington Group at 90 years at Woodhorn Museum.

Collections Appraisal and Engagement – Grants received from Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund to strengthen Collections planning and engagement.

Volunteering – This fund relates to grants from the Community Foundation, Ridley Family Trust and Northumberland County Council to support the activity of the Age UK Volunteer Gardening Group and Railway Volunteers at Woodhorn Museum.

Berwick Learning – Funds from Berwick Creative & Cultural Zone and Destination Tweed to carry out learning activity relating to celebrations of the Berwick Old Bridge @ 400 and Berwick’s Carboniferous Past.

STEM Learning (NUCLEUS) – Funds from the University of Northumbria, on behalf of the Science & Technology Facilities Council, to support the delivery of STEM family activity in South-East Northumberland.

Access in Museums – A fund awarded to support accessibility in museums training.

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

22 Restricted funds (continued)

Banner Conservation – This fund relates to a grant from Drapers’ Charitable Fund to undertake professional conservation of the Ellington Mining Banner and supporting the associated volunteer activity.

Reimagining Hexham Old Gaol – These funds relate to grants from Art Fund and the Linder Foundation to redevelop the visitor spaces at Hexham Old Gaol.

People & Prisons – This fund relates to a grant from Historic England to work with the local community to retell stories associated with Hexham Old Gaol.

Digital Learning – This fund relates to a grant from the Garfield Weston Foundation to enhance MN’s digital learning offer.

MN:bait Legacy Funds – These funds relate to grants from Arts Council England, Public Health Services (NCC), Northumberland County Council and several small community grants to deliver a programme of activity to increase arts engagement in South East Northumberland and to delivery and to support, develop and deliver a national peer learning programme for funded Creative People and Places programmes, nationally.

Recovery Funding – These funds relate to grants from Northumberland County Council and National Lottery Heritage Fund to support organisation pandemic recovery.

Respond & Reimagine – These funds relate to grants from Art Fund to increase the learning and engagement, primarily at Hexham Old Gaol and Berwick Museum & Art Gallery.

Collections Conservation – This fund relates to income received from the Society of Antiquaries towards the conservation of Museums Northumberland collections.

StART Project – A grant from Children and the Arts to develop the arts provision for the cultural sector for the benefit of children and young people.

23 Unrestricted funds

The unrestricted funds of the charity comprise the unexpended balances of donations and grants which are not subject to specific conditions by donors and grantors as to how they may be used. These include designated funds which have been set aside out of unrestricted funds by the trustees for specific purposes.

Current financial year

		Movement in funds	Movement in funds
	Balance at	Incoming	Resources	Balance at
	1 April	resources	expended	31 March
	2024			2025
	£	£	£	£
General funds	218,531	1,396,981	(1,515,403)	100,109
Open Exhibition Fund	4,114	-	(4,114)	-
	222,645	1,396,981	(1,519,517)	100,109

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

23 Unrestricted funds (continued)

Prior financial year

Prior financial year
					Movement in funds
	Balance at				Incoming		Resources		Balance at
		1	April		resources		expended		31 March
			2023						2024
			£		£			£	£
General funds		314,722			1,384,789		(1,480,980)		218,531
Open Exhibition Fund		6,550			3,736		(6,172)		4,114
		321,272			1,388,525		(1,487,152)		222,645
Open Exhibition Fund– this fund relates to the de-stall costs				of	the annual	open selling exhibition which is
open annually between February and April to the public.
Analysis of net assets between funds
Current financial year
	Unrestricted				Designated		Restricted		Total
			funds		funds		funds
			2025		2025		2025		2025
				£	£		£		£
Group
Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by:
Tangible assets			14,773			-	80,317		95,090
Heritage assets				-		-	175,866		175,866
Current assets/(liabilities)			85,336			-	52,106		137,442
Provisions				-		-	(175,866)		(175,866)
			100,109			-	132,423		232,532
Charity
Fund balances at 31 March 2025 are represented by:
Tangible assets			14,773			-	80,317		95,090
Heritage assets				-		-	175,866		175,866
Investments				1		-	-		1
Current assets/(liabilities)			137,607			-	52,106		189,713
Provisions				-		-	(175,866)		(175,866)
			152,381			-	132,423		284,804

24 Analysis of net assets between funds

Docusign Envelope ID: E8FE6503-FC98-43FF-8A77-28DB5AD88321

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

24 Analysis of net assets between funds (continued)

Prior financial year

Unrestricted funds Designated funds Restricted funds 2024 2024 2024 £ £ £ Group Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are represented by: Tangible assets 24,551 - 100,395 Heritage assets - - 175,866 Current assets/(liabilities) 193,980 4,114 93,920 Provisions - - (175,866) 218,531 4,114 194,315 Charity Fund balances at 31 March 2024 are represented by: Tangible assets 24,551 - 100,395 Heritage assets - 175,866 Investments 1 - - Current assets/(liabilities) 275,015 4,114 93,920 Provisions - - (175,866) 299,567 4,114 194,315	Total 2024 £ 124,946 175,866 292,014 (175,866)
	416,960
	124,946 175,866 1 373,049 (175,866)
	497,996

25 Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year (2024 - none).

26 Analysis of changes in net funds

The charity had no debt during the year.

27 Cash generated from operations

Cash generated from operations (Deficit)/Surplus for the year Adjustments for: Investment income recognised in statement of financial activities Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets Movements in working capital: Decrease/ (increase) in stock Decrease/(increase) in debtors Increase/(decrease) in creditors Cash generated from operations	2025 £ (184,428) (23,976) 29,856 2,653 (62,096) 50,963 (187,028)	2024 £ (151,205) (18,122) 35,178 774 39,731 (41,124)
		(134,768)

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

CONSOLIDATED

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

CONTENTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Objectives and activities

Connect people with Northumberland’s stories, through cultural programming and cocreation

Share Northumberland’s stories to connect, enrich and inspire

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Achievements and performance

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Visitors

Woodhorn Museum

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Woodhorn Museum General Visitor Reviews and Feedback

Hexham Old Gaol

Hexham Old Gaol General Visitor Reviews and Feedback

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Berwick Museum & Art Gallery

Berwick Museum & Art Gallery General Visitor Reviews and Feedback

Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Online Engagement

Website

Media Engagement

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Television

Radio

Print / Online

Public Programme

The Northumberland Open Exhibition 2024: Northumberland Now

Visitor feedback to the exhibition included:

Northumberland Miners’ Picnic 2024

The event achieved over 90% positive feedback, feedback examples include:

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Oliver Kilbourn: My Life as a Pitman

Coalface Drawers

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Visitor feedback included:

The Pop-Up Ashington Group Hut

Participant feedback included:

PITMAN ReDiscovered in partnership with Eliot Smith Dance (ESD)

Audience feedback for the PITMAN Revisited included:

Staff Uniform Initiative

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Strike 40 Memory Wall

Strike 40 Spotlight Tour

Haway the Lasses by Eliot Smith Dance (ESD)

Audience feedback for ‘Haway The Lasses’ included:

The Northumberland Open Exhibition 2025

Visitor feedback to the exhibition to date includes:

Berwick Bridge 400 and Lasting Impressions

WOODHORN CHARITABLE TRUST

TRUSTEES’ REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS’ REPORT) (CONTINUED)

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

Heritage Window :