WEYMOUTH MUSEUM Weymouth Museum Trust Annual Report 2019- 2020 YMOUTH MUSEUM MAIN ENTRANCE 411. YKKS -LL BRI:KFfFE5
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
What a year this has been! When I wrote last year I commented that it had been a roller coaster but that was nothing compared with what was to come. As our difficulties with the development of the building have continued, we had submitted a new request to NHLF for an options appraisal for other premises and some further work to enhance and protect our collection. COVID then hit us all and all NHLF bids were withdrawn.
This left us in limbo and with the additional problem of lockdown. We knew that when we reopened, we would face the issue that many of our very loyal volunteers would continue to shield and we did not wish for anyone to get Covid from association either with members of the public or one another. We calculated that we could not afford to COVID proof the premises or employ museum assistants from our reserves. However, the NHLF emergency funding came to our aid and we were given a grant of £22,900 to allow us to reconfigure the building and its entrance and to employ two museum assists to act as stewards and to help with conservation work. We had a very strong field of many applicants but appointed Lucy Watkins, who already worked at Portland Museum,and Olivia Hellings who was just about to embark upon a career in museums and had a little experience at the Natural History Museum. They were excellent appointments!
The NHLF emergency funding was a lifeline and has ensured our sustainability.
Our visitor numbers held up well. We had 1834 visitors compared with 3096 in the previous year, but we were only open for 39 days generating £3,155 in sales (£80 / day) compared with last year when the museum traded for 136 days generating £4,192.90 (£30 / day). Much of this increase was the result of the alterations resulting from the successful Heritage Lottery bid. The new entrance, signage and window display have significantly increased public awareness and local traders have expressed their appreciation of the
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improved frontage to Brewers Quay. This was helped by the Friends contribution of hanging baskets and planter.
The alterations enhanced the appearance of the museum and we were able to capitalise on using 3 large windows which had never been accessible to use beforehand. This advertised the museum much more effectively and encouraged visitors to come in. Our safe querying area with COVID sanitation also gave confidence to the public. We also invested in a cashless payment system to eliminate all cash handling, banking or logging of visitor numbers by volunteers. We used track and trace, plastic screens and sanitized everything every day very thoroughly. As a result the museum continued to be open until the week before Christmas. We have recently been awarded a very small revenue grant from Dorset and intend to advertise for a part time museum manager for twelve months to continue our development work. In the meantime, we hope the buildings issue may be more encouraging. We will continue to apply for bids and our latest plans are to resubmit our NHLF bid which was curtailed when Covid first hit.
I would like to thank the Trustees of the Museum for their hard work. It is with sadness I have to report the death of Andy Hutchings who had been a loyal supporter and longtime Trustee. His quiet questioning added hugely to our meetings. Keith Whittock decided that he would prefer to be a volunteer rather than a Trustee, but we thank him for his wisdom. I would also like to continue to thank Vicky De Wit. She knows the answers to everything
museum wise! The museum would not open without the volunteers – thank you to all of you. A huge thank you also goes to Roger Dalton who always comes up with a solution to any problem, is unfailingly cheerful and without whom we could not survive! Finally, my thanks to Richard Breward and Phil Wise for producing the statutory accounts for the Trust this year.
Marcia Headon
Chair of Weymouth Museum Trust
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VISITOR SERVICES
| VISITOR SERVICES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| YEAR ON YEAR VISITOR NUMBERS AND INCOME |
2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| VISITOR NUMBERS– Children & Adults |
4424 | 3096 | 1834 |
| INCOME | |||
| Shop Sales | 1582.84 | 1667.11 | |
| Ticket Sales | 3974.14 | 4192.90 | 3155.00 |
| Donations | 513.80 | 598.33 | 1195.00 |
| TOTAL INCOME | 6070.78 | 6449.34 | 4350.00 |
Due to the restrictions resulting from the pandemic, the museum only opened to the public from 20th August. Regulations around transmission meant that books had to be quarantined if handled. As a result, it was agreed to keep the shop closed. As volunteers where in the most vulnerable groups, it was also agreed to hire staff to run the trading days from Thursday to Saturday each week and confine volunteer days to Mondays and Wednesdays.
To date, the museum has traded for 39 days generating £3,155 in sales (£80 / day) compared with last year when the museum traded for 136 days generating £4,192.90 (£30 / day). Much of this increase was the result of the alterations resulting from the successful Heritage Lottery bid. A new cashless payment system was also introduced to eliminate all cash handling, banking or logging of visitor numbers by volunteers.
The new facilities have encouraged a number of volunteers to return. We now have teams for Monday and Wednesday with appropriate social distancing measures between work stations. Equally, the protective screening measures were felt to be sufficiently safe to allow Lyndsay, Sue, Margaret and Lois to return to steward the gallery releasing Lucy (up to 31.11.20) and Olivia to work on refreshing the gallery displays.
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2. COLLECTION MANAGEMENT
Digitisation of the Photographic Collection
Volunteers continue this work with descriptions being added to help future searches. One volunteer is also starting to scan the Seward Collection of glass negatives at Dorchester.
Exhibition of the Bussell Collection
A volunteer is working with curatorial staff at the Shire Hall to select items from the collection for a major exhibition at Shire Hall from March 2021. A trustee has helped with background research to give context to the work. See her work on the website blog.
Documentation Exercise
Two volunteers are working on updating the locations of the items in the upper & lower stores to the main catalogue now that everything has been shelved out. Another is also producing a training programme to help search the 20+ databases. This is particularly critical with the re – accreditation process required in early 2023.
Conservation of Costume Collection
Three Volunteers were back between lockdowns to work on the textiles collection in the store.
3. SELECTION OF ENQUIRIES – May – December
| 1 | Nottington History – Queen Victoria Statue Unveiled 1902 |
|---|---|
| 2 | Beating the Bounds of the borough 1870 - 1933 |
| 3 | Photographs of Nothe Tavern 1950’s |
| 4 | Weymouth Amateur Dramatic Society – Clarence Firbank Carr 1924 |
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5 Demolition of the Old Town Bridge & re-use of stone in
Briantspuddle
6 History of Cove Inn
7 How the 1824 town bridge operated
8 Any pictures of the ship Abigail ( Sailed from Weymouth to
America 1628)
9 Origins of brick used to build Hamilton House, Wyke Regis
c1790
10 Lt Thomas Knight’s tombstone – images / references
11 Bowring’s Shop, 29 Horsford Street
12 Weymouth years of Mary Jeffries, notorious keeper of a high
class brothel in Chelsea 1880’s
13 Origins of the Argos premises and any photographs
14 Request to identify the location of this 1870’s painting by WJ
Williams
15 Enquiry regarding Sir Henry Edwards Statue
16 Request for resource material for a novel of historical fiction
set in Weymouth during WWII
17 Location of an air raid siren
18 Research enquiry from Australia re German air raid on
Portland 11th August 1940
Two volunteers at the Local History Centre also helped Weymouth BID
with the text of "Heritage Tiles" to be used to mark historic buildings in the
town, e.g. The Old Town Hall, The former Customs House, The Tudor
House, Trinity Street, Holy Trinity Church, and St Mary's Church. In total
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the LHC handled 69 enquiries this year. See Richard’s full report on our website.
4. MARKETING & PROMOTIONS
a) Website - www.weymouthmuseum.org.uk
During the lockdown, the design of the new website was progressed, and additional photography was undertaken. The new logo was also created free of charge as were the 30+ new images. The overall response has been very positive. The new site was launched to coincide with the re-opening of the Museum on 20th August. Now, a volunteer is updating the site with information on the Bussell exhibition and reports on the LHC. In the coming weeks, we also plan to make the FoWM pages more accessible from the home page and add to the events page.
b) Public Awareness
The new entrance, signage and window display have significantly increased public awareness and local traders have expressed their appreciation of the improved frontage to Brewers Quay. This was helped by the Friends contribution of hanging baskets and planter. A volunteer confirms that awareness on social media has never been higher. One of the museum assistants took on Twitter and the other Instagram so the reach is much wider than before. Equally, moving the landline to the office and desk on the ground floor means call are no longer “lost” so our response rate has also improved.
c) Local History Day – 20.09.20 Our museum assistants presented a taste of seaside fun from days gone by and asking the question: is there a seaside humour? Glass topped display cabinets were used to display the puppets safely and the George III mannequin was used to draw attention to the stand. The Friends also kindly funded a pop-up banner.
5. FUND RAISING
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The Trust has been pro-active in trying to raise funds in 2020. To date we have received grants from Bristol City, Dorset Council and National Lottery Heritage Fund. We have also received 2 rate rebates.
a) NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND – EMERGENCY
GRANT The grant enabled the museum to become COVID compliant by creating a one-way system with the new entrance and route through the old restaurant. This also provided an opportunity to use the 3 big display windows to promote the museum and build awareness. The grant was awarded on 22nd July and the new premises were opened just 28 days later. The original budget was £22,900 with final costs totalling £23,552.84 as a result of a decision to fund a 3-day staff induction period and an extra trading day of Saturday for 11 weeks.
B) OPERATIONAL SUPPORT REVENUE FUND
Our most recent grant application proposes to fund a part time heritage professional over 3 years to broaden the scope of the museum and build its volunteer base. It also included transferring our collection management onto MODES and develop a pop up museum in the town centre to engage more fully with residents and visitors. The results have just been released @ 21.12.20 and we were awarded 42% of the amount requested. The trust will assess the implications of this in the New Year as well as applying for additional grants to keep the museum operational.
6. PLANS FOR THE NEW YEAR
We propose to close the museum to volunteers and the public during January, February and March. It will be difficult to adequately heat the offices and it is likely that there will be a third lockdown in any case. During this time, access will be needed to the Shire Hall team to select and display the Bussell collection in time for their March launch. New displays within the gallery will be planned along with more grant applications to the NHLF.
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THE FRIENDS OF WEYMOUTH MUSEUM ANNUAL REPORT
Little did we know at the end of last year how difficult a year was in front of us. Lockdown in late March and the continuing requirement to social distance, resulted in the cancellation of our planned activities for most of the year. This severely curtailed our ability to attract new members. The current membership stands at 125,
However, there have been achievements during the year as we were able to complete our first series of Teas and Talks, our membership form is now produced in colour and the FOWM now features on the new Museum website and we have already received a membership application generated from the site. The ’paper’ membership form has now been published in colour but sadly distribution was interrupted by COVID-19. Whilst the reorganisation of the Museum has meant less involvement in front of house for some of our members, back of house volunteers mainly come from our membership. We have supported the Museum by providing hanging flower baskets and a planter for the new entrance to the Museum. We will monitor these and replace dead plants as necessary. However, our grant of £5,000 to the Trust had to be returned to us but we will be happy to consider requests from the Trust in any further grant applications.
The committee has decided to extend the current membership year to 31[st] March 2021, meaning that members will receive five months free membership. The next membership renewal will take place on 1[st] April 2021.
However, as Chairman I am aware that some of our members do not have online facilities and others are a little apprehensive of using ‘zoom’ but we still continue with ‘By-the-Wey’ our quarterly newsletter published both online and in a paper format which binds the membership together. Our year ended on a high note with an excellent online digital presentation ‘curated’ by Graham Perry of a recording made of a History Day held in the Pavilion in 1999 which was chaired by Tony Flux who was the founder of the Friends.
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We are now looking forward to our first ‘zoom’ AGM on the 30[th] January.
PAULINE CARTER CHAIRMAN.
THE MUSEUM’S LINKS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS
The Trust works with many other organisations, and is pleased to be associated with –
Dorset County Council (Museums Small Grants) Weymouth Town Council Arts Council England National Heritage Lottery Fund
GRANTS AND DONATIONS
The Trust is grateful for grants and donations from Bristol City National Lottery Heritage Fund Dorset Council Friends of Weymouth Museum Weymouth Town Council
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Weymouth Town Council
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FINANCIAL POSITION 769 FHFG £iJy4( fQJ)J £41$1&XI É&7th £1IIyJ4J5 £1S&P2 £1SlJi% Page | 10
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independellt Examiners RgpDrt Lse 145 otttE 11 ALtwd try exatninakn. I Itfk the Dre(b[K gNen by Comm155 rs& 145t5XbltsP ith theeXanWIothh In oii*i io eroLqe rJwi Page | 11
TRUSTEES 2019/2020
Richard Breward Laura Gardner David Harris Marcia Headon – Chair Abbie King Jon Murden Paul Webb
Other officers
Cllr Kate Wheller- representative from Dorset Council Cllr Brian Heatley- representative from Dorset Council Vicky De Wit – County Museums Adviser
Geoff Pritchard – Minute secretary
SHOWCASING OUR WORK
The work of Weymouth Museum is very multifaceted. We have a unique collection of artefacts relating to Weymouth’s history which our visitors enjoy discovering. Our first picture shows a typical day at the museum with people viewing the collections and discussing them.
We are friendly and welcoming, and our recent facelift of the front has helped us to increase our profile in the town.
In the collection we have over 20,000 artefacts some of which are below. These range from Roman mosaics to Tudor relics to Georgian costumes to models of battleships and even a Polyphon. Some such as George III’s bathing machine and his bath are unique.
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We also tell the stories of people’s lives – from the famous such as Pat Dunn the first women referee who came from Weymouth and whose professional kit we have; Michael Burdle who won a BAFTA award or John Hoare, who took the surrender of the U boat in 1945; or the person in the street who gave her wartime wedding dress to the museum, or the Wyke Regis ‘Romano British ’ woman whose remains were discovered in 1937 .
We have a stunning collection of very valuable artwork much of which has never been on display. We have paintings by William Beechey, Joseph Mallord, John Upham, William Turner, John Constable, William Pye and Standish Sweeney.
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We also hold a large collection of photographs of Weymouth in the nineteenth and twentieth century which have recently been catalogued and digitised and are very popular. People enjoy seeing these and our Facebook page has been showcasing them.
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Weymouth Museum Trust
Income & Expenditure Account from 1 December 2019 to 30 November 2020
Income
| Income | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/11/2020 | 30/11/2019 | ||||
| Donations | £1,195.00 | ||||
| Sales | £0.00 | Bank balance | £27,768.29 | £58,753.05 | |
| Admission Charges | £3,309.26 | Cash | £31.33 | £97.69 | |
| Bristol City Council Grant | £2,778.07 | ||||
| Dorset Concil Grant | £10,000.00 | Total cash | £27,799.62 | £58,850.74 | |
| NLHF Grant | £22,900.00 | ||||
| Rate Rebate | £1,334.00 | ||||
| Donations for talks | £0.00 | ||||
| Information services | £0.00 | ||||
| Total income | £41,516.33 | ||||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Telephone & Broadband | £704.76 | ||||
| General administration | £280.83 | ||||
| Museum Management | £15,538.68 | ||||
| Part Time Museum Assistants | £6,700.00 | ||||
| Museums Association | £82.00 | ||||
| Dorset Museums Trust | £30.00 | ||||
| Reopenning costs | £13,004.85 | ||||
| IT Equipment | £927.87 | ||||
| Fire & Security System | £0.00 | ||||
| Book Purchases | £155.72 | ||||
| Bank charges | £0.00 | ||||
| Portland Museum | £1,898.07 | ||||
| Friends of Weymouth Museum | £5,000.00 | ||||
| NHMF Repayment (Old Grant) | £27,662.00 | ||||
| Insurance | £323.36 | ||||
| ICO subscription | £35.00 | ||||
| Website | £157.95 | ||||
| Displays | £0.00 | ||||
| Conservation materials | £0.00 | ||||
| Total expenditure | £72,501.09 | ||||
| Excess of income | -£30,984.76 | ||||
| Balance b/f | £58,753.05 | ||||
| Balance c/f | £27,768.29 | ||||
| Philip Wise | |||||
| Richard W Breward | Philip Wise | ||||
| Honorary Treasurer | Independent Examiner |
30th December 2020
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the Charity Name trustees/ members Weymouth Museum Trust of 30[th] November 2020 Charity 1143692 On accounts for the no (if year ended any) Set out on pages 1 (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended DD / MM / YYYY .
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the basis of report preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material examiner's matters have come to my attention (other than that disclosed statement below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
- Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply.
Signed: P J Wise Date: 30[th] December 2020 Name: Philip John Wise Relevant professional
1
IER
October 2018
qualification(s) or body (if any):
Address: Hanover House 94 The Esplanade Weymouth, Dorset DT4 7AT
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
2
IER
October 2018
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
3
IER
October 2018