# **COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 07889200 CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER: 1145218**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum Company Limited by Guarantee Unaudited Financial Statements**
**31 October 2025**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Financial Statements**
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
||**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' annual report (incorporating the director's report)|**1**|
|Independent examiner's report to the trustees|**11**|
|Statement of financial activities (including income and expenditure account)|**12**|
|Statement of financial position|**13**|
|Notes to the financial statements|**14**|
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)**
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purposes of company law, present their report and the unaudited financial statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 October 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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 published in October 2019.
## **Reference and administrative details**
**Registered charity name** Ryedale Folk Museum **Charity registration number** 1145218 **Company registration number** 07889200 **Principal office and registered** Ryedale Folk Museum **office** Hutton-le-Hole York YO62 6UA **The trustees** Ms J S Smith (Retired 9 March 2025) Ms J L Boutflower Ms C A Fenner (Appointed 19 February 2026) Mr J D Fudge (Retired 31 October 2025) Ms C A Lloyd Brown Mr A J Murray (Appointed 20 February 2025) Dr B Paddison Ms K Tyerman **Museum director** Ms J S Smith **Bankers** HSBC Bank plc 13 Parliament Street York YO1 8RS Metro Bank plc 1 Southampton Row London WC1B 5HA **Independent examiner** Philip Holt FCA FCIE High Park Farm Kirkbymoorside York YO62 7HS
**- 1 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **LEGAL STATUS**
## **Nature of the Governing Document and Constitution of the Charity**
Ryedale Folk Museum ("the Museum"), a company limited by guarantee (company number 07889200), was incorporated on 21 December 2011 and registered with the Charity Commission (charity number 1145218) on 22 December 2011.
The Museum is incorporated and governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association. There are no restrictions in the governing documents on the operation of the charity on its investment powers other than those imposed by charity law.
## **The methods adopted for the recruitment and appointment of new trustees**
The Museum is governed by the Board of Trustees. Board vacancies are dealt with on a skills-need basis and the Board votes on new appointments. The Articles of Association provide that the first trustees have a term of three years. Trustees may be appointed for a second term of three years. In exceptional cases, a third term of a further three years may be agreed. The trustees have the power to appoint any person who is willing and able to do so as a new trustee. Appointments may be terminated by by trustees at any time during an individual's term.
## **The policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees**
An information pack is given to all new trustees which includes information about the Museum, its vision and purpose and copies of policies and any current business plan. It explains the Memorandum and Articles of Association and principles of good governance. A chapter is dedicated to explaining the trustee's role, the skills and qualities required and the role of trustees in strategic planning. A further chapter gives guidance from the Charities Commission to trustees on their responsibilities.
## **The organisational structure of the Museum and how decisions are made**
The trustees meet regularly to manage the Museum's affairs. Meetings are minuted and records kept indefinitely.
The day to day management of the Museum is the responsibility of a full time Museum Director who has been appointed by the trustees. The Museum Director is assisted by the staff and volunteer teams.
## **The major risks to which the Museum is exposed and reviews and systems to mitigate them.**
The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises;
- (a) An annual review of the risks the charity may face;
- (b) The establishment of systems and procedures to mitigate those risks; and
- (c) The implementation of procedures designed to minimise any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
It is acknowledged that operational and financial risks exist and the trustees take appropriate steps to mitigate these within the financial constraints imposed by available funds.
**- 2 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **Objectives and activities**
The original trust deed for the Crosland Foundation sets out the objects of the charity and these were restated following the transfer of the charitable activities to Ryedale Folk Museum and set out in Article 5 of the Articles of Association as follows:
**The only objects for which the Company is established are the education of the public by the promotion or maintenance of collections and a museum of bygone chattels, books, manuscripts, coins, buildings or other erections, furnishings (whether indoor or outdoor), implements and other objects of antiquarian interest as a reminder of British culture and history ("the Objects").**
## **Charitable Purpose and Vision**
The Museum's purpose is to:
- Make a positive difference to people's lives in Ryedale and across the North York Moors.
- Contribute to the sense of place and identity for the area, its communities and its visitors.
We do this by:
- Putting people at the heart of what we do.
- Creatively using our collections and buildings to support the needs and wellbeing of the community.
- Working collaboratively with local people, so that their stories are gathered, represented and shared in a way that truly reflects them.
- Being a place where people arrive curious and leave inspired.
## **Public Benefit**
The trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the Charities Commission guidance on public benefit when reviewing the Museum's purpose and vision and in deciding which activities the Charity should undertake.
The Museum holds a long-term collection of objects and archival material which reflects the lives of Ryedale's people through history. The Museum provides public benefit by actively promoting and creating opportunities for people to access and understand the collection, for learning and for enjoyment.
**- 3 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
**Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **Objectives and activities** _**(continued)**_
## **Notable Activities**
## _Strategic Plan 2022 - 2032_
The Museum's Strategic Plan 2022 - 2023 was launched in January 2022, laying out the trustees' aims and aspirations for the following ten years. The Plan was circulated to a range of stakeholders and partners to provide information on the Museum's general trajectory. A cycle of three-year forward or business plans is now in operation to deliver the strategic objectives through planned programmes and projects. Trustees monitor progress in line with a series of established targets. A new Forward Plan was adopted in August, covering the period from September 2025 to December 2028.
## _New Patron_
The Museum was delighted to announce local author, Sally Coulthard, as a new patron during 2025. Sally has written over 30 books, with themes ranging from folklore and nature to stories of rural life. For the last 10 years, Sally has also written a monthly column for Country Living magazine about the smallholding she runs at the family home. Sally has already supported several museum events throughout the year. Sally joins Lady Feversham, who has been a patron of the Museum for over 15 years.
## _Accreditation Return_
The Museum was invited to submit an updated Accreditation Return to Arts Council England in 2025. The last return was in 2016. The Director worked with Accreditation Mentor, Jen Kaines (Head of Collection Services, Royal Armouries), staff and trustees to ensure that a comprehensive return was prepared. The process provided an opportunity for a thorough review of all relevant plans and policies. The return was sent to Arts Council England in September 2025, and an outcome is expected within approximately six months.
## _High Barn Exhibitions_
The Believe it or not? exhibition closed in November 2024. The exhibition covered topics relating to local folklore and was highly praised by visitors for its interesting content. Objects on display were from the Museum's collection and on loan from York Museums Trust, Scarborough Museum and Galleries and from numerous private collectors. The exhibition and associated activities were supported with grants provided by the North York Moors National Park and North Yorkshire Council.
The third temporary exhibition in the Museum's High Barn space opened in March 2025. Making a Meal of It focuses on the hard graft of food production in the past. The exhibition showcases objects solely from the Museum's own collection, covering a range of food-related topics and stories. Objects on display included equipment for dairying, butter-making, bread-making, pig processing and beekeeping. A short film 'The Story of Wheat' was shown thanks to help and support from the Yorkshire Film Archi ve. The film charts the production and sale of flour from wheat growing in local fields to the old Burgess Flour Mill at Thornton-leDale, and then to the shop shelf. Many of the Museum's engagement activities for families and adult audiences were also focused on the theme of food during 2025. Butter-making sessions took place for families in school holiday periods, and food historians Ivan Day and Pen Vogler gave talks.
## _Art Gallery programme_
There were four exhibitions in the art gallery in 2025:
- FARM / MILL / BAKE by Tessa Bunney (see below for further details)
- The Spaces Between by Francesca Simon
- From harbour, over hills and home by Matty Burnham and Tim Gomersall
- Charms and Murmurings by Hester Cox, Charlotte Morrison and Josie Beszant
**- 4 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **Objectives and activities** _**(continued)**_
## _MEND application_
The Museum submitted a successful Expression of Interest application to Arts Council England's MEND (Museum Estate and Development) Fund in May 2025. A full application was submitted in October 2025, and an outcome is expected in March 2026. If successful, the funds will help to re-thatch four of the Museum's buildings (Manor House, Crofter's Cottage, Stang End and Pickard's Cottage). In addition, new pantile roofs will be provided for the threshing barn, horse wheelhouse (or gin gang) and 'the workshops' (which includes the 1950s shop, chemist, saddler's and others). A series of skylights will be removed at the rear of the shop/reception area and replaced with a continuous pantile roof cover. A series of preliminary stages will be required, including developing detailed designs, further costings and ecological surveys before any works can commence.
## _Collections_
The Museum continues to collect objects for its permanent collection. During the year, a varied range of items were donated. They included a grandfather clock, Lyke Wake Walk tankard, an autoharp, toys, a cot and costume (including baby clothes, a shawl and dresses).
## _Visitor Survey_
A visitor exit survey was commissioned by York St. John University to help the Museum understand visitors' experiences and perceptions of the Museum. The surveys were undertaken by an external contractor from May until into November 2025, with the data expected in late 2025.
## **Governance**
The trustees continue to meet on a quarterly basis to discuss ongoing issues and strategy. Work on new Governance actions, established as part of the new Forward Plan (2025-2028) is underway, with several sub-groups set-up to focus on specific matters including risk management, trustee recruitment and fundraising.
On 10 March 2025, the Museum changed its governance structure to become a solely voluntarily run charity, with no trustees regularly remunerated for their services (which had been the structure since late 2011). Therefore, the Museum Director is no longer an appointed trustee or director. The change now permits the Museum to operate under the Cultural Exemption for VAT.
The trustees anticipate moving to CIO status in the next few months, and away from the current arrangement as a Registered Charity and Limited Company.
One new trustee was appointed to the board in the period. A trustee recruitment drive is planned for early 2026, with the hope of finding 2-3 trustees.
## **Museum Operations**
The Museum opened for 210 days during the financial year. The Museum continues to be open six days a week (closed on Fridays).
The visitor numbers reached over 27,500 - a small increase on the previous year. Visitors from the group market were up by 30%, and visitors returning on an annual pass grew by 12%.
**- 5 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
**Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
# **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **Objectives and activities** _**(continued)**_
## **Finance and Income Generation**
Admissions income was up 24% on the previous year. This was in part due to an increase in the admission price, but primarily due to the Museum's new compliance with the Cultural Exemption for VAT.
Income from the gift shop sales decreased by 5% on the previous year. The average profit margin has remained stable at around 51% and spend per visitor decreased by 6%.
The Museum hosted eight wedding ceremonies during the year (seven in 2024). The small and niche nature of the enterprise means that marketing the Museum as a wedding venue remains challenging. New social media channels specifically for weddings at the Museum have been set up.
## **Fundraising Activities**
During 2025, the Museum received grant funding totalling £35,094 (2024 - £16,977) with grants through North York Moors National Park Authority and University of Leeds.
## **Achievements and performance**
## **A review of the charitable activities undertaken by the charity**
## **FARM / MILL / BAKE**
The FARM / MILL / BAKE project was awarded a grant by the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) fund, administered by the North York Moors National Park Authority. This was possible as a partnership was formed between the Museum and Hill Top Farm at Spaunton, home to 'Yorkshire Organic Millers'. The funding allowed us to undertake a series of activities to support those working in the artisan bread industry (from farm, to mill, to bakehouse) and raise awareness generally about bread production across the county. Tessa Bunney, documentary photographer, was commissioned to take a series of photographs at farms, mills and in bakeries, charting the story of real bread production. These photographs were shown in the Museum's first art gallery exhibition in 2025. In addition, some photographs were displayed in the Museum's threshing barn. The Museum also co-hosted an event for local farmers focused on making low-input farming work for them. Specialist speakers were invited and the event was attended by over 40 delegates. Delegates then attended the opening of the FARM / MILL / BAKE exhibition, which opened on the same day. Three podcasts were made featuring Nelly Trevelyan (Hill Top Farm and Yorkshire Organic Millers owner), Mike and Kate Stringer (High Callis Farm) and Phil Clayton (owner of Haxby Bakehouse). The hope of the project was to help the Museum work with the local agricultural community and demonstrate that the Museum can be a place to discuss and debate contemporary landscape and farming issues.
## **Geoffrey Willey Legacy**
In 2015, Geoffrey Willey a long-time supporter of the Museum died. The trustees have designated the 'Geoffrey Willey Memorial Fund' in which the funds left to the Museum in his will have been placed. A number of works have been agreed to be undertaken with these funds, in line with Mr Willey's wishes and that of his executors via an agreement made in 2016. Much of the work related to Mr Willey's legacy funds is still to achieve and has been taken into account in the new Forward Plan.
**- 6 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **Achievements and performance** _**(continued)**_
## **Traditional Boundaries project**
A grant was provided by the North York Moors National Park Authority's Traditional Boundaries scheme to help the Museum improve and reinstate some of its hedges and fences. Over 1,000 hedge plants were planted as part of the works, and a series of new post and wire fences. The works were completed in March 2025.
## **Visitor Information Point**
Each year the Museum receives a small grant from the North York Moors National Park Authority to operate as a Visitor Information Point. Museum staff and volunteers provide general information for visitors to the National Park including through the distribution of paid-for and free publications.
## **Restricted Income Funds**
The Restricted **Fixed Asset Fund** represents gifts of tangible fixed assets or grants of a capital nature given for specific purposes and fully utilised in the furtherance of the objects of the Charity.
The **AED project Fund** is utilised for the purpose of the maintenance of the Hutton-le-Hole community defibrillator and cabinet and from time to time, the provision of AED training for people living and working in the village.
The **Believe it or not? Fund** relates to a grant from the North York Moors National Park Authority's Tourism Grant Contribution Fund and a grant from North Yorkshire Council's Creative Economy Fund. These grants are to support the Believe it or not? exhibition, including its development, marketing and provision of linked outreach activities.
The **Bread 2025 Fund** relates to a grant from the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme, administrated by the North York Moors National Park Authority for works in partnership with Yorkshire Organic Millers to raise awareness of bread production (see the section on FARM / MILL / BAKE for more information).
The **Collections Apprentice Fund** represents funding to provide an apprentice with suitable experience a museum environment.
The **Dialect Project fund** refers to the undertaking of works related to the Dialect Project delivered by the University of Leeds and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The **Geoffrey Willey Memorial Fund** represents the incoming resources from the legacy of Mr G Willey specifically attributed to projects set out in his Will less the net outflows and transfers in relation to clearing his property and cataloguing his bequest.
The **Hosier Milking Bail Fund** represents a grant from the North York Moors Trust given for moving and situating the Bail at the Museum.
The **Phase II Fund** relates to incoming resources to develop Phase II of the longstanding project agreed between the Museum and Ryedale District Council (with responsibility now transferred to North Yorkshire Council). These funds are yet to be disbursed in line with the agreement of both organisations.
The **Traditional Boundaries Fund** refers to a grant provided by the North York Moors National Park Authority's Traditional Boundaries Scheme with the purpose of reinstating traditional hedges and walls across the national park.
**- 7 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **Financial review**
## **Transactions and Financial position**
Voluntary income, including Gift Aid where appropriate, for the year amounted to £72,346 (2024 - £61,929) and the Museum earned £209,877 (2024 - £171,288) from ticket admissions, education and groups. Retail performance increased on the results for the previous year, with shop and gallery takings at £76,325 (2024 - £74,911). In addition, increasing venue hire and fundraising events contributed £12,920 (2024 - £12,978) to a tot al income of £373,815 (2024 - £323,547).
Trading and fundraising costs amounted to £52,298 (2024 - £56,313) and the net contribution from trading and fundraising amounted to £36,947 (2024 - £31,576).
The total expenditure on charitable activities amounted to £309,197 (2024 - £301,268) and included governance costs which totalled £6,193 (2024 - £5,576) during the year.
The net assets at the year end stand at £2,025,484 (2024 - £2,013,164). The total fixed assets of the charity amounted to £1,800,053 (2024 - £1,800,085) which were represented by the Restricted Fixed Asset Fund of £1,541,317 and the Designated Fixed Asset Fund of £258,875.
The Geoffrey Willey Memorial Fund, a Designated Reserve Fund, stands at £100,174 (2024 - £100,174.
The total unrestricted and undesignated reserves of the Charity show a deficit of £82,752 (2024 deficit - £92,865) although £27,083 (2024 - £42,610) of this was represented by long-term liabilities due for repayment over a long period. Accordingly, the short-term free unrestricted undesignated deficit amounts to £55,669 (2024 surplus - £50,255).
## **Specific changes in fixed assets**
The historical collection held by the Museum is primarily from gifts, bequests and donations. The collection is considered by the Trustees to be irreplaceable and an accurate valuation would be impossible. The collection is not therefore included as an asset in the accounts.
The land and building accommodating the office, entrance, reception and shop, have been placed under the care of the Official Custodian for Charities.
**- 8 -**
**Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **Financial review** _**(continued)**_
## **Policy on reserves**
The Trust Deed authorises the Trustees to make any investments they consider appropriate and to raise money with or without the security of the Trust Property. It is the policy of the Trustees to maintain unrestricted funds at a level to ensure that all management and administrative costs can be met throughout the next financial year.
The Trustees have an aspiration to hold a reserve fund of between £100,000 and £200,000, representing between three months and six months of charitable expenditure, to cover any eventuality. This would be created by apportioning surplus income to a deposit account on an annual basis.
At present, the total unrestricted and undesignated reserves of the Charity show a deficit of £82,752 (2024 deficit - £92,865) although £27,083 (2024 - £42,610) of this was represented by long-term liabilities due for repayment over a long period. Accordingly, the short-term free unrestricted undesignated deficit amounts to £55,669 (2024 deficit - £50,255).
The Trustees are exploring ways of reducing this deficit, and reversing the history of deficits, and building additional positive reserves for the future. This includes a number of specific fundraising events and targeted appeals to grant-giving foundations and philanthropic individuals.
## **Plans for future periods**
In autumn 2021, the Museum trustees agreed a new purpose statement for the Museum and a set of strategic aims, documented in a new ten-year Strategic Plan (2022-2032).
The agreed aims are to:
1. Respond to the needs of the local community and reflect changing demographics and livelihoods in what we do.
2. Create meaningful and enjoyable audience-led visitor experiences.
3. Secure the future of our collections and buildings and use what we have more effectively.
4. Move the Museum from simply being known about to being loved, cherished and absolutely intrinsic to the identity of Ryedale and the North York Moors.
5. To improve our organisational resilience, financial sustainability and reduce our adverse environmental impact.
The trustees intend to fulfil these aims with new work and projects, planned in three-year cycles.
**- 9 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Trustees' Annual Report (Incorporating the Director's Report)** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
**Small company provisions**
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies exemption.
The trustees' annual report was approved on 29 July 2026 and signed on behalf of the board of trustees by:
**MS J L BOUTFLOWER** Trustee
**MS C A LLOYD BROWN** Trustee
**- 10 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Ryedale Folk Museum ('the Charity') for the year ended 31 October 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since the Charity’s gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW), which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
3. the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
4. the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
**PHILIP HOLT FCA FCIE** Independent Examiner
High Park Farm Kirkbymoorside York YO62 7HS
29 July 2026
**- 11 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Statement of Financial Activities (including income and expenditure account)**
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
||||**2025**||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|||
|||funds|funds|**Total funds**|Total funds|
||**Note**|**£**|**£**|**£**|£|
|**Income and endowments**||||||
|Donations and legacies|**5**|52,602|19,744|**72,346**|61,929|
|Charitable activities|**6**|209,877|–|**209,877**|171,288|
|Other trading activities|**7**|89,245|–|**89,245**|87,889|
|Investment income|**8**|2,347|–|**2,347**|2,441|
|||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|**Total income**||354,071|19,744|**373,815**|323,547|
|||===============================|==========================|===============================|===============================|
|**Expenditure**||||||
|Expenditure on raising funds:||||||
|Costs of other trading activities|**9**|(51,132)|(1,166)|**(52,298)**|(56,313)|
|Expenditure on charitable activities|**10,11**|(292,819)|(16,378)|**(309,197)**|(301,268)|
|||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|**Total expenditure**||(343,951)|(17,544)|**(361,495)**|(357,581)|
|||===============================|==========================|===============================|===============================|
|||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|**Net income/(expenditure)**||10,120|2,200|**12,320**|(34,034)|
|||===============================|==========================|===============================|===============================|
|Transfers between funds||(7)|7|**–**|–|
|||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|**Net movement in funds**||10,113|2,207|**12,320**|(34,034)|
|**Reconciliation of funds**||||||
|Total funds brought forward||266,184|1,746,980|**2,013,164**|2,047,198|
|||-------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|**Total funds carried forward**||276,297|1,749,187|**2,025,484**|2,013,164|
|||===============================|=======================================|=======================================|=======================================|
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
**The notes on pages 14 to 31 form part of these financial statements.**
**- 12 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Statement of Financial Position**
## **31 October 2025**
|||**2025**||2024|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Note**|**£**|**£**|£|
|**Fixed assets**|||||
|Tangible fixed assets|**18**||**1,800,053**|1,800,085|
|**Current assets**|||||
|Stocks|**19**|**25,110**||20,326|
|Debtors|**20**|**1,129**||8,249|
|Cash at bank and in hand||**263,759**||283,485|
|||-------------------------------||-------------------------------|
|||**289,998**||312,060|
|**Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**|**21**|**(37,484)**||(56,371)|
|||-------------------------------||-------------------------------|
|**Net current assets**|||**252,514**|255,689|
||||---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|**Total assets less current liabilities**|||**2,052,567**|2,055,774|
|**Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one**|||||
|**year**|**22**||**(27,083)**|(42,610)|
||||---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|**Net assets**|||**2,025,484**|2,013,164|
||||=======================================|=======================================|
|**Funds of the charity**|||||
|Restricted funds|||**1,749,187**|1,746,980|
|Unrestricted funds|||**276,297**|266,184|
||||---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|**Total charity funds**|**24**||**2,025,484**
=======================================|2,013,164
=======================================|
For the year ending 31 October 2025 the Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
- The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476;
- The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.
These financial statements were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on 29 July 2026, and are signed on behalf of the board by:
## **MS C A LLOYD BROWN**
Trustee
**The notes on pages 14 to 31 form part of these financial statements.**
**- 13 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements**
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **1. General information**
The Charity is a public benefit entity and a private company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales and a registered charity in England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Ryedale Folk Museum, Hutton-le-Hole, York, YO62 6UA.
## **2. Statement of compliance**
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
## **3. Accounting policies**
## **Basis of preparation**
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value through income or expenditure.
The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the charity and rounded to the nearest £1.
## **Going concern**
The charitable activities are entirely dependent on continuing grant aid and voluntary donations as well as museum entrance fees and shop revenues. As a consequence, the going concern basis is dependent on the future flow of these uncertain funding streams. Accordingly, the trustees have obtained forecasts and, after reviewing the financial forecasts for future periods to 31 October 2025, the trustees are satisfied that, at the time of approving the financial statements, it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
## **Disclosure exemptions**
The charity does not include a cash flow statement on the grounds that it is applying the Charities SORP (FRS 102) for smaller charities.
## **Judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty**
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, within the next financial year, are the levels of future funding and expenditure on charitable activities.
**- 14 -**
**Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## **Income and corporation tax**
The charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes.
## **Fund accounting**
- Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
- Designated funds are unrestricted funds earmarked by the Trustees for particular purposes.
- Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
## **Capital grants**
Gifts of tangible fixed assets or grants of a capital nature given for specific purposes and fully utilised in the furtherance of the objects of the Charity should be credited to the restricted fixed asset fund after the sums have been properly expended on the restricted purpose. As the related assets are depreciated, then a transfer is made from restricted fixed asset funds to unrestricted revenue reserves to reflect the diminution in the asset subject to the restriction.
If the related assets are not subject to restrictions by the grant making organisation on their use and disposal, or are purchased out of general unrestricted funds, then the fixed asset fund created is treated as a designated fixed asset fund. As the related assets are depreciated, then a transfer is made from designated fixed asset funds to unrestricted revenue reserves to reflect the diminution in the asset.
Any residual liability to the donor arising from, for example, the asset's future sale, is disclosed as a contingent liability unless the event that would trigger repayment of the grant becomes probable in which case a liability for repayment is recognised.
Insofar as this policy relates to Government grants and to the extent that it may be a departure from the Statement of Standard Accounting Practice Number 4, such departure is justified on the basis that it is in order to comply with SORP.
## **Incoming resources**
All income is included in the statement of financial activities when entitlement has passed to the charity, it is probable that the economic benefits associated with the transaction will flow to the charity and the amount can be reliably measured. The following specific policies are applied to particular categories of income:
- income from donations or grants is recognised when there is evidence of entitlement to the gift, receipt is probable and its amount can be measured reliably.
- Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a specific performance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionally entitled to the grant.
**- 15 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## **Incoming resources** _**(continued)**_
- Income from grants, which are related to specified performance and specific deliverables, are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance and are classified as restricted funds.
- Donated services and facilities are included at the value to the charity where this can be quantified. The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included in these accounts.
- Legacies are included as incoming resources when: probate has been granted; the executors have established that there are sufficient assets in the estate, after settling any liabilities, to pay the legacy; and when any conditions attached to the legacy are either within the control of the charity or have been satisfied.
- income from contracts for the supply of services is recognised with the delivery of the contracted service. This is classified as unrestricted funds unless there is a contractual requirement for it to be spent on a particular purpose and returned if unspent, in which case it may be regarded as restricted.
- Investment income is included when receivable.
- Income from charitable trading activity is accounted for when earned.
## **Deferred income**
Income received in advance and specified by the donor as relating to specific accounting periods or alternatively which are subject to conditions which are still to be met, and which are outside the control of the Charity or where it is uncertain whether the conditions can or will be met, are deferred on an accruals basis to the period to which they relate. Such deferrals are shown in the notes to the accounts and the sums involved are shown as creditors in the accounts.
**- 16 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## **Resources expended**
Expenditure and liabilities are recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred or a contractual or constructive obligation is made. Expenditure includes any VAT which cannot be fully recovered, and is reported as part of the expenditure to which it relates:
- Costs of generating funds comprise the costs associated with attracting voluntary income and the costs of trading for fundraising purposes including the charity's shop.
- Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
- Support costs include those costs in relation to indirect costs incurred to support the direct charitable activities of the charity and are allocated to each activity on an estimated percentage of time and effort spent on each activity.
- Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and include the audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
- All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the SoFA on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on an appropriate basis e.g. floor areas, per capita or estimated usage as determined by the Trustees.
## **Support costs allocation**
Support costs are those that assist the work of the charity but do not directly represent charitable activities and include office costs, governance costs, administrative payroll costs. They are incurred directly in support of expenditure on the objects of the charity and include project management carried out at headquarters. Where support costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to cost of raising funds and expenditure on charitable activities on a basis consistent with use of the resources. Premises overheads and other overheads have been allocated on proportionate use basis. Fundraising costs are those incurred in seeking voluntary contributions and do not include the costs of disseminating information in support of the charitable activities.
## **Operating leases**
Rentals payable in respect of operating leases where substantially all the benefits and risks of ownership remain with the lessor are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities as incurred.
**- 17 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
# **Company Limited by Guarantee**
**Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
# **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## **Tangible assets**
Tangible fixed assets are stated at cost less depreciation. Items of less than £1,000 are not capitalised.
No depreciation is provided on freehold property and improvements because it is the practice to maintain the property in a continual state of sound repair. Accordingly, the life is so long and the residual value so high that the Trustees consider that depreciation calculated in accordance with accepted accounting standards would be immaterial.
A regular annual review of the likelihood of asset impairment is undertaken.
## **Depreciation**
Depreciation is calculated so as to write off the cost or valuation of an asset, less its residual value, over the useful economic life of that asset as follows:
Plant, Machinery and Vehicles - 15% to 25% straight line Fixtures and fittings - 15% to 25% straight line
## **Impairment of fixed assets**
A review for indicators of impairment is carried out at each reporting date, with the recoverable amount being estimated where such indicators exist. Where the carrying value exceeds the recoverable amount, the asset is impaired accordingly. Prior impairments are also reviewed for possible reversal at each reporting date.
For the purposes of impairment testing, when it is not possible to estimate the recoverable amount of an individual asset, an estimate is made of the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit to which the asset belongs. The cash-generating unit is the smallest identifiable group of assets that includes the asset and generates cash inflows that largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets or groups of assets.
For impairment testing of goodwill, the goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the Charity are assigned to those units.
## **Stocks**
Stocks and work in progress are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value, after making due allowance for obsolete and slow moving items.
## **Financial instruments**
A financial asset or a financial liability is recognised only when the Charity becomes a party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at the amount receivable or payable including any related transaction costs.
Current assets and current liabilities are subsequently measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be paid or received and not discounted.
**- 18 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **3. Accounting policies** _**(continued)**_
## **Financial instruments** _**(continued)**_
Debt instruments are subsequently measured at amortised cost.
Where investments in shares are publicly traded or their fair value can otherwise be measured reliably, the investment is subsequently measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognised in income and expenditure. All other such investments are subsequently measured at cost less impairment.
Other financial instruments, including derivatives, are initially recognised at fair value, unless payment for an asset is deferred beyond normal business terms or financed at a rate of interest that is not a market rate, in which case the asset is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest for a similar debt instrument.
Other financial instruments are subsequently measured at fair value, with any changes recognised in the statement of financial activities, with the exception of hedging instruments in a designated hedging relationship.
Financial assets that are measured at cost or amortised cost are reviewed for objective evidence of impairment at the end of each reporting date. If there is objective evidence of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised under the appropriate heading in the statement of financial activities in which the initial gain was recognised.
For all equity instruments regardless of significance, and other financial assets that are individually significant, these are assessed individually for impairment. Other financial assets are either assessed individually or grouped on the basis of similar credit risk characteristics.
Any reversals of impairment are recognised immediately, to the extent that the reversal does not result in a carrying amount of the financial asset that exceeds what the carrying amount would have been had the impairment not previously been recognised.
## **Defined contribution plans**
Contributions to defined contribution plans are recognised as an expense in the period in which the related service is provided. Prepaid contributions are recognised as an asset to the extent that the prepayment will lead to a reduction in future payments or a cash refund.
When contributions are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months of the end of the reporting date in which the employees render the related service, the liability is measured on a discounted present value basis. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as an expense in the period in which it arises.
## **4. Limited by guarantee**
Ryedale Folk Museum is a charitable company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have a share capital.
Every member of the company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £10 to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.
**- 19 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
|**5.**|**Donations and legacies**|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||Unrestricted|Restricted|**Total Funds**|
||||Funds|Funds|**2025**|
||||£|£|**£**|
||**Donations**|||||
||Sundry Donations under £1,000||6,816|–|**6,816**|
||Individual donation||–|–|**–**|
||The Barn Guesthouse and Tearoom||–|1,150|**1,150**|
||**Grants**|||||
||North York Moors National Park Authority||1,500|18,594|**20,094**|
||University of Leeds||–|–|**–**|
||The Garfield Weston Foundation||15,000|–|**15,000**|
||**Other donations and legacies**|||||
||Gift Aid Tax Returns||29,286|–|**29,286**|
||||--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
||||52,602|19,744|**72,346**|
||||==========================|==========================|==========================|
||||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|
||||Funds|Funds|2024|
||||£|£|£|
||**Donations**|||||
||Sundry Donations under £1,000||7,299|640|7,939|
||Individual donation||5,000|–|5,000|
||The Barn Guesthouse and Tearoom||–|–|–|
||**Grants**|||||
||North York Moors National Park Authority||1,500|8,165|9,665|
||University of Leeds||–|7,312|7,312|
||The Garfield Weston Foundation||–|–|–|
||**Other donations and legacies**|||||
||Gift Aid Tax Returns||32,013|–|32,013|
||||--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
||||45,812|16,117|61,929|
||||==========================|==========================|==========================|
|**6.**|**Charitable activities**|||||
|||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
|||Funds|**2025**|Funds|2024|
|||£|**£**|£|£|
||Admissions|205,918|**205,918**|168,853|168,853|
||Education|3,959|**3,959**|2,435|2,435|
|||-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|||209,877|**209,877**|171,288|171,288|
|||===============================|===============================|===============================|===============================|
**- 20 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **7. Other trading activities**
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|**2025**|Funds|2024|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|Shop and gallery income|76,325|**76,325**|74,911|74,911|
|Venue hire|9,621|**9,621**|10,792|10,792|
|Fundraising events|3,299|**3,299**|2,186|2,186|
||--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
||89,245|**89,245**|87,889|87,889|
||==========================|==========================|==========================|==========================|
|**nvestment income**|||||
||Unrestricted|**Total Funds**|Unrestricted|Total Funds|
||Funds|**2025**|Funds|2024|
||£|**£**|£|£|
|Bank interest receivable|2,347|**2,347**|2,441|2,441|
||======================|======================|======================|======================|
|**Costs of other trading activities**|||||
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|**Total Funds**|
|||Funds|Funds|**2025**|
|||£|£|**£**|
|Shop costs||50,961|1,166|**52,127**|
|Staging events||171|–|**171**|
|||--------------------------|----------------------|--------------------------|
|||51,132|1,166|**52,298**|
|||==========================|======================|==========================|
|||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|
|||Funds|Funds|2024|
|||£|£|£|
|Shop costs||56,253|–|56,253|
|Staging events||60|–|60|
|||--------------------------|-------------|--------------------------|
|||56,313|–|56,313|
|||==========================|=============|==========================|
## **8. Investment income**
## **9. Costs of other trading activities**
**- 21 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **10. Expenditure on charitable activities by fund type**
||Unrestricted|Restricted|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|Funds|**2025**|
||£|£|**£**|
|Museum|151,702|7,861|**159,563**|
|Education|2,371|–|**2,371**|
|Support costs|138,746|8,517|**147,263**|
||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|
||292,819|16,378|**309,197**|
||===============================|==========================|===============================|
||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|
||Funds|Funds|2024|
||£|£|£|
|Museum|148,784|11,219|160,001|
|Education|2,704|1,183|3,887|
|Support costs|131,781|5,597|137,380|
||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|
||283,269|17,999|301,268|
||===============================|==========================|===============================|
## **11. Expenditure on charitable activities by activity type**
|||Activities||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||undertaken||**Total funds**|Total fund|
|||directly|Support costs|**2025**|2024|
|||£|£|**£**|£|
|Museum||159,563|131,734|**291,297**|283,080|
|Education||2,371|9,336|**11,707**|12,612|
|Governance costs||–|6,193|**6,193**|5,576|
|||-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
|||161,934|147,263|**309,197**|301,268|
|||===============================|===============================|===============================|===============================|
|**Analysis of support costs**||||||
||Museum|Education|Governance|**Total 2025**|Total 2024|
||£|£|£|**£**|£|
|Staff costs|55,390|2,915|–|**58,305**|51,987|
|Premises|49,832|3,975|–|**53,807**|48,155|
|Communications and IT|7,902|730|–|**8,632**|5,856|
|General office|1,527|170|–|**1,697**|2,650|
|Finance costs|5,368|283|–|**5,651**|6,561|
|Governance costs|–|–|6,193|**6,193**|5,576|
|Legal and professional|1,256|139|–|**1,395**|1,922|
|Depreciation|30|2|–|**32**|106|
|Travel and subsistence|94|5|–|**99**|278|
|Marketing charitable||||||
|services|9,801|1,089|–|**10,890**|11,699|
|Subscriptions|534|28|–|**562**|2,590|
||-------------------------------|----------------------|----------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
||131,734|9,336|6,193|**147,263**|137,380|
||===============================|======================|======================|===============================|===============================|
## **12. Analysis of support costs**
**- 22 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **12. Analysis of support costs** _**(continued)**_
Included within governance costs were:
||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Trustees Indemnity insurance premium|442|473|
|Independent Examiner's Fees|1,505|1,590|
|Legal and other professional fees|34|13|
|Accounts preparation fees|4,212|3,500|
||----------------------|----------------------|
||6,193|5,576|
||======================|======================|
During the year, the charity purchased insurance to protect it from loss arising from the neglect or defaults of its trustees, employees or agents, or to indemnify its trustees, employees or agents, against the consequences of any neglect or default on their part. The premium paid was £442 (2024 - £473). It is not possible to identify the part of this payment specifically attributable to Trustees.
## **13. Net income/(expenditure)**
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):
||Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):|||
|---|---|---|---|
|||**2025**|2024|
|||**£**|£|
||Depreciation of tangible fixed assets|**32**|107|
||Operating lease rentals|**962**|884|
||Operating leases - land|**11,137**|10,689|
|||==========================|==========================|
|**14.**|**Independent examination fees**|||
|||**2025**|2024|
|||**£**|£|
||Fees payable to the independent examiner for:|||
||Independent examination of the financial statements|**1,132**|1,590|
||Other financial services|**3,750**|–|
|||----------------------|----------------------|
|||**4,882**
======================|1,590
======================|
## **15. Staff costs**
The total staff costs and employee benefits for the reporting period are analysed as follows:
||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Wages and salaries|**188,438**|176,865|
|Social security costs|**8,164**|7,869|
|Employer contributions to pension plans|**3,670**|3,146|
||-------------------------------|-------------------------------|
||**200,272**|187,880|
||===============================|===============================|
**- 23 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **15. Staff costs** _**(continued)**_
The average head count of employees during the year was 11 (2024: 11). The average number of fulltime equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:
|ime equivalent employees during the year is analysed as follows:|||
|---|---|---|
||**2025**|2024|
||**No.**|No.|
|Number of staff engaged on charitable activities|**5**|5|
|Number of staff engaged on management and administration|**1**|1|
||-------------|-------------|
||**6**|6|
||=============|=============|
No employee received employee benefits of more than £60,000 during the year (2024: Nil).
Apart from the Museum Director, none of the Trustees received any remuneration in the current or previous year.
## **Key Management Personnel**
Key management personnel include all persons that have authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the activities of the Charity. The total compensation paid to key management personnel for services provided to the Charity was £44,268 (2024: £43,065).
## **16. Trustee remuneration and expenses**
Included within staff costs were salary costs for the Museum Director who is a paid Trustee in accordance with the Articles of the charitable company and as permitted by the Charity Commission. The Museum Director retired as a Trustee on 9 March 2025.
The salary paid as a Trustee amounted to £14,169 (2024 - £41,992), social security costs amounted to £1,537 (2024 - £4,540) and pensions amounted to £363 (2024 - £1,073). There were no other benefits in kind.
One trustee (2024 - one trustee) was reimbursed for expenses in relation to charitable trading, direct charitable activities, support costs and the acquisition of fixed assets amounting to £106 (2024 - £225).
During the year, the charity purchased insurance to protect it from loss arising from the neglect or defaults of its trustees, employees or agents, or to indemnify its trustees, employees or agents, against the consequences of any neglect or default on their part. The premium paid was £442 (2024 - £473).
## **17. Transfers between funds**
A sum of £76 was transferred to the General Unrestricted Funds from the AED Project Fund, £274 to General Unrestricted Funds from the GEM Interpretation Fund and £2,437 was transferred to the General Unrestricted Funds from the Believe It Or Not Fund as a result of allocation errors in the previous year which were corrected by the Trustees. A sum of £1,254 was transferred from the General Unrestricted Funds to the Bread Fund and £1,540 was transferred from the General Unrestricted Funds to the Boundary Fund to clear the excess costs which were not covered by further income.
**- 24 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **18. Tangible fixed assets**
||Freehold|Plant,|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
||property and|Machinery &|||
||improvements|Vehicles|Equipment|**Total**|
||£|£|£|**£**|
|**Cost**|||||
|**At 1 November 2024 and**|||||
|**31 October 2025**|1,800,053|90,797|3,784|**1,894,634**|
||=======================================|==========================|======================|=======================================|
|**Depreciation**|||||
|At 1 November 2024|–|90,797|3,752|**94,549**|
|Charge for the year|–|–|32|**32**|
||---------------------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------|
|**At 31 October 2025**|–|90,797|3,784|**94,581**|
||=======================================|==========================|======================|=======================================|
|**Carrying amount**|||||
|**At 31 October 2025**|1,800,053|–|–|**1,800,053**|
||=======================================|==========================|======================|=======================================|
|At 31 October 2024|1,800,053|–|32|1,800,085|
||=======================================|==========================|======================|=======================================|
A significant part of the assets were acquired with the aid of grant aid and there are restrictions upon the manner in which the assets can be dealt with imposed by the grant making authorities.
All assets are used for direct charitable purposes and there are no inalienable or heritage assets, except for the collection of historical artefacts which the charity maintains and safeguards, and which is considered to have little cost value, while being of significant cultural importance, and would be costly to replace.
An impairment review of the freehold property was conducted by the Trustees who assessed the value of the freehold properties at £1.8 million, and the trustees have resolved to continue to include the value of the premises in the accounts on a cost basis.
## **19. Stocks**
|||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|£|
||Finished goods and goods for resale|**25,110**|20,326|
|||==========================|==========================|
|**20.**|**Debtors**|||
|||**2025**|2024|
|||**£**|£|
||Trade debtors|**718**|688|
||Prepayments and accrued income|**411**|7,561|
|||----------------------|----------------------|
|||**1,129**|8,249|
|||======================|======================|
**- 25 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **21. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Trade creditors|**6,809**|15,466|
|Accruals and deferred income|**8,938**|7,148|
|Social security and other taxes|**5,270**|17,169|
|North Yorkshire Council (formerly Ryedale District Council) loan|**5,000**|5,000|
|HSBC BBLS loan|**10,509**|10,228|
|Other creditors|**958**|1,360|
||--------------------------|--------------------------|
||**37,484**|56,371|
||==========================|==========================|
The North Yorkshire Council loans due within one year are secured by a fixed charge over all the tangible and intangible property assets of the charity.
## **22. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year**
||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|North Yorkshire Council (formerly Ryedale District Council) loan|**27,083**|32,083|
|HSBC Bounce Back Loan Scheme|**–**|10,527|
||--------------------------|--------------------------|
||**27,083**|42,610|
||==========================|==========================|
The North Yorkshire Council loans due after more than one year are secured by a fixed charge over all the tangible and intangible property assets of the charity.
The above liabilities comprise:
Loans from North Yorkshire Council, are secured by a legal charge over the land and buildings of the Museum and are repayable by quarterly instalments commencing January 2017. Interest is payable at 0.5% over the Bank of England Base Rate; and
An HSBC Bounce Back Loan of £50,000 is unsecured and was interest free until October 2021. Thereafter, interest was payable at 2.5% and the loan is repayable by monthly instalments.
## **23. Pensions and other post retirement benefits**
## **Defined contribution plans**
The amount recognised in income or expenditure as an expense in relation to defined contribution plans was £3,670 (2024: £3,146).
The Trustees have enrolled with NOW:Pensions to provide the charity auto-enrolment pension scheme as required by statute. The estimated future contributions falling due within one year amounted to £4,558 (2024: £4,259) and no security has been provided for this liability.
**- 26 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **24. Analysis of charitable funds**
## **Unrestricted funds**
|**Unrestricted funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||At 1||||**At 31**|
||November||||**October**|
||2024|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|**2025**|
||£|£|£|£|**£**|
|General funds|(92,865)|354,071|(343,951)|(7)|**(82,752)**|
|Fixed Assets Fund|258,875|–|–|–|**258,875**|
|Geoffrey Willey Memorial||||||
|Fund|100,174|–|–|–|**100,174**|
||-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------------|
||266,184|354,071|(343,951)|(7)|**276,297**|
||===============================|===============================|===============================|=============|===============================|
||At 1||||At 31|
||November||||October|
||2023|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|2024|
||£|£|£|£|£|
|General funds|(53,461)|307,430|(339,582)|(7,252)|(92,865)|
|Fixed Assets Fund|258,875|–|–|–|258,875|
|Geoffrey Willey Memorial||||||
|Fund|105,140|–|–|(4,966)|100,174|
||-------------------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|
||310,554|307,430|(339,582)|(12,218)|266,184|
||===============================|===============================|===============================|==========================|===============================|
The small surplus on unrestricted reserves, brought forward from the previous year, has reduced in the year and the Trustees have included plans to continue reversing this deficit in the Business Transformation Plan as set out in the Trustees Annual Report.
The Designated Fixed Assets Fund represents the gifts of tangible fixed assets or grants of a capital nature that not subject to restrictions on their use or disposal, and tangible fixed assets purchased out of general unrestricted funds.
The Geoffrey Willey Memorial Fund was set up in memory of Mr G Willey (Dec'd) for future use by the Charity in memory of the long-term support given by him.
**- 27 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **24. Analysis of charitable funds** _**(continued)**_
**Restricted funds**
|**Restricted funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||At 1||||**At 31**|
||November||||**October**|
||2024|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|**2025**|
||£|£|£|£|**£**|
|Restricted Fixed Asset||||||
|Fund|1,541,210|–|(32)|–|**1,541,178**|
|Harrison Collection|2,790|–|–|–|**2,790**|
|Harrison Collection -||||||
|Phase II Fund|36,000|–|–|–|**36,000**|
|Collections Apprentice||||||
|Fund|1,294|–|–|–|**1,294**|
|Geoffrey Willey Memorial||||||
|Fund|167,496|–|–|–|**167,496**|
|AED Project|581|–|(76)|(76)|**429**|
|GEM Interpretation Fund|274|–|–|(274)|**–**|
|Dialect Project Fund|–|–|–|–|**–**|
|Hosier Milking Bail|–|–|–|–|**–**|
|Believe It Or Not|164|6,800|(4,527)|(2,437)|**–**|
|Bread|(2,100)|6,933|(6,087)|1,254|**–**|
|Boundary Fund|(729)|4,861|(5,672)|1,540|**–**|
|Tree Felling Fund|–|1,150|(1,150)|–|**–**|
||---------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|----------------------|---------------------------------------|
||1,746,980|19,744|(17,544)|7|**1,749,187**|
||=======================================|==========================|==========================|======================|=======================================|
||At 1||||At 31|
||November||||October|
||2023|Income|Expenditure|Transfers|2024|
||£|£|£|£|£|
|Restricted Fixed Asset||||||
|Fund|1,541,317|–|(107)|–|1,541,210|
|Harrison Collection|2,790|–|–|–|2,790|
|Harrison Collection -||||||
|Phase II Fund|36,000|–|–|–|36,000|
|Collections Apprentice||||||
|Fund|1,740|–|(446)|–|1,294|
|Geoffrey Willey Memorial||||||
|Fund|160,547|–|–|6,949|167,496|
|AED Project|676|640|(735)|–|581|
|GEM Interpretation Fund|274|–|–|–|274|
|Dialect Project Fund|(6,700)|7,312|(5,556)|4,944|–|
|Hosier Milking Bail|–|–|(325)|325|–|
|Believe It Or Not|–|8,165|(8,001)|–|164|
|Bread|–|–|(2,100)|–|(2,100)|
|Boundary Fund|–|–|(729)|–|(729)|
|Tree Felling Fund|–|–|–|–|–|
||---------------------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
||1,736,644|16,117|(17,999)|12,218|1,746,980|
||=======================================|==========================|==========================|==========================|=======================================|
**- 28 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **24. Analysis of charitable funds** _**(continued)**_
The Restricted Fixed Asset Fund represents gifts of tangible fixed assets or grants of a capital nature given for specific purposes and fully utilised in the furtherance of the objects of the Charity.
The Harrison Collection Fund represents all funds received for the housing the Harrison Collection. The final balance of £2,790 represents the final funds to acquire online access to the Harrison Collection.
The Harrison Collection - Phase II Fund relates to incoming resources to develop Phase II of the project, which primarily relates to the improvement of educational facilities on site.
The Collections Apprentice Fund represents funding to provide an apprentice with suitable experience a museum environment.
The Geoffrey Willey Memorial Fund represents the incoming resources from the legacy of Mr G Willey specifically attributed to projects set out in his will less the net outflows and transfers in relation to clearing his property and cataloguing his bequest.
The AED fund exists to update and maintain the community defibrillator and to provide training to village residents.
GEM (Group for Educators in Museums) Interpretation Fund - a small grant was awarded to explore the interpretation of witches within Museums and to provide a sharing experience day for other museums and heritage organisations.
Dialect Project Fund - represents expenditure on this project, the deficit on this fund will be rebalanced in future years by the Project's lead partner, the University of Leeds. The origin of most of the project's funding is the National Lottery Heritage Fund, although the Museum will not be a direct recipient.
Hosier Milking Bail Fund - A restricted fund administered by the North York Moors National Park Trust, providing a grant to acquire a Hosier Milking Bail as a new artifact for the Museum.
Believe It Or Not Fund - A restricted fund contributed to by the North York Moors National Park Authority and North Yorkshire Council to complete an exhibition and community outreach activities based on the Museum's folklore collections. The deficit on this fund will be cleared when the National Park Authority pays the grant on project completion in April 2025.
Bread Fund - A restricted fund known as the Farming in Protected Landscapes Fund administered by the North York Moors National Park Authority to work with a farming partner and raise awareness about the production of bread. The deficit on this fund will be cleared when the National Park Authority pays the grant on project completion in April 2025.
Boundary Fund - A restricted fund contributed to by the North York Moors National Park Authority's Traditional Boundaries Scheme to restore the Museum's historic boundaries with schemes of fencing, coppicing and hedge planting. The deficit on this fund will be cleared when the National Park Authority pays the grant on project completion in April 2025.
Tree Felling Fund - A restricted fund contributed to by The Barn Guesthouse and Tearoom to fell trees on the boundary fence.
**- 29 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **25. Analysis of net assets between funds**
||Unrestricted|Restricted|**Total Funds**|
|---|---|---|---|
||Funds|Funds|**2025**|
||£|£|**£**|
|Tangible fixed assets|258,875|1,541,178|**1,800,053**|
|Current assets|81,989|208,009|**289,998**|
|Creditors less than 1 year|(37,484)|–|**(37,484)**|
|Creditors greater than 1 year|(27,083)|–|**(27,083)**|
||-------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|**Net assets**|276,297|1,749,187|**2,025,484**|
||===============================|=======================================|=======================================|
||Unrestricted|Restricted|Total Funds|
||Funds|Funds|2024|
||£|£|£|
|Tangible fixed assets|258,875|1,541,210|1,800,085|
|Current assets|106,290|205,770|312,060|
|Creditors less than 1 year|(56,371)|–|(56,371)|
|Creditors greater than 1 year|(42,610)|–|(42,610)|
||-------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|**Net assets**|266,184|1,746,980|2,013,164|
||===============================|=======================================|=======================================|
## **26. Operating lease commitments**
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases are as follows:
||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Not later than 1 year|**12,411**|11,772|
|Later than 1 year and not later than 5 years|**45,640**|43,548|
|Later than 5 years|**30,666**|40,148|
||--------------------------|--------------------------|
||**88,717**|95,468|
||==========================|==========================|
## **27. Related parties**
During the year, the Charity reimbursed expenses for mileage, office costs, assets and charitable expenses to the following trustee: Ms J S Smith £225 (2024 - £279). The balances due to her at 31 October 2025 was £52 (2024 - £nil).
**- 30 -**
## **Ryedale Folk Museum**
## **Company Limited by Guarantee**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements** _**(continued)**_
## **Year ended 31 October 2025**
## **28. Comparative disclosures for the statement of financial activity**
|||**2024**||
|---|---|---|---|
||Unrestricted|Restricted||
||funds|funds|**Total funds**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Income and endowments**||||
|Donations and legacies|45,812|16,117|61,929|
|Charitable activities|171,288|–|171,288|
|Other trading activities|87,889|–|87,889|
|Investment income|2,441|–|2,441|
||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|
|**Total income**|307,430|16,117|323,547|
||===============================|==========================|===============================|
|**Expenditure**||||
|Expenditure on raising funds:||||
|Costs of other trading activities|(56,313)|–|(56,313)|
|Expenditure on charitable activities|(283,269)|(17,999)|(301,268)|
||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|
|**Total expenditure**|(339,582)|(17,999)|(357,581)|
||===============================|==========================|===============================|
||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|
|**Net expenditure**|(32,152)|(1,882)|(34,034)|
||===============================|==========================|===============================|
|Transfers between funds|(12,218)|12,218|**–**|
||-------------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------------|
|**Net movement in funds**|(44,370)|10,336|(34,034)|
|**Reconciliation of funds**||||
|Total funds brought forward|310,554|1,736,644|2,047,198|
||-------------------------------|---------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|**Total funds carried forward**|266,184|1,746,980|2,013,164|
||===============================|=======================================|=======================================|
**- 31 -**