The Friends of Milton Regis Court Hall Registered Charity No. 1156115
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR 2025
Name and identification of the Charity:-
The Friends of Milton Regis Court Hall CIO, registered under Charity No. 1156115. The registered address is 11 Farm Crescent, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 4QD.
Trustees of the Charity as at the date of this report are:-
Mrs Alison Dursley (Chair), Dr Michael K Baldwin (ret.Chair), Mr Michael Nicholls (Treasurer), Mr Keith Robinson and Mrs Janet Halligan. Ms Philippa Talbott
Other Trustees during 2025.
There were no other Trustees during 2025.
Organisation and Structure of the CIO.
The Trustees are the supreme authority within the CIO. Mike Nicholls and Janet Halligan stood down at the AGM, which was held on Friday 25th April 2025, but they were re-elected unanimously. Philippa Talbott was elected as a trustee.
The remaining Trustees were not due for re-election. In accordance with the Governing Document of the CIO, future Trustees are nominated by the existing Trustees, for approval or rejection at the next AGM..
The Trustees are assisted by a Committee, which usually meets approximately six times per year. The Trustees are members of that Committee and the Chairman or his deputy chair meetings of the Committee. Committee decisions are usually made on a unanimous basis, though majority decisions are allowed. Future new Trustees will normally have proved their commitment to the CIO by service as Committee Members.
The governance of the Committee is according to procedural documents produced by the Trustees and agreed by the Committee. These procedures are in accordance with the Governing Document of the CIO. The Governing Document is in accordance with the “Association” model constitution issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial Reserves:-
The normal routine outgoings of the CIO are modest, about £2,200 per year. As at 1[st] January 2025 our reserves were £23,398.57 . At the end of the year reserves were £22,522.57 . The Charity is thus on a sound financial footing. The major items of expenditure for 2025 were insurance, business rates, fire equipment and electricity. 2025 expenditure also included a ten year extra-ordinary cost of replacing battery smoke detectors. Income for 2025 was down to £1,314.73. This was largely due to no ghost hunting group visit for which an entry fee is charged as it requires late/overnight opening.
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The break-in and theft of coin collections resulted in loss of and damage to displays and display cabinets. Repairs/replacements will have some ongoing costs. These costs should be covered by the contents insurance policy currently held by Swale Borough Council. At 31[st] December 2025 this was in negotiation.
We hold no funds in trust for other organisations.
Activities carried out to meet the Public Benefit requirement of the CIO:-
The Objects of the Friends of Milton Regis Court Hall are:-
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To preserve and maintain, for the benefit of the public, the 15th Century Court Hall at Milton Regis, Kent.
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To advance education by operating a museum of local history for the benefit of the public in the 15th Century Court Hall at Milton Regis, Kent.
Following the major renovation work carried out in 2016, the Court Hall is in good repair and we are confident that the first of the aims is being achieved. The need for minor repairs to the roof, walls etc, which are the responsibility of Swale Borough Council has been drawn to their attention.
The Court Hall was open to the public on all Saturdays from April until the end of September and on Wednesdays during August, fulfilling our obligations to meet the second objective. A total of 930 visitors attended, all without charge. Our web site also contains a lot of information about the Court Hall. Our Facebook group page is regularly updated and is attracting many new followers. The public has free access to the outside of the building at all times. It is a centre point for Milton Regis., with pleasant landscaping and seating.
The Friends participated in the “Wheels of Time” scheme in 2025. Inaugurated by Ashford Museum, the scheme encourages children (and their parents) to visit museums in Kent.
During 2025 special evening openings were held for children from Beavers, Brownies and Guides groups from Sittingbourne.
We have tried to get school groups to visit the Court Hall but none came to fruition. We will try again in the new year.
Due to its history, the Court Hall has become something of a celebrity place to visit by psychic groups. We are happy to arrange night-time visits.
The Milton Regis Court Hall High Street Milton Regis Sittingbourne, Kent
www.friendsofmiltonregiscourthall.co.uk
The Friends are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation
11 Farm Crescent Sittingbourne Kent ME10 4QD
Financial Report 2025
| Financial Report 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | 2025 | 2024 | EXPENDITURE | 2025 | 2024 |
| Subscriptons / Membership | £302.50 | £407.50 | Repairs / Maintenance | £918.19 | £377.40 |
| Fund raising special events | £0.00 | £0.00 | incl. 5yr Electrical test + 10yr replacement alarms & door security | repairs | |
| Donatons | £718.14 | £739.70 | Equipment | £0.00 | £0.00 |
| Grants and company donatons | £0.00 | £500.00 | Conservaton / Displays | £67.87 | £0.00 |
| Credit from Elec. Business Support Fund | Printng & Postage | £192.92 | £0.00 | ||
| Sales, shop and other | £110.29 | £163.34 | Utlites + rates | £345.21 | £189.95 |
| Interest | £183.80 | £235.42 | Insurance | £511.54 | £500.17 |
| Gif Aid | £0.00 | £0.00 | Stock Purchases | £0.00 | £53.90 |
| Other | £155.00 | £105.00 | |||
| incl. "Wheels of Time" and "Historic Swale" | |||||
| TOTAL | £1,314.73 | £2,045.96 | TOTAL | £2,190.73 | £1,226.42 |
| BALANCE SHEET | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| (31/12/25) | (31/12/24) | ||||
| Accumulated Funds at 1st Jan. | £23,398.57 | £22,579.03 | Deposit Account | £16,648.42 | £16,464.62 |
| Excess Income over Expenditure | -£876.00 | £819.54 | Current Account | £5,789.51 | £6,593.90 |
| Uncleared cheques & pay-ins | £0.00 | £0.00 | |||
| Cash | £30.00 | £30.00 | |||
| Credit with Utlity Company | £54.64 | £310.05 | |||
| Accumulated Funds at 31st Dec. | £22,522.57 | £23,398.57 | £22,522.57 | £23,398.57 | |
| MUSEUM SHOP ACCOUNT | |||||
| 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Opening Stock | £322.37 | £306.28 | Closing Stock | £312.75 | £322.37 |
| Purchases | £0.00 | £53.90 | Sales | £110.29 | £163.34 |
| Donaton (cost) for Books etc. | £0.00 | £0.00 | £423.04 | £485.71 | |
| £322.37 | £360.18 | Proft/(Loss) | £100.67 | £125.53 |
File: Financial Report 2025 v01/mjn