2022-03-31-accounts

UPPER WHARFEDALE MUSEUM SOCIETY

Registered Charity Number 1156656

Trustees’ Report 2021 - 2022

Trustees: Ian Appleyard (Chairman), Elaine Clare, Mac Geldard, Colin Wilkinson

This report covers the period from April 2021 until March 2022. Thus, it opens at a time when the Museum was still closed due to the Covid pandemic. This remained the case for some four months, but we then turned the corner and with the lifting of all pandemic restrictions we were able to open from 19[th] July 2021. With the lifting of restrictions it proved much easier for the trustees to continue to meet at approximately six monthly intervals, on each occasion fully reviewing the running of the UWMS. They were again entirely satisfied that the Society is being run in a satisfactory manner and fully in accordance with the Constitution.

While many aspects of the running of the Museum have been completely satisfactory for many years, there have been several matters that have been of recurring concern to the trustees for some time. This led them to set several strategic targets, as reported at last year’s AGM. Since that time the trustees have been very pleased to note remarkable progress towards reaching these targets, resulting in the Society moving into a phase of sustained success, such as it has rarely seen previously.

A general review of several matters follows, though some of these will be dealt with in greater detail in the report by the Management Committee Chairman.

The Financial Position

The Finances are extremely healthy. The policy of keeping reserves at least to the level of £10,000 and £12,000, enough to cover running costs for two years, has been far exceeded. Regular Government support Grants during the period of closure during the pandemic kept the finances more than stable. A combination of factors coming together since July 2021, have resulted in record levels of income from donations. This has further strengthened the financial position, though much of this has occurred since the year covered by this report.

Replacements, refurbishment and maintenance The strong financial position has allowed the programme of replacement and refurbishment, described in my recent reports, to continue. So strong is the position that the Trustees not only sanctioned a continuation of the programme, but were happy to agree to its enhancement. Details will be given in the Management Committee Chairman’s report.

Volunteers/Members

The Trustees and Committee decided to address the problem of the declining number of active members by mounting a more pro-active recruitment campaign than had ever been done before. Rather than ‘word of mouth’, an approach was made to Manifest Marketing to design and produce a suitable leaflet. These leaflets were then hand delivered to most addresses within a 3 mile radius of Grassington. The results exceeded expectations with approaching 30 new volunteers being recruited quite quickly and a steady stream following. The impact was immediate, with the Museum being open on virtually every day of the forshortened 2021 season, something not seen for a number of years. Visitor numbers and donations were significantly enhanced. This trend has continued into 2022, though this will be a matter for next year’s report.

As a further means of attracting visitors, Manifest Marketing also produced a publicity leaflet, which was distributed to a large number of accommodation and catering establishments within a ten mile radius.

The Management Committee

Last year I reported that the number of committee members had declined to a very low level following a number of resignations. The Trustees were very pleased to note that from among the new volunteers, no less than 4 people came forward as potential committee members. Three were voted onto the committee at last year’s AGM. Specific responsibilities taken on include rota manager, website manager, curator responsible for displays and the overseeing of Health and Safety. The Trustees also wish to record their very grateful thanks to Richard Clare for continuing as temporary Chairman, in addition to his responsibilities as Treasurer.

The Artefacts

The Trustees have been aware over the years that the museum displays have been rather static. Additionally there is a large quantity of stored artefacts. A policy aimed at increasing the space available for displays, sorting the stored items and re-arranging some of the displays has been put in hand. The latter is being co-ordinated by the curator. The creation of extra display space began with the reconstruction last winter of display cases on each floor and continues with plans for two more display cabinets.

The Trustees wish to put on record their thanks and appreciation for all the work and effort that the volunteer members contribute to the running of the museum. This has always resulted in a considerable degree of stability, but currently those efforts have elevated the organisation to something of a golden era.

UPPER WHARFEDALE MUSEUM SOCIETY

Charity Number: 1156656

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE AND BALANCE SHEET 2021-2022

	2021-2022	2021-2022		2020-2021	2020-2021
INCOME	£		£	£	£
Donations	3972			205
Dickensian Weekends
Craven District Council Grants	8000			20636
Coffee Morning
Bank Interest				1
Total Income	11972				20842
EXPENDITURE
Heating and Lighting	1090			796
Rates and Water Rates	173			342
Insurance	675			675
Repairs and Renewals	4473			7509
Promotional leaflets	956
All Other Costs	1317			183
Total Expenditure			8684		9505
Surplus/Deficit of Income Over Expenditure			3288		11337
Less: Depreciation of Fixtures and Fittings			763		415
Surplus			2525		10922
BALANCE SHEET AT 31 MARCH 2022
ASSETS Freehold land and Buildings			71431		71431
Fixtures and Fittings	3738			4153
New Cabinets	3888
less 2021-22 depreciation	763		6863	415	3738
Books and Tapes			89		89
Deposit Account			306		306
Current Account			22462		23062
Total		101151			98626
REPRESENTED BY
Accumulated Excess	98626			87704
Surplus	2525	101151		10922	98626

Richard Clare, Treasurer

P. Sugden, Indepentent Examiner