STROUD DISTRicr
COWLE
MUSEUM
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE
ST
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Registei'ed Charity Number: 1156849
SHINER MrtCHELL FISHER & CO. LIMITED
Accountant5 and Registered Auditors
Smith House
George Street
Nailsworth
Siroud
Glos
GL6 OAG

STROUD DESTRICT
COWLE
MUSEUM
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
si.
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
CONTEIYrs
I to3
Report of the Trustee5
Report of the Independent Examiner
Income and Expenditiire Account
Statement of Financial Activities
Balance Sheet
8t09
Notes to the Financial Statements

STROUD DISTRICT
COWLE
MUSEUM
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
ST
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The trustees present their annual report with the unaudited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31,
March 2024.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
The assets and resources of the Charity are used exclusively In the perfomiance and fwiherance of Stroud Djstrict
(C.owle) Museum ("Charity"}. The Chatity 15 controlled by its Trust Board, namely the following person5 were in
control of the charity during the year.
A Bluett
M Hearfield
C Hale
H Jeffrey
A Lowery
S NeN%ton
A Penn
Chairman
Treasurer
Appointed on 6 Febrnary 2023
The day to day administration of the ChELrity was undertaken by Mrs M Hearfield. who also acts as treasurer.
The main agents for the charity are".
Bankers..
Coventy Builth"ng Society
43 King Street
Stioud
Glos
GL5 3DA
CCLA
PO Box 12892
Dunmow
Essex
CM6 9DL
Independent Examiner..
Shiner Mitchell Fisher & Co.
Smith House
George Street
Nailsworth
GL6 OAG
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are required to prepare finaneiai statements for each financial year that ￿ve a true and fair view of the
state of affairs of the Charity as at the end of each financial year and of the net incoming and outgoing resources of
the Charity for that period.
The Trustees confirni that suilable accounting policies have been used and applied consistently and reasonably and
prudent judgements and estimates have been made in the preparation of the financial statements for the year ended
31 March 2024. The Trustees also confirm that applicable accounting Standards have been followed and that the
Statements have been prepared on the goin¥ concem b&sis.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any
time the financial position of the Charity. They are also responsible for safeguarding the Assets of the Charity and
hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

STROUD DISTRICT
COWLE
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
MUSEUM
CONTINUED
ST
R THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
STRUCTURK, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Govemin
Document
The Charity, which is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation wtth registered charity number.. 1156849, is governed
by its Coiisb"tution.
Recruitment and A
ointment of Trustees
The charity tfU5tees for the p￿￿oSe5 of charity law are known as tnembers of the Management Committee. Under
these requirements one third of the trustees are elected each year to serve for a period of five years after which they
must stand down and offer themselves for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting.
As a needs led charity, the Trustees are selected to offer a wide range of skills and experience that are of benefit to
tlie charity.
TTilStees Induction and Trainin
All trustees are made fan)Iliar wjih the work of the Charity and the requirements of the Charities Act.
New trustees take part in an induction process that introduces them to the purpose of the Charity and the workings
of the niuseuin. It covers..
The obligations of trustees
The m21n documents thicli set out the operationa] framework for the charIty
The operation and management of tlie Museum in the Park, and the facilities provided for the storage of
the Collection (provided by Stroud District Council)
Resour¢ing and the current financial position as set out In the latest published accounts
Future plans and objectives
Risk Mana
ement
The Trustees. in conjunction with the Museum Development Manager, have conducted a review of major risks to
which the charity is exposed. A risk register has been established and is updated at least a]inually. As the museum
is owned and managed Stroud D151ricl Council they provide risk management for the venue and its visitors and for
the storage of the Collection.
Where appropriate, rystems or procedures have been establislied to mitigate the risks the charity faces. Internal
control risks are niinimised by the implementation of procedures for authorisation of all Iransacttons and projects.
ranisational Structure
The trustees meet regultrly and are responsible for the strategie direction and policy of the charity together wtth the
review of the vanou5 projects currently being undertaken. The M useum Manager provides detailed reports on ihe
Museum s previous quarter s activities, on any additions to. and disposals required from, the collection, and the
museum's own risk assessment.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTtVlTIES FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT
The objective of the charity is to preserve. safeguard and showcase the Cowle Collection of objects and specimens
of anh'quity, natur￿ history, art, archaeology and science (including pictures. books and documents of educational
or scientific interest).
The ¢harity has formed a partnership with Stroud District Council (SDC) in order to coinplete the objective and
through this partnerghip SDC provide the facility known as the Museum-in-the-Park, Sirarford House. Stratford
Park, Stroud to showcase and exhibit the collection. The council prowdes the m9nagernent and operationa] funding
for Ihe museum and the Charity is the legal guardian for the Collection.
As part of the partnership YÈnd In conjunction with the Trustees, it also allows for the Collection to be conserved and
maintained as required. Due to the size of the collection any Itein5 not displayed are safely stored and safeguarded
by SDC.

STROUD DISTRICT
COWLE
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT
MUSEUM
CONTINUED
si.
R THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
ACH IEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
Followiiig the end of the Lottery Funded Agreement the Trust signed a new collaboration agreement with Stroud
District Council. The Council provides the man2gement and operational funding, for the Stroud District (Cowle}
Museum Service (known as the Museum in the Park). The Trust has die legal lille and g?uardianship of collections
and manages donations and grants used for the museum's public pro￿2MmeS and the upkeep of the collection. The
selection and purchase of a modern collections management system has begun - to be funded by the Trust- which
will substantially improve data manag?ement, retr]eval and access to the wider collections. The Annual Report of the
past year's activities can be found listed on the Home page of the Museum's website I4Tr4(7¥' i)IiiseiiiiiiiiiliL'
under the section called More About Us.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The charity is A not-for-profit organisatfton and relies for funding for its general actlvlties on income from donations
and bank interest. The trustees do not have any con¢eTns regarding the financia] posltion of the Charity.
Investment Poli
The charity deposits funds not immediately required in the Coventy Building Society and with COIF Charities
Investmeni Fund. Tlie charity aims to provide a long-terni total return compromising growth in capital and long-
term protection from inflation, In accordance with the UK Stewardship code.
Reserve
The TrLlStee5 have examined the charity's requirements for reserves in the light of the main risks to the organisation.
The amount in the reserve fund is held as a rolling fund to be used as cashflow for each project when requested by
the museum.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
Next year wll see the adoption of our new Fonvard Plan to 2029 and th¢ review and update to our Collections
Development Policy. The implementation of the collections management system forms one of the most important
forthcoming service activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Charity law requires the Management Committee to prepare financial statements for each financial year that give a
true and fair view of ihe slate of affairs of the Charity as at the balance sheet date and of the its incoming resource5
and applicatson of resources. including income and expenditure. for the financia] year. In preparatt'on of those
financial statements, the Management Committee should follow best practice and..
Select suitable accountsng policies and apply them consistently
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent" and
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the
charity will continue on that basis
The Management Committee is responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them lo ensure that the financial
statements cornply with the Financi￿ Reporting Standards. The Management Committee is also ie5ponsible for
safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevenb.on and detection of fraud
and other irregularities.
Members of the Mana
emenl Committee
Members of the management comrniltee who are Irustees for the PUTpose of charity law. who served during the year
and up to ihe dale of this report are set out on page l. In accordance with charity law, as the charity's trustees, we
Certify that..
So far as w¢ are aware. there is no relevant information of M'hich the ¢haritfv s examiners are imawarc: and
As thc TFUStees of the charits.. Ive have takcn ail thc stcps that ive ought to have taken in order lo make
elves aw
of anv relcvant infomiation and to establish that the charity s cxaminers are aware of that
omation.
Signe
fof
Management Committee
If- 11 gLZLti-
Andr
Ch
Bluett
Date
(l NbJl¥
Marion Hearfield
Treasurer
Dale

INDEPENDENT EXAMtNERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
STROUD DISTRICT (COWLE) MUSEUM
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 ' MARCH 2024
Respective i'esponsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparatt'on of the accounts. The eharity's trustees consider that an
audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charits'es Act 2011 (the 201 I Charities Act), and that
an independent examination is needed.
l am qualified to undertake the examination by being a quaIified member of the Chartered Association of Certified
Accounlanls.
Havingy sah'sfied myself that the charity is not subject to auth't under company law. or otherwise, and is eligible for
independent examination. it is my responsibility to..
• examine the accounls under sects'on 145 of the 2011 Charities Act,
• lo follow the procedures laid down in the generat Directions given by the Charity Commission under section
145{5){b) of the 2011 Charities Act, and
• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examinei s statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An
independenl examiiiation includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the
accounts presented with those records. It a]so includes consideration of any unusual item5 or disclosuTe5 in the
accounts. and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters.
The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no
opinion is given as to whether the account5 present a 'true and fair. view and the report is limited to those matters
set out in the n&xt statement.
Independent examinei S statement
In connection with my examinatt'on, no matter has come to my attention..
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any materia] respect the requirements..
• To keep accounting records in accordance w]th section 386 of the Companies Act 2006 and
• To prepare accounts which accord with the accountt'ng records, comply with the accounting
requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the
Statement of Recommended Practt"ce". Accounting and Reporting by Chaiities
have not been met or
2. to which. in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the ac¢ounts
to be reached.
SHINER MITC
LL FISHER & CO. LTD
Independent Examiner
Date
Smith House
George Street
Nailsworth
Stroud
Glos
GL6 OAG

STROUD DISTRICT
COIVLE
MUSEUM
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
ST
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Note
2024
2023
INCOME
53,390
350,728
EXPENDITURE
Administrative and operating expenses
Bank Charges
24,572
10,188
48
NET INCOMING RESOURCES
28.818
340,492
Interest receiv&bEe
SURPLUSI(DEFICIT) OF INCOME OVER
EXPENDITURE BEFORE TAXATION
37,814
341,564
Taxation
RETAINED SURPLUSI(DEFICIT) FOR
THE YEAR AFTER TAXATIOP4
341564

STROUD DISTRICT
COWLE
MUSEUM
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
R THE YEAR ENDED 31 ' MARCH 2024
2024
Total
Funds
2023
Total
Funds
Note
General
Funds
Restrieted
Funds
INCOME RESOURCES
Donations
ft Aid Claim
Plant Sales
Funds from the Friends of the Museum
Interest Receivable
49,700
1,899
1,791
49,700
1,899
1,791
346,087
4,641
Total Income
62
351
EXPENDITURE
Management and administration
Bank Charges
Total expenditure
24.572
24,572
10,188
48
24
Net incoming resources before transfers
Gross transfers between funds
Net Income
37.814
37,814
341.564
37,814
37,814
341,564
Other Recognised Gains/(Losses)
Gainsl(Losses) on revaiuah.on of Fixed Assels
40,879
40,879
(2,432)
Nel Movement in Funds
78.693
78.693
339,132
Total funds brought forward
488 765
488 765
149 633
Total funds carried forward
567 458
567 458
488 765

STROUD DISTRICT
COWLE
MUSEUM
BALANCE SHEET
ASAT31' MA
CH 2024
Note
2023
FIXED ASSETS
Investments
386,943
106,064
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
Cash ai bank and in hand
2,423
380 578
194 158
194,158
383.001
CREDITORS: Amounts falling due
within one year
300
NET ASSETS
567 457
488 765
RESERVES
Restricted funds
General fuiids
567 457
488 765
TOTAL FUNDS
567 457
488 765
The charity is entitled to exemption from audit for the year ending 31. March 2024.
The Charity's constitution does not require the charity to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year
ended 31 March 2024.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for..
(a) ensurtng that the charity keeps accounting records w4]ich cornply with the Charities Act 2011 and
(b) preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the slate of affairs of the charity as at the end
of e&ch financial yeai and of its profit and loss foi each financial year in accordance wth the requirements of
the Act relating to financial statements, so far a5 applicable to the charity.
The fin
I statem
nts on pages 5 to l O were approved by the board of Trustees and signed on its beliaif by..
/S- 11-
Andrew Bluett
Ch
Date
[8 Nb124
Marion Heatfield
Treagurer
Date

STROUD DI
TRICT
COWLE
MUSEUM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
ORTH
ST
YEAR ENDED 31 MAR
H 2024
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The principat accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied
consistently throughout the year.
Basis of accounting
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance wilh Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The
Financi￿ Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" including the provision of Section
l A "Small Entities" and the Statement of Recommended Practise.. Accounting and Reporting by Charities
issued in January 2019. The financiaj statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
Fund aecounting
Unrestricted fund5 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 Management Committee for parh"cular
purposes.
Restricted funds are subJe¢ted to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the
terms of an appea].
Incoming iYsoui'¢es
All incoming resources are included in the statement of fmancial activities when the charity is entitled to the
In￿rne and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following specific policies are applied
lo particular categories of income.
Voluntary income is received by way of grants, donations and gifts and is included in full in the Statement
of Financial Activities when receivable. Grants, where entitlement is not conditional on the delivery of a
specific perfomiance by the charity, are recognised when the charity becomes unconditionaily ent]"t]ed to
the giant.
The value of donated services and facilities provided by volunteers has not been included in these
accounts.
Investment income is included when receivable.
Incoming resources from charitable trading activity are accounted for when eam¢d.
Incoming resources from grants, where related to perfoimgnce and specific deliverables, are accounted for
as the charity earns the right to consider&tt"on by its perfonnance.
Resourees expanded
Expenditwe is Tecognised on an accruaI basis as a liability is incurred.
Costs of generating funds are those costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, and those incurred in
trad3ng activities that rwse funds.
Charitable expenditure compiises 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 aclivtties and
those costs of an inth.rect nature nece55ary to support them.
Governance costs include those costs associated wryth meets.ng the Constitution￿ 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 refle¢t the
use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly, others are apportioned on
an appropriate basis eg. Staff costs per time spent and other costs per their usage.
Taxation
The Charity is a re￿stered charity and is not liable for any income. capital gains or corporation taxes on its
current activAtie5.

STRO
D DISTRICT
COWLE
MUSEUM
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR
si"
NDED 31 MAR
H 2024
MANAC EMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
2024
Total
2023
Total
General
Restricted
Plant Purchases
Museum Equipment
Donations Made
Sundry office expenses
Repairs
Bank Charges
Independent Examiners Fees
4,008
4,875
11,923
4,008
4.875
11,923
1,873
6,865
3,466
3.466
1.150
48
300
300
300
No iemuneration wa5 received by the Trustees during the year.
3. DEBTORS
4. CREDrfoRS
Amounts falling due within one year:
2023
2023
Creditors
Accruals
13,344
300
300
300
S. ANALYSIS OF FUNDS
2024
Totnl
Funds
2023
Total
Fundg
General
Funds
Restricted
Funds
(a) Movement in funds
Al I. April 2023
Net tncomingl(outgoing) resources
At 3 1" March 2024
488,765
488,765
149,633
339 132
488 765
567 458
(b) Representfttion of fund bAlanees
Fixed Asset Investments
Cash and bank balances
Current assets
Current liabilities
386,942
194.158
386,942
194,158
106,064
380,578
2,423
300
At 31" March 2022
567 4S8
567 458
488 765
6. OTHER NOTES
The charity is the owTrer in perpetuity of two rcx)ms at the School of Science and Art building at Lansdown,
Stroud. The asset was donated to the charity over 100 years ago and is held at its histor]c cost of£nil.