KENT FIREFIGHTING MUSEUM TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT For the Perlod I" Aprfl 2024 to 31st March 2025 Sertion A: Reference and adminlstratlon details Kent Fireflghting Museum Registered Charity No: 1157631 Prlnclpal Address Kent Flrefighting Museum Woodlands Garden Centre, Ash Lane, Ash, Nr Sevenoaks, Kent TN17 7EG Naniés of Trustets: Aprll to November 2024: J W Beech, Chairman A C Wells, Vice Chalrman H Myers, Treasurer K Clay, J Luque, K Sivell From November 2024: J Luque. Chairmgn K Clay, Vice Chalrman K Sivell C Bfadbum R G Mlller From January 2025: J W Beech, Acting Chalrman K Clay, Vlce Chairman K Slvell C Bradburn R G Miller J Luque (Leave of absence due to illness) Kent Firefighting Museum is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation the only voting members of which are its charity Trustee5. The charity has the "Foundation" model constltution, and new Trustees are appointed by the Board of Tru5tee5.
In May 2024, Mr Clive Bradburn was elected to the Board of Trustees, to begin his term of office at the General Meeting in November 2024. At that meetin& in accordance wlth the constitution, Mr J Beech. Chairman, Mr A wells, Vice Chairman together with Mr H Myers, stepped down as Trustees at the end of their periods of office. and Mr Robert Miller was re- elected to the Board. having stepped w••ay for one year, Mrs Trish Hopkifis was rrtlected to Secretary to the Board of Tru5tee5 and the Mana8ement Committee. Mr Joseph Luque was elected Chairman of Trustees and Mr Ken Clay Wice Chairman: Mr Luque agreed to retain Chairmanship of Management Committee. Mrs Debbie Payne, who had been appointed Temporary Treasurer the previou5 year, stepped down, and the retiring Chairman of Trustees, Mr Beech agreed to undertake the role until a new Treasurer could be appointed. On 21 January 2025, an Extraordinary Meeting of Trustees was called, following the sudden illness of Mr Lvque, Ch4irman of Trustees, which required him tp take immediate le?ve of absence. Trustees re-elected Mr Jeremy Beech as a Trustee, and as Acting Chairman. Mr Beech agreed to continue in the role of Treasurer. The Museum continues to operate using volunteers and has no paid employees. Ouriftg 2024125 the Museum was open from 6 March until 8 DeCern 2024: It re on 6 March 2025. Section C: Objectives and artlvities The objects of the charity, set out in its governing document. are to advance education for the public benefrt In the subject of firefightin8 in Kent its history and herltage by the establishment and malntenance of a museurn and learning resources. All Trustees have made the statutory declaration to have regard to the guidance of the Charity commlsslon on In thls tenth year of operation, it is pleaslng to report that the Museum, through the help of its very resourceful and valued group of volunteers, was able to remaln open on 5 day5 a week (Wednesday - Sundayl for the entire period as well as on other days such as Bank Holidays and pre-arranged visits. Section D: Achlevements and performance Durin8 the 2024/25 period the Museum received 6.607 visitors; it continues to be promoted at outside events as well as when presentations are delivered to various clubs and socleties. The Website appears to be working well wlth many enquiries re]Ved dally through this medium. It is continually monitored and updated as necessary, with consideration currently belng giveTr tts allow doTrations t4y be collected through this med4um a QR code. The Museum 15 now CDllectlTrg donations electronically via a Card reader, the use of whlth is also being monitored with research being vnd¢rtaken to upgrade the machine.
In the summer of 2024, the Chairman of Trustees (Mr Jeremy Beech) and the Chairman of the Management Board Imr Joe Luque) were interviewed by BBC Radio Kent which was promoting attractions in Kent. There appeared to be a very positive response to this broadcast. A successful Open Day wa5 held at the end of August, In the company of the Rt Hon the Baroness Blackstone, Patron of the Museum, to celebrate the Museum's 10th Anniversary in conjunction with the Woodlands Garden Centre, and in support of the charity Young Lives vs C¢7ncer. During the latter part of 2024 a hlstoric Waliant" Steam Pump was donated to the collection by the Maidstone Museum and put on display. Whilst the Kent Firefighting Museum has ordy reyerth for a short period of tlme In 25, the Pttmp has beeTr muc}7 admired by visltors to date. Sectlon E: Flnancial revlew The Charlty did not adopt a policy on reserves in this period of operation. During the period under repcrt. income from donations and interest was £4265 Expenditure was £819 providing a surplus of £3446 for the year. The closing balance at the bank a5 at 31 March 2025was £62.996. The Charitvs bankers are the Charlties Aid Foundation, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, Kent ME19 4TA The Charity has no funds materlally in defiat. Sectlon F: Other optlonal informatlon The Museum does not charge for admi55ion. Sectlon G: Dedaratlon The Trustees dedare that they have approved this report as detailed above, Signed on behalf of the Charitvs Trustees Jeremy Wilson Beech CBE. QFSM Actlng Chairman of Trustees
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGiANO AND WALES (ew ( MLLs& Recel ts and ents accounts itsAp CC16a To Sl Section A Receipts and payments Unrn8trlct•d R•Btrfct•d lund8 fund• toth• £ toth• nMv••t£ th• Mv••t E to th• n•wwt £ toth• n•#rM¢ E Endowment TDta% A1 R9¢01 D C¥hfnri lj. /NJr +2 sr ARJ V3uq fpi ftDfv)I n4ofert E Sub total 9rl IIL Ill A6 Tramfert beiwn fund £££ CCXX R1 accounts (SS) 0711112025
fR&gi. Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestrlcted Restrlcted aiegories Details Endowment lo n•aY•¥t£ 81 Cash fund8 to n¥r•st£ unrestrIct Resfyfcted Endowment fvnd8 funds fund$ Details Del8I18 Fund to Thl¢h CuTh•nt ¥alu• Details FWKI t• whkh ¢uff•n¢ v•lv• 84 A880ts r•taln•d for th• charfty'• own u•0 Details Fund to whl¢h Afflount du• Illh•n du• B5 LlabilitA Signed by one or two trustées on behalf of all the trustees Slgnature Prlnt Name Date of rov81 £Z-11-20 CCXX R2 accounts (SSI 07111r2025