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 2￿5, 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
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Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
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Details
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Signed by one or two trustées on
behalf of all the trustees
Slgnature
Prlnt Name
Date of
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CCXX R2 accounts (SSI
07111r2025