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2024-03-31-accounts

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Pages
Reference and administrative information 2
Trustees' annual report 3 - 5
Independent examiner's report 6
Statement of financial activities incorporating the income and expenditure account 7
Balance sheet 8
Notes to the financial statements 9 - 12

Page 1 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

General information

The Kent Masonic Museum and Library Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered under Charity No. 1163887. It operates under the name of The Kent Museum of Freemasonry from premises at St Peter's Place, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2DA which are owned by the Masonic Province of East Kent. Under the terms of its lease, the Trust pays only a peppercorn rent and the landlord has covenanted to insure the property and keep its main structure and exterior in good repair.

Trustees

The Trustees during the year ended 31 March 2024 were as follows: Charles Boxer - Retired on 16/09/2023 Charles Byford - Resigned on 16/09/2023 Ronald Carter - Elected on 16/09/2023 Stephen Fletcher - Elected on 16/09/2023 Peter Hazlewood Jacqueline Langdon-Bassett - Elected on 16/09/2023 Terry Perkins - Elected on 16/09/2023 Charles Richard Henry Pottle - Retired on 16/09/2023 Richard White - Secretary of the Board Richard Wingett - Chairman of the Board Philip Zygmant

At the forthcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 21 September 2024, Peter Hazlewood, Richard White and Richard Wingett will retire by rotation and will stand for re-election as Trustees.

Independent examiner

Susan Robinson BA FCA FCIE DChA 20 Lychfield Drive Strood Kent ME2 3LY

Page 2 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

The Trustees are pleased to present their Annual Report and the Financial Statements of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2024.

Structure, governance and management

The Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organization governed by its Constitution document dated 1 June 2015, as subsequently amended on 16 September 2023. Its objective is to advance public education on the history and benefits of Freemasonry in Kent through the maintenance of the Museum and Library. Membership is open to any Lodge of Freemasons in the Provinces of East Kent and West Kent that has appointed a Museum and Library Ambassador (formally known in the constitution as a Representative).

The Trustees are pleased to present their Annual Report and the Financial Statements of the Trust for the year ended 31 March 2024. The Trustees oversee the Charity's operations and meet regularly to discuss and review its financial and operational affairs. The Board consists of a minimum of three and a maximum of nine Trustees. At the Annual General Meeting, one-third of the Trustees must stand for re-election and may be re-elected up to three consecutive times.

Since opening our doors once again in June 2022 following the covid pandemic, a new team of 8 Trustees has been recruited.

The Board of Trustees has looked at how the Trust should enhance its management team, and expand its membership base.

Accordingly, at the Annual General Meeting this year, the Board will propose that

In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity' (PB2).

Achievement and performance

The Museum and Library adhere to professional standards as an Arts Council England accredited museum. It is entirely volunteer-run, with no remuneration for Trustees or managers. Our dedicated team of volunteer stewards is responsible for welcoming visitors, guiding them through the Museum, and answering their questions.

A new direction has also been set to drive the Museum forwards and out into our local communities. A Marketing and Development Manager has been recruited. Today, we have a permanent seat with Canterbury City Council Business Improvement District Team (BID) so that we may join in with all local events. We now work in partnership with Canterbury Cathedral, Westgate Towers Museum, the University of Kent, Kent Family History Society, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey and many more.

It is this drive out and into our local communities which is key to our future success. We have joined in annual events such as the Canterbury Medieval Pageant where we have over 700 members of the public through the doors in just one day. This pageant is a family fun day and we provide Face Painters and a Balloon Modeller for the children which is proving to be highly successful. We have also joined in the national Heritage Open Days scheme to help celebrate our fantastic history and culture.

We are now attracting many organisations who want to come and visit us. For example, successive Lord Mayors of Canterbury, the Sheriff of Canterbury, Women’s Institutes, etc. We also work with Dementia Groups and Headway, a brain injury group. The Museum is viewed as a calm and safe facility that helps in gently stimulating the minds of people who require such services.

We also go out and deliver talks to community groups and to Lodges and Chapters. We also host these visits at the museum.

As we push out further into the communities, we also seek feedback to help us improve. This is helping us to improve our facilities and displays.

One of the questions that we are always asked is ‘but you don’t allow women to join do you?’ I am really pleased to say that the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons (HFAF) and the Order of Women Freemasons (OWF) have joined us to help make a difference in terms of our diversity approach.

For some time, we have been underrepresented by women and young people and this is a dynamic that we are clearly keen to change. We have also now recruited our first 18 year old volunteer who is just about to start a three year curatorial degree. He will work alongside our own Curator and we have tasked him to look at the collections from a young person’s perspective.

Our library collection consists of many books on freemasonry and also 6,000 books on the history of Kent, its genealogy, heraldry and archaeology donated by the late Dr Teddy Church. Many of our books were printed in the 1500s and are rare. This has ignited a huge interest with academics and many research groups. It is our intention to create a research facility for the public so that we can share our books with the outside world. We have now interviewed and appointed a Library Manager who will help drive this forward.

Page 3 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 (continued)

Achievement and performance (continued)

We have to remember that Canterbury has been the seat of the spiritual head of the Church of England for nearly five centuries. Canterbury's important Unesco World Heritage monuments are the modest Church of St Martin, the oldest church in England, the ruins of the Abbey of St Augustine, a reminder of the saint's evangelising role in the Heptarchy from 597, and Christ Church Cathedral, a breathtaking mixture of Romanesque and Perpendicular Gothic, where Archbishop Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170.

The Kent Museum and Library Trust building nestles within this landscape and plays an important role today in the history of the city.

Financial review

Income : We derive our income mainly from three revenue streams:-

Our income continues to be stable albeit growing slowly, though this year the Association of Patrons income has reduced by over £1,900. Whilst overall income growth has been slow, it reflects the current UK economic climate that is affecting many organisations and charities today.

Expenditure : Since reopening, it has been necessary to spend money on the following:-

The Kent Museum of Freemasonry together with the University of Kent in Canterbury and Kent Scouts, are thrilled to announce the creation of the Dr Teddy Church Bursary Fund. This distinguished award honours Dr Church, a Freemason, devoted GP, and avid collector of Kentish history, genealogy, and heraldry.

The Bursary aims to support young people. In East Kent, it will assist students embarking on their academic journey in History at the University of Kent. In West Kent, it will help families purchase Scout uniforms and fund attendance at Scout camps.

In addition to funds set aside by the Trust, the Bursary scheme is funded by the provinces of both East and West Kent as well as a donation received from the Church family trust.

Going concern

The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to operate for the foreseeable future and therefore have continued to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis are given in the Accounting Policies.

Reserves policy

The Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to operate for the foreseeable future and therefore have continued to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements. The Trustees aim to maintain free reserves in unrestricted funds at a level sufficient to enable the Charity to continue operations for the foreseeable future. Of the unrestricted funds, the Trustees have a policy of maintaining a minimum level of £40,000, approximately enough to cover two years of running costs, to provide for any emergencies and other exceptional items. The current free reserves are £46,108.

Future plans

The Trustees have established the following strategic objectives for the future of the Trust:-

Page 4 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 (continued)

Statement of the Trustees' responsibilities

The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its income and expenditure for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Constitution. 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.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Richard Wingett Chairman 21 August 2024

Page 5 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 7 to 12.

Responsibilities and basis of the report

As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of its accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).

I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) in preference to the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2019.

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Acounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity's trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity's trustees as a body, for my work or this report.

Susan Robinson BA FCA FCIE DChA�

20 Lychfield Drive, Strood, Kent, ME2 3LY Independent Examiner

Date: 24 August 2024

Page 6 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCORPORATING THE

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Note
INCOME FROM:
Donations received
2
Transfer between funds
2
Charitable activities
3
Interest received
AGM Lunch sales
Shop sales
6
Total income
EXPENDITURE ON:
Charitable activities
4
Cost of AGM Lunches
Shop cost of sales and write-offs
6
Total expenditure
NET (DECREASE) / INCREASE IN FUNDS
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS
Total funds brought forward
Net (decrease) / increase in funds
Total funds carried forward		 Restricted Funds
(Church Bursary)
2024
2023
£
£
1,667
-
1,666
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,333
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3,333
-
-
-
3,333
-
3,333
-		 Unrestricted Funds
2024
2023
£
£
19,008
18,973
(1,666)
-
140
1,800
3
1
595
-
-
290
18,080
21,064
32,863
22,666
771
-
-
500
33,634
23,166
(15,554)
(2,102)
61,662
63,764
(15,554)
(2,102)
46,108
61,662		 Total
2024
2023
£
£
20,675
18,973
-
-
140
1,800
3
1
595
-
-
290
21,413
21,064
32,863
22,666
771
-
-
500
33,634
23,166
(12,221)
(2,102)
61,662
63,764
(12,221)
(2,102)
49,441
61,662

The Statement of Financial Activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. The notes on pages 9 to 12 form part of these financial statements.

Page 7 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024

Note
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors
7
Cash at bank and in hand
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one year
8
NET ASSETS
CHARITY FUNDS
Fund balances
9
TOTAL FUNDS		 Restricted Funds
(Church Bursary)
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
3,333
-
3,333
-
-
-
3,333

-
3,333
-
3,333

-		 Unrestricted Funds
2024
2023
£
£
1,022
3,022
46,157
59,990
47,179
63,012
(1,071)
(1,350)
46,108
61,662
46,108
61,662
46,108
61,662		 Total
2024
2023
£
£
1,022
3,022
49,490
59,990
50,512
63,012
(1,071)
(1,350)
49,441
61,662
49,441
61,662
49,441
61,662

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 21 August 2024 and are signed on behalf of the Board by:

Ri Ric ~~ch~~ hard Wingetta ~~rd~~ Wingett Chairman 21 August 2024

Page 8 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies

1.1 Basis of preparation of the financial statements

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.

The financial statements have been prepared to give a "true and fair" view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a "true and fair" view. This departure has involved following the Charities SORP (FRS 102).

Kent Masonic Museum and Library Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102 and its financial statements are presented in sterling. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy.

1.2 Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of any of the Charity's purposes. Restricted funds are subject to specific restrictions on their use, either imposed by a donor or through the terms of an appeal. During the course of this year a new "Church Bursary" fund, named in honour of the late Dr WE Church, has been established to provide annual bursaries to students at the University of Kent in Canterbury and to youth members of Kent Scouts. Contracts to this effect have been agreed in writing with the University of Kent in Canterbury and Kent Scouts.

1.3 Disclosure exemptions

The Trust is a small charity, as defined by FRS 102, and has taken advantage of the exemption available in paragraph 1.12 of FRS 102 not to present a cash flow statement.

1.4 Going concern

The Trustees assess whether the use of going concern is appropriate i.e. whether there are any material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees make this assessment in respect of a period of at least one year from the date of authorisation for issue of the financial statements and have concluded that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and there are no material uncertainties about the Charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Thus, taking into consideration the Charity's level of reserves, the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.5 Income

Income is recognised once the Trust is entitled to it, it is probable that it will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Grants are included in the Statement of financial activities on a receivable basis. The balance of income received for specific purposes but not expended during the period is shown in the relevant funds on the Balance Sheet. Where income is received in advance of entitlement of receipt, its recognition is deferred and included in creditors as deferred income. Where entitlement occurs before income is received, the income is accrued.

Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.

1.6 Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer an economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that such a transfer will be required in settlement and the amount can be measured reliably.

1.7 Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is recognised when it is receivable and when the amount can be measured reliably, which is normally when it has been notified by the bank.

1.8 Heritage assets

The Trust's heritage assets comprise its collection of paintings, objets d'art, jewels, books and other artefacts held at the Museum and Library. These are primarily related to the history and development of Freemasonry and have all been donated to the Trust or to its predecessor organisations. An inventory of heritage assets is maintained but it is considered that the cost of their valuation would not give a commensurate benefit to the users of these financial statements and therefore they are not recognised in these financial statements.

Page 9 of 12

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

1 Accounting policies (continued)

1.9 Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets owned by the Trust comprise fixtures and fittings used to store and display its heritage assets, together with furniture, equipment and improvements to its premises. These have either been donated or purchased and in the latter case it is the Trust's policy to write such expenditure off in the year it is incurred. Thus tangible fixed assets are not recognised in these financial statements.

1.10 Financial instruments

The Trust only has financial assets and liabilities which qualify as basic financial instruments. These are stated at their initial transaction values, subsequently adjusted to their settlement values where appropriate.

1.11 Debtors

Trade and other debtors are stated at their settlement amounts, net of any trade discounts. Prepayments are valued at the proportionate net amount prepaid.

1.12 Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and in hand comprises cash and bank balances maturing in one month or less.

1.13 Liabilities

Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation resulting from a prior event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement and the amount of such settlement can be reliably estimated. They are stated at the amounts which the Trustees believe the Trust will eventually pay to settle such obligations.

Page 10 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

Restricted Funds
(Church Bursary)
2
Income from donations received
2024
2023
£
£
Association of Patrons (AoP) donations
-
-
Other donations
1,667
-
1,667
-
Exceptional income / transfer between funds
Transfer of funds to Church Bursary
1,666
-
1,666
-
3
Income from charitable activities
2024
2023
£
£
Lecture fees received
-
-
Commission from the East Kent Regalia S
-
-
Commission from On The Square Regalia
-
-
-
-
4
Expenditure on charitable activities
2024
2023
£
£
Regular direct costs
Repairs and maintenance
-
-
Gas, electricity and water
-
-
Business rates
-
-
Cleaning
-
-
Telephone and broadband
-
-
IT costs
-
-
Development of new web site
-
-
Marketing, outreach and AoP costs
-
-
Health and safety costs
-
-
Book repairs & reprinting
-
-
Furniture & equipment
-
-
New map preservation cabinet
-
-
Gifts and presentations
-
-
Other costs
-
-
-
-
Exceptional direct costs
Rubbish removal
-
-
Refurbishment costs
-
-
-
-
Support costs
Independent examiner's fee
-
-
Total costs
-
-		 Unrestricted Funds
2024
2023
£
£
13,542
15,496
5,466
3,477
19,008
18,973
(1,666)
-
(1,666)
-
2024
2023
£
£
140
650
-
1,000
-
150
140
1,800
2024
2023
£
£
5,093
4,235
3,851
3,390
583
1,190
1,826
1,851
490
489
4,120
2,466
4,663
-
2,868
1,158
227
223
380
2,795
670
537
4,242
-
280
-
3,544
1,212
32,837
19,546
-
(250)
-
2,520
-
2,270
26
850
32,863
22,666		 Total
2024
2023
£
£
13,542
15,496
7,133
3,477
20,675
18,973
-
-
-
-
2024
2023
£
£
140
650
-
1,000
-
150
140
1,800
2024
2023
£
£
5,093
4,235
3,851
3,390
583
1,190
1,826
1,851
490
489
4,120
2,466
4,663
-
2,868
1,158
227
223
380
2,795
670
537
4,242
-
280
-
3,544
1,212
32,837
19,546
-
(250)
-
2,520
-
2,270
26
850
32,863
22,666

Page 11 of 12

KENT MASONIC MUSEUM AND LIBRARY TRUST

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024

5 Trustees' expenses

No Trustees received any remuneration or benefits in kind in the current or previous year. During the year six Trustees were reimbursed expenses totalling £3,525.73 (2023: £1,071 to four Trustees).

Restricted Funds
(Church Bursary)
6
(Loss) from shop
2024
2023
£
£
Sale of masonic regalia, clothing and ritual books
-
-
Sale of duplicate books
-
-
Total sales
-
-
Cost of sales and stock written off
-
-
Net (loss)
-
-
7
Debtors
2024
2023
£
£
Prepayments and accrued income
-
-
Gift Aid recoverable
-
-
-
-
8
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Creditors
-
-
-
-
9
Analysis of charitable funds
2024
2023
£
£
Fund Brought Forward Balance
-
-
Income for the year
3,333
-
Expenditure for the year
-
-
Carried forward
3,333
-
10
Analysis of net assets between funds
2024
2023
£
£
Current assets
3,333
-
Creditors due within one year
-
-
3,333
-		 Unrestricted Funds
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
290
-
290
-
(500)
-
(210)
2024
2023
£
£
1
1,563
1,021
1,459
1,022
3,022
2024
2023
£
£
1,071
1,350
1,071
1,350
2024
2023
£
£
61,662
63,764
18,080
21,064
(33,634)
(23,166)
46,108
61,662
2024
2023
£
£
47,179
63,012
(1,071)
(1,350)
46,108
61,662		 Total
2024
2023
£
£
-
-
-
290
-
290
-
(500)
-
(210)
2024
2023
£
£
1,563
1,563
1,459
1,459
3,022
3,022
2024
2023
£
£
1,350
1,350
1,350
1,350
2024
2023
£
£
61,662
63,764
21,413
21,064
(33,634)
(23,166)
49,441
61,662
2024
2023
£
£
50,512
63,012
(1,071)
(1,350)
49,441
61,662

11 Related party transactions

The Trust did not enter into any related party transactions either during the financial year or the previous financial year and there were no balances outstanding with any related parties at either balance sheet date.

Page 12 of 12