Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum 13th. Financial Statement and Annual Report of the Charity’s Activities
For the Year Ended
31[st] . March 2025
Charity Number 1164795
THE RETURN This Carving is iconic of so many crews returning to Waterbeach
The Return is a bas relief transcription of the photograph below which captures a Lancaster crew of 514 Squadron having
just returned to RAF Waterbeach near Cambridge after a daylight raid on Duisburg in Germany on 14 October 1944.
The crew members of A-Able from left are: Sgt FJ Saunders RAF—Flight engineer Flt Sgt G Burke RNZAF - Mid upper gunner Sgt H Dobinson RAF—Rear gunner Flying Officer S Smitten RCAF —Air bomber Flying Officer EE Cooper RNZAF—Wireless operator/air gunner Flying Officer D Gordon RAAF—Pilot (Captain) Flt Sgt JW Mundy RCAF—Navigator
There is nothing cheery in the faces of this crew – any smile is verging on the sardonic. They depict weariness, strain, relief and potentially anger, with the leading crewman, Sargeant Saunders, giving the appearance of shouting at the cameraman. Sergeant Harry Dobinson, third from left, looks at Saunders with a questioning expression, whilst the ground crew in the background appear to be enjoying the photographer’s discomfort. Even the shambling gait of the crew depicts exhaustion.
The squadron was accompanied on this mission, by William Troughton, a reporter for the Daily Express. It is likely a press photographer was waiting for his return and snapped this crew moments before Troughton’s aircraft landed (the squadron log shows A-Able landed eight minutes before G-George carrying the reporter). The photograph displays an artistic composition borne out of years of experience tending to suggest it was the work of a professional. Behind them looms their Lancaster bomber, appearing both menacing and strangely protective. In general, crews tended to stay together, but for operational reasons would not necessarily always fly the same aircraft. The crew of seven formed a unique bond with each other and were more comfortable in a familiar aircraft. This particular crew flew most of their operations in A-Able. Both the crew and the aircraft appear to have survived the war, with Dobinson and Gordon known to have passed away within the past five years.
www.gordonhayesstonecarver.co.uk
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Trustees’ Annual Report
Contents
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Details | 1 |
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 2 |
| Trustees Terms of Office | 3 |
| Legal Status and Objects | 4 |
| Review of Activities and Financial Performance | 5 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 6 |
| Independent examiner’s report and certification to the trustees | 7 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 8 |
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Legal and Administrative Details
Trustees
Col. D M Adamson RE (Retd.)
M B Barry MM RE (retd.) (Royal Engineers Association) M Collins RE (Retd.) D B Higgins RE (Retd.) (Hon. Treasurer) C Hill (514 Sqn Reunion) .39 Royal Engineers VACANT
Les Moss Secretary
Waterbeach Parish Council VACANT
Rev Norman Setchell (Waterbeach Royal British Legion) A K Shipp R Stripe A J Wright (Chairman)
Trust Address
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Building 3 Waterbeach Barracks Denny End Road, Waterbeach Cambridge CB25 9PX
Volunteers
Dr Clare Polet Anne Lockhart Freya Pain Vinny Mangat Hazel and Steve Crain MODES data
Museum Advisors
Lisabeth Yates, Radiation Protection Officer (RPA), University Safety Officer Deborah Walton Cambridge University Museums Conservation Officer Lt Col.Joe Monaghan RE (Retired) 39 Engineer Regiment QM Emma Bunbury Museums in Cambridgeshire (MIC) David Anann Webmaster Jerremy Brookman IT Support
Legal Status
The Charity was formed as a Trust under a Constitution dated 25 October 2012 The Charity converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 10 December 2015, Charity Registration Number 1164795
Bankers
NatWest BankPLC.
Independent Examiner Helen Williamson
Page 1
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Trustees’ Annual Report ________
The Trustees present their Annual Report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025 This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions under section 133 of the Charities Act 2011 which allows for the preparation of receipts and payments accounts by charities with income less than £250,000.
Annual Report of the Charity’s activities 1[st] April 2024 to 31[st] March 2025
The Trust has met on three occasions during the year. Volunteers stand at six to whom the trustees are grateful for the assistance given by them in the running and stewarding of the Museum, when they are able to do so. Les Moss Secretary and Freya Pain have been particularly helpful assisting the chairman reordering displays and recording the artifacts over the past twelve months. Steve and Hazel Crane are making headway in the recording the museum contents on the MODES programme. This includes who deposited an item, descriptions of the artifacts, their location in the museum and includes a photograph. To illustrate the enormity of this task Steve and Hazel take photos of every photograph in each of the photo albums. At the same time as the artifacts are being logged have their unique reference is either attached to or painted on and the unique reference number noted on the item. The Trustees owe this pair a great deal of thanks.
The trustees living close enough to Waterbeach are active in the stewarding of the museum when, open and particular thanks to the treasurer David Higgins, Treasurer, who has stewarded every time the museum has been open to the public. The Trust is incredibly grateful to its Trustees and Volunteers for the active help have given in the last twelve months. David Higgins also runs the ‘Friends Museum’ supporting group and led the arrangements for the annual ‘Friends’ BBQ.
Visitor numbers remain steady at 740 during the period. This includes visiting groups and uniform services.
The Museum Trust has received a number of donations of artefacts during the year for which we are ever grateful. The Trust is particularly looking for 39 Engineer Regiment and associated units’ photos and artefacts of their time at Waterbeach and the operations or exercises they were involved in. The Royal Engineer section of the Museum was depleted when 39 Engineer Regiment were moved to Kinloss.in 2012.
Since the four new display cabinets, (purchased with donations from Waterbeach Parish Council, South Cambs District Council and Urban&Civic), eventually arrived the Chairman together with Les Moss have been making more space for displays in the museum and the artefacts. Several changes have been made to the displays. Each RAF Squadron which was based at Waterbeach has its own shelf at least together with an example of the aircraft that they flew. These model aircraft, along with about thirty Lancaster models, were made by Observer Corps member Derek Abbott. We are grateful to the Executers of his estate for donating such a magnificent collection. The Lancaster Models will form part of a display showing a flight of aircraft on a bombing raid. A sky scape we hope to have painted by a local artist. We intend to include sound as well.
The four new display cabinets have released space in the Royal Engineers area and work on this will continue during autumn and winter of 2025/6. With the help of Duxford Radio Trust (DRT) we hope to display radio equipment which 39 Engineer Regiment would have used. Also to show equipment used to repair bomb craters on runways.
The continuing partnership with DRT has meant the introduction of more RAF radio and early radar equipment other displays showing location and position finding equipment are to be introduced. The Museum has its own Short Wave Radio call sign GB0WMM and working short wave radio display which should attract Radio Hams. DRT field volunteers each time the Museum is open to explain to the visiting public how the equipment was used. We are very grateful to DRT for their enthusiastic support and contribution to the museum.
On 30[th] November 2024 Wing Commander John Grenville, Commanding Officer of RAF Wyton unveiled the Purbeck lime stone carving ‘The Return’ carved by Gordon Hanes, which is on loan currently to the museum. Fund raising with a 13k target to purchase the carving is going well. A picture of the carving and details of the event on 14[th] October 1944 are at the front of this Annual Report.
The Trustees thank U&C for their continued support.
Page 2
| Waterbeach Military Heritage | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trustees annual |
report | cont’d. |
| Trustees’ terms of office | ||
| David M Adamson |
2026 | |
| Clive Hill (514 Sqn.) |
2026 | |
| Mike Collins | 2025 | |
| Rev. Norman Setchell | 2027 | |
| Robert Stripe | 2026 | |
| Alan Ship | 2027 | |
| Adrian Wright (Chairman) | 2027 | |
| David B Higgins (Treasurer) |
2027 | |
| Mike Barry MM (Royal Engineers Association) | 2027 | |
| Les Moss (Secretary (from May 2022) | 2025 | |
| Parish Council Vacant | ||
| 39 Engineer Regiment Vacant |
Signed Trustee…A J Wright ……………………………………………………… Adrian Wright (Chairman) Date: 23rd October 2025
Page 3
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Trustees’ Annual Report (cont’d)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Legal Status and Objects
The Charity was originally formed under a constitution dated 25 October 2012. On 10 December 2015 it converted to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation.
The objects of the Charity are to:
To advance the education and interest of the public in the history of RAF Waterbeach Station, airfield and former Waterbeach Barracks and surrounding area in particular by the continuation, re-establishment and support of a living Museum and interpretive centre.
In reviewing its activities, the Trustees have been mindful of the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
The CIO has power to do anything which is calculated to further its object[s] or is conducive or incidental to doing so. In particular, the CIO has power to:
(1) borrow money and to charge the whole or any part of its property as security for the repayment of the money borrowed. The CIO must comply as appropriate with sections 124 and 125 of the Charities Act 2011, if it wishes to mortgage land;
(2) buy, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and to maintain and equip it for use;
(3) sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the property belonging to the CIO. In exercising this power, the CIO must comply as appropriate with sections 117 and 119-123 of the Charities Act 2011;
(4) employ and remunerate such staff as are necessary for carrying out the work of the CIO. The CIO may employ or remunerate a charity trustee only to the extent that it is permitted to do so by clause 6 (Benefits and payments to charity trustees and connected persons) and provided it complies with the conditions of that clause;
(5) deposit or invest funds, employ a professional fund-manager, and arrange for the investments or other property of the CIO to be held in the name of a nominee, in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the trustees of a trust are permitted to do by the Trustee Act 2000.
Appointment of Trustees
Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
- (a) In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
Nominated Trustees
(a) Waterbeach Parish Council, Royal Engineers Association RAF Association Royal British Legion – Waterbeach and Landbeach Branch
-
(b) Any appointment must be made at a meeting held according to the ordinary practice of the appointing body.
-
(c) Each appointment must be for a term of three years.
-
(d) The appointment will be effective from:
-
(i) the date of the vacancy; and
-
(ii) the date on which the charity trustees or their secretary or clerk are informed of the appointment.
-
(e) The person appointed need not be a member of the appointing body.
-
(f) A trustee appointed by the appointing body has the same duty under clause 9(1) as the other charity trustees to act in the way he or she decides in good faith would be most likely to further the purposes of the CIO.
Page 4
Waterbeach Military Herritage Museum Trustees’ Annual Report (cont’d)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review of Activities and Financial Performance
Under an agreement with the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the contents of the Museum at Waterbeach Barracks were formally handed over to Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum on its formation in October 2012 and the contents had to be taken off the Barracks site and stored. In 2012/13 the Barracks finally closed and everything shut down. The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) took over the site and with their partner developer for the Barracks and airfield training area, Urban&Civic (U&C), in 2014/5 offered part of the former museum back to the Trustees. The Museum signed a tenyear lease in 2023 with U&C.
The charities main income has been by donations from the Museum visitors, the sale of ‘At the Beach’ and ‘Sappers at the Beach’; new and second-hand books and cards. Various pin badges of 39 Engineer Regiment and its Squadrons and 514 Squadron RAF. A new stream of income has come from the Formation of a ‘Friends of the Museum’, which is proving very beneficial to the Museum. The Friends of WMHM was originally set up in 2018 with 6 paid up members, today in October 2025 there are 50 fully paid-up members. A new income source is sales of a limited number plaster casts of ‘The Return’ with profit shared by the artist.
Many thanks to Clive Hill who by emailing application forms to his many 514 contacts, has helped to make the campaign a success.
.
Whilst the Museum is normally open from March to October on the first Wednesday and Sunday of those months and also on the third Sunday of every month when there is a Waterbeach Community Market. individuals from around the UK and the world are welcomed at other times. Several groups have managed visiting the Museum. The Museum is looking towards Accreditation through the Arts council which would help attract funding and expertise. This could take up to three years to achieve.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the legislative requirements of the Charities Act 2011 as applicable to smaller charities in England and Wales.
The Trustees have taken the option available to them to prepare the accounts on a receipts and payments basis because the gross income of the charity is less than £250,000.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees are satisfied that the level of cash funds is currently adequate to meet the objects of the Charity.
Insurance
The Museum and Trustees have the appropriate insurances in place.
Page 5
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Receipts and Payments Account for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|
| Funds | Funds | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Receipts | ||
| Donatons | 3,101.52 | 1,036.45 |
| Friends subs | 540.00 | 504.00 |
| Grant - Urban and Civic | 500.00 | 2,000.00 |
| Grant Waterbeach Parish Council | 2,000.00 | 2,000.00 |
| Sales | 843.55 | 641.38 |
| Total Receipts for Year | 6,985.07 | 6,181.83 |
| Payments | ||
| Access Displays Cabinets | 2,561.00 | 2,145.60 |
| Advertsing | 90.00 | 90.00 |
| Cost of sales | 240.00 | - |
| Feast Prize, Key cutng,Clothes rails AW exps | - | 152.02 |
| Gif card for David Smith retrement | - | 50.00 |
| Insurance | 172.70 | 125.60 |
| Lockable Leter Box DH expense | - | 41.75 |
| Post-War Books Mike Barry | - | 100.00 |
| Posters/notces and fxings, lock and keys, display brackets | - | 90.36 |
| Printer | 235.17 | - |
| Printng At the Beach | - | 125.00 |
| Restoraton | 1,101.97 | - |
| The Return | 630.37 | - |
| Sundry | 3.00 | - |
| Website expenses | - | 156.00 |
| Total Payments for Year | 5,034.21 | 3,076.33 |
| Receipts minus payments | 1,950.86 | 3,105.50 |
| Bank balance brought forward 1 April 2024 | 9,379.33 | |
| Total Balance at 31 March 2025 | 11,330.19 | |
| Bank Account at 31 March 2025 | 11,330.19 | |
| Pety Cash | 10.00 | |
| Total Funds at 31 March 2025 | 11,340.19 |
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Signed Trustee…A J Wright………………………………… Adrian Wright (Chairman)
Date: 23rd October 2025
Page 6
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Receipts and Payments Account Independent Examiners Certification for the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum (the Charity) for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Chari es Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under sec on 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 Act. Independent examiner’s statement I have completed my examination on. I confirm that no material maters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by sec on 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other ma ers in connection with the examination to which atention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: ________ Name: Helen Williamson Address: Station Road, Ely, CB7 4BS Date: 19 October 2025
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice);
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 the incoming resources and application of resources of the Charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees should follow best practice and:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently.
-
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Charity and which enable them to ascertain the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, supporting regulations and the Trust Deed. 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.
Page 7
Waterbeach Military Heritage Museum Statement of Assets and Liabilities Year Ended 31 March 2025
1. Assets
The Museum collection, furniture equipment and fittings not belonging to U&C.
Computer equipment, display screens and cabinets, camera and photo booth with lights, dehumidifier.3 Flag Poles, notice boards. Mannequins and stands COVID-19 Screens and PPE equipment
Sale items of books, cards, pin badges and miscellaneous other items.
Liabilities
There are no liabilities.
Notes to the Financial Statements
1 Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared under Section 42(3) of the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice on “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” issued March 2005.
Particular accounting policies adopted by the Trustees are described below.
Income and Expenditure
Income and expenditure are accounted for on a receipts and payments basis.
2 Trustees’ Remuneration
None of the Trustees received remuneration or expenses during the current or previous period, only reimbursement for Museum purchases.
3 Restricted funds
There is one restricted fund at this time. ‘The Return’, a Limestone carving by Gordon Heyes Fund raising for this item continues.
Page: 8