ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
Charity number 1166357
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st DECEMBER 2025
ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Legal and Administrative Information | 1 |
| Trustees Annual Report | 2 - 3 |
| Independent Examiner's Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 7 - 10 |
ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Trustees | A Bone (Chairman) |
|---|---|
| A Barneston (Treasurer) | |
| S Fox | |
| S Das | |
| J Ransome | |
| T Brown | |
| J Cook Manders | |
| J Cable | |
| Charity number | 1166357 |
| Registered office | Moot Hall |
| Market Cross Place | |
| Aldeburgh | |
| Suffolk | |
| IP15 5DS | |
| Independent examiner | Community360 |
| Winsley's House | |
| High Street | |
| Colchester | |
| Essex | |
| CO1 1UG | |
| Principal bankers | Unity Trust Bank |
| Brindley Place | |
| Birmingham | |
| B1 2HB |
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The Museum was open at weekends plus extra days in school holidays in February, March, November, and December and every day from April to October. There was an overall reduction in income of 12.7% and a reduction of 12% in admissions/visitors to the museum in comparison to 2024. This reduction was contrary to our projections at the beginning of the year and is largely due to the overall reduction in visitors to the area, considered to be due to the overall economic situation.
Regardless, the museum is run and managed by an effective team of enthusiastic volunteers and staff, who should be applauded for their continued support and dedication to the museum. During the year the museum volunteers hosted a temporary exhibition, a programme of events and activities and a very successful exhibition in an art gallery in the town’s High Street titled ‘Aldeburgh in WWII’.
The income from shop sales was similar to 2024. Although book sales were down by 20%, the WWII book that complemented the exhibition was hugely popular, requiring a second print run. Shop items are regularly refreshed with new and varied items relatable to the museum collection and visitors. Particularly successful are our History Note booklets which give further information on the town of Aldeburgh and its history and people, greetings cards and postcards.
We received a few artefacts / historical documents to our collection, one of which was paid for by the museum. Once processed and conserved where necessary, these will be put on display for the public.
There were no unexpected expenses during the year. There were a couple of grants applied for. These were for a new Perspex display cover for the Bathing Machine Model from Association of Suffolk Museums and towards the WWII Exhibition for East Suffolk Council. The museum donated £250 to RNLI Aldeburgh Lifeboat as a result of book sales since the Bi-Centenary Lifeboat Exhibition held at the end of 2024.
Whilst there have been no changes to the Trustees during 2025, there have been staffing challenges. At the end of the year there were two Supervisors in post, with one to leave at the end of the year. Overall Volunteer numbers were down at the end of the year with recruitment of new volunteers challenging.
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
In 2026 we will again be hosting a comprehensive activity programme to attract a wide range of visitors, school parties and groups. Events and activities are planned for school holidays, with the summer months hosting guided Walks, storyteller on Moot Green and a stall at the Aldeburgh Carnival. We will also put in order and promote our talks programme, delivered both at home and away.
We will have a new temporary exhibition in the museum of local finds by local detectorists. Some updating and refurbishing of museum display is also planned, including the Ship cabinet, new digital displays and a new flip book.
We also plan to hold another exhibition at Christmas time in an art gallery in the centre of the town on Aldeburgh’s past Railway.
Signed
Date
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
I report on the accounts of Aldeburgh Museum Charitable Trust for the year ended 31 December 2025 which are set out on pages 5 to 10.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The Charity’s Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 144 (2) of the Charities Act 2011 (The Act) but that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
-
Examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
-
To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
-
To state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s Statement
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes considerations of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner’s statement
In the course of my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of the accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
David Courtier FMAAT AATQB for and on behalf of: Community360
Winsley’s House, High Street, Colchester, Essex Date 22/06/2026
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Other trading activities Charitable activities Other income Investment income Total income and endowments Expenditure on: Fundraising and other trading activities 4 Charitable activities 5 Total resources expended Net income/(expenditure) Fund balances at 1 January 2025 Fund balances at 31 December 2025 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 4,874 7,304 18,236 11,125 273 41,811 1,412 41,247 42,658 (847) 57,364 56,517 |
Restricted Funds £ - - 1,000 - - 1,000 - 84 84 916 - 916 |
2025 Total £ 4,874 7,304 19,236 11,125 273 42,811 1,412 41,331 42,742 69 57,364 57,433 |
2024 Total £ 5,313 7,197 21,021 14,490 1,074 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49,094 4,122 42,793 |
||||
| 46,915 | ||||
| 2,179 55,185 |
||||
| 57,364 |
Notes on page 7 - 10 form part of these accounts.
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Note Current assets Stock Debtors 10 Bank balances 9 Current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 11 Net current assets Total assets less current liabilities Income funds Unrestricted funds 13 Restricted funds 13 |
2025 £ 2,242 4,226 54,524 60,992 3,559 57,433 57,433 56,517 916 57,433 |
2024 £ 1,831 4,330 56,117 |
|---|---|---|
| 62,278 4,914 |
||
| 57,364 | ||
| 57,364 | ||
| 57,364 - |
||
| 57,364 |
The trustees declare that they have approved the accounts above on:
Signed:
Date:
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
1. Accounting policies
The principal accounting policies are summarised below. The accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the year and in the proceeding year.
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement on Recommended Practise applicable to charities preparing their
accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Incoming resources
Grants receivable are recognised in the accounts when conditions for their receipt are satisfied. Grants with conditions attached to their use are included in restricted funds. Donations, legacies and other forms of voluntary income are recognised as incoming resources when receivable.
Resources expended
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and is recognised when there is a legal or constructive obligation to pay. Expenditure has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to a particular heading they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources.
Costs classified as governance relate to the general running of the charity and include the operations of the Board of Trustees and addressing constitutional audit and other statutory matters.
Resources expended include attributable VAT, which cannot be recovered.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Restricted funds may be either endowment or restricted income funds, depending on the nature of the restriction. Where the fund is not an endowment fund and is held on trust for spending on specific purposes, it is known as a restricted income fund.
The resources (the assets and liabilities) of each restricted fund are held and maintained separately from other funds. This is in recognition of the circumstances in which the resources were originally received, and/or the restrictions on that fund that determine the way those resources are subsequently to be treated.
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
Going Concern
The trustees of the charity deem that there are sufficient funds available to continue operating on a going concern basis for the foreseeable future
Critical accounting estimates and judgements
In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
There are no critical accounting estimates or judgements in the financial statements.
| 2. Donations and legacies Donations: General donations Gift aid reclaimed 3. Income from charitable activities General admission Grants 4. Fundraising and trading expenses Shop purchases |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 868 4,006 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 868 4,006 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 1,026 3,067 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,874 | - | 4,874 | 4,093 | |
| Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 18,236 - |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - 1,000 |
Total Funds 2025 £ 18,236 1,000 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 20,190 - |
|
| 18,236 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 20,190 | |
| Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 1,412 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 1,412 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 3,795 |
|
| 1,412 | - | 1,412 | 3,795 |
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 5. Charitable activities General costs Rent rates Staff costs Museum purchases Museum costs Main project expenditure Support Costs Printing, postage and stationery Telephone Marketing IT and software costs Insurance Subscriptions Independent examiners fee Bank & service charges Previous year adjustment Miscellaneous costs |
Unrestricted Funds 2025 £ 3,701 25,784 171 3,293 43 1,028 2,157 971 950 489 224 1,912 - 523 |
Restricted Funds 2025 £ - - - - - - - - - 84 - - - - |
Total Funds 2025 £ 3,701 25,784 171 3,293 43 1,028 2,157 971 950 573 224 1,912 - 523 |
Total Funds 2024 £ 3,082 30,183 448 3,673 551 1,018 930 1,928 815 292 224 1,668 (2,359) 340 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41,247 | 84 | 41,331 | 42,793 |
6. Governance costs
Governance costs includes payments to the independent examiner of £224 for examination fees
7. Trustees
None of the trustees received any remuneration during the year. Out of pocket expenditure was paid 2025 £4,674 (2024: £2,964).
8.
9.
| Staff costs Gross wages Employer NI Employer Pension KEY MANAGEMENT Cash at bank and in hand Unity bank current Sum up Account Suffolk Building Society Unity bank 1 year bond Hampshire Savings Cash in hand |
2025 £ 25,341 - 443 |
2024 £ 29,740 - 443 |
|---|---|---|
| 25,784 | 30,183 | |
| 2025 £ 8,343 1,312 12,844 21,731 10,000 293 |
2024 £ 17,174 - 17,939 20,706 - 298 |
|
| 54,524 | 56,117 |
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ALDEBURGH MUSEUM CHARITABLE TRUST
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025
| 10. Debtors: amounts falling due within one year Prepayments Debtors 11. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Income received in advance Accruals |
2025 £ - 4,226 |
2024 £ - - |
|---|---|---|
| 4,226 | - | |
| 2025 £ 2,445 890 224 |
2024 £ 4,690 - 224 |
|
| 3,559 | 4,914 |
12. Lease commitment
The charity entered into a long term lease with Aldeburgh Town Council in repsect of the Museum premises at Moot Hall Aldeburgh. The lease term is 30 years commencing 1 April 2018. Commitments under the lease are:
| Due within 1 year Due after 1 year within 5 years Due after 5 years 13. Fund analysis Unrestricted funds Restricted funds East Suffolk Council Total funds |
Balance at 1 January £ 57,364 |
Income £ 41,811 |
2025 £ 3,000 |
2024 £ 3,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12,000 | 12,000 | |||
| 57,750 | 57,750 | |||
| Expenditure £ (42,658) |
Balance at 31 December £ 56,517 |
|||
| 57,364 | 41,811 | (42,658) | 56,517 | |
| - | 1,000 | (84) | 916 | |
| - | 1,000 | (84) | 916 | |
| 57,364 | 42,811 | (42,742) | 57,433 |
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