THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 31 DECEMBER 2024 Registered Charity No.1167717
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIErY CONTENTS Page Legal and administrative infOnTll0n, trustees and advisers Trustees, report Independent examinerfs report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to the financial statements 10-12
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIErY Legal and administrative Infomiation Charlty Number 1167717 Trustees who seNed during the year and up to th8 date of this report were as follows.. Roderick Newton Chainnan (unhl 19 February 2025) David Oelman Chaim7an (fiDm 19 February 2025) Nigel Weaver Chaimian Gordon Cummings Secretary Martin Gruselle Treasurer Candida Clark Invigilator Organiser Jason Cowley (appointed 24 January 2024) Jennifer Cummings Simon Gough CollectnS Manager (appointed 24 January 2024) Frances Haine Education & Outreach Offter Maureen Johnston Retail Manager Emily May (appointed 24 January 2024) Philip Neale Puts1 Relations Manager John Ready Pmperty Manager Jules Teal Publicity Manager (apwnted 6 June 2024) Nicola Tyler Annual Sale Organiser Iris Weaver Correspondence address 19a Castle Street Saffton Walden CB10 1BD Independent Examiner Emma Williams ACA 5 Overledges Road Saffron Walden CB113NB Sollcitors Tees 68 High Street Saffron Walden CB10 1AD Bankers Barclays Bank PIC 9111 St Andrews Street Cambridge CB2 3AX CCLA Investment Managers Ltd One Angel Lane London EC4R 3AB
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIErY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Trustees have pleasure in psenting their Teport of The Fry Art Gallery Society (°the St) for the year erKled 31 December 2024. Structure. Governance and Managoment The Society (forned in 1985) was inrtially registered as a Charitable Trust in 1987. Its status was changed to that of a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 20 June 2016. The Fry Art Gallery premises at 19a Castle Stree( Saffron Walden, Essex {'Ihe gallerf) - purchased from the Fry family in December 2015 - houses works of art by artists who, during the 20th and 2181 centuries have lived and worked in north-west Essex and have made a significant contribution to their field ('the collection.). these works a held by the North West Essex Collection Trust ("the Collection Twsf,) with whose trustees the Society works dosely on their behalf in day to day management of the collection. The Trustees {whi)se names are set out above) are responsible for managing the affairs of the Society. Membership of the Society is either by annual subscription per household or individual life membership and is open to anyone over the age of 18: at 31 December 2024 there We 1.095 ordinary members. and 316 life members. The Trustees meet regularly to review upcoming and new activities to tske place in the galkry, new acquisitions, the financial and investment perforrnan, and any likely risks and associated matters. Six Trustees are presenUy required to fonn a quorum. New Trustees are appointed either by the members or by the existing Trustees, with a view to ensuring the Trustees have. as a whole, a balance of skills necessary to promote and carry out the objectives of the Society. New Trustees are inducted and trained by existing Trustees, following Charity Commission guidance and the Societys policies and procedures. Objectives and actlvities The objects of the Society a the advanrnent of the education of the public in the arts by: (i) the promotion of educational and cultural activities in the gallery and elsewhere including but not limited to exhibitions of oil paintings, watercolours, prints, sculpture, wallpapers. weaving, illustratsd books, ceramics and other works of art owned by the Collection Trust or loaned to the Society. and the ownership preservation maintenance and use of the gallery for the purpose of displaying the collection and other relevantworks of art and providing facilities for educational and cultural activrties. The Trustees keep in mind the Charity Commission's guidan on public benefit when reviewing the Society's aims and objectives. The activities undertaken by the Socth to cary out its charitable purposes for the public benefft are ouuined below. The Soa'ety currently opens the gallery to the public (free of charge) each afternoon (except Mondays) and on Saturday rnomings - from the first Sunday in April until the last Sunday in October. The Trustees are most grateful for the support of the many volunteers who help welcome visitors to the gallery; the Society has no paid employees. Our marketing and communications were very successful with new articles added regularfy throughout the year to Instsgram (where we now have 4,300 followers), X and Facebook, bringing us significant publicity and visitors. A new themed sekction of items from the collection is hung in the main exhibition space annually. The smaller space {"the Gibson Room") displays two shorter special exhibitions of worf(s by a'sts relevant to the collects'on with items borro from other galleries, museums and private collectors supplementing those in the collectk)n where appropriate. A variety of books, postcards, greetings cards and other items relevant to the collection and to the current special exhibrtions are available to purchase in the gallery and via our online shop.
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIErY REPORT OF ThE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (conUnued) Objectivas and actlvltles (conlinued) The Society arranges an annual series of lectures on appropriate topics. The Education and Outreach Officer arranges visits for local schools and other groups who wish to visit the gallery and - with the assistance of other Trustees - gives explanatory talks about the current exhibitions, and the history of the gallery. The Trustees visit organisations. both locally and nationally to give talks about the gallery and the collection. The Society arranges a fund-raising sale annualty - consisting of NM)rks by invited artists who are not neCe&nIY represented in the colkction. The 2024 sale was held during the weekend of 16th & 17lh November. It attracted 475 visitors and generated a surplus of £26,202. Achlovftments and Perfommnce The gallery was open from 7th April until 27th October 2024 and welcomed a total of 10,562 visitors, compared with 10,358 in 2023. The following exhibitions were mounted:. "Bardfield and Beyond: a Worklng Landscape" Olive Cook described Great BardrId in the 1940s as 'paradisial°, with winding lanes, 11 cut hedges and the land "shaped by men who still felt a real sense of responsibilty to if. with a village who accepted the infiux of strangers who came to live among them. Ravtlious and Bawden saw the same Lgndscape - their intention was to be stimulated while perfecling their watercolour abilities - and they viewed the landscape accordingly. Aldridge theiished the same rolling countyside. Rothenstein had a neo-romantic interlude there. Chapman came in 1948 attracted by the village, until moving to Wales in 1953. Sheila Robinson, Walter Hoyle and Bemard Cheese saw the landscape through the eyes of their tutor, Bawden, but they all developed their interest in various ways. A number of items not seen before, including a rare 3D piece by Anne Rothenstein. and a watercolour and drawing by Ravilious, featured in the exhibition which was sponsored by Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers and cwirated by Kate Brown and Colin Wilkin. "wo{ng Women: The Art of Shella Robinson and Chloe Cheese" (Gibson Room. 7th April - 30th June 2024) Sheila Robinson studied at Nottingham Art School before entering the Royal clege of Art where Edward Bawden Wds her tutor and became a lifelong friend. She rnarr Bemard Cheese, a fellow student, but they We soon divorced., consequenty she had to work to eam a living for herself and her two small children. Already successful as an illustrator, once living in Great Bardfield in 1957 among the group of artists already established there, she tegan to make prints and - following her move to Saffron Wakjen in 1968- created a sophisticate(I cardboard cut technique. Her daughter Chloe Cheese attended Cambridge Art School and the Royal Academy of Art Chk)e has always made prints, lithographs and etchings as seen in this exhibition. "Charles Mahoney: The Pleasures of Llfe" (Gibson Room. 7th July- 27th October 2024) Charles Mahoney, was a dose friend of Bawden and Ravilious. They all met at the Royal College of Art (RCA) in the late 1920s. and togetherwith Ballen and Ravilious completed the Morley College murals. Mahoney's friendship conts'nued with Bawden and other Bardfield artists, induding John Aldridge throughout his life. Mahoney and Bawden We both keen gardeners and plantsmen, and Charles often stayed at Brick House in the 1930s, where he helped establish the garden. Although Mahoney eventually settled in Wrotham, Kent, he remained a regular visitor to Bardfield, and kept in close touch with Bawden and Aldridge. As well as the Morley College murals. Charles himseff completed other significant mural projects, in Oxford University and a South London school. It was obvious that Charfes Mahoney has been largely forgotten as an artist. This exhibits'on brought his work bad( to life as part of a reassessment process, of his murals. tx)tanical studies and landscapes. in Ix)th Essex and Kent. Events The programme of events held during the year included tslks by Sam Mullins fEstablishing the London Transport Museum?, and Tim Knox fRoyal Patmns 8nd Cc418d0 in the 2 Century") held in The Quaker Meeting House and a successful Drawing workshop run by Chloe Cheese held in Fairycroft H¢)use- which, unlike the Gallery - has onsite parkn'ng.
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIErY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Icontlnued Addltions to the Collectlon In 2024 the Fry Gallery acquired a typically diverse and interesting set of objects to enhance and enrich the North West Essex Collecb'on. They ranged from pictures, books and ceramics to printing blocks, textiles, photos and ephemera. The greater part of them were donated. We are very grateful to all of those who have expressed their goodwill towards the gallery by donating objects. The late Dennis Andrews bequeathed to the Fry three drawings by Michael Ayrton, a piece of Edward Bawden 'Wave' wallpaper, and a Ravilious engraving. The Bawden family kindly offered us over 100 of Edvrfard Bawden's lino printing b1(kS - to be shared with the Higgins in Bedford. Fred Carver gave the gallery a box of books and a set of metal prints'ng blocks of decorative devices by Edward Bawden for the Oxford University Press. Chloè Cheese presented an invrtation to the 1958 Great Bardfield 'open house, exhibition. Gerard Hastings donated a box of treasures relating to Keith Vaughan's time at his house near Toppesfield. Sain Langlands gave a small collection of handmade Chrtstrnas cards by Olive Cook. Julian Rothenstein presented two collage mural designs made by his father Michael Rothenstein. Catherine Slack, niece of the potter Alan Spencer Green. gave the gallery over 20 of his pots, plus a quantity of archive material. A Fortnum & Mason Three Excellent Eggs, Easter Egg Box was donated by Iris Weaver. Colin Wilkin donated a piece of Kenneth Rowntree 'Marl' fabric, by Edinburgh Weavers. Various people have given b(x)ks to the gallery. including". 'Great Bardfield Illustrdted. by Robjn Cantus, presented by the author. "The Wood Engravings of Eric Ravilious" _ grft of John Carrod. °How the Alphabet was Made., illustrated by Chloè Cheese- gift of Inger O'meara" five books with designs by Eric Ravilious. as well as five volumes from the London Transport 'County Walks. series, featuring Ravilious woodcuts - gift of Keith White; "Life in an English Willage., by Noel Carrington & Edward Bawden, - gift of Abby Wollston. Purchases thi8 year include: Lucie Ak1ridge's 'garden' rag rug, made in the 1950s, an eye-popping feast for the eyes. We also bought at auction a splendid Grayson Perry earthenware plate from 1984. Incised around its perimeter are the words 'Wrought on the 20th January 1984 for the serving of an aphrodisiac before the consummation of a godless orgy.. Dan Arbeid's son Adam kindly offered for sale a rge and impressive 'lonic' ceramic column, which our observant visrtors will have spotted above the cases in the Bawden Room. We bought three pictures to add to the colle(Xion at our annual sale in November. An Edward Bawden linocut from 1971 of Dartington Hall, a walercolour design for a mythical creature by Edward Bawden, and 'Love Machine, a colourful abstract relief print from Mich1 Rothenstein. Other Items bought this year are: An Eric Ravilious 'Travel' platter by Wedgwwd depicting a steam train., a 'ptn pot, by Dan Arbeid" a jug by Dan Arbeid: and a 1949 lithograph Winter Landscape. by Keth Vaughan. Appeal to lund tho Bardfield Sculpture The Appeal to members, friends and Charitable TTusts launched in August 2023 towards the anticipated £57,000 cost of producing 'The Bardfiekl Sculptu. designed by local Sculptor lan Wolter - depicting several of the founding Bardfie artists in conversation - has raised some £36,750. The Trustees have allocated £20,000 of the surplus from the 2024 Annual Sale toardS the costs. The Sculpture was installed in front of the Gallery in April 2025. Publlc Bonofft All the actNities of the Society are provided solely for the benefit of the public free of charge. The Trustees are conscious of the importance of providing Pjbr benefit The responses in the vltOrS Book & wltOr Surveys indicate that this contr'nues to be achieved. Flnanclal Revlew The investment portfolio of the charity is held in cash with major banks, as the Society requires ready access to ts funds. With interest rates recovering further in the current year the statement of financial activities shows investrnent income of £7.391 against £5,323 for the previous year. As the gallery is open free of charge to visitors. the SocEty is reliant on generating income from membership fees, the sale of books and other items relevant to the artists in the collection (either in the gallery or through our online shop), the surplus from the Annual Sale, donations and sponsorship of exhibitions.
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIErY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (contlnued Financial Rovlew (¢ontlnued) Excluding grants related to acquisitions and cx)nservakn of the CollectK)n of £800, £3,000 Exhibition sponsorship and £10.500 grants tovrdrds the cost of the Lighting installation, total general income amounted to £107,237 (2023 - £105,310) the increase being a(OUnted for malnly by the increase in Gallery sales. Income re the Sculpture Fund (treated as restricted funds) arnounted to £30,113 consisting of a Grant of £25,000 from the Tanner Trust and other indivKlual donalions of £5,113. During the year the Trustees agreed that £20.OIX) should be transferred from the unrestricted reserves to the Sculpture Fund. The costs incurred during the year charged to unr8StricW fvnds amounted to £103,724 {2023 - £140,996): most of the reduction relab'ng to lower expendrture on new acqui8•tsons. Expenditure out of the restricted Sculpture Fund was a deposit paid of £30,000. The total net assets of the Society at 31 December 2024 amounted to £404,694 - consisting of the £200,000 initial cost of the freelK)Id of the gallery, the Sculpture fund £26,586. unrestrthd funds held for new purchases £40,358 and general reserves of £137,750. Reserves Policy It is the policy of the Soaety to maintain unrestricted, undesignated funds, which are free reseNes. at level which equates approximatety to one yearfs nomal general expenditure (exduding additions to the Collection). The general reserve fund is at a level which meets this policy. Rlsk Assessment The Tfustees have wepared and agreed fomial risk assessments as required to maintsin the status of an Accredited Museum wth Arts Council England (ACE), which are reviewed and updated as and en necessary. Museum aceThlitation with ACE was renewed in 2017; tt is expected that they will require it to be renewed in 2025. The Trustees are SiSfd that all major risks have been identified and assessed and that satisfactory ntrols are in place to mtyate those risks. Publlclty The Trustees maintain a website giving details of the Sooety and its current activthes . through which customers can make purchases fr( our online shop of most of the items on sale in the gallery. This is reviewed and upmlated on a regular basis to inform and encourage enquiries from )tentIal visitors and researchers. There are regular posts on Facetk. Instagram and X about our activittes and events. There is a constant flcm of emails, telephone messw and letters to be answered. Statsmgnt of Trustees, Respon8ibllftles Charity law requires the TTUStees to prepare financial statements and a statenxnt of assets and liabilities for each financial year. thIch give a true and fair view of the stste of affairs of the charity, and of its financial activities for that pericxl. together with its assets and liabilities at the end of the period, and adequately distinguish any restricted fund of the tharity. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to."- se*t suitable accounting policies and appty them consistenty; make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and Pnnt state whether the policies adopted are in accordance with the appropriats SORP on Accounting by Charities and the Accounting Regulations and with applicable accounting standards, subject to any material departure disdosed and explained in financial statements; and prepare financial statements on the going concem basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the charity will continue in t)usiness. b)
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIErY REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 (conllnued) stat•ment of Trustees. Responsibllitlm Iconllnu8d The TNstees are responsibk for keeping proper xcounting records which are sufftient to show, with reasonable accuracy at any time, the financial positson of ts charity, and enable them to ensure that the financial ststements compty with applicable Accounting Stsndards and Ststements of Recommended Practi and the regulatK)ns made under Section 132 of the Charities Act 2011. They are also responsible fof safeguarding the assets of ts charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud or other irregularities. In so far as the Trustees are aware". There isnorelevant information ofwhich the charitys Independent Examiner is not aware, and The Trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make lh aware of any relevant information and to estsblish that she is aware of that inf0m1at. The report and financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 14 March 2025 D. Oelman Trustee Chaimian
Report of the Independent Examirw R8port to th• Truste•s of Th• Fry Art Gallery Soclety. charlty number 116T117. on the Accounts for the year ended 3111212024 set out on pag•s 8 to 12 I report to the trustees on nry examination of the accounts of The Fry Art Gallery Society {"the FV,) for the year ended 3111212024. Responslbllltles and baskn of report As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acf). l port in respect of my examination of the Fry's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have foll(Y•ved all the applicatk DireCtMS gNen try the Charity Comriwion under section 145(S)(b) of the Act. Independent examlnerfs statement I have completed nry examination. I confirni that material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect: the accounting records were rK)t kept in accordance wilh section 130 of the Charities Act; the accounts did not acc1 with the accounting records; the accounls did not compty wilh the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Chanties (knourrts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is nol a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with theexamination to which attention should be drawn in Ihis report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed Emma Wlliarrts ACA 20 February 2025
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIETY Reglstered Charity No. 1167717 Statement of financial activities for the year ending 31 December 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Note Income from: Grants, Donations and Membership fees, Donations re Gallery Expansion Charitable Activities Other trading acts'vities Investment income Total incoming resources 34.719 30,113 64,831 62, 356 t,013 52,317 25,273 5,323 146,283 54,744 32,074 7,973 129,510 54,744 32,074 7,973 159,623 30,113 Expenditure on: Raising funds Additions to Permanent Collection donated to North West Essex Charitable Trust Charitable expenditure Total charitable expenditure 17,707 17,707 21,600 17,408 68.610 103,724 17,408 98,610 133,724 47,241 90, 563 159,403 30,000 30,000 Net incoming resources 25,786 113 25,900 (13,121) Fund balan$ brought foMard At 1 January 2024 372,320 6.474 378,794 391,916 Transfer between funds Fund balances carried fOard at 31 December 2024 {20,000) 20,000 378,107 26,587 404,694 378, 794 All amounts relate to continuing actp4itie5
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIETY Reglstered Charity No. 1167717 Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds 2024 2023 Flxed Assets Freehold Propety 200.(XY) 200.000 2GY).000 Current assets Sltndry Debtors Cash at bank and in harKI 2.244 177,643 379,887 2.244 204.230 406,474 26,587 26,587 180.279 380,279 Currnnt Llablllllos Creditors: amounts falling due within one year Net assets 1.780 378.107 1,780 404,694 1,485 378, 794 26.587 Repranted by: Income funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted funds Total funds 378.107 378.107 26,587 404,694 378, 794 26,587 26,587 378,107 378, 794 The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 14th March 2025 D Oelman Trustee The notes following forni part of these financial st*ments
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIEfY Rag No. 1167717 Notes formlng part of tho financial statorn for th• year endod 31 DKember 2024 1 Accountlng pollcl88 a) Basis of accounting These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention in accordarKe vath Financial Reporb"ng Standard 102 and the Charities Act 2011 b) Incoming resouTrs Incoming resources comprises income receivable in pect of the accounling period from members subscriptions. sales of pictures and other art related items, events and royalties. Donations and grants are credited to the Statement of Financial Acbvitses when they are receNed, c) ReSoUS expended AFI expenditure is induded in the Statern of financial aCtsVib on an accruals basis and has been dassIfd under the relevant type of expenditure. Items purchased for resale such as books, rextiles and other items relevant to the Collection or the exhibitions held that year are all expend&J in the year of purchase. All additions to the pemianent collection have been dated to The North West Essex Collection Trust The Freehold Propety is at cost Expendilure on additsons is written off in the year of payment. d) Funds The charity maintains the folbwing fijnds: UnrestrFcted - general funds for the use by ts charity in pursuance of its charitable objectives. Designated - unrestricted funds that have been desvJnated by the trustees for a particular purpose, namely pictu purchase fund (£40,358). Restricted . Sculpture purchase fund. 10
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIETY Reg No. 1167717 Notes fomiing part of the financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024 Unrestncted funds Restricted funds Total 2024 Total 2023 2 Incoming Resources Grants, Donations and Membership fees, Membership subscriptions and donats'ons Sculpture Appeal Donations Permanent Collection Grants 20,419 20,419 30,113 350 13,500 450 64,831 20,745 6,474 24, 187 8, 000 2,950 62,356 30.113 350 Sponsorship of Exhibitions etc. General sponsorship 13,500 450 34,719 30,113 Donations re gallery Expansion Members and General public 1,013 1,013 Charitable activities Income from Gallery sales Income from Online Shop Sale of donated pictures 49,469 5,276 49,469 5,276 44, 746 6,861 711 52,317 54,744 54,744 Other trading activities Commission from selling exhibitions Events, fees and royaSties etc 26,5TT 5,497 32,074 26,577 5,497 32,074 20,231 5,043 25,273 3 Expenditure Raising Funds Membership costs Publicty & Subscriptions Display and Selling exhibition expenses Fundraising costs 5,491 1,925 9,567 724 17.707 5,491 1,925 9,567 724 17,707 5,469 6,482 6,687 2, 963 21,600 Charitable activities Additions to Permanent Collection donated to NWECT Conservation and Curatorial Gallery management Gallery Lighting upgrade Cost of Gallery sales Support Costs Website upgrade Gallery Sculpture expenditure 17,408 11.591 20.454 9,700 23,924 1.985 956 17,408 11,591 20,454 9,700 23,924 1,985 956 30,000 116,017 47,241 14,280 19.782 36.027 1,797 270 18,407 137,803 30,000 30,000 86,017
THE FRY ART GALLERY SOCIETY Reg No. 1167717 Notes forming part of the financial statements lor the year ended 31 December 2024 Trustees. Remuneratlon and Expenses No trustees received any remuneration during the year. Expenses amounting to £Nil (2023.. £31) We re-imbursed to trustees for travelling expenses. 4 Debtors 2024 2023 Debtors and payments in advance 2,244 5 Creditors 2024 2023 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 1,780 1,485 6 Statement of Funds At31 December 2024 At 1 January 2024 Income Expenditu Restricted funds Sculpture Fund Transfer from General Fund Total Restricted funds 6.474 30,113 20,000 50,113 30,000 6,587 20,000 26,587 6,474 30,000 Unrestrl¢ted funds General funds Transfer to Sculpture Fund 120,030 127,225 89,508 20,000 157,747 -20,000 Sub Totsl 120,030 200,000 52.290 127,225 109,508 137,747 200,000 40,360 Fixed Asset- Fry Art Gallery Designated Fund - New Purchases Fund 2,286 14,216 Total Unrestricted fvnds 372,320 129,511 123,724 378,107 Total funds 378,794 179,624 153,724 404,694 7 Analysis of net assets between funds assets liabilities Total Unrestricted funds Restricted Funds 379,887 26,587 4C6,474 1,780 378,107 26,587 404,694 1,780 12