Transport Museum Wythall
Trustees Annual Report for 2020
Like most organisations, the year was dominated by dealing with the implications of Coronavirus. Fortunately the Museum was able to reopen for the second half of the season, albeit with several mitigation factors in place. In the event, the Museum was able to welcome just under 4000 visitors, compared with the annual figure of about 10,000 we would normally expect. Completely absent were school visits.
Despite the COVID restrictions the Museum was able to provide free bus rides for our visitors whenever it was open. A limited cafe service was also possible utilising a specially provided marquee in order to comply with Social Distancing regulations. Thanks are due to all the volunteer ‘staff’ for coping with all of this.
Fortunately the Museum’s finances are robust enough to cope with the implications of COVID and the reduced visitor numbers in the short term. We were, nevertheless, very relieved to receive financial backing in the form of two substantial grants. These greatly assisted in preparing the site to reopen, with COVID safety measures in place, on August 8[th] .
The Museum is a licensed bus operator which, in normal times, brings in additional revenue through charging for rides out from the Museum and a limited amount of private hire work. Again because of COVID restrictions this income stream largely dried up although some buses were de-licensed to save costs.
The Museum has an extensive programme for the maintenance of its roadworthy vehicles and restoration of others which have not yet reached roadworthy status. This programme continued as much as allowed under the COVID regulations with some of the more vulnerable volunteers choosing to self isolate. Whilst this inevitably led to some projects being delayed, other areas progressed well without the distraction of the museum being open!
As well as buses, the Museum has an extensive display of Battery Electric Vehicles. Due to COVID no further restoration work was possible in 2020. However, the importance of the collection was recognised when the British Motor Museum borrowed a milk float for prominent display in an exhibition early in 2020 at their Gaydon museum. Later in the year BBC2 visited the Museum to film a piece on milk floats for their ‘Inside the Factory’ series.
Still on the subject of electric propulsion of road vehicles a charging point was provided for visitors use and Travel West Midlands brought one of their brand new electric buses to an event day, giving free rides to demonstrate the future.
There were a number of vehicle changes during the year. With the winding up of the 1685 Group the three buses already on site, but owned by them, were transferred to Museum ownership. New to the Museum site and donated by a member was the Fleetline converted to single deck by West Midlands Travel. Departing from the site, recognising that they were never likely to become a priority for the Museum to restore them, the Phillips of Holywell Foden, the Midland Red Leopard coach and the Stratford Blue single deck were sold for restoration by others. Still owned by the Museum but temporarily taken off site for sponsored restoration work were the Midland Red LS18 and the Walsall single deck. Also departing were the Chesterfield single deck and the pink ex.WMPTE Fleetline, both originally acquired for spares and storage purposes only. Clearing vehicles from alongside the Scania Hall has been done as a preliminary to extending that Hall.
One disappointment is that it has not proved possible to complete the mechanical work on the off-site renovated Birmingham AEC Regent. Some financial compensation is being received from the original contractor but this does not make up for the delay to this project.
The Museum is fortunate to have the support of a large number of volunteers with a good variety of skills. Beyond looking after the vehicle exhibits there is plenty to do on the Museum site! The enforced closure to the public has allowed some work to go along unhindered where it could be done within social distancing rules. A recruitment / volunteer training day was held in February before COVID restrictions were in place. Amongst the work done by volunteers is the receiving, sorting, packaging and pricing of donated goods for sale in the Museum shop. With the limited opportunity for shop sales on-line sales have been tried with considerable success.
Work has been ongoing to develop an extension to our Scania Hall and we were pleased to obtain planning permission for this development in October with a plan to start work in 2021.
Members receive the Museum’s newsletter “Omnibus” of which there were six issues in 2020. An on-line only supplement was also produced to accompany most issues this year.
The Trustees wish to thank all volunteers and other friends for their support in 2020.
No member’s meeting was held in 2020 due to COVID restrictions. However annual accounts and trustees’ reports were circulated to members in printed form. The Trustees met on six occasions. Denis Chick was welcomed as an additional Trustee in March. The Events Committee, which deals with events and day-to-day matters, met only once, in mid March, only to see its decisions overturned within days! Much other communication was via email.
A new development was the appointment of a Museum Chaplain, Andy Green, should anyone feel the need for pastoral care.
Phil Ireland (January 2021)
Public Benefit Statement / Statistical information
1. Museum’s Objective / Mission Statement
The Trust’s objective is “To collect, restore and preserve buses, coaches and battery electric road vehicles of Midlands operators and builders, and demonstrate road public transport across the twentieth century by exhibiting and operating them for the public. Additionally to create comprehensive archives of builders and operators, e.g. photographs, cine and video, book library, manufacturers’ technical catalogues and manuals, engineering drawings, publicity and point of sale material, ticket machines, timetables, destination blinds, uniforms, bus stops and other roadside furniture. To make available information to others wishing to further their knowledge, by specific project or otherwise.”
Implementation
The objective is implemented through the Transport Museum Wythall.
In normal (i.e. not affected by coronavirus) years public access to the collection is available on approximately 70 days annually, with at least 10 of these being “special event” days. Additionally, information is made available in response to public enquiries whether verbally, by post, or by electronically mailed requests.
2. Museum activity
| Visitor numbers in 2020 Category 2020* Event Day 2380 Non-event day 1445 School - pupils 0 School - adults 0 Other Groups 0 _____ Total 3825 |
2019 4468 4393 1120 228 201 _____ 10410 |
2018 3728 4839 1167 315 124 ____ 10173 |
2017 4493 3915 1031 165 365 ____ 9969 |
2016 4836 2934 958 164 302 ____ 9194 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
- 2020 numbers reduced due to Coronavirus restrictions
3. Museum Audience
Market research has indicated the Museum draws its audience from a wide geographical area, generations and interests. The proximity of the Caravan Club of Great Britain site encourages tourists but the Museum also appeals to local residents. Transport enthusiasts come from all parts of the country and, occasionally, abroad. The Museum appeals to all ages, ranging from the elderly who revel in the nostalgia down to youngsters who particularly like the bus and miniature railway rides and who are our potential future volunteers.
4. Admission Times & Pricing
The Museum was able to reopen with COVID-19 precautions in place from 8[th] August. Dates open for the curtailed 2020 season were:-
Saturdays from 8th August to 31st October, 11:00 – 16:30 Wednesdays 12th, 19th, 26th August and 28th October, 11:00 – 16:30 and Special Event Days August 30th and 31st, October 4th and 25[th] , 10:30 – 17:00
Prices in 2020 were:
Adult Child Non-event days: £5.00 £2.50 Special event days £7.00 £3.50 Carers accompanying the disabled: free
Discount is available in the form of a Family Ticket (2 adults + 2 children).
5. Private or Trustee Benefit
A high proportion of the Museum’s vehicles and all its artefacts are owned by the Trust itself. A limited number of buses are owned by individuals and pay a rent which helps to support the Museum’s activities. All buses at the Museum under this arrangement fall within the Museum’s collecting policy and, in addition to the rent payable, owners are required to contribute time and expertise to the running of the Museum.
6. Staff
All Trustees are volunteers and no payment is made for their service as Trustees. All ‘staff’ involved with day to day operation of the Trust and Museum are volunteers. Occasional work requiring specialist skills and/or knowledge is contracted out and, on occasion, Trustees or Trust members have received payment for their services
7. Contracts or Grants from Central or Local Government
- £10,000 Small Firms Business Support Grant funded by HM Gov, administered by Bromsgrove DC. £17,400 Heritage Emergency Fund Grant funded by the Heritage Fund from the National Lottery.
No income was received from contracts from central or local government to deliver services
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No (if any)
Transport Museum Wythall 1167872
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 01-Jan-20 31-Dec-20
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
£
A1 Receipts
Donations, legacies and grants 62,092 16,000 - 78,092 28,610
Museum Income 39,674 - - 39,674 97,258
Bus related income 4,300 - - 4,300 23,217
Other Income 21,915 - - 21,915 21,158
Interest and dividends 74 - - 74 121
- - - - -
- - - - -
- - - - -
Sub total (Gross income for
128,055 16,000 - 144,055 170,364
AR)
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 128,055 16,000 - 144,055 170,364
A3 Payments
Goods for resale 4,317 - - 4,317 13,261
Vehicle costs 55,017 - - 55,017 60,423
Rent, rates and Insurance 15,367 - - 15,367 17,467
Light and heat 4,225 - - 4,225 6,002
Telephone postage and stationery 1,112 - - 1,112 1,901
Advertising & publicity 1,707 - - 1,707 4,597
Repairs and maintenance 15,621 - - 15,621 16,657
Legal and professional fees 3,551 - - 3,551 320
Sundry Costs 21,337 - - 21,337 3,736
Bank charges and interest 386 - - 386 1,090
Grant amortisation - - - -
Depreciation - - - -
- - - -
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ 122,642 ] - - 122,642 125,454
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 122,642 - - 122,642 125,454
Net of receipts/(payments) 5,413 16,000 - 21,413 44,910
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 109,809 70,383 - 180,192 180,192
Cash funds this year end 115,222 86,383 - 201,605 225,102
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
14/09/2021
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Parts & Stock Battery Electrics Funds for specific vehicles Funds donated for buildings Grant income received AEC Regent restoration Cash at bank & in hand Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details Details Freehold land & buildings Buses - museum stock |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 115,222 86,383 - - - - 115,222 86,383 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - Unrestricited 956,929 Unrestricited - Unrestricited - Unrestricited - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) Restricted 6,383 Restricted 48,000 Unrestricted 703,077 Restricted 20,000 - Print Name |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - 55,000 475,150 50,000 15,000 - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
14/09/2021
2
| Donations, legacies and grants Legacy received Donations & Gift Aid Grant Total Museum Income Museum admissions Catering sales Miscellaneous income Total Bus related income Private vehicle hire Bus services Sale of vehicles / parts Total Other Income Subsriptions Rental Income Misc Total Interest & Dividends Bank interest rec'd Treasury reserve Total Grand Total |
2020 2019 2018 2017 7,080 191 154,004 43,612 28,610 49,373 61,122 27,400 2,000 18,000 78,092 28,610 51,564 233,126 12,081 44,072 37,813 40,139 3,892 19,134 16,582 12,978 23,701 34,052 25,174 27,536 39,674 97,258 79,569 80,653 1,100 11,348 14,040 10,463 0 11,869 12,133 12,820 3,200 1,250 11,000 4,300 23,217 27,423 34,283 6,268 5,870 6,277 6,512 11,644 10,388 11,075 13,108 4,003 4,900 4,527 3,876 21,915 21,158 21,879 23,496 74 121 53 29 74 121 53 29 144,055 170,364 180,488 371,587 |
|---|---|
| Goods for resale Goods for resale Catering costs Archive Costs Total Vehicle costs Fuel Licenses & insurances Stock, parts & repairs Regent restoration Vehicles, purchase & movement Total Rent, rates and Insurance Insurance Rent and rates Total Sundry Costs Subcriptions Museum displays & storage Magazine costs Open day costs Exceptional costs Rounding Total |
2020 2019 2018 2017 3,001 6,952 2,659 2,598 1,243 6,211 5,176 5,151 73 98 416 294 4,317 13,261 8,251 8,043 1,448 6,962 6,299 6,189 627 1,507 1,520 1,858 39,012 30,927 30,429 29,954 13,930 21,027 79,919 156,439 0 0 4,150 15,690 55,017 60,423 122,317 210,130 14,607 15,378 14,678 13,624 760 2,089 (29,051) 15,272 15,367 17,467 (14,373) 28,896 684 945 696 487 353 104 (255) 2,400 2,819 2,687 2,190 2,518 33 0 26 0 17,448 0 25 (1) 21,337 3,736 2,657 5,429 |
|---|---|
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of Transport Museum Wyth811 On accounts for the year ended 30 Dec 2020 Charity no (if any) 1167872 Sat out on pages 1and2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("Ihe Trust") for the year ended Rosponsibilities and basis 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 ("the Ad"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts Carried out under section 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 14515)Ibl of the Act. Independent IThe charity's gross income exeded £250,000 and l am qualified to examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of linsert name of applicable listed bodyll. Delete [ ] if not appliGable. I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have ome to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below ") 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 aGGounls did nol Comply with the appliGable requirements concerning the form and content of 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 no concems and 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 ofthe accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets ir they do not apply. Signed: Date: 17 Aug 2021 Name: Helen Seaborne Relevant professional qualificationls) or body ACA IER Oct 2018
lif any): Address: Ardraey, Manse Brae, Rothes, AB38 7AF Section B Disclosure Only complete If the examiner needs to highlighl material matters of Gonrn (see CC32. Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018