## **WINCHCOMBE TOWN TRUST** Registered Charity 1173052 ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT for year ending 31[st] December 2023** ## **A Constitution** Winchcombe Town Trust was originally established by a Deed of Trust dated 28[th] March 1890. This charitable Scheme was arranged pursuant to the Municipal Corporations Act 1883, following the dissolution of the Corporation of Bailiffs and Burgesses of Winchcombe. The Trust received various properties and artefacts (including the historic maces and the rights to fairs), but little cash. The Trust has now re-formed as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (“CIO”). It was incorporated on 16[th] May 2017 with a new registered number 1173052 and merged with the previous 1890 charity (234734) in December 2021 The Trust has its main activity based at the Old Town Hall, High Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5LJ ## **B Objects** ## The objects of the CIO in its Trust Deed are: - - (1) To promote the benefit of the inhabitants of Winchcombe and the surrounding area ("the area of benefit"), by working with local voluntary and community organisations, inhabitants and other authorities in a common effort to advance education and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving conditions of life for the said inhabitants, without distinction of age, disability, nationality, race, sex, sexual orientation, political, religious or other opinions by the provision of maintaining and managing the Town Hall. - (2) The relief of poverty of persons resident in the area of benefit by making grants of money to them or providing or paying for goods, services or facilities for them or making grants of money to other persons or bodies who provide goods, services or facilities to those in need. In exceptional cases the trustees may decide to assist someone (who is otherwise qualified) who is resident outside of (or only temporarily resident in) the area of benefit. - (3) To advance education of the public in the history of Winchcombe, in particular by the provision of a museum. No.1173052 Page 1 of 5 ## **C Trustees and Museum Committee** The current Trustees as at the date of this report are: Mr. D.M.F Dufton (Chairman) Mr. P. Hazel (appointed February 2024) Mr R Wilcock (appointed Jan 2024) Mr. A Herod Mr. A. Robinson Mr. V. Royle Mr. A.B. Thomas Mr. R Wakeford We are seeking more trustees and volunteers to share the workload. Trustees are elected by resolution of the Trust and serve for an initial period of 5 years, renewable once. There is a separate dedicated Museum Committee, which focusses on maintaining and operating the Winchcombe Museum. This engages with a group of hard-working volunteers who are key to operating the Museum. The number of museum volunteers has increased over 2022. Visitor numbers have substantially increased and now stand at 6,000 in 2023. ## **D Activities in 2023** The Trustees determined in 2017 that Winchcombe Museum must be completely revamped in order to best display its collections and to provide a key focal point for presenting the Heritage and History of Winchcombe town. The revamp of the building was completed in June 2022, including removal of a defective ceiling, for which the Trust had to raise over £100,000 by way of grants and generous donations by the community of Winchcombe. The removal of the ceiling has significantly improved the overall appearance of the main room. The museum displays have been substantially improved, with new cabinets for the most important artefacts in the collection (the Winchcombe Meteorite and the historic 15 C maces). New interpretation boards greatly help in telling the story of Winchcombe for visitors. The unexpected arrival of the Winchcombe Meteorite in February 2021 (and the resultant generous gift of pieces by the Wilcock family) has given a welcome boost in terms of both publicity and visitor numbers. The Trust sought to invest in this new acquisition by devoting most of the small exhibition room to the story of the Winchcombe Meteorite. The publicity around the Meteorite attracted international attention and TV coverage. This has continued for the past 2 years since the Winchcombe Meteorite was found. The Trust has also been successful in attracting some new museum volunteers, No.1173052 Page 2 of 5 The Trust abandoned plans for its own retail activity in the Undercroft. It continued with the license for the Tourist Information Centre. However, the Winchcombe Town Council decided to permanently close the Tourist Information Centre (after nearly 38 years) effective 31 March 2024. In December, two local entrepreneurs approached the Trust with a view to running both a retail shop and an information point. Terms have since been agreed for this to be realized and the new shop and information point is scheduled to open in April 2024. The Trust has continued with a series of monthly talks about local history and the Museum collection in the winter months. The Trust provides advice and research facilities for people researching their local Winchcombe family history. The Trust has had 2 young volunteers on study/work experience and continues to support young pupils at local schools ## Measurement of activity The principal criterion being used to measure the growth of the Museum is visitor numbers and we are looking to increase the annual number of visitors from a historic level of 1,500 -2,000 to a range of 5 -10,000. Following full re-opening of the Museum in June 2022, there was an exponential increase in 2022 and a more steady rise in 2023 to an annual figure of 6,000 visitors. ## **E Finance** The Trust financial position continues to require careful management as the Trust has very limited resources of its own for financing major projects and operating the Museum. In a normal year, the Trust income and expenditure is less than £10,000 p.a., with a modest surplus in some years of around £1,000. This has meant that all major projects have involved significant fund-raising and reliance on grants and donations. The 31 December 2023 accounts show a loss of just over £10,000. However this because we had a capital expenditure of over £26,000 for new display cases and the fitting out of the Undercroft for which most of the funding had been raised in the previous year. Stripping out these figures would show a surplus of about £10,000 which can be attributed to the increased visitor numbers making entrance donations. The Trust must raise further funds and find new sources of income in order to both meet the cost of continued improvements as well as providing enough income to keep open. No.1173052 Page 3 of 5 ## **F Volunteers** The current group of volunteers is an indispensable element in the functioning of the Trust and the Museum. Volunteers are the source of Trustees and also those people who maintain the building and Museum. They also provide the necessary resource to open and close the Museum and to supervise and inform members of the public who enter the Museum. The vast majority of such volunteers are based in Winchcombe. Where more specialist skills are required, the Trust has been fortunate to find individuals who have been able to help with the major projects. In common with most voluntary organisations, the Trust has found it difficult to recruit many volunteers, especially since the time of COVID. With the advice of South West Museums Association and others, progress is now being made. This is a vital area as the age profile of the majority of current volunteers means that additional newcomers are essential over the next few years. ## **G Achievements to date** The building has now been substantially refurbished and is in good condition overall. The display and presentation of the collections has significantly improved, both as a result of the removal of the ceiling in the main room and in updating the cabinets and overall interpretation of the exhibits. The financial position of the Trust is adequate for the time being. However, some projects will require financing through grants or fund-raising. The Museum has a good body of volunteers to help with enhancing visitor experience. The Museum has a good reputation in Winchcombe and is beginning to engage more effectively both through talks and publications as well as Facebook and other social media ## **H Challenges** The extended closure of the Museum room for both planned and unexpected works and COVID caused a major hiatus in the activities of the Trust over the past 3 years. This resulted in loss of profile and engagement with the Community, as well as income and volunteers. No.1173052 Page 4 of 5 The loss of the Tourist Information Centre (after being nearly 38 years on the same site as the Museum) was a reminder that the Trust is not wholly self-sufficient and able to stand on its own feet. The Museum is on the first floor of the Old Town Hall building. Despite improved signage, there are still people in Winchcombe who are not aware of the existence of the Museum The age profile of the trustees and most of the volunteers (at or nearing pensionable age) is such that much work still remains to be done to attract younger people to volunteer. A number of societies and groups in Winchcombe have folded, due to lack of younger volunteers. ## **I Future Plans** Following the success of the Meteorite Room, the Trust is planning a revamp, to take account of more knowledge and scientific research. The pieces from the Winchcombe Meteorite have been analysed by scientists around the world (led by those from the Natural History Museum) The Trust is planning to establish a “Friends of Winchcombe Museum” as the basis for continued engagement and also a means of securing regular income. The Trust is planning for the recruitment of more volunteers and trustees, in order to take the Museum forward for the future. Following on from the “Rebuilding the Foundations“ programme facilitated by the South West Museums Association, the Trust is now embarking on - A volunteer recruitment drive - An initiative with local shops and businesses, to portray life in the past, with an exhibition at the Museum - A major exercise to involve the Community and local businesses, in order to fulfill the vision of the museum being the Heritage Centre and Portal for all of Winchcombe’s history and heritage Michael Dufton Michael Dufton Chairman 6[th] March 2024 No.1173052 Page 5 of 5 Receipts & Payments **Winchcombe Town Trust** Page 1 of 3 ## **Total Receipts & Payments Account for the year ended 31 December 2023** |Period
**Receipts**
_Shop Receipts_
Zettle Card Sales
Zettle Cash Sales
Third Party Sales
TIC Rents
TIC Sales (Net)
_Less Shop Costs_
Stock Purchases
Artist Payments
**_Net Shop Sales_**
_Museum Donations_
Cash Entrance Donations
Zettle Donations
Other Donations
Just Giving
Less Just Giving Costs
Gift Aid
SumUp Card Receipts
Less SumUp Costs
**_Net Museum Takings_**
_Mop Fair_
Mop Rentals
Less Mop Costs
**_Mop Fair Income_**
_Museum Talks_
Talk Income
Less Talk Expenses
**_Talks Net_**
_Other Income_
Covid Grants
Cabinet Donations
Amazon Smile
Mercia Rents
COIF Dividends
**Total Receipts**
**Payments**
Bank Charges
Refurbishment Expenses
Building Maintenance
Conservation
Town Clock
Electricity
Fire Extinguishers
Insurance
Gratuity
Legal Expenses
Confidential|Previousyear
2022
3,929
3,100
1,243
669
244
1,156
3,300
3,600
1,567
3,161
(2,884)
(3,984)
(1,909)
**6,299**
**6,894**
1,503
4,147
62
170
49
1,728
197
86
(126)
(216)
178
0
1,004
4,717
(90)
(180)
**2,776**
**10,452**
1,040
1,060
(279)
(130)
**761**
**930**
314
1,147
(24)
(165)
**290**
**982**
3,971
0
3,350
6,160
31
48
1,200
1,200
50
50
**7,458**
**18,728**
**26,715**
(307)
(302)
(25,939)
(1,731)
(1,508)
(65)
(1,052)
0
(2,026)
(3,048)
(88)
(96)
(2,095)
(3,427)
(39)
0
2023
Year to Date
Charity No:1173052
22/02/2024| |---|---| |Receipts & Payments
Museum Displays
Museum Purchases
Publicity
Security
Staff Costs
Subscriptions
Sumup Purchase
Sundry
Telephone/WI FI
Training
Water
Web Site
Ceiling Project
**Total Payments**
**Net receipts / (Payments)**
COIF Revaluation Gain/Loss
Museum Balance B/F
WTT Balances B/F
**Balance carried forward**
Made up of:
Treasurers Account
WTT Town Hall Appeal
Museum Cash
Museum Account
Strategic Reserve:
Treasurers Account
COIF
_Checks - this should equal zero_|(1,009)
(40)
(653)
(1,052)
(360)
(732)
(47)
(269)
(86)
(24,489)|Page 2 of 3
0
0
0
(433)
(115)
0
0
0
(696)
0
(269)
0
**(36,923)**
**(10,209)**
158
10,968
83,405
**84,322**
16,271
2,645
20
20,562
43,000
1,825
**84,322**
_0_| |---|---|---| ||**(35,050)**
**(16,321)**
(221)
18,989
91,926
**94,373**
36,093
2,645
10,968
43,000
1,667
**94,373**
_-_|| ## **Approval of the accounts** The financial statements were approved at a meeting of the Trustees and signed on its behalf by: Signed: …………………………………… Name ……………………………………… (Trustee) Date: ……………………………………… Confidential Charity No:1173052 22/02/2024 Receipts & Payments **Notes to the Accounts** Page 3 of 3 |**Cabinet Donations**|||| |---|---|---|---| |**Received**|||| |Evans Adlard|£|250
|| |WTC|£|3,000
|| |M Dufton|£|100
|| |Hollingsworth & Vose|£|2,260
|| |Winchcombe Rotary|£|3,900
|| |**Total**|**£**|**9,510**
|| |**Possible Expenditure**|**Estimated**|**Costs**|**Paid**| |Town Clock Maintenance||7,000.00|| |New Web Site||4,000.00|| |Planning Permission Fireball Camera||500.00|| |Chairs||1,000.00|| |Lights on stairs||3,000.00|| |Revision Meteorite Display||1,000.00|| |**Total**||**16,500.00**|| Confidential Charity No:1173052 22/02/2024 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Soctlon A Independent Examiner's Report Roport to the trusteesl members of IhlcHc?nGc -fo￿£ i On accounts for the year ended Charity no (If any 31 ?rcfn6iQ 2013 1173o£L Set out on pag•s I reFrfJrt to th8 trusteés cffl my examination of th8 accounts of th8 above charity Ilhe Trnst") for th8 year end R¢spon8lblllll•8 and As the charity Iruste8s of the Tntst, you are r8sponsibl8 for the preparation ba81s of report of the a(£ounts in 8￿Ndance wth the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 {Ihe Acr). I report in respeci of my 8￿3mlnatIOn of the Trust's accounts carriad out under seCt￿n 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination. I have followed th8 applicable Directions gtven by the Charity Commission under sedion 145(SXb> of the Act. I have comploted my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention { ') in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accountiNJ roccyds were not kept In accordance with section 130 of the Act ¢x the accounts do not ac(xxd V•ryth the accounts'ng records Independont examlnerfs statement I have concems and have corne aryoss no other matters in connection wlth the examination to which attenlion should be dravm in order to enable a proper understanding of thè accounts to be re8ch8d. ' Please delete the words in the brackets rf they do not 8ppIy. Slgn•d: Namo: Kl k ftSToN WQR T Relevant professional qualiflcatlon{s) or body Ilf any): Address: frQtkf Rofv Ibjc￿C0n(￿L Ck i-Lftrf4Hfv IER October 2018 Section B Disclosure Only complele rf Ihe examiner needs lo h￿3hlIght matters ol con￿rn Isee CC32, Independent examinatson of charity accounts." directions and guidance for examiners). Glv• h•re brief details of I any items that the examiner wishes to dlselose IER October 2018 Rec•pts I Winchcombe Town Trust 1d3 Yew to Date 23 R•¢•lpts Zeth Canl Sale• Zettle Cash S¥l•s Third P8rty Salos TIC Rents TIC Salos (Not) Lw Slw Costs Stock Purcha• Artist Payments 3.100 244 1.567 3.161 PAuseum ClMotK￿S Cash Entrance Dwlm Zettle Donatims 1,503 4.147 170 1.728 49 197 11261 178 Just GMIVJ 12161 G4ft Aid Sufflup Cord Recwpts Less Sumup Costs N•t Alus•¢mi T•klnq• 4,717 19Qi Im 10,452 Mop Fair Mop Rentals Less Mop Co81$ (130 781 Talk Inc(me Les$ Talk Expwrf Talks Il•t 314 1241 1.147 COVMI Grant• 3,971 3.350 31 12(X) 6.180 Mercia Ront8 COIF Di¥KleThJs Totsl R•c•lpts 18.n8 28,715, Paynwts Bank Charges Rolurts3hm•nt Expen86• BuihJirKJ Mainten8nc• -(3021 25.939 .(1:508 1.0521 1.731 Electr Firn Exlingui8hw8 Insuranc• Gratuty Legal Expens•8 Museum D" 3,0481 {96) 3.427 Cjwty No.117XYJ2 27&f11fa124 2013 Museum Purchases Publ¥ity S8cunty Staff Costs subacn'￿￿￿J Surnup Purdwo Sundry Tow￿￿wI FI Training Waler Web Site Coiling Projecl Totsl Paym•nts 1401 (433 (861 124.4891 J6,923 N•t f•cdpts l (payTh￿nts) 16,321 COIF R4Mluation G•w&Qo Museum Bala￿• BIF 18.989 91.926 94,373 10.968 83,405 84,322 Mado UP Ot. 36.093 2.615 16.271 2.645 20 20.562 v(rr Ttr•vn Hall Mu•wm Cash Mu•eum ￿t￿nI Strotegic Reser¥e.' 10,988 43.¢YX) 1,825 COIF 1.867 94,373 84,322 S￿n•d.. .. (Tnffjts•) y 1kn:117YA2 27A)1r2024 3d3 wrc Hdlr48Myth a Vo•• Tatsl 7,1XKI.IXI I.(￿ IXI 1.C(*) IXI Tolal p&).117 27K)1rJkM nChcOm￿ T¢>wn Trust & ￿nChcom￿ PAuseum Balance Shoot 31 O•c•mber 2023 CURREMT ASSET8 INVESThIEI4T8 COIF 1.825 TOTAL INVESTMEMTS 1.M7 1.•25 39.271 2.645 10.948 TOTAL BANK ACC¢XIMT8 91708 10,209 82.497 TOTAL CURREMT MSETS •U73 10,051 M322 CURREMT UABIUTIES Cr•drtorn Ildlng WO￿ & Flttlw• 14•t Totsl TOTAL RE8QURCE8 94.J7J 10.051 4.322 FIXED ASSETS & Frtlryi 19.X11 24.678 .318 11.378 110,894 th¥ Fr* Rwts IMI 2023 x 2) TOTAL FIXED A88ETS 491,407 110,121 1.058,833 10% Fknl p• FL•1 p• 27h)1r2024 Ilili I, 111111111514 1315, 11?pl J13 3.1! E=Il 11 El14 1{ ¥E Illl I