## **WINCHCOMBE TOWN TRUST** Registered Charity 1173052 ## **TRUSTEES' REPORT for year ending 31[st] December 2024** ## **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. Page 1 of 4 No.1173052 ## **C Trustees and Museum Committee** The Trustees as at the date of this report are: Mr. D.M.F Dufton Mr. P. Hazel Chairman (appointed February 2024) Mr. A Herod Mr. A. Robinson Mr. V. Royle Mr. A.B. Thomas Mr. R Wakeford Mr R Wilcock (appointed Jan 2024) The Trust continues to seek more trustees and volunteers to join the team. 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 the daily operation of the Winchcombe Museum, engaging with a dedicated group of hard-working volunteers without whom the Museum would not be able to operate. ## **D Activities in 2024** 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. I am very pleased to report that all the work has been successfully completed leaving the Museum in a wonderful position to capitalise in the future on the splendid infrastructure improvements that have been made including the raised ceiling, Undercroft refurbishment, new lift to the first floor, improved toilet facilities and finally the installation of solar panels in order to reduce operating costs. The Trust has been successful in attracting a few new museum volunteers during the year, but more new helpers will be much appreciated. The new Undercroft retail outlet, operated under licence by the owners of two complimentary local businesses, had a slow start to the year but overall, the performance is in line with expectations for a new venture. We were delighted to have a short-term exhibit of the Postlip Hoard during the second half of the year. These were a collection of ancient coins found by local detectorists and proved to be very popular with all our visitors. In the last quarter of the year, we were delighted to organise the repair to the Town Clock which is again fully functioning and providing a wonderful asset and attraction for the town. The Trust has continued with its popular series of monthly talks about local history and the Museum collection during the winter months. Page 2 of 4 No.1173052 ## Measurement of activity The principal criterion being used to measure the growth of the Museum is visitor numbers. As such the Museum is delighted to report a record number of 7228 visitors last year. It is hoped to increase this figure in the current year. ## **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. ## **F Volunteers** The volunteers are indispensable element in the functioning of the Trust and the Museum. Volunteers are the principal source of Trustees and also those people who maintain the building and Museum. They provide the essential resource to operate the Museum during opening hours and importantly help educate visitors about the wide range of fascinating exhibits to be found at 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. ## **G Achievements to date** 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 engaging more effectively both through talks, exhibitions and publications as well as numerous social media routes. ## **H Challenges** The principal challenge is to increase visitor numbers to the Museum and to spread the word about what an excellent facility the Museum is for locals and visitors to Winchcombe. Page 3 of 4 No.1173052 A continuing challenge, which many charities face, is the age profile of the trustees and most of the volunteers and as such much work still remains to be done to attract younger people to volunteer. ## **I Future Plans** Following the success of the continuing Meteorite exhibition and the short term Postlip Hoard exhibition, more temporary exhibitions are being planned for the current and future years. So far in 2025 we have held the successful Audrey Hammond art exhibition which will be closely followed in May and June with Winchcombe at War, in cooperation with Sudeley Castle. Later in the year we will welcome the Winchcombe Hoard on loan from The Wilson in Cheltenham. Following on from the successful “Rebuilding the Foundations” programme facilitated by Museum Development South West, we hope to create an Audience Development Plan over the coming months which will focus on what the Museum needs to do in the future to improve our interaction with the local community and visitors to the town. Paul Hazel Chairman 22 April 2025 Page 4 of 4 No.1173052 Re￿Ipts & Payments Winchcombe Town Trust Page 1 of3 Total Recei ts&Pa ments Account for the ear ended 31 December 2024 Period Previous 2023 ear Year to Date 2024 Receipts Shop ReGeipts Zettle Shop Sales Zettle Cash Sales Third Party Sales Undercroft Rent Undercroft Sales Undercroft Services TIC Rents TIC Sales (Net) Less Shop Costs Stock Purchases Artist Payments Not Shop Sales 3,100 669 1,156 669 70 1,169 1,553 1,260 3,600 3,161 343 (2,884) (1.9091 6,894 (982) (545) 3,536 Museum Donations Cash Entrance Donations Other Donations Just Giving Less Just Giving Costs Gift Aid Card Entrance Donations Less Sumup Costs Net Musoum Taklngs 4.147 1,899 86 (2161 4,713 1,820 261 {2161 2,697 3.633 (180) 4,717 11801 10,452 12,727 Mop F8ir Mop Rentals Less Mop Costs Mop Fair Income 1,060 11301 930 1,160 (150) 1,010 Museum Talks Talk Income Talk Book Sales Less Talk Expenses Talks Net 1,147 516 65 {137) (1651 982 Other Income Cabinet Donations Glos CC Grant (Solar Panels) Glos CC Grant (Clock Repair) Summerfied Trust (Clock Repair) Amazon Smile Other Sales Mercia Rents COIF Dividends 6,160 4.999 1.082 48 115 1,400 51 1,200 50 7,458 26,715 7,647 Total Receipts 25,364 Payments Bank Charges Refurbishment Expenses Building Maintenance Conservation Town Clock Page1of3 (302) (25,939) (1,208) (1,052) (224) (11,150) (1,319) (877) (2.474) Charity No.'1173052 1010212025 Receipts & Payments Electricity Fire Extinguishers Insurance Gratuity Legal Expenses Meetings Museum Displays Museum Purchases Publicity Security Snipcart Staff Costs Subscriptions Sumup Purchase Sundry Telephonelwl FI Training Water Web Site Window Cleaning COIF Purchase Total Payments Page2of3 (3.048) {96) (3,427) (39) (2,193) (105) (2,179) (40) (28) (1,579) (43) (259) (2,618) (433) (1151 (2951 {69) (850> (696) (269) (288) (3,308) (225) {300) (36,923) (30,123) Net receipts I (Payments) (10,209 (4,759) COIF Revaluation GainlLoss Museum Balance BIF T Balances BIF Balance carried forward 158 10,968 83.405 84,322 (265) 20,562 63,761 79,298 Made up of: Treasurers Account 1orrT Town Hall Appeal Museum Cash Museum Account Strategic Reserve.. Treasurers Account COIF 16,271 2,645 20 20,562 8,738 20 25,980 43,000 1,825 13,000 31,559 84,322 79,298 Chgcks - this should equal zero (O.(klJ Approval of the accounts The financial stat en re approved at a meeting of the Trustees and signed on its behalf by: Signed.. Name .R.PKV.L . 11.flV.E l (Trustee) Date: Page2of3 Charity No.'1173052 1010212025 Receipts & Payments Page3of3 The assets and real estate contained In or or referred to In the Schedule to these accounts are permanent endowment of and inalienable assets and r88l 8staté of the Trust The Schedule The freehold property known as the Old Town H811, 2 North Street. Winchcombe. Gloucestershire GL54 5LJ. The net sale proceeds and all rights derivingfrom the Transferor Charity's ownership of two plots ot land at Puck Pit Lane. Winchcombe, Gloucestershire, the first containing 2.28 hectares orthereabouts and being number OS571211982 edition) and the second containing 0.28 hectares or thereabouts and being number OS5600 {1982 edition). Two Maces, any rem8ining items of the original furniture of the Old Town H81lwhich were owned at the time when the Transferor Charity was granted its 1890 Scheme, the ancient stocks for punishing petty offenders, four oil pictures and a charter of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I relating to fairs and markets. The standing rights forAbbey Terrace in Win¢h¢ombe All items held as part of the Collections of the Museum managed by the Transferor Charity in the Old Town Hall Page3of3 Charity No'.1173052 1010212025 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees wI￿OI4c0n8i roorj On accounts for the year ended 3 1 bLCL-nfj￿ 26U4 Charlty no (if any) 11?3 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 3 1 I t lo'2+ Responslbllltles 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 Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 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 trhe charity's gross income exceeded £250.000 and l am qualified to examinerfs statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of applicable listed bodyl]. Delete [ ] if not applicable. I have completed my examination. I confim) that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination (olheF dIscl￿W ") 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 conceming the fonn 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 of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signed: Date: 13v.r4 Name: 6WPQkw Kfirro Voo I NCyTrd Relevant professional qualification(s) or body IER Oct 2018 (If any): Address: 27 IL-LI trr4H (44 Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of con￿rn (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners). Glvo here brlof detalls of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018