The Museum of Dartmoor Life Trustees, Annual Report 2024 Aim and Purpose The aim ot the charity is to provide and maintain the Museum of Dartmoor Lrfe. The museum exisls to provide opportunities for visitors, volunteers and members of the local (x)mmunity to learn about and enjoy the cultural and natural heritage of Dartmoor and Okehampton. Objectives and Activities The trustees, objectives are to collect, consewe and interpret artefacts and stories relating to Dartmoor, its history and people, and to engage with visitors and the local community to inspire diverse audiences and future generations to appreciate and protect the Dartmoor and its heritage. The museum mainlains the existing collection and conserves artefacts and records, presenting them to the public in an absorbing and informative way. The museum co-curates an annual exhibition and aspires to be a vibrant ntre of lrfelong learning with an exciting and diverse programme of workshops and events for the local communty and visitors alike. It is a specific objective that the museum is for the public benelit, whether this is part of life long learning or maintaining and developing the collection for visitors and the local community- Achlevements, Performance and Outlook The museum normally opens from March to October and the season proved productive with the continued return of visitors after the pandemic. The Royal Society awarded a grant for a 'Dyeing on Dartmoor, project which included outreach activities and a most successful exhibition throughout the 2023 season. We welcomed more than 7,500 visitors, whiGh inGluded a welcome retum of our overseas visitors and groups. The museum continues to undertake the role of providing tourist information for the North Dartmoor area. This remarkable exhibition was co-curated and encouraged many visitors who had not previously visited the museum. The museum has a growing reputation for the quality of its annual exhibition. The excellenl work of the volunteers and the manager and the quality of the provision made was marked by the museum winning the silver award for a sma15 tourist attraction for Devon Tourisl Awards and also the bronze award for the south west. No other winner was a charity and a largely volunteer run business. Routine maintenance and some improvements to the fabric of the building have been achieved, mainly on a self help basis, although there is continued deterioration to the fabric of the building's infrastructure which was not addressed in the 2004 refurbishment. A costed condttion survey has been undertaken and listed works required at £524,000 These works will form part of the museuffl's bid to the Museum Estale and Development Fund,. a DCMS funded opportunity administered through the Arts Council in 2024. Without substantial investment and improvement in the museum's infrastructure, this community hub and visitor altraction may be lost to future generations. The museum has a policy of sustainability and a longer term environmental control programme, if externally funded, will be put in place over the next two years to maintain the integrity of the museum and Ixillection.
The trustees have set out their five year plan and continue to monitor and develop ihe strategic vision that will require, potentially- audience development, new digital interpretation and development of the premises. The project will need engagement with grant giving ix)dies, as well as a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. New trustees wilh specific skills have been recruited specifiGally to help develop the Tnuseum's fulure. Trustees have continued to ensure good governance is in place and trustees, staff and volunteers have received external training (electronically) to assist with our objectives. The museum was reaccredited with the Arts Council in 2017 and will continue with accreditation when the scheme is reintroduced by the Arts Council in 2024. Financial Review In this aocounting period the trustees continued their policy of financial caution, especially with the uncertainty of income streams and continually increasing ulility and maintenance costs. However, the charity continued its trend of producing a small surplus over operaling income and expenditure. Capital assets at the end of the accounting period are £315.000 although these assets cannot be used without undermining the work of the charity. Surplus funds have been set aside to invesl in development and infrastructure funding, together with any matched funding requirements. There remain a number of financial risks to the Gharity, not least any loss of rental or grant income. Therelore, the priority is to increase visitor numbers and shop revenue to offset any potential loss ol revenue in other areas. The trustees will continue to exercise prudence in the next financial period and seek grants where possible. The trustees are particularly grateful for the continued support of Okehampton Town Council without whose financial assistance the museum and charty would have ceased to be a going Goncem. Reserves It is the charity's policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds, which equates lo at least three months expenses and an amounl to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time, equivalent to £25,000_ The balance of £69,350 held in unrestricled funds, meets this target. The trustees will continue with measures to ensure that cash reserves are maintained and available to meet unloreseen eventualities. Volunteers Our volunteers corrtinue to be the life blood of the organisalion and the museum would nol survive without the dedicated service provided by our volunteers. The trustees would like to lake Ihis opportunity to formally thank all volunteers who work tremendously hard in ensuring that the museum continues to fulfil its purpose. WithoLrt our volunteers, valuable contribution, the museum would be unable to meet its objectives. Volunteers undertake a variety of vital roles. These ensure that the maintenance. collection care and documentation of the museum's core activities are maintained. In addition, in 2023 the front of house volunteers continued lo provide the valued tourist information service that has r1Ved many plaudits. The museum continues to seek volunteers, especially front of house information advisers, who have an interest in supporting the community through the museum and its activities. It is the aspiration of the trustees Ihat all volunteers should enjoy a meaningful experience when associated wilh the museum and every effort is made to ensure their experience is as fulfilling and structured as possible.
Structure, Governance and Management The method of appointment of trustees and the charity's oflicers is set out in the charitys governing document. The trustees are responsible for the running of the museum and meet at least six times a year. This can be virtually or in person. Administrative matters are overseen by the trustees, officers which consist of the chair. immediate past chair, secretary and treasurer. Routine operational matters are delegated to the manager who, with lead volunteers, has day io day operational rèsponsibilities. The trustees will continue to seek new trustees with appropriate skills to enhance the work of the charity. Adminlstrative Information The trustees during the year and up to the date of this report are.. Deborah Pritchard Jan Goffey Dr Mary Seddon Karen Slattery Jane Marchand Dr Jenna Spellane Joanna Rowse Antonio Rinaldi John Palmer Laura Bird Philip Hutt Richard Jennings Resigned Mar 24 Appointed Sep 23 Resigned May 23 Appointed Jun 23 Nominated by Town Council Sep 23 Chair Treasurer Approved by the s of The Museum of Dartmoor Life on their behalf by: Trustee Trustee Date
The Museum of Dartmoor Life Receipt and Payment Accounts Charity No 1173111 Forthe period frorn 1 Apr 2tt1 To 31 Mar 2024 Section A Receipts and payments UnrestrictÈd funds Restricte(I funds Endowment fund$ Total fu1$ Last yoar tothg rar09t£ t0thnrestE 1othpneet£ A1 Ripts FrcKft of IIousgSs RenLS Eknnions ÉraTrls Tniirist Infomètton&ant Rgfund510ther Bank Int8rgst I38 11518 217 217 Sub tolal(Gros8 NncxNne forAR) A2 Asset and investmertsales. Isee tabtè Sub total Total lEpts 44.768 126 44O94 ents Staff cOS Stwk Ivent Costs LJtIlit Insur9 494 1397 4,372 1091 1.418 517 rsando11r Pro rt C09ts CDmThynirations AdMraon 1,051 1,051 Ca rtEX enditure V(TrluTrtBgrfravel SubsEten Prof8$gon¥ and ent Fees rkcti Develo mprrt colthI0n and OtherCtk8ts 1.018 1.018 1(W) 362 12 Sub total 173 A4 Assetand investment purchas84 Isee tsblel Sub total 727 48.178 4924 Net olrècèipts/lpaymentsJ A5 Transfers btrtween funds A6 Cash fvnds l&st year end Gash funds thisyear and 1.721 1.770 67,028 67.629 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period CCXX R1 accounts (SSI
Unr8Strict8d nds ReStrtedn5 Endowment lunds CateyoTie$ Details to neare#tt to n¢wrnst£ trnearest£ B1 Cash fvnds Lloyds Bank 3Q-9643 28255168 14456 Lloyds Bank Deposit 18515851LS 245 Lloyd$ Bank InstsntAcc8ss 3491836B Totsl cash fvnds 69M50 Unr&sfficted Restrict8dfitnds EndovmiÉnt funds funds to nreSt£ to nearest£ B2 Other mongtary assets StDck Cost lopttthTr OJrferfvalue loptionufj Oet2ils B3 Investsnent assets Dotdi15 bdong¥ UnrelfUnds Costloptsxm (optiD[j B4 A&8ets retained for thè charfty own use Fitbrys•Jd EqpTht Unr8strw&lfvnds Fmdtowhich lbrtY relats Dvtails lopthna {0Ona B5 Liabilitigs Stgned by un8 cy Iwo ItLL51e8sm of 1 the trusteas Sign Print Name Date of approv CCXX R2 accounts {SS}
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Museum of Dartmoor Life I report on the aGcounts for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are sel out on pages 4 and 5 above. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner: The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43 {2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act)) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to= examine the accounts (under section 43 of the Act). to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 43 (7llb) of the Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basls ot independent examineVs report" My examination was carried out in accordan with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records k&pt by the charty and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual ttems or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as truslees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In the course of my examination. no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements.. to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act. and lo prepare accounts which accord with the aGGounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act- have nol been mel-, or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding ol the accounts to be reached. A Fisher 2 Church Meadows Okehampton Devon EX20 1 LP April 2024