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 r￿1Ved 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 fu￿1$
Last yoar
tothg r*ar09t£
t0th￿n￿restE
1othpne￿e￿t£
A1 R￿ipts
FrcKft of IIousgS*s
RenLS
Eknn*ions
ÉraTrls
Tniirist Infomètton&ant
Rgfund510ther
Bank Int8rgst
I3￿8
11518
217
217
Sub tolal(Gros8 NncxNne forAR)
A2 Asset and investmertsales.
Isee tabtè
Sub total
Total lE￿pts
44.768
126
44O94
ents
Staff cO￿S
Stwk
Ivent Costs
LJtIlit￿
Insur￿￿9
494
1397
4,372
1091
1.418
517
rsando11￿r Pro rt C09ts
CDmThynirations
AdM￿￿ra￿on
1,051
1,051
Ca
rt￿EX
enditure
V(TrluTrtBgrfravel SubsEten
Prof8$gon¥ and
ent Fees
rkcti
Develo
mprrt
col￿thI0n and OtherCtk8ts
1.018
1.018
1(W)
362
12
Sub total
173
A4 Assetand investment
purchas84 Isee tsblel
Sub total
727
48.178
4*924
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
ReStr￿ted￿n￿5
Endowment
lunds
CateyoTie$
Details
to neare#tt
to n¢wrnst£
tr*nearest£
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 n￿reSt£
to nearest£
B2 Other mongtary assets
StDck
Cost lopttth*Tr
OJrferfvalue
loptionufj
Oet2ils
B3 Investsnent assets
Dotdi15
bdong¥
Unre*l￿fUnds
Costloptsxm
(optiD[￿j
B4 A&8ets retained for thè
charfty* own use
Fitbrys•Jd Eq￿pTh￿t
Unr8strw&lfvnds
Fmdtowhich
l￿b￿rtY relats
Dvtails
lopthna
{0￿￿Ona￿
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