The Museum of Dartmoor Life Trustees, Annual Report 2025 Aim and Purpose The aim of the charity is to provide and maintain the Museum of Dartmoor Life. The museum exists to provide opportunities for visitors, volunteers and members of the local community to learn about and enjoy the cultural and natural heritage of Dartmoor and Okehampton. Objectives and Activities The trustees, objectives are to collect, conserve 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 maintains 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 lifelong learning with an exciting and diverse programme of workshops and events for the local community and visitors alike. It is a specific objective that the museum is for the public benefit, whether this is part of life long learning or maintaining and developing the collection for visitors and the local community. Achievements. Performance and Outlook The museum normally opens from March to October and the 2024 season proved productive with a steady stream of visitors. Our 'Magic and Myth, exhibition proved most popular and visitors also attended talks from guest speakers and organised themed walks on Dartmoor to compliment the exhibition. This remarkable exhibition encouraged many visitors who had not previously visited the museum. Our theme for 2025 is 'A Shroud for Mother Nature- Is Dartmoor Dying?, which The Royal Society have awarded a grant. The museum has a growing reputation for the qualty of its annual exhibition. We welcomed more than 7,500 Msitors, which included overseas visitors, local schools and groups. The museum continues to undertake the role of PFoviding tourist information for the North Dartmoor area. Routine rna1ntenan and some essential improvements to the fabrtc of the building have been achieved, although there is continued deterioration to the fabric of the building's infrastructure which was not addressed in the 2004 refurbishment. A costed condition survey has been undertaken and listed works required at £524,000. These works will form part of the museum's bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Without substantial investment and improvement in the museum's infrastructure, this important herttage, community hub and visitor attraction may be lost to future generations. The museum has a policy of sustainability and a longer term environmental control programme, if externally funded, it will be put in place over the next five years to maintain the integrity of the museum and collection. The trustees have set out their five year plan and continue to tnonitor and develop the strategic vision that will require, potentially" audien development, new digital interpretation and development of the premises. The project will need engagement with grant giving bodies, as well as a bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. New trustees with specific skills have been recruited specifically to help develop the museum's future. Trustees have continued to ensure good governan is in place and trustees, staff and volunteers have reiVed 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 2025. Financial Review In this accounting period the trustees continued their policy of financial caution, especially with the uncertainty of income streams and continually increasing Lrtility and Maintenan costs. However, the charity continued its trend of producing a small surplus over operating 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 invest in development and infrastructure funding, together wtth any matched funding requirements. There remain a number of financial risks to the charty, not least any loss of rental or grant income. Therefore, the priority is to increase visitor numbers and shop revenue to offset any potential loss of 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 assistan the museum and charty would have ceased to be a going conrn. Reserves 11 is the charity's policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds, which equates to at least three months expenses and an amount to cover emergency situations that may arise from time to time, equivalent to £25,000. The balance of £72.077 held in unrestricted funds, meets this target. The trustees will continue with measures to ensure that cash reserves are maintained and available to meet unforeseen eventualities. Volunteers Our volunteers continue to be the life blood of the organisation and the museum would not survive without the dedicated service provided by our volunteers. The trustees would like to take this opportunity to formally thank all volunteers who work tremendously hard in ensuring that the museum continues to tulfil its purpose. Without our volunteers, valuable contribLrtion, 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 museurn's core activities are maintained. In addition. in 2024 the front of house volunteers continued to provide the valued tourist information service that has received 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 that all volunteers should enjoy a rneaningful experience when associated with the museum and every effort is made to ensure their experien is as fulfilling and structured as possible.
Structure, Govemance and Management The method of appointment of trustees and the charty's officers is set out in the charity's 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, off icers which consist of the chair, secretary and treasurer. Routine operational matters are delegated to the manager who, with lead volunteers, has day to day operational responsibilities. The trustees will continue to seek new trustees with appropriate skills to enhan the work of the charity. Administrative Inlormation The trustees during the year and up to the date of this report are: Deborah Pritchard Karen Munn Jonathan Gilpin Jan Goffey Jane Marchand Dr Jenna Spellane Joanna Rowse John Palmer Laura Bird Philip Hutt Richard Jennings Dr Mary Seddon Antonio Rinaldi Appointed May 24 - Chair Appointed Feb 25 - Secretary Appointed Feb 25 - Treasurer Resigned Mar 25 Resigned Oct 24 Resigned Feb 25 Resigned Mar 25 Approved by the trustees of The Museum of Dartmoor Lrfe o their behalf by: Trustee Trustee Date
The Museum of Dartmoor Life Receipt and Payment Accounts Charity No 1173111 For the period To 1 Apr 2024 31 Mar 225 Section A Receipts and payments fvnds funds Total funds Last year A1 Receipts Front of Hotssa Saes 11518 Donations Grants efUnd0ther ank Interest 475 75 757 5,126 217 757 Stsb total(Gross income forAR) 4475 A2 Asset and investment sak Isee lablel. Sub total 54.317 3.475 57,792 44.&94 A3 Payments Staff Costs Stock Event Costs Utilities Insurance Routine MainlanCe R8 aits and other Pro CotnmunicatNs Adtnini%tration Ca ital Ex enditure VolurtteerTravel and SUbstene ProfessionJ and Man m&rt Fees M2ell DevelD rnent Collectlon 8nd Other Costs 17 7216 17012 4.995 3,(*1 1342 1057 C(>sts 1.182 1.051 1.018 1.169 100 1V2 Sub total 51. 5&(fi5 441rJ A4 Assat and investment purchases (see table) Sub total Totalpayments 51,630 43.173 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash fund5 this year end 2727 1,721 72,037 74077 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
Categories Details funds funds to nearest £ B1 Cash funds Uoyds Bank 3(lJJ&23 28255168 Lloyds Bank Deposit 18S15851LS Uoyds Bank InstantAccess34918368 rotal cash funds 71037 Unrestricted Re5trfcted funds Endowment Ivnds funds Stook Costlot4irK C¢wkEntvalue loptional) B3 Investrnent assets CurrÈntvalua loptionao B4 Assets retained for the charity's own use Fixtu. Fitt Equ11 15.(¥JO to wh Amount due When duè lopti B5 Liabilities sign by one or two trustees on behalf of all the Irustees Signature Print Name Date of approval CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trust of The Museum of Dartmoor Life I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 which are set out on pages 4 and 5 above. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner: The charitys 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 prOdureS laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 43 (7)(b) of the Act), and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examIneS 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 kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do nol 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 to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 Act. have not been met" or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. A Fisher 2 Church Meadows Okehampton Devon EX20 1 LP April 2025