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2024-10-31-accounts

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Charity Number 1181127

THE LAURENCE STERNE TRUST

REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Year ended 31 October 2024

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

CONTENTS
Page
Charity details 2
Trustees’ Report 3
Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities 9
Independent Examiner’s Report 10
Statement of Financial Activities 11
Balance Sheet 12
Notes to the Accounts 13

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Charity details

Charity Name and Number The Laurence Sterne Trust Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered charity number 1181127 Registered Address Shandy Hall, Coxwold, York YO61 4AD Trustees Robert John Wyke (Chair) Rachel Feldberg Lady Feversham Thomas Forrest Peter Bardsea Miller Stephen Milner (resigned 12 June 2024) Staff and Volunteers Patrick Wildgust: Curator Chris Pearson: Volunteer and volunteer co-ordinator Michael Stanley: Museum Mentor Bankers Virgin Money, 46 Coney Street, York YO1 9NQ Independent Examiners HPH Chartered Accountants, 54 Bootham, York YO30 7XZ

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Annual Report of the Trustees of The Laurence Sterne Trust

The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the CIO for the year ended 31 October 2024. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with statutory requirements, the CIO’s governing document and the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP FRS 102).

Structure, Governance and Management

The Trust is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). It is governed by a foundation model constitution, agreed by the first trustees on 24 April 2018 and accepted by the Charity Commission on 11 December 2018.

Constitution and Trustees

There have been no changes to the constitution. Stephen Milner stepped down as a trustee on 12 June 2024. There were no other changes to the body of trustees.

Full meetings of trustees were held on 16 March 2024 (Shandy Hall), 12 June 2024 (15 Dewsbury Terrace, York) and 26 October 2024 (Shandy Hall).

Affiliation

The Charity is not affiliated to any other Charity.

Trustee Induction and Training

New trustees will be briefed on their legal obligations under charity law, the workings of the Trust and decision-making processes, the business plan and recent financial performance of the Charity. During their induction they will meet key officers and the other trustees. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events where these will facilitate the understanding of their role.

Objectives and Activities

The principal objects as stated in the governing document are to advance education for the public benefit by promoting the understanding and appreciation of the life, works and continuing influence of Laurence Sterne; primarily, but not exclusively, through maintaining and managing Shandy Hall, Coxwold, and its collections as a public museum and a centre for research, education and creativity.

The Trustees believe that they have complied with the duty in section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to guidance published by the Charity Commission in regard to public benefit.

Achievements and Performance

Shandy Hall, purchased freehold in 1968 to be a public museum dedicated to the life, work and legacy of Laurence Sterne (1713-1768), remains the Laurence Sterne Trust’s most important heritage asset. It is a Grade I listed building with all the challenges associated with that status. Shandy Hall is a significant local landmark and, with over 500 years of architectural history, it charts the changing use and social context of a place that is treasured by local communities. People come from across the world to be in the place where Laurence Sterne wrote Tristram Shandy and feel connected to the author.

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Shandy Hall is a fully accredited Museum (Accreditation number AN1580).

Public Access

The main visitor season ran from 1 May to 30 September. The House was open on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays for guided tours at 11:30 and 14:30 which could be booked in advance. The Gardens were open 11:00-16:30 Wednesday to Sunday and Bank Holidays. Individuals and groups who could not manage these times could visit by appointment; many did so. Visitors continued to be happy with opening days and times and with admission charges: House & Garden: £10 per head; Garden only: £4. The Curator is free to waive admission charges for any visitor who cannot afford them.

The total number of visitors was 1,996 [including 77 free of charge]: House and Garden: 473; Garden only: 1,523.

Visitor feedback was once again overwhelmingly positive. 97% of respondents rated their experience Excellent or Good; the majority had no suggestions for improvement. 81% of visitors had not been to Shandy Hall before. Most visitors came from Yorkshire and the North, but we continued to attract people from all over the UK and abroad. Visitors were delighted with the welcome they received from the Curator and Chris Pearson and were impressed by their knowledge. There was high praise for the Curator’s tour of Shandy Hall and for Chris Pearson’s care of the Gardens. Visitors appreciated the tranquillity of the Gardens and valued the place as a haven for wildlife. Nearly all visitors would be happy to recommend Shandy Hall to others.

The Trust will take action in response to the 2023 Accessibility Audit as funds and time permit.

Health and Safety, and Safeguarding

Steps were taken to divert visitors away from the area of rockfall on the southern boundary of the Wild Garden. The situation is monitored.

One of the new volunteers is neurodivergent. Chris Pearson discussed with him and his family ways of making his experience at Shandy Hall as positive as possible.

No safeguarding issues arose during the year.

Heritage Assets: Shandy Hall

Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) Round 2

Pinnacle Conservation Ltd finished work on the East and North Elevations (including repairs to the boiler house/garage and replacement of the Porch at the main visitor entrance) on 28 February 2024. This work was made possible by a grant of £166,250 from the Government’s Museum and Estate Development Fund (MEND) Round 2, administered by Arts Council England. The Historic Houses Foundation gave a grant of £6,000 on completion of the project. The enlarged new Porch made wheelchair access easier. A problem with damp in the Porch was monitored. The visitor experience will be much enhanced by these improvements to the fabric.

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127 Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

The archaeological watching brief during the building of the new Porch revealed two earlier yard surfaces. A quantity of pottery fragments of various dates was found, together with a cooking pot, animal bones and oyster shells. A time-capsule in a small jar was enclosed in the new Porch.

Repairs and maintenance

In 2021 the Trust designated a fund to ensure that regular maintenance is carried out.

In the course of the year investigations into plumbing and heating took place and necessary action was taken. A problem with mice in the roof space was dealt with successfully. A burst pipe in the outside lavatory was dealt with and repainting took place.

A new field gate was installed and the front gate was re-hung on a new gatepost. North York Moors National Park paid 80% of the cost in each case.

Heritage Assets: Collection

The Collection at Shandy Hall of books and other items relating to Laurence Sterne is of international importance. The Trust makes the Collection readily accessible to visitors and scholars. A full catalogue of our holdings is available online through our website.

The Reverend Chris Swift spent some days in the Collection carrying out research for his book A Sterne Lent (published in February 2025). He recorded an interview in Sterne’s Study on 12 October 2024 as promotion for the book.

The eighteenth-century tinder purse, originally found behind a beam next to Sterne’s bedroom and subsequently re-found in a filing cabinet, was investigated by York Archaeology (their researcher wrote her report free of charge) and conserved.

Laura Sadler, PhD student at the University of Northumbria, continued to catalogue books in the Collection published in French; her four-year project with the Sterne Digital Library is due to finish in 2026.

On 26 October 2024 the Trust agreed to the request from Liverpool University Press, mediated by Helen Williams (University of Northumbria), to digitise Volumes 1 – 23 of The Shandean on condition that the Trust has free access to the digitised journal in perpetuity. The journal will now reach a far wider public than when available only as a printed publication.

Garden and Environment

The Garden is a vital element in Shandy Hall’s attractiveness to visitors. In spite of extreme weather conditions in 2024, Chris Pearson, with the help of her small team of volunteers, who provided 250 hours of their time this year, continued to keep the Garden looking beautiful. Visitors valued interaction with these well-informed people.

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Storm Lilian (22 August 2024) tore a large branch from one of the central ash trees in the Wild Garden. Our tree surgeon monitors our trees, especially those on the boundary next to the road.

A new pergola was installed in the Wild Garden to support a large rose after the tree supporting it had fallen.

Visitor feedback again indicated enthusiasm for the tranquillity of the Garden. There was special praise for the Wild Garden and the Trust’s emphasis on wildlife: we are rich in insects, though moths were less numerous than in previous years; at least one badger continued to reside in the Wild Garden; and a barn owl used the stable to roost.

Exhibitions and Events

On 23 and 24 March 2024 Shandy Hall was open for Books, Blooms and Bric-à-Brac . Visitors enjoyed visiting the Shop and viewing daffodils and other spring flowers, especially in the Wild Garden. The event was free; sales on the days amounted to c.£500.

The Garden was open under the National Garden Scheme on 7 June and 21 June 2024. In all, 82 people attended. The NGS Assistant County Officer attended to give support. These occasions included popular moth-release sessions. Poor weather made the moth count low but more than 15 species were recorded at the releases.

On 9 June 2024 Coxwold Open Gardens drew 278 visitors who came free of charge.

This year’s exhibition in the gallery was Carry Akroyd’s Swoop Sing Perch Paddle (8 June-11 August). It transferred to Chris Beetles Gallery in London SW1. The exhibition consisted principally of 132 screenprints of birds by Akroyd, originally created for The Oldie ’s Bird of the Month column. All works were for sale. The exhibition raised £1,850 for the Trust. Bloomsbury published the screenprints in book form in September 2024.

Outreach, Partnership and Relationships

In addition to encouraging visitors to visit Shandy Hall in person, we promote Laurence Sterne and his legacy through educational outreach and contact with other organisations.

The Curator and Chris Pearson gave three off-site talks. Audiences totalled 125.

In addition to the special events mentioned above, there were 12 special visits by educational and other groups during the season (216 individuals).

The following writers and artists stayed at Shandy Hall: Matthieu Copeland (via Leeds Beckett University; 10-11 February 2024); Kate Briggs (22-24 March 2024); Dr Gregory Betts, artist-inresidence (26-31 May 2024; Anthony Etherin and Christian Bök (Leeds Beckett University) also visited Shandy Hall in connection with Dr Betts’s residency); Ruth Pavey, garden writer (18-20 June 2024).

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Website

There were 62,015 page views of the website during this period.

Social Media

Activity on X was unstable; numbers hovered around 2,500. There were 223 followers on Instagram; 730 on Facebook.

Publications

The Art of Play (California) sold out of their stock of 1,000 copies of Endless Journey , the myriorama created for the trust by Tom Gauld. A reprint is under discussion.

Unbound’s Cain’s Jawbone continued its international success. It has been translated into almost twenty languages [19 by February 2025].

Press and Media

On 27 September 2024 BBC News featured “the world’s first stained-glass blue plaque”, i.e., the replacement for the original stained-glass blue plaque at 35 Stonegate, York, installed by York Civic Trust and unveiled by the Laurence Sterne Trust’s chairman in 2018 but broken by workmen in 2022. Helen Whittaker of Barley Studios made both the original and its replacement. The first two volumes of Sterne’s Tristram Shandy were sold from this building in 1759.

Financial Review

The Trust aims to raise sufficient income each year to cover its running costs, including salaries. The Trust weathered the Covid pandemic successfully, helped in large measure by government and other grants. The return to a normal pattern of operation has seen the income from admissions and sales recover and the Trust is in a reasonably stable financial position.

In 2023/24 expenditure exceeded income by £33,446 (net expenditure in 2022/23 was £4,866).

In October 2023 the Trust was entitled to a profit share of over £100,000 from Unbound for Cain’s Jawbone . Unbound experienced financial difficulties during the year and a phased payment schedule was agreed. Even this proved difficult to realise; the Trust received only £5,000.

[Unbound filed for bankruptcy in March 2025. The company was sold through a pre-pack administration deal to Boundless Publishing Group. Unbound’s total deficiency for unsecured creditors has been estimated at £2.4m. Along with many other creditors, the Trust is unlikely to see its share of profits.]

We were awarded a grant of £166,250 From the Government’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) for essential repairs and maintenance on Shandy Hall, including a replacement porch. In 2022/23 preparatory work costing £12,044 was carried out. The major work started in November 2023. £143,867 of expenditure was incurred on the project in 2023/24.

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127 Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

In 2021 the Trustees designated £40,000 of unrestricted funds to start to address the repair and maintenance works identified in the Condition Survey Report. £8,437 was spent in 2021/22. In 2022/23 it was necessary to replace the boiler and carry out other works totalling £19,217. On 19 April 2023 the Trustees decided to transfer £20,000 from unrestricted funds to the designated repair fund in order to keep it at a level that enables us to continue to care for our heritage assets. In 2023/24 £8,268 was spent on repairs.

Reserves

At the end of October 2024 unrestricted funds, excluding fixed heritage assets, were £62,041 (£95,487 at October 2023).

The Trust aims to have reserves of £60,000 (the annual running costs). Many small charities work on a six-month operational cost reserve, but as Shandy Hall is only open (and able to raise visitor income) for five months of the year the Trust considers a full year operational cost to be a more prudent level of reserves.

The loss of the anticipated income from Cain’s Jawbone will require additional fundraising to ensure that the Trust has sufficient funds to meet its commitments and anticipated running costs in 2024/25.

Principal Specific Projects and Objectives for the Year 2024-2025

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities

Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the charity’s financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In preparing the financial statements, the Trustees are required to:

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

Signed on behalf of the Trustees on 12 August 2025.

Robert Wyke Chairman

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The Laurence Sterne Trust

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Laurence Sterne Trust (the Trust) for the year ended 31 October 2024.

This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with section 154 of the Charities Act 2011. My independent examiner’s work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity, the charity’s members as a body and the charity’s trustees as a body for my independent examiner’s work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust 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 examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

  1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or

  2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or

  3. the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form 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 concerns 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.

Sarah Wearing FCA, DChA HPH, Chartered Accountants 54 Bootham, York YO30 7XZ

12 August 2025

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (incorporating income and expenditure account) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2024

Note
Income from:
Government grants
6
Other grants
7
Donations and legacies
8
Charitable activities
9
Other trading activities
10
Investments
11
Other
Total income
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
12
Support costs
12
Grant project (MEND)
12
Total expenditure
Net income (expenditure)
Transfers between funds
18
Reconciliation of funds
Funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
137,581
-
-
137,581
12,044
-
12,044
6,000
1,016
7,016
-
-
3,175
3,175
-
-
4,160
4,160
6,096
6,096
7,708
7,708
20,294
20,294
61,666
61,666
523
523
246
246
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
143,581
1,016
30,088
174,685
12,044
-
73,780
85,824
2,992
2,992
4,106
4,106
8,268
53,004
61,272
19,217
55,323
74,540
143,867
143,867
12,044
12,044
143,867
8,268
55,996
208,131
12,044
19,217
59,429
90,690
(286)
(7,252)
(25,908)
(33,446)
-
(19,217)
14,351
(4,866)
286
(286)
-
-
20,000
(20,000)
-
-
1,457,421
63,141
1,520,562
-
1,456,638
68,790
1,525,428
-
1,449,883
37,233
1,487,116
-
1,457,421
63,141
1,520,562

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

BALANCE SHEET AT 31 OCTOBER 2024

Note 2024
2023
£
£
1,160,000
1,160,000
265,075
265,075		 2024
2023
£
£
1,160,000
1,160,000
265,075
265,075
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
Shandy Hall
13
Collection
Current assets
Stocks
14
Cash at bank and in hand
Debtors and prepayments
15
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors and accruals
16
Deferred income
17
Net current assets (liabilities)
Total net assets
Funds
18
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
Designated fund (Heritage fixed assets)
Designated fund (repair & maintenance)
Undesignated funds
Total funds
1,425,075
1,425,075
2,538 3,777
163,376
1,748
48,657
17,955
69,150
168,901
7,109
2,333
- 71,081
7,109
73,414
62,041
95,487
1,487,116
1,520,562
-
-
1,425,075
1,425,075
24,808
32,346
37,233
63,141
1,487,116
1,520,562

Approved by the Trustees on 12 August 2025

And signed on their behalf by:

Robert Wyke, Chairman

The notes on pages 13 to 23 form part of these accounts.

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

NOTES to the Accounts for the year ended 31 October 2024

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The Accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charites SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).

The Laurence Sterne Trust meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).

The principal address of the Trust is: Shandy Hall, Coxwold, York, YO61 4AD.

The Charity has cash resources and has no requirement for external funding. The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and have prepared the annual financial statements on the going concern basis of accounting. The Trust's funds, reserves and operations were transferred from the old Trust to the Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1st November 2019, permission for which was granted by the Charity Commission on 11 December 2018. The new body is designed to run the operations of the Trust and the company limited by guarantee which held the principal asset Shandy Hall. The process for transferring the property to the CIO was concluded on 10 April 2021.

c) Funds structure

The unrestricted income fund comprises those funds which the trustees are free to use for any purpose in furtherance of the charitable objects. Unrestricted funds include designated funds where the Trustees, at their discretion, have created a fund for a specific purpose. The restricted income fund comprises those funds that can only be used for particular purposes within the objects of the Charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular purposes.

d) Income and endowments

Donations and legacies

Donations include amounts received during the year from supporters and friends.

Other trading activities

Incoming resources from generated funds are comprised of income from shop sales, lectures, exhibitions and rental income from visiting artists and students. All incoming resources are recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the resources, it is certain that the resources will be received and the monetary value of incoming resources can be measured with sufficient reliability.

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Accounting policies (continued)

d) Income and endowments (continued)

Investments

Investment income from bank interest is brought into the accounts gross when receivable.

Charitable activities

Incoming resources from charitable activities are comprised of income from admissions during the year. Income is recognised in the period in which it is received.

Deferred income

Income is only deferred and included in creditors when:

e) Expenditure

Raising funds

The costs of generating funds include those costs associated with the promotion of the activities of the Trust. These costs are charged on the basis of the accruals concept, including irrecoverable value added tax where applicable.

Charitable activities

Charitable expenditure includes all expenditure directly relating to the objects of the Trust and costs are charged on the basis of the accruals concept, including irrecoverable value added tax where applicable. Also included are governance costs which include those incurred in the governance of the Trust and its assets and primarily associated with constitutional and statutory requirements, including irrecoverable value added tax where applicable.

f) Taxation

As a registered charity, the Charity is exempt from the payment of income tax in respect of its charitable activities.

g) Stocks

Stocks are included at the lower of cost and net realisable value. Unsold donated items are not included in stocks.

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

Accounting policies (continued)

h) Heritage fixed assets

Fixed assets costing more than £1,000 are capitalised and included at cost. Items costing less than £1,000 are written off as an expense as acquired.

The heritage assets are held in perpetuity under the terms of the Trust's Constitution. Owing to the historic nature of Shandy Hall and the Collection (see Note 11) they are deemed to have indefinite lives and therefore the CIO values the assets at full cost or valuation with no depreciation.

i) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

j) Creditors and provisions

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in a transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

k) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

l) Financial instruments

The Trust only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

m) Pensions

The Trust operates a defined contribution scheme for its employees. Contributions are recognised in the SoFA when due and any unpaid contributions are recognised as a liability.

2. Remuneration and expenses of trustees

None of the trustees received any remuneration or benefits by virtue of being a trustee of the Trust. The Trust has paid an insurance premium for museum insurance which includes trustee indemnity cover. The total premium was £4,597 (2023 - £4,268). No trustee expenses have been incurred.

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127 Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

3. Staff costs

Salaries
Pension costs		 2024
£
26,452
2,653
29,105		 2023
£
25,633
4,123
29,756

The average number of employees in the year, analysed by function was:

Management and administration of the Charity 2024
1		 2023
1

No employee received emoluments in excess of £60,000 (2023 - none).

The Charity also benefits greatly from the involvement and enthusiastic support of its volunteers, details of which are given in our annual report. In accordance with Charities SORP, the economic contribution of general volunteers is not recognised in the accounts.

4. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions in the current or previous reporting periods.

5. Net expenditure/income

Net expenditure/income is stated after charging the Accountant’s remuneration

Independent Examiner Fees 2024
£
1,200		 2023
£
1,122

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The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

6. Government grants

Restricted funds

Government’s Museum Estate and Development Fund 2024
£
137,581
137,581		 2023
£
12,044
12,044

2023

2024

7. Other grants

Restricted funds

A grant of £6,000 was made as a contribution to the Government’s Museum Estate and Development Fund (MEND) project.

Historic Houses Foundation 2024
£
6,000
6,000		 2023
£
-
-

Designated funds

North York Moors National Park made three grants: £384.00; £288.00; and £344.00 towards repair and maintenance works on the garden walls and gates.

North York Moors National Park 2024
£
1,016
1,016		 2023
£
-
-

17

�������������������� �������� �� ���� ��� ���� � �������

The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127 Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

8. Income from donations and legacies

Donations
Individual donations
Total donations and gifts		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
3,175
3,175
-
-
4,160
4,160
-
-
3,175
3,175
-
-
4,160
4,160

9. Income from charitable activities

Charitable activities
Admissions
Total charitable activities		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
6,096
6,096
-
-
7,708
7,708
-
-
6,096
6,096
-
-
7,708
7,708

10. Income from other trading activities

Trading activities
Shop sales
Lectures & exhibitions
Rent & facilities
Rights & licences
Total trading activities		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
8,974
8,974
-
-
7,829
7,829
-
-
5,270
5,270
-
-
10,273
10,273
-
-
1,050
1,050
-
-
2,263
2,263
-
-
5,000
5,000
-
-
41,301
41,301
-
-
20,294
20,294
-
-
61,666
61,666

11. Investments

Investments
Bank interest
Total investments		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
523
523
-
-
246
246
-
-
523
523
-
-
246
246

18

�������������������� �������� �� ���� ��� ���� � �������

The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127 Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

12. Total resources expended

Charitable activities

Cost of sales
Total charitable activities
Basis of allocation: direct		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
2,992
2,992
-
-
4,106
4,106
-
-
2,992
2,992
-
-
4,106
4,106

Support costs

Repairs & maintenance
Insurance
Rates & water
Heating & lighting
Telecommunications
Stationery, postage, marketing
Equipment
Professional fees
Subscriptions
Exhibition costs
Staff
Travel
Sundry
Bank charges
Total support costs
Basis of allocation: usage
MEND grant funded project
Total resources expended		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
8,268
8,268
-
19,217
-
19,217
-
4,597
4,597
-
-
4,268
4,268
-
2,444
2,444
-
-
2,275
2,275
-
7,181
7,181
-
-
7,731
7,731
-
2,362
2,362
-
-
2,564
2,564
-
1,374
1,374
-
-
3,007
3,007
-
92
92
-
-
235
235
-
2,545
2,545
-
-
1,633
1,633
-
303
303
-
-
336
336
-
2,850
2,850
-
-
3,212
3,212
-
29,105
29,105
-
-
29,756
29,756
-
151
151
-
-
259
259
-
-
47
47
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
8,268
53,004
61,272
-
19,217
55,323
74,540
143,867
-
-
143,867
12,044
-
-
12,044
143,867
8,268
55,996
208.131
12,044
19,217
59,429
90,690
Professional fees relating to gov ernance
1,200
1,200
1,122
1,122

19

�������������������� �������� �� ���� ��� ���� � �������

The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

13. Heritage fixed assets

Cost or valuation
At 1 November 2023
At 31 October 2024
Net book value
At 31 October 2024
At 31 October 2023
Valuation
Cost
Total		 Shandy Hall
£
1,160,000
1,160,000
1,160,000
1,160,000
1,160,000
-
1,160,000		 Collection
£
265,075
265,075
265,075
265,075
-
265,075
265,075		 Total
£
1,425,075
1,425,075
1,425,075
1,425,075
1,160,000
265,075
1,425,075

Shandy Hall, the house where Laurence Sterne lived from 1760 until his death in 1768, was purchased by the original Laurence Sterne Trust in 1968 with the aim of establishing it as a public museum. It opened to the public in 1973. The freehold title of the property was transferred to The Laurence Sterne Trust Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 10 April 2021.

The Sterne Collection has been built up over time to be the most significant collection of editions of the works of Sterne. It also includes works of art and artefacts connected to Sterne. All items are catalogued and the details are available through the website. There is an acquisitions and disposals policy. Most of the collection is on public display in Shandy Hall and all items are available to view upon request. The Collection was transferred to The Laurence Sterne Trust Charitable Incorporated Organisation in 2020.

Shandy Hall and the Collection are held in trust for the furtherance of the public benefits of the Charity.

20

�������������������� �������� �� ���� ��� ���� � �������

The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

14. Stocks

14. Stocks
Stocks
Goods for resale
Total stocks		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
-
2,538
2,538
-
-
3,777
3,777
-
-
2,538
2,538
-
-
3,777
3,777

15. Debtors

Debtors
MEND Project
Other debtors
Prepayments
Total debtors		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
16,625
16,625
-
-
206
206
-
-
140
140
-
-
1,124
1,124
-
-
1,608
1,608
16,625
-
1,330
17,955
-
-
1,748
1,748

16. Creditors

Amount falling due within one year

Creditors
MEND Project
Other creditors
Taxation & pensions
Total creditors		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
4,042
4,042
-
-
-
-
-
794
1,620
2,414
-
-
1,940
1,940
-
-
653
653
-
-
393
393
4,042
794
2,273
7,109
-
-
2,333
2,333

21

�������������������� �������� �� ���� ��� ���� � �������

The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127

Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

17. Deferred income See also Notes 1.(d) and 6.

Balance at 1 November
Released during the year
Provided at 31 October
Balance at 30 September		 2023/24
£
71,081
(71,081)
-
-		 2022/23
£
-
-
71,081
71,081

18. The Charity’s funds

Financial year ending 31 October 2024

Restricted funds
MEND Grant Project
Total restricted funds
Designated funds
Heritage assets
Repair & maintenance
Total designated fund
General unrestricted funds		 Brought
Incoming
Outgoing
Net gains/
Transfers
Carried
forward
resources
resources
(losses)
forward
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
143,581
143,867
(286)
286
-
-
143,581
143,867
(286)
286
-
1,425,075
-
-
-
-
1,425,075
32,346
1,016
8,268
(7,252)
(286)
24,808
1,457,421
1,016
8,268
(7,252)
(286)
1,449,883
63,141
30,088
55,996
(25,908)
-
37,233
Total funds 1,520,562
174,685
208,131
(33,446)
-
1,487,116
NOTE: The transfer of funds from unrestricted to designated (repair & maintenance) was agreed by Trustees on 27 April 2023.
Previous financial year ending 31 October 2023
Brought
Incoming
Outgoing
Net gains/
Transfers
Carried
forward
resources
resources
(losses)
forward
£
£
£
£
£
£
Restricted funds
MEND Grant Project
-
12,044
12,044
-
-
-
Total restricted funds
-
12,044
12,044
-
-
-
Designated funds
Heritage assets
1,425,075
-
-
-
-
1,425,075
Repair & maintenance
31,563
-
19,217
(19,217)
20,000
32,346
Total designated fund
1,456,638
-
19,217
(19,217)
20,000
1,457,421
General unrestricted funds
68,790
73,780
59,429
14,351
(20,000)
63,141
-
12,044
12,044
-
-
-
1,425,075
-
-
-
-
1,425,075
31,563
-
19,217
(19,217)
20,000
32,346
1,456,638
-
19,217
(19,217)
20,000
1,457,421
68,790
73,780
59,429
14,351
(20,000)
63,141
Total funds 1,525,428
85,824
90,690
(4,866)
-
1,520,562

NOTE: The transfer of funds from unrestricted to designated (repair & maintenance) was agreed by Trustees on 27 April 2023.

22

�������������������� �������� �� ���� ��� ���� � �������

The Laurence Sterne Trust Charity No. 1181127 Trustees’ annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2024

19. The Charity’s assets and liabilities

Fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets (liabilities)		 Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Restricted
Designated
Unrestricted
Total
Funds
Funds
Funds
2024
Funds
Funds
Funds
2023
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
-
1,425,075
-
1,425,075
-
1,425,075
-
1,425,075
4,042
25,602
39,506
69,150
-
32,346
136,555
168,901
(4,042)
(794)
(2,273)
(7,109)
-
-
(73,414)
(73,414)
-
1,449,883
37,233
1,487,116
-
1,457,421
63,141
1,520,562

23