Third Annual Report for Ware Museum CIO April 2021 – March 2022
Ware Museum Hon. President’s Report 2021-2022
In last year’s report I said that it was hoped that the Museum would be able to open again in May 2021. I am pleased to say that the Museum did re-open in May 2021, albeit with the shorter hours and all Covid precautions still in place. I ended the report on the intention to hold a special exhibition on Town Twinning to celebrate fifty years of twinning with Wulfrath and twenty years of twinning with Cormeilles-en-Parisis. An excellent exhibition was mounted, but, sadly, continuing Covid restrictions prevented Ware receiving visitors from France or Germany and the joint celebration was held on Zoom.
The Management Committee has continued to meet monthly, all meetings being held on Zoom until March this year. Despite this, the Committee has pressed ahead with the Forward Plan 2022 – 2025 for the sustainability of the Museum, accessioning, an inventory, cataloguing, digitalization and the need to employ a professional manager. To progress this a freelance Museum Development Consultant, Tracey McGeagh, was appointed on a short-term contract. Tracey had several meetings with the committee which were helpful. Her final report is awaited. An IT Consultant has been employed. Consideration has also been given to the perceived need for the Museum to have a card reader as many people now do not carry cash but expect to pay with a debit or credit card.
Diana Perkins, with some assistance, entered and erected a Christmas tree in Leaside Christmas Tree Festival. The tree was at Leaside for the two days of the Festival and then in the Museum. Thank you, Diana.
Anticipating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, plans were in progress for a Ware and Royalty Exhibition from April to June.
I cannot end without mentioning that Graham Watson has resigned as Treasurer and from the committee after many years of invaluable service to the Museum. Prior to taking on the position as Treasurer he was Secretary for some years. We all wish to thank him for his devotion to the Museum. He will be missed. I should also like to thank all the members of the committee, stewards and those who work behind the scenes for their continued work to help us move forward. Strange as it may seem, to look after our history we have to keep up to date.
Ware Museum Secretary’s Report 2021-2022
We felt as though things were becoming a bit more normal when we were able to reopen from 17[th] May 2021 although under a restricted system and times. We had hoped to be able to open to full pre-Covid times but we have not yet been able to do so.
The Museum was open to the Public on 172 days with a footfall of 1807 visitors. The website continues to be used regularly. Between 1[st] April 2021 and 31[st] March 2022 there were 13,963 visits to the website.
We are grateful to our volunteer stewards, who give their time and talents to the Museum and enable us to remain open for the public. But we are always looking for more stewards.
We reopened with a new short exhibition Digging up History and this was followed by 50 years of Town Twinning and then Toys Games and Pastimes.
There were two days of children’s activities during school holidays and another two days of activities for the Heritage Days.
Outside Groups were able to make visits again to the Museum during this period. Three groups came in from Cubs and Beavers. The u3a also resumed meetings.
We received 65 specific enquiries from the public during the year of which 32 were via email.
Trustees are as follows: Phyllis Ballam, Elisabeth Barratt, Caroline Crook, Rob Gifford, Janet Parkin, Diana Perkins, Sean Shaw, Judi Thomson, John Wing. Graham Watson resigned in January 2022 on the completion of his three-year appointment.
Ware Museum Hon. Curator’s Report 2021-2022
The re-opening of the Ware Museum in May 2021 presented the Documentation team with both bad news and good news. Two of the older members of the group, who had been stalwart supporters for many years, found it difficult to return to the museum under the Covid restrictions. They reluctantly resigned, not only from the Documentation group but also as Museum Stewards. We would like to thank Mrs. Josie Fish and Mrs. Beryl Gafney for their energetic support and hard work over the past decades. The good news was that there were new volunteers to help with documentation, which allowed us to re-assess our systems and start a full inventory of the collections.
Over the past thirty years since the Museum’s foundation, museum documentation has undergone many changes. Card indexes have given way to computer databases and changes in staffing have provided many different ways of work and, in particular, changes in terminology. The inventory is giving us an ideal chance to make certain the current database is accurate and to reconcile the differing terminology that has developed over the years. This is an ongoing process that will provide us with a firm foundation for future work dependant on the accuracy of our technological resources.
Many people took advantage of Lockdown to turn out their attics and cupboards, offering the results to the museum. Some of these offerings were of benefit to
the museum while others provided museum staff with an opportunity of honing their tact in refusing them. As the museum is running out of storage space, this provided us with, at least, one valid, diplomatic excuse. As a result of the acceptable gifts donated to the museum since Lockdown, accessioning continues apace.
We are very grateful to our Documentation team for their hard work and enthusiasm. They are helping us make sure that our Documentation systems are accurate and provide a firm foundation for the future.
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Restricted | Endowment | Total | Prioryear | Prioryear | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | funds | totalfunds | |||
| lncomeand endornmentsfrom: | |||||||
| Donationsand legacies | 1,000 | 1,000 | 140 | ||||
| lncomefomctaritableactivities | 915 | s15 | 200 | ||||
| Other income | 2,319 | 3,000 | s,319 | 3,272 | |||
| Grants Total incorne |
18,726 22,961 |
3,000 | 18,726 25,961 |
2734A 30,954 |
|||
| Expenditureon: | |||||||
| Raisingfunds | 171 | 171 | 134 | ||||
| Expenditure on charitable activities | 4,3S0 | 4,390 | 1,665 | ||||
| Other expenditure | 394 | 394 | 171 | ||||
| Governance costs | 39.236 | 39,236 | 6,275 | ||||
| ReservedFunds | |||||||
| Stewards&TrusteeCosts | 4s1 | 4; | 559 | ||||
| Total expenditure | 44,583 | t14,683 | 8,805 | ||||
| Gains/losses on investment assets | |||||||
| Netincome / (expenditure) resources before transfer |
121,7221 | 3,000 | 118,722' | 22,149 | |||
| Transfers | |||||||
| Grosstransfersbetween funds-in | 630 | 1.206 | 1,836 | 38,664 | |||
| Grosstransfersbetween funds-out Other recognised gains I losses |
(1,206) | t630) | (1,836) | {38,6er) | |||
| Gains on revaluation,fixedassets, charity's own use | |||||||
| Netmovementinfunds | 122,2981 | 3,576 | 118,722122,149 | ||||
| Totalfundsbrought forward | 174,298 | 23,335 | 197,634 | 175,485 | |||
| Totalfundscarried forward | 152,000 | 26,911 | 178,912 | {97,634 | |||
| Represented by | |||||||
| Unrestricted | |||||||
| General fund | 23.224 | 23,224 | 43,906 | ||||
| Designated | |||||||
| Conservation | I,UCJ | 1,053 | 1,053 | ||||
| ContingencyFund | 8.000 | 8,000 | 8,000 | ||||
| Covid-19 costs | 1.573 | 1.573 | r,/ot | ||||
| Curatorial-General Displays&Exhibitions |
4.097 3,899 |
4,O97 3,899 |
5,505 'laoo |
||||
| Education | 2.000 | 2,000 | 2.000 | ||||
| FutureDevelopments | 88,640 | 88,640 | 88,640 | ||||
| Goodsforsale | 2,561 | 2,561 | 2,561 | ||||
| Maintenance Prepayments |
,,oy | 7,O84 | ,,oy | ||||
| Storage | |||||||
| Technology | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3,000 | ||||
| TouristInformation Point | 6,018 | 6,018 | 6,018 | ||||
| Training | 847 | 847 | 847 | ||||
| Restricted | |||||||
| Curatorial-restricted | 635 | 635 | 635 | ||||
| Display Equipment | s00 | 500 | 500 | ||||
| GlaxoSmithKline | 5,612 | 5,612 | 5,612 | ||||
| HeritageAssets | 15,31s | 1s,315 | 15,315 | ||||
| Martin Laing Foundation | 4,849 | 4,849 | 1,849 | ||||
| OfficeEquipment | {576) |
| Fixedassets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 8000 | Gilpin Collection | 5,500 | s,s00 |
| 8001 | Roman Coffin | 4,244 | 4,244 |
| 8003 | SaxonStrap & Pendant | 40 | 40 |
| 8004 | Roman Ring | 300 | 300 |
| 8005 | Painting:WareHigh Street | 400 | 400 |
| 8006 | Buckle TotalFixedasseb |
5,000 15,444 |
5,000 15,440 |
| Current assets | |||
| 6010 | Current Account- CAFBank | 14,447 | 30,460 |
| 6020 | DepositAccount -CAF Bank | 75.452 | 75,439 |
| 6035 | Cambridge&CountiesBank | 74,98',1 | 73,703 |
| 6050 | Cash inHand | 30 | 30 |
| 6060 | Stock itemsforresale | 2,561 | 2,561 |
| 205 | AceountsReceivable | ||
| Total Cunent assets | 163,472 | 182,194 | |
| Reserves | |||
| Excess/(deficit)todate | {18,722) | 30,133 | |
| 201 | Starting balances TotalReserves |
197,634 178,912 |
167,500 197,634 |
| Representedbyfurds | |||
| Unrestrieted | 23,224 | 43,906 | |
| Designated | 128,775 | 130,392 | |
| Restristed | zS,St1 | 23,335 | |
| Endowment | |||
| Total | 178,912 | 197,634 |
| Statement of assets andliabilities | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed assets -lntangibleasseh | Gg4qtrlDgligq?@qRestrictedEndowment | TbisyearLast year | |||
| Gilpin Collec{ion - | 5,500 | 5,500 | 5,500 | ||
| Roman Coffin- | 4.200 | 4,204 | 4,200 | ||
| Saxon Strap & Pendant- | 40 | 40 | 40 | ||
| Roman Ring- | 300 | 300 | 300 | ||
| Painting:WareHigh Street- | 400 | 400 | 400 | ||
| Buckle- | 5,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 | ||
| Totals | 15"M9 | 15,444 | 15,440 | ||
| Current assets-Cash at bank andin hand | |||||
| Current Account-CAF Bank- | 8,2S5 | (10,178) | 12,334 | 10,447 | 30,460 |
| DepositAccount-CAFBank - | 10.916 | 65,395 | (85S) | 75,452 | 75,439 |
| Cambridge & Countigs Bank- Cash in Hand - Totals |
30---3030 24,222 125,216 4,981 70,000 |
11,471 | 160,911 74,S81 |
179,633 73,703 |
|
| Current assets-Debtors | |||||
| Accounts Receivable - | iOOA\qqA---- | ||||
| Totals | {998} | 998 | |||
| Currentassets-Stocksandwork inprogr*s | |||||
| Stock itemsforrqsale- | 2,561 | 2,56'l | 2,561 | ||
| To{als | 2,561 | 2,561 | 2,561 |
| INCOMEANDENDOWMENTS | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donationsandlegacies | ||||||||
| 1130- OtherDonations | 1,000 | 1,000 | 140 | |||||
| Total | 1,000 | 1,000 | 140 | |||||
| lncomefromcharitableactivities | ||||||||
| 1105- Visitors | 660 | 660 | 120 | |||||
| 1110 - Groups | 160 | 160 | ||||||
| 1115- Lectures&Walks | 50 | 50 | 50 | |||||
| 1120 -Activities | ||||||||
| 1125-Schools 1321-ResearchFees |
45 | 45 | * | |||||
| Totar | 915 | 915 | 200 | |||||
| Other income | ||||||||
| 1150- lnsuranceClaim | ||||||||
| 122O-GlaxoSmithKline | ||||||||
| 1250-Sir MartinLaingFoundation | 3,000 | 3,000 | 3, | 000 | ||||
| 1260-Depositionfees | 40 | |||||||
| 1310- lnterestreceived | 1,29CI | 1,290 | 34 | |||||
| 1315-Shop Sales | 443 | 443 | 36 | |||||
| 1320-Obiedcopies | ||||||||
| 1325-Rent received | 475 | 75 4 |
162 | |||||
| 1330-Lltilities refunds | ||||||||
| 1331-Rent refund | ||||||||
| 1332-Contents lnsurance Claim | ||||||||
| 1335 -Archivereceipts | ||||||||
| 1340-GiftAid | = | |||||||
| 1399-Misc. | 110 | 110 | ||||||
| Total | 2,319 | 3,000 | 5,319 | 3,272 | ||||
| Grants | ||||||||
| 1140 -Grants | 18, | 726 | 1 | u,r: | 25,240 | |||
| 1205-WareTown Council | ||||||||
| 1206-WareTownCouncil-TIP | 2, | 00 | ||||||
| 121A-Easl Herts Council | ||||||||
| 1211-Herts County Gouncil | ||||||||
| 1255-SHARE | ||||||||
| Total | 18. | 18, | 726 | 27 | ||||
| INCOMETOTAI- | 22,961 | 3,000 | 25,961 | 30,954 |
| EXPENDITURE | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raisingfunds | |||||
| 4105-Shop Trading | 171 | 171 | 134 | ||
| 4110 -Publicity | |||||
| Total | 171 | 171 | 134 | ||
| Expenditure on charitable | activities | ||||
| 4205 -Curatorial-Accession | 4 | ||||
| 4210-Curatorial-Conservation 4212-Curatorial-Documentation 4215-Curatorial-Storage |
4t 100 |
aao I lo |
778 438 ,T |
17 4sB 100 |
|
| 4217 -Curatorial- ColledionCosts | |||||
| 4218-Curatorial-Rationalisatlon | |||||
| 4219 -Curatorial-Digitisation 422A-Display Costs |
25 1 |
1; | 135 | ||
| 4222-Curatorial objectpurchases | |||||
| 4225-Children'sActivities | |||||
| 4230-EducationalAdivities | |||||
| 4422-Covid-19changes 4427-Legal costs |
1,455 | 248 | 208 ,,01 |
718 | |
| 4440-Museum Store construction 4517-WebSite |
1,284 | 1,284 | 2a | ||
| 4900-Bankcharges | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 3,403 | 986 | 4,390 | 1,665 | |
| Otherexpenditure | |||||
| 4430 -Garden | 180 | 180 | |||
| 4505 -Printing, Poetage & Stationery | 164 | 164 | 166 | ||
| 4525-Other Officemsts | |||||
| 4530-Miscellaneous | 50 | 50 | 4 | ||
| 4999 -Misc. | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 394 | 394 | 171 | ||
| Governancecosb | |||||
| 4405-Rent paid | 3,075 | 3,O75 | 1,080 | ||
| 4410- lnsurance | 4,194 | 4,194 | |||
| 4412-Securi$ | 769 | 769 | 696 | ||
| 4415-Lltilities -Water | 112 | 112 | 120 | ||
| 4416-Utifities-Electricity | 3,981 | 3,S81 | 3,048 | ||
| 4417- Utilities-Telephone | 184 | 184 | 185 | ||
| 4418-Lltilities-Broadband | 149 | 145 | 144 | ||
| 4420-Upkeep&Cleaning 4425-BuildingRepair&Decoration |
1,530 21,321 |
1,530 21,321 |
686 195 |
||
| 4515 -lT 4700-ConsultancyFees |
Total | 822 3,094*--3,094- 39,236 |
822 39,236 |
124 6,2V5 |
| Stewards&Trustee Costs | Stewards&Trustee Costs | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4705-Training 4710 -Subscriptions |
Paid | 232 | 2a | 241 | ||
| 4720- Trusteelnsuranc,e | ||||||
| 4725 - Travel Costs | ||||||
| 4730-Sundrycost | 209 | 2a | a, | |||
| 4735-Stewards | 50 | 50 | 288 | |||
| Total | 491 | 491 | 559 | |||
| EXPENDITURETOTAL | 43,696 | 986 | 44,683 | 8,805 | ||
| GRAITIDTOTAL | QA,735|(e86) | 3,000 | (18,722|?2,149 |