Registered Charity Number: 1185086
THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED
28 FEBRUARY 2021
THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
Charity Details
Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Registered Charity Number: 1185086
Charity Trustees
Mrs Philippa Rowe (Finance Director) Ms Zelda Heney (Secretary) Mrs Katharine Heatherington (Treasurer) Mrs Jean Heatherington Mrs Kathleen Gill Mrs Rachel Swaffield Mr John Norman Mr Norman O’Riley (Resigned October 2020) Mr Kenneth Heatherington Mr Allan Percival Mrs Anita Atkinson Mr Andrew Pidd Rev Eion Buchanon
Address
The Weardale Museum The Hotts Ireshopeburn Weardale Co Durham DL13 1HD
Bankers
Unity Trust Bank PO Box 7193 Planetary Road Willenhall WV1 9DG
Accountants
Allen Sykes Chartered Accountants Unit B4 The Dales Centre Stanhope Co Durham DL13 2FJ
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THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
TRUSTEES REPORT
Structure, governance and management
The Weardale Museum is governed by a CIO-Association dated 29[th] August 2019. Charitable status was granted on 29[th] August 2019 to continue the objectives of the previous charity.
The Trustees are responsible for making decisions on all matters of general concern and importance to the charity including deciding on how the funds of The Weardale Museum are to be spent.
Aims and purposes
We are a small independent folk museum run by volunteers for the past 35 years and located at the High House Methodist Chapel. We provide a sense of place for those who live in and visit Weardale by telling the stories of its history and heritage. We provide a family history service using our 70,000 database of Weardale families and we hold extensive collections of Weardale photographs and artefacts.
Objectives and Activities
The advancement of public education by the provision of a museum comprising any items or exhibits which may from time to time be purchased on behalf of or donated to the museum which may be deemed worthy of public display (which items or exhibits are hereinafter called “the collection”.
Achievements and Performance
As 2019 progressed the Trustees and their Task Teams added more flesh to the bones of the Development Project; potential funders were identified and some applications submitted.
External funding made possible the engagement of four Consultants to assist in further progressing our work. One focuses on Community Development, particularly in the Heritage sector; another has introduced IT and management systems plus two websites; the third was a Design Consultant with conservation and planning experience who lives just five minutes from the Chapel and the fourth is the Head Broderer at Durham Cathedral who acts as Technical Adviser for the “Methodist Tapestry” project. for which we have also engaged a Coordinator. They have all proved invaluable and continuing funding streams make it possible to continue their engagement.
Purchasing the Chapel proved, as expected, a slow process but across most of the areas we were making good progress, until Covid-19 made its presence known and from late March, “lockdowns” were imposed and any progress became laborious.
Potential funders cancelled their routine grants, focussing all attention (and monies) on Covid-19 emergency measures. Many of the professionals, contractors, Local Authority officers were furloughed, including solicitors handling the sale and our purchase of the Chapel
As the majority of our Stewards are vulnerable through age or were identified as “shielded”, this led the Trustees to determine the Museum would not open in 2020. Plans for our exciting and extended programmes and activities ceased overnight.
Purchase of the Chapel was eventually completed on 30[th] June, primarily through the efforts of our Patron. Embracing digital technology became imperative, not least for museums, and we have worked to create a virtual museum.
Despite the challenges, we did raise some Heritage Emergency, Cultural Recovery and other funds which permitted some internal exploration and restoration works. The pandemic has made our work more difficult but we continue to
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make positive progress and having gained Listed Building Consent and we now hope to achieve Planning Approval in the coming weeks (eventually May 2021).
We benefit greatly from the skills and enthusiasm of the Trustees, members of our Task Teams, our growing team of professionals and many Members and Friends of the Museum
Our Visitors
Detailed plans for an exciting 2020 programme were made. In a collaboration with Beamish and the North East Land Sea & Air Museums we had planned a weekend of activities to commemorate VJ Day. Our “Heritage in the Dale” visits to Village Halls were to be expanded and we planned to exhibit at each of the Weardale Agricultural Shows and so much more.
Visitor numbers to the museum were considerably down on previous years. This may be partly down to uncertainty about the current status of the museum and chapel, the general perception being that the whole property was closed. Changes within the organisation have also impacted upon our operation.
Trustees
The Museum’s Friends elect from their membership Trustees who are prepared to give up a little of their time to help manage the Museum and make decisions on behalf of the members. Trustees play a valuable role and we thank them for making the commitment.
Interpretation and Display
Outreach Exhibition in Rookhope, Wolsingham and Stanhope
Following on from successful outreach projects in 2018 the Museum participated in exhibitions of old photographs in Wolsingham (May), Rookhope (June) and Stanhope Church (August).
Digital Voices
In September the Museum took part in a project with Digital Voices to record people’s memories of Weardale before 1970. Using old photographs from the museum’s collection, people were brought together in Stanhope Community Centre to relate their memories and experiences. Later, pupils from Stanhope Barrington School were trained to film and interview some of the participants with the project culminating in a 20-minute film to be launched in March 2020. The Museum hopes to take this project further in the near future.
Methodist Tapestry
The concept of creating a series of embroidered panels to tell the story of Methodism arose from the need to have a flagship feature to attract a wide audience which would sustain the overall project. Fifteen drawings telling the story of High House Chapel have been created to explain the concept, in the first case, and later the project will be rolled out to interested parties across the country and beyond to create up to 100 panels. (see our Facebook pages “Weardale Museum” and “Methodist Tapestries Collection”)
Genealogy
The Museum continues to develop its genealogy resources which have resulted in many visits both to the Museum and to the website. We again wish to acknowledge and thank Mr John Backhouse whose research of the census for Stanhope Parish has enabled the rest of this work to be undertaken. The Trustees also wish to thank Ken Heatherington and Eric Draper whose enthusiasm and hard work have built a superb genealogy resource to enable many family history researchers from around the world to trace their ancestors. Ken and Eric’s work has profited the Museum with many
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donations. Helping to deliver our Family History service are Kate Gill and Les Blackett and we have recently welcomed Aaron Cowen who will be transcribing documents.
Resilience & Continuity
As we drew near to the end of our financial year (28[th] February) it became clear that the Corvid-19 virus demanded drastic actions. This proved an abrupt end to some exciting plans, resulting in the decisions such as not to open the Museum for the foreseeable future; to abandon various special events planned for 2020 and that meetings of Trustees and Task Teams would be online only. To maintain a “museum presence” we will increase our use of social media to offer a virtual museum experience plus an online shop. Planning for our future development will continue, including the Methodist Tapestry.
Financial review
During the period total unrestricted receipts were £28,768 (2020: £9,565). For the year ended 29 February 2021 we had an unrestricted surplus of £3,453 (2020: surplus of £3,770) leaving unrestricted reserves at the year-end of £39,004 (2020: £35,551).
Reserves Policy
It is the Management Committee’s policy to maintain a balance on unrestricted funds which equates to at least six months unrestricted payments, equivalent to £10,000, to cover emergency situations that arise from time to time. Reserves held in excess of this requirement will be used for community projects.
THE WEARDALE MUSEUM THE HOTTS IRESHOPEBURN BISHOP AUCKLAND CO DURHAM DL13 1HD
Signed By:
Ms Z Heney Secretary
Dated: 7[th] July 2021
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THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2021
| Unrestricted Notes Funds RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT £ Receipts Transfer of Funds from unincorporated charity - Voluntary receipts Donations 4,884 Grants: Sir James Knott Trust - Covid business grants 20,542 AH Cultural Recovery Fund - NE LEP Kick Start Fund - The Willan Trust - The Radcliffe Trust - The People’s Postcode - The Priestman Trust - Heritage Emergency Fund - O N Organ Trust - The Barbour Foundation - Durham Digital - Activities for generating funds Admissions - Family history donations 1,125 Book sales 1,580 Interest received 120 Sundry income 517 28,768 |
Unrestricted Notes Funds RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT £ Receipts Transfer of Funds from unincorporated charity - Voluntary receipts Donations 4,884 Grants: Sir James Knott Trust - Covid business grants 20,542 AH Cultural Recovery Fund - NE LEP Kick Start Fund - The Willan Trust - The Radcliffe Trust - The People’s Postcode - The Priestman Trust - Heritage Emergency Fund - O N Organ Trust - The Barbour Foundation - Durham Digital - Activities for generating funds Admissions - Family history donations 1,125 Book sales 1,580 Interest received 120 Sundry income 517 28,768 |
Restricted Total Total Funds 2021 2020 £ £ £ - - 36,501 3,921 8,805 7,134 - - 2,000 - 20,542 - 9,450 9,450 - 2,920 2,920 - 8,050 8,050 - 2,000 2,000 - 15,785 15,785 - 8,000 8,000 - 45,000 45,000 - 1,200 1,200 - 2,000 2,000 - 1,500 1,500 - - - 627 - 1,125 1,054 - 1,580 - - 120 76 - 517 674 99,826 128,594 48,066 |
|---|---|---|
| 28,768 |
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THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2021
| Notes Brought forward Payments Costs of generating funds 3a Costs of charitable activities 3b Building improvements Fixtures and equipment Net Receipts/Payments before transfers Transfers Bank accounts as at 29 February 2020 Bank accounts as at 28 February 2021 |
Unrestricted Funds 28,768 (2,316) (10,986) (8,953) (3,060) (25,315) 3,453 - 35,551 39,004 |
Unrestricted Funds 28,768 (2,316) (10,986) (8,953) (3,060) (25,315) 3,453 - 35,551 39,004 |
Unrestricted Funds 28,768 (2,316) (10,986) (8,953) (3,060) (25,315) 3,453 - 35,551 39,004 |
Restricted Total Total 2021 2020 99,826 128,594 48,066 (216) (2,532) (4,186) (39,631) (50,617) (3,818) (26,250) (35,203) - -(3,060)- (66,097) (91,412) (8,004) 33,729 37,182 40,062 - - - 4,511 40,062 - 38,240 77,244 40,062 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
(25,315) 3,453 - 35,551 39,004 |
||||
| 35,551 39,004 |
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THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
Financial Statements for the Period Ended 28 February 2021
| STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES Cash Funds National Savings Unity Trust Bank Unity Trust Bank A/c 2 Assets retained for charitable use Leasehold improvement (Cost) Fixtures and equipment |
Unrestricted Funds £ 10,465 28,539 - 39,004 8,953 3,060 12,013 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 10,465 28,539 - 39,004 8,953 3,060 12,013 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 10,465 28,539 - 39,004 8,953 3,060 12,013 |
Restricted Total Total Funds 2021 2020 £ £ £ - 10,465 15,345 10,251 38,790 24,717 27,989 27,989 - 38,240 77,244 40,062 26,250 35,203 - - 3,060 - 26,250 38,263 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39,004 8,953 3,060 |
||||
| 12,013 |
Assets retained for charitable use include a collection of gemstones acquired for £7,500 payable in two instalments. The first instalment of £3,750 was paid for during the year to February 2020 and the second instalment of £3,750 is payable in February 2022.
The attached notes form part of these financial statements
Approved by the Management Committee on 7[th] July 2021 and signed on their behalf by
Mr A Percival
Mrs P Rowe
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THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2021
NOTES
-
1 The financial statements have been prepared in accordance the Charities Act 2011 using the receipts and payments basis.
-
2 The movements in restricted funds during the year were:
| Durham County Council Sir James Knott Trust Organ Appeal AH Cultural Recovery Fund NE LEP Kick Start Fund The Willan Trust The Radcliffe Trust The People’s Postcode The Priestman Trust Heritage Emergency Fund O N Organ Trust The Barbour Foundation Durham Digital |
Bal B/fwd 4,070 441 - - - - - - - - - - - 4,511 |
Receipts - - 3,921 9,450 2,920 8,050 2,000 15,785 8,000 45,000 1,200 2,000 1,500 |
Payments (4,070) (441) (716) (9,450) (2,920) - - - - (45,000) - (2,000) (1,500) |
Bal Transfers C/fwd - - - - - 3,205 - - - - - 8,050 - 2,000 - 15,785 - 8,000 - - - 1,200 - - - - - 38,240 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
99,826 |
(66,097) |
The Co Durham Community Foundation grant is to provide website and IT capability, marketing and branding and to fund a new tapestry project which will be exhibited in the museum. This grant was transferred from the unincorporated charity.
The Sir James Knott Charitable Trust grant is to provide the professional services of a design technician and civil engineer in the conversion of the chapel into a museum.
The Organ Appeal was a crowd funding appeal for costs towards the restoration of the organ.
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The AHT Cultural Recovery Fund funded the engagement of Consultants and a major Community Consultation Survey in partnership with The Audience Agency.
The NE LEP Kick Start Fund enabled the commissioning of the Museum & Heritage Centre Design proposals.
The Willan Trust supported both the cost of materials and salaries for the Methodist Tapestries project.
The Radcliffe Trust supported the purchase of materials for the Methodist Tapestries project.
The People’s postcode provided funds for the installation of a solar voltaic system.
The Priestman Trust contributed 50% towards the cost of the Vincent Organ restoration.
The Heritage Emergency Fund funded urgent works to the South West corner of the Chapel and exploration works throughout the Chapel to ascertain the extent of dampness along with costs of new websites and the production of three films.
O N Organ Trust contributed towards the cost of the Vincent Organ restoration project.
The Barbour Foundation contributed towards the engagement of Consultants.
Durham Digital provided in kind support for the “Digital Durham” project.
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THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
Financial Statements for the Year Ended 28 February 2021
| 3 Receipts and Payments analysis aCosts of generating funds Museum expenses bCharitable activities Office expenses and telephone Insurance Rent Light and heat Training and sundry expenses Professional fees Repairs, maintenance and consumables |
Unrestricted Funds £ 2,316 2,316 Unrestricted Funds £ 950 6,647 - 2,900 191 - 298 10,986 |
Unrestricted Funds £ 2,316 2,316 Unrestricted Funds £ 950 6,647 - 2,900 191 - 298 10,986 |
Restricted Funds £ 216 |
Restricted Funds £ 216 |
Total 2021 £ 2,532 |
Total 2020 £ 4,186 4,186 Total 2020 £ 278 - - 1,153 126 1,890 371 3,818 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 216 |
2,532 |
|||||
| Restricted Total Funds 2021 £ £ - 950 - 6,647 - - - 2,900 - 191 39,070 39,070 561 859 |
||||||
| 10,986 | 39,631 50,617 |
4 Trustees Expenses
The Trustees have not received any remuneration or expenses during the year.
5 Liability of Members
If the CIO is wound up, the members of the CIO have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.
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THE WEARDALE MUSEUM
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of The Weardale Museum
YEAR ENDED 28 FEBRUARY 2021
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 28 February 2021 which are set out on pages 4 to 10.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees 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 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
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Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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The accounts do not accord with the accounting records
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the accounts did 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Mr Philip Lamb FCA Allen Sykes Limited Unit B4 The Dales Centre Castle Gardens Stanhope Bishop Auckland Co Durham
Dated 7[th] July 2021
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