## **ANNUAL REPORT 2025**
## MISSION AND PUBLIC BENEFIT
Topsham Museum is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) established in 2020 to succeed the Topsham Museum Society (TMS). Assets and members were transferred to the CIO and the mission remained the same: to advance the education of the public by providing and managing a public museum and collecting, recording and displaying objects and information pertaining to the local history, flora and fauna of Topsham and the Exe Estuary.
Thanks to committed volunteers we have done our best to give effect to that mission during a frustrating year when, as described below, we were not able to open to the public. In summary, the ways we have done this are:
- Taking forward a programme of outreach activities
- Arranging a regular programme of lectures
- Regular activities for children
- Supporting local and family historians and others undertaking research
- Using a facility in central Topsham for small temporary exhibitions, and utilising space at the Custom House in Exeter
- Acquiring a second redundant telephone kiosk and working with local residents to maintain it as a book exchange
- Installation of maps and information boards
## BUILDING AND LEASE
These issues have dominated discussions by the trustees. The building and land occupied by the Museum were left to Exeter City Council (ECC) by the late Dorothy Holman in 1893, and the CIO occupies the premises under a lease from ECC, due to terminate at the end of March 2026. Since 2022, the Museum has paid rent and reimbursed ECC for the building insurance. Because the building was not available for public opening in 2025, we agreed with ECC that no rent would be payable.
Last year we reported that ECC had agreed to fund a project to replace the render on the Lower Shapter Street side of the building and had started to identify other issues that needed to be addressed. Regrettably all work was paused in early July 2025 and communications with ECC became very difficult. Subsequently work re-started in January 2026 but it
1
was made clear that nothing beyond the Lower Shapter Street work would be taken forward, whilst ECC continued to assess the total cost of the project and determine how the costs would be met. We were very relieved when a meeting in July 2025 with the Head of Commercial Assets and the Principal Estates Surveyor seemed to signal a return to regular communications.
There was little other good news, not least because ECC concluded they needed clarification of the legal basis on which they own the building. This issue is now the subject of an application to the High Court, and we do not know the timetable for the determination of that outcome. Meanwhile, although ECC officials have indicated that they are preparing a paper for Councillors on all the options open to them, we have been given a reasonably clear indication that there are no immediately available sources of funding to complete the remaining works. This causes us considerable concern because of the risk of further deterioration in the fabric of the building, particularly the 1680s period house, which we believe to be the only publicly-accessible property of a similar age and nature in the care of the Council. We have indicated that we are prepared to consider the possibility of a Community Asset Transfer of the building, but the Council are currently not engaging with us on this issue. In the light of these developments, we have not taken forward lease negotiations, and the current lease will roll forward until the position becomes clearer.
## VISITORS
Although the Museum was closed for the whole 2025 season we were very pleased that over 3200 people supported our various outreach events under the banner ‘Full Ahead’.
## OUTREACH
Our volunteers have responded to the closure of the Museum by offering outreach activities. We are grateful to the Central Garage for allowing us to use their Fore Street window for regularly changing displays, using items from the Museum’s collections. Watermeadow Grange continues to offer a venue for a monthly coffee morning and museum display which is open to their residents and the public.
EXHIBITIONS
Our plan for our temporary exhibition for 2025 had involved working with The Arts Society Topsham to identify 18-19[th] -century paintings of the Exe Estuary. We were delighted when the Custom House on Exeter Quay agreed to host a virtual display of some of the paintings in November, with members of the Topsham Flood Map group also exhibiting works of art they had created.
2
An art exhibition was staged at St Margaret’s Church in early April and the Tea Room team provided catering.
Although not strictly an exhibition, in October we organised a Table-top Museum at the Matthews Hall. Twenty people exhibited their personal collections which included: a detailed family history, a collection of toast racks, West End theatre memorabilia, hand-made puppets and even vintage lingerie. The event attracted close to 200 visitors, and we may repeat it in 2026.
## COMMUNITY COMMITMENT
The telephone box outside St Margaret’s Church continues to be used for exhibitions and information for residents and visitors. We were very pleased to work with local residents to acquire a second redundant telephone box on the Strand. The Market House Trust kindly provided a grant to enable the box to be refurbished, and it was formally opened on 13 November as a book exchange, and to provide information on the museum.
We have continued to provide the popular Topsham Trails leaflets which are available free of charge at various points in Topsham for the benefit of visitors to the town. In addition, free walking tours of Topsham were offered twice weekly by volunteer guides between May and September. Last year we reported on slow progress in developing maps and heritage information boards for key locations in the town. Due to the determination of one of our trustees and financial support from the Market House Trust, East of Exe and Rodney Spiller, this project was brought to a successful conclusion. The maps were erected in November 2025 and on 7 December our patron, the Earl of Devon, formally opened the information boards and the accompanying QR trail.
MUSEUM GARDENS
Because of the building work, the team of gardening volunteers has had limited access to the main garden throughout the year. That said, essential cutting back, grass cutting and tidying took place when possible and the yew arch was kept in good condition.
The main focus was the riverside garden where the challenge was keeping the plants going during the hot, dry summer. Thought is being given to the introduction of more drought-tolerant plants. The riverside garden is very popular both with visitors and local residents, and is used for events such as the children’s’ Christmas trail.
## LECTURES
We continued with our programme of summer and winter lectures. During 2025 we held three evening lectures in January, March and November. These were given respectively by Val Maxfield, Todd Gray and Ian
3
Mortimer and attracted good audiences. The topics covered included local Roman excavations, the impact of the Second World War and an amazing survey by Ian of the A to Z of English history.
During the spring and summer, we held five lunchtime lectures covering a range of subjects from Jane Austen in the South-West, through the advent of the railways, the ‘middling people’ of Exeter, paintings of the Exe estuary from Ray Balkwill and a fascinating explanation of hoards and local discoveries from Tom Cadbury of RAMM.
## MEMBERSHIP
It is very pleasing that, notwithstanding the museum being closed, most members renewed their membership in 2025 and some others joined. At end of the year numbers were as follows:
Annual members 238 Life members 49 Total 287
All members received the 2025 edition of Topsham Times, and we are grateful to the editor, Cathy Maguire, and to Ned Hoste for pre-press production.
It was unfortunate that an event for members planned to take place in the riverside garden in September had to be cancelled because of the weather forecast. In the event, the weather was as bad as predicted! It is hoped that the event can be rearranged, alongside other events planned for 2026.
## COLLECTIONS
Most of the furniture from the period house is currently in secure storage at a venue in Exeter, with costs being covered by ECC. We are concerned, however, that the items have been in storage for longer than anticipated with no end currently in sight.
As part of the building works, the boiler was inspected and condemned and there is currently no gas heating in the Museum. This put items still in the building at risk, and so five electric heaters were installed in the sail loft. Some of the display cases were cleared and removed, and the library and the document and photographic collections were transferred into the sail loft where the temperature and humidity conditions can be kept constant. The picture collection has been repositioned, and the administration files have also been moved to the sail loft.
All items on loan from RAMM were removed by them in November. We are also grateful to RAMM for providing storage for our textile collection and our unframed artworks. We have worked with a furniture curator from the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) to determine how to deal with their items held on loan. The original plan had been for them to be returned to
4
the V&A, but we are delighted to report that negotiations were successfully concluded with Powderham Castle, and the items are due to be moved there in March 2026.
We are very grateful to the teams of volunteers who work each week to check and repack documents, photographs, and the objects in our reserve collection. Every item has been photographed and will be added to the database. This work has enabled us to weed out duplicates and assess items which do not fit with our collections policy. The trustees have agreed to deaccession several items.
We hold 140,000 objects, documents and photographs in the collection. There were no accessions in 2025, but items have been offered and will be accessioned in 2026.
## SECRET GARDENS
In June we held our biennial Secret Gardens of Topsham. We were very fortunate with the weather, and it turned into a highly successful day. Over 1500 tickets were sold, giving access to 15 gardens: we are very grateful to residents who opened their gardens. There was a plant stall, a book stall and two refreshment venues were set up around the town. Large quantities of cake and cream teas were served by teams of museum volunteers.
## VOLUNTEERS
As a volunteer-led and run organisation, volunteers are the lifeblood of the museum, and we benefit from having a good reputation as a place to volunteer. Despite the museum being closed, volunteers have still been busy in activities reported elsewhere in this report. A new coordinator for the museum lecture series brings a solid academic background and network; and the finance team are actively involved in activities that generate donations or sales. The IT and publicity teams have continued to work hard, and the maintenance team have continued to do what they can within the constraints of the building.
Most of our volunteers are normally room stewards or tea room assistants: none has resigned, but we anticipate needing to attract new volunteers when we are eventually able to re-open.
We continue to have regular enquiries from potential volunteers, mostly from students wanting volunteer hours to turn academic knowledge into actual museum experience, but also from people with administrative and management experience.
## CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
The team of volunteers who support children’s activities have had a busy year. They have run monthly Storytime sessions at Watermeadow Grange,
5
and it has been particularly good to see residents beginning to engage with these sessions. From April to October monthly sessions are also run in the field belonging to The Goat Walk Land Trust. These sessions enable children to engage with the natural world and are Makaton signed to increase accessibility. With the co-operation of local businesses, a Nursery Rhyme Trail was established and ran throughout the summer and up to the October half term. The team also worked with Love Topsham, particularly on the Christmas trail, with a family event in the Riverside garden.
## RESEARCH
An invigorated research team started work in 2025. Individual volunteers have identified topics of particular local interest, and we hope these projects will come to fruition in 2026. Training on use of the Museum database has taken place.
## PUBLICITY
It has been very important to ensure that events are publicised to a wide audience. It has also been essential to ensure regular communications with members and volunteers during these challenging times. 2025 saw the launch of new branding for the Museum. It has been used successfully in promoting a range of events from Secret Gardens and lectures to children’s activities and the Christmas market.
We use a range of methods of communications: national and local press, social media (Instagram and Facebook), and monthly newsletters for volunteers and members.
## MAINTENANCE
The maintenance team have been liaising with the contractors on practical issues, including assessment of storage.
## TRUSTEES
The Annual General Meeting was held on 30 April 2025 and saw the following elected or confirmed: Jenny Ellis (Chair), Graham Norwood (ViceChair), Gill McLean (Secretary), John Claxton (Treasurer), Jan Lawson, Emma Laws, Roger Ascough, Heather Kay, Will Atkinson and Jeff Nicholls. During the year Roger Ascough stood down from the Board, and John Claxton resigned from the formal position as Treasurer but continued to undertake the role pending recruitment of a successor. His willingness to do this provided invaluable support for Secret Gardens and we are very grateful to John for doing this.
6
In 2021, Rachel Nichols BEM became President of the Museum and has continued to make a major contribution, both in this role and as the head of collections. We are very grateful to her.
## MANAGEMENT
Trustees set the strategic direction for the Museum and monitored its delivery, while day-to-day operations remain overseen by a Management Team of volunteers. The Management Team, chaired by Simon Briscoe, has worked hard throughout the year to deal with issues in very trying circumstances.
Topsham Museum Trading Ltd (TMT), formed in 2007 to administer trading activities, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Topsham Museum. Its activities include the Tea Room, Museum shop, fundraising, group visits and special events. In 2025, TMT donated profits of £29,751 to the Museum. A significant portion of this was attributable to the success of Secret Gardens. The 2025 directors of TMT were Stevie Barrett, Fi Douglas, Graham Norwood and Jenny Ellis.
The Museum has no paid staff but engages a self-employed cleaner. The Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) provides invaluable professional assistance: Tom Cadbury is our Curatorial Adviser.
## FINANCIAL
The accounts for 2025 form part of this report. The accounts have been examined independently by Bill Nichols and approved by the Trustees who particularly wish to thank the Treasurer and those supporting him for their invaluable and dedicated work maintaining the Museum accounts.
## RESERVES
The trustees maintain financial reserves for unforeseen circumstances such as dips in income or significant unscheduled expenditure. The approach also reflects annual expenditure, most of which is incurred in the first quarter of the year when pre-opening maintenance is undertaken and the shop re-stocked. This has been an unusual year with both income and expenditure reduced. Given current uncertainties the trustees have not reviewed the reserves policy this year.
On 31 December 2025, cash in the General Fund stood at £213,000 (£206,833 in 2024) and in the Designated Fund £79,000 (£87,116 in 2024). The Designated Fund, also known as the Legacies and Gifts Fund, was created in 2011 from legacies and gifts received with the intention that these funds should not be used for day-to-day expenditure, but should be reserved for special projects.
7
## **OUTLOOK FOR 2026**
## WORK ON THE BUILDING
As I write this report the outlook remains very uncertain. This is particularly disappointing as 2026 is the 40[th] anniversary of the Museum opening, and we had expected to be up and running and welcoming visitors. We expect ECC to complete the first phase of the work on the Lower Shapter Street side of the building, and to remove the scaffolding on that side. Thereafter we have no clear idea of what is likely to happen. The trustees are keen to pursue the possibility of a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) but have no clear steer from ECC on this possibility.
## LEASE
Our lease expires on 31 March 2026. We have agreed to delay renewal negotiations with ECC until the terms of building ownership are determined. The lease will roll over under the provisions of the Landlord and Tenant Act.
## EXHIBITION
This is another area of uncertainty. At the time of writing, we have no accessible exhibition space in the Museum building. The exhibitions team is exploring alternatives, working alongside the Topsham Art Group and others. Meanwhile, we will be able to continue using the Central Garage window for Museum displays.
## RESEARCH
The research team is expected to meet regularly and to complete some pieces of research during the year.
## LECTURES
A full series of six summer and three winter lectures is planned for 2026, and we are grateful to JJ Jacques for taking on the role of lectures coordinator.
## OUTREACH
We plan to continue outreach activities while the building remains closed.
## CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
In addition to the existing work with Love Topsham, the team is planning to develop links with the group who organise the annual Charter Day events. They will also be encouraging links with other teams in the Museum to deliver events and they plan to develop a bike trail for older children.
8
Jenny Ellis CB
Chair of Trustees
March 2026
Topsham Museum
25 Strand, Topsham, Exeter, Devon EX3 0AX Telephone: 01392 873244 email: info@topshammuseum.org.uk www.topshammuseum.org.uk
## Financial Statements
For Year Ending 31[st] December 2025
## Independent Examiner’s Report
## Accounts
Page 1 Consolidated Income & Expenditure Account
Page 2 Balance Sheet
Pages 3-5 Notes to the Accounts
Registered Charity No: 1185943
Newcourt Farmhouse Silverton Exeter EX5 4HT 17 March 2026
## W.P. Nichols F.C.A. 01392 860695 _billn@talktalknet_
Trustees ofTopsham Museum, 25 Strand, Topsham, Exeter, Devon. EX3 0AX
I report upon the Accounts ofTopsham Museum (registered charity 1185943) and its subsidiary Topsham Museum Trading Ltd for the year ended 31 December 2025 which have been presented to me.
## Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
- Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Independent examiner's statement.
My examination was ca ied out in accordance 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 the trustees concer g 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 accouiits present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with 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 130 of the Charities
- Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting
- requirements of the Charities Act have not been met.
W PNichols FCA Newcourt Farmhouse Silverton, Exeter. EX5 4HT
Page 1
## **TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**Notes**
**Income and endowments from:**
**Donations and legacies**
Gifts and donations
Legacies
Gift aid relief
**Trading activities**
Town Maps & Information Board Project
Shop sales
3
Tea room sales
Fund Raising Events
**Other charitable activities**
Membership subscriptions
2
Visitors' donations
MDSW Small Open Grant
Pym Foundation Grant
**Investments**
Bank interest and other interest
**Total**
**Expenditure on:**
**Raising funds**
Cost of Shop sales
3
Cost of tearoom sales
Bank, card & DonR charges
Support costs
4
**Expenditure on:**
**Charitable activities**
Depreciation of fixed assets
Spare
Topsham Trail Brochure and Promotion
Town Map & Information Boards Project
MSW Small Open Grants Expenses
Legal and Professional
Education
Lectures - Fees & Donations
Paid from Designated Donations
Exhibits
Collections Management System
Gardening
Publications
Newsletter
Publicity
Rent payable to Exeter City Council
Repairs & maintenance
Training
Support costs
4
**Total Expenditure**
**Net income**
**Transfers between funds**
11
**Net movement of funds**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Restricted**
**General**
**Designated**
**funds**
**Heritage**
**Lottery**
**project fund**
**Total**
£
£
£
£
7,516
0
0
7,516
0
0
0
0
1,780
0
0
1,780
9,296
0
0
9,296
6,000
0
6,000
11,077
0
0
11,077
376
0
0
376
24,544
0
0
24,544
35,997
6,000
0
41,997
3,832
0
0
3,832
0
_0_
_0_
0
250
_0_
250
0
0
0
0
3,832
250
0
4,082
2,585
0
0
2,585
**51,710**
**6,250**
**0**
**57,960**
4,641
0
0
4,641
124
0
0
124
1,481
0
0
1,481
7,766
0
0
7,766
14,012
0
0
14,012
4,706
3,588
0
8,294
0
0
0
0
555
0
0
555
0
10,203
0
10,203
0
712
0
712
510
0
0
510
1,181
0
0
1,181
0
0
0
0
-198
0
-198
1,037
0
0
1,037
2,640
0
0
2,640
53
0
0
53
284
0
0
284
0
0
0
0
281
0
0
281
-1,067
0
0
-1,067
2,332
0
0
2,332
29
0
0
29
18,120
0
0
18,120
30,661
14,305
0
44,966
44,673
14,305
0
58,978
**7,037**
**-8,055**
**0**
**-1,018**
1,205
-1,205
0
0
8,242
-9,260
0
-1,018
206,833
87,116
0
293,949
**215,075**
**77,856**
**0**
**292,931**
**Unrestricted funds**|_2024_
_£_
_3,164_
_0_
_3,765_
_6,929_
_16,080_
_26,781_
_18,423_
_0_
_61,284_
_4,740_
_3,653_
_350_
_0_
_8,743_
_1,938_
**_78,894_**
_6,799_
_8,837_
_1,746_
6,227
_23,609_
_28,870_
_0_
-350
0
0
700
367
0
7,963
983
2,100
398
0
0
271
3,200
3,070
0
_14,529_
62,101
85,710
**-6,816**
**0**
-6,816
_290,221_
**_283,405_**|
|---|---|---|
Page 2
## **TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**Notes**
**Tangible fixed assets**
Leasehold improvements
6
Furniture & equipment
6
Display & flooring
6
Information technology
6
**Current assets**
Stocks at lower of cost and net realisable value
Debtors & prepayments
8
Bank accounts
9
Cash in Hand
**Current liabilities**
Creditors
10
**Reserves**
Unrestricted funds - General fund
Designated funds
11
5
Restricted fund - Lottery heritage project
5,11|£
£
_£_
_£_
19,308
_22,896.00_
13,222
_14,691.00_
12,670
_14,078.00_
5,487
_7,316.00_
50,687
_58,981_
1,300
_2,405 _
8,917
_9,809_
233,162
_221,950 _
300
_804 _
243,679
_234,968_
(1,435)
242,244
_234,968_
292,931
_293,949_
215,075
_206,833_
77,856
_87,116_
292,931
_293,949_
-
292,931
_293,949_
_2024_
_2025_|
|---|---|
**Adopted by the Council at its meeting on 18th March 2026**
**Jenny Ellis, Chair**
**TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
Page 3
## **1. Accounting policies**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, the Charities Act 2011, the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting of Charities (SORP) issued in 2016 and the The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
The Museum leases the Building from Exeter City Council. The lease expires in 2026. Leasehold improvements are amortised over the remaining period of the lease.
Depreciation is charged on furniture and equipment and displays and flooring at 10% of the written down value. Depreciation is charged on information technology at 25% of the written down value.
## **Heritage assets**
The exhibits owned by the Museum have been generally donated and are not included as tangible assets in the balance sheet. The exceptions are the four boats which were restored as part of the Heritage Lottery Project; £35,000 was spent on their restoration and is being depreciated as part of that project.
The Trustees fully appreciate the value to the Museum of all the heritage assets and appropriate insurance is in place.
## **Investment in subsidiary company**
The Museum set up a wholly owned subsidiary company, Topsham Museum Trading Limited in 2007. The issued share capital of Topsham Museum Trading Limited is £2, comprising two £1 shares.
The Museum makes an interest free perpetual floating loan to the subsidiary company to cover the stock of the charity shop. At December 31st 2025 stock stood at £1300 (2024 - £2405)
The financial statements include the consolidation of the subsidiary company.
## **Funds**
The General fund and the Designated funds represent the funds of the Museum that the Trustees have earmarked for their respective purposes (see Note 11). The Heritage Lottery Fund represents the funds committed for the building of an extension of the Museum to house certain exhibits. This fund is now fully depreciated.
## **Incoming resources**
Donations are recognised when they are received
Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue
Grants receivable are accounted for when they are due and receivable
Gift aid relief is accounted for and accrued when it is determined for the previous year's claim
## **Outgoing resources**
Expenditures are accounted for as they accrue.
|**2. Membership subscriptions**
Prior year life memberships (inc. honorary)
New life memberships
Annual memberships|Number
£
_Number_
_£_
48
-
_48_
_-_
1
225
_1_
_225_
238
3,607
_262_
_3,437_
287
3,832
_311_
_3,662_
_2025_
_2024_|
|---|---|
Page 4
## **TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**3. Trading sales and cost of sales**|||2025||||_2024_||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|£||_£_|_£_|_£_|
|||Shop|Tearoom|Total||_Shop_|_Tearoom_|_Total_|
|Sales||11,077|376|11,453||19,097|27,729|46,826|
|Cost of sales||(4,641)|(124)|(4,765)||(7,468)|(8,711)|(16,179)|
|Gross profit||6,436|252|6,688||11,629|19,018|30,647|
|**4. Support costs**
Cleaning & sundries
Computer running expenses
General expenses
Insurance-contents and liability
Insurance-buildings
Energy - Light & heat
Office, stationery etc.
Telephone & Broadband
Water Charges||58%|67%|58%|66%
68%
2025
_2024_
£
_£_
3,302
_3,841_
2,368
_1,731_
1,981
_1,049_
5,642
_5,408_
8,302
_-_
2,720
_3,776_
311
_563_
914
_909_
346
_773_
**Group and Museum**|||67%|
||||||25,886||18,050||
|_Allocated to:_
Fund raising trading
Charitable activities|||||7,766
18,120||_5,415_
_12,635_||
||||||25,886||18,050||
|**5. Movement of funds**
Balance b/fwd at 1 Jan 2025
Net movement of funds in the year
Gross transfers between funds|General
fund
£
206,833
8,242
(1,205)|Design-
ated
funds
Heritage
Lottery
Fund
£
87,116
-
(9,260)
-
1,205
-
**Group**||Total
£
293,949
(1,018)
(0)|General
fund
£
206,833
8,242
(1,205)|Design-
ated
funds
87,116
(9,260)
1,205
**Museum**|Heritage
Lottery
Fund
£
-
-
-|Total
£
293,949
(1,018)
(0)|
|Balance c/fwd at 31 Dec 2025|213,870|79,061|-|292,931|213,870|79,061|-|292,931|
|Represented by:
Fixed assets
Investment and loan to subsidiary
Cash at bank
Net current assets (other)|50,687
4,844
-
154,101
4,238|-
-
79,061|-|50,687
4,844
-
233,162
4,238|50,687
4,844
-
154,101
4,238|-
-
79,061
-|-
-
-|50,687
4,844
-
233,163
4,238|
||213,870|79,061|-|292,931|213,870|79,061|-|292,931|
Page 5
## **TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|6. Tangible fixed assets|Leasehold Improvements|Furniture|Display|Informa-|Total|
|Heritage|"Ruby"|and|and|tion|
|Lottery|Boat|Equip-|Flooring|Technol-|
|Project|Shed|Other|ment|ogy|
|Cost|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|At1 January 2025|311,924|13,629|37,526|34,465|41,487|32,326|471,357|
|Additions|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|
|Disposals|
|At 31 December 2025|311,924|13,629|37,526|34,465|41,487|32,326|471,357|
|Depreciation|
|At1 January 2025|311,924|11,817|16,442|19,774|27,409|25,010|412,376|
|Charge for the year|0|909|2,679|1,469|1,408|1,829|8,294|
|-|
|Eliminated on disposals|
|At 31 December 2025|311,924|12,726|19,121|21,243|28,817|26,839|420,670|
|Net Book Value|
|At 31 December 2024|0|1,812|21,084|14,691|14,078|7,316|58,981|
|At 31 December 2025|0|903|18,405|13,222|12,670|5,487|50,687|
|7. Investment in subsidiary company|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Topsham Museum Trading Limited-shares|2|2|
|Topsham Museum Trading Limited-interest free loan|4,842|9,512|
|2025|2024|
|Group|Museum|Group|Museum|
|8. Debtors and prepayments|£|£|£|£|
|Bank interest|-|-|-|-|
|Support costs & Projects in Progress|8,917|8,917|9,809|9,809|
|8,917|8,917|9,809|9,809|
|9. Bank accounts|
|Current accounts|100,220|96,676|93,284|86,174|
|Deposit accounts|132,942|132,942|128,666|128,666|
|233,162|229,618|221,950|214,840|
|10. Creditors|
|-|-|
|Support costs|1,435|1,435|
|-|-|
|1,435|1,435|
|11. Designated and restricted funds|
|Transfer|
|At|1|Jan|Expend-|from/(to)|At|31|Dec|
|2025|Income|iture|General|2025|
|Designated Fund - Legacies and Gifts|87,116|6,250|(14,305)|(1,205)|77,856|
|-|-|-|
|Restricted Fund - Heritage Lottery Project|
|Total|87,116|6,250|(14,305)|(1,205)|77,856|
**----- End of picture text -----**
Topsham Museum
25 Strand, Topsham, Exeter, Devon EX3 0AX Telephone: 01392 873244 email: info@topshammuseum.org.uk www.topshammuseum.org.uk
## Financial Statements
For Year Ending 31[st] December 2025
## Independent Examiner’s Report
## Accounts
Page 1 Consolidated Income & Expenditure Account
Page 2 Balance Sheet
Pages 3-5 Notes to the Accounts
Registered Charity No: 1185943
Newcourt Farmhouse Silverton Exeter EX5 4HT 17 March 2026
## W.P. Nichols F.C.A. 01392 860695 _billn@talktalknet_
Trustees ofTopsham Museum, 25 Strand, Topsham, Exeter, Devon. EX3 0AX
I report upon the Accounts ofTopsham Museum (registered charity 1185943) and its subsidiary Topsham Museum Trading Ltd for the year ended 31 December 2025 which have been presented to me.
## Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity
- Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act, and
- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Independent examiner's statement.
My examination was ca ied out in accordance 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 the trustees concer g 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 accouiits present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
In connection with 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 130 of the Charities
- Act; and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting
- requirements of the Charities Act have not been met.
W PNichols FCA Newcourt Farmhouse Silverton, Exeter. EX5 4HT
Page 1
## **TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME & EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**Notes**
**Income and endowments from:**
**Donations and legacies**
Gifts and donations
Legacies
Gift aid relief
**Trading activities**
Town Maps & Information Board Project
Shop sales
3
Tea room sales
Fund Raising Events
**Other charitable activities**
Membership subscriptions
2
Visitors' donations
MDSW Small Open Grant
Pym Foundation Grant
**Investments**
Bank interest and other interest
**Total**
**Expenditure on:**
**Raising funds**
Cost of Shop sales
3
Cost of tearoom sales
Bank, card & DonR charges
Support costs
4
**Expenditure on:**
**Charitable activities**
Depreciation of fixed assets
Spare
Topsham Trail Brochure and Promotion
Town Map & Information Boards Project
MSW Small Open Grants Expenses
Legal and Professional
Education
Lectures - Fees & Donations
Paid from Designated Donations
Exhibits
Collections Management System
Gardening
Publications
Newsletter
Publicity
Rent payable to Exeter City Council
Repairs & maintenance
Training
Support costs
4
**Total Expenditure**
**Net income**
**Transfers between funds**
11
**Net movement of funds**
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
**Total funds carried forward**|**Restricted**
**General**
**Designated**
**funds**
**Heritage**
**Lottery**
**project fund**
**Total**
£
£
£
£
7,516
0
0
7,516
0
0
0
0
1,780
0
0
1,780
9,296
0
0
9,296
6,000
0
6,000
11,077
0
0
11,077
376
0
0
376
24,544
0
0
24,544
35,997
6,000
0
41,997
3,832
0
0
3,832
0
_0_
_0_
0
250
_0_
250
0
0
0
0
3,832
250
0
4,082
2,585
0
0
2,585
**51,710**
**6,250**
**0**
**57,960**
4,641
0
0
4,641
124
0
0
124
1,481
0
0
1,481
7,766
0
0
7,766
14,012
0
0
14,012
4,706
3,588
0
8,294
0
0
0
0
555
0
0
555
0
10,203
0
10,203
0
712
0
712
510
0
0
510
1,181
0
0
1,181
0
0
0
0
-198
0
-198
1,037
0
0
1,037
2,640
0
0
2,640
53
0
0
53
284
0
0
284
0
0
0
0
281
0
0
281
-1,067
0
0
-1,067
2,332
0
0
2,332
29
0
0
29
18,120
0
0
18,120
30,661
14,305
0
44,966
44,673
14,305
0
58,978
**7,037**
**-8,055**
**0**
**-1,018**
1,205
-1,205
0
0
8,242
-9,260
0
-1,018
206,833
87,116
0
293,949
**215,075**
**77,856**
**0**
**292,931**
**Unrestricted funds**|_2024_
_£_
_3,164_
_0_
_3,765_
_6,929_
_16,080_
_26,781_
_18,423_
_0_
_61,284_
_4,740_
_3,653_
_350_
_0_
_8,743_
_1,938_
**_78,894_**
_6,799_
_8,837_
_1,746_
6,227
_23,609_
_28,870_
_0_
-350
0
0
700
367
0
7,963
983
2,100
398
0
0
271
3,200
3,070
0
_14,529_
62,101
85,710
**-6,816**
**0**
-6,816
_290,221_
**_283,405_**|
|---|---|---|
Page 2
## **TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**Notes**
**Tangible fixed assets**
Leasehold improvements
6
Furniture & equipment
6
Display & flooring
6
Information technology
6
**Current assets**
Stocks at lower of cost and net realisable value
Debtors & prepayments
8
Bank accounts
9
Cash in Hand
**Current liabilities**
Creditors
10
**Reserves**
Unrestricted funds - General fund
Designated funds
11
5
Restricted fund - Lottery heritage project
5,11|£
£
_£_
_£_
19,308
_22,896.00_
13,222
_14,691.00_
12,670
_14,078.00_
5,487
_7,316.00_
50,687
_58,981_
1,300
_2,405 _
8,917
_9,809_
233,162
_221,950 _
300
_804 _
243,679
_234,968_
(1,435)
242,244
_234,968_
292,931
_293,949_
215,075
_206,833_
77,856
_87,116_
292,931
_293,949_
-
292,931
_293,949_
_2024_
_2025_|
|---|---|
**Adopted by the Council at its meeting on 18th March 2026**
**Jenny Ellis, Chair**
**TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
Page 3
## **1. Accounting policies**
The financial statements have been prepared under the historic cost convention, in accordance with the applicable accounting standards, the Charities Act 2011, the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting of Charities (SORP) issued in 2016 and the The Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
The Museum leases the Building from Exeter City Council. The lease expires in 2026. Leasehold improvements are amortised over the remaining period of the lease.
Depreciation is charged on furniture and equipment and displays and flooring at 10% of the written down value. Depreciation is charged on information technology at 25% of the written down value.
## **Heritage assets**
The exhibits owned by the Museum have been generally donated and are not included as tangible assets in the balance sheet. The exceptions are the four boats which were restored as part of the Heritage Lottery Project; £35,000 was spent on their restoration and is being depreciated as part of that project.
The Trustees fully appreciate the value to the Museum of all the heritage assets and appropriate insurance is in place.
## **Investment in subsidiary company**
The Museum set up a wholly owned subsidiary company, Topsham Museum Trading Limited in 2007. The issued share capital of Topsham Museum Trading Limited is £2, comprising two £1 shares.
The Museum makes an interest free perpetual floating loan to the subsidiary company to cover the stock of the charity shop. At December 31st 2025 stock stood at £1300 (2024 - £2405)
The financial statements include the consolidation of the subsidiary company.
## **Funds**
The General fund and the Designated funds represent the funds of the Museum that the Trustees have earmarked for their respective purposes (see Note 11). The Heritage Lottery Fund represents the funds committed for the building of an extension of the Museum to house certain exhibits. This fund is now fully depreciated.
## **Incoming resources**
Donations are recognised when they are received
Interest entitlements are accounted for as they accrue
Grants receivable are accounted for when they are due and receivable
Gift aid relief is accounted for and accrued when it is determined for the previous year's claim
## **Outgoing resources**
Expenditures are accounted for as they accrue.
|**2. Membership subscriptions**
Prior year life memberships (inc. honorary)
New life memberships
Annual memberships|Number
£
_Number_
_£_
48
-
_48_
_-_
1
225
_1_
_225_
238
3,607
_262_
_3,437_
287
3,832
_311_
_3,662_
_2025_
_2024_|
|---|---|
Page 4
## **TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**3. Trading sales and cost of sales**|||2025||||_2024_||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||£|£|£||_£_|_£_|_£_|
|||Shop|Tearoom|Total||_Shop_|_Tearoom_|_Total_|
|Sales||11,077|376|11,453||19,097|27,729|46,826|
|Cost of sales||(4,641)|(124)|(4,765)||(7,468)|(8,711)|(16,179)|
|Gross profit||6,436|252|6,688||11,629|19,018|30,647|
|**4. Support costs**
Cleaning & sundries
Computer running expenses
General expenses
Insurance-contents and liability
Insurance-buildings
Energy - Light & heat
Office, stationery etc.
Telephone & Broadband
Water Charges||58%|67%|58%|66%
68%
2025
_2024_
£
_£_
3,302
_3,841_
2,368
_1,731_
1,981
_1,049_
5,642
_5,408_
8,302
_-_
2,720
_3,776_
311
_563_
914
_909_
346
_773_
**Group and Museum**|||67%|
||||||25,886||18,050||
|_Allocated to:_
Fund raising trading
Charitable activities|||||7,766
18,120||_5,415_
_12,635_||
||||||25,886||18,050||
|**5. Movement of funds**
Balance b/fwd at 1 Jan 2025
Net movement of funds in the year
Gross transfers between funds|General
fund
£
206,833
8,242
(1,205)|Design-
ated
funds
Heritage
Lottery
Fund
£
87,116
-
(9,260)
-
1,205
-
**Group**||Total
£
293,949
(1,018)
(0)|General
fund
£
206,833
8,242
(1,205)|Design-
ated
funds
87,116
(9,260)
1,205
**Museum**|Heritage
Lottery
Fund
£
-
-
-|Total
£
293,949
(1,018)
(0)|
|Balance c/fwd at 31 Dec 2025|213,870|79,061|-|292,931|213,870|79,061|-|292,931|
|Represented by:
Fixed assets
Investment and loan to subsidiary
Cash at bank
Net current assets (other)|50,687
4,844
-
154,101
4,238|-
-
79,061|-|50,687
4,844
-
233,162
4,238|50,687
4,844
-
154,101
4,238|-
-
79,061
-|-
-
-|50,687
4,844
-
233,163
4,238|
||213,870|79,061|-|292,931|213,870|79,061|-|292,931|
Page 5
## **TOPSHAM MUSEUM (Registered Charity No. 1185943) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|6. Tangible fixed assets|Leasehold Improvements|Furniture|Display|Informa-|Total|
|Heritage|"Ruby"|and|and|tion|
|Lottery|Boat|Equip-|Flooring|Technol-|
|Project|Shed|Other|ment|ogy|
|Cost|£|£|£|£|£|£|£|
|At1 January 2025|311,924|13,629|37,526|34,465|41,487|32,326|471,357|
|Additions|-|-|-|-|-|
|-|
|Disposals|
|At 31 December 2025|311,924|13,629|37,526|34,465|41,487|32,326|471,357|
|Depreciation|
|At1 January 2025|311,924|11,817|16,442|19,774|27,409|25,010|412,376|
|Charge for the year|0|909|2,679|1,469|1,408|1,829|8,294|
|-|
|Eliminated on disposals|
|At 31 December 2025|311,924|12,726|19,121|21,243|28,817|26,839|420,670|
|Net Book Value|
|At 31 December 2024|0|1,812|21,084|14,691|14,078|7,316|58,981|
|At 31 December 2025|0|903|18,405|13,222|12,670|5,487|50,687|
|7. Investment in subsidiary company|2025|2024|
|£|£|
|Topsham Museum Trading Limited-shares|2|2|
|Topsham Museum Trading Limited-interest free loan|4,842|9,512|
|2025|2024|
|Group|Museum|Group|Museum|
|8. Debtors and prepayments|£|£|£|£|
|Bank interest|-|-|-|-|
|Support costs & Projects in Progress|8,917|8,917|9,809|9,809|
|8,917|8,917|9,809|9,809|
|9. Bank accounts|
|Current accounts|100,220|96,676|93,284|86,174|
|Deposit accounts|132,942|132,942|128,666|128,666|
|233,162|229,618|221,950|214,840|
|10. Creditors|
|-|-|
|Support costs|1,435|1,435|
|-|-|
|1,435|1,435|
|11. Designated and restricted funds|
|Transfer|
|At|1|Jan|Expend-|from/(to)|At|31|Dec|
|2025|Income|iture|General|2025|
|Designated Fund - Legacies and Gifts|87,116|6,250|(14,305)|(1,205)|77,856|
|-|-|-|
|Restricted Fund - Heritage Lottery Project|
|Total|87,116|6,250|(14,305)|(1,205)|77,856|
**----- End of picture text -----**