Winchcombe Archive Collection Trust Trustees Annual Report for the period to 1 April 2023
Death of founding Trustee John Edgeler
As reported at the last return very sadly, John Edgeler, the founding Trustee died in August 2022. John had been the driving force for the Trust, with his programme of exhibitions and events on studio pottery and related rural crafts and art at his home, Queen Anne House, for which his own collection provided the foundation. He has made very good provision for the Trust and we are currently considering the next steps.
Exhibitions
John’s last exhibition was Practical Pottery (7 May 2022 to end June 2022). This was drawn from the private collection of Mary and Peter O’Connor, built up during the time that they ran the Chestnut Gallery, Bourton-on-the-Water in the 1980’s and early 1990’s. This included many fine pieces by the master potter Ray Finch at Winchcombe Pottery. From him they collected prime examples from the 1980s, perhaps the most important period of his long career, including wonderful large jugs and cider jars. The exhibition also showed work by other significant potters from this period; Richard Batterham, Michael Cardew, Michael and Sheila Casson and Mike Dodd. It gave an opportunity to explore the story of the Chestnut Gallery and its impact with a short essay based on an interview with Peter O’Connor in the online catalogue (contributing to current research on the impact of similar craft galleries in the second half of the 20[th] century). The exhibition was opened by Alun Graves, Senior Curator of Ceramics at the V&A. It was well supported with visitors travelling a distance to visit.
Other activities
Although John’s death curtailed activities, the Trustees opened the gallery for two days for Winchcombe Arts Trail in September (2022) which included the showing of one of the videos made by Andrew Davies, with John and others talking about the Trust’s collections.
The Trust also lent eleven pots from the collection to the exhibition Shoji Hamada: A Japanese Potter in Ditchling . This was at Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft and ran from 22 October 2022 to 16 April 2023 receiving 5787 visitors.
Future activities
John made very good provision for the future of the Trust and his collection in his estate. The Trustees have been taking advice on how best to continue his legacy, and how the business case for this might work in the longer term. We have planned some short openings for 2023 based around an exhibition which celebrates John’s projects, the potters he worked with and his collection of pots and pictures. We plan to meet our 59 day a year opening in 2024 with an exhibition beginning in May.
Trustees
Richard Chamberlain came to the end of his term as a Trustee in November 2022. We are grateful for all he contributed to the Trust, including his writing on the Tanners and his invaluable archive skills. He very generously also gave his collection of Winchcombe Pottery to the Trust in 2021.
Winchcombe Archive Collection Trust, Queen Anne House, High Street, Winchcombe GL54 5LJ A Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered charity number: 1186295
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A Charitable Incorporated organisation, Registered charity no: 1186295
Winchcombe Archive Collection Trust Queen Anne House High Street Winchcombe Gloucestershire GL54 5LJ T : 01242 602 319 W : www.winchcombearchivecollection.wordpress.com
A Museum of Rural Art & Crafts
Winchcombe Archive Collection Trust
Receipts and Payments for the period to 1st April 2023
Following the unexpected death of founder and trustee John Edgeler in August 2022 the efforts of the remaining trustees were focused on supporting the Executors of his Estate, stabilising the Trust and planning for a viable future. Details are provided in the Annual Report.
Receipts were dominated by further generous donations to the Trust.
Payments were mainly associated with necessary curator fees to enable openings for the public, reflecting John Edgeler’s death.
John Edgeler’s entire estate was gifted to the Trust to support its continuation. During this accounting period, early actions were undertaken to auction personal items not associated with the Trust collection. The very useful proceeds from these sales will be shown in next year’s accounts, reflecting the period in which they occured.
Receipts
| Donations | £1040.00 |
|---|---|
| Sales | £40.00 |
| Bankaccountinterest | £2.96 |
| TOTAL | £1082.96 |
Payments
| Payments | |
|---|---|
| Curator support fees | £400.00 |
| Websitefee | £172.80 |
| Bankaccountfees | £65.25 |
| Artsfestival fee | £45.00 |
| TOTAL | £683.05 |
Net income
£399.91