BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO
(Registered Charity Number 1192384)
Report and Accounts 31 December 2025
CONTENTS
| Report of the Trustees | 1 - 4 |
|---|---|
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 7 - 8 |
0
BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO Report & Accounts 2025
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
The Trustees present their report and accounts of the Berkshire Yeomanry Museum CIO for year ended 31 December 2025, prepared in accordance with current statutory requirements and in accordance with the Charity Commission Statement of Recommended Practice.
1. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
a. Constitution
The Berkshire Yeomanry Museum CIO was registered with the Charity Commission on 17 November 2020 and it is constituted as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation with registration number 1192384. The Museum also uses the name “Royal Berkshire Yeomanry Cavalry Museum”.
The Museum’s Collection was founded in 1976 and held by the Berkshire Yeomanry Museum Trust, (the “Trust” - registered charity no 273116) until 2022 when, with the consent of the Charity Commission, the Trust transferred the Collection to the Berkshire Yeomanry Museum CIO (the “Museum”).
b. Trustees
The Trustees who served during the year are:
A. P. Verey QVRM TD DL Chairman A. G. French Curator S. H. Frost TD Secretary and Administrator V. Connelly PhD TD VR Treasurer W. Ratcliffe VR Archivist W. S. Sampson TD J. J. Macnamara TD VR JP D. M. Saunders KVRM VR
Unless appointed in his own right, the Curator is ex officio Trustee. The Trustees are elected by simple vote of the extant Trustees. Trustees are appointed for a term of 4 years and may be reappointed for two more consecutive terms of 4 years.
c. Officials and Advisers
Curator Captain A G French Army Reserve Centre, Bolton Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 3JG Bankers CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ Lawyers H3 Solicitors Ltd Billinghurst, West Sussex RH14 9DE
d. Environmental and social policies
The Museum has been granted Full Accreditation status under the accreditation scheme run by the by the Arts Council. Full Accreditation demonstrates that the Museum meets the required standards of operation set by the Arts Council. In 2017 the Museum’s accreditation status was reviewed by the Arts Council and Full Accreditation was again awarded.
The Museum is affiliated to the Potts VC Memorial Trust through which selected objects from the collection are made available to schools within Berkshire under the Museum’s outreach programme.
The Trustees are conscious of the wide-ranging concerns evident in current environmental and social issues and, where possible, the Trustees seek to adopt best practice to further the appropriate recognition of these issues in the Museum’s working environment and in its visitor programmes and displays.
1
BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO
Report & Accounts 2025
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES - continued
e. Management
The Museum is administered by the Trustees, who meet as a committee at least twice a year. The Trustees set policies for the Museum, decide on the appropriateness and timing of projects, review investment returns and set budgets for future expenditure. Decisions are made by simple majority vote. Day to day administration of the Museum is delegated to the Chairman, the Curator, the Administrator and the Archivist.
The Trustees are not entitled to receive any remuneration, benefit or expenses and no Trustee received any payments during the year. All Museum staff are volunteers and receive no remuneration.
f. Risk assessment
The Trustees have reviewed the risks faced by the Museum and have adopted appropriate policies to mitigate these risks. The principal risks and the policies adopted are as follows:
-
Risk of loss of Endowment funds: the Trustees have invested all of the Museum’s endowment fund in M&G Charifund units. These investments provide for capital growth and are designed to yield a modest level of income;
-
Risk of loss of the Collection: the Trustees have taken steps to ensure the Collection is housed in a secure and safe environment and that appropriate measures are in place for the preservation and care of the items in the Collection.
The Trustees believe that the Museum has sufficient resources for the time being to support its activities and that the Collection is adequately housed in its current situation.
2. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
a. Objectives
The Charitable Object of the Museum is to educate the public in the history of the Berkshire Yeomanry by:
-
Public exhibition of the Museum’s Collection in a museum;
-
Management and maintenance of the Collection by adding to, restoring, preserving, documenting and interpreting material in the Collection to hold in perpetuity for future generations;
-
Upholding Berkshire Yeomanry traditions and maintaining Berkshire Yeomanry memorials;
-
Publication of books, journals, newsletters, articles or images relating to the Berkshire Yeomanry.
b. Museum’s Collection
The Collection’s was first formed in 1976 and is housed in the Army Reserve Centre in Windsor. Since formation the Trustees have sought to expand the Collection and have overseen a considerable improvement in the exhibits and in the preservation and care of the Collection. The Trustees seek to adopt best practice in caring for the Collection
The heritage assets that comprise the Collection include regimental artefacts covering the roles, arms, uniforms and equipment adopted by the Berkshire Yeomanry and successor units since 1794. The majority of artefacts have been accumulated through donations from former members of the regiment or their families. Consequently the Museum does not have a record of the value of most artefacts in the Collection. A formal valuation would be too costly and as a result these heritage assets are not recognised in the Museum’s balance sheet.
c. Acquisitions and disposals
The Trustees have adopted a formal policy for acquisition of items for the Collection and for disposal of items from the Collection. The main elements of this policy are:
-
In acquiring items to add to the Collection the Trustees recognise their responsibility to ensure that the care of the Collection, the documentation arrangements and the use of the Collection meet current standards;
-
The Trustees will take into account the collecting policies of other museums in related areas so that conflicts of interest do not arise and unnecessary duplication and waste is avoided;
-
The Museum has a long-term purpose and maintains a permanent collection in furtherance of its objectives. In principle, except for sound curatorial reasons, the Trustees have a strong presumption against disposal of items in the Collection.
2
BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO
Report & Accounts 2025
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES - continued
d. Upholding Regimental traditions, maintaining memorials and issuing publications
The Museum seeks to uphold the traditions of the Berkshire Yeomanry through:
-
presentation of the exploits of the regiment to serving soldiers, recruits, their families and visiting dignitaries;
-
provision of support for the acquisition of ceremonial uniform and accoutrements;
-
provision of support for battlefield tours, ceremonial parades and memorial services;
-
publication, in collaboration with the Berkshire Yeomanry Regimental Association, of the Berkshire Yeomanry Journal containing articles on current and historical exploits.
e. Public Benefit
The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit. The Museum provides a public benefit through:
-
maintaining the cultural heritage of the Berkshire Yeomanry;
-
making available the Museum’s Collection for public viewing;
-
providing visitors with a proper interpretation of the Museum’s Collection;
-
providing access to, and research facilities for, archive material held by the Museum;
-
helping to maintain the esprit-de-corps of the Armed Forces.
f. Fundraising
The Museum does not seek to raise funds from members of the public and has not appointed any third party to do so on its behalf. As a result the Trustees have not felt it necessary to sign up to the voluntary regulatory regime for fundraising.
The Museum does however accept donations, of money and artefacts, from (i) persons connected with the Museum (ii) family members researching the activities of ancestors who served in the Berkshire Yeomanry and (iii) visitors to the Museum. In accepting these donations the Museum adheres to best practice in this regard.
The Trustees are therefore confident that the Museum does not foster behaviour which would constitute (i) unreasonable intrusion on a person’s privacy or (ii) unreasonably persistent approaches seeking donations of money or property from any person and (iii) the placing of undue pressure on any person to give money or property to the Museum.
g. Safeguarding
The Trustees have adopted policies, which are regularly reviewed, to ensure that the Museum and its volunteer staff:
-
provide a safe and trusted environment for everyone who works in or visits the Museum;
-
foster a culture that prioritises safeguarding and allows staff and visitors (i) to report any incidents or concerns and (ii) to have confidence that the matter will be dealt with appropriately;
-
have in place adequate procedures and measures (i) to protect Museum staff and visitors (ii) to handle incidents as they arise and (iii) to report such incidents to the relevant authorities;
-
accept that further measures may need to be put in place if such incidents arise.
h. Data Protection
The Trustees have sought to ensure that the Museum is fully compliant with its obligations under the current General Data Protection Regulations.
The Museum retains limited records of individuals who have served in the Berkshire Yeomanry and its successor units and this data is used for historical and research purposes. In addition the Museum retains data relating to donations and gift aid which is kept for so long as the data is valid and for 6 years after it ceases to be valid.
The Trustees have adopted a Privacy Policy which is published on the Museum website.
3
BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO Report & Accounts 2025
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES - continued
3. ACHIEVEMENTS, PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL REVIEW
a. Forward Plan
The Trustees prepare and approve a five-year Forward Plan in order to direct the affairs of the Museum, to set priorities for that period and to allocate resources in accordance with those priorities. The current Forward Plan covers the period 2026 – 2030 and was approved by the Trustees in November 2025. The Trustees regularly review performance against the targets set in the Forward Plan.
b. Financial performance
During the year the Museum generated income of £6,313 (2024 - £11,746) which included donations of £1,262 (2024 - £7,254). The Museum expended £8,463 (2024 - £11,227) on its charitable activities of which £3,879 (2024 - £7,249) was spent on the Museum’s Collection, £3,495 (2024 - £2,950) was spent on upholding the Regiment’s traditions, and £1,089 (2024 - £1,028) was spent on publications including regular newsletters and the annual Berkshire Yeomanry Journal.
c. Investment performance
The Museum’s Permanent Endowment Fund represents the accumulation of endowments and grants received by the Museum since 1976. This Fund is not expendable by the Trustees and is invested wholly in M&G Charifund Income units. The Trustees are satisfied with the annual income and capital growth of the current investment portfolio.
d. Reserves
The Museum’s Reserves comprise the Unrestricted Fund, which represents accumulated surplus income and can be expended by the Trustees in accordance with the Museum’s charitable objectives without further restriction.
The Museum has no significant commitments for ongoing future expenditure and as a result the Trustees have decided that there is no reason for the Museum to maintain significant reserves, other than for working capital purposes.
4. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Museum and of the surplus or deficit of the Museum for that year. In preparing the accounts, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
follow applicable accounting standards;
-
prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Museum will continue in operation.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Museum and which enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Museum and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
5. EXAMINATION OF THE ACCOUNTS
Because of its size, the Museum qualifies as a small charity under Charity law and is entitled to certain exemptions relating to small charities. In particular the Trustees have decided to take advantage of the exemption from audit or examination of the Museum’s accounts and as a result no auditor or examiner has been appointed.
On behalf of the trustees
S H Frost Secretary 21 April 2026
4
BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO Report & Accounts 2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES For the year to 31 December 2025
| For the year to 31 December 2025 | |
|---|---|
| Note Income from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other trading activities 2 Investments Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds Charitable activities Maintaining the collection Upholding traditions Issuing publications Other trading activities Total expenditure Net income (expenditure) Transfers between Funds Gains (losses) on investments Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Fund 2025 £ Endowment Fund 2025 £ Total Activity 2025 £ Total Activity 2024 £ 1,262 - 1,262 7,254 - - - - 2,838 - 2,838 2,384 2,213 - 2,213 2,108 |
| 6,313 - 6,313 11,746 |
|
| - - - - 3,879 - 3,879 7,249 3,495 - 3,495 2,950 1,089 - 1,089 1.028 - - - - |
|
| 8,463 - 8,463 11,227 |
|
| (2,150) - (2,150) 519 - - - - |
|
| (2,150) - (2,150) 519 925 5,015 5,940 970 |
|
| (1,225) 5,015 3,790 1,389 15,543 28,941 44,484 43,095 |
|
| 14,318 33,956 48,274 44,484 |
The notes on pages 7 - 8 form part of these accounts.
5
BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO Report & Accounts 2025
BALANCE SHEET 31 December 2025
| Note FIXED ASSETS Heritage Assets 3 Investments 4 TOTAL FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 5 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year Sundry creditors NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL NET ASSETS The Funds of the charity Permanent Endowment Fund Unrestricted Fund TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS 6 |
2025 £ - 40,216 40,216 - - 8,058 - 8,058 48,274 33,956 14,318 48,274 |
2024 £ - 34,276 |
|---|---|---|
| 34,276 | ||
| - - 10,790 (582) |
||
| 10,208 | ||
| 44,484 | ||
| 28,941 15,543 |
||
| 44,884 |
| The Accounts set out on pages 5 to 8 were approved by the Trustees on 21 April 2026 | The Accounts set out on pages 5 to 8 were approved by the Trustees on 21 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| A P Verey | ________ |
| A G French | ________ |
| S H Frost | ________ |
| Trustees |
6
BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO
Report & Accounts 2025
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS As at 31 December 2025
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Accounting convention
The accounts are prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of investments, and in accordance with the Charity Commission Statement of Recommended Practice.
The Museum is exempt from the requirement to provide a Cash Flow Statement.
(b) Investments
Investments are included in the accounts at market value at the balance sheet date and unrealised investment gains or losses are reflected in the statement of financial activities. Gains or losses arising during the year are included in the accounts when realised.
(c) Donations
Donations from private and regimental sources are included in the accounts when received. Income tax recoverable from HM Revenue & Customs is included when received.
(d) Acquisitions and disposals
Acquisitions and disposals of artefacts in the Museum Collection are undertaken in accordance with the policy described in the Trustee’s Report.
(e) Heritage Assets
Heritage assets included in the Museum Collection are not recognised in the balance sheet because the Trustees have determined that to value them would be onerous and costly. Assets that are purchased form a small part of the Collection and the costs of acquisitions are charged to the income and expenditure account when incurred. Proceeds of disposals are credited to the income and expenditure account when received.
(f) Stocks
Stocks of merchandise held for resale comprise publications, regalia and memorabilia relating to the Berkshire Yeomanry, and are acquired principally to support serving and former serving members of the Berkshire Yeomanry. Because items are usually purchased on a bespoke basis in quantity, the sale of them usually spans several years and, as a result, the Trustees have decided that such stocks of merchandise should be held at nil value. Such stocks are written off when acquired.
2. TRADING ACTIVIIES
The Museum seeks to raise funds to support its charitable activities through selling merchandise to serving and retired members of the Berkshire Yeomanry, to collectors of militaria and to the public at large.
| Sale of merchandise Cost of sales Income from trading activities |
2025 £ 20,768 17,930 2,838 |
2024 £ 15,300 12,916 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,384 |
7
BERKSHIRE YEOMANRY MUSEUM CIO Report & Accounts 2025
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS As at 31 December 2025
3. HERITAGE ASSETS
| Amounts expended and charged to: In 2021 In 2022 In 2023 In 2024 In 2025 Total |
By purchase £ By donation £ From reserves £ - - - - - - 426 - - 592 - - 1,131 - - 2,149 - - |
Total Acquired £ - - 426 592 1,131 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,149 |
In 2022 the Museum received from the Berkshire Yeomanry Museum Trust all of the Trust’s assets and liabilities including the Museum’s collection and its archive. The collection includes heritage assets and no disposals of heritage assets have taken place in the year nor in the previous year. Heritage assets acquired by donation are not valued as the Trustees have determined that the cost of such valuations is not justified. Acquisitions include artefacts for current or future display in the Museum and additions to the archive material held by the Museum.
4. INVESTMENTS
| At | Acquisitions | At | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January | (disposals) | Gains (losses) | 31 December | |
| 2025 | in year | in year | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Permanent Endowment Fund | ||||
| M&G Charifund units | 28,941 | - |
5,015 | 33,956 |
| Unrestricted Fund | ||||
| M&G Charifund units | 5,335 | - |
925 | 6,260 |
| Total investments | 34,276 | - |
5,940 | 40,216 |
The Charifund units were acquired at a total cost of £35,470, of which £25,470 was incurred in 2017 and £10,000 in 2023.
5. STOCKS
Stocks consist of merchandise held for resale at nil valuation.
6. RECONCILIATION OF CHARITY FUNDS
| At 31 December 2025 Investments Cash at bank and in hand Creditors Total charitable funds |
Endowment Fund £ Unrestricted Fund £ 33,956 6,260 - 10,790 - (582) 28,941 15,543 |
Total Funds £ 40,216 10,790 (582) |
|---|---|---|
| 44,484 |
The Endowment Fund represents the capital of the Museum and cannot be expended by the Trustees. The Unrestricted Fund represents accumulated surplus income and can be expended by the Trustees in accordance with the Museum’s charitable objectives without further restriction. The Museum’s Reserves comprise the Unrestricted Fund.
8