Ingatestone Museum Trust
Registered Charity 1193922
Patron: Lord Petre
Annual Report 2023
Ingatestone Gatekeeper’s Cottage A Community Museum for Ingatestone & Fryerning
This document is the property of the Ingatestone Museum Trust and must not be reproduced without specific permission from the Trust’s Secretary who can be contacted by email at secretary@imt.gb.net
Photographs are the copyright of D L Bateman and must not be used or reproduced without his specific permission.
1. Annual Report 2023
This Annual Report sets out the activities of the Ingatestone Museum Trust (the Trust) for the year ending 31[st] December 2023.
2. Trustees
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As at 31[st] December 2023 there were five appointed Trustees as follows:-
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Graham Orchard . Chairman.
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Elaine Jeater . Secretary.
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Liz Fajimolu . Treasurer.
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Jon Cloke . Trustee.
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Caroline Russell . Trustee. Representing Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council.
John Greengrass resigned as a Trustee in October 2023.
Liz Fajimolu was appointed as a Trustee on 20[th] November 2023 for a period of 3 years.
The appointment of Trustees, Graham Orchard, Elaine Jeater and Jon Cloke, expires early in 2024 and will require to be reviewed at the Trust’s 2024 AGM. Caroline Russell, representing Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council’s permanent Trustee appointment, is appointed for a period as determined by Ingatestone and Fryerning Parish Council.
3. Achievements
The Trust has been able to achieve several key tasks to enable it to move forward positively and these are summarised in 3.1 to 3.6 below.
3.1. Cottage refurbishment
The refurbishment of the Gatekeeper’s Cottage by Greater Anglia to make the building structurally sound, (new roof, rebuilding the chimney stacks and refurbishment of the external toilet building), has been completed. Drainage and water services were checked and proven to be satisfactory.
Plans for work on the interior refurbishment have progressed and discussions are underway with Greater Anglia to agree technical details and access arrangements. A contract has been signed with Stroma to sign off building control approvals.
The Trust has been generously supported by Michael Senatore, a Chartered Architectural Technologist and member of the Great Eastern railway Society who has prepared all the drawings for the refurbishment works at no charge.
3.2. Cottage lease
On 31[st] May 2023, the Trust signed a 25-year lease on the Gatekeeper’s Cottage with Greater Anglia, the railway franchisee. This was a key step to enable the interior refurbishment to proceed.
3.3. Financial management
Income & Expenditure Accounts have been prepared and a set of accounts is attached to this report in Appendix 1.
An opportunity to seek funds from the UK’s Shared Prosperity Fund arose towards the end of the year and the Trust has commenced preparations for submission of an application.
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3.4. Publicity
The Trust’s website which is now fully functional and information on progress is regularly posted. This can be accessed at https://ingatestonemuseum.org.uk
A one-page update sheet has been prepared for distribution to interested persons and bodies and will be updated to reflect significant developments.
A PowerPoint presentation describing the project has also been prepared which can be modified to suit the audience and theme of the presentation and this will also be updated to reflect significant developments.
3.5. Works, equipment, furniture and services
The Trust has continued to identify works, equipment, furniture and services which will be required to enable the Museum to function effectively. Many items will need to be formally approved by Greater Anglia and the Trust will work with Greater Anglia to identify which items need formal approval.
3.6. Museum exhibits
Work has continued on the collation of artefacts, exhibits and records for display and reference in the museum.
4. Timescales
Owing to matters outside the control of the Trust timescales have not materialised as planned, but the Trust is now planning to open the Museum during 2024. An outline programme to achieve this is:
| Activity | Who | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access licence | Greater Anglia/IMT | March 2024 | April 2024 |
| Internal works | The Trust | April 2024 | June 2024 |
| Equipping/setting up the Museum |
The Trust | June 2024 | August 2024 |
| Administrative arrangements |
The Trust | January 2024 | August 2024 |
| Museum Opening | The Trust | September 2024 | September 2024 |
5. Chairman’s Report
Despite the delays, I am pleased that we have now secured the lease on the Gatekeeper’s Cottage. This will allow us to demonstrate our commitment to the Museum. There is still much work to do before the museum becomes a reality, but as we move into 2024, the Museum will begin to take shape.
I want the Museum to be a positive addition to Ingatestone and for the former crossing keeper’s cottage to be restored to its original style.
We could not have got this far without the support of many individuals and organisations and my thanks go out to all of them. I would like to say a particular thank you to my fellow Trustees especially John Greengrass for his support as his time as a Trustee and Treasurer, Michael Senatore for his work on the drawings for us and David Bateman who has been the driving force in getting this project moving and is acting as the Trust’s project manager for the internal refurbishment works.
Graham Orchard
Chairman, Ingatestone Museum Trust 23[rd] March 2024
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Appendix 1 Accounts for 2023 Ingatestone Museum Trust liegistered Chanty 1193922 Pdtron.. Lord Petre Incomè and Exndstur0 accounts for 2023 In¢om• Exp&ndltur• Grants Donations Bank interest Sumup payments Insuran Lèasè charg8S Wèb domain ren8w81 Website management Museum Essex Fees Building control Publicity banner Sumup systam Archive preservation materia15 Files Email, electrics 750.00 507.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 96.00 210.00 98.90 115.05 50.00 270.00 54.00 166.80 638.05 15.07 657.66 2371.53 8.85 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1324.51 -1047.02 Totals Dèficlt B•l•n¢o Sh••t Opening Deficit Closing 7189.94 -1047.02 6142.92 6142.92 Flnanced by Business Premium alc Community 81¢ 5,323.66 819.26 6,142.92 Page4of4