KNARESBOROUGH TOWN MUSEUM Knaresborough Museum Association Charity No:1194614 Trustees, Annual Report For the year ending 31 May 2023 Chair. Kathy Allday Knaresborough Museum Association, 8 York Place, KnarestM)rwh, HG5 OAI Email.. info knaresborou hlownmuseum.or Website.. www.knaresborou htownmuseum.or
- Introduction Knaresborough Museum Assooation (KMA) is a charttable incorporated organisation (CIO). It consists of a Board of six Trustees and a group of volunteers. KMA was set up to plan and deliver the Knaresborough Town Museum project, and thereafter to manage the day-ttrday operation of the museum and continued development as a tage asset. Knaresborough Towm Museum is a heritage projeci that seeks to connect and engage with the wide raroe of peopk who live in the town and who visit the town each year. KMA feels strongly that enabling people of all age groups and interests to understand and apweciate the diverse and rich history of the town will generate positive outcomes and promote a feeling of wellbeing. The educational value of the Town Museum displays and narratives will enthuse and inspire visitors and preserve our heritage for fijture generations. 1.4 This Annual Report documents the progress KMA has made this year, the second full year after KMA became a CIO. The objectives and actiVFiies undertaken which support KMA'S mission statement are listed below and indude KMA'S annual accounts.
- KMA'S Mlsslon statnent o establish and run an Independent town museum in Knaresborough for the benefit of the local communlty to advance public knowledge, appreciation and enjoyment of the rich history of Knaresborough and its surrounding area. We will achieve this by collecting, conserving, displaying, and interpreting a range of historical material which showcases social and industrial hlstory. archaeology and geology* and providès an educational resource for local schools."
- KMA'S Ob ectlves The principal obJ"ectives are as follows: To build up, develop and support the KMA volunteers, bringing together people from the IoGal communty who have a range of interests, knowledge and sknlls, which will support KMA'S work. To engage with local people through communty events, outreath work and social media. To put in place robust govemance prOsSes, prOdureS and policies to support the development of the museum. To forge long tenn alliances with stske holdefs to ensure the long-tem sustainability of the museum. To put in place a fundraising strategy to raise the money KMA require for setting up and estsblishiTrJ the museum; and to manage KMAS finances in a prudent aThl sustainable manner. To either purchase or secure the tenancy of suitable premises in Knaresborough for the Town Museum, negotiating acceptable tems for renting the property from the landlord. orfvndraising the capital required for purchasing: to plan the refurtmshment and modemisation required to mak8 the building accessible to the public,. and to plan how the stories of
Knaresborough will be told through a series of specially design8d interconneding exhibitions. 4. KMA'S Ob'ectlves: Achievemènts and PerfornHnce This Section is a SUMe of the activit undertaken by KMA in support of each objective in order to show vthat KMA has achieved in year. 4.18uildin and Develo in KPAA V lunteers 4.1.1 Bullding tho KMA Voluntser Base KMA believes our volunteers are our greatest asset. KMA seeks to enhance social interaction and volunteering opportunities for the local communty. The number of voluntéers has steadily increased month on month and currently stands at over fifty people. ranging in age beeen 16 and 93. KMA has succeeded in bringing together a cohesÉve and hhlY motrvated team. Recruitment is done through holding a programme of Y11 publicssed events, social média, and by word of mouth. 4.1.2 Tralning KMA Volunteern Training sessions have be8n held on safeguarding, health and safety and first aid. Volunteers also attended a presentation about future plans for the museum. They re1ve ongoing support from the trustees and have regular meetings with Chair and the Volunteer Co-ordinator. 4.1.3 Res8arch Projects KMA volunteers have been actively engaged in Carrying out research towards the planned exhibition narratives for the Town Museum. Current research topics indude the development of the linen industry in Knaresborough. health. poverty and disease. the archaeology of Plompton as well as the creation of a signfficant oral history archive created from Intervievn9 local people ab)ut lrfe in Knaresborough in the 1930s. 40s and Sos. 4.1.4 Holding Events to Engage with the Local C¢)mmunity and to Broadon and Increase the Future Audience Ba KMA held tsvo Popup events to encourage community engagement and widen support for the museum projecL Festival 31d_ P June 2022 Commun Histo KMA planned the public everrt to coincide with the Queen's Platinum Jubitee celebrations. It held over the long weekend at Knaresborough House. Illustrated text panels gave histoTi(al infomiation on each of the themed narratives and a richly diverse selection of objects were on display, induding many acquired on temporary loan for the event. Together they showcased l<naresborough from prehistory to the Romans, the medieval period and into the 2 century. Exhibits included prehistoric animal remains and ti)ols used by the first hunter gatherers living around Knaresborough, Roman and medieval artefacts found locally, and objects that shed light on l(naresborough's industrial and military past.
KMA arranged for Gommunity history groups to be represerrted and have stalls at the event. There was also a separate OLrtdoor event in the grounds of Knaresborough House on one of the days. The Community History Festival attracted a lot of interest, with over 1,500 visitors. The event was supported by a grarrt from NYC'S Local Communities Fund. and Leisure Centre 3rd 4 and 10 Christmas Chari December 2022 Friendshi KMA volunteers used the stall to tell visitors about KMA'S heritage actNlties and to sell KMA merchandise. The stall raised £850, with a contribution from the income given to the Friendship and Leisure Centre. stall at the Knaresboro h Commun Festival 22TrJ A ri12023 This was an opportunty to nehvork and raise KMA'S Profi in a communty family friendly setting in the grounds of a local school. KMA mounted a popwp display and carried out fvndraising. The event was well attended. Exhibition.. The SecorKI Worfd War and its Im March- 30 Se tember 2023 act on Knaresborou 13th This exhibition was planned as the first of KMA'S rolling programme of displays open to the public for the small gallery Spa at 8 YO Place. The narratives for the exhibitton were draTr from KMA'S research and included first-hand accourrts from oral history interviews b%ryth local residents. These provtde a unique and fas¢inating insight into local people's lives during and after the war. Nine illustrated text boards Yre pr(KlU and a selection of historical ot4.ects a¢quired on temporary loan to support the displays. KMA gratefully acknowledg8S the support of The Yorkshire Fanning Museum, The Worfd War Two Experience, The Claro Archaeology Group, The Harrison Collection and The Wood's Collection. Archaeological artefacts discovered at the former Scriven Prison8r of War Camp were also displayed. KMA also led a series of wor2 themed walks around Knaresborough to ¢oincide with the eknibition. KMA is grateful to the many ViSTlors to the exhibition who have made donations. Communty Archaeology Festival- October 2023 Planning began at the start of 2023 for KMA'S next communty festival event, which vrill held over October half te. It will follow the chronology of l<naresborough's archaeology from prehistortc times to the Second World War. To complement and illustrate the exhibition narratives. KMA is arranging to acquire on loan a range of historic21 objects. A mtjdel of Gates Hill Camp and a Plague mask are being specially commissioned, and a series of paintings by local artist and palaeontologist James McKay will be displayed vthich illustrate the early history of Knaresborough G¢)rge. KMA reorved a £10,000 grant from the Lottery Heritage Fund towards the Knaresborough Communty Archaeology Project. This is funding
survey work in Bithham Woods and a geophysical sutvey of part of the fomer Trinitarian Priory precinct on Abbey Road. The results of these surveys wll also be displayed at the Communty Archaeology FestNal. For KMA these community events have been well attended and have proved a sueKessfvl steppingstone to engaging a WKler and rn0 dNerse audience. KMA maintsins a reguEar preseno on social media to engage with supporters. 4.1.5 Collaboration th Local Schools. Colleges and Community Groups KMA places great Importan on this collaborative work. Presentations and artefact handling sessions were held with one school and six communty groups and societies. KMA'S planned collaboration with King James's School in Knaresborough was thwarted by Covid and KMA hopes to reschedule it for the coming academic year. KMA has recruited several college students who have become volunteers. some on work experien and some working on researcth projects. Discussions have taken place with ORB. a local mental heah ¢harity, and The Glft People, a social enterprise supporting adutts with leamin9 disabiltties. KMA plans to hold wotkshops with ORB'S service users in order to erb3age them in creatNe outlets inspired by the stories and artefacts to be displayed in the museum. Furiher outreach work is also teing undertaken ryth a number of groups Supporting people wth a variety of disabilrties. KMA aims to obtain views and fully engage participants in the development of the AcsS Strategy forthe museum. 4.2 Gov rnance Procesw Procedures and Polici•s 4.2.1 Governancè and Pollcy Development Expertise within the team of KMA Volurrteers, together with exlemal professional advice received from the museum sector. has enablèd KMA to make signfficant Fngress. Policies developed to date or currently in progress for setting up running museum indude: GDPR, Safeguarding. Health and Safety, Equalty and Diversity. Access, Acquisition, Volunteer. Complaints and Whistleblowing. Finance and Digital Strategy. KMA'S Volunteer Handbook is being developed. 4.2.2 Commissionlng of Feasibillty Study KMA has submitted a grant application to the Shared Prosperity Fund to pay for a consuttant to undertake a feasibilty study. The study will look at the viability and sustainabilrty of the Town Museum 0jeCt and where the museum woukl be best sited in Knarest¥yough. The feasibilty study is part of a CoCdInated collaboratNe programme by partnership organisations, under the umlxella of the Knaresborough Voice intliative, to develop a vision for Knaresborough which aims to deliver an improved sense of ace alongside communty cohesion for the town. The findings of the feasits'lty Study will not only b8 an important means of guiding KMA in the p*ocess of establishing a suitable site andlor building where the museum Goukj be housed but will also underpin and influence fijture funding streams. By giving expert gUKlan to KMA as it moves fomard with bts plans to set up a new museum, the feasibilty study wtll
meet several of North Yorkshire Council's priorities, in partrcular enabling local people to feel a sense of pride in their town and celebrate what makes Knaresborough so distinct and vibranL 4.2.3 Consultsllon with Mu88um Develownent Yorkshiro over Museum Accreditation KMA trustees have held disixjssions wtlh and received helpful advice from Museum Development Yoikshire. KMA trustees intend to apply for AccredTrMion after tpe lease for Suitab premises has teen secured. 4.2.4 Markatlng and Publicity for Town Museum Press releases and artides about the Museum. for example in the Knaresborou hPos The Yorkshire Post and in Interviev wtlh Radio York. have helped to raise the profile of the Tthvn Museum ]ect and to promote the work it does for the communty. 4.2.5 Webslte Dovelownent Developing KMA'S website was a key priority to gNe it an online presence. It has proved an invaluable means of communic8tion with the wider communty during the early planning stage of thè Town Museum. Since the initial website was launched, further development has been ongoing as part of KMA'S digital strategy and it n(pN indudes a donation 4.2.6 Museum Collection: Objects Offered to KMA KMA is indebted to its many supporters who have offered to donate historic objects to the Tcywn Museum. 4.3 Fundraisin 4.3.1 KMA is a financially Irmjendent organisation and relies entirely on donations, grants and furKlraising campaigns in order to 9enerate the money required for taknng forward the Town Museum project and paying for the KMA'S rolling programme of community events and adivities. Fundraising progress is as follows." 4.3.2 A total of £10,300 was raised through successful grant applications submitted by KMA. This includes a grant of £10,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund towards KMA'S Community ArGhaeology Festival. 4.3.3 A total of £4,652 was raised through KMA'S fundraising events and £684 from donations. KMA volunteers also run regular community fundraisiNJ stalls at events and in the local mark8L 4.3.4 KMA will wntinue to seek grant funding to ensure the ifjabilty of the museum project over the medium and longer tems. 4.3.5 In addition to raising fvnds. KMA has r1Ved support from many professionals. vtho have given their seprfices either without charg8 or at reduced fees.
4.3.6 KMA acknowledge5 Wtth gratitude the support of Newcastle Building SorAety for the donation of stationery and printing ServiS. 4.3.7 KMA is very grateful to all the individuals and organisations who have supported our fundraising ¢ampaigr6. 4.4 Securin ultable Premises In Knaresboro h for the Town Museum 4.4.1 In October 2022. after the lease negotiations wilh Harrogate Borough Council for the ground ftoor of former Castle Girfs. SGhool ended lthOU1 agreement. W was fortunate to be offered the ground floor of 8 York Place on a temporary basis. It is serving well as a communty base where members of the public can visit. find out about KMA'S community and outreach work. and offer to volunteer. It is used by KMA volunteers to hold meetings, cary out resaarch and welcome members of the publiG. The Spa 18 divided into a small gallery and a separate offi¢e. The galkry facilty has been a great asset arvj has allowed KMA to showcase the town's rich history through a wogramme of temporary exhibitions. 4.4.2 For KMA 8 York Place has provided an effertrve OFerational base for planning and delivering thè annual programme of communty oUtaCh events and activities. while KMA continues to search for a pennanent home for Knaresborough Town Museum. It has enabled KMA volunteer team memter5 to get to know each other better and has farilitated Gloser working relationships within the team. 4.4.3 KMA is very grateful to Peter Lay, Director and owner of Whole Systems Partnership, who has generously allowed us to use th8se premises at 8 York Pl at a nominal rent. S. Flnancial R 5.1.1 KMA'S Annual Accounts are in Appendix 1. 5.1.2 A surplus of £45.924 was brougm forward from prior periods. 6.1.3 The cost of delivering KMA'S Communty HtOry Festival project was £1.573. It was funded in part by a grant of £1.000 from North Yorkshire County Council's Stronger Communities Fund (received the pr6ViOUS year). £2,820 was rais8d at the event from donations and from the sale of merchandise, leaving a net surplus of £2,247. 5.1.4 The Cost of delNering KMA'S 8xhibtlion The Seo)nd Worfd War and its Impact on Knaresborough was £1,598, funded frcffi a grant of £2.500 from Knaresborough Council {1ved the previous year) for KMA'S Memories Project.
5.1.1 KMA'S reoipts at year end, which total £52,036, are the result of a combination of SUC$sful grant applications. donations, fundraising events and other income rer¥ed. 5.1.2 KMA'S payments. which total £8,860. are snifiCant1Y lower than the planned expenditure for ttle financial year. The reason is that th8 planned programme of building refurbishment and museum frt out works at the former Castle Girls. Schwl did not proceed after the lease negotiations for the building ended without agreement. KMA had set a target budget of £140,OCQ for undertaking these works, to be funded from W's fundraising programme and from a generous pledge of up to £100,000 from a local charttable foundation. The trustses declare that they have appmved the trustees. report al)ove. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature(s) Full name(s) Kathy Allday Malcolm Hay Position Chair Vice Chair Dats 8th January 2024 Trustee name Office Irf any) Dates acted If not for whole ear Kathy Alday Malcolm Hay Ruth Bulmer Suzanne Coulson Martin Bre*er Chair WI Chair Volunteer Co-ordinator Secretary Treasurer Bill Rigby Trustee
APPENDIX I KMA Annual Accounts CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGiAND AND WALES Receipts and payments accounts CC16a A1 Rereipts 111 21,Y1 13,701 1073 Crw¥fiJTrY 17 t70 Sub totthl(Grtsgs IrtOn for AR) 36 Ixe tabl•). MIA 10. 1& 52.036 A3Pa BU1 Cests Affilvabun Fe 141 567 341 klarkebTy & PrirTr3 170 170 145 Insurance 274 274 4f1 313 1318 i.syi 112 NIA Sub fy> 6.112 71 7511
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KNARESBOROUGH MUSEUM AssoaATION Charlty no. 1194614 Independent Examinerfs Report to the TrteeS of KNARESBOROUGH MUSEUM ASSOCIATION I report on the accounts of the KnaresbmW MweqHn AsxKiation. for the yew ed 31 May 2023, whlch are set ¢)Ut on pages I to 9. The Charivs trustees are respo for preparation ofthe aCcots. The clwrivs tru51¢e5 conslder that an audll Is required thls year wIderttrt 144 of the Charitlts Art 2011 lthe Charities Act) and that an ¥Pee1 eyafflinatn is needed. It is my re5w>nsikn'kty to: Examine the accourtts under sectk)n 145 of Charities Art To follow the Pfocedtsres laid d(ywn in the General Directions gin ty the Chaftty Commissioner (under sectxln 145ISMbl of the ChaTitE5 Ac( and To state whether particular matters have come to my attention. My examination was Caffied in xcordance with Genernl Dirertions given by the CharFry Commisyon. An exaMinatn include5 a revlew of Ihe a¢countin8 records kepl by the charity arxl a comparison of the accounts presented wirh those records. It al includes consideratn of any unusual items of disdosures in the accounts arrfl seekins explanation5 from w)u as trustee5 COrKemi matters. The prOdureS w)dertaken do Thjt pro¥Kle all the evthnce that would be requlred in an •Ilt and no is 8rt1 as to Wther the accounts iye5eni a "true and fairf view, and the repon 15 linited to those Mat set in ¢1 statement below. In connectn my examinatK, no matter ha5 come to rry attention: l. Whlch 81%$ me reasonable cau to betseve that In. ary material respecL the requlrernents: . To keep recoats lft Kcordance wilh se¢tK•ft 130 01 the Charitles and . To prepa a¢counts whKh aca)rf with the ¥Cotl records aThJ comply wlth the a¢aDI11 uirements ot Charities Art have not been mrt: or 2. To whkh in my oplnion, attent¥ SI l drawn to enatAe a proper uthrstandlre ol the •¢¢otsnts to be reaCtrd. Stephen M Day A 20 Moorland Harrogate HG2 7EZ 31* ()ecember 2023