## Knaresborough Museum Association Charity No:1194614 Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ending 31 May 2025 Chair: Kathy Allday Knaresborough Museum Association Knaresborough Heritage Centre, 12 High Street, Knaresborough, HG5 0EQ Email: info@knaresboroughtownmuseum.org.uk Website: www.knaresboroughtownmuseum.org.uk **1. Introduction** - 1.1 Knaresborough Museum Association (KMA) is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It consists of a Board of five Trustees and is supported by approximately sixty volunteers. - 1.2 KMA was set up to plan and deliver the Knaresborough Town Museum project, and thereafter to manage the day-to-day operation of the museum and its continued development as a heritage asset. - 1.3 KMA runs Knaresborough Heritage Centre which has a museum gallery where a rolling programme of temporary exhibitions about aspects of Knaresborough’s rich social history is held. The Centre is open to the public four days each week (Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) from 10.00 to 16.00. - 1.4 The Heritage Centre opened in April 2024, after KMA secured the lease on the ground floor premises at 12 High Street, Knaresborough. Following a successful grant application to the George A. Moore Foundation, the building was refurbished, providing a modern flexible museum gallery space, together with office and shop accommodation. The new building is an excellent asset for KMA and is serving well as a community heritage hub where volunteers can meet and work, and where members of the public visit exhibitions and find out about KMA’s many areas of work. Its position on the High Street opposite the bus station makes it easy to find and access. - 1.5 KMA seeks to connect and engage with the wide range of people who live in Knaresborough and who visit the town each year. KMA feels strongly that enabling people of all age groups and interests to understand and appreciate the diverse and rich history of the town will generate positive outcomes and promote a feeling of wellbeing. The educational value of the displays and narratives at the Heritage Centre enthuses and inspires visitors and preserves our heritage for future generations. - 1.6 This Annual Report documents the progress KMA has made this year, the fourth full year after KMA became a CIO. The objectives and activities undertaken which support KMA’s mission statement are listed below and include KMA’s annual accounts. ## **2. KMA’s Mission Statement** - 2.1 **“To establish and run an independent town museum in Knaresborough for the benefit of the local community 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 history, archaeology and geology, and provides an educational resource for local schools.”** ## **3. KMA’s Objectives** - 3.1 The principal objectives are as follows: - To build up, develop and support the KMA volunteers, bringing together people from the local community who have a range of interests, knowledge and skills, which will support KMA’s work. To engage with local people through community events, outreach work and social media. - To put in place robust governance processes, procedures and policies to support the development of the museum. To forge long term alliances with stakeholders to ensure the long-term sustainability of the museum. - To put in place a fundraising strategy to raise the money KMA require for the day to day running of the Heritage Centre and for KMA’s wide-ranging community focussed work; and to manage KMA’s finances in a prudent and sustainable manner. - To plan ahead for either purchasing or securing the tenancy of larger premises in Knaresborough which would be suitable for establishing and running a town museum for KMA’s increasingly wide-ranging community work, negotiating acceptable terms for renting the property from the landlord, or fundraising the capital required for purchasing; to plan the refurbishment and modernisation required to make the building accessible to the public; and to plan how the stories of Knaresborough will be told through a series of specially designed exhibitions. ## **4. KMA’s Objectives: Achievements and Performance** This section is a resume of the activities undertaken by KMA in support of each objective to show what KMA has achieved in year. ## 4.1 **Building Up and Developing KMA Volunteers** - 4.1.1 **Building the KMA Volunteer Base** KMA believes our volunteers are our greatest asset. KMA seeks to enhance social interaction and volunteering opportunities for the local community. The number of volunteers has steadily increased month on month and currently stands at approximately sixty people, ranging in age between 19 and 80. KMA has succeeded in bringing together a cohesive and highly motivated team. Recruitment is done through holding a programme of well publicised events, social media, and by word of mouth. - 4.1.2 **Training KMA Volunteers** Volunteers receive an induction on joining KMA. Training sessions for volunteers have been held on safeguarding, health and safety and first aid. They receive ongoing support from the trustees and have regular meetings with the Chair, the Volunteer Co-ordinator and the Volunteer Support Advisors. - 4.1.3 **Research Projects** KMA volunteers have been actively engaged in carrying out research for the programme of social history exhibitions at the Heritage Centre. Research topics have included World War Two and its impact on Knaresborough, the development of the linen industry in Knaresborough, health, poverty and disease, and the archaeology of Knaresborough, including an archaeological case study of a ruin in Plompton and a further survey on the site of a former Trinitarian Priory. Current research is delving into the story of the royal hunting Forest of Knaresborough which will be showcased in an immersive exhibition with stunning audio visuals planned for March 2026. A KMA research team has also begun work on the story of Knaresborough Railway and the construction of the town’s iconic viaduct, which will be explored in an exhibition planned for the second half of 2026. In addition to desk-based research, many visits were arranged for volunteers to the local archive offices, the Washburn Heritage Centre, Eden Camp, as well as numerous site visits. Work continues to expand KMA’s significant oral history archive created from interviewing local people about life in Knaresborough in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. - 4.1.4 **Holding Events to Engage with the Local Community and to Broaden and Increase the Future Audience Base** KMA has taken part in several events to encourage community engagement and widen support for the museum project. Numerous talks and artefact handling workshops have taken place in 7 primary schools in Knaresborough and surrounding villages. Bespoke group visits have been another successful part of our community engagement, including a visit by ORB, a charity supporting adults with learning disabilities and mental health issues. Increasingly, individuals and groups in the community are also helping KMA with their research work by providing not only information that contributes to our research but also photographs, as well as lending objects for our exhibitions. KMA ran a series of children’s archaeology themed workshops in the Heritage Centre. They included prehistoric cave painting, Roman calligraphy, and creating a Viking game called Trip Trap Troll. KMA’s medieval themed workshops were also popular and covered stained glass, medieval calligraphy and a medieval bestiary, which the children found highly amusing. The series culminated in World War Two tangram puzzles and crumb fudge workshops. Twelve workshops were run in total, attracting several dozen children. Bespoke walks were booked by several community groups. In addition, Mike Doss, KMA’s volunteer tour guide, ran weekly walks for the public on archaeology and then on the linen industry. KMA volunteers took part in Knaresborough Parish Church’s Christmas Tree Festival by installing a tree decorated with hand knitted historic characters. By appealing to a wider audience at this popular month-long event, KMA reached new audiences and showcased Knaresborough’s history in a fun and child friendly manner. Each year KMA takes part in Knaresborough’s Community Festival. KMA had a display stand and explained the work we do and encouraged people to volunteer or get involved in other ways. KMA also had a stand at Scotton Village Fete in July 2024 ## **Exhibition: Knaresborough’s Secret Past: The Archaeology Beneath our Feet 27[th] April 2024 – 30[th] September 2024** This was the first exhibition to be mounted in KMA’s gallery at Knaresborough Heritage Centre. Curated by KMA Chair, Kathy Allday, it explored Knaresborough’s evolution over thousands of years and showcased the unique geology of Nidd Gorge. Over 4,000 years of archaeology provided fascinating evidence about people’s lives, including hunting and gathering food, dwelling in caves, industrial achievements, 2000 years of invasion, military activity and defence, treating the sick, home comforts and fashions. The gallery had a dedicated children’s zone, which offered dressing up clothes, a small library and a Victorian school desk. The exhibition benefitted from large numbers of archaeological objects on display, many generously loaned to KMA. The exhibition was well received by visitors. ## **Exhibition: The History of The Knaresborough Linen Industry – Part One: Spinning Tales – 9[th] October 2024 – 23[rd] February 2025** ## **Exhibition: The History of the Knaresborough Linen Industry – Part Two: A Twist in the Tale – Opened 5[th] March 2025** Two interlinking exhibitions about Knaresborough’s linen industry were planned and curated by Claire Joia, who led the exhibition team and whose research into the production of linen and into the lives of the handloom weavers and the mill owners and manufacturers created a fascinating insight into a long-forgotten industry that was once central to Knaresborough’s development. In addition to the well-illustrated exhibition board narratives and wide range of historical objects on display, audio visual presentations were created about the people involved in order to bring their history to life. The first exhibition focussed on the history of linen and how it was produced. The second looks at the living and working conditions of the men, women and children involved. The exhibitions about the social and economic impact of the linen industry on the town were well publicised and have proved very popular with visitors. KMA is grateful to the many visitors to these exhibitions who have made donations. ## **Training for Mayor of Knaresborough’s Town Guides** In January 2025, KMA provided training about the history of Knaresborough for the new Mayor’s Town Guides. The guides act as ambassadors for the town and encourage visitors to make the most of their stay, including visiting Knaresborough Heritage Centre. ## **Mayor of Knaresborough’s Medieval Pilgrimage Day - 10[th] May 2025** KMA played a key role in helping to plan and deliver this event, which was the Mayor’s major annual fundraiser. KMA mounted displays about medieval Knaresborough at Knaresborough House and ran workshops for children, with the help of KMA’s Kidzone Sub-Group. Other planned activities included talks, medieval craft demonstrations and performances, as well as refreshments. ]Proceeds from the event were split between the Mayor’s two nominated charities, KMA and The Chapel of the Lady of the Crag. The day was well attended with positive feedback from the public. ## **Monthly Talks Programme** KMA has continued to hold regular monthly talks in the church hall at COGS (Centre on Gracious Street) on a variety of subjects relating to the history and heritage of Knaresborough and the surrounding district. The talks programme is popular, generating significant additional income. ## **Collaboration with Local Schools, Colleges and Community Groups** KMA places great importance on this collaborative work. Over the year, the KMA Chair gave talks about KMA’s work and the charity’s research projects to seven schools and twenty community groups, raising the charity’s profile and providing information on Knaresborough’s history and heritage and educational material (including displays of artefacts) to a wide and diverse audience. ## 4.2 **Governance Processes, Procedures and Policies** ## 4.2.1 **Governance and Policy Development** Expertise within the team of KMA Volunteers, together with external professional advice received from the museum sector, has enabled KMA to make significant progress. Policies developed to date or currently in progress for setting up and running the museum include: GDPR, Safeguarding, Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, Access, Acquisition, Volunteer, Complaints and Whistleblowing, Finance and Digital Strategy. KMA’s Volunteer Handbook has been completed and is in use. ## 4.2.2 **Feasibility Study** The results of the study, which was commissioned by KMA from Headland Design Associates previously, continue to inform how the wide-ranging programme of work undertaken by KMA is planned and delivered. The study into the viability and sustainability of the Town Museum project formed part of a coordinated collaborative programme by partnership organisations, under the umbrella of the Knaresborough Voice initiative, to develop a vision for Knaresborough which aimed to deliver an improved sense of place alongside community cohesion for the town. The consultants looked at all aspects of KMA’s community work, together with KMA’s governance and management procedures. They advised that KMA had a ‘strong track record of delivering project-based activities, funded through grant applications and aimed at both local people and visitors to the town’. They felt that Knaresborough Heritage Centre, which KMA ran provided a suitable base for the short to medium term. They recommended that KMA develop a 5–10-year plan to purchase a medium sized building in the town centre at a cost of around £400-£500k (2024 prices). KMA trustees continue to use the consultants’ findings and recommendations of the feasibility study to guide KMA’s future strategic planning. ## 4.2.3 **Consultation with Museum Development Yorkshire over Museum Accreditation** KMA trustees have held discussions with and received helpful advice from Museum Development Yorkshire. KMA trustees intend to apply for Museum Accreditation. ## 4.2.4 **Marketing and Publicity for Town Museum** Press releases and articles about the Town Museum, for example in the Knaresborough Post, The Yorkshire Post and in interviews with Radio York, have helped to raise the profile of the Town Museum project and to promote the work it does for the community. ## 4.2.5 **Website Development** Developing the website was a key priority to give KMA an online presence. It has proved an invaluable means of communication with the wider community. KMA’s presence on social media has been further enhanced through Facebook and Instagram accounts. Since the initial website was launched, it has undergone further development as part of KMA’s digital strategy. ## 4.2.6 **Museum Collection: Objects Offered to KMA** KMA is indebted to its many supporters who have offered to donate and loan historic objects. ## 4.3 **Fundraising** KMA is a financially independent organisation and relies entirely on donations, grants and fundraising campaigns to generate the money required for taking forward the Town Museum project and paying for the KMA’s rolling programme of community events and activities. Fundraising progress in 2024-25 is as follows: - A total of £2,000 was raised through successful grant applications submitted by KMA. - A total of £15,312 was raised through KMA’s fundraising activities and from donations. KMA volunteers run regular community fundraising stalls at events and in the local market. - KMA benefitted from £1,250 of interest on its cash reserves. - KMA will continue to seek grant funding to ensure the viability of the museum project over the medium and longer terms. - In addition to raising funds, KMA has received support from many professionals, who have given their services either without charge or at reduced fees. - KMA is very grateful to all the individuals and organisations who have supported our fundraising campaigns. 4.4 **Securing Larger Premises in Knaresborough for the Town Museum** The premises at 12 High Street, Knaresborough provide good facilities for the day to day running of Knaresborough Heritage Centre. When the lease for the building was secured, KMA Trustees felt that the premises provided a practical and affordable opportunity, allowing KMA’s work for the community to develop and evolve. The flexible design of the modern museum gallery has proved successful for all the exhibitions. The office space to the rear of the building, where KMA meetings are held and where collections objects are stored, has required careful planning to use the limited space efficiently. KMA Trustees are aware that space in the current building will become an increasing issue in the years ahead, as KMA’s work for the community develops and the number of volunteers increases, and as the collection of objects and archive material grows. Forward planning continues in order to secure larger premises within the next three to five years to allow KMA to achieve its longer-term objective of running a fully-fledged town museum in Knaresborough. The vision for the building facilities includes space for housing both permanent and temporary public exhibitions and accommodation for holding office meetings and for the secure storage of its collections. A robust and sustainable financial plan would be required for achieving this objective. ## **5. Financial Review** - 5.1 KMA’s Annual Accounts are in Appendix 1. - 5.2 A surplus of £54,935 was brought forward from 2023-24 (£52,699, 2022-23). - 5.3 KMA’s receipts at year end, which total £18,562, are the result of a combination of successful grant applications, donations, fundraising events and other income received. - 5.4 KMA’s payments, which totalled £23,024, reflect the running and exhibition costs of the Heritage Centre at 12, High Street in its first full year, and the final feasibility study payment of £5,280. The principal items of expenditure are related to: - Building renovation costs for 12 High Street (£1,021) - Rent costs for 12 High Street (£8,050) - Utilities and other running costs (£3,518) - Exhibition design and fit-out costs (£747) - Feasibility study consultants' fees for museum project (£5,280) - Marketing, exhibition & event costs (£4,409) - 5.5 The result as at 31 May 2025 was a net surplus for the future development of the museum of £50,473. The surplus contains unspent restricted funds of £10,974 and unrestricted funds of £39,499. - 5.6 As at 31 May 2025 there is a financial commitment relating to the lease for Knaresborough Heritage Centre. The lease commenced on 20 November 2023 for 5 years. - 5.7 The accounts have been subject to an external independent examination and there were no material matters reported. ## **The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.** **Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** |**Signature(s)**
**Full name(s)**
**Position**
**Date**||| |---|---|---| ||Kathy Allday|Malcolm Hay| ||Chair|Vice Chair| ||16 March 2026|| |**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year**| |---|---|---| |KathyAllday|Chair|| |Malcolm Hay|Vice Chair|| |Ruth Bulmer|Volunteer Co-ordinator|Until 3 June 2024| |Suzanne Coulson|Secretary|| |Martin Brewer|Treasurer|| |Keith Wighton|Trustee|From 3 June 2024| APPENDIX 1 KMA Annual Accounts 2024-25 Reg. No (HARifi (OMMISSION fOR fNGIAND AND WALIS Knaresborough Museum Association Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For ihe pewiod Irom OVO612024 3110512025 Unrestricied funds Aesiiicied funds Endo¥ment lunds Toi•l Funds Lasl yeaf to Q&¢ Al R•¢•i Is ?.000 .DDo 6.381 4>.650 O*)nali•n: lin¢1 Mot*4ge Ctht*¢ Ciowdfuhthg & M¢¢ igil)i a ￿ Co: iPJcI Bba*d G*￿(41 & Olli<¢ Expth*¢* xkeiihg & Piiltih9 ar*k Ch)t9¢: 406 $28 648 1•6 26 210 ¢941 F¢¢= &DBS 540 J.¥¥¥ 540 3.55 833 tlophon¢ & F¢¢= 16? *.T20 11.601 5.280 5.286 kibili•h D¢si9h >hd F*-•yl A4 Assel and inveslrnenl uich NIA 891 AS Tiansleis bei¥een lund A6 Cash funds lasl year en Cash en AesQiicQed lunds Categoiies Delails Unreslricted Endovment i• &¢ar¢st t 81 Cash funds LtsiiyTr¥rt B4Thk C¥rio*iA<