Tenterden & District Museum Association Report and Accounts 2024
Compiled: January 2025
Highlights from the Curator by Robin Wilkins/Naomi Dickins
This year hit we new heights again – with paying visitor numbers higher than last year, our volunteer team expanded to record levels, and a sound financial performance including a significant investment in our programme to improve facilities for the disabled. These are directly attributable to the hard work by the team - on the special exhibition, members evenings, tours, experience nights, publicity, outreach and activity in schools, including the Tenterden Tapestry anniversary event. Our major activities included:
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The winter project in the Entrance Room. All wall displays were re-worked to better explain the early history and development of the Town. A ‘talking heads’ display was introduced featuring Robert and Alice Brekynden, explaining the lives of a ship-builder and his homemaker wife. Two mannequins were clothed as the characters in period costumes specially made for the display by Sue Hatt & Hilary Wilkins.
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The Special Exhibition which was created by Sue Hatt and members of the U3A, addressing aspects of life in Tenterden in the period 1400-1600. A special presentation evening was delivered by the team and 120 copies of a book to complement the event were donated, all proceeds going to Museum funds.
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Members Evening talks, which proved even more popular than last year with most sessions delivered to capacity audiences. We are grateful to Mike O’Neill for organising and all who presented their subjects.
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- Conducting more guided tours and delivering an expanded range of Museum Experiences. A Georgianperiod Murder Mystery, by the writers’ group, puzzled the packed audiences who attended.
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Celebrating the 50[th] Anniversary of the Tenterden Tapestry by inviting pupils at the Junior School to create a new panel showing changes over the last 50 years. This was unveiled in July by the Mayor, Sue Ferguson, Margaret Maisie – inspiration behind the original work, and the children.
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More local history lessons for pupils in Rolvenden, St Michaels, Wittersham and Tenterden schools.
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Taking part in Spirit of Tenterden. Despite the atrocious weather, we met over 200 visitors.
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Local Authors Day - featuring even more authors whose books we sell in the Museum.
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Hosting the Mayors Benefit Evening in April and the new Lord Warden on his visit in November.
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Providing a venue for 6 Folk Festival sessions. Over 170 visitors attended these events.
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Supporting the Local History Society Coffee Morning in October with a selection of autumnal artefacts.
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An Egg Hunt and a Halloween Scavenger Hunt, with support from Tesco, delighted children and families.
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- Taking 20[th] century artefacts to residents at Halden Heights, Acacia House and The Spires who would otherwise not be able to visit the Museum. Talks were also given to St Michaels WI, Headcorn History Society and Northiam History Society. We also featured in Kent Life magazine with an article about the Tenterden Tapestry.
We held in-person events at the Museum for our AGM in May, Patrons & Guests Evening to coincide with the opening of the Special Exhibition and Steward training events.
We also supported James Matthews’ work experience. He typed up results from some of our Enquiries in exchange for information from the whole management team, learning all about how we run the Museum.
Strengthening our Organisation
We appointed Naomi Dickins as Deputy Curator in March. She has gradually taken on many of the Curator duties during the year and will take over as Curator with her new team in April 2025.
Our Advisory Board met, in February to review progress in 2023. Naomi will be taking a more direct approach to stakeholder input, so this body will no longer meet.
We added 4 new Stewards to the volunteer team this year and said goodbye to Jennie Ellerington and John Weller. We are also utilising skills outside of the Steward team to help us with Social Media, Technology and Genealogical Research.
30 new members joined the Association this year.
Thank you all for your continuing support.
Accounts Summary for 2024
We had another good year financially. We made a surplus on our ongoing activities of £9,150 due to betterthan-expected admissions, shop sales, donations, new members and events/tours/experiences. This almost covered all our one-off/project activities leaving us with £46,500 in the bank for the future.
| INCOME | 2024 | Budget | 2023 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions | 7044.00 | 6000 | 6421.00 | 1 |
| Shop sales | 3184.50 | 2000 | 2559.90 | 2 |
| Christmas shop | 9322.00 | 10000 | 10633.21 | 2 |
| OTC donations & Donated books | 775.08 | 300 | 1344.44 | 3 |
| Big Donations & Bequests | 1218.00 | 0 | 600.00 | 3 |
| Subscriptions & New members | 820.00 | 200 | 1320.00 | 4 |
| Events/Tours/Experiences | 2236.00 | 1000 | 1827.00 | 5 |
| Grants | 0.00 | 500 | 1000.00 | 6 |
| Gift Aid | 1552.95 | 975 | 1274.79 | 7 |
| 2023 ABC error refund | 626.56 | 9 | ||
| Bank interest received | 417.95 | 200 | 276.49 | 7 |
| Total Income | 27197.04 | 21175.00 | 27256.83 | |
| EXPENSES | 8 | |||
| Rent, rates & water | 208.45 | 200 | 182.21 | |
| Light and heat | 3192.00 | 3200 | 2896.40 | |
| Insurance | 809.11 | 780 | 1085.44 | |
| Equipment, repairs & maintenance | 0.00 | 300 | 346.18 | |
| Fire & Security | 589.00 | 400 | 330.79 | |
| Telephone & broadband | 307.49 | 400 | 353.82 | |
| Outreach & schools | 184.23 | 300 | 265.79 | |
| Printing,stationery & postage | 149.76 | 350 | 294.68 | |
| Sundry expenses | 4.75 | 150 | 36.56 | |
| Membership | 0.00 | 100 | 0.00 | |
| Conservation & displays | 235.95 | 600 | 55.50 | |
| IT | 69.53 | 500 | 488.46 | |
| Events/Tours/Experiences | 792.68 | 500 | 675.99 | |
| Training & Team building | 178.72 | 200 | 242.67 | |
| Publicity | 383.00 | 350 | 215.65 | |
| Card Payment fees | 229.70 | 315 | 238.57 | |
| Shop Purchases | 1808.84 | 1500 | 1312.08 | |
| Xmas Card Purchases | 6552.31 | 7500 | 6849.68 | |
| 2023 invoices o/s | 2351.34 | 9 | ||
| Total Expenses | 18046.86 | 17645 | 15870.47 | |
| Surplus/deficit | 9150.18 | 3530.00 | 11386.36 | |
| Net Cost of One-off Projects | -9649.67 | |||
| OVERALL Surplus/Deficit | -499.49 | |||
| CASH | ||||
| Savings Account | 42001.73 | 38583.78 | ||
| Current Account | 4457.61 | 6551.88 | ||
| Cash in hand | 70.20 | 1893.37 | ||
| Total cash | 46529.54 | 47029.03 | ||
| STOCKS | 3465.78 | 2246.80 |
ONE-OFF ACTIVITIES
| ONE-OFF ACTIVITIES | 10 | |||
| Income | Expenses | Budget | ||
| Exceptional items | 239.00 | 500.00 | Projector | |
| Rolvenden School sessions | 280.00 | 280.00 | ||
| Disabled Access Project | 0.00 | 6083.50 | 2500.00 | stairlift £4500 |
| Fire Risk Assessment | 0.00 | 1200.27 | 1200.00 | |
| Entrance Room Project | 0.00 | 688.02 | 1000.00 | lighting, wallboards,etc |
| Talking heads/Special Exhibition | 0.00 | 1230.48 | 2000.00 | talking heads hardware |
| £400 grant from KCC | ||||
| EPOS project | 400.00 | 608.40 | Members | |
| Total One-off Projects | 680.00 | 10329.67 | 7200.00 |
Notes to the accounts
1. Visitors and Outreach
| 2024 | 2023 | **Change ** | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayingAdults | 2399 | 2049 | +17% | Visitors Oct-Dec charged £2 thisyear |
| Free | 1319 | 2087 | -37% | No free entryOct-Dec |
| Events | 1017 | 729 | +40% | All events |
| Schools/Outreach | 779 | 514 | +51% | Tapestry anniversary, class lessons & outreach to local care homes |
| Total | 5514 | 5379 | +2.5% |
Overall visitor and outreach numbers show a 2.5% increase on 2023. Paying visitors were up, in part due to charging visitors throughout to close in December - In 2023 we allowed free entry from October onwards. Events and schools activity were boosted by the celebration of the 50[th] Anniversary of the Tenterden Tapestry. We also engaged with our local care homes, sharing items from the Museum with them.
2. Shop sales & Christmas sales
| 2024 | 2023 | Increase | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shopsales | 3184.50 | 2559.90 | +24% | Increased book & shopsales |
| Christmas sales | 9322.00 | 10457.21 | -11% | Decliningcard sales |
Sales of Christmas cards reflect the downward trend in sending cards but c£2k of admissions, donations and shop/book sales were made during this period. Sales of shop items and books netted the museum profits of nearly £2.5k this year.
3. Donations, donated books and event sponsorship
Our biggest donation, nearly £1.2k came from sales of the U3A Street Names book. Another £400 came from sales of the U3A book created to complement the Special Exhibition. We are grateful to all those who donated books, raising £735 for our funds. Generous donations in kind were made by Hilary Wikins and Sue Hatt for the Special Exhibition. The Patrons Evening was sponsored by Cathy & Maurice Dalton, John Weller and David & Suzanne Payne.
4. Patrons & Members
We didn’t sign up any new Patrons, but an astonishing 30 new members joined us this year.
5. Events, Tours, Experiences and Members Nights
A tour was conducted for Bybrook W.I. and 3 Museum Experience Nights were run – Tales of Old Tenterden and 2 Murder Mystery Nights. We hosted the Mayors’ Benefit Night in April and ran monthly Members Evenings. These activities generated a surplus of £1400.
6. Grants
We have not applied to the Town Council for a grant yet this year. We will consider making a request for funds towards our winter projects if they meet with their criteria for awarding funds.
7. Gift Aid and interest earned
Gift Aid was boosted by the generous donation ‘in kind’ of the Tenterden Street Names book and other generous donations. Interest rates rose this year giving us a better return on our Savings Account.
8. Expenses
Expenses were tightly controlled again this year and came in under budget. Those most at variance to the budget/last year include
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Fire & Security – was inflated by the purchase of new keys following the fitting of a new door.
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Outreach & Schools included the purchase of materials for the new Tapestry Panel
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Publicity costs included reprinting copies of our Museum Brochure.
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IT was lower than planned due to the overpayment of hosting charges last year.
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Events, Tours & Experiences spend was higher due to more activity (generating more profit).
9. Carried over from 2023
£2350 of invoices from 2023 and an overpayment to Ashford Borough Council were included in the accounts for this year. Outstanding invoices for this year amount to £751.50.
10. One-off Project Activity
Both Winter projects were delivered under budget. The Entrance Room upgrade cost £688 to install better lighting and new wall -boards. The Special Exhibition including the new Talking Heads display featuring Robert and Alice Brekynden cost £1230. We continued to invest in our Disabled Access Project and installed a stairlift costing £4500. We also invested in a Front Desk EPOS system to simplify daily activities for our Stewards. We obtained a grant through Mike Hill to help pay for this. A further Fire Risk Assessment has been undertaken following the installation of the stairlift. The invoice for this is outstanding at the end of year, but money was spent this year addressing the requirements of the last assessment.
11. One-off exceptional items
£239 was spent on a new projector to better support our presentation activities.
12. Cash and Bank
Our overall deficit for the year was £500, so we end the year close to where we started with £46.5k in the bank and cash. This will enable us to continue to upgrade the Museum facilities and maintain a sensible reserve of 12 months funds.
13. Stocks
Our stock valuation has been increasing over the past years due to increased stocks of books and surplus Christmas cards giving us stocks worth c£3500.
Publicity, Communications and Social Media
Significant progress has been made by Debbie Greaves on our Facebook and Instagram social media platforms this year.
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Our Facebook page is now enjoyed by over 1000 followers. We are using Facebook to post pictures such as “Then and Now” and ask questions such as “Where in the Weald”
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Our following on Instagram is now over 900. We are using Instagram to promote and record Museum events such as short film clips from the Folk Festival.
We continue to provide a quarterly newsletter to our members and have a blog site for interested users. We also track and respond to comments on TripAdvisor, are featured on the Chamber of Commerce website and are grateful to My Tenterden for creating our posters and advertising our activities. Our website continues to be updated and maintained by Jerry D’Arts.
Schools Activities by Peter Foster, Naomi Dickins and Sue Hatt
Schools activities experienced a significant increase again this year.
Rolvenden School enjoyed a series of 3 activities organised by Sue and funded by grants which produced a map of the world (based on the Mappa Mundi) and some delightful mini-books which have been on display in the Museum this year. They also did a Museum Takeover Day in May.
Our major activity with Tenterden Juniors, led by Naomi and Peter, involved creating a new panel for the Tenterden Tapestry to mark the 50[th] Anniversary. The whole school were invited to contribute ideas for what should go on the panel and a small team of pupils created it, with guidance from Peter and Naomi. A grand unveiling took place in July by Sue Ferguson, the Mayor and Margaret Maisie, the inspiration behind the original panels. The event was attended by over 120 people including former pupils who are featured in the border of the Tapestry. Catering for the event was done fabulously by St Michaels W.I.
Peter and Naomi also conducted a record number of school visits with new work packages requested by the schools
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January – Tenterden Juniors – Smuggling
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February – Wittersham School year 3&4 – New Stone Age
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March – Wittersham School year 5 – New Stone Age
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April – Wittersham School visit to the Museum
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April -Rolvenden School - workshops
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April – Tenterden Juniors visit to see the Tapestry
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May – Rolvenden School - Takeover Day
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June – Tenterden Junior – Tapestry Panel creation workshops
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October – Tenterden Juniors Year 5 - smuggling
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December – St Michaels – World War II, the Home Front
We are happy to work with staff to create new work packages to complement the National Curriculum.
‘Kids Zone’Activities in the Museum
We have added a new puzzle to the collection of activities in the Kids Zone. This year we have also been giving away fragments of Roman building materials from the Smallhythe dig.
Genealogy Enquiries by Colin Young
A total of 50 enquiries have been responded to by Colin Young and the research team (Debbie Greaves, Jack Gillett and John Weller) on behalf of the Museum and the Local History Society.
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23 relating to family,
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11 relating to property,
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16 general enquiries.
In addition to Colin’s enquiries, the Museum has responded directly to other queries and supported many local people with pictures and information from our archives.
We are grateful to Colin, Jack Gillett, Debbie Greaves and John Weller for the support they give to answering enquiries from our visitors and other members of the public.
Special Exhibitions by Sue Hatt
This year our Special Exhibition featured aspects of life in Tenterden between 1400-1600. A team from the U3A researched issues including Education, Medicine, Transport, Industry, Ship-building, the Gentry, life for women, buildings on the High Street and produced wall posters and in-depth presentations for the interactive system. A talk was given on the subjects in September and a book was produced with 100 copies donated to the Museum. We are also grateful to Dr Andrew Richardson who loaned us items from the period, dug up at Lossenham and to Hilary Hodgson and Hilary Wilkins for loaning us textile items for display.
Members Evenings by Mike O’Neill
This season of Members’ Evening talks were even more popular than last year. Most nights had a capacity audience with some people having to be turned away. Membership has increased because of these talks. This season’s talks featured
April – Hop Picking Reminiscences by Peter Foster.
May – The Tenterden Tapestry by Naomi Dickins. June – From the Crown to the Print Room – a postcard tour by Jack Gillett. July – Metal Detecting at Heronden Hall by Erich Schlaijker. August – Weights and Measures by Paul Ryley. September – Textiles including those at the Museum by Naomi Dickins.
The success of these sessions means we will continue with another season next year.
Outreach Activities
This year we took items from the Museum out into the Community for some of our residents who are not easily able to visit the Museum. We took items from the 20[th] Century Room to show audiences in Halden Heights, Acacia House and The Spires. We were particularly keen to extract their reminiscences of having and using these items in the past. Some of them joined in enthusiastically sharing their memories. The residents at The Spires made a voluntary collection and donated £42!
We are happy to engage with other groups who would like us to visit, or to provide talks, as we did this year for the Northiam History Society, St Michaels W.I. and Headcorn History Society.
| Museum Accounts | 2024 | 2024 | 24 Budget | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | ||||
| Admissions | 7044.00 | 6000.00 | 6421.00 | |
| Shop sales | 3184.50 | 2000.00 | 2559.90 | |
| Christmas shop | 9322.00 | 10000.00 | 10633.21 | |
| OTC donations & Donated books | 725.08 | 300.00 | 1344.44 | |
| Big Donations & Bequests | 1418.00 | 0.00 | 600.00 | |
| Subscriptions & New members | 820.00 | 200.00 | 1320.00 | |
| Events/Tours/Experiences | 2086.00 | 1000.00 | 1827.00 | |
| Grants | 0.00 | 500.00 | 1000.00 | |
| Gift Aid | 1552.95 | 975.00 | 1274.79 | |
| 2023 ABC error refund | 626.56 | |||
| Bank interest received | 417.95 | 200.00 | 276.49 | |
| Total Income | 27197.04 | 21175.00 | 27256.83 | |
| EXPENSES | ||||
| Rent, rates & water | 208.45 | 200.00 | 182.21 | |
| Light and heat | 3192.00 | 3200.00 | 2896.40 | |
| Insurance | 809.11 | 780.00 | 1085.44 | |
| Equipment, repairs & maintenance | 0.00 | 300.00 | 346.18 | |
| Fire & Security | 589.00 | 400.00 | 330.79 | |
| Telephone & broadband | 307.49 | 400.00 | 353.82 | |
| Outreach & schools | 184.23 | 300.00 | 265.79 | |
| Printing,stationery & postage | 149.76 | 350.00 | 294.68 | |
| Sundry expenses | 4.75 | 150.00 | 36.56 | |
| Membership | 0.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 | |
| Conservation & displays | 235.95 | 600.00 | 55.50 | |
| IT | 69.53 | 500.00 | 488.46 | |
| Events/Tours/Experiences | 792.68 | 500.00 | 675.99 | |
| Training & Team building | 178.72 | 200.00 | 242.67 | |
| Publicity | 383.00 | 350.00 | 215.65 | |
| Card Payment fees | 229.70 | 315.00 | 238.57 | |
| Shop Purchases | 1808.84 | 1500.00 | 1312.08 | |
| Xmas Card Purchases | 6552.31 | 7500.00 | 6849.68 | |
| 2023 invoices o/s | 2351.34 | |||
| Total Expenses | 18046.86 | 17645 | 15870.47 | |
| Surplus/defcit | 9150.18 | 3530.00 | 11386.36 | |
| ONE-OFF ACTIVITIES | ||||
| Income | Expenses | Budget | ||
| Exceptional items | 239.00 | 500.00 | ||
| Rolvenden School sessions | 280.00 | 280.00 | ||
| Disabled Access Project | 0.00 | 6083.50 | 2500.00 | |
| Fire Risk Assesmment | 0.00 | 1200.27 | 1200.00 | |
| Entrance Room Project | 0.00 | 688.02 | 1000.00 | |
| Talking heads/Special Exhibition | 0.00 | 1230.48 | 2000.00 | |
| EPOS project | 400.00 | 608.40 | ||
| Total One-of Projects | 680.00 | 10329.67 | 7200.00 | |
| OVERALL Surplus/Defcit | -499.49 | |||
| CASH | ||||
| Savings Account | 42001.73 | 38583.78 |
| Current Account | 4457.61 | 6551.88 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash in hand | 70.20 | 1893.37 |
| Total cash | 46529.54 | 47029.03 |
| STOCKS | 3465.78 | 2246.80 |
| Check should be zero | 0.00 |
Street Names £1018
keys
WoT/Tapestry panel
Signs
Patrons,Mayors benefit
New brochures
Projector
stairlift £4500
lighting, wallboards,etc talking heads hardware £400 grant from KCC Members
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent ExamineVs Report Report to the trust Tenterden and Distnd Museum Association On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024 Charity no 1,195,539 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above chanty (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 31 Decemter 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the chanty's trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan wth the requirements of the Charities Ad 2011 (°the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of Twst's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Ad and in carrying out my examination, I have follow1 all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent The charity's gross income exceeded £25,000 and l am qualified to examinetrs statement undertake the exarnination by being a qualified member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. I have completed my examination. I confirni that no material rnatter5 have come to my attention in connection wtth the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the accounting records Vre not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charrties Act". or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirernent that the accounts give a Irue and fair. view vthich is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report.. Signed: Date: Nam mma Scott Relevant professional qualification The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales Address: Sportsman Farm. St Michaels. Tenterden, Kent, TN30 6SY IER Oct 2018
Museum A¢counts 2024 INCOME 2024 24 Budget 2023 Admi5510nS Shop sale5 Christmas shop OTC donation5 & Donated t4Jok5 Bl8 Donations & Bequests subscript$ & New members Eventsnours/Experiences Grant5 7044. 6421. 3184.50 2559.90 10633.21 9322.CKJ 775.08 1218. 1344.44 61XI.C(I Street Narne5 £1018 820.(¥ 21KI 1320.IXI 2236.(Xl 1827. i(x)o.(xi Gift Aid 2023 ABC erTOf refund Bank interest received 1552.95 626.56 975 1274.79 417.95 276.49 Total Income EXPENSES Rent. rates & water Light and heat Insurance Equipwnent. paIrS & maintenance Fire & Security Telephone & broadband Outreach & schools Prfntin8,Stztionery & portage Sundry expenses Membershtp Conservation & di5play5 IT Evenisnours/Experiences Training & Team building Publlcity rd Payrnert fees shop Purchases Xrnas Card Purchases 2023 invoKe5 ols 208.45 3192.LXI 809.11 182.21 321X) 780 2896.40 1085.44 346.18 330.79 key5 353.82 265.79 WoTnapesiry panel 294.68 $89.C 307.49 184.23 3(X) 350 149_76 4.75 36.56 i(rf) 235.95 55.50 Signs 488.46 675.99 Patrons.MayDf5 beneftt 242.67 215.65 New brochure5 69.53 792.68 178.72 383. 350 315 15 7500 229.70 238.57 1808.84 6552.31 2351.34 1312.08 6849.68 TotalExpenses Surplu5ldelicit ONE-OFF ACTIMTIES Excepttonal items Rolvenden kh1 sesssons Disabled Access Projert Fire Risk Assesrnment Entrance Room Projert Talkin8 head5/Sp1al Exhibition EPOS projert 239.(K¢ 280.IKJ 6083.50 12(K>.27 688.02 1230.48 608.40 Totol One-off ProR¢ts 10329.67 ?2{ 5W.LKI Projector 280. 25. stairlift £451X¢ I2.() ILKK).¢X) lightinL walltr)ards.etc 2(XXI.(Jl talking heads hardware E400 grant from KCC Members OVERALL Surplus/Defi{it CASH Saving5 Accoufii Current Account Cash in hand Total 5h STOCKS 421)Jl.73 4457.61 7a.20 38583.78 6551.88 1893.37 3465.78 2246.80 Check should be iero