Charity number: 232476 QUEKETT IAICROSCOPICAL CLUB REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
UEKETh MICROSCOPICAL CLUB CONTENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Page Legal and administrative infomiation Annual Report of Ihe Committee 2-10 IndepeThJent examinerfs report 11 Receipts arKI Payments 12 ststement of Assets and Liabilities 13
UEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2 Statu8 The goveming docurrEnt of the charity is the Constitution arKI Rules of the Quekett Microscopical Club (as amended 2007). Trustses Mr Philip Greaves Dr Christopher Thomas Mr Paul Smith (to August 2024) Mr John Gregory (from November 2024) Mr Robert Ratford Mrs Lisa Ashby Mr Peter Wyn-Jones Profe&8or Teren Hope Mr Alex Cunningham Dr Frank Leaver (from April 2025) Professor Davmd Fumess (from April 2025) Mr Jonathon Palmer {from April 2025} Mr Kirit Gordhandas (from March 2024) Secretary Mrs Lisa Ashby Charlty number 232476 Business address 31 West Pa Mottingham London SE9 4RZ Independent examin•rfs Bradshaw Johnson Croft Chambers 11 Bancroft Hitchin Herts SG5 1JQ Page 1
uEKE MICROSCOPICAL CLUB ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Comrnittee are pleased to present their annual report for the year ended 31 December 2024. At the end of the year 2024 the totsl rnembership was 511 now made up of: 423 UK or European based Ordinary Members. 88 Rest of th8 yrfd mernbers. These numbers include: 475 Adult Membws. 4 Young Members. 5 Complimentary Members. 12 Honorary Membws, 3 Legal depositones (one of which is the Natural Histcxy Museum Library). 5 Supporting Member organisations. 7 Organisations subwibing to the Journal Thefe following nomination5 for Honorary Membership were received and approved for the period 1 January 2024 - 31 De¢ber 2024. Ray Trapmore. Cherry Trapmore and Slephen Parker. During the same period we were notrfied of the deaths of the following members John Delly, Steven Ettlinger. Terry Hardy. Brian Wilkinson and Paul Smith. Finances The Club's income for the year amounted to £75.164 (2023". £58,946) and expenditure £36,570 {2023: £63.272). This leads io a surplus for the year (and increase of cash fuNls) of £38,594 (2023: deficit of £6.162). The Club's cash funds as of 31st December were £249,518 (2023: £210,924). and our investsnent assets £412,379 (2023: £386,968). The Committee The Commrttee for 2024 was composed of President: Vice President: Hon. Secretsry.. Meetings Secretary: 2024) Hon. Treasurer. Kirit Gorhandas Joumal Editor: Alex Cunningham Bulletin Editor: Chris Thomas Collections and Archives Offi1.. Phil Greaves Webmaster.. Peter Wyn-Jones Membership Secretary: Robert Ratford Commtttee Member: Grenham Ireland and Graham mattheV {until Mar 2024) then VacantNacanl Terence Hope Vacant Lisa Ashby Paul Smith (until Aug 2024) l John Gregory (from Nov Page 2
UEKETh MICROSCOPICAL CLUB ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMIThEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Meetings 16th January, Gossip meeting - My latest a(4UiSition 10th February, Practical meeting - Crystal melts and deep mounts Led by Chris Thomas and held at the Natural History museum. Attendees were able to make vitamin c cryslal melt slides. as well as some deep mounts. There was also the opportunty to make a feather mount using copper tape meththj devised by Michael Hon*YOOd. 241h February, Home Counties meeling Surrey Arranged by Joan Bingley at St Andrews Church Hall, Cobham. This year participants were provided with a talk from Bevil Templeton-smtth on Art photography usiThJ a microscope. Followed with a short talk on stereo microscopes by Robert Ratford. As last year members had lunch together. the afternoon was a gossip session. 5th March. Gossip meeting - Hairs Led by John Gregory at the Natural History Museum we were able to see how to dry mount hairs. use loca and make impressions in loca. 5th March AGM This followed the Gossip meeting and indudiThJ the Annual and Financial Reports. 9th March, Spring Sale- sonn1 Common This meeting is now getting established as our second sales event in the year and was well attended. 6th April, Practical meeting - Stains arKI staining Led by Terry Hope at the Natural History Museum. The meeting was a hands on session where members were able to ty staining pollen, cheek swabs and blood smears. There was also a small display of gossip items. 13th April. Lockington meeting 201h April, South Coast Open Meeting Our joint meeting with the Postal Microscopical So¢ty 14th May, Gossip meeting - Victorian slides Members showed off Victorian slides as well as some of the recently restored books from the Club Library this was followed by Presidential Address. 14th May, Presidential AddS Tery Hopes first Presidential Address 'GoirvJ Dutch. 8th June. Home Counties meetiNJ Naze Discovery Centre Page 3
uEKE PAICROSCOPICAL CLUB ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 15th June, Joint Meeting with Boumemouth Natural scien Society & Museum (BNSSM) The fourth Joint Meeb'ng of the BNSS and the QMC included an exhibition of microscopy which VRS well attended by members and members of the public. The meeting was available to family groups vtsiting the museum and a number of visiting members were able to discuss the finer points of the microscope and camera set ups on show. It was followed by an aftemoon talk 'Spiders: a closer bok at their special features - from eyes to spinnerets" from Dr. Jeremy Poole 29th June, Excursion - Keston Common. Bromley Microscopes were set up in the Village Hall and pond samples Vre bought back for examination. 7th July. Northampton Natural History Society- Annual Exhibilion 9th July. Lecture - M C Cooke. Easily Identffiable Tiny Fungi by Dr Fay Newbery (Royal Horticultural Sooety, London). Dr Newbery is a plant pathologist, diagnosing diseases on garden plants. She is particularly interested in diseases caused by fungi. both in UK garden ptants and in our wild flora. 23nl July, Gossip meeting - Diatoms. finding, collecting, cleaning and viewing. This meeting was held via Zoom and the introduction to the subject provided by Mike Samworth who many members will know fr the Postal Microscopical Society. 6th August, joint lecture with Boumemouth Natural scien Society Peering insKle the black box of Forensic EntomolcMJy, By Dr Katheren Brown. 3rd August, Wamham Local Nature Reserve excursion This was the thirteenth Quekett excursion to Wamham Local Nature ReseNe on the outskirts of Horsham, West Sussex. hosted by the Friends of Warnham Local Nature Reserve. 12th August. Microscopium. The Microscopists. Fair. We again took up residen at The Settlement in Letchworth. As aMiays. Microscopium provided members and visitors with the chance to pick up some bargains even some freebies Wbth the chance to chat with friends okl and new. 171h September. Gossip meeting - Converting to LED Led by Gordon Brown this was a ZO( onty event. October, Annual Exhibiiion of Microscopy - Quekex The event was held for the fourth time at Elm Court Youth and Communit Centre. Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. As usual. there were demonstrations and exhibits by members, dis s of the photomicrographs. videos. slKles and artwork submitted for awards, lectures, and plenty of gossip. This year saw a number of new entrants to the awards and displays. Tr event and offered both online content and a physical event arKJ saw gocmj attendan at both. Page 4
UEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLU ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMirrEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 20 151h October- Zoom only lecture - Re(xeatirKJ J B Dancers Microphotograph technique, By Mark Ostemian. 19th Odober- physical event with displays and awards. 19th October - Touched by Porlific Virtue, By Prof Rob Kesseler. Universty of Arts London. The Ihe bad and the Alg. By Prof Chris Howe. Dept of biochemistry Cambridge University. 12th November, Lecture - L V Martin Lecture. "The Ted Kellock slide collection. Katy Firth Katy spoke to us on behalf of Stromness Museum who had been the recipients of a grant to dtISe the Ted Kellock collection. 3rd DeMber, Gossip Meeting - Dark ground illuminatK)n Delivered by fonner Club President Carel Sartory. 14th December. Lecture and Chrislmas Quiz The lectu was Heroes don't always win which was delivered By Phil Greaves. Thi8 was followed by our traditional Christmas quiz devised and presented by Robert Raord. Publlcations With our new printer, overseas members are now receiving publications in a timely manner. Journal: Volume 44 parts 7 8 were iSsLd in the course of the year arKI for the most part successfully delivered. A separatety printed index was sent out with part 8 (Wnter 2024), which concluded the volume. The editor {Alex Cunningham) would like to thank all authors for the high qualty of their contributions, and for their tolerance of Il* occasionJly draconian editing process. Bullatln: The Bulletin provides a more magazin&like complement to the academic Joumal. Numbers 86 in May 2024 and 87 in January 2025 Vre published with the continued eXlIent complement of our memberfs wonderful and varied contributions, the positi've trends of drversity, number and locations of contributors are continuing. Printing and mailing of the Autumn 2024 Bulletin was delayed until January 2025 to avoid the Christmas posting and also combine mailing with Journal, to be more cnst effective for members. Page 5
UEKErr MICROSCOPICAL CLUB ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMrrrEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The Club on4lne Lhttps.Ilwww. uekett.or The website is our shop window to the YrkI. It continues lo wovide a Yalth of infomiation on many a¥Ects of microscopy written by enthusiasls, many of tM are acknowledged experts in their fields. and it thus complements the Bulletin and Journal as principal sources of muoscopical information. It also provides near-real-time upjatiro of the Club's functions and events arKI allows memters to verfy times and bcations of meetings as ¥17 as to read reports of events soon after they have taken pla. In this respect thanks are due to members who have provided nokn'fication of events and fOatiOn. particularly Alan Vlood for his fumishing of fulsome reports for rnembers who could not attend an event. There is always room for more reports." so rf you have been to a QMC event and Can provide a bn'ef notelphotowaphs of whatlwtsrelwhat happened for indusion in the Meeting ReFX)rts section of the websile. you would be doing a ser11 to your fellow members. publicising the Club, and ewning my grateful thanks. Please sermd items lo webmaster uekett.or The website has over 1100 pages." some are m<xe powlar than others. The webstte as a whole receives just under 2CKJ hits per day (Fig 1). 'fe hits 245.24- to 31.10.24 wloo Fig l. Hits 24.05 24- 1.10.24 Apart from the Home, Login, and Programme pages, those most visited areas are on digital photomicrography and searches for methodology for particular microscopes. Vvhile gratifying to see these pages are well-used, rt would be gocAJ to see other pages being visited. Most visitors continue to come from the US. India arwj Gemiany, as well as the UK (Fig 2). Page 6
UEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMirrEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 1 DECEMBER 2024 Active usersv by Country COUNTRY United States United Kingdom India GernnY Indonesia Fig 2. Countries Canada continue to use lonos for hosting the website, Up(traft Plus for backup (every 24 hour5) arKI Vimeo for hosting videos. These services arKJ others Combi lo give a cost (for 2024125) of about £1300. We also keep a contingency furKI with web developers in Oxford who are expert in WordPress-based vbsrteS. but sh seNices are expensive and we do not use them lightly. We are always looking for new ideas for the wlte. this year on the Programm8 page we have Induded brief notifi¢alions of some other dubs. meetings. as we are keen to promote microscopical interaction between clubs. Collections and archives Work to catalojue and conserve the Club's collections and archives has continued thr¢Jughout 2024. although a$$ to our store room at the Natura History Museum was severely restrided in the latter part of the year due to essential Lwikling repair works. The Collections team has responded to several requests for access to papers from our Joumal and to slides in the colledions from academic w)rf(ers. both at the Museum and futher afield,. in particular Graham Matthews has been fully documentirKJ our slides of mttes by A. D. Mitchell for taxonomic researth. A major investment was made in professional conservalion bookbinding of small 'core' collection of rare and historical books on microscopy, some dating from the 1780's and early 18¢'s. The work was carefully carried out by the Wyvern Bindery in Hoxton and con5iSted of re-stitching, rfrbacking. new aod free @nd papers where necessary a bespoke (card) case has been constructed for each of the trmks to ertsure FXOtection during storage. Work to improve the Slide Loan Set scheme for rnbers has been delayed by the buikling works at the Museum but VR aim in early 2025 to make more of the Richardson Collection of microscope slides available for postal loan. Trre were three postsl I0S during 2024. Page 7
UEKETh MICROSCOPICAL CLUB ANNUAL REPORT F THE COMMirrEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Outreach Club activth'es where we take our muoscopes public events have been less extertsive this year as we have lost some of our regular volunteers. Httwever, as long standing a1vItieS have been suspended, new ¢mes have emerged A vwy successful collaboration with Tim Fullick. a Club member and volunteer at Dcwn House. led to a w8ekend display cklebrating Darwin's microscopi¢al studies. A very wdcome volunte8r for this was Jay Holmes from the USA who joined more loGal members to entertain some 400 visitors. We wll be repeating this collaboration in 2025. Other events attended included: A science display at Poole central library in collaratiOn with Boumemouth Natural scien Society. A Saturday moming family microscopy event at Oakdale l¢xal library, Poole. Geologists Association Festival of Scien. Wimbledon Common- three events Nature Day. Open Day and the Nature Club. Chinbr¢Jok meadows Nature Cxscovery Day. Grove Park Camival. National Honey Show. A photomicros¢opy yrkshoP in collaboratN)n the ¢harty Positive Lives. Warnham Local Nature Reserve excursion. Wimbledon Common Nalure Day. Open Day. Nature CLub and Weekend of Nature. Sussex &'ologi¢al Recorders Serninar. Our national and intemational events, the exhibition at New Scientist Live and the Intemet linked World microsco Celebration with rts transmission of live talks and demonstrations highlighted the Club commrtment to amateur aThJ professional microscopy. Thanks are due to all members who volunteer for these events and an invitabon ts extended for new members to join in. The Milton Microscopy Group of the Quekett (MIMIQ) is a combination of regional meeling and outreach, i.e. open to anyone interested in microscopy. We had 2 events in the 2024, as family ClrcumstsnS prevented Chris Thomas running one of the sessions. In addition to the meetings in Milton, the group also ran a hhlY Sussful full day at the NolS Museum for a second year. on World Microscope day, and have been invited back for 2025. Attendan is variable, with a core of members close to Cambridgeshire members and some now ccffiing from further afield. Meetings are on a Sunday, roughly quarterly. from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. We had meetings on Animal hairs arKI on Leaf epidemis prints. The events are funded by the Quekett through the payment of the hall fees. The Anglian Microscopy Gmup Based in Crowfield, Suffolk. the group has now been operating as an outreach project for three years during whth tirrE we have maintained an average attendance at meetings of over 30 enthusiaslic members. The group is led by Robert Ratford and Gordon Brovffl. Stephen Durr having stood down for personal reasons, and an increasing number of regular attendees lerKI support. Page 8
UEKETT MICROSCOPICAL CLUB NNUAL REPORT OF THE COMMirrEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 In 2024 the group held 12 meetings. detsils shown below: January - SaThJ microfossils February - Crystsls and Polarised light March - Basic Microscopy Refresher sessM)n on setting up & using microscopes. April - Cutting thin sections of plants on the microtome May - Algae June - Pseudoscorpions & compost safari July - Pollen, its development, fvnction. and structure August - Mounting of insect legs and wings September - Mites, concentrating on Varroa destruclor October - Marine plankton (Sunday meeting io avoKI Quekex) November- Dissecting owt pellets DeMber- Christmas plant sections As in pVIouS years the group manned a stand at the village fete. where we were able to use the intsractive board provided by the Quekett lo show Pseudoscorpions and other interesting live displays. Thrs was extremely well received and the stsnd was very busy ft)r the full aftemoon. In October we helped at New Scientist live and On again we provided a demonstration of microscopy at Ipswich Museum. which brought in two new members who have become regular attendees.we continue to publicise the group at every available opportunity, often via the very active Facebook group. and m8mbership comes from far and wide, members travelling from Herttordshire, Bedford. Peterborough, London, Essex, Norfolk, as well as those from Suffolk. More and more of regular attendees are choosing to become Quekett EMberS and many join the Quekett Zoom meetings. Overall the Anglian Microscopy Group has been a resounding susS in 2024 and will no doubt continue to grow over time. Links to other organisations Wherever possible we continue to maintain links with other organisations and share the detsils of these with others. Advlce on Microscopes Fabook continues to provide a good Sour of infonnation and advice. Additionally many members contact us after events asking to put in touch wrth speakers or other members to share or continue conversations. Advi from the Club extends to members. families when a member has died and Ihey are not sure how to deal wrth a mernberfs Collection. Bequests continue to be recetved and these items may be retained by the Club for use in OLrtreach events or will be sold either in the Members Auction or at one of our sales events. Page 9
UEKErr MICROSCOPICAL CLUB ANNUAL REPORT OF HE COMMirrEE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Conclusion 2024 has been an exceplionalty busy year for the Committee and one where we are acutely aware that our resour$ are stretcW. If we are to continue to provide a full programme of meetings and outreach we will need to recruit more committee members and more outreach volunteers. Despite this we have had a successful year making new contacts arKI taking microscopy to new audiences. Page 10
UEKErr MICROSCOPICAL CLUB INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS, REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES ON THE UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS OF UEKETh MICROSCOPICAL CLUB I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 December 2024 sel out on pages 12 to 13. Respective responsibilities of tteeS and examlner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charty's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under seclion 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the acGounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act. to follow the procedures latd down in the general Directions given by the Charty Commissron under sedion 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come lo my attention. Ba818 of Indopondent examiners, report My exarninalion was carried out in accordan with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination indudes a review of the accounting records kept by the charty, and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also indudes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts. and the seeking of explanations from you as trUStS conceming such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequenlly no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examlners. statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me reasonable use to believe that. in any material resped, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act" and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply wrth the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met: or to which. in my opinion. attention shoubl be drawn in order to enable proper understsnding of the accx)unts to be reached. Neil Harding FCA Bradshaw Johnson Chartered Accountants Croft Chambers. 11 Bancroft Hitchin Herts SG5 1JQ Date: 9 July 2025 Page 11
QUEKErr MICROSCOPICAL CLUB RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Unrestricted Funds 2024 Unrestr5ctsd Funds 2023 Receipts Functional Anatysis Gifts. donations & olher Voluntary receipts 61,396 51,644 ReIpts From Trading Activities 5.951 988 Receipts from Assets 5.733 4.478 Sub-total 73,080 57.110 Other receipts 2,084 11,753 Total recelpts ments Functional Analysis Payments directty Charitable Purposes 28.971 57.229 Payments for publicty. fundraising. Management & administration 5,957 6,043 Sub-total 34,928 63,272 Other payments 1,642 Total payments 63,272 Net Rece1ptsl(Panenls) Cash fuNJs brought forward 38,594 210.924 (6,162) 217,086 Cash lunds carried forward 210.924 Page 12
UEKErr MICROSCOPICAL CLUB STATEMENT OF ASSET AND LIABILITIES AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 Unrestricted Funds 2024 Restricted Funds 2023 Cash Funds Current Account Stripe Deposit Account One Year Bond PayPal Account 26,286 1,015 117,299 103.109 1,809 7,192 1,117 100,943 100,000 1,672 249.518 210.924 Less Undeared Total Cash Funds 249.518 210,911 Unrestricled Funds Year End Value Unre8trlctad Funds Year End Value Investment a&8ets Lion Trust (was Architas) {For Income) 204,685 191,458 Aberdeen Mulbmanager Funds (For Capital Growth) 208.054 195.510 Assets Retained for the Chari 's Own Use Computer & Peripherals to assist in Club Management Library of Books for loan to & referen by members Library of Microscope Slides for loan to & referen by members Video Library for loan to & referen by members Microscopes & accessories for use by members Digital camera & printer for recording the slide collection Data Projector for use with Power Point Applications Signed on behalf of Trustees on 22 May 2025 by.. Stephen Parker- Acting Honorary TaSurer Page 13