ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024
ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY
Bankers Lloyds Bank Plc. 67 High Street Watford Hertfordshire WD1 2DU National Westminster Bank Plc. P.O. Box 804 9 Bank Court Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP1 1BT National Savings Bank Glasgow G58 1SB Solicitors Debenhams Ottaway 107 St. Peters Street St. Albans Hertfordshire AL1 3EW Independent Examiner P. Simmons F.C.A. Nagler Simmons Chartered Accountants 5 Beaumont Gate, Shenley Hill Radlett, Herts WD7 7AR
ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY
| Page | |
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| Annual Report | 1 - 2 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 3 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 4 - 6 |
| Statement of Assets & Liabilities | 7 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 8 |
ST ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st] OCTOBER 2024
St Albans Musical Museum Society, 320 Camp Road, St Albans, is registered with the Charity Commissioners (No. 276072) and constituted by a Declaration of Trust, dated 15[th] June 1978.
Holding Trustees : Mr K C Pinner Mr P J Allen
Mr K P Slow
The Charity is administered by a management committee comprising:
Chairman Mr K P Slow Other members: Mrs R M Allen Secretary Mr E A Peachey Mr A P Barham Mr P J Craig Treasurer Mr P J Allen Mr B J Earl Mrs M D Peachey
One of the aims of the Society is to advance the general public’s appreciation and knowledge of the art, science and technology relating to the manufacture, operation and performance of mechanical musical instruments, theatre organs and similar instruments. The Management Committee aims to provide facilities where these objectives can be furthered. The Society depends solely upon the continuing help of volunteers. No payments were made to volunteers for their assistance, other than reimbursement of essential expenses, and a fee of £840 is to be paid for the Independent Examiner’s report on the accounts.
2023/24 proved to be one of mixed fortunes for the Organ Theatre. Fund raising for the restoration of the 97 key Mortier organ continued apace and the magnificent sum of over £22k was raised towards the £30k cost of this project. However, failure to attract grant funding resulted in a void in the Society’s reserves that were used to make up the shortfall. The Society is extremely pleased with the superb restoration carried out in the Netherlands and, although there were unavoidable delays, the organ is now back in the Organ Theatre and playing to perfection. New LED lighting is being installed by Keith Pinner, Geoff Powell and Will Betts to enhance the instrument. Regular Newsletters have kept Members of the Society appraised of events.
Numbers attending theatre organ concerts and Sunday openings have continued to increase and significant bequests were received which have helped in no small measure to replenish reserves. However, regular income still falls short of that needed to cover day to day running of the Organ Theatre. Unfortunately, running costs increased, mainly due to a huge increase in electricity charges. However, the Society discovered that the supplier had made errors in billing that have been difficult to quantify and we now suspect that there could be a problem with the accuracy of the meter which could affect usage readings.
All parts and equipment needed to replace the Organ Theatre’s outdated and expensive to run display lighting with LED has been purchased and is being installed by Keith Pinner, Geoff Powell and Will Betts. They have also replaced all the worn out and noisy fans in the central heating radiators. All fluorescent tube lighting throughout the building is also being changed to LED fittings.
A new set of key contacts to replace the time expired ones for the Rutt theatre organ have been obtained and fitted by Andrew Barham. The Theatre Organ Club has awarded the Society a Concert Support Grant of £500 which will greatly assist with the promotional costs of Theatre Organ Concerts. The Weber Unika remains at the restorers in Nottinghamshire awaiting completion of work on its bellows. Much remedial work on the Society’s collection of player pianos has been carried out by specialist restorer Michael Boyd, resulting in greatly improved playing of these exhibits.
The much needed refurbishment of the kitchen and resiting of the Gentlemen’s toilets is at the planning stage and the work should be completed during 2025. In due course, it is also planned to replace the auditorium carpet to cover unsightly areas of the floor currently uncarpeted.
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ST ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31[st] OCTOBER 2024
RESERVES POLICY
It is the policy of the Society to maintain unrestricted funds at a level which equates to approximately twelve months unrestricted expenditure. This provides sufficient funds to cover management, administration and associated costs. Unrestricted funds are maintained at this level throughout the year.
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales, the Charities Act 2011, Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the Charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charity SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
……………………………….. Dated 25/02/2025
K P Slow - Chairman For and on behalf of the Trustees and Management Committee
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ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31[ST] OCTOBER 2024
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY
I report on the accounts for the year ended 31st October 2024 set out on pages four to eight.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under Section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is required.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act
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to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act); and
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to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of the independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently 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 statements below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
P. Simmons F.C.A Nagler Simmons Chartered Accountants 5 Beaumont Gate Shenley Hill Radlett Herts WD7 7AR
25/02/2025
Date: .............................................
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ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024
| RECEIPTS Donations Sunday Party Mortier restoration fund Rutt savings fund Bequests & other : from estate of Peter Held from estate of Samuel Gibbard Gift Aid Trading Activities Sunday Party Raffles Other Subscriptions/membership Theatre organ concerts Vintage teas/craft fairs/dance organ day and Christmas mechanical Investment Income Bank interest Other Income Grant from Theatre Organ Club SUB TOTAL Asset and investment sales, etc. TOTAL RECEIPTS |
General Unrestricted Funds £ 1,332 2,100 - - 6,641 144,701 1,103 155,877 569 202 651 1,107 1,520 6,891 11,776 491 491 500 500 168,644 - 168,644 836 |
Other Unrestricted Funds £ - - 7,561 - - - - 7,561 - - - - - - - - - - - 7,561 - 7,561 - |
2024 2023 Total Total Funds Funds £ £ 1,332 1,043 2,100 2,132 7,561 6,326 - 135 6,641 - 144,701 - 1,103 653 163,438 10,289 569 403 202 173 651 824 1,107 1,441 1,520 1,365 6,891 7,011 11,776 12,949 491 59 491 59 500 - 500 - 176,205 23,297 - - 176,205 23,297 836 1,732 |
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ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024
| BROUGHT FORWARD PAYMENTS Direct Charitable Expenditure Subscriptions/membership Purchases of stock Theatre organ concert costs Restoration of mechanical exhibits Restoration of Mortier organ Major work on the console of the Rutt theatre organ Publicity Accountancy Raffles Sundry & other events cost Other Expenditure Electricity Heating Insurance Water Telephone Building maintenance Security & fire protection SUB TOTAL Asset and investments purchases, etc. LED lighting upgrade TOTAL PAYMENTS NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) Bank Balances at 1st November 2023 Transfers between funds Bank Balances at 31st October 2024 |
General Unrestricted Funds £ 168,644 499 579 3,695 2,439 - - 2,408 810 59 229 10,718 5,251 1,014 5,330 508 348 2,494 2,299 17,244 27,962 4,919 4,919 32,881 135,763 (585) (20,000) 115,178 |
Other Unrestricted Funds £ 7,561 - - - - 18,485 - - - - - 18,485 - - - - - - - - 18,485 - - 18,485 (10,924) 82,754 20,000 91,830 |
2024 2023 Total Total Funds Funds £ £ 176,205 23,297 499 627 579 349 3,695 4,480 2,439 - 18,485 - - 6,176 2,408 2,979 810 810 59 120 229 613 29,203 16,154 5,251 1,020 1,014 1,277 5,330 4,777 508 356 348 350 2,494 4,226 2,299 3,007 17,244 15,013 46,447 31,167 4,919 - 4,919 - 51,366 31,167 124,839 (7,870) 82,169 90,039 - - 207,008 82,169 |
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ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024
| OTHER UNRESTRICED FUNDS Exhibit Maintenance Fund Balances at 1st November 2023 Bank Balances at 31st October 2024 Wurlitzer Restoration Fund Balances at 1st November 2023 Bank balances at 31st October 2024 Unika Restoration Fund Balances at 1st November 2023 Bank balances at 31st October 2024 Building Fund Balances at 1st November 2023 Transfers from general fund Bank balances at 31st October 2024 Mortier Restoration Fund Receipts : Donations received Major works on the 97 key Mortier Transfers to general fund Bank balances at 1st November 2023 Bank balances at 31st October 2024 Rutt Savings Fund Receipts : Donations received Major work on the console of the Rutt thearte organ Transfers from general fund Bank balances at 1st November 2023 Bank balances at 31st October 2024 TOTAL OTHER UNRESTRICTED FUNDS |
2024 2023 £ £ 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 1,670 1,670 1,670 1,670 8,050 8,050 8,050 8,050 34,270 34,270 20,000 54,270 34,270 7,561 6,326 (18,485) - - - 28,805 22,479 17,881 28,805 - 135 - (6,176) - - (41) 6,000 (41) (41) 91,830 82,754 |
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ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY STATEMENT OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES AT 31ST OCTOBER 2024
| CASH FUNDS Nat West Current Account Lloyds TSB Treasurer Account National Savings Bank Account Cash float MONETARY LIABILITIES Creditors REPRESENTS BY : FUNDS Unrestricted general funds Other unrestricted funds: Exhibits Maintenance Fund Wurlitzer Restoration Fund Unika Restoration Fund Building Fund Mortier Restoration Fund Rutt Savings fund |
2024 2023 Total Total Funds Funds £ £ 3,837 1,964 38,770 16,296 164,017 63,525 384 384 207,008 82,169 - - 207,008 82,169 115,178 (585) 10,000 10,000 1,670 1,670 8,050 8,050 54,270 34,270 17,881 28,805 (41) (41) 207,008 82,169 |
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Monetary assets:
For use by the Charity and belonging to the general purposes fund:
Freehold land and buildings - 320 Camp Road, St. Albans, Herts.
Land and building, housing the theatre - donation from Mr. C. Hart. Part was built in 1934, and the main building was constructed in 1978, further extended 2000.
Stock amounting to £10,197.
K P Slow - Chairman
Approved by the Trustees and Management Committee on 25/02/2025
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ST. ALBANS MUSICAL MUSEUM SOCIETY NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST OCTOBER 2024
1. Designated and restricted funds
The Exhibits Maintenance Fund, Wurlitzer Restoration Funds, Unika Restoration Funds and Mortier Restoration Funds are all designated funds but not restricted funds.
The Building Improvement Fund
Other than the transfer from the General Fund, this fund has no movements in the year under review.
Exhibits Maintenance Fund
The fund has no movements in the year under review.
Wurlitzer Restoration Fund
The fund has no movements in the year under review.
Unika Restoration Fund
The fund has no movements in the year under review.
Mortier Restoration Fund
A sum of £7,561 was donated and restoration work of £18,845 was utilised in this fund in the year under review.
Rutt Savings Fund
The fund has no movements in the year under review.
2. Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, and in accordance with Charities Act 2011 and the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting by Charities.
3. Taxation
The Charity is exempt from tax on its charitable activities.
4. Trustees’ remuneration and benefits
There were no Trustees’ remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31st October 2024 nor for the year ended 31st October 2023.
There were no Trustees’ expenses paid for the year ended 31[st] October 2024 nor for the year ended 31[st] October 2023.
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