2026-03-31-accounts - Friends Of The Wilson, Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum

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FRIENDS OF THE WILSON

Annual Report & Accounts 2026

INTRODUCTION FROM THE CHAIR

Dear Friends,

It’s been another productive year for the Friends and a busy one for the committee. We contributed £66,000 for various projects at the Wilson, to the memorable exhibition programme and to the refurbishment of the soon-to-reopen Victorian Galleries (further details in the financial report on pages 6-9). You will also find below details of the wonderful talks and events programme that was put on during the year by the hardworking events team. We said goodbye to Vanessa Graham who had been our membership trustee (and contributed to many other things) and welcomed two new trustees, Emma Ferry and Freddie Gick. We still have vacancies for new trustees so if there is anyone amongst the Friends who would like to join us, please contact me.

Looming on the horizon is local government reorganisation. The outcome is still not clear, but what will be very important will be to ensure that arts and culture in the county continue to flourish. We will do what we can to support the Wilson through this uncertainty.

Judie Hodsdon chair@friendsofthewilson.org.uk

ABOUT THE FRIENDS

The sole aim of the Friends of The Wilson, founded in 1984, is to support the Art Gallery and Museum’s contribution to the cultural life of Cheltenham and its heritage. Over the years the Friends have given more than £800,000 worth of support. This has contributed to exhibitions, activities, projects, and improvements to the building as well as to acquisitions and the conservation of the collections. A major donation from us helped secure grant funding enabling the refurbishment of the Victorian galleries to start, and further donations from us helped with the completion of the project this year when the galleries will reopen.

We raise funding for the Wilson through our membership subscriptions, surpluses from running events and tours, and also from generous donations and legacies.

The Friends is a membership organization and a registered charity (no. 289514). The charity is run on a voluntary basis by a committee of trustees elected by the members. The 3 officers are appointed by the trustees. The all important events team is made up of a lead trustee and volunteers. Our President is the noted artist PJ Crook

TRUSTEES and VOLUNTEERS at March 2026

The Committee

Judie Hodsdon (Chair)

Irene Finlayson (Secretary)

Andy D’Souza (Treasurer)

Michael Bourne (Deputy Chair/Newsletter Editor/Membership)

Emma Ferry (Events) co-opted

Freddie Gick (Fundraising) co-opted

Cristina Hall (Deputy Chair/Membership) Katharina Hoerath (Events Lead)

Rachel Roberts (Archive/Records)

Steve Sasanow (Marketing/Fundraising)

The Events Team

Kat Hoerath (Lead Trustee)

Emma Ferry

Alison Pascoe (Events Volunteer)

Sue Reeves (Events Volunteer)

Vanessa Graham stood down as a trustee in September 2025

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PAST YEAR

Events, Visits and Talks

During the last year the events team provided an interesting and diverse range of talks and other events for the Friends and guests. The talks have all been well attended, continuing to show the increase in numbers following the difficulties of the covid years. The events team’s aim is to provide a programme of events, visits and talks to appeal to as many different interests as possible and vary the times of day and venue to suit those who can’t manage afternoons.

Study Tour

Thirty Friends enjoyed an excellent trip to Lincoln in May, expertly organised by Sue Reeves of the Events Team. In addition to Lincoln itself and the outstanding cathedral, there was time to visit Nottingham Castle and Caves en route, and to experience the very

moving memorial to Bomber Command, located not far from the city. Lincolnshire has many associations with the RAF and it seemed a fitting place to include in this 80th year

since the end of the Second World War. The final day concluded with a guided tour of Burghley House, the Elizabethan home created by Lord Cecil, the chief adviser to Queen

Elizabeth 1, and walks in the gardens designed by Capability Brown

Burghley House State Bedroom The group in Lincoln cathedral

Talks and Visits

In Apri l there was a talk by Julian Orbach exploring the ambitious Georgian and Victorian architectural schemes for Bath that were planned but never built, and a tour of the

Common Ground exhibition led by Layla Gatens. In May Fiona James gave a talk looking at Glasgow’s artistic and architectural development, shaped by trade, shipbuilding, and cultural growth . June saw Jack Boskett, the royal photographer, giving insights into major recent royal events, including Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

In July Kirsty Hartsiotis’s talk was a survey of women artists in Cotswold churches, covering textiles, stained glass, and decorative arts across three centuries. Mary Greensted gave the September talk about Cotswold blacksmithing traditions and the Arts & Crafts movement, focusing on the work of Alan Evans . In October Emma Ferry described the work of Rhoda and Agnes Garrett, pioneering women interior decorators and early architectural trainees . Nick Nelson gave the November talk, a reflective Armistice‑themed lecture exploring poetry and visual art from the First World War. There was another curator-led tour for Friends in December, this time around the Material Worlds exhibition. Tim Brain gave the January talk which was a survey of Elgar’s life and musical legacy, from his Worcestershire origins to his status as a major English composer . February included a talk by Emma Ferry uncovered the hidden history of Mrs Orrinsmith, discussed her work for William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, explaining her involvement with the ‘Art at Home’ Series. There was also a curator-led tour of the Paula Rego exhibition. In March Fiona James’s talk studied the approach of C R Mackintosh to domestic architecture as a unified artistic vision.

Social Events

There were three social events during the year. In April there was a Friends of The Wilson Quiz Night at the Cheltenham Bowling Club. In November a very successful fundraising evening at the Nook On Five included a silent auction, food, art (introduced by Emma Ferry) and conversation. In January there was an intimate New Year event, held in a private Cheltenham home, featuring pianist Stephen Selby improvising music inspired by “treasures” chosen by guests.

Other Activities and Projects

The committee held another productive Strategy Day in January. We concentrated on the need to increase our membership numbers. One idea that emerged is to publicise ourselves at exhibition private views and we did so at the Paul Rego opening. We also discussed how we might help the Wilson acquire donations and sponsorship and we have since held a meeting with Jessica Brewster, the Trust CEO, and Lisa Edgar to discuss ideas. We also considered how best to communicate with our members. You will have noticed the monthly newsletters now have more content and we hope to have an improved website very soon.

In September we again ran a stall at the Cheltenham Arts Council fair in the Promenade. We joined forces with the Wilson to populate the stall with literature and posters and to staff it during the day. There were a lot of enquiries from the passing

public about the Wilson itself, though, as in the previous year, we’re not sure we attracted any new Friends, which was our main aim.

Collaboration with The Wilson

The Memorandum of Understanding with the Cheltenham Trust is annually updated to cover the agreed funding for the Wilson in the coming year. In return we continue to have the use of space in the Wilson for our committee meetings and the AGM. Members continue to benefit from free curator tours of current exhibitions, invitations to private views and a discount in the Wilson café.

The trustees had a meeting with Jessica Brewster, CEO of the Cheltenham Trust, to discuss future plans and priorities for the Trust. The Wilson is a fundamental element of the Trust but other calls on Trust funding and local government reorganisation mean there remains uncertainty over its future status. Jessica welcomed the support of the Friends in helping underline the importance of the Wilson to Cheltenham people.

Funding for the Wilson in the last year (April 2025 to March 2026) included a grant of £6k for an artist in residence to develop digital stories about the Wilson, another £10K went to the development of online content and audio guides for the temporary and collection galleries, including the Arts and Crafts collection (these guides are now available in the Wilson foyer). As before, £10K was provided to support the annual exhibition programme (Common Ground, Material Worlds and Paula Rego) In addition, we donated a further £40K to the Museum Improvement Fund for the Victorian galleries, including gallery fit out, improvements to accessibility, interpretation resources and exhibition production costs. This is the final payment of our overall donation.

In the financial year 2026/7 we have agreed to provide £10,000 for exhibitions support, £6,000 for digital storytelling, £12,000 to support the refurbishment and redisplay of the Arts and Crafts Gallery and £5,000 for the Summer Play exhibition.

Over the last 4 years our grants to the Wilson have depleted the reserves built up largely from some generous legacies. Into the future, we hope to be able to continue to provide funds for exhibition support and online and digital projects, but we will need to rebuild our reserves substantially or mount a fundraising campaign to contribute to any future major project at the Wilson.

FINANCIAL REPORT

Financial results for the Friends of the Wilson in 2025/26

The Trustees have agreed the following accounts and they have been independently verified and comply with the regulations set out by the Charities Commission.

During the year, our programme of events generated income of £10,609 (2024/25 - £6,535) while we received £7,495 (2024/25 - £8,007) from our membership fees, including gift aid. With one off donations and interest, the Friends generated total income of 26,750 (2024/25 - £24,528).

Expenditure before grants to the Wilson totalled £4,192 (2024/25 - £4,428) which resulted in a net profit before donations of £22,559 (2024/25 - £21,097). This increased the General Fund enabled the Friends to provide £66,000 of funding for the Wilson in the year, resulting in a total net deficit of £43,441 (2024/25 - £9,903) for the year.

On the balance sheet, the charity holds total funds of £48,787 in General Reserves and £30,595 in Restricted Funds, including designated amounts for the North Place Organ Fund, the Phyllis Kaye Bequest and the Wilson Family Fund. The Friends are in a good financial position to continue to support to the Wilson in 2026 with an agreed funding level of £33,000 for 2026/27.

Friends of The Wilson - Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum - Income & Expenditure Account for the year ended 31st March 2026

Income Membership Subscriptions Gift Aid Receipts Events Donations & Legacies Interest Received Expenditure Venue Entry Costs Food for Events Coach Hire Speakers Costs Venue Hire Printing Postage & Mailing Subscriptions Website Donations Made Ofce Stationery Marketing & Advertising Insurance Other expenses Bank & Transaction Charges Net Income		2025/26 £ 6,566 929 10,609 5,466 3,181 26,750 60 153 0 935 1,962 110 480 40 60 66,000 0 0 185 0 207 70,192 -43,441		2024/25 £ 6,811 1,196 6,535 4,967 5,019
				24,528
				60 131 0 489 1,057 22 877 65 115 30,000 0 1,262 185 0 170
				34,432

				-9,903

Friends of The Wilson - Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum (Registered Charity No 289514)

Balance Sheet

Current Assets Debtors & Prepayments Bank Current Accounts Deposit Accounts Less- Current Liabilities Creditors & Accruals Total Net Current Assets Represented By: General Fund Restricted Funds Total Funds	As at 31st March 2026 As at 31st March 2025 £ £ £ £ 3,583 5,116 15,899 17,158 61,696 101,835 81,178 124,109 1,009 499 80,169 123,610 48,787 93,015 31,382 30,595 80,169 123,610	As at 31st March 2026 As at 31st March 2025 £ £ £ £ 3,583 5,116 15,899 17,158 61,696 101,835 81,178 124,109 1,009 499 80,169 123,610 48,787 93,015 31,382 30,595 80,169 123,610

		123,610
		93,015 30,595
		123,610

For the year ended 31st March 2026 the company was entitled to exemption from audit under

section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 144 of the Companies Act 2011.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Act

with respect to accounting records and for the preparation of accounts.

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Friends of the Wilson Registered charity number 289514

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31[st ] March 2026, which are annexed

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 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Examine these accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act
Follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charities Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act), and
State whether any matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Independent Examiner's Statement

My examination was carried out in accordance with general directions given by the Charities Commission. This involved reviewing the accounting records maintained by the charity and assessing whether the accounts provide a fair reflection of its financial activities. I considered whether proper accounting records had been maintained and whether the financial statements aligned with those records. I also assessed whether any unusual transactions or disclosures required further clarification. My examination was limited in scope and does not constitute an audit; therefore, I do not express an audit opinion on these accounts.

Independent Examiner's Statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act;
or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records;
or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Signed:

Elizabeth Giles Date: 1st June 2026

Looking Ahead - Visits and Events for 2026

The calendar for the next few months will once again feature some interesting and engaging visits and events. Members can find further details and booking arrangements on the Friends’ website. In addition, there will more events announced in the monthly newsletters. Friends should regularly check the website https://www.friendsofthewilson.org.uk/ for details.

17 June 2026 – Talk: The Story of the Biennial Fresh Air Sculpture Show

Speaker: Lucy Abel Smith

A rescheduled talk (originally planned for February) by the co‑founder of Fresh Air Sculpture and chair of the Quenington Sculpture Trust. Lucy Abel Smith discusses the origins and development of the biennial Fresh Air sculpture exhibition

15 July 2026 – Talk: Cheltenham’s Newest and Smallest World War I Museum

Speaker: Freddie Gick

A brief history of how a group of wooden World War I grave markers from Gloucestershire soldiers were rescued after decades of deterioration. Originally placed on battlefield graves and later returned to Cheltenham, many crosses were left in local authority care and by 2014 were rotting on a fence in Bouncers Lane Cemetery. This talk explains how these fragile memorials were preserved and placed in a small museum at Cheltenham Crematorium.

20 July 2026 – Visit: Rodmarton Manor (Private Tour with Fiona James)

A private tour of Rodmarton Manor near Cirencester, including time to explore the gardens and enjoy tea and cake.

2 September 2026 – Evening Talk: From Birmingham to Byzantium to the Cotswolds – Stories of Ernest and Sidney Barnsley

Speaker: Kirsty Hartsiotis

An evening lecture marking the centenary of the deaths of Ernest and Sidney Barnsley, two major Arts and Crafts architects. The talk explores their lives, influences, and legacy in the Cotswolds.

23 September 2026 – Talk: Ornament Unbound – Print, Transfer and Ceramic Surface Speaker: Lisa Sheppy

A talk exploring ceramic surface design.

28 October 2026 – Talk: Street Art in Cheltenham – The Art of Our Time?

Speaker: Adrian Barlow

A discussion of Cheltenham’s unexpected role as a centre for street art, shaped by seven festivals held between 2017 and 2024, with hopes for future events.

25 November 2026 – Talk: Still Life and Beyond

Speaker: Sara Hayward

Sara Hayward MA(RCA) will talk about working in her Worcester studio, with her trademark heightened colour palette, focusing on her contemporary still life paintings and seascapes inspired by recent pilgrimages to Iona.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank our President PJ Crook for championing the Friends, and for her generous donations from her annual Christmas Open Studio event and of a painting for the silent auction. We are grateful to Liz Giles who has taken on the work of examining our annual accounts. As ever particular thanks are due to our Events team, especially the volunteers Sue Reeves and Alison Pascoe who not only organise the events and trips but also provide the tea and the wonderful cakes at our talks. Also, thanks are due to David Hewitt who helps keep our website up to date. We are as always grateful to Lisa Edgar, the Trust’s Director for Arts and Heritage, and her team, who are always approachable and welcoming to the Friends, which makes an important contribution to a flourishing partnership. Finally, I would like to thank my fellow trustees for their hard work, ideas and enthusiasm which keep the charity in good state for the future. So thank you, Friends, for your continuing support for our wonderful art gallery and museum through your membership subscriptions and attendance at events.

A Final Word from our Chair

This coming October will see the long-awaited re-opening of the Victorian Galleries, to the refurbishment of which the Friends have made a significant contribution. Friends will be invited to take part in the celebrations to mark this event.

There remains the uncertainty for the future of Cheltenham’s cultural organisations as changes to the local government are looming, as well as the continuing squeeze on funding and grants. Whatever the

outcome of the reorganisation, as long as there is a Wilson Art Gallery and museum there will be a role for the Friends to continue to provide support, and it may be even more vital in the future. To do this we need to increase our membership numbers so it would be very helpful if existing members could try and recruit as many new members as possible. Even if people are unable to take advantage of our events programme, if they are keen to ensure the Wilson flourishes, just paying a subscription is so helpful – and at a cost of less that 50p a week!

If you are reading this report but are not yet a member, please visit our website www.friendsofthewilson.org.uk and click on the membership tab to find out more about us and how to sign up.

Judie Hodsdon, Chair of Trustees, The Friends of the Wilson