Annual Report for the period From 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024 Charity Name: Markfield Beam Engine and Museum Charity Registration No: 290486 Charitable Incorporated Organisation address: Markfield Beam Engine and Museum Markfield Park Markfield Road South Tottenham London N15 4RB 1 Objectlves and Actlvltles 1.1 Under its CIO constitution, "The object of the Trust is to advance the education of Ihe public in science, engineerlng technology and engineering history, by the provlslon of a mus@um.' 1.2 The main aclivilies in relation to this purpose are to.. promote and preserve the Victorian Beam Engine & Museum on the site of the former Tottenham & Wood Gr8en Sewage Works. acquire exhibits. carry out restorallon and research for display and 8ducatlon, and carry out improvement and development ofthe Museum. provide educational and lecturing facilities and Museum tours. 1.3 The Tru81 recognises its responsibilltles under Charity Commission guidance to carry out ils activities solely for public benefit. 1.4 The Museum premises are held by Ihe Trust on a Lease from Haringey Councll. 1.5 Contribution made by volunteers: The Museum is run exclusively by Volunteers with no paid staff. All Trustees also operate as Volunteers lall-togelher 21). 11 is estimated that Volunteer time in managing, maintaining and op8rating the Beam Engine & Museum exceeds 2,000 hourslannum in a 'normal' year. 2 Achievements and Perforniance 2.1 For the year 2023-24, In January 2024 volunteer availability meant a change to our opening hours. For standard open days our open hours have chang8d from 11am- 5pm (4pm in daylight savings hours) to 10am - 3.30pm. on steamlng days we are open 1Qam- 4pm. 2.2 To help grow our audience we trialled free bookable children's activities throughout the year aimed at increasing visitor numbers and engagement. We have had steady visitor numbers at non steaming open days, bul steaming days are busier than previous years. We noted longer visilor visits. We also continued to deliver tours of the wid8r herilage site.
2.3 We have continu8d with and improved the children's activity area wilh crafts and new toys that link to the engine and museum and invested in making our museum more visible to our key target audience, local families using the park. This includes a new sign, poster and leaflet displays. Changes in volunteer availability means that our provision of children's activities ran to August only. Then they were run as drop in sessions. 2.4 The Trust decided to make internal investment in developing and upgrading our security with significant improvements in CCTV infrastructure, this was made posslble with support from our partners al the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum. This work has considerably improved what we are able to offer for public benefit and our security. 2.5 We contlnued to care for our premises, engine and boilers. Significant, community support helped us repair a pump that had been causing issues with steaming. W8 have liaised wilh and buill a good relationship with 5 other similar museums in the southeast this has enabled us to learn how to maintain and run the boiler and water treatment much more effectively. 2.6 We have Improved the access information on our webslle to provide more detailed information and pictures for disabled visitors. 2.7 We have continued with the collection of visitor data from our open days in a meaningful way. Thls has allowed us to monitor our progress toward KPIS. Although Our collection of visitor d8t8 has been patchy with some volunteers lacking confidence in setting up the tabl8ts used to collect data. 2.8 We have continued to r8crult new volunteers using posters and flyers, hosted a volunleering open day, placed adverts on social m8dla and In local press to try and recrult n8w volunt8ers. This has led to 3 new reliable volunteers 2.9 We held volunteer steam and guided tour tralnlng sesslons 2.10 W8 hav6 continued and updated Ihe volunteer handbook for all Volunteers and to help us Induct new volunte8rs better. Thls includes new safeguarding information. 2.11 We have been one of the organisations Ih8t has revived the ALPHA group which is an organlsation of 4 pumping museums such as the Walthamstow Pumphouse Museum, Crossn8ss, K8mpton Steam Museum and ourselves. The alm of the organisation is to support each other wlth publlclty and engineering knowledge. This had enabled us to make some good connections and get advice on running and care of the engine. We have continued to have a good relationship with Bruce Caslle Museum and The Markfield Project. 2.12 In partnershlp wlth London G18des, Friends of Markfield, Haringey Council and other partners we achleved irnprovements to the community garden to ensure the heritsge of the sile Is protected and celebrated and to rnaxirnize the opportunity the project provides 3 Financial Review 3.1 The Trust's financial position for the year 2023-24, Is set out in the accompanying Annual Accounts Statement.
3.2 The balance loss over the year is primarily atlributable to.. No Gift Aid claim made during the year Investment in new display I IT equipment Increased fuel costs. N8V8rtheless. the Trust ¢onsiders the Charity is a viable concern. 3.3 The Trust continues to operate a Community Current Account with Barclays Bank PLC.11 also has PayPal and Zettle accounts used for donation and sales transactions, with income Iransferred to its Curr8nt Account. 3.4 The Trust continues to operat8 a Reserve Account wilh the Monmoulhshire Building Society. This enables the Trust to hold that part of the Charity's unrestricted income which is available to spend at the discretion of the Charity Trustees and generally inlended to provide cover for future unexpected need, or to pursue an opportunity In line with the charity's purp08es for the planned long-tenn capital development. 3.5 Under Charity Commission Guidanc8 CC15¢, Charitles with a gross income of over £25,000 but not exedIng £250,000 In the relevant rinancial y8ar are required to have thelr accounts Independenuy Examined. This is not the case for the Trust for the 2023- 24 flnan¢181 year. 3.6 Th6 Trust's 'nomal' princlpal sources of income come from vSsltor donatlons, one-off donatlons, hlre of premlses, sales, and Gift Aid. Grants for particular projects hav8 also assisted d8v8lopments. The Trust noted a fall in indlvldual glvlng, shop sales and hire In¢ome (refledlve of the cost-of living situation) 3.8 The Trust's prlncip81 oulgoings are attrlbutable to maintaining, fuelling and insuring th8 beam engine, rates, power, publlo liability insurance, admlnlslratSon and the cost of prlnting and items for sale. As noted above, there has been a subslanlial increase in fuel costs for operatlng th6 b8am 8ngine 3.9 The Trust contlnues wlth volunteer development and audience development. We are able to offer a range of volunteer training, a community steaming session to help us build relatlon8hip8, 4 Structure, Governance and Management 4.1 Having originally being established as a Charity and 8 Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital in September 1984, Ihe Trust Iransitioned to become a Charitable Incorporated Organisation {CIO) with the Charity Commission in April 2021. 4.2 The organis8tion is managed by the Board of Trustees under the Trust Chair, via quarterly Board meetings, reporting and on-line communications-which are also used as a means of Communicating wilh Volunteers. Individual Trustees have allocated responsibilities to oversee particular areas of Trust activity. 4.3 The Trust follows the procedural stipulations set out In its adopted Charity Commission CIO Foundation Model constitution. Trustees are appointed for a 3-yoar torm, with rotating retirement pattem. 4.4 The Trust has, with the support of local Councillors, continued to pursue protracted ne otiations, to achieve a romised new 25 ear Lease with Harin Council for the
Museum premis8s. based on Heads of Terms that have been agreed. The current Lease runs to June 2025. 4.4 Following 2 years of internal effort, and with support from Bruce Castle Museum w8 achieved Full Arts Council UK Museums Accreditation - a significant recognition for the Charit and the Museum. 4.5 The Trust has maintained a skills audit of its Volunteers and continues to explore recruitment of more volunteers and develop in-house training - notably to supplement englneerlng skills to maintain and operate the beam engine. The need for additional expertise In certaln areas is seen as of increasing irnportance - and initiatives to recruit for these areas have been undertaken successfully recruiting a volunteer how is learning how to drive and maintain the engine 4.6 During the year, Ihe Trust's Treasurer Emma Elliott stood down due to personal reasons.as Treasurer. Mr Abdullah Seba was Subsequently confirmed as Treasurer by the Board. 4.7 The Trust's volunteers continue to carry out responslblllties for malnlalnlng the Museum premises in conjunction wlth Haringey Council as Landlord. Volunteers also carry out regular malntenance to the beam engine and Ils supportlng infrastructure. 4.8 The Museum Is a Member (3835) of the Association of Independent Museums, and, as such, Is able to beneflt from support and guidance provlded by that organlsatSon, and along wilh olh8r member herltage sites, has continued to support and promote the wider Industrlal18gacy of the area lo the public. The Museum has also registered with the Industrial Herltage Neork (London). The Museum continues to be a member of the local Frlends of Markfield Park stakeholder group, whlch has a role In monltoring and co- ordinating aclivitl8s in the surrounding Park area in conjunction with Haringey Council. Forward Plannlng: 4.9 Durlng the current year, the Trust's Business Plan has been monltored to assess and manage progress. 4.10 Tlie Tiusl lids pf*ipoif8d il Fomard Plan to carry forward Its Buslness Plan In 2023-24, The includes.. Volun188r trainlng Growing our team of Volunteers Develop new partnerships with Markfleld Project and Wallhamstow Pumphouse Grow our number of vlsitors from 2500 to 2750 Aim to have two school visits during the year Continue to get to know our audience better by collecting f8edba¢k Continue to offer bookable children's aGtivities Continue to work to add additional interactivity lo Ihe visitor experience using cameras and screens Improve access to our site for visitors with disabilities to continue with Support and work with London Glades, Friends of Markfield, Haringey Council and other partners on the improvements to the community gard6n to ensure the heritage of the site is protected and celebrated and to maximize the opportunily the project provides Alrn to maintain our spend per vlsitor, and recover and grow the income earned through hire Work to increase our online donations by introducing a membership/ supporters Scheme
Aim to generate grants targeted to help us obtain consultancy support for feasibility studies for capital works to expand our museum and improving the wider heritage site Continue to uphold Arts Council UK Museums Accreditation standards Maint81n and run our Engine and premises saf81y. Administrative details Trustees- names of Ihe Trustees durin Trustee name Mr lan McLau hlin Mr Abdullah Seba Mr David Cracknell Mr Alan Elliott Mrs Barbara Blake Mr Andrew Lewls Ms Emma Slell Ms Emma Elliott the eriod covered b this Re Positlon Trust Chair Trust Treasurer ort. from Se 2023 Trust Tr8asurer tos6 2023 Sincere thanks to all Trusteès and Volunteers who have glven tholr tlme and talents 80 enthuslastically to 8UPPOrt tho work of the Mu8oum. The charity doe8 not have any corporate trustees. Th8 Truste8s acknowledge their responslbllltles for complying with the requlrements of the Charities Act 2011 wlth respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts and reports. Under the provisions of the Char1118s Art, the Trust is required to send to the Commlsslon within 10 months of its financial year end date, an annual return, trustee annual report and accounts. Under Charity Commlsslon Guid8nc6 CC15c, Charities wlth a gross income of over £25.000 but not exceeding £250,000 In the relevant financial year ar6 r8quired to have their accounts Independently Examined. This is the ¢ase for the Trust for the 2021-22 financial year. The Trust have appolnted Hedley Dunk Ltd for this purpose. Signed on behalf of the Charlty's Trustees Signature{s) Name{g) Position lan McLau hlin Trustee Chair Date 9-11-2019
| Incoming Resources Visitor Donations Other Donations Sales Gift Aid Outreach Activities Project Income Other Income Location Hire Reset Grants (restricted) Reserve Account interest Total Incoming Resources Outgoing Resources Rates Electricity Fuel Oil Administration IT Engineering Premises Shop Marketing Building Maintenance Cloud & Software Subscriptions General Supplies Insurance IT Supplies: POS and POD Marketing & Community Engagement Membership Subscriptions Card Transaction Fees (Retail) Shop Stock Transaction Fees (on income) Website Telephone & Internet Boiler Inspection & Insurance Public Liability Insurance Boiler Insurance Boiler Inspection Display (IT) Project ReSet Project Total Outgoing Resources Net Surplus (Deficit) for the Year |
2024 £ 2,381 951 696 - 0 0 0 50 369 414 4,861 77 1,168 1,575 0 0 265 0 0 0 339 9 44 606 35 141 68 31 403 5 198 240 1,057 0 0 0 0 0 6,261 |
2023 £ 2,358 271 843 - 525 4,000 967 - - 147 |
|---|---|---|
| 9,111 832 819 2,501 75 152 828 213 346 322 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 555 133 768 3,411 3,283 |
||
| 14,238 | ||
| (1,400.48) | (5,127.00) |