16 February 2026
Mr D Cohen – Chairman Swan Lane Burford, OX18 4SH Email: chairman@burfordtolsey.org
I confirm there were no serious incidents during the previous financial year that should have been reported to the Commission but were not.
D Cohen
Registered Charity No. 309176
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1/11/2024 To 31/12/2025
Charity name: Burford Tolsey Museum and Archive
Charity registration number: 309176
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The Tolsey Museum & Archive exists to serve the interest of the people of Burford and the general public in the in the cultural heritage of the Town and neighbourhood, by preserving and exhibiting collections that aim to convey its unique and remarkable history. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Operates the Tolsey Museum presenting a comprehensive record of local history to the public. Is in the process of cataloguing and digitising records in a dedicated archive building to make items available to scholars. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | The Trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | No policy |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | No policy |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | The operation is run entirely by volunteers and Trustees recruited from the town and surrounding area. At present there around 60 volunteers. |
| Other |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | The museum provides the only place in town where residents, academics, school children and tourists can learn, at first hand, about the history of Burford. It provides an archive centre which is used for research, not only by Burford residents, but by historians worldwide. It provides a programme of talks on local history and a focal point for tourists to the area. The policy of using knowledgeable local volunteers provides a valuable resource for visitors to the town. The fact that the museum attracted 11,039 visitors during the 2024-25 season is a valid indicator of its importance as a tourist attraction – bringing in visitors who will benefit the economy of the High Street. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | |
| Other |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The charity is in a secure financial position. We held funds of £62,000 at our year end. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | We hold reserves covering one year’s unavoidable expenses in case some unforeseen circumstance prevents our normal income generation. |
| Amount of reservesheld | Para 1.22 | |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Trust deed |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Para 1.25 | Unincorporated association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | New trustees are appointed by the existing chairman and trustees |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Para 1.51 | |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | |
| Relationship with any related parties |
Para 1.51 | |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
Charity name Burford Tolsey Museum and Archive Other name the charity uses Tolsey Museum Registered charity number 309176 Charity’s principal address Swan Lane Burford OX18 4SH Phone: 01993822288 Email: chairman@burfordtolsey.org Website: https://www.burfordtolsey.org/
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Nathan Cohen |
Chair | |||
| Peter Edward Martin |
||||
| Janice Cohen | Secretary | |||
| Nigel Nathaniel Goodlad Barraclough |
Treasurer | |||
| Susan Ashton | ||||
| Carol Anderson | ||||
– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets None. held in this capacity
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| Signature(s) | Signature(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name(s) | Full name(s) David Nathan Cohen |
Nigel Nathaniel Goodlad Barraclough |
| Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) |
Chair | Treasurer |
| Date | 16 February 2026 |
BURFORD TOLSEY MUSEUM & ARCHIVE STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS FOR THE 14 MONTHS ENDING 31 DECEMBER
| 2024 RECEIPTS General 3636.94 Supporters 1047.73 Tours 1320.73 Gift Aid - Interest 9.44 Walk App - Sales 21.07 Other Income Museum 3642.05 Visitor Donations 3987.49 Sales Archive 7212.74 Donations 3500.00 FHC Grant 4250.00 Other Grants 374.88 Website Sales 598.71 Events 50.00 Research 140.00 Room Hire 29791.78 TOTAL INCOME PAYMENTS General 802.98 Insurance 196.00 Room hire 285.31 Stationery, printing, postage, etc 55.18 Website 401.00 Societies Membership 842.66 Other Expenses Museum 3159.93 Stock for sale 629.18 Acquisitions 300.00 Rent 3586.05 Building Works Archive 1713.89 Equipment 1381.47 Archiving Materials 1250.19 Software 1542.76 Electricity 1049.50 Building Works 50.00 Rent 936.03 Rates 1040.64 Telephone 101.21 Water 363.60 Alarm/Fire Service 19687.58 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 10104.20 Surplus/(Loss) for Year 41680.20 Balance brought forward 51784.40 10459.98 Bank A/c 38.18 Cash in Hand 40000.00 Dudley BS 50498.16 |
2025 3796.12 824.00 1671.58 1321.96 - 39.50 4104.21 (1) Bottle £1778.83 7696.70 SumUp £3236.79 1706.53 3500.00 3500.00 (2) Lord Lieutenant £2500 509.93 Festival £1000 739.64 49.07 165.00 29624.24 772.75 220.00 202.19 95.98 257.00 1224.13 4465.37 52.26 - 3141.87 159.99 1974.53 1237.56 1640.52 188.00 50.00 714.54 1159.86 123.83 381.60 18061.98 11562.26 50498.16 62060.42 10738.46 - 51321.96 62060.42 (3) Acquisitions fund £11543.91 Reserves fund - £6600 |
|---|---|
5 The Leaze Barns Lane Burford Oxon OX18 4NE 07968 019813
18th January 2026
Burford Tolsey Museum & Archive Charity 126 High Street Burford OX18 4QU
Independent Examiner’s Report on the accounts of The Burford Tolsey Museum & Archive - Registered charity 309176 For the period 1 November 24 to 31 December 2025
To the Trustees of the BTMA
I confirm that appropriate books of accounts have been properly kept throughout the year, year end accounts have been prepared and supported by an adequate audit trail from underlying records, and reconciliation of funds have been prepared and agreed.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn.
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John Yeatman