Cowper & Newton Museum: Registered Charity No 310521 Report on the Annual Accounts for the Year Ended 31[st] January 2021
The year under review was like no other in the 120year history of the Museum. The key to dealing with the extraordinary events of the year was the ability to rapidly respond to a changing situation. Such events also serve as a spur to innovation and that has certainly proved to be the case as regards the Museum.
The 120[th] anniversary of the opening of the Museum fell on 25[th] April 2020 but as we were in lockdown at that point, the opportunity to mark the event was lost. Another happy event marred by the pandemic was the grant of the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the Museum’s volunteers on 2[nd] June 2020. This was a tremendous achievement by all concerned. We were thrilled to have the visitor experience which our volunteers provide recognised by the receipt of this prestigious award. In view of the national situation it was finally recognised by all that the award ceremony would have to be a virtual one and this duly took place on 26[th] November 2020, Cowper’s 289[th] birthday.
As soon as the national lockdown was announced, the need to conserve cash was apparent. The government’s furlough scheme proved to be a lifeline as did business interruption grants. This enabled us to get through the year under review in good financial shape despite minimal income from other sources other than rental income from our cottage.
The flip side of this situation was that an immense burden was placed on our trustees and key volunteers both to deal with day to day matters and to implement changes. My thanks to everyone involved.
During the spring a huge effort was dedicated to ensuring Covid safe procedures were introduced. This was assisted by the introduced of a computerised booking and events system known as Art Tickets. The system also has a facility for accepting donations.
The inability to trade through much of this year also prompted us to set up an online shop offering free delivery to local residents in postcode MK46. The range of products available online will be expanded over time. The emphasis on digitalisation continued with online training days and planning for online talks and tours.
Our Georgian dance group had to cease all activity due to social distancing requirements but hope to resume when conditions permit
Collections care has continued throughout the period under review and the Museum benefitted from an HLF grant to enable a modern and enhanced security system to be installed. A decision was made to swap the location of the Three Hares Gallery and lace room with a view to completing this project by late 2021. A number of applications were made in connection with plans to relaunch the Lace Room with an emphasis on the social history of the trade locally.
Cowper’s summer house was also the subject of refurbishment and our gardening team continued to look after our gardens whilst working under Covid restrictions.
Communication with our public was vital during this period to maintain awareness of what we have to offer going forward. Our social media team have done terrific work during this period and boosted awareness through joint working with the local historical society as well as the usual social network channels. The Olney history hub is steadily growing in popularity.
Newsletters formed an important role in keeping people informed.
With an eye to the near future much work was done on preparing for the 250[th] anniversary year of Amazing Grace- one of the Olney Hymns first sung in Olney on 1[st] January 1773. We hope this will raise both local and global awareness of Olney and what it has to offer.
Looking to the future we have the challenges of re-opening the museum, fully reconnecting with our volunteers, and encouraging visitors to return. Volunteer morale has been greatly boosted by the roll out of the national vaccination programme and the trend towards holidaying in the UK in the year ahead should boost visitor numbers. Locally, Olney is currently experiencing a spurt of expansion and this from the Museum’s perspective should help to boost both volunteer and visitor numbers,
Paul Collins Chairman of Trustees, 21[st] April 2021.
COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM ACcOUPs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST JANUARY 2021 CHARITY NUMBER: 310521
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER, REPORT ON THE ACCO NTS TO THE TRUSTEES OF COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM OLNEY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AS AT 31ST ANUARY 2021 I report on the unaudited accounts ofthe eharty forthe yearended 31 January 2021 which are set out in pages 2 to 5. Rospocthi• mponsibllltles of trtsit•ès and ex4rnin•r The charity's trustees are responsible forthe preparab.on of the accounts. Thg charity's tnJslees eonsider that an audit is not required for this year under secb.on 144 of the Chariti6s Act 2011 {Ihe charit$ Acti and that an independent examination is needed. 11 is my responsibility lo.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the CharTties Act.. lo follow the procedu$ laid down In the general Directions given by the Charity Commission {under section 14515llbl of the Charrties Act).. and to stsle whelheT p8rtJ"cular matters have eome to my attention. Ba$1• of Ind•p•nd?nt •xamln•rfs stat•ment My examinatson was carried out in accordance wth the gen8fal Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examinatson includes a rev of Ihe accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented wth those records. It also indudes consideratron of any unusual rtems or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the Iruslees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audrt, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accoufts present a rue and fai¢ view and the report is limited lo those matters set out in the ststement below. Independ•Thl •xamin•r'• stat•menl In eonnection with my examination. no material matters havg com&to my attenkn.on which gwes m& cause to believe that in, any material respect.. tha accounting records were not kept in accordance wrth s8clion 130 of the charrt Acl., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records", OT the accounts did not compty with the applicable requ1mentS concerning the ft)rm and conlenl of accounts sel out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulab"ons 2008 other than any requirement that Ihe accounts give a Irue and fairf which 1$ not a matterconsidered as part of an Indepdent examinatson. I have eome across no other matters in connection the examination to which attention should be drawn in t report in order to enable o proper understanding of the accounts lo be reached. ley ACA Col ttHul Chartered Certified Accountants 40 Kimbotton Road Be(Iford MK40 2NR 25th March 2021
COWPER hlEIrtORIAL MUSEUM STATEMENT OF ASSETS AS AT 31-JANUARY 2021 2021 2020 FIXED ASSETS Land and Buildings Exhibits. EquipmenL Fumibjre Not Valued Not Valued Not Valued Not Valued CURRENT ASss Cash in Hand aThJ Depo1 COIF Investrrtènt Stock Prepayment (2) (3> 194,344.09 1,814.78 5.464.81 3.120.67 169,904.24 1,814.78 5,356.65 2,934.88 204.744.35 180,010.55 FINANCED BY:. Museum Fu1 Restoration and Improvement Fund 92.621.50 112.122.85 73.443.26 106,567.29 204.744.35 180,010.55 PQGgL Trustees
COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM YEAR ENDED 31ST JANUARY 2021 RESTORATION AND IMPROVEMENT FUND 2021 2020 RECEIPTS DonationslGrants National Heritage Grant 12,409.40 16.00 12,022.99 7,561.00 28.509.40 19,583.99 PAYMENTS National Heritage SurKIry Btjsiness Development Project 15.963.02 6.990.82 26,327.53 11,734.44 3,198.02 22,953.84 41,259.99 Surplusl(Deficit) for Year Accumulated Fund Brought FoThvard 5.555.56 106.567.29 (21,676.00} 128,243.29 Accumulated Fund Carried Forward 112.122.85 106,567.29
COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM YEAR ENDED 31- JANUARY 2021 MUSEUM FUND Notes 2021 2020 RECEIPTS Admissions Rents and Dr¥KJends Donations Olher HMRC JRS and Business Grants 3.105.05 11.115.01 6.222.36 4,292.83 28,887.25 21.964.09 11.788.72 2.374.25 5.715.74 53,622.50 41,842.80 Surplus on Saleable Gryyjs {1) 1,664.94 4,129.10 55.287.44 45,971.90 PAYMENTS Salaries Printing, ptage and Consumables Advertising and Web Supwrt stationery Insurance Electricity Gas Water Cleaning Telephone Maintenance- Buildings Maintenance - Exhibts. el Subscriptions Other Fees and Expenses- Training Finance Fees indiKling Cwjit Card Cottage 20,374.45 408.59 73.06 79.81 3.559.00 918.08 1,121.27 1.003.50 1.192.65 737.15 3,146.53 884.42 1,280.13 351.08 822.48 157.(Ki 19.414.14 507.02 2.552.82 100.50 3,506.16 2.037.94 1.227.75 614.00 999.57 800.05 3.733.19 49.20 272.00 1.051.99 889.78 203.50 36,10920 37.959.61 Surplus for Year Accumulatsd Fund Brought Fopward 19,178.24 73.44326 8,012.29 65,430.97 Accumulated Fund Carried Forward 92.621.50 73,443.26
COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM YEAR ENDED 31ST JANUARY 2021 NOTES TO THE ACCOUKTS 2021 2020 1) Saleable Goods Tradin Income for Year Less: Cost of Sales 2,475.35 810.41 9.238.45 5,109.35 1.664.94 4.129.10 2) Cash in Hand and on D House M8nagerfs Floavlmprest COIF Deposit (Endowment Fund) Virgin Money Secure Trust Bank plc Barclays Business Premium Account Barclays Cutrent Account PayPal Account Shawbrook Bank 18.57 47.191.47 45.369.39 43.24 47.067.75 45,147.39 58.720.47 173.19 18,456.78 295.42 173.32 42,295.92 295.42 59.000.00 194,344.09 169,904.24 COIF Investment The valu8 of this investment as at 31*January 2021 was £8,813.73 (2020 £8.426.181.