COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Accoui¥fs FOR THE YEAR ENDED
AN
ARY
24
CHARrrY NUMBER: 310521

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT ON THE ACCOUNTS
TO THE TRUSTEES OF COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM
OLNEY BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
AS AT 31ST JANUARY 2024
I report on the unaudited accounts of the charty forthe yearended 315t January 2024 which are set out in
pages 2 to 5.
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 the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act.
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission
(under section 145(5){b) of the Charities Act)., and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examineVs statement
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 the 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 statement below.
Independent examineVs statement
In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause
to believe that in, any material respect:
the accounting records were not kept in accordan￿ 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 conceming 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 fairf viewwhich is not a matter considered as part of
an independent examination.
I have come
drawn in thi
ross no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be
port in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
MABO
Collett
Cha
CA
ance Account
red Certified Acc
nRo
nts Limited
untants
Bedford
MK40 2NR
26th February 2024

COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM
STATEMENT OF ASSETS
AS AT 31STJANUARY 2024
Notes
2024
2023
FIXED ASSETS
Land and Buildings
Exhibits, Equipment. Fumiture
Not Valued
Not Valued
Not Valued
Not Valued
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash in Hand and Deposit
COIF Investment
Stock
Prepayment
(2)
(3)
185,659.45
21,814.78
10.209.35
2.717.81
236,860.81
21,814.78
9,134.67
3.462.65
220,401.39
271,272.91
FINANCED BY:.
Museum Fund
Restoration and Improvement Fund
135.680.50
84,720.89
121,239.23
150,033.68
220.401.39
271,272.91
Trustees
Trustees

COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM
YEAR ENDED 31ST JANUARY 2024
RESTORATION AND IMPROVEMENT FUND
2024
2023
RECEIPTS
DonabonslGrants
National Heritage Grant
ODHS Charity Takeover
63,475.04
39,504.00
75.482.42
49.380.00
5.702.14
102,979.04
130.564.56
pAyME￿rS
National Herttage
Sundry
58.486.90
109.804.93
59.452.51
37.113.28
168,291.83
96,565.79
Surplus/(Deficit) for Year
Accumulated Fund Brought Forward
(65,312.79)
150,033.68
33,998.77
116.034.91
Accumulated Fund Carried Forward
84,720.89
150,033.68

OWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM
YEAR ENDED 31W JANUARY 2024
MUSEUM FUND
Notes
RECEIPTS
Admissions
Rents and Dividends
Donations
Other
29,806.48
14,551.46
6,548.55
7,802.53
19,928.75
11.649.89
6,205.89
10.880.23
58,709.02
48.664.76
Surplus on Saleable Goods
(1)
10,456.60
5.638.63
69,165.62
54,303.39
PAYMEK
Salaries
Printing. Postage and Consumables
Acfvertising and Web Support
Stationery
Insurance
ElectrirAty
Gas
Water
Cleaning
Telephon8
Maintenance- Buildings
Maintonance- Exhibits, etc.
Subscriptions
Other Fees and Expenses - Training
Finance Fees including Credit Card
Cottage
V8g8tab18 Gard8n
23,472.60
2,159.62
1,519.72
588.66
4,039.15
3,231.13
2,281.00
386.47
1,324.86
817.14
6,319.38
22.128.53
600.11
1,643.86
299.24
3,936.55
1,491.01
1.172.85
1.020.89
671.58
4.551 .49
135.00
1.434.85
1.334.62
1.238.60
1,419.49
1,993.89
819.95
2,169.00
2,182.29
54,724.35
41.658.98
Surplus for Year
Accumulated Fund Broughl Forward
14,441.27
121,239.23
12,644.41
108.594.82
Accumulated Fund Carried Forward
135,680.50
121,239.23

COWPER MEMORIAL MUSEUM
YEAR ENDED 31ST JANUARY 2024
NOTES TO THE Accoupirs
Saleable Goods Tradln
Income for Year
Less: Cost of Sales
14,625.23
4,168.63
12.381.40
6.742.77
10,456.60
5,638.63
2)
Cash In Hand and on De
House Managers Floaulmprest
COIF Deposit (Endowment Fund)
Barclays Business Premium AC￿)unt
Barclays Curr8nt Acuunt
PayPal Account
Buckinghamshire Building Society
Cambridge & Counties Bank
34.97
28,790.07
40,290.53
14,175.13
210.73
20,312.54
81,845.48
48.75
27.461.12
173.48
108.863.48
210.73
20.105.25
80.000.00
185,659.45
236,860.81
3)
COIF Investment
The value of this investment as at 31 SLJanuary 2024 was £31.003.0812023 £29,578.95).

Chair of Trustees Report to the Cowper & Newton Museum AGM 2024
At the end of my first year as Chair of Trustees I must begin on a sad note. Following
Charles Knight's passing we lost Liz Knight & and then Jane Stuart over the last year. Jane
was a friendly and highly knowledgeable presence in the garden and a Fundraising Friend
for some years. Liz of course was a local history legend and her knowledge of local and
family history will never be equalled. She was a Trustee for years and Honorary Archivist.
associated with the museum for nigh on 50 years I believe. Her town lour was one of Ihe
first things I did when I moved into the town over 30 years ago. There will be events
carrying her name over the next few months.
A special welcome to our new Olney Town Council Trustee Debbie Whitworth who has
always shown a great inlerest in the work and development of the Museum. Lindsay and
Malcolm you all know well and they are up and running and are both involved, for example,
with the next yearfs parish Church 700th anniversary celebrations. House-manager, Paula is
now working a 5-day week.
We were halfway through the highly successful Amazing Grace 250 project this time last
year but still had quite a way to go with many events remaining. The highlight was.
perhaps, the hosting of an event at Lambeth Palace Library with our funders, Lords
Lieutenants, Member of Parliament, Mayors and even the Bishop of Dover. Even now we
have activities ongoing from the project- for example we have a touring exhibition that is
still travelling the country.
The writer Rommi Smith and composer Roddy Williams, who also sung solo at the King's
Coronation, were visiting here last year and filming ahead of Ihe first perfonnance of
Foreverl at the Stables. James Walvin the leading British Academic on the slave trade came
lo speak, including telling us about his new book on Newton. A wide diversily of interest
groups affected by the longer-temi impacts of enslavement. from the wider area,
participated. We continue to explore the means of widening our demographics as much as
possible.
We are now active members of the Historic Houses Association (in good company with
Sandringham and Knebworth House for example). and this broughl in 300 new visitors last
year. This year. despite the awful spring weather. we seem to be 50% up on last year at this
point. We are also starting to take advantage of the training and support services that come
with membership.
After two successful £100k+ projects in recent years- we have an excellent reputation with
our funders, especially National Lottery Heritage Fund. for delivering successful. value for
money projects, to time and wilhin budget.
Applying for grants Could be a full-time job. We have two applications in. Following our first
full conservation grade building survey we have applied for an Arts Council England MEND
grant for building repairs. which is really tough to get. In any evenl the building survey
allows us to assess the level of reserves we need to accumulate or retain.
The other grant is a smaller Milton Keynes City Council cultural grant which we have a high
chance of being awarded in the next fortnight, which will fund a marquee and the Museum
Development Officer for s few more months and cover other costs enabling us to run a
series of additional events this summer.
We have re-grown visitor numbers back to pre-pandemic levels. But we want to keep the
momentum going and keep increasing visitor numbers in order to thrive. We want to
increase the number and types of events and educational visits we can handle. We have at

least 120 activities and events we currently organise and host each year. But we could do
more to make ourselves more resilient.
As most of you will know, the one significanl Ihing that holds us back is lack of larger
indoor space for groups, limited and old catering facilities and lack of toilets. So. we are
now applying for grant funding for a Garden Room with a toilet and small kitchen. Imagine
a small, but prestigious. village hall. If we succeed it will also generate green electricity
which we hope to use to help power the museum itself: Please note that our ulilities budget
for 2024 is now £8,000. It has to be in the second Summer House garden for conservation
and practical reasons.
To improve its position, comply with the requirements of the conservation officer over
historic lines of sight etc. and to give a range of other benefits we have been looking into
buying a small strip of the adjoining land in the Guinea Orchard. We have offered to pay
one guinea. We will be as sensitive about any changes as we possibly can be.
I think I can also say we have slipped into Summer mode in May, even rf the weather hasn't,
with both gardens looking fantastic, a very busy and successful first Refreshments in the
Courtyard, several significant tour groups and a good turnout for our first history walk to
Cowperfs Alcove. The Night & Day exhibition has been very well received and raised a
number of interested questions from visitors, and the Gallery has been busier than ever.
One event to look out for is coming up in June. Wayne Warren, an internationally known
artist, is putting on an exhibition in the gallery for a month and an Intervention trail around
Ihe museum. This is a means of forcing you to think differently aboul aspects of the
museum in a quirky and fun way. A lot of interesting works will be popping up everywhere
so watch out for that.
When you start thanking people you don't know where to stop and there are many
deserving of comment. Here are just a few. Our Trustees and staff, Paula and Linda, of
course. Daniel and Scott took over responsibility for the Summer House garden when we
really needed some help and have transfornied it. But sadly, pressure of work. has meant
we are losing them. We wish them all the best in the future. Jane and Clare took over
Refreshments in the Courtyard last year and are a fanlastic addition to our volunteers. I
would like to thank them for our refreshments this evening too! Our tour guides such as
Derek and Fiona deserve a mention. Perhaps most significantly I should mention the
unsung man behind the scenes who pulls together our financial results from a myriad of
sources. negotiates favourable contracts with suppliers and controls our outgoings,
namely our Treasurer. Gary Evans who has achieved a landmark of 25 years in the role.
So. we have plenty happening and I have only scraped the surface. Even more than cash
we need our fantastic volunteers more than ever. I thank you for what you have done and, rf
you are not one already. please consider signing up. We need people with a breadth of
capabilities from gardening to front of house, from catering and event support, to
collections. You will become part of a big friendly. sometimes quirky family.
Tom Jones
Chair of Trustees
21 •t May 2024