War Years Remembered
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2022
The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2022. The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objectives
The objectives of War Years Remembered (also referred to as WYR) are:
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the protection and preservation of heritage material relating to WWI and WWII.
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the presentation of such heritage material,
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the advancement of the education of the public in Irish military and social history, and
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the promotion and advancement of community relations through the teaching of the shared experiences in the island of Ireland (Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland).
Significant activities
The activities of War Years Remembered include:
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restoration and conservation of heritage artefacts
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giving educational guided tours of the museum to schools, organisations and groups
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attending a range of relevant events, for example for commemoration or for the public to see artefacts
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commemoration of various wartime anniversaries
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recording of veterans' stories for an Oral History Archive
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giving talks to groups at outside premises e.g. elderly and church groups
In 2021-2022 War Years Remembered continued to be closed to the general public as a result of the long term impacts from Covid-19 as well as issues concerning the lease of the museum's premises in Ballyclare, Co. Antrim.
Throughout 2021 and 2022 the trustees met with various government bodies, councils and politicians in an effort to get financial aid and support in finding new premises. We also considered renting commercial property.
By the end of 2022, WYR continues it's search for new premises that meets the museum's specifications and is financially viable for the charity.
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War Years Remembered
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2022
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
Charitable activities
Due to the ongoing closure of the museum, the charitable activities of WYR were again limited in 2021-2022. However, our staff continues to care for and protect the heritage material in our possession and present such material through online platforms like Facebook.
Our volunteers have spent the year preparing for the inevitable move to a new building. The majority of our displays have been dismantled and the artefacts they contained have been carefully packed up and prepared for storage.
The CEO and directors of the charity spent most of the year contacting numerous councils, politicians, business people, landowners, estate agents and more in an attempt to secure new premises. They also visited a large number of potential sites across Northern Ireland, meeting the owners and ensuring the sites met the specifications of the museum.
However, they were unable to secure new premises in 2021-2022. The main reason for this is a lack of core funding. Without the income from museum visitors WYR is very limited financially. It is also important to note the vast majority of project funding or grants will not cover building costs such as rent. Despite this we gained a number of useful and supportive contacts throughout the year that will help find a solution in 2023.
There are no restrictions on who can benefit from our activities - War Years Remembered welcomes all through its doors.
There continues to be no private gain to any member of War Years Remembered or to any of its Directors/Trustees.
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, we have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland's guidance on Public Benefit, to ensure that our activities have fulfilled the charity's purposes and have provided a benefit to our beneficiaries.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Financial review
The net deficit for the year was £32,271 (21-22 the net surplus - £53,223). Unrestricted funds on 31 August 2022 were £25,994 (31 August 2021 - £58,265)
The major reasons for the difference between the two years was the rent contribution made to Dennison Industrial Estates Ltd and the lack of income from the museum's closure.
During the year 21-22 War Years Remembered made no political contributions and no charitable contributions.
No Director/Trustee has claimed any expenses during the year.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document
The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.
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War Years Remembered
Report of the Trustees for the Year Ended 31 August 2022
Incorporation
The charitable company was incorporated on 2 August 2013.
Risk Management
The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Company number
NI619646 (Northern Ireland)
Registered Charity number
101112
Registered office
Unit 16, Avondale Industrial Estate Avondale Drive Ballyclare Co. Antrim BT39 9AU
Trustees
Mr Brian Alan Dawson Civil Engineer Mr Allan Robert Hamilton Businessman Mr David McKim Trustee
Independent Examiner
John McCleary FCA McCleary & Company Ltd Chartered Accountants Garvey Studios 14 Longstone Street Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28 1TP
Approved by order of the board of trustees on 3 February 2023 and signed on its behalf by:
Mr Brian Alan Dawson - Trustee
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