REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 102387 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS THE YEAR ENDED JI MARCH 2025 FOR FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Page Report of th¢ Trustees Independent Examinels Report Receipts and Paym¢nt Account Slatement of Assets and Liabilities Notes to the Financial Siatem¢nts 10-12
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 The trustees present their report with the financial statemeiils of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2025. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Objectives and aims Purpose of charity As slated in tts constitution, the purposes of the charity are: To support and promote the work of the Museum. The Society shall be independent of, bul associated with Down County Museum. Members will work in close association with the Ciirator aiid staff of the Museum, to develop the Museum. siipport the collection, participate in associated activilies and act as ambassadors within the community for the Museum. The Society is a charity (no NIC102387) and any funds raised are solely for the benefit of the Museum. Signifi¢aTht activities The main #reas of charitable activity The Society may. iii furiheraiice of ils purpose, organise relevant activilies, as well as support the Museum's own programme of events. These activtlies may include lectures, tours, literary or musical evenls, for educational, social or fundraising purposes. The Society will not undertake any substantial pennanent trading adivity and must cornply with all statutory regulations. The Society niay acquire or make granls, from its own funds or by acting as a Conduit for other grant-aiding bodies, lo the Museum for curatorial or educalional pury)oses. The Society may appoint representatives or delegates to other relevant bodies, if such invitatioiis are made. Beneficiaries The Museum is the main direct beneficiary. since its beneficiaries are people of all ages and backgrounds within the local communily as well as visitors from elsewhere, Ihese are the beileficiaries of the Friends. projects and activities. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES Public benefit The truslees are confident tl)at Ihe charitable airns of Friends of Down County Museum satisfy the principles of public benefit as defined in the Chai'ities Act. They have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the aims and objeclives and in planning ils future activities. The principal aim of the charity is that of providing support for, and proniollon of, Down County Museum.
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE FINANCIAL REVIEW Financial p05itio The financial position of th¢ charity can be found on pages 8 and 9. Charitable activities The committee met 7 limes during the current financial year and our members have continued to support the Museum by means of subscriptions, attendance at ¢v¢nts and acting as ambassadors for the Museum. Events In Api'il 2024, we visited Killyleagh Castle, where we were given a guided tour by Gawn Row8n Hamilton and after lunch at the Dufferiti Arms, vtsiled the Hans Sloane Centre whei'e Elizabath Crilly told lis about work being carried out there. It was very well attended and a successful day. We held a special lecre after the AGM in May, organised by our President, Ken Dawson and given by David Huddleston, Acting Director aiid Deputy Keeper of Ihe Records, Public Record Office Northern Ireland. about 'Services for research at PRONI. This was a fascinating insight into Ilie many kinds of records in PRONI. In the autumn the committee organised two lecttires. In October a leclure was followed by a guided walk, both by Com)ac Hamill, about the 'Geology, ar¢haeology and history of Cavehill,. In November a lecture was given by Katy Mcmonagle about 'Recent archaeological excavations in County Down,. which had been undertaken by Northem Archaeological Consultancy. A fvriher lecture was held in March 2025, given by Robert Trotter 'M¢etiiig the Annesleys, a history of the Amiesley demesne. Gifts to the Museum As agreed the previous year, the eonservatioii of a painting by William Conor was funded by the Friends aiid work on this has been completed. It was on display for Friends lo see at Robert Trotter's lecture in March. along willi other items relating to the family. Also completed is tlie digitisation of Museum's postcard Collection, which will be added to thc Museum website. Principal funding $ourees The principal thnding sources for the charity are currently from membership fees, donations and fundraising aclivilies. Investment policy and objectives The Tnistees hav¢ decided that any reserves should be invested in seciire bank deposits. The Trustees consider Ihe overall retum on deposit accounts to be disappointing. bul are not willing lo place valuable resources in riski¢r investments. Reserve5 policy Due to the urkprediclability of the income r¢¢eivable by the charity it is the policy of Friends of Down County Museum to maintain a baSan¢e on unrestricted fi]nds to cover emergency situations thal ai'ise from time to time and to also enable the charity to continue to deliver its service ¢ffectively. The present level of reserves available to the charity is £22.993. FUTURE PLANS The charity plans conlinuing the activities outlined above in the forthcoming years subject to satisfying thnding arrangements.
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing document The charity is controlled by ils governing document, a deed of lrnsl, and constitutes an unincorporated charity. Recruitment and appolntment of new trustees A broad mix of biisiness. professional and other skills are well represented on the Management Comniittee and all Trustees are chosen on the basis of their willtngn¢ss lo serve, ability, goveimance experience and support of the ethos, mission and philosophy of the organisation. Risk management The Iruslees have a duty to identify and revfftew the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assiiran¢¢ against fraud aiid error. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Registered Charity number 102387
FRtENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Principal addres$ Down County Museum The Mall English Street Downpatrick Co. Down BT30 6AH Trustees Anne Liggett Lesley Simpson Paddy Moore Gerald Lennon Anne Curran Paddy Moore Chairperson Treasurer Asslstant Treasurer Secretary M Lesley Simpson Committee members Jennifer Taggart Noreen Napier Margaret Mccord Leanna Russell Ralph Forbes Independent examiner M.B.McGrady & Co Chartered Aceounlants Rathmore House 52 St Patricks Avenue Downpatri¢k Co. Down BT30 6DS Approved by order of ihe board of trustees on 14 May 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Ms Lesley Slmpson Tru$tee Dr Patrick R J Moore Trustee
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2025 sel out on pages seven lo eleven. Respective responsibilitie5 of tru$tees and examiner As the charity's truste¢s you are responsible for Ilie preparation of the ac¢ounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounls under Section 65 of th¢ Charities Act follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission {under Section 65(9)(b) of the Chariti¢s A¢t)' and slate wheiher parti¢ulai' matters have come lo my attention. Basls of the independent examiner's report I have examined your charity accounts Rs required iiiider section 65 of tlie Charities Act and my examination was carried out in in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Coinmission for Northern Ireland under sectkon 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act. My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of Ihe accounts presented with those records. It also iiicluded consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seektng explanations from you as charity lrnslees concerning any such matters. My role is to state whether any material matters can lo my attention giving me cause lo believe: The accountijig records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act 2. That the accowits do not accord with those accounting records That the a¢¢ouiits do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Compaiiies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Charftlies Sialement of Recommended Praclice applicable lo charities preparing their accounts in accordance with tlie Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland 4. That there is further iiifomialion needed for a proper uiiderslanding of th¢ accounts to be reached. Independent examin¢r's statement I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (l) to (4) listed above and. in connection with following the Directions of the Charity Commission for Northern IrelAnd. I have found no matters that require drawing to your attention. Mr Malach McGrady Chartei'ed Accountants Irela M.B.M¢Grady & Co Chartered Accountants Rathmore House 52 St Patricks Avenue Dowiipatrlck Co. Down BT30 6DS 14 May 2025
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 Unrestricted fund 2024 Total funds Notes RECEIPTS FROM Donations Subscriptions Other activities Inveslmeiit income 70 1,702 245 541 1,851 1,583 200 TotAI 2,558 3,634 PAYMENTS ON Charitable activities 1,273 Total 6,816 1,273 DEFICIT / SURPLUS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS (4,258) 2,361 Bank accounts l April 2024 27,251 24,890 BANK ACCOUNTS 31 MARCH 2025 22,993 27.251 The notes form part of these financial statements
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31 MARCH 2025 2025 Unrestricted fund 2024 Total funds CASH FUNDS Bank Current Accounts Business Investment Account Fixed Term Deposit 3,475 13,268 19,517 TOTAL FUNDS 22,993 27.251 The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 14 May 2025 and were signed on ils behalf by-. Mrs Lesley Tythstee 50n Dr Patrick RJ Moore Trustee The notes fom] parl of these financial slatements
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES B#515 of preparlng the financial statements The financial statements of the chai'ity, which is a public benefit entity, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act INortliern Ireland) 2008 using the Receipts and Payments basis. Taxation The charily is exempt from tax on its charitable activities. Fund g¢counting Unrestri¢ted funds can be used in accordance with th¢ charitable objectives al the discretion of the tNstees. Reslri¢led funds cali only be iised for particular restricted pUOseS wiihin the objects of the charity. Reslriclions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of Ihe nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes lo ihe financial statements. OTHER ACTIVITIES 2025 2024 Functions and outings Fundraising events Gift Aid 245 665 20 898 245 INVESTMENT COmE 2025 2024 Deposit a¢¢ount interest Business investment interest Current account interest 535 188 12 200 541 io
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUIYTY MUSEUM NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - CONTINUED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 COMPARATIVES FOR THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS Unrestrleted fund RECEIPTS FROM Donations Subscriptions Oth¢r aetivities Investment income 1,851 1.583 200 Total 3,634 PAYMENTS ON Charitable activities 1,273 Total 1,273 SURPLUS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS 2.361 Bank accounts l April 2023 24.890 BANK CURRENT ACCOUNTS 31 TrL4RCH 2024 27,251
FRIENDS OF DOWN COUNTY MUSEUM DETAILED STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 RECEIPTS Donatlons And leEaeRes 70 Members sllbscrlptlons 1,702 1.851 Otlier activities Functions and outings Fundraising events Gift Aid 245 665 20 898 3,434 2,017 Investment income Deposit account interest 541 200 TotAI Incomlng resources 2,558 3.634 PAYMENTS Charltable Activities Insiirance Museum expenses Social outings 800 4,794 838 6,432 400 404 804 Support costs Management Poslage and stationery Bank charges 87 57 113 56 6,576 973 Governance costs Accountancy and legal fees 240 300 Total resources expended 6,816 1.273 Net (expenditure) l income 4,258) This page does not form part of the statutory finaticial statements 12