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 lec￿re 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 pU￿OseS 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