Annual Report & Statement of Accounts
Year to 31 March 2023
NIC106019
Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Annual Report | |
| - Introduction |
3 |
| - Purpose of the charity |
3 |
| - Public benefit |
3 |
| - Activities and achievements |
4 |
| - Impact |
6 |
| - Private benefit |
7 |
| - Statement of compliance |
7 |
| - Financial review |
8 |
| - Reference and details |
9 |
| - Governance and constitution |
10 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 12 |
| Receipts and Payments Account | 13 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 14 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 15 |
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio
Introduction
I am delighted to report another successful year for the Friends of the gallery, and to have welcomed so many people, in person, to the various events. However, this pleasure is tinged with sadness at the loss during 2022, of one of the founding members of the Friends, Christine Wright DL.
Christine’s fight, along with the Banbridge District Arts Committee, to recognise F.E. in his home town of Banbridge paid off with the opening of the gallery in 2008. She continued to champion his work by helping establish the Friends as a charity in 2016, and only recently retired from the committee.
Christine would have been delighted to learn that the importance of the gallery has been recognised, by the award of a £3.5 million government grant. Supplemented by funding from ABC council, the grant will go towards a much-needed extension to display more of F.E’s work and provide additional space to run educational activities. A purpose for which Christine was passionate. Thank you to Christine for her hard work and dedication.
The Purpose of the Charity
The purpose of the Friends of the F.E.McWilliam Gallery & Studio charity is to “stimulate and promote an understanding and appreciation of art, in particular the work of Banbridge-born and internationally renowned sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam (1909-1992), and thereby to enhance the lives of people of all ages locally, nationally and internationally”.
The charity’s beneficiary is the general public.
Public Benefit
The direct benefits flowing from our purpose are: an increased accessibility to and improved understanding and appreciation of culture, heritage and the arts, including the work of sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam (F.E. McWilliam 1909-1992)
To achieve this purpose from April 2022 to March 2023 we:
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Organised artists’ talks and preview tours of exhibitions taking place at the gallery by Sharon Kelly, Colin Davidson and Catherine McWilliams
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Organised talks on arts-related topics by art historian Maureen Beary-Ryan and art collector Austen McCracken
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Organised a tour of the Merrion Hotel’s private art collection in Dublin
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Screened two BBC archive documentaries featuring F.E. McWilliam in conversation
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Arranged a visit and tour of the Seamus Heaney Homeplace Centre, Bellaghy and of heritage property, Kilmacrew House and Gardens, Banbridge
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Provided a bursary for artist Sue Morris, to attend the Tyrone Gutherie Centre in Monaghan
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Funded an arts prize at the University of Ulster
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Commissioned the design and delivery of arts-based workshops for school children at primary and secondary level, funded by donations to the Friends
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
- Provided transportation funding for schools to encourage visits to the gallery 10. Arranged a social visit to a chocolate manufacturing family business in Newry.
Activities and Achievements
1. Organised artists talks and preview tours of exhibitions
With the help of Curator Dr Riann Coulter, and the staff of the gallery, the Friends invited members to small preview tours by the artists of the following exhibitions at the gallery in 2022-23:
In June Friends were invited to a pre view tour of artist Colin Davidson’s exhibition Colin Davidson: Selected Paintings 1986-2022 . Colin’s exhibition included work which was different from his well-known portraits - this gave viewers a new insight into his development as an artist. The Colin Davidson show was one of the most popular exhibitions held at the gallery. Friends particularly enjoyed the ‘celebrity’ of the exhibition’s public opening.
In February 2023 Catherine McWilliams gave Friends a private tour of her exhibition Catherine McWilliams: Selected Work 1961 to 2021 . She discussed the development of her work from her student days up to her more recent paintings. Her work provides a unique perspective on the ‘Troubles’ years in Northern Ireland.
2. Organised talks on arts-related topics by specialist speakers
In November 2022, art historian Maureen Beary-Ryan, on a second visit to the Friends, spoke about George Bernard Shaw’s 70-year legacy to the National Gallery of Ireland. Maureen’s illustrated presentation was both educational and fascinating. We hope to continue our relationship with Maureen as she shares with us her deep knowledge on the arts.
In February 2023 Austen McCracken shared his ideas on Collecting Art and the Art of Collecting. Not only was Austen’s talk full of useful advice for the budding collector, it revealed the background to his life-long passion for art. It was a very entertaining evening.
3. Organised a tour of the Merrion Hotel’s private art collection
In September 2022 Friends were treated to afternoon tea and a tour of the Merrion Hotel’s private art collection. A guide from the National Gallery led the tour around the impressive Georgian-style hotel in Dublin. Friends were amazed at the number and variety of paintings and sculptures and delighted with the selection of delicacies in the afternoon tea!
4. Screened two special BBC archive documentaries featuring F.E. McWilliam
With the kind help of Trustee Brigitte Boland’s daughter, Raphael O’Loan, the Friends screened two excellent documentaries from the BBC’s archives featuring F.E. McWilliam. Following the first documentary, Jason Diamond from the gallery gave further informative and entertaining insight into the life of the artist by talking about several sculptures that were on display from the gallery’s store. Screening the documentaries fulfils the charity’s specific aim of increasing knowledge about this impressive artist.
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
5. Arranged a visit and tour of the Seamus Heaney Homeplace and Kilmacrew House
In May 2022, Friends visited the 18[th] century stone farmhouse and gardens of Kilmacrew in Banbridge. Louise Anson and her mother were a delight to be with as they showed us rare and beautiful plants followed by a tour of the restored house. The day started with morning coffee and scones.
Increasing our knowledge about heritage and culture more broadly, we were delighted to be able to tour the Seamus Heaney Centre in Bellaghy in June. A tour guide was available to talk through the displays of text and family artefacts followed by a light lunch.
6. Provided a bursary for an artist to attend a centre for creative arts
A bursary for a two-week residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre, Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan was advertised in early 2022. The opportunity to apply for the bursary is open to any visual artists born in or resident in Northern Ireland and in 2022 attracted nine applications.
A selection panel of committee members awarded the bursary to visual artist Sue Morris. Sue’s application described the loss of her mother during COVID and her desire to use her skills to explore this experience through her artistic practice. We look forward to hearing from Sue when she speaks at our AGM in April.
NB In addition to £680 plus £100 paid for Sue Morris’s attendance at the centre, there was £287 paid during the year in respect of previous year’s winner, Alison Lowry, as she split her attendance into two visits.
7. Funded an arts prize at the University of Ulster
The Friends were pleased to be able to fund a University of Ulster art prize. Melissa McKee was selected by a panel of committee members as the winner of what is now known as the F.E. McWilliam Prize for the best end-of-year show by a student. The prize of £500 will be provided again in 2023. We see this not only as an opportunity to support the development of young talent but appreciate the associated element of PR for the charity.
8. Commissioned the design and delivery of art-based workshops for schools
The Friends charity has long been committed to education and wanted to identify ways to support teachers and students to learn more about artist F.E McWilliam and the gallery. Using the donation from the Banbridge Art Club, artist Deborah Malcolmson designed a three-stage workshops-focused project
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Stage one – Deborah visited the school and worked with teachers and pupils directly
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Stage two – teachers and pupils visited the gallery, attended a McWilliam-focused workshop, and received a tour of the gallery
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Stage three – teachers received a workbook based on F.E. McWilliam to use back in the classroom with students.
The workshops started at the end of 2022 with two schools taking part: eighteen young people from St Patrick’s High School, GCSE level, and 25 pupils from Abercorn Primary School year six.
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
9. Provided transportation funding for schools
In January the Committee agreed to fund up to 50% of the transportation costs (to a maximum of £125 for one visit only) for schools to visit the gallery. The Treasurer wrote to the gallery’s database of schools to which 10 replied. At the time of writing, two schools, St Ronan’s primary school and Lurgan Junior High, have now completed their visits and tours. Responding to their experience, the Head of Art Kerrie Bell, said “We had a wonderful visit to the F.E. McWilliam Gallery and Studio on Thursday 15 December….I have already expressed to Jason [Diamond] that we would love to make this an annual trip. Many thanks for bringing the scheme to our attention.”
10. Arranged a social visit to a family-run chocolate manufacturing business
In October Friends visited a small-scale specialist bean-to-bar chocolate maker based in the outskirts of Rostrevor. The group had a tour of the production process and an introduction to the art of chocolate making from the owners of this successful small family business. The event ended with an opportunity to taste the various delicious chocolates while enjoying the chat and company of Friends.
Impact
The benefit of the charity’s work can be demonstrated through the wider dissemination of knowledge about the artist F.E. McWilliam, the gallery and art in general in the following ways:
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The specialist speakers, artists’ talks and tours (most of which took place at the gallery), increased members’ and guests’ knowledge and appreciation not only of art, but its place in the history of arts in Ireland. Talks are advertised directly to members and on Facebook so that the general public can also attend, and members are encouraged to bring guests to events.
-
The visits to Kilmacrew and the Seamus Heaney centre increased understanding of the historical context of art and culture in Ireland, both within the Banbridge area (Kilmacrew) and beyond, by being present in these landmark places.
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A condition of receiving the Maurna Crozier bursary is for the artist to share with the charity’s membership their experience of the residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. This involves showcasing their work and describing their artistic practice, thus increasing the audience’s learning and appreciation of art. (The award also aims to contribute to the development of artists in Ireland). We were delighted that Alison Lowry, former bursary recipient, shared her experience with the audience at the Friends 2022 AGM. Alison is a naturally charismatic personality with passion for her subject. (We were disappointed that due to the pandemic restrictions, the Friends were unable to visit her exhibition in Dublin. Having learned that her work has been bought by the National Museum of Ireland, Dublin, we hope to arrange a tour in 2023.)
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Feedback about the schools’ workshops has been excellent. We look forward to reporting the continued success of the project as young people develop their art appreciation and artistic skills and teachers and students learn more about F.E McWilliam and the gallery during 2023-24.
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
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Friends who attended the screening of the documentaries learned a great deal about F.E. McWilliam. The programmes revealed otherwise unknown aspects of F.E McWilliam’s personality and practice making it one of the most successful educational events for the charity.
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Funding the University of Ulster prize helps to elevate the perceived status of art and of the artist F.E McWilliam helping increase the general appreciation of art and artists.
Private Benefit
Fees of £100-£150 are paid to lecturers and/or a small gift given to invited speakers such as with Maureen Beary-Ryan, art historian. These payments are considered a justified expenditure and are often mitigated by ticket sales which generally range from £8 for nonmembers of the Friends to £5 for members and students, depending on the nature of the event.
The charity pays for other miscellaneous services provided, such as refreshments at networking events and considers such payments necessary although some private benefit may be gained.
Payments totalling £553 were made to four Trustees in reimbursement of charity expenses they paid relating to visits admission fees, hospitality, postage and stationery and lecture fees.
| fees. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Recipient | Cheque | Amount £ | Purpose |
| 31.05.22 | M Moore | 182 | 25.00 | Hospitality |
| 24.05.22 | H Good | 183 | 24.86 | Hospitality |
| 30.06.22 | D Hutchinson | 190 | 27.00 | Hospitality |
| 09.09.22 | L McFadden | 193 | 34.00 | Postage & stationery |
| 30.09.22 | D Hutchinson | 194 | 86.69 | Admission fees |
| 11.10.22 | D Hutchinson | 195 | 133.50 | Lecture fees and hospitality |
| 11.10.22 | D Hutchinson | 196 | 61.87 | Hospitality |
| 16.01.23 | L McFadden | 198 | 160.00 | Admission fees |
| Total | 552.92 |
There were no other payments made to Trustees, their close relations or businesses in 2022-23.
Statement of Compliance
In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the Trustees gave consideration to the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit. The guidance is designed to ensure that objectives and planned activities provide benefit to the intended audiences. We believe the events that took place in 2022-23, did so.
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
Financial Review 2022-23
We started the year with £9,461 bank & cash, made up of £5,106 unrestricted funds and £4,355 restricted funds.
The restricted fund is money very generously donated by Banbridge art club following their dissolution. We aim to make use of it in the promotion of the arts among our local schools both at primary and secondary level.
During the year £1,378 of our restricted fund was spent on sculpture workshops for primary schools and on funding for school transport to the gallery.
Membership has been steady and despite losing a few members due to non-payment we have steadily gained new members over the last six months. Currently we have a total of 126 members registered including 27 from the Banbridge Art Club which folded. They had free membership until the end of March past, and we hope they will now remain with us as paid-up members and bring their experience and knowledge in our endeavors to raise awareness of the arts in the community.
Membership, donations and ticket sales for our events during the year brought in a total of £4,180.
Within the general unrestricted fund, gallery projects totaling £1,567 included bursaries for two artists attending the Tyrone Guthrie Centre for a week, and provision of a £500 F.E. McWilliam prize awarded to a promising young artist graduating from the Belfast School of Art (won by a Melissa McKee last June 2022). We have offered to put up the same prize again for this year’s graduates to compete for.
Other expenses include speakers’ fees (£639) and hospitality and gifts (£377) associated with events held at the gallery. Also, admission fees (£968) which were charged by locations visited by the Friends during the year.
Membership refunds (£170) were to Banbridge Art club members who had paid membership to us in error as they were entitled to free membership until March 2023. The remaining expenses relate to bank fees (£67), independent examination fees (£250), public liability (£65), postage and stationery (£203). Sundry (£47) relates to hire of a room for a safeguarding course for committee members.
We ended with an overspend of £173 relative to our income generated during the year.
There are no outstanding liabilities.
Our year-end figure is a healthy £7,910 (£4,933 unrestricted and £2,977 restricted) and includes petty cash (£18).
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name
The Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio
Charity Number
Registered Charity in Northern Ireland NIC 106019
Address
Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio
F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio
200 Newry Road
Banbridge BT32 3NB
Charity Trustees during the year and at the date of signing
Mrs Millie Moore Chair Miss Lynda Fyffe-McFadden Secretary Mr Dermott Hutchinson Treasurer
Mrs Hilary Good
Mrs Della McKinney
Mrs Anne Davidson
Mrs Helen Blane
Mrs Emily Neill-Dalzell
Mrs Brigitte Boland
Mrs Marbeth Lynch
Miss Patricia McAteer (appointed 6 September 2022)
Mrs Jane Boyce (appointed 6 September 2022)
Ex officios Dr Riann Coulter – Gallery Curator/Manager and Mr Jason Diamond
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
Governance and Constitution
The charity is an unincorporated charitable association governed under Northern Ireland law by a constitution adopted on Friday the 23rd of September 2016. The charity operates within the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council area of Northern Ireland.
Its purpose is to stimulate and promote an understanding and appreciation of art, in particular the work of Banbridge-born and internationally renowned sculptor Frederick Edward McWilliam (1909 to 1992), thereby enhancing the lives of people of all ages locally, nationally and internationally.
The charity is run by a committee of Trustees appointed at an annual general meeting, who pay an annual subscription. The charity has three officers: Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Officers may serve for seven consecutive years but may be re-elected after two years. As of 31 March 2023, there are 12 Trustees plus the Curator of the gallery and one other gallery representative.
The charity has a membership who pay annual fees of £25 for an individual member, £40 for two from the same household and £18 for students and under 18 years of age.
The committee meets typically once per month except for July and August. In the year to the 31 March 2023 the committee met on nine occasions since the May 2022 AGM. At each meeting the Treasurer presents the latest accounts, and these are reviewed against budgets and forecast. Spending is discussed and approved. Officers may authorise some spending between meetings but must ensure that spending is reported at the next meeting. The meetings offer a forum to review activities within the annual programme of events and to plan forthcoming events. Further ad-hoc meetings are called if required, for example, to plan and manage special events or projects. The annual report and statement of accounts are approved by the Trustees and then presented to the members at the annual general meeting.
Carrying out the charitable purpose
To carry out the charitable purpose the Trustees have the power to:
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(1) provide money by receipt of subscriptions, grants and donations to pay the costs of running the charity and furthering its purpose
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(2) organise and promote exhibitions, lectures, recitals and other social activities that encourage the appreciation of art including the collection of sculptor F.E McWilliam
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(3) provide grants for artists and/or commissioned art works
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(4) establish strategic relationships with educators to promote visits to the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio for learning
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(5) support other charities with similar charitable purposes
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(6) do anything that is lawful and necessary to achieve the charity’s purpose.
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Annual Report Year to 31 March 2023
Annual General Meeting 2022
At the 2022 AGM the following resolutions were unanimously accepted:
Resolution 1
Change to the Constitution under section 127 of the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, section 127 to insert a new paragraph vii to the section entitled “Annual General Meeting”. The new paragraph shall read:
“vii. The Annual General Meeting may be held in person or, if the Trustees deem it appropriate in relation to a particular meeting, by a suitable alternative means of communication or vote on the issues to be addressed at the AGM, to include (without limitation) online voting or video or phone calls or conferencing”.
Resolution 2
The online voting which took place by way of AGM in 2020 and 2021 by reason of the Covid19 Pandemic shall, for the avoidance of doubt, stand as valid AGMs for the purpose of those years.
Resolution 3
Change to the Constitution under the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, section 127 so that the third sentence of paragraph 2 in the section entitled “Money and Property” shall read as (new provisions shown in underlined text):
“The accounts of the charity shall be audited or assessed in accordance with the relevant legislative provisions by auditors to be appointed by the annual general meeting and the reports and certificates of such auditors shall be presented to the annual general meeting.”
Related organisations
The charity is a member of the Federation of Ulster Local Studies (FULS) providing value for money membership insurance.
Approved on behalf of the Committee and signed by:
Mrs Millie Moore, Chairperson
25 April 2023
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Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 13 to 15.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008.
It is my responsibility to:
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examine the accounts under section 65 of the Charities Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act; and
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• state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
I have examined your charity accounts as required under section 65 of the Charities Act and my examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland under section 65(9)(b) of the Charities Act.
My examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also included consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as charity trustees concerning any such matters.
My role is to state whether any material matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe:
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That accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 63 of the Charities Act; 2. That the accounts do not accord with those accounting records;
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That the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act; and
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That there is further information needed for a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination and have no concerns in respect of the matters (1) 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.
Grace Taggart FCA
CG Taggart Accountancy Services Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
17 Cypress Crescent Donaghadee Co Down BT21 0QG
25 April 2023
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Receipts and Payments Account Year to 31 March 2023
| Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Receipts and Payments Account Year to 31 March 2023 |
Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Receipts and Payments Account Year to 31 March 2023 |
Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Receipts and Payments Account Year to 31 March 2023 |
Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Receipts and Payments Account Year to 31 March 2023 |
Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Receipts and Payments Account Year to 31 March 2023 |
Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Receipts and Payments Account Year to 31 March 2023 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted Funds 2023 £ Restricted Funds 2023 £ Total 2023 £ Total 2022 £ |
||||||
| Receipts | ||||||
| Donations | 157 - 157 4,956 |
|||||
| Event ticket sales | 1,773 - 1,773 564 |
|||||
| Membership subscriptions | 2,250 - 2,250 1,745 |
|||||
| FULS refund | - - - 110 |
|||||
| Total Receipts | 4,180 - 4,180 7,375 |
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| Payments | ||||||
| Gallery projects | 1,567 1,378 2,945 320 |
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| Hospitality and gifts | 377 - 377 141 |
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| Visit admission fees | 968 - 968 136 |
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| Membership refunds | 170 - 170 105 |
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| FULS public liability insurance | 65 - 65 50 |
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| Independent examination fee | 250 - 250 - |
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| Bank fees | 67 - 67 60 |
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| Postage and stationery | 203 - 203 - |
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| Sundry expenses | 47 - 47 36 |
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| Lecture fees | 639 - 639 200 |
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| Total Payments | 4,353 1,378 5,731 1,048 |
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| Excess of Payments over Receipts for the year |
(173) (1,378) (1,551) 6,327 |
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| Opening Bank & Cash balances |
5,106 4,355 9,461 3,134 |
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| Closing Bank & Cash balances | 4,933 2,977 7,910 9,461 |
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Notes to the Accounts At 31 March 2023
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Friends of the F.E. McWilliam Gallery & Studio Receipts and Payments Account Year to 31 March 2023
1. Accounting policies
Set out below are the principal accounting policies which have been adopted in the compilation of the Receipts and Payments Accounts and the Statement of Assets and Liabilities:
(a) Receipts and Payments Accounts
All items of income and expenditure included within the Receipts and Payments Accounts have been accounted for on a cash basis.
2. Restricted Funds
| Restricted Funds | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bank Balance at 1 April 2022 £ |
Receipts £ |
Payments £ |
Bank Balance at 31 March 2023 £ |
|
| Banbridge Art Club | 4,355 | - | 1,378 | 2,977 |
| Total Funds | 4,355 | - | 1,378 | 2,977 |
The purpose of the restricted funds is to provide art education for young people.
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