Registered number
01950221
Charity Number
292807
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Report and Accounts
31 March 2024
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust 
Legal and Administrative Information 
Trustees 
Mr Terence Bloomfield 
Mrs Angela Brock
Mrs Beryl Cootes
Mr Phil Dutton
Ms Sybil Edgar
Mr David Fell 
Mrs Beth Hawking
Mrs Joanne Thompson 
Mr Michael Wisbach 
Mrs Brianna Wyatt
Chairman 
Mrs Joanne Thompson 
Secretary 
Mr Michael Wisbach 
Treasurer 
Mr Terence Bloomfield 
Independent Examiner 
BirchCooper Accounting Services Ltd 
26 Badgers Way
Buckingham
MK18 7EQ
Registered Office 
The Old Gaol 
Market Hill 
Buckingham 
MK19 1JX 
Company Number 
01950221 
Charity Number 
292907 
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust 
Company Number: 01950221 
Charity Number: 292807 
Trustee’s Report 
The Trustee’s present their Annual Report along with Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024. 
Structure, Governance and Management 
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 25 September 1985 and registered as charity on 25 October 1985. The charity changed its name from Buckingham Heritage Trust to Buckingham old Gaol Trust on 29 February 2021. 
The charity was created with a Memorandum of Association, which establishes the objects and powers of the company. It is governed by its Articles of Association. Bryony Norburn resigned at the 2023 AGM but the rest of the board were re-elected, Dave Bethell resigned subsequently. Mike Wisbach, as Company Secretary & Terry Bloomfield, as Treasurer, continue to keep the management of the museum running smoothly. The board has worked over the last year, to maintain the building (Phil Dutton), clean the collection (Joanne Thompson & Phil), catalogue the collection (Joanne & David Fell) and to increase fundraising activities (Angela Brock, Beryl Cootes & Sybil Edgar). Maintaining such an old building is a challenge. We have had further training on storage of the collection.
Beth Hawking has been membership secretary but is about to start her maternity leave so this role will be covered by Joanne. Brianna Wyatt has continued to use her expertise to advise on temporary exhibitions but also our plans to change the old office into a new exhibition space.
The Memorandum of Association with the Town Council defines our relationship with the Tourist Information Office. They provide a “Responsible person” to supervise our volunteer in the museum shop and undertake the weekly fire alarm testing.
Related parties 
There are no related parties 
Risk management 
Housing the museum in such an old building adds to the risk for the charity, with unexpected maintenance costs, high insurance due to the listed status and recent storm flooding. Running the charity with only volunteers is a risk, especially as it is difficult to recruit the required number. Fortunately, an increase in the entrance fee and fundraising activities has improved our financial position and we continue with a small contingency fund. We mitigate the risk by planning a budget for the year. We are in discussion with a professional mentor to supervise our plans for re-accreditation.
Objectives and Activities 
The Objectives of the charity, as set out in the Memorandum of Association, are to restore and maintain the building known as Buckingham Old Gaol as a Grade 2* listed building of historical interest; and to develop the same as a heritage museum and gallery for the benefit of the people of Buckingham and Buckinghamshire. We had a 3-year plan that outlined our objectives. As it was now Year 3, we reviewed our achievements and extended the plan until 2027. We have some major objectives to improve the fabric of the building, repair or replace the glass roof in the exercise yard and develop the old office as a new exhibition space.
Achievements and Performance 
We are continuing with our plans to maintain the collection by cleaning the display cases (we are about half-way through them) and the general environment. This has involved a private high cleaning company who will now come once a year. They will also now be cleaning the glass roof, sky-lights and external windows twice a year. We are checking the museum spreadsheet as we clean each case and have made tentative steps to start on the archive. Unfortunately, we still do not have enough volunteers to translate this on to the MODES database.
We have improved our fundraising both through hirings, particularly for paranormal events and fundraising activities. We opened 3 days in December 2023 for visits from Santa Claus, which was very busy and proved a valuable fundraiser. The decorations were particularly festive but it was very tiring organising the children and their carers so this year we intend to introduce a booking system. We had a very successful exhibition in the exercise yard for the 80th Anniversary of D-Day and will open again September for the Heritage Open Day.
We are working with the Paralympic Heritage Trust to improve our access for disability and special needs. We have introduced a touch trail and will be improving our website to help such visitors prepare before they attend. Unfortunately, lots of areas of the museum cannot be improved but the virtual museum tour on our dedicated computer is accessible via a lift in the exercise yard for those unable to navigate the narrow staircases in the building.
Our newsletter and membership updates are now working more efficiently but we need to increase our advertising for more volunteers and members and our social media presence.
We continue our beneficial arrangements with our tenants – the Tourist Information Centre, Giltswan (Mr Russell Cross) and Skyline Taxis. Mr Russell Cross also acts as our valuer for insurance purposes.
  
An application was made to the Town Council for funding over the next four years. An award of £5,000 annually with a 3.5% annual uplift, total of £21,075, was agreed by the Town Council. This grant is now in its third year.
Museum Report 
The flood damage was all repaired so the mezzanine was again able to be used for school visits but maintenance is a constant battle in such an old building. We are considering the need for a flood defence door for the basement.
We have reviewed the fabric report of 2021 and will be instigating some further internal repairs. The old office and accession room needs re-decorating, which will be included in our plan for opening a new exhibition space.
A broken flag pole raised health and safety questions about the glass roof over the exercise yard so we have been in discussion with the original roof architect and the original glass company. The roof will be 25 years old next year. We are considering whether it needs replacing or an alternative style roof, which would require consent from Listed Buildings Planning. The heating and ventilation system have never been able to cope with the temperature variations of the exercise yard so we commissioned a report to suggest how to improve it. Altering the ventilation flow and installing radiant heaters has been suggested so we are currently trying to investigate the costs of these proposals. Such a large capital investment would require a grant.
We are still working on restoring one of the military cabinets so it can be re-used. A large oil painting has also been returned to its owner so this is another area that needs to re-designed.
Metal racking was bought and installed in the accessions room and following some storage training we now need to check the archive. We are still unsure as to whether we have space to store the current archive or whether we will need external storage or to de-accession some of our collection.
Staffing 
The building, museum and the museum shop continue to be managed and staffed wholly voluntary basis, although valuable day-to-day assistance is provided by TIC staff. 
Financial Review 
The net (outgoing) resources for the year amount to £4285 after depreciation. The balance of unrestricted funds (those monies which were not identified for a specific purpose) at 31 March 2024 stood at £76824. 
Trustee’s Responsibilities in Relation to financial Statements 
The Trustees remain resolved to: 
·         Continue to maintain and preserve the Grade 2* listed Old Gaol as a building of historical interest. 
·         Apply for re-accreditation when requested by the ARTs council  
·         Continue the cleaning process to enhance the life of the collection and the visitor experience. To investigate repair or replacement of the exercise yard roof. 
·         Continue careful management of the museum shop stock, to both reflect the historic building and the museum continent and to maximise income 
·         Improve training of the volunteers and trustees
·         Grow the Buckingham Old Gaol Trust membership 
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps to prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities 
Accounts 
A resolution proposing the re-appointment of BirchCooper Accounting Services Ltd as Buckingham Old Gaol Trust’s independent Examiner will be tabled at the Annual General meeting. 
This report will be presented to the Trustees at its Trust Board meeting on October 3rd 2024 for formal approval. 
Signed………………………………………………. 
Mrs Joanne Thompson (Acting Chairman) 
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Accountants' Report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31st March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
the accounting records were not kept in accordance 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 concerning 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 fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
BirchCooper Accounting Services Limited
Accountants
26 Badgers Way
Buckingham
MK18 7EQ
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
Notes funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Incoming resources
Incoming resources from
generated funds
Voluntary income 3 6,565 - 6,565 12,304
Activities for generating funds 4 23,338 - 23,338 21,179
Investment income 5 438 - 438 100
Incoming resources from
charitable activities 6 6,563 - 6,563 5,200
Other incoming resources 7 6,988 - 6,988 4,421
Total incoming resources 43,892 - 43,892 43,204
Resources expended
Costs of generating funds
Costs of generating
voluntary income 8 674 - 674 382
Fundraising trading:
Cost of goods sold
and other costs 9 (260) - (260) 5,163
Charitable activities 10 40,834 6,183 47,017 47,595
Governance costs 11 746 - 746 2,443
Total resources expended 41,994 6,183 48,177 55,583
Net incoming (outgoing) resources before transfers 1,898 (6,183) (4,285) (12,379)
Gross transfers 18 - - - -
Net incoming (outgoing) resources 1,898 (6,183) (4,285) (12,379)
Fund balances brought forward 74,926 186,942 261,868 274,247
Fund balances carried forward 76,824 180,759 257,583 261,868
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Registered number: 01950221
Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2024
Notes 2024 2023
£ £
Fixed assets
Tangible assets 13 163,921 171,208
Current assets
Stocks 10,508 8,618
Cash at bank and in hand 83,850 82,738
94,358 91,356
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 17 (696) (696)
Net current assets 93,662 90,660
Net assets 257,583 261,868
Restricted funds 18
Contingency and repair 180,759 186,942
Unrestricted funds 18
General fund 76,824 74,926
Shareholders' funds 257,583 261,868
The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the requirement to obtain an audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit in accordance with section 476 of the Act.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The accounts have been prepared and delivered in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. The profit and loss account has not been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.
Mrs Joanne Thompson (Chairman)
Director
Approved by the board on 3 October 2024
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2024
1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice, Accounting and Reporting
by Charities SORP (FRS 102) 2019, applicable accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006.ln common with many other businesses of our size and nature we use our accountants to assist us with the preparation of the financial statements.
Cashflow
The financial statements do not include a cash flow statement because the charity, as a small reporting entity, is exempt from the requirement to prepare such a statement under the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (effective April 2008).
Incoming resources
Charitable Trading Activities
Income from museum admissions, lettings and rents is included in incoming resources
in the period to which it relates.

Commercial Trading Activities
Income from commercial activities (museum shop and tourist information centre) is included in the period in which the group is entitled to receipt.

Donations and Grants
Income from donations and grants, including capital grants, is included in incoming resources when these are receivable, except as follows:-
- When donors specify that donations and grants given to the charity must be used in
future accounting periods.
- When donors impose conditions which have to be fulfilled before the charity becomes entitled to use such income, the income is deferred until the pre-conditions are met.
- When donors specify that donations and grants, including capital grants, are for particular restricted purposes, this income is included in incoming resources of restricted funds when receivable.

Interest Receivable
Interest is included when receivable by the charity.
Resources expended
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis.
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible Fixed Assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Freehold Buildings Restoration and Refurbishment Costs Fixtures and Fittings 2%
Fixtures and Fittings 5%-50%
Furniture and Equipment 20%
8
Stocks
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Fund accounting
Funds held by the charity are either:
Unrestricted general funds
These are funds which can be used in accordance with the charitable objects at the discretion of the trustees.

Designated Funds
These are funds set aside by the trustees out of unrestricted general funds for specific future projects.

Restricted Funds
These are funds that can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.
2 Legal status of the charity
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and has no share capital. The liability of each member in the event of winding-up is limited to £1.
3 Voluntary income
Unrestricted Restricted 2023 2022
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Donations & gifts - Other 5,758 - 5,758 11,865
Membership subscription 807 - 807 439
6,565 - 6,565 12,304
4 Activities for generating income
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Activities 90 - 90 -
Collection & Entry Fees 13,207 - 13,207 11,398
Events 2,900 - 2,900 2,405
Father Christmas 1,277 - 1,277 814
Group visit - - - -
Cell income rent 3,000 - 3,000 2,750
Shop income 2,864 - 2,864 3,330
Museum Shop & TIC sales - - - 482
23,338 - 23,338 21,179
9
5 Investment income
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Interest 438 - 438 100
438 - 438 100
6 Incoming resources from charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Rent receivable 6,563 - 6,563 5,200
6,563 - 6,563 5,200
7 Other incoming resources
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Buckingham & Gawcott Trust - - - -
Charities Trust 101 - 101 -
COG grant - - - -
Covid-19 grant - - - -
Insurance claim 6,624 - 6,624 3,409
Storage - - - 750
Bucks lottery 263 - 263 262
Richard III gold coin - - - -
Rothschilds Grant - - - -
6,988 - 6,988 4,421
8 Costs of generating voluntary income
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Advertising and Promotion - - - -
Event and Volunteer Expenses 674 - 674 355
Sundries - - - 27
674 - 674 382
9 Fundraising trading: Cost of goods sold and other costs
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Museum shop & TIC Cost of sales (260) - (260) 5,163
Museum shop & TIC Admin costs - - - -
(260) - (260) 5,163
10
10 Charitable activities
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
275th Anniversary 1,693 - 1,693 -
AGM - - - 323
Bank Charges 998 - 998 692
BMMT donation - - - -
Caretaking 90 - 90 85
Cleaning 2,009 - 2,009 1,897
Consumables - - - -
10
Data protection - - - 40
Depreciation : Fixtures & Fittings - - - -
Depreciation : Furniture & Equipment - - - -
Depreciation : Restoration 1,105 6,183 7,288 7,288
Exhibit facilities - - - 1,500
Modes input - - - -
New facility 3,282 - 3,282 3,618
Insurance 9,334 - 9,334 10,377
Printing, Postage & Stationery 435 - 435 514
Rates and utilities 5,046 - 5,046 5,546
Repairs (including conservation) 15,792 - 15,792 13,551
Richard III exhibition - - - 1,090
Room hire - - - 20
Sanatising - - - -
Software 351 - 351 248
Staff training & welfare - - - -
Subscriptions 192 - 192 395
Telephone 507 - 507 411
Wifi installation - - - -
40,834 6,183 47,017 47,595
11 Governance costs
Unrestricted Restricted 2024 2023
funds funds Total
£ £ £ £
Accountancy 746 - 746 746
Consultancy - - 934
Solicitor - - - 763
Strategy day - - - -
746 - 746 2,443
11
12 Movement in total funds for the year
2024 2023
£ £
This is stated after charging:
Depreciation: Restoration & refurbishment costs 7,288 7,288
Accountants remuneration 746 746
During the year no trustee received any remuneration (2020 : £Nil)
13 Tangible fixed assets
Restoration Fixtures Furniture Total
& refurb & fittings & equip
Costs
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 April 2023 364,402 193,804 30,844 589,050
Additions - - - -
Surplus on revaluation - - - -
Disposals - - - -
At 31 March 2024 364,402 193,804 30,844 589,050
Depreciation
At 1 April 2023 193,194 193,804 30,844 417,842
Charge for the year 7,288 - - 7,288
Surplus on revaluation - - - -
On disposals - - - -
At 31 March 2024 200,482 193,804 30,844 425,130
Net book value
At 31 March 2024 163,920 - - 163,920
At 31 March 2023 171,208 - - 171,208
15 Investments
2024 2023
£ £
Investment in subsidiary undertaking - -
12
16 Debtors
2024 2023
£ £
Amounts due from Buckingham Heritage Trust
(Enterprises) Ltd. - -
Other debtors - -
17 Creditors
2024 2023
£ £
Amounts falling due within one year:
Trade creditors - -
Other creditors - -
Other taxes and social security - -
- -
18 Funds
Balance Movement Transfers Balance
at 31.03.23 at 31.03.24
£ £ £ £
Restricted funds
Fixed assets 186,942 (6,183) - 180,759
Restoration & repairs contingency
& building repair - - - -
186,942 (6,183) - 180,759
Unrestricted funds
Designated funds - fixed assets - - - -
General fund 74,926 1,898 - 76,824
74,926 1,898 - 76,824
19 Related parties
There were no related party transactions during the year
20 Employees 2024 2023
Number Number
Average number of persons employed by the company - -
13
Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Detailed profit and loss account
for the year ended 31 March 2024
2024 2023
£ £
Income
Activities 90 -
Bucks Lottery 263 262
Cell income rent 3,000 2,750
Charities trust 101 -
Collections and entry fees 13,207 11,398
Donations & gifts 583 6,865
Events 516 1,466
Father Christmas 1,277 814
Grants 5,175 5,000
Insurance claim 6,624 3,409
Interest receivable 438 100
Rent received 6,563 5,200
Shop income 2,864 3,330
Storage - 750
Subscriptions 807 439
Talks - 158
TIC - 482
Venue hire 2,384 781
43,892 43,204
Expentidture
275th Anniversary 1,693 -
Audit & accountancy 746 746
AGM - 323
Bank charges 998 692
Caretaking 90 85
Cleaning 2,009 1,897
Conservation 3,589 1,198
Consultancy fees - 934
Cost of sales (260) 5,163
Data protection - 40
Event & volunteer expenses 674 355
Exhibit facilities - 1,500
Insurance 9,334 10,377
New facility 3,282 3,618
Printing, postage & stationary 435 514
Rates 69 883
Richard III exhibition - 1,090
Repairs & renewals 12,203 12,353
Room hire - 20
Solicitor - 763
Subscriptions 192 395
Sundry - 27
Software 351 248
Telephone 507 411
Utilities 4,977 4,663
40,889 48,295
Surplus before depreciation 3,003 (5,091)
Restoration 7,288 7,288
7,288 7,288
(Deficit)/Surplus (4,285) (12,379)
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