REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
FOR |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND |
UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
FOR |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
(A COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
CONTENTS OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
Page |
Reference and Administrative Details | 1 |
Report of the Trustees | 2 | to | 6 |
Independent Examiner's Report | 7 |
Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
Balance Sheet | 9 | to | 10 |
Notes to the Financial Statements | 11 | to | 15 |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
TRUSTEES |
COMPANY SECRETARY | S P Bispham |
REGISTERED OFFICE |
REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER |
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | McCabe Ford Williams |
Chartered Accountants |
Charlton House |
Dour Street |
DOVER |
Kent |
CT16 1BL |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02992429) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
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 March 2024. 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 and aims |
The charity was incorporated on the 21 November 1994 and acquired all the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated association "Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust". The principal activities of the charity remained unchanged from those of the unincorporated association, that is to preserve and display one of the world's oldest boats, a 3,500 year old 50ft (approximately) "rope sewn" wooden Middle Bronze Age Boat. |
Public benefit |
The trustees of the charity have had due regard to the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit. The charity's objectives and aims have been reviewed taking this guidance into consideration. |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02992429) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE |
Charitable activities |
The Trustees of the Dover Bronze Age Boat met four times in the period, on 26th June, 12th October 2023 as well as 19th January and 19th April 2024 |
Our meetings throughout the year were face-to-face and generally well attended, these supplemented by the activities of a small working group chaired by Christine Waterman MBE, seeking to progress our plans to improve the gallery. |
It was a year dominated by planning for the future, with a number of positive outcomes. However, potential applications to the Arts Council and National Heritage Lottery Fund were delayed by Dover District Council (DDC) plans to undertake structural works to the gallery roof together with general and specific (to the gallery) air conditioning works to the museum. |
The replica boat was re-caulked, and a laser survey of the boat was undertaken in early April 2023. Further work was undertaken on the boat archive in the period. Plans to send the Dover Boat replica to France to be displayed in an exhibition on the Bronze Age in France in July 2025 were progressed. Plans were also put in place to hold a boat-related international conference in Canterbury to celebrate the life and achievements of our greatly missed Trustee, Mr Peter Clark who died in 2021. |
Gallery Working Group |
Our plans to make an approach to the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the Arts Council to upgrade the boat gallery, were also delayed. This was in large part due to a need to undertake repairs to the gallery roof and to the museum air conditioning systems by DDC. |
A decision was taken by the working group last year to convert our desire for a radical upgrade of the Boat Gallery from one proposal for funding into a series of smaller projects that could be funded separately. |
The first of the projects, identified by responses to a public questionnaire issued in 2022, is to relocate the present cinema into the present laboratory area (close to the entrance of the gallery) and commission a new 10-minute film presentation about the Dover Boat. This will include updated information based on recent research, a presentation on the building of the replica boat and the voyages of the replica. |
The working group has put together a brief for potential film makers and we have approached a number of organisations that have produced broadcast quality programmes about the boat requesting permission to use excerpts in our future film. |
We are also planning to archive our own still and video images of the original boat and the replica with the intention of providing free access to the material on-line, perhaps through a dedicated website and a unique space in the upgraded gallery. |
Work by DDC on the gallery roof and air conditioning system is due to take place in mid-2024 (see below). Our approaches for funding will be triggered by the completion of that work. |
Gallery Roof repairs and Air Conditioning |
Recent warm summers with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees have encouraged DDC to review air conditioning for the museum and for the boat gallery. Several reports have been commissioned but the final review with decisions leading to implementation have been delayed. We are presently anticipating that works will take place in the second half of 2024. |
A leak in the museum roof over the former laboratory area in the gallery has led to the temporary closure of that part of the gallery. Works to repair the roof are due to take place in mid-2024. |
Monitoring of the gallery and particularly the boat in its air-conditioned case continues. Neither the boat nor the gallery have been affected by the delay. External specialists from the Mary Rose Trust have reported that the boat is in a stable condition. |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02992429) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
The Replica Boat |
The replica boat was given an extensive refit by volunteers late in the period. The boat was re-caulked and launched in April 2023. Unfortunately, the boat made too much water and had to be taken out. |
Trustees are grateful to Dover Harbour Board and particularly Dover Marina and crane staff for their help and generosity in providing us with a free berth for the replica boat and craning facilities as in past years. |
We now believe that the boat has reached the end of its life as a working boat and an archaeological experiment. Accordingly, we are now seeking to convert the boat to a museum exhibit. Two possibilities have been discussed to date. |
The first is to find space for the replica boat in the present boat gallery. A second possibility is for the replica to become a roving ambassador for the Boat Gallery, to be taken on a trailer to classic boat events locally, regionally, nationally and even internationally, to encourage and develop future footfall to Dover and the Boat Gallery and to stimulate interest in prehistoric boats. |
The conversion of the boat to a museum exhibit is presently being discussed with colleagues at INRAP (French National Archaeological Service). We were approached early in 2022 by our French colleagues who were seeking permission to display the replica boat in an international exhibition on the Bronze Age in France to be mounted in the Chateau St-Germain-en-Laye, Paris, from July to December 2025. |
Negotiations for the loan of the boat took place in the period. As the boat was still a working craft with joints caulked with tallow and moss, it is not suitable for museum display. We have discussed this with our French colleagues, and we have agreed to dismantle, clean and re-assemble the boat, so that it is suitable for display. This will not be an easy undertaking.Although much of the work will be undertaken by volunteers, we will need some paid specialist help, together with materials, tools and travel costs. |
We have provided a costing for the work and the Friends of the National Archaeological Museum are considering our request for funding. If funding is provided the work will commence in July 2024. After the work has been completed, the Dover Boat replica will start a new chapter of its life as a museum exhibit, first in Paris and then, from January 2026, in Dover Museum or, as stated above, as a roving ambassador for the Boat Gallery. |
Dover Boat Archive |
Work on the Dover Boat paper and film archive was undertaken in the period by volunteers. This involved a review of over 100 archive boxes containing paper and video film. An equal number of drawings held in paper tubes were also catalogued. |
A more detailed archive and listing will be required to make the archive accessible to all, perhaps through a purpose-designed website and within a dedicated part of the new gallery. The present review will help to design the final archive and cost the undertaking to enable the public and specialist researchers to access the archive both on-line and in the proposed new gallery. |
Public Lectures and the Boat Gallery |
Several public lectures were given in the period, and the replica boat was displayed at public events in Dover. Public footfall to Dover Museum and the Boat Gallery has steadily increased post-pandemic and a small number of changes to the gallery have been made. These include the temporary closure of the laboratory area and the installation of two monitors showing the replica boat being paddled for the first time in Dover Harbour. |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Income |
Our income has fallen this year due to a decrease in donations. This has, however, been mitigated to a certain extent by increases in booklet sales and bank interest. |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02992429) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
FINANCIAL REVIEW |
Reserves policy |
The trustees have considered the reserves held at the balance sheet date and have taken the view that given the commitment to maintain both the boat as well as the viewing gallery, together with the commitment to provide ongoing education thereon, the current level of reserves are not excessive. |
FUTURE PLANS |
Members of the working group and Trustees will continue to progress plans to upgrade the gallery. Initially this will focus on the former laboratory area (presently closed pending repairs to the gallery roof). The former laboratory will be the location of a new mini auditorium to explain with film and a narrator, the discovery, recovery, conservation, and display of the boat, together with the story of the building of the replica, including excerpts from some of the voyages of the boat |
Tasks for the coming year will include costing the production of a new film for the relocated mini auditorium and costing the building of the new auditorium. When works to repair the gallery roof have been completed and an upgrade to the museum and gallery air conditioning system has been implemented, we will then be in a position to apply for grant aid from the Arts Council or the National Lottery. |
We will progress our negotiations with INRAP and the Friends of the National Archaeological Museum in France for converting the replica boat from a working boat to one suitable for museum display. |
An international conference is being planned for April 2025. The conference 'Living the sea, investing the Land in Neolithic and Bronze Age Europe' is to be held in the International Studies Centre of Canterbury Cathedral, to celebrate the life and work of our greatly missed Trustee, Peter Clark. The conference will be jointly hosted by the DBABT and colleagues from APRAB and the University of Lille. |
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. |
Organisational structure |
Constitution |
The organisation is a charitable company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales. The organisation was incorporated on 21 November 1994 and registered as a charity on 1 December 1994. The charity was established under a Memorandum of Association, which established the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. |
Appointment and training of new trustees |
Trustees are appointed by the board when a person with an interest in the charity's objectives is identified and agrees to taking on the responsibilities of a trustee. |
The appointment of a trustee is a matter of discussion between existing trustees. Such nominations come from those with an active engagement or interest in archaeology or with a connection with local industry who would bring support and/or sponsorship for the charity. |
Trustees are recruited in line with the needs of the charity and given relevant training. |
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. |
The charity has no assets other than the boat and the contents of its associated gallery. The safety and insurance of these are entirely the responsibility of DDC and the charity is not exposed to any risk in this regard. The obligations of the DDC during the 25 year loan of the boat to them are clearly defined in a legally binding agreement. |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02992429) |
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. |
Approved by order of the board of trustees on |
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust ('the Company') |
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
Responsibilities and basis of report |
As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act'). |
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under Section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act. |
Independent examiner's statement |
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: |
1. | accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by Section 386 of the 2006 Act; or |
2. | the accounts do not accord with those records; or |
3. | the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or |
4. | the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)). |
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. |
J Fullarton BSc (Hons) FCA |
McCabe Ford Williams |
Chartered Accountants |
Charlton House |
Dour Street |
DOVER |
Kent |
CT16 1BL |
26 October 2024 |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
(INCORPORATING AN INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Total |
fund | funds |
Notes | £ | £ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies | 3 |
Charitable activities | 5 |
Investment income | 4 |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Charitable activities | 6 |
Other |
Total |
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) | ( |
) |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 33,793 |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02992429) |
BALANCE SHEET |
31 MARCH 2024 |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Unrestricted | Total |
fund | funds |
Notes | £ | £ |
CURRENT ASSETS |
Debtors | 10 |
Cash at bank |
CREDITORS |
Amounts falling due within one year | 11 | ( |
) | ( |
) |
NET CURRENT ASSETS |
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES |
NET ASSETS |
FUNDS | 12 |
Unrestricted funds | 33,793 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 33,793 |
The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 March 2024. |
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006. |
The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for |
(a) | ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and |
(b) | preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company. |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST (REGISTERED NUMBER: 02992429) |
BALANCE SHEET - continued |
31 MARCH 2024 |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime. |
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
1. | STATUTORY INFORMATION |
Dover Bronze Age Boat Trust is an incorporated charitable company, limited by guarantee, registered in England & Wales. In the event of the charitable company being wound up, the liability of each member is limited to £1. |
The charitable company's registered number and registered office address can be found on the Reference and Administrative Details page and it's nature of operations can be found in the Report of the Trustees. |
The presentation currency of the financial statements is the Pound Sterling (£). |
2. | ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Basis of preparing the financial statements |
The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. |
There are no material uncertainties that may cast doubt upon the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern. |
Income |
All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. |
Expenditure |
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. |
Cost of reconstruction |
The cost of reconstruction of the boat and erection of the Gallery has been written off as incurred. The completed Gallery and artefacts have been handed over to Dover District Council on a 25 year lease from November 1999. |
Taxation |
The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. |
Fund accounting |
Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. |
Restricted funds 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. |
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
3. | DONATIONS AND LEGACIES |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Donations |
4. | INVESTMENT INCOME |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Bank and other interest |
5. | INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
Activity | £ | £ |
Sale of booklets | Sale of booklets | 421 | 254 |
Lecture income | Lecture income | 200 | 250 |
6. | CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS |
Direct |
Costs |
£ |
Search and preservation costs | 1,128 |
7. | NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) |
Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting): |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Independent examiners fee | 1,080 | 936 |
8. | TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS |
There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
Trustees' expenses |
There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 March 2024 nor for the year ended 31 March 2023. |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
9. | COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES |
Unrestricted |
fund |
£ |
INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM |
Donations and legacies |
Charitable activities |
Investment income |
Total |
EXPENDITURE ON |
Other |
NET INCOME |
RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS |
Total funds brought forward |
TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 33,793 |
10. | DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Prepayments |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
11. | CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR |
31.3.24 | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ |
Accrued expenses |
12. | MOVEMENT IN FUNDS |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.23 | in funds | 31.3.24 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 33,793 | (1,216 | ) | 32,577 |
TOTAL FUNDS | (1,216 | ) | 32,577 |
Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 1,322 | (2,538 | ) | (1,216 | ) |
TOTAL FUNDS | ( |
) | (1,216 | ) |
Comparatives for movement in funds |
Net |
movement | At |
At 1.4.22 | in funds | 31.3.23 |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 33,381 | 412 | 33,793 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 33,381 | 412 | 33,793 |
Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows: |
Incoming | Resources | Movement |
resources | expended | in funds |
£ | £ | £ |
Unrestricted funds |
General fund | 1,680 | (1,268 | ) | 412 |
TOTAL FUNDS | 1,680 | (1,268 | ) | 412 |
DOVER BRONZE AGE BOAT TRUST |
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued |
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 |
13. | RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES |