Buckingham Old Gaol Trust

Registered number

01950221

Charity Number

292807

Report and Accounts

31 March 2025

Buckingham Old Gaol Trust

Legal and Administrative Information

Trustees

Mr Terence Bloomfield

Mrs Angela Brock

Mrs Diane Chappenden

Mr Phil Dutton

Ms Sybil Edgar

Mr David Fell

Mrs Joanne Thompson

Mr Michael Wisbach

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 2025.

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. In the last year Brianna Wyatt and Beth Hawking resigned and Bery Cootes died. Diane Chappenden joined the Trustees to lead on Education. 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, Diane Chappenden & Sybil Edgar). Maintaining such an old building is a challenge so we have been looking for a Heritage partner to help.

The Memorandum of Association with the Town Council defines our relationship with the Tourist Information Office and has been updated. Their staff 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. The glass roof over the exercise yard is 25 years old and can no longer be walked on. Replacing the glass roof would need major investment so we are investigating some essential repairs. Running the charity with only volunteers is a risk. We have had a recent recruitment drive, which has been successful in producing more volunteers to work in the shop, but we are struggling to retain Trustees. It is a major commitment as they undertake most of the volunteer work rather than just set the direction of the Company. 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.

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 updated our 3-year plan but have not been able to achieve any of the major objectives with regard to replacing the roof or making a new exhibition space (we still have to use the space for storage). Our next objective will be to apply for re-accreditation.

Achievements and Performance

We are continuing with our plans to maintain the collection by cleaning the display cases and re-packing our storage boxes. The high level clean and glass cleaning is undertaken once a year. We have started a project to look at the temperature and humidity throughout the day in the museum, thanks to a Community Fund Grant to buy TinyTag monitors. Unfortunately, without major investment, we may not be able to alter the environment.

We continue our fundraising with paranormal events, Santa Claus visits in December and intermittent events or walks led by volunteers. The booking system at Christmas worked well this year. We also hosted a model of the 1725 Buckingham fire, made by School children, and organised by the Rotary Club that brought is donations. Heritage Day is also free to visit but raises funds via donations. We completed our work with the Paralympic Trust and produced a sensory leaflet, updated our website and disabled toilet, as well as having a training session for volunteers on “Access”. We produce a bi-yearly newsletter and are now making weekly posts on Facebook and Instagram. We have also increased our educational visits and the lead Trustee, Diane, has updated our education page on the website and our Safeguarding policy.

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. The Town Council continues to provide an annual grant.

We have been much more successful this year is getting temporary exhibitions in the exercise yard to add interest for our visitors. The military cabinet was finally repaired and now houses a Hussar’s drum and modern uniform. A standard now replaces the oil painting that that was returned to its owner.

Museum Report

We have been unsuccessful in our plans to remove the flagpole, repair the roof and undertake some internal maintenance. Unfortunately, we have persued several ideas, such as a solid roof over the exercise yard, that have not proved feasible. We struggle to find suitable experts to give advice and to find contractors that will undertake the work, with the appropriate licenses for working in close proximity to a major road, on a listed building. Even replacing the basement door, with a flood defence door, was not approved in our first application for listed Building Consent. We have not yet been able to clear the old office so have no immediate plans for re-decoration and opening it to the public. We had some free racking for our external store which has made it more organised for our Christmas decorations.

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 £7244 after depreciation. The balance of unrestricted funds (those monies which were not identified for a specific purpose) at 31 March 2025 stood at £75763.

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. Continue to investigate of the exercise yard roof.

· Continue careful management of the museum shop stock, to both reflect the historic building and the museum content and to maximise income

· Improve training of the volunteers and trustees

· Maintain 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 2nd 2025 for formal approval.

Signed……………………………………………….

Mrs Joanne Thompson (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 2025.

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 2025

Unrestricted				Restricted			2025		2024
Notes		funds		funds		Total
£				£		£		£

Incoming resources
Incoming resources from
generated funds

Voluntary income	3		9,009		-		9,009		6,565
Activities for generating funds	4		26,976		-		26,976		23,338
Investment income	5		1,167		-		1,167		438
Incoming resources from
charitable activities	6		5,200		-		5,200		6,563
Other incoming resources	7		335		-		335		6,988

Total incoming resources			42,687		-		42,687		43,892

Resources expended

Costs of generating funds

Costs of generating
voluntary income	8		278		-		278		674
Fundraising trading:
Cost of goods sold
and other costs	9		6,162		-		6,162		(260)

Charitable activities	10		34,297		6,183		40,480		47,017

Governance costs	11		3,011		-		3,011		746

Total resources expended			43,748		6,183		49,931		48,177


Net incoming (outgoing) resources before transfers			(1,061)		(6,183)		(7,244)		(4,285)

Gross transfers	18		-		-		-		-

Net incoming (outgoing) resources			(1,061)		(6,183)		(7,244)		(4,285)

Fund balances brought forward			76,824		180,759		257,583		261,868

Fund balances carried forward			75,763		174,576		250,339		257,583

Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Registered number:		01950221
Balance Sheet
as at 31 March 2025

Notes			2025			2024
£				£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets	13		156,632			163,921

Current assets
Stocks		5,965			10,508
Cash at bank and in hand		88,438			83,850
		94,403			94,358

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	17	(696)			(696)

Net current assets			93,707			93,662

Net assets			250,339			257,583

Restricted funds	18
Contingency and repair			174,576			180,759

Unrestricted funds	18
General fund			75,763			76,824

Shareholders' funds			250,339			257,583

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 2 October 2025

Buckingham Old Gaol Trust
Notes to the Accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2025

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		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£

	Donations & gifts - Other	8,457		-		8,457		5,758
	Membership subscription	552		-		552		807
		9,009		-		9,009		6,565

4	Activities for generating income

		Unrestricted		Restricted		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£

	Activities	-		-		-		90
	Collection & Entry Fees	14,803		-		14,803		13,207
	Events	3,720		-		3,720		2,900
	Father Christmas	1,194		-		1,194		1,277
	Cell income rent	3,000		-		3,000		3,000
	Shop income	3,388		-		3,388		2,864
	Museum Shop & TIC sales	871		-		871		-
		26,976		-		26,976		23,248





9

5	Investment income

		Unrestricted		Restricted		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£
	Interest	1,167		-		1,167		438
		1,167		-		1,167		438

6	Incoming resources from charitable activities

		Unrestricted		Restricted		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£

	Rent receivable	5,200		-		5,200		6,563
		5,200		-		5,200		6,563

7	Other incoming resources

		Unrestricted		Restricted		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£
	Charities Trust	127		-		127		101
	Insurance claim	-		-		-		6,624
	Bucks lottery	208		-		208		263
		335		-		335		6,988


8	Costs of generating voluntary income

		Unrestricted		Restricted		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£

	Advertising and Promotion	-		-		-		-
	Event and Volunteer Expenses	278		-		278		674
	Sundries	-		-		-		-
		278		-		278		674

9	Fundraising trading: Cost of goods sold and other costs

		Unrestricted		Restricted		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£

	Museum shop & TIC Cost of sales	6,162		-		6,162		(260)
	Museum shop & TIC Admin costs	-		-		-		-
		6,162		-		6,162		(260)




10

10	Charitable activities

		Unrestricted		Restricted		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£
	275th Anniversary	-		-		-		1,693
	AGM	-		-		-		-
	Bank Charges	1,139		-		1,139		998
	Caretaking	370		-		370		90
	Cleaning	2,343		-		2,343		2,009
	Data protection	-		-		-		40
	Depreciation : Restoration	1,105		6,183		7,288		7,288
	Donation	50		-		50		-
	New facility	-		-		-		3,282
	Insurance	9,960		-		9,960		9,334
	Printing, Postage & Stationery	322		-		322		435
	Rates and utilities	4,340		-		4,340		5,046	5046
	Repairs (including conservation)	13,394		-		13,394		15,792
	Room hire	58		-		58		-
	Software	348		-		348		351
	Subscriptions	298		-		298		192
	Telephone	570		-		570		507
	Wifi installation	-		-		-		-
		34,297		6,183		40,480		47,057

11	Governance costs

		Unrestricted		Restricted		2025		2024
funds			funds		Total
£			£		£		£

	Accountancy	767		-		767		746
	Planning	2,244				2,244		-
	Consultancy	-				-		-
	Solicitor	-		-		-		-
	Strategy day	-		-		-		-
		3,011		-		3,011		746
















11

12	Movement in total funds for the year
						2025		2024
£							£

	This is stated after charging:

	Depreciation: Restoration & refurbishment costs					7,288		7,288

	Accountants remuneration					767		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 2024	364,402		193,804		30,844		589,050
	Additions	-		-		-		-
	Surplus on revaluation	-		-		-		-
	Disposals	-		-		-		-
	At 31 March 2025	364,402		193,804		30,844		589,050




	Depreciation
	At 1 April 2024	200,482		193,804		30,844		425,130
	Charge for the year	7,288		-		-		7,288
	Surplus on revaluation	-		-		-		-
	On disposals	-		-		-		-
	At 31 March 2025	207,770		193,804		30,844		432,418

	Net book value
	At 31 March 2025	156,632		-		-		156,632
	At 31 March 2024	163,920		-		-		163,920




15	Investments
						2025		2024
£							£

	Investment in subsidiary undertaking					-		-







12

16	Debtors
						2025		2024
£							£

	Amounts due from Buckingham Heritage Trust
	(Enterprises) Ltd.					-		-
	Other debtors					-		-

17	Creditors
						2025		2024
£							£

	Amounts falling due within one year:
	Trade creditors					696		696
	Other creditors					-		-
	Other taxes and social security					-		-
						696		696
18	Funds
Balance			Movement		Transfers		Balance
		at 31.03.24						at 31.03.25
£			£		£		£
	Restricted funds
	Fixed assets	180,759		(6,183)		-		174,576
	Restoration & repairs contingency
	& building repair	-		-		-		-
		180,759		(6,183)		-		174,576

	Unrestricted funds
	Designated funds - fixed assets	-		-		-		-
	General fund	76,824		(1,061)		-		75,763
		76,824		(1,061)		-		75,763

19	Related parties

	There were no related party transactions during the year




20	Employees					2025		2024
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 2025

		2025		2024
£			£
Income

	Activities	-		90
	Bucks Lottery	209		263
	Cell income rent	3,000		3,000
	Charities trust	127		101
	Collections and entry fees	14,803		13,207
	Donations & gifts	159		583
	Events	552		516
	Father Christmas	1,194		1,277
	Grants	8,297		5,175
	Insurance claim	-		6,624
	Interest receivable	1,168		438
	Rent received	5,200		6,563
	Shop income	3,388		2,864
	Subscriptions	552		807
	Talks	-		-
	TIC	871		-
	Venue hire	3,168		2,384
		42,688		43,892
Expenditure

	275th Anniversary	-		1,693
	Audit & accountancy	767		746
	AGM	-		-
	Bank charges	1,139		998
	Caretaking	370		90
	Cleaning	2,343		2,009
	Conservation	5,123		3,589
	Consultancy fees	-		-
	Cost of sales	6,162		(260)
	Data protection	-		-
	Donation	50		-
	Event & volunteer expenses	278		674
	Exhibit facilities	-		-
	Insurance	9,960		9,334
	New facility	-		3,282
	Planning	2,244		-
	Printing, postage & stationary	322		435
	Rates	67		69
	Repairs & renewals	8,271		12,203
	Room hire	58		-
	Solicitor	-		-
	Subscriptions	298		192
	Sundry	-		-
	Software	348		351
	Telephone	570		507
	Utilities	4,274		4,977
		42,644		40,889
Surplus before depreciation		44		3,003
	Restoration	7,288		7,288
		7,288		7,288
(Deficit)/Surplus		(7,244)		(4,285)