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ST BARBE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY

Registered charity 1018779 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as LYMINGTON MUSEUM TRUST, ST BARBE MUSEUM & ART GALLERY

The museum records, preserves and interprets the history of the area between the new forest and the sea. The art gallery works with regional and national art galleries to stage exhibitions combining both local and national interest. Activities/events are organised 'in house' for youngsters, families, schools, the elderly and those with limited mobility.

Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · Environment/conservation/heritage · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£507k
Latest spending
£542k
Registered
1993
Accounts read
FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £35,491 for the year ended 31 March 2025, despite generating an operational surplus of £21,901. The trustees note that unrestricted reserves of £176,458 are deemed to be at the minimum level required to support the continuation of activities, as day-to-day demands prevent building significant unrestricted reserves.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Reserves position: below the charity's own stated reserves policy (held: £176k; policy: three months of unrestricted expenditure)
“The amount of reserve held at 31 March 2025 is £33,470 (2024: £13,426) as per note 19. We will be working hard in future years to build our reserves back up to our required minimum.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: The St.Barbe Trading Company Limited
“The St. Barbe Trading Company Limited, our trading subsidiary, exists to undertake non-charitable activities in order to generate income from the sale of goods.” — page 26
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Public-sector contracts awarded

From the official Contracts Finder and Find a Tender notices (supplier matched by exact registered name). Contract income is distinct from grants.

BuyerContractAwardedValue
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILHoliday Activities and Food Schemes 2026 Easter & Summer Provision23/02/2026£2.6m
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCILHoliday Activities with Food Schemes Christmas (2025) mini competition26/09/2025£361k

Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)

Total income
£507k
Total spending
£542k
Cost of raising funds
£2k
Reserves (reported)
£33k
Employees
9

Reported reserves equal ~0.7 months of spending — in the bottom quarter for charities its size (median 5.2 months; benchmarks).

Per its annual return, largest income source: Charitable activities (90% of income) — components as reported reconcile to the return’s total income; not from the accounts narrative.

Per its annual return, cost of raising funds: 0.4% of total income — below the median for charities its size (4.9%) (benchmarks).

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Hampshire

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/03/2025£507k£542k
31/03/2024£478k£563k
31/03/2023£347k£450k
31/03/2022£492k£480k
31/03/2021£346k£359k

Common questions

Is ST BARBE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £35,491 for the year ended 31 March 2025, despite generating an operational surplus of £21,901. The trustees note that unrestricted reserves of £176,458 are deemed to be at the minimum level required to support the continuation of activities, as day-to-day demands prevent building significant unrestricted reserves. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.

Who funds ST BARBE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY?

Funders whose own accounts filings name ST BARBE MUSEUM AND ART GALLERY as a grant recipient include THE HEADLEY TRUST, THE CHARLOTTE BONHAM-CARTER CHARITABLE TRUST.

Known funders

Grants to this charity found in funders’ own accounts filings.

FunderYearAmountPurpose (as stated by the funder)
THE HEADLEY TRUSTFY2024£5kTowards funding a short-term maritime exhibition research co-ordinator.
THE CHARLOTTE BONHAM-CARTER CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2024£2k

Government & lottery funding

Grants to this charity published as open data by government and lottery funders (360Giving).

FunderDateAmountPurpose
UK government13/10/2022£150kNational Portfolio Organisations
UK government13/10/2022£150kNational Portfolio Organisations
The National Lottery Heritage Fund10/08/2022£181k"#DYC St Barbe Sharing and Celebrating Heritage"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund17/08/2020£30k"COVID19: St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund12/06/2018£5k"Engaging with Dazzle Design"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund20/03/2017£275k"Securing the Future of St Barbe"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund06/12/2013£1.9m"The Future for St Barbe – Innovative, Inclusive, Resilient"
The National Lottery Community Fund26/11/2009£5kVolunteer Development Project
The National Lottery Heritage Fund18/09/2008£204k"St. Barbe Museum Exhibitions Development Project"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund22/05/2006£5k"This Museum Is A Community Focused Organisation Which Preserves And Interprets The History Of The New Forest Coast. This Award Will Enable T"
The National Lottery Community Fund18/05/2006£5kTouring Exhibition
The National Lottery Heritage Fund11/03/2002£87k"St Barbe Museum - Education & Access Development"
The National Lottery Heritage Fund26/03/1996£261k"St Barbe Museum and Art Gallery, Lymington"
UK government—£84kDCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund