THE PRIEST'S HOUSE MUSEUM TRUST
The Museum saves, cares for and uses local heritage artefacts to tell the story of the people of East Dorset. The Museum offers an extensive learning programme with family activities and children's events regularly organised throughout the year. A regular temporary exhibition programme shares local stories and history. The Priest's House Museum Trust trades as the Museum of East Dorset.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that total revenue income decreased to £242,313 from £312,555 in the prior year, resulting in a net expenditure of £167,102. Free reserves dropped significantly to £66,735 from £289,467, although the Trustees maintain a designated reserve policy aimed at covering 12 months of fixed costs. The Trustees confirm the charity has sufficient working capital to continue as a going concern.
What the accounts disclose
“The Trustees thereby have ensured a minimum reserve equal to the estimated fixed costs of running the museum for period of 12 months.”
“Taxable profits generated from East Dorset TIC of £8,640 (2023: £nil) are donated to The Priest's House Museum Trust in the subsequent financial year.” — page 36
“The Trust has a wholly owned subsidiary: East Dorset TIC Limited (Registered Charity number 8809040), which was established on 1 January 2014 to operate the Tourist Information Centre” — page 19
Property (HM Land Registry)
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2021)
Trustees
- David Morgan
- Jeremy Francis Mills
- Jonathan Charles Greenwood
- Sara Louise Marshall
- Sarah Newman
- Susan Anne Cook
- Susan Anne Revill
- VANESSA ANNE JOSEPH
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £242k | £409k |
| 31/03/2024 | £313k | £472k |
| 31/03/2023 | £360k | £335k |
| 31/03/2022 | £296k | £473k |
| 31/03/2021 | £611k | £463k |
Common questions
Is THE PRIEST'S HOUSE MUSEUM TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that total revenue income decreased to £242,313 from £312,555 in the prior year, resulting in a net expenditure of £167,102. Free reserves dropped significantly to £66,735 from £289,467, although the Trustees maintain a designated reserve policy aimed at covering 12 months of fixed costs. The Trustees confirm the charity has sufficient working capital to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Who funds THE PRIEST'S HOUSE MUSEUM TRUST?
Funders whose own accounts filings name THE PRIEST'S HOUSE MUSEUM TRUST as a grant recipient include DORSET COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THE E C SOSNOW CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DORSET COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £11k | Grants to institutions |
| THE E C SOSNOW CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2022 | £3k |
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK government | 25/09/2020 | £6k | Coronavirus Community Support Fund |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 03/08/2020 | £115k | "COVID-19: Priest's House Museum, the Museum of East Dorset" |
| The National Lottery Community Fund | 09/08/2018 | £10k | Millstream at the Museum |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 21/06/2016 | £1.1m | "Priest's House Revival" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 04/12/2013 | £56k | "The one hundred year heritage of the First World War for Wimborne and East Dorset" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 24/06/2010 | £442k | "The Open Learning Centre" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 15/05/2007 | £13k | "Upstairs, Downstairs" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 01/08/2006 | £50k | "Priest's House Museum Open Learning Annex" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 11/01/1999 | £30k | "East Dorset Villages Project" |