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The Museum is not at present open to the public due to lack of suitable premises in which to display the collection, but its work continues by maintaining and supplementing the numerous specimens we hold and by publishing information on the geological sciences both in print and through our website www.stonemuseum.org.uk

Due to the global recession our income was down 20.7% over 2007/2008 but this was offset by a 33.9% reduction in costs, largely due to a reduction in energy usage by our Botanical Department who benefited from the very mild winter. Despite this, there was a general increase in administration costs from 22% in 2007/2008 to 26.6% of total expenditure.

Our programme of re-investment in laboratory equipment, deferred from 2007/2008, represented 32.8% of our total expenditure for the year. Assets acquired included a camcorder - to allow us to stream video footage via our website, a set of digital scales - to enable us to accurately determine the carat weights of those gemstones in our collection, a field radiation detector - to demonstrate to students the radio-activity of some mineral specimens and a USB Microscope to assist in the capture of photographic images for our website and to assist in the identification of specimens.

Fixed assets, together with assets held in trust, continue to grow with a year-on-year increase of 5.0%.

	Brian R J Glover Curator

Department of Geology

Acquisitions by Purchase

Major purchases this year included a eukrite meteorite from Algeria supplied by Mr Abdelfattah Garrad of Agadir, Morocco, a specimen of Columbite, an ore of the rare mineral Niobium (and formerly part of the Professor Walton collection) from Madagascar, supplied by Dieter Obrecht of London and a fine Tanzanite crystal from Tanzania, supplied by Gems & Crystals of Sheffield.

Acquisitions by Donation

A number of millstone specimens from Derbyshire, England and the Marne Valley in France were kindly donated by Mr Bernie Smith of Barking, Essex.

Art & Display Department

Acquisitions by Purchase

A fine abstract oil painting entitled Fissure was acquired from The Kingswood Arms Gallery in Reigate, Surrey.

The Museum Web-Site - http://www.stonemuseum.org.uk

The website contains descriptions of the Museum, its aims and the scope of its collection, but more importantly, contains sections on where to go to see geological and palaeontological attractions and sites, where to go to collect rocks and fossils and also lists world news of earthquakes, volcanic activity, mining developments and major fossil finds.

There are special pages devoted to background and reference information on geology and pages including write-ups of Museum field trips and expeditions together with reports on the research that we undertake.

The website also contains numerous useful links to museums, institutions and commercial organisations around the world that display, exhibit, promote or exploit the science of geology.

Library & Resource Centre

Our library holdings continue to be the fastest growth area of the Museum with materials currently available including:-

Books	183
Information Leaflets	267
Scientific Papers	28
Magazines & Publications	396
Maps	40
U.K. Newspaper Extracts	149
Video & Audio Tapes	15
College Prospectuses	76
Newsfiles (held electronically)	8832
Miscellaneous	2
TOTAL	9988

Electronic Newsfiles

We are grateful to the various news agencies around the world that supply us with up to the minute information on fossil finds, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, including Reuters, Associated Press, PR Newswire, Cable News Network, and the Kyodo, Français and Deutsche Press Associations.

Looking to the Future

The Trustees top priority remains the acquisition of new premises and as a first step towards this goal will be continue to actively seek partnership funding from grant-in-aid sources and from local concerns over the coming year.

Our appeal will continue to run for funds to acquire a replica dinosaur fossil from Portugal and we will be looking at acquiring those remaining volumes of the Treatise of Invertebrate Palaeontology that are currently out-of-print.

Notes to the Accounts

1. Museum Expenditure

As a non profit making organisation, the Museum aims to spend the minimum possible on administration and overheads so that funds can be channelled into curation of the collection and the acquisition of display equipment and new specimens.

2. Tangible fixed assets and depreciation

Fixed assets at 31st March 2009 are stated at the lower of (a) cost, less provision for depreciation - if originally purchased by the Museum, or (b) net realisable value, less provision for depreciation - if the asset was originally donated free of charge.

Depreciation is provided on a straight line basis, and is calculated on historical amounts, after providing for any permanent diminution in value. The period of depreciation being the estimated life of the asset subject to the maxima shown below and commencing when the capital expenditure was incurred or on acquisition of the asset by donation.

Type of asset	Maximum period
Computer equipment	10 years
Laboratory and display equipment	20-40 years

Estimated lives and residual values of individual items are reviewed periodically and amended when circumstances change. Asset values shown represent the estimated replacement cost of the collection with specimens of similar quality and size.

3. Disposals

No specimen in the collection is considered to be a disposable asset - the Museum's charter provides strict safeguards and restrictions on disposals of the specimens themselves.

4. Interest Receivable

Interest is received gross of tax each June.

Balance Sheet

Position as at 31st March 2009

EXPENDITURE
Acquisitions	543.95	1291.23
Purchase of Fixed Assets	339.30	81.46
Operating Costs	319.77	429.86
TOTAL	1203.02	1821.25

BALANCE

1155.68

1152.48

WORKING CAPITAL
Interest Received	3.20	1.67
Cash in Hand	405.13	403.46
Stock in Hand	747.35	747.35
TOTAL	1155.68	1152.48

STATEMENT OF ASSETS

Position as at 31st March 2009

OPENING BALANCE	2808.44	3056.11
plus Acquisitions	339.30	0.00
less Depreciation	210.20	247.67
CLOSING BALANCE	2937.54	2808.44

Working Capital	1155.68	1152.48
Value of Collection	19924.99	18859.74
Current Assets	124.11	124.11
Fixed Assets	2937.54	2808.44
TOTAL ASSETS	24142.32	222944.74