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2024-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024

Charity name: Ebbw Valley Brass

Charity registration number: 1004260

Objectives and Activities

SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 Para 1.17 Formed in September 2011 following the merger of
Cwm Town Band and Ebbw Vale Town Band, the
purpose of the organisation shall be:

to promote, improve and develop public
education and appreciation of the art and
science of music, in particular, brass band
playing.

to provide tuition, equipment and support
musical education to members making the
organisation as accessible, diverse and
inclusive as possible.

and for such other purposes as shall be
exclusively charitable as the trustees may
from time to time decide.

to strive for continued excellence of
performance on the contest and
concert stage; and

to increase the activity and focus
on the development of children and
youth in learning to play a brass
instrument.
During 2023-24, the object was further detailed as
follows:

to develop new fundraising initiatives as
well as assist local charities in their
fundraising activities and continuing to
evolve as a hub of the community

to win the band’s fourth British National
Championship title and retain the Welsh
Open Champion title.

to increase the number of concert and
contest performances

and for such other purposes as shall be
exclusively charitable as the trustees may
from time to time decide.
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public		 Para 1.17 and
1.19		 The band has continued to:

perform in contest and concert venues
throughout the UK
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or
services identified in the
accounts.
provide musical tuiton, equipment and
support to its members in line with its
objectves

reached its highest ranking on the world
brass band stage

achieved its highest level of competng in
its short history

supported our members in their musical
aspiratons and ambitons

taken every opportunity to perform or
collaborate with local community-based or
charitable groups in an aim to raise the
band’s profle within the community.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Para 1.18 The charity’s trustees have had regard to the
guidance issued by the Charity Commission on
public beneft in exercising their powers or dutes.

Achievements and Performance

SORP reference
Summary of the main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the circumstances of its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.		 Para 1.20 First Secton GB Natonal Champions 2023
In March 2023, the band won the frst secton
Welsh Regionals, qualifying for the Natonal Finals
for the seventh tme. The band competed at
Cheltenham Racecourse in September 2023 and
won the frst secton, securing it’s fourth natonal
ttle and best instrumentalist prize. We are the only
band to have won all four of the lower secton
natonal ttles and best instrumentalist prize, a
record we are extremely proud of, and which was
the pinnacle in our short history.
Welsh Open Champions 2024
In February 2024, the band successfully defended
its ttle as Welsh Open Champions 2024. This was a
highlight in only our sixth appearance at the
contest. We also won ‘Best Basses’, ‘Best
Trombones’ and the Musical Directors Prize.
Contestng
As well as competng at the Natonal Finals, the
band made several appearances at other local and
natonal contests:

South East Wales Brass Band Associaton
Spring Festval – First Prize and best
soprano

South East Wales Brass Band Associaton
Autumn Festval – Second Prize and best
trombone

Blackpool Spring Festval

Wychavon Festval of Brass – fourth place
in frst secton, ffh place in championship
secton

Concerts and Community The band is proud to have played at several concerts throughout the year including Bedwellty Park, Ross on Wye bandstand, St Mary’s Priory in Chepstow. We also attended a number of local venues to support the community in their Acts of Remembrance, summer and Christmas events. Prior to each major contest, the band has held an ‘open rehearsal’ in a local venue providing a free preview of our upcoming contest performance for the local audience to enjoy. In doing so, we have paid to hire venues in the community, thus supporting their future as spaces for all to enjoy. Rounding of 2023-24 We finished 2023-24 in the same way as we finished 2022-23 – with qualification to the British National Finals, this time in the championship section, to be held at the world famous, prestigious Royal Albert Hall. This is the pinnacle of the band’s short history, joining the elite line up of qualifying bands from all over the UK. Recrutment Many brass bands face challenges in recruiting new players. 2023-24 was no exception for Ebbw Valley Brass, however, during this period, the band successfully appointed first class principal trombone, tuned percussionist, solo cornet and assistant principal cornet players to ensure a full complement of players. Ebbw Valley Ten Piece We successfully launched our new venture, a tenpiece band in a bid to reach a wider audience with a different take on traditional brass band music as well as raise funds and increase our number of public appearances. The ten-piece band secured a number of engagements during the year; we were particularly proud of our performance at Chepstow Bandstand and the NHS 75[th] anniversary celebrations at Bryn Bach park. Redesigned Bandhall Time was invested in redesigning an area of the bandhall into a meeting space, enabling us to provide other volunteer community groups who need a space for their activities with a free facility. Fundraising As well as our usual programme of summer and Christmas fundraising, we launched some new initiatives in an effort to raise funds including the launch of a new ten-piece band and more outreach work for donations and sponsorship.

Youth/Beginners Band The ambition is to set up and recruit to a youth/beginner’s band to secure future musicians and benefit the community. While we have previously been able to run an academy band, circumstances have not yet allowed for this to be relaunched, mainly due to volunteer time but this is an ongoing priority as and when circumstances allow.

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 The fnancial climate for a musical organisaton such
as ours is challenging. The band’s positon of
‘breaking even’ refects the hard work in looking at
new ways to generate income in line with the
organisatons aims and objectves.
With ever rising costs, we assess the operatng costs
against income and ensure the fnancial viability.
The trustees consider one of the main risks to the
success in delivering the organisatons objectves to
be lack of grant funding or fundraising opportunites
for future ventures and equipment and carefully
take this into consideraton in planning day to day
actvites and overall management of the band.
The bands’ principal sources of funding include
monies raised at Christmas tme and throughout the
year, playing at various venues and collectng
donatons. Member contributons, donatons and
fees for public engagements also account for a
signifcant porton of the bands’ income.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 No reserves policy is held; however, the trustees are
mindful of income vs future eventualites and
liabilites.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 None
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 There are no material uncertaintes about the
charity's ability to contnue as a going concern.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s
trusts:		 Consttuton adopted 13 June 2016
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 Consttuton
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 Associaton
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 Appointed by the management commitee at
Annual General Meetngs
Trustees will be the appointed ofcials of the band
as agreed and approved through the Annual
General Meetng. These positons will be appointed
from playing and non-playing members of the band.
Individual skills and experience will be considered
for these roles and agreed in line with the
Consttuton of the band.
All new Trustees will undertake any development
training, which is deemed necessary for the role,
and will be supported bythe outgoingofcial for an

Reference and Administrative details

----- Start of picture text -----
Charity name Ebbw Valley Brass
Other name the charity uses
Registered charity number 1004260
Charity’s principal address The Old Tyllwyn School
Greenfield Terrace
Tyllwyn
Ebbw Vale
Blaenau Gwent
NP23 6AF
Please note: the principal address is not recognised by the postal service.
Therefore, any post should be directed to:
C/O 9 Greenway Close
Griffithstown
Pontypool
Torfaen
NP4 5BA
----- End of picture text -----

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2		 Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole
year		 Name of person (or body) entitled
to appoint trustee (ifany)
Dean Woods Band Manager
Gabrielle Brill Secretary
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20		 Donna Hardman Chair

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets None held in this capacity

Name and objects of the None charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for None safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional) N/A

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of Name Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information

N/A

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)

Full name(s)

Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)

Date

Ebbw Valley Brass Ebbw Valley Brass 1004260 1004260
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
Endowment
funds
Total funds
to the nearest
£
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Receipts and payments accounts
01/04/2023
31/03/2024
To
For the period
from
a
ee		 Last year
to the nearest £
CC16a		 to the nearest £
Contributions
6,711		 - - - - - - 6,711 6,711 - - - - -
Fundraising activities
9,686		 - - - - - - 9,686 9,686 - - - - -
Grant income
2,024		 - - - - - - 2,024 2,024 - - - - -
Donations
12,583		 - - - - - - 12,583 12,583 - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sub total(Gross income for
AR)
31,004		 - - - - - - 31,004 31,004 - - - - -
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total -
-
-
-
-
Total receipts
31,004
-
-
31,004
-
A3 Payments
———~~——~~
Insurance
1,088		 - - - - - - 1,088 1,088 - - - - -
Utilities
1,706		 - - - - - - 1,706 1,706 - - - - -
Repairs and Maintenance
280		 - - - - - - 280 280 - - - - -
Fixtures and fittings
541		 - - - - - - 541 541 - - - - -
Contest entry
1,385		 - - - - - - 1,385 1,385 - - - - -
Volunteer and Member Expenses
17,516		 - - - - - - 17,516 17,516 - - - - -
Transport and vehicle hire
1,878		 - - - - - - 1,878 1,878 - - - - -
Venue hire
463		 - - - - - - 463 463 - - - - -
Stationery and Copier charges
435		 435 435
Uniform purchase
1,897		 1,897 1,897
Sundries
1,820		 1,820 1,820
Contest expenses
6,910		 6,910 6,910
Instrument maintenance and repair
814		 - - - - - - 814 814 - - - - -
Sub total 36,731 - - - - - - 36,731 36,731 - - - - -
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Sub total -
-
-
-
-
Total payments
36,731
-
-
36,731
-
Net of receipts/(payments)
- 5,727
-
-
- 5,727
-
A5 Transfers between funds
-
- -
-
-
A6 Cash funds last year end
-
- -
-
-
Cash funds this year end
- 5,727
-
- - 5,727
-
———~~——~~
S~~SS~~

CCXX R1 accounts (SS)

05/01/2025

1

Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period

Categories
Signed by one or two trustees on
behalf of all the trustees
B1 Cash funds
B2 Other monetary assets
B4 Assets retained for the
charity’s own use
B5 Liabilities
B3 Investment assets		 Signature
Member expenses
Details
Details
Brass and percussion instruments
Music library
Stands, mutes, equipment
Recording equipment
Treasurers Account and cash in hand
Details
Details
Total cash funds
(agree balances with receipts and payments
account(s))
Details		 Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
15,875
-
-
-
-
-
15,875
-
Agreement Error
OK
Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
to nearest £
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
asset belongs
Cost (optional)
Unrestricted
-
Unrestricted
-
Unrestricted
-
Unrestricted
-
-
-
-
-
-
Fund to which
liability relates
Amount due
(optional)
Unrestricted
14,400
-
-
-
-
Print Name		 Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
OK
Endowment
funds
to nearest £
-
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
Current value
(optional)
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
When due
(optional)
Annual
Date of
approval

CCXX R2 accounts (SS)

05/01/2025

2

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees Charity Name
Ebbw Valley Brass
On accounts for the year 31/03/2024 Charity no 1004260
ended (if any)
Set out on pages 2-3

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31/03 /2024 .

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 I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below *) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

Signed: D Hardman Date: 31/01/25
Name: D Hardman

Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:

1

Oct 2018

IER

Section B Disclosure

Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .

2

Oct 2018

IER