2025-08-31-accounts - Henley Youth Festival Trust

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THE HENLEY YOUTH FESTIVAL TRUST — ANNUAL REPORT 2025

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Henley Youth Festival’s (the “Trust” or “HYF”) registered address is Berrywood, Stoke Row Road, Kingwood, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 SNG

The Trustees for the year from 1 September 2024 until 31 August 2025 were (HYF2025):

Joanna Dickson Alison Flower Tim Hoskins Kate Swinburne-Johnson Denise Williams

Aims and Purpose

The Trust was established under a Trust Deed dated 1st January 1995, amended in 2022 and 2025, with the objects of supporting and promoting the arts, music, drama, dance, sports and other skills amongst the young people of Henley on Thames and its surrounding area.

Objectives and Activities HYF supports and promotes the performing, visual arts, sporting events and nurtures other skills through a variety of workshops and competitions. Workshops in local schools ensure that every child in Henley and its surrounds gets the chance to take part.

HYF empowers young people by encouraging them to enter events individually and to prepare their performances or artwork independently. Older students can get involved in the running of HYF, giving them valuable experience for work or further education. The Trust runs an annual “Youth Festival” which takes place over a couple of weeks each March. Henley Youth Festival has several component parts:

e Performing Arts Events — including Music Makers, Gig Night and events incorporating music, dance and singing held at the Kenton Theatre;
e Cross country run open to all children in key stage 1 and2 in all participating primary schools;
e Performance, art and music workshops. Through a programme of workshops for schools every child has the opportunity to take part in HYF in some way. Most workshops take place in schools;
¢ Competitions in the creative arts, such as writing, photography, film making and art.

HYF is launched in January each year. A programme is produced and available on the website, social media and in various locations around town and it is sent to schools. In addition to the programme, HYF website and social media, local press releases inform young people and their families what is being offered so encouraging wide involvement. All HYF events are free to the participating young person. For certain performances, schools are asked to make a small contribution. Where a school might require transport to attend an event, and this has been a barrier to participation (e.g. where coach travel is required), HYF will try to assist from its own funds.

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HYF 2025 Charity Commission Report

The Trustees hold that the purposes and activities of the Trust have been to further its charitable purposes for the public benefit and in exercising their powers and duties, the Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission.

Administration

The day to day running of the Trust is managed by a Steering Group of volunteers with differing skills and responsibilities which meets regularly and which is co-ordinated by a Chair. The activities of the Steering Group are overseen by the Trustees who meet 3 times a year to give the Steering Group directional guidance, to discuss budgets and finance, to approve policies and practices and to consider any other matters as appropriate. Trustee meetings are attended by the chairs of Steering Group and by the Honorary Treasurer. The Trustees have appointed a Clerk to assist with the administration of the activities of the Trust and to assist the Steering Group. The Trustees receive minutes of all Steering Group meetings. In addition, a large group of volunteers help run the HYF events.

New Trustees are recruited on the basis of personal attributes and skills and interest in the objects and aims of the Trust. All Trustees have a knowledge of the issues and practicalities of running Henley Youth Festival.

Financial Review — policy on reserves

The Trust’s financial year ending 31st August 2025 (HYF2025) saw a contribution to reserves of £4,977.67.

The surplus in this financial year will be added to reserves. The Trustees’ policy is to carry reserves largely sufficient to fund the following year’s Festival given that the nature of the activities is such that significant expenditure has to be committed before knowing how much sponsorship will be secured. The prudence of this policy was shown in financial years 2013, 2014, 2019 and 2021 where deficits were incurred and Trust reserves were required.

At financial year end, accumulated funds were £39,454.70. However, this included £4,296.70 of funds that relates to the Liz Balmford endowment. In 2024 Liz Balmford’s friends and family awarded a bursary to be used over 10 years for a workshop, masterclass or training session for a local school. As a result, unencumbered funds were £35,158.00. This compares with HYF2025 expenditures of around £29,815.61.

The Trustees are aware that costs of all of HYF’s activities have increased — particularly the cost of hiring the Kenton Theatre (despite receiving a charity discount on the market rate) and those of workshop and performance providers. Budgeted expenditure in HYF2026 is, therefore, higher than HYF2025 at around £31,000.

Review of achievements and activities:

The 31* HYF in 2025 was another hugely successful year. The theme in 2025 was ‘Growing’.

Over the summer before the Festival, young people are invited to enter a competition to design the Festival's logo which was then turned into the electronic logo which is used throughout the Festival. Over 2,000 children aged from 5-18, from over 15 schools took part in different events and activities, thanks to the dedication and creativity of a team of volunteers. As always Henley Youth Festival could not take place without the financial support of local businesses and organisations.

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HYF 2025 Charity Commission Report

HYF provided approximately 1,500 workshop and performance places for 11 schools in the Henley area. A variety of performances were provided within schools including Young Shakespeare Company (who performed Hamlet) who performed to KS2 pupils and Music for Miniatures which introduced KS1 children to music and various instruments in a fun way. Workshops included flamenco, bhangra dancing and a range of art workshops. A Youth Festival favourite ‘Red Van Man’ was also back this year, working with the children to create sculptures from his van of ‘junk’.

A special award - the Liz Balmford Sing Speak Be Award - was given to one local school in memory of Liz following a generous bursary given by her friends and family. The chosen school had a wonderful day of singing workshops for the choir and each class. It ended with an assembly where the songs were shared and a group of children also performed at one of the shows at the Kenton Theatre to friends and family.

We also provided performances for KS2 children: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for years 10 and 11 to support their English GCSE curriculum and ‘What You Will’ for years 7 and 8.

Primary school children participated in Music Makers which gave an opportunity for young musicians of all ages and abilities to perform to friends and family. Twenty performances were given over 2 Music Makers shows. A range of musical instruments were played in group and individual performances including recorders, piano, violin, cello, ukulele and a school choir.

The Art & Film competition was popular as always and over 100 people attended the Prizegiving ceremony at the Town Hall. As well as individual pieces there were collaborative pieces. It was pleasing to see a good number of entries in the senior (12-17 years) age category.

The Writing Competition mainly saw entries from the primary age category but they included lovely interpretations of the ‘Growing’ theme. The winners also attended the Prizegiving event at the Town Hall.

The Young Reporter competition attracted budding young journalists age 11 and over who reported on the HYF events and had their stories published in the local paper.

The HYF cross country run was held again and saw over 170 children take part over a course that ranged from 0.5km for the youngest competitors (reception, age 5) to 1.6km for the oldest runners in year 6.

Gig Night, Junior Variety and Senior Variety shows took place at the Kenton Theatre. More than 150 performers in group and individual performances enjoyed experiences on the Kenton Theatre stage. This included dance, ballet, gymnastics, jazz, classical, reciting poems and singing. Young presenters were MCs for the evening and introduced the acts.

Approved by the Trustees on 26 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

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Kate Swinburne-Johnson HYF Trustee

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HYF 2025 Charity Commission Report

HENLEY YOUTH FESTIVAL FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2024 / 25

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income and Expenditure Highiights - ist September2024 to 3istAugust 2025	income and Expenditure Highiights - ist September2024 to 3istAugust 2025
Total Incomes fortheyearwere: -	£34,793.28
Fundraising	£479.28
Kenton performances	£3,686.00
School Performaces	£7,428.00
Sponsorship	£23,200.00
Total Expenditures forthe yearwere: -	£29,815.61
Kenton performances	£5,449.76
Kenton Adjustment
In-school artworkshops	£9,173.42
School performances	£8,674.00
Marketing	£903.00
Admin and insurance	£2,980.09
Gig night	£0.00
Art competitions	£386.74
HYF Run	£418.00
Liz Balmford (Sing Speak Be)	£361.00
Music Makers	£0.00
Other	£1,469.60
Surplus	£4,977.67

Balance Sheet _- 31st August 2025 HSBC Cash Account ____ £39,454.70

Ke GAIN DES UQ- doLndr

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THE HENLEY YOUTH FESTIVAL TRUST — ANNUAL REPORT 2025

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Henley Youth Festival’s (the “Trust” or “HYF”) registered address is Berrywood, Stoke Row Road, Kingwood, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 SNG

The Trustees for the year from 1 September 2024 until 31 August 2025 were (HYF2025):

Joanna Dickson Alison Flower Tim Hoskins Kate Swinburne-Johnson Denise Williams

Aims and Purpose

e Performing Arts Events — including Music Makers, Gig Night and events incorporating music, dance and singing held at the Kenton Theatre;
e Cross country run open to all children in key stage 1 and2 in all participating primary schools;
e Performance, art and music workshops. Through a programme of workshops for schools every child has the opportunity to take part in HYF in some way. Most workshops take place in schools;
¢ Competitions in the creative arts, such as writing, photography, film making and art.

10F3

HYF 2025 Charity Commission Report

Administration

Financial Review — policy on reserves

The Trust’s financial year ending 31st August 2025 (HYF2025) saw a contribution to reserves of £4,977.67.

Review of achievements and activities:

The 31* HYF in 2025 was another hugely successful year. The theme in 2025 was ‘Growing’.

2 OF3

HYF 2025 Charity Commission Report

We also provided performances for KS2 children: ‘Romeo and Juliet’ for years 10 and 11 to support their English GCSE curriculum and ‘What You Will’ for years 7 and 8.

The Young Reporter competition attracted budding young journalists age 11 and over who reported on the HYF events and had their stories published in the local paper.

Approved by the Trustees on 26 March 2026 and signed on their behalf by:

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Kate Swinburne-Johnson HYF Trustee

3 0F3

HYF 2025 Charity Commission Report

HENLEY YOUTH FESTIVAL FINANCIAL SUMMARY 2024 / 25

4 [

income and Expenditure Highiights - ist September2024 to 3istAugust 2025	income and Expenditure Highiights - ist September2024 to 3istAugust 2025
Total Incomes fortheyearwere: -	£34,793.28
Fundraising	£479.28
Kenton performances	£3,686.00
School Performaces	£7,428.00
Sponsorship	£23,200.00
Total Expenditures forthe yearwere: -	£29,815.61
Kenton performances	£5,449.76
Kenton Adjustment
In-school artworkshops	£9,173.42
School performances	£8,674.00
Marketing	£903.00
Admin and insurance	£2,980.09
Gig night	£0.00
Art competitions	£386.74
HYF Run	£418.00
Liz Balmford (Sing Speak Be)	£361.00
Music Makers	£0.00
Other	£1,469.60
Surplus	£4,977.67

Balance Sheet _- 31st August 2025 HSBC Cash Account ____ £39,454.70

Ke GAIN DES UQ- doLndr

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\zs4| CHARITY COMMISSION | Independent examiner's report on the
Gh FOR ENGLAND AND WALES accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees a
WWENLEY Uoutd =~ FeéstwAl. “TROST
On accounts for the year _ | Charity no
ended 4) AD Gost Qoas (if any) \OWU220
Set out on pages N ce Ls _ Q ePolzt. 4 Aceon) yt
| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above
charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended l 08 | y koh,
Responsibilities and As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the
basis of report accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011
(“the Act”).
| 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, |
have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission
under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent [The charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 and | am qualified to
examiner's statement undertake the examination by being a qualified member of [insert name of
applicable listed body]]. Delete [ ] if not applicable.
| have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have
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:
e the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130
of the Charities Act; or
e the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
e 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.
| 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.
Signed: * Please delete the words in the brackets if they pate:do not (>apply. [41h_|
Name: v OWA Q Ascott FLA
Relevant professional
qualification(s) or body \CAES
1 Oct 2018
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IER
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Address:| \ Crv€-Ton PARK QoAD
NECSAAM
EAWNG h +PD
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Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).

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Give here brief details of
any items that the
examiner wishes to
disclose. None
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IER

Oct 2018