## Durham Miners’ Association Brass Band 

## Trustees Annual Report 

& 

Annual accounts for the year ending March 2024 



## **Aims of the charity** 

To promote the education of brass band music to any interested person, regardless of age, gender, ethnic origin or physical ability, to maintain the tradition of brass banding into the future. We take our organisation out to perform to the public as often as practical to entertain and keep them aware of our existence. 

The band is run entirely by unpaid volunteers, except for the Musical Director who receives expenses. Band members and non-playing volunteers give their time free of charge and meet their own expenses in attending rehearsals, events and concerts. Membership of the band does not require subscription and where required; instruments are provided free of charge removing any financial barriers to membership. 

The trustees recognise the contribution of all these volunteers, without whom the charity would not function. 

## **Management Team and Charity Trustees** 

David Peel (Chairperson) Heather Ward (Secretary/Band Manager) Julie Carmichael (Treasurer) Glenis Smith (Band Sergeant) Julie Peel (Librarian) Kath Price Philippa Smith Gillian McCain Tom Gray Nicola Hadden 

## **Band Activities** 

Competitions 

The band began the contesting season well with a 1[st] place in the Regional Contest in March 2024 and qualification to the National Finals in This repeats the result in 2023 where the band also came 1[st] and qualified for the National Finals. This means a promotion to the First Section which comes into effect in January 2025. Creditable results were also had in local contests such as Brass at Beamish and the Festival of Brass Contest held in Peterlee. 



## Concerts and practices 

Practices have continued to be well attended with almost all seats filled but would like to add one to their percussion team. Players are encouraged to use SPOND to indicate their attendance at both practices and concerts. 

The band is developing a series of well attended concerts throughout the year, two highlights were the Christmas Concert at the Stadium of Light which also commemorated the last shift at Wearmouth Colliery and a new concert venue for the band in the Chapel in Ushaw Historic House. Both these concerts were well attended and the band was asked to return to Ushaw in 2024 

## Support and Fundraising 

Three visits to Cheltenham for the National Finals in 4 years (including planning for the Finals in September 2024) has taken a considerable amount out of the band savings. We were fortunate to have received some grants which paid for some of the costs of going to the finals in 2023 but don’t expect to be able to apply for the same funding in 2024. 

In February 2023 the band was informed that it would be in receipt of a large inheritance and it was to be used to “do some good”. The band members decided that this will be transferred to a Charities Aid Foundation account until such time as it can be decided on the best way to use this money given the circumstances in which it had been given and to make sure it would be used in accordance with the charitable objectives of the band. 

We continue to receive support from the Durham Miners Association for which we are most grateful. Other sources of funding are fees for concerts, sales of our two most recent CDs at concerts and through Elvet and Bailey in Durham and online downloads of the same CD through Bandcamp. 

## Development Activities 

Two members of the band kept the Safeguarding requirements up to date by attending an online training session run by the Safeguarding lead at Brass Bands England. The band secretary has attended a number of online training courses run by Brass Bands England and Making Music, they have also attended the Brass Band England Conference in order to keep the band up to date with current issues. 

## Summary and plans for 24/25 

Fortunately we are back to a normal contest/concert program but some of the concerts and events that we used to attend did not come back after Covid so we are always seeking new opportunities. 

We have plans for some new concerts in Redhills Durham Miners Hall in 2025. We will continue with our efforts in promoting Youth Development and providing opportunities for youth players to play alongside experienced players. The band will 



strive to play at the highest possible standard at contests and concerts across the region and country. 

Accounts – see next page 



Dllrbam Miners Association Brass Band
Annual Aca)uots )rar din8 31. Mawh 21Y24
4450.
3250.(rf)
350.
4450.(K)
2460.(X)
20529
645.04
60338
1710.(K)
816.
21Y).00
6220
50.(X)
37429
77.094J2
SpK)nsor3hip (DMA)
CD sa1eyJDow￿(￿dS
Self fiumfrw1n￿Raffles etc)
Colltrilxrtions to Cheltrnlwn
Sale of T￿ordIng equirxnent
Gala Day parking
Refillml of Contrst fee (Picnic)
Ixgacy of a will)
Totsl knipts
£￿￿o.T2
Payments
cOnd￿ting fees
Player Hire
5510.IJ)
870.crfl
1627.96
805.40
576.(M)
896.50
130.(K)
268120
42228
25.08
85.62
70.(X)
120.(K)
436.81
6220
119.39
187.91
6T20.35
27.(K)
BBE Trnining
MusidStsD
Uniforni
PRS
Registy
Websiie
Photocopier
Gala Parking
Gift￿S￿ndrj¢s
oirice Suppliewlanins
Cheltrnham Finals
Refund Racenigbt event
Totsl Payments
(£21J73.70)
Net Receipts (Payments)
£75347.02

BalaDee Sheet 2023r2024
623165
Savings ￿c
107504.62
3655
£113773.82
140.(1(M).(Kl Insur￿ val￿(]0￿
Music & Unifom
22201.(Kl Valuation
Tlte &fff
JoULFTrts6E
Iilfvi T*fr P¢¢Low>iS Jo13- 201+
hQE A True Pr￿5 AtsuRATE RfrcoKD.
A4&
AXT
IIT11 AFIIL 201