Secretary’s Report for year to 30th June 2024 Although there was a change in actual Members, our membership remained at 71; being 38 adult single, 24 joint, 2 young adult, 5 Bristol Members (registered with RSCDS HQ elsewhere) and 2 Life Members. We have continued to hold weekly Thursday evening classes; 7.00-7.30 for beginners and new dancers, 7.30-8.45 General class and 9.00-10.00 for more advanced dancers. The classes take place January – end of June and September until Christmas, with an Easter break as well. Margaret Chambers and Lynn Robinson teach the beginners’ class and Graham Coles, Fiona Grant and Maggie Kirkup teach the General Class and more advance dancers in rotation. Throughout the summer there were classes in Marksbury and also classes in Westbury Park for less experienced dancers. COVID now seems a lifetime away but we have kept our policy of refunding those who buy tickets but cannot attend dances because of illness. This is particularly good for PR, giving a feel-good factor towards Bristol RSCDS. The July Summer Fling is always enjoyable; it’s turn up, pay on the door and dance some of your favourite dances. Graham Coles with Pat Fish organised the music and dances. Tea with delicious homemade scones is also a draw. As 2023 was the centenary of the RSCDS we held our Centenary Dance in October. This was a great success with many positive comments received: Susan and Shona MacFadyen and Isobelle Hodgson produced wonderful music and were happy to play encores; Maggie, as MC, kept it all moving well. To make it more special, instead of asking people to bring food, we provided sandwiches and there were extra decorations. There were 86 people for supper including 74 dancers; it was lovely to have past members who can no longer dance, enjoy spectating. It was also the first dance since COVID where we had been full. In November we had a Day School for both Dancers and Musicians and received several messages of thanks. Catherine Livsey started nervously but she and the dancers were pleased by the way it went. The morning class was for beginners and the afternoon for more experienced dancers although everyone benefitted from the morning class. The catering is a huge undertaking for this event but Pat and David Wells, with help from many others, made sure it ran smoothly. The Musicians’ Day School was led by Ian Muir. This also went well; thanks were received and we had messages from people wishing to come again. This day is a two-centre event with the musicians and dancers joining together in the evening. What an evening it was; the dancers’ feet forgot how tired they were as the music transported them round the room; the musicians also gained extra energy from the enthusiasm of the dancers – what a joy it was! Ian Robertson played for us at our end of term Christmas event. His music and Maggie Kirkup’s taking of the class made it a really fun evening; we enjoyed mince pies and mulled wine as well. A group of dancers performed for Burns Night celebrations at Stoke Gifford Retirement Village; the display was enjoyed by all with several joining in with the ceilidh dances. The Strathallen Trio played for our Newcomers Dance in February. This is always a popular dance, and our MC’s, Lynn and Margaret welcomed newer as well as more experienced dancers to St Monica’s. We received many positive remarks and it’s always a joy to welcome dancers to their first “proper” dance in a friendly and supportive atmosphere with dances walked through. We returned to Dawlish for our annual weekend in March. Peter Knapman gave us an insight into the history of the dances as well as teaching them to us; Ian Muir of Prestwick is understandably well known for his music and we received positive feedback. Several times now, we have had a Tea Dance in anticipation of an evening dance, and we arranged one prior to our Summer Dance. Although the numbers were lower than anticipated, it was enjoyed and appreciated by those who attended. It certainly added to the attendees’ enjoyment of the evening dance as they were more confident. Ewan Galloway and Ian Robertson played at our Summer Dance with the MC role being shared by Maggie Kirkup and Graham Coles. The evening was enjoyed by all especially as the music was so good. We have been very spoilt over many years with George Miekle regularly playing at our last class of the Summer Term; unfortunately he wasn’t in the area this year, but we remember his previous visits with pleasure. In the year I am reporting on, we started to look at a Teachers’ Certificate course. Fiona Grant was keen to help several complete their Units 4 and 5 as well as setting others on the path to becoming teachers. The uptake has exceeded all expectation and we hope that, come December, we will have an extra 10 qualified or part-qualified teachers in the area. It is with a heavy heart that I recall we unexpectedly lost two of our Members during the last year. Caroline Dunn was a keen dancer, who danced far and wide. She was wise with a listening ear and compassionate heart, but not only that, she was a great administrator having served RSCDS Bristol as both Chairman, Secretary and Dance weekend organiser. She was fun and lived life to the full. David Bain was interested in many things including Scottish Dancing, cycling and old cars; he played hockey at international level as well as enjoying his work as a lawyer seeking a fair outcome for his clients. He brought a smile on his face when he came to dancing and was always fun to dance with. They both had a strong Christian faith and enjoyed the things they were involved with – they would both have said “Seize the Day” and we are the better for having known them. We are pleased that both John and Tacey continue to dance with us and we offer them both all the support we can. Ruth Davies November 2024 Royal Scottish Country Dance Society - Bristol 4egistered charAty number 10596( Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 Income and Expenditure account Unrestricted funds Unrestricted fimds Year to 30 June 2024 Year to 30 June 2023 Ineome Expenses Surplus Income Expens￿ Surplus Membcrship (Bristol) Inv¢stmcnt income Donations Beginners summcr classes Free Classes (autumn 2022) Autumn tern] cla&s¢s Spring temi ClaS￿S Summcr terni classes Further Skills classes & demos Summer Fling Centcnary (New Season) Danc¢ Danccrs * Musicians Day School Newcomers Danc¢ Tea Dance Summer Dance Residentsal weekend.. autumn 22 Residcntsal iveck-end.. spring Administration (see note l) Equipm¢nt repairs & replacements Depreciation (S￿ note 2) Grand Total 130 / 110 130 126 34 126 34 3291 201 128 185 196 158 2371 1 2409¥ _38 2104 2053 2281 1800- 481 2242 1890 1803 / 1705. 98 1502 1521 473 / 213 / 260 300 280 2052 169 / 36 145 176 1484 / 1160 324 840 465 2268 / 1614 654 1535 1655 l(K)5 595 410 1022 510 65 171 -106 95 160 803 650 & 153 693 549 0 15153 14738 19018 r 19006 / 12 16142 16775 629 -629 767 23 / .23 95 80 / .80 25 32351 30424 1928 42118 42013 -158 51 352 -19 20 -3l 375 -120 512 -65 415 -633 -767 -95 -25 105 Membership collection for RSCDS HQ Membership Collection (HQ} 1474 1474 Note I: Administration Printing Computer software Insuran¢¢ Subscriptions Publicity Website Zoom 25 42 90 10 82 102 177 226 93 107 78 308 Health & Safety Card r¢thr fees Misc Total admi'nistration 18 20 629 774 Note 2: Equipment Value brought forward Purchases Depreciation @ 4￿/. Value carried forward 95 105 95 80 63 120 95 Royal Scottish Country Dance Society - Bristol &gistered charity number 105961 Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 June 2024 (contd) Balance sheet at year end Unrestricted funds 3W612. Unrestricted funds Current assets Insuranc¢ paid in advance Paid for future events Cash held Cash at Bank current Cash at Bank dew)sit Other assets Equipment (see note 2) 85 82 150 73 I802 9105 50 89 4830 9215 120 95 Current liabilities Salcs for future events Creditors Total net assets 2(M) 1315 360 12874 10947 Unrestricted funds broug￿ forward 10947 Nct surplus 1928 Unr¢stri¢t¢d funds carried forward 12874 10796 151 10947 These accounts have been prepared on an a¢¢ruals basis in accordancc ￿1th Financial Rcporting Stsndard FRS102 and N'ith the Charities Act 201 l. There have not been any changcs of accountin8 policy during this period. Signed on behalf of all the Trustees".- Chairnian Cliv¢ Robinson Treasurer John Dunn Independent ExAminer'$ rttM)rt to Ihe Trus¢ees/Members of The ROYAI Scottish Country Danee Soeiety-Bristol. Registernl Charity Number 1059608 On the accounts for the year ended 30" June 2024. set out on page l and 2 Respeetive ￿SpOnSIbl11t1e$ of truslee$ and examiner The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparats'on of the accounts in accordance with the Charitses Act 2011 ("the Charities Act.). The charity's trustees consider that an auth"t is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: . examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities ACL • to follow the applicable Directions wven by the Chatity Comrnission (under section 145(5)(b) of Ihe Ath). and • to state whether particular matters have u)me to my attention Basis of independent exAminer'8 statement My examination was carried out in acLx)rdance wtth general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accountt'ng Tecords kept by the tharity and a comparison of the accounts Presented with those records. It also includes consideTation of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations fTom the trust￿ conceming any such matter5. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence th￿ would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matter5 set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's #tatement In connection with my examinats'on. no material matters have come to rny attention thich give me cause to believe tha¢ in any material resp￿t..- ' the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charitie5 Act. or the accoun15 did not accord with the accouniing records. or the accounts did noi comply with the applicable reqwrements concerning the forni and content of accounts set out in the Charities Act of 2011 and with ihe methods and principles of Staiement of Recommended Practs'ce for the Accounting and Reporting by Charitses. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in thi's report in order to enable a proper understanth'ng of the accounts lo be reached. Signed.. J E N¢wsom Date: Mr J E Newsom 7 Hyland Grove, Westburyrf)n-Trym BRISTOL, BS9 3NR Page 3 **Independent Examiner’s report to the Trustees/Members of The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society-Bristol. Registered Charity Number 1059608** ## **On the accounts for the year ended 30" June 2024, set out on page 1 and 2** ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Charities Act’). The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, - to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act), and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention ## **Basis of independent examiner’s statement** My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conceming any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that, in any material respect:- - the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or - the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or - the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities Act of 2011 and with the methods and principles of Statement of Recommended Practice for the Accounting and Reporting by Charities. I 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: J E Newsom Date: Mr J E Newsom 7 Hyland Grove, Westbury-on-Trym Page 3 BRISTOL, BS9 3NR Page 3