Secretary’s Report for year to 30th June 2025
It’s a pleasure to be able to report that our membership increased to 76 last year, being 43 adult single, 24 joint and 7 Bristol Members (registered with RSCDS HQ elsewhere) and 2 Life Members.
One of the highlights of the year was the Teachers Certificate course. Fiona Grant taught the course, somehow managing to enable 10 students to take a combination of Units 1-5. Four students gained their full certificate and the others all passed the units they took. Huge credit must go to not only, Fiona and the candidates, but to all the volunteer dancers and the examiners who fought against Storm Darragh to make it to the examination hall. The volunteers from Wales were told by the Met Office not to travel but others offered to help when their other plans were cancelled. Everyone worked together, generously giving their time and experience so that we have four more fully-qualified teachers in the area plus six who are part way there.
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. Lynn Robinson, with help from others, teaches the beginners’ class and Margaret Chambers, Graham Coles, Fiona Grant and Maggie Kirkup teach the General Class and more advanced dancers in rotation. Throughout the summer there were classes in Marksbury and also classes in Westbury Park for less experienced dancers. Our new part-qualified teachers Heather Acornley and Sadie Ferguson have also been taking some classes.
The dances put on by Bristol RSCDS have been well attended with a happy atmosphere. Most are held in Oatley Hall, St Monica’s where the floor is particularly good for dancing and parking more than adequate.
The July Summer Fling is always enjoyable; people are asked to choose their favourite dances, turn up, pay on the door and dance. Graham Coles with Pat Fish organised the music and dances. A variety of people talked through the dances and the homemade scones and cakes tasted delicious – an excellent afternoon all round.
Craigellachie played for our New Season Dance in October. We always enjoy their playing and Alan Cottle saw nearly 60 people through the programme. There were some less-familiar dances but the smiling faces suggested it was a great success.
In November we had a Day School for Dancers. Ros McLaughlin taught 26 beginners in the morning and 26 in the afternoon who were more experienced dancers. 46 people attended the dance in the evening with tired feet but happy hearts. Ian Robertson played all day and was accompanied by his son in the evening. The catering is a huge undertaking as the event is over two halls but Pat and David Wells, with help from many others, made sure it ran smoothly, yet again.
Norman Yeaman played for us at the end of the Christmas Term. The evening was at no charge as a “Thank you” to Members and volunteer dancers for their support of the teachers in training. We also enjoyed mince pies and mulled wine and class teachers were presented with thank you gifts – a celebration of a lot of hard work and support by many Members.
There is a monthly advanced skills group which is taught by a rotation of teachers. Some dancers come from outside Bristol RSCDS and the idea is to explore more complicated dances and, when invited, put on displays. Stoke Gifford Retirement Village invited the group to perform at their Burns Night celebrations again. The display was enjoyed by all with several members of the audience joining in with the ceilidh dances; haggis, neeps and tatties were then provided for everyone.
Our Newcomers’ Dance is always popular, as are The Dewhurst Trio. So, in February, about 80 people enjoyed the music and an evening of dances with which they are familiar. Margaret Chambers and Lynn
Robinson walked us through the dances at least once so it is an excellent introduction to a Dance for newer or less confident dancers.
We returned to Dawlish at the very end of February for our weekend of dancing. Nice comments were received from attendees congratulating us on an excellent weekend. Strathallen seemed to enjoy themselves too as we were uplifted by their music and fun. Janet Johnson was a lovely teacher, also with a great sense of humour. The Saturday evening ceilidh was fun with many people joining in.
Our Summer Dance in mid-May was also well attended. The band of Matthew McLelland, with Keith on the drums and Fiona Grant as MC encouraged 65 people to attend. Due to our usual catering facilities being unavailable, we had to rearrange things. Pat and David Wells in particular, and the committee members present, should be congratulated on making the necessary changes.
John Dudley played for us at the final class of term at the end of June. It was a shame several people were away but those who were there enjoyed his music and we hope he will return.
Ruth Davies November 2025
RSCDS - Bristol Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 June 2025
Registered charity number 1059608
Income and Expenditure account
| Thursday classes Autumn term 2024 classes Spring term 2025 classes Summer term 2025 classes Other classes Beginners classes 2024 Further Skills classes & demos Teaching Certificate course Dances and events Summer Fling 2024 New Season Dance 2024 Dancers Day School 2024 Newcomers Dance Tea Dance Summer Dance Residential weekend Other income Branch membership (see note 1) Investment interest Donations Other costs etc Administration (see note 2) Adjustment (see note 3) Equipment repairs & replacements Depreciation (see note 4) Grand Total Note 2: Administration Insurance Subscriptions Publicity Website Zoom Gifts Health & Safety Card payment fees Misc Total administration Note 1: Membershipof RSCDS |
Unrestricted funds Year to 30 June 2025 Income Expenses Surplus £ £ £ 2347 2649 -302 2446 2180 266 1593 1590 3 370 276 94 680 300 380 2160 2086 74 130 151 -21 870 715 155 1340 1191 149 1140 620 520 975 585 390 20719 20306 413 148 148 193 193 1631 1631 1045 -1045 -90 90 61 -61 36742 33664 3077 1714 1714 0 97 13 80 529 277 4 46 1045 |
Unrestricted funds Year to 30 June 2024 Income Expenses Surplus £ £ £ 2371 2409 -38 2281 1800 481 1803 1705 98 329 201 128 473 213 260 205 169 36 1484 1160 324 1643 1614 654 1005 595 410 65 171 -106 803 650 153 19018 19006 12 130 130 110 110 8 8 629 -629 23 -23 80 -80 33819 31879 1940 1474 1474 0 93 11 0 107 78 308 18 8 629 |
Unrestricted funds Year to 30 June 2024 Income Expenses Surplus £ £ £ 2371 2409 -38 2281 1800 481 1803 1705 98 329 201 128 473 213 260 205 169 36 1484 1160 324 1643 1614 654 1005 595 410 65 171 -106 803 650 153 19018 19006 12 130 130 110 110 8 8 629 -629 23 -23 80 -80 33819 31879 1940 1474 1474 0 93 11 0 107 78 308 18 8 629 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | |||
| 0 | |||
| 1045 |
Expected hall charges in 2023-4 brought forward were estimated and £90 more than actual charges.
Note 3: Adjustment
RSCDS - Bristol Registered charity number 1059608 Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (contd)
Registered charity number 1059608
Note 4: Equipment
| Value brought forward Purchases Less depreciation @ 40% Value carried forward Balance sheet at year end Current assets Insurance paid in advance Paid in advance for future events Cash held Cash at Bank current a/c Cash at Bank on deposit Other assets Equipment (see note 4) Current liabilities Ticket sales for future events Other creditors Total net assets Unrestricted funds brought forward Net surplus Unrestricted funds carried forward |
120 31 61 91 Unrestricted funds 30/6/25 £ 85 252 188 1148 14408 91 15 204 15952 12874 3077 15952 |
95 105 80 120 Unrestricted funds 30/6/24 £ 85 50 89 4830 9215 120 200 1315 12874 10947 1928 12874 |
|---|---|---|
These accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard FRS102 and with the Charities Act 2011. There have not been any changes of accounting policy during this period.
Signed on behalf of all the Trustees:-
Chairman Clive Robinson
Treasurer Alan Pinder
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 2025, 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:
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examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
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to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act), and
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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:-
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the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
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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: 12/11/25
Mr J E Newsom 7 Hyland Grove, Westbury-on-Trym, BRISTOL, BS9 3NR
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