## 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: Membership**of 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: - 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: 12/11/25 Mr J E Newsom 7 Hyland Grove, Westbury-on-Trym, BRISTOL, BS9 3NR Page 3