2023
Registered Number 1127698
Stockton Heath Festival Trust Annual Report
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Registered Number 1127698
STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
## **Trust Information**
Registered Office:
C/O Finton Doyle Accountants Whitehouse Wilderspool Business Park Greenalls Avenue Warrington WA4 6HL
Trustees:
Mathew Forshaw Chair Darren Smith Secretary David Craggs Treasurer Helen Dutton Trustee
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Registered Number 1127698
STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The 2023 Stockton Heath Festival was another great event with a full programme that covered music, dance, drama, art, crafts and light entertainment pulled together by the fantastic Organising Committee. Staffed entirely by unpaid members, the Committee were assisted in the running of events, organising on-field facilities and the selling of tickets by a troupe of around 30 volunteers from the local community, without all of whom the Festival would not be possible.
The Trustees would like to formally thank the Organising Committee for all their efforts in organising the 2023 Festival. We know that without their hard work and dedication the Festival would not be possible.
Established in 2008, Stockton Heath Festival Trust is a registered charity which aims to celebrate arts, culture and heritage, and to generate community spirit. In doing so it also strives to be accessible to all local residents irrespective of age, means, occupation or cultural background via the provision of a mix of both ticketed and free events, with something of interest to all.
Although named Stockton Heath Festival, the event draws audiences from all the neighbouring communities of South Warrington including Appleton, Walton, Grappenhall & Thelwall and beyond.
The benefits the Festival brings to the local community include:
- Encouraging local talent through entries in the art competition, inclusion of up and coming local performers in music, dance and drama in both the daytime and evening events;
- Increasing awareness of the local community – raising local knowledge via the Stockton Heath village competitions, events held in local facilities e.g. local schools, churches, Appleton Parish Hall and the QEII Jubilee Field and encouraging local groups to participate in the local flower and history groups, and local sports groups;
- Partnership working with local organisations – the Community Police, Promote Stockton Heath, local churches and schools, and local businesses;
- Supporting local charities through provision of free pitches at the festival markets, fundraising raffles and publicity;
- Promotion of community spirit by providing an opportunity for local people to come together. Over 2,000 people attended ticketed events during the 2023 Festival period and estimated attendances on the festival field over the weekend exceeded 3,500;
- Promotion of the local area to a wider audience through the website https://stocktonheathfestival.co.uk, articles in the local press and via social media. Programmes are hand delivered to local households and businesses prior to the Festival, and used at venues;
- Promotion of local businesses and organisations through listing in various Festival publications and publicity on the field and at ticketed events;
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Registered Number 1127698
STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
- Sponsors and grants supporters featured in programmes, website and on Facebook.
Although organised by a relatively small number of local volunteers, Stockton Heath Festival is very much a community event, drawing a variety of support from many quarters. Staging the Festival costs in the region of £48,000 each year and whilst just over half of this was recovered from ticket sales, stalls and catering income, the rest of the money was generated by the fundraising efforts of the Festival volunteers. Critical to the Festival’s success each year is the support received from the local Parish Councils of Stockton Heath, Appleton and Walton, and from Warrington Borough Council via a local area fund application.
## **Organisation**
Our patron is Tim Firth who grew up in Stockton Heath. Tim is a screen and song writer famed for Calendar Girls and several musical collaborations with Gary Barlow amongst many productions for film, theatre and television. His musical THE BAND features the music of Take That, while A DIFFERENT STAGE is based around the early life of Gary Barlow and was toured nationally throughout 2022. He continues to write prolifically for stage and screen.
The Trust is run by four trustees who oversee the running of the charity. The charity is an unincorporated association which was formed on 14 January 2009 by Trust Deed. In 2023 our trustees were Mathew Forshaw (Chair), David Craggs (Treasurer) Darren Smith (Secretary) and Helen Dutton.
The Festival is organised and run by an Organising Committee which is made up entirely of volunteers from the local community. It benefits from the continuity of a number of experienced members but is also able to attract new members into their ranks.
New trustees can be nominated by the Organising Committee and following nominations any new trustee is appointed by the existing Trustees. All key decisions relating to the running of the charity are made by the Trustees. All decisions relating to the running of the festival are made by the Organising Committee with guidance from the Trustees when required.
## **Finances**
A balance on the unrestricted fund account of £22,411 was carried forward from 2022 to 2023. This gave us a healthy reserve and a strong platform for moving forward.
Income for the year was £36,063 which included £14,992 from ticket sales and £12,950 from sponsorship and grants.
Expenditure for the year was £43,216 which included £24,195 on site costs and £11,797 on artists’ performance fees.
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Registered Number 1127698
STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
With general cost rises this year and a reduction in grant income there was a loss for the year of £7,153 and reserves carried forward to 2023 stood at £15,258.
As a charitable trust, it is the policy of the Trustees to maintain a reserve that enables us to prepare for the following year, with a maximum reserve equivalent to about 50% of our annual expenditure. Going forward, it has been recognised by the Trustees that continued deficits are not sustainable over the long-term and costs need to be kept under review.
## **Public Benefit Statement**
The Charity Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Commission in exercising their powers or duties.
## **Summary of events and achievements**
The Trustees and Organising Committee continued to meet throughout 2023, online where necessary. Commitment and enthusiasm for the Festival remains strong, both within the organisation and in the wider community.
Good weather contributed once again to healthy sales being reported by stall holders and caterers over the weekend. Nine events sold out (>95%): Children’s Gospel Choir, comedy drama ‘The Scary Bikers’, Soul Federation, two Walking Tours two Sublime Science workshops and a Stockton Heath history talk.
The Comedy Night, the open air presentation of Twelfth Night, the Clay Workshop the Crazy Kris’ magic show and The Infinity Jazz Orchestra performance were all very popular too. Overall, of the 2,272 tickets available, 61% were sold. Although this was down on the 2022 figure, the overall number of tickets sold was comparable.
Some of this year's highlights....
Once again the Art Exhibition at St Thomas' Church was well attended, while away from the field local there was a walking tour of Stockton Heath. There were musical performances from a Children’s Gospel Choir as well as the Warrington Male Voice Choir. Thursday evening also saw the Comedy Night in the Scout Centre and a performance of The Scary Bikers comedy play.
The main events on Friday were a performance by the award-winning Soul Federation, a performance by the Elmore String Quartet, and more comedy with the Songs of Victoria Wood delivered by Paulus.
Saturday saw a variety of events in the Children’s Marquee including Sublime Science and fun French lessons with Petits Pois. Elsewhere there was a walking tour in Appleton and plenty of free events on the Festival Field. Saturday evening saw the ever-popular Illyria putting on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night in Grappenhall Walled Garden. In Festival Marquee we had The Playlisters performing a range of popular indie, rock and pop anthems, while over in St
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Registered Number 1127698
STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Thomas’s Church there were performances by Melody Makers Choir and Sixpence Voice Studio.
Sunday saw more events in the Kids Zone including a clay workshop and a magic show with Crazy Kris, while in the library there was a history talk, Stockton Heath in Pictures. Meanwhile for the grand finale, The Infinity Jazz Orchestra put on a rousing performance of big band hots in the Festival Marquee.
Across both Saturday and Sunday Steve Lewis once more did an excellent job as Compere on the Festival Field.
A wide variety of art and culture events were held over the four days at a range of venues. This included:
- The Art Exhibition
- Festival Songs of Praise
- Music for a Summers Evening
- Festival Family Movie Night
- Heritage Walk
- Charity Bingo Evening
Festival goers also had the opportunity to:
- take a boat ride down the Bridgewater Canal;
- wander around the market stalls and be tempted by the art, crafts and food;
- buy fresh produce at the allotment open day;
- partake in the sports taster events in Alexandra Park;
- enter their pets in the dog show run by the Greyhound Trust;
- watch the sights of the Studio 54 Dance Academy and JC Dance Academy;
- enjoy the Warrington Rock Choir, Melody Makers Choir and Batida Rio Samba Band
- sing along with local acts such as Olivia Booth, The Raymonds and Splinters Ensemble
- enjoy the Earl of Stamford Morris Dancers on the Festival Field.
## **Reflections and improvements for the future**
The 2023 was a great success, however it has been acknowledged that for the Festival to survive it cannot sustain such large losses as it did in 2023. At the time of writing this report the 2024 Festival has been and gone; happily it was another successful event, which will be reported on after the end of the year.
## **Volunteers**
The Organising Committee and over 30 volunteer festival crew bring everything together. The Committee do an extraordinary job with great attention to detail to make the Festival a success. We see many motivating factors for why people volunteer to help us, such as a way to get to know their community, giving something back and the love of the arts. We also recognise the enormous personal value people gain from volunteering; it can be such a help to get people ‘back on their feet’ after difficult times. Please do come and join us!
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Registered Number 1127698
STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL TRUST
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
Signed……………………………………………. Date…………………………………….
Mathew Forshaw, Chair of Trustees
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## **STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**Incoming Resources from**
**Generated Funds**
**Festival Income**
Box office, and on line takings
Stall and catering income
Art exhibition
**Fund Raising Income**
Lottery and raffles
Bingo & Comedy night
Bar takings
Commission on bar takings
**Voluntary Income**
Sponsorship
Grants
**Investment Income**
Bank interest received
**Total Incoming Resources**
**Resources expended**
**Festival Activities**
Festival Site costs
Artists performance fees
Art exhibition
Photography exhibition
Scarecrow competition
Hire of external venues
Licenses
Festival programmes
Printing, postage and stationery
Equipment storage
Insurance
Computer and website costs
On line ticket sales commission
Charity comedy night comedian
Subscription
Sundry costs
Depreciation Festival Equipment
Amortisation of Website Design costs
**Fund Raising Expenditure**
Lottery and raffles
Bar costs
Carried Forward|**£**
**£**
**14,992**
**5,430**
**470**
**20,892**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**2,172**
**2,172**
**6,750**
**6,200**
**12,950**
**49**
**36,063**
**24,195**
**11,797**
**150**
**-**
**-**
**610**
**63**
**2,990**
**809**
**-**
**1,362**
**231**
**-**
**-**
**120**
**476**
**-**
**-**
**42,803**
**5**
**-**
**5**
**6,745**
**-**
**Unrestricted**
**31 December 2023**|**£**
**£**
**14,933**
**5,195**
**54**
**20,181**
**583**
**-**
**-**
**2,671**
**3,254**
**5,100**
**10,900**
**16,000**
**1**
**39,437**
**21,082**
**9,931**
**150**
**-**
**-**
**654**
**83**
**2,793**
**1,066**
**-**
**1,362**
**193**
**-**
**-**
**-**
**469**
**2**
**-**
**37,784**
**583**
**-**
**583**
**1,069**
**Unrestricted**
**31 December 2022**|
|---|---|---|
## **STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES - Continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Unrestricted|Unrestricted|
|31 December 2023|31 December 2022|
|£|£|£|£|
|Brought Forward|-|6,745|1,069|
|Governance Costs|
|Accountancy fees|408|372|
|Donations|
|NET OUTGOING RESOURCES|-|7,153|697|
|Fund Balance Brought Forward at 1 January 2023|22,411|21,714|
|Fund Balance Carried Forward at 31 December 2023|15,258|22,411|
**----- End of picture text -----**
**STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023**
|**INTANGIBLE ASSETS**
Intangible assets
**FIXED ASSETS**
Tangible assets
**CURRENT ASSETS**
Debtors
Cash at bank
**CREDITORS**
Creditors
**NET CURRENT ASSETS**
**TOTAL ASSETS LESS**
**CURRENT LIABILITIES**
**UNRESTRICTED FUND**|Notes
2
3
4
5|**£**
**204**
**14,523**
**14,727**
**390**|**£**
**900**
**21**
**14,337**
**15,258**
**15,258**
**2,023**|**£**
**489**
**22,273**
**22,762**
**372**|**£**
**-**
**21**
**22,390**
**22,411**
**22,411**
**2,022**|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Financial Accounts were approved by the Trustees on ……………………………………….
M. Forshaw
Chairman
STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL TRUST
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS. REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTS TO THE TRUSTEES
OF THE STOCKTON HEATH FESTIVAL TRUST
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the financial accounts. The
charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year under section 144121 of
the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examiTre the financial accounts under settion 145 of the Charities Act
to follow the procedures laid down in the general Direction5 given by the Charity
Commission under section 14515llbl of the Charities Act, and
to state whether particular matters hove come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordan with the general Direttions 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 concerning 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 matter has come to my attention
which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in. any material respect. the
requirements-.
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the
Charities Act,. and
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and
comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Ad have
not been met,. or
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper
und standing of the accounts to be reached.
Ms Su Rai BAIHons} FCA DCHA
Raise
Chartered Accountants
Trimble House
9 Bold Street
Warrington
Cheshire
WAI IDN
Date=