Reading Scottish Pipe Band
Trustees' Report for the Year Ended 31st December 2025
1. General Information
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Charity Name:
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Reading Scottish Pipe Band
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Reg Number 1134221 on 9[th] February 2010
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16 Grovefields Avenue, Frimley, Camberley GU16 8PA
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Reporting Period:
o 1st January 2025 to 31st December 2025
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Trustees:
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Ron Paterson (Pipe Major)
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Mark Haynes (Treasurer)
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Laurence Quinn (Quartermaster)
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Graham Cochran (Engagement Coordinator)
2. Structure, Governance and Management
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Governance and Management Structure: The Pipe Band benefits from a dual management structure. The first focuses on the overall administration of the Charity and Band, while the second is dedicated to maintaining and improving the musical standards and performance quality of the Band.
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Charity and Band Management: The management of the Charity and Band is executed through the appointment of officers during the Annual General Meeting (AGM). These officers are responsible for the strategic direction and operational oversight of the organisation.
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Musical Direction: The Pipe Major, supported by the Pipe Sergeant, Drum Sergeant, and Corporals, oversees the musical development and performance standards of the Band. This team is responsible for training, repertoire selection, and ensuring the overall quality of the Band's sound.
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Regulatory Framework: The Band operates in accordance with its Constitution and a suite of supporting policies. These include policies on safeguarding, band equipment, GDPR compliance, and a code of conduct, alongside established customs and practices. This framework ensures responsible and effective governance across all aspects of the Band's activities.
3. Objectives and Activities
- The objective of the band is to promote, preserve, and enhance education in the arts through the encouragement of Scottish bagpipes and drums. It aims to provide instruction to beginners and advancing students alike, and to deliver public performances at carnivals, concerts, and festivals by integrating piping and drumming in both stationary and marching events.
4. Achievements and Performance
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Engagements: The band undertook 19 public engagements in 2025, earning £10,875
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Competitions: The band competed in indoor and outdoor competitions, including the World Championships, winning three trophies and £1,315 in prize money. The performance at the World Championships was the band's best to date.
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Tartan Ball: The Tartan Ball was well-attended, raising £821.
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Fundraising: The band raised £5,155 through donations, Gift Aid, and fundraising activities.
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Membership: The band's membership continues to remain strong, with new members being trained to replace the previous members who have left to pursue their studies at university.
5. Financial Review
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Opening Balance : The financial year 2025 commenced with an opening balance of £10,942.
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Income: Total income for the year amounted to £27,534, primarily generated from 19 engagements undertaken by the band across the South of England, predominantly in the Reading area.
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Expenditure: Total expenditure for the year was £24,653. Major costs included hall fees and expenses associated with competitions and engagements.
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Closing Balance: At the end of the year, the bank balance stood at £14,183. After deducting advance payments for engagements scheduled in 2026, the available funds totalled £13,823, reflecting a net increase of £2,881 compared to the previous year.
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Debts: As of 31 December 2024, the bank balance was £11,517, with outstanding liabilities of £575 related to engagement deposits for 2025.
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Additional Information: A detailed financial breakdown is provided in the Treasurer’s Report for 2025.
6. Public Benefit
The Reading Scottish Pipe Band provides a clear public benefit by:
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Promoting and preserving Scottish culture.
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Providing educational opportunities in music.
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Enhancing community engagement and social cohesion.
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Supporting other local charities through fundraising activities
6. Incidents
The trustees are committed to ensuring full compliance with all regulatory requirements. We can confirm that there were no incidents reportable to the Charity Commission during this financial year.
7. Members
The band relies heavily on the dedication and commitment of its members, who contribute their time and skills to all aspects of the organisation, from teaching and performing to fundraising and administration.
8. Future Plans
In the coming year, we plan to:
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Maintain our existing community outreach program, plus also enhance it with new events
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• Organise 3 major fundraising events to support the band's activities.
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Participate in national and international pipe band competitions and improve our standing.
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Invest in new instruments and equipment to enhance the quality of our performances.
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Year 2027 is also the band’s 70th anniversary, so we are in the process of planning significant events for that year.
9. Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
This Trustee's Report is submitted to the Charity Commission, prepared in good faith to meet our reporting requirements.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees on 28th February 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Mark Haynes
Treasurer
Treasurer's Report 2025
Period 1[st] Jan 2025 through 31[st] December 2025
1. 2025 SUMMARY
As of 31 December 2024, the bank balance stood at £11,517.33 , with liabilities of £575.00 relating to engagement deposits for 2025. The opening balance for FY2025 was £10,942.33 .
Total income for FY2025 was £27,534.08 , representing a decrease of £1012.72 compared to the previous year.
Total expenditure for FY2025 amounted to £24,652.94 , a reduction of £4,154.05 from the prior year.
At year-end, the bank balance was £14,183.47 . After accounting for advance payments for two 2026 engagements (£360.00), the final available funds were £13,823.47 and increase of £2,881.14
The following summary provides an overview of the accounts and a comparative analysis with previous years.
| previous years. | previous years. | previous years. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Scottish Pipe Band | ||||||||
| SUMMARY | Variances Years |
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| Actual Actual Actual |
Actual | Actual Provision |
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| Calendar Year | 2023 2024 2025 |
2023/ 2024 2024/2025 |
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| Opening Bank Balance | £18,674.58 £10,959.53 £11,517.33 |
-£7,715.05 £557.80 |
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| Cleared Debitors from Last Year | -£2,889.24 | -£57.00 | £0.00 | |||||
| FY OpeningBalance | £15,785.34 £11,202.53 £10,942.33 |
-£4,582.81 -£260.20 |
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| INCOME | ||||||||
| Subscriptions | £2,460.00 | £2,600.00 | £2,620.00 | £140.00 | £20.00 | £0.00 | ||
| Engagements | £13,235.86 | £9,590.00 | £10,215.00 | -£3,645.86 | £625.00 | £0.00 | ||
| Competition Prizes/Income | £2,157.50 | £1,640.00 | £1,315.00 | -£517.50 | -£325.00 | £0.00 | ||
| Sponsorship/Donations/Gift Aid | £1,519.53 | £5,632.20 | £5,155.11 | £4,112.67 | -£477.10 | £0.00 | ||
| Other(Misc.) | £347.00 | £2,950.04 | £883.00 | £2,603.04 | -£2,067.04 | £0.00 | ||
| Tartan Ball | £7,677.11 | £6,134.55 | £7,345.97 | -£1,542.56 | £1,211.42 | £0.00 | ||
| INCOME - TOTAL | £27,397.00 £28,546.79 £27,534.08 |
£1,149.79 -£1,012.72 |
£0.00 | |||||
| EXPENSES | ||||||||
| Expenses for Engagements | £2,395.51 | £2,916.32 | £2,021.20 | £520.81 | -£895.12 | £0.00 | ||
| Instruments and Maintenance | £5,239.85 | £2,542.29 | £1,258.42 | -£2,697.56 | -£1,283.87 | £0.00 | ||
| Uniforms and Maintenance -QM | £1,055.11 | £3,484.56 | £1,598.01 | £2,429.45 | -£1,886.55 | £0.00 | ||
| Competition Expenses | £9,615.91 | £4,810.85 | £5,144.50 | -£4,805.06 | £333.65 | £0.00 | ||
| Hall Fees | £5,460.40 | £5,315.45 | £6,178.45 | -£144.95 | £863.00 | £0.00 | ||
| Other Expenses | £1,248.86 | £3,869.60 | £1,927.86 | £2,620.74 | -£1,941.74 | £0.00 | ||
| Tartan Ball | £6,964.17 | £5,867.92 | £6,524.50 | -£1,096.25 | £656.58 | £0.00 | ||
| EXPENSES - TOTAL | £31,979.81 £28,806.99 £24,652.94 |
-£3,172.82 -£4,154.05 |
£0.00 | |||||
| Difference Income/Expense | -£4,582.81 -£260.20 £2,881.14 |
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| Not Cleared | £0.00 | |||||||
| FY Closing Balance | £11,202.53 £10,942.33 £13,823.47 |
-£260.20 £2,881.14 |
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| Debtors OwingThis Year | -£57.00 | £0.00 | £0.00 | |||||
| Liabilities | -£300.00 | £575.00 | £360.00 | |||||
| Closing Bank Balance | £10,959.53 £11,517.33 £14,183.47 |
£557.80 £2,666.14 |
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| Cash on Hand | £0.00 |
Page 1
Treasurer's Report 2025
2. NOTES ON INCOME AND EXPENDITURE
Key points to note are as follows:
Subscriptions
All members of the band paid their membership subscriptions in 2025, resulting in a total collection of £2,620.00 . This amount is nearly identical to the previous year's total of £2,600.00 , indicating stable membership and subscription income.
The Treasurer recommends retaining the current subscription rate of £40.00 for 2026. This proposal will be voted on at the upcoming AGM. Once approved, we kindly ask all members to pay their subscriptions promptly when requested. Thank you for your continued support and timely payments.
----- Start of picture text -----
Mem Type Members Collected
Assoc 4 £40.00
Full 61 £2,440.00
Guest 3 £0.00
Honorary 1 £0.00
Junior 7 £140.00
Grand Total 76 £2,620.00
----- End of picture text -----
Engagements
Public engagements remain the band’s primary source of ongoing income. Member participation in these events is essential to fulfilling our contractual obligations, generating revenue, and securing future bookings.
In 2025, the band earned £10,215.00 from 19 engagements, with related expenses totalling £2,021.20 . This represents an increase in income from 2024, when 18 engagements generated £9,960.00 in income, and expenses were increased £2,916.32 . The higher number of engagements and improved cost management contributed positively to our financial position.
Thank you to all members for submitting claims promptly and ensuring smooth financial administration throughout the year.
Pipe Major Expenses (Instruments and Maintenance)
For the year, the total expenditure by the Pipe Major was £1,258.42, which has been spent as follows: -
| - | Replacement Pipe Tuner | £168.23 |
|---|---|---|
| - | Chanter Reeds | £400.00 |
| - | New Drum Skins and parts | £690.19 |
Last year's spend was £2,542.29
Page 2
Treasurer's Report 2025
Hall Hire
Hall Hire for the band was £6,178.45 and has been spent as follows: -
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Monday nights, St Andrews £4,016.25
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- Thursday nights, St Johns £1,366.20
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- Wednesday nights, Hawkedon £638.00 - ad hoc practices in halls £158.00
This is more than last year, £5,315.45 , mainly due to rising hall hire costs.
Competitions
In 2025, the band competed at indoor competitions at Gordon's School and Luton, as well as outdoor events at Colchester, Corby, the World Championships, and Chatsworth. The band achieved notable success, winning three trophies and earning £1,315.00 in prize money, compared to £1,640.00 last year. The performance at the World Championships was the band's best to date.
Total competition expenses for the year were £5,144.50 , a slight increase from £4,810.85 in 2024. Of this, £2,720.00 was allocated for attending the World Championships in Glasgow. The hotel selected for the event, located conveniently on a direct bus route, has been rebooked for 2026 due to its value and suitability.
----- Start of picture text -----
Fees Gordon's Luton Colchester Corby Glasgow Chatsworth
TOTAL
Quartets J McGinn World's
Competition Entry £115.00 £63.00 £63.00 £63.00 £40.00 £65.00 £409.00
RSPBA Fees £327.00 £327.00
Expense £84.85 £72.60 £199.75 £318.90 £2,720.00 £1,012.40 £4,408.50
Prize Money £150.00 £415.00 £0.00 £750.00 £1,315.00
Grand Total Expense £327.00 £199.85 £135.60 £112.75 -£33.10 £2,760.00 £327.40 £3,829.50
----- End of picture text -----
Tartan Ball
The Tartan Ball, always a highlight of the year, was exceptionally well organized and enjoyed by 130 attendees, raising £821.47 for the band’s funds. This marks a significant increase from 2024, when 108 people attended, and £266.63 was raised. The growth in both participation and fundraising reflects the event’s continued success and popularity.
| Summary | Income Expense |
Income Expense |
|---|---|---|
| Tickets | £5,850.00 | £0.00 |
| Minibus | £217.00 | £180.00 |
| Meal | £0.00 | £5,416.00 |
| Band | £0.00 | £450.00 |
| Raffle | £1,203.97 | £0.00 |
| Head & Tails | £75.00 | £0.00 |
| Gratuity | £0.00 | £200.00 |
| Other Expenses | £0.00 | £278.50 |
| £7,345.97 | £6,524.50 |
Page 3
Treasurer's Report 2025
Donations/ Gift Aid/ Fundraising
In total, the band raised £5,155.11 through donations, Gift Aid, and fundraising activities this year. By comparison, last year's total was £5,632.20 ; however, that figure included three years of Gift Aid and three fundraising events, making this year's result particularly strong given the absence of those exceptional contributions.
Fundraising at Reading/ Newbury raised £1,652.04 .
| - | Newbury | £944.25 |
|---|---|---|
| - | Reading | £707.79 |
Gift Aid This year was the final year of the Gift Aid catch-up, having not been processed for several years, with HMRC providing £2,603.19
| - | 2024 | Gift Aid | £1,310.58 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | 2025 | Gift Aid | £1,292.61 |
Donations Income was £899.88 , which included two donations towards sets of pipes.
Other Income and Expenditure
Other income totalled £883.00 , while expenditures amounted to £1,927.86 .
Merchandise sales, supported by Embroidery Expressions, generated £611.00 in income against £586.65 in related costs.
Monday night tea service, managed by David and apprentice Helen, contributed £272.00 in income.
General expenditure for the period was £1,341.21, detailed in the subsequent breakdown.
| - | Insurance | £269.49 |
|---|---|---|
| - | Web Hosting | £76.89 |
| - | Aspire Fee Reduction | £150.00 |
| - | Saleable Goods | £157.79 |
| - | Quaiches | £244.40 |
| - | Ensemble | £49.99 |
| - | Rhythm Monster | £121.18 |
| - | Gifts/ Flowers | £235.23 |
| - | Secretary | £36.24 |
Uniform/Quarter Master Expenses
The Quartermaster was allocated a budget of £3,500.00 for 2025, but only used £1,589.01 . The primary expense was the purchase of long blue shirts for the competition band, along with additional kit to replenish stock. The Treasurer does not expect significant uniform investments for 2026. Last Year, the Uniform investment was £3,484.56 ; however, that was an exceptional year of spending.
Page 4
Treasurer's Report 2025
Cash
At the end of the year, the band held no cash on hand; all surplus funds have been deposited, and every amount is fully accounted for within the Band Accounts.
Mark Haynes Treasurer Reading Scottish Pipe Band 1st Jan 2026
Page 5
READING SCOTTISH PIPE BAND Registered Charity Number 1112536
Independent Examiners’ Report to the Trustees on the Unaudited Accounts of Reading Scottish Pipe Band (“the Charity”) for the year ended 31 December 2025
We report to the trustees on our examination of the Charity’s accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025.
As the Charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the presentation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
We report in respect of our examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under s.145 of the Act and in carrying out our examination we have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under s145(5)(b) of the Act.
We have completed our examination. We confirm that no material matters have come to our attention in connection with the examination which give us 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 Act; or
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the accounts do 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 (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
We have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed : Andrew McKenzie
William Smith
Date : 9 March, 2026