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2025-08-31-accounts

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 07325147 (England and Wales) REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1138083

Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Limited

Trustees' Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Contents of the Financial Statements - Year ended 31 August 2025

Page
Legal and Administrative Details 3
Trustees' Report 4 to 10
Independent Examiner's Report 11
Statement of Financial Activities
12
Balance Sheet
13
Notes to the Financial Statements
14 to 18

page 2

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited is a Registered Charity and a Company Limited by Guarantee

Company Registration No. 07325147 Registered Charity No. 1138083

Board of Directors/Trustees

Tom Ainsworth Appointed 22 July 2022 Philip Baugh Appointed 1 April 2024 Ivana Douglas Appointed 20th March, 2020 John Drury Appointed 8 September 2022 Philip Lee Appointed 23 April 2021 Kate Lowes Appointed 20 March 2020 Miles Peachy Appointed 20 January 2016 Analis Smith Appointed 22 July 2022 David Walters Appointed 1 October 2017

Registered Office 37 York Fields, Barnoldswick, Lancashire, BB18 5DA

(formerly 9 Radeclyffe Street, Clitheroe, Lancashire, BB7 2HL)

Bankers

Virgin Money 12 Manchester Road Burnley

Independent Examiners

RAA DSM Ltd 2 Heap Bridge Bury

page 3

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Trustees' Annual Report

The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period ended 31 August 2025.

Summary Objectives

The mission of Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues (RVJ&B) is to promote and develop the cultural, economic and social benefits of jazz & blues music to individuals and communities in the North West from its base in Clitheroe and the Ribble Valley.

This long-term goal will be achieved by: -

Structure, Governance and Management

All Trustees/Directors are jointly responsible for submitting correct Company reports. All Trustees/Directors are jointly responsible for the charity's finances, the task of detailed oversight is assigned to a Treasurer, who must be a Director. Further professional advice on the legal or financial aspects of the charity's operations is sought where required. RVJ&B has a reserves policy that requires a financial reserve to be held which is sufficient to cover emergency expenditure that might arise, currently set at £3,000. This, together with typical reserves in the current account, would normally be at a level of approximately one third of the charity’s annual running costs. The Trustees continue to seek grant, sponsorship and earned income to build the company reserves and help ensure long-term sustainability.

The Company has a number of formal written policies and procedures, covering such issues as Health and Safety, Safeguarding, Conflict of Interest, and Data Protection. These policies and procedures are reviewed on a regular basis. Further policies and procedures are currently being written up, such as that of Financial Procedures, Recruitment and Volunteer Management, to formalise existing Company practice.

page 4

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Trustees' Annual Report continued

Trustees Responsibility Statement

The Trustees (who are also the directors of Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

The Trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)

Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to: -

The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The following were Trustees/Directors during the year

Tom Ainsworth

Philip Baugh Ivana Douglas John Drury Philip Lee Kate Lowes

Miles Peachy Analis Smith

David Walters

Each member of the Board of Trustees is personally liable for an amount not exceeding £10 in the event of the winding up of the company, in accordance with its Memorandum of Association

Insurance

During the year the Company made payments for insurance of Trustees liabilities arising as a result of the activities and decisions carried out on behalf of the Company.

page 5

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Trustees' Annual Report continued

Financial Review of 2024-5

The Charity was incorporated into a Company Limited by Guarantee on the 26[th] July 2012. The Company has applied appropriate financial management control over its activities throughout the period, administered through the Finance and General Purposes Committee of Trustees.

Overall the Charity generated income of £72,110 (2024 £61,543), including £15,400 from the second 40% of the Arts Council Development Grant, and spent £65,386 (2024 £59,308), resulting in a surplus of £6,724 (2024 £2,235). This surplus in the year includes a net contribution from the Arts Council Fund of £5,950 which will be restricted to undertake activities specified to the grant offer.

The 2025 Festival, which although it was a cultural success, achieved audience numbers which were disappointing at paid gigs and a significant deficit would have been made, which legitimately utilised Arts Council funding to support band and venue costs, education workshops and marketing to move towards a small surplus. Other headline gigs at the Grand have also had to be subsided from Arts Council funding, as we try to develop audiences towards a younger and more diverse clientele, whilst still retaining the integrity of the artform. Nationally it has been recognised that this is not an easy task outside of major population conurbations. Trustees will review the scope of activities moving forward, but, on the cessation of Arts Council funding subsidies, it is unlikely that more major headline events will be held, with emphasis placed on development of more locally based activities.

At 31 August 2025 total funds were £23,709 (2024 £16,985) of which £12,450 was restricted to activities specified in the Arts Council grant offer, leaving £11,259 in unrestricted funds available to support general activities. The final 10% of Arts Council funding (£3,850) will be received in 2026 on completion of the final report, although this will also be restricted to activities specified in the grant offer, which have to be completed by June.

The Charity has sufficient funds to ensure it is a going concern able to meet its commitments for the foreseeable future.

page 6

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Trustees' Annual Report continued

Trustees Annual Report of Activities 2024/5

It is important to recognise that the activities of RVJ&B are only possible due to the enthusiasm and hard work by the Trustees and a dedicated group of volunteers.

RVJ&B continues to support an ambitious programme of charitable arts-based jazz and blues activities through the year, prioritising the following areas:-

The largest commitment in terms of volunteer work and finance is, as always, our annual May Bank Holiday Festival. Only two Festival gigs were held in The Grand this year – a long-term partner – due to the increasing costs of hiring the venue. These gigs were the Kyla Brox Blues Train and Tim Garland’s Lighthouse Trio. Both were exceptional events in terms of presentation and music, and RVJ&B were able to cover the costs of hiring the musicians. However, when the costs of hiring The Grand were included the events were not financially viable without further support from Arts Council, England (ACE).

Considerable thought was given to the choice of the other formal gigs at our Festival as we are endeavouring to increase the numbers of younger people attending our events. The bands we put on were Baked a La Ska; The Haggis Horns; Orchard; Ribble Valley Jazz Big Band and Secret Night Garden (presented by Stereo Press). The numbers of young people did increase considerably, however, some of these bands were less popular with our older members and audiences.

As has become traditional the RVJ&B Festival put on bands throughout Clitheroe and its near vicinity for the whole Bank Holiday – with just shy of 50 bands offering music.

However, it was obvious that there was less footfall for our Festival than normal. Organisers became aware quickly that Burnley Council had decided to put on a free music festival – Burnley Live – on the same weekend. This event will continue for two years again on the same weekend. Also, Clitheroe FC, our local football team, put on a free music festival on the Saturday of Bank Holiday. Both these events undoubtedly affected attendance at our Festival impacting on our both financial health and cultural impact.

page 7

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Trustees' Annual Report continued

In addition to the Festival, RVJ&B continued to put on significant artists/concerts at The Grand. On 28th September Ruby Turner played there. This was a considerable investment – much the most RVJ&B had ever paid to present a gig. Accordingly, tickets were high priced and three tiered. Yet this gig was a sell out and the only gig that we have put on at The Grand post Covid that has covered its costs, including the hire of The Grand. The gig was a big success.

We also celebrated International Women’s Day for the third year in succession by putting on the up and coming, young female saxophone player – Emma Rawicz - on with RVJ&B’s own group Elbow Room as the support band. In late June we booked Hejira to play The Grand. Both these events went excellently but had insufficient attendances to cover both the costs of the artists and the hire of The Grand.

Our Trustees recognised post Festival and after the Hejira gig that considerable thought needed to be given to two things – our continued use of the excellent facility The Grand and the format and date of festival.

The Spread Eagle in Sawley has a bi-monthly Dinner Jazz event put on by RVJ&B. These are very much ‘Straight Ahead Jazz’ and are always well attended. Many thanks to Ed Lomax for organising these events.

RVJ&B supports a number of community based activities, which encourage participation in creating and performing music.

The Ribble Valley Jazz Big Band had another successful year participating for the second time at the Great North East Big Band Competition at Chester-le- Street As usual, there was a large number of University Big Bands from places like Edinburgh, Newcastle, Durham and Leeds, with each band being allowed a 20 minute programme. Once again, the feedback from the judges was positive, emphasizing our good points rather than dwelling on the things which were not quite right. Having performed to the expected standard, the band have been invited back this year. The band also played at the Jazz Festival with a large audience turnout at the United Reform Church. The band played at the Continental once again, this time alone rather than with another band. Our regular band leader was not available but the band was ably led by trombonist Jack Yerkess.

page 8

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Trustees' Annual Report continued

The Jazz Jam continues to take place once a month, it is a networking session for musicians which is very well attended with an average of about 20 local musicians and a resident backing trio led by Trish Ferrarin. The back line always does a fantastic job having to play at sight anything that is thrown at them during the evening without any previous knowledge of what tune might turn up. Besides numerous tenor saxophones, alto sax, clarinet, flute, trumpet and trombone regularly feature in the line-up as well as occasionally ukulele, and a good complement of regular listeners. The Low Moor Club in Clitheroe hosted these jazz jam sessions during the year, but we have now moved to the Old School Rooms in Clitheroe, a more comfortable venue for the audience. This change has led to a large increase in the audience with numbers each month in the range 60-100 including the individual players. Thanks must go as well to Wayne Kilmer and Sue Bradley, who put in a lot of effort to set things up for the players as well as playing during the evening themselves. Jazz Improvisation Workshop is held once a month, Trish Ferrarin leads a jazz improvisation workshop now located in a room at Trinity Hub. Currently, there are around 12 participants in the group who attempt to get their heads around the exercises that Trish prepares for them, one of the latest being the ability to play a tune and appropriate solos in all 12 keys. This enables players to develop their improvisation skills enabling them to create and sustain more complex and more interesting solos not only for their own benefit but also for the audiences who will subsequently hear them. The organisation of the workshops is such that they take place normally a few days before the Jazz Jam. This gives the players a great opportunity to analyse their solos and experiment, building confidence in a way that allows them to perform at a higher standard when the Jazz Jam takes place.

Elbow Room achieved a sense of identity throughout the year, understanding its role to provide a space for women players to explore ensemble playing, improvisation and composition for greater confidence to use in other mixed group musical activities. The group benefited from a strong trombone section, as well as learning new pieces for that year’s JJB award winner and vocalist. Our membership stayed at a steady 10 members under the leadership of Trish Ferrarin. During the year Elbow Room developed a clear pool of music from which to present full gigs including originals from group members, numbers we have been gifted by previous collaborations, for instance with saxophonist Emma Johnson, and jazz standards in arrangement for small bands. Highlights from the year included the Christmas celebration gig for the Spread Eagle and supporting Emma Rawicz at the 2025 International Women’s Day gig at the Grand. Throughout the year Elbow Room developed a productive relationship with the Morecambe-based community band Off the Rails which would result in shared gigs at the 2025 RVJ&B Festival and the Lancaster Festival. Our thanks as always go to Trish Ferrarin for her musical leadership and to our colleagues at the United Reformed Church Clitheroe who provide a warm welcome and a beautiful acoustic at our rehearsal space.

page 9

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Trustees' Annual Report continued

The Club has a weekly spot on Ribble FM where two hours of music every Wednesday evening is hosted by members of RVJ&B. Thanks to the hosts of these shows – Sue Bradley, Ivana Douglas, Phil Lee, Paul Rigby, Miles Peachey and David Walters.

The Club’s Youth Group which regularly meets to discuss ways to encourage jazz and blues music amongst the younger population of the Ribble Valley.

The Club’s earlier success in its bid to the Arts Council for £40k development funding to enhance the Club’s activities and widening participation has continued to be vital for all our activities. Funding will continue to support audience development and strengthen our network of local and regional musicians.

The Trustees report was approved by the Board of Trustees on the 20th May 2026 and signed on its behalf by

John Drury Trustee/Director/Treasurer

page 10

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Independent Examiners Report to the Trustees of Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues Limited

I report on the Charity for the year ended 31 August 2025, which are set out on pages 1 to xxx

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Trustees of the Charity (also Directors of the Company) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent Examiner’s Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 you as 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 Examiners Report

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

Mark Jacobs - ACA

RAA DSM Ltd 2 Heap Bridge Bury Lancashire BL9 7HR

Date:…………………….

page 11

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

2025
Notes
£
Income
Event Revenue
32,322
Raffles
0
Membership Fees
849
Donations
4,977
Educational Activities
6,642
Sponsorship
11,920
Arts Council Grant
15,400
72,110
Expenditure
Direct Charitable Activities
2
62,592
Management & Administration
3
2,564
Depreciation
7
230
65,386
Net Surplus/(Deficit)
6,724
Total funds brought forward
16,985
Total funds carried forward
12
23,709		 2024
£
16,182
48
949
5,447
5,552
14,115
19,250
61,543
55,346
3,655
307
59,308
2,235
14,750
16,985

The notes on pages 14 - 18 form part of these financial statements

page 12

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Balance Sheet at 31 August 2025

Notes
Fixed assets
7
Current assets
Bank and cash balances
Debtors
8
Current Liabilities:amounts falling due within one year
9
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
Net assets
Funds
General Fund
12
Restricted (ACE) Fund
12
Total Funds		 2025
£
690
22,104
5,841
27,945
(4,926)
23,019
23,709
23,709
11,259
12,450
23,709		 2024
£
920
11,291
6,650
17,941
(1,876)
16,065
16,985
16,985
6,500
10,485
16,985

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 479A of the Companies Act 2006 relating to

charitable companies for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a) Ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)Preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on 20th May 2026 and signed on its behalf:

John Drury Trustee/Director Treasurer

page 13

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Accounting Policies

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) 'Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, with the exception of investments which are included at market value, as modified by the revaluation of certain assets.

Statement of compliance with prevailing laws and regulations

The financial statements have been prepared to give a ‘true and fair’ view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’. This departure has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland issued in October 2019 rather than the Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice effective from 1 April 2005 which has since been withdrawn.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the Trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the Charity, and when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of activities undertaken to further the purposes of the charity and their associated support costs. Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities. Support costs include administrative and governance costs. Governance costs comprise all costs involving the public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

page 14

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025

Accounting policies - continued

Recognised gains and losses

All gains and losses are taken to the statement of financial activities as they arise. Realised gains and losses on investments are calculated as the difference between sales proceeds and their opening carrying value or their purchase value if acquired subsequent to the first day of the financial year. Unrealised gains and losses are calculated as the difference between the fair value at the year end and their carrying value. Realised and unrealised investment gains and losses are combined in the statement of financial activities.

Going concern

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis as the Trustees believes that no material uncertainties exist. Continued development of activities will only be undertaken when sufficient funding is confirmed to support them

page 15

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

1 Accounting policies - basis of accounting

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and are in accordance with the applicable accounting standards.

2 Direct Charitable Expenditure
Event Costs
Marketing and Communications
Educational Activity Costs
Equipment, Repairs & Renewals
Website Costs
3 Management & Administration
Postage & Stationery
Insurance
Sundries
HR and Compliance
Professional Fees
Accountancy
Hire of Bands		 2025
2024
£
£
32,845
25,790
13,180
9,625
4,729
7,722
11,273
11,318
165
211
400
680
62,592
55,346
2025
2024
£
£
54
0
289
283
0
394
831
19
250
1,921
1,140
1,038
2,564
3,655

page 16

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

4 Employees

There were no employees during the period (2024 - nil)

5 Taxation

No taxation liability has been provided in these Financial Statements as, being a registered charity, Ribble Valley Jazz and Blues is exempt from taxation in accordance with Section 505 of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988

6 Board of Trustees Emoluments

No member of the Board of Trustees received any remuneration during the year (2024 - nil). Members were reimbursed for out of pocket expenses incurred wholly on Charity's business.

7 Fixed Assets - NBV
Plant & Machinery - Cost
B/Fwd
C/Fwd
Plant and Machinery - Depn
Depreciation B/Fwd
Charge for the year
Depreciation C/Fwd
Net Book Value
8 Debtors
Trade Debtors
Prepayments
9 Current Liabilities
Trade Creditors
Accrued Expenses and Deferred Income		 2025
£
3,324
3,324
2,404
230
2,634
690
5,770
71
5,841
3,786
1,140
4,926		 2024
£
3,324
3,324
2,097
307
2,404
920
650
6,000
6,650
838
1,038
1,876

page 17

Ribble Valley Jazz And Blues Limited

Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

10 Liability of Members

The Company is limited by guarantee and does not have share capital Each Member is personally liable for an amount not exceeding £10.

11 Restricted and Unrestricted Funds - Surplus/(Deficit)

Total Brought Forward Reserves
Surplus/(Deficit) for the period
Total Reserves Carried Forward
The Surplus/(Deficit) Carried Forward is
Restricted Reserves - Arts Council
Unrestricted Funds
Fund movements
Restricted Funds
Unrestricted Funds
Total Funds		 split between
Opening
Balance
6,500
10,485
16,985		 Funds
Received
15,400
56,710
72,110		 2025
£
16,985
6,724
23,709
12,450
11,259
23,709
Funds
Expensed
9,450
55,936
65,386		 2024
£
14,750
2,235
16,985
6,500
10,485
16,985
Closing
Balance
12,450
11,259
23,709

12 Fund movements

13 Related Party Transactions

There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 August 2025

page 18