## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
Charity number 1141623
A company limited by guarantee number 07198613
## Annual Report and Financial Statements
to the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|2 to 5|
|Examiner's report|6|
|Statement of financial activities|7|
|Balance sheet|8|
|Notes to the accounts|9 to 12|
## **Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
1
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Trustees' report for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors**
**Name Position**
**Dates** Appointed December 2024
Amanda Crowther Barbara Lawson Dave Calvert Grant Lowe Helena Lyons Janet Ansell Jill Martin Kate Buchanan Margaret McEwan
Secretary
Resigned March 2024 Resigned July 2024 Appointed February 2025 Appointed December 2024 Resigned March 2024 Appointed February 2023 Appointed May 2023 Resigned March 2025 Appointed May 2024 Resigned March 2024
Chair from March 2024 Treasurer from March 2024 Chair/Treasurer Deputy Chair
Pamela Massett Roger Lancaster Sara Bradley Sarah Mason-Dixon Steve Wright Valerie Gunning
Appointed March 2021 Appointed December 2024 Appointed February 2025
**Charity number** 1141623 **Company number** 07198613 **Registered and principal address Bankers** c/o Fair Trader Co-operative Bank 34 Huddersfield Road PO Box 250 Holmfirth Delf House HD9 2JS Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
Registered in England and Wales Registered in England and Wales
## **Independent examiner**
Sarah Coates MAAT **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO** Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
## **Structure, governance and management**
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 22 March 2010. It is governed by a memorandum and articles of association (amended by special resolution 15 March 2011). The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £1.
## **Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees**
The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law and are appointed by the members at the AGM.
2
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Trustees' report (continued) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **Objectives and activities**
## **The charity's objects**
To promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and an appreciation of the arts, in particular, but not exclusively, by:
- a) The production of an annual arts festival.
- b) Providing information about artistic activity in Holmfirth and the Holme Valley.
- c) Providing support to local arts organisations in Holmfirth and the Holme Valley.
- d) Acting as an informal conduit between Kirklees and the various arts organisations in the Holme Valley.
## **The charity's main activities**
The main activity of the charity is the production of an annual arts festival together with supporting events throughout the year.
## **Public benefit statement**
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of education and community engagement in the arts.
## **Achievements and performance**
## **FESTIVAL THEME - FLOW: June to September 2024**
The Festival took inspiration from the importance of the River Holme and the Holme Valley to shape the programming and activities in the festival in 2024. The theme of FLOW will continue to be an overarching theme over the next few years.
Celebrating creativity in the landscape was achieved through:
- 1) Commissioning new work and supporting diverse artists
- 2) Inspiring our communities to engage with the arts and their heritage
- 3) Caring for the environment – connecting locally, regionally and internationally
The Festival comprised a wide range of events including performances both indoor and outdoor featuring local, national and international artists. Audiences of all ages enjoyed theatre, concerts, musical performances, an installation, walks, a film, a photography exhibition and a comedy evening. As one of Yorkshire’s Best Small Festivals, Holmfirth Arts Festival is committed to caring for the environment, engaging all our audiences and expanding our approach to access and inclusion.
Events during the Big Weekend were supported by British Sign Language interpretation. Elements of the Festival were taken into a care home setting for the first time and the residents were fully engaged and extremely appreciative.
A key part of this year’s Festival was the participatory programme linked to the parade which focussed on the flow of people not only from over the Pennine routes but from areas where asylum seekers and refugees had sought welcome shelter by flowing into the Holme Valley. Leading up to the free Big Weekend in June, ‘6 million +’ worked with artists, volunteers, Ukrainian and refugee culture to create the Dear Sunflowers Parade. This was a vibrant celebration of cultures from around the world combining music, puppetry, masks, banners, embroidery and print making.
Other entertainment and activities over the weekend included world class street theatre performances from Circus Raj, Edgelands Arts and Mind the Gap. Local community groups including Vocal Expressions and Banda Na Rua put on a range of musical performances. The outdoor programme continued into July with Mikron Theatre.
3
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Trustees' report (continued) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
Indoor theatre, a photography exhibition and concerts took place between June and September which included well-attended performances by the New Mill Male Voice Choir, soul/blues performer Dana Ali and Ukrainian concert pianist Daria Golovchenko.
In August, a new commission Requiem for a Fading World for chamber orchestra, solo singers and choir featuring local ensembles including the Holmfirth Choral Society was energetically received in a performance at The Civic. This year’s Steve Sykes’ Commission by the Good Earth Collective explored the landscape, industry, work lives and the human stories of Holmfirth and the surrounding areas in a piece entitled The River Flows. Both were well attended and well received. The Festival's ticketed events concluded with a sell out show by comedian and writer Keiran Hodgson entitled 'Big in Scotland'.
## **How we operate**
We are a locally-supported festival with an experienced board, active volunteer group of 30 local people and managed by a core team of professional freelance staff (Festival Director 80 days a year, Festival Manager 30 days a year, Access and Inclusion Liaison 20 days a year and Marketing and Media Manager 25 days a year). Each year our funding comes from a range of sources of which £30K has customarily come from Arts Council England. We are supported by local businesses.
## **Facts and figures**
a) 9,565 people engaged with the festival in person, with a further 26,800 through digital routes, a total of 36,365. (For context, according to the 2021 Census, 4,978 people live in Holmfirth).
b) 8,526 people came as audience members to an event or performance.
c) 772 people joined in a creative activity themselves through a workshop or The Big Weekend parade.
d) 267 artists worked across the festival, including the festival weekend and the extended programme of events
The Festival is committed to community cohesion and to increasing its reach and diversity through choice of programme and performers, by supporting access to the Festival and through special events:
a) 19% of those attending the Big Weekend identified as people of the global majority, compared with 3.2% of local residents identifying as such at the last census.
b) 12.5% of those attending the Big Weekend identified as disabled, and 16% of those attended the extended programme identified as disabled.
The Trustees are grateful to the Festival Director who continues to produce a Festival of high quality with commitment, flair and expertise. We also would like to acknowledge the ongoing work of the Festival Supporters. Finally, recognition and thanks are due to all the funders and sponsors without whom there would be no Festival.
## **Financial review**
The net income for the year was £13,143, including net payments of £6,797 on unrestricted funds and net income of £19,940 on restricted funds.
## **Reserves policy**
The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £25,432.
Reserves are held at a level to enable the smooth running of the charity and to enable an orderly winding up should the charity need to close. Current minimum reserve level is set at of £3,000 to cover any additional liabilities over and above those incurred at the end of each Festival cycle.
4
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Trustees' report (continued) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **Statement of trustees' responsibilities**
The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees report and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which 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 the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
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 accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Charities SORP (FRS102)), and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by the board of trustees on 06/10/2025
Kate Buchanan (Trustee)
5
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity's trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
- 4 the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
Sarah Coates MAAT
09/10/2025
## **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
6
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Statement of Financial Activities
## (including summary income and expenditure account) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|Notes
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
**Income from:**
Grants
(2)
-
Donations
(2)
25,175
Earned income
600
Box office
11,912
Sponsorship
-
Bar
1,325
Bank interest
-
Gift Aid
3,038
**Total income**
42,050
**Expenditure on:**
Festival director and manager
31,075
Marketing manager
-
Administration costs
66
Artists fees and commissions
11,237
Licensing
-
Technical support
660
Event production equipment, hires etc
3,508
Accessibility
-
Venue hire
-
Bar costs
461
Marketing, PR and social media
73
Photography and film
-
Evaluation
-
Insurance
543
Launch and closing events
-
IT and website
-
Fundraising costs
275
Independent examination
126
Training
823
**Total expenditure**
48,847
**Net income / (expenditure)**
(6,797)
**Fund balances brought forward**
32,229
**Fund balances carried forward**
(3)
25,432|2025
Restricted
funds
£
61,230
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
61,230
700
6,256
388
16,825
631
1,169
800
3,065
1,353
-
2,832
2,800
3,052
116
31
298
85
858
31
41,290
19,940
-
19,940|2025
Total
funds
£
61,230
25,175
600
11,912
-
1,325
-
3,038
103,280
31,775
6,256
454
28,062
631
1,829
4,308
3,065
1,353
461
2,905
2,800
3,052
659
31
298
360
984
854
90,137
13,143
32,229
45,372|2023
Total
funds
£
70,640
5,345
235
10,441
14,100
1,274
71
-
102,106
24,575
6,133
229
45,658
274
1,210
6,058
3,360
609
489
3,359
2,350
1,000
896
124
562
180
858
-
97,924
4,182
28,047
32,229|
|---|---|---|---|
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
7
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Balance sheet
|as at 31 March 2025
2025
Unrestricted
£
**Current assets**
Debtors and prepayments
(4)
317
Cash at bank and in hand
26,099
**Total current assets**
26,416
**Current liabilities:**
**amounts falling due within one year**
Creditors and accruals
(5)
984
**Total current liabilities**
984
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
25,432
**Net assets**
25,432
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
25,432
Restricted funds
-
**Total funds**
25,432|2025
Restricted
£
-
19,940
19,940
-
-
19,940
19,940
-
19,940
19,940|2025
Total
£
317
46,039
46,356
984
984
45,372
45,372
25,432
19,940
45,372|2023
Total
£
3,051
30,036
33,087
858
858
32,229
32,229
32,229
-
32,229|
|---|---|---|---|
For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019).
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 06/10/2025
## Kate Buchanan (Trustee)
8
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Notes to the accounts
## for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of accounting**
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by 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) and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
## **Going concern**
The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
## **Incoming resources**
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Grants and donations**
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
## **Expenditure and liabilities**
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
## **Taxation**
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
9
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|**2 Grants and donations**
Arts Council England
Longley Farm
National Lottery Heritage Fund
The Big Give Trust
SW Yorkshire Partnership
Holme Valley Parish Council
One Community Foundation
Kirklees Council (Ward Councillors)
Local Giving - Magic Little Grants
Co-op Good Causes
**3 Restricted funds**
Balance b/f
£
Arts Council England
-
Holmfirth Parish Council
-
Kirklees Council
-
National Lottery Heritage Fund
-
One Community - Longley Farm
-
One Community - J.L.Brierley
-
Big Give Trust Arts for Impact
-
Creative Minds SWY NHS Trust
-
-
Donations (including Local Giving and bucket
collections)|2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
18,300
-
4,897
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,978
25,175
Incoming
£
30,000
3,000
1,000
17,440
600
1,000
5,000
3,190
61,230|2025
Restricted
funds
£
30,000
-
17,440
5,000
3,190
3,000
1,600
1,000
-
-
-
61,230
Outgoing
£
30,000
1,500
-
-
600
1,000
5,000
3,190
41,290|2025
Total
funds
£
30,000
18,300
17,440
9,897
3,190
3,000
1,600
1,000
-
-
1,978
86,405
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2023
Total
funds
£
30,500
-
10,000
-
5,436
2,000
13,975
5,000
500
3,229
5,345
75,985
Balance c/f
£
-
1,500
1,000
17,440
-
-
-
-
19,940|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Fund name**
Arts Council England
Holmfirth Parish Council Kirklees Council National Lottery Heritage Fund
One Community - Longley Farm One Community - J.L.Brierley Big Give Trust Arts for Impact
Creative Minds SWY NHS Trust
## **Purpose of restriction**
To support costs towards high quality indoor and outdoor arts events and activities to the people of Holme Valley and West Yorkshire. To help towards festival costs.
To help towards festival production costs.
Towards the cost of exploring the heritage of the Graveship of Holme as a pageant. This payment was received in 2024 and will be spent in 2025. Towards festival costs.
Towards costs of BSL interpretation and signage. Match funding to £5K donations to increase access to the arts and creativity for people with disabilities and poor mental health at the annual Holmfirth Arts Festival.
Help towards the creative offer of Holmfirth Arts Festival’s community engagement programme by supporting access to arts and creativity for people with poor mental health and physical disabilities.
10
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|**4 Debtors and prepayments**
Debtors
Prepayments
**5 Accruals**
Accruals|2025
£
-
317
317
2025
£
984
984|2023
£
3,051
-
3,051
2023
£
858
858|
|---|---|---|
## **6 Related party transactions**
## **Trustee expenses**
During the year 1 trustee was paid a total of £23 in respect of travel (previous year: £nil).
## **Trustee remuneration and benefits**
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
11
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|2025
2023
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
**Income**
Grants
-
-
Donations
25,175
5,345
Earned income
600
235
Box office
11,912
10,441
Sponsorship
-
14,100
Bar
1,325
1,274
Bank interest
-
71
Gift Aid
3,038
-
**Total income**
42,050
31,466
**Expenditure**
Festival director and manager
31,075
17,125
Marketing manager
-
-
Administration costs
66
222
Artists fees and commissions
11,237
-
Licensing
-
-
Technical support
660
-
Event production equipment
3,508
332
Accessibility
-
-
Venue hire
-
-
Bar costs
461
489
Marketing, PR and social media
73
-
Photography and film
-
2,120
Evaluation
-
-
Insurance
543
896
Launch and closing events
-
-
IT and website
-
562
Fundraising costs
275
180
Independent examination
126
858
Training
823
-
**Total expenditure**
48,847
22,784
**Net income / (expenditure)**
(6,797)
8,682
**Fund balances brought forward**
32,229
23,547
**Fund balances carried forward**
25,432
32,229|2025
Restricted
funds
£
61,230
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
61,230
700
6,256
388
16,825
631
1,169
800
3,065
1,353
-
2,832
2,800
3,052
116
31
298
85
858
31
41,290
19,940
-
19,940|2023
Restricted
funds
£
70,640
-
-
-
-
-
-
70,640
7,450
6,133
7
45,658
274
1,210
5,726
3,360
609
-
3,359
230
1,000
-
124
-
-
-
-
75,140
(4,500)
4,500
-|2025
Total
funds
£
61,230
25,175
600
11,912
-
1,325
-
3,038
103,280
31,775
6,256
454
28,062
631
1,829
4,308
3,065
1,353
461
2,905
2,800
3,052
659
31
298
360
984
854
90,137
13,143
32,229
45,372|2023
Total
funds
£
70,640
5,345
235
10,441
14,100
1,274
71
-
102,106
24,575
6,133
229
45,658
274
1,210
6,058
3,360
609
489
3,359
2,350
1,000
896
124
562
180
858
-
97,924
4,182
28,047
32,229|
|---|---|---|---|---|
12
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
Charity number 1141623
A company limited by guarantee number 07198613
## Annual Report and Financial Statements
to the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|**Contents**|**Page**|
|---|---|
|Trustees' report|2 to 5|
|Examiner's report|6|
|Statement of financial activities|7|
|Balance sheet|8|
|Notes to the accounts|9 to 12|
## **Prepared by West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
1
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Trustees' report for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **Reference and administrative details of the charity, its trustees and advisors**
**Name Position**
**Dates** Appointed December 2024
Amanda Crowther Barbara Lawson Dave Calvert Grant Lowe Helena Lyons Janet Ansell Jill Martin Kate Buchanan Margaret McEwan
Secretary
Resigned March 2024 Resigned July 2024 Appointed February 2025 Appointed December 2024 Resigned March 2024 Appointed February 2023 Appointed May 2023 Resigned March 2025 Appointed May 2024 Resigned March 2024
Chair from March 2024 Treasurer from March 2024 Chair/Treasurer Deputy Chair
Pamela Massett Roger Lancaster Sara Bradley Sarah Mason-Dixon Steve Wright Valerie Gunning
Appointed March 2021 Appointed December 2024 Appointed February 2025
**Charity number** 1141623 **Company number** 07198613 **Registered and principal address Bankers** c/o Fair Trader Co-operative Bank 34 Huddersfield Road PO Box 250 Holmfirth Delf House HD9 2JS Southway Skelmersdale WN8 6WT
Registered in England and Wales Registered in England and Wales
## **Independent examiner**
Sarah Coates MAAT **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO** Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
## **Structure, governance and management**
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 22 March 2010. It is governed by a memorandum and articles of association (amended by special resolution 15 March 2011). The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £1.
## **Method of recruitment and appointment of trustees**
The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law and are appointed by the members at the AGM.
2
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Trustees' report (continued) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **Objectives and activities**
## **The charity's objects**
To promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and an appreciation of the arts, in particular, but not exclusively, by:
- a) The production of an annual arts festival.
- b) Providing information about artistic activity in Holmfirth and the Holme Valley.
- c) Providing support to local arts organisations in Holmfirth and the Holme Valley.
- d) Acting as an informal conduit between Kirklees and the various arts organisations in the Holme Valley.
## **The charity's main activities**
The main activity of the charity is the production of an annual arts festival together with supporting events throughout the year.
## **Public benefit statement**
In setting our objectives and planning our activities our Trustees have given serious consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and in particular the advancement of education and community engagement in the arts.
## **Achievements and performance**
## **FESTIVAL THEME - FLOW: June to September 2024**
The Festival took inspiration from the importance of the River Holme and the Holme Valley to shape the programming and activities in the festival in 2024. The theme of FLOW will continue to be an overarching theme over the next few years.
Celebrating creativity in the landscape was achieved through:
- 1) Commissioning new work and supporting diverse artists
- 2) Inspiring our communities to engage with the arts and their heritage
- 3) Caring for the environment – connecting locally, regionally and internationally
The Festival comprised a wide range of events including performances both indoor and outdoor featuring local, national and international artists. Audiences of all ages enjoyed theatre, concerts, musical performances, an installation, walks, a film, a photography exhibition and a comedy evening. As one of Yorkshire’s Best Small Festivals, Holmfirth Arts Festival is committed to caring for the environment, engaging all our audiences and expanding our approach to access and inclusion.
Events during the Big Weekend were supported by British Sign Language interpretation. Elements of the Festival were taken into a care home setting for the first time and the residents were fully engaged and extremely appreciative.
A key part of this year’s Festival was the participatory programme linked to the parade which focussed on the flow of people not only from over the Pennine routes but from areas where asylum seekers and refugees had sought welcome shelter by flowing into the Holme Valley. Leading up to the free Big Weekend in June, ‘6 million +’ worked with artists, volunteers, Ukrainian and refugee culture to create the Dear Sunflowers Parade. This was a vibrant celebration of cultures from around the world combining music, puppetry, masks, banners, embroidery and print making.
Other entertainment and activities over the weekend included world class street theatre performances from Circus Raj, Edgelands Arts and Mind the Gap. Local community groups including Vocal Expressions and Banda Na Rua put on a range of musical performances. The outdoor programme continued into July with Mikron Theatre.
3
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Trustees' report (continued) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
Indoor theatre, a photography exhibition and concerts took place between June and September which included well-attended performances by the New Mill Male Voice Choir, soul/blues performer Dana Ali and Ukrainian concert pianist Daria Golovchenko.
In August, a new commission Requiem for a Fading World for chamber orchestra, solo singers and choir featuring local ensembles including the Holmfirth Choral Society was energetically received in a performance at The Civic. This year’s Steve Sykes’ Commission by the Good Earth Collective explored the landscape, industry, work lives and the human stories of Holmfirth and the surrounding areas in a piece entitled The River Flows. Both were well attended and well received. The Festival's ticketed events concluded with a sell out show by comedian and writer Keiran Hodgson entitled 'Big in Scotland'.
## **How we operate**
We are a locally-supported festival with an experienced board, active volunteer group of 30 local people and managed by a core team of professional freelance staff (Festival Director 80 days a year, Festival Manager 30 days a year, Access and Inclusion Liaison 20 days a year and Marketing and Media Manager 25 days a year). Each year our funding comes from a range of sources of which £30K has customarily come from Arts Council England. We are supported by local businesses.
## **Facts and figures**
a) 9,565 people engaged with the festival in person, with a further 26,800 through digital routes, a total of 36,365. (For context, according to the 2021 Census, 4,978 people live in Holmfirth).
b) 8,526 people came as audience members to an event or performance.
c) 772 people joined in a creative activity themselves through a workshop or The Big Weekend parade.
d) 267 artists worked across the festival, including the festival weekend and the extended programme of events
The Festival is committed to community cohesion and to increasing its reach and diversity through choice of programme and performers, by supporting access to the Festival and through special events:
a) 19% of those attending the Big Weekend identified as people of the global majority, compared with 3.2% of local residents identifying as such at the last census.
b) 12.5% of those attending the Big Weekend identified as disabled, and 16% of those attended the extended programme identified as disabled.
The Trustees are grateful to the Festival Director who continues to produce a Festival of high quality with commitment, flair and expertise. We also would like to acknowledge the ongoing work of the Festival Supporters. Finally, recognition and thanks are due to all the funders and sponsors without whom there would be no Festival.
## **Financial review**
The net income for the year was £13,143, including net payments of £6,797 on unrestricted funds and net income of £19,940 on restricted funds.
## **Reserves policy**
The charity's free reserves, excluding fixed assets, at the year end were £25,432.
Reserves are held at a level to enable the smooth running of the charity and to enable an orderly winding up should the charity need to close. Current minimum reserve level is set at of £3,000 to cover any additional liabilities over and above those incurred at the end of each Festival cycle.
4
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Trustees' report (continued) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **Statement of trustees' responsibilities**
The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees report and the financial statements in accordance with the applicable law and UK Accounting Standards.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which 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 the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation.
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 accounts comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Charities SORP (FRS102)), and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Approved by the board of trustees on 06/10/2025
Kate Buchanan (Trustee)
5
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity's trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
- 4 the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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.
Sarah Coates MAAT
09/10/2025
## **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
6
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Statement of Financial Activities
## (including summary income and expenditure account) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|Notes
2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
**Income from:**
Grants
(2)
-
Donations
(2)
25,175
Earned income
600
Box office
11,912
Sponsorship
-
Bar
1,325
Bank interest
-
Gift Aid
3,038
**Total income**
42,050
**Expenditure on:**
Festival director and manager
31,075
Marketing manager
-
Administration costs
66
Artists fees and commissions
11,237
Licensing
-
Technical support
660
Event production equipment, hires etc
3,508
Accessibility
-
Venue hire
-
Bar costs
461
Marketing, PR and social media
73
Photography and film
-
Evaluation
-
Insurance
543
Launch and closing events
-
IT and website
-
Fundraising costs
275
Independent examination
126
Training
823
**Total expenditure**
48,847
**Net income / (expenditure)**
(6,797)
**Fund balances brought forward**
32,229
**Fund balances carried forward**
(3)
25,432|2025
Restricted
funds
£
61,230
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
61,230
700
6,256
388
16,825
631
1,169
800
3,065
1,353
-
2,832
2,800
3,052
116
31
298
85
858
31
41,290
19,940
-
19,940|2025
Total
funds
£
61,230
25,175
600
11,912
-
1,325
-
3,038
103,280
31,775
6,256
454
28,062
631
1,829
4,308
3,065
1,353
461
2,905
2,800
3,052
659
31
298
360
984
854
90,137
13,143
32,229
45,372|2023
Total
funds
£
70,640
5,345
235
10,441
14,100
1,274
71
-
102,106
24,575
6,133
229
45,658
274
1,210
6,058
3,360
609
489
3,359
2,350
1,000
896
124
562
180
858
-
97,924
4,182
28,047
32,229|
|---|---|---|---|
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
7
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Balance sheet
|as at 31 March 2025
2025
Unrestricted
£
**Current assets**
Debtors and prepayments
(4)
317
Cash at bank and in hand
26,099
**Total current assets**
26,416
**Current liabilities:**
**amounts falling due within one year**
Creditors and accruals
(5)
984
**Total current liabilities**
984
**Net current assets / (liabilities)**
25,432
**Net assets**
25,432
**Funds**
Unrestricted funds
25,432
Restricted funds
-
**Total funds**
25,432|2025
Restricted
£
-
19,940
19,940
-
-
19,940
19,940
-
19,940
19,940|2025
Total
£
317
46,039
46,356
984
984
45,372
45,372
25,432
19,940
45,372|2023
Total
£
3,051
30,036
33,087
858
858
32,229
32,229
32,229
-
32,229|
|---|---|---|---|
For the year ending 31 March 2025 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019).
The financial statements were approved by the board of trustees on 06/10/2025
## Kate Buchanan (Trustee)
8
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Notes to the accounts
## for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Basis of accounting**
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by 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) and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year. No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
## **Going concern**
The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
## **Incoming resources**
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, if it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
## **Grants and donations**
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
## **Expenditure and liabilities**
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
## **Taxation**
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from income tax and capital gains tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
## **Fund accounting**
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
9
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|**2 Grants and donations**
Arts Council England
Longley Farm
National Lottery Heritage Fund
The Big Give Trust
SW Yorkshire Partnership
Holme Valley Parish Council
One Community Foundation
Kirklees Council (Ward Councillors)
Local Giving - Magic Little Grants
Co-op Good Causes
**3 Restricted funds**
Balance b/f
£
Arts Council England
-
Holmfirth Parish Council
-
Kirklees Council
-
National Lottery Heritage Fund
-
One Community - Longley Farm
-
One Community - J.L.Brierley
-
Big Give Trust Arts for Impact
-
Creative Minds SWY NHS Trust
-
-
Donations (including Local Giving and bucket
collections)|2025
Unrestricted
funds
£
-
18,300
-
4,897
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,978
25,175
Incoming
£
30,000
3,000
1,000
17,440
600
1,000
5,000
3,190
61,230|2025
Restricted
funds
£
30,000
-
17,440
5,000
3,190
3,000
1,600
1,000
-
-
-
61,230
Outgoing
£
30,000
1,500
-
-
600
1,000
5,000
3,190
41,290|2025
Total
funds
£
30,000
18,300
17,440
9,897
3,190
3,000
1,600
1,000
-
-
1,978
86,405
Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|2023
Total
funds
£
30,500
-
10,000
-
5,436
2,000
13,975
5,000
500
3,229
5,345
75,985
Balance c/f
£
-
1,500
1,000
17,440
-
-
-
-
19,940|
|---|---|---|---|---|
## **Fund name**
Arts Council England
Holmfirth Parish Council Kirklees Council National Lottery Heritage Fund
One Community - Longley Farm One Community - J.L.Brierley Big Give Trust Arts for Impact
Creative Minds SWY NHS Trust
## **Purpose of restriction**
To support costs towards high quality indoor and outdoor arts events and activities to the people of Holme Valley and West Yorkshire. To help towards festival costs.
To help towards festival production costs.
Towards the cost of exploring the heritage of the Graveship of Holme as a pageant. This payment was received in 2024 and will be spent in 2025. Towards festival costs.
Towards costs of BSL interpretation and signage. Match funding to £5K donations to increase access to the arts and creativity for people with disabilities and poor mental health at the annual Holmfirth Arts Festival.
Help towards the creative offer of Holmfirth Arts Festival’s community engagement programme by supporting access to arts and creativity for people with poor mental health and physical disabilities.
10
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Notes to the accounts continued
## for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|**4 Debtors and prepayments**
Debtors
Prepayments
**5 Accruals**
Accruals|2025
£
-
317
317
2025
£
984
984|2023
£
3,051
-
3,051
2023
£
858
858|
|---|---|---|
## **6 Related party transactions**
## **Trustee expenses**
During the year 1 trustee was paid a total of £23 in respect of travel (previous year: £nil).
## **Trustee remuneration and benefits**
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
11
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the period 1 October 2023 to 31 March 2025
|2025
2023
Unrestricted Unrestricted
funds
funds
£
£
**Income**
Grants
-
-
Donations
25,175
5,345
Earned income
600
235
Box office
11,912
10,441
Sponsorship
-
14,100
Bar
1,325
1,274
Bank interest
-
71
Gift Aid
3,038
-
**Total income**
42,050
31,466
**Expenditure**
Festival director and manager
31,075
17,125
Marketing manager
-
-
Administration costs
66
222
Artists fees and commissions
11,237
-
Licensing
-
-
Technical support
660
-
Event production equipment
3,508
332
Accessibility
-
-
Venue hire
-
-
Bar costs
461
489
Marketing, PR and social media
73
-
Photography and film
-
2,120
Evaluation
-
-
Insurance
543
896
Launch and closing events
-
-
IT and website
-
562
Fundraising costs
275
180
Independent examination
126
858
Training
823
-
**Total expenditure**
48,847
22,784
**Net income / (expenditure)**
(6,797)
8,682
**Fund balances brought forward**
32,229
23,547
**Fund balances carried forward**
25,432
32,229|2025
Restricted
funds
£
61,230
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
61,230
700
6,256
388
16,825
631
1,169
800
3,065
1,353
-
2,832
2,800
3,052
116
31
298
85
858
31
41,290
19,940
-
19,940|2023
Restricted
funds
£
70,640
-
-
-
-
-
-
70,640
7,450
6,133
7
45,658
274
1,210
5,726
3,360
609
-
3,359
230
1,000
-
124
-
-
-
-
75,140
(4,500)
4,500
-|2025
Total
funds
£
61,230
25,175
600
11,912
-
1,325
-
3,038
103,280
31,775
6,256
454
28,062
631
1,829
4,308
3,065
1,353
461
2,905
2,800
3,052
659
31
298
360
984
854
90,137
13,143
32,229
45,372|2023
Total
funds
£
70,640
5,345
235
10,441
14,100
1,274
71
-
102,106
24,575
6,133
229
45,658
274
1,210
6,058
3,360
609
489
3,359
2,350
1,000
896
124
562
180
858
-
97,924
4,182
28,047
32,229|
|---|---|---|---|---|
12
## Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
## Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Holmfirth Art & Music Limited
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2025, which are set out on pages 7 to 12.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity's trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- 1 accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2 the accounts do not accord with those records; or
- 3 the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or
- 4 the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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: …………………………………… Name: Sarah Coates MAAT
09/10/2025
## **West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO**
Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
1