Charity registration number: 1141808
Flowers Band Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st October 2025
Flowers Band
Contents
Trustees' Annual Report 1 to 4 Independent examiner's report 5 Statement of Financial Activities 6 Balance Sheet 7 Notes to the Financial Statements 8 to 10
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FLOWERS BAND Trustees' Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 31 October 2025
1. Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name: Flowers Band Registered Charity Number:1141808 Principal Address:19 Thurlestone Road, Swindon, SN3 1EQ
Charity Trustees: Michael James Clare Smith Gregor Spence Ieuan Walton Lauren Chinn
2. Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document: The charity is governed by its constitutional document, originally adopted on 17 November 2010 and amended on 5 May 2011. Constitution & Legal
Status: The organization operates as an unincorporated association registered as a charity in England and Wales.
Trustee Selection and Recruitment: Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity’s constitution. Strategic appointments are made based on skills required for good governance of the band, such as fundraising, logistics, financial, and legal expertise.
Management & Day-to-Day Operations: While the Trustees hold ultimate legal responsibility for the charity, the day-to day management of the band's musical logistics, bookings, and operations is delegated to the Band Manager.
Risk Management: The Trustees regularly review the major operational and financial risks facing the charity. Systems have been established to mitigate risks when identified.
3. Objectives and Activities
Charitable Purposes: As defined in our governing framework, the band aims to promotes the art of Brass Bands to the public and the younger generations alongside encouraging music education and development to band members and externally.
Core Activities: To achieve these aims, the charity:
- Organises and performs high-quality public concerts.
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Participates in regional, national, and international brass band contests to maintain high musical standards.
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Promotes the brass band tradition to the general public and younger generations.
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Encourages music education, player development, and youth engagement within the wider community.
Public Benefit Compliance: The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit and the activities of the band are compliant.
Achievements and Performance
Musical Performance & Concerts: During the financial year, Flowers Band
successfully delivered a comprehensive program of public performances including:
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Our annual festive performances in Cheltenham and Pershore
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Our annual performance at Stroud Subscription Rooms
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Our first ever West of England Regional Championships Preview Event in Cheltenham
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A joint concert with Ledbury Community Band and Friends
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Our annual performance at Badminton Horse Trials
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Leading the Robert Raikes Sunday School Parade through the streets of Gloucester
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Performed at the wedding of our 2[nd] Cornet Player in Gloucester Cathedral.
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A joint concert in Newquay, Cornwall, with St Dennis Band
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Accompanied Brett Baker’s album recording, ‘The Heroic Trombone’
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A concert in Cheltenham with The Beauregard Youth Choir
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The Three Choirs Festival Opening Ceremony
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The world premiere of Bob Chilcott’s ‘A Mass for Reconciliation’ at Three Choirs Festival
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The Summer at Snape Festival – Snape Maltings
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The Ripon International Festival
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An Autumn concert in Pershore.
Contest Placements: As one of the UK's leading brass bands, competitive success remains a critical mechanism for showcasing high calibre performances. This year, the band competed in:
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Brass in Concert Championships 2024 – 3[rd] Place – Audience Entertainment Award, Best Principal Cornet, Best Flugel Horn
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West of England Regional Championships – 2[nd] Place
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British Open Brass Band Championships – 9[th] Place
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National Championships of Great Britain – 3[rd] Place
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Community Outreach & Education: The band continued its efforts to train and nurture musical talent. This year, we delivered 6 workshops and masterclasses to over 200 participants.
5. Financial Review
The total income for the charity during this financial year was £225,260.
Total expenditure for the charity during this financial year was £182,258.
This resulted in a surplus of £43,002, of which £26,311 is restricted for use for the 2026 European Brass Band Championships and 2026 World Music Contest
NOTE: Whilst the surplus in this financial year is considerable, a large portion of unrestricted funds will be expended in the following year for the band’s appearances at The European Brass Band Championships as restricted funds for that purpose do not meet the financial demand.
Principal Funding Sources:
Supporter Scheme – The band launched a Supporter Scheme during this financial year and are delighted with the response. This scheme now provided regular income of vital unrestricted funds which help support our core costs.
Performance Income – The band undertook a busy schedule of engagements which generated a considerable income of £30,466.
Donations – The band are grateful to a number of people for donations, both restricted and unrestricted, without which we simply couldn’t carry out our activities.
Trusts and Foundations – The band has made many Trust and Foundation applications during this financial year in aid of our European Brass Band Championships and The World Music Contest appearances. This is an avenue of funding we have not previously explored and the response has been considerable, with grants awarded making up the vast majority of restricted funds shown in these accounts.
Reserves Policy: The Trustees maintain a reserves policy to hold a minimum of £10,000 in unrestricted funds. This buffer ensures the band can meet ongoing financial obligations, such as rehearsal facility rent and professional fees, for a 3 month period. Other outgoings would cease if the band was not operational and income generating.
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6. Plans for Future Periods
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Artistic Ambitions: The band aims to build on its current standing as a premier UK brass band by targeting podium finishes at major upcoming national cont
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Audience Growth: We plan to expand our concert footprint into new regions, utilizing digital distribution and live recordings to reach wider audiences who
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Educational Continuity: Plans are underway to establish regular partnerships with local schools and music hubs to formalize our youth coaching programs.
7. Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the Trustees' Report above.
Signed on behalf of the Charity’s Trustees:
Mr Michael James (Trustee) Date:27 August 2026
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Independent Examiner's Report of the Trustees of
Flowers Band
I report on my examination of the accounts of the Trust fot the year ended 31st October 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to10.
Respective responsibities of trustees and examiner
The trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibilty to:
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examine the accounts under 145 of the 2011 Act;
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follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5) (b) of the Act; and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from 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 examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Tony Jones ATT
- 7 Larksfield Road, Kingscourt, Stroud, Glos, GL5 3PL
27 August 2026
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Flowers Band
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
| Note Incoming resources Incoming resources from generated funds Voluntary income 2 Activities for generating funds 3 Total incoming resources Resources expended Charitable activities 4 Governance costs 4 Total resources expended Net movement in funds Reconcilation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 160,943 26,311 187,254 144,555 38,006 38,006 41,628 |
|---|---|
| 198,949 26,311 225,260 186,183 |
|
| 182,058 182,058 163,868 200 200 250 |
|
| 182,258 182,258 164,118 |
|
| 16,691 26,311 43,002 22,065 34,161 34,161 12,096 |
|
| 50,852 26,311 77,163 34,161 |
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
The charity has no recognised gains or losses for the year other than the results above.
The notes on pages 8 to 10 form an integral part of these financial statements.
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Flowers Band
Balance Sheet as at the 31 October 2025
| Note Current assets Cash at bank and in hand Debtors 5 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year 6 Net current assets Net assets The funds of the charity: Unrestricted funds Unrestricted income funds Restricted income funds Total charity funds |
2025 £ 78,203 - 78,203 (1,040) 77,163 77,163 50,852 26,311 77,163 |
2024 £ 34,611 - |
|---|---|---|
| 34,611 | ||
| (450) | ||
| 34,161 | ||
| 34,161 | ||
| 34,161 - |
||
| 34,161 |
Approved by the Board on 27 August 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
Mr M James Mrs C Smith Trustee Trustee
The notes on pages 8 to 10 form an integral part of these financial statements.
Flowers Band
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1 Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) effective 1 January 2019, Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
Fund accounting policy
Restricted funds are funds received to be used for specific purposes as determined by the donors. Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees' discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Further details of each fund are disclosed in note 8.
Incoming resources
Donations are recognised where there is entitlement, certainty of receipt and the amount can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Income derived from events is recognised as earned (that is, as the related goods or services are provided).
Resources expended
Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to the expenditure. All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all costs related to the category.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Governance costs
Governance costs include costs of the preparation and examination of the statutory accounts, the costs of trustee meetings and the cost of any legal advice to trustees on governance or constitutional matters.
Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
Operating leases
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.
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Flowers Band
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
| 2 Voluntary income Donations and legacies Appeals and donations Other Income |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 130,720 26,311 157,031 120,299 30,223 30,223 24,256 |
|---|---|
| 160,943 26,311 187,254 144,555 |
| 3 Activities for generating funds Events Prize Money Concerts Other income |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 3,303 3,303 9,746 30,466 30,466 31,882 4,237 4,237 |
|---|---|
| 38,006 - 38,006 41,628 |
| 4 Total resources expended Direct costs Establishment costs Advertising & publicity Sundry and other costs Travel and subsistence Equipment purchases Professional costs Support costs Accountancy fees |
Charitable Governance 2024 Total activities £ £ £ 8,777 - 14,842 1,795 - - 5,080 - 1,084 125,438 - 119,737 14,913 - 26,054 - 28,204 |
|---|---|
| 182,057 - 163,867 - 200 250 |
|
| 182,057 200 164,117 |
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Flowers Band
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 October 2025
Trustees' remuneration and expenses
No trustees received any remuneration during the year
5 Debtors: Amounts due within one year
| Debtors: Amounts due within one year | |
|---|---|
| Gift Aid Prepayments |
2025 2024 £ £ - - - - |
| - - |
6 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Accruals and deferred income | 2025 2024 £ £ 1,040 450 |
|---|---|
| 1,040 450 |
7 Related parties
Controlling entity
The charity is controlled by the trustees.
8 Analysis of funds
| Restricted income funds Unrestricted income fund Total Funds Net assets by fund Current assets Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Net assets |
At 1 At 31 November Incoming Resources October 2024 resources expended 2025 £ £ £ £ - 26,311 - 26,311 34,161 198,949 (182,258) 50,852 |
|---|---|
| 34,161 225,260 (182,258) 77,163 |
|
| Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds Funds Funds 2025 2024 £ £ £ £ 51,892 26,311 78,203 34,611 (1,040) - (1040) (450) |
|
| 50,852 26,311 77,163 34,161 |