Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrian Pipers. Society (a company limited by guarantee) Company Number". 07471625 Charity Registration Number.. 1142471 Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2021 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrian Pipers. Society (a company 15mlted by guarantee) Contents Page Reference and Administrative Information Chaimian's Statement Cleveland Branch Chairman's Re Trustees. Report incorporating Directors, Report Independent Examiner's Report li Statement of Financial Activities 12 Balance Sheet 13 Notes to the Accounts 14 Company No 07471625 Charity No 1142471 Page 2 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrlan Plpers. Soclety (a company limited by guaranteo) Reference and Administrntive Inf0rn73tion Name: The Northumbrian ￿Pers, Society Company Number.. 07471625 Charlty Number: 1142471 RegiSte￿d Address: clo Muckle LLP Time Central 32 Gallowgate Newcastle upon Tyne NEI 4BF Patron: His Gra￿ the Duke of Northumberland President: Rt Hon The Baroness JOY￿ Quin of Gateshead Trustees/ Directors: Andrew Davison OBE (Chairman) Andy May (Vice-chainnan) Michael Evans (T￿asUrer) Helen Capes Tom Fairfax lain Gelston Paul Knox Andrew Lawren50n Nick Leeming Alice Robinson Louisa Squires Vincent Sy50n Company Secretsry: Michael Evans Society Secretsry: Ann Ses50ms Website: Ian Gelston Pipe Hire: Nick Leeming Journal Editor: John Gibbon5 Independent Examiner.. Kate Tully FMAAT FCIE 4 Brandon Close Winlaton Blaydon on Tyne NE21 6PN Bankers: Barclays Bank PLC Virgin Money plc Solicitors: Muckle LLP Time Central 32 Gallowgate Newcastle upon Tyne NEI 4BF Company No. 07471625 Charity No 1142471 Page 3 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrlan Plpers. Soclety (a company limited by guarantee) Chairman's Statement Dear Member, I have no need to tell any member, anywhere in the world, what a strange year it has been for the Society, for piping and for everyone. Repeated lock downs and varying levels of restriction required to slow the ravages of COV10 19 have hugely impacted on all our lives and, very sadlyi some lives have been lost. At the time of writing (July 2021), there appears to be more hope than at any time in the last 16 months, that restrictions are going to start to ease. However, we have all learned that it is futile to rely on this expectation! Whilst most of our community's usual activitie5 had to stop, it was lovely to see innovatlon and ingenuity kick in, as people craved the opportunity to play music. Many of the regular piping groups went online, using ZOOM, or similar meetings software to keep the regular sessions going. In doing so, they were delighted to find that people who would never before have been able to join them were now able to do so and many local group5 suddenly became international. Your Committee gave a lot of thought to how the Society might help to keep piping going in these difficult times and I am pleased to report that we managed to keep all our attivitie5 going in one way or another. Susan did a great job keeping the monthly newsletter going, communicating with members and letting everyone know what was happening. The Society took its own ZOOM subscription, whith it used for committee meetings, events and also made available to playing groups, where they did not already have access to such software. Please note that this is still available. If anyone would like to use it, please contsrt Tom Fairfax. The Society shop, although it had to close for a short peric*J, then re￿pened, thank5 to Julia Say, and has remained open for members and others to buy music, pipemaking materials etc. Perhaps the most exciting developments were in the way we held our key annual events the competitions, concerL AGM and President's Day. With the wonderful and generous help of Rob Say on the technical side, not only were all able to take place but all attratted participants from a much wider section of the membership than ever before. The competitions were all conducted by competitors submitting entrtes in advance on video, with these being judged before the "event" The presentation on the night involved streaming clips of each entry, followed by a rerK)rt by the relevant judge on the playing and then the announcement of the winner. Because all competitors had to enter remotelyi the event became the first genuine world piping competitions for Northumbrian pipes. It was really wonderful to see people from all over having a go, with a superb standard being achieved. The concert followed a week later. Here, we combined a mix of professional performances, recorded live by Ian Stephenson at his Studio in Thropton. by the Andy May Trio and by Alice Robinson, with short contribution5 from invited guests. These included some brilliant performances from some of our young pipers, Alex Barras, Kay Adamson and Phoebe De'Ath, Pauline Cato playing from home, sitting at the bottom of her stairs, Helen Capes in New Zealand, Arlo Quilley and his father from Canada, Bill Wakefield from the USA, a recitstion from Don Clegg, lain Gelston on the Half LongslBorder pipes, and a group of six musicians (the maximum allowed to gather at that time) playing in a huge fam) shed in the middle of Northumberland. Company No. 07471625 Charity No 1142471 P8ge 4 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrian Plpers. Society (a company Ilmlted by guarantee) Those who watched it were extremely kind in their comments afte￿ards, so it certainly seemed to hit the right spot in a time where there was litue to look forward to. The AGM and President's Day combined as usual but again all virtually. It was brilliant to See how use of the technology allowed around 120 members to attend from sectors of the Society that are usually unable to take part in this essential democratic opportunity to set the agenda and appoint the officers. The formal part of the meetsng was followed by Presidenys Day, involving all the different groups who get together around the world to play each leading the rest of us in a set of tunes of their choice. A tnjly amazing experientr. In addition, we had some fascinating presentations by Richard Heard on the Reid family, Chris Omiston on Clough Style and Richard Butler, the present official piper to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, on the history of the Ducal Pipers. Thank you all ever so much for your respective contribution5 to what was a wonderful afternoon. The Committee was also very aware during the pandemic that many of our professional pipers would be hit by not being able to work. This knowledge drove us on in terms of being determined to provide at least some work through the annual concert and also be invrting people to record "at home" performances on their phones that we will be able to present on our website. Watch this space for some of these to be published. Our pipe hire service continued to operate well during lockdown the expert hands of Nick Leeming. At the time of writing, the past 12 months saw two very different halves. The second half of 2020 was very active, with 16 sets out and 19 retumed, whereas the first half of 2021 was quieter, with 6 sets out and 9 back. Both periods probably reflect the different stages of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns. The number of sets out on hire (39) is the lowest it has been since 2016. There is no cause for concern. As we come to terms with Covid-19, 1 have no doubt interests will rekindle. We had 1wo extremely knnd donations during the peri(Kl. Honor Hill donated a superb 14-key Ro F set. Too complex for a beginner, it has been hired out to a young member of the Society who has shown promise with a 7-key hire set. Secondly, Rob Taylerson donated his very nice 7-key Burleigh set. This brings us to a total of 56 traditional sets in the pipe hire system. We are tremendously grateful to our generous members who have donated their sets. Pipe hire continues to be an excellent route for beginners to try the pipes, and it is always a delight when someone returns their hire set and announces that they have bought their own. The "Hire to Buy" programme has also continued, with a lovely set being acquired by the Society in May 2021 from Philip Gruar and also another of our Hire to Buy hirers finally paying off their agreement and becoming the proud owner of a really beaub'ful set of pipes. The work has also continued to try to find an easy entry level for aspiring pipers and this year saw us collaborating with Hungarian pipemaker, Jozsef Kozak, in the development of his "membrane" pipes, which use a piece of cling film instead of a reed to create a mouth blown NSP practice chanter in the key of "G" The idea is that these will be available for sale to members who want a simple way to practice their fingering and also for group teaching of beginners. The initiative is still in its infancy but the prototype ten practice chanters show much promise. Company No. 07471625 Charity No 1142471 Page 5 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrlan Plpers. Soclety (a company limited by guaranteo) The only major event in the last year that we were not able to continue with was our Newcasde Piping Festival. Sadlyi this just proved a step too far. However, we do have some very exciting plans for it next year. Do look out for the announcement but keep the dates 11-13 March 2022 free. I am pleased to note that membership subscriptions were up during the year. I sincerely hope that we can all encourage other pipers who we know and who are not yet members to join. The Society cannot do everything and, indeed, it does not try to. The Committee take the view that we are here as a Society to provide the forum for piping community to share things and to do those things that are necessary but which nobody else is, for whatever reason, doing. We always welcome not only ideas from members about what they would like from the Society, but also volunteers to help to implement those ideas. Looking forward, your Committee Is actively planning the annual events that take place in the autumn in the hope that we will be able to run them in person again. However, we are also looking at how we can learn from the last 16 months. We have been so pleased with the way we were able to connect with more of the membership that we plan to hold the AGM virtually again and also to stream the live annual concert, although we are Still working on how we are going to do thisl As always, I would like to pay enorrnous tribute to the small but very dedicated group that make up your Committee. Each gives up a considerable amoLsnt of their time to help to make sure that the Society runs effectively and smoothly. I would also like to pay special tribute to Mike Evans, our Treasurer, who has put in enom70us effort on behalf of the Society, converting its accounts from an unincorporated society to those of a company and a registered charity as well as converting us to a computerised accounting package during his time in the role. He has given us notice of his desire to Stand down if we can find a replacement. He will be a very hard act to follow but we are actively seeking a new volunteer to take on the role. Please do think whether you might be able to do thi5. Now that we hold committee meetings either virtually or with some members attending by video link, it does not have to be someone based in the North East. If you think you might be interested, do please get in touch. Finally, I would again like to pay tribute to the invaluable support and encouragement that we (and I, personally) receive from our PresidenL Baroness Joyce Quin. I look forward to"meeting" as many of you as possible at the AGM. Docu¥ 97418360443 Andrew Davison, OBE Chairman, July 2021 Company No 07471625 Charity No 1142471 Page 6 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrlan Plpers. Soclety (a Company limitpd by guarantee) Cleveland Branch Chairman's Report Northumbrian Pipers, Sc(iety, aeveland Branch Report July 2020 - July 2021 All physical meetings of the Branch have been suspended due to COVID-19, up to May 2021. Zoom meetings have tsken place instead on the same date and time for the normal monthly meeting normally held on 2 Wednesday of the month in the Hall. The monthly practice on 4, Wednesday has been suspended entirely. Arrangements have been made with the Sedgefield Community Association and the Sedgefield Town Council for a playing session in the grounds of Ceddesfeld Hall for the afternoons of the 3 Tuesday and these stsrted in May and are scheduled to end in September. The Branch AGM was held in October 2020 by z￿ffl. The Branch's public playing group has perfomied at two National Gardens Scheme Open Gardens and plans to play at two more later in trte summer. This program is less than normal due to the pandemic, but it is welcome. There are no plans to retum to indwr meetings, and a decision on whether to resume these after the summer season has ended is yet to be made. The Zoom meetings will continue aslong as the￿ is demand for them. David Cook Cleveland Branch Chair and Secretary 25 July 2021 Company No 07471625 Charity No. 1142471 Page 7 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrlan Plpers. Soclety (a company limited by guarantee) Trustees. Report incorporating Directors. Report Strurturei governance and management The Northumbrian Pipers, Society (the "Society") is a registered charity operating as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital. The company is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association which were adopted on 24 November 2010. Reference and legal information is set out on page 3. The Society includes aeveland Branch which meets at Ceddesfeld Hall, Sedgefield and a number of less formally constituted groups which meet at various locations in Great Brltain, mainland Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the United States of America and Canada. The company was dormant until it acquired the assets and liabilities of the unincorporated Northumbrian Pipers, Society on l April 2012. The Society has no paid employees and relies on the unpaid voluntsry services of members. In early 2017 the Society engaged the services of a part-time self*mployed administrator. The affairs of the Society are managed by a committee elected by members of the Society. Members of the committee are trustees of the charity and directors of the company. Tru5teesldirertors who Served during the year were: Andrew Davison Helen Capes (appointed 7 November 2020) David Creese (retired 7 November 2020) Michael Evans Tom Fairfax lain Gelston Paul Knox Andrew Lawrenson Nick Leeming Andy May Alice Robinson Louisa Squires Vincent Syson Louisa Squires and Vincent Sy50n were appointed and Andrew Lawrenson and Alice Robinson were re-appointed at the 2019 AGM for a tw￿year term expiring at the 2021 AGM to ￿ held on 30 October 2021 and are offering themselves for re-election for a further terni expiring at the 2023 AGM. Helen Capes was appointed and Andrew Davison, Michael Evans, Tom Fairfax, Iain Gleston, Paul Knox, Nick Leeming and Andy May were re*letted at the 2020 AGM for a I￿0-year period expiring at the 2022 AGM. Company No 07471625 Charity No 1142471 Page 8 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrian Pipers'society (a company Ilmited byguarantee) Formal committee meetings are held physically or by wdeo conference every two month5 and are supplemented by informal ad hoc meetings and discussions by telephone and email as considered necessary. The Society endeavours to recruit committee members with a wide varrety of musical, technical, professional and oryanisational skills in order to meet the Soaety's aims and objertives. Vacancies are advertised to all members through the Newsletter and personal contart nelNorks are also used to identify potential candidates. Cleveland Branch Is managed ty a committee elerted by branch meM￿rs. Branch committee members are not trustees of the charty or directors of the company and during the year comprised Dave Cook (Chair and Secretary), Anne Cotchpole, Anne Gale, Margaret Moyes, Peter Manning and Timothy Jones cfreasurer). Branch accounts for the year ended 31 March 2021 will be put forward for approval at the branch annual general meeting and are included in the accounts of the Society for the year ended 31 March 2021. Objectives, artivities. achievements and perfornian The objectives of the Society are: to advance art, culture and heritage through encouraging the ￿aYing1 Study, making and development of the Northumbrian pipes and their music, to raise awareness of the Northumbrian pipes and their music, and to advance the education of the public in relation to the playing, studyi making and development of the Northumbrian pipe5. The trusteesldirectors have conSide￿d the guidance prodU￿d by the Charity Commission on the provision of public benefit and they confirm that public benefit has been provided by the range of activities as described in detsil in the Chairman's Statement Financial review The financial results for the year are shown in the Statement of Financial Activities (50FA '). The charity had a net operating surplus of £514. Net assets at 31 March 2021 totalled £109,329. The trusteesldiredors have considered the level of resetves that should be held. Reserves are required to allow for any funding gaps that may arise because of the different timings of income and expenditure throughout the financial year, to cover future expenditure and to allow for contingencies such as emergency expenses or fleeting opportuntties to further its charitable aims. The trusteesldirectors consider that the level of reserves should not fall below £10,000. The reserves held at 31 March 2021 were £33,179 exduding reseNes funding fixed assets. Company No. 07471625 Charity No. 1142471 Page 9 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrian PipeYs'So¢iety (a company limited byguarantee) Directors. responsibilities: For the year ended 31 March 2021 the company was entided to exemption from aLtdit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 ￿lating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtsin an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Att 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. Approved by the board and signed on their behalf: Michael Evans Trustee, Dirertor and Company Secretary 23 September 2021 Company No. 07471625 Charity No 1142471 Page 10 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrian Pipers. Society (a company limited by guarantee) Independent Examine￿$ Report Report to the trusteesldirertors of The Northumbrian Pipers ' Society on Accounts for the year ended 31" March 2021 set out on pages 12 to 17. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is ellglble for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: Examine the financial statements under 5.145 of the 2011 Att; Follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145 (5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and State whether particular matters have come to my attention Basis of examiner's statement My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination incltjdes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeknng explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view ' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examiner's statement In connection with my examination no matter has come to my attention: l) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Act- and to prepare accounts which agree with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act . or 2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Kate Tully FMAAT FCIE AATQB Date 25 OctotEr2021 S9￿ TL Kate Tully is a Fellow Member of the Ass(xiatron of Charity Independent Examiners and a Fellow Member of the A550ciation of Accounting Technicians Page 11 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrfan Pipers'soclety (a company Ilmlted byguarantee) ststement of Financial Activities (incorporating the income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2021 2021 2021 2021 2020 2020 unrestricted ReStrIrt￿ Total Unrestricted Restricted Funds Funds Funds Funds Funds 2020 Total Funds Note Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable ￿1VitieS Investments Totsl 15,388 9,993 187 25,568 15,388 9,993 187 25,568 16,725 9.365 232 26,322 16,725 11,239 232 28,196 1,874 1,874 Expenditure on: Charitable artivities Other Totsl 21,PJ9 21,PJ9 20,$10 1,139 21,649 1139 25 078 Net movement in funds 514 514 735 Reconciliation of funds.. Total funds brought forward Total funds carried fofward 735 108 815 105 697 105 697 735 109 329 735 108 815 The notes on pages 14 to 17 form an integral part of these financlal statement& Company No. 07471625 Charity No. 1142471 Page 12 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrian Pipers'So¢lety (a company Ilmtted byguaranteè) Balance sheet as at 31 March 2021 31 March 2021 31 March 2020 Fixed assets Total tangible a55ets 76,150 74,950 Current assets Stocks Debtors Cash at bank and in hand Total current assets 8,253 4,369 48,983 61,605 15,215 3,402 44,781 63.398 Liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due within one year io Net current assets Totsl assets less current liabilities Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year Total net assets 130,929 21,600 109,329 131,815 23,000 108,815 li The funds of the charity: Unrestricted funds Restritted funds Total 108,594 735 109,329 108,080 735 108,815 The notes on pages 14 to 17 forni an integral part of these financial statements For the year ending 31 March 2021 the company was entiued to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Att 2006 relating to small companies. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with 5ertion 476. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Art 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. Approved by the members of the board of trusteesldlrectors and signed on their behalf Andrew Davison OBE, Chairnian 974183fy)4438 Michael Evans, Treasurer 23 September 2021 Company No. 07471625 Charity No. 1142471 Page 13 Docusign EnvÈlope ID." 4AA5C07PA1D348E4-BF9U7A813DE3626 The Northumbrlan Plpers'society (a company limited by guarantee) Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2021 Accounting Policies Basis of preparation These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of historical cost in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporbng Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective January 2015) - ￿aritIeS SORP (FRS 102). The Northumbrian Pipers, Society meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting note(s). Incomlng resour These are included in the Ststement of Financial Actiwties (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources; the trustees are virtually certain they will receive the resources: and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability. Donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditronal entitlement to the resources. Capitsl grants are released over the economic useful life of the asset to which they relate. Resources expended and liabilities Resources expended have been analysed using a natural classification. Liabilitles are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources. Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation tsx on its charitable activits"es. Fixe