## THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN **ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023** ## **THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN** ## **Committee members and other officials** **Trustees and members of the committee who served at any time between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 are:** David Milledge* Chairman and Arts Volunteering Terry Lipscombe* Secretary Jim Tranter* Treasurer Val Lupton* Programme secretary Anne Marczak* Membership Secretary Helen Hughes Assistant Secretary Nicky Lipscombe Day Visits and Events Suzy Keeley Longer Visits Liz Allan Days of Special Interest Amanda Zaadstra Communications and Arts Award Jenny Bickley Committee member Louise Holland Committee member Tim Roberts Photographer and Heritage Volunteering ## **Other officials who are not members of the committee are:** David Cotterell President Paul Joseland Heritage Volunteering (part of the year) ## Committee members with an *asterisk by their name are also trustees **Cover photograph taken by Tim Roberts.** THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN ## **CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT TO THE MEMBERS** I am delighted to report that The Society has weathered the Pandemic and is once again flourishing. It resumed its normal meetings from April 2022. We have had increasing numbers of members attending at Cosford, up to 170 with several guests on each occasion. Our other events have been well supported, indeed early application is required to book places on our Day Visits and Events. The Society is in good heart and is prospering. Our membership numbers remain high and we now have a short waiting list. We enjoy excellent facilities at RAF Cosford where we have a superb lecture theatre and our visiting speakers frequently remark on the quality of the projection of their images. We have good parking and access to the venue. Perhaps the only thing lacking is space for socialising after our lectures, especially when the café closes early in winter. This is beyond our control. Your committee members have all worked with dedication. The reports which follow show the many and varied activities which we undertake. We are all grateful for the time and effort that they give. ## **DAVID MILLEDGE** Chairman and Arts Volunteering ## **Arts Volunteering** We have made a number of charitable donations which are listed in the Treasurer’s Report. The Area sponsorship of the Koestler Arts Trust mentoring project in prisons has been a great success. Once again, we sponsored the individual prizes for the Halls Junior Art Competition at Weston Park and also the end of year art competition at Telford College. We supported the English Haydn Festival at Bridgnorth. A major project which we have supported was EKO - Educating Kids Outdoors. 281 children attended Creative Days at Weston Park and our sponsorship together with that of the Wynn Foundation which paid for the coach transport, enabled this to go ahead. We plan to repeat this in summer 2023. - 1 - Our Wrekin Stories project is nearing completion. The children in year 7 at Madeley Academy have an after school art club. They are producing a large mosaic artwork depicting various aspects of the Wrekin. The completed work will measure 2 x 1.5 meters. We have provided the cost of materials and a fee for the artist Katherine Soutar, who has guided their work. We hope to display it for public viewing in the local area. ## **DAVID MILLEDGE** Chairman and Arts Volunteering ## **Lecture Programme** The past year has not been without its difficulties. The pandemic, rail strikes and the death of Queen Elizabeth all brought about a degree of disruption to the lecture programme. The September meeting was cancelled as it coincided with the date of the late Queen’s funeral. Fortunately, we were able to enjoy Antony Penrose’s excellent and moving lecture ‘Witnessing Women at War’ in December. The June lecture was a casualty of the pandemic when the lecturer rang two days prior to the meeting to say she had Covid and the date coincided with a rail strike. We are grateful to John Benjamin who stepped in, rearranging prior engagements, and drove to Cosford to deliver a superb lecture on diamonds. Thankfully no rail strikes on the day of Mark Hill’s visit – then a call to say his connection had been cancelled. Luckily, he arrived only a little late and totally unfazed, like the professional he is, to entertain us with a new perspective on ‘selfies’. The rest of the programme has covered a wide range of subjects, from the ‘scandalous works’ of Edouard Manet to the genius of Antonio Stradivari, from the remarkable civilisation of the Maya to the stables of English country houses, from world-famous photographic images to the materials and techniques used by artists of the 15th century and not forgetting Christopher Aslan Alexander’s fascinating first-hand account of the work of the craftsmen of Central Asia. ## **VAL LUPTON** - 2 - ## **Days of Special Interest** In November 2022 we had the long awaited and rearranged study day with Andrew Davies who gave us an architectural, historical and geographical tour of the parish churches of England. In March 2023 we welcomed back Mary Alexander with “Why Paris? The Allure of the city of light 1900-1945”. She gave a beautifully illustrated demonstration of why Paris was a magnet to aspiring artists and designers. Her accompanying reading list will occupy us for the years to come! ## **LIZ ALLAN** ## **Day Visits and Events** It has been pleasing to resume a full programme of events this year - we have experienced rather mixed fortunes with the weather! The second guided walk along the ‘secret’ canal to the Jewellery Quarter with Dr Jonathan Berg will be remembered in part for the torrential downpours. The group took refuge in St Phillips Cathedral and got to see the wonderful Burne-Jones stained glass as an added bonus. We enjoyed a coffee morning at Claverley Church where Rev Garry Ward gave a very moving talk about the Shoah (Holocaust) and Frank Foley who rescued many Jews from a certain fate. The church had run out of oil and it was very cold! Another small group were able to enjoy the wonderful Grade I listed Wenlock Abbey with Gabrielle de Wet and Vivien Bellamy and discover the craftsmanship of Andrew Pearson, a Ludlow based woodcarver. We enjoyed a return to Chillington Hall in May to see the bluebell woods and historical tours of the house before a splendid Ploughman’s Lunch in the historic Saloon. We observed woodland management in action and were amazed at the increased road noise from the M54 where trees had been cleared ready for replanting. - 3 - The two visits to Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham were highlights. The skill and dedication of the students to their artistry as well as their education was inspiring. The members then enjoyed a visit to the Serbian Orthodox church in Bournville with its colourful frescoes. We visited the newly opened Stourbridge Glass Museum in Wordsley with its historical collection, contemporary glass exhibition, and hot glass studio - we were able to watch the highly skilled glass blowers in action before visiting the huge Red House Glass Cone nearby, a rare survivor. We enjoyed more favourable weather for the summer picnic at Coalbrookdale which followed a fascinating talk about the Enigma Machine and a chance for members to try one out. _The Coalbrookdale Gate at Weston Park - restoration supported by TASW_ Our first coach visit since 2019 was well supported. Following Alexander Epps’ lecture on Coventry Cathedral we were keen to see Coventry’s artistic treasures including works by Epstein, Frink, Piper and Sutherland. We also visited the newly restored Medieval Guildhall. Several groups enjoyed guided tours of another local Grade I treasure – Pitchford Hall. It was fascinating to hear about the property’s mixed fortunes and restoration and to see the latest addition – a new library designed and created by Hew and Archie Kennedy of Acton Round. - 4 - Many of the new members enjoyed a special visit to Acton Round with the Committee to see Thomas Kennedy demonstrating his creative skills with Scagliola in his new workshop. The torrential downpours were also memorable. A convivial lunch was enjoyed in the Queen Anne period house. The programme concluded with the ever-popular ‘Festive Talk and Tea’ in The Red House with Sandy Burnett. The theme was Uplifting music for Christmas – it was a resounding success. This year the Event surplus total including Days of Special Interest and the longer visit to York is £4666 from which donations totalling £3034 have been given to Claverley Church, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust, Sunnycroft, The Albrighton Trust (Moat), Stourbridge Glass Museum, Wenlock Abbey, Fairfax House (York) and the Serbian Orthodox Church. We are grateful to a number of our hosts who offer us their time and/or facilities in lieu of fees to maximise our charitable activities. ## **NICKY LIPSCOMBE** ## **Longer Visit** ## **York – October 11th to 13th 2023** In October twenty four members took advantage of a three day visit to York. A full itinerary with a Blue Badge Guide had been planned by Suzy Keeley who unfortunately was unable to take part. Suzy and Sarah Cowling a Blue Badge Guide, had put together a full and interesting programme. Over the three days the group visited and had conducted tours of the essential landmarks - the Minster, the Jorvik Centre and Fairfax House. In addition, there was a visit to All Saints North Street to see the remarkable Pricke of Conscience Window. Much appreciated was an excellent dinner at the historic Bedern Hall on the first evening. ## **TIM ROBERTS** - 5 - ## **The Arts Society Wrekin Award 2022/23** Following promotion of the award by the Arts Award Committee and members of our Society we received thirteen applications by the closing date. Five applicants were subsequently invited to interview. We were particularly pleased with the variety of arts that were represented in the applications (writing, photography, glass making, costume making, music, fine art and sculpting). The winner of the £2000 prize was a sculptor in the classical _Michael Potter - Wrekin Arts Award Winner 2022_ tradition, Michael Potter. He is a very talented and driven young man who is largely self-taught. He has recently opened a studio in a converted stable block at Pitchford Hall. Michael attended our November meeting to receive his award and tell the Society how he hoped to use his bursary to further his career. ## **AMANDA ZAADSTRA** ## **Heritage Volunteering** ## **Archiving the papers and documents belonging to L T C Rolt The Long Warehouse, Ironbridge Gorge Museum** In early summer last year, the Heritage Volunteers completed the Aga Plans project. Paul Joseland had coordinated this and many other previous projects. Unfortunately, due to ill health he has handed on the role of coordinator. For over ten years as Heritage Volunteer Coordinator he had drawn together Arts Society Wrekin Members to create a pool of enthusiastic and adaptable volunteers that have made a valuable contribution to the Ironbridge Gorge Museum by tackling a wide range of projects. The Heritage Volunteers started a new project in August working with Chris Pickford, a professional archivist, in the Long Warehouse on the Coalbrookdale site of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum. - 6 - The project has been to archive the papers, research notes and photographs belonging to L T C Rolt. (1910-1974). L T C Rolt generally known as Tom Rolt was a prolific author on topics ranging across Industrial Archaeology having written biographies of Thomas Telford, I K Brunel, George and Robert Stephenson. His other most notable books being “Narrowboat,” “Railway Adventure” and “Red for Danger”. To date, an enthusiastic group of Volunteers has contributed well over 700 hours, working mornings and afternoons, three days a week. ## **TIM ROBERTS** ## **Communications** Virtually all members are now online and receiving emails about lectures and events. Member engagement with emails is consistent with last year where 7080% of all emails sent out are being opened. Members not yet online (only six this year) are contacted by phone or post to keep them up to date. The Society website continues to be the ‘go to’ source of information for all the activities of our Society, lectures, volunteering or charitable activities. Once again new skills were gained this year with our use of a QR code link to the Arts Award posters to the application procedure on our website, another first! The West Midlands Area Facebook Page continues to gather momentum and followers. We are the only Area to have such a social media presence and the Page is a fantastic way to highlight the excellent programme of lectures and events being organised across our Area. Promoting our Society and our charitable activities has become harder since our friendly contact at the local press has moved on to pastures new. Some articles have been published but there is scope to do more. ## **AMANDA ZAADSTRA** - 7 - ## **Financial Review and Reserves Policy** In previous years our accounts have been prepared on the accruals basis. This year it has been decided, in the interests of simplicity and clarity, that the cash basis is more appropriate. In the accounts which follow on pages 9-14 the previous year’s figures have also been restated on the cash basis. This has necessitated a one-off adjustment of £620 to the net assets. During the year there was a deficit on the lecture programme of £635, due to the increases in costs of lecturers, hire of the hall at Cosford and Arts Society affiliation fees. Events continue to provide a strong income stream, but planned expenditure of charitable funds, notably on our second Arts Award and a new project, Educating Kids Outdoors, meant that our assets have reduced by £3319. Our financial position remains strong, with net assets of £26,213 at 31 March 2023. The full details of our financial activities are shown in the accounts later in this report. My thanks are due to Philip Sims, our Independent Examiner, for his work on behalf of our members. Our financial support for arts and heritage continues. The accounts show the extent of this support and full details are set out on the back cover of this report. We still have the potential to make an important difference to a variety of individuals and organisations in those areas which we support. Members are also reminded that the committee welcomes suggestions for financial support for arts-related projects. ## **JIM TRANTER** - 8 - ## **THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN** ## STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2022 (as restated March 2023) ## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT** |**Lecture Programme**
**Incoming Resources**
Members’ subscriptions (note 1a)
Waiting list
Visitors’ donations
Raffles
Interest receiveable
**Total Incoming resources**
**Resources Expended**
Meetings (note 3)
Affiliation fees (note 1b)
Administration costs
**Total Resources expended**
**Deficit on lecture programme**
**Gift Aid received (note 1c)**
_(Continued on page 10)_|**2023**
**£**
14564
485
514
204
**15767**
**£**
10134
5107
1161
**16402**
**-635**
2527|**2022**
**£**
10752
5
125
325| |---|---|---| |||**11207**| |||**£**
7368
4397
1759| |||**13524**| |||**-2317**| |||1899| - 9 - ## **THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN** ## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT - continued** ## **Other activities** |**Other activities**||| |---|---|---| |**Incoming Resources**
Events - total income (note 4)
Events - total expenditure
Surplus on events
Sales of publications (net)
Other donations
Arts Society grant
Donation - Mrs A Hartill
**Resources expended**
Charitable and other donations:
- Directly related to events
- Young Arts
- Other
Arts award
**Total resources expended**
**Deficit (2022 surplus) on other activities**
**Overall deficit (2022 surplus) for the year**|**2023**
**£**
19868
15351
4517
132
22
250
**4921**
3035
3103
1300
2694
**10132**
**-5211**
**-3319**|**2022**
**£**
18298
12897| |||5401
350
5
250
250| |||**6256**| |||2655
900
1635| |||**5190**| |||| |||**1066**| |||| |||**648**| _(Continued on page 11)_ - 10 - ## **THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN** ## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023** |**BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2023**||| |---|---|---| |**Current Assets**
Cash at bank
Cash on deposit
Cash in hand
**Current Liabilities**
Income received in advance (Events)
**Net Assets**
**Accumulated Funds (all funds are unrestricted)**
Funds at beginning of year
One-off adjustment re change in accounting policy
Surplus for the year
**Funds at end of year**|**2023**
**£**
11962
20650
50
**32662**
6449
**6449**
**26213**
29532
-3319
**26213**|**2022**
**£**
12723
20446
50| |||**33219**| |||3687| |||**3687**| |||**29532**| |||28264
620
648| |||**29532**| ## **JIM TRANTER** Treasurer _April 2023_ - 11 - ## **THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023** ## **1. Change of Accounting Policies** The accounts have been prepared on the cash basis, except where stated below and in note 4. Previous years’ accounts were prepared on the accruals basis but it is considered that this basis is no longer appropriate. This change affects the following categories: - a. Subscriptions received are in respect of the subscription year ending 31 August 2023 - b. Affiliation fees are payable in January 2023 and are based on membership numbers at 31 March 2022 - c. Gift Aid is claimed on qualifying subscriptions and donations as received A one-off adjustment of £620 has been made to the funds brought forward to reflect the change in accounting policy. ## **2. Gross income and expenditure** The gross income for the year was £38328 (2021 £32259) and the gross expenditure was £41885 (2021 £31611). |**3. Cost of Meetings**
Lecturers’ fees
Lecturers’ expenses
Hire of lecture theatre|**2023**
**£**
4398
360
5376
**10134**|**2022**
**£**
3882
192
3294| |---|---|---| |||**7368**| _(Continued on page 13)_ - 12 - ## **THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN** ## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2023 - continued** ## **4. Income from events** Income from events is generally received prior to the event taking place. An adjustment of £6449 has been made in respect of income received during the accounting period referring to events taking place after 31 March 2023. - 13 - ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT** ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN** I report to the charity’s trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2023 which are set out on pages 9 to 14. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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 charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. 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. ## **PHILIP SIMS, A.C.I.B.** _April 2023_ - 14 - ## ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ## **Constitution and status** The Society is governed by a constitution adopted on 21st May 2012 as amended on 21st September 2020. Under that constitution the Officers for the time being (but not the Honorary Officers) together with two other Members of the Committee appointed by the Committee shall be the Trustees of the Society. The Society is registered with the Charity Commission under registration number 1148456 and is affiliated to The Arts Society. ## **Governance and management** Appointments to the Committee are made by resolution of the Members of the Society. The Committee appoints the Society’s Officers, manages its affairs and administers its funds. ## **Objectives** The Society shall have as its objects: the promotion, advancement, study and practice of the arts in many forms as described in its constitution. The main activities carried out during the year in furtherance of these objects are referred to in the Chairman’s Report. ## **Website** Further details can be obtained from the Society’s own website at **www.theartssocietywrekin.org.uk** Printed by - 15 - ## **THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN** **Accounts year ended 31 March 2023** **The Society has given financial support to the following organisations:** |**CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE**
**DIRECTLY RELATED TO EVENTS**
Claverley PCC
Sunnycroft
Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust
Fairfax House (York)
York Archaeological Trust
Louis de Wet Foundation
British Glass Foundation
Albrighton Trust
Serbian Orthodox Church (Elmhurst)
**YOUNG ARTS PAYMENTS**
Educating Kids Outdoors
Telford and Wrekin Council - Telford Music Service
Halls Art Competition - prizes
Telford College Arts Competition - prizes
Wrekin Stories Artwork
**CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE - OTHER**
Orbit Cinema
Haydn Festival 2022
Haydn Festival 2023|923
500
537
250
26
74
125
500
100| |---|---| ||3035| ||2000
300
200
300
303| ||3103| ||300
500
500| ||1300| THE ARTS SOCIETY WREKIN