Trustees. Annual Report for the period Peri¢yJ start dale end date From Section A Reference and administration details Charity namo WINCHESTER POETrY FESTIVAL Other names charity is known by Re8lstefed charlty nurnber111 any) 1150997 Charlty's prlndpal address clo Faculty of Arts University of Winchester Sparkford Road, Winchester Postcode $022 4NR Names of the charfty trustees who man¥ge the charlty 0*t•S *Ct•d If not lorwhob• ar Tru•t•• name Offle•111 any) N•m• of p•rnon (of boo¥) •ntltl•d Int trust•e If*n Jane Bryant Rupert N3barro lon Whitfield Chair Winchester Poetry Festival Trustee Trustee Hllary Oavies Jon Sayers Bear Shaw Trustee Resl8ned March 2023 Resigned January 2023 Trustee Trustee Jllllan SaucSer Trustee Will Mav Susmita Bhattacharya Sophie Reynolds Abanti Chakrabartv Mukhopadhyav Aisling O'Toole Jo Flsher Trustee Resl8ned November 2023 Trustee 10 Trustee Reslgned November2023 Appointed lune 2023 11 Trsjstee 12 Trustee Appointed 2210112024 Appolnted 2210112024 Jeremy Wikeley Appointed 2210112024 N8 Durln8 the ¢I￿r$e of 2023. we advertlsed for, •nd Intervlewed, a number of Prospertlve new trustees. One of thèse l0Sned us In June 2023 (see alxwe). We formally elected three further new trustees 5n January 2024- they are listed above. Names of the trustees for the charity. if any. (for example, any custodlan trustees) 13 Trustee 14 Trustee Name Dates acted If not for whole year TAR Names and addresses of advlsers (Optlonal Inforniation of advlser Name Addres5 Treasurer Sue Spiers Name of chief executive or names of Senior staff members (Optional Infomiation) Amy Jullet Browft {Festival Manager): aare Pollard (Artlstlc Directorl- Both freelance contrac Section B Structure, overnance and mana ement DesCrIp￿On of the chaTIty's trus1• Trust Deed Type of goveming document How the charity is constituted Trust Truslee selection methods Elerted by Trustees Addltlonal gov•manc• Issues (Optlonal Informatlon) Trustees consider areas of risk at each trustee meeting via a regularly updated risk register, considering appropriate rnitl8ation plans and actions. You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about.. Addltlonal Bovemance Information Fdicies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees., the charity's or9anisalional struclure and any wider network wth which the charity New trustees are provlded wlth guidance and inforniation to allow them to undertake their roles effectivelv. The formal business of the charity is conducted through regular trustee meetln8518enerally 4 to 5 meetings per yearl. relationship v￿th any related parties., trustees, consideration of major nsks and the system and prttedures to manage them. Section C Ob'ectives and activities l.To educate the public in the arts with particular reference to poetry. 2.To encourage the enjoyment, appreciation and prartice of literature, the beneficiaries being people of all J8es throughout Hampshire Summary of Ihe objects of the charity set out in its governing document TAR The principal acti￿ of the charity is to organise and present a biennial festiv81 of poetry in WTrnchester, together with associated events, which also maintain a year-round presence. The tTU5tees. in making decisions about the festlval and associated artivities, have held due regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit guidante when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant. Summary ofthe maln activities undertaken for the publlc beneflt In relatlon to these objects {Include wlthln this section the statutory declaratlon that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charlty Commlssion on public benefit) Addltlonal detalls ol objectlves and actlvltle5 (Optlonal Infomiatlon) You may choo*• lo include further statements, where relevant, about.. policy on grantmakirKJ'. policy programmé related investment., contribution made by volunteers. Section D Achievements and performance TAR Section D Achievements and performance WINCHESTER POETRY FESTIVAL'S mission is io share, celebrate and champion poetry of all kinds.. we believe In the power of poetry to brin8 US tO8ether and make a positive, enrithing difference to our lives. While WPF is international in outlook. our commitment to reaching under-represented voices and those experiencing challenges is key. During the course of 2023, we interviewed and recruited 4 new trustees, one of whom was formally elected in June 2023,. the other three formally joined our board of trustees as from January 2024. Summary ofthe main achieveniénts of the Charity during the year DurinB 2023, Winchester Poetry Festival IWPFI delivered its Biennial Festfval Iortober 20231- see below but additionally was active throughout the year programming a wide range of attivities and growing our reputation as an increasingly year-round or8anisation. In addition. 2023 saw our new Festival Manager, Amy Juliet Brown, take up her post following an excellent induction and familiarisation process includln8 wlth former Festival Manager, Madelalne Smith. The followin8 is a summary of the principal activities during the year. POETRY FESTIVAL 2023 Ouf artistic theme for the 2023 Festival focused on the creativity and diversity of languages in the UK. WPF'S Artistic Director, Clare Pollard, put together a PfO8ramme to celebrate this diversity - from Bengali to Cornish, Welsh to Black Country dialect, BSL and Makaton. drawing inspiration from Sri Lanka, Orkney. and broadside ballads. With multiple accesslentry points lonllne, Ilve streamed and in-personl our diverse programme for the 2023 Festival hi8hli8hted the richness of the UK'S lingulstlc traditions in particul31 it5 diversity of poets, participants, ènd audlences. The Festival ran from 3rd October and led up to the main festival weekend on 13-15 October 2023.. DurSng this period we pro8rammed 24 events. provldini a platform for 81 artlsts to share thelr work. The 2023 programme featured l)oth local and national work and. amongst many others, included Zaffar Kunial. John Hegley, Menna Elfyn, Susmita 8hattacharya, Luke Wright, Liz Berry. Daljit Nagra. and Matthew Hollis. We engaged BSL and Makaton interpreters and performers. Indeed, our inclusion of BSL as a Festival language alongside other UK langua8es was also irtended to promote and enhance recognition of BSL as a creative language in its own fight. We also filmed performances, and provided online access too, to ensure we provided a multiplicity of supported access options appeallng to mainstream and new audiences and participants. Feedback trom audience -Gfeat festival. A jewel in Winche5teT'S crown. Will definitely come again." hank you very much for organising a diverse, inspiring and exciting festival- well donel" ou are goin8 from strength to strength_ Congratulations!" ~Fantastic my first poetry festival of any kind... inspirational and aspirational" "Excellent unfussy organisation. A V￿lCOM1n8 atmosphere. Diverse programming- local. national, international: multi-voice: range of formats all combined to ensure accessibility, wariety and appeal." Our commitment to encouraging and promoting access is not only illustrated by the 2023 Festival itself, but was also reflerted in the poets we engaged and in the partners we worked with across the year. Indeed we made notable strides towards creating a more inclusive. diverse, and welcoming organisation overall: We engaged BSL interpreters, via Deaf Artion, for key events- a flrst for WPF. We continued and expanded upon our online events content, with 2 headline events TAR Section D Achievements and performance and the Prize Giving being fLAlly hybrid Iwith poets beamin8 in, and live streamed to ticketholders globally- a first for WPFI and 3 events being 501ely accessible online. We programmed 'relaxed performances. to enable and encourage the neuro-diverse to feel welcome at poetry events We programmed events SLbited to all ages and all abillties Our Artistic Director programmed UK-based wetslfacilitators across the festival to reflect the poetry world's wide range of ages, heritage. backgrounds and gender identr(ies. We connected with local organisations to reach out to and reflect the diverse programmin8 - UnitylOI FM, Winchester Beacon. Whitchurch Children's Festival. Artfutscribe young writeTS, Universitie5 of Winchester and Southampton. Of the 28 WPF events that ran between 16th September and 15th October, 14 were completely free to attend - allowing those on low-incomes to attend, and giving those with health challenges the option to attend without committing In advance. This year we also collected items for Winchester Beacon (homeless charity) and Winchester Basics Banks at a partnership event15th Ortoberl at the University of Winchester Workin8 With Winchester Beacon, we engaged a poet of no-fixed-abode as part of our'winchester's Poets, event during the festival Audlence feedback regardlng our dlverse programmlni and broadened accesslblllty horoughly enjoyed it. I couldn't have attended this if the festival hadnt provided an online option and l am grateful for that. "l am hard of hearin8 but Was glad the amplificatlon was SO good. + Signingl" Re online events.. "I know it isn't quite the same for readers- and audience- as a physical reading but it was wonderful to be able to attend- "Seamless tech" "A massive number of events: good bein8 able to attend in person and on line to some as well." he Bengali poetry event was 3bsolutety phenomenal. Really high callbre and so inspiring and afFirming to hear our storie5 told locally." "Audience p?rticipation,' it was smoothly run. the toplc (Bengali poetry) is one we don't often hear." Re what we did well.. "Diverse poetry events_ reachin8 Out to local Bengali etc communities. "Putting diverse poets with different types of writing In the same room to resound of each othe "Bringing together different pèrts of the local poetry communi "Cultural trossroads and multi-cultural events". Feedback from poets rel*ln8 to the overall festival and its dellvery.. "It's the best organised festNal I have been to- seamless and perfectly managed." hank you so much for looking after me all the way through the process. It was a fantastlc festival and I had a great time" "I'm over the moon about being a part of Winchester Poetry Festival 2023. Workin8 wwth you is an absolute dream" "I never had to give the logistics or practicalities a second thouRht. which allowed. me to focus on... creating the best show we could for the audience." WINCHESTER POETRY PRIZE 2 This is now a wel￿eStablished, annual international poetry competition. In 2023, WPF receNed almost 2fy)O entries from all over the world137 countries outside of UK {includin8 Yemen, Israel, Ukrèine, Haitill. We were pleased to see a 16% increase too In entrles from Hampshire. We also ran a 'Pay It Forward, scheme. This was orlglnally set TAR Section D Achievements and performance up by 2020's competition winner. Lewi5 Buxton. the aim being to f3cilitète those who can afford to enter the competition lo support emerging poets who cannot. The 2023 judge was The 2023 judge was Zaffar Kunlal. The 2023 Prize-winners were- • 1st Prize.. Isabelle Baafi- Path Of Least Resilience 2nd Prize.. Emilie Jelinek- My Father Washes HIS Hands Of Me 3rd Priie.. Yasmin Inkersole- Nefis The prize for best poem by a Hampshire-based poet was won by Joan McGavin for the poem A long Answer To a Short Question. All winning and commended poems were published in a competition antholo￿. HAMPSHIRE POET Winchester Poetry Festwal, workin8 once again with Hampshire Cultural Trust in supporting the second year of the tenure of Dr Nazneen Ahmed Pathak. as our Hampshire Poet for 2022 and 2023. There is no doubt that this facilitating post enables WPF to make meaningful creative links with a diversity of communities across Hampshire. Over the 2 yeats. Nazneen recorded that she reached some 18,000 people of all ages, Iln person and also many online tool. AMP IR One of Nazneen's tasks as part of her role as Hampshire Poet, was the judging of the Hampshire Youn8 poets Competrtion. Over the years of her tenure, the competition attracted almost 2(￿ entries from across Hampshire. Nazneen indicated that"2023 saw è heartenlng diversity of entries and winners. We hope this contlnue5 Into the futurel ET STIV Dr N32neen Pathak Ahmed, Hampshire Poet 202212023 OThER PARTNERSHIPS COLLABORATIONS Winchester Books Festival: 21-23rd April. An inaugural books festival celebrating book5 and writers. WPF hosted a free-entry family event with Hampshire Poet in Winchestercity Museum. Herita nDa s.. &17th September.. VIPF delivered a poetry and music event in The Great Hall Winchester with our Artistic Director Clare Pollard. reading her new translation of 'Orfeo'. Section D Achievements and performance Whitchurch Children's Festival.. 29-30th July. WPF ran a series of poetry workshops led by both Jonny Flijffypunk and EIIoTa Sutton for this Small community festival for Whitchurch Children's Festival on Sunday 30th Julv. Writin Our Le This is an artslheritage organisation that enables Black, Asian and ethnically (liverse people to tell their story through writinglcreative arts. We collaborated with them on their Poetry Room project on Sat lTrh lune at The ARC aimed at engaging marginalised groups in a poetry workshop. Other collaborations of note included our developing ￿lationshiP with Poetry Platform at Railway Inn. our ongoing partnership with the University of Southampton IFT Memorial Lerture in panicularl, and with the University of Winchester.) The above range of activities and partners demonstrate our move and progress towards providin8 a year-round selvice. WORKING WITH VOLUNTEERS Winchester Poetry festival very much value5 rt5 relationship with a wide range of volunteers. Indeed, we could not manège without them and their vital 5UPPOrt, skllls, and enthusiasm. We engaged 14 volunteer5 over the festival weekend, 8 of which have previously volunteered at WPF, and 6 of whom were new. All have said they would volunteer with us again. FINALLY A NOTE FROM CHAIR JANE BRYANT As always. Winchester Poetry Festival is eminently grateful to it5 funders, sponsors, and supporters, its Friends and Volunteers. and, its wonderful Artistic Director, Clare Pollard, and our Festival Manager, Amy Juliet Brown. Together. w)u all make everythlng happen seamlessly and enable WPF to put on a varied annual programme of activity including reaching those experiencln8 challenges In thelr lives. We continue to be 8rateful to the University of Winchester. for its generous provision of an office base. My fellow Trustees and our volunteer Treasurer and Minutes Secretary have been generous with their wisdom, insight, support and guidance over the last year, and l am deeply grateful to them all. I look forward to working wlth them over the coming perlod Js we develop the vision for our new 8uSIne￿ Plan . wlth equallty and Incluslon at Its heart - to lead us into 2025 and beyond. Jane Bryant Chair- Winchester Poetry Festl¥al Aprll 2023 TAR Section E Financial review The trustees have agreed to hold a minimum rese¢ve of £10,000. The primary purpose of the reserve is to mitigate the risk of unforeseen shortfalls in income and to allocate a specific amount in the event of dosure. Trustee approval is required before any expenditure may be made from the reserve account. Brief statement of the charitys policy on reserves Trustees have agreed that the antichpated surplus on the 2023 account. beyond those items specified above, represents funds which will be rin8fenced and carried forward to support the festival and its work in 2024 and 2025. Detalls of any funds rnaterially In deficlt Further flnanclal revlew deta518 (Optional infonnation You may choose lo include additional infomialion, where relevant about.. Ihe charity's principal sources offunds lincludlng any fundraising); how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity., investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted. Section F Other optional information Section G Declaration The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Slgned on behall of th• charlty's truste•s Slgnaturels Full namels) Posltlon (eg Secretary, Chalr, etc) Jane Versteeg Chalr ant Date TAR CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusleesl ' Winchester Poetry Festival members of On accounts for the year tnd¢d 31 December 2023 Charfty no (If any) 1150997 S•t out on pages Ito12 I rewt to the truslees ￿ my examination of Ihe acccAJnts of the above d)arity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3111212023. Responslbllltles and As the charity Iruslees of the Trust, y(KJ are responsib￿ for the preparation basis of report of the accounls in aCc￿danCe ¥￿1h the requirements of the Charilies A( 2011 fthe Act"). I report in respect cl my exarnin8tw￿ of the Trust's a(%xunts carried out under SectiC￿ 145 ofthe 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed the applicable DirectDons given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)Ib) of Ihe Aci. I have com￿eted my examinalion. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attenlion in conn8Ction with the examinalion which gives me cause to believe Ihal in, any material respeci.. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 01 the Act or the accounts do not 8ccud the accA)unting re￿rdS Ind•pend•nt examlner's statement I have no concems and have ccffne a(Yoss no other matters in connectlon v•th the examinaiion lo attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understsnding of the aGcounts to be reached. Slgn•d: Ffu'j Dat•: 16th July 2024 Nam•: FJ Wilde R•hvanl prof•s•lonal quallflcatlon(6) or body {11 any): FCCA DChA Addr••8: 4 Marigold Drive Bisley Surrey, GU24 9SF Seclion B Disclosure Only complete If ihe examiner needs lo highlighi matters of concern L5ee CC32. Independent examinaticffi of chanty accwnts.. directions and guidance for examiners). Give here brlef delails of any item5 that the examiner wishes to dlsclose. 10 TrthestErPo Recelms and payments accounts CCl6a For Ihe flu OIA011202J 3111212023 TotalFW￿ E¥emBIpoEi Pr 15.720 1.375 2,3QO 3.710 1.315 S695 L.488 736 io,B ?J75 1.345 3.710 1.315 5.195 FiiendJkhrprrt 1.475 5.372 PuNishkn tt*tsoo#saies Comm￿s1￿7 736 171 12Aii•tsindlnThkn•hiMI T￿lIA1¢*I ?&1&3 5.1 22001 11ts7S 21.lllj 14,497 21,251 Ses 538 382 472 18.024 AdminiStidiHJn Feti 46pit41ty 1Tr5UldtytE 15 4n FtlqndÉ Éch•M#s 2.714 2.'F74 VqnuB&E4ul Popl Piltp rh 838 S.347 el 8¥bT•t* 12.201 NtlrfP*ctiFWlp•irMniil IiLth)I 51.0 51.032 67, SL¢$2 Enogwme HSPL p* 84AFsDttr•r•in•dT•towthaityi PTinlNAffje