Drybrook & District Silver Band | 2021 Trustees’ Report | DDSB-175 ## Drybrook & District Silver Band ## 2021 Trustees’ Report ## DDSB-175 _This Report covers the period from_ _**Start of February 2020** to_ _**End of January 2021** ._ ## Charitable Incorporated Organisation Details **Name** : Drybrook & District Silver Band **Registration Number** : 1154033 **Contact** : Mr David Harding **Contact Address** : 41 Hollywell Road, Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire, GL17 0DL **Trustee Names** : Hannah L. Etheridge, David Harding, Lesley A. Harding, Hugh M. James, Andrew C. Jones, Carol A. Kear, Georgina Motterham. ## Charitable Incorporated Organisation – Structure & Management The CIO is structured in two layers… - **Charitable Trustees** : the group of individuals who manage the organisation, govern finances, maintain the requisite documentation and define rules for the smooth running of the band. Appointments to the Officer Roles of Chairman, Treasurer, Band Manager and Secretary are made within this group. - **Members** : the wider membership who contribute to and benefit from the running of the organisation and who elect the Charitable Trustees in accordance with the CIO Constitution. - As of the End of January 2021, Membership stood at 22 individuals with a further 2 Trustees who were not Members. ## Activities & Objects The following Activities & Objectives are listed on the Charity Commission website. ## **Activities (** _**as listed on the Charity Commission website**_ **)** - Provision of regular rehearsals, musical tuition and instrument hire in support of musical learning and enjoyment. - Provision of concerts, local events and participation in contests for enjoyment of players and audiences. - Active role in furthering local brass banding, through the organisation of an annual contest and summer concert series. ## **Objects (** _**as defined in the Constitution & listed on the Charity Commission website**_ **)** The objects of the CIO are to advance the education and appreciation of the public in the art and science of brass band music, in particular but not exclusively by the presentation of concerts and similar activities. 1 Drybrook & District Silver Band | 2021 Trustees’ Report | DDSB-175 ## Performance (February 2020 – January 2021) The Band’s Trustees assess the progress of the band against five strategic focus areas... **“WE ARE OPEN & FRIENDLY”** : _We are an organisation that players want to be a part of and would be pleased to invite their friends to join. We are supportive and sociable both internally and with neighbouring bands._ - During February and March 2020 the band rehearsed regularly to prepare for the Spring contest season. In March the band travelled to Torquay for the Regional Finals. This provided a real opportunity for players and their families to socialise and enjoy the social side of banding. - Throughout the pandemic we maintained contact between players through quiz nights and also hosted a Zoom discussion with Mike Fowles. The MD and Band Manager have kept in contact with players directly. At the start of September 2020 through to the second lockdown, we were able to offer weekly rehearsals by creating a COVID-secure venue which allowed 2 small groups to meet. - As of January 2021, the band were rehearsing online on Sunday evenings, allowing players to keep in touch with each other. - We maintained our Social Media presence on Facebook and the website was kept up to date with news. We shared recordings of our past performances during the Summer music season and supported Pershore Brass Festival by sharing a set of recordings to use in their virtual event. **“WE ARE VALUED BY OUR COMMUNITY”** : _We are well known in our local communities, support local causes and engage with neighbouring musical organisations to sustain our musical heritage._ - The band had a full calendar of community engagements booked for 2020, including the Fownhope Village Walk, an afternoon concert at Ross Band Stand, Ross on Wye Carnival and Hospital Saturday at Scarr Bandstand. Other engagements further afield included two small concerts at Pershore Festival of Brass and a Proms Concert in Pershore. Sadly, these were all cancelled due to the pandemic. We have provisional dates for some of these events in the 2021 summer calendar. - In November we were available to take part in the act of remembrance at Forest Church however due to a National lockdown the event was cancelled. - The band were able to complete one community engagement during December 2020, playing for residents in the Parkview Care Home in Gloucester. The band played outside the building and the residents listened from their windows or at a safe distance. - On the Sunday before Christmas the band held a short socially distanced carol concert in the car park outside the band room. Several members of the community attended to listen to the band. - Looking ahead into 2021, the band will be working with Ross-on Wye Town council to plan the 2021 summer season of ‘Band in the Park’ concerts. This is a season of weekly Sunday afternoon concerts running from the end of May until the end of August. The band will be hosting the events and booking music groups to play each week. - Prior to the pandemic, our Band Room facilities continued to be made available to our fellow local music group, the Drybrook and District Ladies Choir, for their rehearsals, regular fundraising and social events. The Band Room is also often made available as an election polling station. 2 Drybrook & District Silver Band | 2021 Trustees’ Report | DDSB-175 - The band also maintained its membership of the Gloucestershire Brass Band Association, which organises events in the region and represents local bands on the West of England Council of Brass Band Associations. **“WE ARE FOCUSED ON SUCCESS”** : _We engage in regular competition and work hard to win prizes through high-quality rehearsals and commitment from our players and Musical Director, supported by good facilities and equipment._ - Band-owned instruments continued to be utilised by a proportion of band members and the Band Room, which the organisation is fortunate to own, remained a key enabler for high quality provision. Other venues were also hired as required, to support contest preparations. - The trustees have made provision to invest further in percussion instruments during 2021. - Following a pause in rehearsals during the first lockdown, the band restarted rehearsals in September. Government advice was followed to create a COVID-secure rehearsal space, with small groups. During the third lockdown, a weekly Sunday rehearsal was held online. - The rehearsals during lockdown gave players an opportunity to develop their sight reading skills and to practice playing in small groups. The aim of this was for the band to remain competitive when competitions resume in the future and to maintain the interest of players in brass banding as a hobby. - The Band competed at the following two contests, prior to the pandemic, in 2020: - February 2019 – **ODBBA Own Choice Contest** , Burford _6[th] from 7 in the First section._ - March 2020 – **West of England Regional Finals,** Torquay - _12[th] from 18 in the First Section_ - The break in rehearsals allowed time and space to complete a new kitchen refit and the toilet facilities were updated, with the creation of a new storage space. The lighting in the band room was also changed to use LED bulbs, which will help to reduce the lighting bills and save energy. These changes will all contribute to an improved rehearsal environment when the players return to the Band Room. **“WE ARE ACTIVE IN FOSTERING TALENT”** : _We support efforts to bring new players into brass banding and ensure safety and security in our own settings. We actively promote young players within our organisation._ - In June each year the band hosts the annual Bailey Lane End music festival. Sadly this was cancelled in June 2020 and due to the restrictions in place at the start of 2021 the band have decided not to run the event in 2021. The band aim to resume the festival in June 2022. - While the band is currently unable to offer tuition to those wishing to learn brass playing, we are keen to offer younger players opportunities. During lockdown our youngest player regularly attended rehearsal. During the Spring contest season we had several players who were under 18 compete with us. One member of our cornet section has since started their studies at Royal College 3 Drybrook & District Silver Band | 2021 Trustees’ Report | DDSB-175 of Music and Drama Wales, with the full support and encouragement of our players to progress in the brass banding world. **“WE ARE FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE”** : _We are financially secure due to prudent spending and the support of our players and local sponsors, who support our aims. We are legally compliant and transparent in our management._ - The band were once again fortunate to receive sponsorship from A. W. Parker Coal Merchants. Our longstanding relationship with this local company has been a key enabler for the achievement of many recent successes. - As a charity, the Trustees continued to capitalise on the Gift Aid process to reclaim additional funds against Member subscriptions and donations received. - The band continued to be financially sustainable, benefiting from several grants from the Forest of Dean District Council. These funds were used to update the facilities in the band room and will be used to invest in instruments during 2021. ## Financial Report (to Year ending 31[st] January 2021) The Financial Report for the Year ending 31[st] January 2021 is provided separately (DDSB-177) and contains points of interest from the Treasurer. ## Report Acceptance This report was accepted by the Charitable Trustees on 28/02/21 (DDSB-176). 4 ## **INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNTS** **FOR YEAR ENDING 31[ST] JANUARY 2021** ## **Drybrook and District Silver Band Financial report for the year ending 31 January 2021.** The income and expenditure account for 2020/21 is presented opposite. The year-end position reflects a surplus of £10,001.14. Key items to note are: - The effect of the pandemic has meant that income from playing and carolling was only £250. However, despite not being able to meet, the band has benefited financially during this period. - This has included government grants totalling in excess of £11,000 and rate rebates. - It has been a long-term objective to undertake several band improvements. As a result of these grants, the following works have been undertaken during the period: - New kitchen and improved hot water supply. - Conversion and refurbishment of the toilets, creating a unisex facility and new storage area. - `o` Update of lighting in the main hall. - Further projects are planned for 2021/22 - The band continued to receive sponsorship from A W Parker, for which we are grateful. - In addition, the Drybrook Ladies Choir continued to contribute to the band, despite not being able to meet for rehearsals; again, the trustees are grateful for this. - Despite members being offered a break from subscriptions, members continued to pay. Subscriptions are slightly lower due to vacancies that have not been filled during the lockdown. - Furthermore, £1,357 was received for 2019/20 subscriptions from HMRC in relation to Gift Aid claims. This can be claimed on subscriptions, carolling and some playing fees. Member who have not completed a gift aid form are encouraged to do so. Please speak to the Band Manager who will pass you a form. - It should be noted that the claim for 2020/21 will be lower due to reduced carolling and subscriptions. - The Lea Bailey contest did not run during the period; the contest will recommence in 2022. - Conductors’ fees were reduced during lockdown as no form of rehearsal took place during the early months of the lockdown. Arrangements for providing opportunities to meet, either in the bandroom or online, were made from September. A zoom session was also provided by Michael Fowles, which was well supported by members. - Other costs were reduced during the period as a result of the pandemic, including Contest Expenditure. If you require any more information in relation to the income and expenditure please speak to the Treasurer, Lesley Harding or auditor, Carol Kear. Auditor Carol A Kear, ACMA CGMA PGC