Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date From 01 January 2025 To 31 December 2025
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Amersham Band
Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1162520
Charity's principal address Amersham Band Rectory Hill Amersham, Bucks. Postcode HP7 0BU
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Harrison | ||||
| PhilipSweetman | Co-Chair | |||
| Caroline Perkins | ||||
| Marion Mayhew | Co-Chair | |||
| Alex Smith | ||||
| Andrew Kelly | Treasurer | w.e.f. 01/05/2025 | ||
| Sokho Fujimoto | w.e.f. 12/06/2025 |
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
Name Dates acted if not for whole year
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
TAR
March 2026
1
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document Constitution adopted on 3 July 2015
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted Charitable Incorporated Organisation (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustees are appointed or re-appointed annually by election at the Annual Trustee selection methods General Meeting. (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
Amersham Band is a member of Brass Bands England. This organisation provides support and promotional activities for brass bands.
Amersham Band is a member of Making Music, who’s mission is to support, connect, champion and celebrate groups of people making and presenting music in their communities
-
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
-
relationship with any related parties;
-
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
TAR
March 2026
2
Section C Objectives and activities
| Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit) |
The objective of Amersham Band is to improve, develop and advance the public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of brass band music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and practice and performance. |
|---|---|
| In planning the activities of Amersham Band, the Trustees have taken into account the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. An important activity is for the band to perform at a wide range of events to entertain the public. These events include formal concerts, civic and public occasions, parades, fetes and other events. This has a benefit to the local community by using music as a way to bring people together, enhancing social cohesion. In accordance with the charitable objective, Amersham Band encourages local people to take up brass music by running regular rehearsals, teaching sessions, open workshops, and demonstrations at schools and public events. The band has a range of bands which cater for experienced, intermediate, elementary and beginner levels of ability. The aim of the band’s activities is to extend the benefits of learning to play a musical instrument in a group environment, with opportunities and instruments available to people of all ages and abilities. The band runs two teaching groups and a Youth Band which are all specifically aimed at young people. There are strong benefits in advancing music education locally for young people. In particular, participating in music groups develops many skills including discipline, teamwork, cooperation, self-confidence, responsibility and social skills. For teenagers, making music can contribute to self-identity and can help them cope with the ups and downs of adolescence by providing an outlet for expression and imagination. The band prepares some of its groups for participation in music contests, thus improving quality of performances and advancing the art of brass music for the benefit of its members and the general public. Amersham Band runs a bursary scheme to support those from a financially disadvantaged background who might otherwise be prevented from taking part in musical activities. Instruments are also available to hire for a very nominal sum. |
TAR
March 2026
3
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
-
policy on grantmaking;
-
policy programme
-
related investment;
-
Contribution made by volunteers
The band is run by unpaid volunteers, with the exception of the Musical Directors and three roles (Accounts book-keeper: Media Creation and Management; Brass Blast and Brass Roots Administrator) who receive payment for expenses. Band members and non-playing volunteers give their time free of charge and meet their own expenses in attending rehearsals, events and concerts. The Trustees recognise the contribution of all these volunteers, without whom the charity would not function.
Section D Achievements and performance
TAR
March 2026
4
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
The band has continued to thrive, with an overall membership of around 210 players, of which currently just under 50% are under 18 years of age. The band comprises eight separate bands as follows: Amersham Band (Championship Section) Amersham Concert Brass (Second Section) Amersham Big Band Amersham Community Band Brass Roots Amersham Youth Band AmJam Brass Blast
The various bands performed at a wide range of events during the year. Highlights included a concert at Milton Court, London with jazz multiinstrumentalist Shri Sriram as part of the London Jazz Festival; a concert at Regents Hall in London; a showing of Wallace and Gromit ‘The Wrong Trousers’ with live brass band and a band attending the Whit Friday Marches. The everpopular Christmas Concert and performances of a live screening of The Snowman in both Amersham and Berkhamsted helped to round off the year.
Amersham Big Band continued their regular concert series at the Lifestyle Centre, featuring top soloists. These continue to attract enthusiastic audiences and have become popular, sell-out events.
Amersham Band and Amersham Concert Brass competed in the Regional Brass Band Championships in March, with good results for both bands. Amersham Band also competed in the Spring Festival at Blackpool in May, where they were placed 2[nd] in the Grand Shield, qualifying the band - for the first time in its history - for promotion to the prestigious British Open Championship, held at Symphony Hall, Birmingham in September 2025. Additionally, the band’s principal euphonium, Josh Dickens, was awarded the soloist prize in the Grand Shield.
The Youth Band competed in the National Youth Championships in Hull and played well in their second outing in the Championship Section.
Preparation and performances at these contests have helped to improve the standard of playing across all participating bands.
In July, the band held their second Summer School and Festival. The bands’ musical directors worked with guest tutors, including trumpet soloist, Matilda Lloyd, on a very enjoyable four days with young students. The first three evenings ended with concerts featuring the various groups within Amersham band, including an exciting evening where jazz bassist and multi-instrumentalist Shri Sriram and his sitar player joined Amersham Band. The final concert was given by the Summer School students with Matilda treating the audience to several solos accompanied by the students.
The bandroom continued to provide a basis for further expansion of the band’s programme and also provides a useful facility for other community activities, including several Yoga and Pilates and other local groups. Private individual music lessons have been provided at the bandroom and several Trinity music exams have been hosted.
A nature and sustainability project continues to assess and protect the natural environment and wildlife on the bandroom site. A number of nature development and educational activities have been carried out, building further relationships with the wider local community.
Section E Financial review
TAR
March 2026
5
Brief statement of the
charity’s policy on reserves
The trustees have set a policy to ensure an unrestricted reserve of £5,000 as a minimum is kept in the current account. This is to ensure short term commitments such as Musical Director expenses can be sustained for at least 6 months.
The trustees have established a separate account for revenues and running costs of the new bandroom. A reserve of £3,000 has been set for this account to cover essential costs such as insurance and utility costs.
Details of any funds materially in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
-
the charity’s principal sources of funds (including 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
TAR
March 2026
6
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
| ed on behalf of the charity’s trustees | ’s trustees | ’s trustees | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Signature(s) Full name(s)Philip Alan Sweetman Marion Elisabeth Mayhew Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Co-Chair Co-Chair Date12thApril 2026 |
|||||
| Marion Elisabeth Mayhew | |||||
Co-Chair |
Co-Chair | ||||
| 12thApril 2026 |
TAR
March 2026
7
| Amersham Band | 1162520 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts andpayments accounts | CC16a | |||
| For the period from |
01/01/2025 | To | 31/12/2025 |
Section A Receipts and payments
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 31,561 28,304 9,918 12,572 31,495 235 99 - 114,184 - - - 114,184 32,171 15,888 11,787 11,188 10,885 8,358 2,433 2,683 3,495 98,889 - - - 98,889 15,295 - 57,345 72,640 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total funds to the nearest £ 31,561 28,304 9,918 12,572 31,495 235 99 - 114,184 - - - 114,184 32,171 15,888 11,787 11,188 10,885 8,358 2,433 2,683 3,495 98,889 - - - 98,889 15,295 |
Total funds to the nearest £ 31,561 28,304 9,918 12,572 31,495 235 99 - 114,184 - - - 114,184 32,171 15,888 11,787 11,188 10,885 8,358 2,433 2,683 3,495 98,889 - - - 98,889 15,295 |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Membershipsubscriptions | 31,561 | 28,684 | ||||
| Concert receipts | 28,304 | 24,495 | ||||
| 3rdpartybandroom income | 9,918 | 9,019 | ||||
| Summer School income | 12,572 | 9,269 | ||||
| Donations | 31,495 | 10,909 | ||||
| Instrument rental | 235 | 1,010 | ||||
| Bank interest | 99 | 95 | ||||
| Gift Aid | - | 645 | ||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
114,184 |
84,126 | ||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | - | |||||
| Sub total | - | - | ||||
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||||
| 84,126 | ||||||
| Musical Director expenses | 32,171 | 24,662 | ||||
| Direct concert/contest costs | 15,888 | 6,792 | ||||
| Other band costs | 11,787 | 13,725 | ||||
| Band Uniforms | 11,188 | - | ||||
| Summer School costs | 10,885 | 7,553 | ||||
| Paid Admin support | 8,358 | - | ||||
| Insurance | 2,433 | 1,974 | ||||
| Light and Heating | 2,683 | 3,056 | ||||
| Other Bandroom costs | 3,495 | 5,592 | ||||
| **Sub total ** | 98,889 | 63,354 | ||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | ||||
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| 63,354 | ||||||
| 15,295 | - | - | 15,295 | 20,771 | ||
| - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 57,345 | - | - | 57,345 | 36,574 | ||
| 72,640 | - | - | 72,640 | 57,345 |
13/04/2026
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
1
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B5 Liabilities B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B3 Investment assets B2 Other monetary assets B1 Cash funds |
Signature Details Details Instruments Uniforms Music Bandhall Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Band bank account Bandroom bank account |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 46,559 26,081 - |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ 46,559 26,081 - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - |
Restricted funds to nearest £ - - - |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46,559 | - | - | ||||
| 26,081 | - | - | ||||
| - | - | - | ||||
| 72,640 | - | - | ||||
| OK | OK | OK | ||||
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) Unrestricted - Unrestricted - Unrestricted - Restricted - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
|||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| Current value (optional) |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| Current value (optional) |
||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| - | ||||||
| When due (optional) |
||||||
| Date of approval |
||||||
13/04/2026
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
2
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Amersham Band On accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025 Charity no (if any) 1162520 Set out on pages 1&2 I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (Ihe Trusf) for the year ended 31 Dernber 2024. Responsibilities and basis of report As the chartty's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordan with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5){b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination (other than that disclosed below) which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: the accounting records were not kept in accordan with section 130 of the Charities Act" or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements conceming the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a Irue and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no cOnmS 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 understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: LG Name: David Marsh Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (if any): ACA (retired) Address: 5 Mayfiower Way Beaconsfield HP9 1UF
Section B Disclosure Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. None