STRATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL A charitable incorporated organisation no.I 164662 TRUSTEES, REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024 CONTENTS Trustees, Report Pages2-6 Independent Examiner's Report Pages7-8 Statement of Financial Activlties Page 9 Statement of Financial Position Page 10 Notes to the financial statements Page 11 16 07). BaillieGifford- Howthornden Foundation "icrco
Strarford Llterary Festlval A charltable Incorporated oryanlsatlon no.I 164662 for the year ended 31 December 2024 The trustees submlt thelr report and flnanclal statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. AIMS, OBJEcnvES & AcnvmES The alms and objectlves of the tharlty are: to advance educatlon by promotlng and provldlng opportunltles for the appreclatlon. understandlng and enjoyment of Ilterature and the arts. In partlcular through promotlng and runnlng a Ilterary festlval and educatlonal otjtreach actlvltles prlmarlty In the Stratford-upon-Avon area. to provlde rellef to those at a sodal dlsadvantage because of age or111 health through Ilterary related actlvltles whlch are deslgned to relleve lonellness or IsolatSon and encourage a sense of purpose and self-worth. The Trustees confirm that they have referred ro the Charlty Commlsslon's guldance on Charltles and Publlc BenÈflt when revlewlng the charlty's alms and objectlves. ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE The Stratford Uterary Festlval's charltable alm Is to Inform and educate through the promotlon of books, wrltlng and readlng. The Fesrlval marked 17 years In 2024 and dellvered two festlvals In May and October. Desplte a flre In our venue In May 24 hours before the festlval started. we were able to deltver the festlval from dlfferent venues and clalm back losses through Insurance. The October festlval was very successful wlth tlcket sales above target. In June. we lost our headllne sponsor Balllle Glfford due to fossll fuel actlvlsm at other festlvals that It supported. Balllle Glfford took the declslon to wlrhdraw Its entlre Ilterary festlval support. We also lost two lead sponsors as a result of budget pressures on those companles. We recelved some Impromptu support from three publlshlng companles and the Hawthornden Foundatlon but our alm for 2025 Is to ensure fundralslng Is central to our actlvltles. We contlnued to dellver projects In schools wlth author vlslts. and delfvered 9 workshops In prlsons. The demand for these workshops Is growlng and prlsons can contrlbute somethlng t(Mards costs. Our 8ook5 wlth Frlends monthly book group thrlved and Is over-subscrfbed wlth meetlngs back to face to face. Succe55ful bld appllcatlons have proved a challenge as the credlt crlsls means there are more demands on Trusts and Foundatlons. but we recelved local councll 5UPPOrt and UKSPF levelllng up fundlng granted In 2023, whlch enabled us to dellver projects and develop audlences.
Stratford Lfterary Fe5tlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.1 164662 for the year ended 31 December 2024 NANcL RNEW The results for the year are Set out in thé annexed Statement of Financial ActNities. There was a surplus of £46.804 on the yearfs artivitles. The balance sheet at the end of the year 5s satlsfartory. The unrestricted reserves in hand are £1 13.939. The trustees bellede that. in normal circumstances. It Is prudent to hold reserves of 15% of Income to provlde a contlngency agalnst unexperted shortfalls in Income, whlch Is the primary rlsk faced by the charfty- The trustees believe that a hlgher level of reserves Is needed at thls tlme because of the general economlc uncertainty and the loss of the 8aillle Glfford sponsorshlp, whlch has created a particular concern around sponsorship for art5 activities. The operating surplus for the year arises primarity because tlcket sales for both the Spring and Winter festlvals exceeded expectatlons. The trustees belleve that the charity can conilnue as a golng concem ft>r at leasr the nexr t¥velve months and that, as a result. no changes need to be made to thls Report and FlnancSal Statements. The charlty's sources of funds are: Ticket and tK)ok sales 151.532 Sponsorshlp 56.400 Grants 24.991 Donations 25.274 Orher income 22.971 Total 281.168 Page3
Strathird Uterary Festlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.I 164662 for the year ended 31 December 2024 Constltutlon Stratford Llterary Festlval Is a charltable Incorporated organlsatlon governed by Its Constltutlon. Trusteq5 Anna Ashworth (reslgned 31 Jr July 2024) Nell Davls {appolnted 7 5th Aprll 2025> Davld Fletcher Phlllp Heath (dled l June 2025 Dlana Owen Madelelne Parker Julla Wheeler Apart from the flrst charlty trustees. every trustee must be appolnted for a terni of three years by a resolutlon passed at a properly convened meetlng of the charlty trustees. In selectlng Indlvlduals for appolntment as charlty trustees, the charlty trustees musi have regard to the skllls, knowledge and expertence needed for the effectlve admlnlstratlon of the charlty. The charlty trustees wlll make avallable to each new charlty trustee, on or before hls or her flrst appolntment, a copy of the charlty's latesr Trustees, Annual Report and Flnanclal Statements, the Charlty Commlsslon booklet about thelr legal obllgatlons under charlty law, and a copy of the Constltutlon. Remuneratlon to Anna Ashworth Is glven for her seThlces as the Dlrertor of the Festlval. not for her dutles as a trustee. Remuneratlon to Julla Wheeler Is glven for her servlces as an InteNlewer. not for her dutles as a trustee. No expenses are pald to trustees for the fulfllment of thelr dutles as trustees. Anna Ashworth recelves relmbursement of expenses Incurred as the Dlrector. Chlef Execu Anna Ashworth Is Festlval Dlrettor and Chlef Executlve. Independent Examlners Cooper Adams Charrered Accountants. Reglstered In England & Wales. Company number 03861448. Bankers Lloyd5 Bank plc. 25 Gresham Street. London EC2V 7HN. Reglstered In England and Wales no. 2065. Charws Pflnclpal address 33 Sanctus Road. Stratford-upon-Avon. CV37 9AL Page 4
Stratford Uterary Festlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.l 164662 TRUSTEES, REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2024 SUPPORTERS Stratford Llterary Festlval Is very grateful to the followlng organlsatlons for thelr sUPPOrt for our actlvltles In 2024 and 2025.. Headllne Sponsor Balllle Glfford MOr Supporters Strarford-on-Avon Dlstrlct Councll Hawthornden Foundatlon Unlverslty of Blrmlngham Bloornsbury Publlshlng: Proflle Books L•ad Sponsors Pragnell Davld Hunt Llghtlng CG Optlcal Evqnt and Vanua Sponsori Montpelller Gallery; Shakespeare Martlneau., Start Wlthln,. Benchmark Grounds Malntenance., Flrst Look TV, Stradfas; Warwlckshlre County Councll Advertlsers Royal Shakespeare Company; Warwlck Arts Centre: The Healthy Back Bag Company; TIM Cox Assoclates; Cooper Adams Chartered Accountants: Vaughan Reynolds., Stratford Bed Companv Partners The Week,. Headllne Books,. Penguln Random House; Davld Flnkllng Books Sponsors-ln-klnd Prontaprlnt Stratford upon Avon: The Arden Hotel: Crown Plaza Hotel Strarford: Welcombe Horel Booksell•rs Watersrones Stratford upon Avon and Kenllworth Books Trusts The Blg Glve: Heart of England., The Allen Lane Foundation: The 29th May 1961 Charlty: The Seccombe Trust, Stratford Town Trust, Hedley Foundatlon. Ampa Foundatlon Page5
A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.l 164662 for the year ended 31 December 2024 TRusfEES' RESPONSIBILMES IN RELATION TO THE RNANCIAL sfATEMEKrs Statement of Thistees. responslbllftl•$ lft respect of the FIn¢111 Statements The trustees are responslble for preparfng the Trustees, Report and the flnanclal statements In accordance wlth appllcable law and Unlted Klngdom Accountlng Srandards (Unlted Klngdom Generally Accepted Accountlng Practlce). The law appllcable to charltles In England and Wales requlres the trustee5 to prepare flnanclal 5tatementS for each flnanclal perlod whlch glve a true and falr vlew of the state of affalrs of the charlty and of the Incomlng resources and appllcatlon of resources of the charlty for that perlod. In preparlng these flnanclal sratements, the trustees are requlred to: select sultable accountlng pollcles and then apply them conslstently; obseNe the methods and prlnclples of the Charltles SORP 2019 IFRS 102) make Judgements and estlmates that are reasonable and prudent: state whether appllcable accountlng standards have been followed. subject to any materlal departures dlsclosed and explalned In the financlal statements: prepare the flnanclal statements on the golng concern basls unless It Is Inapproprlate to presume that the charlty wlll contlnue In operatlon. The trustees are responslble for keeplng accountlng records whlch dlsclose wlth reasonable accuracy at any tlme the flnanclal posltlon of rhe charfty and to enable thern to ensure that the flnanclal statements comply wlth the Charltles Act 2011. the Charfty (Accounts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008 and the provlslons of the Constltutlon. They are also responslble for safeguardlng the assets of the chartty and hence for taklng reasonable steps for the preventlon and detectlon of fraud and other Irregularltles. Approved by the Board on 2rAI July 2025 Slgned by Davld Fletcher on behalf of the Board of Trustees Page 6
Stratford Llterary Festlyal A charltable Incorporattd organlsatlon no.l 164662 INDEPENDEKf EXAMINER'S REpoirr for the year ended 31 December 2024 Independent examlnerfs report to the trustees of Stratford urerary FeStIv Cthe Charltrf) I report to the charlry trustees on my examlnatlon of the accounts of the Charlty for Ehe year ended 3 7 December 2024 whlch are set out on pages 9 to 16. Responslbllltl•s and b•sl$ of report As the charlvs trustees of the Charfry you are responslble for the preparatlon of the accounts In accordance wSth the requlrements of the Charftle5 Att 2011 I'the Act,). I report In respect of my examlnatlon of the charlvs attounts carrled out under settlon 145 of the Act and In carrylng out my examlnatlon I have followed all the appllcable Dlrectlons glven by the Charlty Commlsslon under sectlon 145151 (b) of the Act. Independent •xamln•es statem•nt I have completed my examlnatlon. I confirm that no matters have come to my attentlon In connettlon wlth the examlnatlon glvlng me cause to belleve that In any materlal respect- accountlng records were not kept In respect of the charlty as requlred by sectlon 130 of the Act or 2. the accounts do not accord wlth those records or 3. the accounts do not compty wlth the accountlng requlrements concernlng the form and content of accounts set out In the Charltles (Accounts and Reports) Regulatlons 2008 other than any requlrement that the accounts glve a 'true and falr vlew, whlch Is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent examlnatlon. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters In connectlon wlth the examlnatlon to vthlch attentlon should be drawn In thls report In order to enable a proper uTrderstandlng of the accounts to be reached. Page 7
Stratlord Uterary Festlval A charftable Incorporated organlsatlon no.I 164662 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT for the year ended 31 December 2024 Davld C Cooper FCA For and on behalf of Cooper Adams Ltd Charrered Accountants 12 Payton Street Stratford upon Avon Warwlckshlre CV37 6UA Date: 21 July 2025 Page 8
Stratford Uterary Festlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.l 164662 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfMTIES for the year ended 31 December 2024 Restrlcted Incorne funds Unr•stritted Deslgnated funds funds 2024 2023 Notes Incomlng rosourcos Donatlons and legacles Charltable actlvltles 17.240 33.025 50,265 43,299 226,203 4,700 230,903 214,317 Toral 243,443 37.725 281,168 257.616 Resources expended Ralslng funds Charltable actlvltles 21,322 21,322 12,475 175,318 37.725 213.043 195,336 Total 196,640 37,725 234.365 207.811 Net 1ncomel(exndttUrQ1 46,803 46,803 49,805 Transfers between funds Not mov•m•nt In funds 46,803 46.803 49.805 Reconclllatlon of fund5: Total funds brought forward Total funds carrled loard 47,136 20,000 67,136 17,331 93,939 20.000 113.939 67.136 The notes on pages I I to 16 form part of these flnanclal statements. Page 9
Stratford Uterary Festlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.1 164662 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION As at 31 December 2024 Restrfcted Incorne fvnds Unrestrlcted Deslgnated funds funds Total 2024 Total 2023 Notes Current Assets Debtors & Prepayments Cash at bank 9.263 9.263 17.465 137.008 20.000 157.008 111,362 Total Credltors: amounts falllng due wlthln one year Net current assets/ffllabllltles) 146,271 20.IXIO 166.271 128.827 io 52,332 52,332 61,691 93.939 20,000 113.939 67,136 Total net assets 93.939 20,000 113.939 67,136 Funds of the Charfty 13 Restrlcted income funds Deslgnated Funds Unrestrlcted funds 20.000 20,000 20,000 93,939 93.939 47,136 Total funds 93.939 20,000 113.939 67,136 The notes on pages I I to 16 form part of these flnanclal statements. Approved by the Board on 2nd July 2025 Slgned by Davld Flercher on behalf of the Board of Trustees Pageio
Stratford Llterary Festlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.l 164662 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEKTS for the year ended 31 December 2024 NOTE I - BASIS OF PREPARATION The flnanclal statements are prepared on a golng concern basls under the hlstorical cost conventlon, wlth Items recognlsed ar cost or transattlon value unless otherwlse stated In the relevant note(5) to these accounts. The charlty constltutes a publlc beneflt entlty as defined by FRS 102. The financlal statements have been prepared In accordance wlth the Charltles SORP (FRS 102) 'Accountlng and Reporting by Charltles: Statement of Recommended Practlce appllcable to charltle5 preparlng theSr accounts In accordance wlth the Financlal Reporting Standard appllcable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland (FRS 102> leffectlve I January 20191.. Flnancial Reportlng Standard 102 'The Flnanclal Reportlng Standard applicable In the UK and Republic of Ireland, and the Companles Att 2006. The charity has taken advantage of the followlng dlsclosure exemptlon In preparlng these flnanclal statements as permltted by FRS 102 'The Flnanclal Reportlng Standard appllcable In the UK and Republlc of Ireland.: the requlrements of Sectlon 7 Statement of Cash Flows. NOTE 2 - ACCOUNTING POLICIES Income Income Is Included In the Statement of Flnanclal Activities when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, and when it Is more Ilkely than not that the trustees w511 recelve the resources. and when the monetary value can be measured wlth sufflclent rellablllty. There has been no offsetting of assets and Ilabllltles. or income and expenses, unless requlred or pÈrmitted by the FRS 702 or SORP. Grants and donations are only Included In the SOFA when the general income recognition criteria are met. Contractual Income and performance related grants are only Included In the SOFA once rhe charlty has provlded the related goods or seNlce5 or met the perforniance related condlrlons. Donated ser¥lces and facllities that are consumed Immedlately are recognlsed as Income wlth an equlvalent amount recognlsed as an expense under the approprlate heading in the SOFA. The value of any voluntary help recetved Is not Included In the accounts but Is descrlbed In the trustees, annual report. Expendlture and Uabllltles Llabilltles are recognlsed where It Is more Ilkety than not that there Is a legal or constructlve obllgatlon committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligatlon can be measured wlth reasonable certalnty. The charlty has credltors whlch are measured at settlement amounts less any trade dlscounts. Pageii
Stratford Uterary Festlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.l164662 NOTES TO ThE FINANCIAL STATEMEKrs for the year ended 31 December 2024 2.3 Assets Debtors are measured on Inltlal recognltlon at settlement amount after any trade dlscounts. Subsequently. they are measured at the cash or other conslderatlon experted to be recelved. 2.4 Funds Unrestrlcred funds are avallable for use at the dlscretlon of th¢ trustees In furtherance of rhe general obJectlves of the charlty and whlch have not been deslgnated for other purposes. Restrlcted funds are funds whlch are to be used In accordance wlth speclflc restrlctlons Imposed by donors or whlch have been ralsed by the charlty for partlcular purposes. The cost of ralslng and admlnlsterlng such funds are charged agalnst the speclflc fund. The alm and use of each restrlcted fund Is set out In the notes to the flnanclal statements. Restrlct Incom• funds UnMstrfct•d D•slgnat•d funds Funds Total 2024 Total 2023 NOTE 3 - ANALYSIS OF INCOME Donatlons and legacl•$ Donatlons and glfts General grants provlded by governmentlother charltles Donated goods, facllltles and servlces 17,240 8,034 25,274 12,460 24.991 24,991 30,839 Trtal 17,240 33,02S 50,265 43,299 Charltable actMtI•s Tlcket and book sales 151,532 151.532 144,393 Sponsorshlp AdvertSslng Schools programme Prlsons programme Other 51,400 51,400 55,700 5.000 5,000 5,500 5,225 5,225 600 4,700 4,700 4,200 13.046 13,046 3,924 Toral 226.203 4.700 230,903 214.317 Page12
Stratford Utsrary Festlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.l 164662 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024 Restrfcted Income funds Unrestrlcted Deslgnated fund5 Funds Total Total 2024 2023 NOTE 4 - DONATED GOODS. FACILMES AND SERVICES None Donated goods. facllltles and servlces are valued at market rates. NOTE 5 - ANALYSIS OF EXPENDrruRE Ralslng funds Direcrorfs salary costs Other staff costs Fundralslng costs Total 12,150 5,075 4,097 21.322 12.150 5,075 4.097 i 0,000 2,475 21.322 12,475 Charftable actlvltles Authors and perforrners Venue Hlre 36.523 36,773 1.232 11.702 18.302 5,913 36,523 41.534 36.773 40.961 1.232 2,773 11.702 7.834 18.302 17,705 S.913 2.535 10,665 6.524 4.097 2,962 12.811 1,345 18,22S 15,000 7.613 11.562 33,039 33,877 4.152 16.148 10,724 37.725 213.043 195,336 Book purchases Staff costs Other Festlval costs Schools programme Prlsons programme Books wlth frlends 10,665 4.097 12.811 5.500 500 Other Projects Dlrectorfs salary costs Other staff costs 72.72S 7.113 33,039 11,996 175.378 Marketlng and PR Overheads NOTE 6 - DEfAILS OF CERTAIN ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE Accountancy fee Total 2,575 2,575 2,000 2,575 2.575 2.000 Page
stratford Llterary Festlval A charltable Incorporated organ15atlon no.1 164662 N¢yfES TO THE FINANCIAL sfATEMENTS for the year ended 31 December 2024 NOTE 7 - PAID EMPLOYEES Staff Costs Salarles and wages Soclal securlty costs Total staff costs 44,346 37,765 44.346 37.765 No employees receSved employee beneflts lexcludlng employer penslon costs) for the reportlng perlod of more than £60,000 Total arnount pald to key management personnel Ilncludes trustees and senlor management) for thelr servlces to the charlry 31,775 26,300 Average head count In the year The parts of the charlty In whlch the employees Work Fundralslng Charlrable Acrlvltles Total NOTE 9 - DEKfoRS AND PREPAYMEKrs Trade debtors 7,174 16,446 Prepayments and accrued Income rotal 2,089 1,019 9.263 17,465 All amounts falldue wlrhln one year NOTE I O - CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS Trade credltors Payments recelved on account for contracts or performance- related grants Accruals and deferred Income 38,510 45.544 9,167 7.433 Taxatlon and 50clal security 4.6SS 8,714 52,332 61.691 StAtford Lfterary Festlval A charftable Incorporated organlsatlon no.I 164662 Page14
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL sTATEMErs for the year ended 31 December 2024 2024 2023 NOTE I I - CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND Short term deposlts Cash at bank and on hand 142,817 70.557 74.191 40.805 Total 1 $7,008 111,362 Note 12 - FAIR VALUE OF ASSEfs AND LIABILITIES All debtors have now been pald and there are no flnanclal Instruments or Investments so the charlry carrles no rlsk In these areas. NOTE 13 - CHARITY FUNDS Fund balances b/Avd Income Expen- dlrure fransfers Fund balances c/fwd Fund names Restricted funds Books wlth Frlends 5,280 5,280 Blg Glve 8,034 8.034 Prlsons Project Levelllng up 14,726 14,726 9.685 9.685 37,725 37,725 Deslgnated Funds Unro5trlcted fvnds 20,000 20,000 47,136 243,443 196,640 93,939 Total 67.136 281.168 234.365 113.939 Resrrkted fvnds.. Book wlth Frfends Is a monthly book group for older and soclally Isolated people In the communlty. Blg Glve provldes free books for schools Prlson5 Project sends authors Into prlsons to help Inmates wrlte bedtlme storles for thelr chlldren. Levelllng up funds bulldlng audlences to brlng people to Stratford for the beneflt of the rown. Deslgnated fvnds.. The grant from Strafftjrd Dlstrlct Councll has been deslgnated to support operatlons In 2025. Stratford Llterary Fe5tlval A charltable Incorporated organlsatlon no.l 164662 Page
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMEKrs for the year ended 31 December 2024 NOTE 14 - TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES Trustee remuneratlon and beneflts Trustee name Legalauthority Remuneratlon Penslon Other rorAL ulla Wheeler Annle Ashworth Intervlewer contract Governlng document 4.114 31.775 4.114 31,775 Remuneratlon to Annle Ashworth Is made for her serrflces as the Director of the Festlval, not for her dutles as a trustee. Remuneration to Julla Wheeler Is glven for her ser4ices as an Interviewer, not for her dutles as a trustee. No expenses are paid to trustees for the fulfllment of their dutles rthr Name of the trustee orrelatedpaity Oescrlption of transactiorfs) RelatlonshlA> to charlty An7ount Occaslonallv donatlons are qlven bv trustees, No beneflts are qlven In return for these donatlons. Page16