Charlty roO5tration number 1168860 BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Trustees The Rt Revd Dr Stephen Piatten Mr Michael Gallico Miss Lindsay Daigiiesh Mr Nolan Dalrymple Miss Helen Wright Mrs Valerie Bistram Ms Lucy Baxandall Mr Scottsherrard Mr Freeland Barbour Resigned 17April2024 Appointed 17 November 2024 Charity number 1168860 Principal address Clo Berwick upon Tweed CommuntyTrust The William Elder Building 56-58 Castlegate Berwick upon Tweed TD15 1JT Independent examiner Laurence Pearson FCA 5 Tweed Street Berwick upon Tweed TD151NG
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL CONTENTS Page Trustees, Report Independent examiner's report Statement of financial activities Balance sheet Notes to thefinancial statements 8-14
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The twstees present th8ir r8POrt and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2024. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the CIO'S Constitution. the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities- Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities prep8ring their accounts in accordance wrth the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 102) (effective 1 January2015}-. Objectives and actlvltles The CIO'S objects are to advance education by promoting and providing opportuntties for the appreciation. understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts, in particular through the promotion and runningofa literaryfestival in Beiwick upon Tweed and the surrounding area, and such other 8Ctivities as the trustees shall from time to time determine. Public benefit Thetrustees havepaid due regard to guidance issued bythe CharityCommi5sion in decidingwhat activities the CIO should undertake. Achlevements and performance The 11th Festival ran throughout the week of 7th to 13th October, as well as promoting and supporting other events duringthe year. In March, the 30th Annlvorsary ot the Genocide in Rwanda. a profoundly significant world event. was marked bytwo events: al a Panel of Experts, who addressed both the specifics of the terrible events in 1994 and the implications for the wider world going foard. An audience of some 50 people was engaged and moved by the stories told by the panel members. and b) an evening of African music by the acclaimed Senegalese singer and kora player, Seckou Keita. Generously supported by sponsorship from Postscript Books and the panelists. these event. which made a great impact on their audiences. also made a small surplus. For the first time, the Festival programme was formed around a theme. Bridging the Divlde. which tied in wellwith thetown's special celebrations forthe 400th Anniversary of the opening of BeICk Old Bridge. and to mark the Annwersary itself, in August the FestiV81 was proud to welcome MichaelPalin to speakatThe Maltings.The popuiarttyofthe eventcaused alltickets to sell out within hours. and Michael generously agreed to do a second show the following afternoon. which sold out even more quickly. The Festival itselfwas, as usual, made up of a number of different elements: a) The Schools, programme included Eyemouth High School for the first time. alongside mostofthe Berwickgroup of schools. although one ortwowere notableto participatefor practical reasons. LongridgeTowers Ilndependent} 81so played 8 full p8rt and generously provided some funding for the programme. Unfortunately. as a result of strikes by teaching staff, the middle schools. programme was postponed, but we were able to reschedule for early 2025. A further problem. this time with LNER trains, prevented one speaker from getting to Berwick. but he too kindly came later in the year.
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL TRUSTEES, REPORT continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 bl Two projects within the schools. programme attract8d particui8r notice: 1} Dlfflcult Conversatlons. This was a collaboration between the festival and Berwick Academy. led by storyteller Chris Adriaanse working closely with the Heads of English and History, during the summer term. Using an unresearched story from Bewck's 13th century history. Year 9 pupils were invited to think 8nd write 8bout 'difficult conversations, in which they had participated or had witnessed. These stories were edited by Chris and published in 8 book that was launched during the Festival. We were grateful for finding from Create Beick, and the collaboration of Martins the Printers to enable this impresstve project to be completed. 21 Llterary Conversations. On the initiative of Eyemouth High School. students from Eyemouth and Berwick Academy were invited to read and review a set of books of their choice, and then to share their review5 With the other school. The results of this were then presented and displayed in Berwick Library. This is Likely to be repeated in 2025. possibly including Berwickshire High School and Longridge Towers School. c) The public Festival Programme, that opened on the Tuesday evening. and consisted of 38 separate events, including a poetry workshop. a live 'cabaret of words, and a wide range of speakers and performers. ranging from leading Scottish novelist James Robertson. who also contributed to the Schools. programme. to comedian Christopher Biggins and the remarkableyoung Scottish poet and internet sensation, Len Penniewho, whilst tackling serious and challenging issues. won the hearts of her audiences and wonderful news presenter, Mishal Husain. The subjects addressed covered International Affairs, 'crossover cookery, (with samples provided by Berwick Slow Food). art. archaeology and rnuch else besides. Once again. therewere sell-outtours of Martins the Printers. dl We launched Berwlck Wrlters. Forum. which brought together some 40 people at Various stages of writing. with the aim of providing 8n information point and gathering place. Awebsite is now up and runningand a first activity is taking place in May 2025. e) For the firsttime, we included a 'Fringe programme'_ a small number of events outside the festival itself. but rei8ted to it. This included an evening of traditional Borders music and tales at Fogo Church and papermaking demonstrations by one of our trustees, Lucy Baxendall of Tidekettle Paper. A key principlewhich we continued to develop through the year is thatof'partnership,, looking at every opportunity to work alongside other organisations in the town to enhance its community life. This included The MaltingsArts Centre and Theatre, Borders Archaeological Society, BeTwick Archives. Berwick Education Association, Berwck Slow Food. Berwick Rotary. Visit Berwick, B8twickTown Council, Create Berwick and manyothers.
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL TRUSTEES, REPORT continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Marketing remained a key ar8a for development, and the hard work of our current volunteer team for both digital and printed publicitythrough the yearwas rewarded. especiallywith th8 huge success ofthe Michael Patin event. For 2025. the marketingteam has been strengthened considerably by the arrival of a professional marketing executive who is volunteering her time and experti8e. Flnanclal revlew The financial turnover of the festival incre88ed substantially in 2024, and whilst the costs increased substantially, the income has also substantially increased. giving us an over811 surplus forthe year of over £8.000. allowing us to end theyear with the level of reserves sitting modestly above the level set bythe trustees. This has been achieved primarily by increasingthe level of support from sponsorship and grants, with our financ8 team being strengthened by a fundraising consultant, Lawrence Brady. initially funded by Create Berwick, but subsequently bythe CIO, and considerable time being invested in preparing applications by Jennifer Heald. the Festival Manager. Commercial sponsorship by Postscript Books led the way, Wth a total grant of £7.500. but this was enhanced by several substantial grants from regional trusts and foundations. In all areas of budgeted income we exceeded expectations. apartfrom the Patrons. scheme. which should correct itself in 2025. We were not far ott doubling income over the previous y88r, 8lthough some of th8t was tied to particular projects. Whilst expenditure also increased signiflcantly over 2024, we came in comfortably under budget. The reserves nowsit comfortably at over £21.000. Our fund-raising continues unabated in 2025. wtth a shift in focus in budgeting to set goals for structural development ofthe festival as well as enrichment of the programme. Reserves policy It is the policy of the CIO that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be held at a level equivalent to one year's non-cancellable expenditure in orderfor the Festivalto be sustainable. The trustees consider that reserves at this levelwill ensure that. in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the CIO'S current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. Major rlsks The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the CIO is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks. Structure, governanc• and management Governance The CIOwas established bya constitution on 22 August 2016.
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL TRUSTEES, REPORT continued FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 The CIO currently has eighttrustees of a possible ten. Duringthe previous ye8r, Andrew Deuchar resigned on taking up the role of Director and this year Michael Gallico also resigned. following four very successful years as Chair of the Steering CommitteelDirector. The B08rd welcomed Freeland B8rbour as a new trustee. The Executwe Committee. with day-to-day responsibility for running the festival. was further strengthened bythe addition oftwo new members and now numbers ten people, most ofwhom have key leadership roles in one area of festival life. The Board of Trustees metfive times during the year. includingfor a day'away, afterthe festival. Trustees have continued to monitor their safeguarding policy, GDPR policy. Equal Opportunities Statement, and Ri5kAssessment. Trustees act in a voluntary c8P8city 8nd do not receive any remuneration. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the terms of the constitution. The trustees who served during theyearwere: The Rt Revd Dr Stephen Platten Mr Michael Gallico Miss Lindsay DaLgliesh Mr Nolan Dalrymple Miss Helen Wright Mrs Valerie Bistram Ms Lucy Baxandall Mr Scott Sherrard Mr Freeland Barbour Resigned 17 April 2024 Appointed 17 November 2024 Re¢rultmont and appointment of trustees New trustees are recruited and appointed by existing trustees. Copies of the CIO'S constitution and other documentation are available to n8Wtrust8es. Future plans The Trustees intend to continue to build on the work previously carried out provide an ongoing benefit to the town. Preparations forthe 12th Festival. which will take place from 6- 12 October 2025, arew811 underway. Th Trustees. report was approved bythe Board ofTrustees. The Rt Trustee evd Dr Stephen Piatten Trustee
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL I reportto the trustees on my examination ofthefinancial statements of Berwick Literary Festival (the CIO) forthe year ended 31 December2024. Responsibilities and basls of report As the trustees of the CIO you are responsible for the preparation of the financiaL statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)- I report in respect ot my examination of the CIO'S fin8ncial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charitycommission under section 145(51{bl ofthe 2011 Act. Independent examiner'5 Statement I have compLeted my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: accounting records were not kept in respect of the CIO as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act- or the financial statements do not accord wtth those records- or the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerningtheforrn and contentofaccounts setout inthe Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. Laurence Pearson FCA 5 Tweed Street Berwick upon Tweed TD151NG Dated= .. ILt QLkikn
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BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL BALANCE SHEET YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER2024 2024 2023 Notes Flxed assets Tangible assets 2.368 1.189 Current assets Debtors Cash atbankand in hand io 5.187 15,360 20.547 150 12,976 13.126 Creditors: amounts falllng due within one year li 1,464 970 Net current assets 19.084 12.156 Total assets less current liabllilles 21.451 13.345 Thethnds ofthe CIO Restricted income funds Unrestricted funds 18,164 3,287 21,451 5,101 8,244 13,345 The financial statements were approved bythe trustees on .......................... The Rt Revd Dr Stephen PLatten Trustee Trustee
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL NOTESTO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER2024 Accountingpolicies Charltylnformatlon Berwick Literary Festival is a CIO. registered number 1168860. A¢countlng conventlon The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the CIO'S Constitution, the Charities Act 2011 and "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021" las amended foraccounting periods commencingfrom 1 January 20161. The CIO is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102. The CIO has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charf(ies applying FRS 102 Update Bulletin 1 not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows. The financial statements are prepared in sterling. which is the functional currency of the CIO. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below. Charitabiefunds Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives. Income Incom8 is recognised when the CIO is legally entitled to tt after any performance conditions have been met. the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received. Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the CIO has been nottfied of the donation. unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Expendlture Expenditure is recognised once there is a leg81 or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement. and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is recognised in the period to which it relates. Tangible flxed a55et8 Tangiblefixed assets are initlally measured atcost and subsequentlymeasured at costor valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases: Computer equipment 25% Straight line The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrwng value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMETrrrs FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Accourrting policies {Continued) Impairment of fixed assets At each reporting end date. the CIO reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible and intangible assets to determine ether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists. the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any). Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equiv81ents include cash in hand 8nd deposits held atcallvrith banks. Financial instruments The CIO has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments, and Section 12 '0ther Financial Instruments Issues, of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments. Financial instruments are recognised in the CIO'S balance sheetwhen the CIO becomes partyto the contractU81 promsions ofthe instrument. Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously. Basi¢ flnanclal assets Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are inttially measured at transaction prlce Includingtransaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised. Baslc flnanclal Ilabliltles Basic financial liabilities. including creditors and bank loans are initl8lly recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction. where the debt instrument is measured atthe presentvalue of thefuture payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable wthin one year are not amortised. Debt instruments are subsequentlycarried atamortised cost, usingthe effective interest rate method. Trade creditors are obligations to payforgoods orseNicesthat have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts Payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not. they are presented as non- current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Derecognltion of financial liabilities Financial liabilities are derecognised when the CIO'S contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled
BERWICK LITERARY FESTIVAL NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024 Crltical accounting estimates and Judgements In the application of the CIO'S accounting policies. the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the c8rrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differfrom these estimates. The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision 8nd future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods. 10
BERWICKUTEklRYFesTWAL NOTESTOTHEF1NANCIALATEmEmvs YEAAENDED3lDE¢EÉR202l 3 In¢omefrDm donottons *wyc1•5 Uhr•sid¢ttdfund52024 Total Donation5andWts Giants Sponh1P 210 10,062 8,810 t8,902 415 10200 1740 17.522 11.350 36.424 14, 4 IncomefromchartthbleadivllSÈs 2024 2023 Pat$ 17,728 GIftAd Other 1,312 157 22.223 18,1 11
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BERWICKLifEBARYFESTIVAL NQTE$TOTHE FINANCiALSTATEMENTS YEARENDED31DECEMBER2024 fj TNe8S None oflheffiJ#eeslorarrypersortstneryththeml reCe•larremUneraIjTrofbfjtslrOrnlheClodUItrlther. 7 Employ•os The nurfthrofempioyeesdurfngtheprYrdS112023". ENiLlxrta pan-IrIree1MjThsil810[SSr8laIned,rluS$ornet8mp0pald ass1s18n¢edunÉthÈ Fes¥vaLI 8 Taxauon Thech8rftyi% 2xemptfrorntaxationonltsocMb8s becawai1tslrKoMèlpedft¢hIr7Ft1ÈWrPjse. 9 T8TrRM>ieflxedassets Cost At lJanu4ry2024 Add0$ DlsposaL8 At31 December2ff24 1,585 2,100 08claI10n9dtmw1ftnlfit Al Ilanugry2024 Depreclatlon charyed Inttyear Eurnlnaettln respectof dlsws*s At31 DecEmber2024 921 L317 At 31 December2024 At 310ecembEr20TJ 1,189 10 OeblDrs AMouMsfaWrfduewllhlnoY. Accrued Income Payments In adv8nc8 Olherdebtws 516 150 Iso 5,187 11 Cradiiors.. ampuntsfdikng41wewlthln on8ye8r Accruats DefeNed Income 970 970 13
mERWIcKLE1iARYFEsTIvAL P40TESTQTNEFINA14CIALSTATEPIEP4TS YÉAREIIiIED31 DECEMBER2024 12 Rfrstslci•dfvnd$ The resiilcied funds of the chahty corIse the •ed balarL8s of and grants heid on tsu# specthc condluons donorsasto howthtymaybeu5ed. AllJ•mu•ry ¢omlrf AtalDe¢¢mb¢r NorthumberndC0untyc0Ul Northumber[arcOUrrtyCounClleomnMttyche$i Nothumbetland CountyeouncilLingHPritaEe CommunltyFoutKlationlAcadEmyEthhTreni EventgranW$pon$oi$hip 17231 IL6781 IIL3271 11.5WI 141081 119.3261 L876 825 108 17A22 5.101 3.287 At1Uary At310ocember CornrnunltyFwndatknn Northumbeiiand Countycouncll Northumberfand CoUntycoun¢llCounttYchest ILS001 IIAOII 11981 4.Th)0 1700 1502 5.101 13 Uoresirf¢iedfunds The unrestrlcte(Jfunds ofthe chadty Comsett uwnded balaKes ofdonallorts and are not 5ubJecttospedllc COnd0ty donors and grantors as io how they may be Lwd. 7hesÈ I1th1E de51wwt&l fund5 IMch have be2n set out of unrESrriCted fUT ty the ttU5tees l0rspec1fkpu0Ses. Atljamwy Gerralfufids 41.125 1312051 Atljanu Incoml R•sourc•s At31December pr4$Y8r GenErèlfuNts 797 247n 125.3251 244 14 Ahatyslsolneta5setsbfrrweenfund8 Tota12024 Fundbalances at31 December2024ar•reweSèntsr. TanblE3S$erS Current45setsllUablUtlesl L972 L316 3287 17 19.084 21.451 17.76B .164 Tots12023 Fundbanco$at31De¢ember2D23arerÈprè5entedty. TangibaSSets uTreatassersllUiblUle$l 4507 5,101 8.244 13,345 15 Related pwtytran5acifjons Therewere no dL5CSable reiaied partyU8C0tsdugthe•. 14