Registered Charity Number 1172395
Cinderford Band Trustees Report 2021
This Report, collated by the Trustees of Cinderford Band covers the year 2021
Chairman’s Report - Year ended 31[st] December 2021
Firstly, I would like to thank all members/friends and family for the hard work put in throughout another difficult year with Covid during 2021.
I would like to thank the management committee for its professionalism, and the patience/dedication of everyone in pulling together as a team to overcome the challenges that faced us during the year. Without an area contest in Torquay it was very strange, and with national/local rulings in place we were unable to restart rehearsing until after June 2021 but we were very successful with this. Safety was paramount for everyone in the band (and still is), so a limited number of jobs were taken on for this reason. I hope you all agree it was great to be back! Thanks to Mike Weaving for all the help in setting up the bandroom week in and week out, and for the continued support he plays for our concerts etc.
I would also like to thank Louis Thomas for all his hard work for his role as assistant conductor to cover Chris Howley when he has been unavailable as well as helping the Academy Band. Well done Louis!
As always, I would like to thanks Clive Lewis for his devotion and hard work as MD of the Academy Band. Like the senior band, it has been very difficult, but with all the stops pulled out we all achieved a great deal under the present circumstances. It is great that we are starting to see new players join, and hopefully with a new potential venture at St. Whites school we may have overcome a hurdle. It has been fantastic that players from the Academy Band are now starting to filter through to the Senior Band. They are the future for Cinderford Band. We will be focussing on the Academy Band as one of the many goals/targets for 2022. With a new Academy subcommittee formed we can forge ahead with our plans working with the main committee.
Thank you to Chris Howley for all his hard work. With only a few jobs available, a great programme of music was enjoyed at our successful Christmas concert. I am sure with all the effort being put in from everyone, that Team Cinderford can achieve great things in 2022 and beyond.
With a healthy well managed bank balance, we were able to push through our programme of refurbished instruments, and the purchase of new weatherproof jackets for both bands being progressed well. We have lots of new things to look forward to. Many thanks Anthony for all the hard work that has gone into this.
Thanks to everyone for all the continued advice and support this challenging year! Onwards and upwards! Team Cinderford.
Treasurer’s Report - Year ended 31st December 2021
I would like to say thank you to the President, Chairman, Secretary, Committee and members of the Band for their help and cooperation throughout the year. I would also like to say a sincere thank you to all our donors for their continued support and generosity, it is very much appreciated.
This year has continued to be challenging due to the Covid pandemic, which continues to limit our banding activities in terms of concerts and contests.
Financially the band remains in a secure position, this is largely attributable to the members (who continued to pay their subscriptions), gift aid and donations. We do need to focus on our income streams going forward in order to address the shortfalls in our concert income, subscriptions and donations.
The bank balance closed at a healthy £20393 versus £29912 last year, a reduction of £9519. The reduction in cash funds is largely attributable to the significant instrument repair/refurbishment undertaken, amounting to £12105. The band agreed to donate the funds raised from its Xmas concert to the NHS, this will be paid in 2022.
The following items should also be noted:
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£1240 Gift Aid received from HMRC for a period of 12 months (1st Jan ’20 to 31st Dec ’20).
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The band held a successful ‘free’ Xmas Concert which raised £470. This will be donated to the NHS. The Academy Band undertook a remembrance concert at St Oswalds Care Home and raised £106.
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Subscriptions donated were £2110 versus £2700 last year, a reduction of £590 versus prior year. Members should be aware that there will also be commensurate reduction in gift aid receipts next year as a result of the reduced subscriptions.
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The band’s committee decided to undertake a major instrument refurbishment programme, this has assured we continued to provide excellent instruments for our members as well as music, tuition and facilities.
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I would like to thank our private donors for their continued generosity, we received £2120 versus £2696 last year. We did not have any corporate sponsors or donations.
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Professional tuition amounted to £1110 versus £450 last year. This increase reflects a return to rehearsal in June/July. On a ‘business as usual’ basis we would expect to incur c. £2700 per annum.
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After accounting for our rebate our annual insurance premiums remained at £798, maintaining the same level of cover (including Trustee indemnity as well).
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The hire of halls and storage facilities amounted to £900 versus £1110 last year.
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“Other” expenses of £231 included Website fees £98, PRS Performing Rights Licence £52, £60 for BBE Safeguarding course for our Safe Guarding Officer and £20 to the FODDC for the annual licence fee.
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Members should be advised that we currently bank with HSBC; they have introduced a £5 monthly charge for maintaining our account as well a £0.40 charge for each cheque deposited or paid. I would kindly ask all members to pay their subscriptions by standing order or bank transfer. In terms of payments, we will arrange an online payment facility with the appropriate authority levels maintained, providing the management committee agrees.
Finally, I would also like to say a sincere thank you to Rob Hume for auditing the band's accounts. We are extremely fortunate to have a professionally qualified auditor such as Rob, who is always willing to help and advise whenever required.
Secretary’s Report - Year ended 31[st] December 2021
Senior Band
2021 was a very difficult and challenging year for the Band and Committee as a result of the COVID Pandemic. I would like to personally thank the Committee for their help and support throughout the year.
Rehearsals were cancelled for several months and engagements were either cancelled or were not forthcoming. However, we managed to close 2021 with a very healthy bank balance. It was great to see that all our members returned when we were eventually able to restart rehearsals following lockdown etc. Our first performance as a band was at Matt and Jess’s Wedding in July. Congratulations on behalf of the band to both of you. Other performances which were able to take place were the Armistice Parade, our own Christmas Concert, Dean Heritage Centre and Christmas Eve at the Triangle in Cinderford and Carols outside the Dilke Hospital.
We are now looking forward to a successful 2022 and hope to gain good results at the OBBA Own Choice Contest in February and the Area Contest at Torquay in March. Preparations for both are going well. Welcome to Joey Prescott who is now our resident percussionist and thanks to Matt Mann who is helping us out for both contests. Also welcome to our new members Chloe Frost and Amy Griffiths. Congratulations also to Chloe and Jamie on the birth of Florence and to Chris Howley and Melissa on the birth of Casper.
Academy Band
Last year was also very difficult and challenging for the Academy Band with rehearsals cancelled for a long period due to COVID. Engagements which took place were for the Royal British Legion at St. Oswald’s Village in Gloucester where they performed admirably and were well received and our own Christmas Concert. Thanks to all members and those Senior Band members who have helped out for all their hard work.
Thanks to Anthony Murrell in particular for his hard work in communicating with St. White’s School. A successful visit by eight members of the Senior Band playing a few pieces of music to the children in November hopefully seemed very positive. We hope that the project working with the Head and Head of Music will encourage some children to come along and learn to play a brass instrument and will eventually help to achieve our goal in developing the Academy Band further. Thanks also to Clive Lewis and Louis Thomas for their efforts throughout the year.
MD Report - Year ended 31[st] December 2021
After a long Covid break, the band finally got back together at Cinderford Rugby Club to get our lips back and ready for hopefully the GBBA contest in October.
Unfortunately due to ongoing Covid cases the contest was cancelled so we set about rehearsing early for the Christmas concerts and looking briefly at the area test piece.
The Christmas concert at the Miners Club was a great success and the band performed brilliantly. With a full band and good rehearsal attendances this had made all the difference to the playing standard of the band.
Covid did get in the way of the Forest Hills Concert but we did manage a small group to play at the Dean Heritage Centre. Thanks to the players who made that job work. I know from the comments received from various people they enjoyed the playing that afternoon.
Onwards now to Oxford and the area. All I can ask for is that everyone listens to the recording I sent out and follow their own part so you all know exactly what you are playing and rhythmically how it sounds. This is a good recording to learn from.
This is another test of piecing the parts together. No massive solos, just an all round band piece that requires the whole band to rehearse.
I am looking forward to the areas this year. If we all collectively put the work in we can do ourselves proud again.
Thanks again to Clive and Louis for all their support over the last few months.
Academy Band MD Report - Year ended 31[st] December 2021
2021 has been an interesting year for the Academy band. Not as many engagements as previous years, due to COVID. Our rehearsals didn't start until June 16th. this year, so that delayed us by 6 months. The engagements we did were of a good standard, with the concert at St.Oswald’s Gloucester, being the highlight concert.
Christmas concerts were well received by our audiences, but again COVID raised it's head , and some of our concerts were cancelled.
The plus for the Academy Band this year was the influx of new young players. This was generated from some promotional work done by a small band going into St.Whites School Cinderford, and playing some 'year 11 pupils' music, that they could join in.
The help of Senior band players giving tuition is really essential, but we can still do with more help, so if anyone can spare an hour on Wed. to help out, this would be much appreciated. On a personal note, l'm so pleased to see the Academy band starting to develop for the future of the Cinderford band family; which will in the long term, help the Cinderford band to survive, in what l feel will be a difficult time
Aims and Objectives for 2022.
Aim to win the Second Section at this years West of England Championship which will improve our grading for 2023.
Continue to invest in our Academy Band.
Continue our ongoing policy of regularly upgrading our instrument stock and music library.
Provide support to our local community and other organisations within our geographical catchment area as in previous years.
Stay safe and healthy.
23/01/2022
To the Clndorford Band Members I would conflrni that I have examlned the records for Clnderford Band for the year to 31" December 2021. I would conflrni that the accounts arn In agreement wlth the records presented. R H Hume FCCA Oaklea House The Orchards Woolaston GL15 6NQ 8" January 2022
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