Registered Charity Number 1172395
Cinderford Band Trustees Report 2022 This Report, collated by the Trustees of Cinderford Band covers the year 2022
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
Dear all
I will start off by thanking all the band members, friends and family for the hard work that was put in throughout another difficult year in 2022. With a strong Management Committee and the very strong commitment from everyone in the band, it certainly has helped me and the band enormously throughout the year mentioned more than you will know.
The band went to Cheltenham in April for the WEBBA Regional Championships after it was initially deleted from the calendars at Torquay, and then was re-instated causing many problems on the way for our band as many others. But, as always, we had overcome the hurdles by pulling together as the Cinderford Band team always does. The band came away with a 7[th] place. A position (that we all knew we deserved better) we disagreed on, but meant that we were in a good position to stay in the 2[nd] section to fight another year the following year.
Concerts were sporadic, mainly due to the fact we wanted to concentrate building the band up to a good standard again post Covid, but also many jobs were cancelled by the organisers which meant we had limited funds coming in. We had a great contest at the ODBBA in which we came a great 3[rd] place against stiff and higher placed opposition. We also had a good Christmas concert and carolling helped lift the band to finish on a high. Thanks to Mike Weaving for all the help in setting up the bandroom week in and week out, and for the continued support that he does for our concerts/instrument repairs etc. I would also like to thank Louis for all the hard work he has done in his role as assistant conductor, to cover Chris Howley when he was unavailable, as well as helping take the Academy Band. It has been fantastic that players from the Academy Band have now filtered through to the Senior Band and continue to do so.
The mid and latter end of 2022 was a very painful experience for the Management Committee especially, and also caused much disruption to the band without a conductor. It was a first in history for the Cinderford Band to be involved with such serious matters. I will not dwell on this too much, but I want to thank my amazing team of the Management Committee, who (with much pain/many hours of sleepless nights and endless meetings) overcame it together. This also pushed back plans that I had for 2022. I thank the Management Committee personally for the exemplary dedication
that was shown in dealing with this matter. I would like to give a personal thank you to Tina for her invaluable expertise also.
With a well-managed bank balance, we were able to still push through our programme of refurbished instruments. However, everything comes at a price and it is something we need to be aware of moving forward.
Thanks to everyone for all the continued advice and support this challenging year! I am very proud to be your elected Chairman. Onwards and upwards! Team Cinderford.
Kindest Regards Ian
TREASURER'S REPORT for 2022
The band’s bank balance closed at £26694 for the year, i.e., an increase of some £6300 versus prior year. This growth is largely attributable to the ‘once off’ sale of older instruments for £8950. The Management Committee took the decision to ‘ring fence’ these funds for the future purchase and/or refurbishment of instruments. In addition to this sale, we have received Donations of £3856, Concert Income of £1801, Subscriptions and Gift Aid of £3252 along with Other items of £336. This was offset by Professional Tuition of £2767, Purchase of Soft Shell Jackets £2457, Player costs of £1565, Hire of Halls £1079, Insurance of £798, Instrument repairs £584, a Donation to the Dilke Hospital of £500, Coach Hire £510, Bandroom storage racking costs of £420, Entry Fees of £335 and Others of £881.
At face value the accounts reflect a healthy position however there are some worrying underlying trends that will need to be addressed in the forthcoming year, both from an income and expenses perspective. Ignoring the pandemic years (2020/2021) Concert Income, Subscriptions and Donations have declined. Professional Tuition costs remained similar to pre-pandemic levels however these costs were exacerbated due to the need to engage guest conductors to undertake both rehearsals, contest and engagements during the last four months of the year. In addition we incurred significant players costs of £1565 to help us at engagements and entertainment contest in Oxford.
In terms of the band’s future commitments, the band’s members decided to invest in a first class Musical Director; the benefits have already been seen at our rehearsals and concerts. The Management Committee also agreed to make an investment in the Academy Band, by appointing a ‘Schools Liaison Officer’ which bolds well for the future. This will increase our current spending levels in professional tuition by some two to three times! This represents a significant financial challenge for the band.
In summary, we need to address the shortfall in Income and Subscriptions, through increasing our concert fees, the number and/or quality of engagements we undertake. Subscriptions have not been increased for many years (10+) and members will need to agree to significantly increase them e.g. £20+ per month, as well as asking all ‘working members’ to pay them! This subscription is inline with most other Forest bands. The band will continue to seek donations along with other fund raising initiatives.
From an expense viewpoint we will need to control our spending post the area contest, as we had no alternative other than to engage further players to help us, which has already added significant cost pressures and challenges to this financial year.
I would like to thank Rob Hume for auditing our accounts and his ongoing support.
If any member wishes to discuss these matters and/or requires further information please do not hesitate to speak to me.
Anthony Murrell
SECRETARY'S REPORT for 2022
2022 was a very difficilt year for the band with the consequeces of the ongoing covid pandemic affecting the band financially and not being able to hold rehearsals for a prolonged period.
The year started positively with the Senior Band winning the ODBBA contest in February and set us in a great position for the area contest the following month. We made a very difficult decision to attend the area contest which due to the affects of the covid pandemic was re-scheduled and the venue changed to Cheltenham. Thank you to all the players and committee for making it possible for us to attend. although the band gave a good performance at Cheltenham the result did not go our way and we attained an 8th place. We performed well at the ODBBA entertainments contest in November and thanks to Dave Lea for taking us as well as the players who helped, Julia Jenkins, Alan Nott, Ryan Morgan and Geoff Henning.
Our Academy Band performed an excellent concert for the opening of the Wesley Arts Centre and also at the St.Oswald's Village remembrance concert. thank's to Louis for stepping in as Musical Director for the St.Oswald's concert. We all wish Clive a full recovery and hope to see him back in the bandroom on a regular basis in the near future.
Summer engagements were very few and far between and we only performed at Ross-onWye bandstand. Malvern District Council made a decision to only allow local bands to perform at Priory Park and this also attributed to a significant loss of income. our Christmas engagement schedule was very busy with concerts at Forest Hills, Chepstow and our own xmas concert at the Wesley Arts Centre. carol playing at the triangle in Cinderford and the Dean Heritage Centre also went down well and we welcomed the involment of the Academy Band at these events. overall, the senior band performed some great concerts. thanks to Anri Adachi for conducting us at Forest Hills and Chepstow.
Autumn also saw further difficulties with the parting of company with Chris Howley our Musical Director.
I would like to thank, all the committee , particularly Ian Tomlins for all the hard work and effort made in order to attain a new musical director and to all the players for sticking together in order to keep the band going.
We now have a new musical director appointed Steve Kane and Peter Richards will be working with the Academy Band. I am sure that we all look forward to working with them and ther is much to exicited about for the Senior and Academy Bands in the future.
Ruth Davies
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 2023/2024
To pursue a path of continued musical improvement under the leadership of our new Musical Director, Steve Kane and ultimately improve our Second Section grading status at the next West of England Championships.
Drive forward our roll-out programme to local primary schools to encourage new learners to play brass instruments and thereby maintain the future development of our Academy band.
Continue to provide support to our local community and other organisations within our geographical catchment area as in previous years.
Continue our ongoing policy of regularly upgrading our instrument stock and music library. Retain a safe, healthy and enthusiastic full band membership, working together as a team to achieve the above objectives.
To the Cinderford Band members I would confirm that I have examined the records for the Cinderford Band for the year to 31 $1 December 2022. I would confirm that the accounts are in agreement with the records presented. R H Hume FCCA Oaklea House The Orchards Woolaston Glos GL15 6NQ 15th January 2023
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