Registered Charity Number 1172395
Cinderford Band Trustees Report 2024 This Report, collated by the Trustees of Cinderford Band covers the year 2024
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT for 2024
Ian Tomlins 13th January 2025
Dear All,
Firstly, I would like thank all band members/friends/family and volunteers for all the hard work that was put in throughout 2024. It was a tremendous effort by all once again.
The band went to Torquay for the WEBBA Regional Championships playing “Triptych” in the 2nd section at Torquay in March, but unfortunately we came a disappointing 14[th] after a number 4 draw. The band played well on the day overall, but we all know (from the remarks) where the performance required addressing. With Steve’s continued leadership and improvements as MD, the band continues to improve together as a team. Rehearsal attendance has proved this. As a band we must have a good result to stay in the second section in 2025. We are going there to win, not to make the numbers up, so the format of the next year’s contest day for the band for 2025 will be quite different. This is to enable us (with different tools and approach) to collectively achieve our desired goal of doing well (as we always do). Thank you, Steve, for all the hard work.
The Academy Band and new starters were still a big focus for the band in 2024, and as we know they will be the band’s future and beyond. With a steady stream of new players joining us through advertising/social media/word of mouth, the band continues to progress well under Joey as MD and Anthony’s leadership with the new starters at various venues throughout the year. Thanks to you both and that help. All feedback and ideas were being implemented from our Academy members in 2024, and with the introduction of two new players representatives late on within the Academy Band (under the leadership of the Management Team) it will give even more focus for the future. However, we are still lacking volunteers to help out, which
needs to be addressed moving forward if we are to succeed. The band had its first awards night for many years on Saturday 11[th] May at CRFC, and this proved to be a major success. Having the learners/academy and senior band
under one roof, certainly highlighted team Cinderford and may this continue. Seeing the young players receiving the awards makes it all worthwhile. Hopefully, we can have this as an annual event from each year. Many thanks to the hard-working sub-committee on arranging it all, especially Amy Griffiths and Barry Jessop.
Unfortunately, not everything goes our way and this proved to be the case with the bands 2[nd] open day which was held on Saturday 22[nd] June. Despite all our best efforts with advertising etc, we had a very poor response and a change of format will be approached. It was still a good opportunity to socialise, something that we want to expand on in 2025.
We had a great concert year with both bands including old and new venues being added, and new ideas like the Autumn concert that was held for example in October being a great success. We are always trying new ideas and moving with the times. The year ended with the Christmas
concerts/carolling period which were very well attended and the band working with the community as always. An excellent great Christmas concert finished our concert year with both bands playing a brilliant part at a packed hall, the biggest in years! It was great to see our new youngsters also playing. Thank you to everyone for the great efforts/sacrifices that you have made once again.
Kindest Regards Ian Tomlins
TREASURER'S REPORT for 2024
Anthony Murrell 12th January 2025
Treasurer’s Report 2024 Accounts
The band’s closing bank balance is £18657 versus £20792 last year. The major driver of this reduction in funds is due to investment in instruments and repairs of £7170 partially offset by donations of £5984. To summarise, despite increased subscriptions, donations and gift aid we spent £2137 more than we received.
Concert income of £3775 includes £913 carried forward from 2023. If you adjust this on a “like for like” basis, 2024 Concert income is £2862 versus £2688 for 2023.
The band received a Grant of £2000 from the Forest of Dean District Council in 2023. These funds have been used to purchase instruments for our Learners Group where we provide free instruments, music, and tuition to all pupils. I am pleased to report that the learners class has continued to flourish and grow. As planned the remaining balance of £625 was spent on the purchase of a Baritone in February.
In 2022 we sold instruments for £8950, these funds were “ring fenced” for future investment in instrument/accessories. At the beginning of 2024 the remaining balance was £4910 and the Band subsequently purchased a new Prestige Cornet plus a set of Cornet and Trombone mutes leaving a balance of £1436.11. This amount will be utilised to refurbish a Euphonium to “as new condition” in January 2025.
Members will recall they took the difficult decision at the 2022 AGM to double their monthly donations. I am pleased to report that the majority of members still continue to pay these increases and we are now seeing the full benefit and incremental gift aid flowing through into our 2024 accounts.
Finally, I thank everyone for their generous donations (both Private and Corporate); the band is lucky to have such loyal and supportive patrons. I thank band members for their donations and Rob Hume for auditing our accounts.
SECRETARY'S REPORT for 2024
Ruth Davies 11th January 2025
Engagements 2024
Senior Band
The Senior Band has continued to be busy performing in a number of settings and locations during 2024
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The first 3 months focused on the Oxfordshire BBA and the West of England Regional contests but then we moved into a key period of concerts and
community events
Our bandstand engagements this year took us to Ross-on-Wye, Chepstow and Malvern during the Summer Season, all of which were well supported and appreciated by the audiences
We were also able to engage with the D-Day celebrations supporting the Academy Band at Blaisdon, and later in the year the Senior Band played music for a private wedding function at Clearwell Castle
Moving to the Autumn period we hosted our Autumn Concert at the Wesley,
with both bands and learner groups taking part, followed by our appearance at the Wychavon Festival of Brass. The Armistice Parade followed on in November, and then into a carolling programme which was shared between the Senior and Academy bands.
In addition to our annual Christmas concert (which was very well supported being on
the same night as the Christmas Convoy) we again played at the Dean Heritage, Littledean House Hotel and, for the first time, played carols at the newly opened Forest of Dean Community Hospital. We also saw Taurus Crafts and Stroud District Council’s Christmas in the Park events being added to our itinerary for carolling for the first time this year!
Academy Band
Our Academy Band continues to go strength to strength and performed regularly during 2024.
This stated with a joint performance from the Academy and Senior Band players at Blaisdon for their ‘SoapBox Rally’ in June, followed by another great appearance at the “Rising Stars” concert at the Scarr Bandstand The Academy Band also provided the Armistice Concert music and thoughts, organised by the British Legion at the St. Oswald's Retirement Village, Gloucester, and was again very well received.
Moving on to Christmas, the Academy Band was busy with a number of carolling events including the Switch-on of the Newent Christmas Lights (a new venture for the band), followed by a well-attended carol service at Lydbrook Baptist Church.
In addition, many of the Academy members have helped with other carolling events, bringing their energy and enthusiasm, and again contributed significantly (both Learners and Academy) to the Autumn and Christmas concerts. We finished off the year with many of the Academy players joining for carols on Christmas Eve.
We look forward to 2025 with a number of ‘repeat’ and new concert and community music events in the diary already!
Contests
In preparation for the Area Contest the band decided to give the test-oiece a running by entering the ODBBA Own Choice in February. We came a respectible 3[rd] place out of 6 bands.
After this, preparations continued well. For the first time, bands in the 2[nd] Section were to perform at a new venue, Upton Vale Baptist Church, Unfortunately, the band did not really settle with the unfamiliar surroundings and this reflected in the performance. As a result, we came a very disappointing 14[th] place out of 15 bands. We will now need a very good result in 2025 in order to consolidate our position in the 2[nd] Section.
In November the band took part in the Wychavon Festival of Brass Entertainments Contest at Evesham. We came crediatable 6[th] place out of 11 bands after giving a very good performance.
To the Cinderford Band members I would confirm that I have examined the records for the Cinderford Band for the year to 31st Dernber 2024. 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 14th January 2025
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