The Bristol Reggae Orchestra
Charity registration number: 1180167 Annual report and Unaudited Financial Statements
For the year ended 30 September 2024
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The Bristol Reggae Orchestra Contents
| Trustees Report | 4 |
|---|---|
| Statement of Receipts and Payments | 7 |
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | 8 |
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The Bristol Reggae Orchestra Reference and Administrative Details
| Charity Registration Number | 1180167 |
|---|---|
| Patron | Gary Crosby OBE |
| Chair | Arusha McKenzie |
| Orchestra Leader | Norma Purnell |
| Choir Leader | Elaine Walker |
| Trustees | Arusha McKenzie |
| Barrington Chambers | |
| Kat Branch | |
| Kevin Millwood | |
| Sharon Folland | |
| Simon Pratchitt | |
| Rebecca Scott | |
| Wesley Guinchard-Cox | |
| Treasurers | Sue Lamble & Dirk Walker |
| Musical Director | Ben Jenkins |
| Choir Director | Kim Samuels |
| Administrator | Bradley Greening |
| Principal Address | Malcolm X Community Centre |
| 141 City Road | |
| St Pauls | |
| Bristol | |
| BS2 8YH | |
| Bankers | Lloyds |
| Charity Website | https://www.bristolreggaeorchestra.com/ |
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Trustees Report
The Trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024.
Objectives and activities
Objectives and aims
The objects of the charity are to advance the art of music, particularly reggae and music of Jamaican origin for the benefit of the public by performing such music to the public and providing opportunities to develop musical skills.
Public benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Achievements and performance
Following the resignation of Orgena Rose as Choir leader in March 2024 we were delighted to appoint Kim Samuels as the new choir leader and they continue to go from strength to strength.
On Saturday 3[rd] of August 2024 the orchestra and choir performed at Valley Fest in Chew Magna and a few days later, on Wednesday 6[th] of August, at a fundraising gig for those impacted by Hurricane Beryl in Carriacou, Grenada, held at The Mount Without. Over £5,000 was raised during the evening where the Orchestra performed amongst other acts including Nia Bimkubwa and Celestine. The Choir also had a busy winter gig calendar and joined with other Bristol Choirs and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to perform the world premiere of ‘Odyssey ' at the Beacon.
The Fatty Boom Boom Windrush Documentary was filmed in 2023-2024 with members from the choir and Orchestra contributing and the screening being held in December 2024 and the youth outreach team journeyed to Trinity Academy for the school’s youth outreach day.
In the time following the end of the year Kristian Sharpe and Kat Branch made the decision to step down as trustees and Simon Pratchett joined the board.
As mentioned in the prior year report, in January 2024 Arden Tomison made the decision to step down from the board of trustees due to ill health. He continues to contribute to the organisation, having been part of it for more than 14 years and everyone involved in the organisation wishes him all the best in his continued recovery. Arusha McKenzie kindly stepped into the role as the chair of the trustees.
The board of trustees met regularly, in person mostly, although remote set ups were also used.
Thanks are due to all Trustees, to orchestra leader Norma Purnell, our Orchestra Music Director, Ben Jenkins, Choir leader Elaine and our current choir musical director Kim Samuels.
Financial review
The total cash fund position at the end of the period was £15,998 (Unrestricted funds: £14,456, restricted funds £1,542). The Charity reports a surplus during the period of £1,172, (Unrestricted funds: a surplus of £4,213, restricted funds: a deficit of £3,041).
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This is the second full year in which the Windrush Choir’s finances have been reflected in the report and the first for which has had its own bank account.
Income
The Charity received total income of £22,698 meaning that, once more, there was no need for an independent examination of the accounts.
Income from members subscriptions to the orchestra and the choir totalled £6,609 (2023: £5,526). A small rise reflecting the growth of the choir although it was acknowledged that membership needed to grow further.
The charity received performance income which generated £15,522 (2023: £14,011) of income as a result of playing at several gigs, including Valley Fest in August 2024 and the Bristol Beacon Housewarming in December 2023.
Expenditure
The Charity’s core operating costs were £18,485 (2023: £20,708), which is roughly consistent with the prior year. The Charity incurred costs of £3,044 (2023: £351) in relation to the hire of rehearsal spaces. In 2023 the charity experienced a reduction in these costs due to the Malcolm X Centre experiencing staffing issues during the year and consequently not invoicing the organisation for the usage of their space. These invoices were subsequently issued during the year ended 30/09/2024.
Musical Director’s fees were £9,388 for the orchestra and the choir (2023: £4,700), This discrepancy can be explained by the fact that the categorisation of these expenses in 2023 were different to the current year, and if the categorisation were the same the prior year expenses would have come to £10,172. Going forward, this year’s categorisation will be used.
Plans for future periods
Grant funding applications
The organisation has continued to explore the possibility of grant funding to support further development during the year with a number of options being considered in this regard
Structure, governance and management
The Bristol Reggae Orchestra is a registered charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and is governed by its constitution dated 2 October 2018. The CIO was registered with the Charity Commission on 2 October 2018 .
The CIO is administered by the Board of Trustees. The Board has begun to meet more frequently than its original quarterly basis to accommodate the additional work arising from the projects. A management committee and formal action groups are appointed to assist with orchestral section management, planning, development, communications and finance who meet every 6 weeks.
The action groups consist of the following:
Finances and income: responsible for managing the money, generating income, pursuing funding opportunities, sales and merchandising
Membership: responsible for managing recruitment, keeping a balance of musicians, involving members and volunteers, running rehearsals with refreshments
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Musical development: responsible for working closely with the Musical Director to define our repertoire, manage the music library, commission new works and arrangements, seek educational and funded projects.
Media and Marketing : responsible for publicity, recruitment strategies, managing social media and web-based activity, marketing and point of contact for bookings.
Performance logistics: responsible for maintenance and storage of all equipment, managing all aspects of performances including contracts, liaison, logistics (including transport), set-ups and take-downs.
Recruitment and appointment of Trustees
Trustees are appointed at the Annual General Meeting and are appointed on the basis of their skills and relevant experience to meet the objects of the charity. Trustees are elected by the membership to serve terms of one year and are eligible for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting.
Induction and training of trustees
Once appointed, new trustees are fully briefed by the Board with regard to:
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their obligations as members of the Board of Trustees, including relevant publications from the Charity Commission;
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relevant documentation regarding the legal framework of the charity, e.g. Constitution;
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relevant financial information as set out in the most recent published annual accounts;
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strategic plans and objectives.
Reserves Policy
The Charity recognises that it requires a certain level of funding in order to meet its core operational activities. The Charity anticipates holding one year’s operating costs in reserve which will be monitored by the Treasurer and Board of Trustees on a regular basis.
Declaration
The Trustee’s declare that they have approved the Trustee report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
…………………………….
Arusha McKenzie Trustee
30 July 2025
Statement and Receipts and Payments
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| RECEIPTS Donations, legacies, grants Membership subscriptions Performance income Merchandise sales Glastonbury income Other income Asset and investment sales Total receipts PAYMENTS Musical director Musical project costs Musician fees (non-members) Rent / Hire of rooms Advertising Insurance Website maintenance / Digital media Merchandise Sundry Orchestra administration costs Sound technician costs Musical equipment Glastonbury costs Asset and investment purchases Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) Transfer between funds Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
2024 2024 2024 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Funds £ £ £ 567 - 567 6,609 - 6,609 15,522 - 15,522 - - - - - - - - - - - - 22,698 - 22,698 9,388 - 9,388 586 3,041 3,627 517 - 517 3,044 - 3,044 - - - - - - 690 - 690 - - - 682 - 682 2,748 - 2,748 830 - 830 - - - - - - - - - 18,485 3,041 21,526 4,213 - 3,041 1,172 - - - 9,792 5,034 14,826 14,005 1,993 15,998 |
2023 2023 2023 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Funds £ £ £ 3,185 500 3,685 5,526 - 5,526 9,961 - 9,961 - - - 4,050 - 4,050 1,425 - 1,425 |
|---|---|---|
| - - - |
||
| 24,146 500 24,646 4,700 - 4,700 2,161 14,583 16,745 954 - 954 351 - 351 - - - 239 - 239 152 - 152 - - - 559 - 559 4,357 - 4,356 1,587 - 1,587 - - - 5,649 - 5,649 |
||
| 450 - 450 |
||
| 21,159 14,583 35,742 |
||
| 2,987 - 14,083 - 11,096 |
||
| - - - 6,805 19,117 25,922 |
||
| 9,792 5,034 14,826 |
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Statement of Assets and Liabilities
| Details Cash funds Cash at bank Other monetary assets Investment assets Assets retained for the charity's own use Merchandise Musical equipment Liabilities Creditors Details Cash funds Cash at bank Other monetary assets Investment assets Assets retained for the charity's own use Merchandise Musical equipment Liabilities Creditors |
2024 2024 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 14,456 1,541 15,998 |
|---|---|
| - - - - - - 1,730 - 1,730 |
|
| 7,903 - 7,903 |
|
| - - - |
|
| 2023 2023 2023 Unrestricted Restricted Total £ £ £ 10,243 4,583 14,826 |
|
| - - - - - - 1,730 - 1,730 |
|
| 7,903 - 7,903 |
|
| - - - |
The financial statements were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 30 July 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
…………………………. Arusha McKenzie Trustee 30 July 2025
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