TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2024
1. REPORT DETAILS
-
1.1 This report covers the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024
-
1.2 Charity Name: Fulham Brass Band
-
1.3 Charity Number: 1185237
2. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | To promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of art and music, particularly brass band music, in and around Fulham and the UK more generally. |
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
The main activities are as follows: a. the operation of an amateur brass band b. facilitating the musical education of band members c. the presentation of public performances The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and considered this as part of all decision making when planning the year’s activities. These activities benefit our members who can develop their musical ability and also the wider public as we are able to perform and raise the profile of brass band music. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | All Trustees are aware of the guidance issued by the Charity Commission and follow it as necessary. |
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
3. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | 2023 was a significant year for the band. The band bid farewell to our longstanding Musical Director ('MD'), John Ward who conducted the band for almost 10 years. Following his departure in March 2023, the band and the committee set out to hire a new MD. After a rigorous audition process the band was delighted to appoint Sam Hairsine as its new MD in September 2023. Sam brings such a wealth of experience to Fulham having been Director of Music in the Royal Marines and having conducted some of the country’s top bands. Sam led the band at a number of concerts over the past year debuting with the band at Regent Hall on 26 October 2023 as part of its autumn concert series. This concert was free to the public and received a good sized audience. The band was delighted to share its music with the wider community in London. Under Sam, the band also performed a Christmas Concert on 2 December 2023 joint with the Putney & Wimbledon Brass Band. This was a great opportunity to share music making together with another local amateur ensemble. To raise money during the course of the year, the band played at a number of commercial gigs including the Great British Beer Festival at the Kensington Olympia, Hurlingham Club Fireworks and, for the first time, the Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race. These gigs help the band to stay afloat whilst also bringing brass band music to a different audience who wouldn't usually be exposed to it. In terms of contesting, the band returned to the annual Regional Contest at Stevenage on 17 March 2024 under the baton of Sam Hairsine. The band was pleased to place 7th out of 12 and secure another year in the top "Championship" division. The band will look ahead to the next year to try and improve on its placing and fight to remain in the top division. In addition to our usual small ensemble gigs which the band performs throughout the year the band played at some notable events such as the King's Coronation Community Event, which was performed to local residents in Bishop's Park Fulham, Remembrance Sunday Service for Hammersmith and Fulham and the band appeared also on a Britain's Got Talent promotional advert. Our charitable endeavours continue and the band played for free to support other local charities and organisations, this past year included a "Thank you" performance to the staff at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where some of our members kindly played at 07:30am to the hospital staff. The band also returned to the Royal Marsden Hospital for its "Celebrate a Life" event to support patients of the hospital. The band has continued to support St Etheldreda’s church by performing as a small ensemble for regular church services as requested. This important contribution to the church community is much enjoyed by the local church goers. Highlights at the church from this past year include the Palm Sunday Service, Harvest Festival Service and Christmas Carol Service. |
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
4. FINANCIAL REVIEW
| SORP reference |
||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The band’s financial position remains stable and healthy. With income from member’s subscriptions, as well as income generated from paid performances, the band has maintained a credit balance at year end, only slightly down from the last financial year. The band also opened a new bank account this year to allow for more efficient management of funds. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 |
Given its size and the voluntary nature of its membership, the band does not have a formal and published reserves policy in place. However, it has historically always kept its bank balance in credit by at least £3000 (which in recent years has been closer to £5000) in order to ensure that, in the event its income falls below expectations, it can undertake the activities required to meet its core charitable purposes, such as hiring equipment to run a concert, attending competitions or purchasing new music or instruments as required. The reserve also ensures the band hedges any unforeseen needs for funds, such as the loss of an instrument or the requirement to relocate to a new rehearsal venue. In setting the amount reserved (ie, at least £3,000) the band has considered factors such as the range of costs a high-end brass instrument (ranging from approx. £1,000 to £5,000), and its experience in hiring venues and transport for some 25+ people when it is required to travel for concerts and contests. Given the straightforward nature of the band, it operates using only one bank account, meaning that the reserve is not held anywhere separately. However, the reserves are monitored on an ongoing basis by the Treasurer. The committee of management meets regularly throughout the year and the Treasurer provides a full financial update at each meeting. The band's (informal) policy on reserves, and the amount to be retained, is considered at such meetings. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £3000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | n/a |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | n/a |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | n/a |
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
| The charity’s sources of (including fundraising) |
principal funds any |
Para 1.47 | Membership subscriptions and payments for performances. |
|---|---|---|---|
5. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
SORP reference |
|
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted?(e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Para 1.25 | Trustees are appointed or re-appointed annually at the AGM, in accordance with the constitution |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
Para 1.51 | The trustees formed a Committee of Management to undertake the day to day running and organisation of the band (in accordance with clause 18 of the charity’s constitution). The committee of management terms of reference documents the trustees ’powers and functions that are delegated to the committee. The document also include details of each of the committee officer roles. The Chair of trustees will act as the Chairperson of the committee. |
6. REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
| Charity name | Fulham Brass Band |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | |
| Registered charity number | 1185237 |
| Charity’s principal address | St Etheldreda’s Church 528 Fulham Palace Road London SW6 6JF |
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
| Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | ||||
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|
| 1 | Emmeline Downer | Chair of Trustees | ||
| 2 | Ally Crowther | |||
| 3 | Derek Treadwell | |||
| 4 | Andrew Pitt |
7. FUNDS HELD AS CUSTODIAN TRUSTEES ON BEHALF OF OTHERS
| Description of the assets held in this capacity |
n/a |
|---|---|
| Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects |
n/a |
| Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets |
n/a |
8. EXEMPTIONS FROM DISCLOSURE
-
8.1 Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
-
8.1.1 n/a
9. OTHER OPTIONAL INFORMATION
- 9.1 N/A
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
10. DECLARATIONS
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
----- Start of picture text -----
Signatory 1 Signatory 2
Position Chair Position
Print Emmeline Downer Print
Signed Signed
Date
Date 31 March 2024
----- End of picture text -----
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
Income Item Membership Subscription Performance Income Areas Nationals / Other Comps Donation Misc Gift Aid Bud £5,520.00 £5,550.00 £300.00 Flnal 23124 £5,062.00 £7,237.28 £195.00 Varlance -£458.00 £1,687.28 -£105.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £0.00 £16.03 £516.28 £0.00 £16.03 £516.28 £1,380.00 £0.00 -£1,380.00 Totsl Income £12.750.(X) £13,026.59 £276.59 Item Conductor Fees New Music Deps Rehearsal venue Music Stands Concert Venue Budget £4,960.00 £850.00 Flnal 23124 £2,400.00 £540.61 £1,132.40 £2,712.50 £0.00 £0.00 Varlance -£2,560.00 -£309.39 £332.40 £800.00 £2,400.00 £0.00 £0.00 £312.50 £0.00 £0.00 Insurance Areas Nationals Website Gigs outgoing Instruments Other £550.00 £0.00 -£550.00 £1,200.00 £0.00 £390.00 £500.00 £1,700.00 £1,100.00 £580.00 £0.00 £512.41 £43.50 £2,121.78 £1.515.13 -£620.00 £0.00 £122.41 -£456.50 £421. 78 £415.13 Totsl expendlture £14,450.CKI £13,072.75 -£1.377.25 Closing balance £4,401.62 £6,055.46 £1,653.84 Profft/loss for the year -£1,700.CKI -£46.16 £1,653.84