TRUSTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2025
1. REPORT DETAILS
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1.1 This report covers the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025
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1.2 Charity Name: Fulham Brass Band
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1.3 Charity Number: 1185237
2. OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
| SORP reference |
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| 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 |
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| 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 | The band has continued to support St Etheldreda’s church by performing as a small ensemble for regular church services. This important contribution to the church community is much enjoyed by the local church goers and the local community. This year has seen a full calendar of engagements including a self- promoted Christmas concert at St Cuthbert’s Earl’s Court, the annual Hurlingham Club fireworks event, Armistice day parade in Fulham, and an evening concert at Regent Hall in October as part of their Brass Arts Festival 2024, including a new commission by our composer in residence Florence Maunders. The band attended the Whit Friday brass band competition in Saddleworth in May 2024 for the first time in a number of years, competing at six open air contests in local villages throughout the evening. In November 2024 the band returned to Wychavon Festival of Brass entertainment contest for the first time since 2012, coming 9thout of 17 competing bands in the championship section. We continue to honour several longstanding engagements in the wider area in the run up to Christmas, including the Celebrate A Life service at the Royal Marsden. All of which provide public performances for the benefit of our members and the enjoyment of the public. In March 2025, the band competed at the London and Southern Counties Regional contest in Stevenage, placing 10thin the championship section, which unfortunately means that on an aggregated score of the last three years, we will be relegated to the first section in 2026. The band hopes to place highly in the in the first section (and possibly qualify for the first section national finals) and is aiming to be promoted back to the championship section in the near future. Prior to this the band successfully organised a ‘run through’ concert of the Regional test pieces at Regent Hall, where we were joined by Regent Brass and Cobham Band, each performing their respective Regional test piece. Philip Harper, MD Cory Band, kindly provided feedback to each band to help with their preparation for the contest. This was an enjoyable event, bringing together many brass banders from the local banding community, which we hope to repeat again in the future. |
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
4. FINANCIAL REVIEW
| SORP reference |
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| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | The band’s financial position diminished over this year, due to increased expenditure, particularly increased Musical Director costs, however the work to rectify this did not take place in this reporting period, and so will be detailed in the 2026 annual report. At the end of this period the band had a credit balance, albeit one that did not reflect anticipated outgoings incurred during the reporting period, and therefore which otherwise would have been significantly down on the year-end projection. |
| 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 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 (i.e., 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. 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 |
Para 1.23 | At the end of this period it has been identified the charity is showing unsustainable levels of expenditure against income. Measures to address this will be taken in the next reporting period. |
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
| charity continuing as a going concern |
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| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | Membership subscriptions and payments for performances. |
5. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
SORP reference |
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| 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 |
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
| Registered charity number | 1185237 |
| Charity’s principal address | St Etheldreda’s Church 528 Fulham Palace Road London SW6 6JF |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity | Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity |
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| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
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| 1 | Clare Pitt | |||
| 2 | Ally Crowther | |||
| 3 | Derek Treadwell | |||
| 4 | Emmeline Downer | Chair of Trustees |
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 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
Signatory 1 Signatory 2 Position Chair of Trustees Position Print Emmeline Downer Print Signed Signed Date Date 21.12.25
Date: 21 December 2025
Fulham Brass Band is a registered charity in England and Wales. Charity No 1185237
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Income
Item Actual Budget Variance
Membership subs £ 5,670 £ 5,670 £ -
Performance income £ 9,224 £ 8,000 £ 1,224
Contests £ 1,960 £ 330 £ 1,630
Misc £ 1,546 £ 3,350 £ (1,804)
Total Income £ 18,400 £ 17,350 £ 1,050
Expenditure
Item
Conductor Fees £ (6,828) £ (6,060) £ (768)
New Music £ (303) £ (300) £ (3)
Deps £ (1,139) £ (700) £ (439)
Rehearsal Venue £ (2,100) £ (2,400) £ 300
Insurance £ (452) £ - £ (452)
Contests £ (4,791) £ (1,450) £ (3,341)
Website £ (311) £ (390) £ 79
Concert spend £ (939) £ (1,600) £ 661
Instruments £ (2,141) £ (550) £ (1,591)
Other £ (258) £ (1,780) £ 1,522
Total Expenditure £ (19,262) £ (15,230) £ (4,032)
Profit/Loss for the year £ (862) £ 2,120 £ (2,982)
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