Annual Report for the Heath Band 1[st] January to 31[st] December, 2024
The Heath Band is a community, non-contesting brass band which provides musical entertainment at concerts and local events. The Heath Band also has a training band for all ages and abilities. Our training band is free of charge.
Aims and Purposes
To operate an amateur brass band which will provide the music for concert performances and local events.
To promote, develop and maintain people’s enjoyment, appreciation and understanding of brass band music.
To facilitate the musical education of band members, people learning to play and the public via rehearsals, performances and our training band.
Activities
2024 was another successful year. Our engagement schedule went ahead as planned and this included summer bandstand events, fetes, remembrance services and seven Christmas engagements. Particular highlights were our spring concert, our support for the new ‘pop-up bandstand’ initiative in Linslade, and the Christmas Concert, for which we joined up with the Grand Union Community Choir.
Our two training band leaders ‘retired’ from this role in the summer after twelve years, and have handed over the baton to an experienced band member and the Main Band’s Musical Director. The training band gave an outstanding performance at the spring concert.
For 2025
We would like to recruit more members to the band. We will be continuing to advertise for more players, particularly in our front-row cornet and low brass sections, and percussion. We would also like to recruit more people to the committee.
Our diary is already very full; we are looking forward to our spring concert and summer events, and continuing to support the development of new players.
Finance summary (please see attached report for details)
We have been able to make a small surplus this year largely due to our concerts and Christmas events. We are also very grateful to our MD who gives his time for free.
A grant from Leighton-Linslade Arts Forum allowed us to purchase some new music for which we are very thankful.
Administrative Information
The Trustees and Committee met regularly throughout the year. We welcomed Christopher Cox as our new chairman and Marie Brown as a member of the committee. We also said goodbye to our librarian and training band helper, Kathryn Faulkner. Three committee members are also Trustees (denoted by * on the list overleaf)
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Chris Cox; Chairman
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Linda Johnson*; Treasurer
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Kath Mowbray*; Bookings/General Secretary
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Dave Mowbray* ; Stores, assets, Membership secretary
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Kathy Gifford; Bandmaster/librarian
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Marie Brown; training band coordinator
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Steve Allen; Musical Director.
Chairman’s report
It’s been a positive and productive year for Heath Band. We welcomed several new members into the ensemble, bringing fresh energy and talent. While we were sad to see some long-standing members move on, their contributions remain appreciated and lasting.
The Training Band continues to thrive, providing a supportive environment for developing musicians and helping secure the future of the band.
Musically, the band has delivered a series of excellent performances, including memorable appearances in the park, at our concerts, and during the Remembrance Day service. Each event has highlighted the band’s musical development and strong community spirit.
We’re also pleased to report that the band remains in a strong financial position, providing a solid foundation for the year ahead.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our Music Director for his dedication and for taking on the additional responsibility of leading the Training Band. Thanks also to our hard-working committee for everything they’ve done behind the scenes, and to our Band Master for ensuring we’ve had the players we’ve needed at every performance.
Musical Director’s Report
As we move through Spring/Summer, I’m filled with pride and gratitude for the dedication, energy, and musicianship which everyone continues to bring to our ensemble, and for the band’s commitment to our musical community. This season has been marked by growth, strong rehearsals, and inspiring performances.
Recent highlights include our performance at the Spring Concert, which was a resounding success, and a very positive Christmas season.
Looking ahead; we are now preparing for our Summer Season. The program will feature a dynamic mix of repertoire, for our upcoming fete, bandstand and summer festival performances.
Our Training Band is the band’s future, and it continues to thrive. We will be welcoming more of the training band members to ‘sit in’ at main band in the near future.
Heath Band Accounts: 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024
INCOME EXPENDITURE
| INCOME | EXPENDITURE | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscriptions | 3108.00 | Running Expenses | |
| Rehearsal/concert venue costs | 2147.00 | ||
| **Concerts ** | 1579.21 | Insurance | 1666.23 |
| Engagements | 2018.32 | Brass Bands England | 140.40 |
| £**6705.53 ** | Performing Rights Licence | 175.86 | |
| **Grants and Donations ** | Muzodo | 55.17 | |
| Leighton Linslade | Training Band Conductor | 120.00 | |
| Arts Forum | 846.15 | £ 4304.66 | |
| Donation | 50.00 | ||
| Donations | 14.90 | ||
| £911.05 | Equipment | ||
| £ 7616.58 | Music | 600.12 | |
| Uniform | 81.60 | ||
| Instruments etc | 576.31 | ||
| £1258.03 |
Other
Website 244.80 Fasthosts 28.87 Safeguarding training 65.00 Stationery 65.89 Deps 80.00 Cup Engraving 15.00 Morrison’s Charity 60.00 £ 559.56 £6122.25 Bank balance@31.12.23 £9818.79 Bank balance@ 31.12.24 £11313.12 Cash in hand@31.12.23 £ - Cash in hand@ 31.12.24 £ - £ 17435.37 £ 17435.37
Heath Band Accounts
1st January 2024 to 31st December 2024
INCOME EXPENDITURE
| Subscriptions | 3108.00 | Running Expenses | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rehearsal/concert venue costs | 2147.00 | |||
| **Concerts ** | 1579.21 | Insurance | 1666.23 | |
| Engagements | 2018.32 | Brass Bands England | 140.40 | |
| £**6705.53 ** | Performing Rights Licence | 175.86 | ||
| **Grants and Donations ** | Muzodo | 55.17 | ||
| Leighton Linslade | Training Band Conductor | 120.00 | ||
| Arts Forum | 846.15 | £ 4304.66 | ||
| Donation | 50.00 | |||
| Donations 14.90 |
||||
| £911.05 | Equipment | |||
| £ | 7616.58 | Music | 600.12 | |
| Uniform | 81.60 | |||
| Instruments etc | 576.31 | |||
| £1258.03 | ||||
| Other | ||||
| Website | 244.80 | |||
| Fasthosts | 28.87 | |||
| Safeguarding training | 65.00 | |||
| Stationery | 65.89 | |||
| Deps | 80.00 | |||
| Cup Engraving | 15.00 | |||
| Morrison’s Charity | 60.00 | |||
| £559.56 | ||||
| £6122.25 | ||||
| Bank balance@31.12.23 £9818.79 | Bank balance@ 31.12.24 | £11313.12 | ||
| Cash in hand@31.12.23 £- | Cash in hand@ 31.12.24 | £- | ||
| £17435.37 | £17435.37 |