WOODBRIDGE EXCELSIOR BAND
Registered Charity No: 1193770
Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Year Ended 28[th] February 2025
Trustees
Louise Liddell
Jennifer Lynch
Sarah Skilton
Woodbridge Excelsior Band CIO 1193770: Trustees’ Annual Report & Financial Statements
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Trustees’ Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Year Ended 28[th] Februar 2025 y
Contents
| Contents | Contents | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reference and Administration Details ................................................. 3 | |
| 1.1 | Charity Name & Registration........................................................................ 3 | |
| 1.2 | Charity’s Address........................................................................................... 3 | |
| 1.3 | Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity..................................... 3 | |
| 2 | Structure, Governance & Management ................................................ 3 | |
| 2.1 | Type of Governing Document....................................................................... 3 | |
| 2.2 | Trustee Selection Methods........................................................................... 4 | |
| 3 | Activities ................................................................................................... 4 | |
| 3.1 | Statutory Declaration..................................................................................... 4 | |
| 4 | Achievements & Performance ............................................................... 4 | |
| 4.1 | Trustee Development..................................................................................... 6 | |
| 5 | Financial Review ..................................................................................... 6 | |
| 5.1 | Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit................................................... 6 | |
| 5.2 | Policy on Reserves......................................................................................... 6 | |
| 5.3 | Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings............................................. 6 | |
| 5.4 | Financial Status.............................................................................................. 7 | |
| 5.5 | Statutory Statements on Liabilities.............................................................. 7 | |
| 6 | Statement of Financial Activity ............................................................. 8 | |
| 6.1 | Income & Expense Account for the year ended 28thFebruary 2025...... 8 | |
| 6.2 | Notes to the Accounts.................................................................................. 10 | |
| 6.3 | Approval of Trustees |
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Trustees Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity for the Year Ended 28th February 2025
1 Reference and Administration Details
1.1 Charity Name & Registration
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration no:1193770, registered with the Charity Commission on 10[th] March 2021
The charity is registered with HM Revenue & Customs
1.2 Charity’s Address
Kentmere The Street Bredfield Woodbridge Suffolk IP13 6AZ
1.3 Names of the Trustees Who Manage the Charity
Role Initially Appointed Louise Liddell Chair 16[th] June 2020 Jennifer Lynch Treasurer 16[th] June 2020 Sarah Skilton 16[th] June 2020
Trustees have all been re-appointed in accordance with the Constitution.
2 Structure, Governance & Management
2.1 Type of Governing Document
Constitution – Member Organisation - Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Objects
(1) to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of the art of music, particularly brass band music, in and around Woodbridge and the UK more generally, through:
a) the operation of an amateur brass band; b) facilitating the musical education of band members;
c) the presentation of public performances; d) entering into affiliation, association or membership with organisations for the promotion of brass band music as the trustees shall determine.
(2) to further such exclusively charitable purposes for the public benefit as the
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trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit from time to time, in particular through the making of grants and donations.
2.2 Trustee Selection Methods
There must be at least three charity trustees. The maximum number of trustees is 12. In accordance with the Constitution, Trustees are appointed or re-appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees.
In appointing Trustees due consideration is given to ensuring that the Trustees have, between them, the skills and experience necessary to manage the charity effectively and in accordance with charity law.
3 Activities
3.1 Statutory Declaration
The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit in deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
4 Achievements & Performance
The Band continues to perform in the local area at fetes and other events where we have performed for many years. The Band are also invited to play at one-off events. In May this year we were delighted to be asked to perform at the Farewell Ceremony for HMS Trumpeter at the Old Custom House, at Ipswich docks. Ipswich had been the home port for HMS Trumpeter for several years, and the town were saying a fond farewell to the ship, which was due to be re-deployed to Newcastle.
During the summer we played at the village fetes of Bedfield and Rendham. Despite the torrential rain at Rendham, the Band played on, and everyone who braved the atrocious weather very much enjoyed the music. Traditional Village Fetes appear to be in decline, however the remaining few fetes such as Rendham attract visitors from a long way. Comments from visitors indicate that whilst they enjoy the stalls and other attractions, the main reason for attending is to come and listen to the Band, and that they have done this for several years. There is clearly an important cultural significance to the traditional Village Fete which is inherently linked with neighbourhood music groups such as Woodbridge Excelsior Brass Band. It is important that both of these institutions continue to thrive.
We played at the annual Yachtsman’s Service at in Waldringfield. Once again the Band enjoyed the marvellous setting, looking out over the River Deben. This year’s performance was somewhat more challenging than usual due to a cloud of ‘chaff’ raining down from the corn field above which was being harvested by a combine harvester. The Yachtsman’s Service is a popular event with many attending along the river bank to join in. The Service is the culmination of Waldringfield Sailing Club’s Regatta weekend. When the Band was rebooked in December to perform at the 2025 Service, the organiser commented that ‘it wouldn’t be the same without the Band.’ The Band has been performing at the Yachtman’s Service since at least 1958.
In August, we performed a concert for the ‘Brass on the Grass’ series of concerts in Christchurch Park in Ipswich, as we have done for several years. Unlike at Rendham Fete, and indeed last year’s Brass on the Grass concert, the weather was now fine and sunny. Several hundred people attended the concert and enjoyed a varied programme showcasing brass band music.
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In early November, the Band performed in the Woodbridge Community Hall for an autumn Concert, and the following week travelled to Framlingham to lead the annual Remembrance Parade.
In December the Band performed at various carolling events. This included 4 community carol services, and a Christmas concert, as well as carolling at Tescos or in the Thoroughfare in Woodbridge where we collected money to raise money for ourselves and St Elizabeth’s Hospice in nearby Ipswich – we donated over £200 to the Hospice.
Since the 2025 Contest in March, and leading up to the 2024 Contest, the Band have performed on 17 occasions.
After Christmas we knuckled down to get to grips with this year’s Test piece – I, Daedalus by Andrea Price. We held a couple of successful workshops – the first in January was with renowned conductor and musician Russell Gray. Russell is currently President of the National Association of Brass Band Conductors, as well as holding various musical Professorships in the UK and abroad. At the workshop the Band were introduced to Russell’s Messanoic Method, a novel method designed to promote an increased sense of ensemble in the Band in way they respond to the music they see in front of them.
The second workshop was with Alan Duguid, a London based conductor and adjudicator who continues to be our Contesting Musical Director, conducting the Band at the Regional Contest in Stevenage. The Band played well at the Contest and secured 12th place.
The Band received various grants including from the ‘Neighbourly’ scheme which allowed the Band to purchase a new set of concert music stands for the entire Band. The previous music stands were unreliable and some were totally broken through many years of use.
The Band made a small profit of some £350 in the year ending 28th February 2025. However, Contest fees for 2025 were almost double that of 2024. Concerts held during 2024-2025 provided slightly more income than those of the previous year. Luckily the cost for insurance remained largely the same.
The 2024-2025 year was another successful year. Tom Morris together with Jackie Walker continue as our Musical Directors. We continue to have a strong band, with very few vacancies. We have regular guest players to help us out to cover holidays etc when we do not have a full Band. Similar help is reciprocated back as required.
We had a net gain of players. We have already completed all of the events for Summer 2025, and we already have bookings for 2026 - most of these comprise repeat bookings for annual events, but we are delighted that we will also be playing at the wedding of two Band members who met through our Band.
At the time of completing this Report, we have already begun our Christmas season, we have already performed at several local Care Homes, and look forward to our Christmas Concert with special guests Pop Chorus. We have several more community carol services to complete and of course will be playing carols in and around Woodbridge as usual. Each year we see members of the public purposefully stop and listen to our music, with a huge smile on their faces, which shows that we have made a positive difference.
2026 is a special anniversary – Woodbridge Excelsior Band will be 180 years old. Woodbridge Excelsior is one of the oldest bands in the country. We are planning several
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special concerts including a joint concert with Regent Brass in London, with Russell Gray as the soloist. We have commissioned leading composer Alan Fernie to compose a piece of music to reflect the town of Woodbridge, and the piece will premiered at the joint concert.
We would like to thank Alan Duguid, and our other Musical Directors Jackie Walker & Tom Morris.
Contributing to Activities Run by Other Organisations
The Band attend local events, such as fetes, many of these are annual events.
We were re-invited to perform in Christchurch Park, Ipswich as part of the annual ‘Brass on the Grass’ concerts. The concerts are hosted by ‘The Friends of Christchurch Park’ who help support and raise funds for the Grade II listed park.
In addition to leading the hymns at the annual Yachtsman’s Service at Waldringfield, we also played at the Remembrance Day Parade held in Framlingham. As usual the Band headed the parade through the town centre, played hymns in the church, and sounded the ‘Last Post’ at the War Memorial. The band has performed at the Framlingham Remembrance Day Parade for many years. We were also invited to play once again at the United Reform Church ‘Big Day Out’ celebration held at Trinity Park in Ipswich, in June.
We made collections during our Christmas carolling sessions in and around Woodbridge - £180.54 was donated to St Elizabeth Hospice in Ipswich.
At Christmas we played at four Community carol services in our local area.
We would also like to thank Woodbridge Rugby Club for their ongoing assistance in providing our rehearsal space.
4.1 Trustee Development
Trustees are encouraged to participate in development opportunities as and when appropriate.
5 Financial Review
5.1 Details of Any Funds Materially in Deficit
The Charity has no funds which are materially in deficit.
5.2 Policy on Reserves
The Trustees have a set policy to ensure that £2,500 reserve is kept in the current account. This is to ensure that the annual insurance renewal can be met, together with other major outgoings such as Musical Director fees and hall hire for at least 6 months.
5.3 Principal Sources of Funding and Outgoings
Woodbridge Excelsior Band usually relies on donations from the public, and from members, as well as fee income from private hirers of the Band.
The donations received from members, and various fee-paid engagements, such as fetes, Church Services together with the income from the Christmas Concert and carolling in the town centre, enabled The Band to make a small profit of £350.31 which will help negate the cost of living rises. Hall hire, fees for the Musical Director, insurance and upkeep for our instruments and equipment, storage, and purchase of music comprise our main outgoings.
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The Band enters the London & South East Counties Regional contest each year; this year the entry fee and cost of the purchasing the music was £1340.08 including workshops. Performing Rights are also repeat annual payments. The Band pays for courses to ensure we maintain up to date Safeguarding practices, and current first aid certificates.
A one-off purchase of a set of concert music stands costing £1636.65 was made this year. Unfortunately most of our previous set of stands had become unusable and were beyond repair. A Grant from the Neighbourly Scheme was provided to pay for the new music stands.
At the time of writing this Report, the Band has received a £3,000 Grant from Gallaghers, a global Insurance Firm, to help with the additional costs of our Anniversary year.
We would like to thank Gallaghers, and the Neighbourly Scheme for their financial assistance. Our thanks also go to our Musical Director Tom Morris who has made the various applications for this funding.
Remuneration of Trustees
All Trustees act in a voluntary capacity and receive no remuneration or other material benefits from their services to the Charity.
Out-of-pocket expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by Trustees in promoting the purposes of the Charity are reimbursed at cost.
5.4 Financial Status
The accounts show a surplus of £350.91 for the year ending 28th February 2025. The accounts were examined and certified by a qualified auditor. Despite having increased expenditure this year, the profit was slightly greater than of the previous financial year.
The Band has already completed, and been paid for several engagements booked for the 2024-2025 financial year, and further engagements are pending. Gift Aid payments have also been made.
There are currently no uncertainties about the Charity continuing as a going concern.
All the indications are that this will remain the case for the foreseeable future.
5.5 Statutory Statements on Liabilities
The Trustees declare that:
-
The charity has given no guarantees where potential liability under the guarantee is outstanding at the date of this statement
-
The charity has no debt outstanding at the date of this statement which is owed by the CIO and which is secured by an express charge on any assets of the CIO
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf,
Louise Liddell
Chairman
Woodbridge Excelsior Band
Date: 10[th] December 2025
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6 Statement of Financial Activity 6.1 Income & Expense Account for the year ending 28th February 2025
Woodbridge Excelsior Brass Band CIO Income & Expense Account for the Year ending 28th February 2025
| INCOME Carols Concerts Disney Concert Customer Contracts Raffle/Sweep Stake Regular Donations Other Donations Gift Aid HMRC Refund Total Income EXPENSES Band Master Fees Card Reader Charges Contest Expenses Concert Expenses Guest Player Expenses Gifts Hall Rental Instrument Insurance Instrument Repairs Instrument Purchase Music Music bags/mutes/bell covers Music Stands Performing Rights SAFE Child Protection Storage Fees Security Subscriptions BBE/Safe/Zoom/Muzudo/4 Bars Rest Stationery & Miscellaneous Web Hosting Total Expenses |
28th Feb 2025 1372.54 1323.23 1427.92 82.76 2320.00 1960.98 978.97 9466.40 585.00 1340.08 591.10 95.00 96.73 1429.00 771.93 909.45 453.50 1636.65 97.01 85.00 300.00 12.90 325.97 76.63 129.60 8935.55 |
29th Feb 2024 1731.3 1186.99 639.73 1400 102 2810 804.72 1018.27 |
|---|---|---|
| 9693.01 | ||
| 1210 0.02 707 444.47 60 30 1587 767.52 55 1600 931.41 179.81 50 324 255.91 334.69 108 |
||
| 8644.83 |
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| Application of Funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Donation to St Elizabeth Hospice EACH Donation from Disney Concert Total Surplus/Deficit |
180.54 350.91 |
256.36 567.91 |
| £223.91 | ||
| Bank & Cash Balances | ||
| Current Account Cash in hand Instrument Deposits Held Surplus for 2024/2025 |
7400.35 81.91 0.00 £7,482.26 |
6179.67 67.28 885 £350.31 £7,482.26 |
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6.2 Notes to the Accounts
- a) Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 Section 133, using the Receipts and Payments basis available to small charities and the charity’s own Simple Accounts Spreadsheet.
- b) Reimbursement of Out-of-Pocket Expenses
Out-of-pocket expenses incurred necessarily, reasonably and incidentally in the course the charity’s activities are reimbursed at cost.
No Trustees received any reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses in the financial year.
-
c) Salaries & Professional Fees No trustee receives any payments for the services they provide to the charity. In the current financial year the charity employed no staff or external contractors;
-
d) Fixed Assets
-
The charity has not purchased or disposed of any fixed assets in the current financial year
-
e) Creditors & Debtors
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Cheques for goods or services purchased, or invoices for goods or services delivered, which are issued prior to the end of the financial year but not appearing in the end of financial year bank statement are reported as outstanding creditors or debtors respectively.
-
f) Rounding Discrepancies All amounts are recorded to the penny, but in these accounts are shown as digitally rounded to the nearest pound. This can occasionally result in a total apparently not being the sum of its constituent amounts. All individual amounts, and their totals, are nevertheless correct.
6.3 Approval of the Board of Trustees
The Trustees declare that they have approved the above Annual Report & Statement of Financial Activity.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
Louise Liddell
Chairman
Woodbridge Excelsior Band
Date: 10[th] December 2025
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