Forest Of Dean Brass
Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements 13 December 2021 to 31 March 2023
Charity Registration Number 1197059
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Forest of Dean Brass
Legal and Administrative Information
Trustees
P Berrow (Chair) R Deeks S Sexton R Stratford
S Sharma
M Dobbs
F Ruck
T Hannaford
Charity Number 1197059
Principal Address
Onward Hall Stag Hill Yorkley Gloucestershire GL15 4TD
Independent Examiner
Mark Turley High Roost 6 Lynwood Road Lydney GL15 5SG
Bankers
Lloyds Bank PLC 55 Newerne Street Lydney GL15 5RA
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Forest of Dean Brass
Contents
Trustees’ Report
Independent Examiner’s Report
Statement of Financial Activities
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Forest of Dean Brass
Trustees’ Report Year Ended 31 March 2023
The trustees present their report and financial statements for the period 13 December 2021 to 31 March 2023.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the accounts and comply with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and the Statement of Recommended Practice, "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with FRS102).
1. Structure, Governance and Management
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (registered 13 December 2021).
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
P Berrow (Chair)
R Deeks S Sexton R Stratford S Sharma M Dobbs F Ruck
T Hannaford
The Trustees are elected annually at the AGM.
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2. Objectives and Activities
The objects of the charity are in all cases for public benefit to provide, advance, develop and maintain public education and appreciation of the art of music, in particular Brass Band music, in all its aspects by provision of training in and playing of musical instruments, practice, preparation and presentation of public performances and similar activities and in such other ways as the Charity Trustees shall from time to time determine.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake, and have complied with their duty to have regard to guidance on Public Benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers and duties.
3 Achievement and Performance
This was a year without formal Covid restrictions, but ongoing safety and health was a key consideration when running the Forest of Dean Brass Band. This was a year for returning to normal operation and consolidation for the band itself. There was a focus on retaining and recruiting new players, continuing rehearsals in a safe and enjoyable environment and getting out and playing and re-engaging with the public.
The band have worked collaboratively with other bands, training bands, choirs and community organisations to provide opportunities for local people to gather together again and enjoy and learn about music.
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3.1 Performances and Competitions
The Band has had a busy year of public performances. The Band attended 3
prestigious competitions.
Bugle Brass Band Competition in Cornwall
Gloucestershire Brass Band Association Competition
West of England Brass Band Association Regional Championships in Torquay
The Band held public concerts in the Onward Hall at Halloween and two at Christmas.
A busy summer programme:
Aylburton Carnival Scarr Bandstand, Coleford in aid of local Hospital Charities
Ross Bandstand
Welland Steam Fair Stroud Cainscross Community Event
A wedding and a funeral. Remembrance Sunday performance Christmas Carols:
Blackfriars Abbey in Gloucester
Brockweir Village Shop
Tescos
Carol Service at Coleford Baptist Church
Traditional Carolling around the village of Yorkley
3.2 The Onward Hall - Refurbishment
The Onward Hall is the home of Forest of Dean Brass. It is a traditional iron building erected in 1914 by the Yorkley Onward Band, now Forest of Dean Brass, following the merger with Coleford Town Band in 1994. In 2020 the Band launched a campaign to raise funds to bring the Hall up to modern standards and ensure its future as rehearsal venue and community asset.
Work has continued this year, with further stabilisation of the building fabric and the application of modern insulation. Work has commenced to rebuild the
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boundary wall, which had become dangerous and collapsed in places, threatening to damage or undo the repairs to the main building.
3.3 Online Activity
The Band continues to be active online, through our website, Facebook and Twitter. Our online community are kept up to date of Band changes, performances, social engagements and progress of the Onward Hall renovations.
Committee meetings continue to be held predominantly online, but we welcome the opportunity to now be able to meet face to face for key meetings, such as the mid-year Trustees meeting.
We have a number of WhatsApp channels, so that we can communicate formally as the Operating Committee, broadcast to the Band members and also allow everyone involved to communicate socially.
3.4 Musical Director - Appointment
Our Musical Director, Thomas Dunne resigned due to increasing work commitments and left at the end of 2022. The Band would like to thank Tom for all his hard work and contribution during his time with the Band.
The Band are delighted to welcome a new Musical Director, Martyn Patterson, who joined just before the Area Championship in February 2023. Martyn works as a school teacher in Wales and his philosophy is closely aligned to the Band’s objectives of giving to the community and musical education.
3.5 Fund Raising
No grants were received in this financial year. Fundraising events were held throughout the year. Generous donations were received for the Band and for the renovation of the Onward Hall. Donations were also made to the MND, Motor Neuron Disease charity at Christmas.
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4. Financial Review
It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to one year’s expenditure. The trustees consider that reserves at this level will ensure that, in the event of a significant drop in funding, they will be able to continue the charity!s current activities while consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year.
The trustees has assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
5. Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that year.
In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
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The trustees are responsible for keeping sufficient accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, and the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
P Berrow
Chair of Trustees 21/05/2023
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6. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Forest of Dean Brass
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Forest of Dean Brass for the year ended 31 March 2023.
6.1 Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity!s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
6.2 Independent Examiner's Statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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2) the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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3) the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached. Mark Turley 20/09/2023
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7. Statement of Financial Activities Including the Income and Expenditure Account
Year Ended 31 March 2023
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FORESf OF DEAN BRASS INCOME & EXpENDuRE ACCOUP FOR THE PERIOD 13TH DECEMBER 021 TO 31 MARCH 2023 INCOME EXPENSES Carol Playing Concerts £14(kn. £3.2fA).74 £3,240.¢XI £57.13 MD Expenses Water Rates £ 5,250 (ri 288.71 £ 1,163.40 202.42 £ i,6.L 330.LN) 369.47 Subscriptions Ins Refvnd Insurance Rates Easy Fundraising BagTo School Hall Hire Refvnd £102.48 Heat and ght Rewstration Fees Web Hosting £50.LWJ GBBA Caterin8 Carnival Catering Har¥e5t Auction £261.74 f670_ Subsaptsns Lottery Contest ExperL Athertising Repairs & Mèlnt Postage Players Expenses 177.50 Priie Money Choir £1. £30.rKJ 180. 565.96 Meat Raffle Hire of Percussion Donation £240.C £ 482. 206.51 £11.638.99 Equipmerbt Trophy En8ravin8 Photograph Music BBQ Social Sundries Concert Expenses 58 (K) 10.88 Onward Hall £7.243.01 25.LX) 189.61 262.29 43.89 41.40 MND t)onatboTI £ 3W.LK> f 12,635.09 £ 7,491.57 LOSS peryear £i,Z44.66 Onward Hall £ 20.126.66 f 20,126.66 12
FOREST OF DEAN BAASS BANK BALANCES 31ST RCH 2023 M014MOUYHSHIRE BUILDING Sots Balance BIFwd 13th t*¢. 2021 Intere 2022 Interest 2023 É 27.710.88 124.70 282.48 B3laKe 3115tMath 2(Y23 £ 2&118.( LLOYDS 8alance BNwd 13th Det. 21 £ 32.I54.89 BaLance 3tst Mar¢h,2023 LOSSa5 peyaccounis 31,110.23 1.244 66 32,354.89 Balance Blf¥¥d 13lh Dec.21 Interet Sub5 CfvJir 2,856.18 233.85 Bae 31st MaTth.2023 3,636.89 64.118.84 ,109.84 BuildingAc¢wnt LbydsCurrentAccount InstMent ACu1 £ 44.381.Lil f 16.(YJl 95 3,636.89 28th September. 2023 Treasurer Sharonsirarford Audrtor MarkTw 13