2024-03-31-accounts

Forest Of Dean Brass

Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2024

Charity Registration Number 1197059

1

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

2

Forest of Dean Brass

Contents

Trustees’ Report

Independent Examiner’s Report

Statement of Financial Activities

3

Forest of Dean Brass

Trustees’ Report

Year Ended 31 March 2024

The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024.

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.

2. Objectives and Activities

4

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

With the appointment of Martyn Patterson in March 2023, the band has turned a significant corner. Where as the band was on a potential downward trajectory, in terms of it’s musical standard, this trend has reversed and pleasing results have been seen in contests and feedback from external sources. Also Martyn has engaged other experts in brass bands to support him and in so doing support the band to improve standards. All concerts are now seen as professional engagements, regardless of venue, ensuring that the band gives an execellent musical experience each time.

3.1 Rehearsals

Rehearsals are attended by all playing members with little absence apart from holidays and illness, which is extremely pleasing to see the commitment from all parties. As with any band we have a few gaps in our structure which ebb and flow as people come and go.

3.2 Performances and Competitions

The band have performed at various events and occasions during the financial year.

06/05/2023	Coronation Event, Coleford
07/05/2023	Coronation Event, Yorkley
12/05/2023	Street naming event, Twinned Town St Hilaire de Riez, in Coleford with HRH Princess Royal
03/06/2023	Concert, Newnham on Severn F W Harvey society
10/06/2023	Beechenhurst Sculpture Trail unveiling
17/06/2023	Bugle Contest

5

• 07/07/2023 Community Heroes Awards event, Lydney Town Hall

• 08/07/2023 Aylburton Carnival 16/06/2023 Ross on Wye Bandstand Proms day

• 29-30/07/2023 Welland Steam Rally 05/08/2023 Garden City community event, Chepstow 17/09/2023 Stratford Park, Stroud 26/10/2023 Concert with Musical Show Choir Chepstow 04/11/2023 Wychavon entertainments Contest (USA)

• 12/11/2023 Remembrance Parade, Yorkley

• 19/11/2023 GBBA – Own choice March and Test Piece

• 05/12/2023 Carolling around Yorkley

• 08/12/2023 Carols across the valley, The Pludds

• 16/12/2023 Carolling Tesco Lydney

• 17/12/2023 Carolling Tesco Chepstow

• 19/12/2023 Carolling Tesco Lydney, The Nags Head and around Yorkley

• 21/12/2023 Santa’s Band carolling at Yorkley School

• 21/12/2023 Christmas Concert, Viney Hill Church with Ukrainian choir

• 23/12/2023 Carolling Tesco, Chepstow

• 24/12/2023 Carol Service, Coleford Baptist Church

• 25/12/2023 Christmas Morning carolling in Yorkley

• 17/02/2024 Welsh Open Contest - Newport

• 09/03/2024 Regional Contest WEBBA – Torquay

Other Band Activities

• 23/06/2023 Roger and Bekki presentation to Yorkley School

• 14/07/2023 The Wesley, Cinderford. Coffee, tea and cake catering

• 02/07/2023 Band Hall clean up stone day

• August 2023 Community band rehearsals every Thursday 28/08/2023 Parkend Carnival Burger/hotdogs

• 24/09/2023 Mexican Social Evening 30/09/2023 Harvest Festival Auction at Bailey Inn, Yorkley 06/10/2023 Bags2school collection (Fundraiser)

3.3 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 in following the merger with Coleford Town Band in 1994. The Hall has had various improvements over the years but is no longer sustainable without major refurbishment. 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.

Contractors have been found to continue the strengthening and insulation of the building. They are local and in the village and are keen to see the hall preserved. We

6

have received three quotes with regarding the recladding of the hall. They range from £38k - £42k.

A couple of grant applications have been made towards this from Forest of Dean District Council Community Space project and The Solar Farm scheme. If successful this will go towards cladding and fencing.

3.4 Online Activity

The Band have an ongoing Website coinciding with other social media platforms, X (Twitter) and Facebook.

Monthly committee meetings are still being run on Zoom. Whatsapp is perfect for group communications alongside Muzudo for the diary and band members attendance has proved successful.

3.5 Charity Registration

The Band successfully registered as a charity in December 2021.

3.6 Musical Director – Martyn Patterson

The band has only performed three times this year so far. The highlight being the area contest in March, receiving a 7th position, strengthening the band’s competition ranking withing the West of England and nationally. This will get busier as we head into summer engagements.

3.7 Fund Raising

The Band has put fund raising activities in the band room and carpark on hold as they felt the car park was not a safe environment for members of the public due to large amounts of earth and stone, Also the weather has been atrocious.

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 considers 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

7

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:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

• observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

• make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

• state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

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 31/03/24

8

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 2024.

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.

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:

• 1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act;

or

• 2) the financial statements do not accord with those records;

• or

• 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 16/07/2024

9

Statement of Financial Activities Including the Income and Expenditure Account

Accounts shown are as at Year Ended 31 March 2024

10

FORE5f OF DEAN BRASS INCOMI & cxfENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR IHE YkAK ENQED 315T MAIICM Z024 INCOME EXPENSES Carol Playlng Concerts £2,772.66 £3285.57 £1,548.QQ MD Expenses Water Rates £ 5,280.00 299.75 5ubJcrlptlon5 Insurance £ 1,099.62 307.20 £ 2,289.47 180.CKI R￿e5 Heat and Ll8ht Re8lstration Fees Web Hostin8 Sundrles Subsciptions Lottery Llc Contest Expenses Ad¥ertlslng Repalr5 & Malnt Unlforni Players Expenses PRS Easy Fundralslng Ba8 To School £17.46 364,26 Wesley Caterlng Camlval Catering Harvest Auction £225.(Ki 14.25 £i,tm.12 £837.50 180.40 20. Prlze Money Uoyd5 Grant Meat Raffle Donations £250.00 754. 79.01 170.95 851.81 20.(X) 85.62 60.62 £5CLI.IXI £320.00 £1,993.50 Bin80 MIC Hlre Sale of Euphonium £4,IW.tKI £18.7?4,81 Glfts Trophy Fneravlrte First Ald Klt 37.23 13.21 ward Hall FOD Lottery ljonation Muslc 29.99 £7C6.00 Clean Matertals Donatlons 19.74 £i,o(o.(K) £20A30.81 310.CMI Concert ExpeD5es Muzodo 181.50 39.66 L055 per Year £2,512.48 Euphonium Baritone Repairs £ 5.(Mll.th) £ 1.260. £ 18,94&29 nvrdnl Hall Wall £ 3,995.00 £ 22,943.Z9 £ 22,94329 li

NK tsAiA . 8llwd I￿ Aprrt 2023 Intrst £ 28.116.( 746.98 Bal•nce 3115tMarch, 2023 £ 28,865.04 8•lan¢t Blfwd 1st Wil. lots £ 3LIIO,23 8alance 3tst March. 2024 £ 30,757.75 ' L05S ￿ Pe*•CCOUb 2J12A8 lance Bhd 1st Aprll, 2023 Irrttrest 3,636.89 39.60 155.88 BaLintt 315t March. 2024 I￿￿.37 É 63J)7.$4 63,807.$4 ALLOCATfO UW4CES Jtst Malch, ￿15 8ubklln8 Account Uoyds Currtnt Account Instrument Account £ 46.098.50 £ 13,524.29 1,672.37 £ 61,295A6 18th Aprll. 2024 Treasurer Sknaron Stratford Audltor M•rk Turtry 12