## **Forest of Dean Brass** Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements Year Ended 31 March 2025 ## Charity Registration Number 1197059 Forest of Dean Brass ## Legal and Administrative Information ## **Trustees** P Berrow (Chair) R Deeks S Sexton R Stratford S Sharma M Nash F Ruck T Whittard ## **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 ## **Forest of Dean Brass** ## **Trustees’ Report - Report Contents** 1. Structure, Governance and Management 2. Objectives and Activities 3. Achievement and Performance - 3.1 Rehearsals - 3.2 Performances, Competitions and Fundraising events - 3.3 The Onward Hall - Refurbishment - 3.4 Online Activity - 3.5 Charity Registration - 3.6 Musical Director – Martyn Patterson - 3.7 Fund Raising 4. Financial Review 5. Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities 6. Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Forest of Dean Brass - 6.1 Responsibilities and Basis of Report - 6.2 Independent Examiner's Statement 7. Statement of Financial Activities - 7.1 Income & Expenditure Account - 7.2 Bank Balances Page **2** of **13** ## Forest of Dean Brass Final Trustees’ Report Year Ended 31 March 2025 The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025. 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 Sharma T Whittard S Sexton M Dobbs R Stratford F Ruck The Trustees are elected annually at the AGM. ## **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** Under our Musical Director Martyn Patterson’s support and commitment, the band continues on a positive journey, in terms of musical standard. Martyn engages well with the individuals in the band and he is very much respected in what he wants to achieve. Where he is a little inexperienced as a Musical Director, there have been a few communication issues, which the committee are working with him to support, to make sure that he verbally communicates more before taking action. This will lead to less confusion when dealing with any changes. Feedback to us from varying sources tell us that our standard is now high and Martyn believes that we still have a way to go to get the standard that he feels we are capable of. Martyn has engaged other musicians to support him and in so doing support the band to improve standards. He will always find a replacement for himself if he cannot commit to a rehearsal or concert. Concerts are now seen as professional engagements, regardless of venue, ensuring that the band gives an excellent musical experience each time. Page **3** of **13** ## **3.1 Rehearsals** Rehearsals are attended by all playing members with little absence apart from holidays and illness. The commitment shown from all playing members is a credit to the band, committee and trustees and one to be applauded. As with any band we have a few gaps in our structure which ebb and flow as people come and go. ## **3.2 Performances, Competitions and Fundraising events** Items Extracted from Muzudo App Page **4** of **13** Fri 26 Aw 2024 18:3Lk21:30 Thu 06 Jun 2024 20.01>22-.00 celebrations - Blai5don Sull 23 Jun 2024 14..3￿17..1Xj Nags Head Concert for M ra's retwement Sun 30 Jun 2024 11:1&14."15 rnmef Eve Sat 13 Jul 2024 12.'31>16'.00 Sun 21 Jul 2024 lo..3￿11..30 Sat 27 Jul 2024 Sun 28 Jul 2024 Tue 06 Aug 2024 Sun 11 Aug 2024 14..0￿16..30 Tue 20 Aug 2024 Mon 26 Aug 2024 Sat 14 Sep 2024 Sat 28 Sep 2024 Sun 13 Od 2024 14.'1&17'1X) Sat 02 Nov 2024 A7 thknn Page 5 of 13 Fn 26 Ay 2024 18.30-21.30 Thu ￿ Jun 2024 2￿.￿￿.1￿ Sun 23 Jun 2024 14.3¢>17:00 Nags Head Concert for Ta's retyemenl Sun 30 Jun 2024 11=1&14=15 Camscmss Tir*n COU￿1. Summer Event Sat 13 Jul 2024 12.3￿16_.00 Sun 21 Jul 2024 10:3fy11:30 Sal 27 Jul 2024 Sun 28 Jul 2024 Tue 2024 Sun 11 Aug 2024 14'.0fy16'.30 Tue 20 Aw 2024 Mon 26 2024 Sal 14 Sep 2024 Sat 28 Sep 2024 *llk Sun 13 Ocl 2024 14.. 1>17:(KI Sat 02 2024 Sun 10 Ntr4 2024 I3..￿l4..30 24 Nry4 2024 12'.1&13'.40 Sun 01 Dec 2024 10..0￿11:30 Frl Dec 2024 18:0￿20:30 Sat 07 Dec2024 16.4&18.fM) Tr Wed 11 Doc 2024 18:Iy%19:30 Page 6 of 13 ## **3.3 The Onward Hall - Refurbishment** Refurbishment has taken a huge step forward in the last 12 months with the new roof being completed. The wall along the left side of the building has now been rebuilt, which has pleased our neighbours greatly. The hall has been decluttered and work continues to clear the stone piles in the carpark. The bad news is that the roof replacement cost was way above what was estimated due to scaffolding and labour costs. We no longer have any reserves for refurbishment and will have to seek new ways to finance the rest of the work through grants etc. We are at least waterproof and although no insulation has been added, we already know that the band room is warmer in colder weather. Page **7** of **13** ## **3.4 Online Activity** The Band have an ongoing Website www.forestofdeanbrass.com coinciding with twitter and facebook. Monthly Committee meetings are still being run on Zoom and we use Whatsapp for communications and Muzudo for band members attendance and engagements which has proved successful. ## **3.5 Charity Registration** The Band successfully registered as a charity in December 2021. Charity Number 1197059 ## **3.6 Musical Director – Martyn Patterson** Report not available at this time but will be for the meeting. See Page 12 Report was read out at Trustees Meeting. ## **3.7 Fund Raising** We continue our regular collections to bags for schools and we have reinstated our coffee morning/book sales, which are advertised and being held monthly ## **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 consideration is given to ways in which additional funds may be raised. This level of reserves has been maintained throughout the year. The trustees have 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. Page **8** of **13** 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 31/03/25 ## **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 2025. ## **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** Page **9** of **13** ## **8. Statement of Financial Activities** Page **10** of **13** **- Onward hall figures were provided at the trustees meeting for perusal see Page 13** Page **11** of **13** **– Musical Directors Report read out at Trustees Final Meeting.** Page **12** of **13** **Onward Hall Figures provided at the Trustees Final Meeting** Page **13** of **13**