Black Mountain Jazz CIO Trustees’ Annual Report
For the year ending 31[st] December 2024
Full Name
Black Mountain Jazz CIO
Organisation Type
Charitable incorporated organisation
Principal Address
Rockfield, Llanelly Church Road, Gilwern, Monmouthshire NP7 0EL
Trustees
The following have been the trustees throughout the period:
Michael Skilton (Chair) Roderick Cunningham Deborah Hancock Jayne Carter (appointed 8[th] October 2024)
Independent Examiner
The turnover for the period has been below the level which would require an independent examiner’s report.
Governance and Management
The charity’s rules are set out in accordance with the CIO Foundation Constitution governing document.
Objectives and Activities
The charities objectives are to advance the arts for the public benefit by the promotion of jazz music in all its forms.
Public Benefit Statement
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on ‘public benefit’.
Activities and Achievements
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit
During the reporting period the Charity expanded its activities, with a programme of nearly twice as many live jazz performances as in the previous year. This included developing a ‘house band’ that regularly performed with guest musicians.
The diverse programme brought many of the top jazz musicians in the UK to Abergavenny. It also had an emphasis of offering opportunities for younger, rising stars on the jazz scene. Performances were ticketed at a level to cover costs, with a 50% discount for those aged under 18 years.
Throughout the year, a regular programme of workshops was organised, aimed at meeting various community needs.
The twice-monthly programme of workshops for younger players aged between 8 and 19 years (BMJazz Katz) continued to expand, with the benefit of an established team of professional tutors. During the year BMJazz Katz had three successful live performances, including one at the wall2wall Jazz Festival.
The year saw further growth of the musical instrument recycling scheme, providing a valuable resource for younger players.
At the end of September, the Charity staged its annual wall2wallJazz Festival, which included 3 live headline performances. The Sunday of the festival is traditionally a free-access community day and, as a new approach, it was spread over the centre of town, with local venues participating in a programme of free music, youth activities and workshops.
Summary of the main achievements during the period
A diverse monthly programme of live performances has attracted larger audience, with all age groups represented. Excellent reviews in the national jazz press have illustrated the ‘richness’ and quality of the overall programme.
BMJazz Katz for younger players continued to grow. At the end of the year, there were eighteen members of the band, with ages ranging from 8 to 17 years. The Town Council again made a grant available that meets part of the cost, with the charity committed to meeting the rest and expanding the initiative.
The musical recycling scheme also expanded, with further donations received. The 2023 grant from the local Rotary Club continued to provide the funds for repairs to the instruments and it has been possible to pass many of them onto young players who are putting them to good use.
The development of a new organisation structure, agreed by trustees in the previous year, continued to make progress, with the aim of involving others and enhancing a feeling of ‘community ownership’.
The Charity’s Policy on Reserves
The charity does not keep reserves but it does ensure that funds in its current account are sufficient to meet ongoing needs and any carried forward liabilities.
Signed on behalf Black Mountain Jazz’s trustees:
Michael Skilton (Chair)
Date: 15[th] October 2025
Black Mountain Jazz CIO Annual Accounts
For the year ending 31st December 2024
Income and Expenditure
| Income Ticket sales Friends of BMJ membership Grants Advertising Donations Sundry income Expenditure Performance fees Sound engineering and videoing Theatre and other venue hire Other production costs Workshop costs Marketing Box office charges/ticketing costs Office expenses Insurance Subscriptions Bank charges Sundry costs Net receipts less payments |
2024 £ 18,307 990 5,000 250 0 242 _ 24,789 14,780 2,450 1,625 456 4,620 2,036 811 0 386 0 73 184 ___ 27,421 - 2,632 |
2023 £ 17,016 615 5,000 1,000 5 35 _ 23,671 11,354 2,720 2,187 790 3,371 1,509 718 20 354 0 28 23 ___ 23,074 597 |
|---|---|---|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
As at 31 December 2024
Assets Bank account 736 Cash in hand 22 _____ 758 Liabilities Creditors 0 Other 0
Notes to the Accounts
Income and Expenditure Accounts
Income and expenditure accounts contain a summary of money received and money spent during the period and a list of assets and liabilities at the end of the period. The accounts report on transactions made through the bank account and through cash in hand.
Grants
| Abergavenny Town Council | 4,000 |
|---|---|
| Rotary Club of Abergavenny | 1,000 |
Trustees Remuneration
Trustees received no expenses, remuneration or benefits in the period of these accounts.
Signed on behalf Black Mountain Jazz’s trustees:
Michael Skilton (Chair)
Date: 15[th] October 2025