## **Bradwell Silver Band Trustees Annual Report 2024-2025** ## **Registered Charity number 1200333** 19 Longfellow Drive Newport Pagnell MK16 8PQ Bradwell Silver Band is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation that was created in September 2022, reflecting the role that Bradwell Silver Band plays in the local community. This marks the third Trustees Annual report summarising the period 30[th] September 2024 to September 30[th] 2025. ## **Introduction to Bradwell Silver Band** Bradwell Silver has a long history in the area stretching back to 1901. It is a traditional brass band performing public and private engagements for the enjoyment of both players and audiences alike. The band also embraces the challenge offered by the regional brass band competitions and strives to improve their position in the national rankings. The band are currently aiming to consolidate ourselves in the 3[rd] section with the aim of achieving promotion to the 2[nd] section in the National Brass Band rankings in the coming years. The band offers free brass tuition and performances for the local community, supporting individuals new to banding and established musicians through individual tuition, group band rehearsals as well as performing at a wide range of community events. ## **Aims** During the period Bradwell Silver Band has kept to its commitments and acted responsibly in carrying out its charitable purposes for public benefit, as set out in the Charity Commission guidance. The Band’s aims are to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in Brass Band music. It does this by giving performance to the general public and by offering training and tuition to all age groups promoting appreciation of the art of the Brass Band. ## **Management** Both the main band and Development Band of Bradwell Silver Band are managed by a committee of volunteers made up from members. The committee was elected at the Nov 2024 AGM and the following were in post at the end of the year: - **Chair** : Stephanie Chappell, **Secretary** : Robin Allen, **Treasurer** : Karen Wilson. Other members of committee: Lucy Davies, Sam Allen, David Sanderson, Graham Crisp and Cheyenne Wilson The Trustees of the Bradwell Silver Band Charitable Incorporated Organisation at the year-end were: Stephanie Chappell, Robin Allen, Cheyenne Wilson, Graham Crisp, Karen Wilson, Sam Allen, David Sanderson & Lucy Davies. ## **Review of the year** During the period up to the end of September 2024 the main band performed a number of public concerts, park performances and Christmas carolling jobs in and around Milton Keynes and the surrounding area. Most of these are paid events raising funds to support the band throughout the year. However, some of these were non funded for the benefit of the New Bradwell Community (May Day at the Mill & St James Summer Churchyard Concert) so that they were free for the general public to enjoy. As well as our regular attendance at the New Bradwell Remembrance Parade and Service, many of our players take part and play the Last Post and Reveille at many of the Remembrance services throughout the area. In March 2025 the band came 16th place at the Regional Brass Band Championships, placing us 12th overall in the 3[rd] section of the National gradings. We are hoping to improve our standing, striving to consolidate our position in the rankings with our constant aim of promotion if we perform well in the next few years. This is testament to the hard work put in by members and Musical Director, and a demonstration of the band’s commitment to deliver a high standard of musicianship. ## **Development band** Every year the band performs three evening concerts at St James’s Church, and the Development Band play a big part in these concerts, performing in their own right under the baton of their Musical Director Keith Jones (Solo horn of the main band). Currently the Development Band consists of 39 players, ranging from aged 8 up to adult, and boasts a wealth of progressing talent. With experienced players from the main band assisting in the teaching and development of new recruits, we offer free tuition, instruments and music to those taking their first steps in learning how to play a brass instrument, with the aim of progressing and joining the Development Band. In fact, many of our senior band have started their musical journey through the Development Band. ## **Financial summary** For the period of 30[th] Sept 2024 – 1[st] Oct 2025 the income was £19,974.27 (including fundraising for our 125[th] Anniversary and an ongoing fundraising program for replacement of the band’s basses). The expenditure was £8508.70. Overall net profit of £2508.92. The finances reflect core operations that are financially sustainable made possible by the support of the New Bradwell School allowing us rehearsal and storage space, along with the generous services of our Musical Director. This year we have purchased a complete band set of showerproof shell jackets, many thanks to the MK Community Foundation for their grant to help fund this. We have also invested in a complete set of new expandable folders to store the Christmas music. We are very fortunate to have a full diary of events and much support from our local community. This has enabled us to ring-fence £12,000 and build up our reserves to enable us to replace, repair and maintain many of the Band’s instruments and follow a program of reinvesting in the instruments many of which are now over 30 years old. ## **Looking forward to 2025/2026** The new financial year 2025 will start with the run up into our Christmas Season with many concerts, events and carolling sessions. We will then continue into contesting season, making our regular journey to Stevenage for the Regional Brass Band Championships to work towards gaining promotion to the 2[nd] section – the first time in our history. The band are now looking forward to the 125[th] ~~aAn~~ niversary in 2026 and are working towards a program of events and occasions to commemorate this. We plan to celebrate with different strands to our year: - - **Composition** – We have commissioned a special piece of music from the renowned Brass Band composer Alan Fernie, titled ‘Echoes of St James. This piece will be performed widely throughout 2026 and will then form part of our regular repertoire. Additionally, a former bass player with the band, Joe Galuska (also a renowned composer & arranger), will be composing a march for the band to be played throughout our anniversary year. - **Documenting who we are** – using a photographer/videographer we will be documenting our community engagement, history & events throughout our special 125[th] anniversary year. Photos of the band will aim to tell the story of the band documenting societal changes in terms of presentation & demographic (i.e. we are no longer a men-only band etc), bringing our history to life. - **Exhibition** – over the last 18 months we have created an archive for the band, collecting together artifacts and recording them. This includes the minutes from the 1901 meetings, and recordings of the band previously only available on vinyl. There will be a published record of players throughout our history alongside a celebration brochure highlighting events this year. An exhibition will be displayed at all our events to raise awareness of brass playing along with the heritage of our band. - **Performances** - 125[th] Anniversary Gala concert – with guest soloist Jack Wilson (former Principal Trumpet player with the Central Band of the RAF and professional musician who learned to play with Bradwell Silver Band) to be held at The Chrysalis Theatre, MK on 23[rd] May. - It is hoped that we will play at various events over 2026 for the benefit of our local community whilst celebrating our important milestone birthday! **Bradwell Silver Band 124th Balance Sheet** ## **Income and Expenditure Account for Year Ending 30th September 2025** |**Income**
**2025**
**2024**
**2023**
Concerts
£3,825.63
£2,850.31
£3,335.04
Christmas concerts & collections
£4,452.23
£4,362.05
£4,459.06
Donations
£368.00
£348.00
£504.00
Total Interest
£235.56
£208.20
£124.24
Easy Fundraising.org
£45.15
£46.21
£113.09
CD sales
£5.00
£5.00
£40.00
Raffle
£564.00
£475.00
£311.00
Sum-up test
£0.98
Insurance refund
£73.71
£52.99
125th Anniversary funds
£6,976.04
Bb Bass case refund
£596.03
Fundraising for new basses
£2,305.61
MK Community Foundation Grant for purchase of waterproof jackets
£1,575.00
Local giving
£134.69
£215.87
£823.84
Expanding music folder refund
£91.15
HMRC Charities
£971.21
£880.00
£1,547.98
Gazebo covers refund
£216.18|**Income**
**2025**
**2024**
**2023**
Concerts
£3,825.63
£2,850.31
£3,335.04
Christmas concerts & collections
£4,452.23
£4,362.05
£4,459.06
Donations
£368.00
£348.00
£504.00
Total Interest
£235.56
£208.20
£124.24
Easy Fundraising.org
£45.15
£46.21
£113.09
CD sales
£5.00
£5.00
£40.00
Raffle
£564.00
£475.00
£311.00
Sum-up test
£0.98
Insurance refund
£73.71
£52.99
125th Anniversary funds
£6,976.04
Bb Bass case refund
£596.03
Fundraising for new basses
£2,305.61
MK Community Foundation Grant for purchase of waterproof jackets
£1,575.00
Local giving
£134.69
£215.87
£823.84
Expanding music folder refund
£91.15
HMRC Charities
£971.21
£880.00
£1,547.98
Gazebo covers refund
£216.18|**Expenditure**
**2025**
**2024**
**2023**
Instrument purchase/Maintenance
£523.89
£4,225.88
£11,094.92
First aid/Covid Expenses
£95.00
£31.60
Trailer, lock-up & PA
£238.92
£15.47
£70.41
Uniform
£1,802.40
£80.43
£9.30
Music
£909.06
£338.86
£428.57
Fees
£181.14
£175.86
£159.88
Insurance
£957.37
£1,100.79
£994.16
Contest Expenses
£1,132.85
£549.70
£1,105.60
125th Anniversary
£325.00
Website
£47.99
Musical Director Expenses
Archiving
£10.00
£244.18
Band Gifts
£281.88
£425.49
£275.74
Stationery/coin sorter
£38.46
£13.49
Donations & wreaths
£24.49
£28.99
£100.00
Raffle & Props
£64.94
£20.49
Proceeds to St James
£1,419.58
£1,195.84
£1,068.03
Brass Bands England
£210.60
£470.60
£210.60
Muzodo
£52.06
£56.37
£40.63
Sum-up card reader
£1.00
Engraving
£126.00
£41.96
£51.95
HMRC Charities repayment
£771.99
Local Giving subscription
£180.00
£180.00
£180.00
Gazebo covers
£395.86| |---|---|---| |**Total**
**£19,974.27**
**£11,851.56**
**£11,312.22**||**Total**
**£8,508.70**
**£9,637.31**
**£16,630.26**| |||**Gross profit for the year ended 30.09.2025**
**£11,465.57**
£2,214.25
-£5,318.04
**Funds raised for Basses and 125th**
**£8,956.65**| |||**Actual Net Profit for year ended 30.09.2025**
**£2,508.92**| |**Bank and Cash in Hand**|**2025**|**2024**|**2023**| |---|---|---|---| ||||| |Cash|£160.00|£160.00|£160.00| |NatWest High Interest Account|£28,015.86|£15,280.30|£14,247.10| |NatWest Current Account|£1,587.96|£2,857.95|£1,676.90| |**Total Cash**|**£29,763.82**|**£18,298.25**|**£16,084.00**| ||||| |Represented by :|||| |Balance previous year|£18,298.25|£16,084.00|£21,402.04| |Profit/Deficit for year|£11,465.57|£2,214.25|-£5,318.04| |Total Funds|£29,763.82|£18,298.25|£16,084.00| |Available funds|£8,807.17|£6,298.25|| |Total funds above minus the following:|||| |Reserved funds - instrument renewal|£12,000.00|£12,000.00|| |Funds Raised for Basses and 125th|£8,956.65||| **I have examined the books and records for Bradwell Silver Band for the year ending 30th September 2025 and find that all books and records are correct.** ## _C L Keech_ **Clive Keech 12th October 2025**