Panache Steel Band Thornbury
Charity Number: 1204131
Company Number: CE033083
Trustees’ Annual Report: 27/07/2023 – 31/12/2024
Contents:
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Objectives and Activities
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Achievements and Performance
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Financial Review
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Structure, Governance and Management
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Reference and Administrative Details
1. Objectives and Activities
Our charity’s object, as set out in the charity’s constitution, is the advancement of the arts for the public benefit by the provision of the teaching, playing and performing of steel pans for persons aged 4 and above living in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire, and the surrounding areas, including, but not limited to, Bristol, Stroud and Gloucestershire.
In the period of July 2023 – December 2024, Panache Steel Band Thornbury has undertaken a large number of public and private performances. The primary aim of these performances is to entertain audiences and spread the joy and knowledge of steel pan music, as well as raise funds to support the charity’s charitable endeavours for the public benefit. The group has also undertaken a number of free performances in the local area, including in local care homes to entertain residents.
During this period, we have also undertaken a number of workshops in and around our local area, including in schools and at local arts and community events. These workshops provide both children and adults the opportunity to learn more about steel pans as well as to experience playing the pans and being part of a steel band.
Alongside workshops and the main performing band (known as Panache), we run a number of beginner/intermediate groups which are open to all ages within the community. During this period, we ran a youth and adult group, both for one hour a week, with an additional adult group starting from September 2024. These groups are open to anyone who is interested (from age 4+) at a small weekly fee.
All activities accepted and undertaken by the charity are considered in the context of the charity commissions’ guidance on public benefit.
2. Achievements and Performance
During the period July 2023-December 2024, Panache undertook a great many engagements, including weddings, socials, country fairs, supporting community events in Thornbury and playing in care homes. These events bring great joy and wedding couples express their gratitude for making their day special. The residents of care homes love the vibrant sound of the band and join in with percussion instruments. One lady in a care home said she had been very sad but the music the band made had really cheered her up.
St Peter’s Hospice organise a Garden Party each year in June to raise much needed funds for their organisation. Panache played and their music helped raise a significant amount.
The Rotary Club organise a Swimarathon in Thornbury Leisure Centre each March where the band plays at the side of the swimming pool. The swimmers love the sound and say it helps them as they swim. It is a highlight for the band too. The Rotary Club raises money for local charities, and the band is a beneficiary with a donation towards the cost of taxing and insuring the van.
Panache likes to share its music with the community. There are regular events in the town called Love Thornbury. The band plays regularly providing a happy, musical background to the stalls and activities in the High Street bringing the whole community together. Their music brings smiles to people’s faces
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One of the most rewarding aspects of the work undertaken by Panache is running workshops in schools, particularly the local Special School, where the children love the sound and enjoy making music. The deaf children can feel the vibrations of the big pans and the adjustable stands and smaller pans are ideal for those in wheelchairs. We own a small set of Jumbie Jams, small steel pans, which the children love to play. Also rewarding is taking part in “Fun Palaces” organised by Jigsaw which runs clubs and events for young people with additional needs. This involves playing in the shopping centre and offering opportunities for adults, young people and children to experience playing. One of the youngsters has since joined one of the community groups. His enthusiasm and love of playing is delightful, and he has grown in confidence and ability.
There are a number of community bands which are taught by members of Panache. It is very encouraging to see how they develop their skills over a few months learning simple and more complicated tunes to play at the annual Christmas performance in a local pub. Teamwork, listening skills, perseverance and most of all fun come together to create a sense of achievement and joy.
Although Panache has been a charity for a short while only, there has been steel band in Thornbury for over thirty years. To celebrate, we organised a Caribbean Evening in November 2024 in the local rugby club and invited former players to come along and listen and reminisce. It was a wonderful evening full of laughter, memories and most importantly fantastic steel band music.
3. Financial Review
Regular bookings, fees from workshops, donations from performing and a grant from Thornbury Council have kept income at a good level. Expenditure has remained lower than income.
We have been fortunate to have the use of premises for which we do not pay rent. Our instruments are in good order needing little maintenance. The van was gifted with only running costs, tax and insurance to pay.
The current financial situation is healthy. This has been a good first year as a charity giving us the ability to expand our work over the next few years.
July 27[th] – December 31[st] 2023
| £ | £ | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Donations | 550.64 |
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| Bookings | 3161.64 |
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| Grant | 680 |
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| Subscriptions | 960 |
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| Total Income | 5352.28 | ||
| Expenses | Van expenses | 475.19 | |
| Uniforms | 89.52 | ||
| Courses | 120 | ||
| Venue Hire | 60 |
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| Meals 361.10 Insurance 213 Equipment 67.96 Miscellaneous 22.10 Total expenses TOTAL PROFIT For full accounts for YE 2023, please see Appendix 1 Year ended 31st December 2024 £ Income Donations 2,550.46 Bookings 6,655.00 Sponsorship/Grant 600.00 Subscriptions 2,720.00 Total Income Expenses Venue Hire/Catering 1,150.00 Van Expenses 1,309.93 Pan Insurance 245.00 Equipment 0.00 Uniforms 622.08 Church Fees 0.00 Stationary 669.66 Subscriptions 0.00 Meals 844.13 Training 91.80 Building Expenses 457.67 Miscellaneous 329.79 Depreciation 198.00 Total expenses TOTAL PROFIT Year ended 2024 Balance Sheet Assets Bank Creditors Profit Retained Earnings/Profit BF Check Prepared by:* R Tait |
1408.87 3,943.41 £ 12,525.46 5,918.06 6,607.40 £ 1,643.89 11,234.70 0.00 -6,607.40 -6,271.19 0.00 19/10/2025 |
|---|---|
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Summary: 27[th] July 2023 – 31[st] December 2024
| £ Total Income Total Expenses Total Profit |
17,877.74 7,326.93 10,550.81 |
|---|---|
Auditor: Roberta Tait, 18 Heathpoult Road, Verwood, Dorset, BH31 7BN Bank: Metrobank, 18 Stall Street, Bath, BA1 1QB
For the period of July 2023 – December 2024, the charity does not have a policy for holding reserves as we were a newly formed charity with a small gross income (approx. £12,000) and were still in the process of formalising all of the necessary policies. However, the need for keeping a financial reserve has been discussed in trustee meetings during this period (e.g. for a replacement van) and will be further formalised in future trustee meetings.
There are no concerns about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern.
There are no financial deficits to declare at the end of this reporting period.
4. Structure, Governance and Management
The organisation is a Foundation Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) and was registered as a charity on 27 July 2023. The CIO was established under a constitution which establishes its objects and powers. In the event of the company being wound up, the members of the CIO have no liability to contribute to its assets and no personal responsibility for settling its debts and liabilities.
As a foundation CIO, the only voting members of the charity are the trustees. There must be a minimum of three trustees, and a maximum of five. Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. Any person retiring as a charity trustee is eligible for reappointment. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.
5. Reference and Administrative Details
The name of the charity is Panache Steel Band Thornbury, also known as/referred to as Panache or Panache Steel Band.
The charity registration number is 1204131and is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
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The company number of the charity is CE033083.
The address of the principal office is:
3 Garns Close Uley DURSLEY GL11 5TJ
The names of the charity’s trustees on the date the report was approved and those who served as a trustee in the reporting period are:
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Christopher Smith (Chair) (5-year term)
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Gillian Holmes (Treasurer) (5-year term)
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Natalie Smith (Secretary) (5-year term)
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Andrew Pearce (3-year term)
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Barrie Whittaker (3-year term)
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Appendix 1
Year ended 31[st] December 2023
| £ Income Donations 2,005.06 Bookings 5,090.00 Sponsorship/Grant 680.00 Subscriptions 960.00 Total Income ExpensesVenue Hire/Catering 0.00 Van Expenses 1,329.20 Pan Insurance 582.11 Equipment 2,392.93 Uniforms 408.12 Church Fees 0.00 Stationary 113.10 Subscriptions 0.00 Meals 513.75 Training 120.00 Building Expenses 0 Miscellaneous 144.00 Depreciation 0 Total expenses TOTAL PROFIT Balance Sheet Assets Bank Creditors Proft for the year Retained earnings Check Prepared by: R Tait |
£ 8,735.06 5,603.21 3,131.85 0.00 6,271.19 0.00 -3,131.85 -3,139.34 0.00 06/09/2024 |
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