## **Panache Steel Band Thornbury** Charity Number: 1204131 Company Number: CE033083 ## **Trustees’ Annual Report: 01/01/2025 – 31/12/2025** ## **Contents:** 1. Objectives and Activities 2. Achievements and Performance 3. Financial Review 4. Structure, Governance and Management 5. 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 January - December 2025, 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 and the Thornbury Fun Palaces event. During this period, we have also undertaken a number of workshops in and around our local area, noticeable during the Thornbury Fun Palaces event and some workshops for Jigsaw, a local charity supporting children and young people with additional needs or disabilities. 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 two community groups, both for one hour a week. 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 January - December 2025, Panache undertook a great many engagements, including weddings, local carnivals, fairs, Christmas events and band stand performances, as well as supporting community and charity events in Thornbury and the wider area. The Thornbury 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 energy of the band which helps energise 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. St Peter’s Hospice Severnside Support Group organise a Garden Party each year in June to raise much needed funds for their organisation. Panache played again this year, and their music helped raise £886. Panache returned to the Chipping Sodbury Lions Club Carnival in 2025, which involves the band performing on a carnival float down the high street. This is a great event which the band loves, particularly the added novelty of performing on a moving vehicle! And the audience loves the carnival vibe that the band adds. The band later returned to Chipping Sodbury to perform once again on the lorry (this time stationery!) at their annual Christmas Sunday. Page **2** of **5** A highlight of 2025 for Panache was opening the annual Thornbury Carnival at their ‘Swing In The Park’ Friday evening event. It was a great evening with good local press coverage. 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. This year, we also ran some specific workshops for the members of the Jigsaw youth club. These were a great success, and the young people loved the experience of playing the pans and making music with their friends. There are two community bands which are taught by members of Panache. The groups had the opportunity to share their achievements through performances at the Swimarathon, Fun Palaces and the annual Christmas performance, which this year was held in aid of Southmead Hospital Charity. ## **3. Financial Review** Regular bookings, fees from workshops and donations from performing 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. This has been our second year as a charity, and it has been a very successful year, resulting in a healthy financial position. Page **3** of **5** Auditor: Roberta Tait, 18 Heathpoult Road, Verwood, Dorset, BH31 7BN Bank: Metrobank, 18 Stall Street, Bath, BA1 1QB In November 2025 the trustees drafted a policy for holding a financial reserve and investing this in an easy access savings account (total of £10,000) which will be set up in 2026. This reserve is broken into two funds, one for the purpose of replacing our van and another towards general running costs (equivalent to 12 months running costs) in the event of loss of income. 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 Page **4** of **5** 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. 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: - Christopher Smith (Chair) (5-year term from 27[th] July 2023) - Gillian Holmes (Treasurer) (5-year term from 27[th] July 2023) - Natalie Smith (Secretary) (5-year term from 27[th] July 2023) - Andrew Pearce (3-year term from 27[th] July 2023) - Barrie Whittaker (3-year term from 27[th] July 2023) Page **5** of **5**