Trustees’ Annual Report (TAR) for Period 10 November 2023 to 31 December 2024
1. Reference and Administrative Details
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Charity Name HELSTON TOWN BAND
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Charity number: 1205669
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Address: The Bandroom, 37 Church Street, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 8NJ
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Trustees for the reporting period: Benjamin Richard Curnow, Robert Andrew McKellar, Ian Nicholls, Elizabeth Pascoe, Catriona Taylor, John Penaluna, David Paul Jenkin, Alan Trewhella, Tracy Broughal, Kelvin Mark Williams
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Trustees at the date of the Annual Report: Benjamin Richard Curnow, Robert Andrew McKellar, Ian Nicholls, Elizabeth Pascoe, Catriona Taylor, John Penaluna, David Paul Jenkin, Alan Trewhella, Tracy Broughal, Kevin Cli�ord Johns*
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Although not in the reporting period, it can be noted that the late Kelvin Mark Williams, who sadly passed away in February 2025, has been replaced by Kevin Cli�ord Johns as a Trustee.
2. Structure, Governance and Management
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The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) governed by its constitution dated 10 November 2023
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Trustees are generally co-opted based on their connections with the organisation and their suitability to be Trustees. The decision is usually taken by Trustees at a Trustee meeting and previous decisions have been unanimous in nature. Every trustee must be appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the e�ective administration of the CIO.
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The charity is managed by the Chairman, Benjamin Richard Curnow, with the assistance of the other Trustees and various volunteers who assist the band on a day-to-day basis.
3. Objectives and Activities
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To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public events.
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The Band maintained a busy diary during the period. Key engagements undertaken were:
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Helston Christmas Lights switch- on
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Christmas Concert in aid of Marie Curie, Helston
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Carol Service at The Lizard Lifeboat
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Helston Town Band’s Annual Christmas Concert (alongside Beginners, Youth and Concert Bands)
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Participants in Cornwall Brass Band Association’s Festival of Brass, Newquay
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St. Piran’s Day Celebration Concert with “The Oggymen,” The Hall for Cornwall, Truro
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West of England Area Championships, Torquay
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May Day Parades, Flora Day rehearsals and Flora Day, Helston
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D Day commemorations, Helston
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Concert and Garden Party at Milbrook, Helston
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Helston’s Civic Parade
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Helston Town Band Summer Fete, Helston Boating Lake
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Summer Evening Concerts at The Harbour Head, Porthleven
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Summer Afternoon Concert at The Kings Arms, Marazion
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Summer Afternoon Concert at The Lizard
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St Agnes Carnival
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Helston Town Band Proms, Helston Boating Lake
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Helston Carnival
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Helston Remembrance Parade and Remembrance Concert for The Poppy Appeal
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which is the highlight of Helston’s calendar and was held in Helston on 8 May 2024. The Band also undertook community/ civic events, including the Helston Civic Parade and the Helston Remembrance Parade and Concert and competed in competitions. The Trustees are satisfied that the majority of the Band’s activities were for public benefit in the year 2024.
4. Achievements and Performance
- One of the key achievements for the year 2024 was the annual Flora Day celebrations, in which the Band play a key role and are an essential element:
BBC News, Cornwall
Published
8 May 2024
Thousands of people have packed into Helston for the Cornish town's Flora Day celebrations.
The traditional event is always held on or around 8 May, and marks the end of winter and the coming of summer.
The players from Helston Town Band lead a series of dances through the town, playing the famous marching tune repeatedly.
Last year's event was shifted forward one day to avoid a clash with the Coronation of King Charles.
Full article Helston celebrates Flora Day in fne style with dancing and music - BBC News
redevelopment:
How to see Helston Town Band bandroom planning application | Falmouth Packet
There was public consultation around the Band’s plans. In July 2024, a planning application was submitted.
The Band are frequently performing and are central to the community in Helston, as well as being instantly recognisable throughout Cornwall. A standout highlight of the period was playing alongside the very popular singing group, “The Oggymen,” in a sell- out concert at The Hall for Cornwall, for St. Piran’s Day (Cornwall’s patron saint). This not only boosted the Band’s profile immensely but also promoted the music of the Band (especially Flora Day) and Cornwall.
Whilst building for its future, the Band has also acknowledged its heritage, marking an historic milestone in November 2024, when its much- respected and longest- serving member celebrated a remarkable 80 years of continuous service to the organisation.
5. Financial Review
Treasurer’s Report 2024, below:
It has been another great year for donations and collection income. Flora Day and carolling income have improved and the decision to ask the parents of the Beginners Group for a contribution has helped to balance the various outgoings.
redevelopment of the Bandroom for the future. The total expenditure was £15,200 and this must be considered as an extraordinary expense for the year in the same way that the Grant, when received in 2023, was reflected as an extraordinary element of income.
In 2023 the Band’s van had some fairly extensive repairs and I am pleased to report that 2024 showed much lesser amounts being outlaid for the van in general.
The use of The Godolphin Club’s upstairs room for practices has added to the ongoing band room expense account, but the overall utilities for band room have continued to be moderate as a result.
A number of payments out in anticipation of the Wallace and Gromit event were made, including insurance and venue costs for Princess Pavilions and whilst these are shown as an expense for 2024 the benefit of the income will be shown on the 2025 accounts.
of the band and whilst 2024 saw moderate investment on uniforms (especially new ties) and instruments (the Instrument Replacement Programme continues) these are to be considered fairly typical year on year. The Band needs to maintain a certain level of expenditure in order to maintain its high levels of ambition. Costs such as the Musical Director and investment in the Bandroom and future events such as Wallace and Gromit reflect the motivation of the Band and it is encouraging that financial risks have generally paid o�.
6. Plans for Future Periods
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The Band will continue to train the next generation of players to guarantee future success.
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The Band will continue to promote its purposes and music making through performance in the community.
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The Band will continue to support community events.
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The Band will continue to pursue the hope of securing a new Bandroom for the future and this will be dependent on planning permission and funding.
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Under the Musical Direction of Andrew Berryman, the Band will continue to boost its profile, to widen the appeal of brass banding and to encourage new and younger members and build for the future.
7. Funds Held as Custodian Trustee on Behalf of Others (only if applicable)
- The charity does not act as custodian trustee on behalf of other charities.
Approved by the trustees on [date] and signed on their behalf by:
Robert Andrew McKellar
Helston Town Band Income and Expenditure Account For the Year ended December 2024
Income
| Donations and Subscriptions Flora Day Engagements Carols Sundry Income xpenses Musical Director Guest Conductor Tutor Beginners Conductor Concert Band Concert Expenses Bandroom Expenses Heat and Light Music Contest Expenses Water Rates Instrument Purchases and Repairs Uniforms Insurances Registrations Band Van Expenses Solo Contest Sundry Expenses Excess of Expenditure over Income for the year Bank Balance at 01.01.2024 Loss for the year Bank Balance at 31.12.2024 Loss if Property Grant Excluded |
£5,304.21 £7,642.09 £6,216.78 £4,312.52 £244.00 23,719.60 £10,180.00 £80.00 £3,488.00 £2,576.77 £16,486.48 £643.32 £97.90 £2,765.00 £86.10 £690.43 £2,666.00 £3,347.03 £1,231.59 £795.64 £230.00 £1,172.92 46,537.18 -22,817.58 £41,093.37 -£22,817.58 £18,275.79 -£7,617.58 |
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