## **Charity number: 1205902**
## **FAIREST ISLE FESTIVAL**
## **UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
1
## **FAIREST ISLE FESTIVAL**
## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|Administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers|2|
|Trustees' report|3 - 4|
|Independent examiner's report|5|
|Statement of financial activities|6|
|Statement of Assets and Liabilities|7|
|Notes to the financial statements|8 - 10|
2
## **FAIREST ISLE FESTIVAL**
## **ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS**
## **FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **Trustees:**
M H Scott
A J Sindall FCA
F Sanders
R Street
## **Registered Charity number:**
1205902
## **Charity Address:**
Flat 73, 57 Kingsland High Street, London, E8 2FA
## **Artistic director:**
R Hollingworth
## **Bankers:**
NatWest Plc
3
## **FAIREST ISLE FESTIVAL**
## **TRUSTEES REPORT**
## **FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
The Trustees present their report and financial statements of the charity, Fairest Isle Festival (‘the Charity’), for the year ended 31 December 2025. The Trustees confirm that the annual report and financial statements of the Charity comply with the requirements of the Charities Act and the requirements of the Charity's governing document.
## **Constitution**
The Charity was established as a CIO on 27 November 2023.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **a. Policies and Objectives**
The objects of the Charity are to:
- Promote the Isle of Wight as a cultural beacon to attract new national and international cultural vistors and to act as a catalyst for prosperity, enhancing its profile and reputation as an island of culture;
- Provide new opportunities for local islanders to access musical experiences and insight into historically-informed early music, whilst enriching the musical landscape of the Isle of Wight; and
- Nuture and develop young creative talent born on the Isle of Wight and increase access to a diversity of music making in schools, through workshops and masterclasses with festival artists.
through the provision of a bi-annual music festival on the Isle of Wight and other associated events.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance ‘Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)’
## **b. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives**
The Charity provides financial backing for a bi-annual music festival, Fairest Isle Festival, which takes place on the Isle of Wight. Tickets are subsidised by the charity and are available to the general public. The trustees confirm that they have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission's general guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity's aims and objectives and in planning future activities.
4
## **Achievements and performance**
## **a. Review of activities**
In May 2025 two workshops were held in support of the charity’s objectives. On 3[rd] May, a ‘Come & Sing’ day at Ryde School focussed on a rare Benevoli 4 choir mass and was directed by Fairest Isle Festival Artistic Director, Robert Hollingworth and accompanied by Catherine Pierrot. Volunteers from Independent Arts helped co-ordinate the day with the 45 singers, mostly from the Island.
On 4[th] May a ‘Come & Play Baroque Day’ was held at the same venue. 14 players (many from IOW Symphony Orchestra) greatly enjoyed the experience to work with Baroque violin specialist, Naomi Burrell and Artistic Director Robert Hollingworth.
Although ticket sales were insufficient to cover the costs of these events, it was still a welcome opportunity make new relationships with islanders, and to maintain presence of FIF during the middle year of it’s bi-annual festival programme.
In the latter part of the year, work was undertaken to prepare for FIF 2026 which will take place between 15[th] and 17[th] May 2026. This festival will, once again, bring inspirational music from the 16[th] – 18[th] century to the Isle of Wight, led by artistic director, Robert Hollingworth.
The financial outcome of the two elements of the Charity’s activities are shown in Note 6.
Further details of the activities of the Charity are available from www.fairestislefestival.com
## **Financial Review**
## **a. Financial Review**
The income for the year from voluntary sources, including donations, sponsorship and subscriptions amounted to £7,110 (2024: £50,692). Income from charitable activities, which includes ticket sales, amounted to £3,095 (2024:£20,686). Total income for the period amounted to £10,205.
Direct festival costs amounted to £4,065 (2024: £48,526). Other expenditure, including the costs of marketing and fund raising amounted to £2,885 (2024: £16,591).Total expenditure amounted for the period to £6,950.
The overall surplus for the period amounted to £3,255 (2024: £2,305) which, when added to the reserves brought forward, represents the total funds of the Charity as at 31 December 2025.
## **b. Going Concern**
The Trustees are reliant on attracting grants and donations, together with making ticket sales, to support the Charity’s activities, particularly the bi-annual festival. However, the success of the inaugural festival in May 2024 gives the Trustees confidence that the Charity is a going concern and have prepared the financial statements accordingly.
## **c. Reserves policy**
The Trustees’ policy is to build a level of reserves gradually so as to provide a stable base for its continuing activities.
5
## **FAIREST ISLE FESTIVAL**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT**
## **FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **Independent examiners report to the trustees of Fairest Isle Festival (“the Charity’)**
I report to the Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the period ended 31st December 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the Trustees of the Charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011(“the 2011 Act”)
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe:
- The accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
- The accounts do not accord with those records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Peter Martin
33 Delphinium Place, Stafford, ST17 4FR
Independent Examiner
14[th] July 2026
6
## **FAIREST ISLE FESTIVAL**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
|**Note**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**INCOME FROM**:
Donations and subscriptions
2
7,701
Charitable Activities
3
2,504
**TOTAL INCOME**
**10,205**
**EXPENDITURE ON:**
Festival expenses
4
4,065
IT and support costs
2,163
Branding, marketing and fundraising
5
634
Establishment costs
-
Other costs
88
**TOTAL EXPENDITURE**
**6,950**
**NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS**
**3,255**
**RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS**
Total funds brought forward
2,305
Net movement in funds
3,255
**TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD**
**5,560**|**Total**
**Funds**
**2025**
7,701
2,504
**10,205**
4,065
2,163
634
-
88
**6,950**
**3,255**
2,305
3,255
**5,560**|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
50,692
20,686|**Total**
**funds**
**2024**
50,692
20,686|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**71,378**||
|||48,526
7,227
7,724
3,956
1,640
**69,073**||
||||**2,305**|
||||-
2,305|
||||**2,305**|
7
## **FAIREST ISLE FESTIVAL**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2025**
||**2025**|**2024**|
|---|---|---|
||£||
|Cash at bank|5,560|2,305|
|Unrestricted funds|5,560|2,305|
|The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Charities|||
|Act with respect to accounting records and|preparation of financial statements.||
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 11[th] May 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
|M H Scott|A J Sindall|
|---|---|
|Chairman|Trustee|
The notes on pages 8 to 10 form part of these financial statements.
8
## **FAIREST ISLE FESTIVAL**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES**
## **FOR THE PERIOD ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025**
## **1. Accounting Policy**
## **Basis of preparation of the financial statments**
The financial statements have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. They are presented in sterling and rounded to the nearest pound.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid is recognised when received. All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
Fairest Isle Festival meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
## **2. Donations and subscriptions**
|**Unrestricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2025**
Trusts and Foundations
-
-
Memberships and Donations
7,701
7,701
Gift Aid recoverable
-
-
**Total donations and subscriptions**
7,701
7,701|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
5,750
36,170
8,772
50,692|
|---|---|
## **3. Charitable activities**
|**Unrestricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2025**
Festival ticket sales
2,504
2,504
FIF singers
-
-
**Total charitable activities**
2,504
2,504|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
10,746
9,940
20,686|
|---|---|
9
## **4. Festival expenses**
|**Unrestricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2025**
Artists fees
535
535
Musical Director
1,237
1,237
Venue hire
1,390
1,390
Production costs and instrument hire
-
-
FIF singers package
-
-
Travel, accommodation and subscriptions
903
903
**Total festival expenses**
4,065
4,065
**5.**
**Branding, marketing and fundraising**
**Unrestricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
**2025**
**2025**
Branding, design and printing
634
634
PR and marketing
-
-
Fundraising and development
-
-
**Total Branding, marketing and fundraising**
634
634
**6.**
**Analysis of Activities**
**Come and Sing 2025**
**FIF 2026**
Donations and Subscriptions
2,270
5,431
Charitable Activities
1,104
1,400
Total Income
3,374
6,831
Festival Expenses
3,661
404
IT and support costs
1,586
576
Branding, marketing and fundraising
634
-
Other costs
89
-
Total Expenditure
5,970
980
Net movement in Funds
**(2,596)**
**5,851**|**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
24,990
5,000
2,238
2,115
2,393
11,790
48,526
**Total**
**Funds**
**2024**
4,374
1,835
1,515
7,724
**Total**
7,110
3,095
10,205
4,065
2,162
634
89
6,950
**3,255**|
|---|---|
|||
10