WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
(A Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a share capital)
Report and Accounts
For the year ended 31 December 2024
Company No: 1555038 Registered Charity No: 282538
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
Page 2
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN 2024
REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN 2024
The Festival Management Committee believe that WF2024, our 57th Anniversary, was, yet again, a fine achievement. There was a large range of excellent events, The financial outcome was a deficit of £861, and after adjustments of £1,629 from previous years this led to a surplus of £768 and increased our General Fund from £40,729 to £41,497.
I was very pleased to receive grants from Wooburn Parish Council, Buckinghamshire C C (sadly depleted over recent years), the Louis Baylis Charitable Trust, the Shanly Foundation, and regular generous private supporters. The Festival could not survive without their generosity.
Good audiences attended many events, especially the Opera and the Jazz Supper. The ‘Literary Week’ was rather short this year, but we were lucky to have two talks, firstly, ’Gustav Holst-150th Anniversary’ given by Roger Askew and secondly ‘Johannes Vermeer’ by Jeffery Courtnay. We had two successful tours of Dorney Court.
The Heath String Quartet returned by popular request, together with the great horn player Ben Goldscheider to perform at our first Chamber Concert at St. Paul's church, playing works by Haydn, Mozart, Alberga and Dvorak.
The second chamber concert was given by Red Priest with an exuberant ‘Truly, madly Baroque’ evening. The last concert was given by Lawrence Power and Simon Crawford Phillips.
The Opera this year was Giuseppe Verdi’s classic tale of love and loss ‘La Traviata’, which was fully costumed and `staged' around the cafe tables by members of Barefoot Opera. The evening was a sell out!
The Visual Arts Exhibition was as ever particularly well presented and managed, with the result that a high level of sales was maintained. This was particularly impressive as most other exhibitions have suffered significant falls in sales. The featured artist was Andy Lee. I am very grateful to the members of the Visual Arts committee, for their hard work and imagination and I would like to thank Mary Perkins and the Committee for their efforts.
The Jazz Supper was as enjoyable as ever, with the appearance of The Jazz Dynamos featuring Lucy Randell, yet another sell-out evening. My thanks go to John Payne who has organized the Jazz Suppers over many years, and who still, despite having retired, continues to help in many ways.
The Festival Film returned with Robin Campillo’s ‘Red Island’, which was as usual introduced by Quentin Falk.
The Lunchtime Concerts were performed in All Saints Church, High Wycombe and as always provided high quality and free entertainment, and I am pleased to report that audiences were again much improved. These lunchtime recitals give young artists a platform at the beginning of their careers.
The Wooburn Singers once again arranged their ‘Come and Sing Day’ when a Choral work is rehearsed by enthusiastic choral singers under the direction of Jonathon Cole Swinard and focused on Anton Bruckner’s ‘Requiem in D minor’ The Wooburn Singers Choral Concert, again under the direction of Jonathon Cole Swinard, performed a Centenary of choral gems from Bruckner and Faure.
The Wooburn Festival could not exist without our patrons, friends and sponsors and we are extremely grateful for their continuing support. Robin & Patricia Saxby have, as usual, been particularly generous. Also, some individuals gave generous donations anonymously.
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
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REPORT OF THE CHAIRMAN....continued
Again, I thank my Committee Members for their industry during the year, the organisers of the Visual Arts Exhibition, and the many other helpers who arrive at Festival time. I am also very grateful for the support and advice that various Council Members give. Our thanks go to Mr. P Wheeler for examining the accounts for us.
Our purpose is to serve our audiences and the local community, and we thank them for their continuing and loyal support, and we shall look forward to seeing them in 2025!
Finally, I want to say that we will be happy to welcome new and enthusiastic members to the Committee, especially someone to take on the role of Treasurer.
Brian Johnson CHAIRMAN 27[th] June 2025
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
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REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES
The Directors and Trustees have pleasure in presenting their report with the independently examined accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
ACTIVITIES
The Company is a registered charity and is engaged in advancing the education of the public in the arts.
RESULTS
The net outgoing resources for the year amounted to £861 which were deducted from general reserves. There are no restricted funds.
RISK REVIEW
The directors regularly review all financial and operational risks, which may impact on the Charity. Procedures are adopted to mitigate perceived risks and these are subject to regular review to ensure that there are adequate safeguards in place.
RESERVES AND INVESTMENT POLICY
The directors consider from time to time as to whether the reserves are adequate to mount the Festival each year, and consider that adequate reserves are essential to enable the Festival to continue. The present reserves amount to approximately 145% of expenditure for the year 2024.
REVIEW OF THE ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARITY
A review of the activities of the Charity is given in the Chairman's report attached to these financial statements.
COUNCIL
The following directors, who are also trustees, held office since 1 January 2024:
Appointed
| Appointed | |
|---|---|
| Catherine Booth | 21/08/2024 |
| John W Fellows | 21/08/2024 |
| Sandra Garey | 19/08/2022 |
| Brian Johnson | 15/08/2023 |
| David Lamb | 19/08/2022 |
| Gordon Nevill | 15/08/2023 |
| John Payne | 19/08/2022 |
Under rules 37 and 38 annually one third of council members who have been longest in office since their last election or appointment shall retire. Hence Catherine Booth and John W Fellows are due to retire from office by rotation, and being eligible Sandra Garey and David Lamb offer themselves for re-election.
John W Fellows tenders his resignation from the Council, and is offered and accepts the role of honorary President.
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
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REPORT OF THE DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024 (Cont'd)
DIRECTORS AND TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES
Company Law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit and loss of the company for that period. In preparing those financial statements the directors and trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the company will continue in business.
The directors and trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 . They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
GENERAL
This report has been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies' Act 2006 relating to small companies.
BY ORDER OF THE COUNCIL
CLAIRE HERMELIN 19[th] July 2024 Secretary
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2024, which are attached:
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts' you consider that the audit requirement of section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination included a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of an unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
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which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements
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to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act; and
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to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with the accounting requirements of the Act
have not been met; or
- to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
P J WHEELER
19[th] July 2024
Chartered Accountant 24 Dukes Wood Avenue Gerrards Cross Buckinghamshire
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||
| Donations | 951 | 933 |
| Other income – interest received | 824 | 471 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| 1,775 | 1,404 | |
| Grants received | 5,000 | 8,000 |
| Incoming resources from Operating Activities in | ||
| furtherance of the charity's objectives | 20,896 | 21,355 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | 27,671 | 30,759 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||
| Costs of activities in furtherance of the charity's objectives | 22,520 | 18,042 |
| Expenditure on the management and administration of the charity | 6,012 | 9,299 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | 28,532 | 27,341 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) MOVEMENT IN FUNDS | (861) | 3,418 |
| Add: Fund Balances brought forward at 31 December 2023 |
40,729 | 37,537 |
| Add: Prior year adjustment - re previous years’ festivals | 1,629 | (226) |
| ──── | ──── | |
| FUND BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD AT 31 DECEMBER 2024 | £41,497 | £40,729 |
| ════ | ════ |
The statement of financial activities and income and expenditure account has been prepared on the basis that all operations are continuing operations.
There are no recognised gains and losses other than those passing through the statement of financial activities and income and expenditure account.
All the funds of the Society are unrestricted funds
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
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BALANCE SHEET AT 31 DECEMBER 2024
| Notes | 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Debtors | 3 | - | - |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 41,647 | 40,879 | |
| ──── | ──── | ||
| 41,647 | 40,879 | ||
| CREDITORS AND PROVISIONS | 4 | 150 | 150 |
| ──── | ──── | ||
| £41,497 | £40,729 | ||
| ════ | ════ | ||
| GENERAL FUND | £ 41,497 | £ 40,729 | |
| ════ | ════ |
These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions of Part 15 of the Companies' Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The Council
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1 Confirm that for the year ended 31 December 2024 the company was entitled to the exemption under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 .
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2 Confirm that no members have required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with Section 476
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3 Acknowledge their responsibility for:
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(a) ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with Section 386; and
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(b) preparing the accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the financial year, and of its results for the year in accordance with the requirements of Section 394 and 395, and otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to accounts, so far as applicable to the company.
These accounts were approved on 19[th] August 2024
B Johnson Chairman
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] DECEMBER 2024
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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The company follows applicable UK Accounting Standards and practice. In particular, the following policies have been adopted:
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a) Accounting convention - the financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention. and the Companies Act 2006
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b) Income - this represents amounts receivable in respect of ticket and programme sales, entrance fees, donations, guarantees against loss, grants and sponsorship.
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c) Compliance with accounting standards - the financial statements are prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards and follow the recommendations in Accounting and reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) issued in October 2000 by the Charity Commissioners.
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d) Wooburn Festival Society Limited is a registered charity, engaged in advancing the education of the public in the arts, incorporated under the Companies Act 2006 , limited by guarantee and having no share capital.
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e) Income from Grants - Grants are treated on a receivable basis in accordance with the Charities SORP.
2 TAXATION
No taxation arises on the result for the year or the previous year because the company is a registered charity, and is exempt from taxation on income applied in the course of its objectives.
3 DEBTORS
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sundry debtor | --- | --- | |
| ──── | ──── | ||
| ════ | ════ | ||
| 4 | CREDITORS AND PROVISIONS | ||
| Event costs | 150 | 150 | |
| Other | - | ||
| ──── | ──── | ||
| £ 150 | £ 150 | ||
| ════ | ════ |
5 GRANTS AND DONATIONS
The grants gratefully received were used to support the Wooburn Festival, normally covering approximately twenty separate arts events ranging from classical music to jazz, and from drama to one-man shows. The grants are an essential part of the Festival. The main purpose of the Festival is to present a series of events of a high standard which are not generally available locally throughout the year, based on professional artists.
6 MEMBERS GUARANTEES
Each member has guaranteed to contribute to the assets in the event of any unpaid debts should the company be wound up. The guarantee is limited to £10 per member.
WOOBURN FESTIVAL SOCIETY LIMITED
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DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOMING RESOURCES | ||
| Donations | 951 | 933 |
| Interest | 824 | 471 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| 1,775 | 1,404 | |
| ──── | ──── | |
| Grants received | ||
| Wycombe District Council | - | - |
| Wooburn Parish Council | 1,000- | - |
| Louis Baylis Trust | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Shanly Foundation | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Sir Robin Saxby | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| Anonymous | - |
4,000 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| 5,000 | 8,000 | |
| ──── | ──── | |
| Incoming resources from Operating Activities in | ||
| furtherance of the charity's activities | ||
| Box office income and other | ||
| income from events, including Art Exhibition sales | 20,896 | 21,055 |
| Programme sales and advertisements | - | 300 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| 20,896 | 21,355 | |
| ──── | ──── | |
| TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES | 27,671 | 30,759 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| RESOURCES EXPENDED | ||
| Cost of activities in furtherance of the charity’s objectives | ||
| Direct event costs | 22,520 | 18,042 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| Expenditure on the management and administration of the charity | ||
| Administrative expenses including stationery and post | 223 | 263 |
| Box Office costs | 328 | 538 |
| Insurance | 1,024 | 1,024 |
| Website | 816 | 2,846 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| 6,012 | 9,299 | |
| ──── | ──── | |
| TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED | 28,532 | 27,341 |
| ──── | ──── | |
| NET INCOMING RESOURCES / (RESOURCES EXPENDED) | (£861) | £3,418 |
| ════ | ════ |