## The Friends of St Andrew's COLYTON Registered Charity No: 285239 6[th] June 2023 ## Dear Friends ## **FoStA Chair’s Report, May 2022 to April 2023** In a year of ups and a down for FoStA, I am very happy to report that the ups were so good that the down hardly mattered. The first ‘up’ was our annual summer concert, for which we invited the folk duo Ninebarrow back to sing for us again. We were lucky to have a beautiful sunny evening for the event, so sunny that the gazebos on the church lawn were much appreciated for providing some shade. Instead of being outsourced to a professional caterer, this year’s canapés were made by FoStA committee members, the selection orchestrated by Susan Fouracre - and though we say it ourselves, they were good, plentiful, and an excellent accompaniment to the Pimms. Alfresco drinks and a very convivial atmosphere were the perfect lead-in to a concert of atmospheric songs, some new, some more familiar, performed by Jon Whitley and Jay LaBourchardiere. All in all, it made for a very enjoyable summer’s evening of socialising and music. The down was a first for FoStA when violinist Roberto Ruisi was obliged to cancel his autumn concert for us with only weeks to go. This is the first time ever that a Tillett Trust musician we have booked has not been able to play for us, and his reason was a good one as he had been offered a new job as a concert master. Sadly, the short notice meant that we were unable to book a replacement. Our relationship with the Tillett Trust remains strong as ever, and we will be booking more of their talented young musicians for 2024, and have an autumn concert already booked featuring a Tillett Trust sponsored accordion player. We had no autumn speaker, so our next event was in January 2023, and it kick-started the year with a flourish of flamboyant fashion. This was unlike any event we have staged so far, and combined a talk, a slide show, an exhibition and a fashion parade, all on the subject of designer Zandra Rhodes - and all thanks to brilliant raconteur and lifelong collector of her clothing, Claire Branfield. With a parade of mannequins on the stage, gloriously decked in the fabulous colours, fabrics and styles that characterise the designer’s work, wonderful stories of dresses found online, their owners, and histories, and three brave and stylish models striding down the aisle in a series of outfits, it was as entertaining and visually exciting as it was informative. Claire gave her time, flair and expertise to us without charging any fee, an act of generosity for which we are all grateful. All correspondence to: Simon Ford, Melrose, South Street, COLYTON, EX24 6ER Email: simon.r.h.ford@gmail.com - Website: information on FoStA at colyton.co.uk The main draw on our funds was for a revamp of the church sound system. After some teething trouble - having trumpeted our contribution to the update, we were a little embarrassed at the Zandra Rhodes event to find that some members of the audience were having trouble hearing, until Nathalie McNeice stepped in as microphone holder - the system is now working well. We have again been the beneficiary of generous legacies. These, plus the funds we raise from our various events mean we have been able to commit to fund a major programme of renovation and restoration work, to include repairs to the roof and exterior stonework. Some of these repairs are more urgent than others, but it has been decided to do all the work recommended by the most recent quinquennial report, thereby making the best and most economic use of the scaffolding required, and the various builders and craftsmen involved. We hope that these comprehensive repairs will be of lasting value and keep the church building in good shape for some years to come. Our committee remains in very good shape, though we have much missed the presence of Dawn Franklin, who has been absent due to ill health. We look forward to her return as soon as she has fully recovered. Ellen Anning has been an invaluable addition as a coopted member, and relative newcomer Niall McNeice has already more than proved his worth; Claire Branfield was his contact and the Zandra Rhodes evening his idea, and it is thanks to Niall that we will be welcoming folk singer Brooke Sharkey, plus two musical collaborators, to sing and play for us at this year’s summer concert. Until we meet again, we send you our very best wishes, Ros Yarlott – Chair The Friends of St Andrew's COLYTON IILSJISILre(l ('111lrity No.. 28.$239 Hon Treasurer's report 2022123 - Recelpts and payments Account for the year to 5th April 2023 2023 2022 INCOME Subscriptions Donations & Legacies Events Igross) VAT reclaimed on grants C8F deposit account interest CBF Investment Fund dlvidends £1,252.Q) £20,218.74 £1,878.88 £o.c(J £582.23 £4,056.62 £27,98&47 £1,197.C £0.( £1,896.69 £18.866.46 £24.99 £3,938.44 £25,923.58 TOTAL EXPENDITURE Admln etc Grant to St Andrew'5 Church: sound Grant to St Andrew's Church: lighting Grant to St Andrew's Church: piano refurblshment Cost of events Cost of equlpment etc £396.40 £10,634.16 £o.c £o.co £810.35 £422.OJ £11262.91 £15,725.56 £178.70 £o.¢x) £18,Cm.CO £51J).DJ £1,2CiI.C £78.11 £19,956.81 £5,%6.77 TOTAL Surplusldeficit for the year SUMMARY OF RESERVES Brought forward from previous year Surplusldeficit for the year Prof it on sale of shares £165,239.50 £15.725.56 £O.C(¢ £180,965.( £159,272.73 £5,966.77 £o.co £165,239.50 TOTAL REPRESENTED BY: Bank current account Petty cash float CBF Deposit Account CBF Investment Income Fund lat costl £67,632.54 £o.c £29,378.52 £83,954.iJ) £￿,965.06 £56.545.83 £o.co £24,739.67 £83,954.C £165,239.50 TOTAL The valuation at 30 Aprsl 2023 was £140,627.70130 Aprll 2022 was £14 Signed Dominic Makemson. Hon. Treasurer Signed Bob Whitell VIIL,kll 8 Ryalls Court, Seaton. Devon. EX12 2HJ 4 Govers Meadow, Colyton, Devon. EX24 6PG Date 2023 Date CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts •• Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of On accounts for thè year ended .￿￿ Jl J 2023 Charlty no Ilf any 29£239 Sèt out on pagès I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity 1.the Trust.) for the year ended o