Word Up North Limited
Charity number 501801 A company limited by guarantee number 01061343
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
1
Word Up North Limited
Annual Report and Financial Statements
For the year ended 31 March 2024
| Contents | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ report | 3-19 |
| Examiner’s report | 20 |
| Statement of financial activities | 21 |
| Balance sheet | 22 |
| Notes to the accounts | 23-29 |
2
Word Up North Limited
Trustees' report for the year ended 31 March 2024
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
The trustees during the financial year and up to and including the date the report was approved were:
Name Position Dates Catherine Baxandall Dr Rachel Bower Resigned 20 September 2023 John Dignum Special Responsibility for Finance Anita Ganeri Resigned 21 July 2023 Professor Frank Finlay Chair Georgina Frieder Resigned 15 April 2024 Professor Gregory Radick Ellen Thorpe Vice Chair Mary Margaret Katherine Wright (Kitty Wright)
Company secretary Catherine Baxandall
Charity number 501801 Registered in England and Wales
Company number 01061343 Registered in England and Wales
Registered and principal address Bankers 2[nd] Floor Offices, Fairfax House, HSBC 38, The Grove, Ilkley 1 Well Croft Yorkshire Shipley LS29 9EE BD18 3QH
Independent examiner
Alan Dodd FCCA West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
Structure, governance and management
The charity is a company limited by guarantee and was formed on 12 July 1972. The Charitable Company was known as Ilkley Literature Festival Limited until 11 April 2023. It is governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association as amended on 11[th] April 2023. The liability of the members in the event of the company being wound up is limited to a sum not exceeding £1. The trustees of the charity are also the directors for the purposes of company law.
3
Word Up North Limited
Trustees' report (continued) for the year ended 31 March 2024
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
The Trustees are pleased to present their annual report together with the charity’s financial statements for year ending 31st March 2024; these are also prepared to meet the Companies Act requirements for a directors’ report and accounts.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Companies Act 2006, the Memorandum and Articles of Association, and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Purpose and Aims
Our charitable purposes as set out in the objects contained in the Memorandum and Articles of Association are:
To foster and promote the maintenance, improvement and development of artistic taste and knowledge and the understanding and appreciation of literature and the other arts amongst the general public.
The strategic aims of our charity are to provide access to cultural experiences and creative activities that open minds, inspire curiosity, increase empathy and improve communication . We do this by:
-
Encouraging and inspiring enthusiasm for books, words, reading and writing by providing opportunities for all readers – avid and reluctant – to meet, hear, and learn from the finest contemporary writers, poets and performers.
-
Actively supporting professional and emerging writers, providing platforms on which to present their work, advance their professional development and reach new audiences.
-
Delivering accessible, inspiring and relevant artistic, cultural and educational experiences to our local communities.
-
Stimulating children and young people’s creativity by encouraging a love of words and stories, and providing opportunities for them to discover, learn, create and share diverse experiences through writing and reading.
-
Taking advantage of our geographic location to act as a cultural bridge between artists and audiences living in Yorkshire’s urban cities and those living in its rural towns and villages.
4
Main Activities
We deliver our purpose through four main areas of activities: New Writing and Talent Development; Live Literature Events; Creative Communities; and Children and Young People.
Activities delivered during 2023/24 included:
-
New Writing and Talent Development
-
Joint commission in partnership with the Brontë Parsonage Museum of new experiential audio theatre performance in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Ilkley Literature Festival and the Museum’s ‘Year of the Wild’.
-
New poetry commission inspired by Ted Hughes’ 1975 ‘Cave Birds’ performance at Ilkley.
-
Appointment of two Apprentice Poets in Residence, Freya Hughes and Chris Singleton.
-
‘New Northern Poets’ writer development programme
-
Creative writing and professional development workshops engaging 157 writers.
-
Free mentoring sessions for writers from backgrounds currently underrepresented within the cultural sector.
-
Key partner in SI Leeds Literary Prize 10-year celebration and anthology launch.
• Children & Young People
-
Third year of ‘Creative Manifesto’ creative writing development sessions engaging 52 Keighley secondary school students.
-
Launch of new Keighley Young Writers group, offering weekly creative writing sessions for young people aged 12-18 led by professional writer Shabnam Ahsan.
-
Weekly Story Explorer creative reading and writing sessions at Keighley Library for children aged 7-12.
-
Partnership with Puffin Books on a series of Children’s Book events as part of Ilkley Literature Festival’s 50[th] anniversary programme involving 870 children and their families.
-
Creative Communities
-
Piloting of ‘Word on the Street’, a community engagement programme utilising a hyperlocal Asset Based Community Development approach, in six areas of Keighley.
-
Staging of free-to-attend performances at Keighley Library of Stute Theatre’s ‘Cardboard Cosmos’, an exploration of community and environmental responsibility for young children and their families.
• Live Literature Events Programme
-
Delivery of Ilkley Literature Festival in its 50[th] anniversary year with 109 writers taking part across 106 events, attracting a total audience of 14,105 tickets were sold.
-
Production of season six of ‘Settee Seminars’ podcast featuring talks by a range of experts and academics on themes including Italo Calvino, Ukrainian novelists, and being Black in Britain.
Public benefit
In shaping our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit in managing the activities of the charity, including the guidance on public benefit and fee charging.
In setting the level of fees, charges and concessions, the Trustees give careful consideration to the accessibility of events and participatory activities for those on low incomes, offering concessions for children and young people under 25, students, and people in receipt of disability and unemployment benefits or support. Established community groups and schools are eligible for group concessions with free places for group leaders.
5
We also stage free-to-access and pay-what-you-decide events, including a community fringe festival featuring local writers and performers, weekly Story Explorer sessions for 7-12-year-olds in Keighley and drop-in family activities at events throughout the year.
In 2023/24, free fully funded places were made available across a range of writing development initiatives, aimed specifically at emerging northern writers from backgrounds currently underrepresented in the cultural sector.
Contribution made by volunteers
58 volunteers supported the running of our Live Literature events programme in 2023. We were also joined by 8 student volunteers from Ilkley Grammar School, aged 14-18, who assisted at events held at the school and a journalism student from Leeds Trinity University who undertook a voluntary social media role. In addition, we recruited a new office-based volunteer to support the year-round administration of our membership schemes. The total contribution of all volunteer hours was 754.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
New Writing and Talent Development
Audio Theatre Commission: Soundlandscape
In 2023, working in partnership with the Brontë Parsonage Museum, we jointly commissioned experiential theatre company Obscura to create a two-part audio theatre performance in celebration of the 50[th] anniversary of the Literature Festival and the Museum’s ‘Year of the Wild’.
The result was Soundlandscape: The Wild Hauntings on the Moor , two immersive new audio pieces with accompanying illustrated maps, one designed to be experienced walking a route on the moor at Ilkley, the other on the moor at Haworth.
Obscura Theatre are specialists in exploring folklore, the fantastical and its relationship to land and local identity. The two stories, written and developed by Obscura’s writer, composer and sound designer Patch Middleton and director and producer Emily Oulton, were interconnected.
The audio performances were made available to download via a range of podcast apps, with high quality headphones available to borrow from The Grove Bookshop (in Ilkley) and the Brontë Parsonage Museum (in Haworth).
Films of the scenic moorland routes set to the audio performances were also created to ensure the commissions could also be enjoyed by people who were not able to visit Ilkley or Haworth or to physically access the moorland routes.
‘The Wild Hauntings on the Moor’ examines two lost characters, each trying to belong to their time and place. A Dream of Death is set in Haworth in 1823, the year that the Brontë family first arrived in the village, and Shadows on Shadows is set in Ilkley in 1973 when the Literature Festival was founded. Using headphones and a map, audiences were guided by the narrative performed by Yorkshire actors Riana Duce (Napoleon,2023; Emmerdale; The Good Book, 2020) and Olivia Sweeney (Aux, 2018; Celluloid, 2014; 7.2, 2014) to explore the landscape while experiencing ghostly visitations through sound.
6
To create the narratives, Middleton and Oulton researched local folklore and fantastical oral legends, consulting with walking groups, local history bloggers and storytellers all whom provided inspiration for the final pieces. Obscura were determined to cast local actors for the roles and also build their lived experiences into the performances.
After the recordings, Middleton then edited the pieces, composed original music and created additional soundscape elements to add another layer of texture.
Outcomes and Feedback:
-
150 people engaged with the finished work in the landscapes between July and October 2023.
-
98 engaged with accessible film versions online.
-
Two community ‘By Candlelight’ storytelling sessions held in Haworth, Bronte Parsonage Museum, 29 July 2023, and Ilkley, Manor House, 8 October 2023.
-
‘Making Of Soundlandscape ’ event held part of 2023 Ilkley Literature Festival programme.
-
Audio theatre feedback: Audiences were asked to describe their experience in three words. The most common were: ‘immersive’, ‘atmospheric’ and ‘gripping’.
-
Writing workshop participant feedback:
-
“The friendly approach and well-planned sessions made for enjoyable and informative workshops. I applied for the workshops as I am reading / researching folklore for a book I am hoping to complete over the next year which will focus on my experience of thin places and that of others too. To tie together mythology, folklore from cultures around the world into an engaging narrative, is a pretty big ask as I write more poetry and short stories. Those two hours spent on these workshops have certainly helped me working out how I can piece together my story.”
Poetry Commission: ‘Bitter Linnet’
Also as part of Ilkley Literature Festival’s 50[th] anniversary celebrations, we commissioned Bradford-born poet Emma Conally-Barklem to produce a piece inspired by the Festival’s 1975 commission of a special illustrated edition and performance by Ted Hughes of his collection ‘Cave Birds’. A film of Emma reading her commission in locations across the Pennine moors was shared on National Poetry Day, 5 October 2024, garnering over 1200 views online and via social media.
2023 Apprentice Poets in Residence
Chris Singleton and Freya Bantiff were appointed as joint Apprentice Poets in Residence following an open call-out in which 25 extremely high-quality applications were received. The posts were supported by a £1000 donation from The Walter Swan Trust.
The Apprentices received one-to-one mentoring from former Poet-in-Residence Kim Moore, attended networking events, devised and led poetry workshops, read their work alongside previous Poets in Residence as part of a programme celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ilkley Literature Festival, and were commissioned to write poems responding to ILF 2023 themes.
In her application, Freya Bantiff described Ilkley Literature Festival as the catalyst of her poetry journey. She won our Young People’s short story & poetry competitions 6 times between 2010 – 2015 and went on to be placed third in the 2019 Walter Swan Poetry Prize 18-25 category before winning the category outright in 2020. Since those early successes, Freya has won the Bridport Young Writer Prize and was highly commended in the overall Bridport Prize in 2022.
7
Reflecting on her time in the role, Freya said: “Being part of the Festival and connecting to other poets/writers was probably my favourite part of the position, as I always love having time to hear other people’s work and discover new writing. I also really enjoyed the mentorship as Kim was so helpful in terms of explaining some of the practical sides of the writing world and making me aware of opportunities/avenues to consider. Lastly, the chance to push myself out of my comfort zone by running an online workshop for the first time was something that I feel really grateful to have experienced.”
For his commission, Chris Singleton delved into the archives amassed over five decades of Ilkley Literature Festival. Learning that northern Black British poet SuAndi performed in 1989, the year he was born, he decided to craft a response to her poem ‘After I Was Eight’. SuAndi’s poem describes herself at various ages and stages of her life. Chris took the same ages of his life and created a series of stanzas, each one drawing inspiration from poets who performed at Ilkley Literature Festival in the corresponding years.
When asked what Chris enjoyed most about the role, he responded: “I have to say, the mentoring from Kim. She is such a wonderful poet and person and was so dedicated to helping me find the best in whatever I brought to her. It's a very rare occurrence to be mentored as a poet and I loved it! The opportunity to try out new writing and focus on my career for the duration of the Festival - brilliant!”
‘New Northern Poets’ Writer Development Programme
Five exceptionally talented poets who submitted applications for the Apprentice Poet in Residence roles were offered the opportunity to become a 2023 ‘New Northern Poet’ in receipt of a professional development support package. The package included free access to poetry reading, networking opportunities and writing workshops at ILF 2023, contribution towards travel expenses, discounts on book purchases, and a profile of each poet on the ILF website.
Feedback from 2023 New Northern Poets:
“You were all so kind and welcoming, and I had the most wonderful time immersed in poetry, met and heard so many brilliant poets and got 6 drafts for new poems started, thanks to Kim’s amazing workshops. If the opportunity arises, I will absolutely be applying to be part of it again.”
“I thoroughly enjoyed all the sessions I went to and connecting with the other New Northern Poets, they were lovely. I had a good chat with Emily Zobel Marshall, loved her set. We had so much in common in terms of dual heritage, loss of our mothers and love of the Yorkshire landscape.”
Creative Writing and Professional Development Workshops
Our 2023 programme included nine workshops covering aspects of poetry, life writing and professional practice for writers. Workshops leaders were novelist and screenwriter Jeremy Dyson, acclaimed poetry tutors Peter Sansom, Kim Moore and Professor John Whale of the University of Leeds Poetry Centre. 157 participants took part in the workshops which were spilt between in person and online delivery.
Twenty-four bursary places were given to applicants who would otherwise not have been able to attend due to financial limitations.
Mentoring Sessions with Tanya Shadrick
Selkie Press founder Tanya Shadrick, a rural working-class writer who was first published after turning forty, provided six free one-to-one mentoring sessions to those wishing to build their creative confidence. The sessions
8
were for emerging writers based in the North of England, particularly those from backgrounds currently underrepresented within the cultural sector.
Feedback from mentee:
“It was amazing - even better than I had thought it would be. She was so honest and encouraging but also realistic… I have been feeling at quite a crossroads and she gave me some really practical, applicable advice that I have referred back to often since the mentoring session. [Tanya] also encouraged me and listened to a performance of one of my pieces which was very nerve-wracking and intimate but felt so powerful.
It was very profoundly helpful. I left the call with Tanya feeling exulted and excited and felt as though I had a lot of decisions to make about my next 12 months.”
SI Leeds Literary Prize
We worked with Prize Director Fiona Goh and fellow key partners, Peepal Tree Press and SI Leeds, to produce an event celebrating the launch of an anthology, ‘The Unheard Stories’, celebrating 10 years of the biennial prize for unpublished fiction by UK-based Black and Asian women. The event took place at the University of Leeds on 15 November 2023.
Children & Young People
‘Creative Manifesto’ Sessions for Secondary Schools, Keighley
This was the third year of ‘Creative Manifesto’ activity with Holy Family Catholic School and Carlton Keighley (formally UAK). The programme works to deepen the relationship between Word Up North and the schools by tailoring activities that complement the curriculum and provide the opportunity to monitor impact in the classroom. 2023 saw us working with Beckfoot Oakbank School for the first time. This meant activity was undertaken with all three secondary schools in Keighley.
The aims of ‘Creative Manifesto’ are to:
-
Develop students creative writing skills and to promote words and writing as a tool for creating real social change.
-
Empower young people and to make them feel confident enough to express their views.
-
Share the work created by students with a wider audience.
With the above in mind, consultations were held with lead English teachers and Careers Advisors at each of the three schools to identify specific needs.
At Holy Family the lead teacher was keen for us to work with their Year 9 promoting oracy and presentation skills, linking delivery into their scheme of work looking at Paper 2 language techniques.
Carlton requested that we work with a mix of students who have taken part in previous years (now year 8 and 9) and students in Year 7, with the older students acting as ambassadors. They were keen that the project should focus on the key skill from their Term 2 non-fiction module: presenting a clear viewpoint.
At Beckfoot Oakbank the careers and progression tutor was keen that activity should promote the use of digital skills, real world learning and connect to further career aspirations.
9
Students participated in three sessions. In the first session they worked with local script writer and radio performer Irene Lofthouse to understand the production process of podcasts; how they can start with just one individual and their phone / microphone and grow to multi-team, cross-platform media brands with lots of job opportunities. They then outlined ideas for their own podcasts, coming up with titles, designating each other with roles and producing their own scripts exploring issues that mattered to them, using Paper 2 Language, Speaking and Listening techniques.
In the second session, students worked with the BCB Radio team to design a professional show in more detail, adding in music, interview dynamics and jingle creation. Where time allowed, they also created logos and explored visual and digital marketing techniques for their shows. I
In the third session, students recorded their shows using BCB Radio’s professional recording equipment with some students also having the opportunity to interview expert guests. Two out of three of the schools did this at the BCB studio. They also were given a tour of the studio and introductions to the BCB team, as well as a talk from their Youth Music Lead who highlighted ways they could continue broadcasting or volunteer at the studio. All students were provided tips on how to start their own podcasts at home.
52 young people took part in the sessions, including 9 SEN and 16 pupil premium/LAC students. 40% were Asian / Asian British, or Black / Black British.
Outcomes and feedback:
-
3 professionally recorded audio shows which were broadcast on BCB Radio and made available as podcasts for download.
-
83% of students said they felt more confident expressing their opinions after taking part in the project.
-
81% of students said they felt more confident about recording themselves and using audio equipment as a way of communicating their ideas.
-
94% of students said they would recommend the experience to others.
-
93% positive feedback from teachers and school staff.
⎯ “If my future job requires me to speak confidently or be recorded I would have skills from this project.” Holy Family student
“I hardly ever share my views so it was nice to share them. It’s nice to know that someone is listening.” ⎯ Beckfoot Oakbank student.
⎯ “I got to learn different things about the studios. It helps you become more confident.” Carlton Academy student.
“Before, I felt like my opinions would be judged but they were respected” ⎯ Beckfoot Oakbank student.
“Thank you for your continued support. Students developed their communication skills, and the session met our learning needs with all students being able to access them. Students were enthused, especially after the BCB session ⎯ and some were asking to record more and when it could happen again” Lucy Middleton, English Teacher, Holy Family Catholic School.
“We have really enjoyed these sessions. Students were able to discuss and work together on their topic. The project met the needs of school and students, building their confidence and linking into our talk for learning priority. We ⎯ would be interested in doing more work that focuses on creative writing and presenting.” Farhat Alam, English Teacher, Carlton Keighley.
10
Story Explorer Group, Keighley Library
At our weekly Story Explorer sessions at Keighley Library, led by creative facilitator Sandra Flitcroft, children aged 7- 12-years work through an exciting book for their age group exploring the book’s themes and characters as they read and trying out fun ways to write their own stories and poems with creative writing games. 2023/24 saw 43 attendees across the year, 44% of whom were of South Asian heritage.
In 2023/24 Story Explorers activities focussed on On the Move by Michael Rosen, The Kingdom Over The Sea by Zohra Nabi and October, October by Katya Balen.
Young Writers’ Group, Keighley Library
Our new Keighley-based Young Writers group started 29 November 2023. Sessions take place weekly on Wednesdays 4.30-6pm at the library and are free to attend for young people aged 12-18 years. The sessions are led by local writer, creative practitioner, and former teacher Shabnam Ahsan.
Between November 2023 and March 2024, a core group of 8 regular attendees has gradually been established with both the level of engagement and quality of the creative writing being produced by the participating young people already impressive.
BD Festival – Together Installation
Antony Dunn of The People Powered Press in Shipley approached us to engage with groups for a project forming part of Bradford Metropolitan District Council’s ‘BD Festival’ in July 2023. The project saw eight groups from across various Bradford wards create poems in response to the prompt ‘Together’. Current members of Keighley Story Explorers and five former members of Ilkley Young Writers took part in the project. Their poems were exhibited at Kirkgate Market during the BD Festival on the back of a massive, printed installation of the word ‘Together’.
Children’s Puffin Books Events
To recreate the Puffin Tea Party that took place in 1973 at the very first Ilkley Literature Festival, we approached publishers Puffin Books about revisiting this event for the anniversary year. The result was a day full of Puffin publishing-themed events for children and families held at the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley on Sun 8 October 2024.
The schedule included two sold out events with bestselling authors Katie Kirby and Robin Stevens, free to attend classic Puffin Book-themed drop-in activities, face painting, and – of course – a Puffin Book Tea Party with free Puffin Books goodies for each child. 547 children and family members attended the day.
In addition, on Saturday 7 October legendary Puffin Books author and long-time visitor to Ilkley Literature Festival, Jacqueline Wilson played to a rapt audience of 330 at the King’s Hall.
The final element was a Puffin Book Trail around Ilkley town centre. 14 shops agreed to display boards featuring famous Puffin Book characters in their windows. Children and their families were tasked with locating all the boards answering questions set by Puffin Books on each featured story.
11
Creative Communities
Word on the Street, Keighley
In partnership with Bradford Metropolitan District Council’s Keighley Neighbourhoods team, we piloted a community engagement project, ‘Word on the Street’. The aim of the project was to place the emphasis on local people developing their own activities and events; empowering them to work together to celebrate where they live whilst nurturing budding creative talent. We wanted to successfully kickstart doorstep conversations, uncover community connectors for future projects and embed creativity within the communities.
Working within an Asset Based Community Development approach engagement work was undertaken in 6 hyperlocal areas. The areas selected each had seeds of community development work that presented opportunities to be developed into something more substantial and long lasting with the right catalyst. The areas were also reflective of the diversity of Keighley’s residents, including multi-generation Asian, working-class white British and Eastern European families, retirees, young families, those in Housing Association accommodation and social housing.
Initial outreach was undertaken in the form of door knocking, leaflet dropping, visiting community centres, spending time in “bumping spaces” such as shops and popular school run routes, surveys and popup engagement stalls.
The creative activities undertaken by the six communities included a story telling workshop, an Easter Street party, a community arts showcase, poetry performances in Urdu, multi-generational storytelling, and the creation by young people of a public artwork at a community centre. Over 600 people engaged with the project, and of those, 103 participated as organisers, performers and contributors.
““I had a wonderful time. It was actually a lot better than I thought it was going to be. I didn’t expect the performances to be as good as they were but the dancers and the theatre group were all excellent. The young people round here are just wonderful.”- P__, Participant
“I’ve really enjoyed being part of it. It was something different and we got to show off what we’ve achieved to people. I hope you can come back and do more soon.” – D___, Participant
“It goes to show what you can do when you all work together. A lot of people don’t realise all the great stuff that people do who live round here so it’s been nice to show that off for once.” – Local craft group member
Cardboard Cosmos Family Theatre Performance, Keighley Library
In partnership with Stute Theatre we brought 2 x live performances of ‘Cardboard Cosmos’ to family audiences in the Keighley Library on Saturday 29 April 2023.
This innovative combined performance and creative workshop explored the notion of community and asked what really makes a great place to live. Each performance was directly influenced by what the audience thought and care about in Keighley. Children and families got involved in thinking about how to be good community members and providing suggestions as to how to look after the place they live through a mixture of music, storytelling and live performance and interactive techniques.
The performances were free to attend and attracted a total audience of 135, 59 adults and 76 children aged 3 to 8 years.
12
All attendees who responded to the post-event survey either agreed or strongly agreed that the show was good quality, engaging and entertaining, and accessible and inclusive. 82% of respondents were engaging with Ilkley Literature Festival/Word Up North for the first time.
Live and Online Literature Events
2023 Ilkley Literature Festival
ILF 2023 ran from Fri 6 October to Sunday 22 October with a programme comprising 106 ticketed events of which two were digital, 15 were live-streamed, and 89 were in-person. Additionally, there were 11 creative writing workshops.
A total of 14,105 tickets were sold. The average house capacity for ILF 2023 events was 71%, a 21-percentage point increase from the previous year. 31 events sold out.
Audience satisfaction levels matched previous years, with 93% of survey respondents rating the quality of events as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ and 92% rating the overall experience as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. 94% of respondents were likely to recommend the festival to family or friends, with 75% ‘extremely likely’.
The programme was as varied and wide-ranging as ever with fascinating themes weaved across fiction, non-fiction and poetry events. These were ‘The State of the Nation, ‘Music and Lyrics’, ‘Food for Thought, ‘Explore Moor: Nature’s Miracles’ and ‘50 Years of Ilkley Literature Festival’.
Highlights included interviews, talks and readings from acclaimed writers Jeanette Winterson, Jacqueline Wilson, Monica Ali, Simon Armitage, Grace Dent, Daljit Nagra, Alex Wheatle, Stef Penney, Rosanna Amaka, Jeremy Dyson, Chibundo Onuzo, Tim Marshall, Lucy Caldwell, Kim Moore, Duncan Hamilton, Bryan Washington, C Pam Zhang; journalists Luke Harding, Gary Younge, James Naughtie, Polly Toynbee, Steve Richards and Gavin Esler; historians Dan Jones, Tracy Borman, David Kynaston, Jenni Nuttall and Tom Holland; endurance athlete Jenny Graham; philosopher AC Grayling; comedian Shaparak Khorsandi; broadcasters Clare Balding and Gyles Brandreth; scientists Jonathan Kennedy, Sophie Pavelle and Greg Radick; plus household names Ray Mears, Melanie Sykes, Helen Skelton and Stuart Maconie.
Sample audience feedback:
“I was very impressed. I was expecting the authors to be knowledgeable about their areas of expertise and they were. Additionally, however, they were also brilliant and engaging speakers. It was tremendous.”
“Very well organised with friendly helpful staff, and delighted it was so well attended.”
“One of the most enjoyable hours I’ve spent in a long time. I will visit again.”
“Every member of staff we encountered either paid or voluntary were friendly, kind & helpful.”
“Thank you for a great Literature Festival. I really enjoyed it. Well done for all your hard work, inspiration, dedication, organisation, and thank you to all the volunteers. With the challenges of Covid I haven't attended events since 2019. This year I was able to attend 5 events. The ticket price was ok, and so meant I was able to buy the tickets. Thank you, and I look forward to next year already.”
109 professional writers, poets and performers took part in ILF 2023. 36% of events featured writers with protected characteristics. 53% of participating writers, poets and performers identified as female, 47% as male. 20% of
13
participating writers were Black/Black British, Asian/Asian British, of mixed ethnicity or from other ethnic background. 6% of participating writers identified as disabled or neurodiverse.
Sample author feedback:
Kim Moore: “ Spent a lovely weekend in Ilkley at @ilkleylitfest it's rare to find organisations that genuinely care about both audiences and artists, I'll always be grateful for the opportunity to work with them over the last 10 years and their support for my work. Here's to another 50 years!”
Sophie Pavelle: “ It was so brilliantly organised, and I felt so relaxed and welcome - thank you so much for hosting me so generously in Ilkley. The audience was wonderful, and everyone was so friendly too.”
Ray Mears: “ Ray’s manager was absolutely thrilled with how the event went. Ray had a wonderful time and they were so happy with the turnout, so thank you so much for all you and the team did to organise everything.”
Settee Seminars Podcast
Seasons 6 of our podcast series Settee Seminars - bite-sized talks by leading experts on an eclectic range of subjects across the arts, humanities, and sciences - was released in March 2024.
Episodes included: Olivia Santovetti, Richard Hibbitt and Domenico Scarpa discussing the legacy of Italo Calvino; Helen Finch and Alessio Baldini on the dialogue between Jewish novelists Natalia Ginzburg and Katya Petrowskaja in ‘Ukraine and the Voices of those Left Behind’; authors Colin Grant and Alex Wheatle on the experience of being Black in Britain; and ‘No Laughing Matter’ an essay on understanding Tibetan experience in China through comedy from Timothy Thurston and Tsering Samdrup.
14
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing Document
The governing document of the charity is the Memorandum and Articles of Association establishing the company as a company limited by guarantee under company legislation.
The charity's name was changed from Ilkley Literature Festival Limited by special resolution by unanimous written consent of the trustees on 1 April 2023.
The original Memorandum and Articles were dated 12 July 1972. The charity adopted new Articles of Association on 31 July 2013.
The charity is registered in England & Wales with the Charity Commission in England & Wales (CCEW) with charity number 501801.
By operation of law all trustees are directors under the Companies Act 2006 and all directors are trustees under Charities legislation and have responsibilities, as such, under both company and charity legislation.
Our Trustees
The Board of Trustees, which must number between 3 and 15 members, administers the charity. The trustees are all individuals and offer their services on a voluntary basis.
The Board of Trustees meets at least four times a year with extra meetings held when necessary. The Board elects a Chair, Vice-Chair, Trustee with Special Responsibility for Finance and Secretary from among the trustees. The Board of Trustees may constitute committees for specific purposes from time to time, and has constituted a standing Finance Committee, which includes the Chair and Trustee with Special Responsibility for Finance, to deal with detailed financial matters, and a standing HR Committee, which includes the Vice-Chair and deals with staffing and recruitment policies and procedures. The Finance Committee meets before each board meeting, while the HR Committee meets periodically when required.
The present Board of Trustees incorporates a wide and diverse range of experience, expertise and skills necessary to effectively lead and manage the charity with trustees having a broad knowledge and skills base including: arts and cultural sector; law; financial strategy and risk management; and teaching and higher education.
Our policy is to ensure that the Board of Trustees is representative of the diversity of West Yorkshire and the wider population of the UK and that the composition of the Board appropriately reflects the scope of our operations, and the needs of our communities, audiences and stakeholders.
We aim to increase our pool of potential trustees to ensure that we deliver on this commitment and address any skills and expertise gaps that may emerge as a result of retirements/resignations from the Board. We openly communicate opportunities for Board involvement and trustee recruitment and have a clear procedure for recruiting and selecting potential new trustees.
Trustee Induction and Training
Potential trustees are invited to attend a board meeting as an observer prior to being invited to become a trustee. New trustees meet with the Chair of the Board and receive a comprehensive induction pack that includes details of their legal obligations and duties. They are also provided with appropriate induction and training, including briefing sessions by the Senior Management Team. The Board of Trustees holds annual away days to address training needs and the charity’s strategic aims.
15
Organisational Structure
The Trustees are responsible for the strategic direction, leadership, management and policy of the charity. The Trustees are supported in their work by the Director, who in turn manages a small staff team of between 4-6 employees. The Director works to agreed levels of delegated authority reporting to the Board of Trustees. The Director and Partnerships & Operations Director form the executive Senior Management Team.
We continually monitor the organisation’s structure and staffing to ensure that we have the right resources, skills and expertise to deliver our charitable objects.
Pay and Remuneration of the Charity’s Key Management Personnel
The pay and remuneration of key management personnel is agreed by the Board of Trustees during the annual budgeting process. Pay is benchmarked against similar jobs in the arts and charitable sectors regionally.
Wider networks
Word Up North works closely with several key strategic partners including: The University of Leeds Cultural Institute, Bradford Metropolitan District Council and Bradford 2025, as well as publisher Peepal Tree Press and SI Leeds International with whom Word Up North partners on a biennial literary prize for new writing by Black and Asian women.
Relationships between the charity and related parties
The charity has a close relationship with Arts Council England and is currently part of its National Portfolio of funded organisations. The organisation nominates an observer to the Board of Trustees and provides funding to enable the charity to carry out its charitable objectives. The charity received revenue core funding grants amounting to £139,953 (2022-23: £139,953) from Arts Council England during the year.
Relationships with other groups, charities and individuals
Valuable partnerships this year included the Bronte Parsonage Museum, Kala Sangam, People Powered Press , Keighley Creative, Bradford Libraries, Bradford Museums, Bradford Neighbourhoods Team, the Ilkley Cultural Cooperative and The Walter Swan Trust.
16
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The company showed a net deficit on operations for the year of £7,098, comprising a deficit of £11,302 on unrestricted funds, and a surplus of £4,204 on restricted funds.
Although an overall deficit has arisen, this is due to dilapidations upon expiry of a lease agreement for the charity’s head office and the Trustees’ decision to deploy funds from reserves to invest in brand development for Word Up North throughout the year, the company has managed its financial position carefully, reducing activities where funding was insufficient, and controlling tightly the costs arising on events that did take place.
Principal Funding Sources
During the year, the company’s principal sources of income were grants from Arts Council England and Bradford Metropolitan District Council, sponsorship and subscriptions, and earned income from ticket sales.
Grants from public bodies – DCMS/Arts Council England and Bradford Metropolitan District Council totalled £157,913 (2022/23: £173,703), representing 44% of total income (2022/23: 53%). Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, public grant funding amounted to 35% of total income in 2019/20.
In the financial year ended 31 March 2024, events income from ticket sales to live literature events and other associated income was £159,434 (2022/23: £116,599), a significant improvement from the previous year, but still lower than pre-pandemic levels of £192,262 in 2019/20.
Reserves Policy
The Trustees' policy is that the charity should have sufficient unrestricted reserves to enable it to meet its financial obligations as and when they fall due without prejudicing the ability of the charity to raise funding and commit expenditure to its objectives.
The Trustees have carefully considered the financial obligations of the charity and have determined a reserves policy that is aimed at protecting a minimum reserve whilst managing funds to ensure that they are appropriately used to support the charity’s aims. The policy is reviewed on an annual basis with the most recent review undertaken on 1 March 2024.
The lower level of reserves is now set at £41,000, representing approximately three months’ worth of contracted costs.
The upper level is set at £65,000 representing the projected unrestricted funds that the charity requires, based on a review of the budget for the forthcoming year and the risks associated with the delivery of that budget.
Unrestricted reserves, excluding fixed assets, at 31 March 2024 were £50,339 (31 March 2023: £61,693). This is within the target range.
Risk Management
The Trustees are responsible for the charity’s risk strategy and appetite and employ a formal risk management process. This includes:
17
-
an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces;
-
the establishment of policies, systems and procedures to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review; and
-
the implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise.
In addition, the Finance Sub-Committee has been granted devolved responsibility to lead on the development and oversight of risk management strategies and procedures as a standing agenda item at its quarterly meetings.
Operational risks are managed by ensuring robust policies and procedures are in place, and by appropriate training for staff and volunteers working in all relevant areas.
Risks and uncertainties facing the charity
The current period of Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Funding has been extended by an additional year until March 2027.
However, costs of goods and services continue to increase, as does the demand for higher levels of pay to help meet living costs from staff and freelance contractors. Competition for funding from grant-giving bodies is exceptionally high with demand significantly outstripping the amounts available.
PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS
We will use the relative security of the remainder of the current Arts Council NPO funding period to establish our organisation’s new brand, and to communicate our ambition and aims through an increasing diverse portfolio of engagement projects with writers, audiences, young people, and communities in the north of England. New funding streams and partnerships will be sought to support our development into new areas of activity.
We hope to play a role in Bradford 2025 City of Culture and building on its cultural legacy within the Bradford District into 2026 and beyond.
18
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial accounts for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for the year. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
Observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
-
Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
-
Adhere to agreed procedures for managing conflicts of interest;
-
State whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
-
Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charity’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities (Charities SORP (FRS102)), and in accordance with the special provisions of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Financial Statements and Independent Review
In line with recommended best practice from the Charity Commission, the charity’s financial statements for year ending 31 March 2024 have been subject to Independent Review and approved by a fully qualified Independent Examiner.
This report was approved by the Board of Trustees on 25[th] September 2024.
Professor Frank Finlay
Chair of the Board, Director and Trustee Word Up North Limited
19
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Word Up North Limited
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the year ended 31 March 2024 which are set out on pages 21 to 29.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity's trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Since the charitable company's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act.
I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of ACCA which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
-
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
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:
Name: Alan Dodd FCCA
Relevant professional qualification or body: FCCA
Date: 8 October 2024
West Yorkshire Community Accountancy Service CIO Stringer House, 34 Lupton Street Leeds LS10 2QW
20
Word Up North Limited
Statement of Financial Activities
(including summary income and expenditure account)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
| Notes Income from: Grants and donations (2) Contributed income Events income Young People income New writing and talent development Community Engagement Other income Total income Expenditure on: Salaries, NIC and pension (3) Freelance staff and other staff costs Event costs Box office costs Young People costs New writing and talent development Community costs Contributed income costs Marketing costs Premises costs Administrative expenses Other overheads Depreciation Total expenditure Net income / (expenditure) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Fund balances brought forward Fund balances carried forward (4) |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 163,183 22,518 159,434 105 - - 2,452 347,693 139,316 13,441 114,418 11,272 6,681 12,890 1,078 2,417 12,086 23,330 10,747 9,937 1,382 358,994 (11,302) (11,302) 62,597 51,295 |
2024 Restricted funds £ 11,460 - - - - - 11,460 - 1,500 -) -) 2,496 2,960 300 -) - - -) -) -) 7,256 4,204 - 4,204 1,895 6,098 |
2024 Total funds £ 174,643 22,518 159,434 105 - - 2,452 359,153 139,316 14,941 114,418 11,272 9,177 15,850 1,378 2,417 12,086 23,330 10,747 9,937 1,382 366,251 (7,098) - (7,098) 64,492 57,393 |
2023 Total funds £ 182,083 22,721 116,599 3,308 545 424 3,675 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 329,355 | ||||
| 135,135 19,259 106,800 9,615 8,710 10,043 12,354 529 3,434 13,996 8,478 4,434 2,176 |
||||
| 334,963 | ||||
| (5,608) - |
||||
| (5,608) 70,100 |
||||
| 64,492 |
All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
21
Word Up North Limited Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024
| Word Up North Limited Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2024 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Unrestricted Restricted | Unrestricted Restricted | Total | Total | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | (5) | 956 | -) | 956 | 904 |
| Total fixed assets | 956 | -) | 956 | 904 | |
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors and prepayments | (6) | 6,870 | - | 6,870 | 13,984 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | (7) | 65,234 | 6,098 | 71,332 | 64,196 |
| Total current assets | 72,104 | 6,098 | 78,202 | 78,180 | |
| Current liabilities: | |||||
| amounts falling due within one year | |||||
| Creditors and accruals | (8) | 21,765 | 765 -) |
21,765 | 14,592 |
| Total current liabilities | 21,765 | -) | 21,765 | 14,592 | |
| Net current assets / (liabilities) | 50,339 | 339 6,098 |
56,437 | 63,588 | |
| Net assets | 51,295 | 6,098 | 57,393 | 64,492 | |
| Funds | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 51,295 | -) | 51,295 | 62,597 | |
| Restricted funds | - | 6,098 | 6,098 | 1,895 | |
| Total funds | 51,295 | 6,098 | 57,393 | 64,492 |
For the year ending 31 March 2024 the charitable company was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
The members have not required the charitable company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476. The trustees (who are also the directors for the purposes of company law) acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime and with FRS 102 (effective January 2019).
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees on:
Date: 25[th] September 2024
Signed: Name of signatory: Professor Frank Finlay (Director and Trustee)
22
Word Up North Limited
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2024
1. Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) and with the Charities Act 2011.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
There has been no change to the accounting policies since last year.
No changes have been made to the accounts for previous years.
Going concern
The trustees are satisfied that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue.
Incoming resources
All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources; it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
Grants and donations
Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.
Where grants are related to performance and specific deliverables, they are accounted for as the charity earns the right to consideration by its performance.
Donated assets, facilities or services are valued at their estimated value to the charity. This is the price that the charity estimates it would pay in the open market for equivalent items; or services and facilities of equivalent utility to the charity.
Expenditure and liabilities
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis as a liability is incurred. Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out the resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Taxation
As a charity the organisation benefits from rates relief and is generally exempt from corporation tax but not from VAT. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the cost of those items to which it relates.
23
Word Up North Limited
Notes to the accounts
for the year ended 31 March 2024
1. Accounting policies (continued)
Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets costing more than £500 are capitalised and included at cost including any incidental expenses of acquisition. Gifted assets are shown at the value to the charity on receipt.
Depreciation is provided on all tangible fixed assets at rates calculated to write off the cost on a straight-line basis over their expected useful economic lives as follows:
Project and office equipment: over 4 years Computer equipment: over 3 years
Pensions
The charity operates a defined contribution scheme for the benefit of its employees. The costs of contributions are recognised in the year they are payable.
Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity.
Restricted funds are subjected to restrictions on their expenditure imposed by the donor or through the terms of an appeal.
Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the accounts.
Leases
Rents under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term or to an earlier date if the lease can be determined without financial penalty.
24
Word Up North Limited
Notes to the accounts continued
for the year ended 31 March 2024
| 2. Grants and Donations Arts Council England City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council Ilkley Town Council BMDC – Creative Learning Leeds Community Foundation/Give Bradford Walter Swan Trust University of Leeds Ilkley Book Club Small donations Gift Aid 3. Staff costs and numbers Gross salaries Social security costs Pensions |
2024 Unrestricted funds £ 139,953 15,000 - - - - 7,280 950 163,183 |
2024 Restricted funds £ - - 1,960 1,000 5,000 1,000 1,500 1,000 - 11,460 |
2024 Total funds £ 139,953 15,000 1,960 1,000 5,000 1,000 1,500 1,000 7,280 950 174,643 2024 £ 129,300 7,119 2,897 139,316 |
2023 Total funds £ 139,953 15,000 - 11,600 2,150 600 5,000 - 2,410 5,370 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 182,083 | ||||
| 2023 £ 125,345 6,968 2,822 |
||||
| 135,135 |
The average number of employees during the year was 5, being an average of 4.3 full time equivalent (2023: 6.1, 4.4 FTE).
Freelance and other staff costs 14,941 19,259
25
Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2024
Defined contribution pension scheme
| Defined contribution pension scheme Costs of the scheme to the charity for the year 4. Restricted funds Balance b/f £ BMDC Restart– Creative Learning 1,895 Ilkley Town Council - BMDC – Creative learning - Leeds Community Foundation/Give Bradford - Walter Swan Trust - University of Leeds - Ilkley Book Club - 1,895 |
Incoming £ - 1,960 1,000 5,000 1,000 1,500 1,000 11,460 |
Outgoing £ (300) (1,960) - (1,496) (1,000) (1,500) (1,000) (7,256) |
2024 £ 2,897 Transfers £ - - - - - - - - |
2023 £ 2,822 Balance c/f £ 1,595 - 1,000 3,504 - - - |
| 6,099 |
Fund name
Purpose of restriction
BMDC Restart – Creative Learning Ilkley Town Council BMDC – Creative learning Leeds Community Foundation/Give Bradford Walter Swan Trust University of Leeds Ilkley Book Club
For development of year-round programme for children and young people Partial funding for Obscura Theatre Project
Grant funding to support the Creative Learning activities
Manjit Wolstenholme Grant funding to support the Young Writers sessions Funding to support Apprentice Poet in Residence position Funding for UOL Intern Funding to support Story Explorers and writing competition
26
Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2024
| 5. Tangible assets Cost At 1 April 2023 Additions At 31 March 2024 Depreciation At 1 April 2023 Charge for year At 31 March 2024 Net book value At 31 March 2024 At 31 March 2023 6. Debtors and prepayments Debtors Prepayments 7. Cash at bank and in hand Current account Savings account Cash in hand 8. Creditors and accruals Accruals PAYE, NI Other creditors |
Office Equipment 24,307 1,434 25,741 23,453 1,332 24,785 956 854 |
Furniture and Fixtures 11,694 - 11,694 11,644 50 11,694 0 50 2024 £ - 6,870 6,870 2024 £ 69,229 128 1,975 71,332 2024 £ 18,977 2,788 - 21,765 |
Total £ 36,001 1,434 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37,435 | ||||
| 35,097 1,382 |
||||
| 36,479 | ||||
| 956 | ||||
| 904 | ||||
| 2023 £ 251 13,733 |
||||
| 13,984 | ||||
| 2023 £ 63,870 126 200 |
||||
| 64,196 | ||||
| 2023 £ 11,913 2,679 - |
||||
| 14,592 |
27
Word Up North Limited Notes to the accounts continued for the year ended 31 March 2023
9. Related Party Transactions
Trustee expenses
No trustee received any expenses during this year or the previous year.
Trustee remuneration and benefits
No trustee received any remuneration or benefit during this or the previous year.
Key management personnel
The key management personnel of the charity comprises the Director and Partnerships & Operations Director. The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £76,508 (2023: £73,071).
Ilkley Literature Festival Limited (13943739) is a dormant company with Directors who are also Directors of Word Up North Limited.
10. Independent Examiner
| Independent Examiners Fee 11. Operating leases Expected future minimum lease payments over the remaining life of the lease, analysed into the period in which the commitment expires: Within one year In the second to fifth years inclusive Over five years from the balance sheet date |
2024 £ 1,656 2024 £ 6,806 13,204 - 20,010 |
2023 £ 1,575 2023 £ 5,856 509 - 6,365 |
|---|---|---|
28
Word Up North Ltd
Statement of Financial Activities including comparatives for all funds (including summary income and expenditure account) for the year ended 31 March 2024
| 2024 2023 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds £ £ Income Grants and donations 163,183 166,630 Contributed Income 22,518 22,721 Events income 159,434 116,599 Young People income 105 3,308 New writing and talent development - 545 Community income - 424 Other income 2,452 3,675 Total income 347,693 313,902 Expenditure Salaries and NI 139,316 134,032 Freelance staff and other staff costs 13,441 9,509 Event costs 114,418 106,800 Box office costs 11,272 9,615 Young people costs 6,681 8,710 New writing and talent development costs 12,890 9,443 Community costs 1,078 5,249 Contributed income costs 2,417 529 Marketing costs 12,086 3,434 Premises costs 23,330 13,996 Administrative expenses 10,747 8,478 Other overheads 9,937 4,434 Depreciation 1,382 2,176 Total expenditure 358,994 316,405 Net gains/(losses) on investments - - Net income / (expenditure) (11,302) (2,503) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds (11,302) (2,503) Fund balances brought forward 62,597 65,100 Fund balances carried forward 51,295 - 62,597 - |
2024 2023 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds £ £ Income Grants and donations 163,183 166,630 Contributed Income 22,518 22,721 Events income 159,434 116,599 Young People income 105 3,308 New writing and talent development - 545 Community income - 424 Other income 2,452 3,675 Total income 347,693 313,902 Expenditure Salaries and NI 139,316 134,032 Freelance staff and other staff costs 13,441 9,509 Event costs 114,418 106,800 Box office costs 11,272 9,615 Young people costs 6,681 8,710 New writing and talent development costs 12,890 9,443 Community costs 1,078 5,249 Contributed income costs 2,417 529 Marketing costs 12,086 3,434 Premises costs 23,330 13,996 Administrative expenses 10,747 8,478 Other overheads 9,937 4,434 Depreciation 1,382 2,176 Total expenditure 358,994 316,405 Net gains/(losses) on investments - - Net income / (expenditure) (11,302) (2,503) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds (11,302) (2,503) Fund balances brought forward 62,597 65,100 Fund balances carried forward 51,295 - 62,597 - |
2024 2023 Unrestricted Unrestricted funds funds £ £ Income Grants and donations 163,183 166,630 Contributed Income 22,518 22,721 Events income 159,434 116,599 Young People income 105 3,308 New writing and talent development - 545 Community income - 424 Other income 2,452 3,675 Total income 347,693 313,902 Expenditure Salaries and NI 139,316 134,032 Freelance staff and other staff costs 13,441 9,509 Event costs 114,418 106,800 Box office costs 11,272 9,615 Young people costs 6,681 8,710 New writing and talent development costs 12,890 9,443 Community costs 1,078 5,249 Contributed income costs 2,417 529 Marketing costs 12,086 3,434 Premises costs 23,330 13,996 Administrative expenses 10,747 8,478 Other overheads 9,937 4,434 Depreciation 1,382 2,176 Total expenditure 358,994 316,405 Net gains/(losses) on investments - - Net income / (expenditure) (11,302) (2,503) Transfers between funds Net movement in funds (11,302) (2,503) Fund balances brought forward 62,597 65,100 Fund balances carried forward 51,295 - 62,597 - |
2024 Restricted funds £ 11,460 - - - - - - 11,460 - 1,500 - - 2,496 2,960 300 - - - - - - 7,256 - 4,204 |
2023 Restricted funds £ 15,453 - - - - - - 15,453 1,103 9,750 - - - 600 7,105 - - - - - - 18,558 - (3,105) |
2024 Total funds £ 174,643 22,518 159,434 105 - - 2,452 359,153 139,316 14,941 114,418 11,272 9,177 15,850 1,378 2,417 12,086 23,330 10,747 9,937 1,382 366,251 - (7,098) - |
2023 Total funds £ 182,083 22,721 116,599 3,308 545 424 3,675 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 329,355 | ||||||
| 135,135 19,259 106,800 9,615 8,710 10,043 12,354 529 3,434 13,996 8,478 4,434 2,176 |
||||||
| 334,963 | ||||||
| - (5,608) - |
||||||
| (11,302) 62,597 |
(2,503) 65,100 |
4,204 1,895 |
(3,105) 5,000 |
(7,098) 64,492 |
(5,608) 70,100 |
|
| 51,295 - |
62,597 - |
6,098 - |
1,895 - |
57,394 - |
64,492 |
29