Swinton & District Excelsior Band
Trustees’ Annual Report for the Year Ended 31 January 2025
1. Objectives and Activities
The charity’s object is to promote the education and appreciation of brass band music within the community of Swinton and the surrounding district. The Band provides opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to learn, perform, and enjoy brass music through regular rehearsals, concerts, community events, and educational activities.
During the year, the Band continued to rehearse regularly and perform at a range of engagements, including local concerts, community celebrations, and charitable events. The Band also maintained its commitment to developing new and existing players through training sessions and support for learners.
2. Achievements and Performance
Over the year, the Band has:
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Performed at 24 public events, including our Summer Showcase following our workshop, Christmas Community Concert (Free) a joint concert with Ryedale Voices.
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Continued its involvement in competitions and music festivals, achieving 1st place at Darley Dale.
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Supported young and beginner players through our Beginners and Training Band, outreach sessions in conjunction with Brass Band England, a workshop to which we invited youngsters from other local bands and various have a go days.
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Strengthened its community profile through participation in civic and charitable events including leading the Remembrance Parade in Helmsley.
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Undertaken fundraising activities such as Concerts, Talks, a Quiz and Jumble Sale to support the Band’s ongoing work and equipment maintenance.
Despite the challenges around a national issue of hardship for many the Band has remained active and financially stable, thanks to the dedication of its members, volunteers, and supporters. We have worked harder this year as we are currently raising money towards the repairs needed to our building.
3. Financial Review
The Band’s income for the year was £28,204.57, primarily from concert fees, donations, grants and fundraising. Expenditure amounted to £14,452.91 covering costs such as music, uniforms, insurance, utilities, and instrument maintenance. (Please note the £15,000 shown in both income and expenditure was simply a transfer from the current account to our reserves)
At the year-end, reserves stood at £30,507.93 and £19,520.81 in the current account. The trustees aim to maintain sufficient reserves to ensure the continued operation of the Band and to plan for future projects and equipment needs.
4. Structure, Governance and Management
Swinton & District Excelsior Band is a charitable unincorporated association, governed by its Constitution, however we are in the process of transferring to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. The management of the Band is the responsibility of the trustees, who are also members of the Band Committee, elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
Trustees during the year were:
Jane Ford, Stephen Popham, Dorothy Ratcliffe and Andrew Abbott.
The trustees meet regularly to oversee the running of the Band, manage finances, plan activities, and ensure compliance with the Charity Commission’s requirements.
5. Plans for Future Periods
Looking ahead, the Band aims to:
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Continue promoting brass music in the local community through performances and education.
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Continue and Develop its training and outreach work.
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Start the preparations for forthcoming major projects such as our 90th Anniversary in 2026 and continue with working towards improvements to our Bandroom.
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Strengthen community partnerships and ensure the Band’s long-term sustainability.
6. Statement of Trustees’ Responsibilities
The trustees are responsible for preparing this report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and the charity’s constitution. They are responsible for keeping proper accounting records and ensuring the financial statements give a true and fair view of the charity’s affairs. The trustees would like to express their sincere thanks to Treasurer Lavinia Norton for her careful management of the Band’s finances throughout the year, and to Marie Harkness for undertaking the independent examination of the accounts.
Signed on behalf of the trustees
Stephen Popham Trustee Date: 2/4/25
Swinton and Dlstrict Excelsior Band 509054 . Incorrie and Expenditure for the period 0110212024-3110112025 Incoffle 2023124 Monthly Gift •nd Sma4 O¢wtk>rts Concert5 CD Sales Incom• 2024115 Monthty Gift Ald and Small Donations CorKerts 1.139.94 1197.03 9.530.05 3.422.69 Gfènts CD Salos Crowdfundinl tknatKmS Bulld Sodety Inttfest Misc•llar>eo Total 4,950.Cx) 1299.82 5,301.99 410 88 Grants Crowd fundi Donations Buildi Socl•ty Int•rest Mlscellaneous. 4,5).05 8.070.99 715.98 275.57 16,894.81 '17,613.93 Total Incom• 43.204.S7 £Mponditw• 2023124 tftsur•nce .Bu40 fepan UtthtrtS 'Competition Entry Fees & Registritfrons, Stationery. P & P MUSK H•rana Hall Hire Travel Instrument repair5 Miscellaneous Total Expenditur• Exp•ndAtur• 2024125 Tutltion lees 8ulldini Repairs Utllitses Competstlon Entry Fees & Rew'stratlons Stationery, P & P Music 1,032.99 679.67 3,391.90 646.38 617.10 142.96 3,2S9.83 355.25 147.57 422.99 1.997.47 606.25 296. 804.21 Honararla Hall Hlfe 315.00 457.CK) 541.90 313.93 2,299.50 Travel 12Tr).C 1,113.43 20,76S.20 Instrum•nt & regalrs Miscellanths. 11,953.56 Total Exp•ndltur• 29,4S2.97 surplus for the Year end J•n 2024 S,660.37 Surplus lor tho Y••r and Jan 2025 13,751.60 •Mlscellanoous Expeftdltur• Includes: Bli Boolies . unifof ms Ibb rnedii . unlforms 'Transfer to Sklpton BS (also In Mlxellaneous Incorne) Caterin8 NFMS enterprise Trophy Prlnt Insurance 1.706.70 L830.fy) 15,(XK).CX) 766.S8 149.Q) 134.S6 1,025.20 153.16 Other Total 20.765.20 Bank Opening balances Irgin Money (Yorkshiré Bartk) current account q; Natwest Bankfine current account Sklpton Buildin8 Society Total Bank Openirtg balances at 01102/2023 ,Surplus for the Year end Jan 2024 Total Bank Closln£ balances at 31/OV2024 Bank Openlns balances Vlrgin Money (Yorkshire Bank) current account Natwest 8ankllne current account Skipton Bulldin8 Sodety Total Bank Openlnz balances at 0110212024 Surplus for the Year end Jan 2025 Total Bank Closlni balances at 3110112025 16,30S.70 20.805.42 749.77 14,311.07 30,616.77 5,660.37 36,277.14 14,721.95 36.277.14 13,751.60 50.028.74 Bank Closln£ balances Yir8ln Money (Yorkshire Bank) current account Natwest Bankllne c(Jrrent account ,No uncleafed tronsortions Bank Clos1 balances No uncleared trnnsortions Virgin Money (Yorkshire Bank) current account Natwest Bankline current account Skipton BS Openlng balance 31.01.2024 Transfers in 20,805 42 749.77 16.87 19.503.94 Sklpton BS Opening balance 31.01.2023 Transfers In 14,311.07 14,721.9S 1S.(MXI.(X) Transfers out Transfers out Added Interest for Period Skipton Buildini Society account Closini balance Total Bank Closini balances at 3110112025 Added Interest for Period Skiptcffi 8ui1dlni Society account Closing balan.ce Total Bank closi balances at 3VOI/2024 410.88. 785.98 14,721.95 36,277.14 30.$07.93 50,028.74
Lavinia Norton
To: Iracey Popham >
Yesterday
Fwd: Fwd: SWINTON BAND ACCOUNTS YEAR END JANUARY
2025
Hi Tracey
As requested.
See you on Friday
All the best
Lavinia
- Forwarded message ---------
From: marieharkness@btinternet.com
Date: Sat, 29 Mar 2025 at 10:11
Subject: Re: Fwd: SWINTON BAND ACCOUNTS YEAR END JANUARY 2025
To: