Charty number. 511905 Church Stretton and South Shropshire Arts Festival Accounts 30 November 2025
Charity number 511905 Church Stretton and South Shropshire Arts Festival Report and accounts for the year ended 30 November 2025 Contents Page no Report of the Trustees Independenl Examine$ report Receipts and Payments Accounts Statement of Assets and Liabilities Page 1
Church Stretton and South Shropshire Arts Festival Report of the trustees for the period ended 30 November 2025 The Trustees present the annual report and accounts for the peric#J from 1 September 2024 10 30 November 2025. The Tnjstees are salisfied with the performance of the charity during the fifteen months. consider that the charty is able to continue its activities during the coming year and that the charity's assets are adequate to fulfil ils obligations. Ob"ects and activities of the chari Extract from the Constitution of the Arts Festival "The objects of the festival shall be to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in the furtherance of the following objects.. appreciation of the arts and sciences of music, opera, ballel, drama, film, literature, painting, drawing, photography and sculpture in all their aspects by the presentation of public concerts, performances. arts exhibitions and in such other ways as the festival Commfftee shall from time lo lime determine." Strategic alms of the Arts Festival 1. To hold a festival in and around Church Slretton run by volunteers with high-quality events lo include concerts. drama, talks. ptry, art. crafts, photography, workshops and other creative and artistic endeavours. 2. To relain a core offer while annually having some experimentation such as new types of art, event or performer so that the Festival- remains vibrant and interesting. adapts lo changing tastes., and provides a continuing attractive offering for regular and firsl-ts'me attendees. Acttvltles- 2024-25 The Trustees are satisfied with the planning and delivery of the 2025 Festival which took place between 26 Juty and 10 August inclusive. The Festival, as in earlier years comprised three elements.. An art, crafts and photography exhibition running for almost the entire two weeks A series of nine free concerts- six"coffee concerts. in the first week and three organ recrtals in the second Eleven ticketed events spread over the two weeks. The Iruslees advanced the plans to convert the current. unincorForated charity lo a Charitable Incorporated Organisation ICIOI. Achievernents and rforrnance The Comrnittee was very pleased wrth the reception given to the Festival.. The exhibilion had more than 1400 visitors over the Iw(>week period who viewed over 1000 entries, with sell out workshops and very well-attended demonstrations. Inlerest at the opening reception was very rewarding wrth 175 attendees and notably strong sales of craft items Six of the 11 ticketed performances were sold out or almost sold OLrt Attendance al one of the free concerts was exceptional with the venue completely full. By contrast, unfortunatety, one concert had to be cancelled as the booked perfom)er was unwell. As in 2024, the venues used were St Laurence's Parish Church. the Parish Cenlre, St Lawrence Primary School, the Silvester Home Institute ISHI), all in Church Stretton,. along wrth, Concord College, Acton Burnell and Acton Scott Hall, Acton Scott. The Commrtlee is Page 2
very pleased to continue its long-lemi relationship with the Primary School and is always grateful for being able to use the excellent theatre at Concord College. The Committee was delighted to Wofk wrth the owners of Acton Scott Hall lo host a family outdoor theatre event for a second year. The Committee strengthened its relationship with Slretton Parish who have been very supportive offering storage facilities during the Festival with Ihe charty buying a large refrigerator for use during the Festival and by the Parish al other limes. This hugely reduced Ihe effort and planning required to provide refreshments al lickeled events. With the benefit of the customary critical learning review after the 2024 Festival, refinements were made to how event volunteers were deployed with more detailed allocalion of tasks and pr&briefing. This worked very well. The Committee wishes lo record its very wami thanks to all those who have contribuled to the Festival in any way- volunteers, memberslfriends of the Festival, donors and sponsors- along wrth all those who visited the exhibrtion or attended events. The Festival is a remarkable endeavovr relying as it does entirely on volunteers lo make il happen, a model Ihal has endured for 59 years. This report is presented in the context that in 2026 the Festival will mark 60 years since it was founded. With the strong financial posfLion (see the financial section of this reportl. the Committee has decided to apply some of the available reserves lo mark this anniversary in a suitable way within the terms of the charity's reserves policy (see below). The Commrttee has therefore been able to make advanced plans for 2026 and lo book some high-profile performers who attract a higher fee. The plans for 2026 will be advanced more fulty from aulumn 2025 onwards- the coMmee is hoping to make 2026 8 particularly notable year. Structure overnance and mana Governance The Festival is an unincorwrated charity and is governed and managed by a Committee who are volunteers. The Charrty has no employees or any conlraclors. No payments other than reimbursemenl of incidental costs incurred by trustees were made lo the Iruslees. ement Trustees/Commltte• The Injslees of Ihe charity during the year ended 30 November 2025 were.. Shanlhi Ftynn Andrew Hall {Chairl Adam Matthews Sue Mitchell {Secretary) Paul Parsons (Treasurer from 20251 Andrew Robinson (TreaSUr until 2025) Rosamund Seal Kalh Stephenson Claire Tocknell The Committee recruits trustees by means of advertising in the bcal "Slretton Focus" developing interest among volunteers and members and seeking expressions of interest at Festival events. In addition lo the trustees, the Commillee also beneffted hugely from the presence and contribution lo ils work throughout the year by Graham Cossins, Kale Matthews, Catherine Thomas and Clare Patterson. Catherine Thomas StCKKI down in April 2025 for personal reasons. Page 3
Chaiity structure During the year, the Committee moved forward the decision of the trustees to seek lo convert the charty lo a Charitable Incorporated Organisation {CIOI so as lo reduce the financial and legal exposure of the trustees as an unincorporated charity. Al the Annual General Meeting IAGMI held on 30 October 2024, the members of the charity approved adopting the 'foundation model" constitution for a CIO, subject lo the approval and direction of the Charty Commission. This decision was coupled with the members agreeing lo cease wider formal membership of the Festival and instead Introdu a looser but more inclusive group of'friends" of the Festival. The members agreed with the trustees, recommendation to seek approval to intri)duce amended Objects of the charity before seeking conversion to a CIO. This would focus the charity on providing a Festival that would be more inclusive of and acsSible to the crtizens of and visltors lo the Slrettons. The AGM also authorised the trustees to take all the ne$Sary steps lo establish the CIO. Applicalion lo amend the Objects on this basis was made to the Charity Commission. After consideration. the Commission advised that it was unable lo accept the amendment because the proposed Objects were not expressed with sufficient clarity lo identify purposes Ihal were exclusively charitsble for the public benefrt. This was disappoinling for the truslees who subsequently resolved to retain the current Objects but otheMise lo proceed with the conversion to a CIO as approved. The formal application was made in September 2025 and a response is awarted. Rlsk The Committee is very aware that the reliance on volunteers is always a risk. For 2025. efforts were made lo recruit new volunteers recognising that all volunteers will wish to slep back al some point. This also has the benefit of bringing in new supporters. new ideas and potential future Committee members or leads. It is essential lo ensure the Feslwal remains fresh and can adapt to new opportunrties. Reference and admini$lralive detsll$ The full name of the charity is.. Church Stretton and South Shropshire Arts Festival Registered Charity number.. 511905 Financial review The Charities Acls require Ihe Iruslees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity as al the end of the financial year and of the surplus or deficit of the charity. In preparing those financial statements the Trustees are required to-. select suitable accounting policies and appty them consislenlty.. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent.. and prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charty will continue in business., stale whether applicable accounting standards and stslements of recommended practice have been followed, subject to any material change. The Injstees are also spOnSible for maintaining adequate accounting records which disclose wrth reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which are sufficient lo show and explain the charity's transactions and enable them to ensure that the financial statements Comply with the Charities Acts. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. The Committee has agreed a reserves policy as described below. Page 4
In order to assist in managing the accounts of the charty more effectively, the trustees agreed lo adjust the financial year to end on 30 November rather than 31 August and registered this change with the Charity Commission. The new date allows Iransaclions related lo Ihe Festwal to be managed in a less psSurI$ed manner as the Festival ends in August. Therefore, this report and the accounts relate to a 1 rrnth period from 1 September 2024 to 30 November 2025. The Festival received grant income from The Harding Trust in the sum of £750. The Iruslees are very grateful for this grant which helps the charity plan confidently for the future either as regards the running costs of festivals or other expenditure that arises from time to lime. 11 was apparent in planning the 2025 Festival that the fees charged by performers were generally higher than other recent years. This led the Committee lo agree a small price increase for lickeled events. The charity achieved a net surplus on the year of £11,044.15. A small working surplus is essential 8$ the Festival has to meet some costs upfront each year ahead of generating any income. The charity's reserves stand al £67.316.94 compared to £56,277.29 al the end of 202>24 financial year. These results are very Tewarding - ticketed events uptake free concert donations sponsorship exceeded the lafgel al £5.290 the exhibition produced a nel surplus of £6,339.39 Reserves policy During the year, the Iruslees adopted a revised reserves policy which provides for three reserves as follows.. Equipment Reserve lo provide for unexFected or essential repair or replacement of equipment sel at £6,000 in 2025., Cash Flow Reserve for costs that occur before sales income is received sel at £10,000,. Cancellation Contingency Reserve lo cover lolal loss of sales income and sponsorship set at £24,000. Every year, the Iruslees will aim to attain and maintain Ihe agreed reserves level. The Iruslees will review this policy every three years and annually review the reserve figures set for each of the Ihree ServeS. As indicated at the start of this ieport, wrth the current level of reserves, the Committee has been able to plan ahead for 2026 securing some higher profile land thereby higher fee level) performers lo mark the sixtieth anniversary year of the Festival. Sponsors The Committee wishes to thank wamity the following Festival sponsors.. Acton Scott Hall and Eslale, Meryl Auslin, Berry's Coffee House, Burway Books, Mike and Jennie Cooper, Eden Manor Venue & Holiday Cottages, Entertaining Elephants, Howard Franklin, Mike in memory of Pal Gibson, Housmans Bar & Restaurant, Jemima's Kitchen at Victoria House, FBC Manby Bowdler Solicitors, PCB Solicitors, Peppers, Peter Jennison Memorial Trust, Saxlons Deli, Alan and Elaine Stockbridge, Roger and Margaret Stokes, Stonemasons of Church Stretton, Stretton Business Nelwork, Tanners Wines, The Central Garage, The Green Dragon, John R Thomas Florist. Wenlock Water, Wrights Eslale Agents. A sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous made a substantial contribution. Page 5
The Commrttee is also very grateful to all those who gave a donation at the end of the free concerts. The generosty of the audiences was amazing. This report was approved by the Trustees on 16 June 2026. The financial accounts and the Independent Examinerfs report follow. Page 6
Indepgndent Exarninerfs roport on the accounts Report to the trustees of Church Stretton and South Shropshire Aris Festival On a¢Cour fortho period ended 30th N¢)vembpr 2025 Charlty Number 511905 Set out on pages 2 to 3 I report to the truslee5 on my exarnination of Ihe accounts of th8 abov8 chanty llhe Trusf'i for the pericd ended 30th November 2025. Responaibiliti85 and b18 of report A5 the charty tNstees of the Trust, you are respMsibk for the preparat of th8 accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charib'es Act 2011 Ilhe Acf). I report in respect of my examination of the Tnjsfs 8cuJunts &qrried out under sectK)n 145 of the 2011 Act and in Carrying out my examination. I have folw the appIlb DiredK)n$ gNen by the Charity Commi$sion uncler sedion 14515llbl of the ACL Ind•p•nd•nt •xamln•f8 8tat•m•nt I hov¢ ¢ompletsd my exominat'on. I confiTh Ihol matenal matters havg wng lo my attentr'on in nn9¢tn th Ihe examination whith gives me Yse to l)elwe th)t In. any matenal resr*d'. accounting records were nol kept In accordance with secbcm 130 01 the Charits"8s Ad or the accounts do not accord with Ihtr a¢Unts"nY records th• accounts did not comply with thè as>plubb requirements t¢•Ming thtr forni and content of accounts $81 out in the Charit5 (Accounts and Reports) Regulab"on5 2008 other than any requirynenl that the accounts give 8.lrue and fairf ¥1 which is not a matter conshjered as part of an independent ex8rninats'on. I have no concems and havè Cornè across no olhtr matters in connaction with the ex8rnina.tsrt to which 8ttènts.on should b8 drawn in order lo enab 8 proper understanding of Ihe accounts to be reached. (R& Ruth Whiting of RLW Accountants Chartered Accountant c9st Green. Ludl¢w Road. LrtM• Slr•tton. Church Str•tton. Shropshir• SY6 6RB 16th June 2026 Page 7
Church Stretton and South Shropshlre Arts Festlval Receipts and Payments Accounts for the period from 1 September 2024 to 30 November 2025 2024 2025 2024 R01pts Festival Paymon Festwal Tithei S88 32,391.rKI 27.914.41 fees ¥vJ eywseB 2.837 02 Free concerts 29.537.01 20,603.58 412.89 Free concert5 2.812 75 3.210.60 283.1 Refreshments 2.7. Refreshments 4(XiiK) 1,450.21 3,458.88 1,369.12 1,318.00 1,855.80 CY$ ond books 954.04 Hireofe4UikNlWt HIre0f15es 1,658.00 1,91140 Exhlbtlon Exhibitlon Exhiblion Entry Exhibitr fee5 2,073.20 1.778.tKs Payment$toéxlNtoiS 1.115. Hire of w$eS 21.293.15 OtherethItr) eY4)en 18.218.86 1,d40.OD 886.42 17,034.52 1,10900 22,870.37 1,990 00 405.58 1,440.Tr) Exhibit sale8 Workshop fees Rtrfreshmenis 1,152.X) 265.75 900.OD 305.10 Relfeshmen 259.19 250.00 500.00 General 08110n$ .fy) Putlioty 3,352.23 188.55 4,396.22 367.45 Swnsor$Thip Grant 5.39).00 750 00 Athini8tr& 764 17 761.D3 Gift Aid 1.724.51 804 18 InJuMrK 1,600 $4 5000 879.70 88nk Inter051 449 16 239.45 Fre8 v8n8Ff 7n.S0 30.00 Membw5hi 457.50 636.78 75.639.09 66.154.81 64,599.44 56,786.42 $urplu• lor thg yr 11.039 6$ 11.368.39 Page 8
Statement of assets and liabilities as at 30 November 2025 2025 2024 Cash funds Festival current account Art exhibrtion current a¢Unt Paypal Virgin Account 41.725.04 2.523.31 1.92 23.066 67 67.316.94 23.339.52 9.869.27 1.83 23.0S6 67 56.277.29 The assets of £87.316.9412024 £56,277.29) indudes an amount of £30,00012024 £30,000) deerned to be an emergency fund. Signed on beh¥W of the trustees on 16th June 2026 ri¥v PaJP_- A Hall Chaimian P Parsons Treasurer Page 9