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. p￿try, 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 coMm￿ee 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 (TreaSU￿r 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 ac￿sSible 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 p￿sSurI$ed manner as the Festival ends in
August. Therefore, this report and the accounts relate to a 1 ￿rr￿nth period from
1 September 2024 to 30 November 2025.
The Festival received grant income from The Harding Trust in the sum of £750. The
Iruslees are very grateful for this grant which helps the charity plan confidently for the future
either as regards the running costs of festivals or other expenditure that arises from time to
lime.
11 was apparent in planning the 2025 Festival that the fees charged by performers were
generally higher than other recent years. This led the Committee lo agree a small price
increase for lickeled events. The charity achieved a net surplus on the year of £11,044.15. A
small working surplus is essential 8$ 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 b￿18 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 appIl￿b￿ 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¢t￿n
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 Charit￿5 (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
R￿01pts
Festival
Paymon
Festwal
Tithei S￿88
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
HIre0f￿15es
1,658.00
1,91140
Exhlbtlon
Exhibitlon
Exhiblion Entry
Exhibitr￿ fee5
2,073.20
1.778.tKs
Payment$toéxlN￿toiS
1.115.
Hire of w￿$eS
21.293.15 OtherethI￿￿tr) 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
0￿8110n$
.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
$urplu• lor thg y￿r
11.039 6$
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