.+++•+++++•+++++••++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Country Comes To Town (COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER- NIC 102271 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER- N1074062 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++•+++++•++•++++++++
Country Cornes To Town Icompany Llmited By Guaranteel TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS io STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES li BALANCE SHEET 12- 13 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 14- 17 DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES 18 Year Ended 30 September 2023 Reglstratlon Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guarantee] MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS Reglstered chority name Country Comes to Town Charity number NIC 102271 Company registrotion number N1074062 Principal office TADA Rural Support Network Carn Industrial Estate Craigavon Co Armagh Registered office TADA Rural Support Network Carn Industrial Estate Cralgavon Co Armagh Trustees Mr B F McLauEhlin Mr T E Fleming Mrs A M Culbert Mrj H Wilson Secretory Mr B F McLaughlin Independent Examiner WHR Accountants Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditors 56 English Street Armagh Co Armagh BT617LG Bonkers Danske Bank 45 High Street Portadown Co Armagh BT62 ILB Year Ended 30 September 2023 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guaranteel TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 30SEPTEMBER 2023 The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in presenting their report and the audited financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 September 2024. Reference and Administrative Details Reference and administrative details are shown in the schedule of members of the board and professional advisers, officers and professional advisers on page l of the financial statements. The Trustees The trustees who served the company during the period were as follows: Mr B F McLaughlin Mr T E Fleming Mrs A M Culbert MrJ H Wilson MBE Structure Governance and Mana The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice [SORP] "Accounting and Reporting by Charities" issued in 2005 in preparing the report and financial statements of the charity. They have also had regard for any other information required by law or the charity'5 governing document. ement Governin Document Country Comes to town is constituted as a charity under a trust deed dated 30 September 2010 and is recognised as a charity by HM Revenue & Customs (reference number N1074062), and The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (Reference Number NIC 102271)- Ob'ectives and Activities The objective5 and principal activities of the charity are to promote good community relationships and social cohesion between the different communities, both ethnic and local, and to attract visitors from all ages and backgrounds into the town of Portadown. Thereby benefiting all the inhabitants of Craigavon District and surrounding areas by holding an annual community festival, celebrating rural life and activity, past and present. Year Ended 30 September 2023 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Limited By Guarantee] Continued TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Achievements and Performance Established since 1999, as Portadown's only major outdoor cros5-community festival, last years event attracted in excess of 30,000 visitors into the town centre on 15 September 2023. The event, as usual, ran smoothly, due to extensive pre-planning and working in partnership with statutory agencies such as ABC Borough Council, PSNI, Translink, Roads Service etc. And the co-operation of town centre traders was also invaluable; along with the financial support they provided. The event organisers were pleased to host a group of representatives from the Ballina Salmon Festival in Co. Mayo; a group with which Country Comes To Town has had long-established links. Subsequent analysis of the CCTT events activities revealed that approximately 50% of visitors came from the Greater Craigavon Area with around 20'A from the town of Portadown itself. A further 30/0 of visitors were attracted from all other parts of N Ireland, with notable coachloads arriving from locations such as Ballymena, Omagh and Ards. The remainder were made up of visitors from ROI counties such as Donegal, Meath, Monaghan, Louth, Galway and Dublin. There were also coaches from Scotland and an 80 strong motorhome group from all over Ireland. Once again, one family actually travelled from Ontario in Canadal Public Benefit There are a number of public beneftts that accrue from the CCTh festival. The first of these relates to the substantial amount of community co-operation and interaction that it engenders in what is still, even in 2023, a sign ificantly fractured political society with in Portadown. The second public benefit to arise is the close involvement of civic, commercial and community groups, working in unison to ensure the annual success of this very large event. A third benefit is drawn from the craft exhibits and living history demonstrations that are a feature of the Country Comes To town festival. These provide increased education and knowledge of history and culture for young people through artefacts, activities and demonstrations. These events also create points of stimulation and commentary from older visitors who may have grown up in an era when such activities as woodturning, blacksmithing, thatching, home butter-making and threshing were everyday events. Demonstratin the Benefits In Portadown and its environs, there are still many communities and organisations that tend to restrict their activities to their own district, or to other like-minded groups with similar cultural or political backgrounds as their own. Groups encouraged to participate in CCTf are afforded opportunities to meet with others whose backgrounds and environments differ from their own. Feedback from such interactions indicates that individuals from such intermixing groups are more likely to reflect on the nature of their cultural, political and/ or religious differences in a non- threatening and neutral environment. And, equally importa ntly, take advantage of the ccrr activities to identify the numerous areas of common interest on show. Some such will frequently include shared interest in e.g. country music; vintage vehicles and home crafts. In the years before COVID, the cc organisers had taken the opportunity to facilitate local migrant groups as participants within the festival. In the past, peoples from Lithuania, Poland, East Timor, Portugal, Morocco, Nigeria and Brazil have all taken featured spots in the event. In 2023, it was a group from Bulgaria who came along to occupy a centre spot from which they could showcase their music, food, dance, costume, culture and crafts. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were very well received. They also made many new friends. Citizens able to work together at the same level with professional civic officers regularly report to CC directors that such interceptions permit community activists the opportunity to learn how civic action is created and managed. The converse also applies. Council offi'cer5 report that working with community teams afford5 some excellent opportunities to observe, at first hand, the desires and priorities of local communities. Year Ended 30 September 2023 Reglstration Number. N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guarantee] Continued TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT The three-way spirit of support and co-operation between the town's commercial sector, its civic management and its communities can be further evidenced by the spirit of goodwill that is engendered by Country Comes To Town through the positive manner that charities and church groups report that they are received on the stands and pitches that the festival organisers provide for them. Is there harm? It is highly unlikely that the positive nature of these purposes would be likely to create harm. Beneficiaries The beneficiaries of the purposes of Country Comes To Town are, primarily, the groups and individuals from all over Ireland and further afield. who attend the festival as visitors, traders and entertainers. The longer-term benefits of the festival lie in the closer relationships that involvement in CCTT participation brings to broadening the cr05s-community friendship bonds that are thus created. Private Benefit Arising from the very large numbers of people attending Country Comes To Town, there are private financial benefits that accrue to both temporary street traders and resident retailers- through increased trade in the town. However, this is incidental to the main purposes of holding this festival in order to enhance the quality of the town's community relations. Financial Review It is the policy of the charity to maintain restricted reserves which matches the needs of the trust, both at the current time and the foreseeable future. This provides sufficient funds to cover running costs which include management, administration, and support costs. Restricted reseNes must be spent in accordance with the donorfs wishes. Plans for Future Periods It is the intention of Country Comes To Town to further enhance the experience for visitors to the Festival by enlarging the programme on the day Ithe committee is alway5 looking for more diverse exhibitorsl and also by extending the events in the week leading up to the main Saturday, to include Country Music, etc. The Festival is vitally important forthe social cohesion, community well-being, and the economic benefits derived forthe entire community, enlisting the support of as many people as possible. Year Ended 30 September 2023 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Limited By Guaranteel Continued TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Photos from the Festival JIQ.)., JF Year Ended 30 September 2023 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guaranteel Year Ended 30September 2023 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guaranteel Continued TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Res onsibilities of the Trustees The trustees [who are also the directors of Country Comes To Town for the purposes of company lawl are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annua l Report and the fina ncial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards [United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice]. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements 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 that period. In preparing these fina ncia I 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; state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Inde endent Examiner WHR ACCOUNTANTS LTD has been re-appointed as independent examiner for the ensuing year. NEW Re istered Office COUNTRYCOMES TO TOWN TADA Rural Support Network Carn Industrial Estate CRAIGAVON Co Armagh Signed by order of the trustees Fmc ughlin Company Secretary Year Ended 30 September 2023 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Limited By Guaranteel 14June 2024 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF COUNTRY COMES TOTOWN YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 We report on the Accounts of the Charity for the Year Ended 30 September 2023 set out on page 15. Res ective Res onsibilities of Trustees and Inde endent Examiner The charity's trustees (who are also the directors of Country Comes To Town for the purposes of company law] are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. Having satisfied ourselves that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent exa mination, it is our responsibility to state - on the basis of our examination- whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of Inde endent Examinerfs Statement Our examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It a Iso includes consideration of any u nusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently we do not express an audit opinion on whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view,. Inde endent Examiner's Statement In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the trustees have not met the requirements to ensure that proper books of account are kept lin accordance with Section 386 of the Companies act 2006]; und accounts are prepared which agree with the books of account and comply with the accounting requirements of Section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities; or to which, in our opinion, attention Should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. WHR Accountants Ltd Independent Examiner 56 English Street. Armagh, BT617LG 14 June 2024 Year Ended 30 september 2023 10 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guarantee] STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Year Ended 30 9 23 Year Ended 30 9 22 Total Funds Total Funds Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from charitable activities Total Incoming Resour¢e5 RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable activities Governance costs Totol Resources Expended 314 21.644 660 30,156 600 NETINCOMING/ foufGOING) RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR RECONCILLIATION OF FUNDS Total Funds broughtforword 6.427 12,293 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD The Notes form part of these financial statements Year Ended 30 September 2023 Registratlon Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guaranteel BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 22 Total Funds Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 252 280 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at Bank 1,230 CREDITORS Amounts falling due within one year 3,179 23,502 NET CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 15,528 6.427 NET ASSETS FUNDS Restricted Funds 15,528 6,427 TOTAL FUNDS The Notes form part of these financial statements Year Ended 30 September 2023 12 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guarantee] continued.......... Balance Sheet At30Se tember 2023 The company is entitled to exemption from audit under Article 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 September 2023. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2023. in accordance with Article 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for Ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006, and Preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company 35 at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficient for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements. so far as applicable to the company. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions of Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. The financial statements were approved by..the Board of Directors on 14 june 2024, and were si£ned on its behalf by.: B F McLaughlin Trustee J H Wilson Trustee The Notes form part of these financial statements Year Ended 30 September 2023 13 Reglstration Number: N1074062
Country Cornes To Town Icompany Limited By Guaranteel NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Convention The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provision of Section IA"Small Entities" of Financial Reportingstandard 102"The Financial Reportingstandard applicable in the UKand Republicof Ireland" and the Companies Act 2006. These financial Statements have been prepared under the Historical Cost Convention. Incoming Resources All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. Resources Expended Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis con515tent with the use of resources. Taxation The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities. Fund Accounting Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees. Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Re5triction5 arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purpose5. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements. Tangible Fixed Assets Depreciation is provided at the following annual rate in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life Fixtures and Fittings IO% on reducing balance. Year Ended 30 Septernber 2023 14 Reglstration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Limited By Guaranteel Continued NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 22 Total Funds Grants-ACB & CB Council 14,550 11.250 Pitch Licence Fees 15,475 12,460 Sponsorship & Donations 1,380 1,180 31,405 24,890 COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES BY FUND TYPE Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 22 Total Funds Annual Festival 22,304 30,756 COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES BY AcfiviTY TYPE Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 22 Total Funds Annual Festival 22,304 30,756 Year Ended 30 September 2023 15 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guaranteel Continued NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Fixtures & Fittings Total COST At 11022 Additions At 30923 444 444 444 444 DEPRECIA TION At 11022 Charge for Year 164 28 164 164 28 164 NETBOOK VALUE At 30923 252 252 At 30922 280 280 51al.TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees. remuneration nor other benefits for the year ended 30 September 2023 or for the year ended 30 September 2022. DEBTORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 22 Total Funds Trade Debtors 1.230 Other Debtors 1,230 Year Ended 30 September 2023 16 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limited By Guarantee] Continued NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Fund5 Year Ended 30 9 22 Total Funds Trade Creditors 2,579 22,902 other Creditors Accruals 600 600 3.179 23,502 RESTRICTED INCOME FUNDS Balance at 30 9 2022 Incoming Resources Balance at 30 9 2023 Restricted Funds 6,427 9,101 15,528 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS No transactions with related parties were undertaken such as are required to be disclosed under Financial Reporting Standard 8. 10. COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE The company 15 limited by guarantee and ha5 no share capital. On a winding-up, members may be required to contribute a rnaximum of £1. Year Ended 30 September 2023 17 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Limlted By Guarantee] DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 Year to 30 9 23 Yearto 30 9 22 INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Grants, Sponsorship, Donations and Stall-holder fees TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES 31,405 31,405 24,890 24,890 RESOURCES EXPENDED CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Advertising Marquee Hire ACB&CB Council Pitch fees 4,298 5,948 4,368 325 332 Security and First Aid Traffic Management Events and Entertainment 2,051 1.139 9,655 648 2,951 1.218 10,410 1,257 1,045 1,155 395 Travel expenses Printing, Stationery and Postage Insurance 1,187 1,160 324 Telephone Park Repairs Set Up and Clean Up Pitch Fee Refund 311 200 675 iio Sundry Expenses Professional Fees- Survey Bank fees 109 220 181 69 Depreciation of Fixtures and Equipment 28 31 21,644 30.156 GOVERNANCE COSTS Accountancy fees 660 600 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 22,304 30.756 NETINCOMING OUTGOING RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR 66 This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements Year Ended 30 September 2023 18 Registration Number: N1074062