•+++••++++++++++++++++••+++••+++++•••+++•+•+ Country Comes To Town ICOMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE) REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER- NIC IOZ271 COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER- N1074062 REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 +++•+•+•++••+++++•++++••++++++++•++•+++++++++
Country Comes To Town [Company Llmited By Guaranteel TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORTTO THE MEMBERS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACtIVlTIES 10 BALANCE SHEET 11- 12 NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 13- 16 DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES 17 Year Ended 30 september 2024 Re81stration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Llmlted By Guarantee] MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS OFFICERS AND PROFESSIONAL ADVISERS Reglstered charity name Country Comes to Town Charity number NIC 102271 Company reglstmtlon number N1074062 Prin¢ipal offlce TADA Rural Support Network Carn Industrial Estate Cralgavon Co Armagh Reglstered office TADA Rural Support Network Carn Industrlal Estate Craigavon Co Armagh Trustee5 Mr B F McLaughlin Mr T E Fleming Mr5 A M Culbert Mrj H Wilson Secretary Mr 8 F McLaughlin Independent Examlner WHR Accountants Ltd Chartered Certified Accountants Statutory Auditors 56 English Street Armagh Co Arrna8h BT617LG 8anker5 D?nske Bank 45 Hlgh street Portadown Co Arm48h BT62 ILB Year Ended 30 September 2024 Registratlon Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limlted By Guaranteel TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT YEAR ENDED 30SEPTEMBER 2024 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 Admlnistrative Detalls 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 ment The trustees have adopted the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice ISORP] "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 orthe charity's governing document. Governin Document Country Comes to town is constituted as a charity under a trust deed dated 30 September 2QIO and is recognised as a charity by HM Revenue & Customs Ireference number N10740621, and The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (Reference Number NIC 1022711. Ob'ectlves and Activities The objectives and principal activitie5 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 age5 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 2024 Reglstratlon Number.. N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Llmlted By Guarantee] Contlnued TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Achlevements and Performance Established since 1999, as Portadown'5 only major outdoor cross-community festival, last years event attracted in excess of 30,000 visitors into the town centre on 21 September 2024. 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 and HSC Team etc. And the co-operation of town centre trader5 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 lon8-established links. Subsequent analysis of the CCT events activities revealed that approximately 50Yo of visitors came from the Greater Craigavon Area with around 20% from the town of Portadown itself. A further 30Yo of visitors were attracted from all other parts of N Ireland, with notable coachloads arriving from locations such as Ballymena, Omagh Enniskillen 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 Canada ! Public Beneflt There are a number of public benefits that accrue from the CCTf festival. The first of these relates to the substantial amount of community co-operation and interattion that it engenders in what is still, even in 2024, a signlficantly fractured political society with in Portadown, The second public benefit to a rise 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 Beneflts In Portadown and its environs, there are still many communities and organisation5 that tend to restrict their activities to their own district, or to other like-minded groups with similar cu Itura l or political backgrounds as their own. Anyone familiar with Portadown, hearing titles such as Garvaghy Road, Churchill Park, Brownstown or Killicomaine, will immediately be able to visualise the la mppost flags and painted footpaths within those areas, even today in 2024. Groups encouraged to participate in cc are afforded otherwise rare 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 reflert on the nature of their cultural, political and/or religious differences in a non- threatening and neutral environment. And, equally importantly, take advantage of the CCTT activities to identify the numerous areas of common interest on show. Some such will frequently include shared interest in e.8. country music; vintage vehicles and home crafts. In the years before COVID, the CCTr organisers had taken the opportunity to facilitate local migrant groups as participants within the festival. In the past, peoples from Lithua nia, Poland, East Timor, Bulgaria, Portugal, Morocco, Nigeria and Brazil have all taken featured spots in the event. In 2024, It was a group from Kenya 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. Year Ended 30 September 2024 Re8l$tratlon Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany Limlted By Guarantee] Contlnued TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Citizens able to work together at the same level with professional civic officers regu la rly report to CCTh directors that such interception5 permit community activists the opportunity to learn how civic action is created and managed. The converse also applies. Council Officers report that working with community teams affords some excellent opportunlties to observe, at first ha nd, the desires and priorities of local com m unities, 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 goodwlll 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 orga n isers provide for them, Is there harm? It is highly u nlikely that the positive nature of these purposes would be likely to create ha rm. 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 V15itors, traders and entertainers. The Icnger-term benefit5 of the festival lie in the closer relationships that involvement in ccrr participation brings to broadening the cr055- community friendship bonds that are thus created. Private Beneflt 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 purpose5 of holding this festival in order to enhance the q ua lity of the town's community relations. The CCTh directors are all volunteers and accrue no financial benefits. Financlal Revlew It is the policy of the charity to mainta in restricted reserves which match the needs of the trust, both at the current time and for the foreseeable future. This provides sufficient funds to cover running costs which include management, administration, and support costs. Restricted reserves must be spent in accordance with the donor's wishes. Plans for Future Periods It is the intention of Country Comes To Town to further enhance the experience for visitor5 to the Festival by enlarging the programme on the day of the festival. The management team is always looking for more diverse exhibitors and entertainers. In 2025, the team will be extending the events by expanding the already broad range of farm a nd exotic anima Is that are availa ble for youngsters and adults to 'meet and greet,. This Festiva l is vita Ily important for the social cohesion, community well-being, and the economic benefits of The Greater Portadown Area. Year Ended 30 September 2024 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Llmited By Guarantee] Continued TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Photos from the Festlval Year Ended 305eptember 2024 Reglstration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Limlted By Guaranteej Continued TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT Res nsibilities of the Trustees The trustees Iwho are a150 the directors of Country Comes To Town for the purpose5 of company law] are responsible for preparing the Trustees Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with appllcable law and United Kingdom Accountlng Standards Iunited Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practicel. Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and falr 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 financial statements, the trustees are required to: select su itable accountinE policies and then apply them consistentlv; 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 f inancial 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 a150 responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reaso na ble steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregula rities. Inde ndent Examiner WHR ACCOUNTANTS LTD has been re-appointed as independent examiner for the ensuing year. NEW Re istered Offlce COUNTRY COMES TO TOWN TADA Rural Support Network Carn Industrial Estate CRAIGAVON Co Armagh Signed by order of the trustees B F McLa ghlin Company secretary 23 Mo 2025 Year Ended 30 September 2024 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town Icompany L5rnited By Guaranteel INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE MEMBERS OF COUNTRY COMESTO TOWN YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 We report on the Accounts of the Charity for the Year Ended 30 September 2024 set out on page 15. Res ctlve Res nsibilitie5 of Trustees and Inde endent Examiner The charity's trustees Iwho are also the directors of Country Comes To Town for the purp05es of company lawl 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 examination, it is our responsibility to state- on the basis of our examination - whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basis of Inde ndent Examiner's Statement Our examlnation includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also i ncludes consideration of any unusual 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 ndent Examiner'5 Statement In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention which glves 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 [in accordance with Section 386 of the Companies act 20061; and 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 whlch, in our opinicn, 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 Year Ended 30 September 2024 Registratlon Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Llmlted By Guaranteel STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 Year Ended 30 9 24 Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Totsl Funds Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incomlng resources from charitable artivities Total Incoming Resources RESOURCES EXPENDED Charitable activlties Governance costs Totol Resources Expended 314 28,364 708 21,644 600 NETINCOMING/ (OUTGOING) RESOURCES FOR THE YEAR 593 RECONCILLIATION OF FUNDS Totql Funds broughtforwurd 15,528 6,427 TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD The Notes form part of these financial statements Year Ended 305eptember 20Z4 10 Registratlon Number,, N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Llrnlted By Guaranteel BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 Year Ended 30 9 24 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 23 Totsl Funds Notes FIXED ASSETS Tangible Assets 252 252 CURRENT ASSETS Debtors Cash at Bank CREDITORS Amount5 fallin8 due within one year 9,189 3,179 NETCURRENT ASSETS TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 16,121 15,528 NET ASSETS FUNDS Restritted Funds 16,121 15,528 TOTAL FUNDS The Notes form part of these financlal statement5 Year Ended 30 September 2024 Reglstratlon Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Llrnlted By Guarantee] continued.......... alance Sheet At 30 Se tember 2024 The company is entitled to exemption from audlt under Article 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 30 September 2024. The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 30 September 2024, in accordance with Article 476 of the Companies Act 2006. The directors acknowledge their responsiblllties for Ensuring that the company keeps accountlng records which comply with sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006, and Preparing financial statements whlch give a true and fair view of the state of affa1rs of the company as 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 Com panSes Act 2006 relating to small companies. The flnancial statements w.gre approved by. the Board of Directors on 23 May.2025, and were slgned on its behalf by.: <[/J 2/rJ/? B F McLaughlln Trustee J H Wilson Trustee The Notes form part of these flnanclal statements Year Ended 30 September 2024 12 Reglstratlon Number.. N1074061
Country Comes To Town [Company Llmlted By Guarantee] NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 ACCOUNTING POLICIES Accounting Convention The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provision of Section IA "Small Entities of Financial Reporting Standard 102"The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of 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 cha rity 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 head ings 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 consistent with the use of resources. Taxation The charity is exempt f rom corporation tax on its charita ble activities. Fund Accounting Unrestricted fund5 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. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes. Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statement5. 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 September 2024 13 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Llmlted By Guarantee] Continued NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Year Ended 30 9 24 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Grants- ACB & CB Councll 14,850 14,550 Pitch Licence Fees 13,400 15,475 Sponsorship & Donations 1,415 1,380 29,665 31,405 COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES B Y FUND TYPE Year Ended 30 9 24 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Annual Festival 29,072 22,304 COSTS OF CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES BY ACTIVITY TYPE Year Ended 30 9 24 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Annual Festival 29,07Z 22,304 Year Ended 30 September 2024 14 ReB15tration Nurnber: N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Limlted By Guaranteel Continued NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS Flxtures & Fittings Total COST At 11023 Additions 444 At 30924 444 444 DEPRECIA TION At 11023 Charge for Year 192 25 217 192 25 217 NET BOOK VALUE At 30924 227 227 At 30923 252 252 51a).TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS There were no trustees, remuneration nor other benefits for the year ended 30 September 2024 or for the year ended 30 September 2023. DEBTOR5 AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Year Ended 30 9 24 Total Fund5 Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Trade Debtors Other Debtor5 Year Ended 30 September 2024 15 Registration Number: N1074062
Country Cornes To Town [Company Llmlted By Guaranteel Continued ........ NOTES ON AND FORMING PART OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 CREDITORS AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Year Ended 30 9 24 Total Funds Year Ended 30 9 23 Total Funds Trade Credltors 8,589 2,579 Other Credltor5 Accruals 600 600 9,189 3.179 RE5TRicfED INCOME FUNDS Balance at 30 9 2023 Incoming Re$ourres Balance at 30 9 2024 Restricted Funds 15,528 593 16,121 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS No tran5actlons with related parties were undertaken such as are required to be dlsclosed under Flnancial Reporting Standard 8. 10. COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE The company is limlted by guarantee and has no share capital. On a windin8-up, members may be requlred to contribute a maximum of £1. Year Ended 30 September 2024 16 Reglstration Number.. N1074062
Country Comes To Town [Company Llrnlted By Guarantee] DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024 Year to 30 9 24 Year to 30 9 23 INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE AcfiviTIES Grants, Sponsorshlp, Donations and Stall-holder fees roTAL INCOIVIING RESOURCES 29,665 29,65S 31,405 31,405 RESOURCES EXPENDED CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Advertlsing AC8&CB Council Pitch fee5 & Park Hire Securlty and Flrst Aid Trafflc Management Events Ind Entertainment Travel expense5 Prlntin& Stationery and Postage Insurance Telephone Set Up and Clean Up Pltth Fee Refund Sundry Expenses Professional Fees- SuThey Bank fees Depreclatlon of Fixtures and Equipment 3,789 611 4,298 332 2,051 1,139 9,655 648 1,187 1,160 324 3,180 1,187 15,627 612 1,043 1,160 400 311 iio 265 161 170 134 25 28,364 220 181 25 21,644 GOVERNANCE C Accountancy fees STS 708 660 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED 29,072 22.304 NETINCOMING OUTGOING RESOUR R THE YEAR Thls page does not form part of the statutory flnanclal statements Year Ended 30 September 2024 17 Registration Number: N1074062