Aberdeen Strathspey & Reel Society
Trustees'
Annual Report and Financial Statements For the Year Ended 28th February 2026
Scottish Charity No SC011924
Trustees' Annual Report for the Year Ended 28th February 2026
Reference and Administration Details
Charity Name
Registered Charity Number
Principal & Communication Address
Aberdeen Strathspey & Reel Society
SC011924
Drumnaclamhen, North Tillydaff Midmar, Inverurie, AB51 7LS
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Trustee Name Office Held Period Office Held
Thomas Cumming President 01 03 2025 to 28 02 2026
Graham Reid Vice President 01 03 2025 to 28 02 2026
Kathleen Falconer Secretary 01 03 2025 to 19 05 2025
Marion Ford Secretary 19 05 2025 to 28 02 2026
Nigel Robin Ferguson Treasurer 01 03 2025 to 28 02 2026
Ian Bowman Assistant Secretary 01 03 2025 to 28 02 2026
Sheila Reid Conductor 01 03 2025 to 28 02 2026
Marion Ford Committee Member 01 03 2025 to 19 05 2025
Emma MacPherson Committee Member 01 03 2025 to 28 02 2026
Fiona Dunbar Committee Member 01 03 2025 to 19 05 2025
Keira Percival Committee Member 01 03 2025 to 19 05 2025
Kathleen Falconer Committee Member 19 05 2025 to 28 02 2026
Hilary Dalgleish Committee Member 19 05 2025 to 28 02 2026
Dawn Martin Committee Member 19 05 2025 to 28 02 2026
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The Trustees resigned, were re-appointed or newly elected on 19/05/25 at the Society's AGM.
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
The Society is an unincorporated charitable association governed by its Constitution & Rules
Trustees, Recruitment and Appointment
The Committee is responsible for managing the affairs of the Society and is elected from the Society's members at the Annual General Meeting.
Certain Committee positions are restricted to Life or Ordinary playing members and no more than two non-playing members may serve on the committee at any time.
All members of the Committee resign and are eligible for re-election annually apart from the President and Vice President who must resign if they have served five consecutive years.
The Committee has the power to fill any vacancies arising during the year.
The induction process for committee members includes providing them with a copy of the latest full annual report and financial statements, the Constitution & Rules, and “Guidance for Charity Trustees” published by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).
Aberdeen Strathspey Reel Society
Scottish Charity No SC011924
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Society's Charitable Purposes
Objectives and Activities
The Society is established to :-
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a) form and maintain orchestras for promoting the practice and performance of primarily Scottish Music in order that:-
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1) the community’s interest in such music shall be encouraged and advanced by way of private and public concerts given by the Society or under its auspices;
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2) the playing of traditional music shall likewise be preserved and encouraged;
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b) further any charitable purpose or purposes as the Committee in their absolute discretion shall think fit but in particular through the making of grants and donations.
Summary of Main Activities of the Society in relation to these objects
One orchestra is maintained for all playing members. At the present time there is not a separate junior orchestra but during the year the society has initiated a new promotional programme to re-establish the junior section in the next period 2026/2027.
There is a sub-group of main orchestra members called "The Afternoon Group" who regularly visit, by invitation, Care Homes and Social Enterprises throughout the year to play short concerts for them.
The Society performs at numerous public and private concerts primarily for the purpose of entertainment but these may also incorporate fund raising objectives.
The committee seeks to ensures that he society's activities are generally accessible to all through the following:
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receiving small donations towards our running costs from non-commercial and fundraising concerts;
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ticket prices for concerts that the Society organises and promotes itself are normally set to ensure that the event will break-even, discounted concession tickets are usually available and prices are comparable to other similar arts events in the area;
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membership subscriptions are approved by the playing membership as a whole at the AGM, with reference to our fixed rehearsal costs and available resources, including other funding sources from donations and commercial concert income. Discounted membership rates are available to those members who are full time students, or in receipt of a state pension. The committee is confident that subscriptions are at a low level and do not restrict access to membership for senior players. There is some concern that the historical membership charge for junior members has been a factor in the demise of the junior orchestra so the committee will propose a constitutional rule amendment at the 2026 AGM that Junior membership shall be free;
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by being as flexible as possible in accommodating a wide range of playing abilities within the orchestras whilst maintaining appropriate standards of public performance;
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membership of the Society is open to both playing and non-playing members;
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income from commercial events where the Society is not the promoter and does not control ticket prices helps balance our costs;
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applications for new membership are actively encouraged at all levels of skill and from any demographic group.
To promote, encourage and preserve the quality of our traditional Scottish music an annual society competition is held for members of the Society participate. Although no competition was held this year it is proposed that they shall be reinstated and to this end the restricted funds (Ian Fraser, Kenny Young and Louis Argo) will be maintained.
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Scottish Charity No SC011924
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Achievements and Performances
Summary of the Main Achievements of the Society during the past Financial Year
In session 2025-26 the first event that was organised was our Annual Concert. It was held during May 2025 at Devanha church. The Annual concert is an opportunity for friends, family and the wider public to hear members of the society performing in different configurations, i.e. as soloists, as small groups and of course the whole orchestra.
Our Annual Fiddlers' Rally in November 2025 was held at the Tivoli Theatre, turnout this year was disappointing, the theatre being about 75% full. At our Rally we welcomed musicians from other societies all over Scotland to join us on stage and arranged for popular Guest Artists to perform and compere.
The Annual Concert and Fiddler's Rally are our primary income generators but a smaller orchestra group also played at the Cowdray Hall in January for small fee. The Afternoon group has played at least 12 different care home a social enterprise venues, some more than once and on occasion received minor cash donations. The social benefit for older folk and indeed ourselves is inestimable.
In the next financial year the Annual Concert will be held at Great Western Community Centre in April 2026 and we have reserved the Tivoli Theatre for November 2026.
All our rehearsals in this last session have been held as live face-to-face at Hazlehead Primary School.
Our active senior and life membership numbers have remained constant compared to last year, there are currently 42 active senior playing members, during the year some have left but others have joined. Two Junior and three student members play with the senior orchestra on an occasional basis. To encourage more junior and student members to join in the last year the committee has attended a "Freshers Day" at Craibstone College and made a co-operative arrangement with SCAT Youth to provided opportunities for their graduating students.
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Financial Review
Brief Statement of the Society's Policy on Reserves
The Society holds endowed, restricted and unrestricted funds.
The Committee considers it prudent to hold unrestricted general reserves of £12,500 which is considered sufficient to cover two years costs of rehearsal premises and administration costs, potential deficits on concerts that the Society organises, as well as provision for replacing musical instruments or other administrative assets.
Designated funds have been established as follows:-
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1 Instrument Fund. The value of the fund is now £2,628 which the committee considers sufficient to procure a good quality second hand piano in the future should it be needed.
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2 Centenary Celebration Fund. The society was established in 1928 and hence 2028 is a centenary year. During the year the committee has authorised the creation of a designated fund to record restricted monies that will only be spent only on the up-coming celebrations that are being planned. To date it is funded by a legacy bequest by the estate of Lewis Greg Argo and monies authorised by the committee to be allocated from the Treasurer Account.
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3 The Iain Fraser Restricted Fund provides a prize to the winner of the Fiddle Category at the annual members' competition. Should this fund be closed or the prize no longer awarded it was the wish of Iain Fraser that the capital monies should be paid to the charity "Saving Sight in Grampian". No awards were made in this financial year.
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4 The Kenny Young Fund was established in 2013 with the purpose of providing a prize to the winner of the Accordion Category at the annual members competition. No awards were made in this financial year.
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5 The Louis Argo Restricted Endowment Fund was established in November 2021 from a donation from Lewis Argo in memory of his father (Louis Argo) who was a former member of the society. This funds the "Louis Argo - Most Improved Fiddler Prize", a cash prize that is awarded annually. No awards were made in this financial year.
Details of any Deficit
No Funds are in Deficit.
Donated Facilities and Services
The members of the Orchestra volunteer their time through attending weekly rehearsals, participating in concerts and assisting with fund raising efforts.
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Other Information
Investments
The Society's investment policy is as follows:-
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1 Short to medium term funds which are likely to be spent within 5 years are to be invested in high interest deposit accounts which may be of a fixed nature. The aim of such investments is to achieve the best available income returns, whilst minimising risk to capital and ensuring the cashflow requirements of the Society are met.
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2 Long term funds that are not required within 5 years are to be invested in collective investment schemes which seek income and long term capital growth from a broadly diversified portfolio of assets including equities and fixed interest securities. The Iain Fraser Award Endowment Fund, the Kenny Young Designated Fund, and the Louis Argo Restricted Designated Fund are all deemed to be long term in nature.
Long Term Investments
Long term funds are invested in the low risk Income & Reserves Fund (Class A Income) managed by Sarasin Investment Funds Ltd. The fund offers the benefits of pooled investments to charities, providing a diversified portfolio with a broad spread of assets classes across several countries and professional investment management at low cost.
The selected fund is conservative with an emphasis on capital preservation and generating a high income. It typically holds 80% of the portfolio in fixed interest bonds and cash, with the balance held in equities. Although the Society does not have any ethical constraints as part of its own investment policy the selected fund does operate an ethical investment policy, including a restriction on investing in tobacco companies. Sarasin have stated in their view this does not have a detrimental impact on returns.
Contact Details :-
Web https://www.aberdeenstrathspey.org.uk Email info@aberdeenstrathspey.org.uk Twitter @abdnstrathspey Telephone 07767 317486
The Aberdeen Strathspey & Reel Society is a member of both the "Making Music Charity" and the "Traditional Music Forum"
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Trustees Declaration The Trustees dedarethat they have approved the Trustees, port above. Slgned on behalf of the Society's Trustees:. Signature Full Name Thomas Cumml Posltlon Pr•sld•nt -l.L Aberdeen Strothspey Reelsoelety Poqe 6 Scottish Clwrlty No SC011924
tsellenaent Éxaminer's Report on the Accounts Re rtto the Tntee5 & Reel SCOllg24 on tneAccounrs Thè 5(Kiety's trvstees are responsrb forthe preparation of the accounts in occordance wlth the tern of the Charities and Trttee In¥tht (Scotland) 2SACt ènd the Charities Accounts Iscotlandl Regulation5 21X)6. The SocietyTrustees considerthe audit requirement of Regulation IOIII Idl of the Accounts Regulations di)es not appty. It Is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required undersettion 44111 @ of the Act and tt) 5tste whethèr particular matters have come to my attention. is of Inde ent thmine$ Statement My examination 15 carrd out in aCcOrdanWIth Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts Iscotlandl Regulations 2TrJ6. An eKamination includes a re¥ie of the accountrng records kept by the Society Bnd a comparson of the accounts oresented with those records. It also IncldeS consideration of arty unusual items or di£tk)sures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the Trustees conrnIng any such matters. The procedures undertaken do rtot provide all the e¥idence that would bè required in an audtt and. conseauentty. I do not e¥Dress an audit opinion on the accoun Inde Ient Examinet5 Statsment In the course of my examination. no matter has cometo myattention.' firstly, which gffts me r&isonable causeto believe that. in any material respert. the requirements: to keep 3CCOUrtinE record5 in aCcOrdar wtth sertion 4411) la} of the 2Lf15 Act and Regulation 4 of the 20C6Accounts Regulation, to yrepare accounts which accord with the accountjng records and comply woth Reeulation 9 i Lfi& Accotsnts Aegu4Btions howe notbeen met or secondly. to which, in my opinTron, ottention shotsld be drawn. in orderto enable a proper undèrstanding of the accounts to be reached. Address 5cotttsh OJwiEv IVO SC011924
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Aberdeen & Strathspey & Reel Society
Statement of Receipts & Payments
at 28th February 2026
Unrestricted
Restricted
Description Note [Unrestricted ] Designated 2026 (£) 2025 (£)
funds (£) funds (£)
funds (£)
Receipts from Activities
Concerts 1 6,328 6,328 7,410
Donations 2,018 2,018 60
Social Events 2 - - -
Members Subscriptions 3 1,490 1,490 1,545
- - -
Society Merchandise
Investment Income 4 434 35 73 541 623
Grants & Other Income 5 158 158 498
Totals > 10,427 35 73 10,535 10,136
Other Receipts
Sale of Fixed Assets - - 750
Sale of Investments - - -
Totals > - - - - 750
Total Receipts 10,427 35 73 10,535 10,886
Payments - Activities & Operation
Concerts 4,453 4,453 4,593
Rehearsals 1,150 1,150 1,048
Social Events - - -
Public/Open Days 25 25 61
Refund Overpaid Subscription(s) 20 20 30
Society Administration 5 308 308 597
Donations 6 1,650 1,650 2,000
- - -
Banking
- - -
Competitions
- -
Assistant Conductor - Expenses
Gifts for Members 50 50 257
Totals > 7,655 - - 7,655 8,586
Other Payments
Purchases of fixed assets - - - - -
Purchase of investments - - - - -
Totals > - - - - -
Total Payments 7,655 - - 7,655 8,586
Net Receipts / Payments 2,772 35 73 2,879 2,300
Transfers to / from funds - - - - -
Surplus / Deficit for year 2,772 35 73 2,879 2,300
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Aberdeen Strathspey and Reel Society
Scottish Charity No SC011924
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Aberdeen & Strathspey & Reel Society Statement of Receipts & Payments at 28th February 2026 Unrestricted Degnated lund51£1 Unre5trirted funds1£1 Restricted fvnd5 1£) CASH FUNDS Nott 20261£> 20251£) Cash Ind Bank 115¢$tart0+y 7V 27.665 15.165 ju$l¢(shNWfitsl rK•lMSarnl Im 19JJ 544 27.66S Valuatlon 20261£) Valuation INVESTMENTS Fund Owner SarJsIn ha ComEThonlnYeSIrn¢EiI Fund lor PermDent Endryk¥Mtnt 2.055 oio Total j.lzi J.058 VluatSon OTH£R ASSETS Fund Owner Cost Valuatlon 20261£1 2025 IE) Instrurn•nts TrophK Offic• E Mrthan61se%rK* iIN•strkt•d 171 217 In 27,665 3D.701 GENERAL Nonè •ne Tatsl CONTIPIGETrff UA8IUI TOMI twe
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Aberdeen & Strathspey & Reel Society
Notes Supporting Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 28th February 2026
Unrestricted
Unrestricted Restricted Total Funds Total Funds
Description Designated
funds (£) funds (£) 2026 (£) 2025 (£)
funds (£)
Concert Receipts
Annual Concert Member Tickets 270 - - 270 -
Annual Concert Door Tickets 470 - - 470 850
Annual Rally Member Tickets 1,479 - - 1,479 1,272
Annual Rally Box Office Tickets 3,439 - - 3,439 4,988
Small Concert Income 470 - - 470 100
Afternoon Group Income 200 - - 200 200
Totals > 6,328 - - 6,328 7,410
Concert Expenditure
Annual Concert Ferryhill Church Hire 275 - - 275 275
Annual Concert Guests Fees & Expenses - - - - -
Annual Concert Advertising & Set Up 34 - - 34 74
Rally Tivoli Theatre Hire 2,458 - - 2,458 2,640
Rally Advertising, Printing & Gifts 247 - - 247 211
Rally Orchestra Meals & Beverages 577 - - 577 689
Rally Guests, Fees & Expenses 750 - - 750 600
Other Orchestra Concerts - - - - -
Afternoon Group Concerts 112 - - 112 104
Totals > 4,453 - - 4,453 4,593
Surplus / (deficit) for year 1,875 - - 1,875 2,817
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Note 1
The orchestra plays two main events each year, our Annual Concert in April/May and Fiddlers Rally in November. This account included income for three other small concerts, the Cowdray Hall in 2025 and 2026 as well as a fee for playing at the Tall Ships Celbration in June 2025. Our Afternoon Group has also played for at least 10 different care home and social venues some of whom make donations in appreciation. The table above summaries income from these activities and costs to the society to stage them.
Note 2
The society has not held any social events in the year that have incurred costs.
Note 3
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Category (those with a * have no voting rights) Members Subscription
Honorary members and Patrons 4
Life members (members for at least 25 years) 17
Non playing members -
Members from the Start of the Year
Ordinary members 16 £60
Ordinary members (in receipt of a state pension) 8 £30
Ordinary members (in full time education) 3 £30
Junior members (members under the age of 16 at the start of a session) 2 £30
Members from the Second Term
Ordinary members 3 £30
Ordinary members (in receipt of a state pension) £15
Ordinary members (in full time education) £15
Junior members (members under the age of 16 at the start of a session) £15
Total 53
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Aberdeen Strathspey and Reel Society
Scottish Charity No SC011924
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Aberdeen & Strathspey & Reel Society
Notes Supporting Financial Statements
For the Year Ended 28th February 2026
Note 4
The society holds long term monies with Sarasin Investment Funds and also in a 32 Day Access Bank of Scotland account to provide a small additional income from investments. The bulk of these monies are Unrestricted and held in the Bank of Scotland account. The Sarasin fund is low risk and low return vehicle that provides a way to protect monies gifted to the society for a particular purpose.
Note 5
The Trustees resigned, were re-appointed or newly elected on 19/05/25 at the Society's AGM.
Note 5
Society admin unpaid fees - PRS fee for the period 11/2024 to 10/2025 remains pending for technical reasons connected to the Making Music website. Repeated attempts to sort this out with them have failed. Because we now operate annual Cash Account regime no allowance has been made for this in these figures so if and when it is ever paid it will be deducted from future costs at an approximate cost of £74 based on a charge of 0.1% of the gate receipt income recieved.
Note 7
At the A.G.M. in 2025 the society membership agreed to donate £500 each to three charities; Midmar Men's Shed, Living Well Cafe and Grampian Stroke Club. There was also £150 to a charity nominated by Graham Reid in lieu of a composition fee.
Note 8
The society instruments and other assests are all fully depreciated
Note 9
The society no longer owns office equipment
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