## **Trustees Report for the Year Ended 20[th] October 2025**
The Trustees of Buckhaven & Methil Miners Brass Band (herein after referred to as ‘the band’) present their annual report for the year ended 20[th] October 2025 under the Charities & Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 together with the independently examined financial statements comply with the requirements of the Act, the Band’s Constitution and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
## **REFERENCE & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION**
The Buckhaven & Methil Miners Brass Band was formed in 1905 and is understood to be the oldest Mining Band still in existence in Scotland. The band is a product of the amalgamation of both the Wellesley Colliery Band and the Buckhaven Town Band in 1976. The Charity registration number is SCO32046. The Charities principal address is c/o Darren Kroegler, 20 Westcroft Way, Kelty, KY4 0AS. The band operates mostly through its social media presence – mostly facebook.
## **Trustees**
The Trustees who served during the year are:
Darren Kroegler – 20 Westcroft Way, Kelty, Fife, KY4 0AS
Brian Hutchison – 16 Manse Park, Kennoway, Fife, KY8 5LZ
Bryan Hynd - - 57 Brandyriggs, Cairneyhill, KY12 8UY
Sharon Adamson – 22 Wyles Street, Coaltown of Wemyss, Fife, KY1 4PD
## **Principal Office Bearers and Professional Advisors**
Chairman Darren Kroegler Vice Chairman Bryan Hynd Secretary Brian Hutchison Treasurer & Child Protection Officer Sharon Adamson Funding Convenor Bryan Hynd
## **Principal Office Bearers and Professional Advisors (cont)**
Bankers The Bank Of Scotland Plc, 60 High Street, Leven, KY8 4NA
Independent Examiner Sheila Boardman MA FCA 4 Ovenstone Muir, Ovenstone, Anstruther, Fife KY10 2RR
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## **Governing Document**
The Band is an unincorporated association governed by the provision of the Constitution, which was last amended August 2001.
## **Organisational Management**
The full Committee meet formally at least 6 times per year to determine the general activity of the band. In addition to this the Principal Office Bearers meet twice per week and correspond on a regular basis to ensure the day to day running of the band is maintained.
## **Organisational Structure and Relationships**
The bands officials consist of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary &Treasurer who together with between five and nine appointed members serve as the Committee. The Committee members assist the Trustees with the management of the Charity.
The band is an active member of the Scottish Brass Band Association – SBBA (Charity No SCO 33163) and competes annually in both the Scottish regional Finals as well as supplementary contests run under the auspices of the SBBA.
## **Risk Management**
The Trustees continue to keep these activities under review, particularly with regard to any major risks with Health & Safety and protection of vulnerable people. The band has an appointed person for Health and Safety and has registered with CRBS to assist in the protection of band members.
## **OBJECTS, AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES**
The object & aims of the band shall be to advance the education of the public in the art of brass banding by performing at a variety of concerts & events. The band aims to educate all members and provide free of charge all instruments required.
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## **Objectives and Principal activity for the Year**
Our main objectives were to keep the band moving forward, attend contests and concerts throughout the year to help build a stronger band and maintain involvement within the community.
The band have managed to compete, perform and stay involved within the community – Building a stronger band where hopefully we can build upon – the band played at the Festival of Remembrance Concert on the 8[th] Nov 2024 at Levenmouth Academy, the local Remembrance service on the 10[th] November, Scottish Challenge Contest on the 16[th] Nov where the band competed and placed 1[st] in the 4[th] section for the second year running, various church services and a Night of Scottish Brass concert on the 30[th] of November at Wellesley Parish Church leading us up to the Christmas break.
After the Christmas holidays it was full preparation towards the Scottish Championships where we will compete back in the third section after promotion last year. We also managed to throw in a St Andrews themed concert on the 18[th ] of January. The Band held a workshop for preparation on Scottish Championships test piece on the 12[th] of February. The band then competed in the Scottish Championships on the 8[th] of March and placed 9[th] , meaning we would need a very good result next year to stay in the third section.
On the 26[th] of April we competed in the Fife Festival which was a fun entertainment contest, In May some of us went to the Europeans to support the cooperation band who were competing in the European Brass Band Championships in Norway, tea parties in Letham Glen and our concert at the Gathering place which is always popular – and where James Cameron was presented with his life medal.
Over the summer we performed at ST Andrews band stand which we try and do every year, Buckhaven Gala, Abbotsford Care Home and Methilhill Church.
We also manage to do a fair bit of work in the band hall to reorganise and decorate – it really did make a huge difference.
We held an open day which led to the resurrection of our learner band now the Buckhaven Brass Collective. This will hopefully continue to thrive and develop over the coming years and hopefully inspire more interest from younger players.
Our joint concert with the co which has become a bit of a tradition now was very successful at the end of August.
A run up to the Fife contest in September seen the band challenge ourselves with the test piece Ex Tera Lucem and again although the result wasn’t what we would have like – we did enjoy the challenge.
We helped celebrate 100yrs of Wellesley Parish Church in October which we have supported well over the years.
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we have continued our online chat group for the band which also allows us to communicate band events and social gatherings. Executive Committee members continue to meet via zoom and meet in person to discuss upcoming events and running of the band.
## **Financial Review and Performance for the Year**
This year we have a Deficit of £3,750 compared to last year’s Deficit of £12,551.
Although we did not have the expenditure of last years trip to the Nationals we still have a deficit and we will need to think about how to fill this loss in the coming years as we cannot continue to run at a loss - review of the band Subs will need to be made as this has remained the same for a few years and costs are always increasing.
Insurance still remains a high cost at £1,505 along with Conductors fees of £3,205, SBBA fees were up to £1,046, energy costs and usage have remained similar as we use very little throughout the year.
## **STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES**
The purpose of this statement is to distinguish the Trustees’ responsibilities for the accounts from those of the independent examiners as stated in their report.
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which gives a true and fair view of the Charity’s activities during the year and of its financial position as at the year end.
In preparing the accounts the Trustees are required to:
- Select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable & prudent;
- State whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the accounts; and
- Prepare the accounts on a going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which are such as to disclose, with reasonable accuracy, the financial position of the Charity at any time, and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the Charity’s assets and ensuring their proper application in accordance with Charity law and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of error, fraud or other irregularities.
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## **STATEMENT AS TO THE DISCLOSRE OF INFORMATION TO THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS**
So far as the Trustees are aware there is no relevant information of which the Trustees’ independent examiners are unaware and each Trustee has taken steps that he or she ought to have taken as a Trustee in order to make himself or herself aware of any relevant information and to establish that the Trustees’ independent examiners are aware of that information.
## **Independent Examiners**
Approved by the executive Committee at its meeting on 22[nd] January 2026. And signed on its behalf by
Darren Kroegler Chairman
Buckhaven & Methil Miners Brass Band
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## **REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BUCKHAVEN & METHIL MINERS BRASS BAND** .
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 20[th] October 2025 which are set out on the following pages.
## **Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees and Examiner**
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) 2005 Act and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The charity trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1) (d) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under section 44(1) (c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiners Statement**
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with these records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts and seeks explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and, consequently, I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
## **Independent Examiners Statement**
In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention
1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations, and
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 9 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations.
have not been met, or
2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
………………………………………………………..
Sheila Boardman MA FCA 4 Ovenstone Muir, Ovenstone,
Date: 1st March 2026 Anstruther, Fife KY10 2RR
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## **Buckhaven & Methil Brass Band Income/expenditure 21/10/24 to 20/10/25 Registered Charity Number SC032046**
|**Receipts**
**2024/25**
2023/24
**Payments**
£
£
Concerts/Engagements
**2,330**
1,450
Conductor
Subs
**4,520**
4,330
SBBA
Fundraising
**165**
0
Electricity
Prize Money
**100**
100
Gas
Donations
**0**
1,200
Insurance
Collected for Cheltenham
**0**
5,310
Contest Fees
Bank Interest
**48**
7
Cheltenham expenses
Uniforms
Sundries
Buses & travel
Concert expenses
Masterclass expenses
Music expenses
Instrument expenses
**7,163**
12,397
Surplus/(Deficit) for year
All Funds Are Unrestricted
**Statement Of Balances as at 20 October 2025**
**Bank and Cash in Hand**
Surplus/(Deficit) for year
Closing Balances (see below)
Closing balances consist of the Following:
Bank current account
Bank deposit account
Cash in hand
**Reserves**
General Funds
Designated Instrument Fund
All Funds Are Unrestricted|**2024/25**
£
**3,205**
**1,046**
**242**
**773**
**1,505**
**120**
**0**
**0**
**233**
**1,275**
**731**
**250**
**0**
**1534**
**10,912**
**(3,750)**
**2024/25**
£
**19,276**
**(3,750)**
**15,526**
**9,028**
**5,565**
**933**
**15,526**
**15,526**
**0**
**15,526**|2023/24
£
3,050
799
290
756
1,496
0
11,946
1,768
1,325
1,200
400
1,016
902
0
24,948|
|---|---|---|
|||(12,551)|
|||2023/24
£
31,827
(12,551)|
|||19,276|
|||12,365
5,517
1,394|
|||19,276|
|||19,276
0|
|||19,276|
||||
Approved by the Trustees and signed on their Behalf
D Kroegler, Chairperson 19th April 2026
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