BRECHIN
BUCCANEERS
SC045079
Trustees Annual Report
recfiin @uccan£ef5
st
l January 2024 to 31 December 2024

Brechin Buccaneers
Scottish Charity Number SC045079
Registered Office
The Crlckety
Caldhame Place
Brechin
DD9 7EB
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COIVIMUNITY
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TRU
TEES
2024 TRUSTEES OF BRECHIN BUCCANEERS
No further Trustee were added during the course of 2024

ectives and activities
Brechin Buccaneers SC045079 were set up to provide for the
advancement of the public participation in sport as well as the
provision of rec￿ational facilities or the organization of recreational
facilities with the objective of improving the conditions of life for the
persons for whom the facilities or activities are intended.
As such the charity works in the sporting field to organize and provide
coaching and training sessions for all persons and groups interested in
participating in the sports of Cricket and Table Tennis. The charity
furthermore provides and empowers other groups with similar aims
and objectives in the area.
Developing on from the initial work undertaken during 2018, the
charity continues to expand upon its role within the east end of the
city as a major provider of services for the a￿a. Further to this
Brechin Buccaneers also undertake a great deal of work with a number
of partner organizations to enable improvements in the local
environment, community events, education and health amongst
others.
Recent evidence has highlighted the key correlation between the social
determinants of health, acute life experiences and the community's
prospects. We through our sporting and charitable aims, continue the
aim to bring positive changes to our community across economic,
employment, educational, social and health fields.

TRUCT
RE
VERAN
E AND MANA
EMENT
Brechin Buccaneers are a Scottish Charltable Organisation (SCIO)
which was first formed in its current legal structure on the 27th of
August 2014.
The SCIO continues the promotion of sport, recreational activities and
their associated activities as well as addressing the social determinants
of health in the area.
Brechin Buccaneers have a single tier structure and as such the
trustees are members of the charitable organization.
Trustees are elected at Annual General Meeting, which is normally held
in late March or early April. There must be a minimum of 3 trustees
and a maximum of 7 trustees in operation for the charity.
The management committee meets monthly (normally at the start of
each month) and consists of all trustees and a smaller number of
executive members who possess skills pertinent to the development of
the SCIO.
Membership of the management group is open to all members of the
scIo
Trustees will be eligible for re-election at the following Annual General,
or Extraordinary General meeting

HIEVEMENT
AND PERF
RMANCE
The charity entered 2024 on a more subdued note than in any of the
past years. During the year record numbers came through our doors,
the work of the charity had continued at great rates, new projects began
and made positive differences to many, yet still the specter of the work
during and in the aftermath Storm Babet and its effect upon the cityi
still loomed large.
The work undertaken during the previous few years enabled the SCIO
to maintain a firm base within the community even under an ever-
increasing workload. We continued to develop and operate a continually
growing number of projects and programs during the year with numbers
through the door continuing to increase year upon year.
The
continuation of our user led approach has enabled the charity to acce5S
greater levels of funding, secure improved results and be able to meet
the ever-changing needs of the community head on.
In alignment with large numbers of the population, the charity once
again faced substantial rising costs during the year, an area which posed
a significant challenge when dealing with longer term funding cycles.
As in 2023, the charity along with a great deal of our community
continued to face the greatest challenge, not of its own making. This
challenge would not only be to those directly impacted by the results of
flooding and Storm Babet, but also to service provision elsewhere,
employment, as well as the ability to support an ever-growing list of
needs,
In addition to its own projects and work, during the year Brechin
Buccaneers / The Crickety regularly worked with 78 other organization's
and witnessed 44,464 visitors through its door. This work provided just
over £7.0 I millions of benefits, projects and services being delivered to
the local community. Special thanks need to go to all our staff members
and volunteers who were highly successful in improving and increasing
the work of the charity during this period and with it the lives of many

members of our community. Once again this is especially remarkable
given the onslaught of work undertaken, economic impact and
emotionally draining situations that arose throughout the year on an
almost daily basis.
The trust built within the community in the organization; its work and
staff enabled the charity to maintain great communication levels which
were at the heart of all its work. This ability to ascertain and react to
the needs and wishes of the community we feel is key to being a
worthwhile community organization. With horrific situations all around
on a weekly basis it was often remarked that we almost stood alone in
standing up for the city and helping deliver a way forward in the most
testing of times. Once again, we are extremely grateful to all our staff,
volunteers and funders for enabling us to make such a positive
difference
During the course of the year this has ensured that we could always be
available for our community by listening to and acting upon their needs
and requirements. With growing numbers becoming aware of our work
as well as a large upturn in the numbers requiring assistance, this
constantly evolving process and creativity has been key to our pledge
to support our community at all times.
The charity's work as previously highlighted, continued at great pace
during the year and has enabled further charitable expansions and
developments to occur with a continuation of our new service delivery
model becoming increasingly prevalent.
Following on from the previous 12 months, the decision to invest
resources into working to improve youth employability in the area, has
continued and further enabled the charity to continue both its support
of local youth employment, but additionally enabling a greater level and
quality of service delivery to occur. During the year the charity created
a further 5 salaried posts of between 6 and 12 months in length for local
young people. Four of those previously employed by the charity
continued to be employed by the charity on a longer-term basis, with a

further three going on to secure emp5oyment elsewhere. This area is
one in which the charity ￿ceiVed great acclaim during the course of the
year and one of which we are proud to be making a positive difference
to. The decision concerning youth unemployment has been highly
beneficial not only for the individuals concerned, through raising their
expectations, employability and confidence, but also the charity as we
have unearthed a number of very hard working talented young people
who have enabled us to develop further areas of work during the course
of the year. Plans are now in place to expand this work and look to
employ our first ever modem apprentice commencing in April 2025.
Throughout the year we have continued to move at pace to seek out
new partners, moving forward in enabling the organisation to deliver a
wide range of new services, work with new groups, improve upon
existing provision as well as maximizing our standing and reputation in
the local and wider area. This we feel has had great success in
kickstarting improvements not only to our own services but in providing
a model of work for others to follow. Examples of which can now be
viewed throughout the area.
Once again and in addition to our previous investment5 in the area and
community, the trustees during the course of the year released reserves
into facility improvements. It was felt that an opportunity remained
untapped to develop not only the organisation itself but also the
surrounding area and community by working to develop an integrated
approach to all arms of the SCIO'S work. Nevertheless, an opportunity
to develop, improve and integrate facilities and work presented itself
during the summer and after a great deal of cost risk analysis, the
decision was made to invest in improvements to the park space and
additional facilities.
The positive difference throughout the area has been an ongoing
process during the year, and one which ground staff take great delight
in hearing from users and passersby. The continued development and
improvements to our facilities we believe have been hugely influential

in attracting new groups and work to the area, and the optimism and
belief in our services during the year has proven to be instrumental in
enforcing a can-do attitude whilst highlighting what is possible for the
local community.
Di
To this aim, the trustees once again made a conscious decision to
support local groups where and whenever possible and have accordingly
priced the booking of the various facilities in such fashion. This we feel
has been a major attraction of the building and ground and must be
recognized as a key factor to the improvements made in the area across
a number of fields. This ability does not significantly detract from our
overall income levels and enables the charity to remain a key driver in
bringing new services to the city. By enabling local groups to operate
and improve their service levels, to come to the city and deliver local
solutions to local issues locally, and by assisting with the formation of
new groups, we have consistently improved the local community and
the range of services available within the city. At present the SCIO works
closely with a wide range of other groups, organisation and charities
across several agreed projects in this area.

With significant cuts to a large number of services elsewhere plans to
ascertain need and potential for service delivery was always at the
forefront during 2024 and led to a number of initial discussions
regarding the way forward.
Some of the numbers and services delivered during the year
included:
Scotland's National Mural Mosaic
One of the highlights of the year was securing the hosting of Scotland's
Mural. In early 2024 we applied for this project which consists of around
2000 tiles painted from participants worldwide and included 50 images
painted by the local community. The finished is one which has been
erected to great acclaim and see visitors from around the globe make
their way to Brechin to view

THAINK
SCOT'LAN ,
Education Bank: a consultation was undertaken during the later part of
the year with regard to supporting low standards of education and
attendance levels in the city. These found that many low-income
working parents suffered exponentially as compared to more affluent or

non-working counterparts. As a result, plans were put in place to fund
an education bank commencing early in 2025.
AYE Care
During the course of the year, we continued to operate our project to
ensure those with eye strain issues could be given colored overlays for
glasses free of charge
Aye care
Fruit and Veg
This regular project continues to provide fresh fruit and vegetables at a
lower price for the community.
10

Holiday programs
Due to feedback on the previous year's activities, we declded to take
events in local parks and simply allow children and parents to turn up
and play rather than having to book. This meant that we could
encourage greater on the spot participation and friends to bring others
along, all of which proved highly successful
PAT testing
During the course of the year, we witnessed a large number of residents
purchasing items from areas which do not have the same safety
standards as the United Kingdom. Our testing project enabled people to
have their items tested and replaced if necessary
Brechin Brunch
Despite the success of our social dining. Project over the last 4 years we
felt that we needed to reach new audiences and greater time to
encourage conversations. We this in mind we introduced our Brechin
Brunch project offering full cooked breakfasts for only £2.50. This has
to date become a popular change with at times over 170 breakfasts
being serviced in its 3 hour run.
11

Brechin Reduce Energy
The end of the year saw us launch our reduce energy projert to make
little changes that will adds to massive saving for the local community
47.6
-31.4
Colour Run
Our 2024 color run proved to be the largest yet with over 250 people
taking part and many travelling distances to take part
12

Sim Cards
During the course of the year, we worked wlth local educational
establishments and other groups to reduce l.T barriers and ensure that
people had access to connettivity
Winter lood and fuel vouchers
During the year , in the run up to the Christmas period we once again
looked to support those working on low incomes with assistance via food
hampers and fuel vouchers. This in total supported over 200 people at
key times
Share Shop
13

Our Share shop idea was one which we looked at for a small period of
time and forgot. However, this was reignited after a number of
discussions and knowledge that many of those flooded had lost
everything. The rationale was simple, a low-cost hire scheme for
everyday items we only use a small number of times but take up space
and cost money that could be saved. Thanks to initial funding the project
has grown to have quite a large membership and usage, with all funds
going back into servicing, replacing and buying new items.
GROW24
This employability program worked with local young people to improve
their confidence and Skills. One of the highlights was our work with
Brechin Medical Centre to improve their garden space for staff and
patients alike.
14

Christmas
As it seems to be the normal, our Christmas events become one of the
most popular. This year as well as hosting visits, our toy appeal with
Lidl an¢J providing harnpers for local low-income working families, we
ran a catch all project to ensure we could lift the spirits of the entire
cornmunity by dressing up and delivering hats and parcels to random
people on the street.
15

The last quarter of 2023 came as a prelude to a great deal of the work
the charity undertook during 2024. Our initial response to Storm Babet
on support and the hosting of many services continued in every week of
2024 with fundraising, in person support both mentally and physically,
and the dispersal of funds raised during our fundraising process.
The recovery hub work continued to pose new challenges only on an
almost daily basis and continued to do so as the needs and requirements
of the hundreds affected came to light. The charity and its
representatives also became the go to organisation for a multitude of
media enquiries, event hosting. and became and continues to be the
voice for the people. Again, thanks has to go out to our staff during
these difficult times and the means by which they dealt with the
overwhelming work and challenges they faced emotionally, physically
and mentally.
Whilst raising funds for efforts also continued during 2024, the
administration of our Brechin Flood relief program contributed a great
deal to the workload during the entire year.
With our face to face work being at the forefront of relief efforts, our
staff became the go to for many local affected, as well as local and
national government . members, media organizations and university
staff. The charity was also delighted to work closely with Brechin Rotary
Club and administer a projett to provide a bed linen pack(s), kitchen
packs, decorating vouchers and up to £100 of new small electrical goods
to every flooded household.
To date we have estimated the value of services, funds, staff time,
spaces, food, and contributions over the last 15 months to be
approximately £425,000
We remain aware of the world continuing to go round during this period
and the need for our normal day to day work to continue. The issues we
faced prior to the flooding remain and have increased in intensity and
16

work going towards these issues have been neglected. The charity has
plans in place to work with those suffering from the floods for the
considerable future, however this cannot be at the expense of others.
As the year ended, we are still in the throes of flood relief, and much
work is still on the tale for the upcoming months. We were extremely
grateful for the support of one of our funders and their funding. This
funding enables us to have the security of tenure that allows us to seek
new funding sources and deliver on the needs of our community.
Occurrences such as the flooding and its terrible aftereffects are a prime
example of how this funding enables the ability to recover.
We are also in the process of rolling out a couple of new projects in early
2025, which we foresee as being of great benefit to the local community.
A food related bank of sort alongside dedicated support services
Archery - our new archery section will be able to offer a mixture
of events, supported sessions, and ice breaking activities amongst
others.
Podcast - it has come to light that a great deal of changes have
fell upon our city in living memory and our new project will look
to provide fortnightly/ monthly interviews with local members of
the community to share everyday life and the changes they have
seen. This is due to Start in the summer of 2025
17

CRICKET / TABLE TENNIS
Guthrle Park Table Tennis Club
Guthrie Park Table Tennis Club (GPTfc) was established in 2016 with
the assistance of Brechin Buccaneers Cricket Club to allow their
facilities to be used for training, practice and playing matches. Initially
using the pavilion and currently within the main hall at"The Crickety.
The club began vyith four senior members and were fortunate to gain
the support of the local community to allow them to obtain a new table
by way of the participatory budget scheme, Brechin YBYC 2015.
Since its inception GPTfc has become a thriving small club working
within the framework of Brechin Buccaneers SCIO and currently has a
membership of nine senior members and five junior table tennis
players. Junior participation involves coaching and involves one
session per week whilst sentors enjoy two sessions per week, which
also include matches. There is two UKCC level I coach available for
club sessions to encourage improvement and development. It 15
currently one of two Angus clubs affiliated to Table Tennis Scotland
and Dundee & District Table Tennis Association {DDrrA). The season
runs from September to March each year therefore for the purpose of
this report shall include the remainder of season 23-24 and the start of
season 24-25.
Season 23-24
Brechin finished 5th of six teams in the top division (Letham dropped
out in Jan 2024) and M'on mor. matches than the 4th placed team a
respectable 6 matches.
f nished with 540/0 in the
averages and played all their fifteen fixtures. This rneant that Brechin
would remain In Divlsion I
Buccaneers found life tough in Division 2, and it was not helped by the
circumstances of Storm Babet in 2023 which reaped havoc on their
18

fixtures in the first half of the season and having to play catch up at
the beginning of 2024. Unfortunately, they finished bottom of seven
teams and relegated to Division 3.
Lower Closed Championships - January 2024
Buccaneers representativi
ad a fantastic
tournament making three of thp fcu;"
Didision 2 Singles, over
twenty-five singles and Ballot Doubles. It was not to be his day
however as he lost all three.
DD￿A Championships- February 2024
fi",Jm B￿ chin won the Veterans qinnlpÉ tttrlp anA lost
iri LIIE ￿ttl¢l(li1? doubles final along with teammatf
Season 24-25
The season started in Se-
, Brechin in Division I, and
Buccaneers in Division 3.
loir-
,r kindly
sponsors the club. It was also noiewortny tnat
one of
the original and founding members returneo to play r115 IdDl¥ cerinis
with Brechin after his short sabbatical at Letham.
Junior Table Tennis
The club had five members who started the year. There continues to
be a good attendance at coaching sessions.
The club also assists with a DDThA after-school club held at Brechin
Community Campus on Tuesday evenings for Sl to S6 pupils.
After School Club.
In December 2024, the main coach from the DDrrA, Arthur Pritchard
indicated that he would no longer be able to assist with the project.
We would like this opportunity to thank him for al.
along
th the local cluster Active Schools Coordinator,
19

their respective efforts in ensuring table tennis continues to be played
at Brechin High School.
Future Development
GP￿c has similar issues as clubs in the area where most players are
older however with successful junior attendance the club can recruit
younger players to play table tennis in the future and provide long
term sustainability for table tennis competition in the area. The after-
school club also provides opportunity to provide a pathway for future
junior players joining the club. There is room for further growth in
recreational play. Table tennis is a gentle impact sport that is good for
hand, eye coordination that anyone can play.
Cricket
The 2024 season was one of mixed fortunes with the continued
employment of our new community sports, an increase in the number
of games being hosted at Guthrie Park, and the delivery of a record
number of sessions.
Junior numbers and holidays program participants grew during the
year and we are hopeful this can be expanded during the forthcoming
year. Work designed to take sport out into various parks in Brechin
and surrounding areas proved to be a good success.
Outside of our own games, we were extremely proud to be able to play
host to a number of high quality matches, from national and regional
cricket matches for men / boys, women and girls to the hosting of
other teams. This is something we hope to continue in 2025.
The 2024 season saw our Guthrie Park ground play host to Crescent
Cricket Club and this proved to be a fruitful partnership for both
parties with Crescent securing promotion to the region's top division
20

for 2025 We are delighted that this arrangement is to continue for
2025.
We were also delighted to see the work put into our outside spaces
and playing surface pay dividends during the year as we were asked to
host our first ever national cup final during August. Due to the success
of this event, we are hopeful of further national events coming to
Brechin
21

Despite of the great successes and achievements of the SCIO during
2024, it was with deep sadness that we lost a couple of our favorite
sons and daughters during the year. Our best wishes as always go to
their families.
Like als others we would like to thank those who have contributed so
heavily, and continue to sacrifice their own time and health to benefit
our community's health and wellbeing during these testing times
22

STATEMENT OF THE CHARITIES POLICY ON RESERVES / FINANCES
Whilst the Charity holds no fomial policy on reserves, the trustees do
however seek to maintain one year's reserves for major sources of
expenditure. This year's accounts despite showing record expenditure,
still maintain this figure in reserve.
Thanks in the main part to fundraising efforts over the previous 2
years and the payment of a number of funding streams the SCIO is
happy to report only a small loss on the year and one which is
expected to be covered by payment in arrears from funders over the
next 3 months.
Again, and as in previous years the SCIO benefitted from many
services and in-kind donations which are greatly appreciated as serve
as an example of standing in the local community.
Wherever possible Brechin Buccaneers to maximize and utilize its
resources to benefit the local community. As such we have provided
use of ground facilities to Andover Primary School free of charge for all
sporting events run by them.
23

FUTURE PLANS
As we look to 2025, we expect to have the foresight in place to
navigate the future. We expect there to be a number of challenges
along the way but also a number of opportunities which we feel we are
in a greater position to pursue.
Plans are in place to continue new developments, work with existing
and new partners and project themes developeo. As we approach our
eleventh year as a SCIO, the trustees will once again look back on the
road travelled, the lives changed, hopefully for the better, and at the
vast positive difference we have made.
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APPENDIX 3
OSCR
Scotlsh Charity ReRulalor
Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Rèport to tho Charity norn¢
trustoeslmem￿rs of
Éci4 1
CG ÉfLS
R•gl¥t•red charlty SC
numb•r
On the accounts olth•
¢harlty for th• p•rlod
O*Sa7
Penod start date
Period 8nd date
Kion
Yv•r
Yoar
Sot out on pag
TW￿rnt•1 ty IWuC• ths pA9•
Resp•ctfve Th8 charity's trustees ¥e r8$ponsibl8 for the prèparalitm of the accounts in accordance
reipon81bllftl05 of
truste•s and •xamln•r
wrth Ihe 18rms of the Chanties 8nd Trustee Investm8nt Iseotland) 2005 Aet and the
Charities Acctyjnts (Scolland) Regulations 2006 {4s 3merKJed) The charity trustoa$
consider that audit requirernenl of Regulation 10111 Idl of th8 Accounts R&gul8tlons
does not apply. It Is my responsibdty lo exarnine the attounts 8s f8quiT8d under section
44(1 } (cl of the A¢X and to state whether partrxjlar mattws have come lo my attenfron.
Ba$ls ol Independ•nt My examination is c8rri8d out in gccordance wilh Regu￿tIOn 11 ofthe 2006 kcounts
examlnor's stat•Th*nt Ragulations. An ex8minalDn indLKles a review of the a￿O￿nting rècords kept by th8
charty and a eomparison of thg accc￿ntS pre$￿ted with those rewrd3. It also inchjdgs
(x)ngderalion of any unusual it9ms ¢y disdowres .n the acwunts and seek¥
explanations from thg trustee$ concaming any such matters. The procedure¥ undertaken
do not pmide all thè evidence ih8t would bg reqU￿ed in an audit and. consequenuy. I do
not express an audit op'nion on the ￿leW given by the accounts.
Ind•p•nd•nt •x•mln•V* In the cour58 of my examinalion. no matter has come to rny attention lothtr than Ihal
8tat•m8nt disdosed on the attachod pap'l
whth givès reag)nabl8 C8US8 to tel￿v9 that in any material respect th
quir&mènts'.
to keep 8c£ounting records in ae£oTdanc8 vAlh soth.on 44(11 {a} of tho 2005 Act and
R8gulation 4 of the 21M)6 Accounts R￿Ulat￿)ng, and
to Prepare accounts which accord with the accountiw records and eompty with
Regulation 9 of the 2CQ6 Accounts Reoulatijns
have not teen met. CT
2. to which, in my cpinion. attent￿n should be drav•n In ￿dfjr lo enable a prop8r
unde
l?nAin
of th- 2c.-IIA+¢ +n ￿ reached.
Slgn•f:
Name..
Rtslév8nt prol•s$lonal
quallflcatlonls) or body
{If any)..
Addrn85.'
'Pleaae délalo th8 wYJrQ8 In lh• 1¥4cl*ts llthgydo not4ppty. 11 tn• *kwy. s•t(wJtthow mattws whkth hw• cam8 ¢0 YOUT Pttertt￿ on thÈ
Ilrmiro ￿ge.
' OSCR wlll •c¢•pt d￿j￿1 w typgJ gon•turgs

APPENOIX 3
Disclosure section
Only complete rf the examiner needs to highlight material problems.
Glv• hor• brfef d•talls of
any Items that the
•xamln•r wlsh•s to
dlsclo88