ORKNEY
MUSIC AND CULTURE
A SCOTTISH INCORPORATED REGISTERED CHARITY SCO49458
ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES
AND FINANCIAL REPORT
2024 – 2025
www.orkneymusicandculture.org
Annual report
Aims and Objectives of this Incorporated charity
Orkney Islands are made up of an archipelago of 70 small islands, 14 of which are inhabited and within those Islands are many parishes with their own distinct dialect and norms. We recognise the importance of reaching out to all where possible in person, or by the use of modern technologies / interactive platforms to connect with those more remote communities. To do this the charity will arrange workshops, small group activities and concerts. We recognise the importance of a cohesive, well integrated and connected community.
The main aim of the charity is to promote and encourage people to value and conserve the Orcadian traditions, culture and heritage such as, music, songs, folklore, dance and culinary delicacies and to maintain them for future generations to enjoy.
We try to reduce all barriers to access, both physical and financial and be inclusive in what we do.
We try to reach as many people as we can in what we offer across all age groups. We are keen to encourage intergenerational mix where possible. We recognise the importance of lifelong learning and the need to act inclusively and to positively impact on an individual’s wellbeing.
Chair’s Report.
This report covers Orkney Music and Culture activities between April 2024 and June 2025. It has been a busy year for OMAC. We continue to provide the instrument bank as a free resource to anyone wanting to borrow an instrument, and OMAC has upgraded its sibelius laptops to the latest windows version. Fortnightly slow sessions run by take place at the Orkney Music Rooms and are free for all. Since the beginning of 2025, OMAC has supported the running of an informal session held on a Saturday at the Ayre Hotel. Information about all OMAC activities is available on our website and Facebook page.
In October 2024 OMAC successfully held a weekend workshop for budding songwriters, with Jenny Sturgeon providing her expertise.
A touring group called TIDLØS visited Orkney and benefited from the support of OMAC in organising their concert and advertising.
A number of concerts have been organised by OMAC to raise funds. These have included a Burns night concert in the Kirkwall Town Hall; 25th Jan 2025, and a concert on the 13th June 2025 in the King Street Halls.
Another major project this year is the establishment of the Watersound Festival a three day event which will be held in August 2025 and will feature bluegrass music, with musicians and talent coming from all over the world. This has required extra fundraising and concerts and other initiatives have been held to raise funds for these, including concerts on the 20th December 2024 in the King Street Halls and 7th and 8th June 2025 in the Stromness Town Hall. Bingo nights and Raffles have also been organised to raise funds for this. A subgroup has been established to organise and run the festival, and OMAC have joined forces with the Burray Community Association to enable this.
OMAC has been successful in obtaining £500 funding for lighting equipment, which we intend to use for concerts and also to lend out to organisations in need of the equipment.
As of June 2025, for the Bluegrass festival, £14700 has been awarded by the CECLDF and £3000 from the Culture Fund, other bids have also been made.
Finally, OMAC is supporting 2 local music teachers to establish an Orkney Youth Choir. £4860.70 has been awarded by the CLLD fund to establish this, and the aim is for the choir to start officially at the beginning of the next academic year.
Future 2025 and beyond.
We will continue to help visiting artists, arrange concerts and meet up with other local musicians and artists. We will act as an information hub when asked about venues and how to contact other organisations.
Continue to work collaboratively with other charities in meeing local gaps in provision and increasing the awareness of the unique Orkney heritage.
Orkney Music and Culture
A Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO)
Registered Charity SC049458
Registered from 18[th] July 2019
Trustee’s Report for the year ended 31[st] March 2025
The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31[st] March 2025.
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the charity’s written constitution, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended) and ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) ’(as amended for accounting periods commencing from 1 January 2016).
Objectives and Activities
The charity’s purpose is the advancement of the arts, heritage and culture.
Achievements and Performance
Main activities were the operation of the musical instrument bank and holding the Slow Sessions on a regular basis. In addition, we hold ‘come and try’ sessions for people who would like to try an instrument.
Our assets, namely the Instrument Bank, continues to be located in Kirkwall city centre.
Assets include two laptops, interfaces, Sibelius software, web cam and mic plus 137 musical instruments in the Instrument Bank (estimated total value £11,400); the Slow Session music books with CD’s (some for loan during Slow Sessions, some available for sale) and a number of music stands. In addition, we now have promotional materials in the form of banners for display at events.
The instrument bank provided 45 loaned instruments compared to 26 the previous year.
Financial Review
Incoming resources totaled £4,115 whilst resources expended amounted to £4,971. Funds on the balance
sheet to date totaled £4,882.
The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed and are satisfied that arrangements are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.
Structure Governance and Management
The charity is registered as a SCIO with OSCR, as registered charity number SC049458 and is governed by a written constitution for the purpose of advancement of the arts, heritage, culture or science.
The trustees who have served during the year and up to date of signature of the financial statements were:
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Trustees are expected to stand down and then put themselves forward to be reappointed by the members at the annual general meeting.
Responsibilities of the Board include the management of the activities of the charity, its assets, finances and fund raising.
Annual General Meeting
This will be chaired by (Chair) and will be conducted both in person at the Board Room, Dunkirk building, Kirkwall and via Zoom. The AGM Agenda will include:
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2025 Annual Report.
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2024-25 Accounts (attached to and covered by this Report)
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Appointment of 2025-26 Independent Examiner
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Elections to the Board
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AOB
Financial report (unaudited)
Statement for year ended 31st March 2025
The sources of income have come mainly from retrospective grants for charity activities and the sales of Slow Session music books. Also fundraising.
The main source of expenditure was tutor fees, facilities for Slow Sessions and fundraising costs.
Main assets held are the musical instruments which are used for the encouragment of people to play on a short term basis, freeof charge. The charity at year end was still in a healthy position in terms of funds in bank / hand. There was deficit (Receipts vs Payments) of £856 (rounded). The funds in bank have been maintained at a reasonable level. Mainly due to to grants achieved in order to continue the charity's objectives. The slow sessions continue to prove popular with a steady attendance of budding musicians. Fundraising concerts were organised with many local musicians taking part. Also visiting artists. The financial position is such that ongoing costs can and will be covered.
A restricted funding record is being kept for the upcoming Burray Bluegrass Festival (Watersound).
No reserves are held by the charity.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
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Unrestricted Restricted Year ended Year ended
Funds Funds 31/03/2024 31/03/2025
Receipts
Donations 700 141 700
Grants 1,211 2,750 1,211
Fundraising 858 826 2,625 1,684
Sale of Slow Session Books 477 675 477
Book sales other 43 43
Sump test 0 2 0
Total receipts 3,289 826 6,193 4,115
Payments
Fundraising costs, eg, concerts 885 108 970 993
Payments relating to 1,009 1,254 1,009
charitable activities eg, room hire, sundries 0
Insurance 418 283 418
Website 264 264 264
Tutor fees for Slow Sessions 840 910 840
Storage fee 660 630 660
Other 56 59 56
Sub total 4,132 108 4,370 4,240
Payments relating to assets
Purchases of assets 731 732 731
Sub total 731 0 732 731
Total payments 4,863 108 5,102 4,971
Net receipts (payments) 1,574 718 1,091 856
Statement of Balances - As at 31 March 2025
Unrestricted Restricted Total 2024 Total 2025
Funds Funds
Opening cash in bank / hand 5,738 4,647 5,738
Surplus/(Deficit) for the year - 1,574 718 1,091 - 856
Closing cash in bank / hand 4,164 718 5,738 4,882
Other assets Unrestricted fund
Instruments (estimated) 11,233 10113 11,233
(includes Sibelius laptops, banners etc)
Liabilities (unrestricted fund)
None
Trustee remuneration - none
Trustee expenses - none
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Assets - (Instruments only) - Quantity
128
137
Sunnyvale
Burray Orkney
27/04 2025
| have examined the Orkney Music and Culture’s Accounting Records and The Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Balances.
| confirm that to the best of my knowledge and belief and in accordance with the explanations given to me, the Receipts and Payments Account and Statement of Balances have been properly prepared from the records of The Orkney Music and Culture and are in agreement with them