Charity registration number 1158833
Company registration number 06508639 (England and Wales)
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees
Mr P J Bowell
Miss S A Voice
Mrs N Mason - Chair
Mr N P Linfield
Mr A G Gobat
Ms P J Robinson
Mr S Holliday
(Appointed 28 July 2025)
Charity number
1158833
Company number
06508639
Principal address
Ridge Green
Maudlyn Park
Bramber
Steyning
West Sussex
BN44 3PS
Registered office
Amelia House
Crescent Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 1QR
Independent examiner
Carpenter Box
Amelia House
Crescent Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 1RL
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
CONTENTS
Page
Trustees' report
1 - 3
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
4
Independent examiner's report
5
Statement of financial activities
6
Balance sheet
7
Notes to the financial statements
8 - 13
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 1 -

The trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended 5 April 2025.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 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 issued in October 2019.

Objectives and activities

The Steyning Festival’s purposes as set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association are to advance education for the public benefit by the promotion of the arts; in particular, of music, literature, theatre, the spoken word and advance the education of the public in the local history and natural history of Steyning, West Sussex and the surrounding area by the provision of a biennial festival of events and workshops.

The aim of our charity is to bring ten days of diverse, high quality programmed artistic and community events, which inspire innovation, collaboration and community cohesion, to the people of Steyning and the surrounding area. Our aims fully reflect the purposes that the charity was set up to further.

We review our aim, objectives and activities each year. The review looks at the success of each key activity and the benefits they have brought to those groups of people we are set up to engage with. The review also helps us ensure our aim, objectives and activities remain focused on our stated purposes. We have referred to the guidance contained in the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit when reviewing our aim and objectives and in planning our future activities. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aim and objectives they have set.

We are a community-led organisation solely run by volunteers who live and work in Steyning and the surrounding community. The charity is managed by 7 trustees and it involves 100 plus volunteers. We have no paid members of staff.

Achievements and performance

The Festival in 2024 ran for 10 days with over 100 events and activities and spanned a range of genres including Theatre, Music, Visual Arts, Walks and Tours, Literature and Poetry, Talks and Community events. We worked with a number of local community groups to deliver a mixture of entertainment and education for all interests and ages.

The Festival is planned to coincide with half term and the children's events included Songs and Stories with Julia Donaldson, circus skills and body percussion workshops, creative writing and the Big Draw Off with Nick Sharratt. A quiz and afternoon tea was arranged for the older generation organized in conjunction with Vintage Years. Teenagers were provided with a series of DJ workshops. They also had the opportunity to perform themselves in the Live Lounge event.

The large audience events in the Big Top situated on Fletcher’s Croft provide financial stability to the Festival and in 2024 the two leading acts were a family night with an ABBA tribute band and a DJ night with Norman Jay. Both sold out to capacity audiences. The Big Top also showed a Folk Night, a Madness Tribute night.

Comedy was represented by Marcus Brigstocke – a sellout event.

The Church hosted a variety of choral performances and classical music.

The local Methodist Church proved an ideal venue for a series of talks from historians, adventurers, environmentalists and authors.

STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 2 -

Our community activities and events were, in the main, free of charge and very well attended. The Festival began with a Green Day, which kicked off with an electric car and bike parade through the town, and a children's parade around the Big Top with participants from our local schools. Our community fun day included all the fun of the fair - Victorian roundabout, a coconut shy, splat the rat, roll a penny, and a puppet show. Art in the Park was a day of craft events and workshops, felting, screen printing, creating a countryside mural, with life drawing sessions. We have enjoyed a long and successful partnership with Steyning Arts and once again they produced a diverse art trail in and around the town.

The Trustees wanted to provide some entertainment free of charge to the local community and arranged Happy Hour concerts early on several evening which proved popular. The Festival ended with a big community picnic and a free concert.

The future

Following the Festival a programme of research was undertaken amongst the volunteers and coordinators aiming to develop and improve future editions the Festival. The research recommended an earlier start to programming, improved communication between the various project teams and the creation of a team for marketing. These recommendations have all been actioned now in preparation for the 2026 event.

Risk Management

The trustees have a risk management strategy which comprises:

- an annual review of the principal risks and uncertainties that the charity faces

- the establishment of policies, procedures and systems to mitigate those risks identified in the annual review

- the implementation of procedures designed to minimise or manage any potential impact on the charity should those risks materialise

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Financial review

The charity is dependent on income donated from its supporters and sponsors, and ultimately ticket sales from the Festival. All funds are unrestricted, and at the end of the year, there were reserves of £92,039 in 2025 (£82,947 in 2024).

It is the policy of the charity that unrestricted funds should be maintained at a level equivalent to approximately half the running costs of the Festival, which would enable the planning and set up of the Festival ahead of ticket sales for any given year.

Structure, governance and management

The company was incorporated in England and Wales on 19 February 2008 as a company limited by guarantee with no share capital and registration number 06508639. It was registered with the Charity Commission on 10 October 2014 with registration number 1158833.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:

Mr P J Bowell
Miss S A Voice
Mrs N Mason - Chair
Mr B J Saunders
(Resigned 14 May 2025)
Mr N P Linfield
Mr A G Gobat
Ms P J Robinson
Mr S Holliday
(Appointed 28 July 2025)
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED)(INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 3 -

Appointment of trustees are by resolution of the members at a general meeting or by directors’ resolution on an interim basis. CV’s are received and interviews carried out to assess suitability.

The directors of the company are members of the company who have guaranteed to contribute £1 each to the assets of the company in the event of winding up.

The trustees' r eport was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mrs N Mason - Chair
Trustee
Dated: 5 January 2026
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 4 -

The trustees, who are also the directors of Steyning Festival Limited for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
- 5 -

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Steyning Festival Limited (the charity) for the year ended 5 April 2025.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or

4

the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.

Kristina Perry FCCA
Carpenter Box
Amelia House
Crescent Road
Worthing
West Sussex
BN11 1RL
Dated: 5 January 2026
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 6 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
Income from:
Charitable activities
3
99,648
3,543

Investment s

4
2,406
1,381
Total income
102,054
4,924
Expenditure on:

R aising funds

5
5,451
3,230

Charitable activities

6
87,511
3,833
Total resources expended
92,962
7,063
Net movement in funds
9,092
(2,139)
Fund balances at 6 April 2024
82,947
85,086
Fund balances at 5 April 2025
92,039
82,947

All income and expenditure in the current and comparative period was unrestricted.

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT
5 APRIL 2025
05 April 2025
- 7 -
2025
2024
Notes
£
£
£
£
Fixed assets
Tangible assets
11
170
226
Current assets
Debtors
12
601
13,641
Cash at bank and in hand
94,747
72,668
95,348
86,309
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
13
(3,479)
(3,588)
Net current assets
91,869
82,721
Total assets less current liabilities
92,039
82,947
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
92,039
82,947
92,039
82,947

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 5 April 2025.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 5 January 2026
Mrs N Mason - Chair
Mr S Holliday
Trustee
Trustee
Company Registration No. 06508639
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 8 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

Steyning Festival Limited is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Amelia House, Crescent Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 1RL.

1.1
Accounting convention

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”), “Accounting and Reporting by Charities” the Statement of Recommended Practice for charities applying FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The accounts are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary a mounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £1.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
Going concern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees ha ve a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The trustees ha ve considered relevant information, including the impact of subsequent events, in making their assessment.

Based on these assessments and having regard to the resources available to the entity, the trustees ha ve concluded that there is no material uncertainty in relation to the appropriateness of continuing to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives unless the funds have been designated for other purposes.

1.4
Income

Income is recognised when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably, and it is probable that income will be received.

D onations and sponsorship funds are recognised once the charity has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount.

Where income is received specifically in relation to the Festival, it is deferred and recognised in the year of the Festival.

1.5
Expenditure

Expenditure is recognised when incurred, unless it relates to future performance when it is held as prepaid.

Expenditure is classified under the following activity headings:

Costs of raising funds comprise expenses relating to advertising and running events to raise the profile of the Festival.

Expenditure on charitable activities includes the costs of performances, venue hire, literature and other associated costs of the festival to further the purposes of the charity, together with related support and governance costs.

STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
1
Accounting policies
(Continued)
- 9 -

Support costs are those functions that assist the work of the charity but do not directly undertake charitable activities.

Governance costs are those incurred in connection with administration of the charity and compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements.

These are allocated between charitable activities and other expenditure on the basis set out under note 7.

1.6
Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.

Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:

Computers
25% p.a. reducing balance

The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.

1.7
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand and deposits held at call with banks.

1.8
Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are measured at transaction price including transaction costs. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors are recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 10 -
2
Critical accounting estimates and judgements

In the application of the charity’s accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

3
Income from charitable activities
Charitable activities
Charitable activities
2025
2024
£
£

Ticket sales

74,799
7

Donations and sponsorships

5,468
3,386

Café and bar

17,710
-

Advertising

1,497
-
Other income
174
150
99,648
3,543
Analysis by fund
Unrestricted funds
99,648
3,543
4

Investment s

2025
2024
£
£
Interest receivable
2,406
1,381
5

R aising funds

2025
2024
£
£

Printing and distribution

2,750
-
Advertising
2,701
3,230
5,451
3,230
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 11 -
6

Charitable activities

2025
2024
£
£

Venue hire

30,395
-

Cafe

652
-

Music

24,426
-

Comedy

5,150
-

Talks / Walks

4,887
-

Theatre

4,889
-

Community

2,452
-

Donations

-
100

Security

4,222
-
Cleaning
2,008
-
79,081
100
Share of support costs (see note 7)
4,237
1,780
Share of governance costs (see note 7)
4,193
1,953
87,511
3,833
7
Support costs
Support costs
Governance costs
2025
2024
Basis of allocation
£
£
£
£
Depreciation
56
-
56
75

Direct

Insurance

765
-
765
635

Direct

Office costs

3,416
-
3,416
1,070

Direct

Accountancy
-
4,134
4,134
1,903
Direct
Trustee events
-
59
59
50
Direct
4,237
4,193
8,430
3,733
Analysed between
Charitable activities
4,237
4,193
8,430
3,733

In the current year, total accountancy fees were £4,134 (2024: £1,903), comprising independent examination fees of £1,386 (2024: £Nil) and fees for accountancy, taxation and company secretarial services of £2,748 (2024: £1,903).

STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 12 -
8
Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.

During the year, 4 of the trustees (2024: 1) w as reimbursed expenses of £1,143 (20 24: £50) relating to office support costs, £647 (2024: £Nil) relating to venue hire costs, and £70 (2024: £Nil) relating to security costs.

9
Employees
There were no employees in the current or comparative period.
10
Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax ation on its activities because all its income is applied for charitable purposes.

11
Tangible fixed assets
Computers
£
Cost
At 6 April 2024
2,060
At 5 April 2025
2,060
Depreciation and impairment
At 6 April 2024
1,834
Depreciation charged in the year
56
At 5 April 2025
1,890
Carrying amount
At 5 April 2025
170
At 5 April 2024
226
12
Debtors
2025
2024
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Other debtors
-
4,527
Prepayments and accrued income
601
9,114
601
13,641
STEYNING FESTIVAL LIMITED
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2025
- 13 -
13
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2025
2024
£
£
Deferred income
14
-
1,017
Other creditors
-
663
Accruals
3,479
1,908
3,479
3,588
14
Deferred income
2025
2024
£
£
Other deferred income
-
1,017

Deferred income is included in the financial statements as follows:

2025
2024
£
£
Deferred income is included within:
Current liabilities
-
1,017
Movements in the year:
Deferred income at 6 April 2024
1,017
-
Released from previous periods
(1,017)
-
Resources deferred in the year
-
1,017
Deferred income at 5 April 2025
-
1,017
15
Related party transactions

There were no disclosable related party transactions during the current or comparative year.

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