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STRATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL

Registered charity 1164662 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

To advance education by promoting and providing opportunities for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of literature and the arts, in particular through promoting and running a literary festival and educational outreach activities primarily in Stratford-upon-Avon. To provide relief to those at a social disadvantage through literary related activities to encourage a sense of self-worth.

Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · Other Charitable Purposes · website · Get email alerts

Latest income
£281k
Latest spending
£234k
Registered
2015
Accounts read
FY2024

Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts

The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £46,803 for the year, with unrestricted reserves increasing to £93,939. The trustees consider the balance sheet satisfactory and believe the charity can continue as a going concern for at least the next twelve months. However, the trustees note that a higher level of reserves is currently needed due to economic uncertainty and the loss of major sponsorship.

Automated summary of the FY2024 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Largest income source: Ticket and book sales (54% of income)
“Ticket and book sales 151,532” — page 3
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Reserves policy: 15% of income (held: £94k)
“it is prudent to hold reserves of 15% of income to provide a contingency against unexpected shortfalls in income”
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Remuneration paid to Anna Ashworth (Director) and Julia Wheeler (Interviewer) who are also trustees, but explicitly stated as not for trustee duties.
“Remuneration to Anna Ashworth is given for her services as the Director of the Festival, not for her duties as a trustee. Remuneration to Julia Wheeler is given for her services as an interviewer, not for her duties as a trustee.” — page 4
Per its FY2024 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Warwickshire

Income and spending

Financial year endIncomeSpending
31/12/2024£281k£234k
31/12/2023£258k£208k
31/12/2022£170k£173k
31/12/2021£109k£108k
31/12/2020£86k£75k

Common questions

Is STRATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL financially healthy?

Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a surplus of £46,803 for the year, with unrestricted reserves increasing to £93,939. The trustees consider the balance sheet satisfactory and believe the charity can continue as a going concern for at least the next twelve months. However, the trustees note that a higher level of reserves is currently needed due to economic uncertainty and the loss of major sponsorship. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.

Who funds STRATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL?

Funders whose own accounts filings name STRATFORD LITERARY FESTIVAL as a grant recipient include THE SAINTBURY TRUST, THE ALLEN LANE FOUNDATION, GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST, THE SIR PETER RIGBY CHARITABLE TRUST.

Known funders

Grants to this charity found in funders’ own accounts filings.

FunderYearAmountPurpose (as stated by the funder)
THE SAINTBURY TRUSTFY2025£4kAdvancement of Education
THE ALLEN LANE FOUNDATIONFY2025£3k
GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2025£1k
THE SIR PETER RIGBY CHARITABLE TRUSTFY2025£500