THE FESTIVAL OF CHICHESTER
To advance education in the Arts and to promote the Arts for the public benefit in Chichester and the surrounding area in particular but not exclusively by promoting and providing opportunities (through events and activities) for the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the Arts in all their forms incIuding the promotion and running of an annual Summer Arts Festival.
Objects
TO ADVANCE EDUCATION IN THE ARTS AND TO PROMOTE THE ARTS FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT IN CHICHESTER AND THE SURROUNDING AREA IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY BY PROMOTING AND PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES (THROUGH EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES) FOR THE APPRECIATION, UNDERSTANDING AND ENJOYMENT OF THE ARTS IN ALL THEIR FORMS INCLUDING THE PROMOTION AND RUNNING OF THE ANNUAL SUMMER ARTS FESTIVAL.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The charity reported total incoming resources of £31,990 against total expenditure of £15,284, resulting in a net surplus for the year. Unrestricted free reserves held at year-end were £25,690, all in cash. The trustees maintain these reserves to ensure continued operation and meet future commitments, with no funds in deficit.
What the accounts disclose
“Total incoming resources for the year were £31,990 (2024: £13,437), comprising event income of £11,658 (2024: £8,792), grants/donations of £20,091 (2024: £4,500) and bank interest of £241 (2024: £145).”
“The trustees maintain reserves to ensure the continued operation of the Charity and to meet future commitments. The level of reserves is reviewed regularly.”
“One trustee was reimbursed £5,271 for various charity expenses paid personally to third parties on behalf of the charity.”
Policies the charity declares
- Volunteer management
From the charity’s annual return (Part A, self-declared)
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 30/12/2025
- Volunteers: 7
- Government income: £7,091 — grants £7,091 (3); 22% of the £31,990 total gross income on the same return
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 30/12/2024
- Volunteers: 7
- Government income: £2,000 — grants £2,000 (1); 15% of the £13,436 total gross income on the same return
Self-declared on the annual return for the financial year ending 30/12/2023
- Volunteers: 7
- Government income: £2,500 — grants £2,500 (1); 24% of the £10,510 total gross income on the same return
Trustees
- ANNE DOROTHY SCICLUNAchair
- Dr Phil Hewitt
- Victoria Jacqueline Meddows-Smith
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30/12/2025 | £32k | £15k |
| 30/12/2024 | £13k | £15k |
| 30/12/2023 | £11k | £10k |
| 30/12/2022 | £9k | £11k |
| 30/12/2021 | £4k | £7k |
Common questions
Is THE FESTIVAL OF CHICHESTER financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The charity reported total incoming resources of £31,990 against total expenditure of £15,284, resulting in a net surplus for the year. Unrestricted free reserves held at year-end were £25,690, all in cash. The trustees maintain these reserves to ensure continued operation and meet future commitments, with no funds in deficit. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| EARL OF CHESTER'S FUND | 2 | £3k |
| FRIENDS OF BUXTON INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL | 1 | £753k |
| COLWINSTON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £100k |
| THE TOLKIEN TRUST | 1 | £30k |
| MARIA BJORNSON MEMORIAL FUND | 1 | £10k |
| WHITAKER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE KIRBY LAING FOUNDATION | 1 | £5k |
| THE SCOPS ARTS TRUST | 1 | £4k |
Charities like this
- CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL
- FESTIVAL MEDICAL SERVICES
- THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS
- Chester Music and Theatre Company
- BUXTON ARTS FESTIVAL LIMITED
- CHILDREN'S BOOK FEST - CHICHESTER CIO
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE FESTIVAL OF CHICHESTER | £32k | — | — | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CHESTER FOLK FESTIVAL | £59k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FESTIVAL MEDICAL SERVICES | £654k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS | £67k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| Chester Music and Theatre Company | £29k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BUXTON ARTS FESTIVAL LIMITED | £2.0m | — | — | above | — | no doubt |