THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Charity registrdtion number 1000584 RWB CA Limited Northgale House North Gate New Basford Nottingham NG7 78Q
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Charity name The Southwell Minster Choir Association Charity registration number 1000584 Principal Address 47 Easlhorpe Southwell NG25 OHY Clerk to the Trustees Mr Laurence Cunnington 47 Easthorpe Soulhwell NG25 OHY Trustees Colonel David Rupert Snealh Ms Elizabeth Helen Johnson Mrs Adrienne Pauline Patterson Rev Canon Dr Richard Frith Mr Jonathan Michael Nicholas Allsopp Mr Laurence Clifford Cunnington Mr Paul Anthony Provost Mr Michael Norman Davidson Independent Examiner Nick Bonnello FCA RWB Chartered Accountanls Northgale House North Gate New Basford Nottingham NG7 7BQ
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT The trustees are pleased to presenl their report for year ended 31 March 2025. Reference and administrative details Reference and administrative details are shown on page 1. the trustees whose names are shown on page 1 served throughout the year unless otherwise noted. Structure, Governance and Management The Trust was created by Constitution. adopted 21 st July 1989. The Trustees have examined the principal areas of the Trust's operations and considered the major risks faced. In the opinion of the Trustees, the Trust ha5 established systems lo mitigate those risks to an acceptable level. The Trustees ensure that all the charity's activities are conducted wilhin bolh the letter and the culture of the safeguarding policies of Southwell Minster. A revised version ofthe Conslilulion was adopled al the charity's AGM on 19th November 2023. The reason5 for this revision were sel out in detail in that yearfs trustees. report. In summary, the 'objectives and activitiès, statement was clarified to include formally the Minsler Chorale land any future similar choirs); outdated gender-specific language was removed from the document., and the number of Irustees was increased to eight. The revised Constitution was submitted to the Charity Commission on 14th February 2024 the delay of three months from adoption to submission was caused by implementation problems with the Commission's new online system. On 20ln June 2024, the Charity Commission advised that the proposed wording of the 'Objects and Beneficiarie5' had been rejected and required further clarification. The revised Constitution was again submitted to the Commission and was again rejected, despite its objections having been fully addressed in the second submission. Against Ihis background, the Associalion still operates officially under the older Constitution document whilst acting as though the slightly revised Conslitution had been accepted by the Charity Commission. There are no plans to resubmit the document to Ihe Commission as none of the changes materially affect the objectives and activities of the charity. Objectives and activities The objects of the charily. as currently filed with the Charity Commission, are the study and practice of choral music, in particular church music in order to foster the public knowledge and appreciation of such music by means of public performance and lo promote the development of the choir of Southwell Minster. The princlpal activities of the Trust are: 1. Concert lours by the lay clerks. choristers, and the Minster Chorale 2. A programme of concerts throughout the year 3. Involvement of the local communily in musical performance 4. Educational and team-building events for the choristers 5. Financial support for the parents of choristers 6. Other related activities, both educational and social, to develop the choirs of Southwell Minster In planning their activities, the Trustees keep in mind at all limes the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit. Achievements and perfom)ance Concert tours The cost of tours is substantial, and they require considerable time to organise. This means that, at most, they are arranged every two years. No lour was held during this financial year - the next is being planned for 2026.
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Concert programme during the year A full programme of six concerts in the 'Music in the Stale Chamb8r' series was held. The Lay Clerks performed at the annual 'Carols in the State Chamberf concert. The Mu51¢ Foundalion, including the Minster Chorale, held its Summer Concert in July 2024, performing works by Bemstein, Britten. Stanford. and others. Involvement of the local community in musical perfonnance The annual Messiah concert was held in December 2024. Conducted by the Assistant Director of Music. Jonny Allsopp, the voices of the Minster Chorale and a singing group from the Minster School were augmented by professional soloists- including now-adult former chorislers - and the concert was arxompanied by the Musical & Amicable Society. A successful 'Come & Sing, presentation of Haydn's 'Nelson Mass, was held in February 2025. Educational and team-building events for the choristers Together with the Lay Clerks, the choristers participated in the 2024 Four Choir Festival. The choristers enjoyed a ten-pin bowling trip in June 2024. Initially funded by a community grant of £6,200 received from the Co-op, the 'Melody Makers, group was launched towards the end of2022. Children from school Years 1 and 2 are introduced to choral singing as a goal in itself bul also successfully acting as a 'f6ede¢ group to the main Minster choir. The group is led by one oflhe Lay Clerks, Lauren Osmond. who is also a primary school teacher. Financial support for the parents of choristers Since its inception in 2011, the discretionary travel grant scheme has paid out over £27,000 to the parentsl¢arers of choristers wilh a home address more than seven miles from the Minster The scheme, which is not means-tested, is a valuable recruitmenl and retention tool which has been greatly appreciated by the parents who have benefitled from it. Six Chorister families made claims under the scheme during the financial year. Other related activities Quiz & Curry Night Making a profit of over £400, Ihis social and fund-raising event was held in the State Chamber in November 2024. Retired Senior Lay Clerk and professional quiz-queslion setter, Guy Turner, hosted this enjoyable evening which is now an annual fixture in the Association's calendar. 30th Anniversary of the Minstsr Chorale A dinner was held to celebrate the 301h anniversary of the Minster Chorale and to honour the place of the choir in the Music Foundation. Celebrating the foundation of the Girfs, Choir SMCA organised and funded and afternoon tea in March 2025 for fomier girl choristers. marking twenty years sincè the foundation of the Girls, Choir. Wine-tssting evening Organised by Jonny Allsopp. Assislant Director of Music and wine connoisseur, this popular event madè a profil of £572. Honours board and prizes The honours board is maintained at the expense of the Choir Association.
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT Six prizes of £50 each were awarded to three girl choristers and three boy choristers al the end of the academic year. Choral Outreach Programme The Choral Outreach Programme- started in 2010- is administered by SMCA and has been funded by the Chapter of Soulhwell Minster, The Heritage Lottery Fund, The Pilling Trust. and an anonymous private donor. It was brought lo a close during th& year as the previous donors are no longer in a position lo continue lunding the programm6. The remaining balance of this fund1£5.28) was transf9rr9d to the general funds of the charity in June 2025. The Thiman Collection Funded by a member of the Thiman family, the objective of this project is lo create a physical archive of every known piece of music by the prolffic composer, Eric Harding Thiman11900-1975). After many years, work by Guy Tumer, the projecl is all but complete and create5 a national resource for further aGademicldoctoral research. The ar¢hiv8 comprises more than 1300 pieces and is referenced in the composer'5 Wikipedia article. Refreshments Team Led by Elizabeth Johnson. the volunteer refreshments team provided interval drinks and snacks al concert5 throughout the year. including concerts staged by outsidè organisalions. As well as refreshing the audiences. the team's work generated a profil of £3.617 for the Association. Flnanclal Ravlew Total nel assets as at 31st March 2025 were £33.439 compared to £30,722 as at 31st March 2023, an increase of £2,717. Expenditure during the year on Gharilable activities tolalled £30.258 compared lo £73.233 the previous year. Expenditure in the previous year was significantly higher due to the cost of the Sées Tour and two major orchestral concerts. Income during the year totalled £33.309 compared to £49.5LNJ the previous year. 11 is the opinion of the Trustees that the charity remains in a sound financial position Acknowledgements and thanks The Truglees would like to thank the members of the Association for their subscriptions, regular donors, refreshments team volunteers. and the local community for theif generous support of the charity's activities. PflV8te thanks have been given to an anonymous donor who gen8rousty contributed £2.5001o support the education of the choristers. Gratitude is also expressed to the officers and members of the Commitlee and the stsff of the Music Department of Soulhwell Minster for their work in supporting the activitie$ of Ihe Association. Approved by the Trustees on . and signod on their behaff by.. Colonel David Ruport Snealh Chair
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION I report lo the trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Soulhwell Minster Choir Association for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages 6 and 7. RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF TRUSTEES AND EXAMINER As Ihe charity's trustees of the Southwell Mister Choir Association, you are responsible for the preparalion of the accounts in a¢cordan¢e with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Southwell Mister Choir Association accounts Carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Acl and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have ¢ome lo my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in respect of The Southwell Minster Choir Associalion as required by section 130 of the Act,. or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records I have no Concerns and have come across no otF)er matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of Ihe aGcounls lo be reached. Nick Bonnello FCA RWB Chartered Accountants Northgate House North Gate New Basford Nottingham NG7 7BQ Date..
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 Total Funds 2024 Totsl Funds Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Note Receipts Donations 3,431 3,431 7,411 Fundraising 24,953 24.953 36,543 Tour Income Annual subscriptions 2,430 2,430 2,050 Bank interest Other income 2,403 92 2,495 3,497 33,217 92 33,309 49,500 Assets and investment sales Receipts from sale of investments 4,000 4,000 20,000 Totsl recelpts 37,217 92 37,309 69,500 Payments Fundraising 21,534 21,534 36,719 Tour Activily 23,917 Choir Activity 2,084 2,084 1,686 1,003 Administration expenses 1,529 1,529 Miscellaneous expenses 3,613 28,760 1,498 1,498 5.111 30,258 9,898 73.223 Assets and investTnent purchases Purchase of investmenls Total payments 28,790 1.498 30,258 73,223 Net receipls (payments) Transfers between funds Cash funds as at 31 March 2024 Cash funds as at 31 March 2025 8,457 (202) 2,371 10,626 (1,4061 202 1,433 229 7,051 (3,7231 3,804 10,855 7,527 3.804
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 Unrestrlcted Funds R8strlct•d Total Funds Funds 2024 Cash Funds Nalwest current account Mansfield Building Society Pety cash 10,587 230 10,817 3.766 38 38 10,625 230 10,855 3,804 Invgstmont assets held with CCLA Marf(ei Value Cost.. £24,134 23.089 23,089 27,392 Total Assets 33,713 230 33,943 31.196 Liabilities Examiners fees 504 504 474 504 504 474 Net Assets 33,209 230 33,439 30,722 Balance at 01 April 2024 Balan¢fr at 31 March 2025 Incomlng Resources Resources Expended Transler5 Restrl¢tgd Funds Choral Outreach Project 923 {8471 76 Eric Thiman Collects'on 356 92 16501 202 Old Choristers. Association 154 154 1,433 92 11,497) 202 230 Signed on behalf of thè board of Iruslees on 3a.09.I Colonel David Rupert Sneath Chalr
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 UnstriCted Funds Restrictsd Totsl Total Funds Funds Funds 1 Income from fundraising Christmas card sales Channel Swim 2022 Other concerts Refreshmenls sales Music in the Slate Chamber Wine Tasting 2024 Quiz & Curry Night Sées Tour 2023 Chorale 30th Dinner 1,083 14,577 5,960 1,491 890 1,440 14,577 5,960 1.491 20.745 3.845 1,869 1,440 1,560 7,442 595 595 24,953 24,063 36,543 2 Other income Choral Outreach Project (Sing Up) Eric Thiman Collection Melody Makers Gift Aid Miscellaneous Income 92 92 820 1,570 13 2,494 577 1,269 1.651 820 1,570 13 2,403 92 3.497 3 Expenditure on fundraising Christmas cards Refreshment expenses Olher concerts and expenses Four Choirs Festival 2024 Music in the State Chamber Quiz & Curry Night Summer Concert 2024 Messiah 2024 Publicity General St John Passion 2024 Wine Tasting 2024 1,237 1.713 14,439 2,344 1,881 1,089 377 1,031 1,024 8.126 387 4.956 319 21,534 2,344 1,881 1,089 377 1,031 1,024 8,126 387 4.956 319 503 984 8,370 1.038 8.214 221 21,534 36,719 4 Tour Activity Choral tour 2024 Sées Tour 2024 4,226 19,691 23,917
THE SOUTHWELL MINSTER CHOIR ASSOCIATION NOTES TO THE RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025 2025 2024 Unrestrlcted Funds Restrictèd Total Total Funds Funds Funds 5 Choir Activities BBQ Outing Bowling Workshop 1,170 383 531 1,170 383 531 1,120 350 216 2,084 2,084 1,686 6 Miscellaneous expenses Choral Outreach Project (Sing Up) Eric Thiman Collection Honours Board Minster Chorale Travel Grants Prizes Music Commissions Music Folders Insurance Melody Makers Expenses Other 847 650 847 650 120 4,519 515 110 120 2.035 200 2,035 200 1,787 350 245 968 245 968 46 5,111 212 1,214 1,191 9.898 46 3,614 1,498