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2025-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1 September 2024 Period start date To 31 August 2025 Period end date

Charity name: City of Bristol Choir

Charity registration number: 1015961

Objectives and Activities

Summary of the purposes of
the charity as set out in its
governing document		 “To promote, improve, develop and maintain public
education in and appreciation of the art and science of
music in all its aspects by the presentation of public
concerts and recitals and by such other means as the
Choir, through its committee,shall determine from time
to time.”
Summary of the main
activities in relation to those
purposes for the public
benefit, in particular, the
activities, projects or services
identified in the accounts.		 City of Bristol Choir – 2024 / 2025 Season
(1 Sep 2024 – 31 Aug 2025)
🎵27 - 30th October 2024 - Choir Tour to Salisbury &
Sherborne, including choral evensong at Salisbury
cathedral and a concert at Sherborne Abbey on
Wednesday 29th performing choral favourites by
Stanford, Summers, Howells, Duruflé, Gjeilo and
Bruckner.
🎶17 November 2024 -Brilliance and Beauty- St
George’s Bristol, 6:00 pm
A celebratory choral and orchestral concert with guest
soloists (Esther Mallett and Nancy Holt) and Brandon Hill
Chamber Orchestra, showcasing radiant choral works.
⭐19 December 2024 -Christmas Spectacular- St
George’s Bristol, 7:30 pm
City of Bristol Choir join the Bristol Ensemble under
David Ogden and Roger Huckle, presenting an uplifting
programme of festive music and seasonal favourites.
🎄21 December 2024 -Festive Fiesta- St George’s
Bristol, 7:30 pm
An interactive Christmas-themed concert with audience
carol singing, orchestral seasonal pieces and choral
favourites, led by David Ogden and Roger Huckle.
📯21 March 2025 -That Friday Feeling- All Saints’
Church, Clifton, 7:45 pm
A spring concert of inspiring choral music — a mix of
contemplative and uplifting works designed to soothe and
refresh, conducted by David Ogden with organ and flute
soloists.
🎷22 June 2025 -Summer Jazz & Soul - A Choral
Celebration– St George’s Bristol, 6:00 pm
A joyous summer concert featuring the choir with the Iain
Farrington Jazz Trio, including the first performance of
_Summer Jazz Cantata_and jazz-inflected favourites
blending swing, soul and pop styles.
Statement confirming
whether the trustees have
had regard to the guidance
issued by the Charity
Commission on public
benefit		 Yes

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policy on grant making There is no policy but decisions are taken on a case by
case basis by the Trustees and the committee for the
commission of new musical works and to award Bursary
Scholarships for young singers.
Policy on social investment
including program related
investment		 N/A
Contribution made by
volunteers		 Volunteer stewards, committee members, librarian and
front of house team are thanked publicly and thanks are
published in the concert programmes.
Other N/A

Achievements and Performance

Summary
of
the
main
achievements of the charity,
identifying the difference the
charity’s work has made to
the
circumstances
of
its
beneficiaries and any wider
benefits to society as a
whole.		 City of Bristol Choir 2024–2025
Main Achievements & Charitable Impact
27–30 October 2024 - Salisbury & Sherborne Tour
Sarum College, Salisbury Cathedral & Sherborne Abbey
City of Bristol Choir undertook a four-day residency tour
combining rehearsal, liturgical singing and public
performance. The choir sang Choral Eucharist and
Evensong at Salisbury Cathedral, contributing to the
Anglican choral tradition in a major historic setting, and
presented a formal recital at Sherborne Abbey featuring a
wide-ranging programme from Romantic motets to
contemporary British works. The tour strengthened
regional musical partnerships, provided valuable
educational immersion in cathedral repertoire, and
fostered artistic and community development within the
ensemble.
17 November 2024 - Brilliance and Beauty
St George's Bristol, 6:00pm
This autumn concert showcased expressive and richly
textured choral works performed with instrumental
accompaniment and guest soloists. Through a
programme spanning established masterworks and
modern compositions, the choir offered audiences a
high-quality artistic experience while advancing public
appreciation of large-scale choral repertoire in a
professional concert setting.
19 December 2024 - Christmas Spectacular
St George's Bristol, 7:30pm
In collaboration with professional orchestral musicians,
this festive concert presented a celebratory programme of
seasonal choral and symphonic music. Combining

traditional carols with vibrant arrangements, the event attracted wide audiences and supported the choir’s charitable aim of making high-quality live choral music accessible and engaging during the Christmas season. 21 December 2024 - Festive Fiesta St George's Bristol, 7:30pm Festive Fiesta offered an interactive seasonal concert blending prepared choral works, orchestral items and communal carol singing. By encouraging audience participation in an inclusive and welcoming format, the choir helped demystify classical performance and broadened engagement with choral traditions across diverse community groups. 21 March 2025 – That Friday Feeling All Saints’ Church, Clifton, 7:45pm This spring concert presented a reflective and varied programme of sacred and contemporary choral music in an intimate setting, balancing established composers with modern British voices. Through thoughtful programming and stylistic diversity, the choir deepened audience appreciation of choral craftsmanship while continuing to support living composers and educational engagement. 22 June 2025 – Summer Jazz & Soul: A Choral Celebration St George's Bristol, 6:00pm Concluding the season, this vibrant summer performance explored jazz- and soul-inspired choral repertoire in collaboration with professional instrumentalists. By embracing cross-genre programming and contemporary arrangements, the choir expanded its artistic range, attracted new audiences, and demonstrated the versatility and accessibility of choral singing in modern musical contexts.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set

City of Bristol Choir enjoyed another highly successful year, continuing to attract substantial and diverse

audiences to its performances. Through an ambitious and
varied programme spanning both classical masterworks
and contemporary compositions, the choir enabled
increasing numbers of people across Bristol and beyond
to experience high-quality live choral music.
The choir maintained and developed collaborations with a
wide range of ensembles, instrumentalists and venues
throughout
the
city
(and
beyond),
strengthening
partnerships within Bristol’s wider musical community.
Performances were presented in varied and accessible
venues, and concessionary pricing and discounted tickets
were consistently offered to ensure that financial
circumstances did not present a barrier to attendance,
supporting the choir’s commitment to inclusive public
access to the arts.
Performance of fundraising
activities against objectives
set		 N/A
Investment performance
against objectives		 N/A
Other N/A

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s
financial position at the end
of the period		 Para 1.21 The 2024/25 season returned to a more standard year
with all 3 main concerts (excluding Christmas) solely
the responsibility of the choir. This has seen ticket
sales drop to a more usual level, however costs were
still high. One concert involved paying a substitute
conductor owing to illness, which impacted the
profitability of the concerts this year. Overall increases
in subscriptions (owing to improved controls), gift aid
and performance fees generated a profit for the year.
This will enable us to continue with the Choir’s
objectives in future years and allow an increase in
reserves so as to cover one failed concert.
Statement explaining the
policy for holding reserves
stating why they are held		 Para 1.22 City of Bristol Choir maintains a reserve of at least
£15,000 to support the Choir’s on-going activities and
to provide a contingency fund in case of poor ticket
sales or unexpected costs.
The accompanying
Accountsquantifythree designated funds(the CBC
Bursary Fund, the Commissions Fund and the CBC
Tour Fund) and explain their purposes.
Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Minimum of £15,000
Reasons for holding zero
reserves		 Para 1.22 N/A
Details of fund materially in
deficit		 Para 1.24 N/A
Explanation of any
uncertainties about the
charity continuing as a going
concern		 Para 1.23 N/A

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
The charity’s principal
sources of funds (including
any fundraising)		 Para 1.47 Subscriptions from members
Concert income
Grants and awards for specific projects or concerts
Investment policy and
objectives including any
social investment policy
adopted		 Para 1.46 N/A
A description of the principal
risks facing the charity		 Para 1.46 The principal risks to the Choir are first; ensuring that
audiences continue to attend concerts given the
growing competition for musical performances in and
around Bristol and secondly, that membership
remains at an optimum level to deliver the aims and
objectives of the choir and to generate subscription
income. The Trustees continue to review this and the
choir’s position remains satisfactory. We are also
aware of the potential financial risk posed to the choir
in the form of the cost of living crisis;ensuring that
audiences continue to attend concerts given the growing
competition for musical performances in and around
Bristol and the increased cost of living impacting
disposable income.
Other N/A
Structure, Governance and Management
Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)
Para 1.25
Written constitution.
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)
Para 1.25
City of Bristol Choir is an unincorporated
association regulated by its constitution,
adopted
at
a
specially
convened
Extraordinary General Meeting of the Choir
on 26thNovember 1992 and amended at
Description of charity’s
trusts:
Type of governing document
(trust deed, royal charter)		 Para 1.25 Written constitution.
How is the charity
constituted?
(e.g unincorporated
association, CIO)		 Para 1.25 City of Bristol Choir is an unincorporated
association regulated by its constitution,
adopted
at
a
specially
convened
Extraordinary General Meeting of the Choir
on 26thNovember 1992 and amended at
specially convened EGMs of the Choir on
9thSeptember 2001, 29thJune 2003 and at
the AGM on 19thJune 2014.
Trustee selection methods
including details of any
constitutional provisions e.g.
election to post or name of
any person or body entitled
to appoint one or more
trustees		 Para 1.25 In accordance with the amended Constitution
adopted at the AGM on 19thJune 2014, the
Trustees are drawn from the members of the
Choir and elected by a simple majority of
members at the Charity’s Annual General
Meeting or at an Extraordinary General
Meeting. They hold office until the next
Annual General Meeting and are eligible for
re-election.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Policies and procedures
adopted for the induction
and training of trustees		 Para 1.51 New Trustees are mentored and they meet
with
outgoing
or
current
Trustees
depending what, if any role, they will play
on the committee.
All Trustees are advised of the expectations
and duties of Trustees and their attention is
specifically
drawn
to
www.
Gov.uk/guidance/charity-trustee-whats-invol
ved
The charity’s organisational
structure and any wider
network with which the
charity works		 Para 1.51 N/A
Relationship with any
related parties		 Para 1.51 N/A
Other N/A

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name City of Bristol Choir
Other name the charity
uses		 N/A
Registered charity
number		 1015961
Charity’s principal
address City of Bristol Choir
9 Sandstone Rise, Winterbourne,
Bristol BS36 1BB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10		 Trustee name
Julia Loveless
Sarah Pascall
Tim Jackson
Rose Lancaster
Peter Lunt
Alice Howse

Abi Ramsay
Helen Burke
Nigel Harradine
JennyHemming		 Office (if any) Dates acted if not for
whole year
Name of person
(or body) entitled
to appoint
trustee (if any)
Chair
from 1st Feb 2024 until
present
City of Bristol
Choir
Treasurer “
Secretary “
MembershipSec. “
Concert Manager “
Ticket Sec. “
Publicity Secretary Voted in AGM 2025, but
only ‘acting’ in the role
until be instated when we
transition to a CIC.
Trustee “
Trustee “
Trustee “
Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name
N/A N/A N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name Dates acted if not for
whole year
N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets
held in this capacity		 N/A
Name and objects of the
charity on whose behalf the
assets are held and how this
falls within the custodian
charity’s objects		 N/A
Details of arrangements for
safe custody and
segregation of such assets
from the charity’s own assets		 N/A

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of
adviser
Name
Address
N/A

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

Other optional information N/A

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s)_ _ Full name(s)_ JULIA LOVELESS__

Position (e.g. Secretary, Chair etc)_CHAIR_

Date__17 June 2026_____

CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

INCOME
Notes
Subscriptions
Gift Aid
Donations and grants
Concert Income
2
Performance Fees
Sponsorship and fundraising
Sale of goods
3
Deposits
Interest received
EXPENDITURE
Rehearsal Costs
Concert expenditure
2
Performance Costs
Cost of goods sold
3
Grants and commissions
Subscriptions paid
Insurance
Amortisation
Other costs
Tour costs
NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)
FUNDS AT 1 SEPTEMBER
FUNDS AT 31 AUGUST		 UNRESTRICTED FUNDS
2025
£
£
£
£
£
Other
CBC Bursary
CBC Tour
Commissions
Total
Funds
Fund
Fund
Fund
26,558
26,558
6,273
0
0
6,273
5
200
205
18,841
18,841
6,637
6,637
442
442
247
247
9,121
9,121
125
125		 2024
£
25,864
5,613
100
28,878
4,467
690
1,341
2,350
94
59,128
0
9,121
200
68,449
15,453
15,453
23,136
23,136
685
685
234
234
0
3,662
3,662
53
53
376
376
955
955
1,192
1,192
11,279
11,279
42,084
0
11,279
3,662
57,025
17,044
0
(2,159)
(3,462)
11,424
47,281
377
2,947
3,427
54,032		 69,397
15,155
24,942
2,579
339
750
53
450
964
641
0
45,873
23,524
30,163
64,325
377
789
(35)
65,456		 53,687

CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

BALANCE SHEET

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS

Notes
FIXED ASSETS
4
CURRENT ASSETS
Music Library
1,5
Stock
Gift Aid receivable
Debtors and prepayments
Cash at bank and in hand
COIF Deposit Account
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Creditors and Accruals
NET CURRENT ASSETS
NET ASSETS
RESERVES
General Funds
CBC Tour Fund
6
CBC Bursary Fund
6
CBC Commissions Fund
6		 2025
£
£
£
£
£
Other
CBC Bursary
CBC Tour
Commissions
Total
Funds
Fund
Fund
Fund
10,047
10,047
1,704
1,704
0
0
11,529
11,529
2,469
2,469
37,591
377
789
(35)
38,721
1,000
1,000		 2024
£
10,321
1,686
0
10,687
1,311
37,174
1,000
54,293
377
789
(35)
55,423
14
14
14
14
54,279
377
789
(35)
55,409
64,325
377
789
(35)
65,456
64,325
64,325
789
789
377
377
(35)
(35)
64,325
377
789
(35)
65,456		 51,858
8,492
8,492
43,366
53,687
47,436
2,447
377
3,427
53,687

Approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf

J Loveless S Pascall Chairman Treasurer

CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

1. Accounting policies

Basis of Accounting

These accounts have been prepared on the basis of historic costs in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities (SORP 2015), and with the Charities Act 1993. The basis of accounting has not changed during the year.

Going concern

There are no material uncertainties which might affect the ability of the Choir to continue.

Public benefit

The Choir is a public benefit entity; to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals and by such other means as the Choir, through its committee, shall determine from time to time.

Recognition of income

Income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities (SofA) when the charity becomes entitled to the resources; the Trustees

are virtually certain they will receive the resources; and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.

Income with related expenditure

Where income has related expenditure, such as concert income, the income and related expenditure are reported gross in the SofA

Grants and donations

Grants and donations are only included in the SofA when the charity has unconditional entitlement to the resources.

Tax reclaims on donations, subscriptions and gifts

Income from tax reclaims is included in the SofA at the same time as the gift to which they relate.

Contractual income and performance related grants

This is only included in the SofA once the related services have been delivered.

Investment Income

This is included in the accounts when receivable.

Liability recognition

Liabilities are recognised as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources.

Fixed Assets

Fixed assets comprise folding chairs used in concert performances, recording equipment,

and concert staging, which is depreciated to net residual value over twenty years on a straight line basis.

Music Library

Items held by the choir for its own use, or for rental by other choirs, are the subject of an annual

stocktake. To recognise the reducing value of copies over time, their value is amortised over a period of 5 years, on a reducing balance basis

CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

2. Concert income and expenditure

Income
Ticket Sales
Grants Received
Programme Sales
Refreshment Sales
Total Income
Expenditure		 That
Handel
Friday
Dixit
Feeling
Jazz
£
£
£
6,413
3,785
8,395
0
0
0
248
0
0
0
0
0		 2025
Total
£
18,593
0
248
0		 2024
Total
£
27,317
1,050
511
0
28,878		 2024
Total
£
27,317
1,050
511
0
28,878
6,661
3,785
8,395		 18,841 28,878
Musicians and soloists
Venue costs
Music Hire
Programme Costs
Refreshment Costs
Publicity and postage
Commission on ticket sales
Profit Share
Other costs
Surplus/(deficit)
3. Sale of goods
Income
Expenditure
Surplus/Deficit		 4,965
150
1,650
2,532
300
2,260
896
1,064
595
230
115
170
0
237
0
1,160
958
1,390
853
82
1,177
477
301
1,574
11,113
3,207
8,816
(4,452)
578
(421)
Music
CD
Sales
Sales
£
£
247
0
234
0
13
0		 6,765 2,662
5,092
2,555
515
237
3,508
2,112
2,352
23,136
(4,295)
2025
Total
£
247
234
13		 8,000
769
827
558
3,312
189
7,759
866
24,942
3,936
2024
Total
£
1,341
339
1,002

CITY OF BRISTOL CHOIR

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025

NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS

4. Fixed Assets
Brought forward
Additions during the year
Depreciation charge
Carried forward
5. Music Library
Net book value b/fwd
Additions during the year
Amortization
Net book value c/fwd		 2025
Cost
Depreciation
£
£
12,055
(1,794)
314
(529)		 Net Book Value
£
10,261
314
(529)		 2024
£
10,521
343
(543)
12,369
(2,323)		 10,047
2025
£
1,686
444
(426)
1,704		 10,321
2024
£
1,918
189
(421)
1,686

6. Designated funds

The CBC Bursary Fund is a designated fund established to provide funds to advance the musical education of young singers, who are required to join the choir during the period for which they are in receipt of bursary funding.

The CBC Tour Fund is a designated fund established to meet the incidental costs associated with overseas and domestic concert tours which the choir may undertake periodically.

7. Trustee's remuneration and expenses

No trustees were in receipt of remuneration during the year.

8. Related party transactions

There were no related party transactions during the year.

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES **• Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trusteesl members of City of Bristol Choir On accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 Charity no {if any) 1015961 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ('the Trusf) for the year ended 31 August 2024. Responsibilities and As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordants with the Charities Act 2011 ('the Actl. I report in respect of my examinalion of the Twsys accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying oui my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by Ihe Charity Commission under section 14515)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confimi that no material matters have examinerfs statement come to my attention in connection wsth the examination which gives me cause to believe that in. any material respect. the accounting records were not kept in accordants with seclion 130 oftheArt or the aco)unts did not accord with the accounting records., or the a¢xounts did not cc¥nply with the applicable requirements conceming the fonn and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. 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 accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 30 June 2026 Name: Rithard Franas Bacon Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any): FCA Address: 17 Wesffield Road BRISTOL BS9 3HG IER October 2018