Saffron Walden Orchestral Society Walden swos,;;;." Orchestral Society Saffron Walden Orchestral Society Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2024 Annual Report and Accounts
Saffron Walden Orchestral Society Charity No. 1028429 l. Purpose Saffron Walden Orchestral Society's purpose is to provide performance opportunities for talented musicians living or working in and around the district of Uttlesford, and to promote the appreciation of music in the wider community through the presentation of public concerts and community based projects. The society oversees the running of both the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra ISWSO) and the Saffron Walden Children's Orchestra {SWCO}. The SWSO is a community orchestra formed of both professional and amateur players based in and around Saffron Walden including North West Essex, Suffolk, Cambridge and East Hertfordshire areas. The SWCO runs music courses for children in the Uttlesford area. 2. Objects The objects of the Society are to promote, improve, develop, and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the Trustees shall see fit, including the presentation or performance of public concerts and recitals, the making of grants and donations and in particular through the promotion management and administration of the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra (previously known as the Uttlesforde Orchestra). 5t st 3. Achievements and Performance Between l August 2023-31 July 2024 3.1 Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra During the year the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra ISWSOI performed five concerts in Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CBII 4UH. The dates and programmes for the concerts are listed below. Summary of Concerts during the Year th Sunday 24 September 2023 at 3pm Saffron Hall Children's Concert- Stories from Stage and Screen with James Mayhew Illlustratorl Rossini - The Thieving Magpie Overture Humperdinck- Han5el and Gretel Overture Delibes- Pizzicato for Sylvia Ponchielli - Dance of the Hours from La Gioconda Tchaikovsky- Swan Lake Suite th Sunday 26 November 2023 at 3pm Saffron Hall A mountain themed concert Mussorgsky- A Night on a Bare Mountain Moeran -in the Mountain County MacCunn-Land of the Mountain and the Flood Hovhane5s Symphony No 50 "Mount St Helens" th Sunday 11 February 2024 at 3pm Annual Report and Accounts
Saffron Walden Orchestral Society Saffron Hall Music from the Silver Screen Barry- Dances with Wolves Bernstein-The Magnificent Seven Horner- Appollo 13 Rozsa- El Cid 5teiner- Gone with the Wind Jarre- Dr Zhivago Williams- ET th Sunday 12 May 2024 at 3pm Saffron Hall Brahms- Academic Festival Overture Glazunov- Concerto for Alto Saxophone {Soloist- Charlotte Treadawayl Saint-Saens- Symphony No 3- Organ Symphony {Organist- Richard Carr) th Saturday 29 June 2024 at 7.30 m Saffron Hall Joint concert with Saffron Walden Choral Society Foulds-April Saint-Saens- Le Rouet d'omphale Parry- Blest Pair of Sirens Parry- I was Glad Poulenc- Stabat Mater (Soprano- Lucy Cox) 3.2 Saffron Walden Children's Orchestra th Two courses were organised, the first was in the Easter School holidays19 11 April 2024) and the th second was in the Summer school holidays129 July- I" August 20241. Thirty-seven children enrolled for the Easter course which consisted of three mornings of orchestral playing with an end of course concert in Saffron Hall. Thirty-two children attended the Summer course which consisted of 4 days of playing19:30-3:30}. As with previous summer courses string, brass, and woodwind tutors were hired to lead sectionals. The course also included a singing workshop led by Janet Wheeler and Sarah Cattley and art with music led by James Mayhew, a well-known illustrator. The course finished with a concert in the Saffron Hall to an audience of 60 As always, we are very grateful to student helpers, parent volunteers and members of the SWSO who gave up their time to help on the courses. 3.3 SWSO Barker Bursary Competition During the year the SWSO Barker Bursary Competition took place. This is funded through the generosity of the Orchestra's President, Jumbo (Jeremy) Barker for whom this was an opportunity to continue the work of his late father, George. In the early 1980s George Barker, founder of the Uttlesforde Orchestra (that became the SWSO), established a bursary scheme connected to the orchestra which ran successfully for several years, providing opportunities to many young people. The award, the Barker Bursary, has been designed to offer the same opportunities as the original scheme, and a continued connection with the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra. Annual Report and Accounts
Saffron Walden Orchestral Society Two bursaries were awarded, the senior bursary of £3000 to Sakura Fish, a violinist living in Bishop's Stortford, and the junior bursary of £2000 to Ariana Wilson, a trumpet player from Saffron Walden. Ariana gave a solo performance at the summer concert of the Saffron Walden Children's Orchestra. We are scheduling a performance for Sakura Fish. Funding for the second year of the bursary has been made available in the financial year of 2024-25. Applications have been received from 12 candidates. Auditions are taking place in September 2024. 4. Financial Review 4.1 Overview of current financial position In the year to 31st July 2024 IFY241 the SWOS made a profit of £10,398.991FY23: £5,205.49), which was added to the unrestricted funds of the Charity. At the year-end the SWOS had net assets of £57,290.41 {FY23'. £46,891.42) comprising current assets of £57,350.41, of which £50,838.32 IFY23 £48,324.70) was cash at bank, and liabilities of £60.00. The liabilities principally relate to FY25 members subscriptions paid in the year. The Committee aims for the SWOS to maintain reserves sufficient to meet one yearfs worth of concert production costs, assuming five-six concerts per year plus two SWCO courses. Based on the costs incurred in FY24, the trustees would hope to have reserves at the year-end of around £35,000. The Committee is satisfied that the level of reserves held by the Charity is acceptable and no action 15 required. The Financial Statements for FY24 have been prepared on an accruals ba515 and are included on pages 7 and 8. The accounts show that the Charity remains a viable going concern and the trustees have no reason to believe that the SWOS cannot operate on this basis for the foreseeable future. 4.2 Sources of income The SWOS has four primary sources of funds, as set out below: Subscriptions paid by the SWSO playing members, including the fee5 paid for the SWCO courses. Ticket sales; Sponsorship and donations (including the donations that fund the Barker Bursary Competition); and Gift Aid recovered on the subscriptions and donations. Ticket sales are a very important part of the Charity's income and, as such, the Committee Members continue to focus on ways to maximise thi5 revenue stream. 4.3 Expenditure In 2019, in order to take advantage of the Orchestral Tax Relief scheme, the Saffron Walden Orchestral Society created a production company called SWSO Productions Limited (SWSOP), which is contracted each year by the Charity to produce that season's concerts. All the expenses of preparing for and performing the concerts themselves are paid by the SWSOP. SWSOP is a limited company (Registered Number.. 123513551. The share capital of the company is held on trust for the Charity by its shareholders such that they will deal with the shares and exercise Annual Report and Accounts
Saffron Walden Orchestral Society all rights which may arise from holding them in accordance with the direction5 of any one or more authorised representatives of the Charity. In FY24, the Charity paid to SWSOP an amount of £24,683.25 IFY23.. £21,865.82), being the commission due to SWSOP for production of the concerts. In total for FY24, such costs amounted to £29,225.14 meaning that the benefit of the OTR scheme enjoyed by the Charity was £4,541.90. As part of the contractual agreement between the Charity and SWSOP, the Charity has agreed to provide the cash flow to meet the costs of production, which it does by way of an interest free loan to the SWSOP. At the end of each year, this loan is partially repaid by set-off of the commission payable by the Charity. At 31 July 2024, the balance outstanding due to the Charity was £6,512.09 {FY23: £6,892.72). 4.4 Review of Financial Statements The financial statements are not audited but are examined by an independent examiner. Her report can be found on page 9. 5. Structure, Governance and Management The Saffron Walden Orchestral Society {SWOS1 is a membership organisation. Membership is open to any person interested in furthering the objects of the Society and has been approved by Committee and paid their annual subscription. The management of the SWOS is overseen by a Committee consisting of four officers namely a Chairperson, Vice-chair Per50n, a Secretary and a Treasurer, and up to four other persons. This group is known as the Committee Members, and individuals are Trustees of the Charity. The Committee Members are elected by the Society's member5 entitled to a vote at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee is also able to co-opt up to three additional Committee Members (who need not be members of the Society) provided that the Committee is not comprised of more than one third co-opted Committee Members. Co-opted Committee Members hold office until the next Annual General Meeting and may be eligible for re- election by Committee Members. The Committee Members for 2023124 were: Dr Helen Glenister, Chair Ryan Weaver. Vice Chair Philippa Hopewell, Secretary Jeremy Lewin, Treasurer Steve Conner Robert Furber Chris Haskins Dr Charlanne Ward Richard Hull, Co-opted Member and Conductor/Director of Music Dr Sarah James, Co-opted Member and Leader. In furtherance of the objects of the Society all arrangements for concerts, recitals and other events, the making of grants and donations, and the promotion, management and administration of the Annual Report and Accounts
Saffron Walden Orchestral Society orchestrals) is the responsibility of the Committee which may exercise the following powers for such purposes: To raise funds and to invite donations and contributions provided that in so doing the Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law To engage or employ such musicians, experts, consultants, staff or contractor5 as may be necessary To co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities and to exchange information and advice with them To appoint and constitute such sub or advisory committees as the Committee may think fit To buy, take on lease, rent, exchange or hire any premises or property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use To do all such other lawful things as may be necessary or desirable for the achievement of the objects. The Committee met on five occasions during 2023124 to manage the busine55 of the Society. 6. Reference and Administration Details Charity Name Registered Charity Number Charity's Principal Address Saffron Walden Orchestral Society 1028429 2 Chantry Road Bishop's Stortford Herts CM23 25F enquiries@saffron5ymphony.org www.saffronsyphony.org Email Website 7. Declarations The Committee Members (Trustees) declare that they have approved the Trustees report Signed on behalf of the Charity's Trustees Signature Full name (s) Position Date Dr Helen Glenister Chair Kjo Annual Report and Accounts
Saffron Walden Orchestral Society Profit & Loss Account For the year ended 31 July 2024 2024 2023 Income Subscriptions Barker Bursary donation and gift aid Children's Orchestra income Sponsorship. grants and donations Concert income 3,770.00 3,850.00 6,250.00 7,345.00 3.950.00 16,299.00 1,112.50 171.56 6,620.00 3.892.00 24.902.73 1,097.50 610.61 Gift Aid Other income Totolincome 40.892.84 38,978.06 Expenses Commissions paid Barker Bursary costs Children's Orchestra costs 24,683.25 21.865.82 6.072.00 5,574.75 260.00 5,668.60 142.00 Other costs Total expenses 30,493.85 33,772.57 Profit/(Loss} for the year 10,398.99 5,205.49 Notes: Commissions paid is the amount paid to SWSOP for production of the season's concerts and the SWCO courses. Annual Report and Account5
Saffron Walden Orchestral Society Balance Sheet For the year ended 31 July 2024 2024 2023 Current Assets Debtors and Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand 50,838.32 6,512.09 48,324.70 6,892.72 Fina ncial Assets Totol CurrentAssets 57.350.41 55,217.42 Liabilities Creditors a nd accruals 60.00 8,326.00 Total Current Liobilities 60.00 8,326.00 57,290.41 46,891.42 Represented by: Retained surplus brought forward Profit & Loss for the year 46,891.42 10,398.99 41,685.94 5,205.49 57,290.41 46,891.42 Annual Report and Accounts
Saffron Walden Orchestral Society Independent Examiners report to the Trustees of Saffron Walden Orchestral Society I report on the accounts for the year ended 31" July 2024. Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner The Charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for thi5 year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed instead. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act. follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){bl of the 2011 Act; and state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent examinerfs report My examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those record5. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedure5 undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fairf, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examinerfs statement In the course of my examination, no matter has come to my attention: which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting record5 in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and b. to prepare accounts that accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act; have not been met," or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: Nicky Creighton Relevant Professional Quaification or Body: FCCA, CTA Address: 39 Hawthorne Close, Takeley, Bishop's Stortford, Herts CM22 6SD th Date: 12 November 2025 Annual Report and Accounts