2025-07-31-accounts - Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

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Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 July 2025

Annual Report and Accounts

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

Charity No. 1028429

1. 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 (SWSO) 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).

3. Achievements and Performance Between 1[st] August 2024-31[st] July 2025

3.1 Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra

During the year the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra (SWSO) performed five concerts. Four were performed in Saffron Hall, Audley End Road, Saffron Walden CB11 4UH, and the other was performed at Thaxted Church, Watling Street, Thaxted CM6 2PE. The dates and programmes for the concerts are listed below. During January and February 2025, we organised focus groups to identify future strategy and receive feedback from members on topics identified by the committee.

Summary of Concerts during the Year

Saturday 26[th] October 2024 7.30pm (Thaxted Church concert)

Gustav Holst - Perfect Fool John Foulds - Mantra of Bliss and Celestial Avataras Gustav Holst - The Planets

Sunday 1[st] December 2024 3pm

Sergei Prokofiev - March and Scherzo from “The Love for Three Oranges” Dmitri Shostakovich - Violin Concerto No.1 (Soloist - Alex Redington) Sergei Rachmaninov - Symphony No.3

Sunday 16[th] February 2025 3pm (Film Music)

Bruce Broughton - Silverado John Williams – The Lost World

Annual Report and Accounts

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

Miklos Rozsa - El Cid: Love Theme Franz Waxman- Taras Bulba: Ride of the Cossacks Hans Erdmann - Nosferatu Klaus Badelt – Pirates of the Caribbean Alan Silvestri – Captain America: Kruger Chase John Williams – Superman: March Hans Zimmer – The Da Vinci Code: Chevaliers de Sangreal Trevor Jones – Last of the Mohicans Hans Zimmer – The Dark Knight Thomas Newman – The Shawshank Redemption Hans Zimmer - Gladiator Danny Elfman – Beetlejuice (Encore)

Sunday 18[th] May 2025 3pm

Frank Bridge - The Sea

Carl Maria von Weber – Clarinet Concerto No2 (Soloist - Evan Badcock) Ralph Vaughan Williams – A London Symphony

Sunday 25[th] June 2025 3pm (Colour Themed Concert)

Michael Torke - Bright Blue Music George Butterworth - The Banks of Green Willow George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue (Soloist - Jill Morton) Arthur Bliss - A Colour Symphony*

*Supported by the Bliss Trust (www.blisstrust.org)

Audience numbers for the concerts ranged from 178-497.

3.2 Saffron Walden Children’s Orchestra

Two courses were organised, the first was in the Easter school holidays (15[th] -17[th] April 2025) and the second was in the Summer school holidays (28[th] -31[st] July 2025). This is for instrumentalists grades 1-5. Both courses ended with a successful concert in Saffron Hall. Thirty children enrolled for the Easter course which consisted of three mornings of orchestral playing. Thirty-four children attended the Summer course which consisted of 4 days of playing (9:30-3:30).

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, a workshop led by Kirsty Body of Harmonia Music and art with music led by James Mayhew, a well-known illustrator.

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.

Annual Report and Accounts

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

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.

Two bursaries were awarded, the senior bursary of £3000 to Evan Badcock, a clarinettist, living in Bishop’s Stortford, and the junior bursary of £2000 to Tom Mannion, a pianist from Saffron Walden. Evan Badcock gave a solo performance of Carl Maria von Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No2 at the May 2025 concert – please see above. Tom gave a solo performance at the summer concert of the Saffron Walden Children’s Orchestra.

Funding for the third year of the bursary has been made available in the financial year of 2025-26. Instead of two categories (senior and junior), there will be three categories consisting of senior, intermediate and junior. The prizes will be senior - £3000, Intermediate - £1250, Junior - £750. Applications have been received from 12 candidates. Auditions are taking place in September 2025.

4. Financial Review

4.1 Overview of current financial position

In the year to 31st July 2025 (FY25) the SWOS made a profit of £7,259.66 (FY24: £10,398.99), which was added to the unrestricted funds of the Charity.

At the year-end the SWOS had net assets of £64,550.07 (FY24: £57,290.41) comprising current assets of £64,670.07, of which £57,568.32 (FY24: £50,838.32) was cash at bank, and liabilities of £120.00. 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 year’s worth of concert production costs, assuming five-six concerts per year plus two SWCO courses. Based on the costs incurred in FY25, 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 is required.

The Financial Statements for FY25 have been prepared on an accruals basis and are included on pages 8 and 9. 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 fees paid for the SWCO courses;
Ticket sales;
Sponsorship and donations (including the donations that fund the Barker Bursary Competition); and

Annual Report and Accounts

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

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 this 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: 12351355). 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 all rights which may arise from holding them in accordance with the directions of any one or more authorised representatives of the Charity.

In FY25, the Charity paid to SWSOP an amount of £25,516.68 (FY24: £24,683.25), being the commission due to SWSOP for production of the concerts. In total for FY25, such costs amounted to £32,305.71 meaning that the benefit of the OTR scheme enjoyed by the Charity was £6,789.03.

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 2025, the balance outstanding due to the Charity was £6,869.75 (FY24: £6,512.09).

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 10.

5. Structure, Governance and Management

The Saffron Walden Orchestral Society (SWOS) 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 Person, 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 members 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 reelection by Committee Members.

The Committee Members for 2024/25 were:

Dr Helen Glenister, Chair Ryan Weaver, Vice Chair Philippa Hopewell, Secretary

Annual Report and Accounts

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

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 orchestra(s) 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 contractors 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 2024/25 to manage the business of the Society.

6. Reference and Administration Details

Charity Name	Saffron Walden Orchestral Society
Registered Charity Number	1028429
Charity’s Principal Address	2 Chantry Road Bishop’s Stortford Herts CM23 2SF
Email	enquiries@saffronsymphony.org
Website	www.saffronsymphony.org

Annual Report and Accounts

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

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)	Dr Helen Glenister
Position Date ~~——~~		Chair 3rdNovember 2025

Annual Report and Accounts

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

Profit & Loss Account

For the year ended 31 July 2025

Income Subscriptions Barker Bursary donation and gift aid Children's Orchestra income Sponsorship, grants and donations Concert income Gift Aid Other income *Total income* Expenses Commissions paid Barker Bursary costs Children's Orchestra costs Other costs *Total expenses* Profit/(Loss) for the year	2025 £ 4,020.00 6,250.00 5,475.00 3,318.54 23,131.00 1,090.00 1,169.80 44,454.34 25,516.68 5,667.30 5,824.28 186.42 37,194.68 7,259.66	2024 £ 3,770.00 - 6,620.00 3,892.00 24,902.73 1,097.50 610.61
		40,892.84
		24,683.25 - 5,668.60 142.00
		30,493.85
		10,398.99

Notes:

Commissions paid is the amount paid to SWSOP for production of the season’s concerts.

Annual Report and Accounts

Saffron Walden Orchestral Society

Balance Sheet

For the year ended 31 July 2025

Current Assets Debtors and Prepayments Cash at bank and in hand Financial Assets *Total Current Assets* Liabilities Creditors and accruals *Total Current Liabilities* Represented by: Retained surplus brought forward Profit & Loss for the year	2025 £ 232.0 57,568.32 6,869.75 64,670.07 120.00 120.00 64,550.07 57,290.41 7,259.66 64,550.07	2024 £ - 50,838.32 6,512.09
		57,350.41
		60.00
		60.00

		57,290.41
		46,891.42 10,398.99
		57,290.41

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[st] July 2025.

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 this 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)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s 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 records. 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 procedures 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 fair” view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s 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:
a. to keep accounting records 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

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 Qualification or Body: FCCA, CTA

Address: 39 Hawthorne Close, Takeley, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts CM22 6SD

Date: 27[th] October 2025

Annual Report and Accounts