Tatton Singers - Chairman's Annual Report 2023/24
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I was rather terrified when I became chairman last year. For two reasons, first following in the illustrious footsteps of Ian Philps, and before him Tony Wood, I had big shoes to fill, and I have small feet! Second, having agreed to take on the role a few choir folk then said: ‘rather you than me’, ‘it’s going to be a difficult year with the Monteverdi’, ‘not a year I’d want to be chairman’. I did wonder if I’d bitten off more than I could chew!But what a wonderful singing season we have had.
The musical aspects of the year I will leaveJohn (Powell) to comment on, after all he knows our strengths and abilities.
The thing that most people wanted me to get to grips with was organising the way we get on and off the stage on concert day, the use of paper cups and staging. I think we have solved one of these and the others are on my to do list!
It’s been pleasing in my first year to welcome several new members who have joined the Tatton Singers since we restarted in September 2023. An increase in our numbers has many benefits, including increased revenue, added quality to our performances and it allows John to choose a wider range of works for us to get to grips with while providing quality music to the wider community
We had large audiences for both our Novemberconcert, when we sang Vierne and Faure, and in December the Carol Concert with Bexton. Monteverdi in March pulled in a capacity audience.The size of the choir and the audience for the concert in June is always lower. I know folk are tired and are ready for holidays, but the numbers are always a concern from both a performance and financial point.
This first year has not been without its challenges most notably rising costs. Hiring the church, orchestra, piano, organ, organist, soloists, music, wine, juice, glasses, and not forgetting first aiders makes concerts an expensive affair. Singing Day is usually a good source of income, but numbers were down on previous years. One of the challenges for the coming year will be increasing our sources of revenue and we have a plan, which we will be discussing later on this evening!
Overall, I have enjoyed my first year, it’s made me appreciate the tremendous amount of time and effort put in by everyone and I wouldparticularly like to express my thanksto: -
Rosie, for keeping me on track with health and safety paperwork andmyriad things I didn’t know I needed to do.
Celia, for continuing to manage the finances and ensuring we don’t get evicted, and we all sign up to gift aid!
Anne, for agreeing to tackle the job of librarian enabling me to take on this role and for hosting committee meetings.
Tania,for tickets, our social media presence on Facebook,and managing the QR code.
Paul, for managing the production of programmes complete with translations, the ongoing relationship with the Knutsford Guardian and the wonderful banner outside the police station.
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Tom, for his role as a very able deputy and source of help and advice.
I’d also like to thank your section reps, Susan, Daphne, Mike, and Matt, who work each week to check numbers, listen to your feedback and generally make the seating plan work for concert - a monumental task in the case of Monteverdi.
Timfor being an amazing accompanist, vocalist, piano and organ performer and Johns right hand man who manages to hear when the sops sing the occasional dodgy note!
Finally, of course John, whose faith in us is undiminished as week by week he brings out the best in each of us and without whom we would not be stretched as we always are to reach a peak for 7.30 on concert evenings.
I’d also like to thank the people at St John’s with whom we work;Giles Shorrock, who arranges the chairs and puts up the curtain for the summer concert, so the sops are not blinded by the setting sun! Steve Kitcher, treasurer, who is soon to retireto be replaced by Ruth Taylor and Penny Langham, and Ruth Foster in the office who take care of all our bookings.I’d also like to thank those in the choir who have accommodated soloists, dropped them back at train stations or airports and provided bed and board. You know who you are!
We can look forward to our 2024/25 season with a real sense of pride in what we have achieved this last year. We have great music to look forward to starting with Rossini in September.
The role of chairmancomes with many responsibilities,and these were made quite clear to me last Christmas when an elderly audience member approached me, shook me by the sleeve and asked, ‘Are you with this lot?’ Yes, I said, ‘Then turn on the Christmas tree lights.’
Last year Ian said I would be scary; I hope I haven’t been too scary. I hope I’ve been approachable and receptiveto your needs as a choir even if the request is just to turn on the Christmas Tree Lights!
Thank you.
Sue Elves Chairman, Tatton Singers 22 July 2024
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THE TATTON SINGERS
Accounts for year 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024
Income Expenses Surplus/(Deficit
Concert 18th November Concert 18th November
Tickets and programmes 3,474.10 MD 455.50
Organist 250.00
Soloists 500.00
Church/Hall hire 351.50
Score hire 192.00
Publicity 90.00
Wine 186.78
Programme printing 150.00
First Aider 174.00
Total 3,474.10 Total 2404.16 1,069.94
Concert 16th December Concert 16th December
Tickets and programmes 2,022.67 MD 455.50
Bexton 825.00 Accompanist 250.00
Music Hire 245.00
Church/Hall hire 350.00
Programme printing 160.00
Photocopying 246.90
Publicity 90.00
First Aider 140.00
Wine 161.31
Total 2,847.67 Total 2098.71 748.96
Concert 23rd March Concert 23rd March
Tickets and programmes 4,554.27 MD 455.50
Heritage centre Orchestra 5007.24
Soloists 1500.00
Donation for Bass soloist 250.00 Organ Hire 540.00
Organist 250.00
Church hire 350.00
First Aider 140.00
Publicity 90.00
Wine 212.25
Programme Printing 237.00
Music hire 255.60
4,804.27 9037.59 -4,233.32
Concert 22nd June Concert 22nd June
MD 455.50
Tickets and programmes 787.00 Accompanist 250.00
Online 796.42 Church/Hall hire 350.00
SumUp 309.68 Piano hire 1255.20
First Aider 137.28
Publicity 90.00
Programme Printing 70.00
Wine 135.84
Music hire 371.20
Fruit Juice 9.00
total 1,893.10 Total 2,986.74 -1093.64
Singing day 18th May 2024 Singing Day 18th May 2024
MD 455.50
Delegate income 1,225.00 Accompanist 250.00
Soloist 150.00
Bring & Buy 60.00 Music hire 222.35
Cake stall donations 131.00 Church Hire 350.00
Refund to delegates 50.00
Total 1,416.00 Total 1,477.85 -61.85
Total concert income 14,435.14 Total concert expenses 18,004.55
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07/03/2025
2023-2024 Accountsv2
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THE TATTON SINGERS
Accounts for year 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024
Management Account Income Management Account Expenses
to 30.6.24 to 30.6.24
Members subscriptions 13309.00 MD fees - contracted 7040.00
HMRC Gift Aid 2756.25 TK when MD 220.00
Friends subs 350.00 Accompanist fees - contracted 3904.56
Bank Interest 226.60 Additional Accompanist fees 255.00
Heritage cent june 23 tickets 45.00 Rehearsal Hall hire 2326.50
Tea/coffee money 550.10 Fidentia Insurance 75.27
Folders/scarves/hankies 55.00 Secreary Expense 22.00
Apple sales B and B 157.86 Treasurer's expenses 61.41
Easy fundraising 87.88 Librarian postage 46.91
Annual Dinner 1282.21 Tea and Coffee costs 203.66
Annual Dinner 2023 210.00 Annual Dinner 1,285.50
Donations 40.00
Total Management Account Income 19,069.90 Total Management Account Ex 15,440.81 3,629.09
Total Concert Account Income 14,435.14 Total Concert Account Expense 18,004.55 -3,569.41
Total Income 2023/2024 33,505.04 Total Expenses 2023/2-24 33,445.36 59.68
Surplus (Deficit) for year Surplus (Deficit) for year 59.68
THE TATTON SINGERS
Accounts from 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024
2022/2023 Balance Sheet 2023/2024
51.86 Current Accou at July 2023 6.37
11,531.08 Deposit Accou at July 2023 7,134.91
2,731.08 Less provision for creditors 2,788.20
324.81 Add provision for debtors 273.12
9,176.03 Total 4,626.20
2,461.72 Gift Aid 2024 (incl management a/c 2,756.25
Prior adjustment
Surplus/(deficit) for year
11,637.75 7,382.45
6.37 Current Accou at June 2024 85.03
7,134.91 Deposit Accou at June 2024 5,765.35
Current year adjustment
7,141.28 Total Assets at June 2024 5,850.38
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07/03/2025
2023-2024 Accountsv2
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Independent Examiner Report
I have thoroughly checked the accounts of the Tatton Singers, 1[st] July 2023 to 30[th] June 2024, and am very happy with them.
Tony Wood
15 Willow Green
Knutsford
WA16 6AX