Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary
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Kathleen Ferrier
1912 – 1953
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Trustees’ Report
And
Financial Statement
31[st] December 2024
34 Meadow Glade
Hixon Stafford ST18 0NT
Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary
Constitution and Governance
The Trustees of the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary present their Report and Financial Statement of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2024.
The Bursary is governed by a constitution which is overseen throughout the year by its Trustees, who meet at least three times a year. The planning and organisation of the Bursary competition day is managed by the Trustees with the help of the committee. No fees or renumeration are paid to Trustees.
| Trustees: | Edna Sylvia Alexander |
|---|---|
| Yvonne Harbage | |
| Dr Linda Hirst – Chairperson | |
| Kathleen Mary Hopcroft – Treasurer | |
| Robert Langstaff | |
| Julie Carol Nicholls | |
| Joan Rodgers CBE | |
| Rebecca Weaver | |
| Committee members: | Adele Langstaff |
| Mr David Whittaker | |
| Mr Paul Hopcroft | |
| Administrator: | Janet Marshall |
| Accountants: | MJ Accountancy Limited |
| Suites 2 & 3 Bow Street Chamber | |
| 1/2 Bow Street, Rugeley | |
| Staffordshire, WS15 2BT | |
| Bankers: | Virgin Money |
| 44 Fishergate, Preston, PR1 8BH | |
| Cambridge & Counties Bank | |
| Charnwood Court | |
| 58 New Walk | |
| Leicester LE1 6TE | |
| CAF/Shawbrook Bank | |
| Lutea House | |
| Warley Hill Business Park | |
| The Drive | |
| Great Warley | |
| Brentwood | |
| Essex CM13 3BE |
Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary
Financial Adviser:
David Meakin, NGEN The Boat House, Victoria Works, Wharf Street Brighouse, West Yorkshire HD6 1PP
Registered charity number: 1077586 Registered Address: 34 Meadow Glade, Hixon, Stafford, ST18 0NT Telephone: 01889 270516 Email: kfsoc@ymail.com / kathhopcroft@ymail.com Website: www.kathleenferrier.org.uk
This information is correct as at 24[th] October 2025.
Objectives and Activities: To honour the life, work and ideals of the late Kathleen Ferrier, English Contralto singer, by the following means:
The awarding of Bursaries in the Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary’s name, to aspiring young singers, to assist in the furtherance of their musical studies.
The Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary was established in 1996 by the Kathleen Ferrier Society and is a registered Charity (No. 1077586). The Society has a membership of over 100 people from around the world, who admire and are interested in the late singer, Kathleen Ferrier. Whilst most of our members reside in the UK, we do have members from Europe, USA, Australia and Japan.
The Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary awards annual bursaries and prizes to students at the eight music conservatoires in England, Scotland & Wales. This prestigious bursary is open to two vocal students from each of these colleges, who compete for these at the beginning their second year of study.
Each singer presents a varied programme of 10 to 15 minutes and is adjudicated by a panel of distinguished judges, chaired by Dr Linda Hirst.
The winner of the Bursary receives £5000, the Joyce Budd second prize winner £2500 and the Pamela Hart third prize winner £1500. These three bursaries are paid over three years. We also give an accompanist’s prize of £250, a song prize of £100 together with £100 for each of the finalists. In 2024 we were given £250 for a prize for low voices, in memory of the contralto Alfreda Hodgson.
The funds for the running of the bursary have come from the membership of the Kathleen Ferrier Society, who have given generous donations to provide the prize money. Over recent years the Bursary has also benefitted from legacies and other major donors.
Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary
The Kathleen Ferrier Society (KFS), which organises the Bursary competition, continues to follow the careers not only of the Bursary award recipients, but also of those who have taken part in the competition since it began in 1996. News of the achievements of Bursary singers is regularly reported in the KFS newsletters.
The Bursary competition is presently held at one of the Music Conservatoires on the last Sunday in October. It is administered and overseen by the Trustees and committee, who make up a group of up to six to ten volunteers over the day of the competition.
Activities
2024 Competition
The 2024 Bursary competition was held at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in their concert hall, Milton Court. It was streamed live to KFS members and other interested parties including the students’ families, friends and the Conservatoires.
Policies
Public Benefit
The public benefit from enjoying performances from young singers at the start of their studies and, hopefully, their careers. Many of the audiences and members of the KFS go on to follow the artists’ careers and enjoy their performances for years to come.
Over the years that the Bursary has been in existence, many singers have gone on to establish high-reputation careers in the music world. The Trustees believe that the bursaries awarded are for the benefit of the public in that these singers are heard in a widening context as they progress.
Whenever possible the Kathleen Ferrier Society organises recitals to showcase the talent of the young singers. These recitals are always well attended by an appreciative audience of both KFS members and the wider public.
Risk
The Trustees keep under regular review the risks associated with the operation of the charity and take appropriate steps to reduce the chance of their occurring and to mitigate their effects.
.
Financial Review
The charity’s funds come from legacies and donations by individuals, many of whom are members of the Kathleen Ferrier Society. All pay a subscription for membership of the Society, currently £18 and 15% of this annual subscription is given to the Bursary. We also receive interest annually from the Winifred Margaret Ferrier Trust.
Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary
Many individuals who are members of the KFS give additional donations for the Bursary, the largest being £1500 in the form of ongoing support for individual prizes.
When the Bursary began just one Bursary was awarded of £3000. It now gives three Bursaries which in 2024 were increased to a total of £9000, paid over three years and additional prizes of £250 to an accompanist, a £100 song prize, a new prize for low voices of £250 and £100 to students who made it to the final but did not win a bursary.
The charity’s funds are invested with Quilter in an investment fund specifically for charities.
Our income for 2023 was £138,355 mainly due to three legacy payments from two estates, one for £10,000, and two payments from the same estate of £20,000 and £100,000, in all totalling £130,000. In 2024 we invested £75,000 in a five year fixed rate bond with Cambridge & Counties Bank and £75,000 in a fixed rate bond for one year with CAF/Shawbrook Bank.
Our expenditure of £10,210 was slightly down on the 2023 figure of £10,514, and we had a surplus for the year to 31[st] December 2024 of £15,330.
The charity’s net wealth at the end of 31[st] December 2024 is £298,339 compared with £283,009 at the end of 2023.
Trustees
Trustees give their time and energy on a voluntary basis, and no Trustees’ fees were paid during the year. Expenses incurred on behalf of the Bursary by Trustees are reimbursed against appropriate receipts and relate to expenses incurred for the bursary competition day and stationery and postage throughout the year.
Depreciation
This is not applicable as we do not own any equipment or premises.
Grants
We did not receive any grants during the year.
Employees
There are no employees.
Related party transactions
There were no disclosable related party transactions during the year.
Kathleen Ferrier Socie Bursa Future activities The Trustees, policy is to continue to give students a platform on which to compete and perform, to continue awarding bursaries and prizes whilst improving and refining the process in light of experience and changing patterns of musical perfomance. During 2024, we recognised the need for a strong succession plan and more Trustees and towards the end of the year had identified several suitable persons to approach. We were now more financially stable and needed to ensure the longevity of the Bursary. Having always had a strong link with the Kathleen Ferrier Awards, we entered into talks with them. We have unanimously decided that the Bursary would enter into a partnership with the Awards, while remaining separate charities. This is not only more efficient but further enhanS the effectiveness of delivering our charitable aims. The public perception of both charities is greatly enhanced by our sharing of the same General Manager and social media representative. Young singers can now see the partnership and connect the two as they progress. Robert Langsta n behalf of the Trustees a C) 2tslS
Kat rrf iture- Bursa - 31 $1 tlec8mber 2024 In anuar Income from W M Ferrier Trust IncomelLoss on Inv85lment5 net of fees Dollalions inc Gift Aid Sludenl Feés Members Bursary Sale ol PrOgrameeiekelsab1e Sales Legacy Transfers from General Fund 976.97 9,144.55 2.171.00 0.00 0.00 1,045.51 12,202.67 o.oo 1,839.05 4,358.08 1,135.00 1,023.12 130.000.00 0.00 £25,540.70 £138,355.25 Event Expenses Postage & Printing Event Insufance Adjuducalorf$ Fees & Expenses Accompanisl A¢counls Investment fees Expenses Prizes & Engravino 823.37 0.00 0.00 935.00 250.00 132.00 1,180.14 0.00 93.00 2,496.35 110.00 120.00 0.00 15.49 6,500.00 0.00 8,070.00 £10,210.37 £10,514.98 Surplus l (D1cle) £15 330.33 £127 840.27 24 Bank Account as al 31 sl Oecember 2024 Cambridge & Counties Bank CAF Shawbrook Bank Investments as al 2411112024 24,658.57 75.000.00 75,000.00 123,680.89 168,472.79 114,536.34 £298 339.46 Opening Reserves Surplus l {Def11) for Ihe Year 283,009.13 15,330.33 155,168.86 127,840.27 Movement Summary £298 339.46 £283 009.13
Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to tha trusteesl members of Kathleen Ferrier Society Bursary On accounts for the year ended 31st December 2024 Charlty no (If any) 1077586 Respectlve The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of Ihè accounts. responsibilities of The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year trustees and examiner under section 144 of the Charitl8s Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and Ihat an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow the procedures laid down in the geneial Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145<5)(b) of the Charities Act, and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independent My examination was carried out in accordance with general Directions given oxaminer's statement by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presenled with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the 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 presenl a 'true and fair, view and the report is limited to those matters set out in Ihe statement below. Independent In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention examlner's statement (other than that disclosed below ') 1. which gives me reasonable causa to belleve that in, any material respect, the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accountlng requirements of the Charities Act have not been met,, or 2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order lo enable a pfoper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. Signod: Date: 1st October 2025 Name: Michael James MJ Accountancy Ltd Address: Suites 2 & 3 Bow Street Chamber /2 Bow Street Rugeley, Slaffs WS15 2BT IER March 2012
Section B Disclosure Only complete if th8 examiner needs to highlight material problems. The Truslees have taken last yearfs advi and moved money into interest bearing accounts and over separate accounts, protecting the Charity's money and making it work more for the benefit of the Charity's objectives. Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to dlsclose. Both the Bursary and the Main account have made surpluses and we feel it is right that the Charity can look toward issuing larger prizeslbursaries should they wish to. Whether they can expand their remit is for the trustees to discuss and consider should the wish to do so. IER March 2012