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Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 01/09/24 To 31/08/25

Charity name: Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society

Charity registration number:1094899

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	To advance, 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 for the general purposes of such charitable bodies or for such other purposes as shall be exclusively charitable as the Committee may from time to time decide.
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.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	Giving public concerts for the local community Offering opportunities for local children and families to experience orchestral music, including work with the local authority ‘Tri- Borough Music Hub’. Nurturing young talent by working with soloists and composers at the start of their careers.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

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

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38

Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Other

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
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.	Para 1.20	The orchestra performed three successful and well-attended concerts in the year, which were all at Smith Square, partly due to Hammersmith Town Hall being unavailable due to ongoing renovations. The orchestra looked to reflect diversity in its programming over the year, including showcasing the London premier of Alma’s Songs Without Words by Roxanna Panufnik and Poème by Jeanne Demessieux. Performances also included lesser-known works by Kaprálová and Janáček alongside challenging symphonies by Mahler and Tchaikovsky.

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


Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The charity was in a good financial position at the end of the period, having made a £3,425 surplus during the year and through holding reserves thanks to a legacy fund.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	Our policy is to hold a reserve of £8,000 to cover financial failure of an event (for example, severely reduced audience numbers) or the withdrawal of sponsorship from Novotel who provide our rehearsal space. Any additional surplus is retained for use on future projects, the acquisition of assets or other expenditure which the trustees consider appropriate and in line with the society’s objectives. Current reserves also include a sizable legacy donation which is to be spent on exciting projects to support the society’s objectives, such as on new commissions.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£138,269
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)

Additional information (optional)	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	Our principal sources of funds are orchestra members’ subscriptions and concert ticket sales. We benefit from the sponsorship of the Novotel hotel chain, which provides us with free rehearsal space in Hammersmith as part of their corporate social responsibility programme.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	The principal risks are that Novotel, Hammersmith withdraws its longstanding sponsorship, which is in the form of free rehearsal space and that the Government reduces the level of Orchestra Tax Relief.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	Association
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	Election by members Appointment by existing trustees

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
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society
Other name the charity uses	Fulham Symphony Orchestra
Registered charity number	1094899
Charity’s principal address	35 Weymouth Avenue, London, W5 4SB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany)
Gavin Compton		Members
Richard Stone	Treasurer	Members
Sharon Robinson	Chair	Members
Nicholas Pitt	Secretary	Members
Juliette Morris		Members
Michelle Tautenhead		Members
Flora Havelock		Members

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
Richard Stone

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held in this capacity	Shares in Fulham Symphony Orchestra Ltd (‘FSO Ltd’)
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets	Signed Declaration of Trust. Monitoring of the activities and accounts of FSO Ltd

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of	Name	Address
adviser

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

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) Richard Stone Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc)[Treasurer ] Date 17 June 2026

Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society

Registered Charity No. 1094899

Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

The Society had a successful 12 months, with three exciting performances, including works from a wide range of composers. Financially, the Society made a surplus of £3,425, although this would have been a loss of £1,789 if interest from savings and gains on investments are excluded. While the aim is to break even on regular activities, the loss in this particular financial year is seen as sustainable by the Committee in the wider context.

Income (excluding interest / gains and ‘Weekend Away’ player contributions) increased by 5% from £24,060 to £25,314. The main increases were from members subs (+9%). All three concerts were performed at Sinfonia Smith Square, with the highest grossing being the March 2025 concert, featuring Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony, alongside pieces by Demessieux and Janáček (£3,326).

The investments that the Society holds in multi-asset funds returned 6.4% over the 12 months.

Costs (excluding the ‘Weekend Away’ and Orchestra Tax Relief) increased by 12%. The most significant increases were in music hire (+87%) and instrument hire (+42%). Hall hire and box office commission at Sinfonia Smith Square increased by 11%. Rehearsal costs reduced slightly (-2%).

The Society benefits from a contribution to costs that its trading subsidiary, Fulham Symphony Orchestra Limited (FSO Ltd), is able to make through claiming Orchestra Tax Relief (OTR) on the costs of producing the main concerts on behalf of the Society. £9,157 was contributed, relating to the three concerts.

Major refurbishment continues at Hammersmith Town Hall and St Johns Smith Square is also expected to be unavailable at some point in 2027 due to refurbishment, forcing the Society to explore other and potentially more expensive performing options. High inflation over the last couple of years has seen like for like cost increases across all categories, including guest player fees and venue hire. The Committee continues to monitor costs and is prepared to review member subscription levels and ticket prices, which have been kept low to date in order to share orchestral music with as wide an audience as possible. The financial strength of the Society, in combination with the legacy funds, should enable it to withstand these cost challenges and to make ambitious and exciting plans for the future.

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis, recognising income when it first becomes receivable and expenditure when a liability for that expenditure first arises.

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FULHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”). The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Act and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act), and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

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 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 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 connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form 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 fair’ 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.

J.D. Seddon 7, Gibson Way Saffron Walden CB10 1AH

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025

Designated Funds (£) Restricted Funds (£) Unrestricted Funds (£) - - 8,731 - - 12,733 - - 1,086 - - - - - 2,764 411 959 - 1,153 2,691 - - - - - - 5,310	2024/25 Total (£) 8,731 12,733 1,086 - 2,764 1,370 3,844 - 5,310	DF (£) RF (£) UF (£) - - 9,115 - - 11,665 - - 942 - - - - - 2,338 490 1,144 - - - - - - - - - 6,229	2023/24 Total (£) 9,115 11,665 942 - 2,338 1,634 - - 6,229
1,564 3,650 30,624	35,838	490 1,144 30,289	31,923
- - 2,052 - - 634 - - 5,715 - - 9,896 - - 3,108 - - 1,268 - - 3,676 - - 340 - - 2,951 - - 5,869 - - - - - 398 - - 5,663 - - (9,157)	2,052 634 5,715 9,896 3,108 1,268 3,676 340 2,951 5,869 - 398 5,663 (9,157)	- - 1,467 - - 589 - - 5,715 - - 9,324 - - 2,195 - - 1,249 - - 1,965 - - 592 - - 2,998 - - 5,398 - - - - - 607 - - 6,225 - - (8,238)	1,467 589 5,715 9,324 2,195 1,249 1,965 592 2,998 5,398 - 607 6,225 (8,238)
- - 32,413	32,413	- - 30,086	30,086

1,564 3,650 (1,789)	3,425	490 1,144 203	1,837

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31[st] AUGUST 2025

Designated Funds (£) Restricted Funds (£) Unrestricted Funds (£) 9,440 22,028 12,398 23,653 55,191 - 670 2,764 12,702	31 Aug 2025 43,866 78,844 - 670 2,764 - 12,702 see below	Designated Funds (£) Restricted Funds (£) Unrestricted Funds (£) 9,029 21,069 17,099 22,500 52,500 5 240 2,338 10,258	31 Aug 2024 47,197 75,000 5 240 2,338 - 10,258 see below
33,093 77,219 28,534 - - 577	135,038 577	31,529 73,569 29,940 - - 194	135,038 194
- - 577	577	- - 194	194
33,093 77,219 27,957	138,269	31,529 73,569 29,746	134,844

1 Member subscriptions owed for 2024/25 and paid by December 2025.

2 Gift Aid is claimed from HMRC for the whole accounting year in arrears. This means that, at the end of each accounting year, Gift Aid is receivable on eligible subs and donations paid during the period (less an allowance for benefits gained by Members from tuition). At 31 Aug 2025, £2,764 of Gift Aid was receivable. This amount was claimed in Dec 2025 and received in Jan 2026.

3 The Society owns a library of music containing several items which are available for hire. Its historic cost (from 1990s, + £250 addition in 2010) is £5,311. It is difficult to obtain a current valuation for the library and, as such (and in line with Charities SORP guidance) no estimate has been made in the accounts. The Society also owns a set of music stands which have negligible monetary value and are treated as an expense in the year of acquisition.

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society

Registered Charity No. 1094899

Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

The investments that the Society holds in multi-asset funds returned 6.4% over the 12 months.

BASIS OF PREPARATION

The accounts have been prepared on an accruals basis, recognising income when it first becomes receivable and expenditure when a liability for that expenditure first arises.

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FULHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

It is my responsibility to:

examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act,
to follow the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Act), and
to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form 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 fair’ view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.

J.D. Seddon 7, Gibson Way Saffron Walden CB10 1AH

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025

Designated Funds (£) Restricted Funds (£) Unrestricted Funds (£) - - 8,731 - - 12,733 - - 1,086 - - - - - 2,764 411 959 - 1,153 2,691 - - - - - - 5,310	2024/25 Total (£) 8,731 12,733 1,086 - 2,764 1,370 3,844 - 5,310	DF (£) RF (£) UF (£) - - 9,115 - - 11,665 - - 942 - - - - - 2,338 490 1,144 - - - - - - - - - 6,229	2023/24 Total (£) 9,115 11,665 942 - 2,338 1,634 - - 6,229
1,564 3,650 30,624	35,838	490 1,144 30,289	31,923
- - 2,052 - - 634 - - 5,715 - - 9,896 - - 3,108 - - 1,268 - - 3,676 - - 340 - - 2,951 - - 5,869 - - - - - 398 - - 5,663 - - (9,157)	2,052 634 5,715 9,896 3,108 1,268 3,676 340 2,951 5,869 - 398 5,663 (9,157)	- - 1,467 - - 589 - - 5,715 - - 9,324 - - 2,195 - - 1,249 - - 1,965 - - 592 - - 2,998 - - 5,398 - - - - - 607 - - 6,225 - - (8,238)	1,467 589 5,715 9,324 2,195 1,249 1,965 592 2,998 5,398 - 607 6,225 (8,238)
- - 32,413	32,413	- - 30,086	30,086

1,564 3,650 (1,789)	3,425	490 1,144 203	1,837

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Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society – Financial Statements Y/E 31 Aug 25

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31[st] AUGUST 2025

Designated Funds (£) Restricted Funds (£) Unrestricted Funds (£) 9,440 22,028 12,398 23,653 55,191 - 670 2,764 12,702	31 Aug 2025 43,866 78,844 - 670 2,764 - 12,702 see below	Designated Funds (£) Restricted Funds (£) Unrestricted Funds (£) 9,029 21,069 17,099 22,500 52,500 5 240 2,338 10,258	31 Aug 2024 47,197 75,000 5 240 2,338 - 10,258 see below
33,093 77,219 28,534 - - 577	135,038 577	31,529 73,569 29,940 - - 194	135,038 194
- - 577	577	- - 194	194
33,093 77,219 27,957	138,269	31,529 73,569 29,746	134,844

1 Member subscriptions owed for 2024/25 and paid by December 2025.

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2025-08-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

Charity name: Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society

Charity registration number:1094899

Objectives and Activities

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

Achievements and Performance

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

Financial Review

Additional information (optional)

Structure, Governance and Management

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

Reference and Administrative details

– Corporate trustees names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Other optional information

Declarations

Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society

Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

BASIS OF PREPARATION

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FULHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

Independent examiner’s statement

INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31[st] AUGUST 2025

Fulham Symphony Orchestral Society

Financial Statements for the year ended 31 August 2025

REPORT OF THE TREASURER

BASIS OF PREPARATION

INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE FULHAM SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

Independent examiner’s statement

INCOME STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] AUGUST 2025

ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 31[st] AUGUST 2025