Charity registration number: 1098381
## London Cello Society
Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025
Horden Accountancy Services Limited Hop Press Risebridge Farm Goudhurst Kent TN17 1HN
## **London Cello Society**
## **Contents (continued)**
|Reference and Administrative Details|1|
|---|---|
|Trustees' Report|2|
|Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities|3|
|Independent Examiner's Report|4|
|Statement of Financial Activities|5|
|Balance Sheet|6|
|Notes to the Financial Statements|7 to 11|
## **London Cello Society**
## **Reference and Administrative Details**
**Trustees** S Gokcen R Baldock M S Bloomfield M Huber B Michaels **Charity Registration Number** 1098381 **Principal Office** 11 Goldwell Drive Newbury RG14 1HZ **Independent Examiner** Horden Accountancy Services Limited Hop Press Risebridge Farm Goudhurst Kent TN17 1HN **Bankers** HSBC 88 The Broadway London N10 3RX
Page 1
## **London Cello Society**
## **Trustees' Report**
The trustees present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 June 2025.
## **Objectives and activities**
## _**Objects and aims**_
The aims of the Charity are to promote, develop and broaden public appreciation of music and specifically the art of playing the violoncello. It does so by holding concerts or recitals on aspects of cello performance and workshops about the instrument itself, by funding the specialised training of beginners, gifted young cellists up to the age of 18, and of adult learners whose interest and love of the instrument continues throughout their lives.
## Activities and achievements
The Violoncello Society of London was first established in 2003 and was later renamed the London Cello Society. Over the past 22 years, the London Cello Society has contributed to the ever-growing love and appreciation of the cello evidenced by increasing numbers of young students learning the instrument and an abundance of cello-centred events and concerts in London and elsewhere in Britain.
In 2024, after thorough consultation with our trustees and membership, we voted to become a national society and to rename ourselves the British Cello Society. Permission to register the new society was approved by the Charity Commission and formally registered on 11th August 2025 as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The British Cello Society will provide new opportunities to connect and serve cellists in all areas of the UK and to assure maximum access to those opportunities. We expect to grow our membership which in turn will make it possible to offer a greater range of activities.
The focus of the 2024-25 year was a major fundraising drive, the creation of an enhanced website incorporating membership and ticketing databases and the establishment of regional hubs in Cambridge, Manchester and Chichester and eventually in Bristol, Leeds and areas further north and west. While administrative initiatives took preference over live presentations, we did hold two well-attended events: an orchestral/professional development day for cellists at the Royal Northern College of Music on 24th November and (in association with Tarisio London) a masterclass by the leading American virtuoso Ralph Kirshbaum on 27th November 2024.
As in previous years, the Society’s charitable and public benefit commitment continued with In Harmony Lambeth, a programme within El Sistema England, providing tuition – by Theo Bently Curtin - to early learners in the borough and boosting the skills of string players in the Lambeth Youth Symphony Orchestra. Beyond all these live events, the Society continued to connect with its members and community through printed newsletters, concert alerts, social media outlets and a lively website.
## Public benefit
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 30 April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... S Gokcen Trustee
Page 2
## **London Cello Society**
## **Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities**
The trustees are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
The law applicable to charities requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008, and the provisions of the constitution. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Approved by the trustees of the charity on 30 April 2026 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... S Gokcen Trustee
Page 3
## **London Cello Society**
## **Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of London Cello Society**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of London Cello Society for the year ended 30 June 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of London Cello Society you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the London Cello Society's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of London Cello Society as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting 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.
......................................
Andrew Waltham, Horden Accountancy Services Limited Institute of Financial Accountants
Hop Press Risebridge Farm Goudhurst Kent TN17 1HN
30 April 2026
Page 4
## **London Cello Society**
## **Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 June 2025**
|**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Charitable activities
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
11
**Note**
**Income and Endowments from:**
Charitable activities
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
11|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
42,885
42,885
(12,863)
(12,863)
30,022
30,022
10,893
40,915
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**£**
29,583
29,583
(27,035)
(27,035)
2,548
2,548
8,345
10,893|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
419
419
-
-
419
419
24,408
24,827
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
452
452
-
-
452
452
23,956
24,408|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
43,304|
|---|---|---|---|
||||43,304|
||||(12,863)|
||||(12,863)|
||||30,441|
||||30,441
35,301|
||||65,742|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
30,035|
||||30,035|
||||(27,035)|
||||(27,035)|
||||3,000|
||||3,000
32,301|
||||35,301|
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2024 is shown in note 11.
The notes on pages 7 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 5
## **London Cello Society**
## **(Registration number: 1098381) Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2025**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
6
**Current assets**
Stocks
7
Debtors
8
Cash at bank and in hand
9
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
10
**Net current assets**
**Net assets**
**Funds of the charity:**
**Restricted income funds**
Restricted funds
**Unrestricted income funds**
Unrestricted funds
**Total funds**
11|**2025**
**£**
4,000
4,050
1,877
56,515
62,442
(700)
61,742
65,742
24,827
40,915
65,742|**2024**
**£**
4,000
250
-
34,851|
|---|---|---|
|||35,101
(3,800)|
|||31,301|
|||35,301|
|||24,408
10,893|
|||35,301|
The financial statements on pages 5 to 11 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 30 April 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... S Gokcen Trustee
The notes on pages 7 to 11 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6
## **London Cello Society**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025**
## **1 Accounting policies**
## **Statement of compliance**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011.
## **Basis of preparation**
London Cello Society meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
## **Going concern**
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.
## **Expenditure**
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category.
## _**Charitable activities**_
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
## **Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
## **Tangible fixed assets**
Individual fixed assets costing £0.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulated impairment losses. The German half-size cello that is recorded as a fixed asset is unlikely to be depreciated as its value is very unlikely to decrease over time.
## **Stock**
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after due regard for obsolete and slow moving stocks. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO).
## **Trade debtors**
Trade debtors are amounts due for Gift Aid claimed in connection with donations received.
## **Fund structure**
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Page 7
## **London Cello Society**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)**
Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purposes, the use of which is restricted to that area or purpose. The recently-established Keith Harvey Fund will provide a biennial scholarship for outstanding cellists at the start of their professional careers.
## **2 Income from charitable activities**
|Donations and sponsorship
Members' subscriptions
Interest receivable
Revenues from concerts and events
Gift aid receivable
Donations and sponsorship
Members' subscriptions
Interest receivable
Revenues from concerts and events|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
35,844
3,334
155
1,675
1,877
42,885
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
13,122
3,491
-
12,970
29,583|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
419
-
-
419
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
-
452
-
452|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
35,844
3,334
574
1,675
1,877|
|---|---|---|---|
||||43,304|
||||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
13,122
3,491
452
12,970|
||||30,035|
## **3 Expenditure on charitable activities**
|**Note**
**Note**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
12,863
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
27,035|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
12,863|
|---|---|---|
|||**Total**
**2024**
**£**
27,035|
Page 8
## **London Cello Society**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)**
|Direct event costs
Secretarial and administration expenses
Website and IT costs
Bank charges
Accountancy and professional costs
Charitable activities
Insurance|**Activity**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**£**
1,866
3,669
3,887
181
700
2,560
-
12,863|**2025**
**£**
1,866
3,669
3,887
181
700
2,560
-
12,863|**2024**
**£**
20,354
1,988
793
387
800
2,320
393|
|---|---|---|---|
||||27,035|
## **4 Trustees remuneration and expenses**
During the year the charity made the following transactions with trustees:
## **J Pearson**
£Nil (2024: £4,429) of expenses were reimbursed to J Pearson during the year.
The expenses reimbursed were in connection with concerts and events in the normal course of business.
## **S Gokcen**
£Nil (2024: £3,188) of expenses were reimbursed to S Gokcen during the year.
The expenses reimbursed were in connection with concerts and events in the normal course of business.
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
Page 9
## **London Cello Society**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)**
## **5 Taxation**
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
## **6 Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost**
At 1 July 2024
At 30 June 2025
**Depreciation**
At 30 June 2025
**Net book value**
At 30 June 2025
At 30 June 2024
**7**
**Stock**
Stocks
**8**
**Debtors**
Trade debtors
**9**
**Cash and cash equivalents**
Cash at bank
**10 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year**
Other creditors
Accruals||**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
4,000
4,000
-
4,000
4,000
**2025**
**£**
4,050
**2025**
**£**
56,515
**2025**
**£**
-
700
700|**Furniture and**
**equipment**
**£**
4,000
4,000
-
4,000
4,000
**2025**
**£**
4,050
**2025**
**£**
56,515
**2025**
**£**
-
700
700|**Total**
**£**
4,000
4,000
-
4,000
4,000
**2024**
**£**
250|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||4,000
-|||
|||4,000|||
|||4,000|||
|||**2025**
**£**
4,050
**2025**
**£**
56,515
**2025**
**£**
-
700
700|||
|||||**2025**
**£**
1,877|
|||||**2024**
**£**
34,851|
|||||**2024**
**£**
3,000
800|
|||||3,800|
Page 10
## **London Cello Society**
## **Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)**
|**11 Funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
General
**Restricted funds**
**Total funds**
**Unrestricted funds**
General
**Restricted funds**
**Total funds**|**Balance at 1**
**July 2024**
**£**
10,893
24,408
35,301
**Balance at 1**
**July 2023**
**£**
8,345
23,956
32,301|**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
42,885
419
43,304
**Incoming**
**resources**
**£**
29,583
452
30,035|**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(12,863)
-
(12,863)
**Resources**
**expended**
**£**
(27,035)
-
(27,035)|**Balance at 30**
**June 2025**
**£**
40,915
24,827|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||65,742|
|||||**Balance at 30**
**June 2024**
**£**
10,893
24,408|
|||||35,301|
## **12 Analysis of net assets between funds**
|**12 Analysis of net assets between funds**||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets
Tangible fixed assets
Current assets
Current liabilities
Total net assets|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
4,000
37,615
(700)
40,915
**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**General**
**£**
4,000
10,693
(3,800)
10,893|**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
24,827
-
24,827
**Restricted**
**funds**
**£**
-
24,408
-
24,408|**Total funds at**
**30 June**
**2025**
**£**
4,000
62,442
(700)|
||||65,742|
||||**Total funds at**
**30 June**
**2024**
**£**
4,000
35,101
(3,800)|
||||35,301|
Page 11
## **London Cello Society**
## **Statement of Financial Activities by fund for the Year Ended 30 June 2025**
|**Income and Endowments from:**
Charitable activities
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
42,885
42,885
(12,863)
(12,863)
30,022
30,022
10,893
40,915|**Total**
**Unrestricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
29,583|
|---|---|---|
|||29,583|
|||(27,035)|
|||(27,035)|
|||2,548|
|||2,548
8,345|
|||10,893|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 12
## **London Cello Society**
## **Statement of Financial Activities by fund for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)**
|**Income and Endowments from:**
Charitable activities
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Net income
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|**Total**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2025**
**£**
419
419
419
24,408
24,827|**Total**
**Restricted**
**Funds**
**2024**
**£**
452|
|---|---|---|
|||452|
|||452
23,956|
|||24,408|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 13
## **London Cello Society**
## **Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 June 2025**
|**Income and Endowments from:**
Charitable activities (analysed below)
Total income
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities (analysed below)
Total expenditure
Net income
Net movement in funds
**Reconciliation of funds**
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
43,304
43,304
(12,863)
(12,863)
30,441
30,441
35,301
65,742|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
30,035|
|---|---|---|
|||30,035|
|||(27,035)|
|||(27,035)|
|||3,000|
|||3,000
32,301|
|||35,301|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 14
## **London Cello Society**
## **Detailed Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 30 June 2025 (continued)**
|**_Charitable activities_**
Gift Aid tax reclaimed
Members' subscriptions
Donations and sponsorship
Revenues from concerts and events
Interest on cash deposits
Interest on cash deposits
**_Charitable activities_**
Direct event costs
Insurance
Secretarial and administration services
Website and IT costs
Charitable donations
Accountancy and professional fees
Bank charges|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
1,877
3,334
35,844
1,675
155
419
43,304
(1,866)
-
(3,669)
(3,887)
(2,560)
(700)
(181)
(12,863)|**Total**
**2024**
**£**
-
3,491
13,122
12,970
-
452|
|---|---|---|
|||30,035|
|||(20,354)
(393)
(1,988)
(793)
(2,320)
(800)
(387)|
|||(27,035)|
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements. Page 15