SHERBORNE CHAMBER CHOIR
REGISTERED CHARITY NO 1113380
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year to 31 July 2025
SHERBORNE CHAMBER CHOIR
| REGISTERED CHARITY NO 1113380 | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Trust Information | 3 |
| Trustees Report | 4 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 6 |
| Statement of financial activities | 7 |
| Balance sheet | 8 |
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SHERBORNE CHAMBER CHOIR
LEDGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Registered charity number: 1113380 Trustees: Rachel Greaves, Chair Lynne Harding, Treasurer Oonagh Langrishe Susan Wales, Secretary Andrew White Musical Director Paul Ellis Bankers: CAF Bank Ltd 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill West Malling ME19 4JQ Independent Examiner Liz Ashmead, 752 The Square. Cattistock, Dorset DT20JD
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Trustees Annual Report for the year ended 31 July 2025
Structure and Governance
The charity is an unincorporated society registered with the Charities Commission on 21 March 2006 and governed by a constitution, last amended in May 2008.
The Trustees are elected by choir members and form the Committee, along with the Musical Director, who is exofficio.
Objects of the Choir
The choir is established to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts; 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.
Activity
The choir holds regular practices and training sessions and gives concerts and other informal performances in Sherborne and the surrounding area.
The choir continues to be full to capacity and we continue to build on the large audience numbers that welcomed us back after lockdown. Our online ticket system (with phone provision) works well and we have an active online presence. We gave four performances in Sherborne Abbey during the season:
30 November 2024 Bach Christmas Oratorio . With a first-class period orchestra and soloists, our performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio (in German) was a wonderful occasion, and an audience of over 550 was the icing on the cake. Our soloists were Katharine Hawnt (soprano), Helen Charlston (mezzo-soprano), Edward Woodhouse (tenor), and Tom Butler (bass). Former Co-leader of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Alison Bury, who has worked with us for many years, again led our orchestra.
15[th] March 2025 Eternal Light . Our entirely a cappella programme featured Spanish composer Tomás Luis de Victoria’s Requiem Mass for six voices. The movements were interspersed with some Lent favourites, including Tavener’s Funeral Ikos, Lotti’s Crucifixus, Purcell’s Hear my prayer, Pizzetti’s setting of Psalm 130, a Reger sacred songs, and Howells’ Take him, earth, for cherishing .
1[st] May 2025 Mozart Requiem. Our annual performance as part of the Sherborne Festival Chorus was the opening concert of the Sherborne Abbey Festival, with a performance of Mozart’s popular setting of the Requiem, along with Haydn’s Te Deum in C ; soprano Amelia Monaghan (a former SCC member) gave a memorable performance of Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate and Chameleon Arts Orchestra opened the programme with Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture.
28[th] June 2025 O be joyful . Our final concert was of the great choral settings of the psalms, ranging from the seventeenth century to the present day, marking the four hundredth anniversary of Gibbons’ death with ‘O clap your hands’, and the eightieth birthday of Sir John Rutter with movements from Psalmfest .
We also sang carols for the switching on of the Christmas lights in Sherborne and for the Weldmar Hospice Light up a Life service in December.
Many thanks to all the members of the choir for their continuing dedication and hard work and in particular to all those who help in so many ways behind the scenes to ensure the success of the choir and its concerts. Above all, thanks are due to our Musical Director, who continues to inspire us and raise us to new musical heights.
Public Benefit
In planning the choir’s activities, the trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, including the guidance on public benefit and fee charging. The choir relies on income from ticket sales and membership subscriptions to cover its operating costs. Careful consideration is given to ensuring that ticket prices and subscriptions are set at levels which make the choir’s activities as accessible to as wide a range of the public as possible, including free tickets for under 18s at all our own-promoted concerts and keeping a proportion of our tickets priced at £5.
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Finance
Principal sources of funds
Our normal principal sources of funds are box office income, members’ subscriptions, income from fee-paying engagements and from our Friends scheme. The choir continues to be in a financially secure position, thanks to consistently good box office income, donations, and a legacy left by a choir member.
The accounts for the year show an income of £27,506 (previous year £27,609) and expenditure of £24,952 (previous year £18,534), resulting in a surplus of £2,554 (previous year £9,075).
Reserves policy
The trustees usually aim to keep enough reserves to cover concert costs for the season, excluding any box office income which may be received. Despite a major orchestral concert, our reserves at the end of the financial year were £39,194 (previous year £36,689).
We gratefully acknowledge all our supporters, both in kind and through donations, including our loyal band of Friends of the choir, and our audiences.
The trustees declare that they have approved the report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees.
Rachel Greaves, Chair
Date 3 May 2026
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SHERBORNE CHAMBER CHOIR
REGISTERED CHARITY NO 1113380
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the financial statements of The Sherborne Chamber Choir (the charity) for the year ended 31 July 2025, which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account), the Balance Sheet and the related Notes.
Responsibilities and basis of report
The charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011.
Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act 2011.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination and I can confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 130 of the 2011 Act 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; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)).
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 and in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Liz Ashmead
752 The Square Cattistock Dorset DT2 0JD
Signed
Elizabeth Ashmead
Elizabeth Ashmead: Independent Examiner Date 4.5.2026
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Sherborne Chamber Choir : Charity number: 1113380 Income and expenditure account for the year ended 31st July 2025
| Income £ £ £ £ Box office income 13,723 9,701 Friends 440 495 Subscriptions 6,075 6,286 Music Hire 88 55 Music Sales 13 - Weddings 1,300 - Other services 1,100 300 Advertising 210 210 Programme sales 1,090 946 Donations 1,346 8,661 Interest 533 113 Sherborne Festival Chorus 216 - Concert Refunds 350 - Gift Aid 1,022 842 27,506 27,609 Expenditure Musical Director and miscellaneous Musical Director fees 5,040 5,015 Musical Director concert and wedding fees 750 750 Promotion and Printing Advertising 786 529 Postage 91 66 Printing 935 704 Music purchase and hire Music hire 630 848 Music purchase 279 289 Concert expenses Commission on box office - 95 Additional singers for concerts 1,680 1,800 Organist 300 1,120 Orchestra 6,600 - Soloists 2,455 - Festival chorus fee 345 477 Meals and welfare for orchestra/soloists 271 25 Abbey fees 2,655 2,751 Administration Rehearsal Venue hire 1,336 1,319 Library 90 - Auditor fees 180 180 Making Music Membership and insurance 434 259 Miscellaneous Equipment 51 174 Donations - 1,793 Social events 36 105 Bank charges 60 60 Refunds - 175 25,001 18,534 Excess of income over expenditure 2,505 9,075 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 Year to Year to |
Income £ £ £ £ Box office income 13,723 9,701 Friends 440 495 Subscriptions 6,075 6,286 Music Hire 88 55 Music Sales 13 - Weddings 1,300 - Other services 1,100 300 Advertising 210 210 Programme sales 1,090 946 Donations 1,346 8,661 Interest 533 113 Sherborne Festival Chorus 216 - Concert Refunds 350 - Gift Aid 1,022 842 27,506 27,609 Expenditure Musical Director and miscellaneous Musical Director fees 5,040 5,015 Musical Director concert and wedding fees 750 750 Promotion and Printing Advertising 786 529 Postage 91 66 Printing 935 704 Music purchase and hire Music hire 630 848 Music purchase 279 289 Concert expenses Commission on box office - 95 Additional singers for concerts 1,680 1,800 Organist 300 1,120 Orchestra 6,600 - Soloists 2,455 - Festival chorus fee 345 477 Meals and welfare for orchestra/soloists 271 25 Abbey fees 2,655 2,751 Administration Rehearsal Venue hire 1,336 1,319 Library 90 - Auditor fees 180 180 Making Music Membership and insurance 434 259 Miscellaneous Equipment 51 174 Donations - 1,793 Social events 36 105 Bank charges 60 60 Refunds - 175 25,001 18,534 Excess of income over expenditure 2,505 9,075 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 Year to Year to |
Income £ £ £ £ Box office income 13,723 9,701 Friends 440 495 Subscriptions 6,075 6,286 Music Hire 88 55 Music Sales 13 - Weddings 1,300 - Other services 1,100 300 Advertising 210 210 Programme sales 1,090 946 Donations 1,346 8,661 Interest 533 113 Sherborne Festival Chorus 216 - Concert Refunds 350 - Gift Aid 1,022 842 27,506 27,609 Expenditure Musical Director and miscellaneous Musical Director fees 5,040 5,015 Musical Director concert and wedding fees 750 750 Promotion and Printing Advertising 786 529 Postage 91 66 Printing 935 704 Music purchase and hire Music hire 630 848 Music purchase 279 289 Concert expenses Commission on box office - 95 Additional singers for concerts 1,680 1,800 Organist 300 1,120 Orchestra 6,600 - Soloists 2,455 - Festival chorus fee 345 477 Meals and welfare for orchestra/soloists 271 25 Abbey fees 2,655 2,751 Administration Rehearsal Venue hire 1,336 1,319 Library 90 - Auditor fees 180 180 Making Music Membership and insurance 434 259 Miscellaneous Equipment 51 174 Donations - 1,793 Social events 36 105 Bank charges 60 60 Refunds - 175 25,001 18,534 Excess of income over expenditure 2,505 9,075 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 Year to Year to |
Income £ £ £ £ Box office income 13,723 9,701 Friends 440 495 Subscriptions 6,075 6,286 Music Hire 88 55 Music Sales 13 - Weddings 1,300 - Other services 1,100 300 Advertising 210 210 Programme sales 1,090 946 Donations 1,346 8,661 Interest 533 113 Sherborne Festival Chorus 216 - Concert Refunds 350 - Gift Aid 1,022 842 27,506 27,609 Expenditure Musical Director and miscellaneous Musical Director fees 5,040 5,015 Musical Director concert and wedding fees 750 750 Promotion and Printing Advertising 786 529 Postage 91 66 Printing 935 704 Music purchase and hire Music hire 630 848 Music purchase 279 289 Concert expenses Commission on box office - 95 Additional singers for concerts 1,680 1,800 Organist 300 1,120 Orchestra 6,600 - Soloists 2,455 - Festival chorus fee 345 477 Meals and welfare for orchestra/soloists 271 25 Abbey fees 2,655 2,751 Administration Rehearsal Venue hire 1,336 1,319 Library 90 - Auditor fees 180 180 Making Music Membership and insurance 434 259 Miscellaneous Equipment 51 174 Donations - 1,793 Social events 36 105 Bank charges 60 60 Refunds - 175 25,001 18,534 Excess of income over expenditure 2,505 9,075 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 Year to Year to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,505 | 9,075 |
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SHERBORNE CHAMBER CHOIR Charity number: 1113380
Balance Sheet
| Current Assets £ £ £ £ Cash at bank 32,374 29,819 Stock in hand (library music) 7,000 7,000 39,374 36,819 Current liabilities Accruals 2025 - Auditor Fee 180 130 Total Accruals 180 130 Excess of assets over liabilities 39,194 36,689 Reserves Reserves c/fwd 36,689 27,613 Surplus for the year 2,505 9,075 39,194 36,689 Bank Analysis CAF Current and Gold Bank Account Balances 19,921.99 £ CAF 60-day interest Account balance 12,450.79 £ Total bank balances 32,372.78 £ 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 |
Current Assets £ £ £ £ Cash at bank 32,374 29,819 Stock in hand (library music) 7,000 7,000 39,374 36,819 Current liabilities Accruals 2025 - Auditor Fee 180 130 Total Accruals 180 130 Excess of assets over liabilities 39,194 36,689 Reserves Reserves c/fwd 36,689 27,613 Surplus for the year 2,505 9,075 39,194 36,689 Bank Analysis CAF Current and Gold Bank Account Balances 19,921.99 £ CAF 60-day interest Account balance 12,450.79 £ Total bank balances 32,372.78 £ 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 |
Current Assets £ £ £ £ Cash at bank 32,374 29,819 Stock in hand (library music) 7,000 7,000 39,374 36,819 Current liabilities Accruals 2025 - Auditor Fee 180 130 Total Accruals 180 130 Excess of assets over liabilities 39,194 36,689 Reserves Reserves c/fwd 36,689 27,613 Surplus for the year 2,505 9,075 39,194 36,689 Bank Analysis CAF Current and Gold Bank Account Balances 19,921.99 £ CAF 60-day interest Account balance 12,450.79 £ Total bank balances 32,372.78 £ 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 |
Current Assets £ £ £ £ Cash at bank 32,374 29,819 Stock in hand (library music) 7,000 7,000 39,374 36,819 Current liabilities Accruals 2025 - Auditor Fee 180 130 Total Accruals 180 130 Excess of assets over liabilities 39,194 36,689 Reserves Reserves c/fwd 36,689 27,613 Surplus for the year 2,505 9,075 39,194 36,689 Bank Analysis CAF Current and Gold Bank Account Balances 19,921.99 £ CAF 60-day interest Account balance 12,450.79 £ Total bank balances 32,372.78 £ 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 |
Current Assets £ £ £ £ Cash at bank 32,374 29,819 Stock in hand (library music) 7,000 7,000 39,374 36,819 Current liabilities Accruals 2025 - Auditor Fee 180 130 Total Accruals 180 130 Excess of assets over liabilities 39,194 36,689 Reserves Reserves c/fwd 36,689 27,613 Surplus for the year 2,505 9,075 39,194 36,689 Bank Analysis CAF Current and Gold Bank Account Balances 19,921.99 £ CAF 60-day interest Account balance 12,450.79 £ Total bank balances 32,372.78 £ 31/07/2025 31/07/2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39,194 | 36,689 | |||
| 36,689 2,505 |
27,613 9,075 |
|||
| 39,194 | 36,689 | |||
| CAF Current and Gold Bank Account Balances 19,921.99 £ CAF 60-day interest Account balance 12,450.79 £ |
||||
| Total bank balances | 32,372.78 £ |
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