Report to Members on Activities on the period from 1st September 2024 to 31st August 2025
The Trustees have pleasure in presenting the following report to members on the activities of Norfolk Camerata (CIO) during the year ending 31 August 2025. The Annual General Meeting is to be held as soon as practicable.
Objects of the Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Norfolk Camerata is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and a Registered Charity (number 1128746).
The Charity’s object is to advance the education of the public in the Performing Arts and Choral Music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals and by such other ways as the trustees shall from time to time determine. The Charity’s principal area of benefit will be those parts of the County of Norfolk, UK, to the east and north of Norwich.
Under the Constitution members elect Trustees from among the membership; they act as Trustees of the Charity.
Trustees of the Charity
At the end of August 2025, the Trustees of the Charity were Mrs Maggie Smyth (Chairman), Mr J. Crispin Clark (Vice Chairman), Mrs Ros Peedle, Mrs Delia Malim Robinson (Registrar), Mrs Rosemary Jackson (Secretary) ~~, M~~ s Alison Haywood (Grants), ~~a~~ nd Mr Gordon Powell (Treasurer).
Activities during the year
Our Advent concert in St Nicholas Church, North Walsham, was the Charpentier ‘Messe de Minuit’, including two organ solo pieces, with mince pies and mulled wine afterwards.
Barrington Farm carol singing was held, as last year.
'Come and Sing' event featuring Handel’s Messiah was held on 5th April 2025 in St Nicholas Church, finishing with afternoon tea and an informal open concert, featuring four young soloists from the Cathedral choir. This was well attended and positive feedback was given.
The summer concert was on the theme of ‘The Last Night of the Proms’ and featured Stanford’s ‘Songs of the Fleet’, along with all the customary songs from the event and including some audience participation.
Financial Review (2024/25)
Under the oversight of the Treasurer, Gordon Powell, the Trustees can report that the balance sheet at the end of the year is fairly stable while showing a similar gain over the previous year. From the Statement of Financial Activities (SOFA) it can be seen that, whilst the year 2023/2024 showed a surplus of, £3712.64, the situation is repeated in 2024/2025 with a surplus of income over expenditure of £3173.97 bolstered by grant aid and a gift aid claim.
Our total income was £9723.33 and expenditure was £6549.36 The closing balance on the Current Account at 31/8/25 was £9900.53 We have a small Reserve Account, currently standing at £1167.55 which is held ring fenced against the possible need to wind up the Charity.
The Charity has experienced a renewed interest in membership and is still adding new members. We are currently slightly up on numbers by the end of the financial year.
The Trustees gratefully acknowledge the generosity of the North Walsham Community Shop, from whom a grant of £500 was received, likewise the Paul Basham fund, from whom a £1000 grant was received, and finally the Geoffrey Watling trust from whom a £750 grant was received.
Gordon Powell 01.09.2025
Public Benefit
Both the rehearsal programme and the public concerts are believed to satisfy the Charity Commission’s Public Benefit test.
Reserves Policy.
The Trustees aim to hold reserves equal to six months normal expenditure, to provide adequately against the risks of fluctuations in concert income. This target is not currently met and will be reviewed in the current year. Some current account funds may be transferred to reserves in the medium term.
The attached accounts have been prepared to comply with the Charities Commission requirements. The low income level exempts us from
requiring any external validation prior to submission.
On behalf of the Trustees: Rosemary A. Jackson 01.09.2025
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Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 August 2025
2025 2024
Income
Voluntary Income
Sponsorship/grants £2,250.00 £1,000.00
Donations £48.00 £41.00
Friends/Benefactors
Total Voluntary Income £2,298.00 £1,041.00
Fundraising Activities
Fundraising generated by members (gross)
Total income from Fundraising Activities
Charitable activities - educational- (rehearsals)
Members subscriptions £4,485.00 £3,755.00
Gift aid tax recovery £849.25 £2,478.89
Members' contributions towards costs of hire of music
Income from participating members - total £5,334.25 £6,233.89
Charitable activities - public performances
Come & Sing £561.00
Other Concert admission charges (Nett) £1,491.30 £2,221.20
Sale of Programmes
Sale of Refreshments
Sundry income and adjustments
Income from public performances - total £2,052.30 £2,221.20
Total Income from Charitable Activities £5,334.25 £6,233.89
Income from investments
Interest on deposits £38.78 £41.84
Total Income from investments £38.78 £55.97
Total Income £9,723.33 £9,552.06
Expenditure
Costs of Generating Voluntary Income
Publicity and Marketing (incl website) £976.36 £976.36 £551.93 £551.93
Cost of Charitable activities - rehearsals
Director of Music £2,755.00 £2,610.00
Assistant Director of Music
Rehearsal venues £1,188.00 £1,108.00
Costs of rehearsals - total £3,943.00 £3,718.00
Costs of Charitable activities - public performances
Artists fees and gifts £1,630.00 £1,569.49
Refreshments costs
Concert Venue
Printing
Sundries
PRS Fees (provision)
Cost of Public Performances - total £1,630.00 £1,569.49
Total costs of Charitable Actvities £5,573.00 £5,287.49
Costs of Governance and Administration
Meetings venue
Secretarial expenses
Subscriptions (Making Music)
Legal and professional
Insurance
Accountancy services (provision)
Website subscription (Provision)
Total Cost of Governance and Administration
Total Expenditure £6,549.36 £5,839.42
Nett Balance £3,173.97 £3,712.64
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