CONNAUGHT OPERA
57 Connaught Street, London W2 2BB
(CHARITY NUMBER: 1131004)
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT
YEAR ENDING 31 March 2023
The Chair, Maria Arakie, reported to the Trustees at the AGM on 10/05/2023. Present were Wendy Mead (President) Dr Glenn Wilson (Treasurer), Alan Steinfeld (Secretary), Sabeed Dawood (Trustee/signatory) and Dr Bill Acker (Trustee).
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Connaught Opera is an Unincorporated Association with a Constitution as its Governing Document. The Trustees were appointed by the Executive Committee, and as required by the Constitution, reappointed annually at the AGM. They have adopted the policies and procedures as supplied to them by the Charity Commission.
CHARITABLE OBJECTS
The objects of the Charity are to relieve the needs of people suffering from sickness, poor health and old age living in Greater London and beyond by the provision of musical concerts in hospitals, residential and nursing homes, day centres and similar institutions.
CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
Connaught Opera raises funds in order to offer free concerts to older people in care in all the Greater London Boroughs and beyond. Our activities for the year ending March 2023 are detailed below.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibility for ensuring that the Charity’s activities contribute to the public benefit. Having taken note of the Charity Commission’s guidance on the subject, the Trustees believe that the Charity’s activities do indeed contribute to the public benefit.
TURNOVER
Our heartfelt thanks go to our major new benefactor, who has made Connaught Opera their sole beneficiary of charitable giving. Any monies received from them will be used solely for activities that further our charitable purposes for the benefit of older, vulnerable people throughout England, with particular emphasis on enriching the cultural heritage of elders resident in the Greater London area. The grant will not be used for any other purpose.
Notes :Gifts to charities attract tax relief in a special way that can benefit both the charity and the donor. Most donations are in the form of cash gifts, although relief can also apply to gifts of assets.
For every 80p donated to Connaught Opera the Government will top it up with a further 20p, so long as you can certify on a ‘Gift Aid Declaration’ that you will pay enough UK tax to cover that 20p. The charity gets £1.
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If you pay tax at the higher rates of 40% or 45%, the good news is that you can make a further personal claim to tax relief via your PAYE code or Self-Assessment tax return - of 20p or 25p for every 80p donated.
So, for example, a gift of £80 will generate £100 in benefit to Connaught Opera after gift aid has been claimed), but also attracts personal tax relief of £20 or £25 (depending on your tax band) thus reducing your net outlay to £60 or even £55.
Income for this financial year to end March 2023 was £53,550 an increase, compared with that to March 2022 (£21,270). Last year concerts were suddenly curtailed when care centres and nursing homes were understandably closed to public visits and their clients were unable to attend live concerts on heritage sites. This year (2022/ 2023) presented us with major challenges, since our work is with the elderly and vulnerable but as freelance performers we are ready to adapt to problems as they arise.
Virtually all our grant income goes directly to support our charitable activities. We believe it is most important that the elderly population, who have suffered many funding cuts, as well as additional stress due to lockdown, continue to have access to quality cultural and heritage events. Fortunately, our funders have been in general agreement and very supportive, requesting that when safe to do so, we take professional concerts to older people in care who would not otherwise be able to attend events in the community.
It is gratifying to learn that we are made so warmly welcomed by all the audiences we perform for when they can, once more, have live performances in their care settings.
The Royal Greenwich Community Fund enabled us to present 10 concerts in care home settings across the Borough.
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Athlone House, Westminster with a group of patients. “I just want to say a big thanks from all the residents at Athlone house Nursing for the lovely performance on the Glamorous night.” Cynthia Grant.
City Bridge Trust provided our main support during 2022/2023 when many of our ‘regular’ sponsors were experiencing severe cutbacks due to making provision for the cost of living crisis.
Some CBT FEEDBACK 2023:
Dear Maria, Glenn, Nicholas and everyone at The City Bridge Trust, Such a huge thank you for the fabulous concert on Wednesday 22nd February! As always it was such a wonderful afternoon with The Connaught Opera. We are so lucky that we get to experience a concert of such an incredible standard and feel very grateful for the experience! We absolutely loved all the music, which included so many of our favourites. The residents are always so excited to see The Connaught Opera perform. I love to see how the residents respond so positively to your warmth and kindness. Maria, your outfits were all gorgeous, we love the costume changes and all the effort that the three of you put into always making your visits a special occasion. Activities like this have such a positive impact on our resident’s well-being. We are hugely grateful to the City Bridge Trust for making it all possible. Maria, Glenn and Nicholas, we really hope you can come and see us again soon! Sarah (Dalemead, Richmond)
Hi Maria. Thank you for providing the pictures that I will pass on. I must say you all were brilliant, I truly enjoyed it and from the feedback from our tenants they had a lovely
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time. Look forward to seeing you again soon Kind regards Sylvia (Francis/Coborn) Peabody, Darwin Court, Southwark
Haynes Dementia Centre, Haringey.
‘’ So happy to welcome the wonderful Connaught Opera team to Penfold , great joyous singing and music , made everyone feel so cheerful as our Extra Care Residents and Community joined in singing to tunes from My Fair Lady and lots more. ‘’ Denis Kane
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Caroline said: “was brilliant thank you so much, they really enjoyed it!” (Neighbours in
Poplar. Birchfield Community Centre).
Thank you so much for yesterday’s show at Lynde House, Richmond. You left all my residents very happy Residents enjoyed it very much. Thank you and your team so much and I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon (Gitana Norvaisiene).
Thank you so much for the lovely show yesterday. As always our customers enjoyed the show. Please book us in for another show whenever you are available. Many thanks Jessie B .J. Melech, Senior Support Worker. Adults and Health, 200 Chargeable Lane, Plaistow, London. E13 8DW
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The Octagon, Orleans House Museum, Twickenham was the stunning setting for “Songs for Elizabeth”
A Tribute to our late beloved queen. (Images: Scarlett Poppy Clark Photographer)
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“Thank you, Glenn and the pianist for a wonderful performance yesterday. You all looked so perfect in the Octagon room too. ...Your wardrobe was fabulous as was your repertoire. Thank you so much for inviting our clients - they loved the concert. “
Warm wishes, Marie Therese Keegan, Well-Being Services Coordinator. AgeUK Richmond upon Thames.
The audience were invited by AGEUK Richmond who shared the concert with Whitton Network members (sponsored by Richmond Parish Lands Charity and Hampton Fund).
We also really enjoyed the Rothschild Rooms at Gunnersbury House Museum and Park in Ealing . With our host Jennal Amin “You all were fabulous and brought so much joy to all the residents yesterday 🙂”. (A short video is on the Filmed Concerts page)
Connaught Opera in the news:
Recent Articles on are website are ‘clickable’ to view through the following links:
'Songs for Elizabeth': A Royal performance for Age UK Richmond in honour of The Queen (swlondoner.co.uk)
https://www.islingtontribune.co.uk/article/well-sing-again-special-concert-to-honour-latemonarch
Toto, we’re not in Kansas any more? | Islington Tribune
Filmed Concerts – Connaught Opera
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STATELY HOMES
At Knebworth House , with Lady Cobbold our lovely Host for another wonderful year at her magical house, and Trish Washer, Operations Manager (left).
A concert sponsored by Arnold Clark Community Fund and Quantum Care Homes.
A short video from the concert for some 80 residents from Quantum Care Homes across Hertfordshire
and Bedfordshire is here, on our website: Filmed Concerts – Connaught Opera
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Increasingly we have developed concerts that encompass a specific theme. These have proven most popular with our audiences. They have reacted favourably to the content, costumes, and historical links provided by Glenn Wilson that add to an entertaining and educational experience. The theme in 2020 was “ A Forties Fantasia ” inspired by both the deliciously melodious and familiar music of Disney’s classic film, and the abundant, overflowing joy that swept the country at the end of the 2[nd] World War. Now that we are able to provide our concerts once more, the specially themed concerts should prove a very uplifting morale boost. In 2022 “With A Song in My Heart”. Later in 2022, we were able to present concerts for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee. ”Vivat Regina”.
With a generous donation from Arnold Clark, we were hosted in September at Fairytale Knebworth House for residents from Quantum Care Homes.
The Wixamtree Trust once more supported a concert in Bedford at Shuttleworth House, for Tibbs Dementia. Short film is featured on the website: Filmed Concerts – Connaught Opera
“We’re busily planning our 10[th] anniversary celebrations due to start next month. A whole year of reflection, celebration, gratitude and hopeful planning for the future. We would love one of these events to include yourselves, you’ve become such friends over the years and
“your annual concert is a real
highlight for so many of us.” Sarah Russell.
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For our audiences in Islington. Supported by the Cripplegate Foundation who manage funds from Islington’s Community Chest, this concert below, for International Women’s Day was held on March 10 at the Jean Stokes Community Centre. A packed audience were encouraged by an article in the Islington Community online: Islington Life blog.
- Islington Life Leading ladies
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We pride ourselves on maintaining the same standards musically, and with lavish costumes both in the Stately Homes and the care centres, to enable all our audiences to enjoy the same high quality of performances. We are fully aware, as are our helpful funders, that events relating to the pandemic, and the ensuing cost of living crisis, may force further date changes.
LONDON BOROUGHS’ SUPPORT in 2022 2023
CITY BRIDGE TRUST
We are delighted that the City Bridge Trust have chosen to support 10 concerts in Inner London Boroughs. We are thrilled that this support continues for another two years (an increase to 20 concerts in 2023 across London).
FUTURE PLANS
We will continue applying for funding in our rolling programme.
Reference and Administrative Details of the Charity
The Charity is Connaught Opera, Registration Number: 1131004. Address of the principal officer of the Charity is 57 Connaught Street, London W2 2BB, Phone 07833736278. President is Mrs Wendy Mead, OBE, past Chief Commoner. Current Trustees are. Ms Maria Arakie (Chair), Alan Steinfeld KC (Secretary), Dr Glenn Wilson (Treasurer), Dr William Acker (Trustee), and Mr. Sabeed Dawood (Trustee and cheque signatory). Independent Examiner: Mr P L Boielle. M Eng. MAAT (Retired Community Accountant).
The Chair handles all day to day management of the charity as delegated by the Trustees. There are no salaried positions and no profit is sought. Performers are paid a small, set fee for their services, in accord with a Charity Commission provision that Connaught Executives/Trustees who receive payment are in a minority of the Committee that sets the fee. Two are regular performers but neither is irreplaceable. If one is unavailable or indisposed a talented replacement can be drafted. This has occasionally happened in the past, with the result that we have never in our history (dating from 2003) had to cancel a planned concert, with the exception of the COVID 19 circumstances.
Structure, Governance and Management: The Charity has a constitution as its governing document. It is an Unincorporated Association. Objects of the Charity To relieve the needs of people suffering from sickness, poor health and old age living in Greater London and beyond by the provision of musical concerts for hospitals, residential and nursing homes, day centres and similar institutions.
Activities of the Charity: All activities are undertaken for the beneficiaries as described in grant proposals submitted to funders. The Charity keeps virtually no reserves other than restricted funds ear-marked for ongoing projects. Fees are allocated to professional artists only after concerts have been performed, as well as any allowance for administration and travel costs as outlined in grant applications.
Signed… Maria Arakie … Maria Arakie (Chair), 10/05/2023
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES CortN•4M Op•rn 1131Q04 Recei ts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe p•rlod from IWr-22 To 3141ar.23 Sectioii A Receipts and payments Unrg$¢rl¢tèd furth R•strlcie lund• Endowrnent funds Total funds Lalt ye41 A1 R•c•l 312 Grnnl• Sub tot•l{Gmss inc(%r)& forARI A2 A•••t •nd In¥tment Mt••. {••• 20270 63.0S0 11.270 AJ Paym•nt• ¥t•• F•n 16,3qQ 24.$26 1.273 1,370 ICT Trn¥•l W•fdrob• vld•o & Imm Room Hlr• 1A26 1.02• 710 In•ur•nr• R•lrn•hmnts Olh•r Ex St•tlon oun, 227 20$ 200 200 & EA•mL 37S Sub tot•1 A4 Aslot and Inw••tm•nt purchaM•. •00 tabl• Sub tot•1 Totsl p•ym•nts 30.978 JlTr,•70 JO.J58 N•1 ol rnc•lpts/(p•ym•ntsJ AS Trnn•lw¥ b•tw••n lund• A8 C••h tundj lalt y•ar •nd C•4h lund4 th1¥ y••r •nd .1570 22,S76 6.899 21N74 6.8 28.474 14108 CCXX A1 Issi sr2023
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrtr$trl¢tgd lurid R8strlcl8d Endowrnant fund• Laiegori Detai15 tyj IMr•t 81 C••h fund• 21A74 Total c••h fvn 28.•74 UnMtrtct•d RMtrbct•d lund• lund• nMr••tt Endowmwrt lund B2 Oth•r mon•tsry ••••t¥ Purrtl Ip CuffNrf¥&Iu• Detail B3 Inv••tm•ni aM•ts Fund lo wh*h CurMrrtv&lu• Oetails B4 A•••t• r•tsln•d for th• ch•rlty' own u•• E5110 • pw) &c4 072 Arnpyrtd Otrtails 86 Uibllltl•• n8tu¥• Pdni N8m• Dat• of roval Gk•nn Wllwi CCXX RZ ISSI oea)142023
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Connaught Opera, Charity No. 1131004, for the year ended 31 March 2023.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity 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 Trust’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:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the 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 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.
Signed: P.L.Boïelle
Name: Paul Laurence Boïelle
Relevant professional qualification or membership of professional bodies (if any): MAAT
Address: 71 Lonsdale Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire. SG1 5DD
Date: 6[th] . May 2023