## _CONNAUGHT OPERA_ ## _57 Connaught Street, London W2 2BB_ (CHARITY NUMBER: 1131004) ## **REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT** **YEAR ENDING 31 March 2025** The Chair Maria Arakie, reported to the Trustees at the AGM on 15/04/2025 Present were Wendy Mead (President), Dr Glenn Wilson (Treasurer), Dr Bill Acker (Secretary), Sabeed Dawood (Trustee/signatory), and Domenic Pini (Trustee). ## STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT We were deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of our dearest Trustee and Secretary, Alan Steinfeld KC, whose continuous support and guiding light was valued, and appreciated, for the many years he helped to make Connaught Opera the solid and reliable Charity it has become. Rest in Peace kind and gentle friend and colleague, you will be sorely missed. Dr Bill Acker, who has been one of our Trustees and a strong supporter of Connaught Opera has agreed to take on the role of Secretary. 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 to offer free concerts to older people in care in all the Greater London Boroughs and beyond. Our activities for the year ending March 2025 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 wishes to remain anonymous) and has made Connaught Opera their sole beneficiary of charitable giving. Any monies received from them will be used 1 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. An additional benefit is the Gift Aid from HMRC that gives us funds for more concerts. Income for this financial year to end March 2025 was a large increase, compared with that to March 2024(£45,805.57). 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 and benefactors 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 and attend concerts in Heritage sites. ## **SILVER SUNDAY/AGE UK EVENTS.** Connaught Opera have supported this fine organisation for many years, 2024 being no exception. We performed at the Hampton Hill Theatre for AGEUK in Richmond, and also Jean Stokes Centre in Islington for the AGEUK Islington branch. 2 **Hosted by the Mercers’ Livery Company in the stunning Mercers’ Hall.** **City Bridge Foundation (the Gold Standard of Funders** ) provided our main support during 2024/202, when many of our regular sponsors were experiencing severe cutbacks due to the cost-ofliving crisis. We are more than delighted that we have been awarded a third year of continuation funding from this very special and supportive funder. The Foundation have been having a massive overhaul of their funding programmes. We are extremely fortunate and grateful that we have received, in this funding year, a Cohort1grant of £9,945 which they have paid in one lump sum. We thought it wise to maximise the befits of this grant by arranging many of the concerts in Heritage sites, thus enabling a much larger audience of elders to attend and benefit. ## **LONDON BOROUGHS’ SUPPORT in24/25.** **The CBF** grants allow us to continue our work in all the London boroughs, when other funders have had need to adjust their priorities. ## **GUNNERSBURY HOUSE AND MUSEUM** **The Rothschild Dining Room** was the glamorous venue for a fourth concert hosted by **Gunnersbury House and Museum.** Gunnersbury have requested a series of concerts following on the success of these, making a further 4 concerts before the end of 2025. The Museum commissioned a video of the March performance, which is featured on their website. This is also shared on the Connaught Opera website under videos. 3 **KNEBWORTH HOUSE, Lord and Lady Cobbold** once again generously opened their home to residents in Quantum Care Homes, who funded this concert, in Hertfordshire. A short video is featured on our website **.** **The Wizard of Oz finale for Quantum Care Homes residents at Knebworth House** **ISLINGTON GIVING,** through their grants awarded by the panel **, Golden Grantmakers,** enabled us to perform 8 concerts in Islington, their area of benefit, during 2024. Further. in December we were granted 4 concerts in Care Homes in Islington and a **‘Make it Happen’** grant was co-funded invited us to perform a Christmas concert. by the **Vibast Centre** who 4 ## **SHUTTLEWORTH HOUSE** **This marked the third concert held in this glamorous venue in Bedfordshire for the exclusive invited audience from Tibbs Dementia, supported by Wixamtree Trust.** ## **LEIGHTON HOUSE** Past residence of Frederic, Lord Leighton, whose imaginative and extravagant tastes created this exotic gem, set in the heart of London in Holland Park. Featuring Connaught in the studio in which our community concerts are hosted. We helped celebrate the birthday of Deputy Mayor of RBKC, Councillor Laura Burns. A second concert “ _We’ll Gather Lilacs_ ” at Leighton House, attended by The Deputy Mayor in March2025. 5 _“It was as always, a joyful and uplifting occasion, full of laughter, singing along and so many enthusiastic and happy comments as guests departed. I can’t quite put my finger on it but there was something particularly special in the air this time, I think :)_ _My thanks also to everyone who contributed to the day, and particularly of course Maria, Glenn and Nick – you are such professionals, and you absolutely bring the pizzazz!!” Charlotte Villiers, Leighton House._ 6 ## 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), Dr William Acker (Secretary), Dr Glenn Wilson (Treasurer), Mr. Sabeed Dawood (Trustee and cheque signatory). Mr Domenic Pini (Trustee). 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. All are regular performers but none 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), 23/04/2025. 7 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Connaught Opora 1131004 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a For the perlod from 01 A rll 2024 To 31 March 2025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestrlcted funds to the noargst Restricted funds Endowment fund8 Total funds Last year to th• noamt £ to th• n￿￿t£ to tho ngamt £ to thg ngar¢8t £ A1 Recelpts Grants Donations Gift Abd Sub total(Gross income for AR) 26,259 15.000 4,547 26,2S9 15,000 13,258 9,600 7,598 45,806 45,806 30,456 A2 Asset and Inve8tment 8ales. {8ee tablè). Sub total 45,806 45.808 30,456 A3 Pa ments Artistes Fee Venue Hire Video/Photo ICT Travel Dry Cleaning Slalionery Wardrobe Insuranco Parking Refreshments Other Expenses Postage 29,700 1,739 1.6SO 1.413 1.231 600 430 268 29.700 1.739 1,650 1,413 1.231 600 430 268 243 72 51 43.860 296 1,750 837 1.880 1,082 235 72 51 1,088 96 51.104 Sub total 37.397 37.397 A4 Asset and Investment urchases, (8ee table Sub total 37.397 37.397 51.104 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers botween funds A6 Cash funds last yearend Cash funds thls year end 8.409 8,409 20.648 7.826 16.235 7,826 16.235 28,474 7.826 CCXX R1 a¢counts (SS) 2410412025 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Categories Unrestricted tunds to £ Restricted funds to neargst £ Detslls Endowment funds t¢ nearost £ B1 Cash funds Bank Current Ac