2024-07-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] August 2023 to 31[st] July 2024

Charity name: Chess Valley Barbershop Singers

Charity registration number:

1134927

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objectives of the Charity are to further the education and practice of singing in an a cappella style in four-part harmony. As members of the British Association of Barbershop Singers, the choir/chorus sings and performs in the Barbershop Harmony style.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The choir rehearses and sings in the local community, including schools, care homes and other areas with public access.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The Charity, through education and practice of singing, continues to meet its charitable objectives. The Trustees have complied with their duty to have a due regard to the guidance on public benefit, published by the Charity Commission.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	The chorus will from time-to-time offer grants or bursars in support of membership and for attending BABS’ Harmony College for education purposes.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	The chorus holds open days and time-to- harmonise educational courses. These serve to allow members of the public access to observe and take part in chorus rehearsal activities, learning and improving skills in the process.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The organisation is entirely volunteer run, with support from a range of skill-sets and experience across the chorus.

	Other		A proportion of funds is held in reserve to support chorus members who may not have the means to participate in all activities. This fund is topped-up by donations from alumni as well as other active chorus members.

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	After last year’s success breaking the 70% barrier at national BABS sing convention, this year we improved our overall score and achieved 5thplace nationally in the singing category. The chorus entertains the public via singouts and shows which it attends throughout the year.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The chorus continues to improve its fiscal position, restoring a healthier reserve in comparison with pre-covid and covid years. It is also working on recruiting new members to help improve the sustainability for generations to come.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The chorus aims to hold in reserve sufficient funds equivalent to 1 year of turnover.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£22,649
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	n/a
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	n/a

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Primary sources of income include membership subscriptions (paid by monthly standing order), grants from supporting local authorities and from BABS as well as fundraising from sing-outs, shows and donations from past and present membership.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	The executive committee continue to focus on restoration of a sound financial footing and increasing subscription membership.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Whilst an auditioned chorus, we aim to reduce barriers to access and support diversity and breadth of appeal to new recruits. Potential loss of membership is the principal risk factor faced by the charity today.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	The charity has a constitution and guidelines for is executive leadership team.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	unincorporated
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	The charity executive leadership team are non-beneficiary trustees in post for up to 5 consecutive years.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Chess Valley Barbershop Singers
Other name the charity uses	Knights of Harmony
Registered charity number	1134927
Charity’s principal address	c/o 71 Vicarage Road Marsworth TRING Hertfordshire HP23 4LU 07771376567 [e-mail] www.knightsofharmony.org.uk

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
		Neil Kennedy	Chairperson
		Steve Freestone	Treasurer
		Sam Winwood	Music Director
		Peter Hawes	Vice Chair
		JeremyElphick	Secretary
		Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name n/a
		Director name
		n/a

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
n/a

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
n/a

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

The charity is volunteer run and has no employees

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	Neil Kennedy	Steve Freestone
	Chairperson	Treasurer
	25/05/2024
	25/05/2024

Declaratlons Th? trust•e• d¢¢lare that thoy hav• approv•d tho tru$to•s' r•port abov•. Slgn•d on b•￿11 of th• ¢h•rWs Irust••• Slgnature(sl Full naThl¥l Posltlon (eg Secretary. Chalr. •tsl Nel Kemedy Steve Freeslono 2510512024

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 1[st] August 2023 to 31[st] July 2024

Charity name: Chess Valley Barbershop Singers

Charity registration number:

1134927

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The objectives of the Charity are to further the education and practice of singing in an a cappella style in four-part harmony. As members of the British Association of Barbershop Singers, the choir/chorus sings and performs in the Barbershop Harmony style.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The choir rehearses and sings in the local community, including schools, care homes and other areas with public access.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The Charity, through education and practice of singing, continues to meet its charitable objectives. The Trustees have complied with their duty to have a due regard to the guidance on public benefit, published by the Charity Commission.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

	SORP reference
Policy on grant making	Para 1.38	The chorus will from time-to-time offer grants or bursars in support of membership and for attending BABS’ Harmony College for education purposes.
Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	The chorus holds open days and time-to- harmonise educational courses. These serve to allow members of the public access to observe and take part in chorus rehearsal activities, learning and improving skills in the process.
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The organisation is entirely volunteer run, with support from a range of skill-sets and experience across the chorus.

	Other		A proportion of funds is held in reserve to support chorus members who may not have the means to participate in all activities. This fund is topped-up by donations from alumni as well as other active chorus members.

Achievements and Performance

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	After last year’s success breaking the 70% barrier at national BABS sing convention, this year we improved our overall score and achieved 5thplace nationally in the singing category. The chorus entertains the public via singouts and shows which it attends throughout the year.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Achievements against objectives set	Para 1.41
Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41
Other

Financial Review

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	The chorus continues to improve its fiscal position, restoring a healthier reserve in comparison with pre-covid and covid years. It is also working on recruiting new members to help improve the sustainability for generations to come.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The chorus aims to hold in reserve sufficient funds equivalent to 1 year of turnover.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£22,649
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	n/a
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	n/a
Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	n/a

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Primary sources of income include membership subscriptions (paid by monthly standing order), grants from supporting local authorities and from BABS as well as fundraising from sing-outs, shows and donations from past and present membership.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	The executive committee continue to focus on restoration of a sound financial footing and increasing subscription membership.
A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	Whilst an auditioned chorus, we aim to reduce barriers to access and support diversity and breadth of appeal to new recruits. Potential loss of membership is the principal risk factor faced by the charity today.
Other

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	The charity has a constitution and guidelines for is executive leadership team.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	unincorporated
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	The charity executive leadership team are non-beneficiary trustees in post for up to 5 consecutive years.

Additional information (optional)

You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51
Other

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Chess Valley Barbershop Singers
Other name the charity uses	Knights of Harmony
Registered charity number	1134927
Charity’s principal address	c/o 71 Vicarage Road Marsworth TRING Hertfordshire HP23 4LU 07771376567 [e-mail] www.knightsofharmony.org.uk

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
		Neil Kennedy	Chairperson
		Steve Freestone	Treasurer
		Sam Winwood	Music Director
		Peter Hawes	Vice Chair
		JeremyElphick	Secretary
		Corporate trustees–names of the directors at the date the report was approved Director name n/a
		Director name
		n/a

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
n/a

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity

Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects

Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)	Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
Type of adviser Name Address
n/a

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

The charity is volunteer run and has no employees

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date
	Neil Kennedy	Steve Freestone
	Chairperson	Treasurer
	25/05/2024
	25/05/2024

Declaratlons Th? trust•e• d¢¢lare that thoy hav• approv•d tho tru$to•s' r•port abov•. Slgn•d on b•￿11 of th• ¢h•rWs Irust••• Slgnature(sl Full naThl¥l Posltlon (eg Secretary. Chalr. •tsl Nel Kemedy Steve Freeslono 2510512024

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CVBS Income & Expenditure for the period Aug 2023 to Jul 2024 General Income & Expenditure Variance Actual Year 23/24 Actual Year Actual Year 22/23 to 22/23 21/22 23/24 Income Membership Dues Grants Saturday Knights Donations Donations Donations- other 13,327 250 12,435 1,100 40 11,685 1,800 710 892 850 40 656 4,300 265 1,959 255 1,281 185 1,303 4,045 210 Singout Fees Annual Show Annual Dinner 475 250 4,326 1,290 1,401 2,368 3,767 616 4,007 1,254 319 587 36 Other Dinners 1,401 505 AIL day rehearsals Gift Aid 2,872 5,915 180 965 2,148 436 Uniform Click online 16 47 16 32 Riser hire lees Sundries Bank interest Grand draw Football draw 300 200 100 45 27 18 1,320 480 34,724 1.323 245 1,537 376 19,394 Teas Total Income 235 2,390 32,334 Expenditure Hall Storage Hall/Venue Hire WeekendHaLIHire Admin/Charges Music BABS Membership dues Chorus Director Annual Show Annual Dinner Other Dinners Convention & Competition Costs All Day Rehearsals Retreat Coaching Uniform/CLothing PR & Advertising WebMMP 150 3,005 142 138 2,822 3,157 143 183 60 526 60 96 797 225 271 2,030 7,203 2,348 1,311 1,474 2,696 2,610 2,170 8,085 4,396 2,056 1,637 7,533 12 140 882 2,048 745 1,110 2,500 586 2,617 577 197 2,024 1,811 1,150 262 103 746 730 128 661 262 124 21 Donations Sundries Depreciation Maintenance Total Expenditure 189 181 75 762 466 480 26,255 466 296 480 43 26,299 19,389 Net Income 8,425 6,079 8,421

CVBS Balance Sheet at 31 Jul 2024 31 Jul 2023 Fixed Assets 4th Step Risers Risers Back Rail Side Rail Container Net Book Value 1,307 3,005 131 1,494 134 149 474 415 475 542 5,332 2,793 Bank current account- CAF 22,649 16,762 Total at Bank 22,649 16,762 Creditors Total Net Assets 27,981 19,556 Accumulated surplus fund Balance at start ofyear (General) Excess of Income over expenditure Balance at End of Year 18,186 8,425 12,107 6,079 26,611 18,186 Round Table Fund Balance at start of year Excess of Income over expenditure Balance at End of Year 1,370 1,370 1,370 1,370 Totalfunds end of year 27,981 19,556