## **Birmingham Ladies Barbershop Harmony Club** ## **Chair’s Report – AGM November 2025** Well, what a year this has been — in more ways than one. First, I want to thank every single one of you for your kindness, care, and support during what has been the hardest year of my life. Colin loved all “his” ladies at Second City Sound and never missed an opportunity to tell me to say hello to you all. I will be forever grateful to you for singing at his funeral — it meant more to me than I can express, and I know he would have been deeply touched by your presence, love, and generosity. Your compassion for me and my family has been immense. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. ## **Reflections on the Year** I’ve done my best this year to advocate for each of you and to keep SCS moving forward — and I believe we’ve achieved this together. I’ve been privileged to work alongside an incredible team, each with your own strengths and commitment to making SCS thrive. - **Claire** , thank you for stepping up and taking the reins when I couldn’t. - **Sue** , for keeping our finances running smoothly and always having a clear head. - **Elaine** , our go-to for all things LABBS and membership — thank you for keeping everything in order. - **Julie** , your efficiency, professionalism, and PR expertise are second to none. You are a perfect fit for your role and keep us visible, vibrant, and connected. - **Anna** , our tech wizard — thank you for your patience with my lack of IT skills! I know the new website is in safe hands. - **Cal** , who bravely took on the role of Secretary — though she has since stepped down, we are grateful for her time and effort. If you feel this could be your next role, please speak with me. To everyone else serving on our teams — dress committee, section leaders, officers, and support teams — thank you. Together, you are the cogs in a well-oiled clock: each turning independently, yet perfectly in sync to keep everything moving. That unity has been my goal, and it fills me with pride to see it working in practice. ## **Music Team** We must, of course, acknowledge the heart of what we do — our music. While we were saddened by Rob’s decision to step down as MD, I want to give heartfelt thanks to Katie and Jo, our Assistant Directors, for stepping up so capably. Alongside our section leaders and assistant section leaders, you have kept our chorus sounding strong and growing in confidence. Because of you, we continue to improve and shine ## **Highlights of the Year** - **Christmas Party (16 December):** A joyful end to the year with food, fun, and laughter. Every member received a pin badge to commemorate our 35th Anniversary. - **Coaching with Rasmus (10 February):** A valuable session joined by observers from MaleVox and Anvil Chorus — a wonderful learning experience for all. - **Guest Coaching with Steve Scott (24 February):** Another enriching evening shared with visiting singers. - **Quartet Club:** Jo’s initiative on Tuesday evenings has gone from strength to strength — building confidence and musicality across the chorus. - **Anvil Party (14 March):** A brilliant joint social with our friends from Anvil Chorus. - • **Sutton Town Hall Show (29 March):** Despite a few challenges, our teamwork and professionalism shone through. The show was a huge success and the audience loved it. - **Coaching Day with Rob (May):** A full day of progress and focus — excellent feedback and results. - **35th Anniversary Meal (31 May):** A night to remember! Glamour, laughter, and joy as we celebrated 35 years of friendship and song. - **Convention Preparation Day (14 June):** A focused and productive session at The Hub. - **Ingestre Hall Retreat (26–28 September):** A weekend of shared learning, laughter, and inspiration with Six Town Sound. Incredible coaching and lasting friendships were made. - **LABBS Convention (31 October–2 November):** We looked fabulous, sang our hearts out, and gave a performance to be proud of! Our score of 71% placed us just 6% behind 5th place — a huge step forward. We should be pleased with our performance. - **10/11/25 R** ob gave us some excellent, well thought out and prepared feedback on our convention performance. We had the chance to sing some of our repertoire with Rob for the last time and a gift was given to thank him for his time with us. We wish him well and look forward to hearing of his future successes. ## **Looking Ahead** Although Rob has now moved on, we have advertised for a new MD and look forward to discovering our future Music Direction with our new MD. Watch this space! Meanwhile, thank you to: - **Gemma** , our new Diversity & Inclusion Officer - **Michelle, Leire, and Claire** , our First Aiders - **Yvonne** , **Mandy** our Riser Managers ## We’ve also: - Acquired new dresses (thank you to the Dress Committee for your hard work!) - Held community events and socials, including “Sound of Music” cinema night and Sutton busking with Anvil - Updated our policies and procedures - Begun work on our new website, thanks to Anna - Planned our next Singing Day on 7th December — complete with crafts, singing, and festive spirit ## **In Closing** What a year it has been — one of rebuilding, resilience, and renewal. Through it all, your dedication, teamwork, and sheer love of singing have carried Second City Sound forward. We are more than a chorus — we are a family. A group of women bound by music, laughter, and friendship. Here’s to another year of harmony, growth, and community. With love and gratitude, **Karen** Chair, Second City Sound AGM 2025 CHARITY COMMISSIO FOR ENGIANO AND WALES 1153445 Recei ts and payments accounts CC16a For the period from 0111112024 To 3111012025 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds to th• n￿r•st Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to th• I￿r•st £ to th• nMr•st £ to tho nMr•st £ to th• n•ar•st £ A1 Recei Subscriplions Clothing Education and music Sing outs and shows Fundraisin Sundries Convention savings Bank inlerest Sub total (Gmss income for AR) 7747 1 942 7747 1 942 8247 2014 108 5706 7692 10 522 7 177 15 5706 7692 10 522 7 177 15 4 124 175 10 40 801 40 801 15 078 A2 Asset and investment sales. (see table). Sub total 40 801 40 801 15 078 A3Pa ents Room hire LABBS fees Trailer and garage Clothing Education and music Travel I PRO Sundries Websrte Sing ouls arKJ shows Convention savings Fundraising 3514 2568 2472 2472 1 418 3 119 2100 13 215 1 418 3119 2100 13 215 39 2 178 1 980 2261 8594 7253 229 8594 7 253 229 378 71 86 Sub total 41 368 41 368 13 143 A4 Asset and investsnent urchases, see table Sub total 41 368 41 368 13 143 Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end 567 567 1 935 12 791 12 791 10 856 12 224 12 224 12 791 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds to n•ar•st £ Restricted funds to noar•st £ Endowment funds to n•ar•st £ Categories Details B1 Cash funds Bank account 12 224 Total cash funds 12 224 (awee bawKes vath recryts and payments account(s)) OK Unrestrlcted funds to n•arost £ OK Restrlcted funds to n•arost £ OK Endowment funds to noar•st £ Detsils B2 Oth•r mon•tary assets Fund to whlch ass•t bolon Details Cost (optlonal) Curr•nt valu• lonal B3 Investment ass•ts Fund to whleh assgt bolon Cost (optlonal) Curr•nt valu• B4 Assets retained for th• charity's own use Fund to whlch r•latss Amount du• onal Dpt.1jl onal B5 Liabilities Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees Date of roval Signature Print Name Page 1 Susan Breakwell - Trustee INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BIRMINGHAM LADIES BARBERSHOP HARMONY CLUB I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Birmingham Ladies Barbershop Harmony Club ( the Charity) for the year ended 31 October 2025, which are set out on page 1. This report is made solely to the charity's trustees, as a body, in accordance with Regulation 31 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's trustees those matters l am required to state to them in an independent examinerfs report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not ac￿pt or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity's trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the statement I have made. Responsibilities and basis for 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 (Yhe Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Charity'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: accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements conceming the form and content of the 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; or 4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordan￿ with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities. 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. Nicholas Simkins FCA 28 May 2026 Butts Farm Great Haywood Staffordshire ST18 OTF