CIO 1154435
Trustees’ Report
1.1.22 – 31.12.22
Trustees’ Report
The Trustees present the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies and comply with the charity’s constitution and applicable law.
Administration details
The principal address of the charity is currently The Vicarage, Wigley Bush Lane, South Weald, Brentwood CM14 5QP.
The Trustees – Elected at AGM/EGM
Chris Bradbury Chairman Marjolein Hillman Secretary Phil Holmes Treasurer, Website and Ticket Sales Matthew Butt Concert Manager
Annabel Malton stood down from the committee, but continued as librarian. She was subsequently co-opted to the committee to enable her to attend the meetings.
A further two trustees were elected at an Extraordinary General Meeting in September: Julia Dimon Trustee Michelle Arthur Trustee
Josephine Gordon, our treasurer at the start of the year, died in office in March 2022. Trustee Phil Holmes acted as caretaker treasurer until the AGM, when he was re-elected and formally took on the task of treasurer.
The management committee
The Trustees and Christopher Tinker (Conductor), until his retirement in July 2022. He was succeeded by Hilary Punnett in September 2022.
Accounts Adviser
Barbara Rose
Structure, governance and management
The Stondon Singers were registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1 November 2013 and is governed by a constitution adopted with amendments on 9 September 2014. Trustees are elected at each Annual General Meeting to serve until the close of the next Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election.
Objectives
The objectives of The Stondon Singers are to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in the appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all its aspects by the presentation of public choral concerts and by such other ways as members, through the Trustees, shall determine from time to time.
Activities
The Stondon Singers is a mixed chamber choir, currently resident at the Priory Church of St. Laurence, Blackmore. The choir enjoys considerable critical acclaim and performs several concerts a year. Although initially formed to sing the music of William Byrd, the choir of about 25 singers now performs a wide-ranging repertoire, whilst remaining committed to choral music of the Renaissance.
The requirements for prospective new members are: good sight-reading skills, sufficient confidence to hold a line with only a small number of singers and the opportunity to work on the music at home. There is an informal audition for all new members and voice reviews may be conducted from time to time for the whole choir. Weekly rehearsals take place in the Priory Church of St. Laurence, Blackmore, Essex CM4 0RN on Tuesday evenings, 7.45-10.00 p.m.
The success of The Stondon Singers is underpinned by a committed membership with a range of musical expertise, a professional Director of Music and the support of Patrons and Friends. The choir is accordingly able to undertake exciting and ambitious choral programmes.
Achievements and Performance
For the period covered by this report The Stondon Singers had planned to perform four concerts. The conductor and committee aimed to devise interesting programmes blending familiar works with those which are less well known.
Concerts
19 March 2022, 7.30 pm, ‘Soirée’, Church of St Michael and All Angels, Galleywood . 5 July 2022, 8.00 pm, ‘William Byrd Anniversary Concert’, Church of SS Peter & Paul, Stondon Massey.
8 November 2022, 8.00 pm, ‘O Taste and See’ , Church of St Michael and All Angels, Galleywood . 13 December 2022, 8.00 pm, ‘Christmas at Blackmore’, The Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore.
Public benefits
The Trustees have paid due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance in deciding on the activities the choir undertakes. Activities for the public benefit can be demonstrated by: maintenance of a website
the provision of detailed programme notes for each concert and / or an explanation of the works by the conductor
discounted subscriptions for under 25s and tickets at reduced prices for children lending of music to other choirs
participating in events organised by Brentwood Arts Council
providing a choir for weddings as requested
commissioning and performing the work of contemporary composers
Financial review
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose, with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position of the choir. Finances are discussed at all meetings. This enables the Trustees to ascertain the financial position of the choir and to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities legislation. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The choir finances itself by membership contributions, payable on a termly or annual basis and agreed at an annual general meeting, and concert proceeds from sales of tickets and programmes. Other sources of income include:
Gift aid from donations and from members’ contributions
Contributions from patrons
One-off donations from individuals to sponsor a particular event or commission a work for the choir Advertising revenue
Any surplus from workshops run by the choir
Revenue from hiring out music to other choirs Revenue from weddings
The choir’s direct income funds the full cost of running the choir and makes a contribution towards covering the net cost of concerts in the event of a loss.
Income for the period from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022 totalled £5,661.79 Expenditure amounted to £7,845.36 Deficit for the year was £2,183.57
On 31 December 2022 The Stondon Singers had a cash balance of £22,224.68 Held in the following accounts: National Westminster Bank £849.38 The Co-operative Bank £13,322.40* COIF Account £599.41 Virgin Charity Account £7,453.49 A summary of the accounts is shown in Appendix 1.
*In 2022 a new, online, account was opened with the Co-operative Bank, as the National Westminster Bank could not offer a similar account suitable for charities. Once all the funds have been transferred to the online account, the old account will be closed down.
Reserves Policy
Reserves are held to help fund major concerts and to acquire and maintain assets.
Risk management
The Trustees have a responsibility to identify, assess and manage risks. They keep abreast of legislation which might affect charities through the Charities Commission website and through the “Making Music” organisation to which the choir is affiliated. They ensure that the choir complies with copyright and performing rights laws. The choir’s insurance is arranged through “Making Music”.
Policies
The choir has policies regarding: Vetting, Health and Safety, Safeguarding and Data Protection. Policies are reviewed annually and current policies may be viewed on the choir’s website: www.stondonsingers.org.uk.
Future plans
18 March 2022, 7.30 pm, ‘Songs of Farewell’, Church of St Michael and All Angels, Galleywood . 22 April 2023, 1.10 pm, Joint Lunch Concert with the Cathedral Consort, Lincoln Cathedral .
22 April 2023, 5.00 pm, Joint Evensong with the Cathedral Consort, Lincoln Cathedral . 4 July 2023, 8.00 pm, ‘William Byrd 400[th] Anniversary Concert’, Church of SS Peter & Paul, Stondon Massey.
7 November 2023, 8.00 pm, ‘Wit and Wisdom’ , Church of St Michael and All Angels, Galleywood . 19 December 2023, 8.00 pm, ‘Christmas at Blackmore’, The Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore.
Approved by the Trustees
Stondon Singers - Summary of Accounts II112022- 3111212022 CIO 1154435 Weekl Income 2022 2021 Weekl Ex endlture 2022 2021 Members, contflbutlons 3,252.52J 2,567.52 Conductor 720.00 / 630.00 Venue Offlce expenses 1,092.65 Sub51Fee51Ad5 3.130.96 J2,580.00 1,215.87 200.00 22.40 17.53 415.65 438.66 Patrons, donatlDn5 Cholf tealcoffee Glft Ald 105.491 124.99 Subtotal 4,078.011 4,415.16 4,784.88/ 3,236,19 Weekl Sur -706.87/ 1,178,97 ncert Income Concert Ex •ndltu ,350.ooJ 647.00 Condu¢tor Venue 96,50 OrchlAc¢lSolo I,IOB.00 600.00 422.50 1 245,00 1,250.00 650.00 21,00 Proiramme Ads 228.00 / Proirarnme5 Prg8rammes Musl£ Ad5 Ll¢enco$lPr5 Z58,98 230.57 1,578.00 743.50 3 060.48 1,725.57 -982.07 ¥1 Accounts IntÈrè$t Colf Account VlrKln A¢tount 5.780 o.il 9.88 Total Incom• 5,661.79 5,168.65 Total Ex endlture 7,B45.36 4,961,78 Total Sur Iu5 Defirl .Z,183.57 206.89 Fund5 Held 12 12 Natwest 849.38J 16,361.13 13,322.40 0 599.41.1 593.63 7,453.49f 7,453.49 22,224.68 24,408.25 CtrDP rgln Total SiEned p Holrnes-TreaSrer Slgned B R05e- Examiner z? 19