## **CIO 1154435** ## **Trustees’ Report** **1 January 2025 – 31 December 2025** ## **Trustees’ Report** The Trustees present the Trustees’ Report and Financial Statements for the period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025. 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 6 Humber Road, Chelmsford, CM1 7PE. ## **The Trustees – Elected at AGM/EGM** |Nick Alston|Chairman and Concert Manager| |---|---| |Katharine Adams|Secretary| |Phil Holmes|Treasurer, Website and Ticket Sales| |Annabel Malton|Librarian| |Julia Dimon|Trustee| |Michelle Arthur|Safeguarding| |Mark Ellis|Website| ## **The management committee** The Trustees and Hilary Punnett (Music Director to July 2025) and Alastair Merry (Music Director from 1[st] September 2025) ## **Accounts Adviser** Barbara Rose ## **Structure, governance and management** The Stondon Singers is a chamber choir, registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) on 1 November 2013 and governed by a constitution adopted with amendments on 9 September 2014 and further amended and accepted on 23 March 2021. Trustees are elected at each Annual General Meeting to serve until the close of the following Annual General Meeting at which they 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 Church of the Ascension with All Saints, in Maltese Road, Chelmsford. The choir enjoys considerable critical acclaim and performs several concerts a year. Initially formed to sing the music of William Byrd, the choir of about 26 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 currently take place in the Church of the Ascension with All Saints, in Maltese Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2PB 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, the work of the committee and other members 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 rehearsed for and performed four concerts. The conductor and committee aimed to devise interesting programmes blending familiar works with those which are less well known. ## **Concerts** **22 March 2025, 7.30 pm, ‘Bach and Beyond’,** Church of St Mary and St Lawrence, Great Waltham. **1 July 2025, 8.00 pm, William Byrd Anniversary Concert ‘Discourse’,** The Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. **11 November 2025, 8.00 pm, ‘Wild Echoes’** , Church of the Ascension with All Saints, Chelmsford. **16 December 2025, 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 and funerals 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. - 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 2025 to 31 December 2025 totalled £11,313.48 Expenditure amounted to £10,952.57 Surplus for the year was £360.91 On 31 December 2025 The Stondon Singers had a cash balance of £20,075.62 held in the Co-operative Bank Charity and Community account The previous account held with NatWest was closed in February 2025 A summary of the accounts is shown in Appendix 1. ## **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** **22 March 2026, 7.30 pm, ‘From Darkness to Light a Journey through Easter,** Church of St Mary and St Lawrence, Great Waltham. **1 July 2026, 8.00 pm, ‘William Byrd Anniversary Concert’,** Church of SS Peter & Paul, Stondon Massey. **11 November 2026, 8.00 pm** , **(The Road Home)** Church of the Ascension with All Saints, Chelmsford. **16 December 2026, 8.00 pm, ‘Christmas at Blackmore’,** The Priory Church of St Laurence, Blackmore. **6[th] March 2027 concert** 6[th] July 2027 Byrd concert - 9[th] November 2027 14[th] December 2027 Approved by the Trustees 26.02.26 Stondon Singers- Summary of Accounts I/112025- 3111212025 CIO 1154435 Income 2025 2024 Ex enditure 2025 2024 Members, contributions 4,620.00 420.00 1,204.40 215.64 4,409.44 280.00 107.00 57.00 4,545.00 Conductor 420.00 Venue 810.29 Office expen5e5 176.14 Other 4,778.92 Musicians 33.50 Interval Drinks 5,235.00 5,297.60 2,021.25 2,050.00 23.94 845.27 553.18 1,535.00 2,245.34 197.51 178.49 669.09 1,122.67 449.45 510.75 10.00 Patrons, donations GiftAid Music Hire Tlcket sales Donatlons Interval Drink5 Programme sales 125.70 Music Printing Advertlslng Totals 11,313.48 10,889.55 10,952.57 11,991.97 Sur Iu5 Deflclt 360.91 -1,102.42 Funds Held 31 12 12 Natwest 1,994.68 20075.62 17,720.03 20,075.62 19,714.71 Co-op Total Slgned P Holmes - Treasurer Slgned B Rose- Examiner