Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From: January 1[st] 2025 To December 31[st] 2025 Charity name: Martin Read Foundation
Charity registration number: 1156661
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | The object of this CIO is to advance the education of the public in the UK in the subject of the composition of music. |
| 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 main public benefit activities of the Foundation which continued in 2025 were to: (a) encourage a healthy curiosity for composition in young musicians, towards developing the composers of tomorrow by providing MRF’s annual scheme supporting young composers, by: (i) identifying young aspiring composers aged 14 – 17 who were considering undergraduate study and who it was felt would benefit from the support the MRF was able to offer, selecting 3 as MRF award- holders. As for 2024, the trustees agreed to support one award-holder from the previous year for a 2nd year, supporting 4 in total, (ii) commissioning them to compose a short piece for MRF’s performer(s) in residence, (iii) supporting this task via mentoring and workshops - 4 established composer-educators agreed to act as mentors. The award-holders were responsible for covering the costs associated with their mentoring and their travel to the workshops from their award, (iv) providing a public premiere of their compositions at the Annual Festival, and an audio recording for promoting themselves as young composers. (b) involve the public in exploring contemporary music, via Come and Sing / Come and Play opportunities at the annual |
| Festival ‘25. This event also provided composition opportunities for MRF alumni in writing for choral or flexible ensemble. |
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|---|---|---|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | MRF confirms that its trustees are aware of the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Policy on grant making | Para 1.38 | As for 2024, the trustees decided that £250 was to be awarded to each of the 4 successful applicants. This provided a minimum of 3x 1.5 hour mentoring lessons. Remaining funds were to be used to enhance their study of composition, at the discretion of the trustees. The award-holder was to be responsible for agreeing with their mentor the fee for these lessons, around a suggested fee of £50 per hour, and for arranging payment. Each selected young composer received a public performance of their commission at the annual MRF Festival and a recording. |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Para 1.38 | |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | During 2025, the volunteer trustees continued to be the driving force of the activities of the MRF. Trustees are all keen supporters and / or practitioners of music education, and of the aims of the CIO: primarily to enhance the skills of promising young composers, and include the public in explorations and / or live performance of contemporary music. |
| Other: Additional focus for 2025 |
Scheme 2025 was fortunate to have as performers-in-residence the Oxford-based choir Commotio, a partnership which had which had begun in 2023. Working with choir members and their conductor, the 4 MRF young composers received guidance on composition, through 2 workshops during the Spring Term: (i) an introduction to writing for SATB choir and (ii) looking at their initial compositional ideas. The Annual Festival not only provided the public premieres of their finished commissions, but launched a recording of Martin Read’s music, featuring Commotio and cellist Joseph Spooner. Musicians of all ages joined the performers-in-residence in |
rehearsal and performance of contemporary pieces including new short works by 2 alumni for SATB choir and for Flexible Ensemble and the emotional finale: John Tavener’s ‘Svyati’ for choir and cello. Once again, the scope of the Come & Sing / Come & Play community engagement was significantly broadened, See Objectives, line 2, (b)
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 | In this it’s 11th year, MRF: 1) provided support to promising young composers, 2) partnered with Commotio choir 3) supported all 4 awarded young composers onto further study, 4) successfully applied for a grant of £503 towards Festival ’25 costs, 5) provided our school-based project for younger composers: Tomorrow’s Composers, the aims of which are to: i) develop in KS2 students a passion & flair for composing leading towards further study such as application to the MRF annual award scheme; ii) teachers to develop skills in teaching aspects of composition. 6) Ran a fundraising challenge – promoting the charity’s purpose to a wider audience, |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Achievements against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | We can measure this through: 1) expanding our patrons to include Alan Bullard, composer; 2) High quality applicants for the awards scheme; 3) Community engagement through the numbers signing up for our Festival ’25 Come and Sing / Come and Play; 4) Positive Feedback from our awards scheme, including this from an award- holder:‘…working with a composition specialist gave me some more insight into all the different elements that must be considered when composing to ensure that the piece works well with the ensemble. I also have been inspired to study composition at college and beyond. Thank you MRF for giving me this brilliant composing opportunity!’ 5) New partnership-with Commotio choir. |
|---|---|---|
| 6) Positive feedback from Tomorrow’s Composers, including this from a teacher:‘I have not been very good at teaching composition or film music, I now feel like a have a good scheme of work for film music.’ 7) achieving the aim of raising the sum needed to provide the awards in 2026, |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Para 1.41 | Application to East Hampshire District Council:£503 towards Festival costs Fundraising event:_Pedal4Pounds – 4_keen cyclists, connected to MRF, cycled Winchester – Oxford to raise the £1000 needed to provide the awards in 2026, raising £1,234. |
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| Investment performance against objectives |
Para 1.41 | ||
| Other |
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of this period, MRF carried forward £6,856 to fund it’s planned award scheme for young composers in 2026, with plans to engage a professional string quartet as performers-in-residence. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Other than its annual agreement to fund the awards of a small number of selected young composers, there are currently no further financial obligations should the CIO fold. All funds held will be used to further the chief activity of the charity: the provision of specialist support for young composers. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £6,856 |
| 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 | It is anticipated that the major expenditure of the charity will be the provision of the scheme’s bursaries to its awarded young composers. Fundraising may be necessary to support this annual scheme and for any additional costs regards the content of the Annual Festival or other composition projects as these arise. The charity was funded initially from the estate of the late Martin Read, Hampshire- based composer and music educator. In this ninth year of Foundation there was a |
growing number standing orders and donations, providing a slightly increased revenue stream. Costs for 2025 were within budget, enabling the planning of future projects requiring a larger outlay, such as professional musicians as performers-inresidence.
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements |
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 | • Fundraising event –Pedal4Pounds • Standing orders. • East Hampshire District Council • Other one-off donations • Festival ticket sales |
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Our social media trustee continues to ensure a wider promotional reach, via Instagram - aiming at the younger audience and Facebook - continuing to grow public awareness of the charity. Our website is kept up to date. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Particular concerns of the Trustees during 2025, and ways towards solving them were, as in previous years: 1. ensuring a broad reach of young aspiring composers for the annual award scheme, 2. best ways of promoting the scheme, 3. how to generate the young composers of tomorrow. MRF navigated these concerns via promoting the scheme to a. Hampshire 6thform college music departments, b. Hampshire secondary schools, c. neighbouring music education hubs. d. other connections, including via MRF alumni to younger composers. Promotion to b & c were achieved through our partnership with the Hampshire Hub |
| Other |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 |
Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | CIO |
| 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 | Trustees are selected by existing trustees for their expertise as composers and / or educators. Different trustees take on specific tasks, such as drafting the Call for Scores for the annual scheme / social media / inviting suitably experienced teachers to join our cohort of mentors / fundraising / securing partnerships with other music educators, etc. |
|---|---|---|
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 | MRF is partnered with: • Hampshire Music Education Hub • Commotio – Oxford-based choir • Royal College of Music Junior Department |
| Other |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Martin Read Foundation |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | MRF |
| Registered charity number | 1156661 |
| Charity’s principal address | 7, Gladstone Street, Winchester Hampshire SO23 8TQ |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beccy Read | Founder and administrator |
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| Alison Willis |
3 Simon Speare 4 Frederick Hodkin 5 Alexander Ling 6 Tom Armstrong
Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved
Director name
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole year
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets n/a held in this capacity Name and objects of the n/a charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects Details of arrangements for n/a safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets
Additional information (optional)
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
| Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
Type of adviser Name Address |
|---|---|---|
| Patron | Howard Skempton | Leamington Spa |
| Patron | Gwyneth Herbert | Hastings |
| Patron | Dame Judith Weir | London |
| Patron | Alan Bullard | Colchester |
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Exemptions from disclosure
Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details
n/a
Other optional information
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees SIGN
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SIGN
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Signature(s)
Full name(s) Freddie Hodkin Position (eg Secretary, Trustee Chair, etc)
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Date
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Ale��nder �in� Trustee
| Charity Name | No (if any) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MARTIN READ FOUNDATION | 1156661 | ||
| Receipts andpayments accounts | CC16a | ||
| 1.1.25 Period start date For the period from |
31.12.25 Period end date To |
Section A Receipts and payments
| Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Notes Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carried forward : | 5,004 | 3,797 | |||||||
| A1 Receipts | |||||||||
| Donations by standing order Other donations Festival bar donations Donations Paypal Giving Grant - for Festival Grant - for Tomorrow's Composers '25 Interest, gold & cash accounts Gift aid claim Feb workshop ticket sales Festival ticket sales Proceeds from external event Sub total (Gross income for AR) |
545 | 711 | |||||||
| 305 | 543 | ||||||||
| 179 | |||||||||
| 302 | 70 | ||||||||
| 503 | |||||||||
| - | - | 2,070 | |||||||
| - | - | ||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| 540 | 316 | ||||||||
| 1,234 | 495 | ||||||||
| 3,105 | 503 | 4,205 | |||||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). | |||||||||
| Sub total Total receipts A3 Payments Grant Tomorrow's Composers '24 - spent '25 Festival promotion - printing Publicity - website costs etc. Grant for Festival spend- performer's fee Grant for Festival spend - venue hire Grant for Festival spend - choir travel expenses Festival conductor expenses Award payments Festival refreshments Venue hire - Feb. workshop License fee Choral score set hire / purchase & postage Instrument hire Annual insurance premium Equipment purchase - car reader |
4,205 | ||||||||
| 3,105 | 503 | 4,205 | |||||||
| 950 | grant received 2024 |
100 | |||||||
| 136 | 50 | ||||||||
| 315 | |||||||||
| 150 | 865 | ||||||||
| 211 | |||||||||
| 100 | - | ||||||||
| 470 | |||||||||
| 1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||||
| 151 | 102 | ||||||||
| 110 | |||||||||
| 21 | 21 | ||||||||
| 47 | - | ||||||||
| - | |||||||||
| 131 | 131 | ||||||||
| 33 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
02/08/2026
1
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Miscellaneous expenses 58
Sub total 2,415 1,411 2,327
A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see
table)
Sub total 2,327.00
Total payments 2,415 1,411 2,327
Net of receipts/(payments) 690 1,878
A5 Transfers between funds Grant funding
1,162 '24-'25 unspend
A6 Cash funds last year end 5,004 3,797
Cash funds this year end 6,856 5,004
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CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
02/08/2026
2
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Details Details Total cash funds Details (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - 6,856 OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - Print Name Freddie Hodkin Alexander Ling |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Date of approval |
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| Alexander Ling | Aug-26 | ||
| Freddie Hodkin | Aug-26 |
CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
02/08/2026
3