Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 1.7.2024 Period start date To: 31.6.2025 Period end date
Charity name: Ember Choral
Charity registration number: 1162685
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 the charity is to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of choral music in all its aspects by the presentation of public choral concerts and for such other purposes as shall be exclusively charitable as the Committee may from time to time decide. |
| 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 |
Provision of subsidised concerts of traditional choral music to the general public, usually, but not always, performed with a small professional orchestra and soloists. Provision of the opportunity to join a non- audition choir for anyone who wishes to come and enjoy choral singing, regardless of their ability. |
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | Trustees have discussed, and understand, the principles of public benefit and how it applies to our charity. |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
SORP reference Not applicable Para 1.38 Policy on grant-making Not applicable Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investments
| Contribution made by volunteers |
Para 1.38 | We have no paid staff so rely on volunteers to run our choir as Trustees and Committee members, and other members to perform important roles such as Librarian. |
|---|---|---|
| Other |
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 | We had a very successful Xmas concert at Holy Trinity, Claygate we performed the Vivaldi Gloria and a Christmas programme, involving the audience with favourite carols. Tickets were kept to £15 and, due to excellent attendance (190 tickets sold) the concert only required a £120 subsidy from our reserves. We also invited members to donate to a local foodbank and this was very successful. For our Spring mid-week concert we performed two pieces by English composers, Stanford and Vaughan-Williams. This was well attended, selling 94 tickets. Finally, for our summer concert we took on Mendelssohn’s Elijah with an orchestra and professional soloists. 172 tickets were sold and feedback about the choir from the audience, and the orchestra, was really positive. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Achievements against Para 1.41 objectives set Performance of fundraising activities against objectives Para 1.41 set
Investment performance Para 1.41 against objectives Other
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | Despite a £4,000 subsidy to put on Elijah at an affordable price for the audience, we managed to contain overall losses to £770, well below the figure agreed in our budget. Reserves remain at a good level and are monitored carefully by the Treasurer and Committee. The choir remains financially stable. |
|---|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | Our policy is to hold a minimum of 6 months operating costs. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £13,600 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | Three major factors influence our going concern status. 1. The number of members and the annual fee they pay 2. The financial cost of concerts determined by the amount of professional musicians involved, the size of the audience, and the ticket price. 3. General increases in all our expenses This is all regularly reviewed and actions taken to mitigate any major risks. |
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 |
Membership subscriptions Ticket sales Gift Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | We hold most of our reserves in a 2-year interest earning (4%) account. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | Static membership Increasing costs of orchestra and soloists |
Other
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
Not applicable | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Para 1.25 | Memorandum & Articles of Association |
| How is the charity constituted? |
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 | This is all set out in our Mem & Arts. New officials are elected by the members at each AGM. |
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 | Ember Choral Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | Ember Choral |
| Registered charity number | 1162685 |
| Charity’s principal address | 35 Leigh Road, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2LF |
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 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linda Bridges | ||||
| Valerie Thompson | Treasurer | |||
| Robert Cotterill | ||||
| Angela Springett | ||||
| John Alpass | Chairman | |||
| Pat Price | Secretary | |||
| Lesley Mitchell | ||||
| Jackie Allen | Vice President | |||
– 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 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)
Type of Name Address adviser
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
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) Valerie Thompson
Full name(s) Valerie Thompson
Position (eg Secretary, Treasurer Chair, etc)
Date
29 July 2025