CATHEDRAL CONCERT SOCIETY
(T/A Ripon Concerts)
Annual report and financial statements
For the year ended
31 May 2025
Patron
Julius Drake
Charity No 1163277
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
CONTENTS
| Trustees’ annual report .................................................................................................................... | 3 - 6 |
|---|---|
| Independent examiner’s report ......................................................................................................... | 7 |
| Statement of receipts and payments ................................................................................................. | 8 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities .................................................................................................... | 9 |
| Notes to the financial statements ...................................................................................................... | 10 - 12 |
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
The trustees present their report and financial statements together with the independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31 May 2025.
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS | REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS | |
|---|---|---|
| Charity name | Cathedral Concert Society | (T/A Ripon Concerts) |
| Charity number | 1163277 | |
| Contact address | Brookside | |
| Rodney Terrace | ||
| Masham | ||
| Ripon | ||
| HG4 4JA | ||
| Website address | www.riponconcerts.co.uk | |
| Current trustees | Jim Dalton | Appointed 19/02/2024 |
| Roger Higson | ||
| Judith Hooper | ||
| Rosemary Livingstone | ||
| Margaret Stringer | Appointed 04/04/2025 | |
| Anne-Marie Tarter | Appointed 30/05/2025 | |
| Other trustees who | < None > | |
| served during the year | ||
| Bankers | Unity Trust Bank plc | |
| 4 Brindley Place | ||
| Birmingham | ||
| B1 2JB | ||
| Independent examiner | Michael Brougham | |
| 3 Lyne Grove | ||
| Crossford | ||
| Dunfermline | ||
| KY12 8YB |
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
STRUCTURE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Governing document
Cathedral Concert Society ("the Society") is a charitable incorporated organisation (“CIO”) granted charitable status by the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 24 August 2015. It is governed by its constitution, which was last updated in September 2021.
Appointment of trustees
Trustees are elected by the members of the Society at the Annual General Meeting, subject to there being a minimum of four and a maximum of nine trustees. The members of the Society or the existing trustees may appoint additional trustees at any time, subject to the maximum number not being exceeded.
At each Annual General Meeting, one third of the trustees shall retire from office but will be eligible for reelection.
OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES
The objects of the charity are:
-
to promote, develop, and maintain appreciation of, the art of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public professional concerts and recitals, and by such other ways as the Society through its trustees shall determine from time to time.
-
to advance musical education by the provision of free or subsidised concerts to minors and their families.
These objects were primarily achieved by arranging six concerts, monthly from October to March on Sunday afternoons, for Society members and others: performed by experienced, acclaimed musicians, as well as by local and younger artists.
A Young Performers’ platform was initiated in December 2024 to encourage greater involvement by young people: one or two talented local students now perform at the start of most concerts
Students and those aged 18 and under attend concerts free. In 2024/25, thanks to a very generous local sponsor, adults accompanying young people also attended free. We are very grateful that this will continue in the coming season.
Public Benefit
The six concerts are an occasion for our audience to experience high quality live chamber music in Ripon. For some this is a first-time experience, whilst regular concert goers can hear unfamiliar repertoire and very recent compositions as well as the more well-known classical repertoire. The Society enables young people to feel that engaging with culture is a normal thing. For our Young Performers, playing in public and meeting renowned professional musicians is a wonderful opportunity.
In preparing this report, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
2024/25 was a successful season.
Following the AGM two years ago, the future of the Society was very much in balance. At last year’s AGM, the trustees reported that the longer-term viability of the Society was sadly still not secure.
Now the position is much more encouraging. Audiences increased by 60% in 2024/25 compared with 2023/24. Although there was a deficit of £0.5k in 2024/25, that was less than the deficit of £10.3k in 2023/24.
The trustees believe this turnaround is attributable to the new concert time of Sunday afternoon; greater involvement by young people and families (a total of 150 attendances); and more promotion and engagement on social media (our followers on Facebook and Instagram increased from 500 in January 2025 to 1,100 in May 2025).
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
Concert 1 - 03 October 2024
The Treske Quartet, formed locally in 2017 and now based in Manchester, Oliver Baily- violin, Mollie Wrafterviolin, Abigail Hammett- viola, and Robert Wheatley- cello played Beethoven, Ravel and Gabriella Smith’s 2019 Carrot Revolution for string quartet ‘finding new ways of looking at old things’- a memorable piece that the audience appreciated being able to hear.
Concert 2 - 10 November 2024
To mark Remembrance Sunday, a large, appreciative audience heard Simon Armitage- Poet Laureate, Nicholas Watts-tenor, David Cowan- piano, Robert Ashworth-horn, and the Chapter House Youth Choir conducted by Charlie Gower Smith perform Songs and Poems of Remembrance, focussing on poems by Simon Armitage and Wilfrid Owen and songs with words written in 1914-18.
Concert 3 - 08 December 2024
Prince Bishops Brass, a quintet based in Durham, trumpets, flugel horn, French horn, trombone and tuba played compositions and arrangements by Giovanni Gabrieli to Leonard Bernstein This was an enjoyable precursor to Christmas with wine and mince pies in the interval.
Concert 4 - 12 January 2025
Iyad Sughayer- piano played works by Mozart, Schubert, Sibelius and Khachaturian. Iyad had been chosen as ‘One to Watch’ by International Piano magazine and nominated as a 2022 Rising Star by Classic FM; and the audience quickly realised why. Khachaturian’s Piano Sonata, not well known, was particularly memorable and well received.
Concert 5 - 09 February 2025
The performances by Tim Lowe- cello, Jack Liebeck- violin and Katya Apekisheva- piano of Debussy’s Cello Sonata, Shostakovich’s 2[nd] Piano Trio, and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A minor were appreciated as outstanding by an enthusiastic audience. The concert typified the Society’s important contribution to Ripon’s musical life since 1994.
Concert 6 - 09 March 2025
Kosmos Trio: Harriet Mackenzie- violin, Meg-Rosaleen Hamilton- viola, and Milos Milivojevic– accordion performed a programme inspired by music from all around the globe- Greek music, Roma music, music of Jewish origin, and Tango. It was a very lively concert to close a memorable season.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Overview
Receipts in 2024/25 came from ticket sales for each concert, subscriptions to the season by members, sponsorship by trusts and commercial sponsors, donations by individuals and trusts, bank interest, gift aid, refreshments, and advertising in concert programmes.
Payments was on artists' fees, piano hire and tuning, venue costs, and publicity material which covers printing, social media, email marketing and website development.
Our aim has always been for our receipts to cover our payments. We did not quite achieve this in 2024/25 but did better than in the three previous years.
The following is a summary of our receipts and payments for the year.
| Operating receipts Operating payments Net payments for the year |
2025 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 25,164 16,785 (25,676) (27,174) |
|
| (512) (10,389) |
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TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
Reserves policy
As the trustees often have to commit to booking performers well in advance of concert dates to secure their services, the trustees consider that they should hold sufficient reserves to underpin a complete season of concerts. Reserves at the year-end, which are within the target level, are as follows:
| Total funds as at 31/05/2025 Less: Restricted funds Free reserves as at 31/05/2025 |
2025 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 37,881 38,598 (1,225) - |
|
| 36,656 38,598 |
FUTURE PLANS
For next season, the trustees have arranged another six varied, excellent concerts. They will all be held in Holy Trinity Church because of its capacity and location. We aim to build on the momentum created this year and will:
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continue to appeal to our traditional audience;
-
further increase concert attendance by reducing ticket prices, encouraging a sense of community between audience and performers, and emphasising the experience as a whole;
-
use ticket source to book tickets, which is easier and provides additional management information;
-
become more family friendly and youth orientated by developing our opportunities for young people, and our links with schools;
-
continue to enhance our publicity through printed material, information for community and interest groups, social media, email marketing and our revised website;
-
attract and maintain sponsors and donors; and
-
reduce some costs.
We will shortly start planning the 2026/27 season and will welcome suggestions for interesting and engaging concerts.
APPROVAL
This report, which has been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, was approved by the trustees on 29 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Jim Dalton
Jim Dalton
Chair
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INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of the Cathedral Concert Society
I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 May 2025, which are set out on pages 8 to 12 .
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act).
You are satisfied that the charity is not required by charity law to have its accounts audited and you have chosen to have an independent examination instead of an audit.
It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Act. In carrying out my examination, I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
Having completed my examination, I confirm that no matter came to my attention giving me cause to believe in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records.
I confirm there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Michael Brougham
Michael Brougham, MCBI FCIE
3 Lyne Grove Crossford Dunfermline KY12 8YB
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STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
| Receipts Donations Trading receipts / Concerts Investment income / Bank interest Payments Trading payments / Concerts Administration Governance costs Net movement in funds Transfers between funds Net receipts/(payments) Balance as at 01 June 2024 Balance as at 31 May 2025 |
Note | Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2025 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 8 9 10 11 14 |
£ £ £ £ 3,915 3,000 6,915 1,580 17,256 - 17,256 14,676 993 - 993 529 |
|
| 22,164 3,000 25,164 16,785 |
||
| 19,961 - 19,961 23,991 4,915 - 4,915 2,383 800 - 800 800 |
||
| 25,676 - 25,676 27,174 |
||
| (3,512) 3,000 (512) (10,389) 1,775 (1,775) - - |
||
| (1,737) 1,225 (512) (10,389) 38,878 - 38,878 49,267 |
||
| 37,141 1,225 38,366 38,878 |
The Notes on pages 10 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.
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STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
| Bank and cash balances Bank deposit account Bank current account Debtors Accrued income (Gift Aid) Other debtors Liabilities Trade creditors Other creditors |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2025 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ 36,589 - 36,589 35,596 552 1,225 1,777 3,282 |
|
| 37,141 1,225 38,366 38,878 |
|
| 190 - 190 270 - - - - |
|
| 190 - 190 270 |
|
| 675 - 675 550 - - - - |
|
| 675 - 675 550 |
The Notes on pages 10 to 12 form an integral part of these accounts.
These accounts, which have been prepared in accordance with the Charities Act 2011, were approved by the trustees on 29 August 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Jim Dalton
Jim Dalton
Chair
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
1. Basis of perpetration
These accounts have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis in accordance with the Charities Act 2011.
2. Fund accounting
-
(a) Unrestricted funds are those that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
-
(b) Restricted funds are those that may only be used for specific purposes. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor, or when funds are raised for specific purposes.
The purposes of the funds are shown in Note 12.
3. Taxation
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(a) The charity is not liable to corporation tax or capital gains tax on its charitable activities.
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(b) The charity is not registered for VAT, thus all costs are shown inclusive of VAT charged.
4. Trustee remuneration and benefits
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(a) No remuneration was paid to trustees during the year, or in the previous year.
-
(b) The charity's insurance policy includes trustee indemnity insurance cover for its trustees. No other benefits were received by the trustees during the year, or in the previous year.
5. Trustee expenses
No expenses were reimbursed to the trustees during the year or in the previous year.
6. Related party transactions
There were no related party transactions during the year, or in the previous year.
7. Donations
| Donations Gift Aid |
Unrestricted Restricted Total Total Funds Funds 2025 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ 3,635 3,000 6,635 1,580 280 - 280 - |
|
| 3,915 3,000 6,915 1,580 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
8. Trading receipts (Concerts)
| Concert subscriptions/membership Other ticket sales Advertising Programmes Refreshments and CD sales 9. Trading payments (Concerts) Performers' fees and expenses Venue hire Piano hire Programmes Refreshments and hospitality |
2025 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 5,450 6,900 10,230 5,144 340 1,640 663 443 573 549 |
|
| 17,256 14,676 |
|
| 2025 2024 |
|
| £ £ 10,959 16,618 2,429 2,731 4,060 1,900 2,513 2,415 - 327 |
|
| 19,961 23,991 |
10. Administration
| Advertising and publicity Bank and payment platform charges Insurance Postage and stationery Social media Subscriptions Website 11. Governance costs Bookkeeping Donation in lieu of independent examiner's fee |
2025 2024 |
|---|---|
| £ £ 2,096 125 307 228 107 323 - 90 1,476 1,215 230 - 699 402 |
|
| 4,915 2,383 |
|
| 2025 2024 |
|
| £ £ 500 - 300 800 |
|
| 800 800 |
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NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
12. Purposes of funds
General
Ticket support
An unrestricted fund that can be expended at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the objects of the charity.
A restricted fund for the receipts of donations to provide free tickets for parents accompanied by school aged children.
13. Movements in funds
| Fund General (Unrestricted) Ticket support (Restricted) |
Balance Balance 31/05/2024 Receipts Payments Transfers31/05/2025 |
|---|---|
| £ £ £ £ £ 38,878 22,164 (25,676) 1,775 37,141 - 3,000 - (1,775) 1,225 |
|
| 38,878 25,164 (25,676) - 38,366 |
14. Transfers between funds
£1,775 was transferred from the ticket support fund to the general fund being the value of free tickets issued during the year to parents accompanied by school aged children.
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