2025-06-30-accounts

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

From 01-07-24 To 30-06-25

Charity name: Cumbria Rural Choirs CIO

Charity registration number: 1168081

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set outinits governing document	Para1.17	Toeducate the public in the arts and sciences andinparticular the art ofscience of music by the presentation of concerts and other activities.
Summary of the main activitiesin relationto those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities,projectsor servicesidentified in the accounts.	Para1.17and 1.19	Cumbria Rural Choirs is made up of singers from local choirs and individuals living in ruralcommunities acrossNorth Cumbria.Thelong-term strategycontinues to be the development of the choral singing techniques to achieve the highest possible standard of performance. The choir's repertoire focuses on large scale, complex choral workswhich,often, would be too demanding for thelocalchoirs to undertake on their own.Itsengagement of an internationally renowned music director to lead the rehearsalsand conductthe concert, enables all participants to broaden and develop their musical skills. It also provides theopportunityfor audiences to hearchoralmusic, accompanied by a professionalorchestraandsoloists, rarely performed outside large urban conurbations.Cumbria Rural Choirs representsaunique professional /amateur partnership which enhances Cumbria's music sceneandprovides enormous benefits for the Cumbriancommunity, through the highstandardthatitachieves. It helps to counteract rural isolation and the lackofaccessto high qualityeducational and culturalprovision in ruralcommunities.

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Statement confirming whetherthe trustees have hadregardto theguidance issued by the Charity	Para 1.18	The Trusteesconfirmthat they have referred to the guidancecontainedin the Charity Commission's general guidanceon public benefitwhenreviewinq the Charity's
Commission on public benefit		aims and objectives and in planningfuture activities.
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 ofits beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para1.20	The Choir held its AGM in November 2024 having started the season in September. This was the third year under the new format of the guest conductor also being theguest musicaldirector.This year the post was filled by Matthew Owens. Rehearsals continued to be on 4 full days on Saturdays whichresulted in longer and more concentrated periods oflearning and singing.This was supported by on-line materialsupplied by Matthew and links to other online resources enabling members to improve their singing technique and also tolearn their part. This greatly enhanced thelearning experience. The outcome was a very successfulperformanceIn Carlisle Cathedral in Aprilof: Bob Chilcott’s Requiem; Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs; and John Rutter’s Gloria.It was attended by about 350 people ranging in ages from 10 - 90+ years. Very positive reviews were received via e mailfollowing the performance. The choir members also provided very positive written feedback regarding their experience of singing in the cathedral and the rehearsals led by Matthew.

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Financial Review

Reviewofthecharity's financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	Due to the use of a smaller orchestra and an increase in fundraising the Charity was able to make a small surplus for the year. The Charity, however, still has a healthy bank balance which exceeds the minimum reserve.
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The Trustees have set a minimum target for unrestricted reserves of 6 months running costs. Theyare held so as to keep the Charity afloat inemergencies,such as Covid-19, and to enable the commissioning of new work to takeplacein advance of income comingin.
Amountofreserves held	Para1.22	Unrestricted funds held of £7,356 and Restricted funds for the new Choral Scholarships of £750.

Additional information (optional)

Additional information (optional)	Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements		whererelevant about:
The charity's principal sources of funds (including anyfundraising)	Para1.47	The Charity receives income from the followingsources: - Memberssubscriptions - Donations - Grants - Incomefrom events held - Legacies
A description of the principal risks facing thecharity	Para1.46	Theprincipalrisks are: that insufficient members join thus reducing subscriptions; and that at the Last moment the conductor is unable to take the concert.

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity's trusts:
Typeof governing document	Para1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted?	~~Para 1.25~~	CIO Association
Trusteeselection 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	Para1.25	Trustees are appointed by the members at the AGM. Trusteesmay co-opt people asTrustees.

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Ref•rence Ind Administrativ• detai18 Cha name Olher name the chari uses istered cha ' number Charl￿5 principal address Cumbria Rural Choirs CR 1168081 16 Byrnes Close Plumpton Penrith CA119PE Names of Ihe chanty Irustees who manage the charlty Dat•s•at•d if tK>tf0r￿Q1V TNst•• Mi%i• {11 any) SeCret￿Y N4m• d p•v¥on (•r b•dyl •n14tl•d Ilan Mrs A Bishop Mr G Bow188 Mrs F Payne Mrs E Dunning Mrs M Ferriby Mr C N Riches Booking Secretary Treasurer Dr M Riches Chair Dr C Thomson Mrs J Wright Mrs K Pinfold esigned 16-11-24 esigned 16-11-24 10 0oclaratlon• The trust••s d•¢lar• thatth•y hav• approv•d tho trusts•s' r•port abov•. Signed on b•half of th• charlty8 tYuit••* SlqnatrJr•(s Full nam•(s Posltion (•g S•or•tary, Chair, •tc) Clive Nigel Riches Tr888urer Dat• Page 4

1168081 Cumbria Rural Choirs CIO
Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Donations 1,922 - - 1,922 3,159 Gift aid 1,915 - - 1,915 1,520 Fundraising 2,187 - - 2,187 1,335 Grants - 4,500 - 4,500 1,000 Singers Subscriptions 8,979 - - 8,979 8,370 Sing around the lake - - - - 1,319 Ticket Sales 5,201 - - 5,201 5,215 Choral Day 1,753 - - 1,753 2,265 Programme Sales and Advertising 1,194 - - 1,194 1,020 Interest 26 - - 26 33 Chloral scholarships - 750 - 750 - Other 145 - - 145 375 Sub total(Gross income for AR)23,322 5,250 - 28,572 25,611 Total receipts 23,322 5,250 - 28,572 25,611 CC16a Receipts andpayments accounts 01-Jul-24 30-Jun-25 To For the period from ~~ie~~
A3 Payments
Come and sing day 1,386 - - 1,386 1,392 Sing around the lake - - - - 238 Choral director and expenses 8,480 - - 8,480 5,838 Orchestra/Singers/Soloists 2,630 - - 2,630 1,700 Accompanist 778 - - 778 808 Performance and Rehearsal Halls 1,120 - - 1,120 1,535 Concert 4,904 4,500 - 9,404 14,648 Music Hire - - - - 1,408 Advertising, Publicity, printing and stationery 1,528 - - 1,528 1,777 Bank Charges 63 - - 63 62 Insurance 602 - - 602 581 Accountancy 100 - - 100 90 Independent Examination 220 - - 220 - Conductors Stand 521 - - 521 - Other 517 - - 517 770 Sub total 22,849 4,500 - 27,349 30,847 Total payments 22,849 4,500 - 27,349 30,847 Net of receipts/(payments) 473 750 - 1,223 (5,236) A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 6,883 - - 6,883 12,119 Cash funds this year end 7,356 750 - 8,106 6,883 ~~le~~
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Section B Statemeiit of assets aiid liabilities at the end of the period Unrnstri¢t•d funds to n8aré8t£ Reslrictod funds to fi￿re£l É EndovAntnt funds tonoaY*st£ "gories Details B1 Cash funds nk CurTert ALwun¢ Total Cash lund8 7,3 unT￿tth￿ Restrlctsd funds funds to nearnJt£ endoMnent funds Details to B2 Other monetary assets Fundto whlch Details Cvst lopUonalJ vthe 83 Inv08tment a8s•t• F¥nd to whleh Detall$ Co•t loptloMII Current val onal B4 Assets retaln•d for th• charlty• own use Details F￿Trdto whlth liabll relate8 onal 85 Uabllltha SI￿¢d ty orva or￿0 truBteeB on bohfjlf of all th•tru8te•$ Slgnottffe Print Namp Date of al Clive Ni el Rlch

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WAIES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the Irustses Cumbria Rural Choirs CIO On accounts for the year ond•d 30 June 2025 Charity no (if any) 1168081 Set out on pages Ito6 I report to the trustees on my examinati¢)n of th& accounts of the above charity ('the Tnjst.) for the year ended 3010612024. Rosponsibilitios and basls of report As thè charivs trusteas, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts In accordance with the requlrements of the Charhles Act 2011 ('Ihe Act'>. I report in respect of my axamination of the Trust's accounts carri8d out under 8ection 145 of the 2011 Act and In carrylng out my examlnation, I have followed all the appllcable Dlrections given by the Charity Carmlssion under section 145(5)(b) of the Act Independont I have compl8t8d my examlnation. I confinn that no malerial matters have examinerfs statement come to my attention In connection with the examination which gives me cau88 to believe that in, any material respect: the accounllng records w8r8 not képt In ae¢ordanc8 With séction 130 of the Charities Act; or the accoun18 did not ac￿rd with the accountlng records; or the accoun1$ dld not comply wlth th• applicable requirements conceming tho fo￿ and contsnt of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and R8POrts) Regulations 2C108 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'tNe and falff ￿leW which is not a matter considored as part of an independent examlnation. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a prop8r understandlng of the accounts lo be reach8d. Slgned: Date: 01.g.101 Name: Andrew Benson Relevant professional quallflcatlon(s) or body (If any): FCA ICAEW Address: 89 Pennyhill Park P8nrith CA119JW