Charity Registration No. 1171950
PETERBOROUGH SINGS!
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2025
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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Trustees J Hanby A Welsford B Pengelly L Hatfield A Viale S Morris C Pearman B Hughes Charity number 1171950 Principal address Unit 494, 4 Blenheim Court Peppercorn Close Peterborough PE1 2DU Independent examiner Tom Wiltshire Flat 4 The Granary 10 Broad Street Whittlesey PE7 1HD Bankers Barclays Bank plc 1 Church Street, Peterborough, PE1 1XE3 Reserve Fund Savings Account: CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Malling, Kent ME19 4JQ
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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Trustees' report | 4 - 8 |
| Independent examiner's report | 9 |
| Payments and receipts account | 10 - 11 |
| Notes to the Accounts | 12 - 13 |
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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[st] MAY 2025
The trustees present their report and financial statements for the year ended 31st May 2025.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements, they comply with the charity's constitution, and the Charities Act 2011.
The charity is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with turnover not exceeding £250,000, as such it has chosen to produce these statements using the Receipts and Payments Method as detailed in the document “Charity Reporting and Accounting” CC15c.
Objectives and activities
The charity’s objects are: To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects but in particular choral music, through such means as the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals; musical projects that encourage public participation and education programmes; recruiting from the public at large; through performance, rehearsals, and communication to maintain cohesive choirs; and to further such charitable purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit, including through the making of grants and donations.
The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in setting these objectives and deciding what activities the charity should undertake.
Achievements and performance
Throughout 2024-2025, the charity continued to pursue events and initiatives that supported its aims and objectives, as summarised within each strategic principle below.
Ambition and Quality
Competitions
During 2024-2025, Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Male Voice Choir successfully competed in several national and international competitions.
In the UK, both Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Male Voice Choir competed at the Mrs Sunderland Festival in Huddersfield and the North Northamptonshire Music Festival, with Peterborough Voices also appearing independently at the Cheltenham Festival of Performing Arts. Across all three events, the choirs achieved high scores in multiple categories.
On the international stage, both Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Male Voice Choir competed at Interkultur competitions. Peterborough Voices travelled to Lisbon to compete at the Lisbon Sings festival where they were awarded a Gold diploma. Peterborough Male Voice Choir travelled to Hull to compete in the Hull International Choir Competition where they were also awarded a Gold diploma.
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The choirs' success across such a broad and high-profile spectrum of national and international competitions demonstrates one of the organisation's fundamental values: focus on quality. All choir members and management take great pride in the high standard of the choirs’ performances.
Concerts
All Peterborough Sings! choirs have performed in a wide range of concerts over the past year at high-profile venues including Peterborough Cathedral and The Cresset Theatre.
The most prestigious of these was in September 2024, when we welcomed the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to Peterborough Cathedral for the “Classics at the Cathedral” concert where they performed a selection of pieces, including Holst’s Hecuba’s Lament and Stanford’s Songs of the Sea.
Following this, Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Male Voice Choir were asked to be part of the “Surround Sound” concert at Peterborough Cathedral, run and organised by Britten Sinfonia. This concert saw Peterborough Voices and Peterborough Male Voice Choir join forces with Tenebrae under Nigel Short and perform choral classics, alongside select pieces from the choir’s repertoire. In both this concert and the “Classics at the Cathedral” concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra the singers and management should be very proud of the high quality and professional showing which matched the professional musicians that they stood alongside.
Peterborough Sings! presented two very successful “Christmas Magic” concerts at Peterborough Cathedral: these showcased all Peterborough Sings! choirs, and were attended by well over one thousand people - a thrilling end to the calendar year.
Dynamism
Grants
During the 2024/25 financial year, Peterborough Sings! delivered the third National Male/Lower Voice Choirs Conference, held in February 2025. Funded by Arts Council England, the event welcomed delegates from over 30 choirs across the UK and provided a vital platform for sharing artistic ideas, celebrating the male voice tradition, and inspiring new generations of lower voice singers. Featuring respected external speakers, the conference was met with excellent feedback from participants.
As set out in our strategic plan, Peterborough Sings! remains committed to securing grants and other funding sources to achieve our goals. The plan was informed by research data and developed using the Arts Council’s investment principles and planning tools. We look forward to building on this work and pursuing new opportunities for growth in the year ahead and beyond.
Inclusivity and Relevance
Singing projects
These projects aim to develop, educate, and bring appreciation and experience of choral singing to a wide spread of participants, the overwhelming majority of whom are first-time choristers or singers returning to the activity after a long time. Project members vastly enjoy singing a repertoire that is accessible to those with a wide variety of previous experience while at the same time being coached to become much better singers than they were at the start of the programme.
During 2024-25, Peterborough Sings! has run both upper and lower voice projects. These projects have been incredibly successful in introducing singing to many people, and the majority of the
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members of these project choirs have continued their singing journey in one of Peterborough Sings! three adult choirs.
These projects have jointly raised in excess of £20,000 (comprising donations from Peterborough Sings! accounts plus online sponsorship, which went directly to the charities without passing through our account) for our charity partners Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice and Prostate Cancer UK.
Engaging young singers
Peterborough Sings! continued to play a key role in supporting music education and youth participation in Peterborough.
Through a series of school singing days, we supported the delivery of the Peterborough Music Hub Singing Strategy, helping to keep music alive in local classrooms. We are grateful to the Music Hub for their continued support and confidence in our delivery.
Peterborough Youth Choir continued to offer young people a dynamic space to develop musical skills, build friendships, and perform. The group has grown steadily, welcoming new members from a wide range of backgrounds and school settings across the city.
Members of the Youth Choir also took part in progression route activities such as progression route singing days, acting as peer mentors and role models to other singers. These experiences not only supported less experienced pupils in their first steps into group singing but also gave Youth Choir members the opportunity to lead, inspire, and build confidence through music. The group remains a vital part of our mission to promote artistic development, address youth isolation, and empower young people through high-quality singing opportunities.
Governance, structure and management
In 2024–2025, Barnabas Baricz Hughes was co-opted to the Board of Trustees and will be formally appointed at the next AGM. His appointment strengthens the board’s strategic and musical expertise as the organisation continues to evolve.
Director Will Prideaux is undertaking a Master’s degree in Music with the Open University. This CPD enhances the organisation’s musical leadership and pedagogical approach, reinforcing our commitment to excellence, educational impact, and continual learning across all areas of our work.
Environmental Responsibility
Peterborough Sings! is committed to meeting and exceeding all European and national environmental legislative and regulatory requirements. We adopt best operational practices to reduce environmental impacts, actively measure and reduce our carbon footprint, and monitor and manage our use of energy and water. We strive to minimise the environmental impact of travel associated with our activities and reduce waste through increased recycling and reuse. Environmental criteria, including climate change considerations, are integral to our procurement processes and overall decision-making. Additionally, we encourage and support our employees, volunteers, partners, and stakeholders in conducting their activities in an environmentally responsible manner.
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Financial review
2024-2025 saw another increase in income from Subscriptions which is indicative of the continuing growth in membership of the choirs. Similarly income from Concerts and Education and Outreach was significantly increased, whilst income from Projects was reduced due to smaller cohorts for the Sing for Life project and the Men United in Song project. Income from Grants was significantly reduced however Peterborough Sings! continued to run a number of Projects throughout the year as referred to above. Expenditure on Concerts increased over 2024-2025 in part due to the increased costs of putting on the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra concert. As can be expected in the current economic climate, expenditure on Administration increased to cover the day-to-day running expenses of the charity.
In 2024-2025, the Trustees took the decision to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary trading company, Peterborough Productions Limited, which is responsible for putting on concerts for which Orchestral Tax Relief (OTR) can be claimed. In 2024-2025 these were the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Concert and Christmas Magic. Under the contract between Peterborough Sings! and Peterborough Productions Limited, any OTR received is payable to Peterborough Sings! providing a further source of income. As OTR can only be claimed at the end of the Company’s financial year, and then takes several months to process, any payment received will show in the accounts for 2025-2026.
The trustees continue to review the reserves policy for the Charity and, as with the previous financial year, a reserve of £60,000 has been set and is shown in this year’s accounts. This is the equivalent of circa 6 months of basic costs plus £25,000 to cover any major contractual commitments.
Overall the accounts show a satisfactory financial position with available operating funds, referred to as Unrestricted Funds of £25,902 which is a decrease of £9,496 from the previous financial year. The charity intends to continue its approach to seek funding through grants from the Arts Council for England and similar organisations to support the delivery of the charity’s objectives.
The trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
J Hanby
L Hatfield
A Viale
B Pengelly
A Welsford
C Pearman
S Morris
B Hughes
The trustees are appointed by a vote of the subscription paying members of the charity at the Annual General Meeting. The posts on the trustee body are decided by the trustees themselves. If necessary a vote among the trustees is taken. None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the company.
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All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.
The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.
J Hanby
Trustee
Dated: 18th July 2025
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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Peterborough Sings! (the charity) for the year ended 31 May 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act).
Independent examiner's statement
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the 2011 Act;
or
- the financial statements do not accord with those records;
or
- the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
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 proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
Tom Wiltshire
Dated: 18th July 2025
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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!
PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] MAY 2025
| Total 2025 | Total 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Income from: | ||
| Concerts | 86,604 | 45,587 |
| Donations | 864 | 711 |
| Education and Outreach | 65,924 | 47,976 |
| Gift Aid | 8,329 | 7,755 |
| Projects | 17,360 | 33,164 |
| Sundries | 728 | 1,410 |
| Subscriptions | 46,070 | 39,943 |
| Tours and Competitions | 18,366 | 8,597 |
| Uniforms | 606 | 587 |
| Interest | 9 | 25 |
| Lisbon Tour 2024 Member Payments | - | 8,813 |
| Grants | 3,000 | 35,500 |
| Total Income | 247,860 |
230,067 |
| Expenditure on: | ||
| Accommodation | 11,055 | 9,925 |
| Administration | 16,427 | 14,149 |
| Concerts | 81,222 | 16,174 |
| Education and Outreach | 9,800 | 8,900 |
| Projects | 16,920 | 46,401 |
| Staffing | 103,066 | 104,796 |
| Tours and Competitions | 29,060 | 8,368 |
| Uniforms | 3,653 | 3,796 |
| Sheet Music | 3,085 | - |
| Staff Development | 3,882 | - |
| Total Expenditure | 278,169 |
212,509 |
| Net income for the year | (30,309) |
17,558 |
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| Restricted Funds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lisbon Tour 2024 | - | 8,813 |
| National MU | - | 12,000 |
| Reserve | 60,000 |
60,000 |
| Total Restricted funds | 60,000 |
80,813 |
| Total Unrestricted funds | 25,902 |
35,398 |
| End of year total funds | 85,902 |
116,211 |
The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 18th July 2025.
J Hanby
Trustee Dated: 18th July 2025
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PETERBOROUGH SINGS!
NOTES TO THE PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MAY 2025
1 Accounting policies
Charity information
Peterborough Sings! is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England and Wales.
1.1 Accounting convention
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and “Reporting and Accounting” (CC15c), section 1.3 “Types of Account.”
The charity has not prepared a Statement of Cash Flows for this report.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of freehold properties and to include investment properties and certain financial instruments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
1.2 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
1.3 Incoming resources
Income is recognised on receipt, when the charity is legally entitled to it after any performance conditions have been met, the amounts can be measured reliably.
Cash donations and other donations are recognised on receipt.
Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised on receipt.
Turnover is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business, net of discounts, VAT and other sales related taxes.
1.4 Resources expended
Policy for recognition of liabilities is as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to expenditure. Recognition of the costs of generating funds is on a payments and receipts basis.
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries.
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Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory requirements of the charity and included audit fees and costs linked to the strategic management of the charity.
Costs are allocated, where possible, directly to the activity. Where the cost is not directly attributable it is allocated by informed management's best estimate of the activities undertaken.
There were no additional governance costs for 2024-2025
2. Trustees
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during the year.
3. Employees
The Average number of employees during the year was 3.
4. Related party transactions
The trustees participate in the choir and therefore subscriptions and tour payments are made by the trustees to the charity. These transactions are on the same basis as other members of the choir.
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