HAMPSTEAD .
CHORUS"
HAMPSTEAD CHORUS
Report and Accounts
Year ended 31 August 2025
Charlty number 1174146

Hampstead Chorus
Report and Accounts- year ended 31 August 2025
Reference and admlnlstratlv• Infomiatlon
Trustees
The following Trustees have served throughout the year eX￿pt as noted:
Roger Pilgrim- Chair
Max Elliman-TrÈasurer
Mary Stokes- Secretary (retired and wlected on 28 February 2024)
Andrea Morris (Resigned 12 February 2025)
Judy Booth
Address
c/0 Music Department, Unlversity College Senior School
Fro8n31
Hampstead
London
NW3 6XH
Charlty Number
1174146
Bankers
Barclays Bank
Hampstead High Street
London
NW3 IQ8
Website
www.hampsteadchorus,org.uk
Email
lnfo@hampsteadchorus.org.uk

Hampstead Chorus
Report and Accounts-year ended 31 August 2025
Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 August 2025
The Trustee5 present their annual report and accounts of Hampstead Chorus {the "Chorus") for the year
ended 31 August 2025.
Strurturei governan£e and management
The Hampstead Chorus, a community choir that is open to all singers irrespective of ability, was fornied to
celebrate the centenary of University College School in 2008 and remains closely affiliated to the school. It
is constituted as an unincorporated association and on 4 August 2017 registered as a charity with the
Charities Commission in England & Wales. The Chorus is managed and administered by a committee of the
following officers, who are members of the Chorus and the trustees of the charity:
Chair
Roger Pilgrim
Treasurer
Max Elliman
Secretary
Mary Stokes
Committee Members
Andrea Morris {Resigned 12 February 2025)
Judy Booth
Our tonstitution requires a minimum of three trustees, with no maximum number. One third of the
Trustees must retlre by rotation at each annual general meeting. Max Elliman retired at the annual general
meeting held on 12 February 2025 and was reelected as a trustee at that meeting. Judy Booth wlll retire
at the annual general meeting to be held to consider these accounts and being eligible, offers herself for
re-elettion.
New Trustees will be appointed by the existtng Trustees as needed to complement the skills available to
the Chorus. New appolntee5 are provided with information on their responsibilities as Trustees and are
briefed on the areas of artlvity of the Choru5.
Trustee meetings are held to discuss strategy, pollcy and the administration of the Chorus, Day-to-day
administration, such as bookkeeping, finance and general administration is handled by the Trustees. All
the Trustees give their time and are not paid. None of the Trustees has claimed any expenses nor are there
any related party transactlons requirin8 disclosure.
Artistic direction is provided by our inspiring Musical Director, Simon Walton, ably asslsted by accompanist
and rehearsal coach, Edward Kemp-Luck.
The Chorus is also Indebted to the dedicated volunteers who have helped run the choir, without whom it
could not function, and to the support of University College School.
Objectives and artivities for the publlc beneflt
The objetts of the Chorus are to advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and
appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the Trustees see fit, includin8
through the presentation of public concerts and recitals. The Chorus pursues it5 objectives by the holding
of concerts and, In the process, provldin8 Chorus members with instruction in the perfonnance of choral
music.
The Trustees are aware of the guldance issued by the Charities Commission on public benefit. The Trustees
have regard to this guidance in deciding what activities should be undertaken and consider that the activities
of the Chorus have demonstrably been carried out for the public benefit.

Hampstead Chorus
Report and Accounts-year ended 31 August 2025
Achievements and Perfom)ance
The Chorus has rehearsed and perfomed a diverse range of chora5 music during the year 202415, with the
usual full-scale concerts being held at the end of the Autumn 3nd Sprin8 Terms in the Great Hall at University
College School,. and a smaller concen put on at the end of the Summer Term in the Music Lecture Theatre at
the School.
In the Autumn Term the choir 5an8 Gabriel Fauré's masterpiece Requlem as well as his ever-popular
Cantique de Jean Racine, followed on by Cecilia MacDowall's Ave Maria Stella and Vaughn Williams, Fantasia
on Christmas Carols. Simon Walton conducted the Centenary Orchestra and Edward Kemp-Luck on organ.
In the Spring Term the choir perfomied Johannes Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem. This 15 a demanding work
in which the chorus has an important role of communicating with the audience. We had 80 subscribers and
63 singers, the m05t that we have had since Covid.
In the Summer Term the cholr set sail with nautically themed pieces by English composers, including Elgarfs
song cycle of the sea'sea Picture￿, and sea related songs by Herbert Sumsion andjohn Ireland. Ourmusical
Director, Simon Walton, also performed four solo songs by Rebecca Clarke, Samuel Coleridge Taylor,
Benjamin Brltten and Aaron Cope13nd, accompanied on the piano by Edward Kemp-Luck. The concert was
followed by a buffet supper on a sunny summerfs day.
Overall, it was another musically successful year for the Chorus, due to the inspiration and hard work of
Simon Walton, assisted by Ed Kemp-Luck. The number of singers has been steadily Incre3sin& and we have
been attracting new members. We expect this to continue in 2026.
The financial results on a cash basis are set out below on pages 7-10 in the form of a Statement of Flnancial
Activities, prepared based on receipts and payments account, and a Statement of Assets and Liabllitie5. It
shows a surplus of £10,020forthe year (2024: deficit £9SI}. It is the intention of the Trustees that, to operate
on a sustainable basis, the Chorus should, so far a5 possible, generate a small surplus of receipts over
payments. Overall, the accounts show that ￿VenUeS in 2025 have increased by £10,971 from the previous
year {not accounting ftjr the Away Day in 2024). This was due to a si8nificant increase In the number of
subscribers in 2024/25 over the previous year plus the combined efforts of the Chorus to sell additional
tickets for the concert performances. Concert and administrative expenses have increased by £742 from the
previous year, though thls fi8ure is exaggerated by a partial early payment of venue rental for the Autumn
term 2023, leadin8 to the excluslon of those costs in 2024 accounts las the accounts are prepared on a cash
basisl. While concert costs are largely determined by choice of repertoire the Commlttee strives to cover
the direct costs of performance through tlcket sale5. At the final Committee meetlnR of 2025 it was decided
to sllghtly Increase the price of subscription to cover higher anticipated costs for both rehearsals and
concert5.
The reported surplus of £10,021 for 2024125 resulted in reserves of the Chorus increasing to £32,577 {2024..
£22,557). In view of the Chorus, healthy reserves, the Trustees, in consultstion wtth the Chorus, have
considered to lower concert ticket pr1￿5 for concerts performed in 2026.
Reserves pollcy
In running the Chorus as an unincorporated association, the Trustees have decided that, to ensure it remains
as a going concern and $0 there can be confidence when planning future events, sufficient reserve5 should
be on hand to at least cover the gross direct costs of concerts (costs of musicians, soloists, venue etc.) for
one year. The Trustees periodically review the adequacy of reserves in the Ilght of our plans and other
relevant Issues. Thou8h singer numbers have steadily recovered since the years affected by Covid, concert

Hampstead Chorus
Report and Accounts- year ended 31 August 2025
costs have also increased. For the year 2025, the gross annual direct cost of our concert programme was
£9,525. Our reserves are therefore well above the level to cover the gross direct C05t of concerts for one
year, though we consider a higher level of reserves is justified given the financial uncertainties that the
Chorusfaced in recentyears. The Trustees are, nonetheless, cognisant of the need to keep thi5 under regular
review.
Rlsk management
The Trustees have considered the major risks to which the Chorus is exposed and satisfied themselves that
Systems or procedures are established to manage those risks. The Trustees regard the major risks faced by
the Chorus as being ftnancial and these are mitigated by careful financial planning and maintalning
adequate levels of reserves and Insurance.
Future Plans
A challenging and popular repertoire of music has been selected for the 2025/2026 year, with concerts
planned at the end of each term.
Independent Examinatlon
For the year ended 31 Au8USt 2025, the Chorus is required by the Charitieg Commisslon to have an
independent examination as the annual income of the Chorus exceeded £25,000. Laurence Bard has
carried out the examination, and his report Is on page 6.
Trustees, responslbllitles in relation to the flnancial statements
The Trustees are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the accounts in accordance with
applicable law.
Approved by the Trustees on 2nd February 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Roger Pilgrim - Chalr

CHARITY COMMISSION
. FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examlnerfs report on the
accounts
.Se¢tion A -.
Independeiit Exaniiner's RepoFt.
Report to th• tru*t•
Hth*IS7Efti)
On accounts for the ymr
end•d
Charfty no
(If any>
I report to the trustees on my examination oltho aGGounts ofthe above
charlty rthe Tru8f) for the year ended
R68pon8lbllldo• and
basls of rnport
A8 the charftys trusts￿, you are resporAlble for the preparatlon of the
account8 In ac£ordance with ts requirwnents of the Charities 2011
I rer￿ kn respera of my examinatson of the Tnrfs accounts carrfed ¢xrt
urKler section 145 of ts 2011 Act and in caryiry out my axamination, I
have followed all the applicatrAe DirethTh given by the Charity Commls8lon
under 8•L*on 145(5)(b) of the ACL
Ind•p•nd•nt
•xamln•rf8 8tatsmont
I have uxnpkntsd my examlrth. I corfflryn that rn materlal matters have
come to my atterytkn kn c4)nnertlon tho examlnatson (other than that
df8clo8ed tsa￿ I whlch give8 mo cause to belkn that in. any materlal
of tho Chariles A(& or
the accounts did not aC￿d with the aceAmtiny rtord8' or
th• accounts dld not comply wlth th8 applicable requlrnments
conc*mlng the fonn and content of accourts set fxrt In tho Chariti68
(Accounts and R￿p￿￿> Regulations 2008 other than any requlrement
that the accounts give a true and fairf view which 18 not a matter
as part of an independent exwninatlon.
I hav8 no rnncem8 and have come au088 no other matter8 In connectlon
with the eXa￿natIon to which attention 8hould be drawn in th18 report in
order to enable a undor8tanding of the accounts to be reached.
' Hease d￿et0 the worf8 in the brnckats Kthey not appty.
Slgn•d:
Nam•:
Relovant prof•8•lonal
quallficallon(8) or body
ER
Oct 2018

Hampstead Chorus
Report and Accounts-year ended 31 August 2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (based on receipts and payments)
Year ended 31 August
Rehearsals and general actlvlties
Rehoarsal receipts
Subscriptlons and other re￿Ipts
Rehearsal payments
Conductor and accompanist fees
Catering Costs
Venue rental
Other rehearsal and general payments
2025
2024
17,683
10,637
9,265
16S
1392
1,303
12,125
5,558
8970
92
835
1,047
10,944
{307)
Net cash movements from rehearsals
Recelpts of donatlons and Glft Ald
Individual donations
Gift Aid receipts
876
3,731
4,607
1,965
2,218
4,183
Concerts
Concert recelpts
Ticket sales
Programme advertisin8 & corporate sponsorship
Other concert receipts
9,380
5,543
Concert payments
Soloists, fees
Conductor fees
Orchestra fees and related payments
Catering costs
Venue rental
Other concert payments
9,380
5,543
950
900
5,332
507
1,368
468
9,525
(145)
1,600
900
5,051
467
720
429
9,167
(3.624)
Net ¢ash movements from concerts
Total cash movements from regular artivities
Receipts for the Away Day (2024)
Net Payments for the Away Day {2024)
Receipts before 31 August 2024 relating to Autumn temi 2024
10,020
252
450
(1,403)
200
Transferred to reserves
10,020
{951)

Hampstead Chorus
Report and Accounts-yearended 31 August 2025
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AcfiviTIES {ba5ed on receipts and payments)
2025
Unrestrlcted
Income fund
2024
Unrestrlcted
Income fund
Fund brought forward on I September
Rehearsal ￿ceIptS
Rehearsal and 8eneral payments
Recelpts of donations and Gift Aid
Concert receipts
Concert Payments
Net Payments for Away Day (20241
Fund carried forward on 31 Au8USt
22,557
17,683
(12,125)
4,607
9,380
{9,525>
23,708
10,637
110,9441
4,183
5,543
{9,167}
11,403)
22,557
32￿77

Hampstead Chorus
Report and Accounts- year ended 31 August 2025
STATEMENT OF ASSET5 AND UABIUTIES
Note
31 August
31 August
2024
2025
Current assets
Cash at bank and in hand
32,577
22,757
Total current a$5ets
32577
22,757
Net current assets
32.577
22.757
Total assets les5 Current liabllltles
32.577
22,557
Net assets
32,577
22,557
The funds ofthe Chorus..
Unrestricted funds
32,577
22,557
Total funds
32,577
22.557
The Trustees acknowledge their ￿sponsIblE1t[eS for complying with the requirements of the Charities Act
2011 with respect to accountlng records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared In accordance with the special provisions relating to smaller charities In
the Charities Act 2011.
The notes on page 10 form part of these accounts.
Approved by the Trustees on 2nd February 2026 and signed on their behalf by:
Roger Pil8rim - Chair

Hampstead Chorus
Report and Accounts- year ended 31 August 2025
Accounting pollcies
Basis of preparation
The Trustees have elected to prepare a receipts and payments account and a statement of assets and
liabilities pursuant to section 133 of the Charlties Att 2011 This means the accounts of the Chorus have
been prepared on a cash basis (not the accruals basis). The financial staternents have been prepared under
the historical cost convention.
b)
Fund structure and attivlties
The Chorus has only one fund, an unrestricted income fund. The Trustees may, at their discretion, allocate
any part of the fvnd to the purposes of the Chorus.
Fixed asset investments
The Chorus very occasionally makes expenditure on items which may have some enduring value {e.g.
concert staging}. Such items are expensed in the year in which they are incurred.
Relatsd Party transartlons and Trustees. remuneratlon
The Trustees received no emoluments and reclaimed no expenses during the period.
No related party transactions requiring disclosure occurred during the period.
10