Annual report 2025 to the Charity Commission from St. John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus
Report of the trustees for the year ending 31[st] August 2025
The Trustees of St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus present the annual report and accounts for the year ending 31[st] Aug 2025, which have been independently scrutinised, and the report is attached.
Charity’s Structure
The choir adopted Making Music’s Model Constitution for use by unincorporated associations in 2015. Originally established in 1997 and run by the local vicar and his musical family, it was free to join, and no charges were made for the performances. In 2008, the vicar retired and moved away. The members were keen to carry on but realised they had to pay a professional to conduct. Subscriptions were introduced for choir membership, with three levels: standard, reduced (50%) rate and concessions (25%), but no one should be excluded on financial grounds, and these bands remain in place.
Supported by Making Music, we became a registered charity in 2017. Gift Aid has allowed us to flourish and keep our concerts free to all.
We are run by a committee of nine choir members with a chair, a secretary and a treasurer. Each member has a designated role in the management of the choir. We meet twice a term and have an AGM in October/November.
Our purpose is 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, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals.
Our Activities
To achieve our purpose as widely as possible, all our concerts are free. We request a donation for those who can afford it as they leave the concert.
Our choir is open to all without audition. Our membership fees are matched by similar choirs in our area, but no one is excluded on financial grounds.
We perform at least two concerts a year, one in the autumn and one in the spring, with a full orchestra, professional soloists and a professional conductor. In the summer, we hold workshops for the choir to improve their technique, which are similarly open to all and conducted by professional musicians.
We run social activities, such as Ceilidhs, Burns Nights and Quizzes, that raise funds for the choir to advance its purposes.
We have also established a link with two choirs in Hackney's twin town of Suresnes, near Paris and over the years, since 2005, we have performed joint concerts with them. As well as the social and cultural benefits of this link, we have also been able in recent years to meet up roughly every two years and perform larger works now that we are twinned with a bigger choir in Suresnes. which runs on similar lines to our own'.
We have moved our rehearsal venue from St John of Jerusalem Church, which was cold and ill-lit, to Hampden Chapel nearby, which is warm and well-lit. The move has been welcomed by all. Our conductor is pleased he can now easily see and hear everyone. Our concerts continue to be staged at St John of Jerusalem church.
We generate income by selling advertising space in our programmes, and raise money by selling programmes, refreshments, snacks, at our concerts and through exit collections.
Annual report 2025 to the Charity Commission from St. John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus
Our choir has a rolling but steady membership of about 65 to 70. We were keen to attract a younger and more diverse membership. A questionnaire to members in September 2024 showed very positive results. However, newer members mentioned difficulties in finding us when they moved into the area: web searches had not revealed us. As a result of the questionnaire, we took a vote on a new working name for the choir at our AGM[1] , which overwhelmingly voted to change our ‘working name’ to Hackney Festival Chorus, hoping that ‘Hackney’ as the initial word in our title would score more hits when people searched on the web. This produced an immediate effect, with a younger, more ethnically diverse group joining, who engaged in the choir and quickly became committee members.
Financial Performance
We made a profit of £3,000 this year, due mostly to our social activities. Our working capital was above £7,000.
Financial Position
We aim to enter the autumn and winter terms with reserves to cover the cost of rehearsals and the concert for that term of at least £7,000.
This year, we carried forward £10,811, more than we have done since the lockdown years, when our expenses were low as we were unable to perform publicly, while members still paid subs.
Extract from The AGM October 2024 with relevant text highlighted.
It explains the decisions to change our rehearsal venue and to change our name.
Report on questionnaire to choir- Rosemary Sales 5.1 Main findings were positive
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We love singing
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We sing to a high standard
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We have a great musical team
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We enjoy the social aspect of the choir.
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5.2 We have taken on the issue of finding an alternative for rehearsals. 5.3 Discussion about new name. -Suggestions provided in report
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5.4 St. John of Jerusalem implies we are part of the church.
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5.5 Because hackney is at end of our name it doesn’t come up in searches.
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5.6 Discussion points raised
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Keep Hackney in the title
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Festival is part of our name, keeps it simple on website
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Choral Society might sound off putting
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New member thought we were called Hackney Festival Chorus
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Would we lose connection with the church?
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5.7 Vote took place on new name. Hackney Festival Chorus had the overwhelming majority of votes.
1 See attached, the minutes of our AGM; paras 5.1 to 5.7 are included at the bottom of the main text above.
Treasurer's report for 2025 AGM ,liaint J()hn nfJeru,qalcm Annual accounts Statement of Financial Activity [SoFA] estiv81 Chorui Year to 31 Aug Year to 31 Aug 2025 2024 Comments on variation in between years of more thanlO% Incoming resources Subs Collections Programme Sales Bartakings Adverts in programmes Fund raising l. Worksho 2. Ceilidh/Burns Night/Quiz 3. Donations 3.Table Top Sale 4. Carol Singing GiftAid + GASDS Purc ases rom FC Scores Refunds French meal in Apri12025 Total incoming resources Resourcesexpended Rehearsals Performers at concerts Workshops Church Venue costs Hire of loos & chairs Music hire Print Fl ers/Posters/Pro Fundraisin ex enses Website Wine forthe bar an tunin Sundries Insurance Donations Caro singing SCF Total resources expended Net chan ein unds Gross transfers between funds Totsl funds brought forward Totsl funds carried forward 10,606 2,024 448 1,887 1,450 10,136 2,572 258 1,237 1,350 Exit ca r onations wor Bettersa es system Louisa's internet boosterworking well in the interval ing ess we int e crus to get out 409 3,782 826 383 484 2,476 95 535 2,115 629 More income rom Burns Nig tt More c oir mem er onations ancei" 411 2,467 Nearly all by card payments now, encourages donations So wine stoc s&SJJta etopsa 26 75 1,580 26,448 No French meal last year 21,811 5,090 8,805 460 1,790 1,163 606 296 2,558 123 333 4,500 8,315 683 3,530 1,128 476 490 934 53 558 245 181 323 411 21,827 -16 Cost of 2 extra rehea rsa Is Fewer wor opst is year Two years paid in 2023 24 Increased costs Fewer copies printed I ncrease, matc y increase I ncrease costs Previous year's cellar carried over income 253 718 483 22,678 3, 770 I ncrease ue to turnovergoing up an reac ing £21,000 7,042 7,057 10,811 7,042 Signed Signed LizTaylor Chair Paul Julian Treasurer Dated 16/11/2025 Date 16/11/2025
(HARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus On accounts for the year ended 3118125 Charity no (if any) 1175007 Set out on pages 3to4 l port to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31108 12025. 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") I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records., or the accounts did 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 accounts to be reached. Signed: Date: 1411126 Name: David Gareth Richards Relevant professional qualificationls) or body Ilf any): None Address: 19 Constance Street, London E16 2DQ IER Oct 2018
Section B Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose .
2
Oct 2018
IER
| St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus | St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus | St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus | St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus | St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus | St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus | St John of Jerusalem Festival Chorus | 1175007 | 1175007 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ A1 Receipts Receipts and payments accounts 01/09/2024 31/08/2025 To For the period from ee e ee |
Last year to the nearest £ CC16a |
||||||||||||||
| Subscriptions 10,606 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 10,606 | 10,606 | 10,136 | 10,136 | |||||
| Collections 2,024 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 2,024 | 2,024 | 2,572 | 2,572 | |||||
| Programme sales 448 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 448 | 448 | 258 | 258 | |||||
| Bar takings 1,887 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1,887 | 1,887 | 1,237 | 1,237 | |||||
| Adverts in progrmmes 1,450 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1,450 | 1,450 | 1,350 | 1,350 | |||||
| Fundraising: Workshop 408 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 408 | 408 | - | - | |||||
| Fundraising: Ceilidh/Burns Night/Quiz 3,782 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 3,782 | 3,782 | 535 | 535 | |||||
| Fundraising: Donations 826 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 826 | 826 | 2,115 | 2,115 | |||||
| Fundraising: Table Top Sale 383 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 383 | 383 | 629 | 629 | |||||
| Fundraising: Carol Singing 483 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 483 | 483 | - | - | |||||
| Gift Aid + GASDS 2,476 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 2,476 | 2,476 | 411 | 411 | |||||
| Purchases from FC 95 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 95 | 95 | 2,467 | 2,467 | |||||
| Scores - |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||
| Refunds - |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 26 | 26 | |||||
| French meal in April2025 1,580 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1,580 | 1,580 | 75 | 75 | |||||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR)26,448 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 26,448 | 26,448 | 21,811 | 21,811 | |||||
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). - - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total receipts 26,448 - - 26,448 21,811 A3 Payments Rehearsals 5,090 - - 5,090 4,500 ———~~——~~ |
|||||||||||||||
| Performers at concerts 8,805 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 8,805 | 8,805 | 8,315 | 8,315 | |||||
| Workshops 460 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 460 | 460 | 683 | 683 | |||||
| Church Venue costs 1,790 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1,790 | 1,790 | 3,530 | 3,530 | |||||
| Hire of loos & chairs 1,163 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 1,163 | 1,163 | 1,128 | 1,128 | |||||
| Music hire 606 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 606 | 606 | 476 | 476 | |||||
| Print Flyers/Posters/Prog 296 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 296 | 296 | 490 | 490 | |||||
| Fundraising expenses 2,558 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 2,558 | 2,558 | 934 | 934 | |||||
| Website 123 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 123 | 123 | 53 | 53 | |||||
| Wine for the bar 333 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 333 | 333 | 558 | 558 | |||||
| Organ tuning - |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 245 | 245 | |||||
| Sundries 253 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 253 | 253 | 181 | 181 | |||||
| Insurance 718 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 718 | 718 | 323 | 323 | |||||
| Donations [Carol singing] SCF 483 |
- | - | - | - | - | - | 483 | 483 | 411 | 411 | |||||
| Sub total 22,678 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 22,678 | 22,678 | 21,827 | 21,827 | |||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases, (see table) - - - - - - - - Sub total - - - - - Total payments 22,678 - - 22,678 21,827 Net of receipts/(payments) 3,770 - - 3,770 - 16 A5 Transfers between funds - - - - - A6 Cash funds last year end 7,041 - - 7,041 7,057 Cash funds this year end 10,811 - - 10,811 7,041 ———~~——~~ ==~~=>~~ |
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| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Details Details Bank Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 10,811 - - - - - 10,811 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval |
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