UK FRIENDS OF CAPE TOWN OPERA
ANNAUL REPORT FOR the year to 31[st] December 2024
The UK Friends of Cape Town Opera enjoyed a very successful year in 2024 which strengthened our support and friendship with Cape Town Opera Board, Management and Staff to the benefit of all.
Since the formation of the UK Friends of Cape Town Opera (The Trust) in 2015, and our registration with The Charity Commission in England and Wales in 2017, we have developed a loyal following in Britain and Ireland and in South Africa with many Friends who follow and support the work of Cape Town Operas, through excellent communication and in visiting Cape Town to experience the outstanding work of this amazing company and the depth of talent of its performers and artistic leadership.
Our core objectives, as we set out with the Charity Commission of England and Wales , have been to support Cape Town Opera in providing opportunities through education, particularly among communities which are socially and economically disadvantaged, in understanding, participating and appreciating opera in South Africa and internationally.
Cape Town Opera has achieved remarkable success in its development over the 25 years since its foundation. The UK Friends of Cape Town Opera are privileged to have been part of this success an in sharing friendship between our Friends in UK and in those in South Africa and internationally.
Our Main Activities in 2024:
On 21[st] February 2024 The UK Friends of Cape Town Opera with our Chairperson, Lady (Mary) Hatch, and hosted by Trustee Peter Rogan and his wife, Lorna, presented our 2024 “Summer Soiree” at Peter and Lorna’s beautiful home in Camps Bay, entertained by a stunning performance by Cape Town Opera Chorus, with Chorus master, Marvin Kernelle, and enjoyed by a large number of UK and South African Friends and guests. The evening, in this wonderful surroundings, generated considerable goodwill, new valuable contacts, and generated significant donations to Cape Town Opera and to the UK Trust. This event is of particular benefit to many UK friends and guests who spend SA summer time in Cape Town and welcome the opportunity to meet with the CTO management team and performers in such a sociable environment.
On 24[th] March 2024 The UK Friends of Cape Town Opera welcomed to London Cape Town Opera Managing Director, Alex Gabriel with Cape Town Opera singers, to a concert hosted by Peter and Lorna Rogan at The Royal London Yacht Club in Kensington. A large number of UK friends and guests thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful music performance followed by and excellent reception, in what was a most successful event which raised a large sum in donations.
It is so important to the UK Friends to have the presence of our Cape Town colleagues in London to experience their wonderful live performance and meet the singers.
In the years since our registration as a charity (2018 to 2024) the UK Trust has remitted £246,758 to Cape Town Opera from donations we have raised.
Of significance, is the benefit to UK Friends of the UK Government’s Gift Aid policy, administered by HM Revenue and Customs, which provides a significant incentive to UK resident individuals who donate to our charity and qualify for the Gift Aid scheme: For example, In2024 we received a refund of £10,000 from HMRC based on £40,000 in personal donations.
UK Trustees and support from Cape Town Opera.
In October 2024, we welcomed Mr Kerry Underwood as a new Trustee of UK Friends of Cape Town Opera. Kerry a Solicitor and Senior Partner, Underwoods Solicitors, has been a loyal supporter of Cape Town Opera for several years and has made a significant contribution to the UK Trust since becoming a UK Trustee.
The UK Trust recognises the dedicated support we receive from our colleagues in Cape Town Opera through their Managing Director, Alex Gabriel and his excellent team. We would like to mention, in particular, the Cape Town Opera Head of Development, Jennifer Renner for her outstanding work helping the UK Friends in organising events, communicating with Friends and inviting guests, and creating a lasting bond between the UK Friends and its loyal supporters and generous donors. Thank you Jennifer.
Lady (Mary) Hatch, Chairperson, UK Friends of Cape Town Opera on behalf of the Trustees of UK Friends of Cape Town Opera
Registered Charity in England and Wales Number 1175984
August 2025
U.K. FRIENDS OF CAPE TOWN OPERA
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
Year ended 31st December 2024
| INCOME Donatons received Gif aid tax recovered EXPENDITURE Remitances to Cape Town Opera Bank charges, fees, commissions less interestreceived SURPLUS/(DERICIT) FOR THE YEAR Funds held at 1st January 2024 FUNDS HELD AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Approved 11th Au11th Augus 2025 Lady (Mary) Hatch Signed (Trustee) Niall Gallagher Signed (Trustee) |
INCOME Donatons received Gif aid tax recovered EXPENDITURE Remitances to Cape Town Opera Bank charges, fees, commissions less interestreceived SURPLUS/(DERICIT) FOR THE YEAR Funds held at 1st January 2024 FUNDS HELD AT 31ST DECEMBER 2024 Approved 11th Au11th Augus 2025 Lady (Mary) Hatch Signed (Trustee) Niall Gallagher Signed (Trustee) |
31.12.2024 31.12.2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 49,150 26,940 10,000 5,632 |
||
| 59,150 32,572 |
||
| 47,000 42,000 88 95 |
||
| 47,088 42,095 |
||
| 12,062 (9,523) 2,159 11,682 |
||
| £ 14,221 £ 2,159 | ||
U.K. Friends of Cape Town Opera Registered Charity in England and Wales Number 11175984
U.L FRIENDS OF CAPE TOWN OPERA INDEPENDENT EXAMINEIVS REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES I report on the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31. December 2024, which are set out on the attached page. Res ective res onsibilities of Trustees and Examiner The charwtvs trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charitvs trustees consider that an audit is not required for the year under section 1144121 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act): and that an independent examination is needed. It is my responsibility to.. examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act: to follow the procedure laid down by the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145515Jlbl of the 2011 Act- and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Inde endent examinerfs re ort My examination was carried out in accordance with genernl Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of anv unusu31 items or disclosures in the accounts. and seeking explanations from you as trustees covering any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair Vie and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Inde endent examinerfs statement In connection with my examination. no matter has come to my attention: 111 Whith gives me reasonable tause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act and to prepare account5 which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accountlllg requirements of the 2011 Att have not been met, or 121 To which in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. John Posgate FCA 12 Reynolds Road Dated 12 2025 Beaconsfield, 8uckinghamshire, HP9 2NJ