OpenCharities

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

2021-12-31-accounts

(-h2rity number.. 11785C)() The Lute Society Repc)rt 2nd 2CC()unt8

The Lute Society

Contents

Charity No. 1178599

Report of the trustees 1-3
Statement of financial activities 4
Balance sheet 5
Notes forming part of the accounts 6-10
Report of the independent examiner 11

The Lute Society

Charity No. 1178599

Report of the trustees for the year ended 31 December 2021

The trustees present their report and accounts of the Lute Society (the “Society”) for the year ended 31 December 2021. The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the 2020 second edition of SORP (FRS 102) (“the Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 102”), FRS 102 itself, the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

In following SORP (FRS 102), the accounts have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 which require an earlier Charities SORP, since withdrawn. This departure is as advised by the Charity Commission and is only to the extent required to provide a ‘true and fair view’.

Objectives and activities

The objects of the Society are to advance the study of, and to educate the public in, the history, playing technique, music, construction and other aspects of the lute and related instruments.

To further these objectives the Society produces a quarterly magazine for members and an annual scholarly journal; publishes editions of sheet music for the lute; maintains a collection of lutes and related instruments available for hire; and holds regular public meetings including presentation of research papers and performances of lute music.

In setting our objectives and planning our activities the trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance.

Impact of Covid-19

The Society has been able to limit the impact of Covid-19 because many of its activities take place on-line or by post. However, physical meetings such as quarterly public meetings, outreach activities such as residential courses and playing days, and governance (the AGM and trustees’ meetings) were affected by Covid restrictions.

To compensate, the Society commissioned ‘virtual meetings’ of filmed talks and recitals in place of those quarterly meetings which weren’t held physically, and filmed those which were, and published these on YouTube. The 2021 AGM was held online, with electronic voting to appoint trustees. Trustees’ meetings were mostly held on-line instead of in person.

Achievements and performance

Further details of the Society's activities, publications and lutes available for hire can be found on the Society's website at www.lutesociety.org.

Membership

Anyone interested in the lute, whether as a maker, player, musicologist, or for whatever reason, is welcome to become a member for a modest subscription. Concessionary subscriptions are available. There were 1,226 (2020: 1,174) subscribing members at the end of December, including 364 members (2020: 355) who in return for a slightly lower subscription receive the magazine and journal in electronic format only.

Geographical distribution of members:
UK
Europe
USA and Canada
Japan
Australia and New Zealand
Other countries
2021
518
340
268
45
41
14
1,226
2020
512
345
222
41
36
18
1,174

Magazine and journal

The quarterly magazine for members, Lute News , distributed to members by post or on-line, and the Lutezine, available to them on-line , include articles on subjects related to the lute, and a music supplement with sheet music not generally accessible otherwise.

The scholarly journal, The Lute , is produced annually in arrears, and is sent to those who were members of the Society for the relevant year. The journal for 2017 was published during the year, and it is hoped the 2018 and 2019 journals will be issued in 2022.

1

The Lute Society

Report of the trustees (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2021

Charity No. 1178599

Publications

The Society publishes sheet music editions, working plans, and other publications relating to the lute and related instruments. Popular titles are pre-printed and held in stock, while others are printed to order. During the year, the Society published a collection of music for baroque lute by Ludovico Fontanelli. The Society continues to promote modern lute music, and added further modern compositions by members to its web page. Works in progress include an edition of the works of Daniel Bacheler, an edition of John Wilson's Cheerful Airs, and digital editions of several 17th century prints.

Hire of instruments

The Society's collection of lutes and similar instruments enables potential players to experiment before going to the expense of purchasing their own instrument. The less usual instruments in the collection, including lutes of different sizes and tunings, enable modern groups to perform particular works without the expense of acquiring their own instruments, and the smaller lutes encourage children to take up the lute.

No lutes were donated during the year, but the Society purchased a 1976 baroque lute made by Martin Bowers, and commissioned Adrian and Lawrence Dodd to make a new theorbo which they presented at the November meeting.

Public meetings

The Society holds regular public meetings including the presentation of papers, and live performances of music for the lute and similar instruments either in a formal concert setting or to illustrating a paper. Attendance at the meetings is normally free for members of the public, but there is an admission fee for the concert afterwards.

Though the Society did not hold its February and May meetings because of Covid restrictions, the September and November meetings went ahead at the Dutch Church in London. September’s meeting included mainly recitals by young players, including an illustrated talk on Dowland’s first lute songbook by Sam Brown, accompanying soprano Angela Hicks. November’s meeting was dedicated to the Eglantine table, a piece of furniture from Hardwick Hall dating to the 1560s with marquetry images of contemporary plucked instruments. Music which might have been played around that table was performed.

In place of physical public meetings, the Society published ‘virtual meetings’ on its YouTube channel, available for members and the public to view. These included not only filmed talks and short recitals specially commissioned by the Society, but also play-along videos offering the lutenist at home the opportunity to accompany a professional in a duet or a lute song.

Four public meetings are planned for 2022, physically if possible, but otherwise in the form of virtual meetings. As well as a mix of talks and mini-recitals, there are planned to be full-length recitals by leading lutenists Yair Avidor, Jakob Lindberg, Sam Brown and Liz Kenny.

Educational and outreach activities

Benslow Music Trust’s annual four-day educational course, the 'Lutefest', was cancelled in April because of Covid restrictions and replaced by on-line concerts, but it is hoped to run the ‘Lutefest’ as a residential course in 2022. In association with the Society, Benslow also held an on-line Lute Song course in February, but for singers only as accompanying on-line is impractical.

The Society encourages members to participate in a variety of lute related activities such as playing days, though these were severely curtailed in 2021 because of restrictions. The 'Flow my beers' evenings, normally held in pubs, were run on-line instead.

The Society also maintains links with related societies worldwide.

Volunteers

The Society is indebted to the considerable work done voluntarily by its members which includes editing publications and getting them ready for publication, contributions to the magazine and journal, participation in public meetings, and serving on the committee.

Financial review

Funds at the end of the year were £156,177 (2020: £153,314) including £12,081 (2020: £17,233) in the general fund, £143,760 (2020: £135,910) in the instrument fund and £336 (2020: £171) in the student bursary fund.

2

The Lute Society

Report of the trustees (continued) for the year ended 31 December 2021

Charity No. 1178599

Reserves policy

The reserves policy is to set the instrument fund equal to the value of instruments held in fixed assets and to maintain the remaining reserves in a general fund at a level where income covers expenditure (excluding one-off costs) year on year. The trustees consider this policy adequate to cover future contingencies as instruments could be sold to realise additional cash in the event of liquidity problems. The Society's healthy cash position results principally from membership subscriptions received up to three years in advance and the backlog of annual journals for previous years not yet produced. The financial risks of rising and falling demand are managed by matching expenditure to income where possible.

Structure, governance and management

The Lute Society is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), charity no. 1178599, formed under a constitution dated 5 May 2018. It is the successor to the unincorporated Lute Society, which was formed in 1956 and became a registered charity on 24 January 2001, and which transferred its operations and assets to the CIO on 31 December 2018.

The committee members who have served during the year and since the year end are set out below. The President and other elected members of the committee are elected by ballot at a general meeting of the Society. The President holds office for three years after which period he or she may stand for re-election. The other elected members hold office for three years and may be re-elected for a further three years after which they must retire from the committee, but can stand for election again after a minimum of one year. Officers and co-opted members of the committee are appointed by the elected members of the committee.

As trustees, the elected members of the committee examine the major risks which the Society faces when preparing and updating plans for future activities.

Principal office

53 Mill Road, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, MK44 1NP.

Charity trustees Officers and co-opted members of the committee (non-voting)
David van Edwards, President Secretary: Christopher Goodwin
Nick Gravestock, Chair Treasurer: David Protheroe
Nancy Carlin (appointed 8 May 2021) Publicity secretary: Hector Sequera
Sam Chapman (appointed 8 May 2021) CD reviews and listings editor: John Reeve
Richard Corran Website editor: Luke Emmet
Kevin Drake Internet correspondent: Melody Packard
Kevin Feeney (appointed 8 May 2021) Other roles
Peter Jones Lute hire administrator: Christopher Goodwin
Paul Overell Plans administrator: Bruce Brook
Elizabeth Pallett Microfilm librarian: John Reeve
Sarah Shepley (appointed 8 May 2021) Donald Gill librarian: Djilda Segerman
Matthew Spring Magazine editor: Christopher Goodwin
Mike Ashley (retired 8 May 2021) Journal editor: Christopher Goodwin
Stephanie Feeney (retired 8 May 2021) Editorial sub-committee: Michael Lowe, Tim Crawford,
Rick Jones (retired 8 May 2021) John Robinson, Peter Forrester, Matthew Spring,
Myles Payne (retired 8 May 2021) David van Edwards, Christopher Page, Peter Holman

Honorary members

Anthony Bailes, John Robinson, Peter Lay, and Dame Emma Kirkby

Independent examiner Michael Gray

Approved by the trustees on 9 April 2022 and signed on their behalf by:

Nick Gravestock, Chair

3

The Lute Society

Statement of financial activities

Charity No. 1178599

for the year ended 31 December 2021

Note
Income
from donations and legacies
Donations of instruments
Donations to student bursary fund
Other donations
from charitable activities
Membership subscriptions
Magazine and journal
3
Publications
4
Hire of instruments
5
Public meetings
6
other income
Bank interest
Total income
Expenditure
on charitable activities
Magazine and journal
3
Publications
4
Hire of instruments
5
Public meetings
6
Awards of student bursaries
Total expenditure
Net income for the year
Reconciliation of funds
Total funds at 1 January
Total funds at 31 December
13, 14
Unrestricted
funds
£
Restricted
funds
£
Total
2021
£
-
165
1,288
1,453
39,794
70
19,214
13,521
808
73,407
13
74,873
40,268
18,768
6,751
6,223
-
72,010
2,863
153,314
156,177
Total funds
2020
as restated
£
-
-
1,288
-
165
-
-
165
1,288
3,600
250
1,816
1,288 165 5,666
39,794
70
19,214
13,521
808
-
-
-
-
-
39,794
70
19,214
13,521
808
38,332
105
28,531
12,035
507
73,407
13
74,708
40,268
18,768
6,751
6,223
-
72,010
2,698
153,143
155,841
-
-
165
-
-
-
-
-
-
165
171
336
79,510
84
85,260
40,018
26,210
5,900
6,039
265
78,432
6,828
146,486
153,314

Comparative figures for 2020 have been restated to reflect a revised apportionment of support costs to activities (see note 7)

4

The Lute Society

Charity No. 1178599

Balance sheet

at 31 December 2021

Note
Tangible fixed assets
8
Current assets
Stock
9
Debtors
Cash and cash equivalents
Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year
10
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities
11
Provisions for liabilities
12
Net assets
Funds
Unrestricted funds
Instrument fund
13
General fund
13
Restricted income funds
Student bursary fund
14
Total funds
Liabilities:amounts falling due after more than one year
31 December
2021
£
143,927
4,734
1,648
53,586
59,968
(23,622)
36,346
180,273
(5,333)
(18,763)
156,177
143,760
12,081
155,841
336
156,177
31 December
2020
£
136,037
8,274
1,600
53,895
63,769
(28,203)
35,566
171,603
(5,389)
(12,900)
153,314
135,910
17,233
153,143
171
153,314

The accounts on pages 4 to 9 were approved by the trustees on 9 April 2022 and signed on their behalf by:

Nick Gravestock, Chair

5

The Lute Society

Charity No. 1178599

Notes forming part of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021

1. General

The Lute Society is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales under number 1178599. Its principal office is at 53 Mill Road, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, MK44 1NP.

2. Accounting policies

Basis of preparation

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) second edition, FRS 102, the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.

Accounting convention

The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the inclusion of donated assets at fair value at 1997 or on the date of acquisition if later. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.

Going concern

The trustees consider the Society is a going concern as there are no material uncertainties affecting its ability to continue and it is able to manage its costs in line with income.

Support costs

Support costs are apportioned to activities to present the costs of those activities fairly, either in proportion to the related income, the purpose of the expenditure, or the secretary’s time on each activity.

Fixed assets

Fixed assets are recorded at cost or, if donated to the Society, at their fair value on the date of the gift. Depreciation is provided at 33% a year on cost for office equipment in order to write it off over its estimated useful life. No depreciation is provided on instruments for hire because of their high residual value. Fixed assets are regularly assessed for impairment, and are written down if impaired.

Stock

Stock is recorded at the lower of cost of net realisable value. Because of the long periods over which stock for resale is held, ten years or more, and the uncertainty over future sales, net realisable value is generally taken as zero once a title reaches its break-even point, i.e. stock for resale is written down by cumulative sales until those cumulative sales equal cost, at which point the value of the stock is zero. Any further sales are credited directly to income.

Slow moving stock is assessed for impairment at the end of each year, and impairment losses are recognised or reversed accordingly.

Deferred income

Subscriptions paid in advance are carried forward in the balance sheet as deferred income. Deferred income is discounted by the time value of money, if material, over the period until it is expected to be settled.

Provisions

The costs of printing and distributing the annual journal and quarterly magazines are provided in the year to which the journal or magazine relates because members are entitled to receive a copy for each year that they belong. The provision is discounted by the time value of money over the period until it is expected to be settled, if material.

Instrument fund

The instrument fund is an unrestricted fund designated by the trustees to establish a collection of lute and related instruments. Donated instruments which the trustees intend to hold permanently for the benefit of the Society are credited to the instrument fund at the fair value on the date of donation. When an instrument is purchased, the amount of the purchase is transferred from the general fund to the instrument fund. Impairments or reversals are charged or credited to the instrument fund. Other income and expenditure relating to the instruments is included in the general fund.

Student bursary fund

To encourage greater uptake of the instrument among music students, the society has set up a bursary fund to fund places on short courses such as the Society’s annual residential weekend at Benslow, for students who want to try the lute. It is classed as a restricted income fund, in that any money raised for the fund can only be used for this purpose.

6

The Lute Society

Charity No. 1178599

Notes forming part of the accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2021

2. Accounting policies (continued)

Donated goods and services

Donated goods are recognised at fair value at the date of the donation. Donated services are measured at the value of the gift to the Society. No accounting value however is placed on the time contributed by volunteers because it is impractical to calculate reliably.

Cash flow statement

No cash flow statement has been presented as FRS102 exempts small entities from disclosing cash flows.

3. Magazine and journal

3. Magazine and journal
Income from advertising in magazine
Expenditure
Annual journal printing
Quarterly magazine printing
Distribution
Allocation of support costs (note 7)
Net expenditure on magazine and journal
4. Publications
Income from sales of publications
Expenditure
Printing to order
Sales from stock (note 9)
Impairment of stock (note 9)
Postage and packing
Allocation of support costs (note 7)
Net income on publications
5. Hire of instruments
Income from hire of instruments
Expenditure
Repairs, renewals and other maintenance
Instrument administration
Allocation of support costs (note 7)
Net income from hire of instruments
6. Public meetings
Income from concert tickets and refreshments
Expenditure
Performers and lecturers (including virtual meetings)
Hire of venue
Allocation of support costs (note 7)
Net expenditure on public meetings
2021
70
2,320
11,351
10,631
15,966
40,268
40,198
19,214
4,517
1,755
2,653
5,674
4,169
18,768
446
13,521
1,688
3,208
1,855
6,751
6,770
808
3,133
1,200
1,890
6,223
5,415
2020
as restated
105
988
10,727
13,395
14,908
40,018
39,913
28,531
3,551
6,500
-
9,525
6,634
26,210
2,321
12,035
1,539
2,624
1,737
5,900
6,135
507
3,382
600
2,057
6,039
5,532

Net expenditure on public meetings

7

The Lute Society

Charity No. 1178599

Notes forming part of the accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2021

7. Support costs
Apportionment method
Secretary's fee
secretary’s time
Bank charges
in proportion to related receipts
Office costs
secretary’s time
Travelling expenses
secretary’s time
Public liability insurance
apportioned to meetings
Governance
secretary’s time
Depreciation of office equipment (note 8)
secretary’s time
Publicity
secretary’s time
The independent examiner received no remuneration (2020: £nil).
Apportionment of support costs to charitable activities
Magazine and journal (note 3)
Publications (note 4)
Hire of instruments (note 5)
Public meetings (note 6)
2021
18,825
1,380
1,394
1,491
48
140
103
499
23,880
2021
15,966
4,169
1,855
1,890
23,880
2020
as restated
20,434
1,745
1,598
1,005
443
36
75
-
25,336
2020
as restated
14,908
6,634
1,737
2,057
25,336

Prior year adjustment

Support costs are apportioned to activities to present the costs of those activities fairly. Previously, the apportionment was solely based on the secretary’s time on each activity. This year, the apportionment method takes into account other factors, such the purpose of the expenditure, as well. Postage and stationery costs related to the magazine and journal or to publications were previously included in support costs but have now been attributed directly to those activities. Comparative figures have been restated. There is no impact on the balance sheets or on net income for the year.

The effect on support costs by activity in 2020 was:
Membership administration
Magazine and journal
Publications
Hire of instruments
Public meetings
Total support costs
5,880
12,934
7,937
-
2,646
29,397
As
previously
reported
Postage
1,278
(4,234)
(2,956)
Stationery
(1,105)
(1,105)
Change
(5,880)
653
4,087
1,733
(593)
-
As restated
-
14,865
6,685
1,733
2,053
25,336

8

The Lute Society

Charity No. 1178599

Notes forming part of the accounts

for the year ended 31 December 2021

8. Tangible fixed assets
Cost or valuation
At 1 January 2021
Acquisitions
At 31 December 2021
Accumulated depreciation and impairments
At 1 January 2021
Charge for the year
At 31 December 2021
Net book value
At 31 December 2021
At 31 December 2020
There were no capital commitments.
9. Stock
Held for resale
Consumables
Instruments
for hire
137,759
7,850
145,609
1,850
-
1,850
143,759
135,909
Office
equipment
Total
3,814
141,573
143
7,993
3,957
149,566
3,686
5,536
103
103
3,789
5,639
168
143,927
128
136,037
31 December
2021
2,574
2,160
4,734
31 December
2020
4,399
3,875
8,274

Stock held for resale includes facsimiles, modern editions of lute music, working drawings and CDs. Other publications printed to order are not included in stock. The stock of consumables comprises postage stamps for future mailings.

Movement of stock
Held for resale

2021
At 1 January
4,399
Acquired
2,583
Less stock recognised as expenditure:
Postage for magazine and journal
-
Publications sales from stock (note 4)
(1,755)
Impairment of stock (note 4)
(2,653)
Postage for publications
-
General postage
-
(4,408)
At 31 December
2,574
10. Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Secretary's fee
Deferred income: subscriptions received in advance for the following year
Movement of stock
Held for resale

2021
At 1 January
4,399
Acquired
2,583
Less stock recognised as expenditure:
Postage for magazine and journal
-
Publications sales from stock (note 4)
(1,755)
Impairment of stock (note 4)
(2,653)
Postage for publications
-
General postage
-
(4,408)
At 31 December
2,574
10. Liabilities: amounts falling due within one year
Trade creditors
Secretary's fee
Deferred income: subscriptions received in advance for the following year
Consumables
2021
3,875
8,260
Consumables
2021
3,875
8,260
-
(1,755)
(2,653)
-
-
(4,628)
-
-
(5,312)
(35)
(4,628)
(1,755)
(2,653)
(5,312)
(35)

9

The Lute Society

Charity No. 1178599

Notes forming part of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021

11. Liabilities: amounts falling due after more than one year 31 December 31 December
Deferred income: subscriptions received in advance 2021 2020
between one and two years ahead 4,693 4,675
between two and three years ahead 640 714
5,333 5,389
12. Provisions for liabilities
Provisions for journal and magazine printing and distribution:
expected to be produced in the following year 14,295 7,200
expected to be produced in the year after 4,468 5,700
18,763 12,900
Movement in provisions Journal Magazine Total
At 1 January 2021 12,900 - 12,900
Increase in provision 3,100 6,363 9,463
Utilised in the year (3,600) - (3,600)
At 31 December 2021 12,400 6,363 18,763
13. Unrestricted funds
Movement in year Instrument General Total
At 1 January 2021 135,910 17,233 153,143
Net income for the year - 2,698 2,698
Instruments purchased 7,850 (7,850) -
At 31 December 2021 143,760 12,081 155,841

Instruments purchased are treated as a transfer fron the general fund to the instrument fund. Donations of instruments are allocated directly to the instrument fund. All other unrestricted income and expenditure is allocated to the general fund.

14. Restricted fund
31 December
Student bursary fund
2021
At 1 January
171
Donations received
165
Awards of student bursaries
-
At 31 December
336
31 December
2020
186
250
(265)
171

To encourage greater uptake of the instrument among music students, the society has set up a bursary fund to provide places on short courses such as the Society’s annual residential weekend at Benslow, for students who want to try the lute. It is classed as a restricted fund, in that any money raised for the fund can only be used for this purpose.

15. Related party transactions

Trustees or parties connected to them received £596 (2021: £481) in total for services provided to the Society. These were reasonable amounts for the services provided and were pre-agreed by the Society having regard to Charity Commission guidance in respect of the remuneration of trustees. One trustee claimed £114 as reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses (2020: one trustee £152). No other trustee or person connected with a trustee has been paid remuneration or received other benefits from the Society.

In detail, David van Edwards, received royalties of £30 (2020: £10) for copies of working drawings, and a party connected to him received £66 (2020 £71) for sales commission on a book. A music group to which Elizabeth Pallett belongs received £300 for a video recording for a virtual meeting on the Society’s YouTube channel. A party connected to Matthew Spring, earned £200 for a concert performance at a society meeting. In the previous year, Matthew Spring received £400 for learned articles for Lute News and videos for the Society’s YouTube channel.

10

Charity No. 1178599

Report of the Independent Examiner to the trustees of The Lute Society on the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021

I have examined the accounts on pages 4 to 10.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act, to follow procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Your attention is to drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the accounts in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) second edition in preference to the earlier Charities SORP issued on 1 April 2005 which is referred to in the extant regulations but has been withdrawn.

I understand that this has been done in order for the accounts to provide a true and fair view in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Practice effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2015.

Basis of independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention

  1. which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements (a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act, and (b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act, have not been met; or

  2. to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Michael Gray

15 Chesterfield Road, Cambridge, CB4 1LN

9 April 2022

11