SAFFRON WALDEN CHORAL SOCIETY (swcs) TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2022 A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity No. 1180134 www.swchoral.org.uk Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 OBJEcfivES, AcfiviTIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS "As a society we exist to promote this wonderful musicalform (choral singing) and, thmugh our youth work. to ensure that the next gener(Jtion hos an opportunity to experience the energy and fun of performing choral music. We olso ensure that our audiences can experience the power and musical beauty of the human voice, and perhap5find their own moment of in5pirotlon withln o live performance.. Judith Hosler, PresidentSWCS After the difficulties of not being ablÈ to sSng together for 18 months due to the Covid pandemlc, it was a delight to return to normal rehearsals in September 2021. Rehearsals in September and October were held in Thaxted Church. to enable more social distancing than our normal rehearsal venue would allow. Our first post-pandemic concert was Brahms: Ein Deutsches Requiem In Saffron Hall on 13 November 2021. This was performed in a verslon for two pianos and timpani and was greatly enjoyed by an audience of nearly 250. At the beginnlng of December 2021, the choir returned to St Mary's Church, Saffron Walden, for two Spirit of Christmas concerts. We were delighted at the involvement of about a dozen local schools, in the concerts and the carol competition. Both concerts were sold out. A5 reported in last yearfs Trustees Annual Report, Janet Wheeler, our Muslcal Director for 30 years. had announced her intention to leave after the March 2022 concert. Janet generously wrote a new work for Saffron Walden Choral Society as her farewell 81ft to the cholr. This piece, The Measure Of A Tree, was performed alongside Fauré.. Requiem to an audience of over 400 hlghlv appreciative people at Saffron Hall on 19 March 2022. The choir was joined by Chameleon Arts Orchestra and two 5010ists. A presentation was made to Janet at the concert. The Committee spent most of the spring and summer of 2021 on the recruitment process for Janet's replacement- advert15ing. shortlistin& and interviewin8 candidates. A shortllst of 3 candldates wa5 selected for an audition rehearsal with the choir at the end of September 2021. Following the auditlons, we were delighted that Quintln Beer accepted our offer to become our new Muslcal Direttor from April 2022. Qulntin rehearsed the cholr for the concert on 16 July 2022 in Saffron Hall, when the choir performed Orff: Carmina Burana ènd Jonathan Dove- Arlon and the Dolphin. in arrangements for two pianos and percussion. We were joined by St Catherine's College Girls, Choir and the percussionists were led by the outstanding O Duo. We would like to thank all those members and friends who support our various fundralsing activities le.g. the 100 Clubl. We are very grateful to the Friends of Saffron Walden Choral Societv and the local businesses and organisations who have continued to support us throughout the past year. Other fundraising activities have been on hold due to the need to limlt social contact after the pandemic. The Committee would like to thank Janet Wheeler for her inspirational musicianship and dedicated leadership for the past 30 years. and we wish her every success in her composing career. We're also very 8rateful to Quintin Beer for his fast-paced rehearsals, attention to detail AnNual Report forthe yearto 31 Juty 2022 Reg15tered charity no. 1180134 Page 1 Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 and outstandin8 musicianship. Our regular accompanist, Richard Carr, also deserves special thanks for his exceptional musicianship both in rehearsals and concerts. Finally, our grateful thanks are also due to the many members who give so much time voluntarily to the administrative work of the choir. FUTURE PLANS Inevitably, there was a slight hiatus in forward plannin8 due to the change of Musical Director, but Quintin Beer started to meet with the Committee from January 2022 to discuss the programme for th 2022-2023 and ideas for celebrating our 140 anniversary in 2023. It Wa5 agreed that we will commission a new 5 minute work for choir and piano lor organ) that celebrates the joy of singing and has opportunities for audience participation. Quintin approached Roderick Williams and we are deli8hted that he has accepted the commission. The world premlere will be included in our th 140 Anniversary Celebration Concert at Saffron Hall on 24June 2023. Prlor to that, the choir will perform Haydn: The Creatlon In November 2022, two Spirit of Christmas concerts with schools in December 2022 and Handel.. Israel in Egypt In March 2023. STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Managing Committee (Trusteesl Management of the charity is in the hands of a Committee comprising no fewer than seven, or more than twelve, members elected by the charitrfs membership at the Annual General Meetlng. The Musical Director recommends a music policyto the Committee members for their approval. All elected member5 of the Committee are Trustees of the charity. The following trustees held office throughout the year: Sara Varey (Chair} Christine Hall (Treasurer) Lucy Thomson (Secretary) Stephanie Emberson Mar83ret Griffiths Allson Hall Paul Parker Mark Phillips Jeffrey Thomson The Commlttee meets 10-12 times per year. Minute5 Qf the meetings are available to members of the charity. Governing Document Saffron Walden Choral Society operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation approved bv the Charity Commission Ireg. charity no. 11801341. Annual Aeport forthe yearto 31 Juty 2022 Registered char5ty no. 1180134 P38e 2 Saffron Walden Choral SocietyTrustees' Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 Charitable Objects The objects of the Society continue to be to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concert5 and recitals and by such other ways as the Society through its charity trustees shall determine from time to time. Public Benefit The trustees have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission. Fundraisin8 Saffron Walden Choral Societ￿$ fundraising is volunteer-led. We do not employ the services of external agencies. We are committed to building trust with our supporters. Durin8 the financial vear 2021-2022 we received no complaints relatin8 to our fundraising activities. Safe8uarding Saffron Walden Choral Society carries out activities which bring our volunteers and people working on behalf of our organisation into regular contact with children and youn8 people. We belleve that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any klnd. The Trustees recognise their legal duty to art prudently and in the best interests of these chSldren and youn8 people, and have implemented policie5. procedures, training and monitoring to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to protect them and keep them safe. Principal Rlsks and Uncertainties The trustees have examined the major governance, operational and financlal rlsks to the Trust and confirm that systems are In place to mitigate the impact of these risks. The potential rlsks and management ofthem are reviewed annually bythe trustees. The Society maintains public and employee liability insurance cover at levels consistent with other similar organisations. Cover for specific risks associated with particular activities may be taken out as appropriate. The Society has policies covering child protection and health and safety, which are kept under regular review. The Society uses advice from Makin8 Music to develop its policies, procedures and risk assessments and undertakes appropriate Covid-19 risk assessments for in-person rehearsals and public performance5. Reserves Policy The Commlttee reviews the level of reserves held by the Society periodically. The Committee aims to maintain in reserve, In readily accessible form, sufficlent funds to ensure that a significant fall in income can be absorbed during the year. In general temis this is measured as the amount needed to cover the experted net cost of a season's concerts without levying additional subscriptions during the year and without the levels of sponsorship or donations which the Society has normally been able to attract. The current estimate is that £16,000 should be maintained in general reserves. The Committee regularly considers potential uses for any surplus and has been discussing plans with our new Musical Director for using some of the surplus reserves to celebrate th our 140 anniversary in 2023. Annu31 Reportforthe yearto 31 July2021 RegiSte￿d chartty no. 1180134 Page 3 Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statement5 2022 Registered Address 29 High Street. Hinxton. CBIO IQY Independent Examiner Bentens, Abbey House, 51 High Street, Saffron Walden, CBIO IAF Bankers CAF Bank Limited, 25 Kings Hill Avenue, West Mallin& Kent, ME19 4JQ Shawbrook Bank Limited, Lutea House, Warfey Hill Business Park. The Drive, Great Warlev. Brentwood, Essex. CM13 3BE FINANCIAL REVIEW - Treasurer's Report for the year to 31 July 2022 In 2021-22 the Society made a deficit of £1,3351202￿21 surplus £4,201). This leaves us with total funds of £40,908, compared to £42,243 at July 2021. Funds at July 2021 included restricted funds of £6,000 generously donated by Taylor Rose for youth attivities, which have been Spent during 2021-22. Restrirted funds relate to donations given for a particular purpose and were nll at 31 July 2022. Charitable Activlties Ilncluding concerts and rehearsals) There were no concerts Sn 2020-2021 due to the pandemlc, so °Concert costs" In 2020-2021 related to produclng the Splrit of Chrlstmas YouTube videos, runnin8 the Carol Competition for young people and 3 Zoom slnging workshop. Rehearsal costs only related to Zoom workshops. By contrast, 2021-22 was a return to a normal pattern of concerts and rehearsals. There were three concerts at Saffron Hall and two Splrlt of Chrlstmas concerts at St Mary's Church las described in the Report above). Other Income Our thanks 80 to our members and supporters for their membership fees, donations, sponsorship and fundraising. Other c05t5 Fundraisin8 Costs are analysed in note 6 to the accounts. Support costs are analysed in note 5. STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES, RESPONSIBILITIES The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees. Report and the financial statements In accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable to charities in England & Wales requires the trustees to prepare financial Statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of the affairs of the Annual Report forthe yearto 31 Juty 2021 Re815tered ohallty no. 1180134 Page 4 53ffron Walden Choral society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently observe the methods and principles in the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice ISORPI make jud8ements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent state whether applicable accounting standards, Includin8 FRS 102, have been followed. subject to any material departures disd05ed and explained in the financial statements state whether a SORP applies and ha5 been followed. subjed to any material departures which are explained in the financial statements prepare the financial statements on the 80ing concern basis unless it 15 inappropriate to presume that the charlty will continue in operation. The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financlal posltlon of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply wlth the Charities Act 2011, the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 aod the provisions of tts governlng constitution. The trustee5 are also responsible for safe8uardin8 the assets of the charity and hence for taklng reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irre8ularlties. Independent Examiners Bentens have been appointed as the charltvs Independent examiners. Si8ned on behalf of the Trustees sara Varey Chair of Trustee5 January 2023 saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORTTO THE TRUSTEES OF SAFFRON WALDEN CHORAL SOCIETY I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity 1.the Trust") for the year ended 315t July 2022 set out on pages 7 to 10. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees. you arÈ responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charitie5 Act 20111.the Art"). I report in respect of my examinatlon of the Trust's accounts carrled out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carryin8 Out my examination. I have followed 311 the applicable Directions given bv the Charity Commlssion under section 14515llbl of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wlth the examlnation whlch 8ive5 me cause to believe that in. any material respect.. the accountlng records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charitles Act,. or the accounts did not accord with the accountlng records; or the accounts dld not comply with the applicable requirements concernln8 the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requlrement that the accounts give 3 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered a5 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 understandin8 of the atcounts to be reached. Si8ned 'tya Date Sarah Warner FCCA Bentens Abbey House, 51 High Street Saffron Walden. Essex CBIO IAF Annual Report forthe yearto 31 July io Registered Cha￿tY no. 1180134 Pa8e 6 Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees. Annual Report & Financial Statements 2022 S•ttron Wilden Chor41 Soelety AtcountslortheYear￿ded 31Juty 2021 Statemtht ol FnanclalAcrSvltleE 20ZI 2021 fjeneral ResidLttd FLm& Total Funds UnreSt￿ted Restrkled Total Geh•rnt FI￿ts Fun&5 Funds Dnnathins. subKrtptlons & le8èc4es Chiritable arti￿lIeS 22559 29JJ91 1272 81 2J.7f 30.841 1272 81 13.497 13.497 2,092 18 15.607 Inyèstrnent Incorne L8 15.607 Total Ir¢comlni M50ur