54VFAOM WALDIM CMOIAI socitly SAFFRON WALDEN CHORAL SOCIETY (swcs) TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JULY 2025 A Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registered Charity No. 1180134 www.swchoral.org.uk Saffron Walden Choral Society Tru5tees' Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024-2025 OBJEcfivES, AcfiviTIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS As a society we exist to promote this wonderful musicalform (chorol singingj and, through our youth work. to ensure that the next generation has an opportunity to experience the energy and fun of performing chorol music. We olso ensure that our oudiences can experience the power and musical beauty of the humon voice, and perhaps find their own moment of inspiration within a live performance." Judith Hosler, PresidentSWCS This year has been another period of musical growth and achievement for Saffron Walden Choral Society. Our season opened with great enthusiasm in September 2024 with our fundraising Come and Sing 'Messiah" at Saffron Hall, bringing together singers from across the region for this beloved work. November marked a significant milestone as we performed Benjamin Britten's "Saint Nicolas" alongside the prestigious Britten Sinfonia - our first collaboration with this renowned orchestra. representin8 a major step forward in our artistic partnerships. December brought the warmth of our traditional ' Spirit of Christmas" concerts at St. Marfs Church, where we once again welcomed local schools to share In the festive celebrations, creatin8 memorable musical experiences for all involved. March 2025 transported audiences across the Atlantic with "Memorles of Amerlca.- featuring Bernstein's vibrant "Chichester Psalms" alongside other compelling American works, showcasing our choirfs versatility and interpretative range. Our season concluded in June 2025 at Saffron Hall with a ma8nlficent pro8ramme pairing Mozart's "Vespers" with Haydn's powerful 'Yheresienmesse," demonstratln8 our continued ability to master the classical repertoire's greatest challenges. We extend our thanks to our friends and audience members who have supported us throughout the year by attending our concerts. We offer particular thanks to Quintin Beer, our Musical Director, and Richard Carr, our Accompanist. whose exceptional hard work and dedication over the past year have been instrumental in making our concerts a succe55. Their expertise and commitment continue to elevate our artistic standards and guide our musical development. We are also grateful to Angela Dixon and her staff at Saffron Hall for all their support throughout the year. The choir is very fortunate to have the Hall as our main concert venue. FUTURE PLANS Looking ahead to the coming year, we are excited to present an ambitiOU5 programme that will further challenge and inspire both choir and audiences. November 2025 will see us perform Mozart's "Requiem" and Purcell's "Te Deum and Jubilate" at Saffron Hall. In December, we'll again welcome hundreds of local school children to join us in the "Spirit of Christmas" concerts at St. Marfs Church. Back at Saffron Hall, this will be followed by Bach's monumental "St John Passion" in March 2026 and our season will culminate in June 2026 with "Heaven and Earth,, featurin8 music inspired by litur8ical traditions from across the centuries. We look forward to building on these achievements as we continue our musical journey together. Annual Report fort.le year to 31 July 2025 RegiSte￿d charity no. 11801y Page 1 Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees. Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024-2025 STRucfuRE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Board of Trustees The charity is managed by Its Trustees, who are eletted by the membership at the Annual General Meetin8. This board must consist of at least seven, but no more than twelve, members. The Musical Director collaborates with the Pro8ramme Plannin8 Group, a sub-committee of the board, to develop a music programme. Thls programme is then presented to the Trustees for approval. The following Trustees held office throughout the year, unless otherwise indicated: Mark Phillips (Chair) Christine Hall (Treasurer) Stephanie Emberson (Secretary, appointed 27 January 2025) Lucy Thomson (Secretary until 27 January 2025) Robert Goldsmith Margaret Grlfflths (appointed 27 January 2025) Alison Hall Paul Parker Abigail Booth Peter Solway Simon Walker Hayden Rocks (appointed 27 January 2025) The Board of Trustees meets 6 times each year. Minutes of the meetings are available to members of the charity. Governing Document Saffron Walden Choral Society operates as a Charitable Incorporated Organlsatlon approved by the Charity Commission {reg. charity no. 1180134). 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 concerts 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. Amongst several ways of making our activities affordable, we offer free membership to under-30s and half-price concert tickets to under-25s for concerts at Saffron Hall. We inspire and involve hundreds of local school children In our annual "Spirit of Christmas" concerts, for whlch we off er free tickets to all under- 18s and to any parents of participating children entitled to free school meals. Annual Report for the year to 31 July 2025 Re8lstcred charity no. 1180134 Pa8e 2 Saffron Walden Choral Soclety Trustees. Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024-2025 Fundraising Saffron Walden Choral SocieWs fundraisinE is volunteer-led. We do not employ the services of external agencies. We are committed to building trust with our supporters. During the financial year 2024-2025 we received no complaints relating to our fundraising activities (2023-24 none). Safeguarding Saffron Walden Choral Society carries out activities which occasionally bring our volunteers and people workin8 on behalf of our or8anisation into re8ular contact with children and youn8 people. The Trustees reco8nise their legal duty to act prudently and in the best interests of these children and young people, and have implemented policies, procedures, training and monitoring to ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to protect them and keep them safe. We believe that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a Safeguarding Officer, who liaises, where appropriate, with the accompanying school staff who remain responsible for their students, welfare e.g. for the "Spirit of Christmas" concerts. The charity's Safeguarding Policy and procedures are reviewed regularly by the Trustees. Principal Risks and Uncertainties The Trustees have examlned the major governance, operational and financial risks to the charity and confirm that systems are in place to mitigate the impact of these risks. The potential risks and management of them are reviewed annually by the Trustees. The Society maintains public and employee liability insurance covers 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 such things as safeguarding, privacy, data protection and health and safety, which are kept under regular review. The Society uses advice from Making Music to develop its policies, procedures and risk assessments. Reserves Pollcy The Committee reviews the level of reserves held by the Society periodically. The Committee aims to maintain in reserve, in readily accessible form, sufficient funds to ensure that a significant fall in income can be absorbed during the year. In general terms this is measured as the amount needed to cover the expected net cost of a season's concerts without levyin8 additional subscriptions during the year and wlthout the levels of sponsorship or donations which the Society has normally been able to attract. The current estimate 15 that £16,000 should be maintained in general reserves. The Committee regularly considers potential uses for any surplus and discusses plans with our Musical Director for using some of the surplus reserves to fund future projects. Registered Address Conkers, Wenden Road. Arkesden, Essex C8114HB Independent Examiner Benten & Co, Abbey House, 51 High Street, Saffron Walden, CBIO IAF Bankers CAF Bank Limited, 25 Kin8s Hill Avenue, West Mallln& Kent, ME19 4JQ Saffron Buildin8 Society, Saffron House, la Market Street, Saffron Walden, CBIO IHX Anntol Report for the year to 31 July ?025 Registered chartty no. 1180134 Page 3 Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024-2025 FINANCIAL REVIEW- Treasurerfs Report for the year to 31 July 2025 In 2024-25 the Soclety made a deficit of £8,445 (2023-24 deficit £573). Thls deflclt was in line with the estimated budget for the year, as agreed by the Trustees, and leave5 U5 with total funds of £32,241, compared to £40,686 at July 2024. Funds at 31 July 2024 and 2025 included restricted funds of £235 donated by Saff ron Walden Arts Society, to be used for re-designing the choir's logo. Restricted funds relate to donations given for a particular purpose. Charitable Activities (including concerts and rehearsals) We held a total of six main events in 2024- 25: three concerts at Saffron Hall, two "Spirit of Christmas" concerts, and one Come & Sing event. Gross income from concert tickets and pro8rams (see Note 2) increased by £6.4k year-on-year. This 8rowth was driven by two slgnificant factors: The addition of the Corne & Sing Messiah event, which generated £2.7k (with no equivalent event the year before). Stronger Income from the June concert. The June 2025 concert produced £5.Ok in sales, whereas the June 2024 promotion was a 50150 split with the Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra, meanlng we recorded no gr055 ticket income for that event. Despite this overall increase, income from our autumn and sprin8 concerts was lower than In the prevlous year. Concert costs were higher than the prevlous year by £12.3k. mainly due to (i) the Jolnt promotlon of the June 2024 concert, therefore the costs for June 2025 were £8.Sk higher and (li) the costs of the Come & Sing event of £3.0k. Overall, the deficits on concerts ran8ed from £1.8k to £16.Ok, even after restricted grants and donations for specific concert5 totalling £2.3k. Such deficits are only affordable due to the choirfs other sources of income. The "Spirit of Christmas" concerts continue to generate over £3k of net Income per annum Other Income Our thank5 go to our members, Friends and supporters for their membership fee5, donations, sponsorship and fundraising. Donation income decreased from the previous year. mainly because there were one-off generous donations from two members in the previous year. Other costs Fundraising 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 Kin8dom Accounting Standards (United Kin8dom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). nual Report for the year to 31 J￿Y 2025 Re&.stered charity no. 1180134 Page 4 Saffron Walden Choral Soclety Trustees, Annual Report & Flnanclal Statements 2024-2025 The law applicable to charltles In England & Wales requlres 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 charlty and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparin8 these financial statements, the Trustees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently observe the methods and principle5 in the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice {SORP) make Jud8ernents and estimates that are reasonable and prudent state whether applicable accounting standards, including FRS 102. have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements State whether a SORP applie5 and ha5 been followed, subject to any materlal departures which are explained in the financial statements prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless It Is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation. The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011. the Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of its 8overnin8 constitution. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities. Independent Examlners Benten & Co have been appolnted as the chartys Independent examlners. Signed on behalf of t rust Mark P ps Chair of Trustee5 November 2025 Annual Report for the year to 31 J￿Y 2025 Restste￿d charlty no. 1180134 Pa8e 5 Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024-2025 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF SAFFRON WALDEN CHORAL SOCIErY I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the year ended 31st July 2025 set out on pages 8 to 10. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the account5 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 Directlons given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) 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 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 account5 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 connettion 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 qbJa Date 16 December 2025 Annual Report for the yearto 31 July 2025 Re8lstered charity no. 1780134 Page s Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Staternents 2024-2025 0 4£1 f+1 rn ¢¥J Annual Report for the year to 31 July 2025 Re&ste￿d chaiity no. 1180134 Page 7 Saffron Walden Choral Society Tru5tees' Annual Report & Flnanc5al Statements 2024-2025 Saffron Walden Chornl Soclety A¢¢ounts for tho year endlng 31 July Z025 Balance Sheet as at 31 Juty 2025 Notes Z025 2024 Current Assets Debtofs & prepayments Cash Deposll accounts Other Cash at Bank and In hand Total Assets Credltofs: amounts falllng due wfthln one year Sundry creditors Total Liabllities S,156 5,355 21,466 6.275 30367 6,062 32,897 41,784 656 1.098 656 1,098 Total Net Assets 32,241 40,686 Fund balance5 General Fund Restrlcted Fund 32.(X)6 235 40,451 23S 40,686 32,241 Approved by the T￿SteeS and si8ned on their behalfr. Mark Phillips (Chairman) Chrlstlne H311 (Treasurer) The notes attached fomi part of these accounts Annual Rewt tor yeèr to 31 Juty 2025 ReWsrere(I charfty no 1180134 Page 8 Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024-2025 S•ffrnn W•ld•nChornl Sodety Not¢swtr¢ A¢tw*sfNtt*Ye¥eThled 31￿1¥xQ$ L ••ls ￿p￿p¥*I(1￿ These hwe been prepafed based a hlstofbtal c05t basis In a(tOnIan￿ wlth the A(tounb'ni •MI P*po￿"nI ￿ CTrthtits. St•terY*n¢ of Aemn¥iw)ded Praaice IFRS1021 issued ty the cfv￿ty c4rnfiss￿ efftal¥e 1019 •KI In wrth FItsIOL The TfUStees t*en ol eKtllWlons In the SOftP wal4ble tosmdler th￿"1&￿￿ Th• •r(o¥nts ￿ wrpv•d In •L4tyd• wlth¢hadty l¥* •ppll¢th In EnsI￿d & W*> Tlxd fkthds Mon4)trs'subsuipkn'ons indudinilu febates Genet Cgnctrt irKtynt t*￿3&￿13P¥¢e Other Ch￿ti1)It Ktr4ili•s P￿51¢$al*S & hire 1317 26,9T3 3.249 3L(￿l ILVQub Olhei lunthatsln4 1442 1576 G•rtrnl Fw T(rt wwestricted furMIs Tot r•sirtaed funds ¢Th￿rtS & Olhei e¥en Rehe¥sals cOn¢t￿ & T¢rt Conrerts 8 othernwts 2.31 L31 47347 46 Pffjltssiwl fees Rehe¥sal v¢rtues & otheri¢sts NlJslchirelputh•>e 5¥pportcwts Publidty & Ma￿ttl 11417 11417 IL417 9.111 L46S 1479 1479 1111 3.373 634 r*nernl •dmInistr￿1ve ai 47.7 202&2s$￿ trustse5 rnol¥ed £￿•5 teIn*xW￿1ryeXPen$tslfiOfftd bY1hem￿ beh¥laltr* (tio*r13)2>24slx tfuslees We￿A¥ed th71. . iwstees ￿￿ vdurrttery and re{t￿d no ¢thr truste•s olihe 0￿14￿#u*￿ttyt ben¢fn nsth¥nable •Clr¥illts In tt*e s￿* ih* all men*>*￿ do. The independeot le￿1¥to no fte In 1024251202>24ts11l, We ￿ very y•¢eful t• etnitn a Co 1tyth¢lrwJl>o￿ ' & Fundrn151tyoxts IOJ aub prlzes Refrnshm•nts & otherlwidf•lsir¢o)s11 {￿(1 L4S8 L625 Annual Report forthe year to 31 Juty 2025 Registered chartty no. 1180134 Pa8e 9 Saffron Walden Choral Society Trustees, Annual Report & Financial Statements 2024-2025 y c*btsy5 & H1￿C. Gtft ￿ r•1￿¢ ¢￿erdo￿t0 p￿P•0 expense5 4,310 S.355 . 8 ￿r#Iry￿•dltyrt & •tenJ•d Il•bllO•s I(OCIl￿ prizes t¥w¢*e Incomt In ad¥¥bct GwTrl Aestnaed Ftsnd fund Tctsl Operfni b¥•Kts tr*emen¢ iYtye¥ 8•l*hee rtenOolye4W 1.451 &445 32.241 rAtternl fv•KI b4¥tts n ¥fi￿$111Cttd fuftdsfofuse •t the thxffttiM ofthttnAtees lor Wry ofthe Sodttrlsth*lt•Ye The restrtaed fuThts *• m¢)ni•S rt¢*i¥tO (af ¥thith ithe dofio¢ spedtied • partI￿r¥pUrpOse. The restrtdtd hjnos r•Ce￿*d duflnith* yeww•r• In full durlni 'the ye¥and were re(ei¥e(l fr(wn-. . Tee5 LLP forthe Sp4rit of Chrisbm•5 rKffK*rts . b￿lI1•m$ FourrflXJ"M fty the No¥trr*u3124(ryiwi - I￿11￿￿5 ftythe receptsLM atthe Novembtt 11724 (or*(ert . >tfrrm W4lden TO￿ Coyndl tgwwd% th¢ r05ts of ¥tor¢¥ fDrthr Nent on redew8nin8th• th¢tyrtlr• Annual Report for the year to 31 July 2025 Registered charity no. 1180134 Pa8e 10