APMO TRUSTEESANNUAL REPORT FY 2023-24 Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club Charity number:1181482
Trustees Annual Report for the period 01-Jul-23 to 30-June-24
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT FY 2023-2024
Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club
Foreword
This report provides a summary of Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club’s (SBHC’s) financial year from 1st July 2023 to 30th June 2024. In this period the club returned to levels of activity similar to those it was engaged in during 2018-19, the last annual reporting period before the pandemic. The club celebrated its 45th anniversary in 2023, culminating in an innovative show that was built around collaboration with other musical groups on an unprecedented scale. Other highlights included the chorus’s best-ever contest score at BABS convention, and a tour of Ireland. Further details of the club’s activities and achievements during the year are given later in this report.
Despite its successes, there have been challenges that the club must respond to if it is to retain its status and reputation. Chief amongst these is a gradual decline in the size of the membership. This can be attributed in part to the impact of the Covid-19, and also the fact that some members have decided to step down due to their age. Recruitment has therefore been identified as a priority for the club, although only limited progress has been made in this regard during the reporting period.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the exceptional contribution that our former Treasurer, Frank Grasso, made to the club throughout the six years he was in the role before retiring in 2024.
Philip Gill Chair chairman@hallmarkofharmony.org.uk
Charity number:1181482
1
Trustees Annual Report for the period 01-Jul-23 to 30-June-24
Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club Trustees Annual Report
1 Purpose of this document
This document is intended to satisfy the UK Government Charities Commission requirement to provide an annual report to explain:
-
What the Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club does
-
Where the club’s funds come from
-
How the club has spent these funds in the last financial year
2 Glossary
AGM Annual General Meeting BABS The British Association of Barbershop Singers. This charity provides services, education and organises events for the male Barbershop Choruses in the UK. Horizon A project involving SBHC and associate members with the aim of competing nationally and internationally. This project helps the club to include as many people as possible in our activities. PRO Public Relations Officer SBHC Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club
3 Document Histor y
| Version Date Author Comments |
Version Date Author Comments |
Version Date Author Comments |
Version Date Author Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft 0.a | 21/4/25 | First draft for review | |
| Draft 0.b | 25/4/25 | Amended version for approval |
4 Charity Reference and Administration
4.1 Registration
| 4.1 Registration | |
|---|---|
| Charity Name | Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club |
| Also known as | Hallmark of Harmony |
| Registration Number | 1181482 |
| Registration Date | 06-Nov-2018 |
| Registered Office | 47, Cairns Road, Sheffield, S10 5NA |
Charity number:1181482
2
Trustees Annual Report for the period 01-Jul-23 to 30-June-24
4.2 Trustees
This list is correct as of the 15-Oct-2024, the date of the last Club AGM.
| Trustee Name Position Dates |
Trustee Name Position Dates |
Trustee Name Position Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Phil Gill | Chairman | 6 November 2018 |
| Julian Roberts | Vice-Chairman | 6 November 2018 |
| Shirley Course | Secretary | 10 November 2020 |
| Julian Pieters | Treasurer | 6 May2024 |
| Jonny Beeden | Assistant Chorus Director |
17 October 2023 |
| Graham Porter | Member | 9 November 2021 |
| Paul Searson | Member | 17 October 2023 |
4.3 Bankers
Barclays Bank Leicester LE87 2BB
5 Public Benefit Statement
In compiling this report and in exercising their powers and duties, the Trustees have had due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission.
6 Objectives, Activities and Achievements
6.1 Objectives
The following objectives have been documented in the Club’s constitution:
-
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.
-
To provide, through the Hallmark of Harmony Barbershop chorus, facilities which promote the practice or enjoyment of the art of music for recreation or other leisure time occupation and to make them available in the interests of social welfare to individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity, or disablement, financial hardship or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large with the object of improving conditions of life.
Charity number:1181482
3
Trustees Annual Report for the period 01-Jul-23 to 30-June-24
6.2 Activities
The activities of SBHC can be divided into several categories:
-
Public performances and productions: A key objective of Hallmark is to raise awareness of our style of singing through performances and, in doing so, to bring enjoyment to audiences and stimulate interest in what we do amongst potential new participants. Our size and organisation allows us to lead on creating events and other musical productions, as well as contributing to events led by others.
-
Horizon: to compete nationally, supplementary to the basic activities of the club, singers from outside the club are recruited as associate members to increase the size of the chorus and to enable wider participation.
-
Collaborations with other musical groups: Hallmark believes that it can have a greater impact by collaborating with others whose aims and activities are aligned to its own, thereby creating opportunities to share the benefits of what we do within a larger community, and to expand our own experience and understanding of other musical styles and cultures.
-
Promotion and encouragement of quartet and small-group singing: Quartet singing holds an important position in the historical development of barbershop singing and retains its appeal today. Hallmark strives to provide opportunities for its members to participate in such activity, not only because it can be very rewarding, but also because it provides a platform for further development of individual performance and singing skills.
-
Supporting development of Barbershop Singing nationally: Trustees have participated in meetings and other events organised by BABS to share knowledge and maintain interest in the activity nationally.
-
Community outreach and working with other charities: Hallmark seeks opportunities to utilise its skills and organisation to bring benefits to others in the local community.
6.3 Achievements
-
Public Performances and productions: The year included a number of high-profile public appearances.
-
In September the chorus toured Ireland, including a joint show with ‘Lady Barbalade’ women’s quartet at Balbriggan, and being invited guests at the Irish Association of Barbershop Singers’ annual convention in Killarney.
-
In November, Hallmark staged an ambitious ground-breaking show in Sheffield to celebrate its 45[th] anniversary. This included collaborations with local choirs, Abbeydale
Charity number:1181482
4
Trustees Annual Report for the period 01-Jul-23 to 30-June-24
Singers, One World Choir (made up of refugees, asylum-seekers and other people living in Sheffield), and Sonority, along with The Blingmasters from Ireland. The show was conceived as an innovative unbroken sequence of music with an aim to broaden its horizons through collaboration, and to reflect the wide appeal that music has amongst diverse communities and the power it has to bring people together at a time when there is so much conflict and division in the world.
-
The chorus collaborated with Ignite UK, a women’s chorus based in the East Midlands, to put on two shows, the first in Wirksworth followed by a visit by Ignite UK to Hallmark’s home in Sheffield.
-
Competition success: In May 2024, Hallmark attending BABS’ 50[th] annual convention, where the chorus achieved its highest ever score in a silver-medal winning performance in the men’s chorus contest.
-
Quartet singing: The 2024 BABS convention was also notable for the very large number of competing quartets including Hallmark members (ten). This suggests that the efforts being made by the club to promote quartet and small-group singing, including coaching and the annual ‘Forge Part Harmony’ event, have been successful.
-
Crucible Vocal Project: Hallmark has teamed up with two local women’s choruses, Sheffield Harmony and Steel City Voices, to form a chorus for mixed voices, Crucible Vocal Project. It is hoped that not only will this give members of the different choruses new opportunities to sing in joint shows and to mixed chorus contests, but it will also lead to closer collaboration to help all involved to increase the impact their activities have within the city and beyond.
-
Community outreach and charitable activities:
-
In the summer of 2023, Hallmark members attended the Northern Man Festival in Leeds, to support efforts to raise awareness of mental and physical health issues amongst men.
-
Hallmark continued its tradition of raising funds for St Luke's Hospice at Christmas, both by singing in Sheffield city centre and by using the on-line 'Just Giving' platform, supported by a video performance by the chorus. As a result, a total of around £1,250 was raised. Chorus members visited the hospice on Christmas day to sing to patients and staff, and to make a formal presentation of the money raised.
Charity number:1181482
5
Trustees Annual Report for the period 01-Jul-23 to 30-June-24
-
In October 2023, Hallmark had a stall at Crookes Community Fair which took place at its rehearsal venue, Wesley Hall, to raise awareness of the chorus. The club also produced a number of promotional banners, one of which is displayed outside the hall each week.
-
Chorus members toured pubs in the neighbourhoods surrounding its rehearsal venue in March 2024, singing to customers and distributing promotional flyers to generate interest amongst potential recruits.
-
In June 2024, Hallmark were present at Lower Meadow Primary School’s summer fair, to entertain visitors and, hopefully, inspire children to take up singing in future!
7 Financial Review
Please note: SBHC collects the membership dues for the British Association of
Barbershop Singers (BABS). These are paid twice a year to BABS for each member of SBHC.
7.1 Overview
For the year ended 30 June 2024, the Charity made a net excess of £7,258 (2023: £2,981 surplus), due increased retreat accommodation and coaching costs for the BABS 50th annual convention, alongside expenses relating to the chorus’ trip to IABS. Reserves now stand at £42,604 (2023: £49,862).
7.2 Investment Fund
Work continues to identify options for replacing Hallmark’s portable staging which is getting old and needs increasing levels of repair and maintenance. This remains a priority for future utilisation of the club’s investment fund.
7.3 Benevolent fund
To aid members and associates to continue with the club’s activities when they experience financial hardship, SBHC has created a Benevolent Fund.
This fund is managed by the Exec using the procedures laid out in the controlling document.
The purpose of the fund is to support, by means of grants, loans, purchase of equipment, or other appropriate means, individuals, who due to their circumstances, (e.g. financial, physical or mental disability etc) experience difficulties in participating in the activities of Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club without such support.
In this financial year the club has made three grants for financial support.
Charity number:1181482
Trustees Annual Report for the period 01-Jul-23 to 30-June-24
7.4 Musical Director Expenses
The Musical Director and deputies are entitled to reasonable expenses that are incurred on behalf of the club. The club does not pay for coaching; however, some members of the coaching team are professional musicians who give up paid engagements to support club activities. Consequently, the Exec has decided that lost income can be reimbursed where there is evidence of financial loss.
The expenses of the Music Director and nominated deputies amounted to £4,457 (2023: £2,033) in the last financial year.
7.5 Specialist skills provided to the club.
The Trustees have specialist skills including music arrangements and the creation of teach tracks that the club requires to support its activities. For these skills, in the last financial year the club paid £370 (2023: £253) to Trustees or individuals with a close personal relationship to the Trustees. These payments are made in line with the articles of the constitution covering conflicts of interest.
Charity number:1181482
7
Trustees Annual Report for the period 01-Jul-23 to 30-June-24
8 Structure, Governance and Management
8.1 Governing document
SBHC is governed by a constitution which was adopted on the 06-Nov-2018 at the AGM.
8.2 Governance and Management
SBHC is managed and administered by a committee comprising the officers and other members elected in accordance with the constitution. Normally, the officers and other members of the committee are the Trustees of the Society, although our rules do allow us to co-opt people who are not Trustees from time to time to meet a specific need.
Trustees, with the exception of the Musical Director, must be nominated by a member of the club and then appointed by election of the membership at the annual general meeting. The Music Director is a Trustee who is appointed by other members of the exec annually after the AGM.
The Trustees meet regularly and receive reports from the officers and from other appropriate persons on the operations of SBHC, its finances, fundraising, and governance. The Trustees take decisions regarding strategic and policy direction, significant items of expenditure and other major issues.
9 Declarations
Signature(s)
Full names Philip Gill Pippa Goodall Position Chairman Treasurer Date 30/04/2025 30/04/2025
Charity number:1181482
8
Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club
Financial Statements for the Year ending 30[th] June 2024
Charity Number: 1181482
Independent Inspector: M P Harrison, BA(Hons), ACMA, CGMA, MBA(Open)
269 Granville Road, Sheffield, S2 2RP. Email: mph_2000@hotmail.com
Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club contents of the Financial Statements for the year ending 30 June 2024
Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club
Administrative details for the year ending 30th June 2024
| Registered Charity number 1181482 |
Registered Charity number 1181482 |
|---|---|
| Trustees: J Beedon (appointed 17 October 2023) |
|
| P Searson (appointed 17 October 2023) | |
| G Porter | |
| S Course | |
| P R Gill | |
| J P Roberts | |
| J Pieters (appointed 6 May 2024) | |
| F J Grasso (resigned 6 May 2024) | |
| A C Allen (resigned 15 October 2024) | |
| T Davey-Rogerson (resigned 15 October 2024) | |
| Registered office 101 Dalewood Avenue, |
|
| Beauchief, | |
| Sheffield. | |
| S8 0EG | |
| Trading Address Wesley Hall Methodist Church |
|
| Crookes | |
| Sheffield | |
| S10 1UD | |
| Bankers Barclays Bank, |
|
| Leicester, | |
| LE87 2BB | |
| Independent examiner M P Harrison, BA(Hons), ACMA, CGMA, MBA(Open) of |
|
| 269 Granville Road, | |
| Sheffield, | |
| S2 2RP |
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club for the year ended 30th June 2024
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30[th] June 2024.
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 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of 145 of the Charities Act 2011 Act ('the 2011 Act') and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiners 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:
-
Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act
-
The accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
----- Start of picture text -----
Date:
----- End of picture text -----
M P Harrison, BA(Hons), ACMA, CGMA, MBA(Open) Chartered Management Accountant
Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club Receipts and Payments Account For the year ending 30[th] June 2024
| RECEIPTS Donations and Grants Planned Activities Activities for Generating Funds Membership Bank interest TOTAL RECEIPTS PAYMENTS Planned Activities Fund Generating Activities Promotional Expenditure BABS Contribution Miscellaneous Benevolent Fund TOTAL PAYMENTS Excess of Receipts over Payments Transfers between Funds Cash at Bank from Previous Year Total funds carried forward |
Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds 2024 Total 2023 Total £ £ £ £ 4,097.83 - 4,097.83 5,349.50 9,521.42 8,876.50 13,887.45 - - - 9,521.42 8,876.50 13,887.45 3,580.75 - 15,312.70 529.77 - 529.77 170.10 |
|---|---|
| 36,912.97 - 36,912.97 24,413.05 |
|
| 29,176.41 5,467.66 1,292.66 - - - 29,176.41 5,467.66 1,292.66 13,189.07 1,352.05 997.83 4,475.00 - 4,475.00 3,685.00 3,740.46 - 3,740.46 1,561.38 - 19.19 19.19 647.00 |
|
| 44,152.19 19.19 44,171.38 21,432.33 |
|
| (7,239.22) - 48,605.69 41,366.47 (19.19) - 1,256.40 1,237.21 (7,258.41) - 49,862.09 42,603.68 2,980.72 - 46,881.37 49,862.09 |
2
Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 30th June 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Cash Funds | ||
| Current Account – Unrestricted | 4,379 | 9,167 |
| Savings Account – Restricted | 2,675 | 2,859 |
| Savings Account – Unrestricted | 35,550 | 37,836 |
| PayPal Account | - | |
| Total cash funds | 42,604 | 49,862 |
| Other Monetary Assets | ||
| Benevolent Fund repayments | - | - |
| Venue Hire Repayment | - | - |
| Assets retained for charity’s own use | ||
| Equipment | 132 | 186 |
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees:
Signed: Date: 30/04/2025
Name and position: Philip Gill, Chairman
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Sheffield Barbershop Harmony Club for the year ended 30th June 2024
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 30[th] June 2024.
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 2011 Act').
I report in respect of my examination of your charity's accounts as carried out under section 145 of 145 of the Charities Act 2011 Act ('the 2011 Act') and in carrying out my examination I have followed the applicable directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiners 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:
-
Accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act
-
The accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
----- Start of picture text -----
Date:
----- End of picture text -----
M P Harrison, BA(Hons), ACMA, CGMA, MBA(Open) Chartered Management Accountant