Chair’s Report
The Arts Society Corinium Charity Number: 1181506 Financial Year: Year ended 31 December 2025 Chair: Linda Chan-Jones Report Date: 1 August 2026
Introduction
I am pleased to present the Chair’s Report for The Arts Society Corinium for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The Arts Society Corinium is a truly special Society, made so by its welcoming and friendly members who share a love, passion and curiosity for the Arts.
Over the past year, our Society has continued to thrive as a body dedicated to the appreciation and advancement of the arts in Cirencester and the surrounding area. Our programme of lectures, visits, and special events has inspired our members and strengthened our role in the cultural life, reaching several generations.
Our membership has increased which is a clear indicator of the Society’s success. The Society is highly regarded as a supporter of cultural events held in the community, working alongside like-minded organisations.
Activities & Community Engagement
During the year, the Society:
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Delivered a full programme of monthly illustrated lectures by expert speakers, covering subjects from sculpture to modern art and design.
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Organised cultural visits to museums, historic houses, galleries, and exhibitions, providing enriching experiences for members.
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Held two study days which attracted many visitors from outside the area. The feedback was excellent and encourages us to hold similar events in the futures which received excellent feedback.
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Awarded community arts grants, including support for youth arts education and local projects. Our grants to local schools, hampered by lack of funding, have enabled teachers to encourage children to learn and participate, in painting and music.
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We remain Patrons of the Cirencester History Festival, and we sponsored a lecture open to the public, with encouragement for students and other young people to attend.
These activities have helped fulfil our charitable purpose of advancing education in the arts while fostering a sense of community and shared enjoyment.
Financial Review
For the financial year ended 31 December 2025:
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Total income: £53,170
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Total expenditure: £36,995
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Surplus: £16.175
Our reserves remain healthy, ensuring financial resilience and enabling us to plan confidently for future events and community projects.
Governance & Volunteers
The Society is governed by a Board of four Trustees and supported by five active Committee Members and volunteers, who are essential to the smooth running of lectures, visits, membership services, and administration and financial control.
We continue to comply with Charity Commission requirements and The Arts Society’s governance guidelines. Trustees and volunteers receive no remuneration, ensuring all funds are directed towards charitable purposes.
Looking Ahead
In 2026, our priorities will be to:
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Retain our members by providing high quality and variety in our progamme of lecture.
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Introduce new and engaging destinations for cultural visits.
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Increase the number and reach of our community grants.
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Working with The Arts Society (central) to reach potential members, coupled with our own marketing activities.
We are confident that we will enhance education whilst we continue to make the arts accessible and enjoyable to our community.
Acknowledgements
On behalf of the Board, I wish to thank:
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Our Trustees, Committee Members and wonderful volunteers for their commitment, leadership, and careful stewardship of the Society’s work.
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Our members for their loyalty and participation.
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Our guest speakers and partners for sharing their expertise and creativity.
It is a privilege to serve as Chair of such a dedicated and inspiring Society, and I look forward to the year ahead with enthusiasm.
Signed: _______ Linda Chan-Jones Chair, The Arts Society Corinium Date: 1 August 2026
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A ndependent Examiner's Report Report to tho tN8teesl momborn of Thè Arts ScKaety Corinium On acUnts for tho year ènded 31& Decomber 2025 Charity no (If any} 1181506 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of th8 accounts of th8 above charity ('the Trusf) for the year ended 3111212025 Re8pon8ibiliti08 and As the charty trustees of the Trust. you are responsible for the preparation bas1• ol r•port of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Ihe Acr). I report in respect of my examination of the Twsvs accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I havo followed the appliGable DiredM)ns gIn by tho Chanty Comml6sion under 8ect*?n 145(5){b) of the Act I have completed my examinati)n. I confinn that no mat8rial matters have come to my atten ) in ¢onnects'on with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in actordance with section 130 of the Act or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records Independent examlnoY8 8tat•m6nt 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. . Please delet8 th8 in the brnckgts rfthey do not apply. Slgned: Data: Name: Philip Stansfield Rolwant profosslonal quallficatlon(8) or body Ilf any): FCA in England and Wa18s {retired) Address: The Downings Church Lane, South Cerney Glos GL7 5 IER October 2018