THE TELLING (CEL4RtTABLE INCORPORATED ORGANISATION) REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 CHARtTY COMMISSION REGISTRATION No. 1181802
THE TELLING DEX TO FtNANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Page No. Trnstses, Annual Report 13 Independent Examiner'8 Report 14 Ststsmenl of Financial Activities (including Income and Expenditure Account) 15 Balance Sheet 16-23 Not¢5 to the Financial Ststements
THE TELLtNG TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Tlie Trustccs prcsent their r¢port and financial st8t¢mcnts of the charity for the year cndcd 31 March 2024. Tlie Tru5tccs have adopted th¢ provisions of the StaLeTnent of Recominendcd Practi¢c (SORP) "Accounts'ng and Reporting by Charities" (FRS 102) in preparing the annual report and financial statement5 of the charity. The financial ststcments have been PTeparcd in accordancc with thc accounting policies set oui in notes lo the accounts and cornply with the charzty's Constitulion, the Charili¢s Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Chariti¢s.' Statcmenl of Recommendcd Practicc applicable to charitics preparillg thcir accounts in ac¢ordance with the Financial Reporting Standard &pplic&blc iii thc UK and Rcpubli¢ of Ir¢land published in October 2019. Objective5 ond Activities The tsstee$ confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Cha]'ities Commission's general guidance on public benefit. This is borne out by deliveries of activities outlined in this pOrt, which are in line with the main objectives of The Telling and the activities to deliver against thos¢ obj¢Gtivcs. Thc Tclling aims to ddvance the arts and education for thc public bcncfit. Wc do this through thc promotion, support and encouragement of Inusic and theatre by presenting pcrfonllan¢es, workshops, talks and recordings, oft¢n rotnbining music and theatre and sometiines other art-fomis and taking perforniances to places lo reach people who do not usually a¢$$ su¢h perforn]ances. a) give high quality perfonnances, focusing on perfonnances wher¢ musi¢ and th¢atre collidc in int¢resting ways b) work with young people in schools and amateur perfonners: singers and instrumentalists from a variety of walks of life, enabling tlicm to d¢velop and improve their creative, dramatic and musical skills. What ihe Dicken.F? R&D outumn 2n23 in Hovc-pho(n Robert Piivkn We perfomi across th¢ UK and, alongsid¢ a s¢ri¢5 of ¢ngAgem¢Mts, run ourprogramine of residencies. targeting places where there is little classical or ¢arly mile touring which are currently Liverpi)ol, Barrow Peiiinsula/South Cumbria. Colchester, Folkeslone, Conwy, Cardiff, Bedford and Wolverhampton.
THE TELLING TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (Continued} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 We use theatre, new writing. rnusic (including a focus on early music but also classical, world music, folk Tnusic and muslc-theatre), story-telling and filin, to create narratives newly-writt¢n plays with music. We us¢ theatre to demystify the ]nusic and reaeh people who are not usually attracted to classical concerts- but also to use music to h¢ighten feeling. give instght to the characters andlor plot or to cut Asain8t the plot in interesting ways. We perform in churches. th¢atrBs, art centres, pubs, church hall. commutiity centre5, taking perforniattce deep into the heart of co]nmunities. We often perfoiin ill and 'Ollnd audiences and use costume, stage lighting/calldi¢light. Wc engag¢ a P(1 of leading directors. dctors, musieians, lighting designers, Composers and costume m&keTS. Our Artistic Director, Clar¢ Norburn lias devised a new genie wh¢[¢ Tnusic alld drama collide. Her concert/plays have attracted 4 star review5 in The Times and Tht GuaFdttvI and perfomian¢es it Bridgeiyater Hall, St George's Bristol and LSO St Lukes. The stage director we work with, f4icholas Rellton dire¢t¢d Andrcw Davics, BAFTA nominated Mrs Gaskell's Wives andDaughiers for BBC TV and episodes ofLewls, Muskeieers, Silent Wilness and George Gently. We have been on BBC Radio'5 In Tmne, Woman's Hour and Saturday LI and perfored for promol¢rs includin8 Music at Oxford, Buxtort International Festival, Lake District Summer MSIC, Brighton Early Music FestlVAI, Little Missenden Festival and Keele Arts. We have relcased three CDS - all on the First Hand Records label. Achievements and Performance This is the Trnstees fifth report to the Clwity Commission. TOURING PERFORNIANCES AND WORKSHOP The Telling attempts to break n¢w ground, wbere new writing by Aitistic Dirwtor Clar¢ Norburn and muslc collide. Wc tour high-quality, a¢¢¢ssibl¢ and affordabl¢ productions- Combining cngagctn¢Dts by leading promoters witli self-promotions in places that are often missed out on touring ¢ir¢uits. including building audience5 and parthershipb in Wolverhatnpton, South Cumbria, Conwy (North Wales), Bedford and Folk¢slone. 2023124 saw us give 33 UK perfoniianccs ieacliing nearly 3000 people and 17 workshopsloutreach sessions including at The AnviL Basing5toke, Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton, The Coro, Ulverston, Bedford Music Club, Victoria Hall, Grange-fyver-sands, Canterbury University? Stoke Newington Early Music Festival and Stroud Green Festival. Alon¥side paid engagement8, we are also unusual in the way that we fundiaise to takc pcrfornian¢cs to pla¢¢s which 'llliSS Out" in accessins touring circuits.. so our tours are a mixed economy of guaranteed fees, box offIce splits and self-promotioiis. backed by reciprocal marketing partners on the ground. In 2023124 w¢ contiiiu¢d to fundrdise and tour to our Residency places which otherwise miss out on a¢¢¢ssing pi'ofessional musi¢ and theatre touring. We also built relationships with repeat veiiues where they opcratc k box officc spliV5harcd risk eg JW3 Arts Centre (May 2023) and The Coro, Ulverston (two perforniances in 2023124). articular Achieve ent In 2024, The Telling won the prestigious Audience Participation of the Year Award organi5ed by the European Early Music organisation, REMA for ourSoNgs andsioriés projectin partnership with animateur Sarah Atter and Wolverhampton Refugee and Migrant CeDtre in January and February 2024.
THE TELLING TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Also, BBC Radin 3's The Early Muslc Show presented an hour-long feature on our work in March 2024 to tic in wilh Iiiicrnational Woincn's Day. Tl)e hallmark Df our Trvork is our distinctivc collision of inusic and draina. Our early programmcs started with carly inusic and draina but we ar¢ inc5ng1Y Inoving away from that limitation, whilst keeping our early music repertoire Still in our repertory. The Telling's prograinmes ar¢ written by Clare Norbutn whose latter work takes inspiration from Brcclit, oftcn tearirjg down thc fouiih wall, and iconoclastic TV playwright, Dcnnis Pott¢r, Cxploring the ncxus b¢tw¢cn Incinoiy and the charact¢rs' inncr or fantasy lives, and harncssing iiiusic's unique capacity to trigger memoi'ies and feelings. Several are political or provide commentary on current iSSU¢S s¢¢n through the lens of the past. For cxamplc.. celcbrity culture and #M¢Too are cxplored in Ivhat ihe DicK-eRs? Jiito ihe MeliingPoÉ focuses on rcligious and culwral intolcrance and the plight of rcfugees "Clare Norbuii) takes Mnents in histoi'y to make us understand die pi'es¢nt more clearly" Robin Soans, playwright View a list of The Telling's projects h¢r¢: ii'iviv.IhLILllin t CO.Likl r() triainii)e Tourin aims.. Wliile we Inaintain a cominitment to fundraise to take work to places which mis5 Out (which means more cxpctl8ivc and Iiiglicr risk sclf-promoted events} oui. modcl sliifted in 2023124 and will continu¢ going to coinbinc that fiindcd work with paid engageinents and box office splitlshared risks to ¢reat¢ a moi¢ sustainabl od¢l. Thi5 is sliaping up well with cDnfii'nied engagements in 2024125 at Beverley Early Music FestivAIINCEM, Newbury Spring Festival and a longcr Tun at OSO Arts Centre in Barnes as well as return visits and growiiig pArtrtcrships WTih Arena thextr4 Wolverhampton and St Edwards in C*rdiff. Tlie Telliiig'5 pion¢¢ring Touring and Project fund 15 OUT key overarching programme. Within thi5 our Residency ProgranTrme aims to build audienccs by takiiig pcrfonnances to places that'lniss out" We aim to create equal ae¢e5s for low-engaged communities in areas of economic disadvantage, where other performing arts •rganisotions dare Mot tour. Tn th¢ 2023124 financial year. we built audiences in the following places. which oiherwse r¢c¢ive a limited tOUTing offer.. Wolverhampton (3 performances), South Cumbrix (Ulverston and Grange-ovei-sands.. 4 shows), Folke$tone12 performanc¢sl, shows in Conwy, N Walc512 pcrf0ranCes), Cardiff Iwhich has no real early niusic touriiig.. 3 perfomian¢es), Mlstley and Mannlngtree (2 perfomiances,. within Tendring local authority, wliich the Arts Collncil has d¢5igniited as low arts-engaged). as well gs perfonnances in Liverpool IVÉO tlie Meltiiig Pol ai JW3, Hamp¥tettd- phoro Robert Piwko
THE TELLtNG TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Wc ran 4 touring projects wliich wcre." J. Into theMeltiNg Pol.. set in 1492 in a Spanish ChristianlMuslim/Jewish community, a Jewish woman (playcd by Suzanne Ahmct (National Theatre, Clicster Storyhouse)) is forced to leave. Her story is startlingly conteinporary, with rcsoiianccs to Windrnsh, Black Lives Matter & recent antis¢mitism. and is played out to a 50undtrack of plaintive Sephardic songs & lively Cantigas which fuse medieval & Arabic instruinents15tyles, making cai'ly musiL accessible to a wid¢r auth"¢nce. IOperfopmarteÈs.' 6 perforniances.. May 2023 and 4 perfoi'muiices iii Februtlry 2024 2. Vision.. the iniagined testimony of the extraordinary Inedieval abbess HTldegard of Bingen (played by Tcresa Banham IRSC, Sharcd Expcri¢ncel) alongside her haut]ting chant. Flildc8ard revisits and re- ¢xp¢ri¢n¢cs mcaiiingful episodes from her past which aims to give an insight into the painful visionary experiences She suffered throughout her life, covering SOTne of the core emotional moments, coupled with her distinctive and mesmerising chani tltyough which She felt she can 'say the unspeakable,. 4 perforntaRces.' November 2023 3. Whot thc Dickens P R&D aiid worL¥hop loui-' PLOT.. 11 is Charle% Dicken5' last Christmas Eve.- 1869. AEainsi hi.% doctor's wishes, he gives one of his acclaimed theatrical readings of A Christmas Carol, but from the moment thc lights go down, his life becomes strangely entangled with Scroog¢. Di¢k¢ns' carefully Tnanaged image as a family man. who has created the very quintessence of Christmas, starts to unravel as he is "haunted" by his wife and inother of lus ten children, Catherine Dickens and his secret young mistress, Ellen 'Nelly' Ternan. Tlie'ghosts" force him to face his past, prcscntand future. Can Dickens learn from them, rep¢ni - and bc savcd, as Scrooge was savcd? Composer Steven Edis uses a mix of newly composed and arranged music to soundtrack the drama.. he reimagines colourl Victorian popular songs. street music and carols, maiiy of which we know Dickens played on the accordion and sang himself - Spcrfurmonce3.- Oclober 2023 JVITUI IIIE DicK-en.F? R&D &uluniii 2023 tn HniJe- Ipliolo Robei'l Piii,l-
THE TELL]NG TRUSTEES, ANUAL REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 4. The Telling Uiichaiiied.. is a different kind of LOnL¢rt.' it's a fun, relaxed and informal pcrforniance of carly music mixcd with folk, iinprovisation, jamining and plcnty of audien¢¢ participation. The coiicept was created to educate and offer the audience a'behind-the-scenes" view of how we arrange mcdicval and traditional rcpertoire wliich is ofteii a singlc linc mclody. We want to demystify the process. Wc carcfully programTne ld discuss cach piece aiid how to present it.. which for this progrnmme is just as important as perforniing it. Then in front of the audience, for some pie¢e6, we demonstrate how wc go about putting tog¢tli¢i' an arrangement for our lint-up. We also include onc piece which 15 completely iinprovised on a ground bass, showing the audicnce the skill of our instrumentalists and talking Ihein thi'ough what is liappening musically. The repertoire is made up of a inix of mcdieval music, lute songs, and traditionallfolk music which straddlcs the caTly musiclfolk dividc likc the popular ¢oll¢¢tion of dance tuiics byjohn Playford (1623-1686), which are often played by early miisicians but also by folk musicians. We include soiiie rousing drinking songs and rounds in the second half, teaching die audi¢nce and eiicouraging them to join in. 3perforniaNces." May2023 alld January 2024 S. Carols ihrough tinie.. candlelit C&irol tour wliich wc performed around England and Wales, alongside livc worksliops, (inline workshops and an online Advent calendai. of short films of carols. 11 performances Deceniber 2023 All except The Telling Unchained and Carols thi'ough time were directed by Nicholas R¢nlon (BAFTA- noininat¢d Mis Gaskellts WieS aiidDaiighteis, Mttskeleers. A R(iom WEth A Viem,. LeH'is, SElent Witpius) and writl¢n by singcrlplaywright, Clare Norbum. LJVE WORKSHOPS.. While on tour, wc capitalis¢ on bi'inging high-quality artists to excluded communities around the country by offei.ing tnusic workshops to local schools ahcad of thc evcning perfonnances. During the year, we coiilinu¢d our distinctive model of 45 minute live workshop5 before concerts for all comers. tied to Into the M¢lting Pot and th¢ caiol tour, targoted at "Community Clioir level" with no need to read music. These workshops take place a little ahead of a conccrt, cnabling participants to join us in pcrfomiing a fcw numbers either during the concert froin their seats or often at the start of the second half. The workshops were frcc forconcci1 ticket holders. Singer Clare Norbum also visitcd two primary schools in Conwy and Ulverston, Cumbiia tcaching carols to pupils who then perfomicd with the Telling to their peer and parents at the end of tlie day. The Headteacher at Ysgol Porth y Felin in Conwy fed back that the pupils received new singing skills and knowledge.. 'Thepupils learned differenl carols in a very short space of tinie .some of them Inlricate ond iinfamiliAr, so they caff#e away with many new cAroLY aNd nielodies. It was also clear that w¢ provided the pupils a new nd diffcrcnt cxpericnce which they wouldn't have reccived if we hadn't visited= "This was an expertise thol we couldn? ojfer in Jchool, and hoving mKFicidns playing singing wus a great experieAcefor theptspil5." CIUIE Noi'btiin leadi12g u )¢/iuoly siiigiiig ivo1-k*hP
THE TELLfNG TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT (Continued} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Wc also started a vcry p051tivc ongoing relationsliip with animateur dnd musi¢i8n Sarah Atter. Sarah has taken inspiration froin our stage works and through l)¢r involveincn¢ school students in Cumbri& and Wolverhampton (places which really 8¢¢¢¥5 high quality music education projects) were facilitated to create iheir own songs over three sessions and p¢rfoTm them to an audience. Sarah also worked with us on our award-winning Songs and Stories project, which was delivered with Wolverhampton Refugec and Migrant Centre in JanuatylFebruary 2024 and Manchester J¢wish Museum in May 2024. We have plaiis to tak¢ this project to Cardiff and Birn)ingham in 2025. "It helped with refromtng thÉ mind and eventually it hope and erywwermen4 drtd it helped with inlegritiion building connt¢tiOnS" Staff feedback from the Wolverhampton Refugee and Migrant Centre "J was in a slale of depression befove ¢omirtg ¢0 (he workshops. bul after eng¢ging wilh you in the 51ories ¢ind sungs, Ifeli beller. Parti¢ipan¢ f¢¢dback (rn the Wolverhampton Refvgee É¥nd Migrant Centre We continued our singing workshop5 on Zoom with 2 one-off online singing caml workshops. This enabled our online community, which we had developed and got to know very well during weekly workshops for over a year starting during the first wKk of lockdown. Th¢sc online sessions enabled us to continue to connect with thi5 onlinc audience who are across th¢ audi¢nc¢ from Devon to Glasgow and to give theTll a sense of our online touring. artistic team.. Our creative teain is led by Artistic Director Clare Norburn {playwTight, producer and ronner soprano) who won the 2023 Colin Skipp Memorial Radio Playwriting Competition aud was one of 7 writcrs, scl¢ct¢d out of 400, for BBCIACE-funded The Space's Pitch Perfect scheme to receive mentoring and be ¢ominissioncd to develop a play with music for national BBC radio. Our rcgular alaImed director Nicholas Renton cut his tccth in theatre, going on to direct at thc RSC and thcn spent 30 ycars directing for th¢ BBC and ITV, including being BAFTA-nominated for BBC Tv's Mrs Gaskell's Wive5 and Daughters. Our lighting designer is Natalie Rowland. We work with a creative pool of.. leading actors including Alec Newman, Rachael Stlrling? Danny Webb, Dominic Marsh, Clive Hayward, Karen Asco4 Molly Lynch, Gerald Kyd, Suzanne Ahmet, Tere5a Banh#m, Lella Mimmack and Niall A5hdown acclaimed musicians including many who are eaily music specialists including Emily Baines, Jean Kellyy Jamie Akers, CleJnJnie Franks, Heloi5e Bernard, Gile5 Le[ Alison Kinder, AvitAI Raz aTsd Maya Levy.
THE TELLING
TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (Continued)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
Audience Feedback:
We continued to receive moving feedback from workshop participAllts and the public about our work. This is
just some audience feedback questionnaire responses we received:
The Telling Uiiclftained
THE TELLfNG TRUSTEES, AWNUAL REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 "I loved the nius¢c, voui- voices. the bright sparkle oflife, eiieigy andpoKYr, the almospkereyou created." "l i'ertlly lik-e haviiig ihLi Jlorylive n4nnipig rhroiigli as I doil'¢ kniow thol per£od En history - made il easier to listen to mwic. Lovely. "Tlie Miliole thiNg worked really well together- Ilie story¢elling/acting and music" "Ii was ttbsolutely wondepful, 50 glad we came. You aye allso falenled arEd beaulifyll m}C was otststonthnglwl Mllrketin and Press covera In each of our residcncy locations w¢ dcv¢lopcd partnerships with vcnucs and other arts organisations that helped us reach local audiences. We set up r¢¢ipro¢al marketing partnerships with local arts oiganisations at each of our tour locations, asking for their hclp in spreading the word and off¢ring to return tb¢ favouT. We su¢ce5sfully use Facebook Ad campaign. usually the highest percentage of audtence members who fill in our feedback questionnaii'¢s say they disCovEd the event through Facebook. This in combination with re¢ipro¢41 marketing with partneTS and a flyer distribution plan on the ground wotcd strongly together. We also worked hard to secure local press coverage stcuring many local BBC Radio interviews includin8 BBC Cumbrla, BBC West Midlands, BBC Essex, BBC Kent, BBC Sussex and BBC Merseyside). *** "a very moving experience that caplui'es the ImalIa110, as well us connects ihe audience ¢0 ihe dEvastalEon caiued by peisecution, lIe. dlTd loss... The mr1C Ls aypertly ci'eated... The songs L7re sung qUl51tely... Thei'e is a s¢roiig sertse of Gofftmunity woven thi'oiigh this experience, and ihe.fe Siirriiig voices Fil{ be heap-d" The Reviews Hub (May 2023) on Into the Melli& Poty in Hove We mentioned undcr achievcments the hour-long feature on BBC Radio 3's The E4rlyMusic Show in March 2024, in which Clare Norburn was interviewed and extracts froTh The Tclling's 3 CDS were perfomied thi-oughout the pi"ogramme, with a focus on our work to celebrate the a¢hievements of medieval womet) composers. Bul also Patricia Hammond (mezzo) Jean Kelly (harp) and Clare Norbum (soprat]o) I180 wcre interviewed and perfornied carols on BBC Radio 3,5 InTune in December 2023 to promote the carol tour. SHARIF4G OUR LEARNifiG WITH OTHER ENSEMBLES AND COMPANIES Given The Telling has an interesting forillula for developing residencies in areas where there is litde or no early musLC touring, we share our learning (both succe5se5 and failures) so others can benefit from our learning and explore how to tour and develop residencies themselves. Wc arc tuentlY working with the Mancunium Consort on a project in late 2025 helping th¢m dcvclop fundraising and budgeting skill5. L ANAGEMENT Managerially) our Artistic Director. Clare Norburn continued in her role as Artisti¢ Dir¢¢tor on a pro botto basis, supportcd by our General Manager Stephanie Willidms. This managemenlteam, togeth¢r with a focused and dedicated board of trustees. lias continued the strellgtheniT]g of the org41nisation with tight contro15 over dll a5PCCt5 of planniiig, including deciding on rcpertoire for prograinines, scheduling, budgeting, and monitoring of financial forecasts. cla Norbun4 Artistic Director (who is a150 our playwright, producer and ha5 been a singer. but is retiring from singing in Dember 2024 due to hearing loss challenges) oversees strategic and artistic planning. budgeting, fiindraising and partnerships. Clare works approx. 2 days a week for The Telling on a pro-bono basis. She is paid for singing, Producing and writing projccts. Sh¢ earns her livin8 mostly from freelance fundrkising.
THE TELLtNG TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Siephanie Pillinger, General Manager. has worked for The Telling since 2018. significantly increasing her skills each year. Steph oversees project management, logistics, markding. press and work5 With Clare to support on fundraising and finances. She also attends most of the live shows. She works for The Telling 3 days a week. Financial Review Th¢ T¢lling is gri)wing'. our income up tr) 20?1120?2 was around £60-70K each year (ex¢epting 2020 being lower- £40K- due io the p8ndemic).' but 2012123 saw a leap to £109K and these accounts for 2023124 show a significant 8nd continuing incre8se to £136K with projections for 2024PS onwards Showing incremental upwards. We expect income to maintain in the region of £150-200K for the next few years. Our reserves as of 31 st March 2024 were £3,226. However. we received a major one-off donation of £40,000 just afterthe year end to ensure the future sustainability of the charity and since then have se¢ured many grants including from Arts Council England later in 2024. The model of our work is expensive And so, Is well 8S the mixed economy of guaranteed fees from festivals and venucs, box offic¢ splits ar]d sclf-proTnolion5, w¢ rely heavily on fundraised income. ACE funding has prov¢d hard to ¢ome by since the pandemic with The Telling receiving only one project grant (which is within our 2021123 accounts) since 2020. Our main source of income is from trusts and foundalioT)5 berause, for a small arts organisation, we have particular sknlls in fundraising from tNsts. The majority are small £rants of £1.000- £5,000. We also run appeals io the public. The Telling is rnost gratcful to the individuals and organisations who suprKirted the charity during the year. Without th¢Tn w¢ would hav¢ struggled to enable our programme. For a small organisation to have raised £73,498 in such a Challenging ¢onieM shows ihe imponan¢¢ and distin¢tivenes5 of our work and our ability to articlllate that importance and to fundraise effectively. All our funding h&s been toward aspects of our Touring and Project FuDd to enable u5 to take perfom)an¢es, workshops around England. with a focus on places that miss out in being abl¢ to acccss mo# touring cireuits. We are currently starting to exploit potential opportunitie5, working towards an innovative model, which ClatE Norburn has tria]led in another organisation. working with partner artlstic collaborators (Camenco on the project= Creating Camien and young vocal ensemble The Mancunium Consort on Breaking ihe Rules) and helping them butld their fundraising skills. This means that in some cases, the pArtner can front the appliralions. This has th¢ double benefit that these two partner organisations can learn from our expertise. make ¢onnections with new funders and learn how to write applicatiOn5, whilst also enabling The Telling to benefit from grants from itusts we could not approach. due io many of them asking for one. two or three-year gaps before you can reapply. ReseThes Policy The Trustees e acutely aware that, as a growing organisation, mu¢h more n¢eds lo be done in the eU]ng year5 to incre&se the charity's reserves and have set a target of £20,000, this bcing roughly equivaleni to either 3 months, running costs or the amount considered prudent to mitigate against potential financial risks (such as the minute cancellation of a small-medium lour or engagement). The timctable for meeting ihis updated reserves target has been set at 3-5 years lo allow time to build up this amount at a 5usiainable pace. Ar the year end the unrestricted fuT)ds was £3,226 (2023 - £10,870) which is short of the charity's policy.
TFJE TELLfNG TRUSTEES, ANuAL REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Prirtcipul Fuiiding Soui'ces Thc piincipal funding source for th¢ ¢lMity is currently by way of grants. ASSESSMENT OF MAJOR RISKS The Trustees have considered risks to which The Telling is expo.%ed and have established appropriate proccdures to mitigate the iinpact of tliose risks. The outlook contiLiues to be a challenging one. Th¢ main diffiwlty faced by Tlie Telling and #ll other arts organisatsons is a perfect stom) of rising costs, combined with the co5t_of-living also inipacting significantly on ticket sale income and making promoters risk-averse. However, wc havc Icarnt much about thr challcnges dhead whiLh ai¢ likely to remain.. a) A n¢¢d for enhanced ndIng to mitigate losses due to fcwer promoter engagements. rcdu¢¢d fees from promoters and reduced ticket income from self-promoted cvents b) A climate in which competition for funds is fierccr than ever (hir fijture plans above detail how we have already tnade chang¢s lo the model of our work lo involve more paid engageinents alongsid¢ fundi'aising for oui- mol'e i'isky rcsidencieslself-promotions, which depend on ticket income and also an in¢reas¢ in working in parttiership to sharc risk and fundraising. The inCr¢e in paid engagements will mitigate the risk, alongside plans to continue to build our fundraising. which continues to incrcase significantly y¢ar on year, dcspite these challcnges. Structure, Governance and Management Governii?g Document Thc Telling is a charitoblc incorporated organisation and has no sharc ¢opital. It giStCrCd with the Charity Commission ort 30 lanuary 2019 and is governed by rts constitution. tn the event of a winding UPJ while a mcmbcr or within one ye. of c¢asing to bc a member, the member's liability is limit¢d to £5. Recniitmenl andAppoE17lmeiil 0].Trlee The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance of the charity. With the exception of the Artistic Director, Clare Norburn, the Trustees are noi artisis involvcd in the ChIly'S work. Clare Norburn a150 Stcpped down as a TnLStee in September 2023. Tru5tccs may be appointed at tlie discretion, and witli the approval, of th¢ cxi51ing Tiustees. New Trustees are briefcd of tlicir diitics by existing Trustees. Th¢ Telliiigy engages musicians, actors, directors, lighting designers, costume makers 2nd othcr creatives on a PToject-by-projcct basis. All are paid on a frcclaiicc rcheaiEal and concert-by-conccrt basis and none is a pcrnianent employee of thc charity. The administration of the charity during the year was undertaken on a pro bono ba515 by the Artistic Dircclor, Clare Norbum, siipported by a paid freelance part-timc &ner41 Manag¢r Stephanic Williatns. 10
THE TELLtNG TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Reference and Adffiini5trative Details Char£ty regisrr&tion iiumber.. 1181802 Principal office.. 168 Percy Road Twickenham TW2 6JF rrtutees The trustees serving during the year and sifftce tl)e year end wcre ag follows.. Catherine Magdal¢n Edis (Chair) Elizabeth Davies Joanne Mclntosh Clare Norburn (r¢sign¢d 21 Sq)t¢mb¢r 2023) No tstee received any remuneration for services during thc period, other than those disclosed in not¢ 7, nor did they liave any beneficial interest in any contract with the charity- Banker.. HSBC 312 S¢ven Sisters Road Finsbury Park Inndon N4 2AW Independeni Examin": Barcant Beardon Limited Chartered Accountallts 8 Blackstock Mews 151ington London N4 2BT
THE TELLING TRUSTEES, ANNUAL REPORT (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Truslees, respopuibiliiies in relaliun ts thefinanetal stdtemÉMts The TtUsl¢e8 ale responsible for prepillg the Trustees, Annual Report and the financial statements in ccordancc with applicablc law and United Kingdom Accout]tsiig Standard% {Unit¢d Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice). The law applicable io chai'ities in England & WIlL8 requires the Trustees to prepare financial slat¢ments for each financial period which Show a true and fair view of the State of affairs of the 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 thei) apply them consistently. observe the Inethods and principles in the Charities SORP 2019 IFRS 102). make judgements and estimates ihat are reasonable and pdent. state whcthcr applicable accountillg standards liavc been follow¢d subj¢¢t to any material departures dis¢los¢d and explained in the financial statements; and prepw'e the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropTiate to presume that the charity will cotjtinuc in opcrational existence. The Trnstees are responsible for keeping accounting records which disclose with reasonable eUraCY at any time the fLllattcial position of the charity and to enable them to cn5ure that the financial statcments comply with tlic Charities Act 2011, thc Charity (Arcounts and R¢ports) Rcgulations 2008 and thc provisions of thc trust deed. They are responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for tl)c prevention and detection of fraud and other irregulaTities. This report was approved by the ttwtces on JO_O/-1025 and signed on their behalf. riiie M41gdal¢n Edi8 Chair of Trustees 12
TNDEPENDEwf EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE TELLG I report to the charity trnstees on my examination of the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 March 2024. which are s¢t out on pag¢s 14 to 23. Responjibllilies and basis of rep¢Jrt As the charity's trnst¢¢s you are responsibl¢ for the preparation of the accounts in accoTdAt]ce with thc requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("th¢ A¢t"). l Teport in respect of my cxainination of the chariiy's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(bl of the Act. Independent exani¥ner's sralemenl I have completed my examination. E confinn that no matcrial matters hav¢ ¢om¢ to my attention in connection with the examination giving m¢ causc to believe that in any material respect.. accounting records were not kept in r¢sp¢ct of thc charity as required by section 130 of th¢ Act. or the accounts do not accord with ¢hos¢ r¢cords,' or the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirernents concerning the forn) and content of accounts set out in the Charitics (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'trne and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of 21] independent examination. I have no coD¢¢rns and have rome across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in thi5 reporl irL order to enable a proper understanding ofihe accounts tobe reached. IS J Shu Fen Chung FCCA ACA BARCANT BEARDON LIMrrED Chartered Accountants 8 Blackstock Mews lslington London N4 2B T 13
THE TELLtNG STATEMENT OF FtNANCIAL ACTTVITIES (INCLUDtNG NCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Notes Restrici¢d Unrcstricted Funds Funds 2024 2024 Total Funds 2024 Total Funds 2023 Income and endom'mentsfrom.. Donation5 and legacies Charitabl¢ activilics 73.498 23,149 39.420 96,647 39,420 83,570 25,446 Total income and endowments 73,498 62,569 136,067 109,116 Expvndilure on.. Charitsble activitie8 110,676 33.254 143,930 102,483 Total expenditure 10,676 33,254 143,930 102,483 Ne¢ income/{expendiluTe)for ikeyeor (37,178) 29,315 {7,863) 6,633 Transfers between funds li 36,959 (36.959) Nel incomel(aTpendilure) andizeÈ movement in fiindsfor theyear {219) (7,644) (7,863) 6.633 Total fund5 brought forward 219 10,870 11,089 4,456 Total funds carricd forward 3,226 3.226 11.089 Th¢ stat¢m¢nt of financial activities includes all gains and losses r¢¢ognised during the year. All income and expenditure derive from continuin8 activities. 14
THE TELLING BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MARCH 2024 Notes 2024 2023 Current Assets Debtors Cash at bank knd in hand 5.780 8,280 1.016 22,693 14,060 23,709 Credtsors.. amounts falling due within one year (10,834) (12,020) Ne( Curreni A3sets/(LiabiliÉies) 3,226 11,089 Net Assets/Liabilities 3,226 11,089 Fund¥ Unrestricted fiinds Reslricted Funds Unrestricted Funds 219 10,870 3,226 3,226 11,089 Approved by the trustees on tu- o i -goSand signed on its behalf. Catherine Magdalen Edi8 Chair of Trust8 The notes on pages 16 to 23 forni part of these financial statem¢nts. 15
THE TELLtNG NOTES TO THE FfNANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 1.0 Accounting Policies The principal accounting policies adopted, judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty in the prq)aration of the financial sratenients are as follows.. 1.1 Basis ofPreparation The Telling is a cliaritable incorporation organisation. In th¢ cvcnt of the charity being wound up. the liability in respect of the guarantee is limited to £5 per mcmber of the charity. Th¢ registered office is 168 Percy Road, Twickenhain TW2 6JF. The charity constitutes a public benefit ¢ntity as defined by FRS 102. Th¢ financial statements have b¢en prepared in accordance with Accountitl8 and Reporting by Charities: Statem¢nt of Recommended Pra¢iic¢ appli¢abl¢ to charitics preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial R¢porting Standard applieable in the UK and Rq)ublic of Ircland issucd in Odober 2019, the FiDancial Reporting Standard appli¢abl¢ in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The financial ststetnents arc prepared uiidcr the historic cost convcntion. The financial statements are prepared in sterling. wliich is the functional cue1)cY of the company. Monelary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £. Th£ finan¢ial stat¢ments have been prepared io give a 'trne tnd fair, view and have departed from the Charities (Accounts and Rcports) Regulations 2008 only to the extent reqllired to providc a 'tru¢ and fair vi¢w'. This depArture has involved following the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Staiemcnt of Recommended Pra¢tice applicable to charitie5 preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued on 16 July 2014 rather than the Accountin8 and Reporting by Charities.. Staieimenl of R¢coTnmended Practice effective from l April 2005 which has since been withdrawn. 1.2 Goiptg Cortcern The charity is mainly reliant upon donarions and grant income to raise revenue to meet tUre expenditure. The Trustees consider that it is appropTiate to prepare the financial statements on a going concern basis. This assumes tltst th¢ ¢harity will be succcssful in its fundraising acts"vitlC5. The financial statements do not includ¢ any 4djustrn¢nts that would result if insufficient funds are raised In fonnulating this assessment the Trustees hve taken into consideralion the impact of tbe global cost of living crisis on tlie charity's ability to rnise funds. 1.3 Fund AccouFJting Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the gene1 objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other puryoses. Designated fund5 are unrcstricted funds ¢amiark¢d by the trusi¢¢s for parti¢ular purposes. Restri¢ted funds are subject to restrictions on their cxpendittjre imposcd by the donor. 1.4 lrtcome RecognEIioii All incoming resources are included in the Statement of Fimancial Activities (SOFA) when the Charity is Icgally cntitlcd to the income afier any pcrforn]ance Conditions have been met, the amount can be mcasured Teliably and it is probable that the income will be received. 16
THE TF.LLfNG NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 Donated setvices ]d facilities, including gifts in kind, are in¢ludcd at the value to the chariry where thi's can be quantified and a thirdparty is bearing thc cost. No amounts ar¢ included in the financial statements for services donated by volunteers. For donations to be recognised the charity Mll have been notified of the amowlts and the settlement dale in writing. If there al'e conditions attached to the donation and this rcquiirs a level of perfonDance before cntitlement can b¢ obtained then income is deferrcd until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the Gharity and it is probabl¢ that they will be fulfilled. Donations received with imposed restrictions are classifi¢d as restricted nds, Revenue grants aT¢ cr¢diled a5 incoming resources when they are receivable provided conditions for receipt have been eomplied wiih. Where grdnts awarded for specific concerts or events are receiv¢d in advance ofthe perfoman¢¢, they arc dcfecd so that concert and event costs align with reLated incom¢. Perfoman¢e and outreach income is recognised in th¢ p¢riod in which the activity takes pla¢e. 1.5 E¥penditure Recognition Expenditure ts r¢¢ogni8¢d once there is a Icgal or constrnctive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a thiTd party, it is probable that a transfcr of ¢conomic benefits will be required in settlem¢nt and the ainount of the obligation ¢an be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of til¢ total of direct Costs and shared costs. including support costs involv¢d in undertaking ¢a¢h acliviry. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that ctivity. Shared costs which contribute to mor¢ than one activity and 5UPPOrt costs which are not attributable to & single activity are apportioned b¢tween those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Support costs are those costs incurred diTectly in support of expendilure on the objects of the charity. fjovernance costs are those incurred in eonnection with Ldrninistration of the chaTity and compliallce with constitIOnal and statutory requirements and ar¢ included in support costs. Costs of raising funds are costs incurred in attractiyjg voluntary in¢om¢, and th0 incurred in trading activities that raise funds. 1.6 Stock Stocks are CDS for sale and are stated at the lower of cost and estimated selling price. J. 7 Debtors Trade and other debtors are Tecognised at the settlement amount. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid. 1.8 Credilors and Provisions Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past evcnt that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle th¢ obligation car) be measiired or estimated reliably. Creditors and provision5 are nornially recognised at their settlement amount. 17
THE TELLtNG NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continu¢d) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 2.0 CriticolAecounlEng Estimates and Judgements In the application of the charity's accounting policies, th¢ ttee5 are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about tlie carrying amouiit of asset3 and liabilities that are notreadily apparent from other Sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and otlier factor5 that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ frotn th¢5¢ estimates. The estimates and und¢rlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimate.s are recognised in the period in which the estimate is rcvised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and futse periods wh¢re the revision affects both cuttent and future periods. 3.0 Imconiefrom Donalions Legacies Restricted UDre5tricted funds funds 2024 2024 Total funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Donations and gifts Gift Aid Graiits 19,444 3.705 19,444 3,705 73,498 24,534 11.810 47,226 73,498 73,498 23,149 96,647 83,570 3.1 Incoine from donation and legacics was £96,647 {2023 £83,570) of which £73.498 (2023 £51,148) was attributable to restricted funds and £23,149 {2023 - £32,422) was attributable to unre5tricled funds.
THE TELLING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Colltinu¢d) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 3.2 Analysis of Grants 2024 2023 Ambache Chkrilable Trust Angel Early Music Arts Council England Colwinston Charitable Trust Continuo Foundation Griinmitt Trust John MUaY Charitsble Trusi Margaret Davies Charity Scops Arts Trust Shorcsh Charitable Trust Sir John Fisher Foundation Sylvia Waddilove Foundation Thr Darkl¢y Trust The Go150ncott Foundation The Hadfield Trust The Jamcs Beattie Charitable TNst Tlie Marehus Trust Tile Radcliff¢ Trust Th¢ Sout¢r Charity The Victoria Wood FouT)datio WE Dunn Trnst 1,000 3,000 3.000 25,195 6.000 5,000 1,000 5,500 1,000 5,000 3.000 7,500 1,500 4,710 1.000 1,516 1.000 7,500 1,983 7,000 1,000 1,500 870 5,000 2.000 3.000 2.450 1,000 5,000 2.500 3,000 1,000 73,498 47,226 4.11 Incomefrom CharitobleActiviiies Restricted Unrestricted funds funds 2024 2024 Totsl funds 2024 Total funds 2023 Proinoters fees Box office and CD sales 9,640 29,780 9,640 29.780 I n.086 15,460 39,420 39,420 25,446 4.1 Income from charitable activiti¢s was £39,420 (2023 £25,446) of which £nil {2023 £nil) was attributable to restricted ndS and £39,420 (2023 - £25,546} was attributablc to unr¢5tricted funds. 19
THE TELLtNG NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Contiiiued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 5.0 Analysis of ExpeAdEÈure on Chan'tableAttlvliies Charitablc Activities 2024 Activities undertaken directly 2024 Support Governance costs cosls Totsl 2024 2024 2024 Artist5 Vcnue5 Lighting Travel and subsistence MaTk¢ting Film and CD production Project admiDistratlOD Suiidry expenses Bank Charges Accountancy 64,430 7,036 12,324 14,422 9.763 342 27,850 2,359 64,430 7,036 12.324 14,422 10,113 342 27,850 2.359 614 4,440 350 614 4,440 138,526 964 4,440 143,930 5.1 Charitable Activities 2023 A¢livit1¢5 undertaken directly 2023 Support Governance costs costs Total 2023 2023 2023 Artists Venues Lighting Travel and subsistence Markeiing Filin and CD production Proj¢xt adrninistration Sundry expenses 39,852 6,421 12,171 10,279 4,352 5,017 22,806 1,585 39.852 6.421 12,571 10279 4.352 5,017 22,806 1,585 1 (12.481 10?.483 5.2 Of the £143.930 expei)diturc in 2024 (2023 £102,483), £110,676 (2023 £79.566} was attributable to restricted ndS and £33,254 (2023 - £22,917} wa5 attributable to unrestricted funds. 0.0 JVetlncomd(Expendziure)for ihe Year 2024 2023 rhE5 is sluted ufier charging Ind¢p¢ndent examiner's fee 4,440 20
THE TELLING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 7.0 Trustees Remmneration undErpeftses Clare Norbllrn resigned as a trustcc on 21 Septanbcr 2023. The following pairynents were made to hcr up the date of her resignation. Thcsc paymcnts wer¢ madc in respect of services provided to th¢ charity as a perforn)¢r and writer, and as aiithori5ed by the govcrning document and ihc TTUStees'. 2024 2023 Perforniinglwriting fees Expenses rcclaimed 6,140 35 8.587 6,175 8,587 No other members of thc Board of Tnte¢S re¢civ¢d any remuneration or expcnses during the y¢aT. No trustee or otherpersonTelatcd to tlie charity had anypcrsonal interest in any contrdct ortransaction entered inlo by the charity during the year (2023- nil). 8.0 Debior 2024 2023 Prepayments Accrued in¢ome 2.139 3,641 1,016 5,780 1,016 9.0 Creditors." Amounts FolllngDue Vtthin One Year 2024 2023 Accruals Dcfcrred income 6,394 12,620 10.834 12,620 10.0 Deferred Income De[ced income ¢ompris¢s of graT)ts rcceivcd in advance and monies received in advance for perforniances and events o¢¢urring after the year end. Total Balance a5 at l April 2023 Avnount released lo income earned fmm charitable Activities Amount deferred in year 12.620 (12.620) 6,394 Balance as at 31 Mah 2024 6,394 21
THE TELLING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 11.0 Analysis of Charitable Fund Unre.vtricted Fund,f - Curreni Year Balance Incoming Outgoing Transfers l Apr 23 Rcsources Rcsour¢es Balance 31 Mar24 Gen¢rnl funds 10,870 62.569 (33,254) 136,9591 3,226 UnrestrictedFiind9- Previou5 Year Balance Incoming Outgoing Transfcrs l Apr 22 Resources Resources Balance 31 Mar23 General ndS 4,365 32,422 {22,917) 13,000) 10.870 Name o[unrestricted[und Descnplion, naliire andpmrpo.fes of thefiip General funds The'free reserves" after allowing for any de8ignat¢d funds. I l. l Reslricted Fiinds- Current Year Balance Incoming Outgoing Transfers l Apr 23 Resources Resource8 Balancc 31 Mar24 Touring and project fijnd 219 73.498 (110,676) 36,959 Reslricled Fufr&ls-Previous Year Balance Incoming Outgoing Transfers l Apr 22 Resources Resources Balance 31 Mar23 Touring and project fvnd 91 76,694 (79,566) 3,000 219 Name Ofi-estritÈedfrtd DtscriptEOlI. nature andpurposes of¥hefiip Tourillg and project fund Funds raised specifically to deliver projects. to T¢hear8e and tour those projects including dcvcloping audiences in placcs which do not otherwise access any or much touring perfornian¢es J1.2 The net transfer of £36,959 (2023 - £3,000) from general funds to th¢ rcstrictcd funds r¢presents additional funding towards the projects. 22
THE TELLING NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 110 Analysis ofNÉtAsJet5 Between Funds- Current Yeor Restricted Urtrestricted Funds Fund5 2024 2024 Total 2024 Cash at bank and in hand Other rt¢t currcnl asscts/(liabilities) 8,280 (5,054) 8,280 (5,054) 3,226 3.226 Analysis ofNdA35els Befveen Funds- Previous Yéthr Restricted Unrestricted Funds Funds 2023 2023 Total 2023 Cash at bank and in hand Other net current asset&l{liabilities) 22.693 (11,823) 22,693 (11,604) 219 219 10,870 11.089 J3.0 RelaledParty Tran5aclwns A5idc from tru5t¢c rcinuncration aiid exp¢n5¢5 discl¢)s¢d in iiotc 7. onc trust¢¢ had a close family Ineinber who had transarlions with Ihc charity during th¢ ycar. Th¢ truster's family Tncmber WLS paid £1,681 fordesigning costhmcs for th¢ pcrfonllers and r¢lat¢d ¢xpenses. The trustees specifically met on Zoom to discuss the en8a8ement knd payment of the family member, at which relevant trustee wa5 not present. In 2023 there were no related party transactions during the year. 23