2026-04-30-accounts - The Lindow Ensemble

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	(1) To advance the arts and culture for the benefit of the public in Greater Manchester and Cheshire and (2) to advance education for the benefit of current students and recent alumni of the Royal Northern College of Music (‘RNCM’) and other institutions of higher musical education.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.	Para 1.17 and 1.19	The ensemble is a string ensemble that typically consists of 12 players. They include full-time professionals, students or recent alumni of the RNCM and amateur players of a high standard. Its main activities are to perform concerts of chamber music and to deliver educational and community projects. In 2025-26 it performed three concerts, one in Didsbury, Manchester, one in Macclesfield and one in Manchester City Centre.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	The trustees confirm that, in giving these concerts, they have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.

	SORP reference
Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole.	Para 1.20	As stated above, in 2025-26 the ensemble gave three concerts, one in Didsbury, Manchester, one in Macclesfield and one in Manchester City Centre. In total some 250 members of the public attended. All the programmes included a new work by the distinguished British composer, Eleanor Alberga, as well as more familiar repertoire. The ensemble believes that thereby it has given members of the public both enjoyment and a wider appreciation of chamber music. Some have made generous donations to assist in the future development of the ensemble. As regards students and recent alumni of the RNCM, five rehearsed for and performed in the above concerts as players. The ensemble believes that thereby it has given all five RNCM students and alumni substantial assistance in the transition to a musical career.

Financial Review
Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period	Para 1.21	As shown by its accounts, the ensemble had cash funds of £4873 at the end of the period. The three concerts were all delivered within budget. (Almost all the remaining £4873 then went towards the costs of one further concert and six educational workshops for primary schools in Bolton. These took place in June 2026, leaving £1113.14 in cash funds at the date of this report.)
Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held	Para 1.22	The ensemble became a CIO in May 2020 and to date has no reserves policy. It will review the situation as it becomes more firmly established.
Amount of reserves held	Para 1.22	£1113.14
Reasons for holding zero reserves	Para 1.22	N/A
Details of fund materially in deficit	Para 1.24	None

Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern	Para 1.23	The annual accounts of this and earlier years show that the ensemble requires an annual income of c.£15-20,000 to sustain its educational and concert programme at the level achieved hitherto. If the ensemble is to continue as a going concern, and in particular if it is to deliver further educational projects, it will require a regular annual income of that amount. It will pursue all appropriate fundraising activities to achieve this.

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Foundation model for a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, whose only voting members are its charity trustees.
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	A Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’).
Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees	Para 1.25	The ensemble has four trustees, three of whom were first charity trustees. They were appointed by personal recommendation. The constitution provides that, apart from first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of charity trustees. In doing so the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO.

Charity name	The Lindow Ensemble
Other name the charity uses	None
Registered charity number	1189479
Charity’s principal address	30 Broadway Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 1NB

1 2 3 4	Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee(if any)
	John Andrew Phillips	Chair
	Adrienne Patricia Spilsbury	Secretary
	Joanna Ceri Sambrook	Treasurer
	Michael Andrew Sambrook

Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name None

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
None

Description of the assets held in this capacity	None
Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity’s objects	N/A
Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charity’s own assets	N/A

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

N/A

N/A

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) John Andrew Phillips Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Chair Date 18 August 2026