ANNUAL REPORT
by
the Trustees of Rutland Sinfonia for the year ended 31st August 2025 (2024-2025)
Presented to the Members of the Rutland Sinfonia at the AGM on
22nd May 2026
Rutland Sinfonia is a Registered Charity in England and Wales no. 11970959, and is a member of Making Music, itself a Registered Charity, which supports and champions voluntary and amateur music groups.
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ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR FROM 1[st ] SEPTEMBER 2024 TO 31[st ] AUGUST 2025
1. This is the Report of the Trustees of Rutland Sinfonia (the “Managing Committee”) for the Financial year ended 3 ~~1~~ [st ] August 2025.
More information about the Rutland Sinfonia, (the “Sinfonia”), details of our programmes and concerts, how to become a member of the Sinfonia, and/or become a “Friend” or sponsor can be found on our website www.rutlandsinfonia.org.uk. Our orchestra email address for correspondence is rutlandsinfonia@gmail.com
2. Constitutional Matters and how Rutland Sinfonia is run.
The trustees who were elected at the last Annual General Meeting on 2nd May 2025 were as follows
| Rachel Rayner | Chair | Kristi Newton | PR |
| Sarah Ayre | Secretary | Nick Brown | Librarian |
| Katherine Hammond | Treasurer | Rachel Rayner in lieu of another person |
Orchestral Manager |
| Vacant | Oakham and Oundle Concert/FoH Manager(s) |
Co-Opted Member | Colin Pulley |
These trustees were appointed to serve as Trustees of the Sinfonia. In line with our Constitution, they are required to retire by rotation but are eligible to stand for re-election. The Sinfonia operates fully in accordance with its Constitution, as approved by the Charity Commission, and Trustees are elected at each Annual General Meeting as outlined above.
The Sinfonia continues to work with Rutland Sinfonia Productions (RSP) Limited to produce its concerts. The company’s Directors are Sarah Ayre and Katherine Hammond. This arrangement allows Rutland Sinfonia to claim Orchestral Tax Relief; for the financial year ending August 2025, this amounted to £2592.12 (less fees).
Throughout the 2024–2025 season, the committee consisted of six members, including Colin Pulley, who was co-opted in early 2025. However, we urgently need to expand the committee . With such a small team,it is becoming increasingly difficult to manage all aspects of running the orchestra effectively, not to mention that a number of the committee have now been in post for over 10 years.
We are particularly looking for help with:
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Orchestral management – keeping players informed, coordinating communication, and ensuring the right musicians are in place for rehearsals and concerts
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Concert day support (Front of House) – helping organise and run events, liaising with venues, and supporting concert-day logistics (this role is especially suitable for a non-player)
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Friends, audience & social media engagement – keeping supporters informed, growing our Friends network, and helping plan and schedule content across social media.
If you - or someone you know - might be interested in getting involved, please get in touch at rutlandsinfonia@gmail.com . We are very flexible about roles and responsibilities, and any level of support would make a real difference.
Paul Hilliam (Music Director and Principal Conductor) and David Calow (Associate Conductor) continue to attend committee meetings by invitation. We would like to record our sincere thanks to them both for their ongoing dedication and contribution to the Sinfonia.
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3. Objectives, activities, achievements and the public benefit
The Sinfonia exists to promote and develop public appreciation of orchestral music through concerts and performances, as well as to encourage and involve young people in music-making wherever possible. We also look to support wider charitable aims, including grants and donations where they are identified.
We deliver clear benefit through our programme of concerts, including the four performances given in this last season.
Audience numbers during the 2024–2025 continued to be somewhat inconsistent, with attendance still below venue capacity, particularly in Oakham - this of course directly affects our financial sustainability long term. Our 50th Anniversary Season, which is 2025-2026, and technically outside of this reporting period, has been considerably better for audience numbers, but that can only be sustained if everyone gets involved.
I can not reiterate strongly enough that everyone has a role to play. Promoting the Sinfonia cannot be, and is not, the sole responsibility of the committee - every member’s support in spreading the word is vital to our future success.
4. Finances and Accounts.
The Sinfonia remains on a stable financial footing, supported in no small part by the generosity of our Friends. However, we missed the opportunity to claim Gift Aid during the 2024–2025 season due to limited committee capacity—something that has had a direct impact on our income and highlights, once again, the need for more support behind the scenes.
Despite continued rising costs, careful programme planning has helped us keep expenditure under control and maintain a healthy position. While we had previously set aside reserves for promotion, spending this year was modest and instead focused on supporting our 50th Anniversary.
At the end of the financial year (31 August 2025), the Sinfonia recorded a surplus of £3,145.49 , as detailed in the Treasurer’s report circulated separately. Notably, this was achieved while holding both ticket prices and member subscriptions steady, despite increasing costs.
We are extremely grateful to Sarah Ayre (Secretary) and Katherine Hammond (Treasurer) for their continued hard work and dedication. As part of good governance, the Charity’s accounts have been independently examined, and the Treasurer will report to the AGM.
The accounts for RSP Limited are also attached. As noted earlier, this arrangement enabled us to receive £2592.12 in tax relief this year (less fees).
In Conclusion.
The past season has continued to present challenges, particularly in rebuilding and sustaining audiences. Despite this, the commitment of our players and conductors ensures that performance standards remain high, and we are encouraged by ongoing interest from new members.
However, growth brings its own pressures. Rehearsal and performance space—especially in Oakham—remains a significant constraint, with limitations not only in capacity but also in managing sound levels. While the committee is taking all reasonable steps to address this through planning, let’s not forget that it remains a shared responsibility across the orchestra. Small adjustments by individuals can make a meaningful difference.
We have continued to explore alternative rehearsal options, though suitable and affordable performance venues within Rutland remain limited.
Thank you to everyone who contributes to the Sinfonia’s success. Particular thanks go to the Committee, and to Paul Hilliam, David Calow and Katherine Collison for their continued dedication and support.
Signed: Rachel Rayner Chair on behalf of the Managing Committee Dated: April 2026
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Rutland Sinfonia Recei ts&Pa ments Accounts for the Year Ended 31st Au 2025 ust 2025 2024 Concert Receipts Oakham Oct Oundle Nov Oakham Mar Oundle May 1,876.24 1,937.95 1,285.96 2,620.31 1,957.92 2,079.95 2,891.26 2,659.31 7,720.46 9,193.77 9,588.44 9,882.90 Less Concert Commissioning Fees Def icit on Concerts -(1473.31) -(294.46) Subscriptions Received Friends Donations Refreshments income Sundry Receipts Refund on card machine Easy Fundraising HMRC GiftAid Donations Oundle Town Grant 2,233.00 2,206.00 100.00 2,365.00 1,455.00 110.00 60.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 122.94 0.00 92.63 500.00 182.94 592.63 Total Income Less Expenditure Bank Charges Audition fee Donation machine charges 3,248.63 4,228.17 83.40 0.00 72.00 50.00 19.74 562.14 103.14 684.14 Surplus (Deficit) for the Year 3,145.49 3,544.03 Opening Balance 22,336.50 18,792.47 Closing Balance £ 25,481.99 22,336.50 Represented by: Unity Trust Current Account Unity Trust Savings Account Rutland Sinfonia Productions Ltd Loan Cash in Hand to be banked Received in Advance for next Year 21846.35 0.04 3763.60 0.00 -(128.00) 17,709.09 0.04 4,957.37 0.00 -(330.00) £ 25,481.99 22,336.50 I have checked these accounts, without carrying out an audit, to the books, records and information provided to me, and have found them to be in agreement thereto. David Webb Chartered Accountant (Retired) Date