CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From l July 2024 To 30 June 2025 Charity name: CANTUS FIRMUS TRUST Charlty registration number. 1192862 Objectlves and Activities Summary of Ihe purposes of the charity as set out in its goveming document P8rn 1.17 The object of the CIO is the advancement of the Christian faith includin& but not limited to. the development of understsnding, worship and mission for the benefrt of individual Christians, groups of Christians. practltloners, enquirers and learners by means of the creative arts- includin& but not limited to, demonstrations of and opportunities to partlcipate in high quality music, dance and drama- together with associated education and trainin& and to SUPPOrt suth education and training by the provision of materlals and the makin8 ofgrants in IatiOnS throughout the United Kingdom. but principally in the counties of Essex and Suffolk. Most Cantus Firmus activities are In-peOn events and services. During the Covid pandemlc lockdowns. the Trust created video resources for churches and other organisations to use in their worship. and it maintsins the capability to create more in the future. Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit. in particular, the activitses, projects or servic8s identified in the accounts. 1.17 ar*J 1.19 Most Cantus Firmus events and service5 are in partnership with local churches. Some of those events and serwices are to present Christian music and understanding to people who would not usually hear them. Some others a to help introduce congregahons land other people) to musical (and other artistic) styles and materials that they are not familiar with and want to consider using. Some Cantus Firmus events are in partnership with InHarmony, a small organisation at St Edmundsbu Cathedral to develo music across
churches in Suffolk. Also, some Cantus Fimius events are in partnership with the Royal School of Church Music. a charity to develop music within Christian worship across the UK and elsewhere. The Trustees continue to ensure that they have regard to the Charity Commission's public benefit Euidance when orrying out adivities to which it is relevant. Statement (x)nfirning whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit P8ra 1.18 Addltional Infomiatlon (optlonal) You ma hoose to include further statements where relevant about: Cantus Fimus Trust has a practice of making donations to individuals who have been heavily involved in preparing and presenting its events and actTvities. The Arttstic Director (who is not trustee) makes proposals to the trustees on the amount of suth donations and the trustees take these proposals into account when making a decision. A trustee is able to propose to the other trustees a donation to a person. who may or may not be alrea(ty known to the tru5tee5. who 15 undertaking study or other activity which is consistent with the objects of Cantus Flrmus Trust and who is in need of financial support, and the trustees belleve that such study or activlty will generdlly advance those objects. Any such donation is at the trustee5' absolute discretion and they will take into account the circumstantes of the case and the amount of fundin8 which Cantus Firnius Trust has available. A trustee mav also propose a donation to an organisation whose aims are consistent with those of Cantus Firmus Trust: a similar set of decision criteria will ap as noted 31Jove in lation to an individual. Pwa 1.38 Policy on grant making Policy on sori81 investment induding program related investment 1.38 Not applicable. The Trust relies very heavily on, and is very grateful for. the contribution of volunteers both for administration, singing, accompanying, other erforming, arranging and conductin music. During the reporhng period, the tru5tee5 met in Ortober 2024.January 2025, April 2025 and June 2025. The June 2025 meeting was an AGM. Contribution made by volunteers 1.38 Other
Achievements and Perforniance During 2024-25, Cantus Finnus provlded the choir and musical leadership for services and events at churches who had asked for help exploring new ways forward for their music (choice of material and development of music teamsl. These included introducing Taize-style services and music to All Saints Feering, St Andrew's Abberton and Colchester Baptist Church. New repertoire from RSCM (Lust Words of Lovel was presented at a Palm Sunday service at St Luke's Church. T1pte. Choral Music was reintroduced at Po15tead Church for its annual Gospel Oak service, which marks the preaching of St Cedd at the ancient oak tree in Saxon times. These services all attracted larger congregations than the churches usually have and all the chLtrches plan to continue using some of the new musical material presented by Cantus Flrmus. Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity's work has made to the circumstances ol rts beneficianes and any wider b8n8fits to society as a whole. Para 120 CantU5 Firmus ran one Pilgrimage of Song this year (through four village5 along the Alde Valley). in the format created and used by the Trust. °Singing pilgrims" spent a day walklng between churches. with short themed musical services at each- experiencing aspects of pi18rima8e and the effectiveness of services using well chosen. simple music and Itturgy. Many of the "singing pilgrims" reflected afterwards that the event had noticeably helped their Spiritual growth. Also. one of the churches- Snape - invlted the pllgrims to turn the following day 50 the whole church could benefit from the experience. Messy Messiah, the innovative adaptstion of Handel's Messiah by Cantus Firmus to include primary school children and to present the biblical Christmas story using mults"_media, has previously been perfomied at St John's Ipswlch 120191 and St Edmund5bury Cathedral120231. The concept lincluding some of the Cantus Fimius reSOurs) was taken up and performed at Portsmouth Cathedral over Easter 2025. In May 2025. Cantus Flnnus rehearsed and provided 45 choir members for Prom Praise in the Royal Albert H311 London. Prom Praise is resented annuall b All Souls Orthestrd. a
charity with similar objects to Cantus Flmius Trust, which operates from All Souls Church London. The Hall was well filled that evening for a wide spread of music {choral, band, solos. orchestral) and talks explaining key aspects of Christianity- The trust's events and activities are advertised widely to over 5C4) mailing list subscribers, to churche5 and to the general public. They are also regularly mentioned on BBC Radio Suffolk. All are welcome to attend and take art. Addltlonal Infomiatlon loptlonal) You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. Achievements against objectives set Perfornian of fundraising activities against objectives set Investment perfom8nce against objectives Para 1.41 P8rn 1.41 P8ra 1.41
Flnanclal Revlew Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Pa 1.21 Accounts are maintsined on a 'Receipts and Payments, basis. Donation5 from supporters of £1621 were received for general purposes, along wlth participant donations to defr4y the costs of events of £3706. The charity is registered with HMRC for Gift Aid and claims were made on qualfying donations. Other income derives from organisations with whom we may partner when presenting an event. The totsl income was £10118. Expenditure of £8777 was incurred. which induded £1496 of administrative 5UPPOrt. The yearnd balance was £12669. of which £926 is in restricted funds. There was a surplus for the year of£1341. (The full summary ofthe accounts Is provided in the accompanyin8 document.) Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating vthy they are hekl Para 1.22 Cantus Finnus Trust holds reserves for the following purposes.. Maintenance of essential athvities Risk of project losses Take up of opportunities Exceptional actlvities The trustees review this policy annually. They also decide on the appropriate level of reserves on a year-by-year basis. consistent with the above purposes, and consistent with the main risks and opportunities identified for the Trust. Amount of reserves held Para 122 £85rx) at Start of year £85CX) at end of ear Not applicable Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficil Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuirvJ as a going concem Para 122 Para 124 No fund is in deficit P¥8 1.23 No uncertalntFes Vth regard to the chartty continuing as a going concern. Additional inforniation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements vthere relevant about: The principal sources of funding are dor)ations and offerings associated wrth events. In recent
The charity's principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) years there has been a small amount of regular donations from supporters. An appeal for more regular donations was made to supporters in Spring 2025, which has increased the level of regular donations. A small amount of that increase shows in this year's accounts but the full effert will show next year. Some income results frorn Grft Aid claims to HMRC. Not applicable Para 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted Pwa 1.46 The three principal areas of risk identified in the Trust's work are.. A description of the principal risks facing the charity P8rn 1.46 l. Financial: expenditure (most likely on projects) may exceed income: new opportunities may arlse at short notice that can only be taken up with additional funding; assets may need replacin8 early because of faults. 2. Safety: the Trust's live events have Inevltable safety hazards le.g. tripping hazards in staged productions and service5. road hazards in outdoor pilgrimages of song) which need to be a55e55ed arNI mitigated. 3. Safeguarding: the Trust does not work with adults at risk. Some projects do involve under 185.. in nearly all cases the involvement Is vla a school or church. in which case the school or church supervises them. bul on rare occasions Ft 45 necessary for the Trust to provide supervision.
Structure, Governance and Management DesiptiOn of charivs trusts.. Type of goveming document Para 1.25 The Chartty is governed by a Constitution approved by the Charity Commission when Cantus Firnius Trust CIO was approved. How is the charity constrtuted? P8r0 125 cio -'Ul dted Trustee selection methods. induding details of any constrtutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entstled to appoint on8 or mor8 trustees Para 125 As specified by the Constitution land apart from the first charity trustees) every trustee 15 appointed by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees have regard to the Skills. knowledge and experience needed for the effertbve governan and wnning of the cio. Additional Fnfomiation (optional) You ma choose to include further statements wherè relevant aboutr. Policies and procedures After inits'al, informal discussions with the adopted for the induction and chairman. a prospective trustee attends a training of tmstees trustees, meeting as an observer. A DBS check is carried Olrt, if appropriate. After appointment, he or she is provided with information about the trust'5 licies and methods of workin The trustees meet approximately three-monthly to make strategic and financial decisions. There are two Steering Groups, one for E55ex and one for Sufft>lk. with at least one trustee in eath, whose members propose and mana8e events In their respertive counties. In the early stages of planning each event, the steering groups prepare. for the trustees, considerafjon and approval, a budget and a summaryof its strurture and content, which shows how it aligns with the trust's ob ectives. The Trust has close link5 With: Para 1.51 The charivs organisational structure and any wider network wilh which thè Charity works Pw8 1.51 Relationship with any related parties Parn 1.51 St Edmundsbury Cathedral, which employ5 Richard Hubbard part time (the Trust's Artistic Director} as St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Music Development Director. Several churches in Suffolk and Essex.
Reference and Administrative detalls Charil name Other name the cha istered chari number Charity's principal address Cantus Fimius Tnjst uses NIA 1192862 49 Marlborough Road Ipswich Suffolk IP4 SAX Names of the chari Irustees who mana e the char. N¥m¢ of person lor body) entltled to appolnt trustee Ilan Trust•e nam ONk• (11 any) Dats• acted not fr whol• year Deborah Ruth Cook Andrew Philip Charles Davies David Fre8Ston8 Chair Howard Roy Gardner David John Gunton T3$Ur Andrew James Gosden Owen Anthony Thurtle Geoffrey Weaver Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the date the re Dlr•ctor n•m• ortwasa roved None Name of trust88s holding title to property beloroing to the charity Trust•0 nam None Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this falls wthin the custodian chari 's ob ects Detsils of arrangements for safe custody and segregalion of such assets from the chari 's own assets
Additional infonmation (optional) Names and addresses of advisers (Optional infomiation) o of adviser Name Address Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional infomiation) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke rsonnel detsils Other o tional inforniation Declarations Thè trusteas declarn that thèy hav8 approved the trustees. report above. Slgnod on bohalf of tho charlty's trusts•• Slgnaturels) Full name(s) Posltlon (eg Secretary. Chair. otc 3 AJoknLr lo
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Cantus Fin Tnt 1192862 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Fof the perlod frorn i-.od sld-. P2'iod end aale 30th June 2025 15tJu 2024 Section A Receipti and payments Unyestrieted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total fund Last year toll 081 £ rwre8t£ tOth• wrgst£ to th• É to tho nre8t£ A1 Recelpts Donabws Iprivate- non-spe¢ifjGI Donatsons (kYe- event4dJtedl Dstion ILuirtheslcx)Ilabont(rf51 GbftAd recover1 Tthet sales Sundries Im&a$ Intere51 and on-line refiJrvi3 Ere0l8 dtyJbte pgymeri Sub total fGrDSS income for ARJ A2 Asset and Invknnt sal•s, Is80 tabl¢l. Lightinglsound equlpm•nt 822 4406 2065 1784 904 3133 3133 32 679 679 10 117 10 117 9449 Su4. total 10117 10117 A3Pa ments Support $8ivi¢es Iweb hr6tiry. inwrarts. bank charges. e) Computer h8rcKvar8 Admin support Oonabans Room hire travd Muc hire Equipment Irer¢eS Consumables 531 1496 1 063 2080 3720 1744 114 1063 3923 503 310 752 S09 310 679 Refund of doutAe payn Sub total 8776 A4 Asset and InvgStm•nt pureh•8es. see table) Sub t¢>tal 8776 8776 9494 Ngt of rKelpts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds thls year end 1341 10 402 926 11 328 t2 669 117
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Re5trb¢ted funds to nearest£ Endowment funds to nareJt £ Categorie8 funds 81 Cash funds Gr lat tHnk) 11 035 Cash in trAnd fLrKts lat trl Total ¢ash funds 11743 926 S)} OK untrIcted funds OK c)K Endowment funds to nearost £ Restslcted funds Io are$l£ to nBarnStÈ Fund towhich ¢urrnnt¥aluo De¢ail$ Costloptlorn4 B3 Inv8stment assots FU tOTwhith CoBtloWorw Current1• D8ts118 Equipnwrt B4 A88•ts retsined for the charity's own us• FLwwJto *thkh knount duè ndu8 on t)etsi18 85 Liabilities snad by on• or trust$ on behaOf all th& trustees Dale of roval Sign3lute Print Name D J Gunton Trustee and T¥SU[er 20 Octeb8r2025