Charity registration number: 1203359
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
UNAUDITED
TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers | 1 |
| Trustees' report | 2 – 4 |
| Independent examiner's report | 5 |
| Statement of financial activities | 6 |
| Balance sheet | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8 - 15 |
(A registered charity)
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
| Trustees | Adam Dale |
|---|---|
| Deborah Arnott Helen James John Kenny |
|
| Katherine Gardiner, Treasurer Milan Stamenkovic Nick Brittain, Chair Paul Turley Sandrina Carosso |
|
| Music Director Pianists Charity registration number Charity registration date Charity registered address Independent Examiner Bankers |
Emily Dickens Elizabeth Burley Joanna Smith 1203359 1 June 2023 11 Coombs Street London N1 8DJ Andrew Martyn-Johns East Dundry Bristol BS41 8NJ Metro Bank One Southampton Row London WC1B 5HA The Co-operative Bank 1 Islington High Street London N1 9TR |
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
The choir was formed following the closure by the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) of the LSO Community Choir in December 2022, becoming a charity, New London Community Choir (the Charity), on 1 June 2023. We initially had St Clements Community Choir as our working name, changing to the more generic Clerkenwell Community Choir in August 2024.
The legal and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the year to 31 August 2025. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charity comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charity's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
Objectives and activities
a. Principal objects and activities
The objects for which the Charity was established, as defined by its Constitution are to improve, develop and maintain public education through choral music in the community, through rehearsing and giving concerts in London and elsewhere and for exchanges with other musical organisations.
Clerkenwell Community Choir is about the joy of singing, it’s as simple as that. We have built from the firm foundations of the LSO Community Choir to become a thriving independent choir with open access at its heart – anyone is welcome, no audition is necessary. Our charitable aim is to make music together and anyone can get involved and find their voice with us. We love variety, so we perform a wide repertoire from classical to pop via folk, jazz and much more. The Choir is led by musical director Emily Dickens, and accompanied by pianists Elizabeth Burley and Joanna Smith. We rehearse weekly on Monday evenings in term time, with at least one performance each term, and we take opportunities to sing at community events.
Achievements and performance
a. Going concern
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
b. Activities and performance
We have become well established with our average membership increasing from 65 to 80 singers. We are lucky to have a good balance of voices including great tenor and bass sections to complement our lovely sopranos and altos.
In December 2024 we performed Together For the Season at the magical St Giles Cripplegate with London Phoenix Choir, drawing an audience of 250. Between the winter and Christmas songs, you could hear ethereal sounds from Norway and Lady Gaga’s Poker Face/Bad Romance.
In March 2025 we were at a LSO family concert in the Barbican Hall singing the enchanting The Lost Thing by Paul Rissman, based on a book by Shaun Tan. And later that month we joined Thames Opera Choir and London Phoenix Choir in a Brandenburg Choral Festival performance at St Andrews Holborn. Our sound was perhaps more harmonic and eclectic than the other choirs, but we enjoyed singing Tosca and Carmen choruses.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
In Summer, we sang A Season to Sing by contemporary composer Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, a piece we had co-commissioned with 54 other choirs, being a choral re-imagining of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons to celebrate its 300[th] anniversary. The music is based on Vivaldi but featured whistling to welcome Spring and body percussion Summer storms, starting with A Time to Dance and ending with A Time of Peace.
We wrapped up the year with an exuberant if somewhat windy performance at Whitecross Street Party in July 2025, and a free Come and Sing at St Clements Church in King Square.
c. Staffing and self-employed workers
The Choir is run and supported by volunteers, with no paid staff.
Financial review
a. Financial review
Income was £33,583 in the year (15 months to 31 August 2024: £36,952). Membership income increased with numbers, and we held two ticketed concerts, proportionately increasing our income. The donations received last year, which the trustees designated for expenditure to increase membership and to enrich and enhance our performances were not required in this year, so the £5,053 is carried forward for plans for future years.
The restricted grant of £1,000 from the Old Street District Community Pot in the previous period was spent on increasing local membership and supporting community performances, contributing to Whitecross Street Party and the Come and Sing at St Clements church.
As we have become better established, as we noted last year, our expenditure is less minimal, as we increase spend on music, concerts and marketing. We were delighted to be accompanied by a string quintet for the A Season to Sing performance in July, and now regularly provide members with termly music leaflets.
We were still able to make an unrestricted surplus of £3,209 (15 months to 31 August 2024: £8,419) which added to our unrestricted reserves gives £11,628 at the end of the period.
.
b. Reserves policy
The Directors have examined the Charity’s requirements for reserves in the light of the main risks to the organisation and the reliability of our income sources. The reserves policy was reviewed in the period, and trustees agreed that we should continue to hold enough unrestricted reserves at a level equivalent to a term’s expenditure. This level would allow us to weather any variations in finances in the future.
The level of unrestricted funds at the year-end is £11,628, which is below the level of expenditure in Summer 2025 which was high with the A Season to Sing performance. We are comfortable with this level achieving our reserves policy.
c. Investment policy
Aside from retaining a prudent amount in reserves each year most of the Charity's funds are to be spent in the short term so there are no funds held for long term investment. The policy of the Directors is to invest the amount that it has available and grants received in advance in short-term bank deposits.
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(A registered charity)
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
d. Public benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with the duty in section 4 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit, ‘Charities and Public Benefit’.
e. Financial management
The Trustees aim to ensure that year-on-year the Charity achieves a balanced budget with sufficient money being set aside as reserves to ensure the Charity is able to keep operating.
Structure, governance and management
a. Constitution
The Charity is registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation and was set up under a Constitution on 1 June 2023.
b. Trustees
The Trustees of the Charity who served during the period and to the date of this report are as follows:
Adam Dale Milan Stamenkovic Deborah Arnott (from 19 May 2025) Nick Brittain, Chair Helen James Paul Turley John Kenny (from 30 June 2025) Sandrina Carosso Katherine Gardiner, Treasurer Tim Kitchin (resigned 2 May 2025) Kim Caplin (resigned 21 October 2024)
c. Governance and Trustee appointment and recruitment
The affairs of the Charity are governed by the Board of Trustees of the Charity, who meet fortnightly in term time. The Board ensures that there is an appropriate strategic plan and that this is being carried out effectively. The day-to-day management is carried out by Trustees or other member volunteers. Board members are appointed from the members, ensuring that there is a balance of skills within the Board.
d. Risk management
The Directors regularly consider the risks to which the charity is exposed, and take necessary action to limit exposure and the impact of significant risks. The Board believe that appropriate structures and reserves are in place to minimise foreseeable risks.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Milan Stamenkovic Trustee Date: 3 June 2026
Katherine Gardiner
Treasurer Date: 3 June 2026
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(A registered charity)
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of New London Community Choir, working name Clerkenwell Community Choir, Charity registration number 1203359
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (‘the Charity’) for the year to 31 August 2025, set out on pages 6 to 15.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the Charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination;
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed: Dated: 4 June 2026
Andrew Martyn-Johns FCA East Dundry, Bristol BS41 8NJ
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
| Note Income from: Donations and grants 3 Charitable activities 4 Investments 5 Total income Expenditure on: Charitable activities 6 Total expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Net movement in funds Total funds carried forward 11 |
Restricted funds 2025 £ - - - |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 2,199 31,078 306 |
Total funds 2025 £ 2,199 31,078 306 |
Total funds 15 months 2024 £ 11,536 24,995 421 36,952 22,480 22,480 14,472 - 14,472 14,472 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 33,583 | 33,583 | ||
| 1,000 | 30,374 |
31,374 |
||
| 1,000 | 30,374 |
31,374 | ||
| (1,000) | 3,209 |
2,209 | ||
1,000 (1,000) |
13,472 3,209 |
14,472 2.209 |
||
- |
16,681 |
16,681 |
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity) REGISTERED NUMBER: 1203359
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025
| Note Fixed assets Tangible assets Current assets Stock 8 Debtors 9 Cash at bank and in hand Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 10 Net current assets Total net assets Charity funds Restricted reserves 11 Designated reserves 11 Unrestricted funds 11 Total funds |
63 6,694 12,592 |
2025 £ - 16,681 |
- 2,316 14,183 |
2024 £ - 14,472 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19,349 (2,668) |
16,499 (2,027) |
|||
| 16,681 | 14,472 | |||
- 5,053 11,628 |
1,000 5,053 8,419 |
|||
| 16,681 | 14,472 |
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Milan Stamenkovic Trustee Date: 3 June 2026
Katherine Gardiner Treasurer Date: 3 June 2026
The notes on pages 8 to 15 form part of these financial statements.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
1. General information
New London Community Choir, with working name Clerkenwell Community Choir, is incorporated and registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales (Charity Registered Number 1203359).
In the event of the Charity being wound up, the liability to contribute to the assets of the Charity is limited to £1 per member of the Charity.
The address of the registered office is given in the Charity information on page 1 of these financial statements. The nature of the Charity’s operations and principal activities are detailed in the Trustees’ Report.
2. Accounting policies
2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
New London Community Choir, with working name Clerkenwell Community Choir, meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, modified to include certain items at fair value. The financial statements are presented in sterling which is the functional currency of the Charity and rounded to the nearest pound.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all years presented unless otherwise stated.
2.2 Going concern
The Trustees have assessed the use of going concern and have considered possible events or conditions that might cast significant doubt on the ability of the Charity to continue as a going concern. The Trustees have made this assessment for a period of at least one year from the date of the approval of these financial statements. The Trustees have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. The Charity therefore continues to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these financial statements.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.3 Income
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
For donations to be recognised the Charity will have been notified of the amounts and the settlement date in writing. If there are conditions attached to the donation and this requires a level of performance before entitlement can be obtained then income is deferred until those conditions are fully met or the fulfilment of those conditions is within the control of the Charity and it is probable that they will be fulfilled.
The Charity receives grants from time to time in respect of furthering its charitable objectives. Income from grants are recognised at fair value when the Charity has entitlement after any performance conditions have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably. If entitlement is not met then these amounts are deferred.
Charitable activity income of membership subscriptions and performance income is included in incoming resources in the relevant term or period when the performance takes place.
2.4 Expenditure
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by category and is inclusive of any irrecoverable VAT,
2.5 Taxation
The Charity is an exempt charity within the meaning of schedule 3 of the Charities Act 2011 and is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charity, and is considered exempt from income and capital gains tax.
Gift aid is allocated to the same income category as the related income.
Irrecoverable VAT is allocated to the same expenditure category as the related expense.
2.6 Stock
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving items.
2.7 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
2.8 Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
2. Accounting policies (continued)
2.9 Liabilities and provisions
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
2.10 Financial instruments
The Charity only holds basic financial instruments of accrued income, cash at bank and accruals and other creditors. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
2.11 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds are funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the Charity for particular purposes. The aim and use of each restricted fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
Designated funds are funds which the Trustees have agreed to separate from unrestricted funds to be used for particular purposes. The aim and use of each designated fund is set out in the notes to the financial statements.
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(A registered charity)
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
3. Income from donations and grants
| Donations Grants Transfer from Association Total donations and grants |
Restricted funds 2025 £ - - - - |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 2,199 - - 2,199 |
Total funds 2025 £ 2.199 - - ____ 2,199 |
Total funds 2024 £ 6,683 1,000 3,853 11,536 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
In the last period, the Charity received a restricted grant of £1,000 from the Old Street District Community Pot in July 2024, for increasing local membership and supporting community performances.
The choir operated as an Association in the 5 months from 1 January 2023 until 31 May 2023, after which it became a charity on 1 June 2023. The surplus of the Association from those 5 months of £3,853 was transferred to the Charity on 1 June 2023, shown in the previous period..
4. Analysis of income from charitable activities by type
| Membership subscriptions Performance income |
2025 £ 27,325 3,753 |
2024 £ 23,870 1,125 |
|---|---|---|
| 31,078 | 24,995 |
All income from charitable activities in the period was unrestricted.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
5. Investment income
| Bank interest receivable | 2025 £ 306 |
2024 £ 421 |
|---|---|---|
6. Analysis of expenditure
| Music Director and Pianist Venue hire Concert costs Music Marketing Administration Total expenditure |
Restricted funds 2025 £ 848 - - 17 135 - 1,000 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 17,629 6,187 2,664 2,597 607 690 30,374 |
Total funds 2025 £ 18,477 6,187 2,664 2,614 742 690 31,374 |
Total funds 2024 £ 16,348 3,400 275 2,064 259 134 22,480 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
There were no governance costs in the period.
7. Staff costs and Trustees
The Charity had no employees during the period.
The Trustees were not paid or reimbursed for expenses during the period.
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
| 8. Stock Concert refreshments left over for following year 9. Debtors Due within one year Prepayments and accrued income 10. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Accruals Deferred income Deferred income movements Deferred income brought forward Resources deferred during the year Amounts released from previous periods Deferred income carried forward |
2025 £ 63 |
2024 £ - |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 £ 6,694 |
2024 £ 2,316 |
|
| 6,694 2025 £ 1,793 875 |
2,316 |
|
2024 £ 747 1,280 |
||
| 2,668 | 2,027 |
|
1,280 875 (1,280) |
- 1,280 - |
|
| 875 | 1,280 |
Deferred income relates to membership fees received in advance in the period for the following Autumn term.
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(A registered charity)
NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
11. Statement of Funds
| Year to 31 August 2025 Restricted funds Designated funds Unrestricted funds Total funds Prior period: 15 months to 31 August 2024 Restricted funds Designated funds Unrestricted funds Total funds |
Balance at 31 August 2024 £ 1,000 5,053 8,419 ____ 14,472 |
Income 2025 £ - - 33,583 ____ 33,583 Income 2024 £ 1,000 5,500 30,452 36,952 |
Expenditure 2025 £ 1,000 - 30,374 ____ 31,374 Expenditure 2024 £ - 447 22,033 22,480 |
Balance at 31 August 2025 £ - 5,053 11,628 16,681 Balance at 31 August 2024 £ 1,000 5,053 8,419 14,472 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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NEW LONDON COMMUNITY CHOIR working name CLERKENWELL COMMUNITY CHOIR
(A registered charity)
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR TO 31 AUGUST 2025
12. Analysis of net assets between funds
| 31 August 2025 Current assets Creditors due within one year Total funds Prior period 31 August 2024 Current assets Creditors due within one year Total funds |
Restricted funds 2025 £ - - _ ___- Restricted funds 2024 £ 1,000 - 1,000 |
Designated funds 2025 £ 5,053 - __ __ 5,053 Designated funds 2024 £ 5,053 - 5,053 |
Unrestricted funds 2025 £ 14,296 (2,668) ____ 11,628 Unrestricted funds 2024 £ 10.446 (2,027) 8,419 |
Total funds 2025 £ 19,349 (2,668) 16,681 Total funds 2024 £ 16,499 (2,027) 14,472 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
12. Related party transactions
There were no Related Party transactions in the year (prior period: none).
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