2025-03-31-accounts

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period

From 14/01/2023 Period start date To 31/03/2025 Period end date

Charity name: Ashburnham English Song Awards

Charity registration number: 1206193

Objectives and Activities

	SORP reference
Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document	Para 1.17	The object of the CIO to be carried out for the public benefiting the UK and the Republic of Ireland is: To advance, improve and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art of music by providing support through masterclasses, competition and performance opportunities for young singers and collaborative pianists during their professional training and year round educational activities designed to encourage the appreciation of the musical genre known as ‘English Song’.
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 main activities are the annual singing competition for seniors aged 18 years and above; the annual singing competition for juniors up to the age of 18 years; masterclasses and concerts.
Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit	Para 1.18	Yes the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

SORP reference No comment Para 1.38 Policy on grant making

Policy on social investment including program related investment	Para 1.38	No comment
Contribution made by volunteers	Para 1.38	The charity relies heavily on volunteers to run all our events: organising and facilitating the competitions; creating and distributing advertising and publicity materials; sourcing sponsors; fund raising.
Other		No comment

Achievements and Performance

	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	Since 2023, the charity has held three successful Senior competitions thereby creating the opportunity for young singers and pianists to perform in front of distinguished industry professionals and to gain financial reward. Several competition finalists are now performing professionally both in the UK and abroad. The competition is gaining a reputation for excellence and encouragement of future musicians. Local audiences have enjoyed performances of a high standard not usually seen outside of London. The Junior competition is creating awareness and appreciation of the genre of English Song within local schools and colleges. Through masterclasses with our Artistic Director, Louise Winter, young students learn vocal technique and performance skills. We have commissioned artwork for our concert programme covers through a competition for local students. The winner has received financial reward, exposure for their art and valuable contribution to their art portfolios.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

No comment Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41

Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set	Para 1.41	No comment
Investment performance against objectives	Para 1.41	No comment
Other

Financial Review

Review of the charity’s Para 1.21 financial position at the end of the period Statement explaining the Para 1.22 policy for holding reserves stating why they are held Amount of reserves held Para 1.22 Reasons for holding zero Para 1.22 reserves Details of fund materially in Para 1.24 deficit Explanation of any Para 1.23 uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising)	Para 1.47	Private donors, fundraising concerts and musical events.
Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted	Para 1.46	No comment

A description of the principal risks facing the charity	Para 1.46	No comment
Other		No comment

Structure, Governance and Management

Description of charity’s trusts:

Description of charity’s trusts:
Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter)	Para 1.25	Constitution
How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO)	Para 1.25	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	As laid out in our governing document.

Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:

Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees	Para 1.51	No comment
The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works	Para 1.51	No comment
Relationship with any related parties	Para 1.51	No comment
Other		No comment

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Ashburnham English Song Awards
Other name the charity uses	n/a
Registered charity number	1206193
Charity’s principal address	White Chimneys, Nineveh Lane, Benenden, Kent TN17 4LG

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

		Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year	Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (if any)
	1	Brenda Anson	Chair
	2	Alistair Keith	Trustee
	3	Margaret Waite	Trustee
	4	Susan Fabien	Trustee
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Corporate trustees – names of the directors at the date the report was approved

Director name N/A

Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity

Trustee name	Dates acted if not for whole year
N/A

Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others

Description of the assets held N/A in this capacity

Description of the assets held in this capacity	N/A
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

Additional information (optional)

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

	Type of adviser	Name	Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Exemptions from disclosure

Reason for non-disclosure of key personnel details

Other optional information

Declarations

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

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) DJ Katis Full name(s) Deborah Katis Position (eg Secretary, Secretary Chair, etc) Date 12/01/2026

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or￿ 0￿0 o * O CO O t75 0 r% * Ln Ln m rfj r4 m o) Ln o o r Ln cfl