Arun Choral Society Charity registration number: 1210146 Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ended 31st May 2025
Objectives and Activities:
Arun Choral Society was founded in 1912. Its objects are to promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals, and by such other ways as the Society, through its Committee, shall determine from time to time. The Society fulfils its objects by organising weekly rehearsals of choral works for members led by Musical Director, Dr Joe Paxton, PhD, MMus, BA (Hons), and Accompanist, David Moore, MA, FRCO culminating in public performances in Arundel Cathedral and other local venues. The trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit.
Achievements and Performance:
At the period end the Society had 134 members, an increase from the 125 of its predecessor charity, Arun Choral Society registered charity number 287239, at 31st May 2024. We are pleased to welcome new members to all the voice sections. The Society was able to perform three full concerts, two in Arundel Cathedral and one at Worthing Assembly Hall during the period as follows:
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December 2024 ~ 2 Christmas concerts, one involving 5 local schools and approximately 150 children and one solely by the Society. Both were extremely well attended.
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April 2025 ~ Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana (Worthing Assembly Hall) This event was a collaboration with West Sussex Music which gave young singers and musicians the opportunity to perform with adult musicians and choir.
All the concerts have attracted good audience numbers. The Society has used more social media to advertise and promote the concerts and online ticket sales continue to increase.
The Society's members also undertook the following activities during this period:
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We were invited to sing carols at a local Care Home.
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We also sang carols at Castle Goring at a promotional event.
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Carols were also sung at the Black Horse in Climping on Christmas Eve.
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We were invited to sing carols at Petworth House, and approximately 25 members
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braved the cold to do so.
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We enjoyed a Bring and Share Food social event at our last rehearsal before
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Christmas.
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There were also 2 New Members’ Evenings during this period.
Financial Review:
The assets and liabilities of the Arun Choral Society registered charity number 287239 totalling £50,792 were transferred to the society on 30th November 2024 in accordance with a resolution of the members of the former society at an Extraordinary General Meeting on 18th November 2024.The society incurred a deficit on its spring 2025 concert but achieved a surplus on its Christmas concerts. The society achieved an overall surplus of £51,409 for the period including the above noted donation.
The society held reserves of £45,849 at the period end. The trustees seek to maintain a minimum cash reserve, broadly equating to six months of non-performance expenditure. Although the reserves held are in excess of the minimum cash reserve, the society continues to attract new members, resulting in a possible relocation to a larger rehearsal venue becoming necessary in the future. Any such move is likely to significantly increase the society's level of non-performance expenditure. The trustees therefore consider it appropriate to maintain this level of reserves at the present time.
Structure, Governance and Management:
The society is a charitable incorporated organisation, and its activities are conducted under its Constitution and Rules dated 20th September 2024. The society's trustees are elected by its members at the Annual General Meeting. The members or the charity trustees may at any time decide to appoint a new charity trustee, whether in place of a charity trustee who has retired or been removed, or as an additional charity trustee.
Reference and Administrative Details:
The Society’s principal address is: 6 Woodland Close, Clapham, Worthing, West Sussex, BN13 3XR. The charity trustees who manage the charity are as follows: Maggie Somerset (Chair) Hilary Charlton (Vice Chair) Alan Jackson (Secretary) Richard Cooper (Treasurer) Anne Hibbert (Librarian) Juliet Robinson (Schools’ Co-ordinator, Music Committee) Hedda Wells (Concert Manager, Music Committee) Other non-trustee committee members Jean Buck – (Assistant Librarian) Judith Cartwright (Stage Manager) David King – (Publicity, Programme, Website) Elizabeth Marks – (Risk Assessments) Dee Tilbury (Membership Secretary) Stephanie Pountney – resigned 15th March 2025 (Advertising and Marketing)
Declaration:
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Alan Jackson Arun Choral Society Secretary Date: 25th June 2025
Arun Choral Society
Charity number 1210146
Notes to the accounts
1 Basis of preparation
1.1 Basis of accounting
These accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant notes to these accounts. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the second edition of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice issued in October 2019, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102.
2 Accounting policies
2.1 Income
Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities (SoFA) when:
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the charity becomes entitled to the resources;
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it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources; and
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the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 SORP or FRS 102. Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise. The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report. Membership subscriptions received in the nature of a gift are recognised in Donations and Legacies.
2.2. Expenditure and liabilities
Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty. Governance costs comprise all costs involving public accountability of the charity and its compliance with regulation and good practice. Income and expenditure in respect of concerts after the balance sheet date and patrons' subscriptions received in advance are deferred in the accounts. All deferred amounts are released to the SoFA in the following accounting period. The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.
2.3 Assets
Tangible fixed assets for use by the charity are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year, and cost at least £100. They are valued at cost. The depreciation rates and methods used are disclosed in note 5. Stocks are measured at the lower of cost or net realisable value.
3 Analysis of income
| Donations and legacies: Donations and gifts Gift Aid Total General grants provided by other charities Membership subscriptions which are in substance donations |
Total funds £ £ £ 45,140 5,652 50,792 8,965 8,965 1,527 1,527 166 421 587 Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds - - |
|---|---|
| 54,271 7,600 61,871 |
Charitable activities:
| Ticket sales Sale and hire of music Patrons' concert allocation Total Other trading activities: Fundraising Advertising in programmes Hire of equipment Patrons' subscriptions Total Income from investments: Interest income Total Total income |
12,133 12,133 1,573 1,573 464 464 - - - |
|---|---|
| 14,170 14,170 - |
|
| 2,430 2,430 1,037 1,037 471 471 295 295 - - - - |
|
| 1,803 2,430 4,233 |
|
| 1,017 1,017 - |
|
| 1,017 1,017 - |
|
| 71,261 10,030 81,291 |
General grants provided by other charities
The assets and liabilities of Arun Choral Society registered charity number 287239 were transferred to the CIO, Arun Choral Society registered charity number 1210146, on 30[th] November 2024 in accordance with a resolution of the members of the former society at an EGM on 18th November 2024.
4 Analysis of expenditure
| Expenditure on raising funds: Staging fundraising events Total expenditure on raising funds Expenditure on charitable activities: Concert expenses Music officers and accompanists Performers Music purchase and hire Rehearsal expenses Concert printing and publicity Subscriptions and fees Insurance Depreciation Internet services Charitable grants Independent examiner fee Miscellaneous Postage and telephone Stationery and printing Total expenditure on charitable activities Total expenditure |
Total funds £ £ £ 748 748 Unrestricted funds Restricted income funds - |
|---|---|
| 748 748 - |
|
| 13,638 13,638 7,348 7,348 2,227 2,227 1,662 1,662 1,605 1,605 1,189 1,189 441 441 289 289 228 228 184 184 142 142 80 80 67 67 29 29 5 5 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
|
| 29,134 29,134 - |
|
| 29,134 748 29,882 |
5 Tangible fixed assets
| 5 Tangible fixed assets | |
|---|---|
| Cost At end of the period Depreciation Charge for period Transfer from Arun Choral Society (note 3) Transfer from Arun Choral Society (note 3) |
£ 7,029 Fixtures, fittings and equipment |
| 7,029 | |
| 2,692 228 |
At end of the period
2,920
4,109
Net book value At the end of the period
Depreciation is charged at 10% on the reducing balance basis. No depreciation is charged on assets not brought into use by the balance sheet date.
6 Stocks
| Sundry stock 7 Debtors and prepayments Prepayments and accrued income Gift Aid Total 8 Cash at bank and in hand CAF Cash account CAF Gold account Petty cash United Trust Bank 100 day Accruals and deferred income Other creditors Total Total 9 Creditors and accruals |
This period £ 2,482 This period £ 2,426 587 3,013 This period £ 1,609 10 45,654 47,273 This period £ 3,071 2,397 5,468 - Amounts falling due within one year |
|---|---|
10 Charity funds
10.1 Details of material funds held and movements during the current reporting period
| Unrestricted fund: The Lavinia Norfolk Family Trust Restricted income funds: Choral Scholarship Fund Youth Engagement Project Total Funds |
Income Expenditure Transfers £ £ £ £ 3,577 3,577 1,451 1,451 8,579 (748) (7,831) Fund balances carried forward - - - - - |
|---|---|
| 13,607 (748) (7,831) 5,028 |
The purpose and restrictions of the funds are as follows:
The Lavinia Norfolk Family Trust – a designated fund set aside by the trustees for use at their discretion from a donation by the Lavinia Norfolk Family Trust
Choral Scholarship Fund – to provide choral scholarships for young people.
Youth Engagement Project – to support working partnerships with youth organisations. The balance on this fund was transferred to unrestricted funds at 31[st] May 2025 to cover costs of a joint concert with West Sussex Music.
11 Transactions with trustees and related parties
11.1 Trustee remuneration and benefits
J Robinson 285
The charity has paid remuneration to one trustee as follows.
This period £
The remuneration was paid in respect of professional music services provided.
11.2 Trustees' expenses
No trustee expenses have been incurred in the current period.
11.3 Transactions with related parties
There have been no related party transactions in the current period.
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