Trustees' Annual Report for the period
| Period start date | Period start date | Period end date | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **From ** | 01 | January | 2023 | To | 31 December |
2023 |
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name The Viola da Gamba Society Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 258544 Charity's principal address 12 Macclesfield Road Hazel Grove STOCKPORT Postcode SK7 6BE
The Viola da Gamba Society
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alison Crum | President | |||
| John Bryan | Chair | |||
| Ibrahim Aziz | ||||
| Nicolas Hyde | ||||
| MaryIden | ||||
| Ursula Fuller | HonoraryTreasurer | Resigned 24thApril 2024 | ||
| Margaret Woodruff | HonoraryTreasurer | Appointed 24thApril 2024 | ||
Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
| Name | Dates acted if not for whole year |
|---|---|
| N/A | |
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| Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address |
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address |
Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of adviser Name Address |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | ||
Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
A constitution known as the Rules, adopted on 18[th] June 2017 Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Unincorporated association How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Selected from the membership and from the wider music community Trustee selection methods according to skills and experience, and elected by members at the AGM. (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
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policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
To advance the study of the viols, their playing, their music and Summary of the objects of the their making, on the part of members of the society and the public charity set out in its generally. governing document
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The Viola da Gamba Society (VdGS) began informally in 1948 and was registered on 14[th] April 1970 as a charity devoted to the education of the public in the music and history of the viola da gamba. Annual membership fees are modest and affordable, starting at £30 p.a. for adults, with generous reductions for students, and membership is open to all, ensuring that there are no barriers to participation. Education and training: Advancing the appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of Early Music and in particular the viola da gamba. Outreach Summary of the main to schools, music colleges and to adults of all abilities including activities undertaken for the novices. The viol hire scheme facilitates those without their own public benefit in relation to instrument to try the viol at a relatively low cost. these objects (include within this section the statutory Research: Assisting research into the history of the viola da gamba declaration that trustees have and its music. had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Publication: Making available editions of viola da gamba music for Commission on public purchase by members of the public. Producing a quarterly newsletter benefit) for members and annual online Journal which both include a wide variety of articles.
The VdGS acts as a forum both for professional musicians and enthusiasts from all backgrounds to come together to share their enjoyment of the viola da gamba and its music. There are three to four online talks and regular online technique tutorials each year open to members, and occasional live meetings.
The trustees of the VdGS pay due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance when planning their activities for the year.
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
The VdGS benefits from the services of Honorary Officers who offer their expertise to ensure the smooth running of the charity:
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
• policy on grant-making;
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policy programme related investment;
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• contribution made by volunteers.
Meetings Organiser Frances Watson took over from Trustee Ibrahim Aziz during the year; Newsletter Editor Mary Iden was supported by Chris Benson, Sue Benson and others;
Andrew Ashbee served as editor of the online Journal and as custodian of the Thematic Index of Music for Viols . The VdGS archivist was Will Robley.
- Outreach officer: Linda Hill engaged with a wide variety of new audiences of all ages.
Tim Soar acted as Instruments Adviser and Susanne Heinrich managed the VdGS website and social media, both of which are essential for enhancing public awareness.
In all we count on the support of around ten committed volunteers each year and last but not least our part-time administrator Sue Challinor.
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Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
The VdGS celebrated its 75[th] Anniversary during the year with a number of concerts and articles published in The Viol. There were five online meetings during 2023 and two live meetings, including an Anniversary celebration in June. We continue to use the meetings as an opportunity to showcase upand-coming viol players, through the Young Performers Platform.
The VdGS outreach programme continued to be successful in raising public awareness and in particular amongst students at universities and conservatoires where growing interest is supported by the VdGS viol hire scheme which is open to all members.
Younger players were supported through the Jamulus ViolJam initiative launched in 2023, which encourages consort playing both live and online and such was the success that this scheme is now enjoyed by adult players as well.
The Joy Doson Fund was able to offer modest bursaries to student members to enable participation without financial barriers and to fund professional tutors.
The VdGS continued to consolidate and catalogue its archive of materials, preserving valuable history of the Early Music movement and in particular of the viola da gamba.
Section E Financial review
The charity has adopted an informal policy of having one year’s income Brief statement of the in reserve to support its activities. This reflects the charity’s modest size. charity’s policy on reserves During 2024 it is intended that a formal reserves policy be adopted. Details of any funds materially N/A in deficit
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Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
The charity’s income derives from members’ subscriptions, donations, occasional legacies and from hiring musical instruments to members, the sale of music editions and sundry services to members.
Expenditure supports educational activity to enhance public knowledge of the viola da gamba with live meetings, student bursaries, online meetings and videos and a periodic newsletter, plus the costs of maintaining the instrument hire scheme and sundry expenses.
The charity has no investments and any cash reserves are held in an interest-bearing bank account.
- investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) Margaret Woodruff Full name(s) Margaret Woodruff Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Honorary Treasurer etc) Date 20[th] August 2024
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VIOLA DA GAMBA SOCIETY
Accounts for year ended 31 December 2023
| General Fund |
Viol Hire Fund |
Joy Dodson Music Fund |
2023 £ Total |
2022 £ | 2021 £ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS Voluntary receipts Subscriptions received Donations for meeting speakers Other donations Gift Aid reclaimed Unclaimed deposits Receipts for services to members Viol hire scheme fees Viol hire insurance receipts Sale of hire viols Summer course fees Generated funds Newsletter sales “The Viol” advertising VdGS Music Edition sales Sundry sales and receipts Investment income Bank interest Total receipts PAYMENTS Cost of membership services “The Viol”: printing distribution Hire scheme repairs Hire Scheme insurance Hire Scheme commission Purchase of hire viols Joy Dodson bursaries Meeting costs Summer course costs Costs of generating funds Cost of goods for sale VdGS Music Edition costs Early Music Exhibition costs Support costs Administration: fees Website and videoconferencing Postage, stationery and sundries PayPal and bank charges Other costs Total payments Net receipts/payments |
8,148 183 290 528 |
1,050 | 8,148 183 1,340 528 0 |
7,163 410 3,800 0 1,000 |
9,365 1,086 1,054 0 0 |
|
| 9,150 | 0 | 1,050 | 10,200 | 12,373 | 11,505 | |
| 10,658 2,925 1,700 |
10,658 2,925 1,700 0 |
6,995 2,741 0 0 |
6,882 2,440 0 0 |
|||
| 0 | 15,283 | 0 | 15,283 | 9,736 | 9,322 | |
| 0 300 1,024 1,414 |
0 300 1,024 1,414 |
0 302 451 914 |
0 156 331 1,133 |
|||
| 2,738 | 0 | 0 | 2,738 | 1,667 | 1,621 | |
| 64 | 64 | 4 | 1 | |||
| 11,952 | 15,283 | 1,050 | 28,284 | 23,780 | 22,448 | |
| 1,316 1,375 2,076 0 |
2,576 1,264 1,721 5,300 |
1,090 | 1,316 1,375 2,576 1,264 1,721 5,300 1,090 2,076 0 |
1,091 2,305 3,699 1,224 1,721 0 675 3,376 0 |
689 1,328 4,641 1,144 2,159 345 375 3,367 0 |
|
| 4,767 | 10,861 | 1,090 | 16,719 | 14,091 | 14,048 | |
| 0 169 520 |
0 169 520 |
315 668 556 |
57 164 527 |
|||
| 690 | 0 | 0 | 690 | 1,539 | 747 | |
| 4,195 218 594 96 431 |
2,097 126 |
1 | 6,292 218 594 223 431 |
6,231 218 664 221 713 |
5,440 0 569 241 0 |
|
| 5,534 | 2,224 | 1 | 7,758 | 8,047 | 6,251 | |
| 10,991 | 13,085 | 1,091 | 25,166 | 23,678 | 21,046 | |
| 961 | 2,198 | (41) | 3,118 | 102 | 1,402 |
| General Fund |
Viol Hire Fund |
Joy Dodson Music Fund |
2023 £ Total |
2022 £ Total |
2021 £ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balances at 31/12/2022 | 9,603 | 13,868 | 1,485 | 24,956 | 24,854 | 23,452 |
| Balances at 31/12/2023 | 10,565 | 16,066 | 1,444 | 28,074 | 24,956 | 24,854 |
| STATEMENT OF CASH ASSETS AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 | ||||||
| Unrestricted | Joy Dodson | Total | ||||
| Treasurer's Account | 8,969 | 1,444 | 10,413 | |||
| Music Edition Account | 5,333 | 5,333 | ||||
| Deposit Account | 7,321 | 7,321 | ||||
| PayPal Administration Account | 1,924 | 1,924 | ||||
| PayPal Hire Account | 3,066 | 3,066 | ||||
| PayPal Music Edition Account | 17 | 17 | ||||
| Total cash at bank | 26,630 | 1,444 | 28,074 |
Notes to the accounts
The insurance value of the hire instruments owned by the society was £133973 on 11/02/2020 The hire scheme commission due for 2024 is £2645.75
The Joy Dodson Music Fund is a restricted fund. This means that the money is earmarked to be spent on bursaries. The receipts are donations, the balance of a legacy, and sales of second hand music to fund bursaries.
Viol hire scheme deposits
| Balance at 1 January 2022 Deposits received Deposits repaid Deposits forfeit Old deposits transferred to general fund Balance at 31 December 2022 |
1,500 0 (50) 0 |
|---|---|
| 1,450 |
Deposits for the hire scheme are refundable and so are not the Society's money. For that reason they are shown separately.
£1040 of the deposits are for viols currently on hire. The balance is old deposits that have never been reclaimed.
Independent Examiner’s Report
I report on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31[st] December 2023.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (a) which gives me cause to believe that, in any material respect, the general requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with UK accounting principles have not been met, and (b) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Caroline MacBrayne
24[th] April 2024