Trustee’s Report Year Ending 31[st] July 2021
First of all may we take this opportunity to thank you, our members, for your continued support during these difficult times by continuing your membership and for your donations during the lockdown.
We have been saddened to learn of a number of members and supporters who have passed away as a result of covid-19. The Trust extends its sincere condolences to the families on their sad loss.
In the Trustee’s Report last year we mentioned that the year had been a challenging one, little did we envisage just how challenging this year was going to be.
From the first of August 2020 to the end of June 2021, there was no concert activity at all. It was only in July 2021 that the Heritage Centre re- opened its doors to resume our weekly Wednesday concerts.
All events at Stockport Town Hall were also cancelled, as the ballroom was used for storing PPE for the employees, during this time we were not able to access the console, or the chambers.
Whilst the Heritage Centre was closed during April and May it gave us the opportunity to refresh the premises, this included blanking off the windows and redecorating the whole of the auditorium. In addition to this, the proscenium arch and stage area were upgraded, redesigned and decorated. Photographs of these changes formed part of the Summer Edition of “Vox”.
During the lock-down the heating of the Centre was kept at a suitable temperature to ensure that the organs, museum exhibits and archive material were not compromised. It was quite remarkable that after so many months of not being used, how “in tune” the Compton and Wurlitzer were.
As the Stockport Wurlitzer had been in situe for 22 years and showing signs that some remedial work was required, it was decided, that after access to the ballroom was allowed; we would source a suitable specialist to undertake the work to improve winding problems, regulation of regulators, tremulants and all pipework.
This work was carried out by Martin Goetze and Dominic Gwynn Organ Builders Ltd., of which Robert Balfour-Rowley is a director. Following extensive work during July and August, the Wurlitzer showed a marked improvement in tonal quality and regulation.
Unfortunately, within weeks of the completion of the improvements, there was a serious leak in the roof of the organ chamber, which resulted in water ingress in three of the 20 ranks of pipes, namely the String rank in the main chamber and the Viole and Celeste ranks, also in the main chamber.
Remedial repairs were carried out immediately, but as water ingress has a long term effect, further problems were recently encountered, which will need full or partial restoration of the chests of those three ranks.
It has not yet been decided whether to accept the costly submitted estimate to remedy the faults, or for the work to be carried out by our in house team. In either case the cost should be covered by insurance. In the meantime the three affected ranks were isolated to enable the Wurlitzer to be used for our concerts. Updates on progress will be available on the website and in the next edition of “Vox”.
Our first event at the town hall following the lockdown was on the 3[rd] October 2021, with Robert Wolfe at the console, an event enthusiastically received and enjoyed by those present.
Following a second application to the Heritage Fund being successful, the Trust was awarded a further support grant to enable us to purchase audio video equipment for Stockport Town Hall and funds to kickstart our events at the Heritage Centre, including producing a YouTube video of Kevin Morgan at the Heritage Centre Compton. (See LTOT website for details).
The Trust was also awarded business support grants from Salford City Council.
Your Trustees would like to place on record, their thanks to Trustees and volunteers who supported the Trust over the last eighteen months in securing grants and funding, and assisting at the Heritage Centre during the renovations and the clean-up.
During the last twelve months we were sorry to receive the resignation, as Trustee, of Frank Thornton. Frank has been a valued contributor as a Trustee, and played a large part in the installation of the exDavenport Compton into the Heritage Centre. We miss Frank at our gatherings and extend to him our grateful thanks for all he has done over many years, in supporting the Trust in its many activities at different venues.
And so to the future:
On a number of occasions in the past we pointed out the need to attract more volunteers to take an active role in the running of the Trust.
We are now at a crucial point in the Trust’s history when we really need to address this shortage. Should you, or anyone you know, who has an interest in our organisation and may be in a position to volunteer in the many aspects of running the Trust, please let us know.
As the effect of the virus is becoming less limiting, we look forward to welcoming you all back to our concerts and events, whenever possible.
We thank the Heritage Lottery for their funding support in now being able to procure equipment to video record our concerts, especially at the Heritage Centre and to produce more recording for You Tube. In addition we now have the facilities to enable “Live Steaming” of Theatre Organ events.
The future viability of the Trust depends on generating income from events and concerts, increasing our membership, and the receipt of any donation or legacy.
Please share with your friends the enjoyment you receive from your interest in the Theatre Organ, and encourage them to join the Trust, and attend our events.
Should you feel able to support the Trust by making any future donation, you will be helping us to ensure, as our motto states, “To preserve the craftsmanship and traditions of yesterday for the generations of tomorrow”.
LTOT Trustees:
George Baker Ronald Whalley David Alldred Charles Brown Vic Matthews Gary Trinder John Loud - (To be confirmed at the AGM).
October 2021
The Lan¢astriaft Theatre Organ Tn Balance Sheet as at 31rtJuly 2021 Thls Yeir istyear Flxed Assets Wurlitser Organ- StcKkport Town Hall Wintage Record & Book Library LTOT Heritsge Centre BrOtt Forward Refurbishment Costs Thss Year Wurlitser Organ at Heritage Centre Audlolvldeo Equipment at cost CCTV at Cost Compton Organ at Herltage Centre Provisions for Depreciation 258449 152720 11 152720 2734 2986 15550 6284 720 42471 .90 11 15550 6284 720 42471 478 477690 469701 Currert A55ets Business Current Account Cash Floats- General Cash Float- HC Expenses Cash in Hand Debtor- Stockport MBC Sundry Debtor5 Prepaid PRS Sales Stall Stocks Totsl Cutrent Assets 35718 24620 2(K) 2489 2529 38267 27459 Current Uabllltles Sundry Creditors Totsl Assets 515957 497160 Represented By. Funds Brought Fonvard Grants. Fundfin& Income crnt Year LTOT Fund Balan¢es Clforward 497160 18797 515957 560 497160 Notes l. Value- Cost of installation to 3tstJuly 2020. £42,471 2. Refurbishment includes 4kitthenl costs 201512016 esttm3ted at E16,&YI now recovered over 10 years. To end of this year amount to £1596. Boiler renewal 2017 £1950 (wered overs years. this year£390.00. Con5tTUCtion of nèw dressing room £749.Crf) 3. Increase due to uwade ofstockport WUrtir David Alldred-Treasurer On Behalf of the Board f Tnjstees Dated September 2021 PeterA fat¢llffe_AMRSPH Independant Examlner Dated 3rd November 2021
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