## **THE LONDON CHORUS (LONDON CHORAL SOCIETY)** ## **ANNUAL REPORT** ## **and** ## **FINANCIAL STATEMENTS** **YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2021** 2 ## **THE LONDON CHORUS (LONDON CHORAL SOCIETY)** Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG, GCVO Musical Director: Ronald Corp OBE ## REPORT OF THE COUNCIL The Council has pleasure in presenting its Report, together with the Accounts of The London Chorus (London Choral Society) for the year ended 31st August 2021. LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION (i) The London Chorus (London Choral Society) is a company, limited by guarantee, registered number 00662374, and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. The registered office of The London Chorus is at 43 Manor Way, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3LN. (ii) The London Chorus (London Choral Society) is a registered charity, number 271402. (iii) The bankers are Barclays Bank PLC, Chancery Lane & Goslings, Bloomsbury & Chancery Lane Group, PO Box 11345, London W12 8GG. PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY The principal activity of The London Chorus is the study and performance of choral music. REVIEW OF THE YEAR. During the year, it was not possible to hold any physical rehearsals or perform any concerts due to the Covid 19 pandemic and the Government lockdown. However, the Choir was able to meet on a weekly basis throughout the usual season of September to June via the medium of “Zoom” technology which was arranged by Trustee Matt Green with the grateful thanks of the Choir. The “Zoom” rehearsals were led by the Musical Director and during the period, the choir was able to rehearse the following pieces online under his direction :- Puccini - Messa di Gloria Haydn – Te Deum Mozart – Requiem Rossini – Stabat Mater Britten – Hymn to St. Cecilia Elgar – Spirit of England Haydn – Missa in Tempore Belli Bach – B Minor Mass In addition, each week the Musical Director painstakingly prepared detailed notes on a wide array of composers and their works for Choir members to study, together with 3 references to other relevant works of interest with links to the music itself. In this way the choir was able to continue to function as a group which reinforced the social links between the members and provided a much needed opportunity for singing in a meaningful and structured way. The members of the Council wish to express their sincere thanks to the Musical Director, Ronald Corp. ACCOUNTS The Council wishes to acknowledge the generous help of all members and supporters of The London Chorus, and those donors who have asked to remain anonymous for the generous support they have given to The London Chorus during the year. With the help of the donors noted above, The London Chorus received income from all sources during the year of £13,543. Once again, the season was badly disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and it was not possible to perform any concerts or hold any physical rehearsals. The Council felt that in such circumstances, the subscription should be cut from £250 to £150 and as a result The London Chorus made a deficit of £9,028 in the year which, when deducted from the surplus on Reserves Account of £29,710 brought forward, leaves a surplus of £20,682 to be carried forward as at 31[st] August 2021 on the Unrestricted Fund. In addition, the Choir received a net donation of £19,088 from the Executors of the Estate of Hilary Lock deceased. These funds are being held as a Restricted Fund for use in accordance with Hilary’s wishes. See Note 7 to the Accounts. ## THE CHAIRMAN, GRAHAM ANDERSON On behalf of the membership of the choir, the Council members wish to record their profound thanks to Graham Anderson who has chaired the Council for the last 12 years. His contribution to the choir has been outstanding and his enthusiasm, energy and management skills are legendary. He will be sorely missed and we wish him all the very best in all his future endeavours. ## RESERVES POLICY The Trustees’ policy is to maintain a level of reserves which will provide a stable base for the continuing activities of The London Chorus and these are reviewed on a monthly basis. The Trustees are also mindful of the need to keep membership levels as high as possible, whilst at the same time meeting the choir’s financial obligations during the Covid-19 pandemic which has caused the choir’s income to drop substantially. ## MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL During the year the following members served on the Council: Graham Anderson Clive Barger Margaret Beels Gillian Clarke Hugh Closs Matt Green Anne Howick Anna Bosher (elected 2[nd] February 2021) 4 Peggy Watson (elected 2[nd] February 2021) Georgina Ongley (resigned 2[nd] February 2021) Caroline Paradise (resigned 2[nd] February 2021) Graham Anderson and Clive Barger are required to retire by rotation. Graham Anderson and Hugh Closs have indicated that they will be retiring with effect from 1[st] February 2022. Clive Barger, who has offered himself for re-election, has indicated that he wishes to retire on 30[th] September 2022. By Order of the Council ANNE HOWICK Company Secretary, 6[th] January 2022 ## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of The London Chorus (London Choral Society)** I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 31 August 2021, which are set out on pages 5 to 8. This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Section 145 of the Charities Act 2011. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charity’s trustees those matters I am required to state to them in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body, for my work, for this report, or for the opinions I have formed. ## **Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner** The Trustees (who are also the Directors of the Company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed as required by section 145(1) of the Act. Having satisfied myself that the charity is not subject to audit under company law and is eligible for independent examination, it is my responsibility to: - examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; - to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and - to state whether particular matters have come to my attention. ## **Basis of independent examiner’s report** My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. ## **Independent examiner’s statement** 5 In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: - to keep accounting records in accordance with section 386 of the Companies Act 2006; and - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records, comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the Companies Act 2006 and with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Name: John Hammond Address: 19 Carleton Road, London, N7 0QZ Date: 21[st] January 2022 THE LONDON CHORUS (LONDON CHORAL SOCIETY) BALANCE SHEET as at 31[st] August 2021 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Note 2021 2020
£ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank 41,358 30,
057
Debtors 6,
3,000 273
Prepayments 4
138 38
44,496______ 36,______
768
Less :-
CREDITORS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE
YEAR:
Deferred income 6 4,726 7
, 058
NET CURRENT ASSETS
39 29,
,770 710
RESERVES
**----- End of picture text -----**
6 29,710 20,682 ## Unrestricted Fund Surplus/(deficit) on Income & Expenditure Account ## Restricted Fund Donation from the Executors of the Estate of Hilary Lock(deceased) 7 19,088 - 3 29,710 9,770 (a) For the year ended 31st August 2021 The London Chorus was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. (b) The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year ending 31[st] August 2021 in accordance with section 476. (c) The members of the Council of Management acknowledge their responsibility for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts. These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime. These financial statements were approved by the Council on 6[th] January 2022 Clive Barger, Honorary Treasurer for and on behalf of the Council of Management |THE LONDON CHORUS (LONDON CHORAL SOCIETY)
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
(STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES)
for the year ended 31stAugust 2021
Not
e
Unrestric
tedFund
s
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
2021
£
£
£
Income from Charitable Activities
Members’ donated subscriptions
13,543
-
13,543
TLC promoted concert receipts &
sponsorship
-
-
-
Performance Fees
-
-
-
13,543
-
13,
543
Income from Generation of Funds
Donations, Friends of TLC,
legacies
& other income
2,489
19,438
21,927
Gift Aid: Tax recoverable
2,988
-
2,988|THE LONDON CHORUS (LONDON CHORAL SOCIETY)
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
(STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES)
for the year ended 31stAugust 2021
Not
e
Unrestric
tedFund
s
Restricted
Funds
Total
Funds
2021
£
£
£
Income from Charitable Activities
Members’ donated subscriptions
13,543
-
13,543
TLC promoted concert receipts &
sponsorship
-
-
-
Performance Fees
-
-
-
13,543
-
13,
543
Income from Generation of Funds
Donations, Friends of TLC,
legacies
& other income
2,489
19,438
21,927
Gift Aid: Tax recoverable
2,988
-
2,988|| |---|---|---| ||Total
Funds
2021
£
13,543
-
-
13,
543
21,927
2,988|Total
Funds
2020
£
23,779
4,478
6,865
35,122
4,618
6,188| 7 |Other income
Interest received
**Total Incoming Resources**
Resources Expended
Charitable Expenditure
_4_
Management and Administration
Finance charges
_5_
**Total Resources Expended**
**Net Surplus/(Defcit) For The Year**
Transfer to Restricted Fund
**Net Surplus (Defcit) For The**
**Year**
**Unrestricted Fund**
Reserves surplus/(defcit) brought
forward at the beginning of the
year
Reserves surplus/(defcit) carried
forward at the end of the year|19,020
16
______
**19,036**
______
26,777
1,0
62
225
**28,06**
**4**
(9,028)
-
(9,028)|19,438
-
______
**19,438**
______
350
-
**350**
19,088
(19,088
)
-|38,458
16
______
**38,474**
______
27,127
1,062
225
**28,414**
10,060
(19,088)
(9,028)
29,710
**20,682**|45,928| |---|---|---|---|---| |||||48
______
**45,976**
______
44,682
841
151| |||||**45,674**| |||||302| |||||302| |||||29,408| |||||**29,710**| All disclosures relate to continuing activities. There are no other unrealised gains or losses which do not appear on the statement of financial activities. The notes on pages 7 and 8 form part of these accounts. 8 ## Notes to the Accounts ## 1. Accounting Policies ## (a) Accounting convention The charity meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognized at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated. ## (b) Accounting Standards The accounts have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006. ## 2. Members’ Liability The liability of the members is limited by guarantee. This means that in the event of a winding up of the Company, each member would only be required to contribute up to £10 as set out in Section 3 of the Articles of Association. ## 3. Employee emoluments The London Chorus (London Choral Society) had no employees during the year (2020: none) and paid no employee emoluments during the year. No member of the Council of Management may be appointed to any salaried office of The London Chorus (London Choral Society). No remuneration has been paid to any member of the Council of Management in the year. (2020: £nil) ## 4. Direct Charitable Expenditure |TLC promoted concert expenses relating to a prior year
Other concert expenses
Rehearsal expenses
Musical Director’s fees
Concert Manager’s fees
Accompanist’s fees
Funeral Attendance fees (restricted)
Total
5.Finance charges
Bank charges|| |---|---| 9 151 2021 6. Deferred Income Money received in connection with the Bach B Minor £ Mass concert which was scheduled to be performed in March 2020 2020 and has been £ postponed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic as follows: 2,800 1,365 Sponsorship monies Direct ticket sales 2,800 This concert has been rescheduled for performance 250 1,600 in March 2022. Subscriptions and donations received in advance 311 Monies received from members for the hire and purchase of music ____ 2,420 forming part of the rehearsal schedule for the term _ 4,7 commencing 26 238 September 2021. == ______ === 7,058 ======= ## 7. Restricted Fund During the year, the Choir was in receipt of the following funds: |From the Estate of Hilary Lock
From the Lock Family Settlement Trust

Less Funeral Attendance fees

Total net funds received
|£18,148
£1,290
£19,438
£(350)
£19,088
=======| |---|---| Hilary Lock was a much loved and respected Soprano member of The London Chorus and had sung with the Choir for many years. She had expressed to her Executors the wish that, upon her death, a substantial sum should be paid to the choir and that such funds should be used to defray the cost of a concert in her memory. On behalf of the membership of the choir, the Council of Management has thanked the Executors and Trustees for this very generous donation which will be held as a Restricted Fund until such time as a suitable concert can be arranged to honour Hilary’s wishes. In this respect, it is the intention to perform the Bach B Minor Mass in March 2022 (instead of October 2021 as originally planned) in Southwark Cathedral.