THE LONDON CHORUS (LONDON CHORAL SOCIETY)
ANNUAL REPORT
and
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
YEAR ENDED 31st AUGUST 2022
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THE LONDON CHORUS (LONDON CHORAL SOCIETY)
Patrons : HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG, GCVO
Vice Patrons: Mary Bevan, Roderick Williams
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 2022.
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, the Choir was able to resume a full programme of rehearsals and concerts and promoted and performed in the following concerts:-
Music by Purcell and Faure Anthems, the Requiem and St Botolph, Aldgate, London, EC3
Cantique de Jean Racine
Come & Sing Workshop Handel’s Coronation Anthems St Botolph, Aldgate, London, EC3
Bach The B Minor Mass Southwark Cathedral, London,SE1 Music by Faure, Handel , Requiem, Zadok the Priest, Church of the Ascension, Lavender Hill, Bruckner and Elgar Locus Iste, Psalm 48 London, SW11 Rossini Petite Messe Solenelle St Martin in the Fields, London WC2 The London Chorus also sang on other occasions, and the Council wishes to express
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its thanks to the following promoters who invited The London Chorus to take part in their concerts or events during the year:
Raymond Gubbay Ltd Classical Spectacular Concerts Royal Albert Hall
in November 2021 and March 2022
Raymond Gubbay Ltd Orff, Carmina Burana Royal Albert Hall
Royal Orchestral Society Beethoven, Missa Solemnis St John’s Smith Square, London SW1
Marylebone Cricket Club An Evening of Carols The Long Room, Lord’s Cricket Ground, London NW1
Maggies (a Charity) Carol Service All Saints Church, Putney,SW15
Mosimanns Christmas music Mosimanns Restaurant, Belgravia,
London, SW1 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 £64,801 which, after expenses of £60,544, left The London Chorus with a surplus for the year of £4,257. When added to the balance brought forward on Reserves Account of £20,682, it leaves a surplus of £24,939 to be carried forward on the Unrestricted Fund together with a surplus £1,368 on the Restricted Fund as at 31[st] August 2022 – (see note 7 to the accounts.)
THE NEW CHAIRMAN, PROFESSOR SIMON HEFFER
On behalf of the membership of the choir, the Council is delighted to welcome Professor Simon Heffer to head the Choir’s management team as Chairman. Professor Heffer is deeply committed to the study and performance of choral music and has a wealth of experience in management and networking in the world of the performing arts on which he regular provides commentary in the national press.
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 by providing an interesting and stimulating mix of choral music within the financial reach of the Choir’s finances.
MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL
During the year the following members served on the Council:
Graham Anderson (resigned 1[st] February 2022) Clive Barger
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Margaret Beels Anna Bosher Gillian Clarke Hugh Closs (resigned 1[st] February 2022) Matt Green Simon Heffer (co-opted on to the Council on 17[th] February 2022) Anne Howick Martin Huggett (elected 1[st] February 2022) Nick Janmohamed (co-opted on to the Council on 6[th] September 2022) Michael Strachan (elected 1[st] February 2022) Peggy Watson
Margaret Beels is required to retire by rotation and offers herself for re-election. Gillian Clarke is required to retire by rotation but does not offer herself for reelection. Clive Barger has indicated that he will retire on 30[th] November 2022 but wishes to continue to act as a service provider and authorised official for the foreseeable future. Simon Heffer and Nick Janmohamed formally offer themselves for election.
By Order of the Council ANNE HOWICK Company Secretary, 17[th] January 2023
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 2022, 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
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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
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: 12[th] January 2023
THE LONDON CHORUS (LONDON CHORAL SOCIETY)
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BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 [st] August 2022
Note 2022 2021
£ £
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank 21,708 41,
358
Debtors (Gift Aid) 3,
5,461 000
Prepayments(Insurance) 1
138 38
27,307__ 44,____
496
Less :-
CREDITORS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE
YEAR:
Deferred income 6 - 4
,726
Creditors (soloists’ fees) 1,000 -
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NET CURRENT ASSETS
RESERVES
Unrestricted Fund
Surplus/(deficit) on Income
& Expenditure Account
Restricted Fund
Donation from the Executors of the Estate of Hilary Lock(deceased)
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26 39,
,307 770
20,682
24,939
7 1,368 19,
088
2 39,770
6,307
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(a) For the year ended 31st August 2022 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 17[th] January 2023
Nick Janmohamed, 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 31[st] August 2022
| Not | Unrestric | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| e | tedFund | Funds | Funds | Funds | |
| s | 2022 | 2021 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Income from Charitable Activities | |||||
| Members’ donated subscriptions | 21,797 | - | 21,797 | 13,543 | |
| TLC promoted concert receipts & | 20,633 | - | 20,633 | - | |
| sponsorship | |||||
| Performance Fees | 11,702 | - | 11,702 | - |
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| Income from Generation of Funds Donations, Friends of TLC, legacies & other income Gift Aid: Tax recoverable Other income Interest received Total Incoming Resources Resources Expended Charitable Expenditure 4/7 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 after transfers Funds Reserves surplus/(defcit) brought forward at the beginning of the year Reserves surplus/(defcit) carried forward at the end of the year |
54,132 5,391 5,267 64,790 11 __ 64,801 ____ 59,296 1,0 23 225 60,54 4 4,257 - 4,257 20,682 |
- - - - - __ - ____ 17,720 - 17,720 (17,720) - (17,720) 19,088 1,368 |
54, 132 5,391 5,267 64,790 11 __ 64,801 ____ 77,016 1,0 23 225 78,264 (13,4 63) - (13,463) 39,770 26,307 |
13,543 21,927 2.988 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38,458 | ||||||
| 16 __ 38,474 ____ 27,127 1,0 62 225 |
||||||
| 28,414 | ||||||
| 10,060 (19,088) |
||||||
| (9,028) | ||||||
| 48,798 | ||||||
| 24,939 | 39,770 |
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.
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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.
- 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 (2021: 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. (2021: £nil)
4. Direct Charitable Expenditure
| TLC promoted concert expenses Other concert expenses Add:- Rehearsal expenses Musical Director’s fees Concert Manager’s fees Accompanist’s fees Funeral Attendance fees (restricted) Less :- Contribution from Restricted Fund in respect of TLC promoted concert losses 5.Finance charges |
2022 2021 £ £ 37,128 500 850 __ 37,978 - _ 500 11,838 77 20,000 2,400 4,800 - 20,000 1,400 4,800 ___350 77,016 (17,7 20) 59,2 96 2 7,127 - 27, 127 === |
|---|---|
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| Bank charges 6.Deferred Income Money received in connection with the Bach B Minor Mass concert which was scheduled to be performed in March 2020 and has been postponed as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic as follows: Sponsorship monies Direct ticket sales This concert has been rescheduled for performance in March 2022. Subscriptions and donations received in advance Monies received from members for the hire and purchase of music forming part of the rehearsal schedule for the term commencing September 2021. |
2022 £ 225. 2022 £ - - - - ____ _ - == === |
= 2021 £ 225 |
=== |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 £ 2,800 1,365 250 311 ______ 4,726 ======= |
7. Restricted Fund
Hilary Lock was a much loved and respected Soprano member of The London Chorus and sang with the Choir for many years. She had expressed the wish to her Executors 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 once again thanks the Executors and Trustees for this very generous donation which has been used during the year to cover deficits on the following concerts promoted directly by the Choir:
Music by Purcell and Faure performed at St.Botolph, Aldgate in October, 2021 £1,035 Bach B Minor Mass in March 2022 in Southwark Cathedral £10,700
Music by Faure, Handel, Bruckner and Elgar at The Church of the Ascension, SW11 in May 2022 £1,350
Rossini’s Petite Messe Solenelle in St Martins in the Fields in July 2022
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£4,635
Total £17,720