Annual Reports & Accounts For the year ended 31 May 2022 ## Sussex Chorus ## **Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 May 2022** ## **Contents:** |Director of Music’s Report|2| |---|---| |Chairman’s Report|3| |Legal and Administrative Information|4| |Report of the Trustees|5| |Independent Examiner’s Report|7| |Receipts and Payments Account|8| |Statement of Assets and Liabilities|9| 1 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## Director of Music’s Reports I began performances with Sussex Chorus after many months of online rehearsals, with a concert of Christmas music. This was a huge success at St Andrew’s Church, Burgess Hill. Accompanied by the Organ and a Brass Quintet the singers really rose to the occasion in traditional carols and a new work composed especially for us. The single soloist (stepping for the indisposed Soprano) was Rosanna Harris, she was particularly good in O Holy Night and the new work Dawn Chorus. The next concert was in March and, after many rehearsals online, reviving a whole term of preparation before ‘lockdown’ we performed one of the great cornerstones of Choral Music Bach’s St John Passion. The choir were wonderful in this work, dramatic and stylistic. The soloists were excellent, including some recent prize winners in the Kathleen Ferrier prize and the orchestra was the Rosenau Sinfonia, led by Rebecca Bell. I was delighted to see an almost full house for this concert and hope that we can continue to sing with such joy and beauty. I am convinced that the future of the choir is in making the number of singing members grow. I know the best way to do this is to constantly produce concerts of the highest quality. **Stephen Anthony Brown** Director of Music 14 June 2022 2 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## Chairman’s Report We entered the season with a number of significant concerns and challenges. We had not performed live for nearly two years, though we had benefitted from some excellent online tuition from Stephen Brown. Whilst public rehearsal was permitted, we were subject to stringent procedures in terms of combatting Covid-19. Furthermore, a number of members were anxious about returning to live singing. These concerns were amplified by the retirement of Rob Drake, who had served us with consummate professionalism over seven years and also of Gill West-Eacott who was due to retire after six years in the key role of Hon. Secretary. Furthermore, Kate O’Neill had also decided to stand down as Vice Chairman. The outlook for our one remaining Officer, Hon. Treasurer Jez Jalie was bleak. Despite thinking that my committee days were long past, I volunteered to serve as Choir Chairman for a two year term and Gill West-Eacott graciously volunteered to serve for another year to provide continuity in the key role of Hon. Secretary. Subsequently, Christine Wilson agreed to return to the Committee as Vice Chairman so, shortly after the beginning of the season, we had a full team on board. One of the main challenges for the Committee was the organisation of rehearsals that were compliant with Covid19 procedures, we also needed to recruit new members and we launched a recruitment campaign. Despite a last-minute surge of the latest Covid 19 variant, we had a fairly well attended Family Christmas Concert and, whilst we missed the debut of Zita Syme with us, she provided us with an excellent replacement, Rosanna Harris who sang quite beautifully. Stephen Brown, in his first concert led us expertly and we had some delightful contributions by our accompanist Jeremy Weaver. The pandemic issues eased a little as we entered 2022 and we recruited some new members, whilst welcoming back returning members for intensive rehearsals for Bach’s St John Passion. Our performance was an absolute triumph, with magnificent performances by soloists and orchestra whilst the choir was on top form. However, the highest accolade must go to Stephen Brown who combined the roles of Conductor and Evangelist in a way that added to the drama of the performance. We now look forward to our Centenary Opera Gala Concert postponed from last year. Earlier this year, we launched a fundraising campaign which has proved extremely successful. It all started with Helen Cooper’s marmalade, leading on to Margaret Rea’s success in securing a significant donation from Burgess Hill Lions and Chris Peskett obtaining significant support from the H. R. Taylor Charitable Trust. Burgess Hill Town Council have been very supportive and we helped ourselves with a very successful Table Top Sale match funded by Barclays Bank with the assistance of Rob Drake. All in all, a great achievement from an unpromising start, the choir is in good heart but recruitment of members remains a priority. **John Welch** Chairman 11 June 2022 3 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 May 2022 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## Legal and Administrative Information ## **Trustees** Helen Cooper Jeremy Jalie Richard Moon Hon. Treasurer Neil Peskett Margaret Rea Paul Seddon David Tettersell John Welch Gill West-Eacott Christine Wilson Chairman Hon. Secretary Vice-Chairman ## **Principal Office** c/o 1 Saxby Road, Burgess Hill, West Sussex RH15 8UL ## **Independent Examiner** Mr S. Brentnall ## **Bankers** CAF Bank Ltd. - 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ 4 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## Trustees Report for the Year ended 31 May 2022 The Trustees present their Report for the year ended 31 May 2022. ## **Object of the Charity** The Charity’s object is to provide, improve, develop, and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of choral music in all its aspects. ## **Review of Activities** Sussex Chorus did not meet in person during June 2021. The choir resumed weekly in-person rehearsals in September 2021 for the first time since March 2020 (when government restrictions to prevent the spread of covid-19 were enforced). The choir’s committee decided to celebrate the choir’s centenary (technically falling in 2021) during the 2021/22 season. Two (2) concerts were performed in the 2021/22 season. One was a Christmas concert held at St Andrew’s Church in Burgess Hill. The second was a performance of J. S. Bach’s St John Passion (sung in English) also at St Andrew’s. Concerts were promoted through poster, press advertising, our website, and handouts at other concerts. To support the choir’s financial position following the pandemic, several fundraising initiatives were launched in January 2022 that resulted in donations from several companies and grant making trusts totalling ~£5,300, including generous gifts from the HR Taylor Trust, Burgess Hill District Lions Club, Barclays Bank, P&S Gallaher Funeral Directors, and Burgess Hill Town Council. Several choir members also undertook specific fundraising initiatives to support the choir. ## **Trustees and Management** During the year, the Charity was managed by Trustees listed below: |Helen Cooper|_Appointed 20 September 2021_| |---|---| |Robert Drake|_Resigned 20 September 2021_| |Jeremy Jalie – Hon. Treasurer|| |Louise McKay|_Resigned 20 September 2021_| |Richard Moon|| |Kate O’Neill|_Resigned 20 September 2021_| |Neil Peskett|_Appointed 20 September 2021_| |Margaret Rea|_Appointed 20 September 2021_| |Paul Seddon|_Appointed 20 September 2021_| |David Tettersell|| |John Welch - Chairman|_Appointed 20 September 2021_| |Gill West-Eacott – Hon. Secretary|| |Christine Wilson – Vice Chairman|_Appointed 20 September 2021_| |Hillary Woodard|_Resigned 20 September 2021_| 5 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## **Public Benefit** The Charity operates for the benefit of the public by the presentation of public choral concerts and recitals and by any other ways as far as the Society thinks fit. ## **Financial Review** The financial activities are detailed in the Accounts on page 8. Receipts for the year were £25,465 (FYE 2021: £2,116) and payments were £19,142 (FYE 2021: £4,031) generating a surplus of £6,323 (FYE 2021: -£1,915). The charity’s policy is to maintain cash reserves of at least £10,000 to cover the cost of mounting at least one concert in the following season (normally a summer concert in June). The choir’s funds at 31 May 2022 amounted to £15,428 (FYE 2021: £9,105). It is extremely encouraging to be in such a strong financial position following the first season back from the pandemic, and this is due to the sterling fundraising efforts of several of our members. The choir’s committee continually monitors the financial health of the choir and undertakes careful budgeting to ensure the financial position remains secure. It is grateful to the Music Director who also supports endeavours to keep concert costs tightly controlled. ………………………………………………………………… ## **John Welch – Chairman** For and on behalf of the Trustees of Sussex Chorus 26 July 2022 6 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES of SUSSEX CHORUS [Registered Charity No. 271678]** I report on the accounts of Sussex Chorus for the year ended 31st May 2022 which are set out on pages 8 and 9. ## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner** The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. Having satisfied myself that the charity 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 statement** 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** In connection with my examination, no material matters have come to my attention which give me cause to believe that in, any material respect: - accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act, or - - the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. ## …………………………………………… ## **Steve Brentnall FCIE** 1 Meadow View Cottages Town Littleworth LEWES BN8 4TH …………………………………………… 7 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## Receipts and Payments Accounts ## **For the year ended 31 May 2022** |**INCOME RECEIPTS**
Receipts from Charitable Activities
Concert receipts
Subscriptions
Income tax recovered under Gift Aid
Fundraising income
Music hire and sales
Friends
Investment Income
Bank interest
**Total receipts**
**DIRECT CHARITABLE EXPENDITURE**
Concert expenses
Rehearsal fees – accompanist and conductor
Rehearsal fees – room hire
Publicity
Music purchase/hire
Administration and retirement gifts
Sundry costs
**OTHER EXPENDITURE**
Making music subscription and other
subscriptions
**Total payments**
**NET RECEIPTS/(PAYMENTS) FOR THE**
**YEAR**
Bank balances at 1stJune
**Bank balances at 31 May**|Unrestricted
Funds
Restricted
Funds
**Total**
**2022**
**Total**
**2021**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
4,701
-
**4,701**
**120**
9,723
-
**9,723**
**30**
2,243
-
**2,243**
**282**
7,103
-
**7,103**
**1,442**
968
-
**968**
**238**
725
-
**725**
**-**
2
-
**2**
**4**
25,465
**25,465**
**2,116**
(7,331)
(625)
**(7,956)**
**-**
(4,270)
-
**(4,270)**
**(2,423)**
(1,590)
-
**(1,590)**
**-**
(3,268)
-
**(3,268)**
**(175)**
(42)
-
**(42)**
**(125)**
(524)
-
**(524)**
**(542)**
(960)
-
**(960)**
**(243)**
(532)
-
**(532)**
**(523)**
(18,517)
(625)
**(19,142)**
**(4,031)**
6,948
(625)
**6,323**
**(1,915)**
**9,105**
**11,020**
**15,428**
**9,105**| |---|---| ||(18,517)
(625)| ||| ||6,948
(625)| ||| ||| 8 Sussex Chorus Registered charity (in England & Wales) no: 271678 ## Statement of Assets and Liabilities ## **At 31 May 2022** |**MONETARY ASSETS**
Bank balances:
CAF Cash account
CAF Gold account
**Bank balances**|Unrestricted
funds
Restricted
funds
**Total**
**2022**
**Total**
**2021**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
1,000
-
1,000
1,000
14,428
-
14,428
8,105
**15,428**
**-**
**15,428**
**9,105**| |---|---| ||**15,428**
**-**| ## Notes to the Financial Statements 1. The financial statements have been prepared on the receipts and payments basis in accordance with section 133 of the Charities Act 2011. 2. There are no staff employed by Sussex Chorus. 3. Restricted Funds – Sussex Chorus received no restricted donations in 2020/21 but retained funds received in 2019/20. |**FUND**
Centenary Fund
**Total**|Balance at 1
June 2021
Income
Expenditure
Transfers Balance at 31
May 2022
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
625
-
(625)
-
-
**625**
**-**
**(625)**
**-**
**-**| |---|---| ## **Restricted Funds** Centenary Fund _Funds to support Sussex Chorus Centenary Celebrations in FYE 2021/22._ The financial statements were approved by the Trustees and signed on their behalf by: ………………………………………………………………… ## **John Welch – Chairman** For and on behalf of the Trustees of Sussex Chorus 26 July 2022 9