NORTHAMPTON BACH CHOIR Registered Charity No 276390 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
For the Year 1st AUGUST 2024 to 31st JULY 2025
The following information is given in accordance with the Charity Commissioners’ ‘Accounting by Charities – Statement of Recommended Practice’.
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The full name of the Charity (the Choir) is ‘Northampton Bach Choir’.
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The Choir is registered with the Charity Commission, its registration number being 276390.
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The Choir’s Honorary President is Sir Peter Ellwood, DL, CBE.
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The Choir is managed by a General Committee (the Committee), the appointment of whose members is governed by the constitution document. The following were the Choir’s Committee during the year under review:
Chairman: Sarah Wise (appointed 3[rd] March 2025 - formerly Jonny Alms) Secretary: Sheila Moakes
Concerts: Manager: David Tristram
Treasurer: Geoffrey Gill (appointed 3[rd] March 2025 - formerly David Leathley, deceased December 2024)
Friends Secretary: Judy Ellwood Membership Secretary: Rachael Gill Librarian: Alison Barnes (appointed 14[th] October 2024 - formerly Iain Erskine) Member: Tom Jones (appointed 14[th] October 2024)
Member: Claire Jennings (appointed 23rd October 2024)
Member: Iain Erskine Member: Leah Perry (resigned 14[th] October 2024)
The holders of the first four posts listed above are defined in the constitution as Officers, and they and the other members of the Committee are the Trustees of the Charity and are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The Committee can number between 8 and 12. All members retire from office at the end of the AGM following that at which they were elected, but are eligible for re-election, with the exception of the Chairman, who cannot serve in the post for longer than five years at a time. The constitution provides for a number of Choir members to be co-opted to the committee as necessary. All members of the Committee are fully aware of their responsibilities as Trustees of the Charity.
- The objectives of the Charity as stated in its Constitution are: “To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals; to further such charitable purpose or purposes as the trustees in their absolute discretion shall think fit but including through the making of grants and donations.”
The Choir was established in 1936 and has a programme of, normally, 3 or 4 concerts each year, many of which are held at St Matthew’s Church in Northampton. Further information about the Choir’s history and current programme is available from any Committee member or on the Choir’s website at www.northamptonbachchoir.org.uk
- The Trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and believe that the Charity is a public benefit for the following reasons: Difference made to beneficiaries
The mental and physical health benefits of singing in a choir are now well documented and recognised. The Trustees also have a policy of funding children meeting the required standard to sing in the choir for free. The Trustees are not aware of any other auditioned choral societies in Northamptonshire that enable children, as regular members, to sing large choral works with professional orchestras and soloists.
Working in partnership with the Josephine Baker Trust (Charity No. 1086222) the Choir has a policy of employing the services of young professional signers at the outset of their careers, giving them a concert-day experience which will be of benefit to their professional development. Difference made to wider society
The Choir brings large scale choral works to the people of Northamptonshire, meaning that they do not have to travel to London, Birmingham, Oxford or Cambridge to hear these works. In the past year
alone the Choir has also welcomed in person famous living British composers, Iain Farrington, Will Todd and Cecelia McDowall, with John Rutter in previous years.
Being keen to promote Northampton as a place to visit, members of the Choir performed in the Market Square as part of the Northampton BID Great Fire Commemorations. The Choir have also highlighted local professional musicians including Rebecca Bottone.
The Choir aims to put on an occasional “Come and Sing” event open to all singers (not only NBC members). In 2025 this was a performance of “Mass in Blue”, led by the composer, Will Todd. Significant charitable activities and achievements
In order to keep ticket prices as low as possible, the Choir runs a series of fundraising activities throughout the year, e.g.: plant sales, quiz, coffee mornings, etc. This year the Choir have also introduced free concert programmes – the Trustees believe that this is an issue of inclusion, in that all attendees should have the benefit of a full concert experience without having to pay more for a programme. This initiative has been paid for by donations from different sponsors. Performance of material fundraising against objectives
All income from membership subscriptions, ticket sales and fundraising initiatives is ploughed back into the activities of the choir i.e.: the presentation of public concerts and recitals.
- The Choir’s members form the electorate from which the Committee is elected annually. The Choir consists of;
| consists of; | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voice Part | 2024 – 2025 | 2023 – 2024 | 2022 - 2023 | 2021- 2022 |
| Soprano | 42 | 46 | 45 | 45 |
| Alto | 39 | 42 | 41 | 44 |
| Tenor | 13 | 18 | 17 | 12 |
| Bass | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| Total | 115 | 128 | 126 | 125 |
Membership of the Choir is gained by expression of interest and a voice test.
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Financial Review: Total income for the year was £50,140 compared to £56,797 in 2024. The Charity made a deficit of £4,035 (2024: surplus of £906), reducing total reserves as at 31 July 2025 to £54,844 All reserves held by the Charity are unrestricted.
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Reserves Policy: The choir aims to hold cash reserves approximating to 6 months’ expenditure in order to fund concerts and other events where a proportion of the income only arises close to the event itself. At 31 July 2025 the reserves were £54,844 and 50% of the estimated annual expenditure is £27,000. This policy will be reviewed annually but will also be kept under continual review by the Charity’s Treasurer.
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The Choir’s bankers are:
The Co-operative Bank PLC, Skelmersdale, Lancs. WN8 6WT
Charities Aid Foundation, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4TA
Shawbrook Bank, Warley Hill Business Park, The Drive Great Warley, Brentwood, CM13 3BE
- The Choir’s Independent Examiner is;
Shaw Gibbs Limited, Eagle House, 28 Billing Road, Northampton NN1 5AJ
- The Choir neither owns or leases property and consequently has no registered address. However, correspondence should be sent to, and copies of the Report and Accounts may be obtained from the Secretary, Sheila Moakes, at:
38 Fishers Close, Little Billing, Northampton, NN3 9SR
- The Treasurer’s Report and Accounts which follow should be regarded as part of the Charity’s Annual Report.
Signed:
Chairman Date: 10/06/26
Treasurer 10/06/26
NORTHAMPTON BACH CHOIR
Page 1
RegisteredCharityNo. 276390
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES 01/08/24 - 31/07/25
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Income from Charitable Activities | |||
| Concerts Account (see page 2) | 25353 | 15361 | |
| Administration acount (see page 3) | 24787 | 41436 | |
| Other income | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 50140 | 56797 | |
| Expenditure on Charitable Activities | |||
| Concerts Account (see page 2) | 38003 | 3222 | |
| Administration acount (see page 3) | 15902 | 4 | |
| Bad debts | 270 | 2366 | |
| Other expenditure | 0 | 7 0 |
|
| Total | 54175 | 55891 | |
| Surplus/Deficit | -4035 | 906 |
All income and expenditure relates to unrestricted funds
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31/07/25
| 31/07/2025 | 31/07/2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Current Assets | |||
| Co-operative Bank plc Community a/c | 15331 | 19557 | |
| Co-operative Bank plc Community No 2 a/c | 350 | 0 | |
| Shawbrook Bank 1 year Fixed Rate | 34095 | 32907 | |
| Paypal | 0 | 2334 | |
| SumUp | 0 | 0 | |
| TriBooking | 0 | 0 | |
| Debtors and prepayments (see page 4) | 6454 | 8840 | |
| Total | 56230 | 63638 | |
| Current Liabilities | |||
| Creditors and Accruals (see page 4) | 1386 | 4759 | |
| Total | 1386 | 4759 | |
| Net Current Assets | 54844 | 58879 | |
| Represented by | |||
| Balances b/fwd | 58879 | 57973 | |
| Deficit/Surplus for year | -4035 | 906 | |
| Balance c/fwd | 54844 | 58879 |
(signed)Sarah Wise
Chairman
Date:
NORTHAMPTON BACH CHOIR
Page 2
Registered Charity No. 276390
CONCERTS ACCOUNTS 01/08/24 - 31/07/25
| Total | Mozart Requiem |
Christmas Concert |
St Matthew Passion |
Then Sing We All |
W Todd Come & Sing |
2023-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INCOME | |||||||
| Tickets | 19483 | 4949 | 2956 | 5860 | 2550 | 3168 | 13624 |
| Refreshments | 1092 | 278 | 338 | 262 | 214 | 379 | |
| Sub total | 20575 | 5227 | 3294 | 6122 | 2764 | 3168 | 14003 |
| Programme Sales | 1026 | 250 | 126 | 650 | 1008 | ||
| Donation to cover programme costs | 164 | 164 | |||||
| Grants/Sponsorship | 2928 | 2928 | |||||
| Josephine Baker Trust Grant | 660 | 660 | |||||
| MA Trust Grant | 350 | ||||||
| Total | 25353 | 5477 | 3420 | 10360 | 2928 | 3168 | 15361 |
| EX PE NDITU RE | |||||||
| Advertising/Publicity | 274 | 42 | 32 | 200 | 120 | ||
| Director/Conductor | 4020 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 600 | 1620 | 2618 |
| Gifts | 48 | 48 | 40 | ||||
| Hire of Staging | 4121 | 1704 | 1862 | 55 | 3348 | ||
| Hire of Venue | 2932 | 870 | 97 | 5 | 59 | 3754 | |
| Instrument/ Music Hire/ Music Purchase | 3126 | 1225 | 289 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 1698 |
| Miscellaneous | 0 | 45 | 0 | 27 | 243 | ||
| Orchestra inc. travel | 12227 | 5240 | 2007 | 2 4980 |
88 | 2 | 12308 |
| Organist/Accompanist/Musicians | 890 | 635 | 8 | 255 | 180 | ||
| Posters/Leaflets/Photography | 1002 | 16 | 420 | 422 | 382 | ||
| Printing | 893 | 0 | 405 | 79 | 199 | ||
| Prog ram mes | 1476 | 40 | 899 | 164 | 413 | 747 | |
| Soloists/Artists inc. travel | 6685 | 9 1 50 |
700 | 2612 | 1423 | 6374 | |
| Tickets | 32 | 32 | |||||
| Refreshments | 277 | 101 | 28 | 62 | 86 | 213 | |
| Total | 38003 | 12291 | 6574 | 11118 | 4670 | 3350 | 32224 |
| Surplus / Deficit | -12 650 | -68 14 | -31 54 | -758 | -17 42 | -182 | -16 863 |
| St | Cripps | Christchurc | All Saints | ||||
| Concert Venue | Matthews | Theatre | St Matthews | h | Church |
NORTHAMPTON BACH CHOIR
| Page 3 | Registered Charity No. 276390 | |
|---|---|---|
| ADMINISTRATION ACCOUNT 01/08/24 - 31/07/25 | ||
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | |
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME | ||
| Deposit interest | 130 | 1194 |
| Don ations/Fun dra ising | 3200 | 16326 |
| Music Account | 0 | 1780 |
| Subscriptions - Choir | 19977 | 16097 |
| Subscriptions- Friends | 1480 | 939 |
| Tax Rebate on Gift Aid | 0 | 5100 |
| Total | 24787 | 41436 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Accompani st | 3220 | 4555 |
| Advertising/publicity | 0 | 75 |
| Venue hire (John Rutter day) | 0 | 1991 |
| Gifts | 0 | 111 |
| RPO fee (re: Daventry Choral Soc. - Verdi Requiem) | 250 | |
| Software subscriptions | 101 | |
| Independent Examination fee | 1386 | 650 |
| Accountancy | 0 | 1234 |
| Insurance | 533 | 317 |
| Miscellaneous (2024/5: Badges ) | 19 | 163 |
| Music Director/Conductor | 4696 | 6045 |
| Music Account Purchase/Hire | 1003 | 2306 |
| Postage Bank charges Rehearsal Room Hire Website |
28 154 3967 545 |
0 327 5138 755 |
| Total | 15902 | 23667 |
| Surp lus | 8885 | 17769 |
NORTHAMPTON BACH CHOIR
Page 4
Registered Charity No. 276390
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| DEBTORS AND | PREPAYMENTS AT 31/07 | |
| HMRC (Gift Aid) | 5100 | 5100 |
| Prepayments * | 219 | 226 |
| Accrued Income | 335 | 2864 |
| Other Debtors # | 800 | 650 |
| Total | 6454 | 8840 |
CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS AT 31/07
| Independent Examiner fees | 1386 | 132 |
|---|---|---|
| Accrued Expenses | 0 | |
| Total | 1386 | 343 |
| 9 | ||
| 475 |
- This relates to the fact that our insurance covers the calendar year Jan.-Dec.9 £219 relates to Aug. - Dec. 2025
This figure is the £800 owed by the RPO for the Verdi Requiem concert in June 2024 which was not actually received until December 2025
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Page 6
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF NORTHAMPTON BACH CHOIR
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 July 2025 which are set out on pages one to five, and on the Trustees’ Annual Report for the year.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charity’s trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. Our independent examination work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charity’s trustees those matters we are required to state to them in an independent examiner’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charity and the charity’s trustees as a body , for our independent examination work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Nicola Fox FCA ShawGibbs Limited Eagle House 28 Billing Road Northampton Northamptonshire NN1 5AJ
Date: 17 June 2026