CHELTENHAM MUSIC SOCIETY
TRUSTEES’ REPORT FOR YEAR ENDING 30 APRIL 2025
The Cheltenham Music Society is a registered charity number 279209. It is governed by a written constitution which was last amended at the Annual General Meeting on 30 May 2013. The purpose of the Society is to promote public education in the art and science of music by the presentation of public concerts and in other ways. The Society’s correspondence address is Moat Corner, South View Way, Prestbury, Cheltenham GL52 5BH.
Governance
The Trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting for renewable three-year terms. The officers are elected at the AGM from among the Trustees. Those entitled to vote at the AGM are members by virtue of having purchased a subscription for the current season. The Trustees during the past year were:
Sir David Pepper Chairman Mr Michael O’Connell Membership Secretary Ms Lynne Elouard Treasurer Mr John Beard Mrs Lindsay Tyndall Ms Penny Steer Mr John Wright
In accordance with section 17 of the Charities Act 2011, the Trustees have satisfied themselves that the Society’s purpose and activities provide a public benefit.
Activities
As in recent years the Society promoted a programme of seven concerts between October and April. Three of the concerts were by string quartets, and the remainder were by a variety of soloists and small ensembles. Because no volunteer had come forward to take up the role of Programme Secretary, the Trustees again employed a well-qualified professional to carry out those duties.
The Trustees had previously determined that the 2025-26 season would be the last in the current format because of falling membership and diminishing reserves. However, after a review of the financial prospects as a result of unexpected increases in membership and single ticket sales, an unexpected legacy and donation from members, and the availability of more funding than had been foreseen from the Misses Runge Trust for Cheltenham Music Society, they concluded that the Society could continue in its current form for a few more years. Two new Trustees were identified to increase the resilience of the Committee.
Financial review
The Society had a net operating deficit of £17124; this was an expected consequence of the decisions to splash out on artists, and not to seek donations in addition to subscriptions, in what was expected to be the Society’s penultimate year. This figure also reflected a large increase in the cost of hiring the venue, which was offset by increases in subscription income resulting from the membership growth, and in single ticket sales which were the highest ever. The value of the Society’s investments fell by £664. During the year the Misses Runge Trust closed and transferred its reserves of £51917 to the Society. At the end of the year the Society’s reserves were £91060, which is more than adequate to cover any revenue deficit or other uninsured losses.
(Signed on behalf of the Trustees)
Sir David Pepper 6 October 2025
Cheltenham Music Society
Statement of Financial Activities for the period 1 May 2024 to 30 April 2025
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note 2024-2025 2023-2024
Income
Subscription tickets 15765 14494
Single Tickets 9755 8572
Donations 1640 9603
Runge Trust a 51917
Interest 1226 1856
80303 34525
Expenditure
Artists' Fees and Expenses 28611 19476
Venue Hire 7700 7158
Commission b 1463 1058
Piano hire & tuning 1356 286
Programmes 260 232
PRS levies 1446 461
Publicity 464 390
Administration c 4210 4783
45510 33844
Net incoming 34793 680
Increase/decrease in value of
investments -664 352
Balance, brought forward 56931 55898
Balance, carried forward 91060 56931
Balance sheet as at 30 April 2025
Assets
Current account d 50808 41616
COIF Deposit account e 49362 13261
COIF Income units 11006 11544
Debtors f 552 1302
111727 67724
Less: creditors & prepayments g -20668 -10793
Accumulated Fund 91060 56931
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Notes to Accounts
a Transferred from the Misses Runge Trust for Cheltenham Music Society
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b Commission paid to Cheltenham Trust (CT) plus credit card charges
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c Administration includes PayPal charges
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and payments to contractor for Programme Secretary duties
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d Balance end 30 April 2025
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e Includes £35000 of Runge Trust donation transferred from HSBC account f Net credit from CT for concert 7
g CT and admin Invoices arriving late plus Advance payments of 25/26 subs
Indgpendont examinerfs report to the trustees of Cheltenham Music Society I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Cheltenham Music Society {the Socrety) for the year ended 30 April 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity trustees of the Society 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 TNSYS accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Oirections given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Indep•ndont examiner's statement I have completed my examination. I confim that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. 1. accounting records were nol kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act., or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or 3. the accounts do not compty wrth the applicable requirements concerning the fomi 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 consKlered 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. Signed., PIL Name.. Date: oc,ye6rt 70£