Twickenham Choral Society Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 July 2025 TCS Twickenham Choral Society (Registered Charity number 284847. and operating as Ywickenham Choral") exists for -the promotion for public education in the urt and science of Chorol ond Orche5trol Music by the presentation of public concerts and recitols-. It is governed by the Rules of the Society. The Trustees have complied with the duty in Section 4 of the Charities Act 2006 to have due regard to public benefit guidan published by the Charty Commission. The Trustees believe that the organisation meets the public benefit requirements of the Charity Commission because the charitable objectives las noted above) clearly demonstrate the public benefit in the public education in the art and science of Choral and Orchestrdl music,. the organisation provides the opportunity for participants to develop their musical skills and vocal technique in performing a wide range of choral repertoire: the organisation presents public concerts to a high standard in the local area,. and financial assistance is provided to those in hardship by offering reduced rates of both membership and concert tickets. Membership During the year11 August 2024to 31 July 20251 the following senrfed on the committee: Chairman Helen Coulson Concert Manager. Paul Hehir Treasurert: rim Lidbetter Publicity Jackie Jillings Secretary Gill Zettle Stxial Seuetsry: Katrin3 Lidbetter Website Deborah Meyer Membership Barbara Orr Librarian: Judwth Leigh Front of House: Mika Takami . Trustee& Conduttor.. Howard lonascu Assistant Conductor: Dan King Smith Other than the Conductor. who is a member of the committee ex officio, neither the trustees nor any other committee members receive any remuneration for their duties. but may be reimbursed for necessary expenses. The committee met five times during the year. There were a total of 107 members during the year (previous year 104} of whom 94 claimed Gift Aid from HMRC (previous year 871. Membership numbers are now backto pre-COVID levels1107 in 2019120, having dropped to 90 in 20201211. Independent Examiners: Simon Bartlett and Alison Williams (see below). Banker5 CAF Bank (Chaf Ities. Aid Foundation). Kings Hill. West Malling, Kent; It is our policy to invest surplus funds into our higher-earning CAF Gold account.
Financial Review of the Year The Financial Statements are presented in accordance wtth the Charities, Statement of Recommended Practice. Summa Following the retirement of Christopher Herrick in June 2024. Howard lona5cu was selected as his replacement and took up his post in September 2024. Accounting policies Statement of compliance The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Prartice applicable to charities preparing their account5 in accordance with the Financial Reporting St3ndard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland IFRS 1021 (effective l January 20151- (Charities SORP IFRS 10211 and the Charities Act 2011. Basis of preparation Twickenham Choral Society meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. These financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention. Assets and liabilttie5 are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant a¢u)unting policy notes. Exemption from preparing a cashflow statement As permitted by FRS 102. the choir has opted to exercise the exemption for smaller charities from preparing a cashflow statement. Taxation and Gift Aid The Choir is a registered charity and therefore exempt from taxation. The choirfs charitable aims include presenting public concerts. which are therefore considered to be in support of the choirfs charitable aims, and so members. subscriptions and other donations are eligible for Gift Aid. Until 2014 the choir used Richmond Adult College's facilities as a rehearsal venue and in consequence was registered as an evening cla55 Of that college, with the Conductor paid a5 a member of the teaching staff. It was agreed with HMRC that part of the subscription was deemed to be paid in respect of musical tuition and therefore not eligible for Gift Aid. The remainder of the income from membership subscriptions was considered to be of the nature of a gift, made in order to further the choirfs charitable aims lin particular, supporting the presentation of public concerts) and recognised by HMRC on the same basis as a donation. Although the choir is no longer registered as an evening class, the nature of the rehearsals has not changed and so the tuition/donation split has been maintained. Expenditure All expenditure is recognised on an accruals basis once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure. its probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggre8ates similar costs to that category. Expenditure outstanding at the year end is measured at the transaction price and included within Creditors.
Expenditure on Choritable activities Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the choir in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It include5 both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Fixed A55ets Tangible fixed assets are held in the balance sheet at historic cost. From 2022 these are depreciated in the accounts at IO% of the purchase value per annum. Investment assets are held at fair value at the balance sheet date. Our retiring conductor donated his collection of orchestral scores for the use of the choir, and these were assigned a value in the accounts of £301XJ. with depreciation calculated in the Same way. The choir holds no intangible assets. Stock The choir hold5 %tock5 of choral scores and folders. These are held in the accounts at cost. CreditorslDebtors Debtors are measured at their recoverable amount at the balance sheet date, that is, the transaction value less any impairment required. The debtors represent sponsorship for the July concert that have been invoiced but have not yet paid. Conversely. several sponsors have already paid for advert15ements in the programmeaor the concert planned for December 2025, and in one ase for all three concerts in 2025126- they are recorded as creditors. Activities Pub14c Benefrt In planning the choirfs attivities. the Trustees have considered Charity Commission guidance on public benefit. including the relationship between public benefit and fee charging. We rely primarily on the income from ticket sales and membership subscriptions to cover our operating costs. In setting the levels of subscriptions and ticket prices. the Trustees give careful consideration to the accessibility of the choir and its concerts for those on low incomes. We encourage singers to join uswhatever their means. We offer reduced orfree subscriptions for younger members and registered disabled. For concerts. we offer a range of ticket prices to suwt different incomes. Concerts Three concerts were staged during the accounting year 21st December 2024- Landmark Centre. Teddington - Handel Messioh th S April 2025 - Landmark Centre, Teddington- Monteverdi Vespers 5 July 2025- St Marf5 Church, Twickenham - Norturnes- an evening of British and American music. In addition, the choir ran a workshop on 1st February 2025 on the Monteverdi Vesper5, and took part in a concert at the Royal Albert Hall on 13th July, with a programme of Berlioz, Poulenc and Ravel, organised and financed by the Vivace Chorus.
Rehearsals There were 37 Thursday evening rehearsals durin8 the year, plus an additional all-day rehearsal on Saturday 14th September to introduce the new Musical Director Finance Income and Ex enditure Total income for the year1£56,729) and expenditure1£52,032} resulted in a net surplus of £4,697. This compares with a defictt of £7.510 (income £66.494 and expenditure £74,004 respectively) in the previous year. ac A Legacy Fund, to SUPPOrt new commissions, was launched at the Centenary Gala Concert in May 2022. The value of the Legacy Fund at 31/7125 is £5.184 Reserves The Unrestricted funds currently stand at £51,3451£47.318 at 31171241. It Should be noted that this includes a notional figure for"fixed assets" of £3,822. In line with the guidance i55ued by the Charity Commission, the choirfs policy is to hold adequate funds in reserves to be able to cover the majority of a "typical" yearfs gross expenditure should the need arise. Larger reserves may be appropriate to cover special projects. Because of unusual expenditure patterns in more recent years.. expenditure in 2017118 and 2018/19 has been taken as a benchmark. In those two years average annual expenditure was in the region of £40,(KKJ - taking into account inflation since 2018, that is equivalent to about £51,Cn) in 2025. The Unrestricted Funds held at 31171251£51,3451 meets the Reserves Policy. In 2019/20 and 2020/21 expenditure wos reduced becouse of COVID restrictions t7dditional expenditure in 2021/22 ond2022/23 wos covered by the Centenary Fund, and in 2024 by o bequest. Going concern The Treasurer and other Trustees monitor the choirfs financial position on a regular basis and consider whether any material uncertainties may have arisen which may call into question the status of the choir as a EoinE concern. The Trustees have assessed that there are currently no rnaterial uncertainties about the Charitvs ability to continue as a going concern. I l/<lu Irtl L i 0,1: i7t I IJISM I/
Twickenham Choral Society - Accounts 2024-25
Statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 July 2025
| Note Incoming Resources Subscriptions 2 Donations/Grants Tax recovery on subscriptions and other donations 3 Legacy Fund Concerts 12 Salamanca Tour surplus Workshop Investment income Social events 5 Other incoming resources 6 Total incoming resources Transfer to Restricted Fund Resources Expended Rehearsals Centenary events workshop Concerts 12 website 7 Social Events 5 Sundry expenditure 6 Total resources expended Net incoming/(outgoing) resources Balance brought forward as at 1st August 2024 Balance carried forward as at 31st July 2025 |
2024-25 Unrestricte d Funds £ 24,720 1,272 4,935 18,898 4,049 1,166 974 46 56,059 13,800 2,930 32,405 883 191 1,824 52,032 4,027 47,318 51,345 |
2024-25 Legacy Fund (restricted) £ 470 108 92 670 670 4,514 5,184 |
2024-25 Total Funds £ 24,720 1,742 5,042 18,898 4,049 1,258 974 46 56,729 13,800 2,930 32,405 883 191 1,824 52,032 4,697 51,832 56,529 |
2023-24 Unrestricted Funds £ 23,160 3,303 4,501 29,602 254 1,189 2,462 1,114 65,585 12,213 45,673 702 1,999 2,957 63,544 2,041 45,277 47,318 |
2023-24 Sutton Bequest (restricted) 327 327 10,461 10,461 -10,134 10,134 0 |
2023-24 Centenary/ Legacy Fund (restricted) £ 320 70 115 62 16 582 582 3,932 4,514 |
2023-24 Total Funds £ 23,160 3,623 4,571 29,602 254 1,631 2,524 1,130 66,494 12,213 56,134 702 1,999 2,957 74,004 -7,510 59,342 51,832 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance Sheet as at 31st July 2024 Fixed Assets Equipment 8 Orchestral scores 8 Current Assets Cash at bank and on deposit Legacy Fund Cash in hand Stock Prepayments 9 Debtors 10 Total Liabilities: amounts falling due within two years Creditors 11 Net Assets Total funds checksum |
2024-25 Unrestricte d Funds £ 922 2,700 44,449 224 5,034 53,329 1,984 51,345 51,345 |
2024-25 Legacy Fund (restricted) £ 5,184 5,184 5,184 5,184 |
2024-25 Total Funds £ 922 2,700 44,449 5,184 224 5,034 58,513 1,984 56,529 56,529 |
2023-24 Unrestricted Funds £ 805 3,000 42,339 264 1,005 1,670 49,083 1,765 47,318 47,318 |
2023-24 Sutton Bequest (restricted) |
2023-24 Centenary/Legacy Fund (restricted) £ 4,514 4,514 4,514 4,514 |
2023-24 Total Funds £ 805 3,000 42,339 4,514 264 1,005 1,670 53,597 1,765 51,832 51,832 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. Accounting Policies
The financial statements have been prepared on an accruals basis in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP). The Unrestricted funds are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use.
The Centenary Fund was a restricted fund for the purposes of funding a special programme of events to celebrate the choir's 100th Anniversary in 2021-2022. This included the commissioning of two new works, and the promotion of concerts on a larger scale than usual. At the end of the Centenary Year (December 2022) the remaining fund was renamed a "Legacy Fund", and (together with the proceeds of a collection made at the 2022 gala Concert to launch the project) is to be used to support commissions to young composers.
2. Subscriptions
Subscription income was up 6.7% compared with the previous year's figure, due to an increase in the number of members - 107 - back to the level in the year before the Covid lockdown. One person was eligible for the half rate subscription available to members under 30. Because a number of people joined during the year and only paid a proportion of the subscription pro rata, the total subscription income equated to 103 full-year subscriptions.
3. Tax Recovery
The tax recovery relates to Gift Aid claims in respect of the current year. It has been allocated between the Unrestricted and Legacy funds on the basis of the funds on which the Gift Aid was claimed.
5. Social Events
This relates to the Christmas Party and raffle, and the surplus on the tea and coffee at rehearsals
6. Sundry income/ expenditure
These include expenditure on the Making Music subscription, general publicity (not specific to a concert), annual insurance, bank and card reader charges, and depreciation of equipment (see also note 8). The 2023/24 figure also includes a net loss made on music hire because of late receipt of invoices in respect of the year 2022/23.
7. Website
Previously included in "Sundry expenditure", this includes maintenance of the website, and subscriptions for domain names and the John Fletcher rehearsal aids.
8. Equipment/ Stock
From 2022, a figure is included in the accounts for depreciation of all fixed assets. This is set at 10% of the initial valuation. The "equipment" figure relates to the , and conductor's chair (purchased in 2024) staging, lighting equipment, the librarian's trolley, and podium. In 2024 our retiring conductor donated his collection of orchestral scores to the choir - these have been valued at £3000.
9. Prepayments
This figure relates to deposits paid to venues and orchestras for forthcoming concerts, and to the Tour company for the visit to Riga in 2026 but does not include the deposits paid by the members which have also been forwarded to the tour company .
10. Debtors
The 2023/24 figure relates to sponsored adverts in the June 2024 programme, which were paid in the current accounting year. One advert in the December 2024 programme was never paid for and has been written off
11. Creditors
These relate to advertisers who paid in advance for advertisments in the programmes for concerts in the 2025/26 season, and an estimated figure for PRS fees in respect of the July concert, due to be paid with the annual return in November 2025
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12. Concerts December April July
Messiah Mon teverdi Summer music TOTAL
Landmark Landmark St Mary
£ £ £ £
INCOME
Tickets 5,544 5,642 3,045 14,231
Other income (refreshments, advertising,
sponsorship, donations) 1,338 1,243 1,763 4,344
Total 6,882 6,885 4,808 18,575
EXPENDITURE
Fees 8,747 11,626 2,940 37,150
Venue and staging (inc VAT) 900 900 3,015 4,815
Instrument and music hire 520 350 143 1,013
Publicity, programme printing, PRS & other costs 1,027 985 929 2,941
Total 11,194 13,861 7,027 32,082
SURPLUS /(DEFICIT) -4,312 -6,976 -2,219 -13,507
Prior year comparison 45,269 45,374 45,465
Brahms/Rheinbgr St John verdi TOTAL
` Landmark Landmark cadogan
INCOME £ £ £ £
Tickets 4,873 4,812 13,755 23,440
Other income (advertising, sponsorship,
donations) 1,732 1,715 2,715 6,162
Total 6,605 6,527 16,470 29,602
EXPENDITURE
Fees 4,983 9,961 18,674 59,204
Venue and staging (inc VAT) 1,038 924 11,554 13,516
Instrument and music hire 1,463 450 100 2,013
Publicity, programme printing, PRS & other costs 1,169 1,813 4,005 6,987
Total 8,653 13,148 34,333 56,134
SURPLUS /(DEFICIT) -2,048 -6,621 -17,863 -26,532
Sutton bequest 10,461 10,461
Deficit after Sutton Bequest -7,402 -16,071
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Independent Examinerf Report to member5 ofthe Twidlenharn Choral Souety. We are giving our report on the accounts of the Twickenham Choral Society for the year ended 31 July 2025 which ère set out on the lollowing page5. Respective re5ponslbilitÉes of trustees and exarnin*r The Trustee5 of the Twickenham Choral S(xiety are respofksible for the preparation of the accounts,. they consider that the audit requirement of section 144121 of the Charitie5 Art 2011 Ithe 2011 Act) does not apply, and that an Independent Examination is needed. It is our responsibility as Independent Examiners to.. examine the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act to followthe procedures laid down in the general DirectionsgÈven bythecharitycommissioners under section 14515llbl of the 2011 ACL Basis of independent examinerg report Our examination was carried out in accordance vrith the generdl directlOn5 gr¥en by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records and a comparison of the accounts with those recwds. It also Includes ¢on5idering aEW unusua items or disclosures Fn the accounts and seeking explanations from the Trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audtt, and con5equentty no opinion istiven as to whether the accounts present a-true and fair and the report is lÈmtted to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent examintrf statement In connection with our examination. no matter ha5 come to our attention: 111 which gives us rea50n3ble cause to belbeve that in any material respett the reqU1ments have not been met- To keep accountlng records In atcordance wr(h section 130 of the 2011 Act; and To prepare atc(wJnts which accord wtth the accounting records and to compty with the requirements of the 2011 Act. or 121 to whith. in our opinion. attention should be drawn in order to enable a propel understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Simon Bartlett ACA 21 Jubilee A¥enue. Whitton, TW2 6JA DatedJ19/25 Alison Williams ACA 20 Balmoral Road, Kin8Ston UPDn Thames KTI 2TY Dated..V/25