BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2022
Registered Charity No. 291518
| Contents | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Society Information | 1 |
| Report of the Musical Director | 2 - 3 |
| Report of the Trustees | 4 - 6 |
| Report of the Independent Examiner | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 - 12 |
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
SOCIETY INFORMATION
Charity Registration Number: Registered Office:
291518
11 Main Road Biddenham Bedford MK40 4BB
President:
Baroness Young of Old Scone
Principal Officers and Board of Trustees:
Chairman Vice Chairman General Secretary General Treasurer
Diana Shooter Debbie Ward Jeremy Reynolds (appointed 11th October 2021) Daniel Cocks (resigned 11th October 2021) Ian Herbert (appointed 11th October 2021)
General Committee:
Chorus Secretary Communications Manager Ordinary Member
Liz Smith Helen Walker D-J Alino-Wilcockson
Other Officers:
Archivist Gilly Cowan Chorus Treasurer Jane Dann Communications & Chamber Choir Gill Jackson Communications Cathy Wood, Jill Bonney Database Manager David Butler Friends Secretary & Concert Stewards Mitzi Lewis Health and Safety Viki Evans Librarian Ruth Braybrook Making Music Rep & Sponsorship Eddie Thompson Proms Liaison Paula Grayson Refreshments Angela Gallivan Ticket Sales Manager Caroline Muzolf Venue Hire Peter Thomas Website Jane Thomas, Gilly Cowan
Musical Director Assistant Chorus Master
Ian Smith Tim Grant-Jones
Bankers:
National Westminster Bank Plc
Independent Examiner:
Website:
Paul Wright FCCA (ret.) www.bedfordchoralsociety.org.uk
Page 1
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
Well we are getting back to ‘normal’ (or at least the ‘new normal’) and able to have uninterrupted face-to-face rehearsals again! Thank you to all the members of the choir without whom the choir would not exist! Thank you for ‘coming back’ after the disruption of the last 2 years. Thank you to all the Trustees and other committee members and everyone else with a specific responsibility who plan and implement all that we need to do. And thank you too to Tim for his continued and continual support and masterful accompaniment at rehearsals and for being prepared to ‘step in’ when I am not available. I say every year, and I really mean it, the strength of this choir is the team that runs it. It is very much a phenomenal team effort, and especially this year as we come out of all the restrictions.
Our first concert of the season was designed to be a crowd-puller after the disruption of the previous year so we performed (for the third time in the choir’s history) Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle with soloists Irene and Rebecca Grant-Jones, Simon Berridge and Edward Grint. The piece is a real romp and far from solemn and audience and choir enjoyed getting back to music-making together with this fun work. The soloists also sang some duets for us to hear the quality of their voices.
It was also a year of our biennial Christmas Concert which this time we performed at Bunyan Meeting. We also experimented with giving an afternoon concert in order to try to attract entire families, with children. I think it was a musical success but did not really achieve the ‘family’ aspect as much as we had hoped. In 2023 we will need to consider timing and programme and what we are trying to do with this concert.
After Christmas we were on to the long-awaited, and for some eagerly anticipated and for others cautiously anticipated rehearsals for our performance of the postponed Bach B Minor Mass . This monumental masterpiece is hard (which I had said throughout the rehearsals in 2020 on Zoom and reiterated when we resumed rehearsals). Everyone really pulled out all the stops and created a magnificent performance. This is the 6[th] time the choir has performed this work and, in my view, by far the best of the 4 in which I have been involved. The commitment of everyone in learning this masterpiece paid off handsomely in performance. Very well done and thank you.
The summer concert was one of the rare occasions that I did not conduct the choir. Paul SearleBarnes was invited to conduct and did a magnificent job. I missed the concert as I was away (which is why I was not conducting) but all reports that I had indicated that the concert went very well indeed, albeit to a disappointingly small audience. Everyone seemed to enjoy the Gounod and Parry and the Sibelius orchestral piece went down very well too.
I am very impressed by the number of members who participated in the Zoom rehearsals throughout the year. There is nothing like in-person rehearsals for satisfaction but Zoom rehearsals can be good for note-bashing because all parts can work simultaneously, especially when we have talented section leaders that we have had. Thank you to all those who led sectional rehearsals at any time over the last 18 months, it was worth it!
Page 2
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE MUSICAL DIRECTOR (continued) for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
And finally, the annual Proms in the Park went ahead with the choir participating again. As always a big ‘thank you’ to Paula Grayson who takes on all the liaison and administration of this event which is a great fund-raiser for the choir! This year was a record audience (estimated 7,000 in attendance) and always the largest number of people we sing to at any one time. Thanks also this year to Helen and others who worked on a recruitment leaflet and spent time distributing the leaflets to the Proms audience. We will have to wait to see if that bears fruit!
So our aims for the 2021/2022 were to:
-
a. rebuild the level of membership after the pandemic
-
b. continue to deliver the strategy for engagement of new younger members
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c. build the confidence of members in their vocal production
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d. continue to work on the intonation and ability to maintain pitch of the choir
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e. further develop the confidence of members in sight-reading and in general musicianship
We have certainly achieved some of these (particularly a and b) and so must work on the others this year. So I very much look forward to this coming season and continued success and good health!
Ian G. Smith Musical Director August 2022
Page 3
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
The trustees present their annual report and financial statements of the charity for the year ended 30 June 2022.
Structure, governance and management
The charity was established by the adoption of a constitution on 30 September 1974. The last substantive review of the constitution took place in 2000. There were further minor amendments in 2015; in 2019 to clarify the distinction between General Committee members and Trustees and to provide explicit powers to invest the charity's funds; and in 2021 to make the role of Vice President optional, to permit the appointment of Trustees in addition to the Principal Officers, and to streamline the process for appointing General Committee Members and other Officers as described below.
The Board of Trustees consists of the Principal Officers of the Society - Chair, Vice-Chair, General Secretary and General Treasurer - plus up to four additional Trustees, who together are responsible for the Society in all its various activities. The Principal Officers are elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting and hold office for a three year term. Principal Officers may not hold an office for more than two consecutive three-year terms (except as specifically permitted by the constitution). Additional Trustees are also elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting, and may hold the position for no more than two consecutive three-year terms.
The General Committee consists of the Principal Officers and other Members as shown on page 1, who together are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Society. Other Officers, again as shown on page 1, have specific responsibilities for the operations of the Society, report to the General Committee, and will attend General Committee meetings when needed. Ordinary Members are elected at the Annual General Meeting for a three-year term; other Members of the General Committee and other Officers are appointed by the Trustees.
There are two sub-committees of the General Committee: the Communications Committee, chaired by the Communications Manager; and the Programming Committee, chaired by the Muscial Director.
The Musical Director, who is appointed by the Trustees, attends both the Trustees' meetings, and meetings of the General Committee.
Principal Activities
The aims and objects of the Society are:
-
The study and practice of choral music in order to foster the public knowledge and appreciation of such music by means of public performance;
-
To provide a regular series of first class choral concerts by maintaining a chorus, and by engaging orchestras and artists of high repute;
-
For the general purposes of such charitable bodies or such other purposes as shall be exclusively charitable as the Trustees may from time to time decide.
Page 4
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
Activities and achievements
A review of the Society's activities and achievements for the year is included within the Report of the Musical Director on page 2.
Financial review
The Society incurred net expenditure of (£3,038) in the year (2021: net expenditure of (£1,767)), broadly in line with expecations. The year saw a return of concerts but, as expected, audience numbers (and therefore ticket sales income) were impacted by ongoing Covid-19 concerns. Member subscriptions re-commenced after being cancelled for the previous year.
Investment policy and performance
The Society's investment policy was reviewed in 2018 and a decision taken to gradually move a portion of the Society's reserves into stockmarket based investments in order to improve returns. A Fidelity Investment account was opened in November 2018 and as at 30th June 2022, £20,000 had been invested in a low-cost global stockmarket tracking fund.
As at 30th June 2022 the value of this investment had grown to £26,067 (2021: £26,714).
Reserves policy
The trustees have reviewed the reserves of the Society. The revised policy is to hold enough funds to cover 12 months operating costs to allow for unforseen contingencies including concert losses. Based on a typical year's activities this would indicate reserves in the region of £35K. In addition, it was agreed that a reserves amount would be held to cover the unrealised gain on the Society's stockmarket investment; this currently stands at £6K.
Free reserves as at 30th June 2022 were £76,264. This is above the target total of £41K. This surplus has been largely generated by previous legacies and grants, which have not yet been spent due to the Covid pandemic. The General Committee will make recommendations for utilising this surplus in line with the Society's aims and charitable objectives.
Plans for the future
For the 2022-23 Season the Society is planning to hold three concerts at the Bedford Corn Exchange in November, March and June, as well as performing at the annual Proms in the Park concert at Bedford Park. In addition, the Chamber Choir will sing at selected public events and, on request, at weddings and funerals.
Page 5
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES (continued) for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
Trustees’ responsibilities in relation to the financial statements
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees’ annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The law applicable to charities in England and Wales requires the charity trustees to prepare financial statements for each year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources of the charity for that period. In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the applicable Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and
-
explained in the financial statements;
-
prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will
-
continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
By order of the Board
Chairman – D Shooter General Treasurer - I Herbert
Date
Page 6
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
I report on the accounts of the company for the year ended 30 June 2022 which are set out on pages 8 to 12.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The trustees 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 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section
-
145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
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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 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
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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.
Paul Wright FCCA (ret.) 8 Larkway Bedford MK41 7JW
Date
Page 7
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
| Unrestricted Funds £ Notes Income Fundraising and donations: Subscriptions 2 16,270 Other fundraising and donations 2 3,536 Income from charitable activities: Concert income 3 8,856 Other choir activities 3 4,080 Investment income 360 Total Income 33,102 Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities Concert expenditure 4 ( 24,530) Rehearsals and administration 5 ( 11,610) Total Expenditure ( 36,140) Net Income /(Expense) before transfers ( 3,038) Transfers between Funds - ( 3,038) 7 ( 647) Net Movements in Funds ( 3,685) Funds brought forward 1st July 2021 79,949 Funds carried forward at 30 June 2022 76,264 Realised and unrealised gains/(losses) on investment assets Net Income/(Expense) before other recognised gains |
Unrestricted Funds £ Notes Income Fundraising and donations: Subscriptions 2 16,270 Other fundraising and donations 2 3,536 Income from charitable activities: Concert income 3 8,856 Other choir activities 3 4,080 Investment income 360 Total Income 33,102 Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities Concert expenditure 4 ( 24,530) Rehearsals and administration 5 ( 11,610) Total Expenditure ( 36,140) Net Income /(Expense) before transfers ( 3,038) Transfers between Funds - ( 3,038) 7 ( 647) Net Movements in Funds ( 3,685) Funds brought forward 1st July 2021 79,949 Funds carried forward at 30 June 2022 76,264 Realised and unrealised gains/(losses) on investment assets Net Income/(Expense) before other recognised gains |
Unrestricted Funds £ Notes Income Fundraising and donations: Subscriptions 2 16,270 Other fundraising and donations 2 3,536 Income from charitable activities: Concert income 3 8,856 Other choir activities 3 4,080 Investment income 360 Total Income 33,102 Expenditure Expenditure on charitable activities Concert expenditure 4 ( 24,530) Rehearsals and administration 5 ( 11,610) Total Expenditure ( 36,140) Net Income /(Expense) before transfers ( 3,038) Transfers between Funds - ( 3,038) 7 ( 647) Net Movements in Funds ( 3,685) Funds brought forward 1st July 2021 79,949 Funds carried forward at 30 June 2022 76,264 Realised and unrealised gains/(losses) on investment assets Net Income/(Expense) before other recognised gains |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2022 £ 16,270 3,536 8,856 4,080 360 33,102 ( 24,530) ( 11,610) ( 36,140) ( 3,038) - ( 3,038) ( 647) ( 3,685) 79,949 76,264 |
Total Funds 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ 25 8,347 - 168 403 |
|||||
| 33,102 | 8,943 | ||||
| ( 24,530) ( 11,610) |
- ( 10,710) |
||||
| ( 36,140) | ( 10,710) | ||||
| ( 3,038) - |
( 1,767) - |
||||
| ( 3,038) ( 647) |
( 1,767) 5,210 |
||||
| ( 3,685) 79,949 |
3,443 76,506 |
||||
| 76,264 | 79,949 |
The notes on pages 10 to 12 form part of these accounts.
Page 8
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
BALANCE SHEET As At 30 June 2022
| Notes Fixed Assets Tangible assets 6 Investments 7 Current Assets Debtors 8 Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 9 Net Current Assets Net Assets The funds of the charity 10 Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Total Charity Funds |
2022 £ - 26,067 26,067 548 50,429 50,977 ( 780) 50,197 76,264 76,264 - 76,264 |
2021 |
|---|---|---|
| £ - 26,714 |
||
| 26,714 | ||
| - 53,576 |
||
| 53,576 ( 341) |
||
| 53,235 | ||
| 79,949 | ||
| 79,949 - |
||
| 79,949 |
The financial statements on pages 8 to 12 were approved by the trustees on and were signed on its behalf by :
Chairman : D Shooter
General Treasurer: I Herbert
Page 9
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting convention
The accounts (financial statements) have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities published on 16/07/14, the Financial Reporting Standard for Smaller Entities (FRSSE), and the Charities Act 2011 and applicable regulations.
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
Recognition of income
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, there is sufficient certainty or receipt and so it is probable that the income will be received, and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Fixed assets and depreciation
Depreciation is provided on assets owned by the charity at the following rates based on the estimated useful life and their anticipated residual value:
Piano 10% p.a. (straight line basis) Furniture and equipment 25% p.a. (straight line basis)
| Unrestricted Funds £ 2 FUNDRAISING AND DONATIONS Subscriptions 16,270 Gift Aid 2,621 Friends contributions 575 Easyfundraising + Amazon Smile 220 Legacies - Other Donations 120 Other fundraising and donations 3,536 3 INCOME FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Concert Income Ticket sales 7,782 Programme sales 674 Programme advertisements 400 8,856 Other Choir activities Proms performance fee 2,850 Chamber choir fees 1,115 Member Refreshment sales - Sale of music and other income 115 4,080 |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
Total Funds 2022 £ 16,270 2,621 575 220 - 120 3,536 7,782 674 400 8,856 2,850 1,115 - 115 4,080 |
Total Funds 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ 25 |
|||
| 230 445 163 7,000 509 |
|||
| 8,347 | |||
| - - - |
|||
| - | |||
| - - - 168 |
|||
| 168 |
Page 10
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
| Unrestricted Funds £ 4 CONCERT EXPENDITURE Promotion 472 Musical performer fees and costs 18,063 Programmes 1,220 Venue hire/other 4,775 24,530 5 REHEARSALS AND ADMINISTRATION Rehearsal costs 10,010 Hire/Purchase of music 456 Video/photoshoots/online recording - Singing lesson taster sessions - Website - development/maintenance 175 Archive renewal - Making Music subscription 502 Sponsorship & adverts 350 Sundry expenses 117 Audit fees - 11,610 6 FIXED ASSETS Piano £ Cost b/f 3,200 Additions - Cost c/f 3,200 Depreciation b/f (3,200) Charge for year - Depreciation c/f (3,200) Net book value b/f and c/f - |
Restricted Funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Furniture & Equipment £ 803 - 803 (803) - (803) - |
Total Funds 2022 £ 472 18,063 1,220 4,775 24,530 10,010 456 - - 175 - 502 350 117 - 11,610 Total 2022 £ 4,003 - 4,003 (4,003) - (4,003) - |
Total Funds 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ - - - - |
|||
| - | |||
| 7,386 41 840 810 175 646 497 - 315 - |
|||
| 10,710 | |||
| Total 2021 |
|||
| £ 4,003 - |
|||
| 4,003 | |||
| (4,003) - |
|||
| (4,003) | |||
| - |
Page 11
BEDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - continued
for the Year Ended 30 June 2022
| 7 INVESTMENTS Movement in investments Market value brought forward at 1st July 2021 Add: additions at cost Disposals at carrying values Add: net gain/(loss) on revaluation Market value as at 30th June 2022 Investments at market value comprised: Fidelity Index World Fund P-Acc 8 Prepayments Concert Income Other 9 CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR Ticket sales in advance Concert expenditure Rehearsal cost Sundry creditors 10 MOVEMENT OF FUNDS Balance Income Expenditure b/fwd £ £ £ Restricted funds - - - Unrestricted funds General Reserves 79,949 33,102 ( 36,787) 79,949 33,102 ( 36,787) DEBTORS |
2022 £ 26,714 - - ( 647) 26,067 26,067 - 503 45 548 230 530 - 20 780 Transfers £ - - - |
2021 £ |
|---|---|---|
| 20,504 1,000 - 5,210 |
||
| 26,714 | ||
| 26,714 | ||
| - - - |
||
| - | ||
| 321 - - 20 |
||
| 341 | ||
| Balance c/fwd £ - 76,264 |
||
| 76,264 |
Page 12