THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2025 Charity No: 297956 THE BLISS TRUST REPORT AND ACCOUNTS CONTENTS Page Trustees, Report Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Receipts and Payments statement of Assets and Llabllltles Notes to the Accounts THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED Sth APRIL 2025 The Trustees present their report and accounts for the year ended SUI April 2025. The accounts have been Prepared in accordance with the accounllng policies sel out in nole 1 to the accounts and Comply with the Charity's Tiusl Deed. the CharitÉes Acl 2011 and guidance issued by the Chaiity Commission. OUR PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES The Trust was formed to Promote and advance Ihe art of music and fullils its obje¢livÈs through the payment ol grants and awards to individuals and groups involved in the field of mu51C. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE During the year the Trust continued lo awaid gian15 lolalling £7,05012024 - E5,5951 as detailed in note 2 to the accounls. Funds were also provided lo organisalions lo support recoidings. FOT 2024125 SpeGial Project funds lolalllng £26,26312024- £2,475) was paid as detailed in note 3 to the accounts Trustees There have been rK) changes to the personnel of the Bllss Trust In the period under review. Trust Income During Ihis year a modest and welcome growth irb incotne has occurred due lo the increased number of performances encouraged by the start of the 5Q)Ih Annlversary of the Composer's dealh and Ihe 50 for SCI Project lun in parlnership wilh the Arthur Bliss So¢ièty_ Grants General {£1950) These included grants awarded lo the Elgar Sinfonia of London for a perfomiance of Bliss's Piano Concerto, the English Music Feslival, a recording of Bliss's CelEo Concerto by Guy Johnston, with Ihe Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. conducted by Andrew Manze. Performance Grant5 for 50 For SO1£39001 Grants in this category, towaids perfofmances of Bliss's music, were awarded to, amongst olheis, Crowlhorne Symphony Orchestra IA Colour Symphony), Royal Coneert Halls Nottingham (Cello Concerto and Metamorphic Vari3tK)nsl, Royal Philharmonic Orch$¥lr8 {Piano Concerto} and the Harrogate Symphony Orchestra (Cello Concerto and Things to Come). Student Awards1£1200} These comprised awards for composer Laila Arafah (enabling her lo allend the Aspen Festival in the USA-. Cambridge Univeisily PTize IRoseanna Dunnl- and the Sound and Music Summer School. Special Projects Bli88 and Dance 8ook Folk)wing stjccessful negolialions, a contract ha5 been agreed betsween Ihe Trust and Unicorn Book Publishers wilh a projected publicalion dale ol May 2026. The editor, Jennilei Jackson, has continued to WOTk on this book and. in addition. was awarded a travel granl by the Tru81ees in OTder lo travel lo Ihe USA to research Bliss's linal ballet, The Larty of Shalott, which was commissioned. and premiered by Ihe San Francsico ballet. Viola Concerto Phil Wilby c(¥npleled his orchestration of Bliss's Viola Sonata and negotiations with Wise MusiclNovello for the publication of the work were agreed. Ils Iirsl performance under the auspices ol Ihe Ryedale Festival. will lake place in Ripori Calhedral on 18 July 2025 with soloist Timothy Ridout. and the Oichestra of Opera Norih conducted by Tom FeatheYslOnhau￿. THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (Contldl FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2025 Arrangemenls During the year Robert Gower made an organ ariangempnl ol the inslrumenlal accompaniment to Bliss's choral work. The World is ChargEd by the grandeur of God. This is to be published by Wise MusiolNovello with Ihe hope that this will encourage more performance8 of the work. Recording ofBllsss Metamorphic Varialions and Miracle in the Gorbals The signilicanee ol this co11aboralion with Chand95 Records and the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Michael Seal, is that il is Ihe first complete recording ol Metamorphlc Vaiialions wilh the Iwo movements cul al Sls premiere and subsequent perfoimances and recordino, reinslaled. This new recording of Bliss's second ballet M￿racIe in Ihe Gorbals Is the first lor 14 years. 11 is scheduled for rèlease in October 2025. 50 For SD- A Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Death of Sir Arthur Bllss Such has been the positive respDnse Irom perfoiming organisalions and artists Ihal the Trust was quick lo see Ihat Ihe anniversary perfo¥man¢es could be SPTead over two concert seasons. 2024-25 and 202&26. The anniversary events therefore commenced on 16 September 2024 al St Anne's Cathedral. Leeds, when Darius Balliwalla played Robert Gowei's organ arrangement of The Rout Trol. Other performances duiing the autumn included Conversations at the Leicéster International Music Festival, iwo performances of Bliss's Cello Concerlo in Notlingham Liverpool. perlormed by Guy Johnston, with the Royal Liverpool Philha¥monie Orchestra cnnducled by Andrew Manze. and A Colour Symphony by the crowth￿ne sY￿phOnY Orchestra performed in Wokingham. In January 2025 David Aspen with Kalhiyn Mosely gave peilormances of Bliss's Viola Sonata in Accrington, Taunton and London, and the March from Things To Come was featuTed in BBC Radio 3's Friday Night is Music Nighf whèn Richard Balcombe conduded it with the BBC Concert OTchèstra at the Chichester Festival Theatre. The Talland String Quartèt, alumni of the RNCM. performed the String Quartet in A at Bairow in Furness and Ambleside, ar)d the Clarinet Quinlel received ils first Anniversary peifoiinance by Alas Begus and the Marmen QuaTtel in Cork. On 26 February Ihe BBC Philharmonic conducted by Michae1 Seal gave an all-Bliss concert at the Royal Concert Hall, Nollingham. The main work performed was the first complete perfoTmance of Bhss's Met3morphic Variations, thus restoring the 2 movements eul at the first performance and al subsequent performances in Bliss's lifetime. Roderick Wiliams and Andrew INesl included Siege from the Seven American Poems in their recrtal programme, 'A Touch of Ihe Exotic,. pertormiro il at lor example, the Baines Festival, Leeds Lieder and Ihe Wigmore Hall. The peri(Ml under review concluded with a day of perlormances and talks al the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire on 27 March, the a¢lu31 anniversary of Bliss's death. These included talks by Ben EaTle. Richard Whilehouse and lan Venables, as well as performances of Masks, Triptych, Viola Sorbala. Violin Concerto Iviolin with piano). Piano QuaTlel. and Two Nursery Rhymes. The Perfotmers were Mark Bebbington. David Aspin. Robert Mgrkham, Chu-yu Yang. Challes Matthews, Rebecca Watson, hAaria Joao Antunes, Chian Chian Hsu. Maria Willshire, Bianea Vancea and Anna Thifkettle. Finally, there was also a further perfowwnance gf the Cello Concerto with a young soloist, Lily Dai, and the Harrogale Symphony Orche$lra. Recordings The followFng worf($ were recorded duilng this financial year with the support of the Trust '. Cello Concerto IGUY Johnson, Andrew Marbze. Royal Liveipool Philharmonic Orchestial". Metamorphic Variations Icomplelel & MITaclè in Ihe Gorbals Icomplelel Chandus., Sonata for Piano and Violin Ichu-yu Yang, Eric McElioyl SOMM. The planned recording of the Piano Concerto by Maik Bebbinulon and the RLPO has lo be postponèd due to a finger injury Mr 8ebbinglon sustained. Plans are in progress lo ieschedule the recording for Ihe 2026-27 season. Bll$s Biography Paul Spicer's crilical biography of Bliss, ArthuT Bliss Standing Out From ihe Crowd. publ￿shed in 2023. continued lo be recognised for ils qualities by a Certificate of Merit frovn the Associalion for Recorded Sound Collections, award for Excellence. Arthur Blis5 Society The TTUSI 2nd Arthui Bliss So¢iely have continued lo work Closely and creatively in the PTomolion of Bliss's music. THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (Contld) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2025 Publlc benefit statement In shaping our objectives foi Ihe year and planning our aclivilies. the Iruslees have considered the Charity Commission's guidance on publi¢ benefit, including the guidance 'pUbl￿ benefit.. njnning a charity, IPD21. The achievements and activities above demonstrale the public benefit arising through thè Charity's activities. FINANCIAL REVIEW The Ttusl is in g very healthy financial slate. The Trustees are satisfied wilh the Trust's financial Position with total Gash balance as at 51h ApTiI 2025 amounting lo £99,42712024 - £115.9881. which will enable the Trustees to fmance future charitable projects. The Trustees do not intend lo sel aside any sums for funds other than for general purposes. The Trustee5 believe that current finances aTe sufficient for the Trust lo continue lo furthei ils objectives and do not plan any specific fund raising exercises. Reservès Policy 11 is the policy of the Trustees lo maintain reserves at a suffiaenl level lo enable activities in the medium lerm. Resetves are al a level to guarantee the conlinualion of aolivilies despite any unexpected shorttaSls in income. Risk Thè Truslees minimise risk both in aclivilies and investment exposure by maintaining a dose control ol daily operations and reslricling investments lo low risk deposits. PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS The Trustees hope to maintain activities through the award of grants al similar levels lo those of the Current year. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governlng document The Trijst was formed through the eslablishmenl of a Dedaralion of Trust dated 13th May 1986 with a Deed of Release rjale of P¥ July 1987. A Supplement Trust Deed was signed on 12th October 1987 and the Tiusl wa$ registered as a charily on 121h November 1987 under ¢h8rily number 297956. status The Trust is an unincorporated association whose alms and objectives, together with ils structure and governance, are determined by ils conslitulion. Organisation The Trust is organised so that the Trustees meet periodically to manage ils aff9irs and review its activities to dale. Appointmènt of trustees The Trustees for ttr￿ year were as listed bek>w. Appointment as Trustee is by ballot of the existing Trustees. The Trustees have unlimited investment powers. THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (Contld) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2026 REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS Trustees Andrew Burn Elizabeth Travis Richard Andrewes Lewis Foieman Anna Pensaert Helen Kotz Elizabeth Pooley Caroline Secombe lan Sanderson Liam Taylor Wesl Secretary: Elizabeth Pooley Websltè: IV4hw blisslrusl.org Charlty Number: 297956 Registered Offlce.. Copse House, Moorside, Slurminster Nevrton, Dorsel DT10 1 HJ Independent Examlner.. David Terry Ramon Lee Ltd, 93 Tabeinacle Street. London EC2A 4BA Bankers.. Natwest Plc., 127 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 Sollcitors: Taylorwessing. 5 New Street Square, London EC4A 3TW STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES The chaTily Trustees are responsible for preparing a Trustees, annual reporl and financial 81alemenls in accoTdance with applicable law. The Trustees ale responsible keeping proper accounting recoTds that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any ts.rne the financial position of the tharity and to enable them lo ensure that the linancial stalen￿nIS comply with the Charilies Act 2011, the applicable Charities IA¢counls and Reports) Regulations and the provisions of the Trust Deed. They ale also responsible for safeguarding Ihe assets of the charity and taki￿ reasonab￿ steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other iiregulaTith"es. I"he Trustees are responsible for Ihe maintenance and integrity of Ihe charrty and financial information included on the chaiity's websile in accordance with kgislalii)n in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and disseminalii)n of financial slalements. APPROVAL This report was approved by the Trustees on 2nd July 2025 and signed on its behalf. r, d cuv ANDREW BURN TRUSTEE 2ND JULY 2025 REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BLISS TRUST I report on Ihe accounts of the charity foF the year ended 51h April 2025. which are sel out on pages 7 10 10. This report is made solely lo Ihe charit￿8 trustees, as a body. in accordance with the Charities Acl 2011. My work has been undertaken st) that I might stale lo the charity's Iruslees Ihose mallers l am required lo stale to them in an independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permilled by law. I do nol accept or assume responsibilthy lo anyone other Ihan the charily and the charity's Iiuslees a8 a body, for my Independent Examination, for this rèport, or for the opinions I have formed. Responsibilities and basls ol report As the chariV& Iruslees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111"Ihe Act.). I rewrt in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under sedion 145 01 the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examinatton. I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Ch3I1ty Commission under section 14515llb) of the Act. Independent Examlner's stat¥m¢nt I have compleled my examination. I confirm that no male¥ial mallers have come to my attention in ¢onnèetion with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any Tnaleiial respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charilies Act.. or Ihe accounts did not accord with the accounting records,. or I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with Ihe éxamination lo which allenlion should be dTawn in this report in order lo enable a propel undeislanding of the accounts to be reached. DAVID ERRY- Chartered Accountant RAMON LEE LTD 93 TABERNACLE STREET LONDON EC2A 4BA 2ND JULY 2025 THE BLISS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2025 Notes 2025 2024 RECEIPTS Donation 1,042 Bank interest 2.191 2,100 Roydllies 26,523 20,455 Total Receipts 29,756 22,555 PAYMENTS Grants and donations paid 7,050 5,595 s￿claI Projects 26,263 2,475 Management and administralif)n 13,004 19.356 Total paymentg 27,426 Net recelpts I Ip4ymentsl foT the pèriod {16,5611 14,8711 Bank balances as al 6th April 2024 115,988 120,859 Bank balances as at 51h April 2025 99.427 115968 THE BLISS TRUST STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 5th APRIL 2025 2025 2024 Cash Funds Bank deposit accounts 82,329 91.402 Bank current account 17,098 24,586 99,427 115,988 Approved by the Trustees on 2nd July 2025 and signed on thelr behalf by: ANDREW BURN - TRUSTEE THE BLISS TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5thAPRIL 2025 ACCOUNTING POLICIES The receipts and payment acwunls have been drawn up as a summary of the Teceipts and payments made during the year by the charity. Amounts are included as received by the charily OT as cheques ale diawn. The accounts and slalemenls do not incIL￿e accruals and prepayments in respect ol income and expenses. The receipt and payment accounts and slalemenls of assets and liabilities have been prepgred following the guidance lor accounting for smaller Charities issued by the Gharily Commission. DONATIONS Donations received in the year wère as follows.. Unrestiicted Restricted Funds Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 O Ellis Ryeda18- Arthur Bliss Society (for Viola Concerto) 1.042 1,042 1.042 1,042 GRANTS PAYABLE Grants made lo institutions were as follows.. Unrestricted Re8lricted Fund5 Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Grants A Brown- Elgar Sinfonia Leilah Arafah travel grant Bliss Society evgnl gianl Crowthome Symphony Orchestra Glou¢8sler Music Society Royal Centre (Nollinghaml Recording of Cello Concerto Viola Sonata perfomiance Cambiidge Award Chu Yu Yang- grant to recording Royal Philhaimonic Oichestra Harrogale Symphony Orchestra Ayaka Tanimoto- perfomance in Japan Richard Whitehouse Sound & MU$￿- granl to Summer School English Music Festival Sound & Music- grant lowaids ISCThA for oomposeT Clare Howick- granl towards recoiding cosls Chandos Records- grant lowards CDS Jennifer Jackson RSNO Arthui Bliss Society Sam Rudd Jones Black Dyke Band Worcestershire Smyphony Orcheslia 200 200 250 400 150 1,000 1,000 100 500 200 1,500 500 100 150 500 300 200 200 250 400 150 I,￿0 1,(X)O 100 500 20D 1,50L) 500 10 150 500 300 500 300 500 500 540 1,000 30D 280 350 1,000 325 7,05 5,595 THE BLISS TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Contld) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 51h APRIL 2025 SPECIAL PROJECTS Unrestricted Restrlcted Funds Funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Chandos Records re new recordings Organ avKJ Viola arrangement5 01 Bliss's music New Book"Bli5s and Dance" Novello 10,1100 8,263 10.000 10,000 6,263 10,000 2,125 350 26, NAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION General Support Governance costs costs Total 2025 Total 2024 Accounlan¢y & adminsstralDn Admini51ralwe expenses reimbursed Travelling expenses Seeretait81 remuneration SundFies (CDS l Mail Box I website I scorèl 1,620 1,620 361 3,549 6,392 q,082 1.500 2,221 3,091 7,621 3,725 361 3.549 6,392 1,082 13,004 MOVEMENT IN FUNDS at 06.0￿24 Income Exp&ndtture at DS.04.25 UnreslriGted funds General Funds 115.988 115,988 20,758 29,756 46,316 46.316 99,428 99,428 Total funds Movement of funds- previous year.. at 06.04.23 Income Expendlture at 05.04.24 Unrestrlcled fund¥ Genofal Funds 120.859 120,859 22.555 27.426 115,988 115,988 Total funds 22,555 27.426 io THE BLISS TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Contld) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2025 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS During tho year one Trustee {2024- one} receive(I remuneration of £6,39212024 - £7,621) in respeet of her tole as Secretary lo the Trust. Two Tiustees12024- two) received Teimbursed admini8lralivÈ expenses lotalling £361 12024 - £2.221). Travel & subsistence cost reimbursements lolalling £3,54912024- £2,500) were paid lo nine Truslees12024 eightl and £20712024 £1251 travel cost reimbuisemenls were made lo Mfo12024- twol other individual, who was invited lo attend the Trustees meetings held during th& year.