THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2026 Charlty 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 Liabilities Notes to the Accounts
THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2026 The Truslees present their report and accounts for the year ended 5th ApTiI 2026. The accounts have been PTepaied in accoidance with the accounting policies sel out in note 1 lo the ac¢ounls and comply with the Charity's Trust Deed, the Charities Act 2011 and guidance issued by the Charily Commission. OUR PURPOSE AND ACTIVITIES The Trust was formed lo promote and advance the art ol musl¢ and fulfils its objectives through Ihe payment ol grants and awards to individual$ and groups involved in the field ol music. ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE During Ihe year Special Project funds lolalling £33,753 12025 - £26,263} was paid as detailed in nole 3 lo the accounts. In addits"on. for 2025126 Ihe Trugt eonlinued lo award grants lotalling £16,724 {2025 £7,050) as detailed in note 4 to Ihe accounts. Funds were also provided to owanisalions to support recordings. Trust88S The Iiuslees were saddened lo learn of the death of Elizabeth Travis. Secretary originally lo Sir Arthur Bliss, then subsequenlly lo Lady 81i5s, Elizabeth was a founder truslee and Honorary Treasurer,. she rèmained Treasurer until 2020 and remained a Trustee unlil her death in 2025. Although in recent years Ill health prevented her attendance al meetings, she kepl in touch with Trust matlers was always willing lo Off wise advice Tegarding ils work. Trust Incom8 Trustees have welcomed the growth ()f income due lo the number of perfomiances as part of Ihe ongoing 501h Anniversary of 81iss's death project. Grants Performance grants relating to the 50 for 50 Bliss Annlversary ProSect. Grants were awarded to organisalions performing Bliss works as part of the 50th Annwersary. including Ihe Three Choirs Festival, Leaminglon Festival. English Music Festival, Royal Birminoh3m Conservaloire, Ludlow English Song Weekend. Sinfonia of London, Capella Edina and Yritlen-Pears Arts, as well as to non-professional organisatrons such as Saffron Walden Symphony Orchestra, Northampton Phllharmonic Orchestra and the Sheffield Youth Orcheslia. Giants were also awarded to Somm Records for a double CD compilallon of hl8torleal pÈrformances of Bliss's music conducted by the composer". to Chandos Rec(Yds for Ihe first complele perfomiance of Bliss's final orcheslral work, Metatnorphic Variations, corr*Jined wilh the complete ballet score to Mirade in the Gorbals. by the BBC PhilharnK>nic Orchestra, eonducled by Michael Seal, and to Guy Johnston for his recording of the Cello Coneerto with the Royal LiveTpooI Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Andrew Manze. Support for contemporary composars A grant was awafded lo NMC iecordings a debut disc of MLJSIC by Zoè Marlew. student Awards.. Philip Malty for the Cambridge University Bliss Prize Sound and Music for their Making Music (Young composers)
THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES. REPORT {Contld) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2026 Special Projècts 50 for SO Bliss Anniversary Projèct To mark the 50th Anniversary ol Bliss's death in March 1915, the Trust had sel itself the ambition of achieving 50 performances DI around 20-25 works over the concert season8 2024-25 and 2025-26. Al the end ol the year under review, 230 performances had taken place with 61 works iepresented. Hlghlights of these performances in the period under revEew include the Fanfare foi Sir Henry Wood. played as the opening work of the 2025 Proms and The Beatitudes performed laier in the Proms fests"val, Morning Heroes by the New London Chorus gnd Orchestra. Outside of London, Bliss's cantata Mary of Magdala. the Clarinet Quintet and Bliss piano works weie performed al the Hereford Three Choirs Festival. The Cello Concerto was performed at the Maltings, Snape. played by Raphael Wallfisch and Ihe En91i$h Chamber Orchestra, and aTTangements of Bliss's works lor brass band performed by the Black Dylce Band. Music lor Strings, eondu¢l8d by John Wilson. recewed foLW perfortnances by Ihe Sinfonia ol London in Gateshead, Perth Carlisle and al Ihe Barbican, London. The number of perfotmances by non-prolessional organisations was also hearteninu. Notable Fxrfomiances being given by the Nottingham Chambet Choii of the Pasloral. and of A Colour Symphony by the saffron Walden. Ealing Symphony and Weslminsler Symphony Oichestra. There was a Seco performance of the Piano Concerto. with Peter Donahoe and the Northampton Philharmonic Orchestra. and a furthei performance of the Cello Concerto wllh Ihe young Chine8elAuslralian Llly Dai. Finally, the CaTdiff Philharmonic Orchestra played the suite from CheGkmale. Indivldu81 artists Apart from artl818 already mentioned. BIIs8'8 muslc was perfoTmed by such distinguished singers, inslrumenlalists and conduGlors as David Aspin, Brell Dean, Mark Bebbinglon, Geraint Bowen. Dame Sarah Connolty. James Gilhrisl, Emma Johnson, Lawren Kilshaw, Sakari Oramo, Elizalh Wa115. and Roderick Williams Pembroke College Anniversary Celebratlon The Trust was delighted to assist with the funding of a special two4ay Bliss oelebralion al Pembroke College Cambridge. the composer's alma mater. masterminded by David Salter, Chairman of the Arthur Bliss Society which included talks, performances and exhibition and an Anniversary Dinner held in a room Bliss would have known well. Bllss Vlola Concèrto, CDllaboratlon wrth Ihe Arthur BIIs5 Soriety The Trust and Society worked together on bringing abrAJI Bliss's ambition for his Viola Sonata lo be orcheslraled lo make il a concerto. The orchestration was undertaken by the distinguished eomposef, Philip Wilby. Hosted under the auspices of the Ryedale Festival, the conrt0 received its first performance on 19 July, performed by Timothy Ridoul, viola, and the Orchestra of Opera Norlh conducted by Tom Felherslonhaugh. Bllss and Dan¢e- Revelations on Stage As noted in preViJ8 reports. forrner Iruslee, Karen Seifick, (Bliss's younger daughter) made a gift lo the Trust béforè her death to enable the publication of a book devoted lo her father's ballet scores, bul with an emphasis on dance, since she was a piofessional dancer herself. Under the skilled and enlhusiaslic guidance of the Editor, Jennifer Jackson. working closely wilh Ihe Trusl's Adminislralor, Elizabeth Pooley, work continued Ihroughoul the year with artides belng commissioned and images being researched. The Trustees are most grateful lo thèm both for Iheii wnetbculous contribution tr) thi5 project as il comes lo Iiuilion.
THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT {ConUd) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2026 Public b&nefit statement In shaping our objectives lor the year and planning our aclivilies, the Iruglees have considered the Charily Commission's guidance on public benèrrt, including the guidance 'publio benefit.. running a charily, IPD2). The achievements and aclimlies above demonstrate Ihe public benefit arising through the Chaiily'8 aclivilies. FINANCIAL REVIEW The Twst is in a very hèalthy financial slate. The Trustees are satisfied with the Trust's financial position with total cash balance as al 5th April 2026 amounllng lo £64,791 12025 - £99.4271. which will enable the Trustees to rinance future charitable projects. The Trustees do nol intend lo sel aside any sums for funds other than for general Purposes. The Tru8lÈes believè that current finances are sufficient for the Tru8t lo continue lo further ils objectives and do not plan any specific fund raising exercises. ReseNes Pollry It is the pollcy of Ihe Trustees lo maintain reswves al a SuffIent level lo enable activities in Ihè medium term. Reserves are al 8 level lo guarantee the wnlinuation of activities despite any unexpected shortfalls in income. Rlsk The TTUSteès minimise risk both in activilies and investment exposure by maintain6ng a close oonlrol of dally operations and restricting investments to low risk deposits. PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS The Trustees hope to maintain activities through the award of grants al similar levels to Ihose of the CUTrenl year. STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT Governing rlocument The Trust was formed through the establishment ol a Declaration of Trust dated 13th May 1986 wlth a Deed of Release date c>f 7th July 1987. A Supplement Trust Deed was signed on 12 October 1987 and the Trusl was registered as a charily on 12th November 1987 under charity number 297956. status The Trust is an unlncorporaled as%)cialion whose aims and objectives, together with ils structure and governan, are delermin8d by ils conslrtulion. Organlsation The Trust is organised so that the Trustees meet periodically to manage its affairs and Teview ils aclivilies lo dale. Appointfflent of trustees The Trustees for thè year were as listed below. Appointment as Trustse Is by ballot of the existing Trustees. The Trustees have unlimited investment powers.
THE BLISS TRUST TRUSTEES, REPORT (Contld> FOR THE YEAR ENDED Sth APRIL 2026 REFERENCE AND ADMINIISTRATIVE DETAILS Trustees Andrew Burn Elizabeth TFavis- died 2025 Richard Andrewes Lewis ForeFnan Anna Pensaert Helen Kotz Elizabeth Pooley Caroline Se¢ombe lan Sanderson Liam Taylor West Secretary: Elizabeth Pooley Website: blisÉlrusl.or Charity Number- 297956 Reglslered Office.. Copse House. MO$1de, Slurminsler Newton. Dorsel DT10 IHJ Independent Examiner: David Terry RAA Ramon Lee Ltd. 93 Tabernacle Street. London EC2A 4BA Bankers: Natwest Plc.. 127 Kilbum High Road. London NW6 6JL Solicltor$: Taylor Wessing, 5 New Slieet Square, London EC4A 3TVV STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES The charity Trustees are responsible for preparing a Trustees, annual report and financial statements In accordance with applicable law. The Trustees are reSpLSible for keeping proper accUntIng re¢or¢J8 that disclose with reasonable accuracy al any lime the financial position ol the charity and lo enable them to ensure thai the financial slalemenls comply wilh thè Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charilies {Accounts and Reports) Regulabons and the provisions of the Twst Deed. They are also responsible for saleguarding Ihè Assets of the charity and taking reasonable steps lor the prevenlion detec.0 of fraud and other irregularities. The Twslees aTe responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the charity and financial information included on Ihe oharity's website in accordance with legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statÉmenls. APPROVAL This rèport was approved by the Twslees on 151 July 2026 and signed on ils behalf_ 3wr4 ANDREW BURN TRUSTEE 1ST JULY 2026
REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER TO THE TRUSTEES OF THE BLISS TRUST I ieport to the Iruslees on my examination ol the accounts for the year ended 5th April 2026. whlch are sel oul Dn pages 7t0 11. This report is mad& solely lo the charity's Iruslees, as a body, in accordancè with the Charities Act 2011. My work has been underlaken so Ihal I might state lo the charity's Iruslees th08e matters l am requwed lo slate to them in an independent examiner's ieport and lor no other purpose. To the lulSesl extent permrtted by law, I do not accept or assume Tesponsibilily lo anyone other than the charity and the chaiily's Iruslee5 as a body, for my Independenl Examination, for this iepott, or for fhe opinions I have formed. Responsibillties and basls of report As the charity's Iruslees. you arè responsible for the pparation of the accounts in ac¢ordanG2 wilh the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 1.the Acl°l. I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under Secti 145 of the 2011 Act and in Carry1t out my examination, I have followed all the 3ppltcable Direclions given by thè Charity Clnls$10n under section 145151{bl ol Ihe A¢1. Independent Examlner's statement I have wmpleled my examina11c. I confirm that no material mallers have come to Iny attention in connecllon wilh the examination which gives me cause lo belÈve that in, any material respecl.. the acwunling records were not kepl in accoTdance wilh 8e¢tion 130 of the Charities Acl., or the acGounis did not accord with the accounting records. I have no conceTns and have wme across no (Aher maiters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a prtsper understanding of the a¢¢ounts lo be reached. DAVID ERRY- Chartered Accounlant RAA RAMON LEE LTD 93 TABERNACLE STREET LONDON EC2A 4BA 1ST JULY 2026
THE BLISS TRUST RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT th FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5 APRIL 2026 Notes UNRESTRICTED 2026 2025 RECEIPTS Donalion 625 1,042 Ba Interest 1,185 2,191 Royalties 33,977 26,523 Total Recelpts 35,787 29,756 PAYMENTS SPeal Projects 33,753 26,263 Grants and donalh)ns paid 16,724 7,0 Management and adArStratiOn 19.946 13,004 Total payfflents 70,423 46,317 Net recelpts I Ipaymentsl for the perlod (34.6361 116.5611 Bank balae$ as al 6th April 2025 99.427 115,988 Bank bala2S as at 51hApril 2026 64,791 99,427
THE BLISS TRUST STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AS AT 61h APRIL 2026 2026 2025 Cash Funds Bank depos accou)Is 34,775 82,329 Bank current accounl 30.016 17,098 64,791 99,427 Approved by the Trustees on 1sI July 2026 and signed on their behalf by: ANDREW BURN - RUST
THE BLISS TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 51h APRIL 2026 ACCOUNTING POLICIES The receipts and payment accounts have been dTawn up as a summary of the reIpts and payments made during the yeaT by the charity. Amounts are included as received by the chaiily or as cheques are drawn. The accounts and slalemenls do not in2de accruals and prepayments in respect of income and expenses. The receipt and payment acoouvjls and slalement8 Of a8sels and liabilities have been prepared following the guidance for accounting foT smaller charities Issued by the Charity Commission. t)ONATIONS Donations received in the year were as follows". Unrestrlcted Restrleted Funds Funds Total 2026 Total 2025 D Ellis Ryedale- Arthw Bliss Society Ifor Vi018 coert0) D Ellls - Afiiv 81iss Society I1 Birmingham Cortservaloirel 1,042 625 625 825 625 1,042 SPECIAL PROJECTS Unrestrlcted Restrlcted Funds Funds Total 2026 Total 2025 J)ffj<n and Viola arrangements of Bliss's music Pembroke Event Cambiidg6 images for"81iss and Dance. san Jones- 0k essay ws Licensing Times - book I photo peiTrwssK)n Sam Ellis- I0k e5Say Daid 8inlley - use of essay I book JenThfer Jackson- book essay & inHge costs Fremantle Media - book I ph)to permission V&A Enterprises - book I photo permission N9w Book Blis5 and Dance" pubslwng costs CharKJos Recor(Ss rè new recordings 9ran and Viola aTrangements of Bliss's nmtsic s,o(x) 3,244 91 5,000 3,244 91 400 120 1 400 200 2,528 90 1,318 20,362 120 2,528 1,318 20.362 10,OOD 10,000 6.263 33,753 33,753 26,263
THE BLISS TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5tkAPRIL 2026 ACCOUNTING POLICIES The receipts and payment accounts have been drawn up as a summary of the receipts and payments made during the year by the charity. Amounls are incltjded as received by Ihe chaTily or as cheques are drawn. The accounts and slalemenls do not includè accruals and prepayments in rèspecl of income Énd expenses. The receyl and payment accounts and statements of assets arbd Iiabililies have been piepaied following the guidance for accouriling lor smaller chaiilies issued by the Charity ComTlliSSiOn. DONATIONS Donations received in the year were as follows.. Unrestricted Re8trtrcted Funds Funds Total 2026 Total 2025 D Ellis Ryedale- Arthur Bliss Society (for Viola Concertol D Elis - Arthur Bliss Society {for Biimingham Conserv8toirel 1.042 825 625 625 625 1,042 SPECIAL PROJECTS Unrestricted Restricted Funds Fund8 Total 2026 Tot81 2025 Orch8Stro ond Viola arrangements of Bliss'5 muslc P8mbroke Ev8nt Cambiidge Images for Bliss and Dance" Susan Jones- book essay New5 Licensing Tirne5- book I photo pemiission Sam Ellis- book essay David Binlley- use of essay I book J6nniler Jackson- book essay & imago costs Fremanue Media- book I photo permission V&A Enterprises - botjk I photo peimission New Book 'Bliss and Dance"_ publishing ¢05ts Chandos Records re new recording5 5.000 3.244 91 400 120 400 20CI 2.528 90 1,318 20.362 5,000 3,244 91 400 120 400 200 2,528 90 1,318 20,362 6,263 10,000 10,000
THE BLISS TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Contldl FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2026 GRANTS PAYABLE Grants made lo inslilulions were as follows.. Unrestrrcted Restricted. Fund Funds Total 2026 Total 2025 Grants Daifid Aspirh- CotiserwalTrre Day. Bim)iroham Ludlow Song- Performance grant City of SFEffield Youth Orche5tr8 Somm Records The LOl0n Chori Mtssic For EveTyone Er¥Jk"5h FeslNal Lèaminglon Festiwal Saffron Waklen OictrEslra Madeleine MilcFEN - p6rforrnare grant Bradfield Fes14val Ben E8rle re BiiFniryham Event Three ChDirs Festival Charles MalllEws re BirmirYJl¥am Event North York Moors NMC Record¥us Bliss Socply for Knareslxjrough Isecombe) Scottish Sinfonia Sinfonia of Loj0 Eric McElroy re Cambridge èvert Capella Edina Ron Woodley re recordi Cardiff Philharmrc Sparthwaite FhilharrTh)Trc Sinlonia of Leeds- Viola Correrto Cambridge Bliss PrY2e Britten Pears - perfornwrKe an1 )rthampton Symphory Ordpslra Orgar¥5ation for W Music & Sou A Brovrfn- Elgar Sinfonvd Leilah Arafah- travel grant Bliss SOclY ev£t giant CrowllK)rrÉ Symthny Orchestra Gk)tKesler MUS Society Royal Centre IN4)Itingham) Recording of Celk) Coert0 VK)la Son8la performae Cartlridge Award Chu Yu Yar@ - gr8nt to Tecordityj Royal PhiliarrYK)Thc OrclEslTa Harrc#Jatè SymphDry OrdE51ia Ayaka Tanimolo- performan in Japan R*hard Whilehouse sou1 & MJtsic- gT8nl to snme[ School Eryli5h Music Fèsfw81 575 250 250 500 2.000 600 1.500 500 400 250 350 1S) 3.OCtJ 150 250 250 200 250 600 549 400 350 300 350 250 500 1.000 500 500 575 250 250 500 2,0(X) 6QO 1,500 500 400 250 350 150 3,000 150 250 250 200 25CI 600 549 400 350 3(j 350 250 500 1,00 5(10 500 200 200 250 400 150 1.CKJO 100 500 200 1.5OD 500 100 150 500 300 16.724 16,724 7,050
THE BLISS TRUST NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (Contldl FOR THE YEAR ENDED 5th APRIL 2026 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Gera1 Support Governance costs costs Total 2025 Total 2025 ACCOU8CY & adThiristrali Admini51ralNe e>penses feimtxjrsed Tiavel & subsisleTKe See¥etarial iemmeration SurvjrS (CDS l Mail Box I website I score) 1,752 1,752 1,117 9.419 5,969 1,689 1,620 361 3,549 6,392 1,062 1,117 9,419 5,969 1,689 18,194 1,752 19,946 13,OtM MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Balance 8t 06.04.25 8afance Income Expend]tUTe at 05.Q4.26 Unrestrkted funds General F5 99,427 99,427 35.787 70.423 70,423 64,791 64,791 Total funds 35,787 Movement of fund5- previous year.. Balance at 06.04.24 Balance IncoTh* Expenditure at 05.04.25 Unrestricted funds General 115,988 29.756 46.317 46.317 99,427 99,427 Total funds 115,988 29.756 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS During the year on& Truslee12025- one) received remuneration of £5.96912025- £6.3921 in respect of her role as SecTelary lo the Twst Two Trustee8 {2025 - two) ieceived reimbursed adminlstralivÈ expenses totalling £1.11712025- £3611. Travel & subsistsn¢è cost Teimbursements tolallino £9,419 12025 - £3,549) were paid lo eight Trustees 12025 nine) and £nil 12025 - £207 travel cost reimbursements were m8de lo no 12025 - iwol other individuals invited lo attend the Trustees wneelings held during Ihe year.