Parbold Music Lancashire 2025–2026 Season
September to December 2025
Saturday 20[th ] September Swati Dance ‘Symphony of Movement’ accompanied by specially composed music by -Praveen D Rao (Bangalore, India) played by Vijay Venkat, flute, Sri Vamshikrishna Vishnudas, vocals and Prathap Ramchandra, percussion .
Saturday 18[th] October Lucy Parham, piano. and Sir Simon Russell-Beale,
narrator. Reverie - The life and loves of Debussy
Saturday 22nd November Pavel Kolesnikov, piano Chopin and his predecessors
Saturday 6[th] December Leyland Brass Band Classics and Christmas concert
January to June 2026
Saturday 31[st] January Adrian Brendel, cello and Dame Imogen Cooper, piano. Schubert, Schumann
Douglas Music Society. Charity No: 506675
Saturday 21[st] February Junyan Chen , piano. Prize-Winner at Leeds International Piano competition 2024 -Couperin and Ravel
Friday 20[th] March Elias String Quintet present
A Morning and an afternoon Pied Piper Concerts for local schoolchildren Saturday 21st March Elias String Quintet with Benjamin Nabarro, violin Mozart and Mendelssohn
Saturday 11[th] April Viktoria Mullova, violin. & Alastair Beatson, piano. Beethoven sonatas including the “Kreutzer”
Saturday 16 May Garrick Ohlsson, piano ‘One of the greatest American pianists’ Washington Post. Beethoven, Prokofiev, Chopin
50th Season 2024-2025 Trustees’ Annual Report
Saturday 16 May Ashley Wass, piano with Menuhin School Graduates. Korngold and Schumann
www.parboldmusiclancashire.org Box Office: 07768 799821 (answerphone);E: tickets@parboldmusic.org
A brochure may be obtained at your local library, the Village Hall and downloaded from the PML website: www.parboldmusic.org
We look forward to welcoming you to a PML concert in our 2025-26 season. Prices have been increased, and it is possible to book tickets and subscriptions via PML’s website with its economical booking-fee. Tickets and subscriptions may also be purchased via the Box Office.
At the end of half a century of promoting concerts in Parbold, the 50[th] season of 2024-25 has seen a continuing recovery in audience-attendance. PML has exceed its target for most events with sell-out performances. This improvement holds a promise that the gloom over audiences for live performances is lifting. This, perhaps, may not be for all, nor for all time, but for Parbold Music it has lifted away during this 50th season.
A post-code survey indicates that over the last two seasons over half of our audiences travel to the concerts from across the region. This consolidates the view that over time Parbold Music has established and proved its reputation for presenting high-quality events in pleasant surroundings conducive to listening to modest scale, musical events. The fundamental idea behind the development of the venue and the selection of musicians has been to bring the very best to audiences who could not easily reach such experiences. And to do so in a venue that would frame such excellence in an intimate and relaxed context. It is a simple approach but so far the evidence indicates that it is working. The audience growth has encouraged us to re-start the Pied Piper concerts by leading professionals for local school children in an informal setting at the venue. The Elias String Quartet will give two such concerts on the day before their concert in the Saturday evening programme.
Parbold Music’s decision to use social media increasingly effectively has to take some credit for the change in fortunes that has been building over the last two seasons. Newsprint hardly ever has the space to take our press releases. The grant from the Evans Family Foundation has given PML the funds to purchase the distribution of information over thousands of users. This strategy is the factor that lies behind the noticeable number of new audiences at each concert. If volunteers are available, we shall research such matters at the next series of concerts.
This strategic change to move to social media, trialled during the previous season, has been steered by Anne Siequien and Paul Smith and yielded the final positive result in the 2324 season of 90% attendance average, and in the 24-25 season of 95%. The generous award from the Evans Family Foundation, led by Maria Evans, now resident in the USA, made this possible. The Board is delighted to report that this generous award has been renewed and increased for the coming season in recognition of the work that the DMS volunteers do for the community; it is acknowledged at her request through the estate agency that bears her name. Douglas Music Society is most grateful to one of our subscribers for arranging an award to the Society from Kavanagh & Associates Wealth Management.
This current pattern of success locally reflects the high regard in which PML is held by artists and agents nationally. Agencies confidently request bookings and send some of the most distinguished artists to an unknown place, confident that the musicians will have a relaxed and enjoyable experience and encounter an audience that will respond enthusiastically and appreciate their performances. The agents are also confident in the careful and caring organisation that underpins each event. PML is most fortunate to have a well-established and stable team of ‘backstage’ workers that take care of the visiting artists from the moment they step off the train or plane to their strolling toward the departure hall. Nadine Downhill, Jean Hilton, Lorraine Howarth, Barbara Brown, Anu Padayachi, Liz Nolan, Judy Barker, Ann Dent, Glenys Baulsh, Oliver Howarth and Chris Rowe show a cheerful and relaxed efficiency that gives confidence to artists and audience. Sadly, time waits for no one and Glenys Baulsh, the cheerful voice and the efficient ‘fixer’ on the Box Office phone has retired from active duty; she will be greatly missed by the many who called to ‘fix’ a ticket and received all her help and friendliness. Her role as Box Office Manager has been taken on by our Treasurer,
Wendy Holbeche who has been running it for the last 8 months in the same spirit of ‘fixing’, customer care, friendliness and efficiency that we endeavour to permeate our operation.
Change is a constant. It is 17 years since our organisation was instrumental in securing the improvements to the hall that have revived its fortunes. The change that was stalled last year has started to inch forward. We will know much more as the months pass, but development of the venue will be the crucial factor in sustaining PML’s future. The financial pressure on artists’ fees, hosting, publicity and staging events has put demands on our budgets and this season, though the financial situation is secure, prices have been raised to cope with higher costs, while still competing with the metropolitan venues.
The trend of presenting ensembles has continued to be a feature of the programming. This proved to appeal to new audiences in 2023-24. It also fitted with our policies of giving opportunities to young professionals in the foothills of their career and to the promotion of a diversity of music. Thus, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the youthful Meliora Ensemble presented both favourites and new works from the jazz and classical worlds. Whereas the brilliant and established Kosmos ensemble, the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet with Craig Ogden and Intrada Brass Ensemble blended the new alongside the classics. Two of the four pianist were starting out on their careers, and both came via the Leeds International Piano Competition to which we offer an engagement to the winner. Anna Tsybuleva, winner of the Leeds in 2015, made her second visit to Parbold; Alim Beisembayev, the Leeds winner, of 2021 made his second visit. It was a joy to hear these two burgeoning, great artists exploring the music and their gifts on our superb Steinway; it was clear to all that the audience were listening to artists with outstanding musical careers ahead. It was a great privilege to welcome two of the world’s greatest pianists at the top of their form, Paul Lewis playing Schubert’s last sonata, and Sir Stephen Hough with his own composition and challenging works by Schumann and Chopin. Both brought to Parbold the same concerts with encores that they were playing in the world’s musical capitals, including recently in London. And then, after the concert each of them stepped out into the corridor from the store-room – all we can offer as a dressing room – and into the exiting crowd to talk to the audience. After the crowds had gone Sir Stephen Hough gave the Chairman a statement for the media and to support future plans for PML’s work for the musical life of the region; it said:
“ It might seem unlikely, even more so when entering the modest car park, but Parbold in West Lancashire has, in its Village Hall, a jewel of a recital venue. It's a treasure, a joy to play in, and its warm, loyal audience is as knowledgeable as it is appreciative. Such centres of cultural power can never be judged by their size, and this one is a powerhouse to which people now come from far and wide, both performers and audience alike.” Sir Stephen Hough, pianist …Of whom the critics say: “a keyboard colossus … simply breathtaking.”– The Guardian; “Few living pianists manage to combine openhearted virtuosity with so tangible and unaffected a sense of an inner world beyond the notes.” The Arts Desk
The 2025-26 season will continue the tradition of a diversity of excellent musicmaking by world-class artists and ensembles happy to come to Parbold. The forthcoming season promises a range of brilliant performances in the North West and consolidates Parbold Music Lancashire’s home as an outstanding venue for the region.
July 11[th] , 2025
The Board of Trustees: Michael Bonsall (Chairman), Liz Nolan, (Secretary), Wendy Holbeche (Treasurer), Glenys Baulsh (Box Office Manager), Jean Hilton, Oliver Howarth, Chris Ro
Charity Number: 506675
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
Charity Number: 506675
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
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INDEX
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1 Charity information 2 Accountants report 3 Statement of financial activities 4 Balance sheet
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
Trustees
Charity number
Charity offices
Accountants
Bankers
Michael Bonsall (Chairman) Liz Nolan (Secretary) Wendy Holbeche (Treasurer) Glenys Baulsch (Box Office Manager) Jean Hilton Oliver Howarth Christopher Rowe
506675
112 Spendmore Lane Coppull Chorley PR7 5BX
Evergreen Accountants 112 Spendmore Lane Coppull Chorley PR7 5BX
Royal Bank of Scotland plc Customer Service Centre Drummond House 1 Redheughs Avenue Edinburgh EH12 9JN
1
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
We report on the financial statements which are set out hereto.
Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that the audit requirements of section 43 (2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) do not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43 (7) (b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of Independent Examiners' Report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 disclosure 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 we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiners' Statement
In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs at 30th June 2025 and of its results for the period then ended.
Evergreen Accountants 112 Spendmore Lane Coppull Chorley PR7 5BX
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30th July 2025
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2
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DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
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||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2024-25|2023-24|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|
|Funds|Funds|Total|Total|
|£|£|£|£|
|Receipts|
|Season|Subscriptions|6,846.49|6,846.49|3,630.00|
|Ticket|Sales,|Box Office &|Paypal|40,265.03|40,265.03|40,300.40|
|Piano Appreciation|1,000.00|1,000.00|0.00|
|Raffle Income|1,575.76|1,575.76|1,665.90|
|Donations|2,058.00|2,058.00|1,280.61|
|Bank|Interest|received|730.89|730.89|262.80|
|Sponsorship|500.00|3,500.00|4,000.00|3,000.00|
|52,976.17|3,500.00|56,476.17|50,139.71|
|Expenses|
|Artists Fees|28,316.34|28,316.34|28,591.54|
|Hall|Hire|2,750.00|2,750.00|3,115.00|
|Web|Site & Computer Costs|1,174.71|2,407.50|3,582.21|1,185.88|
|Piano|Maintenance|700.00|700.00|0.00|
|Piano Tuning|520.00|520.00|1,500.00|
|Repairs &|Maintenance|1,167.99|1,167.99|209.99|
|Marketing/Sales|433.62|1,092.50|1,526.12|1,293.75|
|Refreshments &|Food|1,143.14|1,143.14|903.33|
|Admin|Costs|89.25|89.25|1,985.00|
|Telephone|173.81|173.81|-35.00|
|Printing|240.00|240.00|2,493.77|
|Postage|40.19|40.19|319.20|
|Stationery|0.00|0.00|92.60|
|Sponsorship|0.00|0.00|160.00|
|Accountancy|360.00|360.00|360.00|
|Hall|set-out|1,300.00|1,300.00|1,300.00|
|Insurance|528.26|528.26|517.56|
|Subscriptions|515.99|515.99|392.00|
|Flowers & Sundry|Expenses|143.25|143.25|110.00|
|Bank Charges|0.00|0.00|102.00|
|39,596.55|3,500.00|43,096.55|44,596.62|
|Net (Payments)|Receipts|13,379.62|0.00|13,379.62|4,263.09|
|Cash|Funds|at 30th June|2024|70,785.98|70,785.98|66,522.89|
|Cash|Funds|at 30th June 2025|84,165.60|0.00|84,165.60|70,785.98|
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3
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
;
| 30th June 2025 | 30th June 2025 | 30thJune2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
| Funds | Funds | Total | Total | |
| Assets | ||||
| Steinway Piano& Stool | 40,137.98 | 40,137.98 | 39,137.98 | |
| RBS-CurrentAccount | 150.79 | 1,992.00 | 2,142.79 | 15,532.75 |
| RBS-DepositAccount | 14,324.10 | 14,324.10 | 18,721.67 | |
| RBS-Liquidity Account | 30,500.57 | 30,500.57 | 0.00 | |
| Debtors | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,000.00 | |
| PettyCash | 0.00 | 0.00 | 213.70 | |
| PayPal Balance | 100.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 | |
| Overclaimed Expenses Prepayments |
64.63 228.00 |
2,008.00 | 64.63 2,236.00 |
39.88 0.00 |
| 85,506.07 | 4,000.00 | 89,506.07 | 74,645.98 | |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Creditors | 438.98 | 438.98 | 0.00 | |
| Accruals | 360.00 | 360.00 | 360.00 | |
| Ticket Sales in Advance | 541.49 | 541.49 | 0.00 | |
| Sponsorship inAdvance | 0.00 | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | 3,500.00 |
| Total Liabilities | 1,340.47 | 4,000.00 | 5,340.47 | 3,860.00 |
| Total Assets less Liabilities | 84,165.60 | 0.00 | 84,165.60 | 70,785.98 |
| Reserves | ||||
| Balance at 1st July2024 | 70,785.98 | 0.00 | 70,785.98 | 66,522.89 |
| Surplusforyear | 13,379.62 | 13,379.62 | 4,263.09 | |
| Balance at30thJune 2025 | 84,165.60 | 0.00 | 84,165.60 | 70,785.98 |
| Notes: |
-
Depreciation Policy: Was agreed at £1,500 per annum plus charged in previous years to give surplus funds towards replacement in 2040. It is no longer charged from 2023-24 as the market value of pianos are appreciating. From 2024-25 there will be an appreciation. benefit of £1,000 per annum added to the value of the Steinway in the balance sheet and also shown as nominal income in the receipts and payments account.
-
Sponsorship: The Society received a Grant from the Evans Family Foundation of £500, which was paid on the 25th September 2024. The Grant was to cover Pri nting and Marketing for the 2024/2025 season.
A further Grant of £4,000 was received on the 29th May 2025 to cover the 2025/2026. This Grant has been recorded as a payment in advance in the Accounts to 30th June 2025.
4
Charity Number: 506675
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
Charity Number: 506675
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
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INDEX
----- End of picture text -----
1 Charity information 2 Accountants report 3 Statement of financial activities 4 Balance sheet
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
REPORTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
Trustees
Charity number
Charity offices
Accountants
Bankers
Michael Bonsall (Chairman) Liz Nolan (Secretary) Wendy Holbeche (Treasurer) Glenys Baulsch (Box Office Manager) Jean Hilton Oliver Howarth Christopher Rowe
506675
112 Spendmore Lane Coppull Chorley PR7 5BX
Evergreen Accountants 112 Spendmore Lane Coppull Chorley PR7 5BX
Royal Bank of Scotland plc Customer Service Centre Drummond House 1 Redheughs Avenue Edinburgh EH12 9JN
1
INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS' REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
We report on the financial statements which are set out hereto.
Respective Responsibilities of the Trustees
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. You consider that the audit requirements of section 43 (2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) do not apply. It is our responsibility to state, on the basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43 (7) (b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to our attention.
Basis of Independent Examiners' Report
Our examination was carried out in accordance with General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 disclosure 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 we do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
Independent Examiners' Statement
In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of the charity's affairs at 30th June 2025 and of its results for the period then ended.
Evergreen Accountants 112 Spendmore Lane Coppull Chorley PR7 5BX
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30th July 2025
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2
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DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS FOR THE 13 MONTH PERIOD ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|2024-25|2023-24|
|Unrestricted|Restricted|
|Funds|Funds|Total|Total|
|£|£|£|£|
|Receipts|
|Season|Subscriptions|6,846.49|6,846.49|3,630.00|
|Ticket|Sales,|Box Office &|Paypal|40,265.03|40,265.03|40,300.40|
|Piano Appreciation|1,000.00|1,000.00|0.00|
|Raffle Income|1,575.76|1,575.76|1,665.90|
|Donations|2,058.00|2,058.00|1,280.61|
|Bank|Interest|received|730.89|730.89|262.80|
|Sponsorship|500.00|3,500.00|4,000.00|3,000.00|
|52,976.17|3,500.00|56,476.17|50,139.71|
|Expenses|
|Artists Fees|28,316.34|28,316.34|28,591.54|
|Hall|Hire|2,750.00|2,750.00|3,115.00|
|Web|Site & Computer Costs|1,174.71|2,407.50|3,582.21|1,185.88|
|Piano|Maintenance|700.00|700.00|0.00|
|Piano Tuning|520.00|520.00|1,500.00|
|Repairs &|Maintenance|1,167.99|1,167.99|209.99|
|Marketing/Sales|433.62|1,092.50|1,526.12|1,293.75|
|Refreshments &|Food|1,143.14|1,143.14|903.33|
|Admin|Costs|89.25|89.25|1,985.00|
|Telephone|173.81|173.81|-35.00|
|Printing|240.00|240.00|2,493.77|
|Postage|40.19|40.19|319.20|
|Stationery|0.00|0.00|92.60|
|Sponsorship|0.00|0.00|160.00|
|Accountancy|360.00|360.00|360.00|
|Hall|set-out|1,300.00|1,300.00|1,300.00|
|Insurance|528.26|528.26|517.56|
|Subscriptions|515.99|515.99|392.00|
|Flowers & Sundry|Expenses|143.25|143.25|110.00|
|Bank Charges|0.00|0.00|102.00|
|39,596.55|3,500.00|43,096.55|44,596.62|
|Net (Payments)|Receipts|13,379.62|0.00|13,379.62|4,263.09|
|Cash|Funds|at 30th June|2024|70,785.98|70,785.98|66,522.89|
|Cash|Funds|at 30th June 2025|84,165.60|0.00|84,165.60|70,785.98|
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3
DOUGLAS MUSIC SOCIETY
BALANCE SHEET FOR THE YEAR ENDED FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30TH JUNE 2025
;
| 30th June 2025 | 30th June 2025 | 30thJune2024 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted | Restricted | |||
| Funds | Funds | Total | Total | |
| Assets | ||||
| Steinway Piano& Stool | 40,137.98 | 40,137.98 | 39,137.98 | |
| RBS-CurrentAccount | 150.79 | 1,992.00 | 2,142.79 | 15,532.75 |
| RBS-DepositAccount | 14,324.10 | 14,324.10 | 18,721.67 | |
| RBS-Liquidity Account | 30,500.57 | 30,500.57 | 0.00 | |
| Debtors | 0.00 | 0.00 | 1,000.00 | |
| PettyCash | 0.00 | 0.00 | 213.70 | |
| PayPal Balance | 100.00 | 100.00 | 0.00 | |
| Overclaimed Expenses Prepayments |
64.63 228.00 |
2,008.00 | 64.63 2,236.00 |
39.88 0.00 |
| 85,506.07 | 4,000.00 | 89,506.07 | 74,645.98 | |
| Liabilities | ||||
| Creditors | 438.98 | 438.98 | 0.00 | |
| Accruals | 360.00 | 360.00 | 360.00 | |
| Ticket Sales in Advance | 541.49 | 541.49 | 0.00 | |
| Sponsorship inAdvance | 0.00 | 4,000.00 | 4,000.00 | 3,500.00 |
| Total Liabilities | 1,340.47 | 4,000.00 | 5,340.47 | 3,860.00 |
| Total Assets less Liabilities | 84,165.60 | 0.00 | 84,165.60 | 70,785.98 |
| Reserves | ||||
| Balance at 1st July2024 | 70,785.98 | 0.00 | 70,785.98 | 66,522.89 |
| Surplusforyear | 13,379.62 | 13,379.62 | 4,263.09 | |
| Balance at30thJune 2025 | 84,165.60 | 0.00 | 84,165.60 | 70,785.98 |
| Notes: |
-
Depreciation Policy: Was agreed at £1,500 per annum plus charged in previous years to give surplus funds towards replacement in 2040. It is no longer charged from 2023-24 as the market value of pianos are appreciating. From 2024-25 there will be an appreciation. benefit of £1,000 per annum added to the value of the Steinway in the balance sheet and also shown as nominal income in the receipts and payments account.
-
Sponsorship: The Society received a Grant from the Evans Family Foundation of £500, which was paid on the 25th September 2024. The Grant was to cover Pri nting and Marketing for the 2024/2025 season.
A further Grant of £4,000 was received on the 29th May 2025 to cover the 2025/2026. This Grant has been recorded as a payment in advance in the Accounts to 30th June 2025.
4