Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025 Charity registration number: 507520
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of the The aims of the Charity are to advance, improve, develop public Charity as set out in its education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of music in governing document. all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and other charitable activities.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
Statement confirming whether trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit
The choir performed five concerts in the year, details of which are given below. Our educational purposes continue to be met through the development of singers’ musical training, as provided during rehearsals, and through regular workshops (although none took place in the reporting period). We are also currently running a competition for student composers to write a short piece for our Christmas concert and this has generated quite a bit of interest. We are planning two new initiatives – choral scholarships and outreach to schools – both of which we expect to begin during 2026 and which are very much advancing the educational remit of the Charity. Public benefit was demonstrated by giving public concerts of a high standard, with top quality professional soloists and instrumentalists, performed to near-capacity audiences. We aim to keep our ticket prices as affordable as possible and offer much reduced tickets for students and those on benefits. In planning the choir’s activities, the trustees have had regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit and have ensured that the choir’s focus is on its objects, as above, for the benefit of members of the public attending its concerts.
Achievements and Performance
Summary of the main In November 2024 we gave a concert of British music from the achievements of the Charity, 19[th] to the 21[st] century, including Elgar, Britten and Vaughan identifying the difference the Williams. The programme was put together in celebration of the Charity’s work has made to the 40[th] anniversary of Professor Eric Cross as Music Director of the circumstances of its choir. Many tributes have been paid to Eric for this remarkable beneficiaries and wider benefits milestone, but this concert was the official celebration. We to society as a whole. performed to a very appreciative full house and the concert included a new commission from Cecilia McDowall entitled Songs of the North which was greatly enjoyed by both performers and audience. This piece is now in the choir’s repertoire and is a significant work from a high calibre contemporary composer.
Our usual Christmas concert took place in December and involved young musicians supported by a charity called In Harmony, and proceeds from the concert went to In Harmony.
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In March 2025 we performed a programme of music by J S Bach including the Magnificat and the Easter Oratorio . We are very fortunate to have access to such fine soloists for these concerts, and to the splendid period instrument players of Newcastle Baroque. The concert was warmly received and again we had an almost full house. In May 2025 we performed a short, informal concert as part of the Jesmond Festival, which some choir members had been involved in. This was a useful dry run for the June concert and an excellent bit of community involvement for the choir. In June 2025 we concluded Eric Cross’s anniversary season with a concert focusing on the music of Handel and Vivaldi, both very important to Eric. Handel’s Coronation Anthems are much loved and the Vivaldi included some spectacular arias sung by soprano Mhairi Lawson, who was on fine form. The audience in Hexham Abbey really enjoyed the performance. We return to Hexham next year when we will be singing with our friends from Gelsenkirchen. This season has offered some excellent musical experiences and opportunities, providing considerable benefit to our singers, our audiences and to the musicians of Newcastle Baroque. Where we can, we have again made use of young soloists at the start of their careers, for whom the chance to perform is very good for their professional development.
Financial Review
| Review of the Charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
The Charity held a balance of £68,358 at the end of July 2025, a significant increase on the previous year’s final balance. This is partly due to strong ticket sales and buoyant membership numbers. We are also extremely grateful for two substantial gifts: a legacy to the choir in the will of its former Chair and Vice President John Smith, and a generous gift from Dr Dietrich Reimold. These additional funds mean that the trustees will be able to do more to pursue the educational remit of the choir in the next 2-3 years, including the provision of workshops, scholarships and outreach programmes to encourage young singers. |
|---|---|
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
The Charity holds reserves so that it can meet its contractual obligations and commitments to its members in the event of financial shortfall. The policy on the amount of the reserves held is reviewed regularly, in the light of annual financial commitments, forecast expenditure and the need to maintain a contingency fund in case of illness of musicians, and/or unexpected extra fees for rehearsal venues. We are particularly conscious that our regular rehearsal venue currently costs us a minimal amount and there is no guarantee that this will always be the case. |
| Amount of reserves held | The balance is currently above the usual reserve level. |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit | None |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the Charity continuing as a going concern |
N/A |
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Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of Charity’s trusts: | |
|---|---|
| Type of governing document | Constitution (adopted 2015, amended 2019) |
| How is the Charity constituted? | Unincorporated association |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
Nominations are invited from the choir’s membership when posts become vacant and trustees are elected at the Annual General Meeting or (if required) at an EGM. |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charityname | Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the Charityuses | Newcastle Bach Choir |
| Registered Charitynumber | 507520 |
| Charity’s principal address | 21 Hadrian’s Rise Haltwhistle NE49 0BA |
Names of the Charity trustees who manage the Charity
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for the whole year |
Person or body entitled to appoint trustee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. James Arkless | Chair | N/A | |
| 2. Gill Clancy | Vice Chair | N/A | |
| 3. Alexandra Blenkarn-Durning | Minutes Secretary | N/A | |
| 4. Jessica Anderson | Treasurer | N/A | |
| 5. Sara Foster | Membership Secretary | Co-opted Oct 2024 | N/A |
| 6. Bill Tarpy | - | N/A | |
| 7. Alice Bosomworth | - | N/A |
Declaration
The Trustees declare that they have approved the above report.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees
| ned on behalf | of the Trustees |
|---|---|
| Signature Full name Position Date |
A J Arkless |
| James Arkless | |
| Chair | |
| 02/10/2025 |
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Independent Examiner’s Report To the Trustees of NEWCASTLE BACH CHOIR SOCIETY:
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Newcastle Bach Choir Society (the Trust) for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with my examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Fiona Ramsey FCA
19 Norfolk Street, Sunderland, SR3 1EA
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir Society
Notes to the Financial Accounts (Page 1) For the period 01 August 2024 to 31 July 2025
1 Basis of preparation
Accounting convention
These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice: Accounting and Reporting by Charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) issued in October 2019 and the Charities Act 2011. The charity constitutes a public benefit charity as defined by FRS 102.
2 Accounting polices
Recognition of income
All incoming resources are included on the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is legally entitled to the income, it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources, and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.
Offsetting
There has been no offsetting of assets or liabilities, or income or expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS SORP 102 or FRS 102.
Grants and donations
Grants and donations are only included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the general income recognition criteria are met.
Tax reclaimed on donations and gifts
Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donaton is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
Income from interest, royalties and dividends
This is included in the accounts when receipt is probable and the amount receivable can be measured reliably.
Income from membership subscriptions
Membership subscriptions received in the nature of a gift are recognised in Donations and Legacies.
Liability recognition
Liabilities are recognised where it is more likely than not that there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to pay out resources and the amount of the obligation can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Creditors
Creditors of the charity are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.
Tangible fixed asssets for use by the charity
These are capitalised if they can be used for more than one year. The depreciation rates and methods used are disclosed in Note 4.
Debtors
Debtors (including trade debtors) are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts or amount advanced by the charity. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir Society
Notes to the Financial Accounts (Page 2) For the period 01 August 2024 to 31 July 2025
| 3 Fees for examination of the accounts Independent examiner's fees (creditor) |
2024/2025 £ - £ - £ |
2023/2024 £ 165.53 £ 165.53 £ |
|---|---|---|
4 Tangible fixed assets
| **4 ** | Tangible fixed assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation is provided on a reducing basis for the | following classes | of tangible fixed assets. A full | ||
| year's depreciation is provided in the year of acquisition. | ||||
| Music | 20% pa | |||
| Other | 30% pa | |||
| Assets at cost | Audio visual equipment |
Contactless payment equipment |
Total |
|
| Value at 1 August 2024 | 182.61 £ |
24.64 £ |
207.25 £ |
|
| Additions - SumUp card reader | 94.80 £ |
94.80 £ |
||
| Value at 31 July 2025 | 182.61 £ |
119.44 £ |
302.05 £ |
|
| Depreciation | ||||
| Accumulated depreciation at 1 August 2024 | 122.02 £ |
12.49 £ |
134.51 £ |
|
| Depreciation charged in year | 18.18 £ |
32.09 £ |
50.26 £ |
|
| Accumulated depreciation at 31 July 2025 | 140.20 £ |
44.58 £ |
184.77 £ |
|
| Net book value | ||||
| Net book value at 1 August 2024 | 60.59 £ |
12.15 £ |
72.74 £ |
|
| Net book value at 31 July 2025 | 42.41 £ |
74.87 £ |
117.28 £ |
|
| **5 ** | Choir music | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | |
| Money in from members | £ 1,857.26 £ |
£ 1,056.90 £ |
||
| (Costs of music hire/purchased) | 1,734.09 -£ |
1,029.00 -£ |
||
| 123.17 £ |
27.90 £ |
|||
| 6 | Choir subscriptions | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | |
| Subscriptions received | £ 9,960.00 £ |
£ 10,665.00 £ |
||
| Tax repaid on covenanted subscriptions (Gift Aid) | 1,782.50 £ |
3,536.76 £ |
||
| 11,742.50 £ |
14,201.76 £ |
|||
| 7 | Grants and donations | 2024/2025 | 2023/2024 | |
| General donations (D Reimold) | £ 10,000.00 £ |
£ - £ |
||
| General donations (other) | 1,411.28 £ |
1,063.41 £ |
||
| Tax repaid on covenanted donations (Gift Aid) | 2,647.50 £ |
- £ |
||
| Grants for soloists | - £ |
2,425.00 £ |
||
| John Smith legacy | 10,000.00 £ |
- £ |
||
| Other donations (legacies) | 1,000.00 £ |
2,000.00 £ |
||
| Commission fundraising | 50.00 £ |
2,647.50 £ |
||
| 25,108.78 £ |
8,135.91 £ |
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir Society
Notes to the Financial Accounts (page 3) For the period 01 August 2024 to 31 July 2025
| 8 Deposit interest Interest on Savings accounts 9 Other Income Surplus from Jesmond Festival concert Bus travel to / from Hexham concert Gelesenkirchen flights (restricted fund) 10 Venue Hire St Georges Jesmond Hexham Abbey Jesmond URC Porterage for Kings Hall 11 Making Music/PRS Subscription and insurance PRS fees 12 Management and the administration of the charity Expenses (phone calls) - creditor Retiring trustee gifts Choir black folders Choir training workshops Concert and post AGM refreshments Accountancy (creditor) Website Depreciation charged in year Credit card fees on tickets and music Reimbursement of subs overpayment 13 Funds received as agent In 2024-25 the charity administered funds on behalf of Cappella. There were no agency transactions with related parties. Amounts received (SumUp card sales net of transaction fees) Amounts paid out (Reimbursement of net sales income to Cappella) Balance held at period end |
2024/25 £ 163.90 £ 163.90 £ 2024/25 £ 468.40 £ 290.00 £ - £ 758.40 £ 2024/25 £ - £ 800.00 £ 185.00 £ 63.00 £ 1,048.00 £ 2024/25 £ 700.00 £ 25.00 £ 725.00 £ 2024/25 £ 14.83 -£ 106.55 £ 129.00 £ - £ 299.27 £ 0.01 -£ 522.00 £ 50.26 £ 869.75 £ - £ 1,961.99 £ 2024/25 189.82 £ 189.82 £ - £ |
2023/24 £ 252.57 £ 252.57 £ 2023/24 £ - £ - £ 6,475.00 £ 6,475.00 £ 2023/24 £ 130.00 £ - £ 175.00 £ 236.00 £ 541.00 £ 2023/24 £ 606.00 £ - £ 606.00 £ 2023/24 £ 35.00 £ - £ - £ 100.00 £ 420.85 £ 163.53 £ 185.60 £ 31.04 £ 593.58 £ 200.00 £ 1,729.60 £ 2023/24 - £ - £ - £ |
|---|---|---|
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir Balance Sheet as at 31 July 2025
| Fixed Assets Current assets Debtors Cash Float Balances at bank: Current Account Deposit Account Current Liabilities Creditors Net current assets Net assets |
Notes 4 |
2024/25 2023/24 £ £ 117.28 72.74 0.00 0.00 81.59 81.59 56,614.63 38,968.60 11,545.10 11,381.20 68,241.32 50,431.39 - 2,698.53 68,241.32 47,732.86 68,358.60 47,805.60 |
|---|---|---|
Notes on page 1 to 3 form part of the accounts
Signed (Chair)
on behalf of the Trustees
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir Society Statement of Financial Activities for the year to 31 July 2025 I &E as at 31 July 2025
| Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir Society Statement of Financial Activities for the year to 31 July 2025 I &E as at 31 July 2025 |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Income and Expenditure Income Tickets sold Programmes sold Choir music Choir subscriptions (incl Gift Aid) Grants and Donations (Incl Gift Aid) Deposit interest MD 40th anniversary party tickets Other income Total Income Direct Charitable Expenditure Artists fees and expenses Cost of choir music hired/purchased Cost of orchestral music Organ hire and tuning Venue fees Programme and ticket costs Donated to other charities for Christmas concert Advertising (incl digital) Making Music/PRS Accompanist's honorarium Conductor's honorarium Anniversary concert recording Bus hire for Hexham concert McDowell commission Other Expenditure Management and the administration of the charity MD 40th anniversary party Gelsenkirchen trip (restricted fund) Total Expenditure Net income/(expenditure) for the year Fund Balances brought forward Adjusted Fund balances brought forward 2024/25 Net income/(expenditure) for the year 2024/25 Fund balances carried forward 2024/25 |
Unrestricted Inc. 2024/25 £ 15,004.50 £ 937.80 £ 1,857.26 £ 11,742.50 £ 25,108.78 £ 163.90 £ 1,680.00 £ 758.40 £ 57,253.14 £ 19,967.02 £ 1,734.09 £ 625.02 £ 450.00 £ 1,048.00 £ 710.00 £ 1,266.83 £ 997.77 £ 725.00 £ 1,000.00 £ 3,000.00 £ 552.25 £ 350.00 £ 20.99 £ 32,446.97 £ 1,961.99 £ 2,291.18 £ - £ 4,253.17 £ 36,700.14 £ 20,553.00 £ 47,805.60 £ 47,805.60 £ 20,553.00 £ 68,358.60 £ |
Unrestricted Inc. 2023/24 £ 12,757.00 £ 847.75 £ 1,056.90 £ 14,201.76 £ 8,135.91 £ 252.57 £ - £ 6,475.00 £ 43,726.89 £ 15,030.75 £ 1,029.00 £ 93.81 £ 780.00 £ 541.00 £ 660.71 £ 1,535.62 £ 429.16 £ 606.00 £ 500.00 £ 2,000.00 £ - £ - £ 5,000.00 £ 28,206.05 £ 1,729.60 £ - £ 6,475.00 £ 8,204.60 £ 36,410.65 £ 7,316.24 £ 40,489.36 £ 40,489.36 £ 7,316.24 £ 47,805.60 £ |
Notes |
| 5 6 7 8 9 5 10 11 12 |
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir
| Debtors: Total debtors |
2024/25 £ 0.00 |
2023/24 £ 0.00 |
|---|---|---|
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir
| Creditors: Accountants fees Phone calls paid July 2025 Commission balance paid Oct 2024 Total creditors |
2024/25 £ 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 |
2023/24 overaccrued creditor £ 163.53 paid Dec 24 -0.01 35.00 new item July 2024 2,500.00 new item July 2024 2,698.53 |
|---|---|---|
Newcastle upon Tyne Bach Choir
| Petty Cash | **Note / Coin ** | Number | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| £20.00 | 2 | £40.00 | |
| £10.00 | 1 | £10.00 | |
| £5.00 | 0 | £0.00 | |
| £2.00 | 0 | £0.00 | |
| £1.00 | 21 | £21.00 | |
| £0.50 | 12 | £6.00 | |
| £0.20 | 0 | £0.00 | |
| £0.10 | 26 | £2.60 | |
| £0.05 | 38 | £1.90 | |
| £0.02 | 0 | £0.00 | |
| £0.01 | 9 | £0.09 | |
| Total | £81.59 |
checked 10/7/25 by JA
£81.59
Newcastle Bach Choir Concerts 2024/25 Budget vs Outturn Summary
Concert 1: Nov 24 (Kings Hall) Concert 2: Mar 25 (Kings Hall) Concert 3: Jun 25 (Hexham Abbey)
40th anniversary concert Bach: Easter cantatas and Magnificat Handel, Vivaldi
----- Start of picture text -----
Concert 1 Concert 2 Concert 3 TOTAL
INCOME Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual
Tickets £ 3,500.00 £ 4,579.50 £ 3,500.00 £ 4,580.00 £ 2,500.00 £ 4,445.00 £ 9,500.00 £ 13,604.50
Programmes £ 250.00 £ 335.00 £ 250.00 £ 322.55 £ 250.00 £ 280.25 £ 750.00 £ 937.80
Travel £ - £ - £ - £ 290.00 £ - £ 290.00
Total Income £ 3,750.00 £ 4,914.50 £ 3,750.00 £ 4,902.55 £ 2,750.00 £ 5,015.25 £ 10,250.00 £ 14,832.30
EXPENDITURE Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual Budget Actual
Venue £ 100.00 £ - £ 100.00 £ 63.00 £ 800.00 £ 800.00 £ 1,000.00 £ 863.00
Soloist fees + exps £ 1,000.00 £ 1,312.00 £ 3,000.00 £ 2,674.20 £ 1,500.00 £ 1,230.00 £ 5,500.00 £ 5,216.20
Orchestra fees + exps £ 2,500.00 £ 3,805.00 £ 5,000.00 £ 5,886.69 £ 5,000.00 £ 4,629.13 £ 12,500.00 £ 14,320.82
Orchestral music £ - £ 290.59 £ - £ 253.74 £ - £ 78.09 £ - £ 622.42
Publicity - printed £ 250.00 £ 126.00 £ 250.00 £ 126.00 £ 150.00 £ 126.00 £ 650.00 £ 378.00
Publicity - social media £ - £ - £ - £ 129.34 £ - £ 311.99 £ - £ 441.33
Tickets £ 35.00 £ 15.80 £ 35.00 £ 15.80 £ 35.00 £ 27.40 £ 105.00 £ 59.00
Programmes £ 200.00 £ 195.00 £ 200.00 £ 198.00 £ 200.00 £ 219.00 £ 600.00 £ 612.00
Card processing fees £ - £ 193.34 £ - £ 183.32 £ - £ 235.11 £ - £ 611.77
Other costs (travel) £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 350.00 £ - £ 350.00
Other costs (recording) £ - £ 552.25 £ - £ - £ - £ - £ - £ 552.25
Other costs (organ hire) £ - £ - £ 400.00 £ 450.00 £ 400.00 £ - £ 800.00 £ 450.00
Total Expenditure £ 4,085.00 £ 6,489.98 £ 8,985.00 £ 9,980.09 £ 8,085.00 £ 8,006.72 £ 21,155.00 £ 24,476.79
Loss on concert(s) -£ 335.00 -£ 1,575.48 -£ 5,235.00 -£ 5,077.54 -£ 5,335.00 -£ 2,991.47 -£ 10,905.00 -£ 9,644.49
----- End of picture text -----
Christmas Concert Date 12/12/2024 Venue JURC Audience 165 estimated Ticket Price £10 full, £5 student, U18 free
28/01/2025
----- Start of picture text -----
Income Actual Num tickets Evidence
Ticket sales - on the door (cash) £ 695.00 72 Est, based on £10 per ticket
Ticket sales - on the door (card) £ 190.00 19 Bank transfer + SumUp
Ticket sales - online in advance £ 515.00 59 TryBooking
Donations for charity £ 555.78 15 Comps - In Harmony
Music sales to members £ 446.00
Programme sales - audience £ -
Programme sales - members £ -
Total £ 2,401.78
Expenditure Actual Choir music - concert
Venue hire £ 175.00 Income £ 446.00
Organ / piano hire (n/a) £ - Costs £ 473.42
PRS £ 35.00 Surplus -£ 27.42
Music costs - choir £ 473.42
Music costs - orchestra / MD £ 2.60
Printing costs - tickets £ -
Printing costs - programmes £ 39.00
Printing costs - posters / flyers £ 108.00
Organist £ 60.00
Soloists (n/a) £ -
Refreshments £ 196.34
Card fees £ 45.59
Total £ 1,134.95
Surplus: £ 1,266.83
----- End of picture text -----
Independent Examiner’s Report To the Trustees of NEWCASTLE BACH CHOIR SOCIETY:
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Newcastle Bach Choir Society (the Trust) for the year ended 31 July 2025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section145(5)(b) of the Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with my examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Fiona Ramsey FCA
19 Norfolk Street, Sunderland, SR3 1EA