Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society
Registered charity number 508874
TRUSTEES’ REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31 March 2025
CONTENTS
Trustees' Report Pages 2 – 5 Independent Examiner's Report Page 6 Statement of Financial Activities Page 7 Statement of Financial Position Page 8 Notes to the financial statements Page 9 – 11
Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
TRUSTEES’ REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2025
The trustees submit their report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2025.
AIMS, OBJECTIVES & ACTIVITIES
The aims and objectives of the charity are to educate the public in the arts and sciences and in particular the art and science of music in the presentation of concerts and other activities.
The Trustees confirm that they have referred to the Charity Commission’s guidance on Charities and Public Benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and objectives.
ACHIEVEMENTS & PERFORMANCE
The financial year brought us sadness and joy. Our long-standing chairman Brian Midgley died in February 2024, and the very generous bequest in his will transformed the finances of the charity. We also celebrated our 60th anniversary this year with a programme which Brian helped to plan. It included six concerts:
Alasdair Beatson (piano) Beethoven, Fauré, Webern, and Schumann.
Roderick Williams (baritone) with Natalie Burch (piano) Schubert’s Schwanengesang Elmore String Quartet Haydn, Shostakovich, Britten Oakham Piano Trio Fauré, Brahms, Schubert Sara Trickey (violin) with Ivana Gavric (piano) Grieg, Ravel, Beethoven, Franz von Vecsey Calathea String Quartet Imogen Holst, Ligeti, Dvořák
During the year, we saw an increase in the number of members and ticket sales to non-members, following some changes in our marketing.
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
for the year ended 31 March 2025
FINANCIAL REVIEW
The results for the year are set out in the annexed Statement of Financial Activities. There was a small surplus on our normal operations, plus a significant legacy from Brian Midgley’s estate. In total, this resulted in an increase in fund of £115,139.
The trustees believe that it is prudent to hold reserves of approximately 50% of turnover and this amount is being held in short-term bank deposits. The remaining funds of £108,000 are being held in longerterm deposits in order to provide a regular stream of income to support the annual programme of concerts.
The charity is managed by the trustees, who receive no remuneration.
The trustees believe that the charity can continue as a going concern for at least the next twelve months and that, as a result, no changes need to be made to this Report and Financial Statements.
The charity’s sources of funds are:
| Ticket sales ~~-~~ |
4,750 ~~-~~ |
|---|---|
| Memberships ~~-~~ |
3,500 ~~-~~ |
| Grants ~~-~~ |
2,000 ~~-~~ |
| Donations ~~-~~ |
1,645 ~~-~~ |
| Legacies ~~-~~ |
114,644 ~~-~~ |
| Other income ~~-~~ |
1,537 ~~-~~ |
| Total ~~-~~ |
128,076 ~~-~~ |
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
TRUSTEES’ REPORT
for the year ended 31 March 2025
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT
Constitution
Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society is a charity governed by its Constitution.
Trustees
Chairman: Tim Raistrick Secretary: James Hazel (resigned 25 June 2025) Treasurer: David Fletcher (appointed 10 June 2024) Bob Bessell (resigned 25 June 2025) John Cohen (appointed 10 June 2024) John Ryder John Scampion (appointed 10 June 2024)
The trustees shall be elected by and out of the Society’s members at the Annual General Meeting. They shall hold office from the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting at which they are elected until the conclusion of the next following Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election.
Independent Examiner Mike Prince FCCA
Bankers
CAF Bank Limited, which is a subsidiary of the Charities Aid Foundation, (registered charity number 268369).
Charity’s principal address
51 Grove Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6PB
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
TRUSTEES’ REPORT for the year ended 31 March 2025
TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities in respect of the Financial Statements
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the 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 trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period 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 these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP 2019 (FRS 102)
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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;
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.
The trustees are responsible for keeping accounting records which 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 Charity (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 and the provisions of the Constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the Board on 9[th] December 2025
Signed by David Fletcher on behalf of the Board of Trustees
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT
for the year ended 31 March 2025
Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Stratford Chamber Music Society ('the Charity') I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 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 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(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 the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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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.
Signed:
Mike Prince FCCA Unit 3, Wellesbourne Distribution Park Loxley Road Warwick CV35 9JY Date: 9[th] December 2025
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted | Endowment | Endowment | ||||
| funds | Fund | Total 2025 | Total 2024 | |||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Incoming resources | 3 | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 5,016 | 114,644 | ~~Fr~~ | 119,660 | 3,906 | |
| Charitable activities | 8,416 | 0 | ~~Fr~~ | 8,416 | 5,358 | |
| Total | 13,432 | 114,644 | 128,076 | 9,264 | ||
| Resources expended | 4 | |||||
| Raising funds | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Charitable activities | 12,937 | 0 | ~~Fr~~ | 12,937 | 7,815 | |
| Total | 12,937 | 0 | 12,937 | 7,815 | ||
| Net movement in funds | 495 | 114,644 | 115,139 | 1,449 | ||
| Reconciliation of funds: | ||||||
| Total funds brought forward | 2,335 | 0 | 2,335 | 886 | ||
| Total funds carried forward | 2,831 | 114,644 | 114,644 | 117,475 | 2,335 |
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
As at 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted | Endowment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | Fund | Total 2025 | Total 2024 | ||
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Current Assets | |||||
| Debtors & Prepayments | 5 | 759 | 759 | 0 | |
| Cash at bank | 7 | 2,190 | 114,644 | 116,834 | 3,595 |
| Total | 2,949 | 114,644 | 117,593 | 3,595 | |
| Creditors:amounts falling due within one year |
6 | 118 | 0 | 118 | 1,260 |
| Net current assets/(liabilities) | 2,831 | 114,644 | 117,475 | 2,335 | |
| Total net assets | 2,831 | 114,644 | 117,475 | 2,335 | |
| Funds of the Charity | |||||
| Endowment Fund | 0 | 114,644 | 114,644 | 0 | |
| Unrestricted funds | 2,831 | 2,831 0 |
2,831 | 2,335 | |
| Total funds | 2,831 | 114,644 | 117,475 | 2,335 |
The notes on pages 9 to 11 form part of these financial statements.
Approved by the Board on 9[th] December 2025
Signed by David Fletcher on behalf of the Board of Trustees
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis under the historical cost convention, with items recognised at cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant note(s) to these accounts.
The charity constitutes a public benefit entity as defined by FRS 102. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019)’, Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’ and the Companies Act 2006.
The charity has taken advantage of the following disclosure exemption in preparing these financial statements as permitted by FRS 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland’: the requirements of Section 7 Statement of Cash Flows.
NOTE 2 - ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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2.1 Income
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Income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity becomes entitled to the resources, and when it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources, and when the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
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There has been no offsetting of assets and liabilities, or income and expenses, unless required or permitted by the FRS 102 or SORP.
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Grants and donations are only included in the SOFA when the general income recognition criteria are met.
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Contractual income and performance related grants are only included in the SOFA once the charity has provided the related goods or services or met the performance related conditions.
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The value of any voluntary help received is not included in the accounts but is described in the trustees’ annual report.
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2.2 Expenditure and Liabilities
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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.
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The charity has creditors which are measured at settlement amounts less any trade discounts.
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
2.3 Assets
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Debtors are measured on initial recognition at settlement amount after any trade discounts. Subsequently, they are measured at the cash or other consideration expected to be received.
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2.4 Funds
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Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
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Restricted funds are funds which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors or which have been raised by the charity for particular purposes.
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Endowment funds are designated by the charity to provide ongoing income.
| Unrestricted | Endowment | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | Fund | Total 2025 | Total 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| NOTE 3 - ANALYSIS OF INCOME | ||||
| Donations, grants and legacies | ||||
| Donations and gifts | 1,316 | 0 | 1,316 | 1,911 |
| Gift Aid | 329 | 0 | 329 | 495 |
| Legacy | 0 | 114,644 | 114,644 | 0 |
| Endowment income | 1,371 | 0 | 1,371 | |
| Grants | 2,000 | 0 | 2,000 | 1,500 |
| Total | 5,016 | 114,644 | 119,660 | 3,906 |
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Ticket sales | 4,750 | 0 | 4,750 | 2,239 |
| Memberships | 3,500 | 0 | 3,500 | 2,700 |
| Other | 166 | 0 | 166 | 419 |
| Total | 8,416 | 0 | 8,416 | 5,358 |
| NOTE 4 - ANALYSIS OF EXPENDITURE | ||||
| Raising funds | ||||
| Fundraising costs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charitable activities | ||||
| Performers | 10,008 | 0 | 10,008 | 4,900 |
| Venues | 1,429 | 0 | 1,429 | 1,706 |
| Piano Tuning | 200 | 0 | 200 | 250 |
| Other concert costs | 204 | 0 | 204 | 0 |
| Printing, publicity, booking fees | 679 | 0 | 679 | 513 |
| Overheads | 417 | 0 | 417 | 446 |
| Total | 12,937 | 0 | 12,937 | 7,815 |
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Stratford-upon-Avon Chamber Music Society Registered charity number 508874
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
for the year ended 31 March 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| NOTE 5 - DEBTORS AND PREPAYMENTS | ||
| Trade debtors | 0 | |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 450 | 0 |
| Other debtors | 309 | 0 |
| Total | 759 | 0 |
| All amounts fall due within one year | ||
| NOTE 6 - CREDITORS AND ACCRUALS | ||
| Trade creditors | 0 | 0 |
| Accruals and deferred income | 118 | 1,260 |
| Total | 118 | 1,260 |
| All amounts fall due within one year | ||
| £ | £ | |
| NOTE 7 - CASH AT BANK AND IN HAND | ||
| Short term deposits | 7,350 | 540 |
| Medium term deposits | 108,000 | 0 |
| Cash at bank and on hand | 1,484 | 3,055 |
| Total | 116,834 | 3,595 |
NOTE 8 - TRANSACTIONS WITH TRUSTEES AND OTHER RELATED PARTIES
Trustees receive no remuneration. Occasionally donations are given by trustees. No benefits are given in return for these donations.
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