Trustees, Annual Report 2025 9 BARRY MALE VOICE CHOIR EST. 1 902
Administrative Details harity Name: Barry Male Voice Choir harity Number: 509698 orrespondence Address: 20 Augusta Road, (we do not have a registered Penarth, office) ale of Glamorgan, CF64 5RJ bmvcsec mail.com .bar malevoicechoir.co.uk rustees who manage the harity: hese are the Trustees of the charity, and their dates of election: teven Bowen: imothyjames Cox Russell Steven Bright Peter John Allard Markjeffrey O'Dare ohn Jeremy Lewis Gareth James Ball Richard Glyn Heath 13/2/2023 271112025 271112025 271112025 271112025 271112025 271112025 271112025 tood down 27Jan25: Geoff Gelder, Lee Martin-Hine, Steve ones In addition, our Musical Director, Dorothy Connell is in attendance at Trustee meetings. Dot has been our MD since anuary2009.
Structure. Goverance and Management ype of organisation: Barry Male Voice Choir has been singing continuously since 1902, including through the world wars. On 29Feb80, we registered as a charity. We are an Unincorporated Membership Association. overning Documents: Constitution dated 27Jan25 (as amended from 29Jan87 and 31Jan80). th Rules adopted on 27 January 2025 and amended on 26 February 2025. th ppointment of Trustees: 11 Trustees who are willing to stand, are elected, or re-elected by the membership annually, at the AGM. ub-committees: During 2025 we had a sub-committee running our project for "Men United in Song,, which is covered later in this report. his committee finished its work and disbanded in May25. Late in 2025, we instigated a sub-committee to investigate the uture direction for the choir's uniforms. Policies: e have the following policies:_ Equal Opportunities Policy ariations in annual subscriptions based on personal circumstance rievance/Behaviour Reporting and Procedures (which covers bullying, harassment, and complaints) Internal financial controls policy&procedure Safeguarding of young people and vulnerable adults DPR Reserves Policy
In addition, the Trustees are undertaking an exercise to review our policies and this is expected to result in refreshed and/or new policies in 2026. Risk Management: he committee has responsibility for the choir's finances. he choir has a treasurer who is elected by the members. here are clear provisions in the choirfs rules regarding the primary responsibility of the Treasurer, the need for the keeping of detailed accounts and records regarding monies received and paid and that all monies received must be paid into the choir's Bank accounts. There are procedures regarding authorisation for payments. The Treasure appraises he committee on a regular basis of the financial situation of he choir- in practice this happens at monthly committee meetings and such other occasions as are necessary. he choir does not operate an overdraft and does not have an overdraft. The subscription fees of the choir are reviewed on an annual basis and are set at a level to meet the basic running costs of the choir. he financial risks to the choir are felt to be relatively low, and our reserves policy is set to provide a cushion for these risks. e have a defibrillator at the Hall where the choir meets to practise on a regular basis. Objective and Activities Object: Our Object is: "To foster and promote the education of the General Public in the appreciation of music in all its aspects, particularly of Male Choral Work, both inside and outside the United Kingdom."
Activities: It's been another busy year for BMVC but also one of significant change. Activities have included:_ our two usual annual concerts during the summer and at Christmas carried out our civic duties by attending junior schools, the Mayor's service, at Barry Hospital and helped in the town's St David's Day celebrations. answered the BBC'S call to sing on Radio Cymru with Sian Cothi. there have been two weddings, one funeral we helped the local optician Arbuthnot's celebrate their Soth anniversary. an entirely new event of performing at Junior Glastonbarry (thus introducing ourmusic to a new audience) held joint concerts with Vale of Glamorgan Brass Band and Croydon Male Voice Choir recorded a CD of our music as a record of what the choir sounded like in 2025 (10+ years since we last captured a recording). ran a project called "Men United in Song", where we introduced 123 men to choral singing for 10 weeks, culminating in around 90 of those performing on stage in Llandaff cathedral. It was a fantastic experience, and led to 35 new members of BMVC, increasing our membership from 55 to 87 (and at a time when many choirs are shrinking, and 15 % of choirs closing each year). This is a snapshot of the 31 events we held in 2025. In addition to this, the committee has been active in making some administrative improvements: with a new constitution, to replace the 40 year old constitution which was no longer fit for purpose; revised our rules and pulled them together in one place; started reviewing and renewing our policies. and have made improvements to our template for the Trustees Annual Report, which we have used this year, and will use as a basis for future years. Public Benefit Around Saint Davids Day, we performed in 3 primary schools, to fit in with their syllabus of learning about Welsh heritage. One of our choristers has a short slide show, to let the children see a little of what life was like when their grandparents were their age. This of
course includes some comments about the camaraderie of the coal mines, slate mines etc, and the bonds of being in a choir together. We treat them to a few welsh songs, and are delighted when they know them and can join in. We estimate there are about 100 children at each session, so about 300 children who are exposed to choral singing. We sing at weddings, funerals, corporate events, and pubs. These are all venues where the audience is not there specifically to hear a male voice choir, and so we feel we have exposed hundreds, possibly a thousand or so people, to a MVC who otherwise would not have heard one. And then at our concerts, there were probably a couple of thousand people in all the audiences combined. We also raise money for other charities . (note: We do not use choir funds to give to other charities, but we feel by being aware we are supporting a charity, more people come to our event, knowing their entry fee goes to that charity. So it costs us nothing, and we expand the number of people exposed to our music). During our tour to Scotland, we participated in a concert in St Andrews which raised £28,000 for the Doddie Weir Foundation, and we held two small concerts which raised money for the RNLI in Anstruther. For our own charity fund raising, we raised £15,500 for Prostate Cymru, and smaller amounts for MIND and Whizz Kids via our Christmas concert. All of this charity work adds to our objects of spreading musical education to audiences who might otherwise not attend a male voice choir, come along and get exposed to the heritage of this music. In the case of our concert for Prostate Cymru the audience was about 800, many of whom would not have normally gone to an MVC concert. Financial Review BMVC'S accounts differentiate between Operations and Other activities. 'Operations' refers to activities funded from the choir's own income and 'Others' from funds collected from and paid on behalf of choristers for a range of projects and activities.
Income from Operations reduced marginally by 1.1 % from £30,724 to £30,404, but outgoings reduced further by 8.7% from £26,165 to £24,065. Recruitment income in 2025 showed a substantial increase from £9,801 to £16,729, mostly from mid-year onwards following the success of Men United in Song. Income from engagements was lower than 2024 but still exceeded concert expenses and the music team's costs (£3,630) by £1,561. Increased fund raising and other activities supported the overall Operations income for 2025. There was no Gift Aid Rebate in 2025. The 'Other' activities were principally focused on two significant events in 2025. Men United in Song (April 2025). Recruitment, sponsorship and donations generated £16,444 income for 2025 and all expenses totalled £16,436, including a donation to Prostate Cymru of £10,842. Royal Albert Hall (June 2026). Participation in the London Welsh Festival of Male Choirs has involved pre-booking and part pre-payment of transportation, tickets and accommodation, totalling £26,248, ofwhich £14,378 was collected from participants and held by BMVC for payment in early 2026. The BMVC current account has sufficient funds to coverthis sum. The Scotland trip in August 2025 was mostly funded by choristers, contributions for travel and accommodation and the balance of the costs was payable from the choir's own Operating Income. The Deposit Account rose by £189 during 2025 to £17,349 following interest payments. As this is in excess of our reserves policy, the committee has made a forecast for 2026, and will propose at the AGM a reduction is membership subscriptions for 2026.
Accounts Account Summary as at 3V12125 Income Out80ings Operational 2024 £9,8CKI.70 Subs £265.(Kl Frfends Subs £350.00 Grants £I,CKX).00 Weddings £9,408.92 Engagements £5,133.09 Glft Aid Rebate £1.269.18 Bonus ball £3(X).O) Misc Income £850.(X) Donations £323.24 Fund Raising Calendars Cholr CD'S 2025 £16,829.09 £260.(N) £0.00 £1,095.00 £6,901.36 £o.(x) £L317.49 £395.95 £1,015.00 £824.80 £528.(Y) £1,23750 2024 £14,983.00 Musk Team £1,890.(X) Hall Fees £496.21 Muslc Copies £50.(X) Wistlng MD £1,445.50 Equipment £2,304.19 Misc Purchases £1,07S.00 Donations £1,120.40 Concert Expenses £776.25 Recrultment Expense4 £O.(X) Llcences £5,0(X).00 TIF to Reserye Alc Calendars Cholr CD'S 2025 £15.835.50 £1,567.06 £1,370.78 £0. £0.00 £1,012.23 £0.00 £1.710.38 £0. £507.99 £0.00 £486.60 £1,574.30 £24,064.84 TOTALS £30,404. Other Men Unlted Jacket Dep Away Trlps RAH 2026 RAH Tlckets BBQ & Xmas £16,444.04 £550.Crf) £6,407.10 £20,944.(X) £5,304.50 £2,819.94 Men United Jacket Refvnds Away Trfps RAH 2026 £16,436.01 £o.oJ £9,835.20 £11.540.(J) B8Qand Xmas £2.890.03 TOTALS £52,469.58 £40,701.24 Grand Totsis £82,873.77 £64.766.08 Balances Current Alc opening balance 01101125 Income Expendlture Bank Balance 3VIV25 £968.25 £82,873.77 £64,766.08 £19,075.94 Deposit A/c Opening balance as at OI/OV25 Tansfer in from Current Alc Interest year to date Balance at 3Y12ns £16,97054 £0. £189.45 £17,IS9.99 I confirni that I examlned these accounts and found them correct
Independent Examiners Report on the Accounts I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts for the year ended 31 December 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 Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under s145 of the Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under s145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent Examiners Statement: I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act. or the accounts do not accord with the accounting records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signature: Name: . QlrE (V Date:
Plans for the future In 2026, our singing plans are: have our two usual concerts, in the summer and at Christmas fulfil our civic duty when asked to support the town of Barry do our bit to keep Welsh heritage alive by educating primary school children spread Male Voice Music to those who might not hear it, by performing at weddings, funerals, corporate events, or others where we get the chance to share our music sing in the Usk Festival sing at the Royal Albert Hall in the "1000 Voices" choir. This will be a real highlight of the year, and we started preparing for this in summer of 20251 And our admin and organisational plans are: continue with keeping recruitment bubbling along maybe look for a new rehearsal hall (as our current hall has an uncertain future) continue working on governance improvements (ie policy improvements) continue to challenge ourselves that we have the right level of reserves, and make adjustments to our spending or income as needed make a decision about the future of our uniforms Declaration The above Trustees Annual Report has been approved by the trustees on 21Jan25 and signed on their behalf by: Steve Bowen. Chair / Trustee Barry Male Voice Choir (Charity No. 509698) Signature: Date: goZL
Barry Male Volce Choir Account Summary as at 31112125 lfttome Oirtgolngs Operational 2024 £9,8(X).70 Subs £265.00 Friends Sub5 £350.00 Grants £1,0.00 Weddings £9,408.92 Engagements £5,133.09 Gift Aid Rebate £1,269.18 Bonus ball £300,00 Misc Income £850.00 Donations £323.24 Fund Ralslng Calendars Choir CD'S 2025 £16.829.09 £260.(K) £0.00 £1,095.(M) £6.901.36 £o.(M) £1,317.49 £395.95 £1,015.(M) £824.80 £528.00 £1.237.50 2024 £14.983.iJ) Music Team £1,890. Hall Fees £496.21 Music Cop5 E50.CX) Visting MD £1,445.50 Equipment £2.304.19 Mix Purchases £1,075. t)onatK)ns £1,120.40 Concert Expenses £776.25 Recruitment Expensec £O.Cil Licences £5,000.Q) TIF to Reser¥e Alc Candar5 Choir CD'S 2025 £15.835.50 £1,567.06 £1,370.78 £0.00 £o.c(J £1,012.23 £0.00 £1,710.38 £O.CM) £507.99 £0.00 £486.60 1,574.30 £24,064.84 TOTALS £30,404.19 Other Men United Jacket Dep Away Trips RAH 2026 RAH Tickets BBQ & Xmas £16.444.04 £550.IX) £6,407.10 £20,944.00 £5,304.50 £2,819.94 Men United Jacket Refund5 Away Trlps RAH 2026 £16,436.01 £0.00 £9,835.20 £11,540.00 BBQ and Xmas £2,890.03 TOTALS £52,469.58 £40,701.24 Grand Totals £82,873.77 £64,766.08 Balances Current Alc openin8 balance 01101125 Income Expenditure Bank Balance 31112125 £968.25 £82,873.77 £64,766.08 £19.075.94 Deposit Alc Opening balance as at 01101125 Tansfer in from Current Alc Interest year to date Balance at 31112125 £16,970.54 £0.00 £189.45 £17.159.99 I confirni that I have examined these accounts and found them COrtt
Barry Male Volce Choir Account Summary as at 31112125 lfttome Oirtgolngs Operational 2024 £9,8(X).70 Subs £265.00 Friends Sub5 £350.00 Grants £1,0.00 Weddings £9,408.92 Engagements £5,133.09 Gift Aid Rebate £1,269.18 Bonus ball £300,00 Misc Income £850.00 Donations £323.24 Fund Ralslng Calendars Choir CD'S 2025 £16.829.09 £260.(K) £0.00 £1,095.(M) £6.901.36 £o.(M) £1,317.49 £395.95 £1,015.(M) £824.80 £528.00 £1.237.50 2024 £14.983.iJ) Music Team £1,890. Hall Fees £496.21 Music Cop5 E50.CX) Visting MD £1,445.50 Equipment £2.304.19 Mix Purchases £1,075. t)onatK)ns £1,120.40 Concert Expenses £776.25 Recruitment Expensec £O.Cil Licences £5,000.Q) TIF to Reser¥e Alc Candar5 Choir CD'S 2025 £15.835.50 £1,567.06 £1,370.78 £0.00 £o.c(J £1,012.23 £0.00 £1,710.38 £O.CM) £507.99 £0.00 £486.60 1,574.30 £24,064.84 TOTALS £30,404.19 Other Men United Jacket Dep Away Trips RAH 2026 RAH Tickets BBQ & Xmas £16.444.04 £550.IX) £6,407.10 £20,944.00 £5,304.50 £2,819.94 Men United Jacket Refund5 Away Trlps RAH 2026 £16,436.01 £0.00 £9,835.20 £11,540.00 BBQ and Xmas £2,890.03 TOTALS £52,469.58 £40,701.24 Grand Totals £82,873.77 £64,766.08 Balances Current Alc openin8 balance 01101125 Income Expenditure Bank Balance 31112125 £968.25 £82,873.77 £64,766.08 £19.075.94 Deposit Alc Opening balance as at 01101125 Tansfer in from Current Alc Interest year to date Balance at 31112125 £16,970.54 £0.00 £189.45 £17.159.99 I confirni that I have examined these accounts and found them COrtt