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2023-12-31-accounts

Period start date Period end date 01 01 2023 31 12 2023 From To

Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Section A Reference and administration details ~~a~~

Charity name
Other names charity is known by
Registered charity number (if any)		 Charity name
The Rowantree Choir
NA
Registered charity number (if any)801087
~~po~~
~~pT~~
~~——}~~		 Charity name
The Rowantree Choir
NA
Registered charity number (if any)801087
~~po~~
~~pT~~
~~——}~~		 Charity name
The Rowantree Choir
NA
Registered charity number (if any)801087
~~po~~
~~pT~~
~~——}~~
Charity's principal address Charity's principal address c/o The Methodist Church
Wellington Road
Bush Hill Park ENFIELD
Postcode EN12RS

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

~~a~~ ~~ee~~
Trustee name
~~a~~		 Office (if any)
~~ee~~		 Dates acted if not for whole
year		 Name of person (or body) entit
to appoint trustee (ifany)
JennyJohnson
~~a~~
~~se~~		 Chair
~~ee~~
~~se~~		 ~~se~~ ~~se~~ ~~se~~
David Gilles
~~a~~
~~ee~~		 Treasurer
~~a~~
~~ee~~
 ~~a~~
~~ee~~
 ~~a~~
 ~~a~~
Adrian Saull
~~a~~
~~ee~~
~~a~~		 Secretary
~~a~~
~~ee~~
 ~~a~~
~~ee~~
 ~~a~~

~~ee~~		 ~~a~~
Pauline Martindale
~~ee~~
~~a~~		 Minutes Secretary
~~ee~~
~~ee~~		 ~~ee~~
~~ee~~		 ~~ee~~
~~ee~~		 ~~ee~~
Reem El-Sharouni
~~ee~~
~~a~~
~~a~~		 Website
~~ee~~
~~ee~~		 ~~ee~~
~~ee~~
~~es~~		 ~~ee~~
~~ee~~		 ~~ee~~
Pauline Weatherley
~~ee~~
~~a~~
~~a~~
~~a~~		 Concert Box
Office/Refreshments
~~ee~~

~~ee~~
 ~~ee~~

~~es~~		 ~~ee~~
Pam Bremner
~~a~~
~~a~~		 Welfare and Social
Events
~~ee~~
 ~~es~~
Jonathan Rathbone
~~a ~~		 Music Director (ex
officio)
~~ee~~
~~a~~
Liz Woolf
~~ee~~		 Concert Manager
~~ee~~		 ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~
Susan Humphries
~~ee~~		 Publicity/Marketing
~~ee~~		 ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~ ~~ee~~
Sandra Leah
~~a~~
~~es~~		 ~~a~~ ~~a~~ ~~a~~ ~~a~~
Helen Ennis
~~es~~		 Music Librarian

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

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Type of adviser Name
Address		 Name
Address
none

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

None

Section B Structure, governance and management

Description of the charity’s trusts

Constitution

Type of governing document (eg. trust deed, constitution) Association How the charity is constituted

Elected by all choir members at AGM Trustee selection methods

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

Bush Hill Park Methodist Church

You may choose to include additional information, where 135 Wellington Road, Enfield EN1 2RS relevant, about:

Section C Objectives and activities

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

To promote, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recitals and by such other ways as the Society through its Committee shall determine from time to time

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Concerts performed:

Spring Concert at St Stephens Church – Brahms Requiem

Summer Concert at Enfield Baptist Church - Always something there to remind me

Christmas Concert at Enfield Baptist Church – Rutter’s Magnificat and other Christmas Songs

3 Pop up Concerts during the Autumn at St Andrews Church in Enfield, North Middlesex Hospital and Forty Hall. Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

All Committee members and Officers are volunteers. The only paid individuals (who both receive fees) are the Music Director and the Accompanist

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

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Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

Regular weekly Choir rehearsals which started in January 2023 and led to successful Spring, Summer and Christmas concerts in 2023. There were also 3 pop up concerts in the Autumn term 2023.

Post Covid the Choir’s membership had decreased from c120 members at the end of 2019 to c 80 members in January 2022. By the end of 2022 membership had increased to some 90 members. and a larger concert attendance in December gave rise to hopes that the budget deficit in 2022 could be substantially reduced in 2023.

At the end of 2023 there were again some 90 members of the choir with 6 new members joining in January 2024. The increase in membership fees and more concert attendees meant that the end year financial deficit was contained and included a one off sum of some £3000 spent on the new Choir website. This has left the financial position of the choir more stable than it has been since Covid struck in March 2020.

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Section E Financial review

The Choir has no fixed overheads or ongoing contractual expenditure. Brief statement of the Income from subscriptions, ticket sales at concerts and Gift Aid broadly charity’s policy on reserves cover expenditure on rehearsals and concerts. Increased ticket sales for concerts and more new member subscriptions in 2024 will stabilise the Choir’s finances further.

The Choir has sufficient funds to support its activities for some six months without any income such that if for any reason there was a catastrophic loss of income and expenditure continued at present levels there would be no unfunded losses.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

See Annual Accounts You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:  the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);

Section F Other optional information

Chair’s Report 2023

After a few difficult years – 2020 Lockdown, 2021 Zoom choir, a 2022 comeback but with reduced numbers, we decided to make 2023 the year that Rowantree really picked up again. At the start of the year, we faced gloomy predictions of either raising subscriptions to an eye-watering amount or possibly closing down altogether as funds had diminished substantially.

We started the year on 10 January 2023 working on the Brahms Requiem and some members found it a real challenge. However, for those that persevered, the end result was very worthwhile with a performance in St Stephen’s Church on March 25 to a very appreciative audience. Onwards and upwards was our motto.

After Easter the Committee decided we needed to address the problem of falling income. We reorganised the structure of the Committee so that each member had a very specific responsibility and also recruited a number of volunteers to work with the Committee in certain areas – particularly in marketing. Our aim was to increase membership and subscription income and hopefully also increase audience revenue to put the choir on a firmer financial footing. All members were exhorted to do their bit to encourage people to join us and/or to come to our concerts.

The new Website was formally launched in March, has attracted some very positive feedback and gives a more modern image of the choir. A marketing sub-group of 8-10 enthusiastic members was set up in July under the supervision of Sue Humphries. As a result of their efforts articles appeared

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in several local publications and our Social Media presence was greatly enhanced – Rowantree was moving into the Instagram era and people had now actually heard of us!

Musically we began work on the summer concert – entitled ‘Always something there to remind me’. This included songs associated with a number of high-profile musicians who had sadly passed away recently. It was by no means as morbid as it may sound and provided a joyful and varied concert for July 2023 at Enfield Baptist Church to a very full and enthusiastic audience.

More innovations took place in September with our first ‘Pop-up concert’ in St Andrews Church in Enfield arranged by Adrian Saull where we reprised items from the summer concert and attracted a lot of attention. We also ran two ‘Open Rehearsals’ at the start of the term – where people were encouraged to come along and sing with us to see if they liked the idea – and were served with cakes to make them feel welcome. Half a dozen or more people turned up at each session and as a result several decided to join the choir, swelling our numbers. Encouraged by these successes we also performed two more ‘Pop-ups’ in November, one at North Middlesex Hospital and one at Forty Hall, both organised by Jane Newcombe. Rowantree’s profile was certainly being enhanced by all of these.

By the time of the Christmas concert on December 16 at Enfield Baptist Church, with Rutter’s Magnificat and an orchestra, we were able to finish the year on a high. We even managed to raise £500 with a raffle organised by Kathy Carroll, in aid of the Nightingale Cancer Support Centre. Membership had substantially increased from the start of the year; audience numbers had also greatly improved and as a result the financial situation was looking much healthier.

There are lots of people to thank. Firstly of course Jonathan for his enthusiasm and good humour and for turning sometimes rather unpromising material into a choir that sounds really good. Thanks also to Judith for her loyal service at every rehearsal – what would we do without her? Thanks to all the members of the committee who do so much – often unnoticed and un-remarked – to keep everything running and they plus the many ‘volunteers’ who help with a myriad of tasks from organising pop-up events to refreshments. Finally, thanks must go to all the choir members who have worked hard this year to recruit both singers and audience and who turn up every week cheerfully, making Rowantree Choir a great place to be.

Jenny Johnson

Chair January 2024

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

ed on behalf of the charity’s trustees ed on behalf of the charity’s trustees ed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s)
Full name(s)
Jenny Johnson
David Gilles
Position (eg Secretary, Chair,
etc)
Chair
Treasurer
Chair Treasurer

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Date TAR March 2012

Tho Rowantr80 Cholr Legal and Adminlstratlve D•lall8 For tho ￿tIod oftd•d 31 D•c•mb•r 2023 Addres8 for c¢yre8ydence 119 clareft￿t Road Lorblon E7 OPY G¢)vwning D0￿rnnt Conatftution 31 January 1989 amondod 20 Jun• 2017 Charity regi8tr4t￿n number 801087 TIu8ta88 Jonny Jthn80n Davmj GIll88 Adrf8n Sautt Paullne MartSndal• R88m El-sh9K￿nI PauliDe Wtathertey Pam Brernner Jonathan Ratht¥2ne w(￿)N Su¥n Hufiyhr*s Sandra Lea He￿n Ennls 6onk¢rs CAF Bonk Ltd

The Rowantree Cholr Report of the Trustees For the perlod ended 31 December 2023 Objects of the charlty To promote. develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects by the presentation of public concerts and recrtals and by such other ways as the Society through it8 Committee shall determine from time to time Summary of the charity's maln aetivitios and achievements Regular vfftkly Choir rehearsals which started in January 2023 and led to successful Spring, Summer and Christmas concerts in 2023. There were also 3 pop up concerts in the Autumn term 2023. Post Covid the Choir's membership had decreased from c120 members at the end of 2019 to c 80 members in January 2022. By the end of 2022 membership had increased to some 90 members. and a larger concert attendance in Decembor gave rise to hopes that the budget deficit in 2022 could be 8ub8tantially reduced in 2023. At the end of 2023 there were again some 90 member8 of the choir wth 6 new members joining in January 2024. The increase in membership fees and more concert attendees meant that the end year financial deficit was contained and included a one off sum of some £3000 spent on the new Choir website. This has left the financial position of the choir more stable than it h88 been Since Covid struck in March 2020. Concerts perfompd.. Spring Concert at St Stephen8 Church- 8rahms Requiem Summer Concert at Enfield Baptist Church - Always Something there to remind me Christmas Concert at Enfield Baptist Church - Rutterfs Magnificat and other Christmas Songs 3 Pop up Concerts during the Autumn at St Andrews Church in Enfield, North Middlesex Hosprtal and Forty Hall. After a few dIff￿ult years - 2020 Lockdown, 2021 Zoom choir, a 2022 comeback but with reduced numbers, we decided to make 2023 the year that Rowantree really picked up again. At the start of the year, faced gloomy predictions of either raising subscriptions to an eye-watering amount or possibly closing down altogether as funds had diminished substsntially. We started the year on 10 January 2023 ￿￿￿ing on the Brahms Requiem and some members found it real challenge. HOv￿ver, for th08e that persevered, the end resuK was very worthwhile with a perfomiance in St st8phen'$ Church on March 25 to a very appreciative audience. onv￿rdS and upwards was our motto. After Easter the Committee decided needed to address the problem of falling income. We reorganised the structure of the Commrttee so that each member had a very specbfic responsibility and also recruited a number of volunteers to work with the Committee in certain areas- particularly in marf<eting. Our aim was to increase membership and subscription income and hopefully also increase audience revenue to put the choir on a firmer financial footing. All member8 Y￿re exhorted to do their bit to encourage people to join us andlor to come to our concerts.

The new Website vrds fomially launched in March, has attracted some very positive feedback and gives a more modem image of the choir. A marf<eting sub￿roUp of 8-10 enthusiastic members was set up in July under the supervision of Sue Humphries. As a result of their efforts articles appeared in several local publications and our Social Media presence was greatly enhanced - Rowantree was moving into the Instagram era and people had now actually heard of usl Musically vle began VK)rk on the summer concert - entitled 'A￿vaYS something there to remind me.. This included Songs associated wth a number of high-profile musicians who had sadly passed away recently. It was by no means as morbid as rt may sound and provided a joyful and varied concert for July 2023 at Enfield Baptist Church to a very full and enthusiastic audience. More innovations took place in September with our first 'Pop-up concert, in St Andrews Church in Enf18￿ arranged by Adrian Saull where V*e reprised items from the summer concert and attracted a lot of attention. We also ran two 'Open Rehearsals, at the start of the tern - where people were encouraged to come along and sing with us to see if they liked the idea - and were seNed with cakes to make them feel V￿lcoMe. Half a dozen or more people turned up at each session and as a result several decided to join the choir, S￿￿111ng our numbers. Encouraged by these Suc￿sseS we also perforn￿d more 'Pop-up8' in November, one at North Middlesex Hospital and one 8t Forty Hall, both organised by Jane Nev4¢0mbe. RovRntree's profile was certainly being enhanced by all of these. By the time of the Christmas concert on December 16 at Enfield Baptist Church, V￿th Rutter's Magnificat and an orchestrd, we were able to finish the year on a high. We even man8ged to rai8e £500 with a raffle organised by Kathy Caffoll, in aid of the Nightingale Cancer Support Centre. Membership had substantially increased from the start of the year., audience numbers had 8180 greatly improved and as a result the financial situation was looking mu¢h healthier. There are lots of people to thank. Fir8tly of course Jonathan for his enthusiasm and good humur and for turning sometimes rather unpromising material into a choir that sounds really good. Thanks also to Judith for her loyal service at every rehearsal - vthat would we do without hefi Thanks to all the members of the committee who do so much - often unnoticed and un-remarked - to keep eVe￿hIng running and they plus the many'volunteers, who help with a myriad of tasks from organising pop-up events to refreshments. Finally, thanks must go to all the Choir members who have worked hard this year to recruit both singers and audience and who turn up every week cheerfully, making Rowantree Choir a great place to be. Flnanclal rnvlew and reserve8 poIIcy The Choir has no fixed overheads or ongoing contractual expenditure. Income from subscriptions, ticket sales at concerts and Gift Aid broadly cover expenditure on rehearsals and concerts. Increased ticket sales for concerts and more new member subscriptions in 2024 will stabilise the Choir's finances further. The Choir has sufficient funds lo support its activities for sorne six months wthout any income such that rf for any reason there was a catastrophic loss of income and expenditure continued at present levels there would be no unfunded losses. Addltlonal not88 All Committee members and Officers are volunteers. The only paid individuals (who both receive fees) are the Mustc Director and the Accompanist Approval The trustees declare that they have approved the trusteas, report above. Signature.. Full name: Position= Jenny Johnson Chair D8vid Gilles Treasurer I7+

Th• Rowantree Cholr Statsment fo Financial Activities For the period ended 31 December 2023 Unrfr8trl¢tsd Re8trt¢tsd Fund Fund (£) Total 2023 1£) Total 2022 Notss Incomlng rn8ource8 Donations Gift aid receipts Charitable activities Interest income Total 25 4,284 28,099 270 32.658 25 4,264 28,099 270 32,668 3,487 22,881 26,436 R••ourco8 oxp•nd6d Charitable activilieg 36,366 36,366 31,525 Totsl 38,366 36,366 31,628 Not Incomo 11oxp•ndlturnl 13,708.171 13,708.17) 15,089.091 N•t mov•mont In lund• (3,708.17) (3,708.171 {6,089.09) Total funds brought foNard Total funds carrlod forward 20,614 16,908 20,614 16,906 25,703 20,614

The Rowantree Choir Balance Sheet For the perlod ended 31 December 2023 Unrnstrl¢tsd R08trlctsd Fund Fund (£) (£) Total 2023 (£) Total 2022 Notes Current A•80t• Debtors Cash at bank and at hand 4,314 13,843 4,314 13,843 4,463 21.992 Tolal currnnt &••gts 18,167 18,157 26,455 Cradltorn: amourit• f•lllng dy• Thlthln t)n• y••r 1,251 1,251 5,841 Not ¢urfOnt ••••tsl {Ilabllltlo•) 18,906 16,906 20,614 Total a88•ts I￿# ¢urront Ilabllltl 16,906 16,906 20,614 Cr•dltOrn l•moynt• l•lllng du• •ft•ron• y•ar> Total not a880ts or Ilabllltl•• 16,906 16,906 20,614 Fund• of tho Charlty Restricted income Unr88tricted income Total fund• 18,906 16,906 16,906 16,906 20,614 20,614 The accounts have baen approved by the Trustees and and s￿ned on Iheir b8half by '. J8nny Johnson (Chair of Truste88) Signature.. Dats.. Ttte notes on the follov•ing pages form part of these aeLounl$.

The Rowantree Cholr Notes to the Accounts For the perfod ended 31 De¢ember 2023 1 B••is ol pr•paratSon and golng ¢onwn The financial statgments of thè charty, hich 1$ ¥ public benefft entity under FRS 102, have prepared in ￿r￿snCe •th the Charities SORP IFRS 1021 'AC￿UntIng #nd Reports'ng by Ch8rths' Statement of Rgcommttnded Practice appliCa￿e to ¢harrtN88 preparing their acewnts in ac0)rdan￿ the Financjal Reporting Stsndard applicBble in the UK and Republic of I￿land IFRS 1021 leffe￿'ve ? January 20191,. FinancAal Reporting Standard 102'The Financial Reports'ng Standard 8ppllcat4e in lh• UK and Republic ol Ireland, and the Chantses Act 2011. Thg finatxkql statements have been prepared under the historic81 cost convention, as mDJified by the revaluabon of certain assets. The trusto•s Consider that there ar8 no matsril unc4rtgint ¥trpX4t the chaflty'$ ability to Contin￿ 8$ a wng ¢orum. The financi41 statements •re wegent•J in 8l•rflng1£1. 2 A¢countlng pollcS 2.1 In¢om• All in￿rne is r8Lx)gnig•d in the Statomwl of Finanaal kttvll oftce tho ¢arity has entlller>7•ftt to the funds, il 1$ probalJ• th•1 the inc>yno ￿11 b8 rocelved and the amount cbn be mea8urad reliably. 2.2 Exp•ndltur• Liabilities are recognised a8 expendlture as soon as there18 a legal LY cts)8tructivo ot4i9ation commltting the d￿ritY lo tho1 Oypenditure, 1118 probable that a transl•r ol economic benefits %%ill be rwuired in sotU•ment and th$ amount of the obligats'on c4n t¢ mg08ur•d ts1ia￿y. Expendlture is accLJunled for on an acouals basis and ha8 been da$$ified under ho8din9S th81 aggiegate all w81 rebled lo the categw. Wher& eo3ts cannot be directly attribul•d to particulai headings they have been dlocated lo ￿lY￿A￿S on a ba￿3 con&glent ith the u8• of fo80(tr￿s. 2.3 GovwMn¢• ¢o•t• G￿¥manCe costs comprisa audltor8' rornungration. 2,4 Taxatlon The char¢ty Is exempt on its charftabl• activllle8. 2.S D•btorn Trad8 gnd other d•btorn Ire rwni88d at th& 8•tt1emenl amount. Pr•payments valu•d at the amount prepoid. 2.6 Ca•h at bank and In hand Cash al bank an¢J in h8nd includ88 ca8h and bgnk aco)unts wth no vllhdrawal limrts. 2.7 Cr•dltorn Crgditor8 ra rfjcooni8ed Vthe￿ the charity has g present oblig81ion resulting from 8 payt event that ill result in the tran$f¢r ol ftJnd8 to a thir(I party amount due to settjo the obllg81ion can Fneasured or estimated rall8bly. c￿ltorS are recconisfjd at their settlement amount. 2.8 Fund ccountlng Unfystricw fvnds ar• dtsnations an¢ other Income rec•SvY or gen•rated for thè objects ol the ch8rity. They are given ithoul ffiJrther spea'fitd purptrs& and s￿ therefore available as g8ner81 fund. Resfficted fvnds can only be uaed for particular reslrict¢d purFh)w wthin thg objects ofth& Charity. Restricbons ariso when speafied by the dwr or ￿ fvnds are r8ig•d for particular restn"cts¢J purwJs&%.

3 Analysls of Incom• Unrnstrl¢t•d R•8trlct8d Fund Fund {£1 Totsl 2023 Totsl 2022 IÉ) {£1 Donations and gifts Gift aid Momt•rship 8ubscripbons 25 4264 21149 25 4,264 3,487 Charitable actwities Ticket sales 6950 Income from investments Interest income 270 270 270 270 Totsl Incom• 4 An•ly•l8 of •xpondltur• Governan&8 fees Prof¥$8w81 feè Administration Adv&rti$ing Bank ¢harg•$ Cornwter & Webs￿8 Equipment hlra Equipment purcha8• Glft$ Insurance5 Mu8ic pufcha P•rfoman&ry fees Printing, Postagg 8nd Stsllonery Refreshments SofNYar• Venug hlre 1165 18990 1,185 18,990 1,089 19,490 340 385 2.943 2,885 144 246 508 423 4.928 340 385 2.943 2.885 144 83 2,538 331 502 195 4,375 216 138 271 2,254 508 423 4,926 251 252 2.899 251 252 2,899 36366 & An•ly•l• ol curr•nt a•••ts Debtor8 Acewed Incom• Prepayment$ Tot•1 d•btorn 4306 4306 3,487 975.95 4314 4314 Cash gt b8nk and gt hand Current account Deposf(8Ctount Total ￿#h at b•nk and In hand 5199 5,799 8,597 13843 21992 Totsl ¢urr•nt au•ts 1e157 18157 26455 An4lyg18 ol ¢r•dltorn Creditor8 AccN818.' Tot•1 ¢rodltorn 281 281 970 1.251 5221 620 5.841 970 1.2S1 7 Rdat•d p•rty tran•actlon• Ther• were no ￿late<l party tTansacllon8 in the F¢riOd. Ernploye•• There ￿re no employ988 in the perioJ,

Independent Examiner’s Report on the Accounts

The Trustees Rowantree Choir c/o Wellington Road Methodist Church Forest Gate Greater London E7 0PY

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 and that an independent examination is needed.

It is my responsibility to:

Basis of independent examiner’s statement

My 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 disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair’ view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.

Independent examiner’s statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:

Signed:

Name: Martin D C Pringle Professional qualifications: FIAB

Address: 25 Merton Road, Seven Kings, Ilford, IG3 8PB Date: 7[th] May 2024