2024-08-31-accounts

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society Registered Charity No. 801597

Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ending 31 August 2024

Trustees’ Annual Report

for the period from 1[st] September 2023 to 31[st] August 2024 Charity name: Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society

Charity registration number: 801597

Objectives and Activities

The objects of Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society (the choir) are the study and practice and the concert performance of choral works, and the furthering of interest in choral music generally, and in particular:

• To rehearse and perform choral music of all kinds;

• To extend the musical knowledge and technique of the choir by instruction and practice;

• To foster and develop friendly relations between choir members;

• To assist other charitable organisations.

These objects are met by activities planned by the trustees, with due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit:

• Weekly rehearsals, based on school terms, of defined programmes of music;

• Three public concerts each year of those programmes;

• Additional community events including ‘Come and Sing’ days and ‘Awaydays’;

• Fund-raising through singing, including Christmas carol singing.

Achievements and Performance

The choir performed its normal three public concerts during the year to 31 August 2024:

• At our Christmas 2023 concert we performed works under a German theme, including Bach Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott and Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme; Mendelssohn Vom Himmel hoch and a selection of Carols at St Gabriel’s Church, Warwick Square.

• We returned to St Gabriel’s for the Spring 2024 concert, which comprised of Haydn Nelson Mass and Handel The ways of Zion do mourn;

• The Summer 2024 concert, at All Saints’ Church, Putney Common saw the choir perform an engaging selection of opera choruses and arias - Bizet Carmen; Borodin Prince Igor; Leoncavallo I Pagliacci; Mascagni Cavalleria Rusticana; Wagner Tannhäuser and Verdi Il Trovatore, La Traviata & Nabucco

Page 1

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society Registered Charity No. 801597 Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ending 31 August 2024

On 21[st] October, a subset of the choir provided the choral support for Evensong at Guildford Cathedral for a second year in this imposing venue.

We continued to support the Friends of Fulham Palace in the historic Tudor courtyard at the annual Christmas Fair with carol singing on December 2[nd] , before going on to sing at South Kensington Underground station on December 14[th] – where we raised a very satisfactory £492 for Shelter.

In February, the choir continued its extremely successful “Come & Sing” Days, open to all comers, singing Haydn Nelson Mass, with ticket sales to some 120 singers of whom some 50% were not choir members. This event raised £1,341 for Glass Door, a charity for the homeless.

In the Summer Term, the choir reintroduced its Away Day, this time at the Old Fair of Abinger, a village fair with Middle Ages pilgrim origins. The choir was one of three musical offerings in St James’ Church, and the good weather, friendly atmosphere and receptive audience made for an excellent day.

Average membership for the year improved to 84, an increase of 10% on the previous year with the opera choruses in the Summer Term delivering an exceptional boost. Concert income was similar to the previous year, although impacted by disappointing ticket sales for the Spring Term.

Financial Review

The trustees review the finances, budgets and spend against budget to ensure that there is sufficient subscription income to cover both rehearsal costs and the shortfall of income against expenditure anticipated for the choir’s public concerts.

Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period

The choir ended the period with total reserves of £17,677 (£16,752 in 2023) after showing a surplus of £925 (£1,187 surplus in 2023) on annual expenditure of £38,311. This compares with a budget forecast of a surplus of £401.

The main cause of the surplus was that Summer Term membership levels significantly exceeded the budget expectations. As a result, membership fees and associated Gift Aid for the year were £1,293 better than forecast. This, combined with lower-than-expected expenses, meant that our rehearsals showed a surplus of £7,358 instead of the planned £5,016 - £2,342 better than expected.

That rehearsal surplus was offset by two main factors.

1. Our concert finances showed a deficit of £5,434 - £947 more than planned – principally as a result of disappointing Spring Concert ticket sales.

2. Our community singing was in deficit by £68 instead of the budgeted £1,210 surplus. The Spring Term ‘Come & Sing’ Day surplus was less than expected, partly caused by expenses associated with the short notice change of venue. Our financial strength meant that we could reintroduce the Away Day and associated costs of £670, which had not been in our original budget.

Other expenses (including Making Music membership, insurance, card and ticket sales fees) amounted to £1,130, and we received bank interest of £199.

Page 2

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society

Registered Charity No. 801597 Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ending 31 August 2024

Reserves policy

It is the trustees’ policy to maintain unrestricted reserves to cover possible shortfalls of income:

• the risk of unforeseen emergency or other unexpected need for funds - in the worst case, the income loss if we had to cancel, at short notice, a public concert with orchestral support;

• provision for future major works

This amount, for 2023-24, is assessed as being within the range of £9,500 to £11,500.

Amount of reserves held

The unrestricted reserves at the end of the period were £17,677 (£16,752 in 2023).

The trustees recognise that this reserves position is in excess of the reserves policy target. The programme for 2023-24 was adjusted to reflect increased income levels and future years will address surplus reduction whilst not increasing fee / ticket prices above current levels.

Principal sources of income

The choir does not actively raise funds from external grants and continued to raise income through two primary sources which contributed this year as follows:

• Membership income and associated Gift Aid Tax relief which together raised £24,029;

• Concert income – with ticket sales of £8,093 and refreshment income of £1,779.

Structure, Governance and Management

The choir is an unincorporated association governed by its Constitution, dated 30[th] April 2007, which defines its objects, membership, administration and finance. This definition includes the

arrangements for the election of its officers (Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer) and other committee members, all of whom are trustees.

Reference and Administrative details

Charity name	Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society
Other name the charity uses	-
Registered charity number	801597
Charity’s principal address	64 Seymour Avenue Epsom Surrey KT17 2RR

Page 3

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society Registered Charity No. 801597 Trustees, Annual Report for the period ending 31 August 2024 Names ofthe charity trustee.s iuho manage the charity Trustee name Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year Chairman Susan Hill Carol Quinn Vice-chairman and Librarian Robert Quinn Lucy Williams Griselda Kellie-smith Patrick Pierron Treasurer Secretary Concert Manager Sara Borthwick Penelope Coate Sarah Jarvis There was no person lor body) entitled to appoint trustees. Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the charivs trustees: Slgnature(sl Full Names Susan Hill Robert Quinn Posltlon Chairman Treasurer Date Page 4

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Sect6on A Inde￿￿ent Examinerfs Report R•port to the trust••sl m•mb•r• of Fulham and CIK>rnI Socxty On accounts for th• y•ar 31 •t Au9U8t 2024 Ch•rlty no (11 any 801597 6t010 I report to the trustees on my examinat￿ of the accounts of the a￿¥0 charity (Ihe Trust") for the year ended 3111 Augu8t 2024. b•sli ol rnp¢xt acc4xmts In TAc(*dw with th Charitss Acl 2011 (Ihe ￿. under $8cth)n 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination. I have foll¢Jwed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commi8sion under sectbn 145(5Mb) of the Ad, Independent I have CThnp￿d my exthnalkn. I confirm that rK) material matter3 have •xamlnerfs statoment c(xre to ry attent￿ in Connect￿ with the e￿Ination wh￿h gives I the accounting rertords were n(A kept in a{%￿￿nCe with S￿li0n 130 of Ihe Acl: Of the accounts did not accord with the a¢￿untIng records: or the accounts did not comply wrth the appluble requirement8 concemirvJ the Icwm and contenl of accoun18 sel (xrt in the Charttb08 <Acc￿nIS ￿ Resxxls) Regulatthis 2LW crther than any requirenwtt that the aCc￿ntS give a and fairf vw which is rK4 a nwtter con8MJered as part of 8n Independent exwninaI￿. I have no Conc￿ and have corrn across no thher matters in connectlon with the exam1r￿t￿ to whth 8ttentK)n should be drawn in this res￿ In 8lgn•d: Name: Helen Coty8r R•l•vant prof•Mlon•l quallfication(s) or body (11 any): Addr•88: I.CAE.W. S Mll Hill Road Norwich NR2 3DP IER Page 5 October 2018

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society Registered Charity No. 801597

Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2024

Statement of Financial Activities

for the year ended 31 August 2024

Notes	£ 31 Aug 2024 Total funds	£ 31 Aug 2023 Total funds
Income and endowments from: Donations and legacies 2 Charitable activities Rehearsals 3 Concerts 4 Community engagement 5 Investments(deposit interest received) Total Expenditure on: Charitable activities Rehearsals 6 Concerts 7 Community engagement 8 Other 9 Total Net income / (expenditure) Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds: Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward	24,106 2,307 9,992 2,632 199 39,236 19,055 15,426 2,700 1,130 38,311 925 925 16,752 17,677	19,550 2,810 10,022 3,126 68 35,576 19,028 12,693 1,531 1,137 34,389 1,187 1,187 15,565 16,752

Page 6

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society

Registered Charity No. 801597

Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2024

Balance Sheet

at 31 August 2024

Notes	£ 31 Aug 2024 Total funds	£ 31 Aug 2023 Total funds
Fixed Assets Tangible assets 10 Current Assets Cash at bank Prepayment of expenses Stocks held Total Current Assets Liabilities Amounts falling due within 1 year: Accrued expenses payable Total Liabilities Total Net Assets	- 16,028 1,555 189 17,772 95 95 17,677	8 16,175 392 279 16,846 102 102 16,752

Page 7

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society

Registered Charity No. 801597

Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2024

Notes to the Financial Statements

for the year ended 31 August 2024

1. Accounting policies

Basis for preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charity have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - second edition: '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' and 'FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'. The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

The financial statements have been prepared, on an activity basis, under the historic cost convention.

Going concern

At the time of approving the accounts, the Trustees are of the view that there are no material uncertainties about the charity’s ability to continue as a going concern and the accounts continue to be prepared on that basis.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are expressed as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost relating to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings, they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the annual rate shown below in order to write off the asset over its estimated useful life.

Kitchen equipment - 20% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from Corporation Tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes in accordance within the objectives of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

There were no restricted funds held by the charity during the year ending 31st August 2024, nor for the year ending 31st August 2023.

Page 8

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society

Registered Charity No. 801597

Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2024

2. Donations and legacies Membership subscriptions Donations Gift aid tax rebate 3. Rehearsals income Sales and hire out of music scores Rehearsal tea income Social evening income 4. Concerts income Concert ticket sales Concert refreshment income Other Concert income 5. Community engagement income (Come and sing days, scratch concerts and other public events) Community engagement ticket sales 6. Rehearsals expenditure Rehearsal venue hire Music Director's and Accompanist's fees Music scores purchased and hired in Rehearsal & social evening refreshments and other expenses 7. Concerts expenditure Concert venue hire Concert equipment hire Concert conductor and accompanist Concert soloists Concert musicians Concert programme & ticket production Concert refreshment expenditure Other concert expenses	31 Aug 2024 £ 20,185 77 3,844 24,106 31 Aug 2024 £ 2,232 - 75 2,307 31 Aug 2024 £ 8,093 1,779 120 9,992 31 Aug 2024 £ 2,632 2,632 31 Aug 2024 £ 6,147 10,315 2,128 465 19,055 31 Aug 2024 £ 1,809 1,530 2,160 2,650 4,645 1,393 397 842 15,426	31 Aug 2023 £ 16,340 87 3,123 19,550 31 Aug 2023 £ 1,624 1,034 152 2,810 31 Aug 2023 £ 8,386 1,468 168 10,022 31 Aug 2023 £ 3,126 3,126 31 Aug 2023 £ 6,210 10,280 1,687 851 19,028 31 Aug 2023 £ 1,390 1,818 2,250 1,325 3,470 1,167 441 832 12,693

Page 9

Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society

Registered Charity No. 801597

Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2024

8. Community engagement expenditure (Come and sing days, scratch concerts and other public events) Other singing, venue hire Other singing, conductor Other singing, accompanist Other singing, soloists Other singing, other expenses 9. Other expenditure Insurance Technology costs Making Music membership Bank / Card Processing fees Depreciation Other expenditure 10. Tangible fixed assets Cost At 1 September 2023 Additions At 31 August 2024 Depreciation At 1 September 2023 Charge for the year At 31 August 2024 Net Book Value At 31 August 2024

31 Aug 2024 31 Aug 2023 £ £ 250 250 925 620 533 348 590 270 402 43 2,700 1,531 31 Aug 2024 31 Aug 2023 £ £ 151 143 113 55 392 365 395 401 8 24 71 149 1,130 1,137 Kitchen Equipment £ 120 - 120 112 8 120 -

11. Trustees and related parties

None of trustees or any persons connected with them received any remuneration, expenses or other benefits from the charity during the year ending 31 August 2024, nor for the year ending 31 August 2023.

12. Employees

The charity has no employees.

Page 10