Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society
Registered Charity No. 801597
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ending 31 August 2025
Trustees’ Annual Report
for the period from 1[st] September 2024 to 31[st] August 2025 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 2025:
-
At our Christmas 2024 concert we performed, Handel Coronation Anthems; Vaughan Williams Fantasia on Christmas Carols; Finzi In Terra Pax and a selection of Warlock and traditional carols at St Stephen’s Church, Gloucester Road;
-
Our Spring 2025 concert was at St Gabriel’s, Pimlico and comprised of Handel Messiah, Part II, J S Bach O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht and Easter Oratorio;
-
The Summer 2025 concert, at All Saints’ Church, Putney Common saw Italian opera style meet solemn Mass in Rossini Petite messe solennelle.
Page 1
Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society
Registered Charity No. 801597
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ending 31 August 2025
We continued to support the Friends of Fulham Palace in the historic Tudor courtyard at the annual Christmas Fair with carol singing on November 30[th] , before going on to sing at Baker Street Underground station on December 14[th] – where we raised a very satisfactory £475 for Shelter.
In February, the choir continued its extremely successful “Come & Sing” Days, open to all comers, singing Handel Messiah Choruses, with some 123 singers of whom 50% were not choir members. This event raised £1,222 for Glass Door, a charity for the homeless.
Average membership for the year improved to 84, an increase of 10% on the previous year with the Summer Term delivering record membership of 96. Concert income was up by 6% by comparison with the previous year.
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 £19,096 (17,677 in 2024) after showing a surplus of £1,419 (£925 surplus in 2024) on annual expenditure of £39,884. This is despite a planned budget deficit of £1,502.
The main cause of the surplus was the continued strong growth in membership levels discussed above. The result was that annual membership fees and associated Gift Aid were over £4,500 better than forecast. This meant that our rehearsals showed a surplus of £6,669 instead of the planned £2,437 (£4,232 better than expected).
That rehearsal surplus was impacted by two main factors.
-
Our concert finances showed a deficit of £6,404 - £1,706 more than planned. Some £1,500 of this arose from changes to the Summer Concert, much of which was a planned response to our increased Autumn Term income.
-
Our community singing was in surplus by £1,153 instead of the £759 budgeted. This was principally because we were unable to arrange the planned Summer Term Away Day.
Other expenses (including Making Music membership, insurance, card and ticket sales fees) amounted to £1,582, and we received bank interest of £153.
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 2024-25, is assessed as being within the range of £9,500 to £11,500.
Page 2
Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society
Registered Charity No. 801597
Trustees’ Annual Report for the period ending 31 August 2025
Amount of reserves held
The unrestricted reserves at the end of the period were £19,096 (17,677 in 2024).
The trustees recognise that this reserves position remain in excess of the reserves policy target, despite adjustments to the 2024-25 programme. A more aggressive reduction in reserves is planned for 2025-26 whilst continuing to not increase subscription 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 £26,212;
-
Concert income – with ticket sales of £8,692 and refreshment income of £1,778.
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 2025
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
----- Start of picture text -----
Office (if any) Dates acted if not for whole year
|
3 [Robert Quinn [Treasurer
6 [rawiecpenon [SSCS
10 Riah Knowles-Brock P From 24 September 2024
----- End of picture text -----
There was no person (or body) entitled to appoint trustees.
Declarations
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
----- Start of picture text -----
_Cpe (WO
Date (WAR av orl,
----- End of picture text -----
Page 4
v 7 CHARITY COMMISSION | Independent examiner's report FOR ENGLAND AND WALES on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner’s Report
Report to the trustees/ | Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society members of
----- Start of picture text -----
On accounts for the year | 31°' August 2025
ended
----- End of picture text -----
Charity no | 801597 (if any)
-
| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31% August 2025.
-
Responsibilities and As the charity trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the basis of report accounts in accordance with the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
| 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, | have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
-
Independent | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have
-
examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect: e the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act; or
-
e the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
e the accounts did 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.
----- Start of picture text -----
| 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.
l |
signed:| | AU SO| | ate:
Name:
----- End of picture text -----*
Relevant professional | |.C.A.E.W. qualification(s) or body
(if any):
----- Start of picture text -----
Address: | 5 Mill Hill Road
----- End of picture text -----
NR2 3DP
IER
Page 5
October 2018
Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society
Registered Charity No. 801597
Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2025
Statement of Financial Activities
for the year ended 31 August 2025
----- Start of picture text -----
31 Aug 2025 31 Aug 2024
Notes Total funds (£) Total funds (£)
Income and endowments from:
Donations and legacies 2 26,262 24,106
Charitable activities
Rehearsals 3 1,655 2,307
Concerts 4 10,629 9,992
Community engagement 5 2,604 2,632
Investments (deposit interest received) 153 199
Total 41,303 39,236
Expenditure on:
Charitable activities
Rehearsals 6 19,818 19,055
Concerts 7 17,033 15,426
Community engagement 8 1,451 2,700
Other 9 1,582 1,130
Total 39,884 38,311
Net income / (expenditure) 1,419 925
Net movement in funds 1,419 925
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward 17,677 16,752
Total funds carried forward 19,096 17,677
Balance Sheet
at 31 August 2025
31 Aug 2025 31 Aug 2024
Notes Total funds (£) Total funds (£)
Current Assets
Cash at bank 15,972 16,028
Prepayment of expenses 2,937 1,555
Stocks held 187 189
Total Current Assets 19,096 17,772
Liabilities
Amounts falling due within 1 year:
Accrued expenses payable - 95
Total Liabilities - 95
Total Net Assets 19,096 17,677
----- End of picture text -----
Page 6
Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society
Registered Charity No. 801597
Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2025
Notes to the Financial Statements
for the year ended 31 August 2025
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
There were no assets requiring depreciation in the year ending 31st August 2025
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 2025, nor for the year ending 31st August 2024.
Page 7
Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society
Registered Charity No. 801597
Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2025
| 2. Donations and legacies Membership subscriptions Donations Gift aid tax rebate 3. Rehearsals income Sales and hire out of music scores 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 and choral scholars Concert musicians Concert programme & ticket production Concert refreshment expenditure Other concert expenses |
31 Aug 2025 £ 21,955 50 4,257 26,262 31 Aug 2025 £ 1,655 - 1,655 31 Aug 2025 £ 8,692 1,777 160 10,629 31 Aug 2025 £ 2,604 2,604 31 Aug 2025 £ 6,248 10,970 1,789 811 19,818 31 Aug 2025 £ 1,900 2,968 2,320 3,150 3,670 1,522 407 1,096 17,033 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
Page 8
Fulham and Hammersmith Choral Society
Registered Charity No. 801597
Financial Statements for the period ending 31 August 2025
| 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 |
31 Aug 2025 £ 450 500 250 150 101 1,451 31 Aug 2025 £ 155 98 411 478 - 440 1,582 |
31 Aug 2024 £ 250 925 533 590 402 2,700 31 Aug 2024 £ 151 113 392 395 8 71 1,130 |
|---|---|---|
10. 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 2025, nor for the year ending 31 August 2024.
11. Employees
The charity has no employees.
Page 9