## **The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir Annual Report to Charity Commission NI Summary of activities: Season 1[st] . September 2021 to 31[st] . August 2022** - For much of the season the Choir rehearsed, live and in person after restrictions, in Christ Church Londonderry only returning to our usual venue, Altnagelvin Hospital MDEC, refurbished and modernised at the beginning of new season, 2022-23, for which much thanks must go to the Minister, Select Vestry, and congregation of the Church. A live stream feed for members who could not attend rehearsals in person, proved very useful and was welcomed especially by our dear Oonagh Haranwho was able to join from home and wrote to us to say how much she appreciated it shortly before her untimely death, feeling that she was still part of the choir. Even if no-one else joined, this alone made it worthwhile - From the restrictions of Covid, our choir returned from slumber to perform magnificently, on more occasions and with much greater prominence than any of us anticipated. - During the Autumn, we recorded the two blessings for the ICU service in Christ Church, which were combined with recordings of the chaplains for a video version of the Time to Remember service. This was shared with families of those who had died in the Hospital Critical Care Unit over the last year, in place of a live service. We have always considered this an important, if small, part of our calendar and a significant duty to the Trust. It was with regret that we had to decline to do so in 2020, so this was even more important to us this year. - Our Christmas concert was combined with a carol service in Carlisle Road Methodist Church on 18 December and live streamed on their Social Media page. The great Te Deum, an energetic and joyous piece was an appropriate feature as we celebrated returning to live performance, also reprising favourite Christmas pieces and congregational carols and raising an excellent amount of money for Brainwaves charity. The venue is a truly beautiful place and has close links to social welfare and to the hospital. We have been invited to come back at some stage. - From a tentative Christmas concert, we sang a fabulous summer one, bathing in sunshine in St. Patrick's Church, Pennyburn, on 29 May 2022 with "A Sacred Place" our first full recital since we returned. - This was not the end of the season, however, as a Chamber Group of us were asked to contribute to visit US Consulate in Belfast on 24 June, to sing the US National Anthem, receiving a remarkable welcome from the US Consul himself and nearly 500 guests including the Minister for Health and assembled Marines at attention with their standards and national flag. - A more poignant occasion was the Claudy Bombing Memorial, 50th Anniversary, on 31 July 2022 when the Choir sang a few short pieces. It was particularly significant that our choir was present, recalling the Hospital’s part in the treatment of the victims of this horrific event. - In late July the Choir held a lovely social in the garden of one of our members which featured a presentation the eminent surgeon and doctor, George Emerson, our former President, as he moves to Wales to join his family. - The main achievements of the Altnagelvin Hospital Choir are in its support for local staff in the caring professions in a valuable recreational activity and its involvement with the community by supporting the ICU Service for the families of the bereaved, its annual Carol Service, and the continuation of its annual concert programme. The funds and donations received from these activities have enabled Altnagelvin Hospital Choir to donate a total of £3,000 to the Brainwave Charity, £1,600 to the Ukraine Disaster Fund, and £1,300 to the Charity, Riding for the Disabled, a substantial increase in its annual donations. ## **Public Benefit** The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir gives public benefit by providing facilities for recreation for local Health Trust staff and community members. This has been achieved by the participation of significant numbers in the choir itself and the audiences who attend its various performances. Secondly, the Choir gives benefit by promoting the musical culture of the community especially young musicians, achieved through its performances and the use of the young soloists in its concert programme. Finally, the Choir has specifically advanced charitable work locally through the ICU and Carol Services together with substantial donations to charitable causes. ## **Financial Review** The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir holds a current and a deposit account which maintains a balance of £2,670. The financial year figures are as follows: |Date|Deposit|Current|Total| |---|---|---|---| |01/09/2015|£2,670|£4,782|£ 7,452| |01/09/2016|£2,670|£3,983|£ 6,653| |01/09/2017|£2.670|£4,573|£ 7,243| |01/09/2018|£2,670|£6,010|£ 8,680| |01/09/2019|£2,670|£7,545|£10,215| |01/09/2020|£2,670|£8,525.|£11,195| |01/09/2021|£2,670|£9 318|£11,988| |01/09/2022|£2,670|£2,629|£ 5,299| Thus the financial position is secure. The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir has no reserved accounts nor capital assets. ## **Trustees** President: Patrick McEvoy Chairman: Neil Black Secretary: Eleanor Quinn Treasurer: Lesley Mitchell Librarian: Susan Spence Charity Officer: James Kelley Other Trustees: Maureen Neely, Teresa Sweiden, Paul McGarvey ## **Administration** The Altnagelvin Hospital Choir is administered by its Board of Trustees, appointed annually at the AGM and known as “the Committee” which meets at least 3 times per year and its AGM which is held annually during September/October. The Charity is governed by its Constitution, approved by General Meeting on 3[rd] . February 2016 and is recognised by the Hospital Trust. Trustee and Choir Charity Officer 2[nd] . June, 2023 Altnagelvin Hospital Choir Northern Ireland Charity Number NIC103144 13, Aberfoyle Crescent South, Londonderry, BT48 7PF