THE TONBRIDGE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
The Charity's principal objects are the study and practice of choral and orchestral music for the enhancement of musical satisfaction in order to foster public knowledge and appreciation of such music by means of public performance. These objectives are achieved through the performance of public concerts
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE SOCIETY SHALL BE TO ADVANCE, IMPROVE, DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN, AND APPRECIATION OF, THE ART AND SCIENCE OF MUSIC IN ALL ITS ASPECTS BY ANY MEANS THE TRUSTEES SEE FIT, INCLUDING THROUGH THE PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC CONCERTS AND RECITALS.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity made a surplus of £6,842 for the year ended 31 August 2025, with total funds increasing to £66,331. The trustees consider the balance of free reserves at £65,086 to be adequate to meet their stated objective of covering concert costs and making alternative arrangements for at least one year in the event of cancellation. The filing confirms there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue operating.
What the accounts disclose
“The Society’s continued aim is to hold sufficient reserves to enable it to pay all its concert costs if an event were cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances and to make alternative arrangements for at least one year.” — page 5
“During the year, the spouse of one trustee charged fees for orchestral services amounting to £2,850 (2024: £3,610). In order to manage this conflict of interest, the trustee in question is removed from all discussions and decisions concerning this supply of services.” — page 13
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Trustees
- Caroline Taluy
- Graham Edward Bignell
- Joanna Briers
- Joanna Mace
- Kathryn Mary Howlett
- Kenneth Morgan
- Patrick James Glencross
- Robert Skone James
- Stewart Dearsley
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/2025 | £59k | £52k |
| 31/08/2024 | £51k | £50k |
| 31/08/2023 | £50k | £50k |
| 31/08/2022 | £49k | £49k |
| 31/08/2021 | £7k | £14k |
Common questions
Is THE TONBRIDGE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity made a surplus of £6,842 for the year ended 31 August 2025, with total funds increasing to £66,331. The trustees consider the balance of free reserves at £65,086 to be adequate to meet their stated objective of covering concert costs and making alternative arrangements for at least one year in the event of cancellation. The filing confirms there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue operating. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| DORIS FIELD CHARITABLE TRUST | 2 | £3k |
| THE MICHAEL BISHOP FOUNDATION | 1 | £1.1m |
| THE THOMPSON FAMILY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £350k |
| THE SACKLER TRUST | 1 | £50k |
| THE SIR JOHN RITBLAT FAMILY FOUNDATION | 1 | £30k |
| THE ROWSE FAMILY TRUST | 1 | £25k |
| THE REED FOUNDATION | 1 | £21k |
| CECIL PILKINGTON CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £8k |
Charities like this
- OXFORD PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TRUST
- WOODBRIDGE CHORAL SOCIETY
- THOMAS TALLIS SOCIETY
- BRIGHTON AND HOVE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY LIMITED
- HUNTINGDONSHIRE PHILHARMONIC
- ORCHESTRA OF ST JOHN'S LIMITED
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE TONBRIDGE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY | £59k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| OXFORD PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA TRUST | £3.1m | £80,001 - £90,000 | 1 | within | — | no doubt |
| WOODBRIDGE CHORAL SOCIETY | £31k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| THOMAS TALLIS SOCIETY | £26k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| BRIGHTON AND HOVE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY LIMITED | £505k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| HUNTINGDONSHIRE PHILHARMONIC | £43k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |