GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY

Registered charity 280533 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register

Founded in 1839, the Society's objects are to promote the advancement and improvement of general education in relation to all aspects of the art of choral music and the development of the public appreciation of such art. These are pursued through a programme of regular public concerts each season and occasional production of recordings.

Objects

to promote the advancement and improvement of general education in relation to all aspects of the art of choral music and the development of the public appreciation of such art, principally by the participation of its members in the performance of choral concerts.

Area of benefit: NOT DEFINED

The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.

Causes: Education/training · Arts/culture/heritage/science · website · Get email alerts

Registered contact address: Guildford, South East, England (from the postcode on the register)

Latest income

£93k

Latest spending

£88k

Registered

1980

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity achieved a net gain of £4,970 for the year ended 31 July 2025, with unrestricted reserves totaling £106,302. The trustees consider that reserves of £40,000 are required for the coming year, which is below the stated policy target of maintaining at least 12 months' net expenditure. The trustees confirm there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.

What the accounts disclose

Largest income source: none

“Concert income totalled £41,527 and concert expenses were £65,551. Non-concert income including member subscriptions totalled £51,166 and non-concert costs including rehearsal costs totalled £22,173, resulting in a gain for the year of £4,970.”

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Reserves policy: at least 12 months' net expenditure (held: £106k)

“It is the policy of the Society to maintain unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the charity (excluding listed investments), at a level of at least 12 months' net expenditure.” — page 4

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Related-party transaction: The Society purchases flower bouquets from Outside In, a floral decorating business based in Milford, Surrey which is owned by one of the trustees. The value of these activities is regularly checked against the market. Purchases during the year totalled £318 (2024: £368) and related to flowers presented to concert soloists and conductors.

“The Society purchases flower bouquets from Outside In, a floral decorating business based in Milford, Surrey which is owned by one of the trustees. The value of these activities is regularly checked against the market. Purchases during the year totalled £318 (2024: £368) and related to flowers presented to concert soloists and conductors.” — page 9

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.

Policies the charity declares

In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.

Financial reserves policy and procedures
Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
Internal risk management policy and procedures
Investing charity funds policy and procedures
Investment
Safeguarding policy and procedures
Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
Trustee expenses policy and procedures

Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram

Trustees · trustee networks

Anthony Michael Richmond
CATHERINE FIONA WANDS
Catharine Isobel Venner
Charlotte Beck
Geoffrey Michael Barham · trustee of 1 other charity
Julie Eves · trustee of 1 other charity
Katherine Louise Thompson
LESLEY ANN PRATT
Marilyn Vincent
Natalie Jane Thurley
Phil Tudor
Sara Karol Davies
Sara Lesley Nicola Gee
William Stockell Hartree

Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).

Operates in: Surrey

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/07/2025	£93k	£88k
31/07/2024	£84k	£88k
31/07/2023	£62k	£66k
31/07/2022	£56k	£60k
31/07/2021	£30k	£20k

Common questions

Is GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a net gain of £4,970 for the year ended 31 July 2025, with unrestricted reserves totaling £106,302. The trustees consider that reserves of £40,000 are required for the coming year, which is below the stated policy target of maintaining at least 12 months' net expenditure. The trustees confirm there are no material uncertainties regarding the charity's ability to continue as a going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.

Funders of similar charities

Funders whose accounts show grants to charities similar to this one (and no recorded grant to this charity) — a starting list for fundraisers.

Funder	Similar charities funded	Amount to them
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS FOUNDATION	1	£3k

Charities like this

Semantically similar by activities and financial character, from our analysed corpus. Compare with DURHAM CHORAL SOCIETY.

DURHAM CHORAL SOCIETY income £137k
WIMBLEDON CHORAL SOCIETY income £116k
HUTTON AND SHENFIELD CHORAL SOCIETY income £60k
HARROW CHORAL SOCIETY income £59k
WOODBRIDGE CHORAL SOCIETY income £31k
CITY OF LONDON CHOIR income £176k

Side by side with its peers

Charity	Income	Top pay band	Reserves vs policy	Fundraising cost	Going concern
GUILDFORD CHORAL SOCIETY	£93k	—	above	—	no doubt
DURHAM CHORAL SOCIETY FY2025	£137k	—	above	—	no doubt
WIMBLEDON CHORAL SOCIETY FY2025	£116k	—	unclear	—	no doubt
HUTTON AND SHENFIELD CHORAL SOCIETY FY2025	£60k	—	unclear	—	no doubt
HARROW CHORAL SOCIETY FY2025	£59k	—	unclear	—	no doubt
WOODBRIDGE CHORAL SOCIETY FY2025	£31k	—	unclear	—	no doubt

Each row is that charity’s latest analysed filing; every value is quote-backed on its own page.