THE DOWNLAND CHORALE

Registered charity 287877 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as PURLEY PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY

Members of Downland Chorale belong to the choir to enjoy rehearsing and performing together. Founded over 40 years ago, membership varies between 50- 60, and covers the full voice range. Members fund rehearsals and performances, but members of the public are invited to attend our concerts to help defray costs. We currently have no sponsorship or local authority funding.

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

Latest income

£31k

Latest spending

£25k

Registered

1983

Accounts read

FY2025

Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts

The accounts state that the charity achieved a significant surplus for the 2024/25 year, driven by a 21% increase in underlying income and historic Gift-Aid claims. Reserves have recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with the trustees targeting one-third of annual turnover as a reserve policy. The financial position is described as stable, with no material uncertainties reported.

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

What the accounts disclose

Reserves policy: one term (four months) (held: £14k)

“We aim to keep enough in reserve to cover costs for one term (four months).” — page 5

Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.

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

Funders the charity credits

Named as funders/supporters on the charity’s own website (the charity’s claim, distinct from accounts-verified grants).

Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust — “We are supported by the Humphrey Richardson Taylor Charitable Trust.” (source page)

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

Trustees · trustee networks

Rosemary Vivien Viggianichair
ANNE LOUISE ODAMS
Deborah Anne Collymore
Dr Paul Howard Eldridge
Elizabeth Donaldson Watts-Read
Joan Vivian May Currion

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

Operates in: Croydon · Surrey

Income and spending

Financial year end	Income	Spending
31/07/2025	£31k	£25k
31/07/2024	£22k	£24k
31/07/2023	£18k	£19k
31/07/2022	£16k	£18k
31/07/2021	£8k	£13k

Common questions

Is THE DOWNLAND CHORALE financially healthy?

Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a significant surplus for the 2024/25 year, driven by a 21% increase in underlying income and historic Gift-Aid claims. Reserves have recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with the trustees targeting one-third of annual turnover as a reserve policy. The financial position is described as stable, with no material uncertainties reported. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.

Who funds THE DOWNLAND CHORALE?

Funders whose own accounts filings name THE DOWNLAND CHORALE as a grant recipient include HUMPHREY RICHARDSON TAYLOR CHARITABLE TRUST.

Known funders

Grants to this charity found in funders’ own accounts filings.

Funder	Year	Amount	Purpose (as stated by the funder)
HUMPHREY RICHARDSON TAYLOR CHARITABLE TRUST	FY2025	£2k	Concerts