Bedfordshire Orchestral Society
Analysis
Bedfordshire Orchestral Society is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Bedford. It was registered in August 1971, 55 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. It says it provides services and other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending July 2025, Bedfordshire Orchestral Society reported income of £35k and spending of £43k, spending 123% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from July 2021 to July 2025, income grew from £4,032 to £35k (+760%), an average of +71% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to July 2022, when income rose by 511%. Over the whole period it spent 116% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, Bedfordshire Orchestral Society sits at the 62nd percentile: it is larger than about 62% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 55th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Axminster Heritage Limited (£35k), Cerne Abbas Village Hall (£35k) and Croydon Philharmonic Society (£35k).
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The Society exists primarily to promote musical education in Bedfordshire.In furtherance of this aim, the Society runs two orchestras; the Bedfordshire Symphony Orchestra and the Bedford Sinfonia.The Society regularly organises and promotes in excess of ten classical music concerts each year in and around Bedford featuring performances by its two orchestras.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Axminster Heritage Limited | Axminster | £35k |
| Cerne Abbas Village Hall | Dorset | £35k |
| Croydon Philharmonic Society | Surrey | £35k |
| Caspian Cultural Centre | London | £35k |