Company registration No. 02864170 (England and Wales)
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Charity registration No. 1035615
KENTISH OPERA (A company limited by guarantee)
ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2025
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KENTISH OPERA
Reference and Administrative Details
| Secretary | Philip Wallace | |
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| Principal Office | 23 Oakley Drive | |
| Bromley | ||
| Kent | ||
| BR2 8PS | ||
| Registered office | 23 Oakley Drive | |
| Bromley | ||
| Kent | ||
| BR2 8PS | ||
| The charity is incorporated in England &Wales | ||
| Solicitors | Thackray Williams | |
| Kings House | ||
| 32-40 Widmore Road | ||
| Bromley | ||
| Kent | ||
| BR1 1RY | ||
| Bankers | CAF Bank Ltd | |
| 25 KingsHill Avenue | ||
| West Malling | ||
| Kent | ||
| ME19 4JQ | ||
| Independent Examiner | Harrison Hill Castle | & Co - Chartered Accountants |
| Melbury House | ||
| 34 Southborough Road | ||
| Bickley | ||
| Kent | ||
| BR12EB |
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2).
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| We ended the season with a small but manageable decrease in our reserves, so that the Society remains in a good position going in to the 2025-2026 season. | ) |
KENTISH OPERA
Trustees' Report
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 August 2025.
Trustees
lan Alexander, Chairman
Robert Skone James, Hon Treasurer Philip Wallace, Secretary and Trustee only
Peter Whiston
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The Company is a registered Charity number 1035615 and is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. It is run by a Council of Management (who are the Trustees) which must consist of a minimum of three persons. There is no maximum number. The members of the Company comprise a mixture of acting and non-acting members and also voluntary helpers who subscribe to the objects of the Company.
The Company's main objects, as stated in the Memorandum are: “To educate the public in the operatic arts and to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts”.
To achieve the above objects, the Company performs up to two full-scale grand operas in English each year. The Company also performs from time to time smaller operetta and concerts at local venues in Bromley, Croydon and North Kent and Central London locations.
The Council and members strongly believe that it is important to produce operas to the highest professional standards and in a basically traditional manner so that the public attending performances is able to appreciate the operas performed as the composers conceived them.
Current Year
In the 2024-2025 season we put on two shows. These were a performance of Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial by Jury in October 2024 in the Pamoja Hall Sevenoaks and a series of performances of Die Fledermaus in April 2025 at the Stag Theatre Sevenoaks.
The Pamoja Hall show was well attended although resulted in a small loss while the audience for the three performances of Die Fledermaus was smaller than anticipated resulting in a further loss. These losses were mitigated by controlling scenery and costume costs, the receipt of generous donations, and a successful claim for Theatre Tax Relief.
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KENTISH OPERA
Trustees' Report (Continued)
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
a I hn Risk Management
Expenditure is carefully budgeted and much reduced by the significant use of volunteers in many areas, e.g. own box office, front of house, assisting in building sets, assisting in making and altering costumes, chorus and general administration. The major risk area is the box office which is unpredictable. The choice of opera, however, is the key factor since there is generally resistance from our suburban audience to attend in the required numbers to operas they are not familiar with. Nevertheless, one of the objectives of Kentish Opera is to produce from time to time less popular operas in order to educate and broaden our audience’s taste. This can only be done if either reserves are at a comfortable level or additional income through sponsorship is achieved.
Reserves and Outlook
The steps we took in 2024-2025 to control expenditure have worked and we ended the season with healthy reserves of £70,219 (2024: £75,211). In 2025-2026 we intend to continue our efforts to control expenditure and reduce losses. In parallel though we will continue to seek grants, increase the number of Friends, and look for other sources of income.
Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of Kentish Opera for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees’ report and the financial statements in accordance with the United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and applicable law and regulations.
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; * state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by the trustees of the charity on AS Nev20257 and signed on its behalf by:
lan Alexander, Chairman Trustee
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1st December 2025 Dale vessesswereaerreees
KENTISH OPERA
Statement of Financial Activities (Including Income and Expenditure and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
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|Unrestricted|funds|
|2025|2024|
|Note|£|£|
|Donations|and|legacies|3|10,180|12,060|
|Charitable|activities|4|45,282|55,474|
|Investment|income|5|1,581|1,590|
|Total|income|57,043|69,124|
|Charitable|activities|6|62,035|60,888|
|Total|expense|62,035|60,888|
|Net income|(4,992)|8,236|
|Total|funds|brought forward|75,211|66,975|
|Total funds|carried|forward|12|70,219|75,211|
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All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the two periods. The funds breakdown for 2025 is shown in note 12.
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KENTISH OPERA
Balance Sheet
As at 31 August 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | ||||||
| Tangible assets | 9 | - | - | |||
| Currents assets | ||||||
| Debtors | 10 | 4,579 | 5,521 | |||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 66,740 | 70,900 | ||||
| 71,319 | 76,421 | |||||
| Creditors: amounts falling due | ||||||
| within one year | 11 | (1,100) | (1,210) | |||
| Net current assets | 70,219 | 75,211 | ||||
| Net assets | 70,219 | 75,211 | ||||
| Funds ofthe charity | ||||||
| Unrestricted income funds | 70,219 | tO2AA | ||||
| Totalfunds | 12 | 70,219 | fo201 |
For the financial year ending 31 August 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
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Directors’ responsibilities:
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The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statementson pages 6 to 13 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on sess And. MEM. 2225" and signed on their behalf by:
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Trustee , =
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Robert Skone James, Hon Treasurer Trustee
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KENTISH OPERA
Notes to the financial statements
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
1 Charity status
The charity is a charity limited by guarantee and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £Nil towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
2 Accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
Kentish Opera meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement
The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
Income and endowments
Box Office receipts are taken up in the year in which the productions are performed. Membership fees are included on a received basis.
Donations and legacies
Donations, unless allocated for a specific production, are accounted for in the year in which they are received. Legacies are accounted for in the year in which they are received.
Grants receivable
Grants, unless allocated for a specific production, are accounted for in the year in which they are received. These are included in the income derived from charitable activities.
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KENTISH OPERA
Notes to the financial statements (Continued)
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
Charitable activities
Kentish Opera's charitable activities consist of the putting-on of operas and other related classical music events consistent with the main objects of the company being "to educate the public in the operatic arts and to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts".
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity's compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, and, most particularly, the independent examiner's fee.
Government grants
Grants can be received from Sevenoaks District Arts Council. Theatre Tax Relief is also received.
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment are depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Expenditure on costumes and scenery is charged in the production account of the year in question.
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life.
Asset class Depreciation method and rate Furniture & equipment 25% on cost
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees’ discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity. Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.
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KENTISH OPERA
Notes to the financial statements (Continued)
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| 3 | Income from donations and legacies | |||
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| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Donations from individuals | 10,180 | 12,060 | ||
| Legacies | - | - | ||
| 10,180 | 12,060 | |||
| 4 | Charitable activities | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Box office receipts & performance fees | 28,598 | 38,469 | ||
| Bar sales | 546 | - | ||
| Membership subscriptions &fees | 1,295 | 1,515 | ||
| Programme sales & advertising | 930 | 2,093 | ||
| Grants & sundry income | 252 | 295 | ||
| Gift aid tax relief | 1,999 | 2,519 | ||
| Theatre tax relief | 11,662 | 10,523 | ||
| 45,282 | 55,474 | |||
| 5 | Investment income | |||
| 2025 £ |
2024 £ |
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| Interest receivable and similar income | 1,581 | 1,590 | ||
| 6 | Charitable activities | |||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Opera Company (note 7) | 4 | 60,935 | 59,928 | |
| Governance costs | 1,100 | 960 | ||
| 62,035 | 60,888 |
Governance costs represent fees paid to the Independent examiner to complete the examination of the financial statements.
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KENTISH OPERA
Notes to the financial statements (Continued)
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| iL | Opera Company | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Production directors' fees | 6,300 | 5,000 | |
| Principals' fees | 12,750 | 9,200 | |
| Bar costs | 513 | - | |
| Theatre/venue rent & expenses | 5,856 | 7,536 | |
| Orchestra & related costs | 12,340 | 13,407 | |
| Scenery | 1,545 | 2,417 | |
| Scores | 940 | 1,065 | |
| Rehearsal halls | 2,641 | 1,877 | |
| Rehearsal pianists/repetiteurs | - | - | |
| Publicity & printing | 3,428 | 4,110 | |
| Programmes | 416 | 1,412 | |
| Costumes & wigs | 4,526 | 3,585 | |
| Lighting | - | - | |
| Production sundries | 122 | 1,238 | |
| Insurance | 2,568 | 2,459 | |
| Printing, postage & stationery | 67 | 14 | |
| Sundry admin expenses | 620 | 1,210 | |
| Scenery & costume storage | 4,603 | 3,703 | |
| Professional fees | 1,680 | 1,500 | |
| Donations | 20 | 195 | |
| Depreciation re new trailer | - | - | |
| 60,935 | 59,928 |
For both years, all of the above expenditure was attributable to unrestricted funds.
8 Trustees’ remuneration and expenses
During the year, the Trustees (Members of the Council of Management) were reimbursed for expenditure totalling £2,195 (2024 - £2,161) incurred on behalf of the Company. The majority of this expenditure related to publicity, advertising, programme production costs and sundry production expenses.
Apart from performance fees of £1,030 paid to one trustee and family member, no other trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any other benefits from the charity during the year.
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KENTISH OPERA
Notes to the financial statements (Continued)
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
9 Tangible fixed assets £
| Tangible fixed assets | £ |
|---|---|
| Furniture & | |
| equipment | |
| Cost | |
| At 1 September2024 | 6,938 |
| Additions | = |
| Eliminated in respect of disposals | = |
| At 31 August 2025 | 6,938 |
| Depreciation and impairment | |
| At 1 September 2024 | 6,938 |
| Depreciation charged in the year | = |
| Eliminated in respect ofdisposals | - |
| At 31 August 2025 | 6,938 |
| Net book value | |
| At 31 August 2025 | = |
| At31August2024 | - |
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10 Debtors | | 2025 2024 Debtors & prepayments 4,579 §:521 at Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2025 2024 £ £ Creditors & accruals 1,100 1,210
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KENTISH OPERA
Notes to the financial statements (Continued)
For the Year Ended 31 August 2025
| 12 | Funds | ||||||
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| Balance | Incoming | Resources _ Transfers | Balance | ||||
| 01-Sep-24 | resources | expended | 31-Aug-25 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||||
| General | 37,994 | 56,166 | (62,035) | - | 32,125 | ||
| Designated (note 15) | 34,217 | 877 | - | - | 38,094 | ||
| Total funds | 75,211 | 57,043 | (62,035) | - | 70,219 | ||
| 13 | Analysis of netfunds | ||||||
| Balance | Cash | flow | Balance | ||||
| 01-Sep-24 | 31-Aug-25 | ||||||
| £ | £ | £ | |||||
| Cash atbank | 70,900 | (4,160) | 66,740 | ||||
| Netfunds | 70,900 | (4,160) | 66,740 |
13 Analysis of net funds
14 Related party transactions
Apart from the transactions detailed in note 8, there were no other related party transactions in the year.
15 John Cass fund
| John Cass fund | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Balance brought forward | Sf,210 | 36,496 |
| Expended in the year | - | - |
| Interest received | 877 | 721 |
| 38,094 | 37,217F |
This Designated Unrestricted Fund is the John Cass Fund, which was established by a legacy from the estate of John Cass in 2019. This is a general legacy and will assist Kentish Opera to mount opera and concerts and to support the engagement of promising young singers in its opera productions.
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