WORCESTER STAGE DANCE FESTIVAL
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
For the year ending 4" July 2025
3 Pevensey Close Worcester WR5 2HZ
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
Worcester Stage Dance Festival (WSDF) is a voluntary organisation registered as a charity with the Charity Commission.
Currently, two Trustees continue to serve in their roles until retirement or until qualified volunteers—whether from within the festival community or externally with suitable skills, experience, or qualifications—are identified, recommended and are happy to accept the role.
Historically, the serving chair was automatically designated as a Trustee upon assuming the post; however, this practice has not been consistently applied in recent years.
Trustees recognise their overarching responsibility for the prudent and efficient management of resources. They convene as necessary throughout the year to address organisational matters, while also attending to incidental issues via email correspondence. Trustees are well-versed in their legal duties under charity law, the processes required for informed decision-making, and the financial performance of the charity. They receive support through reference to Charity Commission publications, guidance from the British and International Federation of Festivals, and external consultation when required, as well as through the assistance of the festivals steering committee.
The Trustees are responsible for assessing the risks facing the charity and for implementing suitable controls to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.
Each year, the Trustees assess the charity's business and operational risks and implement suitable measures to mitigate potential challenges.
The Trustees who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
Mr A Thawley
MrT Allen
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
The charity's objectives are to promote public education in the arts, with a particular emphasis on the study, performance, appreciation, and practice of dance. Additionally, the charity seeks to further public education through methods deemed appropriate by the Trustees and the steering committee. This encompasses the organisation or promotion of annual competitive festivals, the presentation of public performances, and the provision of bursaries, awards, or maintenance allowances to individuals selected by the Trustees to support their advancement in the arts.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE
The WSDF Annual Stage Dance Festival was held during the Easter Holiday and proved to be highly successful. The event saw record participation across all arts genres, with a significant increase in spectator attendance. Performers underwent professional evaluation, and many achieved qualifying marks, allowing them to progress to the regional level and potentially to the National finals of the All England Dance competition. Through effective financial management, the festival was able to provide a number of bursaries to students across various age groups, further supporting their artistic advancement and educational development within the Arts.
ACTIVITIES
In developing our annual programme of activities, we ensure that all plans align with the Charity Commission's guidance on public benefit, which is reviewed at our meetings.
Our primary focus continues to be the organisation of our annual competition, during which each performer receives a professional evaluation. This initiative benefits children and young people by fostering their engagement in cultural activities, enriching their education in the arts, enhancing their self-confidence, and strengthening their social skills.
We welcome all children and young people irrespective of their background, faith, gender, or personal circumstances. We believeg that this inclusive philosophy benefits our entire community by fostering the exchange of talents, skills, aptitudes, and life experiences among individuals aged 3 to 21.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Reserves Policy.
The trustees maintain a policy designed to ensure that the charity's reserves are at an adequate level to support continued operations throughout any unforeseen challenges.
Each year's reserve value consists of the amount carried over from the previous year, combined with any surplus or loss incurred during the current year. We also need funds to support ongoing bursaries, IT expenses, insurance policies, and membership fees for the British and International Federation of Festivals as well as All England Dance. The total unrestricted reserves as at 4" July 2025 was £ 22321.07 (4™ July 2024 was £15252.69 ).
Principal Funding Sources.
Currently, our annual competitive festival is the primary—and only—source of funding each year. While we previously obtained sponsorship from local businesses, that income is no longer dependable.
STATEMENT OF EQUAL OPPERTUNITIES.
The Annual Worcester Stage Dance Festival, organised by the Trustees and full committee, welcomes all participants regardless of race, colour, creed, gender, or sexual preference.
TRUSTEES RESPONSIBILITIES IN RELATION TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.
Charity trustees must prepare an annual report and financial statement in line with UK law and accounting standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The trustees must maintain accurate accounting records and be able to report the charity's financial status at any given time. They are also tasked with protecting the charity's assets by taking reasonable measures to prevent and detect fraud or other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the financial information included on the WSDF website.
Signed by the Trustees:
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26,54. 262b6
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WORCESTER STAGE DANCE FESTIVAL (CHARITY NO. 1052803) STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS AS AT 4th JULY 2025
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
| INCOME | £ |
|---|---|
| Entries | 14,377.63 |
| Admission (Inc,Progs & Float | 11,935.36 |
| Bank Interest | 522.37 |
| Donation-David Felton | 600.00 |
| RefundPostage | 3.80 |
. .
.
| EXPENDITURE | £ | |
|---|---|---|
| NunneryWood | 5,649.00 | |
| British & | .F.F. (Ins.Public L.) | |
| Adjudicator's Accom. | 440.00 | |
| British & | .F.F. Subs | |
| Adjudicator's Expenses | 3,465.25 | |
| Bursaries | 1,200.00 | |
| Volunteers Expenses | 265.00 | |
| Catering -Anthony Stanley | 609.30 | |
| Hire of Music System | 250.00 | |
| Ocean Blue-Progs-Certs-Numbers | 1,805.55 | |
| Music Playing | 100.00 | |
| Hospitality | 100.00 | |
| BIFF-Awards | 36.00 | |
| Electricai equipment | 3.50 | |
| Stationary & Printing | ~ | 83.64 |
| Pre Festival Catering | 932.47 | |
| All Eng. Connection fee | 1,347.25 | |
| Float | 400.00 | |
| Hyde-Design | 42.00 | |
| All Eng. Membership | 87.50 | |
| Writer's Expenses | 100.00 | |
| Writer's Accom. | 169.00 | |
| Wrist bands | 81.59 | |
| Refund Entry Fees | 40.00 | |
| Lanyards- Named | 53.64 | |
| First Aid | 43.72 | |
| Teamstrides | 1,712.28 | |
| Pop up Tents | 79.09 | |
| Hamilton Rentals | 372.00 | |
| Domain Renewal | 108.00 | |
| Gift-Retiring Chair | 100.00 | |
| Gift-RetiringSecretary | 100.00 |
27,439.16
20,370.78
| Balance as at 4th July 2024 | 15,252.69 |
|---|---|
| Plus income over expenditure | 7,068.38 |
| BankAccountBalance | £22,321.07 |
YN ‘ CHARITY COMMISSION Independent examiner's FOR ENGLAND AND WALES report on the accounts
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Section A Independent Examiner’s Report
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Report to the trustees/
members of | !he Worcester Stage Dance Festival
On accounts for the year | 4" July 2025 Charity no | 1052803
ended (if any)
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- | report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended 31 May 2022.
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Responsibilities and As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation basis of report of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
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| report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, | have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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Independent | have completed my examination. | confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- e accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or - e the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
| have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. * Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply. i f_A !\
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Name: | Tony Archer
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Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):
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Address: | Ormerod Rutter Limited, The Oakley, Kidderminster Road
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WR9Y 9AY
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Section B
Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose.
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