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2022-03-31-accounts

Company no. 2889027 Charity no. 1067886

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2022

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Company number 2889027
Charity number 1067886
Registered office and 74 Chessel Street
operational address Bristol
BS3 3DN
Trustees Trustees, who are also directors under company law, who served
during the year and up to the date of this report were as follows:
Marion Cockcroft
Madge Dresser (resigned 8 December 2021)
Victor Ecclestone
Kellie Hasbury
John Holland (appointed 8 December 2021)
Simon Partridge
Lynda Rooke
Christopher Ryde Chair
Robert Whyatt
Secretary Sheila Hannon
Key management personnel Sheila Hannon Creative Producer
Bankers NatWest
Ashton Gate
PO Box 235
North Street
Bristol
BS99 5AW
Independent examiners Godfrey Wilson Limited
Chartered accountants and statutory auditors
5th Floor Mariner House
62 Prince Street
Bristol
BS1 4QD

1

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Reference and administrative information set out on page 1 forms part of this report. The financial statements comply with current statutory requirements, the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the Statement of Recommended Practice - Accounting and Reporting by Charities (effective from January 2019).

Objectives and activities

The trustees (Council of Management for Companies Act purposes) present their annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2022. The principal activity of the charity was that of the management of a theatre company. The results for the period and the state of the charity’s affairs are considered satisfactory and are as shown in the attached accounts. The company is limited by guarantee (number 2889027) and does not have share capital. It is a registered charity (number 1067886).

Public benefit

SOSTC and its trustees are fully aware of and take into consideration the Charity Commission’s Guidance relating to Public Benefit in all its decision making and in all cases where this is required and is relevant. Many shows and performances produced by SOSTC engage schools and other learning establishments and younger persons, promote high streets and other local environments and independent traders and all encompass a degree of education and history. We believe that our Theatrical Performances are of wider benefit to the cultural background of the localities in which they are seen. Many shows are performed outdoors in public streets and are entirely accessible to all members of the public, often on a free basis, through funding that SOSTC has actively raised with other partners.

Funding

Creative professionals

Creative Producer Sheila Hannon continues to work for the company on a freelance, self-employed basis. The Company also regularly works with our expanding pool of self-employed actors and creatives.

Bookkeeping and accounts: the company continues to work very successfully with Julien Weston, now also Associate Producer, on a freelance, self-employed basis.

Financial statements for 2021-22 prepared by Godfrey Wilson Limited, accountants, Bristol.

2

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Board

At the 2021 AGM on 8 December:

Achievements and performance

Artistic activity/projects

2021-22 projects are summarised here:

Core project: Theatre Walks

Ongoing

Developed out of the hugely successful BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER, launched January 2018, an evening walking tour, exploring the area’s lost and forgotten history, this is one of SOSTC’s most engaging and successful projects. We now have 6 tours: BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER; FRANKENSTEIN IN BATH; BLOOD, BLACKBEARD AND BUCCANEERS; TREASURE ISLAND STORY WALK; CRIME AND CRINOLINES IN CLIFTON; and – new this year – SAINTS AND SINNERS IN ST GEORGE. All are available for private bookings with regular public tours of the 4 most popular (Bedminster, Blackbeard, Clifton and St George).

FRANKENSTEIN IN BATH was invited to be part of the Bath Festival in June 2021, when all 6 performances sold out.

SAINTS AND SINNERS IN ST GEORGE (Bristol BS5) was developed with Welcome Back funding from Bristol City Council, to support high street regeneration. Launching 18-20 March 2021, the 6 performances/walks over this weekend all sold out and this new walk will return in Autumn 2022.

All our work is fully covered by appropriate professional insurance and risk assessed, with regular updates, and walking tours are preceded by health and safety briefings.

Two new walks are in development for 2022-23 and beyond.

The Mansion Through Time

June and September 2021

A new outdoor show, funded by Arts Council England, about the Smyth family of Bristol’s Ashton Court. The grounds of Ashton Court are well known, loved and used, but little is known today of Bristol’s leading family, the Smyths, who lived there from the 16th to the 20th century. We have worked with partner Artspace Lifespace, who manage Ashton Court for owners Bristol City Council, since 2019 and this show developed out of previous partnership projects. THE MANSION THROUGH TIME was developed for family audiences who met different members of the Smyth family in different parts of the grounds, and heard their stories. 7 performances (capacity 120) 25-27 June 2021 all sold out. For the first, preview, performance we worked with BS3 Community to offer free/discount tickets to low income families living nearby. The show was so successful it was invited to return for, and funded by, Bristol Open Doors, in September when it again sold out.

3

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

The Clifton Imposter

August 2022

Ashton Court had strong links with Clifton, and Clifton Business Improvement District invited the Smyth family to Clifton village for the day for street performances to interact with shoppers and promote the high street.

Grand Expectations

January 2022

Our Smyth research revealed more fascinating and forgotten stories and we submitted a successful £10,000 application to WECA to develop this further. As a result of Covid, many creative freelancers had been unable to work and funding was target at this. We worked with a team of 16 freelancers to develop a new piece of work that we initially intended to present as a showcase performance. This was changed to a short film as it seemed possible/likely that Covid would limit attendance at an indoor event. In January 2022 we made GRAND EXPECTATIONS, a high quality short film that was completed by 31 March 2022 and will be used to promote a new show and attract partners and funding.

Docks Heritage Weekend

October 2021

We have worked with Bristol City Council on this heritage weekend on several previous occasions. Two Bristol actors played characters from the 1950s, ‘George and Sheila Purnell’, when Bristol had a working harbour. George is a docker newly promoted to crane driver and he and Sheila interact with the public, telling their stories and recreating the working harbourside with volunteers from Bristol’s M Shed.

Two Towns Clevedon and Nailsea

October - December 2021

Project with Design West to explore the future of these two towns. We researched 4 historical characters, 2 from each town, to be played by actors. We spent several days / sessions in each town, interacting with shoppers / visitors / locals, asking their views and getting them to complete an online survey, with a high engagement / response rate.

Princess Caraboo, Bedminster’s Impostor

March 2022

Another Bristol City Council Welcome Back/High Street funded project, telling the story of ‘Princess Caraboo’, one of the greatest impostors of all time. Mary Baker (her real name) lived in Bedminster, where the company has been based since 1986. Like our new St George tour, the performance had to take place on the high street and we worked with North Street outdoor space Ebeneezer Pocket Park, with whom we previously collaborated on a Christmas show. Magician Peter Clifford worked with us to incorporate magic tricks into a 20 minute show which has the potential to be developed into something longer that we will explore in 2022-23.

Financial review

Overview

The 2021-22 financial year ended with a surplus of £4,655 (2021: £10,794). Total funds at year end were £29,621 (2021: £24,966), all of which were held in general funds in both years.

In the financial year 2021-22, Show Of Strength continued as a registered charity, with staff and board again proud of their financial and artistic integrity and sustained ability to deliver a diverse range of commissions and company initiated projects on time and within budget.

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Risk assessment

The major risks to which the charity are exposed, as identified by the trustees, have been reviewed and systems have been established to mitigate these risks.

Key risks:

The Company’s sustained commitment to, and considerable experience of, outdoor performances continues to augur well for a post-Covid world.

Reserves policy

It is the policy of the charity to maintain unrestricted funds, which are free reserves of the charity, at a minimum level of 3 months of the resources that might expect to be expended during that period. The trustees have identified a reserve of £10,000 as the level at which they would be able to continue the charity's core operations in the event of a significant drop in funding. This would give the charity time to consider how the funding would be replaced or the activities changed.

At 31 March 2022 reserves stood at £29,621. This is in excess of the policy; the charity intends to spend down excess funds over a period of 12 months by delivering future projects, supporting and developing our multiple local story walks, and identifying new performance opportunities.

This policy is regularly reviewed by the Board of Trustees and reflects the requirements of the Charities Commission.

Structure, governance and management

The governing document of SOSTC is its Memorandum and Articles of Association first registered in 1998. This document remains compliant with all current requirements of the Charity Commission, specifically SOSTC’s objectives, which are to promote, maintain, improve and advance the education of the public, particularly by the production of plays and theatrical performances.

SOSTC is proud to have successfully delivered on these objectives for over 20 years and continues to do so.

In addition to the AGM, Trustees meet at least 4 times a year when financial reports and received and considered.

The Company maintains a set of all required and relevant management policies.

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Methods used to recruit trustees

The Board regularly identifies any gaps in expertise and seeks to recruit trustees with appropriate skills. Potential trustees observe one or more Board meetings to determine suitability. Successful candidates are then invited to join the Board and appointments are usually made annually at the AGM (usually November or December). Trustees are recruited from a wide range of professions that currently include Education, Professional Theatre, Creative Workers’ Union Equity, Voluntary Sector, Property Management, Marketing and PR and Social Enterprise, and demonstrate a wide range of skills, experience and commitment.

Statement of responsibilities of the trustees

The trustees (who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102: The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the income and expenditure of the charity for that period. In preparing those financial statements the trustees are required to:

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and which enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. The trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.

Members of the charity guarantee to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 to the assets of the charity in the event of winding up. The trustees are members of the charity but this entitles them only to voting rights. The trustees have no beneficial interest in the charity.

6

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Independent examiners

Godfrey Wilson Limited were re-appointed as independent examiners to the charitable company during the year and have expressed their willingness to continue in that capacity.

Approved by the trustees on 13 December 2022 and signed on their behalf by

Chris Ryde

Lynda Rooke

Christopher John Ryde - Trustee Chair

Lynda Susan Rooke - Trustee

7

Independent examiner's report

To the trustees of

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited (the charitable company) for the year ended 31 March 2022, which are set out on pages 9 to 17.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charitable company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).

Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the charitable company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charitable company's accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5) (b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Date: 14 December 2022 Rob Wilson FCA Member of the ICAEW For and on behalf of: Godfrey Wilson Limited

Chartered accountants and statutory auditors 5th Floor Mariner House 62 Prince Street Bristol BS1 4QD

8

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Statement of financial activities (incorporating an income and expenditure account)

For the year ended 31 March 2022

Note
Income from:
Donations
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
6
Net income
Transfers between funds
Net movement in funds
7
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward		 Restricted
£
-
29,300
-
29,300
-
29,300
29,300
-
-
-
-
-		 Unrestricted
£
149
39,358
1
39,508
4,965
29,888
34,853
4,655
-
4,655
10,624
15,279		 2022
Total
£
149
68,658
1
68,808
4,965
59,188
64,153
4,655
-
4,655
24,966
29,621		 2021
Total
£
400
17,000
2
17,402
1,153
5,455
6,608
10,794
-
10,794
14,172
24,966

All of the above results are derived from continuing activities. There were no other recognised gains or losses other than those stated above. Movements in funds are disclosed in note 12 to the accounts.

9

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2022

As at 31 March 2022
Note
Current assets
Debtors
10
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
11
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
12
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Total charity funds		 £
4,630
38,122
42,752
(13,131)		 2022
£
29,621
29,621
29,621
29,621		 2021
£
195
26,632
26,827
(1,861)
24,966
24,966
24,966
24,966

The directors are satisfied that the company is entitled to exemption from the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 (the Act) relating to the audit of the financial statements for the year by virtue of section 477(2), and that no member or members have requested an audit pursuant to section 476 of the Act.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for:

These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the special provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies' regime.

Approved by the trustees on 13 December 2022 and signed on their behalf by

Chris Ryde

Lynda Rooke

Christopher John Ryde - Trustee Chair

Lynda Susan Rooke - Trustee

10

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

1. Accounting policies

a) Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities in preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited 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.

b) Going concern basis of accounting

The accounts have been prepared on the assumption that the charity is able to continue as a going concern, which the trustees consider appropriate having regard to the current level of unrestricted reserves. There are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern.

c) Income

Income is recognised when the charitable company has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the items of income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Income from the government and other grants, whether 'capital' grants or 'revenue' grants, is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.

d) Interest receivable

Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the charitable company; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the bank.

e) Funds accounting

Unrestricted funds are available to spend on activities that further any of the purposes of the charitable company. Restricted funds are donations which the donor has specified are to be solely used for particular areas of the charitable company's work or for specific projects being undertaken by the charitable company.

f) Expenditure and irrecoverable VAT

Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Irrecoverable VAT is charged as a cost against the activity for which the expenditure was incurred.

11

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

1. Accounting policies (continued)

g) Allocation of support and governance costs

h) Debtors

Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.

i) Cash at bank and in hand

Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.

j) Creditors

Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charitable company has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.

k) Financial instruments

The charitable company only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.

2. Prior period comparatives: statement of financial activities

Income from:
Donations
Charitable activities
Investments
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
Net income and net movement in funds		 Restricted
£
£
-
400
-
17,000
-
2
-
17,402
-
1,153
-
5,455
-
6,608
-
10,794
Unrestricted		 2021
Total
£
400
17,000
2
17,402
1,153
5,455
6,608
10,794

12

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

3. Income from donations

Voluntary donations 2022
Total
£
149		 2021
Total
£
400

All income from donations was unrestricted in the current and prior year.

4. Income from charitable activities

Grants
Box office receipts
Fees and supply of actors		 Restricted Unrestricted
£
£
29,300
1,129
-
24,803
-
13,426
29,300
39,358		 2022
Total
£
30,429
24,803
13,426
68,658		 2021
Total
£
7,586
6,414
3,000
17,000

All income from charitable activities was unrestricted in the prior year.

5. Government grants

The charitable company receives government grants, defined as funding from the Arts Council England, the West of England Combined Authority, Bristol City Council, and Bedminster Business Improvement District to fund charitable activities. The total value of such grants in the period ending 31 March 2022 was £30,249 (2021: £7,586 from Bristol City Council). There are no unfulfilled conditions or contingencies attaching to these grants in 2021-22.

13

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

6. Total expenditure

Raising
funds
£
Staff costs (note 8)
-
Production
-
Marketing
4,965
Insurance
-
Rent
-
Printing, postage and stationery
-
Telephone and computer
-
Administration
-
Accountancy
-
Travel and subsistence
-
Sub total
4,965
Reallocation of support and
governance costs
-
Total expenditure
4,965
Total governance costs were £1,333 (2021: £13)
Prior period comparative
Raising
funds
£
Production
-
Marketing
1,153
Insurance
-
Rent
-
Printing, postage and stationery
-
Telephone and computer
-
Administration
-
Accountancy
-
Travel and subsistence
-
Sub total
1,153
Reallocation of support and
governance costs
-
Total expenditure
1,153		 Charitable
activities
£
5,400
47,155
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
52,555
6,633
59,188
Charitable
activities
£
1,175
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,175
4,280
5,455		 Support and
governance
costs
£
600
-
-
649
1,500
143
434
13
1,320
1,974
6,633
(6,633)
-
Support and
governance
costs
£
-
-
228
375
33
302
1,743
1,318
281
4,280
(4,280)
-		 2022 Total
£
6,000
47,155
4,965
649
1,500
143
434
13
1,320
1,974
64,153
-
64,153
2021 Total
£
1,175
1,153
228
375
33
302
1,743
1,318
281
6,608
-
6,608

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

7. Net movement in funds This is stated after charging:

Independent examiners' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Trustees' expenses
Staff costs and numbers
Staff costs were as follows:
Freelance staff		 2022
£
1,320
Nil
Nil
2022
£
6,000
6,000		 2021
£
-
Nil
Nil
2021
£
-
-

8. Staff costs and numbers Staff costs were as follows:

There were no employed staff during the current or prior year.

The key management personnel comprise the trustees and the Creative Producer, who is employed on a freelance basis. Total remuneration paid to the key management personnel during the year was £6,000 (2021: £nil).

9. Taxation

The charitable company is exempt from corporation tax as all its income is charitable and is applied for charitable purposes.

10. Debtors

Accrued income
Prepayments		 2022
£
4,500
130
4,630		 2021
£
-
195
195

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

11. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year

Creditors: amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Accruals
Other creditors		 2022
£
9,288
1,320
2,523
13,131		 2021
£
-
800
1,061
1,861

12. Movements in funds

Movements in funds
The Mansion Through Time
Grand Expectations
Princess Caraboo: Bedminster's Imposter
Saints and Sinners in St George
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Total funds
Restricted funds		 £
-
-
-
-
-
24,966
24,966
At 1 April
2021		 Income
£
13,500
10,000
3,400
2,400
29,300
39,508
68,808		 £
(13,500)
(10,000)
(3,400)
(2,400)
(29,300)
(34,853)
(64,153)
Expenditure		 £
-
-
-
-
At 31 March
2022
-
29,621
29,621

Purposes of restricted funds

The Mansion Through Time

Funding from Arts Council England to support the production of The Mansion Through Time, a new outdoor show at Ashton Court Mansion.

Grand Expectations

Funding from the West of England Combined Authority to create a showcase trailer.

Princess Caraboo: Bedminster's Imposter

Grants to support the production of Princess Caraboo: Bedminster's Imposter, a theatre walking tour based in BS3.

Saints and Sinners in St George

Grants to support the production of Saints and Sinners in St George, a theatre walking tour based in BS5.

16

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2022

For the year ended 31 March 2022
12. Movements in funds (continued)
Prior period comparative
General funds
Total funds
Unrestricted funds		 £
14,172
14,172
At 1 April
2020		 Income
£
17,402
17,402		 £
(6,608)
(6,608)
Expenditure		 £
24,966
At 30 March
2021
24,966

13. Related party transactions

The trustees are not aware of any related party transactions during the current or prior year.

17