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2023-03-31-accounts

Company no. 2889027 Charity no. 1067886

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report and Unaudited Financial Statements

31 March 2023

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Reference and administrative details

For the year ended 31 March 2023

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 (resigned 13 December 2022)
Victor Ecclestone
Kellie Hasbury
John Holland
Simon Partridge
Lynda Rooke
Christopher Ryde Chair
Robert Whyatt
Secretary 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 2023

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 2023. 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 (no 2889027) and does not have share capital. It is a registered charity (no 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. This year our education work included developing work inside a prison: in July 2022 we heard our application to Historic England, to work with women in Gloucestershire’s HMP Eastwood Park, had been successful.

Funding

Staff

Creative Producer Sheila Hannon continues to work for the company on a freelance, self-employed basis.

2

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

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 2022/3, have been prepared by Godfrey Wilson Limited, accountants, Bristol.

Board

At the 2022 AGM on 13 December:

Achievements and performance ARTISTIC ACTIVITY/PROJECTS

2022-23 projects are summarised here:

Core Project: THEATRE WALKS

Ongoing

Developed out of the hugely successful BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER , launched January 2018. This Thursday evening walking tour, exploring the area’s lost and forgotten history, is still one of SOSTC’s most engaging and successful projects. This year we again added a new tour to our existing six (BLOOD AND BUTCHERY IN BEDMINSTER; FRANKENSTEIN IN BATH; BLOOD, BLACKBEARD AND BUCCANEERS; TREASURE ISLAND STORY WALK; CRIME AND CRINOLINES IN CLIFTON, SAINTS AND SINNERS IN ST GEORGE): KINGS AND COMMONERS IN KEYSHAM. This new tour was commissioned by Keynsham Town Council and scheduled for a September weekend. It was postponed at 4 hours notice due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II and has been rescheduled for April 2024. Regular public tours of the 4 most popular (Bedminster, Blackbeard, Clifton and St George) are Easter-November.

The new KINGS AND COMMONERS IN KEYNSHAM tour will use the same successful model as St George: funding to research, develop, produce and launch, the first performance is then free to the public, then self-funding from box office receipts.

All seven tours are available for private bookings which continue to increase each year. All our work is fully covered by appropriate professional insurance and risk assessed, with regular updates and all walking tours are preceded by health and safety briefings.

A new Hotwells tour is in development for 2023/4 and we are also talking to the film department of the University of the West of England about collaborating on a tour of locations associated with Bristol born Hollywood icon Cary Grant (Archie Leach).

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

THE BRISTOL GIRLS

Ongoing

In May 2022, in partnership with the University of the West of England/UWE, we submitted an application to Historic England’s Everyday Heritage Grants to explore a forgotten story: how ten women from Bristol Newgate prison (now the site of The Galleries Shopping Centre) were transported to Australia. Our research would be shared in a series of workshops with women prisoners in HMP Eastwood Park.

In July we heard our bid was successful with £10,000 funding from Historic England, plus £5,000 top up funding from UWE. Workshops would be led by the company’s Creative Producer and writer, Sheila Hannon; UWE Associate Professor of History, Dr Rose Wallis and actor Lynda Rooke. We then had to embark on hugely lengthy security checks and this, combined with prison staff shortages and the Covid aftermath, meant that by the end of March 2023, we were still waiting for final clearance and approval.

DEVELOPMENT OF NEW ASHTON COURT SHOW

Ongoing

Following the success of last year’s THE MANSION THROUGH TIME, THE CLIFTON IMPOSTOR and the short promotional film we made in January 2022, we are continuing to develop a new show (provisional title) GRAND EXPECTATIONS about the extraordinary family who lived at Bristol’s Ashton Court.

We now have interest from Salisbury Playhouse in developing this with us and an application to Arts Council England is in development.

DOCKS HERITAGE WEEKEND

Apr-22

We have worked with Bristol City Council’s M Shed museum on many heritage weekends and were delighted to be invited back for a weekend in April. Two Bristol actors played characters from the 1950s, ‘George and Sheila Purnell’, back when Bristol had a working docks. George, a docker newly promoted to crane driver and his wife Sheila, interact with the public, telling their stories and recreating the working dockside with volunteers from Bristol’s M Shed.

ELIZABETH BLACKWELL PROJECT

Ongoing

Another project, like The Bristol Girls, was delayed by Covid. Elizabeth Blackwell, born in Bristol 1821, was the first woman in the world to qualify as a doctor. This project, funded by the Elizabeth Blackwell Institute at the University of Bristol, worked with several Bristol primary schools to look at women in health today. Sessions, led by Creative Producer Sheila Hannon, teacher Ruth Myers and poet Rachel Bentham, happened in schools and at the Blackwell Institute where pupils also engaged with the story of Henrietta Lacks, whose statue now stands in front of the institute. The project was so successful the University awarded a further £4,000 and this work will be continued in 2023/4.

4

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

OTHER

Just a few of this year’s smaller projects and events include:

Sarah Guppy Grave Restoration

We worked with a number of individuals and organisations including stencil artist Stewy and Clifton & Hotwells Community Association to restore the Clifton grave of this unduly neglected 18[th] century engineer, with a grand ‘unveiling’ of her restored grave in March and an image of her on the house where she lived. Creative Producer Sheila Hannon also gave several talks to community groups about Sarah Guppy and continues to research and promote her life.

Bristol Irish Festival

Creative Producer Sheila Hannon worked with ‘W.E. Irish’, Bristol’s new West of England Irish society, to launch a writing project to capture the memories and stories of the many Irish now living here whose experiences remain unrecorded.

Ghost Stories at the Llandoger Trow

A special Halloween event collaborating with the Llandoger Trow, one of the top venues on our BLACKBEARD tour.

Gothic Fiction Symposium

In October Creative Producer Sheila Hannon spoke on Mary Shelley writing FRANKENSTEIN IN BATH at a Bath Literary & Scientific Institution symposium, with speakers including Professor Sir Christopher Frayling.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

The 2022-23 financial year ended with a surplus of £9,280 (2021-22: £4,655). Total funds at year end were £38,901 (2021-22: £29,621), £36,401 of which were held in general funds in 2022-23.

In the financial year 2022-23, 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.

Risk Assessment

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

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

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 for this period in the event of a significant drop in funding. This would give the charity time to appropriately consider how the funding could be replaced or how its activities might be changed.

As at 31 March 2023 reserves stood at £38,901. This is well 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.

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 and progress reports are 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 2023

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).

New Trustees are recruited from a wide range of professions that currently include Theatre Management, Education, Professional Theatre Performers, Creative Workers’ Union Equity, Voluntary Sector, Property Management, Marketing and PR and Social Enterprise, to 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.

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Report of the trustees

For the year ended 31 March 2023

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 2023 and signed on their behalf by

Chris Ryde

Lynda S Rooke

Christopher John Ryde - Trustee Chair

Lynda Susan Rooke - Trustee

8

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 2023, which are set out on pages 10 to 18.

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: 13 December 2023 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

9

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

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

For the year ended 31 March 2023

Note
Income from:
Donations
3
Charitable activities
4
Investments
5
Total income
Expenditure on:
Raising funds
Charitable activities
Total expenditure
7
8
Reconciliation of funds:
Total funds brought forward
Total funds carried forward
Net income and net movement in
funds		 Restricted
£
-
2,500
-
2,500
-
-
-
2,500
-
2,500		 Unrestricted
£
149
30,989
46
31,184
1,898
22,506
24,404
6,780
29,621
36,401		 2023
Total
£
149
33,489
46
33,684
1,898
22,506
24,404
9,280
29,621
38,901		 2022
Total
£
149
68,658
1
68,808
4,965
59,188
64,153
4,655
24,966
29,621

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 13 to the accounts.

10

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Balance sheet

As at 31 March 2023

Note
Current assets
Debtors
11
Cash at bank and in hand
Liabilities
Creditors: amounts falling due within 1 year
12
Net current assets
Net assets
Funds
13
Restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Total charity funds		 £
839
48,208
49,047
(10,146)		 2023
£
38,901
38,901
2,500
36,401
38,901		 2022
£
4,630
38,122
42,752
(13,131)
29,621
29,621
-
29,621
29,621

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 2023 and signed on their behalf by

Chris Ryde

Lynda S Rooke

Christopher John Ryde - Trustee Chair

Lynda Susan Rooke - Trustee

11

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

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

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.

12

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

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
£
£
-
149
29,300
39,358
-
1
29,300
39,508
-
4,965
29,300
29,888
29,300
34,853
-
4,655
Unrestricted		 2022
Total
£
149
68,658
1
68,808
4,965
59,188
64,153
4,655

13

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

3. Income from donations

Voluntary donations 2023
Total
£
149		 2022
Total
£
149

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
£
£
2,500
5,000
-
11,212
-
14,777
2,500
30,989		 2023
Total
£
7,500
11,212
14,777
33,489		 2022
Total
£
30,429
24,803
13,426
68,658

There was £2,500 of restricted income in the current year (2022: £29,300).

5. Income from investments

Income from investments
2023 2022
Total Total
£ £
Interest received 46 1

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

6. Government grants

The charity received no government grants in 2023 (2022: £30,249).

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

7. Total expenditure

Raising
funds
Charitable
activities
£
£
Staff costs (note 9)
-
4,343
Production
-
12,083
Marketing
1,898
-
Insurance
-
-
Rent
-
-
Printing, postage and stationery
-
-
Telephone and computer
-
-
Administration
-
-
Accountancy
-
-
Travel and subsistence
-
-
Sub total
1,898
16,426
Reallocation of support and
governance costs
-
6,080
Total expenditure
1,898
22,506
Total governance costs were £1,393 (2022: £1,333)
Prior period comparative
Raising
funds
Charitable
activities
£
£
Staff costs
-
5,400
Production
-
47,155
Marketing
4,965
-
Insurance
-
-
Rent
-
-
Printing, postage and stationery
-
-
Telephone and computer
-
-
Administration
-
-
Accountancy
-
-
Travel and subsistence
-
-
Sub total
4,965
52,555
Reallocation of support and
governance costs
-
6,633
Total expenditure
4,965
59,188		 Support and
governance
costs
£
482
-
-
408
1,596
21
332
499
2,070
672
6,080
(6,080)
-
Support and
governance
costs
£
600
-
-
649
1,500
143
434
13
1,320
1,974
6,633
(6,633)
-		 2023 Total
£
4,825
12,083
1,898
408
1,596
21
332
499
2,070
672
24,404
-
24,404
2022 Total
£
6,000
47,155
4,965
649
1,500
143
434
13
1,320
1,974
64,153
-
64,153

15

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

8. Net movement in funds

This is stated after charging:

Independent examiners' remuneration
Trustees' reimbursed expenses
Trustees' expenses		 2023
£
1,380
Nil
Nil		 2022
£
1,320
Nil
Nil

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

Freelance staff 2023
£
4,825
4,825		 2022
£
6,000
6,000

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 £4,825 (2022: £6,000).

10. Taxation

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

11. Debtors

Trade debtors
Accrued income
Prepayments		 2023
£
700
-
139
839		 2022
£
-
4,500
130
4,630

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Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

12. Creditors: amounts due within 1 year

Creditors: amounts due within 1 year
Trade creditors
Accruals
Other creditors		 2023
£
5,825
3,265
1,056
10,146		 2022
£
9,288
1,320
2,523
13,131

13. Movements in funds

Movements in funds
Historic England: Bristol Girls Grant
Total restricted funds
Unrestricted funds
General funds
Total funds
Restricted funds		 £
-
-
29,621
29,621
At 1 April
2022		 Income
£
2,500
2,500
31,184
33,684		 £
£
-
2,500
-
2,500
(24,404)
36,401
(24,404)
38,901
Expenditure
At 31 March
2023
2,500
36,401
38,901

Purposes of restricted funds

Historic England: Bristol Girls Grant

Funding from Historic England relating to a series of projects at HMP Eastwood Park. The agreement is dated 1 October 2022 to 30 June 2023.

17

Show of Strength Theatre Company Limited

Notes to the financial statements

For the year ended 31 March 2023

13. Movements in funds (continued)
Prior period comparative
The Mansion Through Time
Grand Expectations
Princess Caraboo: Bedminster's Imposter
Saints and Sinners in St George
Total restricted funds
General funds
Total funds
Unrestricted 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)
29,621
(64,153)
29,621
Expenditure
At 30 March
2022		 £
£
(13,500)
-
(10,000)
-
(3,400)
-
(2,400)
-
(29,300)
-
(34,853)
29,621
(64,153)
29,621
Expenditure
At 30 March
2022
-
29,621
29,621

14. Related party transactions

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

18