2025-03-31-accounts

ANNUAL REPORT 2024R5 BLACK COUNtRY TOURING

Top: Flying with Strings by Sarah Vigars at Bear Books Bottom: Beached by Strangeface at West Smethwick Park Pavillion. Both part of Smethwick Puppetry Festival 2 Cover: Wild at Brierley Hill Civic

About Us

Founded in 1997, Black Country Touring (BCT) addresses the historic lack of access to the arts in one of the UK’s most culturally under-served regions. We believe the arts can transform lives - building skills, confidence and connection.

Vision

Mission

A Black Country where everyone can To create opportunities for the region’s experience inspiring, high-quality diverse communities to programme, creative work in their community— participate in, and experience theatre, where income, background or age dance and film that is accessible, are never a barrier to access. relevant, and shaped by local voices.

Cultural inequality contributes to long-term educational and economic disadvantage; 44% of our audiences are from the lowest three income deciles, and 41% from the lowest in educational attainment.

We’re committed to building a more equitable cultural landscape - one where creativity is powered by the communities we serve.

How we deliver

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Producing

Touring

Supporting local venues, volunteers and young people to programme professional touring theatre and dance in community venues and schools,

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Developing

We create and commission theatre, dance and digital projects that reflect the stories, identities and lived experiences of Black Country communities.

We nurture local artists, strengthen the capacity of community organisations and contribute to regional cultural strategies.

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2024/25 Impact 38% 467 Audiences from an ethnically diverse Events background OoSe 17,495 Audience & Participants

63 VENUES

20% D/deaf or Disabled Audiences & Participants

Excellent or Good 97% Show Www ww Rating

Co-Chair’s Statement

A Year of Growth, Development & Change

In 2024-25, Black Country Touring strengthened cultural provision in our region by improving access and participation in the arts, empowering communities to lead, and securing significant investment for the Black Country.

This year also marked the beginning of our shared role as Co-Chairs. We would like to warmly thank our predecessor, Tim Rushby, who served as Chair for seven years and as a trustee since 2006. His leadership and long-standing commitment to BCT have helped it grow its income, reach and impact.

Our Community Promoter network remained at the heart of our work, with local people programming an incredible 324 performances across 56 venues.

Through our touring scheme and related projects, BCT built skills, boosted confidence, and supported the freelance artists and touring companies who are vital to England’s cultural life. Rekindle and Libraries Unbound brought powerful performances into public libraries across Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

Working Together for the Black Country

At the Heart of Communities

Our flagship production, Wild, engaged hundreds of people in community gardens, libraries and arts venues and will tour nationally in 2025, sharing Black Country stories across the UK. We were pleased to continue our partnership with Black Country Living Museum, creating a site-specific piece exploring the heritage of the 1960s with the museum’s incredible buildings as a backdrop and stimulus.

We are grateful to our partners, including Spectra, Parakeet, Multistory, Creative Black Country, Sandwell Cultural Compact, Sandwell Libraries and Museums, and the Black Country Living Museum, whose work and collaborative spirit are driving cultural growth in the Black Country.

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Finally, we offer our thanks to the BCT team, promoters, stewards and volunteers for their energy, care and commitment, and to our fellow trustees for their time, insight and dedication. We are also grateful to our audience and participants, who so often greet touring theatre companies, our productions and our team with enthusiasm, warmth and applause.

Looking Ahead

The achievements of 2024/25 reaffirm our belief that investing in local people and places leads to a fairer, richer and more relevant cultural landscape. Autumn 2025 is a key milestone in BCT's history. CoArtistic Directors, Frances Land and Steve Johnstone, who have led the organisation with integrity, ambition and unwavering passion for more than 28 years, will step down from their shared role. Their connection and commitment to the region is incomparable, and we commend and celebrate their dedication to improving the lives of local people through so many productions, projects and development opportunities.

We are delighted to welcome Genevieve Say as our new Artistic Director, who, alongside Executive Director Matt Andrews and the Board of Trustees, will lead BCT into its next phase. As the cultural sector continues to navigate change and uncertainty, BCT remains grounded in its values and clear in its purpose. With a new leadership team in place, we are now working together to shape a bold strategy for 2026-29, which builds on our legacy, responds to the needs of our communities, and takes us in new and exciting creative directions.

Carla Priddon & Imtiaz Dungarwalla Co-Chairs of the Board

The Wild cast and creative team in rehearsals.

Wild - a BCT Production

Laika the Space Dog by Lori Hopkins

Hello Birds by Jasmine Cole Productions at Thimblemill Library

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Financial Performance

Black Country Touring ended the 2024/25 financial year in a financially resilient position, with growing capacity and reach supported by the current Arts Council England NPO investment. The uplift in our core funding has strengthened the organisation’s ability to plan, deliver and develop ambitious work across the region, while maintaining healthy reserves and supporting a sustainable team structure.

Total income for the year rose to £680,499, compared with £550,576 in 2023/24 and £474,708 in 2022/23 – a 43% increase over two years. This growth reflects the increased capacity provided by greater NPO funding and the success of targeted fundraising efforts, which have expanded our reach and deepened community engagement.

During the year, BCT secured a £74,500 grant from the Inclusive Communities Fund to support the Smethwick Arts Collective, a further year of flexible funding of £75,000 from The Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, and a £10,000 grant from the West Midlands Combined Authority for the Smethwick Puppetry Festival.

At year end, BCT held a higher than usual level of carried-forward funds. This reflects the timing of multi-year grants and planned investment in programme delivery and organisational development. These funds will support continued delivery, maintain core capacity, and underpin the transition into our 2026–29 Strategy period.

These projects and their impact are only possible thanks to the belief and support of our funders, including:

Arts Council England The Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery The Heart of England Community Foundation United by 2022 Film Hub Midlands Sandwell Council

West Midlands Combined Authority Wolverhampton City Council The Commonwealth Games Legacy Investment Fund

We are deeply grateful for their investment and confidence in our work.

We also received £10,000 from the Wolverhampton Cultural Compact and the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund for work with Wolverhampton Libraries, and worked closely with Sandwell Council to bring additional theatre and dance performances to local libraries and museums as part of their festival programming.

Flying with Strings by Sarah Vigars

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IhllL Ir*_ A Black Country Touring Production

Wild - A BCT Production

‘Wild’ was informed by conversations and stories that we collected from over 70 people across rural, urban and seaside locations about what wild means to them. The production wove these stories together with immersive music and soundscapes, and invited the audience to reflect on their own definitions of Wild, fostering a deeper appreciation of both nature and human nature.

These gardens provided contact with most of the people interviewed for the production. Our aim was to use the experiences of the people of the Black Country to create a touring show which would feel as immersive as possible. The piece toured the original four community gardens and various other venues, including libraries, community and art spaces and a civic hall,

Wild was the second part of a two-phase project that involved working with four community gardens across the Black Country.

in October 2024. 9 performances took place across 8 venues, with a total of 581 audience members. There were over 70 participants involved in the research phase, and 11 artists were employed as part of the production.

Audience feedback: “Awesome, intense, real, honest, gripping, brave, fun, moving, shocking, memorable, vivid, vibrant!” “I really enjoyed the way the scenes wove between stories, anecdotes and journeys, it was great.” “Triggered visceral emotion and reminded me how wonderful it is to be alive and to be a creature in such a powerful world!” 7 . fay

part of the production. Following its successful tour of the Black Country, Wild will be touring in community venues across the country this Autumn. fay ‘ te

Community Promoters

The Community Promoters scheme enables local people to take the lead in bringing professional theatre and performances and film screenings, and arts events to their neighbourhoods. Our Promoters are based in local venues such as community centres, libraries and schools, where they select shows, market events, and host performances with support and guidance from BCT.

This year, we worked closely with our Community Promoters to programme 324 performances in 56 venues as well as 64 screenings.

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“Alice and the Library Tree” by ea
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Highlights included:

• Our Promoter’s busiest year ever, with over 324 performances and 13,072 attending in community venues. We worked with Sandwell Council to programme 24 performances as part of the Sandwell Arts Festival. With free theatre events for all ages this was a jampacked summer offer!

• Supporting the Big Kids Theatre Weekend at West Smethwick Park, which saw over 600 people decend on the Park and Pavillion to enjoy a weekend of fun!

• Continuing to support Wednesbury Day with high quality walkabout acts such as The Wrong Brothers and a performance of Laika The Space Dog. Bringing together the people of Wednesbury to celebrate the historical town through the arts.

The scheme not only broadens access to arts experiences, but also empowers residents to shape their local cultural offer, helping them grow in confidence, develop valuable skills, and build stronger connections within their communities.

Rekindle

Rekindle, a three-year project funded by Arts Council England and led by Creative Arts East, is a nationwide initiative pairing five arts organisations with their local library services.

BCT are collaborating with Sandwell Library Service to bring more creativity and culture into five Sandwell Libraries: Smethwick Library, Central Library, Wednesbury Library, Tipton Library and Blackheath Library. We are also working with library staff to build their skills and confidence in making exciting events happen in their library.

In 2024-25, Rekindle delivered 37 shows, workshops and cinema events, with performances aimed at both adult and family audiences. A significant highlight was that the entirety of the programme was hand-picked by the library staff themselves. The project helped foster long-term relationships between libraries and their audiences.

Libraries Unbound

Libraries Unbound, a 5-month project funded by the Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund, allowed us to develop a new programme with local libraries to Wolverhampton, based on Rekindle.

We collaborated with Wolverhampton Library Service and Gazebo Theatre to bring high quality theatre and workshops to 4 library spaces: Bilston Library, Bob Jones Community Hub, Central Library and Whitmore Reans Library.

The project delivered 24 family focused events across the 4 libraries, at no cost to audiences. It allowed us to develop our relationship with Wolverhampton Libraries, and allowed them to programme events that they would not otherwise have had the capacity or funds to programme.

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Spotlight on Smethwick

Our partnership work in Smethwick continues to grow in scale, ambition and reach, supporting local creativity while improving access to the arts for children, families and communities.

In 2024-25, we delivered two major strands of work in the town: the Smethwick Puppetry Festival and the Smethwick Arts Collective . Together, they reached over 3,400 people through more than 130 free or Pay What You Can events across local community venues.

The Smethwick Puppetry Festival , now in its second year, took place during February half term and expanded significantly from its 2024 debut. With strong support from our Community Promoters and a focus on familyfriendly, low-cost activities, the festival welcomed 1,410 attendees – with many events selling out in advance.The programme featured 26 performances, 9 creative workshops, Q&A panels, a short film night, and an automata exhibition across 11 venues.

The Smethwick Arts Collective , a new partnership between Black Country Touring, Spectra, Parakeet and local venues, offered an extended programme of 96 theatre events, workshops and early years stay & play sessions over a 6 month pilot phase. These activities reached 2,026 participants and were designed in collaboration with local venues and community organisations to ensure accessibility and relevance.

We received overwhelmingly positive feedback for both projects, highlighting what an incredibly creative place Smethwick is. Looking ahead, we plan to grow both strands: building the festival into a flagship event for Smethwick and developing the Collective as a model for deeper, long-term community engagement.

Thanks to The Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, West Midlands Combined Authority, Sandwell Council and Arts Council England for supporting the Puppetry Festival, and to The WMCA Commonwealth Games Legacy Fund, The Heart of England Community Foundation, United by 2022 and Arts Council England for supporting Smethwick Arts Collective.

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Smethwick Puppetry Festival
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“Really great program, with some brilliant family events, good timing over Feb half term.”

“Absolute pure magic that you can't experience anywhere else.”

“Such a brilliant event and beautiful puppetry.”

- Audience feedback from Smethwick Puppetry Festival

“Being able to offer accessible performances means that we can share the experience of live theatre with people who may not usually have the opportunity.”

“Working with Smethwick Arts has enabled us to further foster a sense of community while promoting engagement and cultural enrichment.”

- Christina from Dorothy Parkes Centre

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“Flying With Strings” by Sarah Vigars at Bear Bookshop, yraieEP Asien.- Pg; x ot
part of Smethwick Puppetry Festival
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Stay & Play session by Parakeet,
part of Smethwick Arts Collective
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Audience feedback:

“Nice to see cultural diversity and representation in history. Would like to see more of this.”

“Great use of authentic space and mix of people. I did not know that about Oldbury! Thank you!”

Crossing The Line at Black Country Living Museum

It’s 1958 in a drop forge in Oldbury. A wild cat strike is in progress. A faulty machine has injured a worker and it has brought the factory to a halt. The cleaner is looking for the resulting mess to clear up and an irate businessman turns up looking for his missing consignment of hammers. There’s more going on here than meets the eye…

Based on research and original interviews, ‘Crossing the Line’ was performed over five Friday evenings in August 2024 as a part of Summer Lates at the Black Country Living Museum.

The performance was a continuation of our ongoing relationship with the Black Country Living Museum, where we explore together the telling of local stories in and around the

“Loved the names and diverse actors... it brought hidden history to life.”

museum’s site. It follows on from many years of collaboration and directly from the success of the previous year’s show, ‘A Spanner in the Works’.

Using the Joe’s Tools drop forge as its setting, ‘Crossing the Line’ brought together three Black Country Touring performers - Elexi Walker, Jack Trow and Vimal Korpal - with historic characters from the Museum to create a rich and entertaining 20 minute performance, which repeated several times over each Friday evening.

Our collaboration with the Black Country Living Museum will continue in 2025, which will see BCT collaborate with Jaivant Patel Dance Company as part of South Asian Heritage Month in the Black Country.

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Stories of Sandwell

This year, we developed two powerful digital projects that platform underrepresented voices and use film and audio to deepen public understanding and empathy.

In partnership with The Space, Bearwood Community Hub and Borough of Sanctuary Sandwell , we produced Sanctuary in Sandwell, a series of four short films sharing the lived experiences of people who’ve sought refuge in Sandwell. Each film features award-winning poet Bohdan Piasecki in conversation with a local sanctuary seeker, culminating in a bespoke poem performed within 24 hours. The resulting films challenge negative migration narratives and celebrate human resilience and hope.

Our collaboration with Sandwell Visually Impaired (SVI) and artist Graeme Rose resulted in Blathering with SVI, a three-part podcast exploring the daily experiences of visually impaired people - the highs and the lows - in their own words.

Conversations range from perceptions of colour and dreams to water and memory, revealing nuanced reflections rarely heard in mainstream media. The episodes are enriched by evocative soundscapes from Think/ Write/ Fly (artist Adrian B. Earle ).

Funders & Supporters

Black Country Touring relies on the dedication of our local volunteers and venues. Without their endless enthusiasm for their communities and the arts, our work would not be possible. We are also grateful to all of the individual donors who have supported our work this year.

Cover image, Wild photos and Crossing the Line photos © Anand Chhabra Smethwick Puppetry Festival and Smethwick Arts Collective photos © Photography by Fernando

Black Country Touring c/o Thimblemill Library Thimblemill Road Smethwick West Midlands B67 5RJ

Charity No: 1080608 Company No: 3446320

Black Country Touring is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.

www.bctouring.org.uk

Company registration number: 3446320 Charity registration nLunber: 1080608 Black County Touring (A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Bissell & Brown Midlands Ltd Chart¢r House 56 High Street Sutton Coldfield B72 IUJ

Black Country Touring Contents Trustees, Report I to3 Statement of Responsibilities Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet Notes to the Financial Statements 8t0 14

Blaek Country Touring Trustees, Report 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 March 2025. Structure? governance and management Nalure ofgovernlng documenl The company is limited by guarantee and does not have a share capital. It is governed by Memorandum and Articles of Association and was incorporated on 8th October 1997. It was registered as a Charity on 8th May 2000. Organlsallonal slruclmre Chief Executives & Co-Artistic directors '. Steve Johnstone & Frances Johnstone (retired August 2025) Artistic Director.. Genevieve Say (appointed June 2025) Company Secretary: Matthew Andrews Executive Director: Matthew Andrews General Manager: Corinne Morris Promotion Manager: Natalie Kidman Creaiive Producer.. Sampira Al-Fihri (resigned April 2025) Marketing Co-ordinator: Amrit Kaur Juss Community Programme Coordinators.. Donna Clarkson, Suki Sohi Administrator: Laura Leech Recruilmenl and appolnlpnent of truslees Recruitment and Appointment of New Trustees l Members of the Committee will be invited on the basis of their working expertise and experience, andlor their background and other experiences and skills. The committee as a whole will aim to reflect the broad make-up and cultural diversity of the Black County and the West Midlands. 2 As a general rule, there should be a relationship between the Company and a person proposed for Committee membership. The person proposed should know something of Black Country Touring's work, This criterion does not apply to people offering specific skills. 3 The time limits for membership laid down in the constitution should be applied consciously* rather than renewing aulomatically. 4 There should be a provision for new mernbers to be brought on for a fixed term of one or two years in the fIr5t instance, with the possibility of extension to full membership. after review. (Co-options for specific project5 or developments are already laid down in the constitution) In applying these criteria Black County Touring will take a Pro-active approach in fully operating its policy of equal opportunities. Induction andtralnlng of Iruslees All proposed new members must be provtded with an induction pack and have a fornial discussion with a member of the Company's staff, before their final approval by the Committee. These guidelines run alongside the ternis of Black County Touring's Articles of Association. Page I

Black Country Touring Trustees, Report Objectives and activities Public benefit In the exercise of their powers as charity trustees, they have had due regard to the published guidance from the Charity Commission on the operation of the public benefit requirement, and the aims of the charity are carried out for the public benefit. The trustees confirn) that they have complied with ihe requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 201 I to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Objects and aims The objects of the Company are to promote, maintain, improve and advance the ¢du¢ation of the public by the encouragement and practice of the arts, by fostering and promoting for the b¢nefi¢ of the publi¢ the improvement and d¢velopment of artistic knowledge, taste, understanding. and application of ihe arts and in particular but not exclusively. to provid¢ arts based activities and encourage participation by all sections of the Con￿nunIty in such activities in the Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell Metropolitan Boroughs and their environs. Tru51ees and officers The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows: Trustees: Imtiaz Dungarwalla Carla Priddon Julie McKirdy Akila Mclean Rachael Magson Rupinder Sandhu Michelle Bould Anna Webster Emma Worrall Other oificers: Timothy Rushby (resigned l November 2025) Achievements and performance Review of charitable activities undertaken is included in the attached Annual Report. Financial review Review of financial position 15 included in the attached Annual Report. Poliey on reserves The income and expenditure of the charity fluctuates according to the pattern of grant and project income secured. As the Charity employs a number of staff, the Management Committee (Trustees) consider that reserves are needed to provide for an orderly wind-down in the event of an unexpected reduction in the ￿ndS secured. The Charity is also required on occasion to incur the costs of developing and researching work before the grants which have been awarded, and other income, are actually received. The Charity therefore needs a level of reserves for cash flow reasons. In the opinion of the Management Committee the reserves of the Charity are appropriate for its scale of operation. Page 2

Black Country Touring Trustees, Report Reference and Administr¥dtive Details Charity Registration Number". 1080608 Company Registration Number: 3446320 The charity is incorporated in England and Wales. Thimblemill Library Thimblemill Rd Smethwick B67 51U Registered oifice: Principal Office: Thimblemill Library Thimblemill Rd Smethwick B67 5RJ Independent Examiner: Bissell & Brown Midlands Ltd Charter House 56 High Street Sutton Coldfield B72 IUJ Barthers: The Co-operative Bank The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 28 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by: f) Carla Priddon Trustee Page 3

Black Country Touring Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities The trustees (who are also the directors of Black Country Touring for the pu￿OseS of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the flnancial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" 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 the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trnstees are required to: select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently. observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP. make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent. state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements. and prepare the financial stalements on the going ¢oncern b&sis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will Continue in business. The truslees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose wilh 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. The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrTty of the corporate and financial infornlation included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemlnation of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. Approved by the trustees of the charity on 28 October 2025 and signed on its behalf by: Carla Priddon Trustee Page 4

Black Country Touring Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of Black Country Touring ('the Company,) I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March 2025. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees of the Company (and also its direclors 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 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 your charity'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 Directtons given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 201 l Act. Independent examiner's $tatement Since the Company's gross in¢om¢ exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in seetion 145 of the 201 l Act. l confirm that l arn qualified to undertake the examination b¢¢ause l am a member of Bissell & Brown Midlands Ltd, which is one of the listed bodies. I have Completed my examination. I confirni that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe: accounting records were not kept in respect of Black Country Touring as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or 2. the accounts do not accord with those records. or 3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view, which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. or 4. the account5 have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charitie5 [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)]. 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. Paul Matthews FCCA Bissell & Brown Midlands Ltd Charter House 56 High Street Sutton Coldfield B72 IUJ 28 October 2025 Page 5

Black Country Touring Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 ncluding Income and Expenditure Aeeount and Statement of Total Reeognised Gains and Losses) Total 2025 Total 2024 Unrestricted Restricted Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies Charitable activities Other income 3,247 414,595 759 3,247 676,493 759 659 549,163 754 io 261,898 Total Income 418,601 261,898 680,499 550.576 Expenditure on: Charitabl¢ activities (394,555) (222,429) (616,984) (556,261) Total Expenditure (394,555) (222,429) (616,984) (556.261) Net in¢omel{expenditure) 24,046 39,469 63,515 (5,685) Net mov¢m¢nt in funds 24,046 39,469 63,515 (5,685) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total fijnds carried forward 115,755 70,000 185.755 191,440 139,801 109,469 249,270 185,755 All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operntions during the above two periods. The notes on pages 8 to 14 forni an integral part of these financial statements. Page 6

Black Country Touring (Registration number: 3446320) Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2025 2025 2024 Note Current assets Debtors Cash at bank and in hand 50,012 213,791 16,651 176,319 192,970 263,803 Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (14,533 (7,215) Net assets 249,270 185,755 Funds of the Charity: Restrleted Ineome funds Restricted funds 109,469 70,000 Unrestrlcted Income funds Unrestricted funds 139,801 115,755 Total funds 249,270 185,755 For the flnancial year ending 31 March 2025 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies. Directors, responsibilities: 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 The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of a¢counts. The financial statements on pages 6 to 14 were approved by the trust¢¢s, and authori5¢d for issu¢ on 28 October 2025 and signed on their behalf by: Carla Priddon Trustee The notes on pages 8 to 14 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7

Black Country Touring Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 l Aeeounting policies Summary o(significant accounting policies and key aceounting estimates The principal accounting policies applied il) 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 compliante 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)) (issued in October 2019) - (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 preparatlon Black Country Touring rneets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unle55 Otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. Going concern The Trustees have considered budgets and cash flow forecasts through to November 2025, and the level of post year-end support received from Arts Council England. On this basis, 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. Income and endowments All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably. Donalions and legacles Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in MTiting of both the arnount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of perfomance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fvlly met, or the ￿lfIlment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period. Expendlture All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or ¢onstru¢tive 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 thal aggregate similar costs to that rategory. Where cos15 cannot be directly attributed to particular heading5 they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basi5 of time spent. and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset's use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs. Cliarllable acllvilles Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the Charity in the delivery of it5 activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both Costs that ran be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them. Page 8

Black Country Touring Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 Taxation The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph I Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tsx purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part I l 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 Individual fixed assets costing £500.00 or more are initially recorded at cost, less any subsequent accumulated depreciation and subsequent accumulatcd impaimient losses. Depretlation and amortisatlon 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 as follows., Asset class Equipment Depreciation method and rate 33.33 % straight-line Trade creditors Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as cu￿ent liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabtlities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective Tnterest method. 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. Restricted income funds are those donated for use in a particular area or for specific purpose5, the use of which is restri¢ted to that area or purpose. 2 Income from donations and legacles Unrestricted funds General Total 2025 Total 2024 Donations and leg￿les. Donations from individua15 Trusts and foundations 3,247 3,247 259 400 3,247 3.247 659 Page 9

Black Country Touring Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 3 Tangible fixed assets Furniture and equipment TotAI Cost At l April 2024 Disposals 24,105 5,903} 24,105 (5,903) At 31 March 2025 18,202 18202 Depreelatlon At l April 2024 Eliminated on disposals 24,105 5,903 24,105 5,903) At 31 March 2025 18,202 18,202 Net book value At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 4 Debtor5 2025 2024 Trade debtors 50,012 16,651 S Cash and cash equivalents 2025 2024 Cash at bank 213,791 176,319 6 Creditors: amounts falllng due wlthin one year 2025 2024 Trade creditors Other taxation and social security Accruals 538 7,295 6.700 5,515 1,700 14.533 7,215 Page 10

Black Country Touring Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 Mareh 2025 7 Funds Balance at I April 2024 Incoming resources Resources expended Balance at 31 Mareh 2025 Transfers Unrestricted funds General General unrestricted 95,755 418,601 (394,555) (30,000) 89,801 Daigmaled Arts Council NPO Projects 20,000 30,000 50,000 Total unrestricted funds 115,755 418.601 (394,555) 139,801 Restricted funds Heart of England Community Foundation Wolverhampton CC Creative Arts East Film Hub Midlands The Space West Midlands Combined Authority The Peoples Postcode Lottery 73,569 10,000 63,033 15,000 6,797 (73,569) ( i 0,000) (34,423) (10,141) (6,797) 28,610 4,859 18,499 (18,499) 70,000 75,000 69,000) 76,000 Total restricted funds 70,000 261,898 (222,429) 109,469 Totgl funds 185,755 680,499 (616,984) 249,270 The increase in the designated fund will be used for making a new production in 2026127 and supporting some of our costs as we exit the £75k peryear fi￿dIng from PPL. 8 Staff costs The monthly average number of persons (including senior management I leadership team) employed by the charity during the year expressed as full time equivalents was as follows: 2025 2024 No Staff 10 No employee received emoluments of more than £60,000 during the year. Page 11

Black Country Touring Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 9 Trustees remuneration and expenses No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year. No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses from the charity during the year. Page 12

Black Country Touring Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 10 Income from charitable activities Unrestricted funds General Restricted funds Total 2025 Tolal 2024 Fees and shows Arts Council core grant Programme projects and production income Black County Living Museum Local authorities project income Post Code Lott¢ry Heart of England Community Foundation Creative Arts East Film Hub The Sp￿¢ West Midlands Combined Authority 64,432 307,225 6,100 15,000 21,838 64,432 307,225 6,100 15.000 31,838 75,000 73,569 63,033 15,000 6,797 18,499 99,709 307,225 20,057 22,948 24,224 75,000 io,000 75,000 73,569 63,033 15.000 6,797 18,499 414,595 261.898 676,493 549,163 l Expenditure on charitable activitle5 Unrestricted funds General Restricted funds Total 2025 Total 2024 Black County Cinema cost Productions & projects Shows & perforniances Artislic directors Marketing & publicity Trav¢lling & subsistence Salaries & employers Nl & pension Doubtful debts Trnining Insurance Rent Computerl network Independent examination Subscriptions Equipment & replacements Other costs Bank charges Depreciation 10,127 70,820 52,777 49,230 16,024 5,800 226,120 (2,680) 3,876 1,208 9,0(K) 1,747 1,837 1,242 10,127 187,261 52,777 49,230 16,024 5,800 263,108 (2,680) 3,876 1,208 9,000 1,747 1,837 1,242 23,649 152,067 19,701 48,252 15,194 2.979 242,226 12,976 3.886 1,162 9,000 784 1,7(M) 2,103 10,760 8,855 85 882 116,441 36,988 15,510 67 15,510 67 462,705 Page 13 153,429 616,134 556,261

Black Country Touring Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2025 12 Taxation The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation. 13 Charity status The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exc¢eding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation. The principal place of business is: Thilnblemill Library Thimblemill Rd Slnethwick B67 5RJ Page 14