Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre
Unaudited Annual Accounts
Year ended 31 March 2025
CONTENTS
Page
| 1-6 | Report of the Directors |
|---|---|
| 7 | Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees |
| 8 | Statement of Financial Activities |
| 9 | Balance Sheet |
| 10-14 | Notes and Accounting Policies |
Company Number: 6054887 Registered Charity Number: 1119302
MED THEATRE
ANNUAL REPORT 2024-25
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre (MED Theatre) Registered Charity no: 1119302, Limited Company no: 6054887 Registered Address:: 21 Fairy Lane, Buckfastleigh, TQ11 0DP Studio/operating premises from July 2025: MED Theatre, The Square, Moretonhampstead, TQ13 8NF
About
MED Theatre is a youth and community theatre organisation working to help people who live in remote rural locations in Devon find new ways to raise their aspirations and make the best of where they live. We know that engaging in the performing arts in a way that is connected to their surroundings helps people see themselves and the world differently. The objects of the charity are: to improve, develop and maintain public education, creativity and wellbeing through the performance of original plays inspired by, and created for, the locality.
Co-Directors’ Summary
The year between September 2024 and July 2025 saw us moving into our new studio in Moretonhampstead, a lovely space above a new cafe and in an easy location for our young people and community members to reach. Our future aspirations for the space include using it for intergenerational community play rehearsals, young people’s performances, and for it to become a space that the local community is familiar with and comfortable in visiting. We are already using the studio to host a number of regular and one-off sessions for both young people and adults.
Now led by the three freelance Co-Directors - Abby Stobart, Gillian Webster and Helen Gilbert - MED Theatre continues to welcome young people through our doors weekly, and we are also delighted to have our adult provision seeing an uplift with a regular Impro Course happening run by our Associate Artist, Lucy Smart as well as other one-off workshops beginning to take place. MED Theatre also continues to work in local schools and in this year we were approached by many schools directly. Our Education programme is a legacy of Mark Beeson’s time as Artistic Director that we feel is important for us to continue and is also a stream of income that often does not require additional funding.
We were incredibly pleased to receive a two-year grant of £20,000 from the Garfield Weston Foundation this year for core costs (£10,000 for the calendar year Jan-Dec 2025 and the same in the following year), giving us crucial funds to fall back on for our day-today running costs and administrative work while other, project-based funding has become more difficult to obtain.
Finally, a notable thing to come out of this year has been the publishing of Dartmoor Elements , a collection of poetry by Mark Beeson. Dr Tom Greeves, Mark’s literary executor, worked tirelessly with Gillian to put together the manuscript and to reach the stage of publishing, while Mark’s family generously covered the costs of publishing and donated the finished product to MED Theatre. All proceeds of sales of the book will come to us as a charity and the book is now on sale to the general public via our website.
We look forward to the future and our plans for MED Theatre, while being quietly cautious regarding our financial situation and our ability to fulfil our charitable aims at a time when funding for the arts continues to be tricky.
1
ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES
‘Devon’s War Girls’
Devised during the pandemic in 2020 and performed for the first time in 2021, ‘Devon’s War Girls’ is one of MED Theatre’s most popular offerings for both schools and community settings. We were pleased to be invited in Sept 2024 to perform this at Coldharbour Mill as part of their WW2 event day, and again in May 2025 in North Tawton Primary for years 5 and 6, accompanied by a workshop.
Museum Commission
In 2024 the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) invited us to create a new piece inspired by their exhibition, Dartmoor: A Radical Landscape . In response, we adapted a section of our 2024 community play which explored the historic effects of human life on Dartmoor’s landscapes and the environment.
The show ‘Tilka’s Time’ was shared with three audiences in one day, combining to over 120 people, and was aimed at young people and families.
It has offered us a valuable opportunity to develop another two-hander production for performance in other libraries, museums, schools, and community spaces.
Helen and Abby perform ‘ Tilka’s Time’ at RAMM and on Dartmoor
2
‘Off the Page into the Body’ - Newton Abbot Library
After applying for a pot of money to work closely with one of their libraries, Libraries Unlimited invited MED Theatre to carry out a long-term project in Newton Abbot. The aim of the project, ‘Off the Page into the Body’ was to increase footfall in
the library, with a particular focus on young people.
As part of the project we ran:
10 sessions with local young carers (in partnership with the Devon Young Carer’s Association)
10 sessions with local teenagers, open to everybody aged 12-16
4 community sessions (with local Youth Council, Guides, and Brownies) 3 in-school sessions
Abby performing ‘Locked in the Library’
The final celebration of the project came in the form of a new show called ‘Locked in the Library’, devised with the young people’s input and performed for the first time in Newton Abbot Library in April 2025. This show is also a legacy of the project and has since been performed in two more settings, and will be toured further in 2026 to celebrate World Book Day.
Libraries Unlimited ‘Evolve’ programme performances
Once again this year we applied and were accepted to be included in the Libraries Unlimited ‘Evolve’ menu for Devon libraries. This means that a performance or workshop we have on offer would be available to all libraries for a set fee if they choose MED Theatre from a list of activities. This year we have performed and run an accompanying workshop at Cullompton library, a short play and activities inspired by the Dartmoor folktale of ‘Jan Coo’.
COMMUNITY AND ADULTS’ ACTIVITIES
Circus show - co-hosted with Twinning Association
In October 2024 MED Theatre partnered with the Moretonhampstead Twinning Association to host a travelling french theatre company to our town. La Compagnie Artiflette led workshops in circus skills with the local primary school, and then performed their dynamic and comical show to a packed out audience in the parish hall. We were proud to champion a diverse arts and cultural activity for local audiences.
‘Dream setting’ - co-hosted with Sound UK
In June 2025, we were invited by Libraries Unlimited and Moretonhampstead Library to co-host ‘dream setting,’ a performance and creative workshop by musician Marco Woolf. A group of 8 community members, including five young people, joined Marco and his collaborators for a day of devising and then took part in the performance with Marco’s team which was open to a public audience. It was a lovely partnering opportunity and incredibly enriching.
3
YOUTH ACTIVITIES
Tuesday groups in Moretonhampstead
MED Theatre’s after school groups in Moretonhampstead continue as our main offer for young people living on, or near, Dartmoor.
Wild Nights Young Company performing in DartFest
Rising Lights (5-7s), Bright Nights (8-12s), and Wild Nights Young Company all take place on Tuesday afternoons/evenings during term time.
In November 2024 all of these groups took part in ‘DartFest 2024’, an opportunity to perform their work for a public audience on the stage in Moretonhampstead Parish Hall stage.
Chagford Youth Group (On The Edge) commissioned sessions
MED Theatre’s Wednesday evening sessions in Chagford, paid for by CELT, also continued this year. The participants, who are members of the Chagford Youth Club, have made short films, written scripts, and developed performance and improvisation skills. This year, we expanded the group into two separate sessions for different age groups to accommodate more young people and offer the older members more of a creative challenge.
Monday Groups in Braunton (North Devon)
Our groups in Braunton have continued to take place but on a smaller scale, with just one group running now after school on a Se Monday.
Our freelance artists, Sam and Annie, have been doing a fantastic job and communications between them and the Co-Directors regarding planning, fundraising, and themes, means that the Braunton groups continue to be a valued part of MED Theatre’s weekly activity.
They created their own play based on local myths which was performed in June 2025.
Tarka Drama group perform in the Valley of the Rocks
4
Home Education Groups
This year our activities for home educated young people have flourished, with two weekly groups now running, one in Buckfastleigh and one in Moretonhampstead.
Paid Young Assistants Scheme
This year for the first time we have been trialling a new Young Assistant scheme through which young members of our Wild Nights Young Company have been paid to assist with Bright Nights Drama for 8-12 year olds. This has been valuable for us as an organisation in terms of additional assistance, but also for the teenagers who are receiving some training and support into the world of employment.
EDUCATION PROGRAMME
We have worked with a great number of schools this year, which has been a real boost to our earned income and is evidence of the reputation we have built over the years through our education work.
Some schools requested special celebration events of performances, such as Moretonhampstead Primary inviting us to be part of their VE Day 80th Anniversary event, while others have requested drama enrichment activities. The schools we have visited are: West Exe College Moretonhampstead Primary Brunel School Broadhempston Primary Hatherleigh Primary Dunsford Primary Kenn Primary Dartmouth College South Devon Community College Spires School, Torquay Princetown Primary North Tawton Primary Tivington Farm School
University workshops
In May 2025 we once again hosted a group of students from Exeter University’s MA Creative Education course for their end-of-year celebration. The students joined us in Moretonhampstead where we explored the local area and MED Theatre’s method of working, through taking inspiration from the local history, ecology and landscape, and bringing together the human and non-human.
Holiday Clubs
Summer Play in 3 Days
MED Theatre engaged our theatre practitioner Abby Stobart to co-lead this summer intensive course alongside our resident dance and movement practitioner Jonny Hibbs. A group of 8-12yr olds co-created their own play… in just three days! Their story was inspired by a series of Dartmoor myths about witches, and involved dramatic and comical storytelling punctuated by song and dance influenced by the musical Matilda. This longer summer course proved a popular offering which brought in new participants that we hope to repeat in the future.
5
The Financial Situation
As noted in last year’s report this has been a difficult period for fundraising from grantmaking bodies and we have transitioned to a new model of working with reduced overheads. We have also been able to generate improved income from box office , schools and commissions
The move into our newly refurbished studio, conveniently situated in the centre of Moretonhampstead and generously provided to us by a local benefactor, has helped us reduce our overheads. We are expanding into new and exciting collaborations with other local artists and are looking forward to continuing our popular creative activities for both young people and adults, the majority of which are now held in our new premises.
These changes to our working model have involved the making of redundancy payments to the employed staff. This cost has been covered by the funds in the Employment Reserve, the balance in which has been transferred back into the General Reserve which closed the year at £35,213.
Board of Directors
Jess Wynn-Jones Chair Saul Jenner Vice Chair from 13 Sept 2025 Heather Holcroft-Pinn Hon Treasurer Fiona Avis Allison Caverhill Kerry Chappell Rae Hoole Josh Levontine Sarah Pinn from 18 July 2024 Julia Oliver Vice chair to 10 July 2025, resigned Olivia Young Vice chair to 10 July 2025, resigned
Approved by the directors and signed on their behalf on 30 December 2025 Sarah Pinn
6
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre Year ended 31 March 2025 Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre for the year ended 31 March 2025 set out on pages 8 to 14.
Responsibilities and basis of the report
As the charity’s trustees (who are also directors of the company 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 for this year under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (“the 2011 Act”). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1475(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 which gives me cause to believe that
-
:
-
Accounting records have not been kept in accordance with section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
-
The accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or
-
The accounts do not comply with relevant accounting requirements under section 396 of the Companies Act 2006, 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
-
The accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102)
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.
J H Ison 21 Angel Hill Tiverton Devon
30 December 2025
| P a g e
7
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre Statement of financial activities Year ended 31 March 2025
| Income Donations and legacies Grants Donations and membership Charitable activities: Box office and schools Commissions Other trading activites Sales of merchandise and hire Investment income: Interest receivable Total income Expenditure Charitable activities Production expenses Depreciation Support costs Total expenditure Net surplus/ deficit for the year before transfers Transfers between funds Net movement in funds Fund balances brought forward Fund balances carried forward |
Total General Designated 2025 £ £ £ £ 22,880 22,880 9,572 9,572 9,572 22,880 32,452 31,358 31,358 9,060 9,060 40,418 0 40,418 180 180 325 325 50,495 22,880 73,375 27,396 14,288 35,085 76,769 376 1,364 1,740 16,672 5,420 15,318 37,410 44,444 19,708 51,767 115,919 44,444 19,708 51,767 115,919 6,051 -19,708 -28,887 -42,544 3,642 -3,642 0 9,693 -23,350 -28,887 -42,544 25,520 23,350 40,478 89,348 35,213 0 11,591 46,804 Restricted funds Unrestricted funds |
Total 2024 £ 107,438 9,499 |
|---|---|---|
| 116,937 | ||
| 17,300 3,403 |
||
| 20,703 | ||
| 993 | ||
| 762 | ||
| 139,395 | ||
| 90,483 2,320 51,335 |
||
| 144,138 | ||
| 144,138 | ||
| -4,743 0 |
||
| -4,743 94,091 |
||
| 89,348 |
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses in the year. All incoming resources and resources expended derive from continuing activities.
8
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre Statement of financial position Year ended 31 March 2025
| Notes Tangible fixed assets 3 Current assets Debtors 4 Cash at bank Creditors Amounts falling due within one year 5 Net current assets Net assets less current liabilities Reserves Restricted funds 6 Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fund Total income funds |
£ £ £ £ 5,218 6,958 7,157 23,310 37,516 63,587 44,673 86,897 3,087 4,507 41,586 82,390 46,804 89,348 11,591 40,478 35,213 25,520 0 23,350 46,804 89,348 2024 2025 |
£ £ £ £ 5,218 6,958 7,157 23,310 37,516 63,587 44,673 86,897 3,087 4,507 41,586 82,390 46,804 89,348 11,591 40,478 35,213 25,520 0 23,350 46,804 89,348 2024 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| 89,348 | ||
| 40,478 25,520 23,350 |
||
| 89,348 |
These accounts have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to small companies subject to the small companies regime and in accordance with FRS 102 SORP.
For the financial year ended 31 March 2025 the company was enitled to exemption from audit under section 477 Companies Act 2006; and no notice has been deposited under section 476.
The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for ensuring that the company keeps accounting records which comply with section 386 of the Act and preparing accounts which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at the end of the year and of its profit or loss for the financial year in accordance with the requirements of section 396 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 so far as applicable to the company.
Approved by the Board of Directors on 30 December 2025
Sarah Pinn
9
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre Annual Accounts Year Ended 31 March 2025 Notes to the Accounts
1. Accounting Policies
Basis of Accounting
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 (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2015) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre 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.
Incoming resources
Incoming resources are included in the statement of financial activities when the company is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. The following policies are applied to particular categories of income:
-
Incoming resources from performances and related activities are included when performances are carried out and as goods and services are invoiced.
-
Grants and donations are included when the conditions for receipt are met. Grant income is deferred when performance related grants are received in advance.
-
Investment income is included when receivable.
Resources expended
Expenditure is recognised on an accrual basis when a liability is incurred.
-
Charitable activities include all expenditure associated with the production of theatrical performances, including both direct and support costs.
-
Governance costs include those costs associated with meeting the constitutional and statutory obligations of the charity, including examination fees.
-
Rentals payable under operating leases are charged in the statement of financial activities on a straight line basis over the lease term.
Tangible Fixed Assets and Depreciation
Tangible fixed assets are included at cost and are depreciated on the reducing balance basis over their estimated useful lives at the following rates:-
| Office Equipment | 25% |
|---|---|
| Production Equipment | 25% |
2. Surplus for the Year
The surplus is stated after charging:-
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Depreciation of tangible assets | ||
| owned by the company | 1,740 | 2,320 |
| Independent Examiner's fee | 500 | 500 |
| ===== | ===== |
10
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre Notes to the accounts Year ended 31 March 2025
3. Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 April 2024 Additions Disposals At 31 March 2025 Depreciation At 1 April 2024 Charge for the year Eliminated on disposals At 31 March 2025 Net book amounts At 31 March 2025 At 31 March 2024 |
£ £ 52,010 52,010 0 0 Total Plant & equipment |
|---|---|
| 52,010 52,010 |
|
| 45,052 45,052 1,740 1,740 0 |
|
| 46,792 46,792 |
|
| 5,218 5,218 |
|
| 6,958 6,958 |
4. Debtors
| Other debtors Restricted Fund 5. Creditors - amounts falling due within one year Trade creditors Taxes and social security Accruals |
2025 2024 £ £ 7,157 12,310 0 11,000 |
|---|---|
| 7,157 23,310 |
|
| 1,389 799 0 1,485 1,698 2,223 |
|
| 3,087 4,507 |
11
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre Notes to the accounts Year ended 31 March 2025
6. Movements in funds
| Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fund: Employment reserve |
£ £ £ £ £ 25,520 50,495 -44,444 3,642 35,213 23,350 -19,708 -3,642 0 At 31 March 2025 At 1 April 2024 Income ExpenditureTransfers |
|---|---|
| 48,870 50,495 -64,152 0 35,213 |
The designated Employment Reserve has been set up to meet unforeseen costs associated with employment such as sickness, maternity and redundancy. Redundancy payments in the year amounted to £19,708 and this amount has been debited to this reserve. The remaining balance in the reserve has been transferred to the General Reserve.
| Restricted funds Grants for work with young people Paul Hamlyn Foundation D'Oyly Carte Albert Hunt Trust National Lottery Heritage Fund Garfield Weston Foundation Fullabrook Wind Farm Teignbridge Arts Project Equipment grants Total restricted funds Total funds |
0 5,030 -5,030 0 15,300 -15,300 0 3,000 -3,000 0 1,500 -1,500 0 4,889 -4,889 0 8,334 10,000 -10,834 7,500 2,000 -2,000 0 0 7,850 -7,850 0 5,455 -1,364 4,091 |
|---|---|
| 40,478 22,880 -51,767 0 11,591 |
|
| 89,348 73,375 -115,919 0 46,804 |
Grants for work with young people. These donations support young people's groups in the Dartmoor area. The donors are The Claude and Margaret Pike Woodland Trust, Moretonhampstead Parish Council, DYS Space Ltd, Mothers Union Exeter, The Chagford Show.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation. A grant to help embed arts-based learning in Devon's rural schools.
D'Oyly Carte. For drama groups in North Devon.
Albert Hunt Trust. For a young people's mental health and wellbeing.
National Lottery Heritage Fund. A grant to support the 'What if….?' project
Garfield Weston Foundation. Grants to support core costs
Fullabrook Wind Farm. For drama groups in North Devon
Teignbridge Arts Project. A grant for weekly drama workshops in Moretonhampstead in Autumn 2024.
Equipment grants. Grants for fixed assets are credited to this fund and depreciation on the fixed assets financed with this funding is charged to the fund.
12
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre Notes to the accounts Year ended 31 March 2025
7. Analysis of net assets between funds
| Unrestricted funds General fund Designated fund Restricted funds |
Tangible Net fixed current assets assets Total £ £ £ 1,127 34,086 35,213 0 0 4,091 7,500 11,591 |
|---|---|
| 5,218 41,586 46,804 |
8. Employee information
| The average number of full time equivalent employees during the year was Staff costs were: Wages and salaries Redundancy payments Social security costs Pension payments |
2024/2025 Number 2 £ 42,606 19,708 0 782 63,096 |
2023/2024 Number 4 £ 98,109 0 2,396 1,942 |
|---|---|---|
| 102,447 |
9. Transactions with directors
No directors received any remuneration from the company during the year (2024: nil)
The following director received payment for services provided to the company as permitted by Clause 5(b) of the Memorandum of Association.
Sarah Pinn £1,430 for bookkeeping services
13
Manaton and East Dartmoor Theatre
Detailed income and expenditure account for the year ended 31 March 2025
| Unrestricted funds General Income Grants and donations National Lottery Heritage Fund Garfield Weston Foundation Historic England Paul Hamlyn Foundation Moretonhampstead Parish Council The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust Albert Hunt Trust Claude and Margaret Pike Woodland Trust DYS Space Ltd Fullabrook Wind Farm Teignbridge District Council Mothers Union Chagford Show Theatre Tax Credit 1,817 Donations 5,066 Membership 2,689 9,572 Productions and workshops Performance fees and box office 12,739 Schools and education 18,619 Commissions: 9,060 0 40,418 Other income Sales of merchandise and hire 180 Access to Work grant Interest 325 505 Total income 50,495 Expenditure Production expenses Staff wages and fees 71,719 Props, set, costumes,lighting, sound 155 Travel 2,178 Research and development 800 Marketing and publicity 452 Venue hire 1,465 Less allocated to restricted funds -35,085 41,684 Depreciation 376 Support costs Staff wages and fees 27,205 Training and recruitment 350 Bank charges 168 Insurance 1,731 Postage and stationery 146 Telephone 996 Heat, light and water 256 Rent 2,890 Equipment and IT repairs and renewals 334 Miscellaneous 383 Governance 2,951 Less allocated to restricted funds -15,318 22,092 Total expenditure 64,152 Surplus/deficit for the year -13,657 |
10,000 470 1,500 1,200 7,850 1,500 360 22,880 0 0 22,880 35,085 35,085 1,364 15,318 15,318 51,767 -28,887 Restricted Funds |
Total 0 10,000 0 0 470 0 0 1,500 1,200 0 7,850 1,500 360 1,817 5,066 2,689 32,452 12,739 18,619 9,060 0 40,418 180 0 325 505 73,375 71,719 155 2,178 800 452 1,465 0 76,769 1,740 27,205 350 168 1,731 146 996 256 2,890 334 383 2,951 0 37,410 115,919 -42,544 |
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22,000 20,000 1,500 42,075 500 4,000 2,000 1,400 0 2,750 0 9,725 5,524 3,975 |
|||
| 115,449 | |||
| 7,616 9,684 3,403 0 |
|||
| 20,703 | |||
| 993 1,488 762 |
|||
| 3,243 | |||
| 139,395 | |||
| 82,666 240 2,730 192 1,781 2,874 0 |
|||
| 90,483 | |||
| 2,320 | |||
| 30,734 1,828 194 1,747 636 866 1,387 6,636 2,870 699 3,738 0 |
|||
| 51,335 | |||
| 144,138 | |||
| -4,743 |
14