## **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