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← Bridges Musical Theatre

2025-07-31-accounts

Registered Charity Number: 1155701

Report of Trustees and Financial Statements for the year ending 31[st] July 2025 for Bridges Musical Theatre (formerly Staines Musical Theatre Group)

Hunt Ford & Co Osbourne House 143-145 Stanwell Road Ashford Middlesex TW15 3QN

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Bridges Musical Theatre

Contents

Chairman’s Report Pages 3 - 5
Report of The Trustee’s Pages 6 - 7
Statement of Financial Activities Pages 8 - 10
Treasurer’s Report Pages 11 - 12

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Chairman’s Report

For year ending 31.07.25

It has been a year of change, but also a year which has seen the society continue to grow and develop.

The main change this year of course was our name, moving from Staines Musical Theatre Group to Bridges Musical Theatre which we feel better reflects not just our geographical region now expanding outside of Staines, but also the inclusiveness with has become one of the society’s defining characteristics.

With this has come our new brand – with thanks to Jo and all who helped with that, and our new website – bridgesmt.org.uk, which I’m sure you had a good look through.

We’ve also had changes in the committee, particularly in the role of chair with Sharon Young standing down after 2 years in the post. I’d like to express huge thanks to Sharon who guided us through some tricky times but helped to restore the fun and community spirit of the society. Also, massive thanks to all the committee for their continued support and hard work in ensuring the smooth running of the charity and ensuring everything is in place for us to be able to put on shows, fundraisers and social activities.

Production wise it has been a busy and challenging year. Starting off with an entertaining murder mystery evening.

Our second ever panto was Jack and the Beanstalk which again gave us all the opportunity to explore our comic timing. It also won us a Noda Accolade of Excellence for the second year running.

In February another change as we did our first full production at Cecil Hepworth Playhouse in Walton. Battle of the Musicals was a return to our cabaret productions and built on the success of EuroVisual with the audience picking the winner each night. Well done to Debbi and Gail for putting together a fun show, particularly in such a short space of time.

And then there was Into The Woods. Our first delve in the world of Stephen Sondheim and I would say, by far the most technical show ever put on by the society. This was a massive team effort with every member of the cast and crew going over and above in learning complex songs, building an extraordinary set and creating a visual spectacular. Special thanks go to Karen and Guy for their vision and patience. And on a personal note, I would also like to thank Chloe for everything she did in supporting both the production and my wife Lucy during the show.

Another change we are adopting this year is in regard to our Patrons. Traditionally this has been a type of membership which is available for people who do want to be active members, but who support in other ways or want to contribute to the society. From now on, we will be introducing a “Friends of BMT” membership for anyone who wishes to make donations to our charitable funds, be it a one off or a monthly or annual contribution.

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But we will not be losing our Patrons. The committee have agreed that we will continue to recognise people who have made significant contributions to the life of the society by making them Patrons of BMT. Each year, in the run up to the AGM we will look for nominations and will be celebrating their contribution at the AGM as new Patrons are honoured.

To kick this off, we are delighted to announce the first inductees and thank them for their continued dedication to supporting and promoting the activities of Bridges Musical Theatre.

Alan Bostock Debbie Carey Jean Carter Harry Cumming Sue Franklin Di James

Welcome to you all and we look forward to recognising more patrons in the years ahead.

Looking ahead to the coming year, we have had successful auditions for The Wizard of Oz Pantomime and we’re looking forward to seeing the show, which has been written for us by Annelly James, develop over the next couple of months and I am sure it will be another success.

Then we’ll be getting ready and set to bake in 2026 as we present The Great British Bake Off Musical. We’re very excited be one of the first groups to get the licence for this show and think it will be perfect for our company. I am delighted to announce our directors for Bake Off will be Amy Rommer and Gail Thomas. Amy has been with the society for about 10 years, most recently appearing as Helen in Bad Girls and Gail has done almost everything within the society so it’s nice to be adding another string to her considerable bow.

I am very passionate about ensuring the group provides opportunities for people to put themselves forward to try new things and take on new challenges and this is a great example of this. I know we will all give Amy and Gail all the support they need, and I encourage everyone to consider what else they can offer the society – be it within the production team for shows, running fundraising events or supporting the administration work of the society such as marketing. Just come and speak to me or one of the committee.

Finally, I would like to say thanks to Dawn who is stepping down from the role of secretary. Dawn’s dedication to the role has been exceptional and we will miss her keen eye and support - and I’ll miss someone reminding me I need to sort something!

So, as we look forward to our 60[th] anniversary year there are many exciting things to come, as well as the usually challenges of continuing to keep the society financially stable and to continue to grow our membership and audience. The committee will continue to work hard to ensure the smooth running of the society, but I again urge each and every one of us to support, not just the shows, but also the fundraising, promotion and social activities.

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I am very proud to be the chair of such a creative, social, supportive and inclusive society, to steal a line from Bake Off “it’s about the people…the friends” and I look forward to seeing what we all achieve together in the year ahead.

17.09.25

Dan Curtis Chair

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Report of the Trustees

For the year ending 31[st] July 2025

The trustees of the charity present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31[st] July 2025. These are presented in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1[st] January 2015).

Structure, Governance and Management Governing document

Bridges Musical Theatre is a registered charity – number 1155701 - providing affordable productions to the locality and a weekly rehearsal / social meeting for those interested in acting and singing operating under a constitution adopted on 23[rd] September 2013 and updated by special resolution on 9[th] September 2024. In the event that the charity is wound up, members are required to contribute to an amount not exceeding £1 towards any deficit.

Under the adopted constitution the Committee and the Auditor shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election. The names of candidates for these positions shall be sent to the Secretary in writing at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting.

Under these provisions Sharon Young (chair), Gail Thomas (treasurer), Dawn Sainsbury (secretary), Carol Martin, Jo Hayes, Jo Conlon, Debbi Raymond, Emma Boyce and Lynne James stood and were appointed on 9[th] September 2024. Dan Curtis was coopted to the committee on 9[th] January 2025.

Sharon Young stood down as chair effective from a Special General Meeting which took place on 13[th] March 2025. Dan Curtis was appointed to the role of chair at this meeting. Naledi Knight and Rianna Zenonos were also appointed to the committee at this meeting.

We are dependent on membership, ticket sales and other fundraising activities for funding which is an area of risk should member or audience numbers reduce significantly. Our reserves policy is to maintain three months’ operating costs in reserve. If reserves fall under six months’ cost, a committee discussion is automatically triggered to discuss financial options.

The committee has in place policies covering: Child Protection Disciplinary and Grievance Equal Opportunities Financial Procedures Governance Health and Safety Privacy Social Media

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Charitable objects

The objects of the society are the education and enjoyment among its members, and further development of public appreciation and education of cultural arts in Staines and its locality, through the performance of musical and dramatic works.

Trustees

Sharon Young - resigned on 13[[th]] March 2025 Gail Thomas Dawn Sainsbury Carol Martin Jo Hayes Jo Conlon Debbi Raymond Emma Boyce Lynne James Dan Curtis - coopted on 9[th] January 2025 Naledi Knight - appointed on 13[th] March 2025 Rianna Zenonos - appointed on 13[th] March 2025

Independent Examiner

Les Ford Hunt Ford and Co Osbourne House 143-145 Stanwell Road Ashford Middlesex TW15 3QN

Bank

Natwest

Approved by the committee and signed on their behalf by Dan Curtis, Chair.

17.09.25

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Statement of Financial Activity

Income and Expenditure Income and Expenditure
For theyear to 31st July2025 31st July2025 31st July
2024
Income
Subscription fees
received		 8,325.00 £ 4,751.00
Donations and
Patrons		 294.00 £ 370.00
Hiring out costumes
and backcloths		 425.00 £ 105.00
Proceeds from
shows, concerts and
fundraising
Miscellaneous 213.00 566.40
Christmas Party 924.00 120.00
Bad Girls 0.00
Halloween Party 145.00
Eurovision Party 95.00 115.00
Murder Mystery
Evening		 779.37
Voice Workshop 160.00
Bad Girls DVD Launch 20.50
Bad Girls DVD's 79.00
Fish & Chips Dick
Whittington		 137.70
Goose Fair 97.62 55.00
Dick Whittington 5,548.75
9 to 5 9,704.98
Fish & Chips 9 to 5 166.80
Musicaloke 100.00
Jack and the Beanstalk 10,753.64
Game Show 1 248.25
Game Show 2 253.00
Battle of the Musicals 3,306.88
Jackets Battle of the
Musicals		 210.00
Into the Woods 9,396.22
Shepperton Fair 195.98
26,632.96 £
16,759.13
35,676.96 £
21,985.13
Rehearsal Costs 9,138.25 £ 6,268.85

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Administration
Costs		 2,887.15 £ 2,408.35
Expenditure on
shows, concerts and
fundraising
Miscellaneous 373.00 1,657.00
Christmas Party 922.85 96.00
Battle of the Musicals 2,039.47
Halloween Party 64.80
Eurovision Party 50.00 80.00
Shepperton Village
Fair		 60.00
Refund Jackets BOTM 210.00
Forward Costs 1,006.19 45.00
Bad Girls DVD Launch 40.50
Bad Girls DVD's 10.00
Fish & Chips Dick
Whittington		 138.00
Jack and the Beanstalk 6,643.55
Dick Whittington 4,805.93
9 to 5 11,969.43
Fish & Chips 9 to 5 166.80
Musicaloke 60.00
Thorpe After Show
Party		 72.00
Cabaret 441.00
Into the Woods 7,784.38
19,089.44 19,646.46
31,114.84 28,323.66
Surplus/ (Deficit) 4,562.12 (6,338.53)
Staines Musical
Theatre Group
Balance Sheet
For the year to 31st
July2025
31st July2025 31st July
2024
Current Assets
Cash in hand 504.64 261.85

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Bank 6,949.59 2,630.26
7,454.23 £ 2,892.11
Total Assets 7,454.23 £ 2,892.11
Surplus / (Deficit)
brought forward		 2,892.11 £ 9,230.64
Surplus / (Deficit)for
theyear		 £ 4,562.12 £
(6,338.53)
Surplus / (Deficit)
carried forward		 7,454.23 £ 2,892.11

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Treasurers Report September 2025 Financial Year 2024 – 2025

The accounts show a surplus for the year of £4562 which is most encouraging. It is not totally accurate as we had bills of £2250 still to come in for Into the Woods, so £2312 is a more accurate figure. Which coming on previous year’s loss of £6338 is a big step in the right direction.

The key points:

Thank you to all those people who helped put those together, Sharon, Wes, Chloe, Guy, Dan, Dawn.

So, with all these positive numbers, how come the overall surplus was only £2312. In the ideal world we would hope that subscriptions would cover rehearsal costs and administrative costs. Our income from subscriptions and patrons was £8619 and our rehearsal and admin costs were £12025, giving us a short fall of £3,406. We are clearly working towards closing this deficit with the increase in subscriptions that came into effect this year. We obviously have to pay for Laleham on a Wednesday and these costs have increased with their increased costs. In previous years we have tried to avoid costs for Monday rehearsals by using an individual’s house rather than hiring a venue, we were not able to do this on this occasion.

In order further assist with reducing these subscriptions and patrons deficit against rehearsal and admin costs we are actively working towards making a Gift Aid claim, and I will be approaching anyone who has not yet completed a form to do so as soon as possible.

Gail Thomas (Treasurer) 17.09.25

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