Dewsbury Arts Group Charity registration number : 1161083 Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
Trustees' Annual Report
&
Financial Statements
For the year
1 June 2024 – 31 May 2025
1
Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT & FINANCIAL STATEMENTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
|CONTENTS|||
|---|---|---|
||Trustees' Annual Report|3|
||Independent Examiner's Report|11|
||Receipts & Payments Accounts|12|
||Notes to the Accounts|13|
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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The Trustees present their report with the financial statements and independent examiner’s report for the year ended 31 May 2025.
## **Reference & administrative details**
Charity name : Dewsbury Arts Group Charity registration number : 1161083 Principal office & address : Artspace, Lower Peel Street, Dewsbury West Yorkshire, WF13 2ED
Trustees : The trustees who have held office during the period from 10[th] July 2024 to 16[th] July 2025 the date of this report are as follows :
Mr C M Bailey Chairperson Ms S Saville Vice-Chair Mrs E Thompson Honorary Treasurer Mrs M Parkinson Honorary Secretary Mr P Lightowler Publicity Officer Mr S Beaumont Premises Supervisor Mrs M Bailey Youth Theatre Administrator Mrs J Fletcher Mr M Bailey Mr I N Cunliffe Mr A Leverton Mr I Bowers Mr D Fletcher Mr Z Sakharkar Mr M Parkinson Honorary President Independent Paxton Independent Examiners Examiner : 61a High Street South, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RA Solicitor : Disken & Co 20 Bond Street, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF13 1AT Bankers : CAF Bank Limited 25 Kings Hill Avenue, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent, ME19 4JQ
Yorkshire Bank/Virgin Bank
46 Market Place, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, WF13 1DN
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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## **Objectives & activities**
The charity’s objectives and activities are expressed in section 2 of the constitution, as follows:
The objects of the group shall be to foster and promote the maintenance, improvement and development of artistic taste and knowledge, understanding and the appreciation of the arts among the inhabitants of Dewsbury.
In furtherance of the above objects but not otherwise
- (a) To present or assist in presenting public concerts, dramatic performances, recitals, art exhibitions, lectures, arts festivals and other arts events,
- (b) To maintain an amenity in which arts can be pursued by the community,
- (c) To provide a means for bringing to the attention of the public the work of creative artists in the field of the arts.
- (d) To do all such things as are necessary to the attainment of the forgoing.
## **Public benefit**
The Trustees consider they have complied with the duty to provide a public benefit under Section 17(5) of the Charities Act 2011 as the charity provides an amenity for art activities for the community in general and young people in particular. The charity also provides a much needed venue for creative artists in all fields.
## **Chairman’s Comments**
Financially it has been another solid year for the Group and our Treasurer has done a super job of steering the society over the last 12 months and enabled us to put no a wide variety of shows to keep our regular theatre goers well satisfied. We have continued to improve our energy efficiency and with the new monthly premises budget we have carried out a regular programme of maintenance and refurbishment that will make our theatre more efficient to run. It puts us in a really good position for the forthcoming 12 months.
Our healthy position and good balance has meant we have decided not to increase prices and look forward to next season to build no this year. Our new secretary has been working closer with the visual arts side of the group and this coming year we hope to take our in house exhibitions out on the road to generate interest and support for the group at places throughout Kirklees.
Again we are offering a wide range of different genres from serious drama to pantomime, which of course generates a large amount of income (and we will be running a special ‘safe’ show for a local disabled charity following the huge success of that this year. This Christmas will also see the return of Colonel Gatling’s Old Time Music Hall which is always a huge crowd favourite. We have added some new season ticket holders (although there are those who sadly pass on each year) and also we have gathered some new members for this season who will be coming on the journey the coming season too.
The future is looking much better as we move into 2025/26 and I believe we can move from strength to strength. Mark Bailey Chairman
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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## **Achievement & performance : (2024-25)**
## _Drama , Membership and Art_
## **Secretaries Report AGM Dewsbury Arts Group 2024/2025**
Overview:
The Group continues to strive to foster and promote the maintenance, improvement and development of artistic taste and the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of arts among the inhabitants of Dewsbury.
As this report demonstrates in detail, we have over the last twelve months done all things necessary to:
a)Present musicals, dramatic performances, art exhibitions and other arts events,
b)Maintain an amenity in which arts activities can be pursued by the community,
- c)Provide a means for bringing to the attention of the public the work of creative artists in all fields of the arts and
- d)Celebrate diversity in people, creativity and thought. The group is committed to creating an environment where all persons are treated with respect and dignity. Anything which endangers this approach has no place within Dewsbury Arts Group.
Theatrical productions
As ever the Group presented a rich variety of six main house productions
_1. The Producers- June/July 2024 -directed by David Fletcher, choreography by Lucie Raine._ This was the last production of the previous season. Reaction was remarkable with an unprecedented number of compliments on Facebook, by email and by telephone. Over a dozen Season Ticket Holders took the trouble to ring and say how much they had enjoyed the show. The cast presented what was as near as could be a professional production on the confines of a small stage.
Lucie Raine’s choreography was superb even though only two dancers were available for most of the rehearsals, a third one only joining at the last minute.
All the back stage and technical help did a remarkable job.
This show used a total of 126 different costumes. A small number were hired but many were from our own wardrobe and others were designed and made by Jacky Fletcher. This was a mountainous task which she did it superbly.
2. _Wife after Death by Eric Chappell_ - September /October 2024- directed by Sue Savile
David Fletcher made the coffin and Andrew Leverton prepared the ashes, which were scattered several times during the performances. That all sounds a bit gloomy, but for those who didn’t see it, it was a very funny play. It was a terrific evening of love and laughter well appreciated by audiences.
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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_3. Jack and the Beanstalk by Ben Crocker- November Directed by Jacky and David Fletcher. Choreography by Sarah Taylor_
Doomed to sell his trusty cow, Jack fights to outwit the evil giant and win riches beyond his wildest dreams. This was a fun-filled pantomime for both young and old.
The youth members of the cast, predictably, were fabulous and challenging in equal parts. There was a relaxed matinee performance for an audience from the Wakefield and District Downs Support Group. This was a rewarding experience for cast and audience alike.
Taking on this type of production, Panto/Musical, is so much more than a play and is something that the Group should continue to do.
_4. Worst Wedding Ever by Chris Chibnall directed by Andrew Leverton- January 2025_ From the moment the audience walked through the door they knew that what they were about to witness was going to be a special occasion. The gallery and bar were decked out in balloons and other decorations while front of house staff were dressed in their Sunday best replete with button holes.
The first production of the New Year had not been without its problems. The bad weather disrupted several rehearsals and both Helen Fox and Iain Winstanley fell ill during the run. In fact, Helen was so ill that she missed three performances.
So it was Cath Leverton rose bravely from the prompter’s chair and stepped on to the stage; it was the first time she had trod the boards for thirty years. So convincing was her performance that several members of the audience when questioned had not realised that she was reading her lines from the book.
The play itself is a fascinating fusion of farce and poignancy. The mobile toilet loomed like a Tardis in the second half and Alison Hartly looked a picture in her blue rinse; the blue coming from the chemical toilet. The strong cast conveyed the differing moods convincingly and deservedly drew a resounding response from audiences.
A “guest book” was placed in the gallery and judging by the comments of the “guests”, everyone had a marvellous time.
_5. The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan- directed by Jacky Fletcher- March 2025_ Classy is the word that best describes Jacky Fletcher’s production of this classic play. Audiences who were full of praise for the top class acting, the sumptuous costumes and the magnificent set could never have imagined the behind the scenes dramas that unfolded almost from the start. Following the auditions all the male parts had not been cast, and only two actors came away with the roles for which they’d auditioned. It is a great credit to the Group to have so many supportive people prepared to take roles in a play that they really hadn’t seen themselves in.
6. _The Revlon Girl by Neil Anthony Docking- directed by Maria Bailey. April/ May 2025_
Eight months after the Aberfan Disaster of 1966, a group of bereaved mothers meet weekly in a room above a pub to talk, cry and even laugh without feeling guilty. This was a poignant drama about grief, greed and make up.
Rehearsals started a week earlier than usual as the cast would have to get to grips with a Welsh accent. There was much attention to detail in this respect.
The cast, four out of the five of whom came through the youth theatre, gelled together from the outset. The relationships that they’d built really came across during the performances. Special mention and thanks go to Mark Bailey, for designing the sound and Nick Cunliffe for his suggestion to darken the stage as the tip came down along with having a pit wheel as this really set the scene for the play.
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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## Other productions
_Murder on the RMS Aurora- a murder mystery evening devised and directed by Steve GoddardOctober 2024_
Feedback was positive - one attendee wrote on his accusation sheet "I don't care who did it, I've had a super evening, superb acting”. The daughter of one of the attendees how engaged her mother, who is showing early signs of dementia, was with the whole thing.
_Parky’s Pierrots- a music hall entertainment directed by Malcolm Parkinson- December 2024_ Years ago (1988 in fact). David Wood had adapted the script of “Put a geranium in your hat” a West End show devised by and starring Roy Hudd and Billy Dainty as Bob Weston and Bert Lee. The result was a two act show called It Goes Something Like This. Parky’s Pierrots was a one act version of that followed by a supper.
Weston and Lee were prolific songwriters and Bert came from Ravensthorpe.
A talented ensemble cast worked hard together to produce a lively show to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.
## Youth Section
After the summer break the Group’s Youth Classes began in September. An influx of new first years took the total number of youth members back to pre-pandemic levels. It is always wonderful to see the excitement of those returning and catching up with their classmates.
There are three year groups who are taught all aspects of theatre. Classes take place on Friday nights and Saturday mornings and are run by a dedicated volunteer team.
As well as involvement in the pantomime in November, all three year groups get to show their potential in the Youth Showcase in May. There is always something to focus attention on. Art Section
Life drawing sessions restarted in the Autumn. There is a core of around a dozen members who meet each and every week. Works are exhibited in the Frank Mitchell Gallery to coincide with each theatrical production. Lack of suitable exhibition space in the community puts a block on outreach. Various venues have been explored with a view to presenting pop up exhibitions in the future. Social events. The theatre bar (“Mike’s Joint”) is a lively place during productions and is well used for social events such as quiz nights and the traditional St Patrick’s Day celebration.
## Our Theatre
The Group’s premises are made up of a 19[th] century former Friends Meeting House with extensions added in the 1980’s and in 2010 plus the former graveyard. In addition to the 90 seat auditorium and bar, there is a workshop, scenery dock, props room, furniture store, extensive wardrobe, gallery, kitchen/serving area and three mixed use rehearsal/meeting spaces. The trustees budget carefully for repairs and improvements. Detailed analysis and planning is considered by the premises sub committee which is tasked to recommend what work is needed when. This season there has been a rolling programme of electrical work and working parties have tackled the graveyard/garden.
Season Ticket Holders and members:
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
## NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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Last year the Group had 193 season ticket holders; this year there were 180, a drop of 13. In fact, 180 equates to 360 people as a season ticket covers two people. A half season ticket was introduced two years ago. Nine people took it up this year, enabling more people to invest in the group. The Group had 113 members last year; this year it is 101, a drop of 12.
Lapsed season ticket holders and members continue to receive information in the hope that they will rejoin.
A Launch Night on 30[th] May introduced current and potential members and season ticket holders to see what is on offer next year.
Directors were on hand to outline their productions; there was a presentation on what the art section does and everyone was invited to enjoy the cheese and wine. A quiz kept everyone engaged and entertained. All in all, everyone there thoroughly enjoyed themselves and left looking forward to the start of the new season.
M Parkinson
Hon Secretary
## **Structure, governance & management**
Dewsbury Arts Group is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, which was formed on 26[th] March 2015. The charity is governed by a constitution adopted in 2015.
Membership of the charity is open to persons with an interest in all aspects of dramatic arts and to practising artists, on payment of an annual subscription then in force.
The charity is governed by a committee consisting of 8 officers and 6 other members, known as trustees **.** New trustees are proposed by a current member in good standing and are voted in at the Annual General Meeting. New Trustees are coached in their duties and responsibilities by existing experienced Trustees.
The charity is administered on a day to day basis by the committee, which meets at least monthly. All trustees are actively involved in the management of the charity. All members continue to give their services freely and without payment of any kind, except for the reimbursement of direct expenses incurred on behalf of the Group. The Group uses volunteers for all of the many duties around the theatre. These volunteers are often trustees, but other members also provide their services without payment
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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## **Financial review**
The charity's financial year ends on 31 May. Responsibility for the organisation's finances rests ultimately and collectively with the Trustees. Day to day responsibility for managing the organisation's finances is delegated to the Treasurer, who reports to each meeting of the trustees.
At the end of each financial year, the charity's accounts are subject to external scrutiny in accordance with statutory requirements. Annual accounts are presented at the AGM for the examination and approval of members.
As you will see from the accounts we finish the year in a comfortable position with cash funds of £40.156.35, this is higher than last year. We have made a profit this year of £6281.22 as opposed to the lose we made last year of £2232.17.
This however is not exactly a true reading as I was awaiting invoices relating to the years productions, particularly the lighting bill for Revlon Girl which arrived in the new financial year along with a few other incidental bills relating this production.
The Building & Support costs have reduced significantly on last year. Fortunately, we have not had to cover any large repair costs this year. We had to have the whole buildings electrics inspected again and repaired where required. We are also continuing with the upgrading of the building. Our electricity costs are down on last year so it would seem the new motion sensor lighting and LED bulbs are working well.
As expected, the Bar Sales figures have increased on the back of the prices raises at the beginning of the season, this coupled with some savvy shopping practices by all involved has yielded a very nice profit margin of 60%, this is still below the industry standards of 70%-80% but I think we can be very happy with that.
Jacky Fletcher has had an excellent year overseeing the costume department with sales and hires totally £1040.00 a significant increase of £806.00 on last year.
The Trustees have updated the societies reserves policy with you will find outlined on the next page.
At this moment in time, I am not aware of any significant costs we may incur in the next financial year.
As always if anyone would like a copy of the detailed report or has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email – ejespana@gmail.com
Emma Thompson Honorary Treasurer
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Charity number : 1161083
## DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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## **Reserves policy**
The purpose of this reserves policy is to
- demonstrate to others that the Group is properly managed and resilient by
- How it
manages uncertainty
- How it plans
to fund future purchases or activities
- strike a balance between tying up money unnecessarily and putting the Group’s future at risk by not having enough to function;
- assist in strategic planning e.g. funding projects/applying for grants;
- inform the budget process; and
- ensure that troughs in funding can be met from reserves held e.g. during the closed season.
The amount of reserves
The figure of £30,000 reflects contingency costs such as the risks of unplanned closure e.g. another COVID, potential liabilities e.g. running costs and unforeseen operational costs financial forecasts and uncertainty e.g. low audience numbers, high inflation and energy costs.
- Annual running costs are £18,000.
- Spending commitments e.g. maintenance and repair of the building. £6,000 is budgeted each year for maintenance and a rolling programme of improvements to the Group’s premises
- Rights fees annually are approximately £5,000. As they are paid well in advance they may be unrecoverable if there were to be an unplanned closure.
## Review
The figure set is monitored at monthly meetings and underpinned it with sensible budgeting in the light of a changing financial climate and other risks.
## **Future plans**
The charity intends to continue with its activities in support of its objectives for the foreseeable future.
## **Acknowledgements**
The Group has mutually beneficial working arrangements with Dewsbury Collegians Amateur Operatic Society and Batley Gilbert and Sullivan Society. Some Group members also belong to either or both these groups. On occasion props and costumes are exchanged between the groups.
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
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## **Independent examiner's report to the trustees of Dewsbury Arts Group.**
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP Charity No. 1161083 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER’S REPORT For the Year From 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
__________________________________________________________________________________
## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Dewsbury Arts Group.**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Dewsbury Arts Group (the Group) for the year ended 31 May 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the charity trustees of the Group you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act’). I report in respect of my examination of the Group’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Group as required by section 130 of the Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records.
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.
Signed: Darren Warren Paxton Independent Examiners 61a High Street South Rushden Northants NN10 0RA
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
## NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
________________________________________________________________________________
## CC Receipts & Payments Report
Charity name: Dewsbury Arts Group Charity number: 1161083 For the period from 01/06/2024 to 31/05/2025
||Receipts andpayments|Receipts andpayments|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|Receipts
Drama & Visual Activities
Trading
Patronage & Membership
Donations, Grants & Bequests
Interest Received
Asset and Investment sales etc
Total receipts
Payments
Drama & Visual Activities
Building & Support Costs
Trading Costs
Governance Costs
Assets and investments gains/losses
Total payments
Excess of receipts over payments
Transfers between Funds
Cash Funds Last Year End
Cash funds this year end|Unrestricted
funds
£
24,107.36
19,228.82
19,624.58
523.00
472.28
63,956.04
63,956.04
63,956.04
19,335.11
30,116.07
7,551.64
672.00
57,674.82
0.00
57,674.82
6,281.22
0.00
33,875.13
40,156.35|Restricted funds
£
Endowment
funds
£
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
0.00|Total funds
£
24,107.36
19,228.82
19,624.58
523.00
472.28
63,956.04
63,956.04
63,956.04
19,335.11
30,116.07
7,551.64
672.00
57,674.82
0.00
57,674.82
6,281.22
0.00
33,875.13
40,156.35|Last year
£
24,131.85
16,946.61
18,197.57
1,053.00
1,630.14|
|||||61,959.17|
|||||61,959.17|
|||||61,959.17|
|||||19,815.31
35,166.26
8,639.37
570.40|
|||||64,191.34
0.00|
|||||64,191.34|
|||||-2,232.17|
|||||0.00
36,107.30
33,875.13|
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Charity number : 1161083
DEWSBURY ARTS GROUP
## NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
For the year from 1 June 2024 to 31 May 2025
________________________________________________________________________________
## **NOTES**
## **1 Basis of Preparation**
These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis in accordance with the requirements of The Charities Act 2011
## **2 Taxation**
The charity is not liable to income or capital gains tax on its charitable activities. Irrecoverable VAT is included in the asset cost or expense to which it relates.
## **3 Trustee and Related Party Transactions**
- 3.1 No expenses were paid to the Trustees during the year (2024-25 £nil).
- 3.2 No remuneration was paid to the Trustees or any connected persons during the year (2024-25 £nil).
- 3.3 No related party transactions were undertaken during the year (2024-25 £nil).
_________________________________________
Signed
________________________________________ Signed
Mark Bailey Chairperson
Emma Thompson
Treasurer
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