MARKE[ HARBOROUGH DRAMA SOCIEfY (MHD5) Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Registered Charity no 1162014 Tru5tees' Annual report for the year ending 31 July 2021
Market Harborough Drama Society {MHDS) Charbtable Incorporaled Organisation. Registered Charity no 1162014 Trustees, Annual report for the year ending July 31* 2021 l am pleased to present this, the annual report of the Trustees of the Matkel Harborough Drama Soryety lo (ts rrEmbers, customers. arKI the peop of Mar1tet Harb(Kough. for the 2020-21 season. John Forernan Chairman, Board of Trustees IAarket Harborough Drama Socaety In the light of the Covid 19 Pandemic the report for this yeai is highty unusual in that the theatre was closed for the full year apart from Some maintenance works and regular Zoom meetings to ensure we would be able to reopen as soon as realistically possible. Some planniThJ moetings took place towards the end of the financial year and provlding the situation does not worsen. we expect to reopen in September with a full season of 7 full length plays plus at least ong $tudio play. Parsnips lour Youth Group) have resumed with reduced cl•ss numbers and hope to be back to normal after Ihe school holidays. Due to good management in previous yeaws the Drama Soci¢ty remains in a strong financial position and is prepared lo re-open at thè earliest possible opportunity, ¢ommensurate with the safety of its members and the public. Our objectives remain unattered. Objectives and activitles Market Harborough Drama Society fMHDS" or"The Society-l is a charity whose purposes are'to foster and promote the maintenance. improvemenL development, study and practi of dramatic art in all ils forms among the inhabitsnts of the distn.ct of maet HartK)rough anty elsewhere". It advances these purposes by" seleGbng. directing. staging. and perfcThiin9 a fvll season of plays each year maintaining a working theatre containing a 11&seat 3udstorium. and a 50-seal Studio, with full theatre equipmenL and making these avaiEabte, together with supporb.ng services, for hire for public performances providing bar and fefreshment services in support of public perfornances in the theatre making the theatre lounge and other accommodatn available for hire to ¢ommunity groups operating a rnembership %heme indu(Jing a members, box offi. a iegular newsletter. and SOC131 events. Encouraging local youth talent and providing Sorr modest buisaries to support promising young actors and lethntcsans where traithing fees rnay be unaffordable. Public benefit is provided by membership available to all. at nN)dest subsCriptS which may be waived at the discretK)n of Ihe Twstees
a wide variety of pulJi¢ performances in 3ddthon to Ihe sOcty,5 own dram8tsc productions, w¢th ticket prices kept low by relian on YnteerS to run the s(tty and staff its activities provision of highqualty facilities to community groups at low cost with special rates for appropriate regular users. Harborough Theatre is also home to: Octagon Film$. Market Hart)orough's only Cinema. plan a regular showing of both classic and modern films plu5 bfoadcasts from the National Theatre & Royal Opera House in London, the Royal Shakespeare Company in Strattord. and Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, and the first of a new series of film shows for-Nurturing Mums. Parsnips Youth Theatre will resume a programrne of three youth classes each week culminating in three 3-nighl main-stage performances speually written w(Ih, and performed by, the students. The Harborough Arts So¢lety's progrdmry* of rnnthty leclures and study days plus regular art classes held in the theatre lounge wll resume in September "Ha-Ha Harborough". Monthly stand-up Comedy night5 will resume a littte later In the season. The Young at Heart Group- a rnthlY discussion rneeti for older people hekl in ihe theat[8 lounge also plan to iesume. and we expect to h¢)51 2 plays by visiting companies. Regular Saturday fund raising coffee momings by local chariti.es ar community groups" and a variety of other meetings and even And a series of soGial evenls for trfjth [TMrS and visrtlK5. MHDS is a meMtr of the Little Theatre Guild. a valuable source of theatrical information and advi and hosted a tW(HJay seminar attended by the LTG Management Committee. Achievements and Successes. In the past year we continued to improve our house management by Ltpdating our FnI of House procedures to support the safety and Comfort of our patrons. Conlinuing oui prryJramrfE to develop our technical f3olilies. we completed the 5nstallatK)n the final phase of our new LED stag& lights, a new sound desk and an improved communication system to allow Front of House and backstage personnel to be In constant contact wrth each other. Vve also invested further in the building by having a new stsge dcy)r installed to improve the security of the building. We ntinue to recewe commendatnS for the high standard in whmth our building Is maintained. a tribute lo our Premises Manager. The appointrnenl lin 20181 ot a part-liff paid administrator (x)rnbining the roles of Publicty Officer, Bar Manager. Box 0fe Manager and Bookkeeper. with an Offi kIng on to Church Square, has greatly increased the Theatre'5 visibility in the town. as he interacts with the public both personalty and though the website and s(oal medra. Despite having been closed for 18 months the w£mber5hip slands atjust under 400 members.
We have a contintjing programme of reviewing and irryroving the way in whicl) we present the Thealre to the communty. inclutjing a welkattended annual Open Day with tours and demonstration5 of our craft. Parsnips Youth Theatre continues tD thrive wrth over 70 Ial youngsters taking part in {lemi-timel classes each week In addition, there are approximatety 50 additional students at two outlying classes in the town. All are treated a5 associate members of the sIety and are encouraged lo audition for suitable parts in main house producbon5. The success of the Youth Group can be seen in the quality perform8nGes of those young people taking part in main house producb"ons. and a number each year go on to study drama at University or Drama Colleges. Bursaries are avaiL4ble to any who need fina#31 assislance. The planned weeks of 5ubsidised 'Summer Schoof had to be postPDned until 2022 due to Covid 19- but will Ihopefultyl take pLa¢e. All SocEty members have the OPFM)rtunrty to be invofved in acb"ng. directing, designing, buikjing and painting sets. designing and operab.ng sound, lighbng. and sla1 effects, 5ts9e managing, making and sourcing costumes and plops, designing editin9 and publishing programnEs, publicity materkgl, the web site and producing 'Backstsge' the members quarterty newsletter. In addition there have b*n regular emailed newsletters and both our AGM in November and Spring General Meeting in May took place via Zwm. In addition. our member5 produ an on line 'Radio Play. and caffled out all the other management and administrabve fUnCtnS necessary for vthat 15 a signifi(xnt small busiriess. However. we recognise that we are at the limtt ol what be done within our premises, and as such our emphasis now is on quality ratheT than quantty- athough many aspects are under consideration or were. prior to the pandemic causing disruplion_ Vve are fortunate to have rnany volunteers willir4J to take on short term tasks, but like most voluntary organisab.ons we depend heavity a few forthe essentk?I coorfinatin9. administrative and managerial roles. We carefully limit what we do to avoid over stretching our volunteers and. while not tuling out other art forrns such as music. focus pritnarity on the dramat events for whh our theatre is best suited_ Having said that we organised a 'What We Did in Lockdown, Exhibib"on of members artistic achievements in July. which was well attended and the work submitted was excellent. Governance Administsatlon MHDS is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation. registered number 1162014. whose governing dCUMent is its Constitution as a membership cwganisat¥Jn, adopted in May 2015 and amended in NDvember 2017. The Society's principal professional advisers are Bankers. CAF BanL 25 ng$ Hill Avenue. Kings Hill. West Malling. Kent. ME13 4JQ Soli¢itors'. Wartnaby Hefft)rd. 44 High Street, Market HartrOUgh. LE16 7AH". Independent Examiner.. Berry Accountants Ltd. 36 Northampton Road, Market Harborough.LE16 9HE
The Tnjstees lor the 2020-21 season. were.. John Foreman {Chaimianl, AIBon Platts (Secretary), Beth Smith ITreasurer). ArthLtr Aldfich, Jan Cros5. Judrth Farr, Maxine Kempster. Barbara Lloyd, and Alan Thndow. Beth Smith reslgned earty in the year and was repla by John Waller and both Arthur Aldrich and Judith Faff resigned due to ill heath during the year. Wth meaningful elections impDssible due to the pandemic the Trustees inted Lindsey Wolstenc¥oft to replace Arthur Ajdrich and Christine Jack to join the board until such time as elections rAn take place_ Barbara Lloyd also Stepped down as Drarna Officerwrth Sue Wdller tsking her pl- but B8rt)ara agreed to remain as a Trustee. We. therefore have a full complement for this season bul wll ensure that a proFosal is put lo the members at our November AGM to resume elections lor the 2022-3 season. Future Plans We have plans in pLace to reopen in Septemtr and also contingency plans should closure be fOrd upon us again. We are fvlly aware that it rrw take SO time after r&opening for audiences to feel confident about sitting ift a crowded theal In recent years we have had to wrestte wrth the prDblern5 01 SLrccess, namety having more ideas and opw)rtunilies than were Capab of handling. arKJ often larger aUdIenS than we could accommodate. Whether this will continue in the coming season iematns to be sw bul we are well prepared to make drfficult decision5 as and when they arise. We wTrll also continue to work on the way we prOF)te oursÈivÈs to the community. ranging from improved external signage, use of soGtal rrEdia, and selecting drama that will intere51 and attract new people to the theatre. Inevitably this will occasionalty including plays that Challenge our audiences. Ourticket prIS are some ofthe lowest in cOMpable venues and we have sanctioned a small increase to balance the books, txrt our reserves arKF k)w ovetheads mean that we remain in a sound w>sition. Before the pandemic we were activety IcK)king at ways of inrreasing our charitable efforts beyond the theatre. and this will continue when things ieturn to sorrthing like normal. We will also continue lo develop and update our techn1 equipment, and we will look for new ways to streamline our basic administrab"or*. using n))dem Offi technology. That will specifically focus on the training and deployment of Ouf volunteers. arwj on the health and safety of both volunteers and patrons. Financial Rèport Financial Accounts. atted. are prepa NdIng to Chaw Accounting rules and are intended to compty wrth FRS 102. MHDS follows the conventions of accrual accounting lo make year-on-year cornparisons easier. and to give a truei picture of the financk41 posrtK)r) at the end ol the finan¢s31 year. The Society's balance sheel does not include the value of its principal asset. the theatre building, because it Is effecb'vety inalienable Furtherniore, the Society owns a quantity of equipment and
furnishings to support rts theatrical productions. but no value is shown forthese because physi1 assets are written down in the year ol pUhase. The Sc£iety has continued, as far as polble. to tnanage its finances in accordance with its plans and procedures despite the Covid-19 pandern that had a significant impad." l our normal sources of incon* were removed by the Govemment required closure of the theatre. Expenses wefe Careful managed but an operab.ng deficit of £27.726 was incurred. The operating def1t was largely oftset by the receipt of£19.003 tfom various National Blrsiness Support Grsnls for which the Socrety qualified. Our employed Acfminislralor was put on flexib fudough for most of the year and we were able tr> Iop-up the Govemment furk)ugh payrnents to maintain his fvll salary. Improvements to our technical fau"litss conb.nued and the costs of £6.599 were in li with budgets. The overall defi¢rt for the year of £9.322 has reduced reseThes but largely represents the cost of improving teGhni(zl facilities fDr the future. The Society has through a difficult year in a strong finanaal position with reserves of£86.983 and a strong cash position. During the year to 31 Juty 2021. no Tfttee reNed paYEllt, except for reimbursement of minor expendrture incurred on behalf of the Society. Except for the direct sponsorship of our seasonal publicity brochure. no income was recewed fDr a designaled prSe. All fundraising and don3tion5 were intended for the general purtM)ses of the Society. Therefoie no Restricted Fund is shown in the a¢Gounts. MHDS is not required lo have a full audit but the Serv of an Independent Examiner to examine and report on ils financial accounts. The Independent Examinerfs report ¢onfimis that the ac¢ounts, together with this annual reporL follow the Chatty Commissions SORP guidelines las amended) and sab.sfy the requirernenls of Charity law. Trustee Signedl
MARKE[ HARBOROUGH DRAMA SOCIETY STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACtIVlTIES YEAR ENDING 31 IULY 2021 Total Funds 2020121 Total Funds 2019120 Income from: Subscriptions Donations Fundraising Activities Charitable Activities Grants Investments T(rtal Income 4,919 2,181 2,193 48,617 10,000 740 68,650 2,797 228 2,659 19.003 352 25,039 Expenditure on: Fundra15ing Charitsble Activities Governance Total Expenditure 1,523 75,171 420 77,114 33,941 420 34,361 Net Movement in funds 19,3221 18,4fv11 Reconcilihtion of furhd5 Balances brousht forward Balances carried forward 96,305 86,983 104,769 96,305 Represented by: Cash at Bank and in hand Stock Debtors and PrepayTnents Total Current A5setS 88,296 388 99,378 793 5,391 105,562 98,237 Le55 Creditors and Accruals Net Assets 11,254 86,983 9,257 96,305 Note= Independent Examiner's Fee 420 420 Note that except for sponsorship of next season's brochure which was simple reimbursement of the printing costs, no donations for specified purposes were received during 2020121. Therefore no Restricted Fund is shown.
Page- 7 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES AND MEMBERS OF MARKET HARBOROUGH DRAMA SOCIETY I report on the accounts ol the Trust for the year ended 5 April 2021, which are set out on pages 1 to 6. Respective responsibilites of tru51ees and the examiner The chaiity's tru5tee5 are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Ch3rity'S trustee5 consider that an audit is not required lor this year under section 144121 oi the Charities Aci 2011 (the 201 l Act) and that an independent examination is needed. It is my re5tbonsibility to: examine the accounts under section 145 0( the 2011 Act- lo follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 1451511bl ol the 2011 Act- and io slate whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of independenl examiner's report My examination wa5 carried out accordanie with ihe General Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review ol the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison ol the accounts presented wilh those records. It also includes consideration ol any Ljnusual Items or disclosufes in the accounts, and seeking explanation5 froffl you as trLJStees concerning any such matters. The proceduTe5 undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion ig given a5 to whether the Accounts present a 'true and fair view, and the report 15 limited to those matiers Set out in statement below. Independenl examiner's statement In connection with my exafflination, no matter has come to my aitention- 111 which give5 me reasonable cause 10 Ixlieve that in any material respect the requiTement5:_ to keep accounting record5 in accordance with section 130 01 the 2011 Act,. and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounling records and comply with the accounting requirernent5 01 the 2011 Act. have not been met- or 121 to which. i accounts opinion. attention should drawn. (wder to enable a woper understanding of Ihe eached. Signed.. MRS R WAIDEN FCCA BERRY ACCOUNTANTS LTD CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS BOWDEN HOUSE 36 NORTHAMPTON ROAD fvIARKET HARBOROUGH LEICESTERSHIRE LE16 9HE Dated.. li (rLI aoai
MARKET HARBOROUGH DRAMA SOCIETY BANcE SHEET AS AT 31 IULY 2021 2021 2020 Current Assets Cash Current Accounts Savin85 Accounts Value of Bar Stock Prepayments:_ Scripts and Licence5 for next aSon Other payments in a(fvance Debtois Total Current Assets 1,375 58,532 28,389 388 1,400 59,874 38.104 793 5,744 1,115 2,694 98,237 2,626 1,768 997 105,562 CLtrrent Liabilitie5 Income received lor next sea5on= Season Tickets Subscriptions Theatre Hire Creditors Accruals Total Current Liabilities 6,802 707 55 2,250 891 7,259 1,107 9,257 11,254 NET ASSETS 86,983 96,305 Consisting of: General Fund Designated for Contingerhcies 36,983 46,305 50,000 86,983 96.305
MARKET HARBOROUGH DRAMA SOCIEtY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE YEAR ENDING 31 IULY 2021 Notes 2021 2020 Net Income from Artivities Membership and Fundraising Putting on plays Theatre Hire and Visiting productions Bar, Coffee and Ice Cream 2,866 549 995 13591 4,051 4,441 16,050 12,906 7,903 41,300 les5: Cost of Overheads Runnin8 ihe Theatre Administration 17,671 8,106 121,7261 30,804 13.232 12,7361 Operating Deficit less Improvements Add.. Grant received HDC 6.599 15,728 10,000 18,4641 Total Deficit for the Year 19,3221 NOTE 1: Membership and Fundraisin 2021 2020 Income Subscriptions lincluding Gift Aid) Donations Fundraising Raffles 4,919 2,181 12211 891 2,797 227 Total 3.024 7,770 Expenditure Membership Admin Newsletter 144 1,292 2,866 4,441 NOTE 2: Running the Theatre 2021 2020 Rales and Utilities Cleaning and Waste Removal Maintenance and Repairs Sundries 4.098 2,415 9,321 1,837 17,671 8,441 10,803 9,559 2,001 30,804 Total
MARKET HARBOROUGH DRAMA SOCIEtY INCOME AND EXPENDITURE YEAR ENDING 31 IULY 2021 NOTE 3: Contribution of Play5 2021 2020 Income Season Tickets Tickets Programmes Ineo Costume Hire/Sales Total 9,082 20,488 61 29,631 Costs ScTlPtslLicences Sets Costumes Props Rehearsals Publicity Ticketing and Adjudication Training and Comp 11,4981 118 5,596 2,014 1,717 1,864 24 1,964 402 13,581 595 236 li491 Contribution 15491 16,050 NOTE 4: Administration of the kniety 2021 2020 Insurance Legal and Professional Fees Audil LTG Sundries Admin Salaries less Furlough Receipts Les5 Investment Income 2,846 3,595 420 70 230 4,892 3)2 420 70 1,308 8,579 740 Total 8.106 13,232 NOTE 5: Improvements and Development 2021 2020 Various 6,i99 li,728