Annual Report 2022-2023
REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER – 1175507
Kirkby Stephen Community Arts (KSCA) was founded in September 2016 to bring high quality activities and events to the rurally isolated community of Kirkby Stephen.
KSCA became a Registered Charity on 1[st ] November 2018 and this is the Annual Report to the Charity Commission on activities, objectives and finances for the period September 2021 to September 2022.
KSCA is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO), registered charity number 1175507, and the objects of the CIO are:
“To provide or assist in the provision of facilities for recreation or other leisure-time occupation for the inhabitants of Kirkby Stephen and the Upper Eden Valley in the interests of social welfare for the said inhabitants with the object of improving their conditions of life.”
During the period of this report the trustees were:
Kate Lynch
Linda Walker
Vicki Bertram
Deborah Coleman
John Ockenden
The trustees manage the CIO according to the constitution dated 1 July 2017.
The address of KSCA for correspondence is
Dalton House, Winton, Kirkby Stephen, CA17 4HL
KSCA Account Summary Sept 2022-Sept 2023
| Income | £8,763.80 | Opening Balance Current A/c |
£589.15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dep/Ac Interest | £202.79 | Opening Balance Deposit A/c |
£23,047.52 |
| Plus Cash in hand | £0.00 | ||
| Total | £8,966.59 | Total | £23,636.67 |
| Less Outgoings | £4,931.50 | Closing Balance Current A/c | £1,021.45 |
| Closing Balance Deposit A/c | £26,650.31 | ||
| Total | £27,671.76 | ||
| Income/Expenditure | £4,035.09 | £4,035.09 |
| Current Account Summary | Current Account Summary | |
|---|---|---|
| Income | Expenses | |
| £1,280.0 | ||
| Cinema | £1,372.00 | 0 |
| £1,175.8 | ||
| Theatre Shows/Talks | £920.00 | 0 |
| Grants | £5,760.00 | |
| Donatons | ||
| Refreshment sales | £110.25 | |
| Storytme/Toddler | ||
| Group | £451.55 | £579.70 |
| Songbirds | £150.00 | |
| Steps Up project | ||
| Insurance | £96.00 | |
| Premises Costs | £670.00 | |
| Equipment | ||
| Marketng | £374.00 | |
| Workshops | ||
| W.Dales Festval | £756.00 |
£8,763.80 £4,931.5
0
The accounts were audited and found to be correct by J. Poulson on 11/12/23
Notes on the accounts
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Income is still somewhat reduced by the after-effects of Covid, but thanks to the generosity of the John Strutt Foundation we are still able to subsidise events.
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Costs of the Re-Natured Project will fall into the next financial year and are estimated to be in the region of £4000.
Report on Performance and achievements through the year
Our regular programme has continued with much success:
Telling Tales and Songtime
Our regular weekly pre-school storytime sessions continue to be run during the term-time with great enthusiasm and loyal parents and children. Telling Tales has had a new lease of life, with some of the Mums taking over the hosting of the group, supported by members of the WI. This session has gone from strength to strength, and the team share out the responsibilities of the weekly group.
Jan Donaldson stood down from Songtime in July 2023 – the trustees thank her for her enthusiasm and
commitment over the years. Sabrina Cadman took over Songtime, with support from Margaret Harris, and the group now meets in the Methodist Church Hall on a Tuesday.
In July 2023 a new toddler group started, run by Sabrina Cadman with the support of two other local Mums and some funding from the local authority. This takes place in Kirkby Club on a Friday morning.
Remote Cinema
Audiences remain consistent and appreciative, with a core team of volunteers delivering the monthly screenings.
During the season we screened 10 films attracting audiences of 17 to 43, mostly covering licensing costs. Ice cream sales at the interval help finances! After some minor adjustments we are now happy with the audio system, although we have noted that many films only make token use of the rear channels.
We are still haven’t found a method of connecting the hearing assistants and will trial subtitles for future screenings.
Kirkby Stephen Sports & Social Club (now The Club) has allowed us the use of a cleaner’s cupboard for secure storage of our equipment, and this has proved to be very successful.
“Remote cinema have done it again. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry – I can’t remember a more poignant film. Don’t miss it.” Audience member
Live events with Highlights Rural Touring Scheme
Nov 22 – Shakespeare, His Wife and the Dog – audience of 81 Oct 22 – Gav Cross’ Twisted Tales for Terrible Children – audience of 48
Mar 23 – Alfie’s First Fight for ages 5+ - audience of 22 April 23 – Vinland for ages 7+ - audience of 28 May 23 – The Mystery of the Blue Moon Saloon – audience of 45
“Massive thanks for bringing this delightful and absolutely hilarious piece of inclusive theatre to Kirkby Stephen – community entertainment at its best!” Audience member
Music events with Penny Milligan
Penny Milligan continues to programme 4-5 musicians each year. 2022-23 included Maurice Dickson, Blue Rose Code, Reg Meuross.
Fun Palace
October 2022 saw our first Fun Palace since pre-covid. With an ‘eco’ theme we welcomed Cumbria Master Composters, Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Nateby and Wharton WI, Upper Eden History Society, Walkers are Welcome and enthusiastic individuals to join us to share skills and enjoy arts, science and sports. Despite the hiatus due to the pandemic, this remains one of our very favourite events in the calendar as we invite people to share skills, refreshments and entertainment in this free community event.
Outdoor events
Jubilee Summer Scheme, July 2023 – this was the third iteration of our 3-day summer school held at Jubilee Park for children with pupil premium referrals, SEND and young carers. This was facilitated by Stomping Ground and supported by Westmorland Dales Landscape Partnership.
Family Wild Play Day – we held 3 drop in events for families this year. One was held at Frank’s Bridge as part of Westmorland Dales Day, two were held at Jubilee Park. These were delivered by Stomping Ground and we had some wonderful families join us for some fabulous wild play.
Stomping Ground attracted an audience of over 90 happy and absorbed children & grownups for a day of wild play by the River Eden, and were a much-appreciated highlight of the Westmorland Dales
Re:Natured
Stomping Ground and KSCA delivered a programme of sessions of wild play for adults (14+) which included introducing artists to share their unique approach to working in nature. A set of 6 Sunday half-day sessions culminated in a full day sharing new-found skills and appreciation of nature.
Invited artists included writer Monique Speksnijder, landscape artist Richard Shilling, musician and BlueJam Arts founder Jilly Jarman.
The projects above illustrate the Kirkby Stephen Community Arts programme.
If you would like any more information on our full programme, please visit www.kirkbystephencommunityarts.co.uk
Many thanks to the Trustees and the Volunteers who have worked so hard to help us achieve our aims.
Access to the arts enhances communities and creates social bonds and a sense of communal identity across generations, incomes and abilities. This is what KSCA aims to do in Kirkby Stephen.