Trustees' Annual Report for the period
Period start date Period end date
01 10 2022 30 09 2023
From
To
Section A Reference and administration details
Charity name Other names charity is known by Registered charity number (if any) 1175844 Charity's principal address 40 Berwyn Crescent
Rhyl Liberty Players
Prestatyn Postcode LL19 7UH
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
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Dates acted if not for whole Name of person (or body) entitled
Trustee name Office (if any)
year to appoint trustee (if any)
Graham Derek members
1
Wheeler
2 Jill Anne Wheeler members
Debbie Anne Secretary members
3
Bevins
4 Gillian Irene Glass members
Stroma Catherine members
5
Williams
6 Paula Jane Devlin members
7 Karen Jane Lees members
8 Patricia Ann Coope Chair
9
10
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Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)
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Name Dates acted if not for whole year
None
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Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)
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Type of adviser Name Address
none
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Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)
none
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Section B Structure, governance and management
Description of the charity’s trusts
Type of governing document
Constitution
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
How the charity is constituted
CIO
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Elected by members Trustee selection methods
- (eg. appointed by, elected by)
Additional governance issues (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:
-
policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
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the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
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relationship with any related parties;
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trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
Section C Objectives and activities
To foster, develop and encourage dramatic art.
Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document
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The production of plays on a regular basis for the entertainment and benefit of the general public and the organisation of such functions as the board shall consider desirable.
The trustees understand the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit.
Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)
Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)
You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:
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policy on grantmaking;
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policy programme related investment;
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contribution made by volunteers.
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Section D Achievements and performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year |
This Trustees’ Report primarily addresses the activities and the financial position of Rhyl Liberty Players for the year October 2022 to September 2023. However, it was agreed at the 2 June 23 AGM that the Trustees could change the financial year, and in July it was resolved to start the financial year on 1 January, 2024. Unfortunately, the Charity Commission were not notified in time, and their reporting year still ends in September; their next year will run from October 23 to December 24. To resolve this, the accounts presented to the AGM also cover the three-month period Oct-Dec 23, and this report has also been extended to cover the additional period. In November 2022, we presented Tim Firth’s Calendar Girls, directed by Martin Gorst. Martin was able to assemble a large female cast, including many new members, who were ably assisted by three new men and a Libs stalwart. Rehearsals began at the beginning of September 2022 and it was obvious from the outset that with a talented cast and an enthusiastic crew we could look forward to a successful production; we drew our largest audiences for several years. Advance notice of this production was given in last year’s report, but the production actually occurred in the current year. In mid-March, 2023, we held a buffet celebration for our 80th Anniversary at the Masonic Hall in Meliden. Many present and past members attended. There was a display of memorabilia supplied by various members, some costumes made by Karen Lees, some old video extracts of rehearsals & performances made by Robert McAdam, a historical reminiscence by John Williams, and a stand- up comedy routine by Steve Barrowclough. Our Spring production was Guards! Guards by Terry Pratchett, a Discworld story adapted for the stage by Stephen Briggs. Drew Noble directed and gathered a cast of seasoned performers plus several talented new recruits, some of whom were new to acting. Drew was ably assisted by a hard-working backstage team who showed expertise and flair in set construction, props and costumes. Before the main AGM business, Sandra Wynne gave her adjudication of Calendar Girls and Guards! Guards. She was impressed by both productions and presented the Special Achievement award to Jill Wheeler for her costumes for both plays. For some time, we have faced increasing costs, for not only staging and theatre hire but also utilities and insurance, unfortunately necessitating an increase in future annual subscriptions, approved by the members at the AGM. Some changes to the Constitution were approved at the AGM, primarily bringing it back into line with the wording of the latest ‘Model Constitution’ approved by the Charity Commission. The most important effect was to elect trustees for a three-year term with one-third of them retiring each year by rotation for continuity. As a consequence of these changes to the Constitution, and because the society Rules have not been significantly updated for many years, the Trustees have initiated a review of the Rules to keep them consistent with the Constitution and bring them up to date. The new Rules will be presented at the next AGM for approval. |
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Section D Achievements and performance
Rehearsals for Bedroom Farce, directed by Richard Kelly, started in September, but it was not able to be performed until midDecember 23 due to lack of theatre availability. This may account for our small, but appreciative audiences. It was an ambitious play with good ensemble work both on stage and behind the scenes. Our investigation into the ownership of the land on which the Scene Bay was built has continued throughout this year. The solicitors, Garnett Williams Powell, have been acting on our behalf. Some time ago, Denbighshire County Council had registered the land in their own name with the Land Registry. However, in February, 2023, DCC conceded that Rhyl Liberty Players owned the land, and the transfer to RLP with the Land Registry was put in motion - a process that can take up to nine months. This was completed on 22 December 23. For many years, the Scene Bay has been held in trust for RLP since a community association cannot own property in its own right. Now that we are a registered charity and can own property, it is intended to transfer the Scene Bay ownership directly to RLP as soon as possible.
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Section E Financial review
No reserves
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves
Details of any funds materially none in deficit
Further financial review details (Optional information)
You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:
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the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
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how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
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investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
Section F Other optional information
Section G Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.
Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees
Signature(s) PA Coo e p Full name(s) Patricia Ann Coope Karen Jane Lees Position (eg Secretary, Chair, Chair Trustee etc) Date 10/02/2024
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Founded 1942 Registered charity Number 1175844
Annual Report Rhyl Liberty Players (RLP)
January 2024-December 2024
Trustees:
Debbie Bevins – Acting Secretary
Paula Devlin – Seconded March 2024- Social Secretary
Gill Glass
Graham Wheeler – Chair
Jill Wheeler
Stroma Williams
Karen Lees – Deceased Oct 2024
O�icers:
President – Sandra Wynne
Treasurer – Martin Gorst
Honorary Life Members:
Alan Benbow, Geo� Durno, John Williams, Stroma Williams
Rhyl Liberty Players are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered with the Charity Commission (Charity Number 1175844)
Society Objective:
The objects of Rhyl Liberty Players are to foster, develop and encourage dramatic art, the production of plays on a regular basis for the entertainment and benefit of the general public and the organisation of such functions as the trustees shall consider desirable to further these aims.
RLP Performances:
RLP participated in the Clwyd Community Theatre Association’s one act play festival this year with a small team putting on a great performance of Playing Out by Gill Medway directed by Stroma Williams at Theatr Clwyd’s temporary performance space.
The spring performance this year was And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, directed by Drew Noble and featuring many new faces to the group. This dark and dramatic piece was well received by audiences keeping them on the edge of their seats right to the final reveal. It was great to see Martin Gorst receiving an award from the CCTA adjudication for the original music he composed for the show. The show attracted an audience of ~300 over the three performances which helped the show to generate a surplus income of £1040.
The autumn performance was The Flint Street Nativity by Tim Firth, directed by a newcomer to RLP Denise Murtha, again it was great to see several new faces joining the cast and technical team. An hilarious show seeing the cast reaching for their inner child and performing many thought-provoking moments. Again, a successful show with an audience of ~230 over the three performances which helped to result in a surplus income of £668.
Society Administration:
The Rhyl Liberty Players Trustees meet monthly.
Membership of RLP runs from January to December and the currently agreed membership is £25 for waged and £20 for unwaged. The membership at the end of the year stood at 43 members and 4 honorary life members.
The society carries insurance to cover its activities and property.
The updated Rules of the association were approved at the AGM in March 2024, a copy of these is sent to all new members when they join the association and a copy can be downloaded from the association’s website at www.libertyplayers.co.uk along with the Constitution.
Sandra Wynne was elected President of RLP at the AGM in March
Patricia Coope retired as a Trustee at the AGM in March 2024 – Pat has been a stalwart of RLP for many years and the society owes here a great debt for all her e�orts. She has remained an active contributor during the year helping front of house with performances and continuing to steer the work to transfer the ownership of the Scene Bay from the original group holding the property In Trust for the Charity to the RLP CIO which can now own the property in its own right. Many Thanks.
It was with Sadness that the society lost one of its long-standing members this year with the death of Karen Lees. At the time of her death Karen was still a Trustee and one of those holding the original trusteeship of the Scene Bay; She had been Secretary of the Charity for 10 years. Many will know of her outstanding work as Wardrobe Mistress for over 20 productions and Director of at least 14 plays. In recognition and remembrance of her contribution the Trustees have introduced the Karen Lees Memorial Award will be
awarded annually at the AGM to the most promising newcomer or most improved member.
Paula Devlin agreed to be seconded as a Trustee in March this year, she has been a real asset to the society taking on the role of Social Secretary putting in place a regular programme of events which have been well enjoyed by all, greatly adding to the life of the society and helping to raise funds.
Graham Wheeler was elected Chair of Trustees by the Trustees in March 2024 and took over as main contact and administrator for the charity on the Charity Commission register on the retirement of Pat Coope.
It was decided to disband the Friends of RLP this year as the number of friends had dwindled in recent years and the benefits it conferred on them and to RLP had become small. The remaining friends were notified, RLP is grateful for all the support the Friends gave over the years.
Scene Bay: The Scene Bay has been a great asset of the society since the 1970’s. However, it is now showing signs of its age with repairs to the roof being required twice in the last year and further issues being identified all the time. It has become clear that the roof in particular has reached end of life and needs replacing, this is going to be a big undertaking complicated by the fact that the roof is made of asbestos. Current estimates and quotes put the cost at around £20 to 25K. There have been additional issues with the rear yard wall collapsing during winter storms and the entry door also showing its age. The Trustees are actively seeking funds to secure the building for the future by seeking grants and increasing fund raising e�orts.
Work on switching the registry of the Scene Bay from the original Trustees in Trust for the charity to the RLP CIO is ongoing but is a slow process due to long backlogs at the Land Registry.
The Banking arrangements of RLP have been strengthened this year; a new savings account has been opened with The Co-operative Bank so that funds raised for the work needed on the scene bay can be ringfenced from day-to-day projects and activities. Additional signatories have been added to the HSBC accounts who can now access and see live activity on the account, in addition dual authorisation (two signatories required to action payments) of payments has been activated. This provides greater security for the society and its o�icers and helps in seeking grants as many bodies awarding grants have this as a requirement.
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Charity Name No (if any)
Rhyl Liberty Players 1175844
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
For the period Period start date Period end date
To
from 01/10/2023 31/12/2024
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted Restricted Endowment
Total funds Last year
funds funds funds
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Income from plays 6,082 - - 6,082 6,466
Subscriptions 940 - - 940 417
Programme receipts and raffles 987 - - 987 565
Bank Interest 125 - - 125 52
Advertising income 245 - - 245 58
Script Contributions 233 - - 233 47
Donation 30 - - 30 100
Hire of lights and costume 40 - - 40 40
Friends' Subs - - - 88
Social Events 427 - - 427 1,065
Sub total (Gross income for
AR) [ 9,109 ] - - 9,109 9,796
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total - - - -
Total receipts 9,109 - - 9,109 9,796
A3 Payments
Theatre and rehearsal room hire 2,464 - - 2,464 1,413
Cost of plays 3,366 - - 3,366 2,012
insurance 1,172 - - 1,172 539
Electricity 718 - - 718
Rates and Water 158 - - 158
Utilities - - - - 445
Entry fees - - - -
Land Registry 742 - - 742
Bank Charges 79 - - 79 72
Property Repair 360 - - 360 130
sundry expenses 51 - - 51 74
Social Events 394 - - 394 936
- - - -
Sub total [ 9,503 ] - - 9,503 5,620
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
Nil - - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 9,503 - - 9,503 5,620
Net of receipts/(payments) - 394 - - - 394 4,176
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 8,221 - - 8,221
Cash funds this year end 7,827 - - 7,827
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
30/10/2025
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at | the end of the period | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Categories B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B3 Investment assets Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities |
Details Total cash funds Details (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) cash at bank Nil Details Nil Signature trailer stage equipment and costumes Details land and building Details Nil |
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ 7,827 - - - - - 7,827 - OK OK Unrestricted funds Restricted funds to nearest £ to nearest £ - - - - - - - - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) - - - - - Fund to which asset belongs Cost (optional) unrestricted - unrestricted - unrestricted - - - - - - - Fund to which liability relates Amount due (optional) - - - - - Print Name Martin Gorst G D Wheeler |
Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - |
| - | |||
| OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ - - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - Current value (optional) - - - - - - - - - When due (optional) Date of approval 29/10/2025 30/10/2025 |
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
30/10/2025
2