Irche5ter Player5 Charitable Inrporated Organisalion
IRC
ESTER
Players
IRC
ESTER
Youth
Players
Registered Charity Number 1178179
Annual Report
April 2023 - March 2024
## Trustees’ Foreword
It is our pleasure to foreword the 2023/2024 Annual Report of Irchester Players on behalf of the Committee and Members.
This is Irchester Players fifth Annual Report as a registered charity operating in England. However, it is in fact the organisation’s 46th year of existence, and over those years, a rich tradition of bringing theatre to the communities of East Northamptonshire and the Parish of Irchester has been created. In our fifth year as a charity, we have thankfully been fully active again and have been able to create and perform various shows including bringing back our annual pantomime and fundraising events.
In the year 2023/2024, we have successfully carried on the charities work. This was completed with our first fundraising event, ‘ _Let’s Groove Tonight’_ a musical concert based on songs from the disco era to the parish of Irchester. Our Youth Division then took to the stage in their second Youth only production _‘High School Musical JR’_ , a one hour condensed performance of the hit Disney Film _‘High School Musical’_ . Following this we staged our second fundraising performance of the year _‘A Musical Journey Through Time’,_ another one-night musical concert showcasing the history of Musical Theatre. This production originates from a previous version Irchester Players staged in 1998. We then staged an afternoon Christmas Concert for the members of the Irchester Parish Community. Then to conclude we performed our annual pantomime, which for this year was _‘Aladdin’_ .
In the last year, our governance has had some substantial changes due to executive members time come to renewal. There have been some quick handovers and the charity has been able to carry on its work and function to its best capacity as we did before.
This Report documents key information about Irchester Players administration and governance; it highlights our activities and achievements over 2023/2024 that we were able to go ahead with. We also look to the future, as we set out our plans for next year.
Our financial accounts have been independently reviewed and are submitted alongside this Report.
Alex McKenzie Trustee
Ali Everitt Christopher Taylor Trustee Trustee
Emma Ellson Trustee
Chloe Ellson Trustee
## Administration and Governance
Registered Name: Irchester Players Charitable Incorporated Organisation Registration No: 1178179 Registered address: 2 Bradshaw Way, Irchester, NN29 7DP
## **Committee 2022-2023**
The below is the committee elected during the 2022 AGM.
|**Position**|**Officer**|
|---|---|
|Chief Executive Officer
(Trustee)|Alex McKenzie|
|Deputy Chief Executive
Officer (Trustee)|Ali Everitt|
|Chief Financial Officer
(Trustee)|Nicki Pott|
|Business Manager
(Trustee)|Rachael Bass|
|Secretary (Trustee)|Chloe Ellson|
|Non-Executive|Chris Taylor|
|Non-Executive|Emma Ellson|
|Non-Executive|Megan Hooton|
## **Committee 2023-2024**
The Committee Officers noted below have either continued in their current position or have been elected onto the committee via recruitment during the 2023 AGM held on the 19[th] April 2023.
|**Position**|**Officer**|
|---|---|
|Chief Executive Officer
(Trustee)|Alex McKenzie|
|Deputy Chief Executive
Officer (Trustee)|Ali Everitt|
|Chief Financial Officer
(Trustee)|Christopher Taylor|
|Business Manager
(Trustee)|Emma Ellson|
|Secretary (Trustee)|Chloe Ellson|
|Non-Executive|Anthony Curson|
|Non-Executive|Freya Jolley|
|Non-Executive|Laura Cousins|
## Objectives and Activities
Irchester Players has three charitable objectives these are:
- (1) To advance, improve, develop and maintain public education in, and appreciation of, the art and science of dramatics, dance and music in all its aspects by any means the trustees see fit, including through the presentation of public concerts and recitals.
- (2) To advance education for the public benefit of young people in Northamptonshire and the neighbouring counties of England seeking an education or career in the dramatic arts, dance or music through the provision of financial assistance, informal training and teaching, and the opportunity to practice and develop the craft of dramatic arts, dance or musical theatre.
- (3) To provide for recreation and other leisure time activities for the young people resident in the Parish of Irchester in the interests of social welfare to develop their physical and mental capabilities and health that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and that their conditions of life may be improved.
The Committee and membership of the charity have undertaken a number of activities that have sought to realise these objectives, these include those noted below.
## **Objective One**
This objective was met throughout 2023-2024 thanks to our successful Youth group. During this time the youth group had an extensive waiting list and a range of new members who joined throughout the year when we held admission periods. The Youth Division took to the stage and performed their very own Youth only show _‘High School Musical JR’._ Once again a huge milestone was achieved for the Youth division and allowed everyone to have their own starring role rather than being involved in a show as a minor role being overlook at time by the adults. Following this, the Youth division took part in our Annual Pantomime of _‘Aladdin’_ , as well as undertaking various activities of singing, dancing and acting during each weekly session, leading up to the shows. The Youth Division continues to thrive in the parish.
Our main group of members were able put on _‘Let’s Groove Tonight’_ and _‘A Musical Journey Through Time’_ . These were both one-night concerts performed to the parish and surrounding areas of Irchester with very different themes. We also stage a Christmas Concert one afternoon to the members of the parish, giving something festive back to the community. Once again, these events allowed the main group members to showcase their fantastic talents and also brought in some ticket revenue to keep the charity financially stable.
## **Objective Two**
Our Youth Division continued to meet weekly throughout term time allowing us to meet our second charitable objective.
The members of Irchester Players Youth we able to continue to learn new skills and develop old ones during our weekly session leading to the shows they starred in throughout the financial year. For the second time, the Youth Division took to the stage and performed a Junior Musical. These are condensed versions of full scale shows which can only be performed by under 18’s, perfect for our Youth Division. This year they performed _‘High School Musical JR’_ . This allowed the Youth division to take on all the main parts and ensemble parts throughout. Through the direction of the Youth team, this show was a huge success and allowed everyone a chance in the spotlight. Following this, our Youth Division then took to the stage to be part of our annual pantomime, _‘Aladdin_ ’. This was performed in February 2024 and had a very successful turn out. Once again, our Youth division was a standout in the performance.
## **Objective Three**
This objective was achieved once again through our Youth division which was able to meet every week during term time.
The arts-based youth group, targets the youth of Irchester with the aim of providing them with a leisure time activity that will develop them as individuals whilst teaching them core skills in performing arts.
The youth group has in excess of 25 members, the majority of which live within the parish of Irchester, and also has an extensive waiting list of others wishing to be involved. We continued to take on Youth members during any admission periods that we could and some Youth members have now also transferred into our main adult group.
The members were able to take part in the second Youth only production _‘High School Musical JR’_ . The Youth group were then able to take to the stage to be part of _‘Aladdin_ ’. We also continued to support well-being and mental health at these times through the activities that we operated both in person.
## Achievements
There have been a number of notable achievements made by Irchester Players this year, these include:
- The Youth Division have staged and performed their own Youth only production _‘High School Musical JR’_
- Two successful fundraising events known as _‘Let’s Groove Tonight’_ and _‘A Musical Journey Through Time’_
- A successful annual pantomime _‘Aladdin’_ including the entire membership.
- Continuing to upgrade to our storage and thinking about the workload and well-being of our governance.
- Some fantastic NODA reviews from our independent reviewer.
- Some successful community events undertaken, including a Christmas Concert
## Plans for 2024/2025
Event One: Fundraising Event – Murder Inn (A one night only play)
Event Two: Matilda JR – Youth only performance
Event Three: Fundraising Event - A Stagey Spooktacular
Event Four: Annual Pantomime - Cinderella
We will continue to run Irchester Players Youth throughout 2023-2024 during term time only.
Additional fundraising events will be planned, depending upon what is being completed in the local area. In addition the charity may undertake additional events, organise socials and other activities throughout the year.
## **Independent examiner's report on the accounts**
**Section A Independent Examiner’s Report**
> **Report to the trustees/ Irchester Players Charitable Incorporated Organisation members of On accounts for the** 31[st] March 2024 **Charity no** 1178179 **period ended (if any) Set out on pages** 1-2 of the Receipts and Payments Statement (CC16a)
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the period ended **31/03/2024** .
- **Responsibilities and** As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation **basis of report** of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (“the Act”).
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust’s accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
**Independent** I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have **examiner's statement** come to my attention (other than that disclosed below *) in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
* _Please delete the words in the brackets if they do not apply._
**Signed: Date:** 27/01/2025 **Name:** Sanjay Patel **Relevant professional** Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (ACMA) **qualification(s) or body (if any): Address:** AIMS Accountants for Business 17 Mileway Gardens, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7XH
**October 2018**
1
**IER**
**Section B Disclosure**
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts: directions and guidance for examiners).
**Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose** .
**October 2018**
2
**IER**
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Irchester Players Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1178179
Receipts and payments accounts CC16a
01/04/2023 31/03/2024
For the period from To
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment funds Total funds Last year
to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £ to the nearest £
A1 Receipts
Membership 3,597 - - 3,597 3,093
Let's Groove Tonight 917 - - 917 -
High School Musical JR 1,670 - - 1,670 -
A Musical Journey Through Time 1,394 1,394
Christmas With Irchester Players 23 23
Aladdin 7,276 7,276
Uniform 597 597
SNATM - - - 841
Annie - - - 2,412
Jack - 4,351
Social activities 2 - - 2 281
Merchandise - - - 20
Grants and donations 3,450 - - 3,450 4,987
Fundraising 28 - - 28 1,191
Finedon House Deposit - - - 1,252
Other 84 84 2
Interest 29 - - 29 7
Sub total (Gross income for
AR) [ 19,067 ] - - 19,067 18,437
A2 Asset and investment sales,
(see table).
- - - -
- - - - -
Sub total - - - - -
Total receipts 19,067 - - 19,067 18,437
A3 Payments
Insurance 892 - - 892 1,076
Memberships 135 - - 135 72
IT and website programmes 2,527 - - 2,527 819
Youth Club - - - 2,105
Hall hire 3,327 - - 3,327 1,108
Finedon Unit - - - 1,881
Players Youth Licensing 214 - - 214 251
Uniform 674 - - 674 -
Box Office 51 51 -
Let's Groove Tonight 493 493
High School Musical JR 51 51
A Musical Journey Through Time 687 687
Christmas With Irchester Players 119 119
Aladdin 3,235 3,235
SNATM - 169
Annie - 879
Jack - 901
Little - 252
Bar stock - - - 966
Fundraising - - - 488
Socials 280 - - 280 928
Licenses 708 - - 708 1,335
General equipment and maintance 207 - - 207 70
Office sundries 47 - - 47 -
Other 13 13 -
Rubbish disposal - - - 702
Compliance 320 - - 320 540
Van hire and travel expenses - - - 82
Rushden Storage 3,258 3,258 2,302
Donations - 230
Sub total [ 17,238 ] - - 17,238 17,156
A4 Asset and investment
purchases, (see table)
- - - -
- - - -
Sub total [ - ] - - - -
Total payments 17,238 - - 17,238 17,156
Net of receipts/(payments) 1,829 - - 1,829 1,281
A5 Transfers between funds - - - - -
A6 Cash funds last year end 4,584 - - 4,584 3,303
Cash funds this year end 6,413 - - 6,413 4,584
1 27/01/2025
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CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
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CCXX R3 accounts (SS)
27/01/2025
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