Irche5ter Player5 Charitable Inrporated Organisalion IRC ESTER Players IRC ESTER Youth Players Registered Charity Number 1178179 Annual Report April 2024- March 2025
Trustees’ Foreword
It is our pleasure to foreword the 2024/2025 Annual Report of Irchester Players on behalf of the Committee and Members.
This is Irchester Players sixth Annual Report as a registered charity operating in England. However, it is in fact the organisation’s 47th 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 2024/2025, we have successfully carried on the charities work. This was completed with our first fundraising event, ‘ Murder Inn’ the first licensed play we have staged since 2017. Our Youth Division then took to the stage in their third Youth only production ‘Matilda JR’ , a one hour condensed performance of the west end hit ‘Matilda the Musical’. Following this we staged our second fundraising performance of the year ‘A Stagey Spooktacular’, another one-night musical concert showcasing all Halloween and spooky songs from stage and screen. Then to conclude we performed our annual pantomime, which for this year was ‘Cinderella’ . We have also taken part in some community events including ‘Party in the Park’ to mention one.
In the last year, our governance has had some changes due to executive members having to think about their wellbeing. 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 2024/2025 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 Freya Jolley 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 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 |
Committee 2024-2025
The Committee Officers noted below have either continued in their current position or have been elected onto the committee via recruitment during the 2024 AGM held on the 10[th] April 2024.
| Position | Officer |
|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer (Trustee) |
Alex McKenzie |
| Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Trustee) |
Ali Everitt |
| Chief Financial Officer (Trustee) |
Chloe Ellson |
| Business Manager (Trustee) |
Emma Ellson |
| Secretary (Trustee) | Freya Jolley |
| Non-Executive | Anthony Curson |
| Non-Executive | Christopher Taylor |
| Non-Executive | Ben Miles |
Objectives and Activities
Irchester Players has three charitable objectives these are:
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(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.
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(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.
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(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 2024-2025 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 ‘Matilda 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 ‘Cinderella’ , 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 ‘Murder Inn’ and ‘A Stagey Spooktacular . These were a one-night licensed play and a concert with a live band performed to the parish and surrounding areas of Irchester with very different themes. Once again, these events allowed the main group members to showcase their fantastic talents in a range of skills 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 third 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 ‘Matilda 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, ‘Cinderella ’. This was performed in February 2025 and had a very successful turn out. Once again, our Youth division was a standout in the performance and all our audience members commented on how well our Youth division have done. Our performances continue to get glowing reviews from NODA as well.
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 can and some Youth members have now also transferred into our main adult group and continued enjoying what they do as well as advancing their skills and talents.
The members were able to take part in the third Youth only production ‘Matilda JR’ . The Youth group were then able to take to the stage to be part of ‘Cinderella ’. 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:
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The Youth Division have staged and performed their own Youth only production ‘Matilda JR’
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Two successful fundraising events, one licensed play called ‘Murder Inn’ and a one night concert with live band known as ‘A Stagey Spooktacular’ .
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A successful annual pantomime ‘Cinderella’ including the entire membership.
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Continuing to upgrade to our storage and thinking about the workload and well-being of our governance.
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Continue to expand in our membership through both the adult group and Youth division.
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Some fantastic NODA reviews from our independent reviewer.
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Some successful community events undertaken, including performing at Party in the Park and fundraising money at the same event.
Plans for 2025/2026
Event One: Fundraising Event – Big Dick Whittington (An Adult Pantomime)
Event Two: Aladdin JR – Youth only performance
Event Three: Fundraising Event – Roles Reversed
Event Four: Annual Pantomime – Treasure Island.
We will continue to run Irchester Players Youth throughout 2025-2026 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, as well as applying for external grants to support work undertaken.
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 2025 Charity no 1178179 period ended (if any) Set out on pages 1-2 of the Receipts and Payments Statement (CC16a)
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I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the period ended 31/03/2025 .
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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:
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accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
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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: 20/02/2026 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
1
October 2018
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 .
2
October 2018
IER
Irchester Players Charitable Incorporated Organisation
Irchester Players Charitable Incorporated Organisation 1178179 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a 01/04/2024 31/03/2025 For the period from To
| Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | Section A Receipts and payments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A1 Receipts | Unrestricted funds to the nearest £ 4,072 433 1,394 1,340 1,254 6,866 228 63 246 1,140 462 1,050 197 33 |
Restricted funds to the nearest £ |
Endowment funds to the nearest £ |
Total funds to the nearest £ |
Last year to the nearest £ |
|
| Membership | 4,072 | - - - - - - - - - |
- | 4,072 | 3,597 | |
| Let's Groove Tonight | - | - | 917 | |||
| High School Musical JR | - | - | 1,670 | |||
| A Musical JourneyThrough Time | - | 1,394 | ||||
| Christmas With Irchester Players | - | 23 | ||||
| Aladdin | - | 7,276 | ||||
| Uniform | 433 | 433 | 597 | |||
| Murder Inn | 1,394 | 1,394 | ||||
| Matilda | 1,340 | 1,340 | ||||
| StageySpooktacular | 1,254 | 1,254 | ||||
| Cinderella | 6,866 | 6,866 | ||||
| Front of House - Murder Inn | 228 | 228 | ||||
| Front of House - Matilda | 63 | - | 63 | - | ||
| Front of House - StageySpooktacular | 246 | - | 246 | - | ||
| Front of House - Cinderella | 1,140 | 1,140 | - | |||
| CommunityEvents | 462 | - | 462 | 2 | ||
| Grants and donations | 1,050 | - | 1,050 | 3,450 | ||
| Fundraising | - | - | 28 | |||
| Other | 197 | 197 | 84 | |||
| Interest | 33 | - | 33 | 29 | ||
| Sub total(Gross income for AR) |
18,778 |
- | - | 18,778 | 19,067 | |
| A2 Asset and investment sales, (see table). |
||||||
| - | - - |
- | - | |||
| - | - | - | - | |||
| Sub total | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total receipts A3 Payments |
||||||
| 18,778 | - | - | 18,778 | 19,067 | ||
| 2,028 803 4,456 - 635 387 558 529 359 1,975 92 1,364 2,691 468 287 402 507 146 3,324 |
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Insurance |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - |
- | - | 892 | ||
| Memberships | 2,028 | - | 2,028 | 135 | ||
| IT and websiteprogrammes | 803 | - | 803 | 2,527 | ||
| Hall hire | 4,456 | - | 4,456 | 3,327 | ||
| Players Youth Licensing | - | - | - | 214 | ||
| Uniform | 635 | - | 635 | 674 | ||
| Box Office | 387 | 387 | 51 | |||
| Let's Groove Tonight | - | 493 | ||||
| High School Musical JR | - | 51 | ||||
| A Musical JourneyThrough Time | - | 687 | ||||
| Christmas With Irchester Players | - | 119 | ||||
| Aladdin | - | 3,235 | ||||
| Murder Inn | 558 | 558 | - | |||
| Matilda | 529 | 529 | - | |||
| StageySpooktacular | 359 | 359 | - | |||
| Cinderella | 1,975 | 1,975 | - | |||
| Socials | 92 | - | 92 | 280 | ||
| Licenses | 1,364 | - | 1,364 | 708 | ||
| General equipment and maintance | 2,691 | - | 2,691 | 207 | ||
| Office sundries | 468 | - | 468 | 47 | ||
| Other | 287 | 287 | 13 | |||
| Set Paint | 402 | - | 402 | - | ||
| Compliance | 507 | - | 507 | 320 | ||
| Marketing | 146 | - | 146 | - | ||
| Rushden Storage | 3,324 | 3,324 | 3,258 | |||
| **Sub total ** | 21,010 | - | - | 21,010 | 17,238 | |
| - - |
||||||
| A4 Asset and investment purchases (see table) |
||||||
| , | - | - - |
- | - | ||
| - | - | - | ||||
| **Sub total ** | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Total payments Net of receipts/(payments) A5 Transfers between funds A6 Cash funds last year end Cash funds this year end |
||||||
| 21,010 | - | - | 21,010 | 17,238 | ||
| - 2,231 | - | - |
- 2,231 |
1,829 | ||
| - | - - |
- | - | - | ||
| 6,414 | - | 6,414 | 4,584 | |||
| 4,182 | - | - |
4,182 | 6,414 |
CCXX R1 accounts (SS)
20/02/2026
1
| Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories Signed by one or two trustees on behalf of all the trustees B1 Cash funds B2 Other monetary assets B4 Assets retained for the charity’s own use B5 Liabilities B3 Investment assets |
Signature Details Details Total cash funds (agree balances with receipts and payments account(s)) Details Details Details |
Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
Restricted funds to nearest £ |
Endowment funds to nearest £ |
| - - - |
- | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | - | ||
| Agreement Error Unrestricted funds to nearest £ |
OK | |||
| Endowment funds to nearest £ |
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| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| - | - | |||
| Fund to which asset belongs |
Current value (optional) |
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| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Fund to which asset belongs |
Current value (optional) |
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| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| - | ||||
| Fund to which liability relates |
When due (optional) | |||
| Date of approval | ||||
CCXX R2 accounts (SS)
20/02/2026
2