## **THE TAUNTON THESPIANS**
Registered Charity No. 1189940
## **ANNUAL STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE PERIOD**
## **1st SEPTEMBER 2020 to 31st AUGUST 2021**
Page 1 Cover Page 2-3 Chairman's Report Page 4 Independent Examiner's Report Page 5 Balance Sheet Page 6 Statement of Financial Activities Page 7-8 Notes to the Accounts
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**THE TAUNTON THESPIANS**
## **Chairman’s Report to the AGM of Taunton Thespians 11/10/2021**
_My thanks to all of the other eight members of the committee who started with the last AGM. That said the effective size of the committee shrank, at least for the last six months, from nine to seven people, when Andy and Jane Busby moved out of the area to be closer to family. My special thanks therefore to the other six remaining committee members for picking up the slack and keeping us going. They have worked tirelessly to make sure that all of the jobs necessary to us have been completed._
_There have been a couple of losses to the society over the last twelve months. Notably our previous President, John Meikle, who was the figurehead of our society for as long as I can remember. John’s contribution to the Thespians, over many decades, is eclipsed only by his contribution to Taunton. He reached the impressive age of 97 and cast a long shadow and I am grateful for everything he did for us. Mike Leach, on the other hand, was taken from us far too early. Mike played a great many roles for us over the years, and I’m fairly sure that the one he most relished was as Jaques in As You Like It. Mike was also a fiercely intelligent person, to such an extent that if there was a quiz (the subject was almost irrelevant) you were either on Mike’s team, or you didn’t win. I’d like to pause for a short while so that we can remember these two Thespians._
## _Thank you_
_On the face of it you might be forgiven for thinking that, with the entire country in lockdown and all venues closed, there isn’t a lot to report. Well, of course, there haven’t been any live performances at all, which is unheard of in Thespian history. When the first lockdown started I think many of us thought that, as all-embracing as it was, we would all wait it out for a few months and then it would be done and we could get back to normal. How wrong that thought was. And so, to begin with, we all just battened down the hatches and very little was done in the way of communicating and socialising online. As time marched on, and it became obvious that we were in it for a longer haul, so the advent of digital Thespians grew and we began to do all of the society-type events over Zoom until, in July, we were finally able to meet up again. In fact, in the 12 months since the last AGM we have held a total of 14 play readings, held two quizzes, had two talks by guests, had a digital Christmas party, attended Taunton Live, held an open day and had a member’s barbecue. We even posted a show, of sorts, onto YouTube with a rendition of one of the Arabian Nights Tales._
_The thirst for social contact was brought home to us at the Taunton Live event. What was clear was that the people there were ready, eager even, to start face to face contact again. It is, perhaps, understandable, given just how serious the previous 18 months have been, that there are some who are hesitant, but, it seems to me, that there are many, many more who ready for a return to normality. With that in mind we have set out a path ahead._
-2-
_It will come as no great surprise that we are starting off by playing to our strengths with, firstly, an Agatha Christie play: The Hollow, followed by comedy in the form of a farce called Holiday Snap. These have been carefully chosen to not only help us show ourselves at our best, but also to give our audiences some light-hearted relief after so long without any live theatre. The plays that we choose to produce, and how we choose to present them to the public are important decisions, to be sure, but they are not so important, I think, as the decision to actually DO them. We could, maybe, sit and worry about whether we will have big enough audiences. Maybe we will and maybe we won’t, and maybe, if we allowed that to dictate our actions, I might be standing here in a year’s time telling you that we still hadn’t put on any shows. Instead, we will do what we do: be a drama society._
_The program over the next 12 months is not just about those two Brewhouse shows. In addition we have lined up reintroductions for our Mummers group, under the leadership of Dona Bullion, who are doing their thing in January, our County Drama Festival participation with the denied 2020 entry finally being given its chance in March next year and, by no means least, the Thespians Summer Tour in July. We already have about half of the venues lined up. We also have more play readings coming very soon and more social events_
_My last message to you all is this: enjoy your society, take part in what it has to offer, but. Above all, have fun._
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## **THE TAUNTON THESPIANS INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE GENERAL COMMITTEE OF THE TAUNTON THESPIANS**
I report on the Financial Statements of the charity The Taunton Thespians (Charity No. 800217) for the period 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021, which are set out onpages 5 to 8.
## **Respective Responsibilities of General Committee and Examiner**
The charity's committee are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's committee consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Charities Act"), and that an independent examination is needed.
## It is my responsibiliy to:
- s examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
- s to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under Section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act; and
- s to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
## **Basis of Independent Examiner's statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as members of the General Committee concerning such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair view' and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent Examiner's Statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:-
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements: s to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; and s to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act
have not been met; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Edward Coton LTCL AFA/MIPA TaxAssist Accountants 24 Bridge Street Taunton Somerset TA1 1UB
6th October 2021
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**THE TAUNTON THESPIANS BALANCE SHEET**
**YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021**
|**Note**
**Fixed Assets**
**2**
**Current Assets**
Cash at Bank
- Treasurers Current Account
- Business Bank Interest Account
- CAF Deposit Account
- PayPal Wallet
- Redwood Account
Petty Cash held
Bar stocks at cost
**Prepayments**
- Future Shows
- Repairs & Improvements
- Business Rates
**Accrued Income**
- Prepaid Subscriptions
- Prepaid donations
- Future Shows
- Clothing orders
**Creditors:**
**Amounts Falling Due Within**
**One Year**
Rates (estimate)
Independent Examiner
**Debtors**
**Net Current Assets**
**Net Assets**
**Funds (all unrestricted)**
**3**
General Reserve
Capital Reserve
Development Fund|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
89,648
93,034
2,200
801
22,615
16,613
20,000
20,000
0
10,004
105
115
267
149
244
8
0
0
0
268
-549
-348
-46
-28
-136
-48
0
54,656
37,578
(300)
(152)
-240
0
102
0
54,218
37,426
143,866
130,460
54,218
37,426
89,648
93,034
0
0
143,866
130,460
**2021**
12 Months
**2020**
_12 Months_|**£**
**£**
**£**
**£**
89,648
93,034
2,200
801
22,615
16,613
20,000
20,000
0
10,004
105
115
267
149
244
8
0
0
0
268
-549
-348
-46
-28
-136
-48
0
54,656
37,578
(300)
(152)
-240
0
102
0
54,218
37,426
143,866
130,460
54,218
37,426
89,648
93,034
0
0
143,866
130,460
**2021**
12 Months
**2020**
_12 Months_|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||130,460|
|||37,426
93,034
0|
|||130,460|
Approved by the General Committee on 11th October 2021
Lorna Evans - Secretary
Robert Smith - Treasurer
and signed on their behalf by:-
The notes on pages 7 and 8 form part of these Accounts.
- 5 -
## **THE TAUNTON THESPIANS STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021**
|**Incoming Resources**
Income from stage productions
Subscriptions
Interest received
Club activities
Wardrobe & Equipment Hire
Donations
Letting Income
Gift Aid Received
Government Covid grants
Other
**Total Incoming Resources**
**Resources Expended**
Expenditure on stage productions
Club activities
Cost of premises
- Rates and water
- Repairs and improvements
- Safety and security
- Heat and light
- Insurance
Warden's Honorarium
Postage, stationery, advertising and telephone
Subscriptions and donations
Sundry expenses
Marketing
Clothing sales
Independent Examiners Fee
Other Professional Fees
Depreciation
PayPal Charges
Write-offs
**Total Resources Expended**
**Net Ingoing/(Outgoing) Resources**
Accumulated Funds Brought Forward
**Accumulated Funds Carried Forward**|**£**
**£**
0
588
155
26
127
64
5,547
217
18,654
0
**25,378**
0
369
632
3,703
260
431
954
300
30
365
217
448
0
240
635
3,386
2
0
**11,972**
**13,406**
130,460
**143,866**
**2021**
12 Months|**£**
**£**
22,778
959
166
1,496
607
199
4,139
238
0
0
**30,582**
22,473
1,066
709
917
332
1,065
894
300
27
648
368
221
0
0
0
3,438
0
0
**32,458**
**(1,876)**
132,336
**130,460**
**2020**
_12 Months_|**£**
**£**
22,778
959
166
1,496
607
199
4,139
238
0
0
**30,582**
22,473
1,066
709
917
332
1,065
894
300
27
648
368
221
0
0
0
3,438
0
0
**32,458**
**(1,876)**
132,336
**130,460**
**2020**
_12 Months_|
|---|---|---|---|
|||||
||||**(1,876)**
132,336|
||||**130,460**|
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**THE TAUNTON THESPIANS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021**
## 1. **Accounting Policies**
## General
These Accounts have been prepared under the historic cost convention, as modified by the revaluation of investments, and in accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Charities Act and the Statement of Recommended Practice "Accounting and Reporting by Charities".
## Fixed Assets
Individual fixed assets costing £50 or more are capitalised at cost.
Depreciation is provided at the following rates, based on the estimated useful life of the fixed assets and their anticipated residual value:-
|Freehold land and buildings|2% straight line|
|---|---|
|Technical equipment|10% reducing balance|
|Office equipment|10% reducing balance|
## 2. **Fixed Assets**
## **Freehold**
|Cost
At 31 August 2020
Additions
Write-offs
At 31 August 2021
Depreciation
At 31 August 2020
Charge for the year
At 31 August 2021
Net Book Value
At 31 August 2021
At 31 August 2020||**Land &**
**Buildings**
**£**
145,716
0
0|**Technical**
**Equipment**
**£**
9,483
0
0|**Office**
**Equipment**
**£**
59
0
0|**Total**
**£**
155,258
0
0|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||145,716|9,483|59|155,258|
|||57,403
2,914|4,762
472|59
0|62,224
3,386|
|||60,317|5,234|59|65,610|
|||85,399|4,249|0|89,648|
|||88,313|4,721|0|93,034|
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**THE TAUNTON THESPIANS NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
**YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2021**
## 3. **Funds (all unrestricted)**
|At 1 September 2020
Transfers
Net ingoing/(outgoings) for the year
Adjustments - Depreciation
At 31 August 2021||**General**
**Reserve**
**£**
37,426
0
13,646
3,386|**Capital**
**Reserve**
**Total**
**£**
**£**
93,034
130,460
0
0
0
13,646
-3,386
0
89,648
144,106|**Total**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||54,458|||
The Capital Reserve represents profits which have accrued to the charity from the past sales of freehold land and buildings of £116,943 and from a bequest from a former member of £2,000. This was reduced by £19,174 in 2013 and has subsequently been reduced each year to reflect the amount of tangible fixed assets after depreciaton.
The General Reserve now shows, fairly, the true amount of Current Assets.
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