The Annual Report for Urmston Musical Theatre January to August 2025
This document comprises:
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Chairman’s AGM Address & Secretary’s Report
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Honorary Secretary’s Report
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Honorary Treasurer’s Report and Balance Sheet
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Reporting Serious Incidents Declaration
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Independent Examiner’s Report
Urmston Musical Theatre – AGM for January to August 2025
Chairman’s Address
Good evening and welcome to this AGM of 2026.
This year’s meeting is somewhat earlier than usual due to the change in the Financial Year End date, an amendment which was adopted at last year’s AGM. Alan will elaborate on this and explain his proposal in item 7 of the agenda.
Our secretary’s report will cover last year’s productions, but I have to say that each of them exceeded our expectations. We just get better. This is reflected in the many nominations and awards we earned from both NODA and ACT. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels though, but I am sure that this year’s shows will keep up the high standard.
Judging by the numbers who turned up to audition for Shrek this year, we have chosen a good show, and it was pleasing to see several of the new and returning members from last year that I hoped would stay with us, auditioning for parts.
Our juniors gave an outstanding performance in ‘We Will Rock You,’ and it was great that a number of them were able to participate in ‘Snow White’ as well. They are the future of our society.
Another plus is having a member ‘shadow’ the director and the choreographer. This gives a valuable insight into those roles for anyone aspiring to Direct or Choreograph in the future.
We now have two vacant positions on the committee. Daniel Mellor will be stepping down from his role as Props Master but is prepared to remain on the general committee. Vicki O’Hare has also resigned from her position as Wardrobe Mistress. I want to thank them both for the hard work and commitment they gave to what can sometimes seem thankless (although vital) jobs.
An AGM is my opportunity to say “thank you” to you, our members, for your loyalty. Whether on stage, back-stage, front of house or one of the invisible ‘fairies’ who work their miracles with technology, designing and building, you are all part of what makes this society a family.
I also thank the committee for the time they give and their hard work on your behalf.
I am sure that we can all look forward to another successful year.
Anita Partridge Chairman
10[th] February 2026
Urmston Musical Theatre – AGM for January to August 2025
Honorary Secretary’s Report
Hello everyone, good evening. I am happy to share the Secretary’s report for 2025.
Obituaries
In April we lost Joan Walsh, she was 91. A lovely smiley past member of our society and then later in the years we lost Kath Addison, a past member and an avid view of our shows. Both will be missed by all who knew them.
Shows
Our 2025 Season started with our fabulous production of Beauty and the Beast , performed at Move, Urmston. The production team consisted of Emma Bowyer (Director), Rebecca Wood -Choreographer and Ed Nurse (Musical Director),
The Audience loved the show and it received excellent reviews from both NODA and ACT. We received nominations from NODA for:
Best Youth Performance for a male character in an adult production - Dylan Moore (Chip) Best comedy performance in a musical - Ian Chatterton (Lumiere) Best staging of a musical Best supporting male character in a musical - Gareth Smith (Cogsworth) & Daniel Mellor (Maurice)
Best supporting female character in a musical - Lyndsey Florin (Madame De La Grande Bouche)
Best Ensemble performance - Belle Best Leading male character in a musical - Matthew Spillsbury (Beast) Best leading female character in a musical - Samantha Bailey (Belle) Best Director of a musical - Emma Bowyer
Unfortunately we didn't win any NODAs.
And ACT for:
Most Accomplished Actor - Matthew Spillsbury (Beast) Most Accomplished Actress - Samatha Bailey (Belle) Most original comic performance - Actor - Chris Smart (Gaston) Most Original comic performance - Megan Collier (Lefou) Most accomplished character performance - Actor - Gareth Smith (Cogsworth) & Ian Chatterton (Lumiere)
Most accomplished character performance - Actress - Rachel Mellor (Mrs Potts) & Bethan Evans (Babette)
Most accomplished youth in an adult production - Dylan Moore (Chip)
Gareth Smith won - Most accomplished character performance Chris Smart - Most original comic performance actor
In July our Junior rocked the roof of Urmston - and set off the smoke alarm several times! In their production of We Will Rock You Gary Jones - Director, Becky Copland - Choreographer and making her debut Ellena Wood as Musical Director. For some it was the last time they will perform in a junior show but we hope to see them in future adult productions!
We received nominations from NODA for:
And ACT for we Won big:
Lexi Kilcourse - Most original comic performance Actress Youth Production UMT Juniors - Most Accomplished Vocal Ensemble Greta Van Alderwegen - Most Accomplished character actress Most creative Overall Junior Musical Theatre - We Will Rock You And
Rising Start Award for Ensemble Playing - Henry Valentine
Finishing up the year with our Panto Snow White, although thankfully I don't have to tell you about it in as high a key as Golden! A super funny script showcasing our cast's comic timing, delightful Snow White, despicable evil Queen and, for his last show as dame ever ;), our B&M loving Dame and all the cast and ensemble.
We were nominated at NODA for:
Our loveable Dog (bunny) Joshua Frodsham won!
Recognition
Thank you as always goes to all of the backstage crew who make sure we have a stage to perform on, light us well and allow us to be heard by our audience. Thanks to the front of house volunteers who have supported both Pat and Pam over the last 12 months.
Thank you to Anita our Chair who has guided us and kept us all in costumes as well!
Gemma Dolby Honorary Secretary 10[th] February 2026
Urmston Musical Theatre – AGM for January to August 2025
Honorary Treasurer's Report
The Honorary Treasurer is pleased to attach the balance sheet below. It has been a sound financial year for UMT and there have been no financial irregularities. We have a subsidiary bank account to isolate our internet-based ticket sales from our main account. Our reserves are held in a Santander account.
At the theatre, we collect for local charities. This year we collected for the Little Green Sock Project.
No other restricted fund receipts, payments or balances arose in this financial year.
We hold sufficient reserves to cover the costs of a major show that is ready to stage but then cannot be performed.
The Honorary Auditors were Mr Ian Darke and Mrs Anita Partridge.
Alan C Pickwick Honorary Treasurer
10[th] February 2026
URMSTON MUSICAL THEATRE
Income and Expenditure Account as at 31st August 2025
| Oklahoma | Beauty | We Will | Oklahoma | Beauty | We Will | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oliver | Jr. | Elf | EXPENDITURE | ATB | Rock U Jr. | Spare | Oliver | Jr. | Elf | INCOME | ATB | Rock U Jr. | Spare |
| 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | 2025 | 2024 | 2024 | 2024 | 2025 | 2025 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | THE SHOW | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | THE SHOW | £ | £ | £ |
| 2190 | 751 | 3820 | Stage Expenses | 1595.64 | 1594.89 | 0.00 | 18310 | 6559 | 23267 | Ticket Sales | 19167.14 | 7416.75 | 0.00 |
| 312 | 0 | 772 | Properties | 236.84 | 429.05 | 0.00 | 653 | 139 | 707 | Programme Sales | 617.46 | 281.50 | 0.00 |
| 2608 | 88 | 2210 | Costumes and Make Up | 3131.77 | 272.51 | 0.00 | 0 | 0 | 400 | Programme Advertisers | 90.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
| 3500 | 1760 | 3545 | Building Hire - Rehearsals & Show | 3500.00 | 1400.00 | 0.00 | 0 | 725 | -169 | Sale of Sweets and Trinkets | 0.00 | 391.44 | 0.00 |
| 3750 | 950 | 3640 | Production and Orchestral Expenses | 3678.30 | 935.00 | 0.00 | 622 | 170 | 534 | Special Committee Donation | 424.06 | 231.50 | 0.00 |
| 850 | 0 | 1560 | Programme Production | 645.00 | 133.00 | 0.00 | 1292 | 330 | 1093 | Show Fund | 1203.00 | 374.00 | 0.00 |
| 81 | 3 | 201 | Ticket Office | 179.38 | 0.00 | 0.00 | Loss on Show | 921.76 | |||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Credit Card Processing | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 410 | 85 | 424 | Entertaining and Setup | 770.56 | 88.23 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 21 | 0 | 0 | Flowers and Presents | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 0 | 0 | 0 | Printing, Stationery and Postages | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 801 | 303 | 181 | Advertising and Photographs | 926.80 | 393.80 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 4360 | 1908 | 5598 | Royalties, Scores and Libretti | 4576.85 | 1678.01 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 609 | 609 | 846 | Insurance | 845.62 | 281.88 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 1200 | 442 | 1299 | Penny Bridge Utilities | 2057.98 | 432.69 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 135 | 265 | 150 | Penny Bridge Rent | 278.68 | 26.00 | 0.00 | |||||||
| 50 | 760 | 1587 | Profit on Show | 1030.13 | 0.00 | ||||||||
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ||
| 20878 | 7923 | 25833 | 22423.42 | 8695.19 | 0.00 | 20878 | 7923 | 25833 | 22423.42 | 8695.19 | 0.00 | ||
| Restricted | THE SOCIETY | Restricted | Restricted | THE SOCIETY | Restricted | ||||||||
| 195 | Printing, Stationery and Postages | 0.00 | 3669 | Subscriptions and Audition Fees | 2725.00 | ||||||||
| 0 | Building Hire & Refreshments | 0.00 | 0 | Donations - Ladies Committee | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 712 | NODA and Trafford Arts | 738.97 | 215 | Donations - Social Committee | -44.19 | ||||||||
| 0 | Flowers, Presents & Donations | 0.00 | 409 | Donations - Other | 10682.98 | ||||||||
| 21933 | Purchase of Equipment | 7586.21 | 0 | Showcase & Others | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 980 | Penny Bridge Maintenance | 949.66 | 114 | Dividends and Interest | 78.69 | ||||||||
| 411 | Penny Bridge Utilities (Unallocated) | 0.00 | 700 | Equipment Hire | 817.19 | ||||||||
| 0 | Penny Bridge Rent (Unallocated) | 0.00 | 0 | Web Site - Income | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 1172 | Insurance | 338.42 | 75 | Penny Bridge - Income | 0.00 | ||||||||
| 0 | Bank Charges | 0.00 | |||||||||||
| 413 | Web Site - Running Costs | 405.08 | |||||||||||
| 25 | Donations - Other | 0.00 | |||||||||||
| 1202 | Donations from Collections (Restricted) | 0.00 | 1199 | Collections at Theatre (Restricted) | 487.25 | ||||||||
| -20662 | Surplus (Deficit) from Society | 4728.58 | |||||||||||
| -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | ||||||
| 5180 | 1202 | Donations at Door Collections | 14746.92 | 0.00 | 5182 | 1199 | 14259.67 | 487.25 | |||||
| to the Little Green Sock Project | |||||||||||||
| Balance Sheet as at 31st August 2025 | |||||||||||||
| Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | Restricted | ||||||||||
| 44259 | Balance at 31st December 2024 | 26153.40 | 650 | Investments (600 Santander Shares) | 650.00 | ||||||||
| -20662 | Surplus (Deficit) from Society | 4728.58 | 3028 | Cash at Santander plc | 3106.94 | ||||||||
| 2396 | Profit (Loss) on Shows | 108.37 | 18935 | Cash at RBS & NatWest | 23834.51 | ||||||||
| -------------- | -------------- | 294 | Cash in Hand | 369.28 | |||||||||
| 25993 | 30990.35 | 3246 | Payments in Advance (Shows) | 3029.62 | |||||||||
| Receipts in Advance | |||||||||||||
| 160 | Correction | (Santander £7.02 each on 31st August | 2025) | ||||||||||
| -------------- | -------------- | **-------------- ** | -------------- | -------------- | -------------- | **-------------- ** | -------------- | ||||||
| 26153 | < | 30990.35 | < | 26153 | < | 30990.35 | < | ||||||
| Honorary Auditors | Honorary Treasurer |
Reporting Serious Incidents (June 2008 Regulations)
The trustees confirm that for the reporting year 1[st] January 2025 to 31[st] August 2025 no serious incidents arose within Urmston Musical Theatre that could significantly harm the charity’s property, work, beneficiaries or reputation.
The trustees declare that there are no serious incidents or other matters which they should have brought to the Commissioners’ attention but have not. The trustees understand that failure to provide this confirmation would be a breach of legal requirements.
28/6/2026.
This declaration is written in conjunction with the guidance notes to be found at: www.charitycommission.gov.uk/Library/investigations/pdfs/rsinotes.pdf
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Urmston Musical Theatre.
I report on the accounts of UMT for the year ended 31[st] August 2025.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner:
The charity’s trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year (under section 43(2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the 1993 Act)) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
- examine the accounts (under section 43(3)(a) of the 1993 Act);
• to follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 43(7)(b) of the 1993 Act); and
• to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner’s report:
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 trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.
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
• to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the 1993 Act; and
• to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 1993 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.
Mr David Holstein
22 Cornhill Road Davyhulme Urmston Manchester M41 5TJ