2024-08-31-accounts - The Arden Theatre Group

This text was generated using OCR and may contain errors. Check the original PDF to see the document submitted to the regulator.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2025

The year 2024/5 has been another busy and fruitful year at the Arden Theatre.

Our little theatre continues to grow,

A few numbers:

We currently have over 80 actors in our pool

We currently have over 1,500 active people on our mailing list.

We currently have three full groups in our youth theatre – and more on the waiting list.

Our cohort of volunteers, who give their time and energies to make the theatre the place that it is, continues to grow, and the family atmosphere before during and after productions and events is heartwarming and really rather special.

What we currently have is a thriving community theatre.

We have had a full programme of 6 high quality shows with a variety of actors and crew, drawing on a wider cohort of people from our local community and even further beyond.

We have also once again celebrated the work of local playwrights with our Maurice Patterson Playwriting festival.

This was followed Daylight Robbery another local writing group who generously donated their door receipts for the opportunity to perform their plays at our theatre.

We have also forged new relationships with other local groups and worked in collaboration with them.

We have cemented our reputation for delivering quality entertainment and audiences have continued to increase in numbers.

Such a busy year both on and off stage.

Fundraising for the extension has continued – although on things out there are a little tougher now that belts are tightening.

I must here thank Richard Andrews who have both given enormous amounts of time to making connections and seeking funding.

Many organisations prefer to donate one off specific grants. We have this year received another amount of funding to support the tech and lighting needs at the theatre from Swale Borough Council.

We are also recipients of smaller amounts of money from the Faversham Lottery fund.

We also received donations from the friends of St Mary’s Church and from Co-op Funeral services.

Other projects are on-going, and I feel sure that efforts will continue and the pot increase throughout the next year.

In addition to the funding applications, we have had some fabulous fundraising events all of which have been great fun and added to the pot.

Thanks to Sue and Andrew Shepherd from Up the Creek Pantomime society for their donations to the theatre following the always popular Race Night once more.

In addition, they passed on an amount of stage curtaining donated to them by Guy Hawkins. This was cleaned, at no cost, by Faversham Linen services, and will be put to use in many shows in the future.

In addition to our 6 in-house productions, we have had a number of outside hirers using our theatre.

We had Hill and Jones Comedians in June with some wonderful entertainment in advance of their production at the Brighton Fringe They will be back!

Our theatre was hired in July by Playtime theatre once again.

August saw the return of the Jerseys. Oh, what a night! They are back here this August for a couple of nights. Book early to avoid disappointment.

Lorenden School once again gave their students the opportunity to perform on a “proper “ stage

We also saw the return of Faversham Fringe to the theatre for a couple of evenings prime entertainment.

In October, we had the pleasure of hosting two Blues nights, Stacey Mitchaart followed by Connolly Hayes in November.

Local band Green Diesel also delighted performers in March

The return of Up the Creek pantomime society in February was followed by another return - Faversham Literary festival.

All this goes to show what a town Faversham is – so rich in culture, so many people giving up their time for others.

Which brings me on to a huge list of thank -yous.

The theatre cannot run without its volunteers. So many people give up their time to keep this place alive and kicking.

If I have missed anyone, please let me know.

Firstly the Committee.

We have become more efficient this year with committee members taking on specific roles. All are like the ingredients of a cake that would be a flop without them.

I thank them all for the time that they spend and will spend to keep things running smoothly.

Richard Andrews, Vicky Gatward - Warner, Brian Denton, Sue Gower, Ben Jones, Howard Smith, Vicky Smith and Katie Sherlock – Clarke.

There are so many more though and here is the list.

Many thanks to ;

Vicky Gatward – Warner and Bea Falavigna for sorting out the financial maelstrom. Andrew Dixon – our new independent examiner

Don Cockrill, John Pickering and Martin Kelly for Set building. Jill Hawkins for taking over as bar manager and becoming our new Licensee. All of those who help behind the bar – Maggie Scott, Don Cockrill, Sid Taylor, Debbie Taylor, Sue Bailey, Katie Sherlock - Clarke, Lou Funnell, Carole Morris, Basia Losynska, Tom Pikett, Brian Denton, Michelle Taylor, Cheree Bright, Laura Wilson, Ed Davies and Peter Vale.

Linda Kelly, Vicky Smith, John Pickering and Tracie Waller for Stage Management Martin Kelly for creating beautiful sets with his painting skills Ribs Norman for running the website Peter Vale for sorting out membership for us

Our Chaperones – Kirsty Horsey, Gillian Fox, Claire Salthouse, Sue Gower, Katie Sherlock, Gemma Mann, Luicia Dillow, Michelle Taylor, Sue Shepherd, Ben Jones and David Clarke.

Mick Bennell, James Freed, Kim Robichaud, Howard Smith and Malcolm Strickland for all things technical, and Richard Andrews, John Pickering and Jack Denton for operation of said tech.

Our directors, Caroline Lamoon, Richard Andrews, Des Crilley, John Moss, Vicky Gatward -Warner, Derek Brown, and Paul Milton.

Our costumiers, Sue Gower, jan Simmons and Val Maysey .

The make- up ladies, Bev Cook, Becky Simmons, Chel Mckean and Melissa Dawson Bowling.

John Moss, Vicky Gatward- Warner, Des Crilley, Richard Andrews, Wendy Otway, Matt Platt, Robbie McGovan McGowan and Howard Smith for their work on the Drama Committee

Chris Freed for all productions stills.

Ben Jones, Tom Pikett, and for the hours that they spend at the youth theatre and also for our young volunteers – Meg, Ashton, Ed, Ryan, Macie and Eloise. Wendy Otway, Georgia Denton, Brian Denton, Richard Andrews and Laura Crawte for their marketing and Publicity skills.

Derek and Phyll Brown for our monthly clean up of the kitchen.

Our Trustees – Terry Hodges and Charles Vanderpeer.

The list of the family that is the Arden is endless.

Please excuse me if I have omitted anyone.

Hmmmmmm The actors? So many, so many new faces. So much talent. Brilliant.

So, that brings us to the end of the report. As I said at the beginning, what a year! There have been hissy fits and flounces, laughter and tears, hugs, arguments, reconciliations, dramas and crises and all else that contributes in making the theatre the family that it has become.

Thank you all for your part in it. You are all important, you are all welcome.

All this, and so much more to look forward to in the coming year – another season of plays, another Ball?, more fundraising events, a gala evening to mention a few. Onwards and upwards!

I would like to finish by saying that the year 2024/5 will be my last year as chair. It will by then be the time to hand over the reins to a new broom to take this functioning theatre and fly with it. Thank you for your continued support in making the theatre what it is

Thank you all.

THE ARDEN THEATRE GROUP

STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31ST AUGUST 2024

Registered Charity 274906

ASSETS Bank and Cash Accounts Lloyds Current Lloyds Saving Lloyds Fixed Term Deposit Natwest Current NatWest Savings Bar/Cash Total Bank and Cash Accounts Other Assets Bar Stock Year End Debtors Assets retained for the charity's own use Property Fixtures & Fittings Total TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES Other Liabilities Year End Creditors TOTAL LIABILITIES	31/8/2023 £25,247.45 £9,409.59 - £8,116.62 £12,531.04 £173.64 £55,478.34 £2,017.68 - £2,017.68 £302,000.00 £80,758.45 £382,758.45 £440,254.47 £5.58 £5.58	31/8/2024 £42,679.47 £5,565.78 £12,500.00 £10,746.07 £12,713.96 £700.66
		£84,905.94
		£1,307.88 £542.55
		£1,850.43
		£302,000.00 £86,381.90
		£388,381.90

		£475,138.27
		-
		£0.00

Notes to the Financial Statements

The Statements are prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis as permitted by the Charity Commissioners for Charities with income of less than £250,000.

Property - The ownership of the property is by a Trust Deed and is not owned by the Arden Theatre Group Charity. However the Charity Commissioners require the value of any property regularly used by the charity to be included in the Financial Statements.

Fixtures and Fittings. Previoulsy these were items above £100, included at cost and brought forward from earlier Financial Statements with no depreciation or reduction. Following an in-house inventory of equipment figure has been changed to the inventory figure in August 2018. Acquisitions since that date have been added at cost. The Trustees consider this to represent current value.

VGW - 31/08/23 figure matched to HMRC submission

THE ARDEN THEATRE GROUP

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS REPORT

Registered Charity 274906

Between 01/09/2023 and 31/08/2024

Receipts Voluntary Donations Fund Raising Membership Youth Income Total Voluntary Trading Bar Charitable, Productions Theatre Hire Costume Hire Sponsership Total Trading Other Income Income from Assets Grant Total Other Income Payments Outflows Charitable Expenditure Production Costs Young Arden Total Charitable Expenditure Other Expenditure Bar Costs Fund Raising and Publicity Management & Administration Total Other Expenditure Assets Amplifier Bar POS System Cables Laptop Starcloth Moving light effect Lights Microphone Total Asset Payments Total Outflows Receipts less Payments Cash funds brought forward Cash funds carried forward	01/09/2022 – 31/08/2023 2,016.71 13,246.86 2,472.95 1,883.05 19,619.57 18,357.47 19,345.76 8,085.45 20.00 950.00 46,758.68 219.17 11,254.00 11,473.17 £77,851.42 7,041.81 168.58 7,210.39 8,786.41 8,219.69 9,555.40 26,561.50 419.05 396.53 11,602.49 299.05 12,717.12 £46,489.01 £31,362.41 24,115.93 £55,478.34	01/09/2023 – 31/08/2024 8,432.81 2,584.68 2,019.45 3,059.40
		16,096.34
		20,924.48 26,225.27 4,522.50 30.00 810.00
		52,512.25
		297.46 1,500.00
		1,797.46

		£70,406.05
		13,431.65
		13,431.65
		8,682.87 2,800.10 10,440.38
		21,923.35
		1,524.00 176.97 258.99 229.39 3,434.10
		5,623.45
		£40,978.45
		£29,427.60
		55,478.34
		£84,905.94

Note - all receipts and payments relate to the unrestricted general fund.

VGW - 31/08/23 figure matched to HMRC submission

Independent examiner's report on the accounts

		Independent examiner's report on the accounts	Independent examiner's report on the accounts
Section A Independent Examiner’s Report

Report to the trustees/ members of	Charity Name THE ARDEN THEATRE GROUP

On accounts for the year ended	31ST AUGUST 2024	Charity no (if any)	274906

Set out on pages	AS ATTACHED (remember to include the page numbers of additional sheets)

Responsibilities and basis of report	I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity (“the Trust”) for the year ended31/08/2024. As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are responsible for the preparation 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 examiner's statement	Independent examiner's statement	I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention 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.	I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention 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.	I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention 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.

	Signed:			Date:	12thMay2025
			A J Dixon
	Name:		ANDREW JOHN DIXON

	Relevant professional qualification(s) or body (if any):

	Address:		8 HUNTERS WAY , SHELDWICH LEES, FAVERSHAM, KENT ME13 0NB



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.