## **CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2025**
The year 2025 has been another busy and fruitful year at the Arden Theatre.
Our little theatre continues to grow; in fact I feel that it should no longer be tagged little theatre!
Our reputation for delivering quality entertainment continues to strengthen, as evidenced by a comprehensive programme of six high-calibre productions featuring a diverse array of actors and crew. We have engaged participants from both our local community and beyond, including individuals with amateur and professional backgrounds.
We currently have over 1,800 people receiving our newsletters.
We have three full groups in our youth theatre – and more on the waiting list.
Our volunteer group keeps expanding, creating a welcoming, family-like environment throughout all our productions and events.
This Arden “quality” has been remarked upon by not only those participating in our productions, but also by our audiences.
Our audience numbers have continued to increase due to our afore mentioned reputation. We can boast regulars who reserve the same seat for every production.
We have a vibrant community theatre.
Last year – a recap of events in addition to our six shows;
Once again, Up the Creek Pantomime society delighted audiences with their rendition of _Aladdin_ during the February Half term break.
This was followed by a return of the Faversham Literary Festival – another successful event.
In March, we had the Comedy show Twidow Wankey return for a one off performance followed later in the month by A Cilla Black tribute artist – Sandy Smith (she has booked next year already!)
In April, local band Green Diesel wowed our audiences for a night of their music and Lorenden School returned to use the theatre for their school performance.
9[th] May saw the return of Hill and Jones – fabulous comedy duo and June had us strutting to the Flamenco dancers.
We held the Maurice Patterson Playwriting Festival on May 2nd and 3rd to showcase local playwrights. This year's festival will feature a new format, with selected plays being performed.
The Maurice Patterson Festival was followed Daylight Robbery on 30[th] 31[st] May- another local writing group who generously donated their door receipts for the opportunity to perform their plays at our theatre.
Also in June, Claire Snoad used the theatre for her production of the _Wizard of Oz_ and a wonderful time was had by all.
August was the return of the Jerseys. Oh, what a night! They are back in August 2026 for a three more of nights. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Mike Wheeler and his Flemish folk band returned later in the month.
Faversham Fringe brought top entertainment to the theatre for a few evenings. Although it will pause next year, it’s expected to return stronger in 2027. Ribs deserves recognition for outstanding organisation and management.
We embraced a newly formed drama group - Monkey with a Shotgun. And as part of our Reaching Out initiative worked in collaboration with them for a production of _Legacy_ and _Slap the Eel_ , at the Anchor pub on August 22[nd] August.
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 has 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 and a welcome input from Redrow, for our Christmas Show.
We are excited to announce that planning permission has been applied for, for what we are currently calling the Arden Annexe which will house a rehearsal space, changing facilities, storage and our own all access toilets.
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.
We are also recipients of smaller amounts of money from the Faversham Lottery fund.
Other projects are still underway, and I'm confident that everyone’s hard work will keep going strong and the resources will grow throughout the coming year.
All of this truly highlights what makes Faversham special—a town abundant in culture, with so many people generously giving their time to benefit others.
This leads me to an extensive 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, Bea Falavigna 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 continuing to sort out the theatre finances and bring us right up to date.
Andrew Dixon – our new independent examiner.
Don Cockrill, John Pickering, Richard Andrews, Brian Denton and Martin Kelly for Set building.
Jill Hawkins for continuing as bar manager and cajoling new members to become bar staff.
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, Caroline Martin, Natalie French.
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.
Ben Jones for sorting out membership for us and making the process so much easier to navigate.
Our Chaperones – Kirsty Horsey, Claire Salthouse, Sue Gower, Katie Sherlock - Clarke, Gemma Mann, Luicia Dillow, Michelle Taylor, Andy Shepherd, Sue Shepherd, Ben Jones, Katherine Putko and David Clarke.
Mick Bennell, Howard Smith and Malcolm Strickland for all things technical, and Richard Andrews, John Pickering, James Freed and Kim Robichaud,
Our directors, Caroline Lamoon, Richard Andrews, Des Crilley, John Moss and Leon Robichaud.
Our costumiers, Sue Gower, Jan Simmons, Val Maysey and Rachel Hasbury .
The make- up ladies, Bev Cook, Becky Simmons, Chel Mckeen 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, and Tom Pikett for the hours that they spend at the youth theatre and also for our young volunteers –Billy, Coralie, Anjika, Oscar, Ed, Ryan, Macie and Eloise.
Wendy Otway, Brian Denton, Richard Andrews and Laura Crawte for their marketing and Publicity skills.
Basia Lozynska for poster delivery.
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! Not so many 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 must also take a moment to mention two of the theatre family who are no longer with us. Mary Caryer and Candice McGowan. I am sure that they will both be creating their own special
havoc wherever they are now and we send our condolences to their families and to all who were privileged to know them. 2 more stars up there!
Thank you all for your ongoing support, which has helped shape the theatre into what it is today.
Thank you all.
Jo Andrews
## **Statement of Assets and Liabilities Registered Charity 274906 As of 31/08/25**
|**Cash funds**
Bank and Cash Accounts
Lloyds Current
Lloyds Saving
Lloyds Deposit
Lloyds Fixed Term Deposit
Natwest Current
NatWest Savings
Bar/Cash
**Total Bank and Cash Funds**
**Other monetary assets**
Bar Stock
Debtors||**31/8/2025**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
12,652.86
£10,000.00
22,652.86
296.95
296.95
94,710.53
94,710.53
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,291.65
1,291.65
**£108,951.99**
**£10,000.00**
**118,951.99**
**£**
**1,422.93**
**£**
**-**
**£**
**1,422.93**
**£**
**1,242.37**
**£**
**-**
**£**
**1,242.37**
**£**
**tatement o ssets an ates**
**Registered Charity 274906**
**As of 31/08/25**|**31/8/2025**
Unrestricted
Restricted
Total
Funds
Funds
12,652.86
£10,000.00
22,652.86
296.95
296.95
94,710.53
94,710.53
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,291.65
1,291.65
**£108,951.99**
**£10,000.00**
**118,951.99**
**£**
**1,422.93**
**£**
**-**
**£**
**1,422.93**
**£**
**1,242.37**
**£**
**-**
**£**
**1,242.37**
**£**
**tatement o ssets an ates**
**Registered Charity 274906**
**As of 31/08/25**|**31/8/2024**
Total
£42,679.47
£5,565.78
-
£12,500.00
£10,746.07
£12,713.96
£700.66|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||**£108,951.99**|**£10,000.00**|**£84,905.94**|
|||**1,422.93**
**£**
**1,242.37**
**£**|**-**
**£**
**-**
**£**|**1,307.88**
**£**
**542.55**
**£**|
## **Assets retained for the Charity's**
## **own use;**
## **Property**
Property - The ownership of the property is vested in a separate Trust and is not owned by the Arden Theatre Group Charity.
## **Fixtures, Fittings & Equipment**
Expenditure on Fixtures, Fittings and Equipment is written off through the Receipts and Payments account in the year in which incurred
## **Liabilities**
There are no known liabilities at 31st August 2025
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.
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS REPORT The Arden Theatre Group 274906**
## **Between 01/09/2024 and 31/08/2025**
|**Inflows**
Voluntary
Donations
Fund Raising
Membership
Youth Income
Total Voluntary
Trading
Bar
Charitable, Productions
Theatre Hire
Costume Hire/Equipment sale
Sponsorship
Total Trading
Other Income
Income from Assets
Grant
Total Other Income
**Total Inflows**
**Outflows**
Charitable Expenditure
Production Costs
Young Arden
Total Charitable Expenditure
Other Expenditure
Bar Costs
Fund Raising and Publicity
Management & Administration
Total Other Expenditure
Repairs and replacements/Assets
Boiler
Bar POS System
General equipment
Lights
Curtains
Total Asset Payments
**Total Outflows**
**Receipts less Payments - Surplus**
**Cash at bank and in hand brought forward**
**Surplus - as above**
**Cash at bank and in hand carried forward**|**01/09/2024**
**–**
**31/08/2025**
**Unrestricted**
**Restricted**
**Total**
**Funds**
**Funds**
478.23
-
478.23
895.05
-
895.05
499.65
-
499.65
2,654.58
-
2,654.58
4,527.51
-
4,527.51
19,839.07
-
19,839.07
27,456.00
-
27,456.00
6,641.42
-
6,641.42
500.00
-
500.00
1,820.00
-
1,820.00
56,256.49
-
56,256.49
844.24
844.24
-
10,000.00
10,000.00
844.24
10,000.00
10,844.24
61,628.24
10,000.00
71,628.24
13,998.30
-
13,998.30
15.25
-
15.25
14,013.55
-
14,013.55
8,398.81
-
8,398.81
135.74
-
135.74
9,858.80
-
9,858.80
18,393.35
-
18,393.35
2,913.60
-
2,913.60
-
-
-
1,133.97
-
1,133.97
288.13
-
288.13
839.59
-
839.59
5,175.29
-
5,175.29
37,582.19
-
37,582.19
**£24,046.05**
**£10,000.00**
**34,046.05**
**£**
84,905.94
-
84,905.94
24,046.05
10,000.00
34,046.05
**£108,951.99**
**£10,000.00**
**118,951.99**
**£**|**01/09/2023**
**–**
**31/08/2024**
**Total**
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
665.35
3,434.10
-|
|||5,623.45|
||||
|||40,978.45|
|||**£29,427.60**|
|||55,478.34
29,427.60|
|||**£84,905.94**|
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.
CHARITY COMMISSION
FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent
examiner's report
on the accounts
Section A
Independent Examiner's Report
Report to the trusteesl members of
THE ARDEN THEATRE GROUP
On accounts for the year ended
31ST AUGUST2025
Charity no
ifan
274906
Set out on pages
AS AThACHED
I report to the trustees on my examination of the
accounts of the above charity ("the Trust") for the
year ended 3110812025.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity trustees of the Trust, you are
responsible for the preparation of the accounts in
accordance wrth the requirements of Ihe Charities
Act 2011 {"the Act").
I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's
accounts carried OLrt under section 145 of the 2011
Act and in carrying out my examination, I have
followed the applicable Directions given by the
Ch8rrty Commission under section 145(5llbl of the
Act.
Inde
endent examinerfs
statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no
rnaterial rnatters have come lo my attention in
connection with the examination which gives me
cause to believe Ihat 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 Ihe examination to which
attention should be drawn in order lo enable a
proper understanding of the accounts lo be
reached.
Signed:
Date:
IS, December
2025
Name:
ANDREWIOHN DIXON
Relevant professional
ualification
or bod
ifan
Address:
8 HUNTERSWAY, SHELDWICH LEES, FAVERSHAM, KENT
ME13 ONB
Disclosure
Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight
matters of concern (see CC32, Independent
examination of charity accounts.. directions and
guidance for examiners).
None
Give here brief details of any items
thal the examiner wishes to
disclose.