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2024-12-31-accounts

SEVENOAKS PLAYERS

Registered Charity No: 285591

Accounts for year ended 31st December 2024

Report of the Trustees

Objectives

The principal objects of the Society are to foster and promote the education of the public in dramatic and operatic arts by the production of public stage plays and operatic performances.

The Trustees

For the purpose of the Charities Act, the members of the Management Committee are, de facto, the Trustees of the registered charity. Those serving during the year were:

Tracy Weaver Chairman (appointed 9 May 2024)
Darren Higgins Vice Chairman (appointed 9 May 2024)
Secretary (position vacant since 9 May 2024)
Sarah Brennan Treasurer
Stephanie Winson Producer of Drama and Musicals (appointed 9 May 2024)
Alexander Dunmore Publicity Secretary (appointed 9 May 2024)
Heidi Akester Social Events Manager
Tom Meechan Committee Member (appointed 9 May 2024)
Amanda Ward Committee Member (appointed 9 May 2024; resigned 18 September 2024)

Activities during the year

During the year the Society presented performances of 'Chess' at the Stag Theatre as well as 'The Crucible' and 'Christmas with The Sevenoaks Players'.

The committee decided not to submit any festival entries in 2024.

The society is currently working on its production of 'The Little Mermaid' to take place at the Stag Theatre in April 2025.

Financial Results

The financial results for the year, with notes thereon, are set out in the attached Treasurer's Report and Accounts, which have been independently examined in accordance with the Charities Act 1993.

Use of Accumulated Fund

The Management Committee has determined that funds of at least £25,000 should be retained by the Society in the Accumulated Fund, as an appropriate amount for the scale and objectives of the Society's activities in connection with future productions.

Funds above these levels may be used for a selected aspect of a production; to improve the quality of productions by paying for training of members and to support other theatrical enterprises when this is of benefit to the Society.

Tracy Weaver Chairman

Treasurer's Report

There was an overall defecit of £457 in the year mainly comprising of an overall production defecit of £220 including the £750 underwriting from the Sevenoaks District Arts Council. This was offset by membership subscriptions (£1,114), donations received (£504), and a social events surplus of £768.

There was an overall defecit of £3,197 in the year of 2023.

Net Assets of £32,692 at 31st December 2024 are represented by £28,912 in the Accumulated Fund and £3,780 in the Social Fund.

The Accumulated Fund has been generated from the activities of the Society. The Social Fund is generated from the surpluses from social and fundraising activities and is used to support the Society.

Sevenoaks District Arts Council continue to provide underwriting support for our productions.

We are very grateful for their ongoing support, including the underwriting of £750 received this year towards Chess.

Membership subscriptions are down by 19% compared to last year despite several new members joining in the year.

Interest rates continue to be low.

The claim to be submitted for Gift Aid for the year was estimated at £900. This is in line with 2023 actual gift aid claimed back. Last year's estimate was £1000 for 2023. The £86.13 deficit has been reflected in 2024 income.

Capital expenditure of £230.85 was incurred and written off as detailed in Note 6 .

There was a total of £32,353.92 held in cash in the bank and in hand at the end of 2024 ( £32,477.04 in 2023).

Sarah Brennan Honorary Treasurer

17 April 2024

Balance Sheet

ASSETS
Cash(see Note 3)
Current Accounts
Reserve Account
Cash
Debtors and Prepayments
Interest receivable
Current Debtors
Note 8
Accrual for Gift Aid
Other Accruals
Prepayments for future productions
Note 11
Tools and Equipment
Balance at start of year
Note 6
less: Written off
LIABILITIES
Current Liabilities
Current creditors
Note 5
TOTAL NET ASSETS REPRESENTED BY:
Accumulated Fund:
Balance at start of year
(Deficit) / Surplusfor the year
Transfers(to)/ from other funds
Social Fund:
Balance at start of year
Surplus during year
Sarah Brennan
Honorary Treasurer
17 April 2025		 31 Dec 2024
£
£
17,245
15,000
109
32,353.92
0
600
900
329
1,685
3,514
6,121
(6,121)
0
35,868
3,176
3,176
32,692
30,137
(457)
(768)
28,912
3,012
768
3,780
32,692
0		 31 Dec 2023
£
£
17,368
15,000
109
32,477
0
260
1,000
0
1,185
2,445
5,890
(5,890)
0
34,922
1,773
1,773
33,149
34,552
(3,197)
(1,218)
30,137
1,794
1,218
3,012
36,346
0

Notes to the Accounts and further information

1 Accounting basis

The Accounts are prepared on the accruals basis. Income and expenditure relating to future productions have been carried forward as creditors and prepayments.

2 Surplus/deficit on productions

This represents the aggregate net figures of the income and expenses dealt within these accounts as shown on page 7.

In 2024 the costs primarily reflect the independent examiner's fees and refreshments for the 'Gala Night' during the Chess production.

In 2023 the costs primarily reflected the independent examiner's fees and hall hire for summer workshops open to both members and the general public for free.

5 Current Creditors

These are costs incurred during the year which were not yet paid at year end.

Outstanding costs primarily relate to OVMH and licensing costs invoiced at the end of the year.

6 Tools & equipment held at 31st December 2024 and written off comprise of:

Archive files, held by Alex Dunmore kept in OVMH Lockup
Piano and cover, held by St John's Church Hall
Electric screwdriver and drill, held by Kevin Onley kept in workshop
Crockery bought for Social Events, held by Lorna Veale
Computer held by Keith Neville
Stage stairs, held by Peter Dare kept in workshop
Scaffolding, held by Peter Dare kept in workshop
Jig Saw held by Kevin Onley kept in workshop
Circular saw and power packs held by Kevin Onley kept in workshop
Drum Stage Box (Snake) held by Alex Dunmore
Cables and Adaptor Leads held by Alex Dunmore
Card Payments Machine held by Sarah Brennan
Sound Equipment held by Alex Dunmore kept in OVMH Lockup
Additional archive boxes, held by Alex Dunmore kept in OVMH Lockup
Rehearsal speakers, held by Tracy Weaver kept in OVMH Lockup
Various tools, kept in workshop
Rehearsal speakers, held by Tracy Weaver kept in OVMH Lockup		 Original cost
£432.00
£381.00
£156.00
£49.50
£487.00
£438.00
£2,064.62
£100.00
£346.00
£124.98
£36.73
£29.99
£885.09
£198.84
£159.99
£49.87
£180.98
£6,120.59
These comprise:
OVMH - stage light bought on their behalf - paid 02.01.24
DG Autos - Cinderella program ad - paid 22.01.24
Le Fevre Landscaping - Little Mermaid sponsorhip - deal fell through 2025		 2024
2023
£190.00
£70.00
£600.00
£600
£260

11 Performance prepayments consist of amounts paid in the current year which relate to shows to be performed in the following year, comprising performance license fees, rehearsal room hire, script hire, venue deposits, costumes, props, and festival entry fees, offset by attributable show fees received. Prepayments were attributable to the following shows: The Little Mermaid: £145.63

2026 Musical (tbc): £1539.25

Income & Expenditure

For the 12 months ended 31st December 2024
Income
Production surplus/(deficit) for year
Note 2
Members Subscriptions
Interest receivable
Donations received
Surplus from Social Events
Gift Aid tax recovery
Note 9
Expenses
AGM expenses
Insurance
Post, Phones and Stationery
Publicity & Marketing incl. Website
Society Subscriptions
Donations made
Write off of capital expenditure
Storage / Workshop hire
Other Costs /(income)
Note 4
Overall Surplus/(Deficit)
Transferred to
Accumulated Fund
Social Fund		 £
(220)
1,114
212
504
768
814
3,411
3,191
65
772
0
226
360
0
231
1,440
554
3,648
(457)
(1,225)
768
(457)
31 December 2024		 £
(3,239)
1,382
180
128
1,218
1,012
3,921
682
198
654
0
61
325
100
359
1,440
742
3,879
(3,197)
(4,415)
1,218
(3,197)
31 December 2023

Profit & Loss for productions through the year

INCOME
Ticket sales
Show fees
Other receipts
TOTAL INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Theatre hire & charges
Lighting & sound
Orchestra & MD
Royalties & copies
Printing & publicity
Set, furniture & props
Costumes, hair & makeup
Auditions & rehearsals
Professional fees
Other expenses
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
Programmes surplus/ (deficit)
Less: Donations Paid
Add: Donations Received
Note 10
TOTAL SURPLUS
Surplus from full productions in the year ended 31st		 Chess
The Crucible
Christmas
Cabaret
20,660
3,089
2,232
25,980
2,189
496
231
2,916
346
960
1,243
2,548
23,195
4,544
3,705
31,444
(8,562)
(1,766)
(326)
(10,654)
(1,500)
0
0
(1,500)
(6,380)
0
0
(6,380)
(5,438)
(620)
0
(6,058)
(1,099)
(85)
(615)
(1,798)
(701)
(114)
(85)
(900)
(807)
(344)
0
(1,151)
(2,914)
(901)
(877)
(4,692)
0
0
0
0
(339)
(278)
(330)
(947)
(27,738)
(4,108)
(2,233)
(34,080)
1,608
(61)
42
1,589
0
0
0
0
750
0
0
750
(2,186)
375
1,514
(297)
December 2024
(297)

Festival entries

Income
0
Royalties
0
Other exp.
0
0
Costs relating to 2023 shows
Show Fee
59.5
Bar Sales
27
Costumes
(10)
77		 0
77
(220)

Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts

Report to the Trustees and Members of Sevenoaks Players:

Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner

The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of the Accounts and they consider that the audit requirement of Section 43(2) of the Chairites Act 1993 (the 'Act') does not apply.

It is my responsibility to state, on a basis of procedures specified in the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners under section 43(7)(b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of Examiner's Report

My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. 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 the 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.

Examiner's statement

I have been able to complete my review of the Accounts of Sevenoaks Players for the year ending 31st December 2024 and the balance sheet for the organisation at that date. Nothing in my examination or the explanations of unusual items has come to my attention that would give me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:

(a) to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act and (b) to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Act

have not been met to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the Accounts to be reached.

Belinda Jane Smith Independent Examiner

Address

Date 24.07.2025

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Musicals Dramas
2006 Yeoman of the Guard £5,360 Importance of being Earnest £1,185
2007 Me & My Girl £2,017 Rebecca -£1,828
2008 Oliver -£1,117 Murdered to Death -£769
2009 Princess Ida -£3,587 The Woman in White £1,343
2010 Anything Goes -£6,061 Hayfever / Bumms on Seats £546
2011 The King & I -£4,373 Hound of the Baskervilles £1,050
2012 Pirates of Penzance £1,151 Calendar Girls £10,952
2013 Chess -£339 Rumours -£2,507
2014 South Pacific £2,288 An Inspector Calls £12,620
2015 Sweeney Todd -£3,343 Great Gatsby -£7,562
2016 Sister Act -£3,663 Railway Children £217
2017 Hairspray £2,422 39 Steps £2,236
2018 Whistle Down the Wind -£9,501 The Graduate -£2,488
2019 Jesus Christ Superstar £5,001 Pygmalion £2,757
2020 Oklahoma (cancelled due to COVID 19) -£2,264 N/A £0
2021 Musical Mixup/When The Lights Go On Again £31 Back on the Boards -£657
2022 Alice in Wonderland Pantomime/HMS Pinafore -£1,455 An Appointment With Death £2,146
2023 Sleeping Beauty/Sweet Charity/Ordinary Days/Cinderella -£2,849 N/A £0
2024 Chess/Christmas with The Sevenoaks Players -£672 The Crucible £375
Total income / expenditure -£20,955 Total income / expenditure £19,617
Average -£1,103 Average £1,032
----- End of picture text -----