SOUTHAMPTON MUSICAL SOCIETY
Trustee’s Report and
Independently Examined Accounts for the period 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024
Registered Charity No. 299426
| TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT | 2 |
|---|---|
| REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | 5 |
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES | 6 |
| BALANCE SHEET | 7 |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 8 |
Southampton Musical Society Trustees’ Annual Report for the period 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in notes to the accounts and comply with the charity’s governing document, the Charities Act 2011 and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland published on 16 July 2014.
Objectives and Activities
The objects of the society are:
-
i. to educate the public in the dramatic and operatic arts; and
-
ii. to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts; and
-
iii. to assist and further such charitable institutions and charitable purposes as the committee shall from time to time determine.
The trustees, in making decisions about activities throughout the year, have had due regard to the commission's guidance on public benefit.
The Society aims to stage 2 productions over the course of a year as well as social events for it’s members along with their friends and family.
Achievements and Performance
In line with the SMS constitution, the Trustees and other members of the committee met formally 12 times during the year to discuss the running of the society. At the Annual General Meeting on 16th May, Adrian Jones was re-elected as Chairman, Dave Brown was re-elected as Treasurer, and Daniel Ferrett was re-elected as General Committee. Charlotte Hollin stepped down from her position as General Committee and was replaced by Andrew Knight. In August, Dave Brown stepped down from his role as Treasurer and Daniel Ferrett took this on as an interim measure.
New member auditions were held on 10[th] April and 29[th] October, resulting in 15 people being invited to join SMS. Total membership of the society at the end of 2024 consequently grew to 75 paying members and 6 life members.
During the year, the Society put on two shows at The Point theatre in Eastleigh, with Legally Blonde (1[st] – 4[th] May) and School Daze (3[rd] – 5[th] October) both receiving excellent reviews.
Legally Blonde was the most successfully commercial show in the Society’s recent history, and the first show to make a profit in a long time. School Daze was a collaborative concert with Gantry Youth Theatre and had lower out-going costs due the style of show, but unfortunately made a small loss. Whilst our target is to break even on major shows like these, the rising cost of theatre and rehearsal venue hire makes this very difficult. As a result, we budget to make up the shortfall from the surplus generated on non-show activities (sponsorship and membership fee income is considerably in excess of our small non-show-related outgoings).
2
As well as our main stage theatre shows, SMS Studios produced Dogfight (1[st] – 3[rd] Feb) and 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche (1[st] – 3[rd] August) at The Stage Door in Southampton. These were the first two shows for the new SMS Studios franchise of SMS, focussing on smaller/lesser known shows in smaller venues. The aim of SMS Studios is to give our membership a variety of different performance opportunities within different types of production. Dogfight made a small profit which was encouraging, however 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche made a small loss – whilst receiving rave reviews from those who saw it.
This necessitated using some of our cash reserves to cover the shortfall however, thanks to the success of Legally Blonde, our cash balance at the end of December was £13,621.53 – an increase of £4,316 from the previous year.
It was decided to continue the plans to expand sponsors and to select shows that are likely to perform better were continued into 2025.
Financial Review
During 2024 Southampton Musical Society achieved a profit of £4,346.
Total cash at the bank and in hand on 31 December 2024 was £13,652.
Reserves Policy
The Society’s reserve policy for the period ending 31 December 2024 is that enough reserves should be maintained to cover fixed annual expenditure (currently £1,012) and a contingency for a loss of up to £3,500 on the next production. The reserves on this date are £13,652, all of which are unrestricted.
Structure, Governance and Management
The Society is an unincorporated association and its governing document is the Constitution adopted April 1985 with the latest amendment dated 18 May 2021.
Trustees are elected by the members at the Annual General Meeting for a term of 2 years. The 4 Trustees serve as Executive Officers on the Committee and hold the posts of Chairman, Treasurer, Business Manager and General Secretary.
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Name
Southampton Musical Society (also known as SMS)
Registered Charity Number
299426
Registered address:
60 Gatcombe, Netley Abbey, Southampton, Hants. SO31 5PX
Trustees, role and dates (if not for the full year)
Richard Adrian Jones Chairman
3
Daniel James Ferrett Treasurer Rory Blincow Business Manager Claire Meehan General Secretary
Declaration
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees:
Richard Adrian Jones Daniel James Ferrett Chairman Treasurer Date: 27.10.2025 Date: 27.10.2025
4
Independent examiner’s report
I report to the trustees of my examination of the accounts of the above charity (the “Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report:
As the charity’s trustees, 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 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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:
-
the accounting records were not kept in in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a “true and fair” view which
is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Name: Stephen Foster
Relevant professional qualification(s) or membership of professional bodies: FCA
Address: 38 Bridge End Warwick CV34 6PB
Date: 27 October 2025
5
Statement of Financial Activities for the period 01 January 2024 – 31 December 2024
| Notes | 2024 funds | 2023 funds | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Income | £ | £ | |||
| Donatons & Membership | 2.1 | 5,410 | 6,898 | ||
| Producton Sales | 2.2 | 25,643 | 21,137 | ||
| Fundraising | 2.3 | 2,322 | 1,665 | ||
| Sponsorship | 2.4 | 1,700 | 650 | ||
| Other Income | 2.5 | 170 | 198 | ||
| Total Income | 35,246 | 30,547 | |||
| Expenditure | |||||
| Producton Expenditure | 3.1 | 28,142 | 32,299 | ||
| Fundraising Expenditure | 3.2 | 1,256 | 1,090 | ||
| Administraton | 3.3 | 1,410 | 1,157 | ||
| Other Expenditure | 3.4 | 92 | - | ||
| Total Expenses | 30,900 | 34,546 | |||
| Net income / (expenditure) | 4,346 | (3,999) | |||
| Total funds brought forward | 9,305 | 14,576 | |||
| Total funds carried forward | 13,652 | 9,305 |
7
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | Notes | £ | £ | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 13,652 | 9,305 | |||
| Total Current Assets | 13,652 | 9,305 | |||
| Net Current Assets / (Liabilites) | 13,652 | 9,305 | |||
| Unrestricted Funds | 13,652 | 9,305 | |||
| Total Funds | 13,652 | 9,305 |
The financial accounts were approved by the trustees on 27[th] October 2025 and were signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees by:
Richard Adrian Jones Chairman
Daniel James Ferrett Treasurer
8
Notes to the Financial Statements for the period 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024
1. Accounting Policies
1.1. Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis, in accordance with the relevant thresholds as advised by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
1.2. Going Concern The trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in existence for the foreseeable future. They continue to believe the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate in preparing the financial statements.
1.3. Fund Accounting Unrestricted funds are spent or applied at the discretion of the trustees to further any of the charity’s purposes.
Funds held on specific trusts under charity law are classed as restricted funds. The specific trusts may be declared by the donor when making the gift or may result from the terms of an appeal for funds.
The charity currently holds no restricted funds.
1.4. Recognition of income All income is recognised once the charity becomes entitled to the resources, it is more likely than not that the trustees will receive the resources, and the monetary value can be measured with sufficient reliability.
1.5. Tax reclaims on donations and gifts Gift Aid receivable is included in income when there is a valid declaration from the donor. Any Gift Aid amount recovered on a donation is considered to be part of that gift and is treated as an addition to the same fund as the initial donation unless the donor or the terms of the appeal have specified otherwise.
2. Analysis of Total Income
2.1. Donations & Membership
| nalysis of Total Income 1. Donations & Membership |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
||
| £ | £ | ||
| Member Subscriptons | 3,308 | 3,347 | |
| Producton Fees | 2,090 | 2,173 | |
| Donatons | 12 | 62 | |
| Gif Aid | - | 1,316 | |
| Total | 5,410 | 6,898 |
9
| 2.2. Production Sales Ticket Sales Programme Sales Rafe / Merchandise Sales Programme Adverts Total 2.3. Fundraising Fundraising / Social Events Tuck Shop Sales Cast Merchandise Sales Producton Photos Sales Easyfundraising / Amazon Smile Total 2.4. Sponsorship Producton Sponsorship General Sponsorship Total 2.5. Other Income |
2.2. Production Sales Ticket Sales Programme Sales Rafe / Merchandise Sales Programme Adverts Total 2.3. Fundraising Fundraising / Social Events Tuck Shop Sales Cast Merchandise Sales Producton Photos Sales Easyfundraising / Amazon Smile Total 2.4. Sponsorship Producton Sponsorship General Sponsorship Total 2.5. Other Income |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| Ticket Sales | 22,683 | 19,712 | ||
| Programme Sales | 1,584 | 951 | ||
| Rafe / Merchandise Sales | 1,252 | 390 | ||
| Programme Adverts | 125 | 85 | ||
| Total | 25,643 | 21,137 | ||
| Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| Fundraising / Social Events | 785 | 524 | ||
| Tuck Shop Sales | - | 35 | ||
| Cast Merchandise Sales | 745 | 449 | ||
| Producton Photos Sales | 792 | 605 | ||
| Easyfundraising / Amazon Smile | - | 52 | ||
| Total | 2,322 | 1,665 | ||
| Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| Producton Sponsorship | - | - | ||
| General Sponsorship | 1,700 | 650 | ||
| Total | 1,700 | 650 | ||
All income in the year was unrestricted.
10
3. Analysis of Total Expenditure
3.1. Production Expenditure
| Royaltes / PRS Theatre Hire & Staf Orchestra / Backing Tracks Lightng & Sound Scenery Hire Rehearsal Venue Hire Programme Costs Advertsing Wardrobe Propertes Make-up Ticketng Charge Other Producton Expenses Total 3.2. Fundraising Expenditure Fundraising & Social Event Costs Cast Merchandise Expenses Producton Photos Expenses SMS Shop Expenses Total 3.3. Administration NODA Membership Website Costs Insurance Venue Hire Accountng Card Processing Fees & Related Expenses Bank Charges Total |
Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |||
| Royaltes / PRS | 5,589 | 5,815 | ||
| Theatre Hire & Staf | 8,327 | 12,186 | ||
| Orchestra / Backing Tracks | 1,689 | 2,700 | ||
| Lightng & Sound | 4,423 | 2,902 | ||
| Scenery Hire | 1,849 | 3,157 | ||
| Rehearsal Venue Hire | 3,625 | 2,595 | ||
| Programme Costs | 637 | 774 | ||
| Advertsing | 150 | 299 | ||
| Wardrobe | 701 | 482 | ||
| Propertes | 297 | 585 | ||
| Make-up | - | - | ||
| Ticketng Charge | 678 | 804 | ||
| Other Producton Expenses | 177 | - | ||
| Total | 28,142 | 32,299 | ||
| Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| Fundraising & Social Event Costs | 52 | 75 | ||
| Cast Merchandise Expenses | 597 | 376 | ||
| Producton Photos Expenses | 600 | 604 | ||
| SMS Shop Expenses | 7 | 35 | ||
| Total | 1,256 | 1,090 | ||
| Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| NODA Membership | 230 | 179 | ||
| Website Costs | 144 | 85 | ||
| Insurance | 524 | 611 | ||
| Venue Hire | - | - | ||
| Accountng | 54 | 49 | ||
| Card Processing Fees & Related Expenses | 398 | 172 | ||
| Bank Charges | 60 | 62 | ||
| Total | 1,410 | 1,157 |
11
| 3.4. Other Expenditure Postage & Statonary Miscellaneous Expenses Total |
3.4. Other Expenditure Postage & Statonary Miscellaneous Expenses Total |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total 2024 |
Total 2023 |
|||
| £ | £ | |||
| Postage & Statonary | - | - | ||
| Miscellaneous Expenses | 92 | - | ||
| Total | 92 | - |
12
| Startng Balance | £ 9,240.79 | £ 9,593.64 | £ 10,131.07 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income | Jan-24 | Feb-24 | Mar-24 |
| Member Subscriptons | £ 157.00 | £ 157.00 | £ 152.50 |
| Producton Fees | £ (50.00) | £ (50.00) | £ 25.00 |
| Donatons | £ 2.37 | ||
| Gif Aid | |||
| Ticket Sales | £ 3,110.00 | ||
| Programme Sales | £ 123.00 | ||
| Rafe/Merchandise Sales | |||
| Programme Adverts | |||
| Fundraising /Social Events | £ 566.10 | £ 23.00 | |
| Tuck ShopSales | |||
| Cast Merchandise Sales | £ 150.00 | £ 165.00 | £ 385.00 |
| Producton Photos Sales | £ 145.00 | ||
| Easyfundraising /Amazon Smile | |||
| Producton Sponsorship | |||
| General Sponsorship | |||
| Misc | £ 120.00 | ||
| SMS ShopSales | |||
| Total | £ 943.10 | £ 3,650.00 | £ 587.87 |
| Expenses | |||
| Royaltes/PRS | £ 701.88 | ||
| Theatre Hire & Staf | |||
| Orchestra/BackingTracks | £ 450.00 | ||
| Lightng& Sound | £ 918.51 | ||
| SceneryHire | £ 81.00 | ||
| Rehearsal Venue Hire | £ 120.00 | £ 556.00 | £ 288.00 |
| Programme Costs | £ 130.45 | ||
| Advertsing | |||
| Wardrobe | £ 259.87 | ||
| Propertes | £ 188.26 | ||
| Make-up | |||
| TicketngCharge | |||
| Other Producton Expenses | |||
| Fundraising& Social Event Costs | £ 21.95 | £ 30.00 | |
| Cast Merchandise Expenses | £ 104.00 | £ 492.70 | |
| Producton Photos Expenses | £ 100.00 | ||
| SMS ShopExpenses | |||
| NODA Membership | £ 230.00 | ||
| Website Costs | |||
| Insurance | |||
| Venue Hire | |||
| Accountng | |||
| Card ProcessingFees & Related Expenses | £ 7.85 | £ 3.05 | |
| Bank Charges | £ 5.00 | £ 5.00 | £ 5.00 |
| Postage & Statonary | |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Expenses | £ 20.00 |
| UNKNOWN | |
| Total | £ 590.25 £ 3,112.57 £ 1,015.70 |
| TOTAL | £ 352.85 £ 537.43 -£ 427.83 |
| Adjustment (Cash Moved) | |
| End Balance | £ 9,593.64 £ 10,131.07 £ 9,703.24 |
| Bank Balance | £ 9,593.64 £ 10,131.07 £ 9,703.24 |
| £ | 9,703.24 | £ | 8,462.36 | £ | 12,942.70 | £ | 12,650.45 | £ | 11,768.70 | £ | 13,591.41 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr-24 | May-24 | Jun-24 | Jul-24 | Aug-24 | Sep-24 | ||||||
| £ | 150.25 | £ | 424.75 | £ | 172.75 | £ | 177.25 | £ | 159.25 | £ | 699.25 |
| £ | 650.00 | £ | 440.00 | ||||||||
| £ | 9.61 | ||||||||||
| £ | 585.00 | £ | 16,637.50 | £ | 15.00 | £ | 2,260.00 | ||||
| £ | 640.00 | £ | 3.50 | £ | 372.50 | ||||||
| £ | 809.70 | ||||||||||
| £ | 125.00 | ||||||||||
| £ | 191.25 | £ | 5.00 | ||||||||
| £ | 44.80 | ||||||||||
| £ | 371.00 | ||||||||||
| £ | 1,200.00 | £ | 250.00 | £ | 250.00 | ||||||
| £ | 50.00 | ||||||||||
| £ | 2,180.91 | £ | 19,787.95 | £ | 612.75 | £ | 195.75 | £ | 2,916.75 | £ | 999.25 |
| £ | 423.93 | £ | 3,962.98 | £ | 500.00 | ||||||
| £ | 2,000.00 | £ | 5,726.51 | £ | 600.00 | ||||||
| £ | 750.00 | £ | 300.00 | £ | 171.77 | ||||||
| £ | 1,378.20 | ||||||||||
| £ | 1,359.00 | £ | 47.54 | ||||||||
| £ | 422.00 | £ | 482.18 | £ | 224.00 | £ | 356.00 | £ | 428.00 | ||
| £ | 155.91 | £ | 91.08 | £ | 259.35 | ||||||
| £ | 150.25 | ||||||||||
| £ | 198.58 | £ | (9.36) | £ | 112.43 | ||||||
| £ | 28.83 | £ | 12.99 | £ | 66.79 | ||||||
| £ | 678.40 | ||||||||||
| £ | 177.12 | ||||||||||
| £ | 260.00 | ||||||||||
| £ | 7.34 | ||||||||||
| £ | 143.70 | ||||||||||
| £ | 524.31 | ||||||||||
| £ | 54.00 | ||||||||||
| £ | 380.89 | £ | 6.28 | ||||||||
| £ | 5.00 | £ | 5.00 | £ | 5.00 | £ | 5.00 | £ | 5.00 | £ | 5.00 |
- £ 71.96 £ 3,456.46 £ 15,307.61 £ 905.00 £ 1,077.50 £ 1,094.04 £ 692.35 -£ 1,275.55 £ 4,480.34 -£ 292.25 -£ 881.75 £ 1,822.71 £ 306.90 £ 34.67 £ 8,462.36 £ 12,942.70 £ 12,650.45 £ 11,768.70 £ 13,591.41 £ 13,898.31
£ 8,462.36 £ 12,942.70 £ 12,650.45 £ 11,768.70 £ 13,591.41 £ 13,898.31
| £ | 13,898.31 | £ | 12,630.43 | £ | 14,099.78 | £ | 13,621.53 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct-24 | Nov-24 | Dec-24 | |||||
| £ | 235.75 | £ | 658.75 | £ | 163.75 | £ | 3,308.25 |
| £ | 400.00 | £ | 925.00 | £ | (250.00) | £ | 2,090.00 |
| £ | 11.98 | ||||||
| £ | - | ||||||
| £ | 75.00 | £ | 22,682.50 | ||||
| £ | 179.00 | £ | 266.00 | £ | 1,584.00 | ||
| £ | 176.46 | £ | 265.80 | £ | 1,251.96 | ||
| £ | 125.00 | ||||||
| £ | 785.35 | ||||||
| £ | - | ||||||
| £ | 744.80 | ||||||
| £ | 252.00 | £ | 24.00 | £ | 792.00 | ||
| £ | - | ||||||
| £ | - | ||||||
| £ | 1,700.00 | ||||||
| £ | 170.00 | ||||||
| £ | - |
| £ £ £ £ £ |
- - 1,700.00 170.00 - |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | 1,318.21 | £ | 2,139.55 | £ | (86.25) | £ | 35,245.84 |
| £ | 5,588.79 | ||||||
| £ | 8,326.51 | ||||||
| £ | 17.34 | £ | 1,689.11 | ||||
| £ | 2,126.00 | £ | 4,422.71 | ||||
| £ | 361.20 | £ | 1,848.74 | ||||
| £ | 298.00 | £ | 64.00 | £ | 387.00 | £ | 3,625.18 |
| £ | 636.79 | ||||||
| £ | 150.25 | ||||||
| £ | 139.75 | £ | 701.27 | ||||
| £ | 296.87 | ||||||
| £ | - | ||||||
| £ | 678.40 | ||||||
| £ | 177.12 | ||||||
| £ | 51.95 | ||||||
| £ | 596.70 | ||||||
| £ | 240.00 | £ | 600.00 | ||||
| £ | 7.34 | ||||||
| £ | 230.00 | ||||||
| £ | 143.70 | ||||||
| £ | 524.31 | ||||||
| £ | - | ||||||
| £ | 54.00 | ||||||
| £ | 398.07 | ||||||
| £ | 5.00 | £ | 5.00 | £ | 5.00 | £ | 60.00 |
£ - £ 91.96
-
£ 2,586.09 £ 670.20 £ 392.00 £ 30,899.77
-
-£ 1,267.88 £ 1,469.35 -£ 478.25 £ 4,346.07
£ 12,630.43 £ 14,099.78 £ 13,621.53
- £ 12,630.43 £ 14,099.78 £ 13,621.53
Independent examiner’s report
I report to the trustees of my examination of the accounts of the above charity (the “Trust”) for the year ended 31 December 2024 .
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees, 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 Act. In carrying out my examination I have followed all applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
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:
-
the accounting records were not kept in in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
-
the accounts did not accord with the accounting records; or
-
the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form
and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a “true and fair” view which
is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the
examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper
understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Signed:
Name:
Stephen Foster
Relevant professional qualification(s) or membership of professional bodies: FCA
Address:
38 Bridge End Warwick CV34 6PB
Date.. 27 October 2025