THE BARROW OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY
ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
30 JUNE 2025
THE BARROW OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY
Receipts and Payments Accounts
Year ending 30 June 2025
Contents
1 Charity Information
2 Accountants report
3 Trustees Report
4 Receipt and Payments account
THE BARROW OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY
| Charity Registration Number | 702358 |
|---|---|
| Principal Office | 4 Brookvale |
| Swarthmoor | |
| Ulverston | |
| Cumbria | |
| LA12 OXE | |
| Trustees | Neil Hastings |
| Sharon Cooper | |
| Charlotte Cooper | |
| Owen Thompson | |
| Paris-Ayo Corkill | |
| Bankers | Barclays Bank Plc |
| Accountant | Elaine Harris |
| EHAAccountancy Ltd | |
| 2 Lower Brook Street | |
| Ulverston | |
| Cumbria | |
| LA127EE |
THE WaY¥ FOrWarD
Independent Examiners Report
The Barrow Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society
| report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity for the year ended 30 June 2025.
Your attention is drawn to the fact that the charity has prepared the Financial Statements on the Receipts and Payments basis and meets the conditions to do so.
As the trustees of the Charity, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the Act”).
| 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, | have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
| have completed my examination. | 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: e accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- e the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
| 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:
Elaine Harris ACA 8 December 2025
EHA Accountancy Limited Director: Elaine Harris ACA PlaceRegisteredof Registration:Number: 11498838England and Wales Registered Office Address: 2 Lower Brook Street, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 7EE Contact Number: 01229 314188 Email: contact@eha-accountancy.co.uk
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Trustees Report for The Barrow Operatic and Dramatic Society
For the period 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025
Governance and Management
The Barrow Operatic and Dramatic Society is governed by its constitution and book of rules, which are available to all members. The trustees of the charity are the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer, together with a number of nominated members of the society as elected at the Annual General Meeting.
The day-to-day management of the charity is carried out by a committee comprising the trustees and additional elected members of the society. The committee meets regularly throughout the year to oversee the administration, finances and artistic direction of the society.
Objectives and Public Benefit
The objectives of the charity are to educate the public in the dramatic and operatic arts, to further public appreciation and taste in those arts, and to support such charitable purposes and institutions as the committee may from time to time determine.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit when exercising their powers and responsibilities.
Activities and Performance During the Year
The society’s principal production during the year was Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, which was staged in September 2024. This production represented the main artistic focus of the society during the reporting period.
A further major production, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, had been planned for May 2025. Rehearsals for this production had commenced; however, due to the closure of The Forum in Barrow and the resulting lack of a suitable performance venue, the production could not proceed. The trustees took the decision to postpone the show, which has since been rescheduled for March 2026.
In the absence of a spring production, the committee introduced a series of “Move-it Mondays” sessions. These informal events were designed to maintain engagement within the membership, support morale, and preserve continuity within the society duringa period of significant uncertainty. Work also began on a concert project, which subsequently took place in September 2025 and therefore falls outside the scope of this report.
Challenges and Risk Management
The year presented a number of significant challenges for the society. The ongoing lack of a secure and reliable performance venue continues to make long-term planning difficult and has directly impacted the society’s ability to produce work consistently.
The trustees are also aware of challenges relating to member engagement and retention. Repeated postponements and uncertainty can make it difficult to maintain enthusiasm, particularly in a local environment where members may have opportunities to participate in productions with other groups. These factors raise concerns around stability and loyalty within the membership during extended periods without performances.
In addition, rising costs associated with productions and increased competition from other performing arts groups in the area remain ongoing risks. The trustees continue to monitor these factors closely.
Community Involvement
During the reporting period, the society did not undertake formal outreach programmes. However, the society continued its long-standing involvement in supportingthe Keswick to Barrow walk. This support forms part of the society’s ongoing engagement with the wider community and also provides a valuable source of fundraising income.
Financial Review
The financial position of the society remained stable throughout the year. While the absence of a planned spring production reduced performance-related income, the trustees note that performances also carry significant associated costs.
The society continues to meet a substantial proportion of its rehearsal and operational costs independently and has maintained financial stability despite the challenging operating environment. The trustees are satisfied that the charity remains in a secure financial position at the end of the reporting period.
Plans for the Future
Looking ahead, the trustees’ priorities include securing suitable performance venues, restarting postponed productions, and rebuilding momentum and confidence within the membership. Maintaining financial stability as performance activity resumes remains a key focus.
The trustees also intend to gradually re-engage with outreach and public-facing activity as circumstances allow, while continuing to prioritise the cohesion and sustainability of the society duringa period of ongoing uncertainty.
For over a century, the Barrow Operatic and Dramatic Society has provided entertainment and opportunities for participation in the performing arts within the local community. The trustees remain committed to continuing this work and to welcoming members from all backgrounds who wish to participate in an inclusive and supportive environment.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees on 6 December 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
Neil Hastings Chairman
THE BARROW OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY
Receipts and Payments Accounts
Year ending 30 June 2025
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talking about | Dance | Charlieand | General | ||||
| Jamie | Sessions | Concert | Chocolate Factory | Funds | Total Funds | Total Funds | |
| Receipts | |||||||
| Donations | 0.00 | 270.00 | |||||
| Grants received | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||
| Interest Income | 600.17 | 600.17 | 563.11 | ||||
| Otherincome | 260 | 12936.8 | 13196.80 | 8349.13 | |||
| Programmes and advertising | 1420.3 | 1420.30 | 866.16 | ||||
| Raffle income | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||
| Subscriptions, Levies etc | 1956 | 1956.00 | 3192.00 | ||||
| TicketSales andshow fee |
10093 | 444.2 | 25.39 | 500 | 11062.59 | 25704,90 | |
| Fundraising | 700 | 700.00 | 700.00 | ||||
| Total Receipts | 11773.3 | 444.2 | 25.39 | 500 | 16192.97 | 28935.86 | 39645.30 |
| Payments | |||||||
| AccountancyFees | 0.00 | 0.00 | |||||
| Costumes, Sets, Propsetc. | 2701.27 | 2701.27 | 8403.05 | ||||
| Performance Fees/Rights | 3340.41 | 500.00 | 3840.41 | 6819.88 | |||
| Orchestra Fees | 840.00 | 840.00 | 1900.00 | ||||
| Dueand subscriptions | 260.00 | 260.00 | 245.00 | ||||
| Insurance | 649.80 | 649.80 | 636.74 | ||||
| Lighting&Sound | 3557.20 | 3557.20 | 4526.06 | ||||
| Productionteam | 3080.00 | 300.00 | 3380.00 | 2550.00 | |||
| Publicity &Programmes | 571.31 | 571.31 | 666.44 | ||||
| Show Presents | 0.00 | 68.00 | |||||
| TShirts | 359.64 | 359.64 | 0,00 | ||||
| Sundries Donations Theatre/Room Hire |
179.47 1056.00 |
100 | 25.00 | 914.16 90.00 |
1118.63 0.00 1246.00 |
938.23 0.00 9537.00 |
|
| TotalPayments | 15685.30 | 0.00 | 100.00 | 325.00 | 2413.96 | 18524.26 | 36290.40 |
| Net Receipts/(Payments) | -3912.00 | 444,20 | -74.61 | 13779.01 | 10411.60 | 3354.90 | |
| Balance Brought forward | 55927.53 | 52572.63 | |||||
| Total carriedforward | 66339.13 | 55927.53 | |||||
| Assets | |||||||
| BarclaysCurrentAccount | 24101.22 | 14289.79 | |||||
| BarclaysSavingAccount | 42234.20 | 41634.03 | |||||
| Cash | 3.71 | 3.71 | |||||
| TotalAssets | 66339.13 | 55927.53 |