The Godalming Operatic Society
Report of the Trustees and Financial Statements
for the Year Ended 31 March 2026 for The Godalming Operatic Society
Contents of the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
| Page | |
|---|---|
| Charity Information | 1 |
| Trustees' Report | 2-3 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 4 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 5 |
| Balance Sheet | 6 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 7-9 |
| Show Income and Expenditure | 10 |
| Summer Project Income and Expenditure | 11 |
| General Income and Expenditure | 12 |
| Social Committee Account | 13 |
The Godalming Operatic Society
Trustees and Advisors for the year ended 31st March 2026
PRESIDENT: Linda Scanlon TRUSTEES: L Power Hon Chairman H Jennings Hon Secretary A Plummer Hon Treasurer K Bare Hon Business Manager R Arthur M Barker J Clemson (appointed 02/06/2025) C Howard S Lavender (resigned 02/06/2025) S Wing
REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 802888 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER: A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA A J Bennewith & Co Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA BANKERS: Lloyds TSB Bank plc 49, High Street Godalming Surrey GU7 1AT PRINCIPAL OFFICE: Cherrytree Cottage Woodhouse Lane Holmbury St Mary Dorking RH5 6NN
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Trustees' Report
for the year ended 31st March 2026
The trustees have adopted the provisions of 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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
Reference and administrative information
The charity is registered with the Charity Commission under charity number 802888. The trustees, executive officers, address of the charity and professional advisers are as listed on page 1.
Structure Governance and Management
Godalming Operatic Society was formed in 1924 and by a Deed dated 15 May 1989, was constituted as a registered charity. Its members are comprised of those who have paid the annual subscription or who have been elected honorary members at a General Meeting. All trustees are members themselves and form the General Committee. The General Committee have absolute discretion to reject an application for membership, or to exclude an existing member.
Trustee meetings and conduct
The chairman is in charge of the day to day running of the society. Decisions on day to day matters are proposed by the chairman and voted on by the trustees at trustee meetings but certain key decisions are decided by members vote at the annual general meeting or an extraordinary general meeting. The trustees consider that their combined experience is sufficient to allow them to properly conduct the charity’s affairs.
Appointment and recruitment of new Trustees
All trustees including new trustees are nominated and subsequently voted into office each year at the Annual General Meeting by the members. New trustees are taught their responsibilities at regularly held trustees meetings and receive a copy of the previous year’s annual report and accounts.
Objects and Activities
The charitable objectives of the Society are:
"to educate the public in the dramatic and operatic arts, to further the development of public appreciation and taste in the said arts and in particular (but without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing), to promote public interest in and knowledge of the works of W S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan".
In furtherance of the Society’s objects and for the public benefit, the Society presents a main show each year, normally at the end of February, featuring one of the works of Gilbert & Sullivan. Ticket prices are kept at a level sufficient to cover costs and concessions are offered to young people and wheelchair users.
The Trustees believe that it is important to perform the less well known G&S operas as well as the more popular ones. Thus, the aim is to make a surplus on the more popular shows to cover a likely deficit on the less popular ones.
In addition to the main Winter show, the Society normally presents one or more performances on a smaller scale in the Summer months. Sometimes, these are free to the Public or are performed for other charities and organisations.
Our members volunteer their services as performers for the public benefit without payment. Occasionally, it is necessary to employ an outside professional to fulfil a specific role.
The trustees have had due regard to the public benefit guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities to undertake.
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Trustees' Report
for the Year Ended 31st March 2026
Achievements and Performance
Having just celebrated its centenary, the Society is now looking forward to the next hundred years.
We were honoured to have been asked to take our previous production of The Yeomen of the Guard to the International Gilbert & Sullivan Festival in Buxton in August 2025. This was well received with several nominations for awards. However, the Society had to bear many of the costs involved, resulting in an overall deficit of £4,091 for Summer activities.
In September, the Society started rehearsals for Utopia, Limited, one of the less well known of the Gilbert & Sullivan canon. The production took place in February 2026 to great acclaim. As a result of much effort by volunteers in publicising the show, ticket sales were good with full houses for several performances. However, this was an expensive production to stage resulting in a deficit of £6,192 on the show.
We were very fortunate to receive a donation of £25,000 from the Nancy Bateman Charitable Trust. This, together with donations from Patrons of the Society, membership and show subscriptions and bank interest, resulted in a healthy overall surplus for the year of £24,346
In September, we look forward to starting rehearsals for The Gondoliers , one of Gilbert & Sullivan's better known operas, which we will be performing in February 2027.
Financial review
The Society had a net surplus of £24,346 for the year ended 31 March 2026. As a result of the annual surplus, year-end reserves stood at £152,888.
Reserves policy
The Society has a policy of maintaining reserves at a level sufficient to cover expenditure on the following February show. Expenditure on a show can be upwards of £45,000 and the Trustees aim for ticket sales and related income on average to exceed expenditure, covering deficits on historically less popular shows with surpluses on more popular ones. The Trustees also aim to minimise costs and to optimally promote shows so as to maximise the surplus/minimise the deficit on each show. Reserves are monitored throughout the year by the Treasurer through the maintenance of bank records and the preparation of annual accounts prepared on an accruals basis. From time to time, the members agree to repeat the February show in a festival later in the year. When this happens, the reserves are reviewed to ensure that they are sufficient to cover festival costs and the cost of the subsequent February show.
Helen Jennings (Hon Secretary)
Date
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees of The Godalming Operatic Society
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of The Godalming Operatic Society (the charity) for the year ended 31 March 2026.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity 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 charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Act and 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Trust as required by section 130 of the Act; or
-
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
-
the accounts do 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 confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
A J Bennewith FCA, FCPA, FFA, FFTA, FIPA, DChA, FRSA Upper Ground Floor 18 Farnham Road Guildford Surrey GU1 4XA
Date: .............................................
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
| Notes INCOMING RESOURCES Incoming resources from generated funds - Activities for generating funds 3 - Investment income 3 Incoming resources from charitable activities 2 TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES RESOURCES EXPENDED - Costs of activities for generating funds 5 -Charitable activities 4 -Other 6 TOTAL RESOURCES EXPENDED NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS 9 RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS TOTAL FUNDS BROUGHT FORWARD TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD |
2026 2025 £ £ 3,971 2,205 3,981 4,541 83,760 70,668 91,712 77,414 4,134 1,982 59,667 66,422 3,565 3,251 67,366 71,655 24,346 5,759 128,542 122,783 152,888 128,542 Unrestricted funds |
2026 2025 £ £ 3,971 2,205 3,981 4,541 83,760 70,668 91,712 77,414 4,134 1,982 59,667 66,422 3,565 3,251 67,366 71,655 24,346 5,759 128,542 122,783 152,888 128,542 Unrestricted funds |
|---|---|---|
| 77,414 | ||
| 1,982 66,422 3,251 |
||
| 71,655 | ||
| 5,759 | ||
| 122,783 | ||
| 128,542 |
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
All income and expenditure has arisen from continuing activities.
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2026
| CURRENT ASSETS Stocks Orchestral scores (bound) Stamps held Sundry debtors and prepayments Short term investment Cash at bank: Current account (total £5,481) Current account (General) Current account (Social Committee ringfenced) Savings accounts CREDITORS:Amount due within one year Creditors and accruals NET CURRENT ASSETS NET ASSETS UNRESTRICTED FUNDS General Fund Total Unrestricted Funds |
£ £ £ £ 2,400 2,400 79 238 3,534 3,508 116,336 104,441 4,569 15,695 912 1,203 25,058 1,057 152,888 128,542 0 0 152,888 128,542 152,888 128,542 152,888 128,542 152,888 128,542 2026 2025 Unrestricted Funds |
£ £ £ £ 2,400 2,400 79 238 3,534 3,508 116,336 104,441 4,569 15,695 912 1,203 25,058 1,057 152,888 128,542 0 0 152,888 128,542 152,888 128,542 152,888 128,542 152,888 128,542 2026 2025 Unrestricted Funds |
|---|---|---|
| 128,542 | ||
| 128,542 | ||
| 128,542 |
These accounts were approved by the Trustees
L Power
H Jennings
A Plummer
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31st March 2026
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparing the financial statements
The financial statements of the charity, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) '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 (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Charities Act 2011. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.
a) Accounting convention
The financial statements are prepared on an accruals basis.
b) Incoming resources
Income from productions is included in the period in which the relevant show takes place; investment income is included as receivable; donations and legacies are included as received, subscription income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which it relates. Tax credits receivable in respect of Gift-aid donations are included with their respective incoming resource.
c) Resources expended
Resources expended are included in the Statement of Financial Activities on an accruals basis; inclusive of any VAT which cannot be recovered. Certain expenditure is directly attributable to specific activities and has been included in those cost categories. Costs associated with the production of shows are included under charitable activities. Other costs comprise those costs incurred in the running of the charity itself as an organisation.
d) Debtors
Income receivable and other debtors are included at the settlement amount due. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid.
e) Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation arising from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors are recognised at their settlement amount. Provisions have been calculated at the best estimate of the settlement amount and then discounted back to present value at the reporting date.
f) Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future (i.e. there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue). Thus, the Trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
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The Godalming Operatic Society
| 2. INCOMING RESOURCES FROM CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Annual show Income Summer production income Members annual subscriptions Tax recoverable Donations Sundry income 3. ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS Social Committee Interval raffles Investment income Book sales 4. CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES Show expenditure Summer production expenditure 5. COST OF ACTIVITIES FOR GENERATING FUNDS Social Committee |
2026 £ 47,247 1,537 2,085 2,246 30,645 0 83,760 2026 £ 3,920 0 3,981 51 7,952 2026 £ 53,439 6,228 59,667 2026 £ 4,134 4,134 |
2025 £ 50,957 8,135 2,265 2,235 6,846 230 |
|---|---|---|
| 70,668 | ||
| 2025 £ 1,300 595 4,541 310 |
||
| 6,746 | ||
| 2025 £ 56,174 10,248 |
||
| 66,422 | ||
| 2025 £ 1,982 |
||
| 1,982 |
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 March 2026
| 6. OTHER Insurance Subscriptions Venue hire Stationery & comms Independent Examiner Bank charges Publicity Gifts & Gratuities Sundries 7. INDEPENDENT EXAMINERS' REMUNERATION Independent Examiners' fees |
2026 £ 1,856 349 40 123 480 29 25 0 663 3,565 2026 £ 540 |
2025 £ 1,807 295 40 132 480 26 312 73 86 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,251 | ||
| 2025 £ |
||
| 480 |
8. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
None of the Trustees received any remuneration in the year.
Expenses totalling £3,750 (2025: £4,881) were reimbursed to seven (2025: four) of the trustees for sundry expenses during the year.
9. NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS
| 9. NET MOVEMENT IN FUNDS Net surplus/(deficit) from annual shows Net surplus/(deficit) from summer productions Net surplus/(deficit) on general activities Net surplus/(deficit) on Social Committee Brought forward funds Carried forward funds |
2026 £ (6,192) (4,091) 34,843 (214) 24,346 128,542 152,888 |
2025 £ (5,217) 1,172 10,486 (682) |
|---|---|---|
| 5,759 122,783 |
||
| 128,542 |
10. RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES
There were no related party transactions for the year ended 31 March 2026 nor for the year ended 31 March 2025.
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Income and Expenditure from Annual Shows for the Year Ended 31st March 2026
| INCOME Ticket sales Show subscriptions Programme sales Programme advertising DVD & VS sales EXPENDITURE Costumes and wardrobe Scenery and props Lighting Venue Hire Stage Director Musical Director Accompanist Orchestra Publicity Programme printing Communications Ticket commission Video recording Music stand hire Bank charges Piano hire and tuning Gifts & gratuities Scores Catering Sundries SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) |
Utopia 2026 £ 41,879 2,175 2,079 1,050 64 47,247 4,858 4,327 564 13,204 2,500 3,000 2,380 13,825 3,342 515 96 2,599 900 408 62 80 0 560 149 70 53,439 (6,192) |
Yeomen 2025 £ 44,976 2,940 2,341 700 0 |
|---|---|---|
| 50,957 | ||
| 2,958 6,004 1,481 14,973 3,350 2,850 2,405 15,625 1,554 634 76 2,394 960 386 81 80 44 70 183 66 |
||
| 56,174 | ||
| (5,217) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Income and Expenditure from Summer Productions
for the Year Ended 31st March 2026
| INCOME Ticket sales Programme sales Programme advertising Show Subs Raffle DVD sales Donations EXPENDITURE Orchestra Venue Hire Scenery & Props Costumes & Wardrobe Stage Director Musical Director Accompanist Programme printing Score Hire /printing Catering Bank Charges Publicity Stationery/comms Sundries DVD Purchase Ticket commission Gifts / gratuities SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) |
2026 £ 0 0 0 1020 0 517 600 2,137 975 600 96 987 750 900 1,085 0 0 0 6 0 3 250 544 0 32 6,228 (4,091) |
2025 £ 6,087 363 250 1,435 595 0 2,690 |
|---|---|---|
| 11,420 | ||
| 2950 2,193 336 0 0 1410 1,605 258 488 10 26 454 104 0 0 399 15 |
||
| 10,248 | ||
| 1,172 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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The Godalming Operatic Society
General Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31st March 2026
| INCOME Members annual subscriptions Patrons annual subscriptions Donations Interest received Tax recoverable Book sales Sundry income EXPENDITURE Insurance Subscriptions Stationery & comms Publicity Venue hire Scenery & props Bank charges Independent Examiner Gifts & gratuities Sundries SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) |
2026 £ 2,085 4,919 25,126 3,981 2,246 51 0 38,408 1,856 349 123 25 40 298 29 480 0 365 3,565 34,843 |
2025 £ 2,265 3,860 296 4,541 2,235 310 230 |
|---|---|---|
| 13,737 | ||
| 1,807 295 132 312 40 0 26 480 73 86 |
||
| 3,251 | ||
| 10,486 |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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The Godalming Operatic Society
Social Committee Account for the Year Ended 31st March 2026
| INCOME Event income Centenary dinner income Sundry income EXPENDITURE Centenary dinner costs Venue hire Performer's fee Bank Charges Social event catering Rehearsal and show catering Gifts & gratuities Sundry expenditure SURPLUS / (DEFICIT) |
2026 £ 1,022 2,898 0 3,920 2785 578 0 10 265 341 145 10 4,134 (214) |
2025 £ 1,171 0 129 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,300 | ||
| 0 515 360 2 513 307 138 147 |
||
| 1,982 | ||
| (682) |
This page does not form part of the statutory financial statements
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