Charity registration number 1069277
Company registration number 3525629 (England and Wales)
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
ANNUAL REPORT AND UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
CONTENTS
Page
Legal and administrative information
1
Trustees' report
2
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
3
Independent examiner's report
4
Statement of financial activities
5
Statement of financial position
6
Notes to the financial statements
7 - 10
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
- 1 -
Trustees
Mr M Green - Chairman
Mr N Everard
Mr P Shepherd
Dr T Cantrell
Ms N Carmody
The Right Hon The Earl of Harwood, D Lascelles
(Resigned 6 March 2025)
Canon M Smith
(Resigned 8 December 2023)
The Very Reverend D Barrington
(Appointed 11 December 2023)
Secretary
Mr N Everard
Charity number
1069277
Company number
3525629
Principal address
Club Chambers
Museum Street
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 7DN
Registered office
Club Chambers
Museum Street
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 7DN
Independent examiner
Frances Howard FCA
Fortus Limited
Business Advisors and Accountants
Equinox House
Clifton Park
Shipton Road
York
YO30 5PA
Bankers
HSBC Bank Plc
13 Parliment Street
York
YO1 8XS
Solicitors
Harrowells Limited
Moorgate House
Clifton Moorgate
York
YO30 4WY
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
TRUSTEES' REPORT (INCLUDING DIRECTORS' REPORT)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 2 -

The trustees present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 28 September 2024.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies set out in note 1 to the financial statements and comply with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 in October 2019".

The legal and administrative information page forms part of this report.
Objectives and activities

The charity's objects are to advance the education of the public in the dramatic arts and increase public knowledge and understanding of the Christian faith.

Achievements and performance

The principal activity of the company is to facilitate the performance of the York Cycle of Mystery Plays in York Minster on an occasional basis, being an important part of the City’s medieval heritage, maintained in the public eye and regularly performed in a variety of settings.

 

The company was formed to facilitate the first Minster production to mark Millennium Year 2000 and was able to achieve a substantial financial surplus enabling it to invest in providing seedcorn funding for further productions. Investments are to provide funding for further productions of the Plays at future dates to be determined with the Chapter of York Minster.

 

The directors confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers of duties under the Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Financial review

The charity received income of £1,292 and spent £3,136 which resulted in a deficit of £1,844. The profit on the sale of the investment was £4,021 which left a net movement in funds of £2,177.

The directors have established a policy that surplus funds are held in suitable investments to provide funding assistance for the next production of the plays in York Minster.

 

The current free reserves are £87,142 (2023: £84,965).

The trustees have assessed the major risks to which the charity is exposed, and are satisfied that systems are in place to mitigate exposure to the major risks.

Plans for future periods

Currently, a future date for the next Mystery Plays production has not been agreed. The charity will continue to benefit from its capital income and growth to fund a future Mystery Play following the 10 year cycle, and to support the Mystery Plays Archive.

Structure, governance and management

The charity is a company limited by guarantee incorporated on 11 March 1998, as amended by special resolution 19 May 2001, and registered charity. The charity is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

Recruitment and appointment of trustees

The Company may appoint directors by an ordinary resolution. The directors can also appoint directors as additional directors or to fill a casual vacancy subject to re-election at the next annual general meeting. The directors are not liable to retire by rotation.

 

The trustees' report was approved by the Board of Trustees.

Mr N Everard
Trustee
24 June 2025
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES  
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 3 -

The trustees, who are also the directors of York Minster Mystery Plays for the purpose of company law, are responsible for preparing the Trustees' Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).

 

Company Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that year.

 

In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:

 

- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

 

- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

 

- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and

 

- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in operation.

 

The trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
- 4 -

I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of York Minster Mystery Plays (the charity) for the year ended 28 September 2024.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the trustees of the charity (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (the 2006 Act).

Having satisfied myself that the financial statements of the charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s financial statements carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act). In carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.

Independent examiner's statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:

1

accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or

2

the financial statements do not accord with those records; or

3

the financial statements do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act 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; or

4

the financial statements have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).

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 financial statements to be reached.

Frances Howard FCA
Fortus Limited
Business Advisors and Accountants
Equinox House
Clifton Park
Shipton Road
YO30 5PA
York
Dated: 24 June 2025
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 5 -
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
Income
Investments
2
1,292
1,215
Expenditure
Charitable activities
3
3,136
656
Net gains/(losses) on investments
8
4,021
1,982
Net income before transfers
2,177
2,541
Net movement in funds
2,177
2,541
Fund balances at 29 September 2023
84,965
82,424
Fund balances at 28 September 2024
87,142
84,965

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT
28 SEPTEMBER 2024
28 September 2024
- 6 -
2024
2023
Notes
£
£
£
£
Current assets
Debtors
10
3,142
-
Investments
11
-
55,285
Cash at bank and in hand
84,639
30,284
87,781
85,569
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
12
(639)
(604)
Net current assets
87,142
84,965
Income funds
Unrestricted funds
87,142
84,965
87,142
84,965

The company is entitled to the exemption from the audit requirement contained in section 477 of the Companies Act 2006, for the year ended 28 September 2024.

The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 with respect to accounting records and the preparation of financial statements.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year in question in accordance with section 476.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Trustees on 24 June 2025
Mr N Everard
Trustee
Company registration number 3525629
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 7 -
1
Accounting policies
Charity information

York Minster Mystery Plays is a private company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is Club Chambers, Museum Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 7DN.

1.1
Accounting convention

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charity's governing document, the Companies Act 2006 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 in October 2019".The charity is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.

 

The charity has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity.

The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, modified to include the revaluation of investments at fair value. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.

1.2
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. Thus the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

1.3
Charitable funds

Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of their charitable objectives.

1.4
Income

All income is included in the Statement of Financial Activities when the charity is entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy.

1.5
Expenditure

All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis.

1.6
Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

1.7
Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

 

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets are measured at transaction price including transaction costs. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities are recognised at transaction price. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

 

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price.

YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 8 -
2
Investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Income from listed investments
-
1,174
Interest receivable
1,292
41
1,292
1,215
3
Charitable activities

Charitable activities

Charitable activities

2024
2023
£
£
Grant funding of activities (see note 4)
2,500
-
Share of governance costs (see note 5)
636
656
3,136
656
4
Grants payable

Charitable activities

2023
2024
£
£
Grants to institutions:
National Centre for Early Music - Administration of the archive
2,500
-

 

5
Support costs
Support costs
Governance costs
2024
2023
£
£
£
£
Accountancy
-
623
623
588

Companies house filing fee

-
13
13
13

Bank charges

-
-
-
55
-
636
636
656
Analysed between
Charitable activities
-
636
636
656
YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 9 -
6
Trustees

None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or benefits from the charity during either year.

7
Employees

There were 0 employees during either year.

8
Net gains/(losses) on investments
Unrestricted
Unrestricted
funds
funds
2024
2023
£
£
Revaluation of investments
-
1,982
Gain/(loss) on sale of investments
4,021
-
4,021
1,982
9
Taxation

The charity is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within section 505 of the Taxes Act 1988 or section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to its charitable objects.

10
Debtors
2024
2023
Amounts falling due within one year:
£
£
Other debtors
3,142
-
11
Current asset investments
2024
2023
£
£
Listed investments
-
55,285
12
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
2024
2023
£
£
Other creditors
16
16
Accruals and deferred income
623
588
639
604

Other creditors is amounts due to a director.

YORK MINSTER MYSTERY PLAYS
NOTES TO THE  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28 SEPTEMBER 2024
- 10 -
13
Related party transactions

During the year there were no transactions with related parties (2023: a director paid £13 of governance costs on behalf of the charity and £1,596 was reimbursed). At the year end £16 was due to a director (2023: £16).

 

 

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