Trustees Report for the year ending 31st July 2013.

REGAL TENBURY TRUST LIMITED

A Charitable Trust Company No 7954848

Charity No 1148555

We are pleased to present our first Trustees Report for the year ending 31st July 2013.

In December 2010 Tenbury Town Council (TTC) received a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant for The Regal Cinema to repair and conserve the building and run a two year programme of community activities. The REGAL TENBURY TRUST LIMITED came into existence in September 2012 to manage the Regal Complex.

The formation of and transfer of operations to the Regal Tenbury Trust by Tenbury Town Council -  who remain owners of the building -  is recognized by HLF as key to bring an independent  business-like approach and potentially benefit from grant aid in support of future development.  Work has begun on long-term sustainability, maintaining the volunteer body, recruiting new members and maintaining effective training for them.  The value of our volunteers is recognized here and elsewhere in this report.                                                               

The Trust provided an area within the Regal for the Heritage Learning Project as an office and museum.  The space continues as a display area and where practicable access is maintained for the public.

The Trust has supported CineMonkeys and MiniCineMonkeys; children’s activities that are part of the Heritage Learning Project. These have introduced very young and young children to the cinema along with their parents and grandparents.

The Trust has the following objectives

(1) TO ADVANCE EDUCATION, UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE ARTS, INCLUDING AUDIO VISUAL ARTS PRIMARILY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY, FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC OF WORCESTERSHIRE, HEREFORDSHIRE AND SHROPSHIRE.

(2) TO FURTHER OR BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS OF TENBURY WELLS AND THE NEIGHBOURHOOD, WITHOUT DISTINCTION OF SEX, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, RACE OR OF POLITICAL, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER OPINIONS BY ASSOCIATING TOGETHER THE SAID RESIDENTS AND THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES, VOLUNTARY AND OTHER ORGANISATIONS IN A COMMON EFFORT TO ADVANCE EDUCATION AND TO PROVIDE FACILITIES IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIAL WELFARE FOR RECREATION LEISURE TIME OCCUPATION WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS OF LIFE FOR THE RESIDENTS.

(3) IN FURTHERANCE OF THESE OBJECTS BUT NOT OTHERWISE, THE TRUSTEES SHALL HAVE POWER TO ESTABLISH OR SECURE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMMUNITY CENTRE AND TO MAINTAIN OR MANAGE OR CO-OPERATE WITH ANY STATUTORY AUTHORITY IN THE MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF SUCH A CENTRE FOR ACTIVITIES PROMOTED BY THE CHARITY IN FURTHERANCE OF THE ABOVE OBJECTS.

Summary of Years activities

Main Auditorium

The Regal had 202 film screenings (excluding private hires) 38 live stage performances and 11 live to screen events.

The Regal hosted the Tenbury Film Festival as an outreach location of the Worcestershire Film Festival celebrating film and filmmakers. The Trust has worked with other local groups including

·         Tenbury Town Band

·         Teme Valley Band

·         Little Hereford Voices

·         Tenbury Floral Arts Club

·         Tenbury WI

·         Mandy Davis Cancer Support

·         Age Concern

·         Tenbury Primary School

·         Tenbury High School

·         Burford Primary School

·         Chantry School, Martley

·         Lindridge Primary School

·         Mistletoe Foundation

·         Tenbury Round Table

·         Worcestershire Jazz Orchestra

·         British Legion

In its first year the Trust has invested heavily in infrastructure.

·         Equipping the stage for live shows

·         Contributing funds for the digital cinema projector.

·         Installing satellite receiving equipment

·         Fitting foyer for café and bar use.

·         Purchasing furniture and crockery for the community function room

·         Addressing problems with the electrical supply system.

·         Purchasing an intruder alarm

·         Up-grading the fire alarm

·         Extending 3 phase power in the building.

·         Purchasing a computerised box-office system.

·         Installing data networks and telephone systems.

·         Providing a PA system to support all but the largest of shows

The Trust has initiated further works to improve the building in terms of its day to day functions, essential to operate efficiently, continuing to review what further investments are needed in terms of specialist equipment to improve service delivery e.g. a new lighting board.

The Community Function Room - the Regal

This year has seen a review and development of the function room as a resource for the community and addressing the question of how to make this building more in harmony with the main theatre.

We engaged representatives of the local community to explore this further with focused meetings, and an 'open day’ to coincide with Tenbury's Apple-fest.

We intend to set the direction of the function room as a 'studio' with activities more closely themed with cinema and theatre.

 The actions we have taken have been:

§  To make immediate improvements to the room by tidying it up and creating a more arts atmosphere with pictures and a small stage.

§  To encourage its use for events - meetings and small private parties which link the private showing of a film with a celebration

Future Plans

We aim to continue to encourage the use of the room

Make grant applications to raise funding to continue the improvements such as more mobile staging, lights and sound system

Fund raising events such as bingo

Small events and shows with a more intimate atmosphere than the main auditorium offers.

Issues

The building is not particularly attractive with poor natural lighting and heating so our longer term ambition would be for a more purpose built studio.

In the meantime we are trying to maintain a balance between the two venues so that one complements rather than competes with the other.

General

It is generally accepted by community users and business groups that in its first year the Trust has brought benefits to Tenbury Wells and its neighbourhood but remains mindful there is more to do. It intends to improve support for its bedrock of volunteers and widen its community appeal. It has made changes to its initial management structure and looks to further improve this.  

Regal Trust Report February 2014

The upward trend in sales continued throughout February with a 35% increase in audience numbers over the same period last year.  We had particular success with Mandela : Long Walk to Freedom, Disney’s Frozen and our first screening from the NT Live, War Horse.  Abbamania also played to a capacity house.  Our own fundraising Variety Show also contributed over £2,500 to our contingency fund.

This coming weekend, we start our run of films shown as part of the Borderlines Film festival.  The festival was covered by the BBC in their Midlands Today program last Friday, and the Regal featured quite heavily.

In March we receive our first tourist coach party with a large group from Ledbury WEA. The group will be enjoying a cream tea, followed by a tour and visit to the museum, a short talk on Art Deco in general and the Regal in particular and they will also be watching a film.  

The Trust has now purchased a replacement lighting desk, more suitable to our operation.  The money for this was kindly donated by Ken Pollock from the WCC Divisional Fund and by the Blakewell (Spar) Foundation.  The Trust has also received a grant from the Kingspan Community Trust to support the MiniCineMonkeys programme with additional active play equipment and funding towards staffing costs for the next two years.

The work by the building contractors to remedy the plaster problems still remains ongoing.  The work on repairing the doors and lobby floor in the community centre started today.  The repairs to the front doors are still outstanding.  

Vandals have caused some damage to one of our display cabinets nearest the bus stop.  There may be some delay in repairing this as the local company who produced the cabinets have several months backlog of work.

Regal Trust Report January 2014

Overall ticket sales remained buoyant throughout most of January, helped by our season of Shakespeare from the Globe Theatre and Gisselle from the ROH.  Notable film successes were the sequels of Hunger Games & The Hobbit and Disney’s Saving Mr Banks.  Other films this month didn’t do too well, including one night with no audience at all.

Great strides have been made this month by our Tech Team volunteers which has seen all the stage lighting, cleaned, serviced & safety checked, and the on stage working lights replaced.

We have replaced our specialised router following the water damage from a leaking pipe in the loft and our satellite dish has been repaired following storm damage.  We have also improved the display cupboards at the front of the Regal.

The work by the building contractors to remedy the plaster problems remains ongoing.

A new gas line has been run to the kitchen and a new range and gas safety equipment has been installed.  The kitchen is now fully gas safe compliant.  

Looking forward, War Horse from the NT & Roy Chubby Brown have already sold out, and we only have a few tickets left for Abbamania.   We have a very strong spring programme of events and our new brochure will be printed at the end of the month.

Hopefully the film sales will improve as the Oscar nominated film start appearing.  We are already seeing strong sales for Mandela.

With increased activity comes an additional workload, and we really need a few additional House Managers.  If you know of anyone who could fit this role, please let either Ian Little or the Trustees know.

Letter from Harriett Baldwin MP

Regal Trust Report December 2013

December was, predictably a busy month for us which included a ten day period where we had over 2,600 people through the doors.

December was also the first month we sold 500 ice creams, which is a logistical feat with a freezer that has a maximum capacity of 180 tubs.

Behind the scenes we are busily booking shows and films through the the end of 2015, with a number of months already fully booked.  We are particularly pleased to welcome back, the Here to There Amateur Group for their Summer production as well as both the Tenbury Town Band and the Teme Valley Band.

We have no live shows in January, so our Technical Team will be spending time (and money) on repairs, maintenance and renewals of the stage lighting equipment.

We are showing our usual eclectic mix of film genres and in addition three Shakespeare productions from the Globe Theatre, and a ballet from the Royal Opera House.

We have now had one film server installed and are awaiting the delivery of the second.  This will then give us extra flexibility with our programming and reduce our reliance on couriers.

We are looking forward to our Fundraising Variety Night on the 8th February starring Bobby Crush and co-starring Chris Davis who is returning to the stage with his comedy magic act. Book your tickets now for this unmissable show.

Regal Trust Report November 2013

The trust has now completed it’s first full year of trading and completed the first annual accounts.  Predictably due to the amount of capital expenditure undertaken, we made a small loss, but after depreciation our asset value has increased to over £22,000.

Now that we can compare trading figures year on year, we can see growth in sales all of which is coming through online sales.

More people are visiting us from further afield and people are planning visits to the cinema and theatre whilst in the area on holiday.  Local restaurants are reporting an increase in pre-show sales, and along with increased stopovers this is having a positive effect on the local economy.

We have now launched a business partnership scheme, to work more closely with a number of businesses and a friends scheme, with various rewards for our most loyal customers.

We have already staged the first of our Christmas shows with the ever popular and spectacular Tenbury Floral Arts “Spirit of the Season” Show that is something that has to be seen to be believed.  We are now looking forward to a busy December, with several  Christmas favourites.  Firstly the Nutcracker from the Royal Opera House, then the Tenbury Town Band’s Christmas Concert, followed by four performances of Dick Whittington, and our Children’s Christmas Party with the Muppet’s Christmas Carol.  

We have no live shows in January, but have packed the schedule to breaking point with great movies and award winning productions from the Globe Theatre.

From February we will be able to show content from the National Theatre, starting with their award winning War Horse.  Along with content from the Royal Opera House, the Royal Shakespeare Company & the Globe Theatre, we are seeing us become the venue of choice for an ever larger number of people.

Our live season kicks off in February with our own variety fund raising show, starring Bobby Crush & Chris Davis, followed towards the end of the month by Abbamania which is guaranteed to get Tenbury up and dancing however cold it is outside.

In early March we are joining in with the Borderlines Film Festival which we hope will give us even greater exposure to regular film goers, and remind people that we are back in operation, better than ever.

On a sad note; we say goodbye this month to our Heritage Access Officer, Sarah Fellows who starts a new job in Birmingham.  Sarah has been the driving force behind many initiatives and has been of immeasurable assistance behind the scenes.  We are desperately seeking additional funding to try to retain her if only part time.  We have also seen our part time Arts Manager, James Dakers find a new job in Birmingham, which has resulted in far fewer hours being spent with us.

Regal Trust Report September 2013

The Tenbury Wells Floral Art Club held their 40th Anniversary show “A Celebration in Flowers” In the Regal Function room.  This was a great success and really helped demonstrate how our partnership working with other local organisations is really beneficial to both parties.

The Regal also joined in with the National Heritage Open Day. Tours of the Regal were advertised locally and nationally, and quite a number were fully booked.  The day was a great success and will be repeated again in the future.

We are currently planning to increase the usage of the community centre function room. Everyone is invited to the open morning next Saturday between 10am and 12pm to see great ideas on how the room can be used.  We will be cross promoting from our stand at Applefest.

Tickets for our professional pantomime are selling very well, so if you want to come, buy your tickets soon.

We are also holding another party.  After the success of our summer Cinderella birthday party, we have decided to hold a Christmas one.  We will be showing the Muppets Christmas Carol, this will be a free event and I expect there will be cake.

Work is well underway planning the entertainment for the first quarter of 2014.

Amongst the many films on offer we will see the next installment of the Hobbit story with The Desolation of Smaug, and the eagerly awaited new Disney film, Saving Mr Banks starring Emma Thompson & Tom Hanks.

On the technical front, the new dimmer racks have now been commissioned giving greater flexibility in the way the lights are controlled for live shows.  The new three phases supply to the stage is being used by the larger visiting shows, which has resolved the power failure problems.

We hope to start receiving DCP’s (Digital Cinema Packets - i.e Films) via the internet rather than by Courier within the next few months.  Although film is now digital, it currently moves around the country on hard drives.  The technology now exists to distribute the majority of films over the internet, and then be stored locally until played. We hope to be amongst the first independent cinemas to adopt this new technology.