HELSTON RAILWAY Preservation Society (a registered charity)
Dear Member
I am delighted to welcome you to the 2024 AGM of the Helston Railway Preservation Society.
It has been an interesting year, and a very busy one for all those involved in our railway. As you probably know we have two main organisations, and it is always useful to remind ourselves of their respective responsibilities.
The Helston Railway Preservation Co Ltd., which is the Operating Company or ‘OPCO’ runs, maintains, and constructs the railway; and is responsible for safety for all the activities on site. There is a Board of Directors, and the operation is regulated by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) who is responsible to the Government in making sure our railway discharges its duties correctly. The OPCO Chairman is Colin Savage, who is really to be commended for his dedication and hard work in keeping our railway running smoothly.
I am the Chairman of the Helston Railway Preservation Society, which is a Charity registered in England and Wales, and known as ‘The Charity’. We are responsible for raising funds and as a Charity we are given an extra 25% on all gift aided donations by the Government. Donations allow us to develop the railway further, by purchasing assets ourselves, or passing funds to the OPCO, and to help people learn more about our railway and the history of railways in general. We have a Board of Trustees, and our responsibilities are to the Charities Commission to deliver the objectives that we promised to provide when we were established. Our organisation is not permitted to be involved with the day to day running of the railway nor do we have any formal safety responsibilities. If you have received an invitation to this AGM you are a member of the Charity.
In reality whilst we do have two organisations, we both work hand in hand to make this project, in which we all fervently believe, work. Without both organisations being successful there would be no point in what we do, using our respective strengths is what makes us a success and long may it last. We will continue to work closely together to grow our railway further.
However, I am sorry to begin this letter by reporting that three long serving trustees have resigned, due to either ill health or a feeling that now is the time for new blood. I am sure that we all give Chris Heaps, Barbara Barnes and Stephen Thomas our thanks and good wishes for the future and in recognition of their services to our railway, we have invited them to become Honorary Members. Margaret Gough, Graham Perry and Sue Burton have also resigned; my thanks also to them.
Three new trustees have been appointed, Ken Moore, Ross Whitten and Mike Pyers and I am grateful to them for volunteering to be involved.
As visitors will see, work has concentrated on the long-awaited new access road. The dreadful weather last winter restricted progress but when complete, rail together with the two coaches currently held in storage, can be delivered and prepared for service. Additionally, our visitors will then arrive over a level crossing! There have been incredible efforts by the volunteers and steamrollers to complete the road and money is available and pledged to getting this project finalised.
Money is also pledged towards the track laying south from Truthall Halt.
The Helston Railway Preservation Society - A Charity registered in England & Wales No. 1146711 Trevarno Farm, Prospidnick, Helston, TR13 0RY www.helstonrailway.co.uk (page 1 of 2)
In parallel with this, the Trustees will now focus on acquiring the four sections of track bed going south to Helston. Commercial sensitivity means that we do not want to say too much about the deals done with the owners of the land but the key thing is now to fund raise to get that extra land under our control.
The trustees are acutely aware of the importance of fundraising and the £350,000 appeal remains open for donations.. There has been a step up in activity and at the time of writing the charity has £104,000 in the bank, which includes some £60,000 pledged or in reserved funds which are detailed in the Finance Report. All visitors now receive membership and donation forms and you will have seen the work being done to secure more legacies when friends and supporters sadly pass away. This though and all the day to day fundraising through many channels will mean it takes time to raise the money needed to complete more land purchases.
As a result we are redoubling our efforts to identify all grants available from central and local government, which might assist with the project.
However, we hope members will support the trustees when we say that we must now focus in hard on the main event - getting the road finished and extending the railway. We must not get distracted by other acquisitions, valuable as they might be longer term. We must focus in on the key issues and there has to come a point where the trustees just say - no more projects. We must deliver the main project and efforts and funding must be directed to that end and not diverted to other things. It would be helpful for members to give views on this at the AGM or by writing to the trustees [e-mail peterk@helstonrailway.co.uk].
The railway has an obligation to replace a footbridge [known as Black Bridge] damaged in 2017 and we are now making good progress on installing its replacement. Fabrication and then installation is underway.
The recent Helston Theatre Company production of The Railway Children was a highlight of the year with the theatre goers using the train to get to Truthall field. The feedback was excellent, even though the organisation and pressure on volunteers was very heavy. It does show the potential of the field for events which would bring money to the railway and the field [which is owned by the charity] is therefore something we must exploit.
After a period of transition this year, I am looking forward with some eager anticipation, as there are a number of projects which will come to fruition before the next AGM.
I would like to thank everyone who has supported us this year especially Geoff and his daughter Suzie for continuing to provide us with our wonderful newsletter. Also Colin and his Directors, our Trustees and all the volunteers and supporters who have helped us during the year.
Lastly may I thank you, our members, for continuing to support our project, it has been 20 years in the making and I trust that you, like us, are still enjoying our journey. We have come a long way from our early beginnings and there is still a lot more to do.
Tim Childs
Chairman HRPS
15 September 2024
HELSTON RAILWAY PREI SERVATION SOCIETY INCOME AND EXPEIYDITURE ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 28th FEBRUèlRY 2024 2023 Income Subscriptions Donations Draw Gift Aid 200 Club 8925 47613 8930 25669 16268 1953 74759 10513 2457 47569 Expenditure Donations to HRPC Ltd 200 Club Winllers Printing & Stationery Postage & Pack&ging Insurance Advertising Sithney Community Events Room Hire Sundry Expenses Event Cost Asset Mainten&nce Professional Fees 27149 1056 520 150 1791 768 5334 83 100 214 38547 791 257 135 1492 252 210 1594 630 37795 43278 Surplus for the year 36964 42C)I
HELSTON IL4ILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY BALANCE SHEET AS AT 28th FEBRUARY 2024 2024 2023 FIXED ASSETS Trnthall Land Jenkin8 Land Lanes Land Lyle Land EQUIPMENT Brought forward 30000 25000 75060 6221 30000 25000 75000 2298 138579 100 130100 CURRENT ASSETS Cash &t bank and in hand PaJFal eto Loan to FIRPC Ltd 97030 65900 1895 4056 3306 100336 238915 71851 201951 ACCUMULATED FUND Balance brought forward Surplus for the year 201951 36964 197660 4291 Balance carried fonvard 238915 201951
Independent Examinerls Report to the Trustees of HELSTON RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY We report on thc accounts of th¢ Trust for the year ended 28 February 2024, which are set out on the attached pages. Respective Responsibilities of Trustees and Examiller The Charity's Trustces ar¢ responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this period (under section 144 of The Charities Act 2011 (The Charities Act), and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsAbilAty to: Examine the accounts (under section 145 of The Charities Act), To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(B) of The Charities Act, and To state whether particular matters have come to our attention, Basi5 of Independent Examlnerls Report Our examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners, An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the aCcOltS presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the tNstees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to wli¢ther the accounts present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set oiit in the staternent below. Independent Examlner's Statement In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention: (i) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of The Charities Act To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the account requirements of The Charities Act have not been met (2) to which, in our opinion, attentlon should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reacheAI. y? FCA Pryor, Begen( Fry & Co CHARTLRED ACCOUNTANT 97 Meneage Street, Helston, Cornwall. TR13 8RE Dated.. 2 .9
Independent Examinei s Report to the Trustees of HELSTON RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY We report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 28 February 2024, which are set out on the attached pages. Respective Responslbilitles of Trustees and Examiller The Charity's Trustees are responsible for the preparation of th¢ accounts. The Charity's Trustees consider that an audit IS llot required for this period (under section 144 of The Charities Act 2011 (The Charities Act), and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to: Examine the accounts (under sertion 145 of The Charities Act), To follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(B) of The Charities Act, and To state whether particular matters have come to our attention. Basls of Independent Examlner's Report Our examination was canied out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with tliose TordS. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosurcs in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees conccrning any such matters. Thc procedures undertakcn do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a true and fair view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examlner's Statement In connection with our examination, no matter has come to our attention: (i) which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements: To keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of The Charities Act To prepare accounts which accord with the accounting recx)rds and comply with the account requirements of The Charities Act have not been met (2) to which, in our opinion, attcntion should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. y* FCA Pryor, BegenL Fry & Co CHARTERED ACCOUNTLyr 97 Meneage Str¢¢t, Helston, Comwall, TR13 8RE Dated,. 2 .9 al+