Midland Railway Society
www.midlandrailwaysociety.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1149613
Trustees' Annual Report for 2024
Trustees:
Adrian Tester– Chairman David Harris – Secretary Colin Glenister (appointed 24 September 2024) Bryan Gray Graham Bocking Stephen Huson Stephen Lea Andrew Surry Nicholas Wheat Alan Cox (resigned 19 September 2024)
Governance:
The Constitution of the Society that had been adopted in 2015 was substantially revised during 2024 in order to follow more closely the GD3 Model Constitution for a Charitable Association, while still retaining the governance structure that has been proven to suit the Society’s needs. This new Constitution was adopted by vote at the Annual General Meeting held on Saturday, 20 April 2024. A copy was sent to, and duly accepted by, the Charity Commission.
Trustees are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting, held in 2024 at Derby on 20th April.
The management of the Society is entrusted to an Executive Committee consisting of the Trustees and such other officers of the Society as required.
Reserves:
In addition to a General Fund, there are two restricted reserves. The MRS Legacy Fund holds a donation made specifically to conserve the collection of the Society existing prior its merger with the former RFBMCT charity in 2015 and the Collections Fund which comprises the funds from the RFBMCT at the time of said merger, supplemented by donations made since. This fund is used to develop the collection in accordance with a Collection Development Policy, as well as conserve the existing items.
Objectives and Activities:
The Object of the Society is:
To advance the study of, and the education of the public in, all aspects of the Midland Railway, its predecessors, successors, joint lines and working arrangements in particular (but not exclusively) by the provision of publications, talks, visits, other events, displays and exhibitions for the public benefit.
Public Benefit:
The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the guidance on public benefit published by the Charity Commission in exercising their powers or duties, including but not limited to, the following…
Midland Railway Society
www.midlandrailwaysociety.org.uk Registered Charity No. 1149613
Trustees' Annual Report for 2024
The Society attended a total of eight model railway exhibitions throughout the year where we engaged with members of the public, in particular those of the modelling fraternity. We held two events which included practical demonstrations of modelling skills and historical presentations where the public attended. In addition, a presentation followed the formal part of the AGM in Derby. We contributed significantly to a summer-long exhibition at the Midland Railway-Butterley, celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the introduction of Pullman trains to the UK. This interaction was largely responsible for a notable increase in membership to over 500 individuals by the year-end.
Since 2004, the Society has been a partner with Derby Museums in the operation of the Midland Railway Study Centre located in Derby's Silk Mill as part of the Museum of Making, and is an important element of the overall museum offering. Through the MRSC the Society provides access to the combined collections of each organisation (notably including that of the late Roy F Burrows). This amounts to 72,000 items, with over 2,500 three dimensional objects on open access to all visitors to the Museum. We host researchers of all levels – from amateur genealogists to PhD students and other professionals.
Overall 2024 was another year of generally modest growth for the Study Centre, especially in terms of acquisition of material for the collection. We provide facilities for physical visitors as well as a freely-accessible online service for researchers who are unable to travel to Derby to use our resources in person. While our services are overwhelmingly accessed via email and our website following a clear shift after the pandemic, visits in person to the Study Centre remain buoyant, including 'drop in' enquiries from visitors to the Museum of Making.
D.J.Harris Secretary, Midland Railway Society www.midlandrailwaysociety.org.uk
Midland Railway Society ~~Midland Railway Society~~
Accounts to 31 December 2024
==> picture [476 x 603] intentionally omitted <==
----- Start of picture text -----
General Restricted General Restricted
Fund Funds Fund Funds
2023 2023 2024 2024
£ £ Income £ £
9,817 736 Members' Subscriptions & Donations 10,258 1,991
3,789 Sales of Books, etc. 3,753
1,895 157 Gift Aid Claimed 2,108 163
963 3,128 Bank Interest & Other Income 1,482 5,264
16,464 4,021 17,601 7,418
Expenditure
11,533 MR Society Journals & Newsletters 14,346
2,043 Cost of Sales 1,516
1,535 Meeting Costs incl. Exhibitions 2,098
1,115 Society Expenses 1,031
192 Committee Expenses 192
Special Expenditure 8,540
5,389 Acquisitions 9,120
1,200 Derby Museum 1,200
778 Conservation and Other costs 1,496
16,418 7,367 27,723 11,816
46 -3,346 Excess of Income over Expenditure -10,122 -4,398
Balance Sheet as at 31st December 2024
7,227 Stock on Hand 6,827
576 Debtors 255
2,130 Balances at Bank: Current Accounts 2,655
160,230 162,360 Deposit Accounts 155,000 157,655
170,163 164,737
542 less: Creditors 9,636
169,621 Total Funds 155,101
Represented by:
Restricted Funds
General Collections MRS Legacy Total
Fund Fund Fund
Opening Balance 42,843 124,548 2,230 166,321
Surplus for the Year -10,122 -4,398 -14,520
Special Donation
Closing Balance 32,721 120,150 2,230 155,101
----- End of picture text -----
Independent Examiner's Report on the Accounts of the Midland Railway Society
Registered Charity No: 1149613
l report on the accounts of the Trust for the year ended 31st December 2024, which are set out on the preceding pages.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner.
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act; to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of independent examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees 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 whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent examiner's statement
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
(1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; and to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
(2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Paul Waldron, LLB Chartered ALFBF MCSI
Stoneleigh Old Vicarage Lane Kemble Cirencester GL7 6BB
05 February 2025