2023-12-31-accounts - Dean Forest Locomotive Group

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DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP (CIO)

INCORPORATING THE FOREST PRAIRIE & THE FOREST PANNIER FUNDS PRESERVING LOCOS Ex. GWR 2-6-2T No. 5541, Ex. BR 0-6-0PT No. 9681 & 9682

DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP(CIO) Trustees’ Annual Report for the Period From 1[st] January 2023 to 31[st] December 2023

DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP (CIO)

INCORPORATING THE FOREST PRAIRIE & THE FOREST PANNIER FUNDS

PRESERVING LOCOS Ex. GWR 2-6-2T No. 5541, Ex. BR 0-6-0PT No. 9681 & 9682

Structure

The Dean Forest Locomotive Group is Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

Registered Charity No.1164847

Charity’s Principal Address: Norchard, Forest Road, Lydney, Gloucestershire. GL15 4ET

Names of Trustees who manage the Charity

Mr Ian Beaton Treasurer & Deputy Chair Mr Ian Fawcett Mr Tom Halford Mrs Anne Hayes Retired 15[th ] April 2023 Mrs Hilary Hill Mr Charles Mansell Resigned 11[th] May 2023 Mr John Metherall Secretary Mr Douglas Phelps Mr Paul Sandles Retired 15[th ] April 2023 Mr Matthew Sexton Chair Mr Rauffe Shirley Mr Richard Thacker Mr Josh Watkins Mr Adam Williams Resigned 15[th] April 2023

Governance

Appointment of Trustees

The Appointment of Trustees is conducted in accordance with the Articles of Association and Rules of the CIO. The maximum number of Trustees permissible is 15. Trustees may serve for a maximum of three years after which they may seek re-election at the next AGM. One third of the serving Trustees must retire on rotation at each AGM and can seek re-election if they so wish. The standing Trustees have the power to appoint (co-opt) Trustees at their discretion.

No Trustees were co-opted 2023.

DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP (CIO)

INCORPORATING THE FOREST PRAIRIE & THE FOREST PANNIER FUNDS

PRESERVING LOCOS Ex. GWR 2-6-2T No. 5541, Ex. BR 0-6-0PT No. 9681 & 9682

Objectives of the Charity (As set out in the Governing Document)

To acquire and take over all or any part of the assets and liabilities of the present unincorporated body known as the Dean Forest Locomotive Group.
To advance public education, learning and skills development by the acquisition, restoration, preservation, exhibition and operation of heritage railway locomotives, rolling stock and equipment associated with, but not exclusively, the Severn & Wye Railway, railways in the Forest of Dean & Gloucestershire and in particular to preserve, operate and display for the public benefit former GWR steam locomotive no.5541 and BR steam locomotive no.9681 at the Dean Forest Railway and other suitable locations.
To advance public education and learning by the conservation and exhibition to museum standards of documents and records of historic, technical and academic interest associated with the locomotives, rolling stock and equipment as the charity trustees may from time to time decide.
To advance public education and learning by the publication of pamphlets, booklets, periodicals or books relating to the acquisition, maintenance, rebuilding and operation of the locomotives and rolling stock so as to ensure continuity of preservation for future generations.

Activities

The Trustees have complied with their duty to have due regard to the commission’s public benefit guidance when exercising any powers or duties to which the guidance is relevant.

Attendance

There were 5 Trustees Board Meetings in 2023 all held using a hybrid format. The Trustees are also expected to attend the AGM. The attendance of Trustees at Meetings and AGM is recorded below:

Trustee	Trustee Meetings
Ian Beaton	6 of possible 6
Ian Fawcett	6 of possible 6
Tom Halford	6 of possible 6
Anne Hayes	2 of possible 3
Hilary Hill	6 of possible 6
John Metherall	6 of possible 6
Charlie Mansell	1 of possible 3
Doug Phelps	5 of possible 6
Paul Sandles	0 of possible 3
Matthew Sexton	6 of possible 6
Rauffe Shirley	3 of possible 6
Richard Thacker	2 of possible 6
Josh Watkins	3 of possible 6
Adam Williams	2 of possible 3

DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP (CIO)

INCORPORATING THE FOREST PRAIRIE & THE FOREST PANNIER FUNDS

PRESERVING LOCOS Ex. GWR 2-6-2T No. 5541, Ex. BR 0-6-0PT No. 9681 & 9682

Achievements & Performance

2023 has been another busy year for the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. The headline news is that BR Pannier 9681 re-entered service thanks to the sterling efforts of a small band of volunteers led by Charlie Mansell and Tom Halford. The locomotive achieved 48 steaming days travelling 1331 miles. This included two photo charters, two Dean Forest Railway steam galas (four days), three days of filming and a celebration day held jointly with the Dean Forest Railway Society. The Trustees would like to thank Bishop Christopher Hill KVSO for his re-dedication of 9681 and all those who volunteered and arranged the event and catering.

GW Prairie no 5541 continued to be a strong performer achieving a total of 85 steam days (117 in 2022) travelling 2681 miles all at the Dean Forest Railway. This includes one photo charter and a courtesy steaming for the Lydney Remembrance Day parade.

The Boiler Inspector visited during October to carry out the annual boiler examination of 5541 and has now set the out of service date as 30[th] December 2024 subject to an annual boiler examination in October 2024. This of course depends on no major issues occurring.

Two of our vehicles have been used in filming:

Mink G and 9681 - The Sister Boniface Mysteries (UKTV Drama Christmas Special -The Star of the Orient)
9681 - The Famous Five (CBBC)

Again, the continued high availability of 5541 is a credit to the Engineering team who kept up with the continual maintenance and inspection programme in all weathers and despite the restrictions and additional social distancing measures.

It is pleasing to report that work on BR Pannier 9682 has been started with the boiler, tanks cab and bunker removed. The frames have been stripped and wheels removed. Some of our senior members have been active in needle gunning and preparing the frames for restoration. A new rear buffer beam has been fitted and repairs to the badly corroded rear draw box carried out. After a significant amount of arranging a new cylinder block has been ordered. This involves creating a Computer Aided Design Model (CAD) of the block which will be used to 3D print a sand pattern and cores ready for casting. The Casting will be Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machined to the required dimensions and tolerances.

We still have significant work to do and missing components to be sourced and we expect to spend around £90000 in 2024.

The DFLG Sales Coach performed extremely well again thanks to the dedicated efforts of all associated. It achieved net sales of £ 14929 (£15689 in 2022) of donated items and thanks to our members who donated some or all of the proceeds from the sale of their models via the shop’s retail gift aid scheme (RGAS) a further £4480 was added. Strong sales of Model Railway Items (in good condition) were achieved particularly of more modern brands and models of local items such as wagons.

Sales of bric-a-brac, DVD, Videos, and magazines were weak, perhaps reflecting on changes in taste, technology and the economic climate. To free up sales space we will discontinue selling these items in the future.

We would also like to thanks Bernard Baldwin for all is work on creating replica wooden nameplates which has been a valuable source of income.

DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP (CIO)

INCORPORATING THE FOREST PRAIRIE & THE FOREST PANNIER FUNDS

PRESERVING LOCOS Ex. GWR 2-6-2T No. 5541, Ex. BR 0-6-0PT No. 9681 & 9682

Although Charities have strict rules on how much small trading turn over they can undertake (a minimum £8000 or higher dependent on turnover) we have continued with the sale of merchandise started back in 2021. In 2023 we concentrated on branded Mugs for our working members which proved very popular. The total small trading turn-over was £342 (£477 in 2021).

The DFLG Facebook page continues to be refreshed and we appear to be gaining more contacts and followers.

Unfortunately, we are struggling to maintain our website and are looking for a new webmaster.

Finally, the Trustees would like to thank the volunteers, members and donors for their support through the year.

DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP (CIO)

INCORPORATING THE FOREST PRAIRIE & THE FOREST PANNIER FUNDS

PRESERVING LOCOS Ex. GWR 2-6-2T No. 5541, Ex. BR 0-6-0PT No. 9681 & 9682

Financial Review

Reserves Policy

A review was carried of the reserves fund policy in 2023, taking into account factors such as inflation and the expanded fleet of vehicles the organisation owns. As a result of this review it was decided to maintain the reserves at £60000.

The reserve policy is to hold £60000 in existing current accounts sufficient to cover emergency or unforeseen expenditure. This will be complimented with an active reduction in non-critical expenditure as an when a critical risk is crystalised.

Details of any Funds Materially in Deficit

The CIO has no funds in deficit.

Loans

The CIO has no outstanding loans, including loans agreed under guarantee and/or secured against assets.

Principal Source of Funds

The principal source of funds (excluding reclaimed VAT) has been through Steaming fees £70725 received for the use of GW Prairie No 5541 and BR Pannier 9681accounted for 65% (70% in 2022).

Sale of Donated Items was £14929. This accounted for 14% of funds received in 2023.

Total Donations towards Pannier 9682 were £14576 accounted for 14% of funds received in 2023

Expenditure in Support of the Key Objectives of the Charity.

The major expenditure was for the start of restoration of BR Pannier 9682. This was £53486 and accounted for 53% of total expenditure.

Principal Risk Facing the Charity

The Trustees see the Principal Risks facing the Charity as:

Loss of income from steaming fees resulting from suspension of operations due to a crisis or other reason or serious mechanical failure. The Trustees use the Reserves Policy to mitigate this risk.
The difficulty of securing future coal supplies to run our steam locomotives resulting from economic, environmental and supply issues. The DFLG is a member of the Heritage Railway Association whose members are actively pursuing alternative sustainable sources of supply.
Future generations being less interested in Heritage Steam and Heritage railways.

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DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP (CIO)

INCORPORATING THE FOREST PRAIRIE & THE FOREST PANNIER FUNDS

PRESERVING LOCOS Ex. GWR 2-6-2T No. 5541, Ex. BR 0-6-0PT No. 9681 & 9682

Other Interests

Shares Face Value Forest of Dean Railway Ltd 18627 £18627 Hawksworth Saloon Group 38 £9500 Heritage Wagon Group 115 £115

Main Assets (Rolling Stock)

Locomotives

2-6-2 Small Prairie 5541 0-6-0 Pannier Tank 9681

0-6-0 Pannier Tank 9682

Passenger Coaches

GWR Collet Composite Brake 7362

GWR 3[rd] Corridor 5813

Wagons

Shunters Gig 41152 Mink G 112857 Fruit D 3411 Toad Brake Van 17488 Mink A 95750 Mink A 123589 Starfish 70047 Starfish 60923 Starfish 80232 Open Wagon 61015 Open Wagon 75607

DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP (CIO)

INCORPORATING THE FOREST PRAIRIE & THE FOREST PANNIER FUNDS

PRESERVING LOCOS Ex. GWR 2-6-2T No. 5541, Ex. BR 0-6-0PT No. 9681 & 9682

Account Notes

Note 1: Number of Steamings:

GW Prairie 5541

Year	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Steamings	104	67	61	60	25	73	117	85

Ex BR Pannier 9681

Year	2023
Steamings	48

Note 2: Membership

Note 2: Membership
	Year Ending 2023	Year Ending 2022
Foundation Members	109	110
Life Members	19	16
Annual Members	35	31
Total	163	157

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