## **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 2024 to 31[st] December 2024** 1 ## **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 Tom Buffin Elected 20[th] April 2024 Mr Ian Fawcett Mr Tom Halford Mrs Hilary Hill Miss Hannah Kingdon Elected 20[th] April 2024 Mr John Metherall Secretary Mr Douglas Phelps Mr Matthew Sexton Chair Mr Rauffe Shirley Mr Richard Thacker Mr Josh Watkins Resigned 2[nd] February 2024 ## **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 2024. 2 ## **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)** 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. 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. 4. 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. 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** ## **Attendance** There were 5 Trustees Board Meetings in 2024 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: **----- Start of picture text -----**
Attendance Notes
Trustee
Actual Possible
Mr Matthew Sexton 6 6
Mr John Metherall 6 6
Mr Ian Beaton 6 6
Mr Ian Fawcett 5 6
Mr Tom Halford 6 6
Mrs Hilary Hill 6 6
Mr Douglas Phelps 6 6
Mr Rauffe Shirley 3 6
Mr Richard Thacker 5 6
Mr Josh Watkins 0 1 Resigned 2nd February 2024
Mr Tom Buffin 3 4 Elected 20 [th] April 2024
Miss Hannah Kingdon 4 4 Elected 20 [th] April 2024
**----- End of picture text -----**
4 ## **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** 2024 has been another busy year for the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. GW Prairie no 5541, in its final year of operation before withdrawal for major overhaul, continued to be a strong performer achieving a total of 74 steam days (85 in 2023) travelling 2681 miles in all at the Dean Forest Railway. The locomotive finally bowed out on 30[th] December 2024, having been steamed a total of 797 and travelling 25376 miles during the ten years of this boiler ticket. Again, the continued high availability of 5541 is a credit to the Engineering team, past and present, who have kept up with the continual maintenance and inspection programme in all weathers and limited facilities. 5541 was given a fine send off on the 29[th] December with a farewell event arranged for DFLG and working Dean Forest Railway Society members. Crewed by three generations of the Phelps family, who have been involved with the locomotive since its early days of preservation, The locomotive was in fine fettle and I am pleased to report the event was well attended. Ex BR Pannier 9681 performed well during the year achieving 47 steaming days (48 in 2023). We expect this to be higher in 2025 with the withdrawal on Prairie 5541. However, we do have to report that that the locomotive was involved in an incident while operating a Santa Special under night time conditions. The locomotive struck a fallen tree while travelling bunker first. Damage was confined to broke vacuum and steam heating pipe work and fittings, crushed ATC box, broken spring and scratched paintwork. Repairs were quickly made and the locomotive returned to service to complete the end of season services. Work continues on BR Pannier 9682 with the bunker nearly complete and ready for riveting. After a significant amount of checking the Computer Aided Design Model (CAD) of the cylinder block has been approved and an order placed for the 3D printed sand pattern and cores ready for casting. We are hoping the cylinder block will be cast in the spring of 2025. The DFLG Sales Coach performed extremely well again thanks to the dedicated efforts of all associated. It achieved net sales of £ 16423 (£14929 in 2023) of donated items. Strong sales of Model Railway Items (in good condition) were achieved particularly of more modern brands and models of local items such as wagons. We were sorry to hear that Bernard Baldwin, who has produced replica nameplates and undertaken many other carpentry projects for us, suffered a significant health event and is no longer able to continue with this activity. Bernard has let us take on his woodworking machines and tools which will be very helpful in our carriage and wagon restoration. We are pleased to announce that Tracy Garrad has volunteered to act as webmaster to update and refresh our website. Also, the DFLG Facebook page continues to be refreshed and we appear to be gaining more contacts and followers. Finally, the Trustees would like to thank the volunteers, members and donors for their support through the year. ## **Postscript** It is with deep sadness we have to report the sudden death of Ian Beaton, our long serving Treasurer and deputy chair, who passed away on 11[th] January 2025 just after the end of our charity year. Ian was a long serving member of the Dean Forest Railway and held several senior positions, including Treasurer of the Pannier Fund since 1985 which was a predecessor of the Dean Forest Locomotive Group. He managed the financial affairs of the Chairty diligently and his contribution will be deeply missed. 5 ## **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 2024, 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 £63162 received for the use of GW Prairie No 5541 and BR Pannier 9681accounted for 58%. Sale of Donated Items was £16423. This accounted for 15% of funds received. Total Donations towards Pannier 9682 were £9523 accounted for 9% of funds received in 2024 ## **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 £48869 and accounted for 65% 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. 6 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-OPT No. 9681 & 9682 Dean Forest Lo¢omotive Group ¢10 1164847 Receipts and Payments Accounts For the period 01 Janua 2024 31st Dpc 2024 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Restricted funds Endowment lunds Total funds Last year Notes tothe ne¥esle toth• M•r•st £ ¢oth• rffj4r•$tt ¢oth• rthir¢$t£ A1 Recei SteamiTh3 Fees SM1 steamiry Fee8 W1 SaknOna(w3 Saks ol DDththd 41,•JD 21203 24125 1,857 16A23 1£N23 1482• G￿hre Reial S81 Consumatles 0¢na￿ cthed DOn&t￿n8 mt￿ShiP clu￿ N&tt irteie$l ie¢eive 1•,3É0 1.7es 732 12C 1043 2.307 $￿thE 4ustrnent ￿ weviAo A 10è.762 10È273 A2Pa ments Lc¢omoiwe 5541 Lwomoiwe tfft1 L(rtomoiwe 8.709 1•.843 53NOO 12 8W2 B.382 4B,888 12 Co8chS813 Coach73 Sa￿￿8{￿4) Toèd 17488 Fr￿D t*AMt*D&SIth 12 812 3,750 7,762 3,128 11J7 7.762 3,128 107 10273 725 230 025 222 3,181 0.346 StskntEry 3,T66 -1818 NettVAT Pay￿￿￿15 to PMIC 78A71 101.1 Net Loss for Year Ne¢ Profit for Year 19,641 6.387 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted fijnds Restricted lunds to Th￿restE Endowment funds io n￿r*stE Total L¥sh funds 224208 92.481 Sign¢d by Chair on WiaW of¥1 Trustges Signature Print Na Date of Matthew C Sexton $/05/0o&5 ## **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 18977 £18977 Hawksworth Saloon Group 56 £14000 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 8 ## **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 **----- Start of picture text -----**
Year Miles No. Steamings
2014 2131 59
2015 2073 65
2016 3266 106
2017 2215 67
2018 1947 62
2019 1761 60
2020 868 25
2021 2679 77
2022 3505 117
2023 2681 85
2024 2250 74
Total 25376 797
**----- End of picture text -----**
## Ex BR Pannier 9681 |Ex BR Pannier 9681||| |---|---|---| |Year|Miles|No. Steamings| |2023|1489|48| |2024|1453|47| 9 ## **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** Note 3: Membership |Note 3: Membership||| |---|---|---| ||Year Ending 2024|Year Ending 2023| |Foundation Members|106|109| |Life Members|21|19| |Annual Members|37|35| |Total|164|163| 10 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-OPT No. 9681 & 9682 CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examlnefs report on the 8.r.countg Report to the mishtsl m•mbers tsf D•an Forest Locomotive Group ICIOI On xcounts for the year 31.. Otterr*er 2024 Chartty no 1164847 Sei out on pag•s 7.8.9 & 10 l ieport 10 Ihe Iruslees o• my examination of th¢ •¢counis olthe above charity (Ihe Tns$1-I lor the year el￿ 3111212024 Rewn¥ibilllie$ and As the thatity tsv5tee5 of the Twst. you are responsthl¢ fvr Ihe preparalion b•si5 01 report ofthe attounls in aceordanre the iequwpments olthe Charblies Act 20111-Ih8 Acl'l I reporl in respect of my exanmfiatioft oltht TnJsts 8ceounts caNied o urthr secbon 145 olthe 2011 kn and in tarrying out my examination. I havE lolh)%Yed Ihe opp￿tye Olrettions gNen ty the Charity COrruDi￿•0n urtder secbon 149SXbl of Ihe Ad. I have ￿fft￿eted my examinaiion. l ￿￿fim1 that no malerial mattws hav* come to rny atterktion in connection with Ihè ex*mfftalion whith g4ves me cause to W*ve Ihai its. any maleiial respeth.. accounting recuds were not kto in accordance sethon 130 of IhÈAdw the accounts noi attord the accountin9 re¢w I ha¥¢ no ¢onwns and have come auoss no 0lh•r mallers in connedion with the examination 10 whith altenDon should be drawn in to ¢naN• a proper undwstanthng ofthe aecoufii$ w b• r•athod. Ind•pend•ni xamlTrÈfs srdtom•n¢ Styn•d: Name: Maitin John Hlliw Relovani profes8lon•l 4ualtfKoi￿￿I$I Ix body Irf anyl.. MRTPI. a￿1£ CMS Address.. 48 Bream Road. Lyth8y Gkiucesleth Gils SJH li ## **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** ## **Minutes of the 8[th] Annual General Meeting** ## **Held at Norchard, 4pm, Saturday 20[th] April 2024.** 1. The Chairman Matthew Sexton opened the meeting and welcomed members to the eighth AGM of the CIO. Members were happy for him to continue in the chair the meeting Apologies had been received from D. Holmes, Morag Beaton, R. Thacker, P. Eward, R & T Aldridge, M. Bladwell, R. Caston, M. Harding, J. Aston, M. Gorringe, J. Haycock, R. Thacker, A. Musker, T. Giddings, S. Rudge, A. Copley, K. Copley, A. Hayes, A. Woodrow.. It was proposed by R. Alpin seconded by R. Bradley that the circulated minutes of the 7[th] AGM held on 15[th] April 2023 be adopted. All present agreed. 2. **Trustees Report** The Chairman, Matt Sexton expanded on his report that had been previously circulated to all members. He again thanked Tom Halford and Charles Mansell for their work getting 9681 back into steam and the Rt. Rev. Christopher Hill for rededicating the locomotive. Thanks, were also given to Charlie Mansell and Adam Williams and Josh Watkins who had stepped down as trustees, Josh was now coping with the addition of twin boys to his family. 9681 and 5541 had been used throughout the pass year and members should take the chance to ride behind 5541 this year as it will be going out of service for several years at the end of 2024 (subject to nothing serious happening before). It was expected that we will be spending in the region of £90K on 9682. CAD drawings of the cylinder block had been produced and were being finally inspected for accuracy before a 3D print in sand was made to allow for final casting in Germany. The block would then require machining back in the UK. Platework on the backend of the loco had been replaced to bring it up to standard. Doug Phelps and Richard Thacker were making good progress on the GWR Toad Brake van on which £6K had been spent on hardwood for the floors. Matt repeated his thanks to Hilary the shop manager and the sales group members for their efforts. Hilary had managed to obtain a large amount of model railways stock which hopefully will turnover quickly. Baldwin was also still producing replica plates for sale although this was more difficult due to his wife Sue’s illness. Final thanks were given to James Graham for updating our website and to Tom Halford for keeping Facebook relevant. T.H. Jenkins proposed the adoption of the report, seconded by A. Grant. The report was adopted unanimously. 12 ## **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** 3. Accounts 4. Ian Beaton asked members if they had any questions about the accounts which could be found in the circulated Annual Report to Trustees. He thanked Ian Fawcett for managing the 300 Club account and Gift Aid donations. In reply to a question from J. White, Ian Beaton said the new examiner of the accounts was Sylvia Bullock a vice principal of Gloscat. J. White proposed and L. Wentworth seconded that the accounts be adopted. The accounts were adopted unanimously. 5. Appointment of Trustees There were six vacancies on the board of trustees and three trustees were retiring on rotation, John Metherall, Mathew Sexton & Rauffe Shirley were seeking re-election. New nominations to serve on the board of trustees had been received from Tom Buffin and Hannah Kingdon. Voting papers had been issued to the members attending by the voting scrutineer, the outcome of which together with those submitted by proxy resulted in those seeking re-election being reelected and the new nominees also being elected. The chairman thanked Christopher Hill for acting as voting scrutineer. ## Election results 32 members submitted voting forms amounting to a maximum of 57 votes cast per trustee. |Tom Buffin|56|(56 For, 0 Against 1 Abstain)| |---|---|---| |Hannah Kingdon|56|(56 For, 0 Against 1 Abstain)| |John Metherall|57|(57 For, 0 Against)| |Matthew Sexton|55|(55 For, 0 Against, 1 Abstain)| |Rauffe Shirley|56|(56 For, 0 Against, 1 Abstain)| 6. No resolutions had been submitted for consideration. In closing the meeting Matt thanked everyone for attending. He Invited everyone to have a guided tour of our projects following the Spring 300 Club Draw. The meeting closed at 5.05pm. 13 ## **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** **Members present** M. Sexton, I.K. Beaton, I.L. Fawcett, T. Halford, J.S. Metherall, C. Hill, H. Hill, D. Phelps, T.H. Jenkins, J. Buckley, N.B. Parker, M. Rudge, R. Alpin, R. Bradley, R. Hawker, G. Matthews, L. Wentworth, M. Hillier, J. White, B. Mannion, A. Grant, S. Hawkins, H, Kingdon, T. Buffin, T. Halford. Scrutineer Rt. Rev. Christopher Hill KCVO 14