2025-12-31-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 2025 to 31[st] December 2025

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

Ian Beaton Treasurer & Deputy Chair Deceased 10th January 2025 Tom Buffin Ian Fawcett Tracy Garrad Elected 26[th] April 2025 Tom Halford Deputy Chair Ian Hatton Elected 26[th] April 2025 Steven Hawkins Treasurer Co-opted 12[th] February 2025, Elected 26[th] April 2025 Hilary Hill Hannah Kingdon John Metherall Secretary Douglas Phelps Matthew Sexton Chair Rauffe Shirley Richard Thacker Stepped down 31[st] December 2025

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.

One Trustee (Steve Hawkins) was co-opted in 2025.

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.

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 -----
Trustee Attendance Notes
Actual Possible
Matthew Sexton 5 5
John Metherall 5 5
Ian Beaton 0 0 Deceased 10th January 2025
Steve Hawkins 3 3 Elected 26th April 2025
Ian Fawcett 5 5
Tom Halford 5 5
Hilary Hill 5 5
Douglas Phelps 5 5
Rauffe Shirley 2 5
Richard Thacker 5 5
Tracy Garrad 3 3 Elected 26th April 2025
Ian Hatton 3 3 Elected 26th April 2025
Tom Buffin 5 5
Hannah Kingdon 5 5
----- End of picture text -----

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

Although we have had a busy and productive year it started with deep sadness. Our long serving Treasurer and deputy chair Ian Beaton, passed away on 10[th] January 2025.

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.

Luckly, one of our members Steve Hawkins has stepped into the breach and taken on the role of Trustee and Treasurer.

Ex BR Pannier 9681 performed well during the year and achieved 99 steaming days (47 in 2024). We expect this to be slightly lower in 2026 as a second home engine (not owned by the group) will re-enter traffic.

The new cylinder block Castings for 9682 arrived in late May and are currently weathering. For 2026, once the bunker and lower cab platework are completed, work will commence on refurbishing the reverser, the valve gear and brake gear and continue machining the boiler and pipe fittings as well as machining the cylinder block casting, once it has weathered sufficiently.

Meanwhile 5541 was mothballed and work to dismantle her will not commence until 9682 is completed. However in view of the long lead times for some items required for 5541 a separate fund has been set up to acquire these parts. To start the project we have acquired a high definition digital copy the original GWR Chimney Drawing. We will use this to create a three dimensional digital model to create a pattern for casting.

It was planned to carry out minor repairs and a repaint both the Mink G & Fruit D vans in 2025. However only the Fruit D has received attention with a new roof covering. It is currently in the Norchard Engine shed awaiting replacement of some rotted timber boards before painting can commence. This will completed in the summer when the lining can be added in the warmer weather.

The DFLG has also acquired the old society Collett coach 5863, which after a good internal tidy up requiring the hire of a skip, is now being used as storage for archive and other DFLG materials. We will be looking at options to stabilise the coach sides in 2025 as rotting timber has taken its toll. As an aside we purchased the coach for an nominal £1 plus VAT, but we have more that recouped this in lost change we have found in rubbish we cleared out of the coach.

Unfortunately due to illness, work on reinstating the electrics in Coach 7362 has not progressed recently. We wish Ian Godsave all the best and hope he feels well enough to return soon.

All the remaining shares in the Hawksworth Saloon (80943) Group were acquired by the DFLG following the complete repaint of the Saloon’s exterior by the original owners. The saloon entered service in April and to date has generated almost £4000 from tickets sales It is planned to carry out some internal improvements in the closed season.

Tracy Garrad our webmaster has spent considerable time updating and refresh our website. She has , after many setbacks managed to get PayPal donate working and set up an charity eBay Account.

Also, the DFLG Facebook page continues to be refreshed and we appear to be gaining more contacts and followers.

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

The DFLG Sales Coach performed extremely well again thanks to the dedicated efforts of all associated. It achieved net sales of £ 18358 (£16423 in 2024) 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.

Donations of good quality paperbacks and transport books to our shop are always welcome but if you are considering selling your model railway collection or any model railway items please contact Hilary Hill or myself to see if we can make you an offer which will benefit both you and our Group.

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 2025, 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 was Steaming fees £54391 received for BR Pannier 9681 accounted for 56% of unrestricted income.

Sale of Donated Items was £18358.

Total Donations towards Pannier 9682 were £20531.

Expenditure in Support of the Key Objectives of the Charity.

The major expenditure was for the restoration of BR Pannier 9682. This was £30315 and accounted for 39% 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.
The ability to attract new working members with relevant skills and ability.

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 Forèst LocoMOtI Group CIO 1161847 Receipts and Payments Accounts Forth8 ri0 from To 01 Jlla 2025 151 O¢¢eMr Section A Receipts and payments Unragtrktod funds Restrlctgd End(swrnqnt funds Ttalfund¥ Lo¥ty01r toth•nHr•¥t tothp np£rest£ tolh rt•ar•stÈ toth• ngarowl lothefi¢itFyt£ AI RKèSpts $1e¥miThJ Fee55541 Fe¢$968f SaloDn BG943 SBle&ofDDnatsd li 1,900 21,26J 8,7$4 18,355 Rètsil Sal ty)n&1ion582 lumlshIp 3W¢lub 732 J.S32 2,DE8 495 495 AOu$hY*nllo 20.681 111,750 A2P ment6 Locomo11ve%92 JQ.316 4ts.$69 f.OBch 7362 Coach 5863 $42 426 3.700 Toad 1748B 2.180 $.12 A.Min D. mksSIp 7.140 M8¢FialSe 743 Office txpen¥es Ne#VAT P 3.394 J.Jy NetLo$$ for Ye&r NetProfitfor Ytrar 19.841 44.62Z Section B Ststement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period RÈstrS¢tgd funds tott•ar¢st£ funds funds 27&.5JO 80,681 Swed bycthrM behalfof¥l TrLtsIg8 Prini Namft Dal& ol Matthew C Sexton 191QtyQ26

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 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

GW/BR Hawksworth Saloon 80943 GWR Collet Composite Brake 7362 GWR 3[rd] Corridor 5813 GWR 3[rd] Corridor 5863

Wagons

Shunters Gig 41152 Mink G 112857 Mink D 104040 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:

Ex BR Pannier 9681

Ex BR Pannier 9681
Year	Miles	No. Steamings
2023	1489	48
2024	1453	47
2025	3059	99
Total	6001	194

Note 2: Membership

Note 2: Membership
	Year Ending 2025	Year Ending 2024
Foundation Members	100	106
Life Members	23	21
Annual Members	34	37
Total	157	164

Note 3:

The trustees agreed to allocate all the profits from the 300 Club in 2025 to the restoration of 9682 These are separately shown in the accounts for clarity

Donations 9682	£18611
300 Club nett	£1425
Ian Beaton Collection	£495
Total donations to 9682	£20531

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 examinerfs report on the accounts Sefjbtsn A Independent Examlner's R8POrt Report to the trustÈÈsl membgrs of DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP ICIOI On accounts for thè year ended 31ST December 2025 Charity no Ilf any) 1164847 Set out on pag05 7.8.9 &10 I rewrt 10 Ihe trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity Ilhe Trust") for the year ended 3111212025. R8sponslbllltle8 and As the ChtY Iriislees of the Trust. you are re$ponslbk for the prep8r8tion basis of report of the accoun18 in accordantr with the reqU1MentS of the Charities Act 2011 Ilhe A¢t"l. report in respect of my examination ofthe Trust'5 a¢¢ounl$ Carried under seclion 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying oul rny examination. I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sethon 145I5llbl of thè Act. I have cotnpied my examination. I cr[n that no trterIal matters have come lo tny aiieniion iother than th81 disclosed below'l in ¢onn&etion wth the examinatN)n which gwes me Cau lo believe that in. any material respect.. a¢ts)unting r8coros were nor key in ac¢ordanc wllh sectlon 130 oy the Ati or the accoun15 do a¢¢ord with the accounling records Independent ¢¥amine¢s statoment I h3ve no toncerns and have come across no other mallers In connection with the examination towhich atlention should be diawn in order to enyble a proper undÈrslanding of the accounts lo be reached. Please delete the in tha br8ckels ilfheydo not apply. Oato.. Name= Martin Johft Paul Hillier Relevant professional quallliG¥tionl81 or body Ilf any).. MRTPI, ThpTP, CMS Addrèss.. Tottemak. 4a Bream Road Lydney Glouce51ershire GL15 5JH 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 9[th] Annual General Meeting

Held at Norchard, 4pm, Saturday 26[th] April 2025.

The Chairman Matthew Sexton opened the meeting and welcomed members to the nineth AGM of the CIO. He firstly wished to acknowledge with sincere appreciation the many years of loyal service given to the Group and its predecessor, the Forest Pannier Tank Fund, by Ian Beaton, who sadly passed away suddenly in early January.

Apologies had been received from R & T Aldridge, M. Harding, J. Aston, M. Gorringe, J. Haycock, A. Musker, A. Copley, A. Hayes, R. Poore, B. Mannion, M. Cornick, G. Mathews

It was proposed by H. Hill seconded by D. Phelps that the circulated minutes of the 8[th] AGM held on 20[th] April 2024 be adopted. All present agreed.

2. Trustees Report

The Chairman, Matt Sexton expanded on his report that had been previously circulated to all members. Referring to the report he said 9681 had performed well although it had suffered from hitting a fallen tree while operating a late Santa Special. However, repairs had been quickly put in hand. 5541 had also worked well in its last season having completed 25000 miles. The Phelps family had provided all the crew for its last day of running before its major overhaul which would not commence until 9682 was completed. Progress on 9682 was good with the bunker almost complete.

Matt thanked Hilary and her sales team for generating over £16000 directly from the sale of donated but over £23000 when taking the Retail Gift Aid donations into account.

Matt also wanted to thank Bernard Baldwin who had contributed greatly to the group through his woodworking skills but had suffered a debilitating stroke and although not able to assist anymore had kindly offered us all his woodworking tools.. He also acknowledged the efforts of the late Ian Beaton who had served the 9681 group and later the DFLG for his diligent work controlling the group’s finances.

He called on Tom Halford to update the meeting on the progress of 9682 Tom stated that he expected the cylinder block casting to be on site in the summer where it would age for six months before machining could begin.

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.

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

The group expected to complete the purchase of all the saloon group shares shortly and take complete control of the vehicle. It had now returned to service after a major repaint and thorough clean. It is planned to provide a new carpet later in the year. The group had also recently acquired for a nominal sum Collett coach 5863 from the society. It is intended to covert the bedrooms into storage cupboards for the various aspects of the Group’s work and provide a woodworking area.

I. Hatton proposed the adoption of the report, seconded by J. Buckley. The report was adopted unanimously.

3. Accounts

The Chairman stated that since the death of Ian Beaton earlier this year, Ian Fawcett, John Metherall and he had been managing the accounts. Ian was covering invoices, 300 Club, VAT returns and Gift Aid and John was maintaining the spreadsheet. Currently we were having difficulty with Lloyd’s bank over the transfer of funds between accounts.

Matt drew members attention to the accounts which had been examined by Martin Hillier and will be submitted to the Charity Commissioners. As there were no questions from the members he asked for a proposer and seconder to adopt them.

L. Wentworth proposed and Tony Harris seconded that the accounts be adopted. The accounts were adopted unanimously..

4. Appointment of Trustees

There were seven vacancies on the board of trustees and three trustees were retiring on rotation, Hilary Hill, Ian Fawcett and Tom Halford were seeking re-election. New nominations to serve on the board of trustees had been received from Stephen Hawkins, Ian Hatton and Tracy Garrad. 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 re-elected and the new nominees also being elected. The chairman thanked Christopher Hill for acting as voting scrutineer.

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

Election results.

27 members submitted voting forms amounting to a maximum of 44 votes cast per trustee.

Ian Fawcett 43 (43 For, 0 Against 1 Abstain) Tracy Garrad 43 (43 For, 0 Against 1 Abstain) Tom Halford 44 (44 For, 0 Against) Ian Hatton 43 (43 For, 0 Against, 1 Abstain) Stephen Hawkins 42 (42 For, 0 Against, 2 Abstain) Hilary Hill 40 (40 For, 0 Against, 4 Abstain)

No resolutions had been submitted for consideration.

6. AOB .

M. Hillier asked for more support for manning the sales coach especially on Sundays. In closing the meeting Matt thanked everyone for attending. He Invited everyone to have a guided tour of our projects.

The meeting closed at 4.40pm.

Members present M. Sexton, I.L. Fawcett, T. Halford, J.S. Metherall, C. Hill, H. Hill, D. Phelps, Buckley, R. Bradley, R. Hawker, L. Wentworth, M. Hillier, S. Hawkins, H, Kingdon, T. Buffin, D. Holmes, M. Bell, M. Atkin, R. Thacker, I. Hatton, T. Garrad, T. Gray, A. Harris

Scrutineer Rt. Rev. Christopher Hill KCVO