The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2020
Registered Charity 1171674
38 Woodbourne Road, Smethwick B67 5LZ
The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2020
Trustees:
David Allan, Lewis Dittrich, Neil Evans, Graham Farr, Andrew Goodwin, John Kerr, David Lampert, Martyn Owen, Nigel Watkinson, Mark Seale, Anthony McLachlan
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2020
Contents
Introduction .................................................................... 4 Maintenance & Display .................................................. 5 Website and Communications………………………………….... 6 The Future ..................................................................... 6
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2020
Introduction
2020 was a quiet year for The Gelert Trust. Gelert’s continued operation at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (WHHR) was suspended due to the pandemic in 2020 and as a result, the engine was not used during the year. Late in 2019, Gelert was taken out of service to prepare the locomotive for its annual boiler examination. Shortly after this, the pandemic restrictions were declared and all work on the engine was suspended.
The pandemic restrictions also meant that the usual cycle of Trustee meetings was not possible. However, the Trust’s existing online decision making procedures ensured that the management of the Trust could continue smoothly, although it was necessary to hold an EGM remotely to consider urgent issues in place of the usual physical AGM.
In May 2020 Trustee Anthony McLachlan passed away suddenly; this was totally unexpected and a shock to the remaining Trustees. Anthony managed the Trust website on behalf of the Trust so the remaining Trustees are monitoring the issue and are looking at alternative arrangements for managing the website with an alternative supplier.
The Trust has been spending time considering the future of Gelert and how best to celebrate the locomotive’s rich heritage and educate a wider audience to the story of this popular locomotive. The Trust has worked closely with the WHHR to establish a clear partnership in maintaining and celebrating Gelert which has become a popular locomotive with WHHR volunteers and visitors to the railway. Gelert is currently stored under cover in the Museum of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.
Photo - Gelert’s cab controls - let us hope that soon volunteers can be polishing and cleaning these controls whilst operating Gelert during the 2021 season. (Photo by M Seale)
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2020
Photo - Gelert Trustee and Training Officer for WHHR, Lewis Dittrich, on a driver’s training day. (Photo by Jane Partridge)
Maintenance & Display
With the pandemic restricting volunteer access to Gelert, the main focus of the maintenance was on the completion of earlier projects. The anodes associated with the cathodic protection system have been fitted, the tanks cleaned and lids replaced. Both injectors have been removed, descaled in an acid mix, inspected, cleaned and refitted to the locomotive. The locomotive was made ready for the steam inspection in March 2020. However, all access to the locomotive was paused during the first wave of the pandemic to ensure the safety of all volunteers and Trustees. However, operations at the WHHR re-commenced in August 2020 and Gelert was placed on display in the Museum/Heritage Centre for all passengers to see. Information boards were provided to give passengers details of the historical significance of Gelert.
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2020
Photo - Gelert on display at the Museum/Heritage Centre at the WHHR during the summer of 2020. (Photo by M Seale)
Website and Communications
The development of the website has been a priority of the Trust since its formation. Following a variety of inputs, a plan had been developed and basic work done. A number of elements were being trialed when the Trust’s webmaster suddenly died. Following that, not only did that initiative stop, but temporary measures needed to be hurriedly put in place to keep the existing facility live. Alongside that, options needed to be explored to put more permanent arrangements in place. Also, a new plan needed to be generated for the development of the Trust’s online presence. Some preliminary work has been done on this aspect. It is a major priority for 2021.
The website is seen as a key element of the Trust’s reach. It is vital for communication, for publicising the Trust’s work, and not least as a potential fundraising tool. Improved links with its other online exposures, such as its Facebook page, are other important parts of this. Work on it will continue to be a priority.
The Future
It is hoped to begin developing an online system to store important Trust documents safely. This would not only be a valuable management tool for the Trust, but more importantly an historical archive of Gelert’s activities, both currently and in the past. So, this will be a priority for development in 2021.
To ensure the safe keeping and continued existence of Gelert, the Trust is committed to investing in the future of the locomotive. During 2020, Trustees have engaged with the WHHR to discuss future financial commitments to ensure Gelert’s next overhaul in six years’ time can
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2020
be afforded and that this significant issue is being considered and planned for by the WHR Ltd board.
Work schedules always need to be well communicated to ensure that all Trustees are given the opportunity to offer their support or guidance. Continuing to improve this will be worked on during the 2021 operating season so that new volunteers can be better supported by more experienced Trustees.
Expanding involvement in the work of the Trust is an ongoing priority. The Trustees will look to appoint further Trustees in the coming year, both to increase numbers, and particularly to increase participation by younger members.
The Covid pandemic has introduced much uncertainty into the work of the Trust. Practical work has needed to be put on hold, operation has also ceased (as has much work on the host WHHR). However, planning has continued, and hopefully 2021 will give opportunities to move forward. Once it is safe to do so, working parties will commence on returning Gelert to service.
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CIIARITY COP+lMISSION FOR ENGL4ND AND WAiES f.harity NattK4 The GELERT Tntst ND lifanyl Recei ts and ents accounts CC16a For th8 period per slart dale 0lfimr2wi To Pelio eiid dale 31112r2020 Section A Receipts and payments Unrestricted funds Rèstricted fund5 Endowmerrt funds Totaj LdS Last year toth¢ neaTrst£ Al Reeei AR) Asset a rotsi re¢p ents Webgtem*ntetwKef 144 Sub total 144 A4 Asset artd Investment Sub totsl 144 Net of reGg1p(paYMents) A5 Transfers between funds As Cash fun(Is last yèar Ènd Cash funds this year end 948 .237 1237 2,185 CCXX R1 a<tounts ISSI 16102r2021
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestricted funds io ne¥rp5t£ Restricted funts toarestE Categorf Dets51s Endowment funds to neaFestÉ B1 Cash funds Totsleash fvnds 1185 OK UnreStr[ct Restrlet nd5 funds OK Endowment funds Dètails to nearest£ B2 Other monotary assets Fund towhkh Detao ¢o$t{optkYj Cwrontvalue Fuftdtowhich Details CostlopilaD Cutrtvalue B4 Assets rÈtslned for th& charitys own use FurNI towhi¢b Amount Details Whon due B5 Llabllltles SbJtwl byone cf trusieeson behawof all Ihe IeS Print Name Dof roval CCXK R2 awjvnts ISSI 1610212021