The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2021
Registered Charity 1171674
38 Woodbourne Road, Smethwick B67 5LZ
The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2021
Trustees:
David Allan, Lewis Dittrich, Neil Evans, Graham Farr, Andrew Goodwin, John Kerr, David Lampert, Martyn Owen, Nigel Watkinson, Mark Seale, Myles Jones, Beth Gloster
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2021
Contents
Introduction .................................................................... 4 Maintenance & Display .................................................. 5 Preserving Gelert's History…………………………………………..5 Funding and Finance………………………………………………...…6 Digital Developments……………………………………………..…..6 Growing Involvement……………………………………………..….6 The Future ………………………………………………………………. 7
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2021 fo
Introduction
2021 was a quiet year for The Gelert Trust. Gelert’s operation at the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway (WHHR) continued, but due to the ongoing pandemic, and the limited service on the WHHR, it was only possible to steam Gelert on 15 occasions during the year. During this time 14 individuals crewed the engine, but it was also possible to give operational experience and training to 3 trainees.
The Trust has been spending time considering Gelert’s future 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 popular both with volunteers and visitors to the railway. When not operating or under maintenance Gelert is stored under cover in the Museum of the Welsh Highland Heritage Railway.
Gelert having smokebox work carried out. (photo: Myles Jones)
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2021
Maintenance & Display
With the pandemic restricting volunteer access to Gelert, the core 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 2021. However, operations at the WHHR only re-commenced in August 2021 and Gelert was then brought back into regular use for all to see. Information boards were provided to give passengers details of the historical significance of Gelert when not in use and on display.
Gelert’s new smokebox floor (left) and baffle plate (right) being made and fitted by our trustees and volunteers. (photos: Myles Jones)
Preserving Gelert’s History
The trust is committed to developing methods of safely storing key documents to preserving the history and story of Gelert. An online ‘cloud’ system is being developed to manage historical archive documents, such as drawing, previous orders, key letters and correspondence and keep current Trust documents such as meeting record, financial records, and any current records of The Trust’s activities.
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2021
Funding and Finance
The financial viability of the operation of Gelert remains a key priority for The Trust. In 2021 The Trust continued its work with the WHHR to investigate the WHHR’s contribution to the locomotive’s ten-year overhaul, which is now only five years away. The Trust believes that the best way to celebrate and educate others about the history of Gelert is through its continued operation in a public environment where adults and children can see, hear and smell the locomotive, interacting with it and being both inspired by an industry of yesteryear, and inspiring the community of today. Our work with the WHHR to ensure there is a financial commitment for Gelert remains a key priority for 2022, alongside seeking to develop a raft of other fundraising initiatives.
Digital Developments
The use of the Facebook page has been a continued success with engagement expanding. However, discussions continue on how to improve promotion of Gelert and The Trust, using both this and the development of the website.
A volunteer has agreed to provide support in updating the current website. Commitment from Trustees and the volunteers have opened discussions about how to best use this both for attracting involvement and also for fundraising, and a number of ideas have been generated which will be pursued in 2022 and beyond. It is intended to that this will include links between the Facebook page and website so that they can interact with one another. An online shop for memorabilia remains an aspiration to be developed at some point in the future.
Growing Involvement
Expanding involvement in the work of The Trust is an ongoing priority, although the pandemic has necessarily severely restricted this, and its effects are likely to be felt for some time. Nevertheless, it has been possible to continue to involve new and existing volunteers in both operating and maintenance, albeit fewer than would otherwise have been possible.
The Trustees continue to seek further Trustees and supporters, both to increase involvement, and particularly to encourage participation by younger members. It is pleasing therefore to have been able to appoint 2 new trustees during 2021; Myles Jones has both digital and mechanical expertise, and Beth Gloster has taken a role in the financial management of The Trust.
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The Gelert Trust – Annual Report 2021
The Future
Whilst coming to the end of the pandemic it has been a challenge in 2021 to engage and encourage new volunteers to work with The Trust in the maintenance and development work on Gelert. However, The Trust has a work schedule planned for 2022 it is hoped to encourage and engage new volunteers to be part of the maintenance and upkeep of this locomotive by utilizing a combination of modern CAD manufacturing and traditional engineering , for example in replacing the smoke box floor. The use of social media to share work schedules has been a feature of The Trust’s work in 2021.
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 2022 operating season so that new volunteers can be better supported by more experienced Trustees.
Gelert with the WHHR’s heritage carriages before a day’s work. (photo: Myles Jones)
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,' CFFARIIY (OhlMISSIOII I FOR ElifjiAP4DANOWAits The GELERT Trus1 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a from To 01n1r2021 31112r%)21 Section A Receipts and payments fvnds funds Totsl fvnds Lastyear A1 Receipts to AR) 1.092 (see table). Totslrncelpts Sub to A4 Asset and invostment urchases seetsb Sub to Net 01CeIp(payMentsj 1.092 A$ Cash funds last yearend Cash funds this year end CCXX Rf aeeounts ISSI 17nir2022
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrestii¢te(I funds Laitgoriv4 Restrfcted funts Endowment fund5 Total cash fimds Endowment funds nds Dtfails tr• wrpÈ Details Details FUlt0 Currttv*uB B4 Assets retained for the Charits own use D•tiils B6 L(abiiitleg SBJfted by one pr1 trustees on behaw of am thè tn CCKX R2 arxounts {SSI 17101r2022