Dean Forest Railway Museum Trust CIO
Annual Report
2021 was another difficult year through COVID restrictions. Some Covid restrictions, and the necessary risk assessments and consequent modifications to earlier practice, continued throughout the year. Visitors generally retained face coverings and utilised the sanitiser provision at the Museum entrance but both noticeably decreased after the Government made them optional.
During the lockdown in the early part of 2021 the ‘Booking Hall’ was cleaned and modestly renovated.
Visitor numbers this year were approximately 1191. Unfortunately, in December the electronic visitor counter recorded some freak figures which have been discounted. Booked Santa Special tickets were up 150% from 2020 but we have used the figures from the previous year as visitors to the Museum during Santa specials tend not to follow the trend in bookings.
One project, the publishing of a revised edition of Rails to the Forest is still ‘nearing’ completion.
The Parkend Goods Shed Museum Project is now, finally underway, the Forest of Dean Railway Company have mandated the Museum to pursue this.
The Midland van has also been cleared of material but still awaits removal to Norchard. The plan is to use this for the storage of heavy items currently stored/crammed into the Museum Office and make room there for other items, especially boxed paper, books, pamphlets and other historic paperwork.
Contact has continued with the Gloucestershire Museums Group. Helen McConnel-Simpson has now been replaced by Hellen O’Connor. The Group are being helpful with their experience of virtual technology in relation to the display of the Museum’s recently acquired Surveyors Plans of the S&W.
Re-accreditation of the Museum by the Arts Council England has been delayed by reason of Covid and their own re-organisation and although originally due in 2021 is now due for July 2022.
Ian Pope, Chairman
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Regtered Charity No: lin7 Stètsment of Axc(wnts for year•vliry 31 Decembw 2021 Income Cash Donations G'Aid Donations Legacies Sales: Purchase Sales: donations Royalties DFRS HMRC Misc Grants £430AS £1,422.( Acquisitions Travel £1,117.54 £1.422.CKJ £25.QKJ £987.58 £320.11 £55.71 £385.(Kl £65.1 £54D) Insurance Maintenance ststionery etc Covid-19 Publicity £1,084.25 Mix £1.711.16 Total £304LIO ToQal £5.639.10 Bank interestA/S £6.17 Total income 3A4727 Balan ShÈet Communltylcurrent Account Balance at 01-JarF21 £7,663.44 Income for 2021 £3.441.10 Total £II.ms4 Less Expenditure £5.639.10 Balancè at 31.Oec-21 £5A65A4 Balance at l January 2021 £61,674.66 Bank Interest £6.17 8a)Ke at 31 DeteAkn2021 É6L680.83 FOD Rly Shares DFLG Sha5 4991 21KI 15hare5 at 31.12.20 45( shares added in 20214851 In vW of the fact that most items oftheTrust's collection are unique donated or purchased some year5 ago: and that the Trust has a strong pre5UrnPti(m against the disposal of items; and that accurate Wdlues are difficult to obtsin: the Trustee5 do not feel it is appropriate to attribute a capital lue to its item Treasurer. Hilary Hill Auditor: Martin Hillier