CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLANO AND WALES Trustees, Annual Report for the period From 1st April 2023 Period end date Period start date To 31st March 2024 Charity name: Fareham & District Model Railway Club Charity registration number: 1188533 Objectives and Activities SORP r8fer8nc8 Surnmary of the purposes of the charity as set oul in ils governing document Para 1.17 To advan and promote public education and foster a general interest in model railways, the history. heritage and development of railways and the hobby of railway modelling. To encourage and develop a high standard of modelling by members, including ancillary skills involved in crealing model railways. To provide access to skilled works for local communities to enjoy. Summary of the main activities in relation to Ihose purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. Para 1.17 and 1.19 During ihe period covered by Ihis report, we have been able to continue our program of exhibitions restarted last year. We ran our annual Exhibition RailEx, showcasing our club and other clubs from across the country. This took place in the local fitness centre, allowing over 1000 visitors for the two day event. Later in the year, we again showcased our own layouts to the local Community of Fareham and Portchester in a local parish hall. This was a larger event and more people were encouraged to see our work with several enquiries bringing more people to join the club to learn more. llL The tools thal have been made available to us. such as social media and our website. where we produce articles and blog posts to give helpful advice and lips to our members and the wider public have enabled us lo be more widely known among Ihe model railway communily.
Slatement confirming whether the trustees have had regard lo Ihe guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit Para 1.18 Fareham & District Model Railway Club has considered the guidance the charities commission has provided when creating activities for the public. Additional information (optionall You ma choose to include further slalemenls where relevanl aboul.. SORP reference Granl-making is not a consideration for our charity. Para 1.38 Policy on grant making NIA Para 1.38 Policy on social investment including program related investment Volunteers contribute to the aims of the charity in various ways. During more significant events, such as the RailEx exhibition, a core team of club members dedicated many hours to advertising, creating, organising and running. This included extending this yearfs IT Support during the event that allowed access to the event for a broader range of the public. For example, volunteers have worked to increase aCSsIbl111Y for the public by using social media and allowing the purchase of tickets online, allowing people who may otherwise nol have known or beer) able to attend lo access the event. This included setting up soflware to allow online ticket purchases ahead of time and card payments. As this has been proven to have an impacl, we intend lo conlinue to investigate opportunities to improve this for the public in the future. Para 1.38 Contribution made by volunteers Olher
Achievements and Performance SORP r&fer&nce This year, the charity again increased the size of the annual RailEx Exhibition despite its difficulties in the previous two years. This increased the number of visitors to the event by approximately 100/0 from last year. This means an additional 300 or so visitors were given the chance to see model railways who otherwise may not have had the opportunity. In line with our aims, this included getting a younger audien to attend the event and encouraging them to take up the hobby. Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the harity's work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. Par8 1.20 In addition. our members also benefited this year from opportunities to improve the club's layouts, which are taken to exhibilions across the country. There are opportunities in the coming year lo create more new layouts where we believe there is a gap in exhibitions for new and modern layouls. The focus on modern image layouts and digital control has enabled us to altract members with a lower age than the previous average for the club. The management committee is also exploring possibilities of junior membership for those under 18. Additional information {optionall You ma choose to include further statements where relevant about.. This year, the charity again increased the size of the annual RailEx Exhibition despite its difficulties in Ihe previous years. This increased the number of visitors to the evenl by approximately 030/. from last year. It also enabled us to increase Ihe surplus to plough more funds into the charity for layout creation and development. This rneans more visitors were given the chance to see model railways and increase their confidence in embracing the hobby for personal well being. In line with our aims, this included getting a younger audience to attend the event and encouraging them to take up the hobby. Achievements against objectives set Para 1.41 In addition, members also benefited this year from further opportunities to improve the club's layouts. which are taken to exhibitions across the country. There are discussions taking place to create more new layouts where we believe there is a gap in exhibitions for new and modern la ouls. We are pleased that the target set by the committee this year to ensure that we made a small surplus on our exhibitions and club enda s was not onl met, but si nificantl Para 1.41
Performance offundraising activities against objectives set improved on previous years. This was only achieved by the co-operation of members and work in the community lo raise profiles and work closely wilh local businesses. NIA Investment performance against objectives Para 1.41 Other
Financial Review Review of the charity's financial position at the end of the period Para 1.21 We have been able lo improve our base funds f and made an increased surplus for the year. Given the challenge thal the managing commillee to stabilise the funding this year following those previously heavily affected by COVID Restrictions, Ihe charity now finds itself in a more confident osition We currently continue to hold a surplus due to the facl that the local council has yet to confirm the amount of funds owed in back rent. Slatement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why Ihey are held Para 1.22 Amount of reserves held Reasons for holding zero reserves Details of fund materially in deficit Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going conrn Para 1.22 Para 1.22 Para 1.24 Para 1.23 Addltlonal Informatlon (optionall You ma choose lo include further slalemenls where relevant about.. The charity s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) Para 1.47 Investment policy and objectives including any social inveslment policy adopted Para 1.46 A description of the principal risks facing the charity Para 1.46 Other
Structure, Governance and Management Descripiion of charity s trusls.. Type of governing document None Para 1.25 CIO Trust How is the charity constituted? l¥.g uiiiiiiorporaled ,Issocialioii. CIO) Trustee selection methods including detsils of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees Para 1.25 CIO Constitution Para 1.25 Free Democratic election by the membership for each trustee reaching the end of their term or for newly interested Trustees. Additional information (optionall You ma choose lo include further statements where relevant about.. Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees Para 1.51 The charity's organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works Para 1.51 Relationship with any related parties Para 1.51 Other Reference and Administrative details Charit name Other name the chari uses Re islered charit number Charity's principal address Fareham & Districl Model Railwa Club NIA 1188533 Harbour View Portchester Hants
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity Nam eof pèrs on lor bod y) Trustee name Offlce Ilf any) Dates acted If not for whole year entit led to app olnt trust ee an Simon Key Roger Key Lyndon Ford Club Secretary Chair of Trustees Management Committee Chair Alister Linford Bronwyn Kirk 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Cor orate trustees - names of the directors at the dale the re Director name ortwasa roved Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity Trustee name Dates acted if not for whole ear
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others Descriplion of the assets NIA held in this capacily Name and objects of the charity on whose behalflhe assets are held and how this falls within the custodian charity's objecls NIA Details of arrangements for safe custody and segregation of such assets from the charily s own assets NIA Additional information (optionall Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information) Type of Name Address adviser Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information) Exemptions from disclosure Reason for non-disclosure of ke ersonnel details Other o tional information
Declarations The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees. report above. Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees Signature{s) Lyndon Ford Full name{s) Simon Key Lyndon Ford Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Chair of Trustees Chair of Management Committee Date 14101125