Whitwell & Reepham Model Engineering Club Top Field Light Railway
Charity No. 1194692
Trustee's Report for year ending 31-12-2021
Review of the year 2020:
Despite 2020 being a year that we all wish to forget, some work was generally carried out to stop the railway site from deteriorating any further than when we found it following the first national lockdown. This work was carried out during the hot summer months once the major restrictions were lifted. We decided early on, like most clubs, to close to the public. However during the latter part of the year we were able to hold a couple of member’s only days. These were cautiously attended, although it was good to see everyone in good health.
Permanent Way:
Before the pandemic the track work was generally in good health, however annual maintenance was required. With the country in lockdown, no one was able to go to the site and keep an eye on everything. In May however, a couple of members were able to inspect the site and check everything. The vegetation had naturally taken over several parts of the site, plus a section of track was accidentally damaged. During the summer months most of these problems were sorted out before they were allowed to get any worse. General maintenance was also carried out, so that we could at least allow members to run something safely. A new ballast staithe was constructed to allow the ballast and other materials to be stored out of the way of other projects.
More points were constructed for the planned passing loop. A turntable and associated equipment also arrived mid-year to be installed in order to aid the railway's operation. Towards the end of the year we were contacted by the Chairman of the Cromer Light Railway (formerly the Ashmanhaugh Light Railway), that there was 6-8 tons of ballast available to collect from the old Ashmanhaugh site. Two one ton bags were filled and collected, however due to tightening Covid restrictions we were unable to recover any further loads.
Locomotives & Rolling Stock:
All locomotives and stock based at the railway were all winterised at the end of the 2019 season. 2020 also saw the club acquire its first club loco in the shape of Station Road Steam Stafford Class “Tihany”. She is in fully working order, with up to date steam and hydraulic certificates. My personal thanks must go to Nick Walmsley (her owner at the time of purchase) & the members who generously provided the club with the loan to purchase her.
Finance:
We had hoped that 2020 would allow us to generate funds for all the ongoing projects (portable track fund, Scamp project, sponsor a sleeper and Tihany) however with the four major events (Strumpshaw, Whitwell, Henham & NICE) all cancelled, as well as our own running days. We couldn't generate anything. Unfortunately a few weeks before lockdown we had paid our annual insurance premium. This took some time to recoup, only one third of the premium was successfully returned.
Review of the year 2021:
In January we couldn't hold the AGM, so this was differed to later in the year, when we were able to meet face to face in a larger group. However I wish to thank all those members, both current and new who paid in their membership. During the previous year (2019) it was discussed and agreed at the AGM that the members would like the committee to look into obtaining charitable status. Subsequently in 2020 John Mason carried research and enquiries to see exactly what is required. Needless to say the necessary paperwork and proposing trustees has only now taken place.
February: The railway was closed, however regular weekly checks were carried out.
March & April: Nico and I managed to carry out some minor P-Way work to a few sections of original track situated in the avenue of trees opposite the ballast staithe. With restrictions still in place, we were aiming to get the railway prepared for re-opening in late May.
May: On the 12[th] of May the club branched out into the world of Instagram, our thanks to Jamie & Rio for sorting this out. This now means we are now on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram as well as the club website. On the 23[rd] of May, we held a members day, this was to enable active/operational members to remind themselves of the railway's features. May Bank Holiday weekend finally saw us reopen to the public. Much needed funds were acquired during both the Sunday & Monday.
June: We visited The Parkside Miniature Railway in Hemsby, our thanks to Brian Baker and fellow members for their warm hospitality.
July: We spent two days at the Fairhaven Water Gardens with the portable track, with ‘Tihany’, ‘Loch Rannock’ & ‘Scamp 71’ which shared the passenger duties. We were very well received and with a few tweaks, we could visit there again.
August: More P-Way and general maintenance was carried out, in the form of laying the first point for the passing loop. The P-Way hut was repositioned, along with a new siding for the P-Way bike. We also took the portable track out to Bylaugh country park & caravan site, which is located a few miles up the road from the main site. Again we were very well received and another good site to visit during the school holidays.
September: Work commenced on rebuilding the platform at Mill Lane, the previous example has been down for the past five years and needed replacement. The water tower was also relocated to the end of the platform.
October: Visited by members of the Cromer Light Railway. We have been invited to their grand opening and they in turn have been invited to our minimal gauge event later in 2022.
November: The club ‘toast-rack’ coach arrives, our thanks to those who donated.
Sadly in 2021 we lost one of our original supporters of the project; Alan Baker unfortunately passed away at the age of 91 after a short illness. He was a great supporter of the club right from its conception, despite being unable to provide physical help but his very generous donations enabled us to build the railway we have today. “Mustn't Grumble Halt” will be forever a physical reminder of his skill, knowledge and Alans ability to tell a good tale.
On behalf of the members of managing committee I would like express our thanks to everyone who has supported the club through this very unusual and turbulent time. The club still needs your support more than ever. We still need volunteers helping out throughout the year, not just including the running days, but also the portable events, working parties, every day-to-day maintenance etc.
With charitable status we can now forward to many advantages that this brings, it will certainly enable us to ensure that the future of the club, its activities and the hobby itself lives on forever. I trust that you will all give the new trustees every support to help to take care of our new charity. Without your support there is no W&RMEC.
Providing we are cautious, 2022 looks to be a very good year for us at the TFLR. W&RMEC Trustees report 31-12-2021.
W&RMEC -:- Financial Statement for 31-12-21.
| Total cash assets at 31-12-2020 | £ 214.09 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Membership Fees for 2021 | |||
| ADULT 26 + full year (£22) 20 half year (£11) 2 |
£ 462.00 | ||
| YOUTH 18 to 25 full year (£16) 10 half year (£8) 1 | £ 168.00 | ||
| JUNIOR under 17 years (£5) 10 half year (£2.50) 0 | £ 50.00 | ||
| Membership fees paid | £ 680.00 | ||
| CURRENT MEMBERSHIP:22 Adult: 11 Youth: 10 Junior: 02 Honorary. TOTAL 45 members. | |||
| 2021 Income from ticket sales, donations and misc. sales. | |||
| Sunday 30thMay passengers 35 Adults & 27 children | £ 97.00 | ||
| Monday 31stMay passengers 13 Adults & 6 children | £ 32.00 | ||
| Sunday 6thJune passengers 10 Adults & 8 children | £ 28.00 | ||
| Sunday 4thJuly passengers 19 Adults & 12 children | £ 50.00 | ||
| Fairhaven 17/18thJuly passengers 42 Adults 57 children | £ 141.00 | ||
| Fairhaven 17/18thJuly Day Rover 4 Adults 9 children | £ 47.00 | ||
| Sunday 1stAugust passengers 7 Adults & 8 children | £ 22.00 | ||
| Bylaugh 7/8th August passengers 15 Adults 44 children | £ 74.00 | ||
| Bylaugh 7/8th August Day Rover 00 Adults 04 children | £ 12.00 | ||
| Sunday 5thSeptember passengers 06 Adults & 01 child | £ 13.00 | ||
| Sunday 3rdOctober passengers 12 Adults & 04 children | £ 28.00 | ||
| Small Donations Mark/Rob/Dan/John/Tom/Stu/Nico/etc.£ 65.70 | |||
| Large Donations Nick/Foz/Nico. | £ 395.00 | ||
| Donations for ‘Toast-rack coach’ (3 x £200) | £ 600.00 | ||
| Sale of second-hand Railway Books and Jigsaws | £ 12.50 | ||
| Sale of TFLR tea mug 0 x £7.50 | £ 00.00 | ||
| Sale of TFLR lapel badges 4 x £6.50 | £ 26.00 | ||
| Income received | £ 1,643.20 | Total£2,537.29 | |
| Expenditure for 2021 | |||
| Northern Association membership fees 34 at 25p each | £ 00.00(fees of £8.50 have been waived for this year) | ||
| Walker Midgely Insurance premium | £ 741.63 | ||
| TFLR Website ‘SiteGround’ webhosting renewal | £ 172.66 | ||
| TFLR Website ‘Tsohost’ domain name renewal | £ 08.34 | ||
| 100 metres x 2 core bell wire (ex. Ebay NA) | £ 14.90 | ||
| Front brass headlamp for Tihany (ex. Holt NA) | £ 25.00 | ||
| Fire grate for Tihany (ex. Station Road Steam) | £ 56.83 | ||
| 400 x 6 x 25mm track coach screws (ex Screwfix) | £ 19.96 | ||
| January to June; 6 x £20/month rent to Hercules MSL. | £ 120.00 | ||
| Fairhaven 17th/18thJuly portable track repayment | £ 83.80 | ||
| Bylaugh 7th/8thAugust portable track repayment | £ 43.00 | ||
| Donation to Fairhaven Trust 20p per passenger | £ 22.40 | ||
| Toast-rack coach (ex. Daniel Fosdick) | £ 650.00 | ||
| July to December; 6 x £20/month rent to Hercules MSL | £ 120.00 | ||
| Cost of TFLR tea mugs 0 x £2.50 | £ 00.00 | ||
| Cost of TFLR lapel badges 4 x £3.11 | £ 12.44 | ||
| PayPal transaction fees for 2021 on income of £369.00 | £ 13.41 | ||
| Expenditure £(-2,104.37) | Surplus available Total£ 432.92 | ||
| ================================================================================================================================== | |||
| Current CASH ASSETS | 0% LOAN to purchase portable track | ||
| Barclay account(Sleeper Fund) £ 220.00 | Balance of loan at 31-12-2020 £ (-906.50) | ||
| Barclays account £ 170.63 |
Half income portable track events£ 126.80 | ||
| Cash in hand £ 42.29 |
Loan outstanding at 31-12-2021£ (-779.70) | ||
| Total funds available: £ 432.92 |
0% LOAN to purchase Tihany | ||
| Balance of loan at 31-12-2021 £ (-5,000.00) |
Whitwell & Reepham Model Engineering Club accounts prepared by John Mason (Treasurer) and signed by
Chairman Robert Ewels …………………………………………….. Dated 31[st] December 2021.