## The Thomas Brassey Society A N N U A L  REPORT 2 0 2 4 / 25 


Registered Charity No 1195546 



## A Message from our Patron **Chairman’s Report** 


This report and financial statement covers a 12 month period from April 2024 to the end of March 2025. The format and content follow the guidelines issued by the Charity Commission for a CIO (charitable incorporated organisation). 

This last year has been an exceptionally busy period for the Society. There has been significant progress with the statue construction by Castle Fine Arts at their works near Oswestry. Committee members have maintained regular contact with both the company and Andy Edwards, the sculptor. I would like to take the opportunity of thanking the Llangollen Railway Trust for donating some railway track items, which have duly been reproduced in bronze to form the plinth for the statue. Good progress has been maintained beyond March 2025 with the statue being unveiled in May, which will be covered in detail in next year’s Annual Report. 

A new initiative this year has been the appointment of a small group of members to develop an inventory of material related to Thomas Brassey. The inventory will be accessible via the society website and include information on books, articles, portraits, artefacts, communications and online refences. 

We have maintained regular talks and lectures to interested parties throughout the year in accordance with an objective of the society to advance the education of the public. We are currently preparing suitable press releases for when the statue is erected. 

In May 2024 we organised a trip to Cruet in France primarily to give support to the community wishing to preserve Thomas Brassey’s ‘Pont des Anglais’ wrought iron bridge. A large number of Society members travelled to France and were very well received. The Society presented a blue plaque commemorating the connection with Thomas Brassey. The trip was extremely well organised by our Vice Chairman, Richard Coackley and a memorable time was had by all. 

We organised a well-attended trip on the Llangollen Railway to Corwen where we were able to view the new Thomas Brassey information panels at both termini. 

My report would not be complete without recognising the work of Society member, Gillian Bolt, in not only producing this report in such a professional format for the Charity Commission but also our regular newsletters. I should also acknowledge the regular work of members who maintain our website and social media platforms. If you have any queries about this report or the activities of the Society, please contact us by email: tbsoc@hotmail.com 

## _Stephen Langtree_ 

Stephen Langtree MBE Chairman 



**Trustees Annual Report for the period** 

## **Start date: 6 April 2024   End date: 31 March 2025** 

## **Section A Reference and administration details** 

Charity name: The Thomas Brassey Society Registered Charity No: 1195546 Charity’s principal address: 12a Fornalls Green Lane, Meols, Wirral  CH47 9RJ 

## **Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity** 

**Trustee name Office Dates acted (if not for whole year)** 

John Stephen Scott Langtree MBE Chairman Richard James Coackley CBE Vice Chairman Peter Charles Bolt Secretary until 19 June 2025 Keith James Stoops Treasurer David John Hooley Membership Secretary Peter William Cocker Minutes Secretary John Parton Whittingham Committee member Jean Fortune Researcher Ian Walker Excursions Co-ordinator John Violet Committee Member Secretary from 20 June 2025 

## **Description of the charity’s Trusts** 

Type of governing document: CIO — Association (Registered 18 August 2021) **Section B Structure, governance and management** 

How the charity is constituted: 

Charitable Incorporated Organisation 

Trustee selection methods: After registration, by co-option and then subsequently at Annual General Meetings of the Society’s members. 

## **Section C Objectives and activities** 

**Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document** 

To advance the education of the public in the historic significance of the life and works of Thomas Brassey in particular but not exclusively by providing and assisting in the provision of educational materials, activities and events open to the general public on the topic of Thomas Brassey and the field of railway engineering more generally. 

**Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit).** 

Giving talks and lectures to conferences, other societies and organisations on all aspects of the life and works of Thomas Brassey. Raising awareness of Thomas Brassey by installing interpretation panels and information plaques at key locations. Educating the public about Thomas Brassey at public exhibitions by face-to-face contact and by the distribution of literature. Providing a 60 minute film for the public about Thomas Brassey by a Society member. /continued over 



/Section C continued 

Preparing and distributing literature about Thomas Brassey and his achievements through various outlets and events. 

Producing and circulating bi-monthly digital newsletters to members and other interested parties. 

Keeping an up to date Society web-site and Facebook account, accessible to the general public. 

Membership of the Society has peaked at 127 during the reporting period.  This includes three honorary members: our patron, Pete Waterman OBE, Doug Haynes and Jo Decker. 

## **Note** : 

In undertaking the work of the Society the Trustees have had due regard to the Charity Commission’s public benefit guidance. 

## **Section D** 

## **Achievements and Performance** 

## **Annual General Meeting** 



The Society held a well-attended AGM at the Queen Hotel, Chester on July 13[th] , 2024. After the formal meeting we had a talk by sculptor, Andy Edwards, entitled ‘ _’Creation of the Thomas Brassey Statue_ ’’ which was well received. 

## **Progress on the Statue project** 

During the last year there has been significant progress with a good working relationship between the three main players, sculptor, factory and the Society Trustees. Whilst the sculptor and factory progressed with the casting of the statue in bronze metal the Trustees concentrated on obtaining Planning Permission, insurance and Highway Licence. A contractor was appointed towards the end of the year for constructing the concrete base and relaying the paving. The Trustees have also been busy arranging for the erection and unveiling of the statue which will be described in more detail in the following Annual Report. 

At the time of the last Annual Report there was still a shortfall in funds for the statue but during the year Trustees secured the funding needed from several different sources. 

## **Members’ Outings** 

There was a trip to the Llangollen Railway in the Autumn for Society members. The trip was made shortly after the Thomas Brassey information boards had been erected at both Llangollen and Corwen. 

In addition, a number of Trustees had a visit to Cruet in the Savoie Department of south eastern France to support the 





/continued 

community who want to retain the ‘Pont des Anglais ‘ wrought iron bridge. This bridge was built by Thomas Brassey and was the first wrought iron bridge built in France. Despite its historical significance the bridge is threatened with demolition which would be a great loss to the community. Our Society has raised the profile of the bridge by communicating with authorities in France and have presented a blue plaque, describing its importance, for erection at the bridge. 

## **Talks** 

Members of the Society continued to give talks to meetings of other societies and interest groups,  helping to  inform the general public about the life and works of   Thomas Brassey and to spread the word of his achievements.  A considerable amount of voluntary donations have been raised during the process. 

## **Wirral History & Heritage Fair, Port Sunlight** 

TTBS Committee members again took the display stand to the annual Wirral History & Heritage Fair in Port Sunlight in March. The event was very well attended with  organisers again     estimating over 1000 members of the public coming through the doors.  Since Covid the numbers attending has risen year on year which has been very beneficial for the Society. 

A great deal of interest was shown with donations being made and new members again signing up. Wirral’s Mayor also visited the stand and showed great interest. 

Trustee, Ian Walker, talking to one of the Fair’s many visitors 



## / _Section D continued_ 

- In respect of the general operation and administration of the Society, the Trustees have: 

- held monthly and minuted meetings throughout the year in person including regular reports from the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary 

- produced a bi-monthly newsletter for Society members 

- maintained our membership over the year 

- maintained a Society web-site, providing information about Thomas Brassey and his achievements, about the Society and its operation, about its Privacy Policy and links to other relevant information and continued to post on our Facebook account  -  all accessible to the general public. 

**www.thomasbrasseysociety.org** 



Section E
Financial review
Th• Thomas Brassè
Socle
119S648
Receipts and payments accounts
For tht ￿rfod
from
To
ri12024
5April 2025
Section A Receipts and payments
Unrestricted
fund$
toth•nearMt£
Rest￿cted
tunds
tothg neBrvdt£
Endowfftent
fund8
loth•t￿oI￿at£
Totsl fund$
Last year
tot￿ rt￿r￿t£
A1 Rocel
embershi
Subsc
Ih?n8
Don8lion$
Priv8le
Other
74
74
15#
178
Events
ruetvisrf Prepaymen
¥ymeni
600
600
Sub tolal(Gn)ss Incom& forARJ
22,378
800
22,978
20.062
lsee tsblel-
Sub total
Total receipts
378
21978
rnents
Adminislralion
1.977
50
498
968
34,510
122
so
174
50
498
PrOmoty¢n￿$ts
Events
Slalue Interim P
Cru81 Dp osit
ments to 05104125
ments
10
34.S10
Sub total
38,LVJ3
43,563
A4 A888t and Investhient
Sub total
Total paymonts
Nét 0frocélpts/f￿ymentsJ
A5 Transfers befyveen funds
A6 cash fund$ la8t y•ar ènd
Cash fun(ts thls ￿rend
16,6
4.960
20.584
14,316
52,151
36.526
3T,635
62,161
4,900
31,
l."t)on8lK)n5- PrNate' incl￿18$ all don8￿0￿$ from th8te ￿nd￿dUal$.
2..DOnal￿jn¥- Olhtrrf incluiles all donation5 from other organis8lion5, SQCEties orlNsts.
3. Fundraising Includes Cru&1 Plaquel Certificates and LIangoI￿n info board$
4. Events includes receipt5 forlhe AGM ano other functions.
5. Deposi15 paid by membars attending the Crufriwisll.
6. Adminisiraiion iA¢ludes Ihe annual costfor maintaining Ihe SoGietywebsite and printing w5ts.
7. Fundrai5ill9 includes the annual payment lo the Fundraising Regulator.
8. Ffornolion costs includ8 book publishiNJ.
9. Events inclL¥le Pay￿￿tsfOrtheASm and other func*on8 Cruet Vi541 by membws atieThYing.
10. Interim paymeTrts to the Sculptuer and Foundary up 10 05104r25
11. Repaymentsof Cruetvisrt OBposits bad( lo RC

NOTE. Artounts subject to inde￿ndent8X8MInati0n.
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period
Unre$trlcted
funds
¢0 n*8rqste
Restricte(J
fund8
Endowtnent
nd8
tonMro¥te
Categorie5
81 Cash funds
Cash held in bank currnnt accouftt
36.526
4960
Tot41 cash funds
36,1526
4,980
p4yffle￿S
Ill
Unr•strfetsd
funds
R•strl¢tsd
fund•
Endowment
funds
tonoargBt£
tonTrare¥t£
to nvar••t£
Fund towhlch
elails
CoBLloptlonall
Current val
h)nal
B3 Investm8nt assets
Fund lo￿￿1¢h
Cost loptlonall
curyent vJlu•
kinal
Detai15
B4 Assets rgtalned l¢r the
¢harlty's own u$•
Fund toknl*
AThount d
Wh•n duv
85 Llabllltl¢$
Cash held forcrual WSVL Ipald in by
members attendin
Rfr8lncted Funds
4,160
Sgned by one orbyo Iru51ee5 on iehaff
of all the Iru51ee5
Sian8turè
Print Narr
Date of
Keith Stoo
JW)CCCXX R2 accounts ISSI
0000002

## **Section F Other optional information** 

## None 

**Section G Declaration** 

**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report** 

**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees** 

|**Signature(s)**<br>**Full name(s)**<br>**Position (eg Secretary,**<br>**Chair, etc)**<br>**Date**<br>John Violet<br>Secretary<br>Chairman<br>JohnStephenScott Langtree<br>6 August 2025|||
|---|---|---|





|||**Society Name**|**Society Name**|**Society Name**|**Society Name**|**Society Name**|**No (if any)**|**No (if any)**|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||<br>**The Thomas Brassey Society**|||||<br>**1195646**||||
|||<br>**Receipts andpayments accounts**|||||||||
||Note|**For the period**<br>**from**||Period start date||**To**||Period end date|||
|||||6 April 2024||||5 April 2025|||
||||||||||||
|**Section A Receipts and payments**|||||||||||
|||**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**||**Restricted**<br>**funds**||**Endowment**<br>**funds**||**Total funds**||**Last year**|
|||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**||**to the nearest £**|
|**A1 Receipts**|||||||||||
|MembershipSubscriptions||**1,210**||**-**||**-**||**1,210**||**1,056**|
|||||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|Donations||||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|Private|1|**6,064**||**-**||**-**||**6,064**||**7,384**|
|Other|2|**9,915**||**-**||**-**||**9,915**||**6,924**|
|Fundraising|3|**74**||**-**||**-**||**74**||**159**|
|Events|4|**649**||||**-**||**649**||**178**|
|Cruet Visit Prepayments|6|**-**||**600**||**-**||**600**||**4,960**|
|Gift aid/ GASDS Payments|7|**4,467**||||||**4,467**|||
|**_Sub total_**_(Gross income for AR)_||**22,378**||**600**||**-**||**22,978**||**20,662**|
||||||||||||
|~~**A2 Asset and investment sales,**~~<br>**(see table).**|||||||||||
|||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|**_Sub total_**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**|
||||||||||||
|**_Total receipts_**||**22,378**||**600**||**-**||**22,978**||**20,662**|
||||||||||||
|**A3 Payments**|||||||||||
|<br>Administration|6|**1,977**||**-**||**-**||**1,977**||**122**|
|Fundraising|7|**50**||**-**||**-**||**50**||**50**|
|Promotion costs|8|**498**||**-**||**-**||**498**||**174**|
|Events|9|**968**||**-**||**-**||**968**||**-**|
|StatueInterim Paymentsto 05/04/25|10|**34,510**||||||**34,510**||**6,000**|
|Cruet Deposit repyments|11|**-**||**5,560**||**-**||**5,560**||**-**|
|**_Sub total_**||**38,003**||**5,560**||**-**||**43,563**||**6,346**|
||||||||||||
|**A4 Asset and investment**<br>~~**purchases (see table)**~~|||||||||||
|~~**,**~~||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|**_Sub total_**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**||**-**|
||||||||||||
|**_Totalpayments_**||**38,003**||**5,560**||**-**||**43,563**||**6,346**|
||||||||||||
|**_Net of receipts/(payments)_**||**-                15,624**||**-**||**-**||**-                15,624**||**14,316**|
|**A5 Transfers between funds**||||**-**||**-**|||||
|**A6 Cash funds last year end**||**52,151**||**-**||**-**||||**37,835**|
|<br>**_Cash funds thisyear end_**||**36,526**||**-**||**-**||**36,526**||**52,151**|
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
|**Notes**|||||||||||
|1. “Donations - Private” includes all donations from||private individuals.|||||||||
|2. “Donations - Other” includes all donations from other organisations,societies or trusts.|||||||||||
|3. Fundraisingincludes Cruet Plaque/ Certificates and Llangollen info boards|||||||||||
|4. Events includes receipts for the AGM and other functions.|||||||||||
|5. Depositspaid bymembers attendingthe Cruet visit.|||||||||||
|6. Administration includes the annual cost for maintainingthe Societywebsite andprintingcosts.|||||||||||
|7. Fundraisingincludes the annualpayment to the FundraisingRegulator.|||||||||||
|8. Promotion costs include bookpublishing.|||||||||||
|9. Events includepayments for the AGM and other functions. Cruet Visit funded bymembers attending.|||||||||||
|10. Interimpayments to the Sculptuer and Foundaryupto 05/04/25|||||||||||
|11. Repayments of Cruet visit deposits back to RC|||||||||||
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
|000000CCXX R1 accounts(SS)<br>~~0000001~~||||||||00000005/04/2021|||





|NOTE: Accounts subject to independent examination.|NOTE: Accounts subject to independent examination.|NOTE: Accounts subject to independent examination.|NOTE: Accounts subject to independent examination.|NOTE: Accounts subject to independent examination.|NOTE: Accounts subject to independent examination.||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||||||||||
||||||||||||
|**Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end**||||||**of the period**|||||
|**Categories**||**Details**||||**Unrestricted**<br>~~**funds**~~||**Restricted**<br>~~**funds**~~||**Endowment**<br>~~**funds**~~|
|||||||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**|
|**B1 Cash funds**||Cash held in bank current account||||**36,526**||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
||||||||||||
|||||||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|||**_Total cash funds_**||||**36,526**||**-**||**-**|
|||(agree balances with receipts and payments<br>account(s))||||OK||OK||OK|
|||||||**Unrestricted**<br>**funds**||**Restricted**<br>**funds**||**Endowment**<br>**funds**|
|||**Details**||||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**||**to nearest £**|
|**B2 Other monetary assets**||||||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|||||||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|||||||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|||||||**-**||**-**||**-**|
|||||||**-**||**-**||**-**|
||||||||||||
|||**Details**||||**Fund to which**<br>**asset belongs**||**Cost (optional)**||**Current value**<br>**(optional)**|
|**B3 Investment assets**||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
||||||||||||
|||**Details**||||**Fund to which**<br>**asset belongs**||**Cost (optional)**||**Current value**<br>**(optional)**|
|**B4 Assets retained for the**<br>**charity’s own use**||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
||||||||||||
|||**Details**||||**Fund to which**<br>**liability relates**||**Amount due**<br>**(optional)**||**When due**<br>**(optional)**|
|**B5 Liabilities**||Cash  held for Cruet Visit  (paid in by<br>members attending)||||<br>Restricted Funds||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
|||||||||**-**||**-**|
||||||||||||
|Signed by one or two trustees on behalf<br>of all the trustees||Signature||||Print Name||||Date of<br>approval|
|||||||Keith Stoops||||09/11/25|
||||||||||||



0000002 

000000CCXX R2 accounts (SS) 

00000005/04/2021