Trustees’ Annual Report for the period
From 19[th] April 2024 To 30[th] June 2025
Charity name: St Albans and District Model Engineering Society
Charity registration number: 1208654
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | St Albans and District Model Engineering Society |
|---|---|
| Other name the charity uses | STAMES |
| Registered charitynumber | 1208654 |
| Charity’s principal address | 24 Sawyers Way Hemel Hempstead HP2 4ED |
| N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 |
ames of the charity trustees who manage the charity | ames of the charity trustees who manage the charity | ames of the charity trustees who manage the charity | ames of the charity trustees who manage the charity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole year |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
||
| Mike Collins | Chairman | ||||
| GuyKeen | Secretary | ||||
| Mike Grossmith | Treasurer | ||||
| Roger Stephen | |||||
| Robert Briancourt | |||||
| Mick Watts | |||||
| RoyVerden | |||||
| Clive Reynolds | 10/04/24 – 28/08/24 | ||||
| Baz Butcher | 10/04/24 – 09/04/25 |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
Objectives and Activities
| SORP reference | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document |
Para 1.17 | For the benefit of the public, the advancement of the education of the public in miniature engineering and modelling by: A. The operation and maintenance of a miniature railway in St. Albans or the surrounding area; B. Encouraging people to practice model engineering in steam and electrical traction by the provision of tuition in workshop practice and safety, and the theory and practice of engineering; C. The mounting of talks, lectures and |
| exhibitions in miniature engineering and modelling for the benefit of the public at large. |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts. |
Para 1.17 and 1.19 |
Throughout the year we held a full programme of club night meetingsfor our members and the public, providing expertise and knowledge on the theory and practice of engineering. These included as follows: our annual film night, our annual auction, a talk about a member’s experience working for Network Rail and Eurostar, a talk about the Americas Cup, a talk on how a steam locomotive works, a talk on improving a 1/6thscale Tiger Tank, how to make a Lantern clock and a talk on the progress on making a Stirling Single 5” gauge locomotive. In September we held our annual exhibition “The Big St Albans ~~Big~~ ~~M~~odel Show”. This is mainly aimed at families and the general public. The show attracted nearly 2,500 visitors over two days from the local community. Throughout the Summer we had a full programme of running model steam trains at the Puffing Field facility. We took our portable track and 5” gauge locomotive out to two local parks in 2024 offering free train rides to the public. We published a monthly Newsletter available to all members containing articles of interest to Model Engineers covering steam locomotives, boating, workshop practice and general engineering topics. We had a day out to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre at Quainton taking full size train rides and a tour of the workshop facility. |
|
| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
Para 1.18 | All trustees have been issued with the guidance from the Charities Commission on public benefitand the responsibility is regularly discussed. ~~.~~ A monthly trustees meeting is held, with minutes taken to further the aims of the ~~society~~ ~~c~~harity . We have written 1 year and 5 year goals that focus upon delivering our public benefits. |
Achievements and Performance
| SORP reference | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
Para 1.20 | We successfully held our annual exhibition theBig St Albans~~Big~~ Model Show. We had 2,500 members of the public attend our show which was very well received. It is now the largest showof ~~it’s~~ ~~i~~ts type in the South of England and provides a full day out of entertainment for families. Included in the show is the opportunity to make a plane, take train rides, have a go at driving a boat, making a model aeroplane, driving radio- controlled trucks as well as looking at models.We keep the entrance prices as low as we can to ensure the cost of visiting our show isn’t a prohibiting factor. We successfully obtained planning permission for the storage containers, the new tunnel over the track and the Gauge 1 / 45mm track we have constructed. We continued to maintain the Puffing Field despite the uncertainty caused by the change of ownership, allowing a full programme of running of model steam and electric trains. We had a full year’s programme of club night talks, many of an educational basis, all delivered by members. We produced a monthly newsletter for all members covering various aspects model engineering. Our membership has remained fairly steady at 60 members. |
Financial Review
| Financial Review | ||
|---|---|---|
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
Para 1.21 | At the end of the year, we had approximately £42,000 in the bank. |
| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Para 1.22 | These reserves have been built up over several years. It is our intention to use some of these funds to modify the facilities at the Puffing Field once the new ownership has been confirmed. |
| Amount of reserves held | Para 1.22 | £42,000 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Para 1.22 | N/A |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Para 1.24 | N/A |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Para 1.23 | None. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
Our main source of funds this year has been
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
Para 1.47 | our exhibition “The BigSt Albans Model Show” held on 28thand 29thSeptember 2024 at Townsend School. Additional funds come from membership subscriptions and monthly meeting fees. Our major expenditures are running the exhibition, maintaining the Puffing Field facility, insurance and accountancy costs. |
|---|---|---|
| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Para 1.46 | Most of our funds are kept in a Building Society saving account. No other investments are undertaken or planned. |
| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
Para 1.46 | The biggest risk to the charity is maintaining the Puffing Field facility following its sale to the new owners. We intend to adopt a “good neighbour” approach to build up a positive relationship with them so that we can continue to use the facility. Attracting members continues to be a challenge, whilst we lose members each year due to old age or moving away. We intend to focus upon membership growth in the future to maintain the viability of the society. We realise that there is considerable new technology out there such as 3D printing, laser cutting, computers etc. so we intend to ~~make a~~ ~~f~~ocus on these topics in the future with~~an~~ the aim of educating our members in their use. |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
||
|---|---|---|
| Type of governing document (trust deed, royal charter) |
Para 1.25 | Constitution adopted 10thApril 2024 |
| How is the charity constituted? (e.g unincorporated association, CIO) |
Para 1.25 | Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) |
| Trustee selection methods including details 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 | Trustees are elected at the AGM held in November of each year. All trustees serve for two years. |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| Other | All trustees give their time voluntarily and received no remuneration or other benefits. |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
Declarations
| The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees |
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees |
The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above. Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees |
|---|---|---|
| Signature(s) | ||
| Full name(s) | Mike Collins | Guy Keen |
| Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) |
Chairman | Secretary |
| Date |
ST ALBANS AND DISTRICT MODEL ENGINEERING SOCIETY
FINANCIAL STATEMENT 19 April 2024 - 30 June 2025
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
.
| Brought forward | ||
|---|---|---|
| Balance as at 30th June | 2024 | £34,276.07 |
| 2024 Club Donations | £82.52 | |
| 2025 Club Donations | £1,820.52 | |
| Monthly meeting | £650.50 | |
| Auction | £370.00 | |
| Sales | £707.76 | |
| Day Out | £202.00 | |
| Donation | £435.00 | |
| Gift Aid | £297.76 | |
| Christmas Raffle | £205.00 | |
| 2024 Exhibition | £18,027.04 | |
| Track Days | £471.00 | |
| Interest on deposit | ||
| Skipton Building Society | £1,376.86 | |
| Total Income | £24,645.96 | |
| Income | £24,645.96 | |
| Expenditure | . | £21,658.22 |
| Profit/Loss | £2,987.74 |
| Newsletter Printing/Postage | £123.00 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | £1,451.70 |
| Postage/Stationery/Computer | £437.23 |
| Puffing Field Expenses | £1,407.85 |
| Website | £283.64 |
| Exhibition 2023 | £1,799.00 |
| Exhibition 2024 | £7,397.58 |
| Day Out | £210.00 |
| Christmas Function 2024 | £168.33 |
| Hall Hire 2024 | £810.00 |
| Zettle Fees | £21.44 |
| Go Cardless Fees | £21.79 |
| Other | £184.51 |
| Track Days | £356.98 |
| Card Collection Tin | £425.00 |
| Steam Heritage | £370.00 |
| Nortern Federation | £13.00 |
| Tax Assist - Accountant | £3,528.00 |
| HMRC | £2,649.17 |
| Total Expenditure | £21,658.22 |
| Balance at 30.06.24 | |
|---|---|
| Current Account | £4,334.64 |
| Skipton Building Society | £32,533.55 |
| Cash in hand | £395.62 |
| Carried Forward | £37,263.81 |