2022-09-30-accounts

Westonzoyland Engine Trust Annual Report

2021-2022

Annual General Meeting

held on

5[th] February 2022 at 2.00pm

At Westonzoyland Pumping Station, Hoopers Lane, Westonzoyland Near Bridgwater, TA7 0LS, Somerset

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The President welcomed everyone and thanked them for their support over the last year. He paid particular tribute to Jason Keswick who did so much for the Trust.

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from:

Alan Davies John Ditchfield Jo Hawkes Harold Mead Stephen Miles Jerry & Hannah Raehse-Felstead Joyce Webber Alan Wellwood

Total in attendance at the meeting was 18. The meeting was chaired by Andy Carter.

2. The minutes of the 2021 AGM

Accepted. Proposer: Geoff Harding; Seconder: Iain Miles.

3. Matters Arising

Items were to be covered later.

4. Chairman’s Report (Andy Carter)

The New Year’s Day Steam had been cancelled, due to a Covid variation. Thankfully this was the last cancellation, and other steamings had gone ahead. The new Railway shed had been completed, and had already been used for an outside event – the SIAS 50[th] celebrations. Steam on the Levels had been better than ever with the added attraction of Peter Pan. Noel Donnelly’s loco had left the site for fettling. Halloween and the Paranormal events had also been successes, with one visitor saying it was in their top ten Paranormal sites. Things were also now more positive regarding the cracking and English Heritage – of which more later.

Report accepted. Proposer: Geoff Harding. Seconder: Nigel Webber.

5 . Treasurer’s Report (Jason Keswick)

Jason presented the accounts. It had been the first full year of steaming since covid. The increase in entrance fee had made a difference in income. Visitor numbers were 1769, including members. SOTL had proved to be the best in it’s ten year history, grossing over £13,000 over the two days. However ordinary open steam days had been disappointing, barely covering costs. The figures could not be compared to 2021,as that year had been badly affected by Covid. Private visits had increased. There was now one Paranormal event per month,

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bringing in £1,800 over the year. He thanked Barbara who organised it for us, and those who opened up and closed up after them. Iain’s talks had stimulated some visits and also brought in donations. Thanks were also due to the ladies manning the tea room and front-of-house. New lady members had volunteered to help there, which greatly relieved pressure. The cafe had also been rented for a First Aid course. Under Grant Aid, the final payment had been received from the District Council for Covid. Shop sales had increased.

On the payments side, we had not had any major project to spend on in the last year. Insurance was the biggest cost, working out at £80 per month. It would probably increase in April. He had looked at other insurers, but until things were settled with the EA about the cracking, no other insurer would cover us. Site service costs were creeping up, with Broadband, etc, however he had tied the station into an electricity deal which would not increase until 2024, by which time it was hoped things might even out. Currently it was c£100 per month. Steam fuel costs were a concern, and the Committee was looking at how to move forward.

At the end of the year the Trust had a surplus of £8,356.60, so despite the last two turbulent years things were looking positive.

He invited ideas for how to improve visitor numbers on standard steam open days.

Report accepted. Proposer: Iain Miles. Seconder: Ray West.

6. Secretary’s Report (Mary Miles)

None.

7 Chief Engineer’s Report (Ian Gilliam)

Coal was a primary issue, as had been mentioned earlier. There were now 39 engines potentially able to steam, and Geoff’s work would result in more. This made us one of the largest in the country.

The boiler inspection was due before the next steaming, and he did not foresee any issues at present.

He thanked Nigel and John for cutting wood to eke out the coal supply.

Report accepted. Proposer: John Trenchard. Seconder: Geoff Harding.

8 Promotions Report (Alan Davies)

In light of the continuing uncertainty about Covid, and for the second year running, no leaflet was produced for 2022 but it is the intention to have one for 2023 to include steaming dates. It is imperative that all volunteers help in getting these distributed around their local areas.

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The Museum steamed on 12 occasions during 2022, the first being held on Sunday 3rd April. Because of the Covid situation, the volunteers decided not to steam on New Year’s Day.

In my last Annual Report, I advised that the Trust had discontinued the concession rate for visitors, when we re-opened in 2021 after the Covid closure and increased the entrance charge to £10 from its previous level of £8. For the 2021/2022 year we further increased admittance to £12. Children 15 and under are free. Admission remains free on non-steam days and for the in-steam Heritage Open Day in September. On these days, we tend to receive donations from visitors. The entrance charge will stay at £12 for 2023.

Following review of our admission charges, Membership fees have also been reviewed as advised by our Treasurer.

Operationally, we think in terms of the annual year beginning in January, but our Financial Year runs from 1st October to 30th September. Last year, I quoted visitor attendance at 831 excluding members but that accidentally included two steamings in October. The actual number was 623.

Halloween 2022 fell outside our financial year, but it is worth noting, that this event is becoming increasingly popular year on year and gives a good opportunity for further development. We again charged a flat entrance fee of £7.50 to adults and children alike, with under 5’s free, visitor numbers increased over previous years with 157 being recorded.

Steam on the Levels

This was held on the weekend of 14th and 15th May and is reported elsewhere.

Group/Private Visits

1st June – WI visit 9th July – European Society for Environmental History (In Steam)

Advertising/promotion undertaken includes:

Social media such as Facebook and Instagram The Museum’s website Taunton Media Pack Vintage Scene Radio promotion on BBC Somerset Radio Heritage Open Days website

Thanks to Jason our Webmaster, for keeping our website / social media sites up to date.

Published Articles

Landrover Owner International (request for photos – not sure if published)

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Narrow Gauge World October 2021 Narrow Gauge News No.367 November 2021 What's on in Somerset, Winter 2021 Narrow Gauge News No.369 March 2022 Narrow Gauge News No.371 July 2022

Steaming Dates

There are thirteen steaming events in 2023, dates and times will be made available at the AGM. Active volunteers were notified by email on 23rd January 2023.

General

In recent years the sale of DVDs has declined, such that we are no longer actively selling or making them. Going forward, I am going to see if there is a way of selling a digital version of our DVDs through our website. The flooding and dredging DVDs are of particular interest and a good historic record of the flooding in 2014.

Thanks again go to Harold and Jason for compiling, editing and producing ‘Condensation’ and to all those that have contributed some very interesting and diverse articles.

Many thanks as always to our Tea Room helpers, Joyce and Rita, and to Mary for handling ‘the front of house’.

News for 2023

Steam on the Levels will be held on the 20th and 21st May 2023.

Heritage Open Days will run for 10 consecutive days from Friday 8th to Sunday 17th September.

Our In-Steam Heritage Open Day will be on Sunday 10th September.

Visitor attendance at steamings for 2021/2022 …………………. 1769 including members

Note: This figure would have been about 1900, had we steamed on New Year’s Day 2022

Report accepted. Proposer: Iain Miles. Seconder: Ray West.

9. Membership Secretary (Jason Keswick)

Jason said that the new on-line membership system was now working. Instructions were in the new Condensation. If anyone needed help in working it, he could provide it. Members could download their own membership card and print it off. It worked on a rolling principle so that when someone joined they had

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membership for a full year from that date. Members who had already paid by Standing Order could contact him to get a refund. If anyone wished to make a donation at the same time, it was easy to do.

Ian Lang asked about visitors wanting to join when here. Although this was possible online, it meant changing systems at the till, which was not ideal. Jason said that the visitor could fill in a form and pay – the money going through the till as before, and he could then make the adjustment online later

Report accepted. Proposer: Andy Carter. Seconder: John Trenchard.

10. Steam on the Levels (Jason Keswick)

Much of this had been covered under the Treasurer’s report. Jason thanked Nick Gilliam for dealing with the exhibitors. He said that the commercial caterers had pulled out at the last minute, but the Westonzoyland Carnival Club had stepped in and done a great job. They had been surprised by the amount of sales on the first day. He also thanked Charlie for helping with the Scouts who had done the car parking, leaving members able to concentrate on helping on the site. Barbara and Chris Cooper had worked hard on the entrance gate, taking over £10,000 in two days. Thanks were also due to those who had helped set up and pack up afterwards.

11. Steam Dates for 2023

These had already been mentioned.

12. Shop Sales (Jason Keswick)

No money had been spent on new stock during Covid, so the year started very low on stock. The slate coasters and fridge magnets had been replenished, and the same firm also produced mugs in small quantities. He had ordered 72 with SOTL on them, and only two were left. He intended to order some general Museum ones for the coming year – they could be replenished when needed. They cost £2.50 each and were sold for £5.

New member Rita had retail experience, and had tidied up the sales area. She had also attended the “Giving & Living Show” at Exeter for ideas of items to sell. It was intended to do retail packs of Geoff’s land rover kit.

Report accepted. Proposer: Geoff Harding. Seconder: Ian Lang.

13. Accommodation (Jason Keswick)

Nothing had happened regarding the claim with the EA since January 2022. Annie Evans had left HE at Christmas. After a frustrating time trying to contact them, Jason had been in touch with Matthew Knight who was the new HE Heritage at Risk Officer at Bristol, and he and his manager had visited last week, along with Joanne O’Hara who was the Heritage at Risk Officer for Somerset West & Taunton. It had been very positive, and he had been able to put across

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the Trust’s position. HE had intimated they had money to spend before the new financial year, and had talked of paying for a third person to review the situation regarding the two conflicting reports. A building specification of repair works, not just to the cracking, but the whole building, would be drawn up, with a QS package of costs, and negotiations would take place with the EA. Sources for the money for the work would be explored. HE was keen to see the site off the Heritage at Risk list. There was the possibility of funds from the Government for Levelling Up. They were keen to help as much as possible. Jason was feeling much more confident about things as a result, and hoped for some significant progress in the next months.

He spoke about work needed in the Exhibition Hall, and the replacement of the leaking doors in the cafe. He had drawn up plans for a new exhibition space which would provide proper cover for the Robey and the Easton & Amos engines currently outside. He had mentioned it to HE and they had said they would look at it and advise us.

Geoff asked about the leaking roof over the Wills engine. Jason said this would be covered in the HE specification of building works.

Report accepted. Proposer: Iain Miles. Seconder Ray West .

14 Accreditation (Jason Keswick for Alan Davies )

After much work, Accreditation had been finally awarded for another 5 years. Work was needed to bring accessions recording to the proper standards. Also the Trust would need to review it’s Constitution – any updates would need to be ratified at an AGM.

15 Collections Group Report/items on loan (John Trenchard)

Nothing had changed in the last year.

16 Election of Officers

Jason said that Alan had been Promotions Officer for some years now. He now felt that it was difficult working from a remote site and would like to step down as Promotions Officer, but was prepared to stay as a Trustee. Jason said he did a lot behind the scenes, and was a valued member of the Committee. He nominated Charlie as the new Promotions Officer. Charlie already did a lot of the Admin on Facebook and Instagram – social media was a powerful thing for advertising. Jason had nominations for the other present Committee members, and all were willing to stand.

Nigel Webber proposed that all the nominees be elected. This was seconded by Ian Lang and carried nem con.

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Andy Carter proposed Charlie Talbot be elected as Promotions Officer. This was seconded by Mary Miles, and carried nem con.

Officers are:Chairman: Andy Carter Treasurer: Jason Keswick Secretary: Mary Miles Promotions: Charlie Talbot Chief Engineer: Ian Gilliam Committee Member: John Trenchard Committee Member: Geoff Harding Committee Member: Alan Davies

17. Other non-agenda items

Ian Lang asked about the Sum up machine, as visitors on non-steam days sometimes did not have cash for purchases or donations. Jason said this was now working and ready to use – he would bring it the following Wednesday.

Ray West said that people coming on non-steam days were encouraged to come on a steaming day, but we were never sure if they did. He suggested some sort of discount voucher with an expiry day. Jason said this could be done and given out at the volunteers’ discretion. It might give money off admittance or tea and cake.

Iain Miles asked about distribution of leaflets. Jason said he would provide a list of TICs and other places, and volunteers taking leaflets for a site could tick it off as done, so that one site was not inundated with several batches from different members.

Andrew Baker asked about his son Dan volunteering. He would be in attendance with him when on site. Jason said he would need to check the insurance. It was felt that having his father with him would cover any safeguarding issues.

The meeting ended at 3.10pm, with thanks to all those attending for their interest.

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WESTONZOYLAND ENGINE TRUST

Year Ended 30th September 2022

			2022	2022	2021
	RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS
	Income from Sales Entrance Entrance Donations Membership Private Visits Talks & Outside Exhibitions Tea Rooms Site Hire Pre-Paid Entry (Online) Card Payment Other Income Donations Grant Aid Interest earned Other Income WZLR Donations WZLR Building Appeal Clarks Bellis Appeal Gift Aid Sale of Scrap/Plant Refunds from Suppliers Adjustment From Shop Sales Account		£ p 17,234.54 465.55 2,034.00 2,130.00 80.00 4,714.83 630.00 - (7.98) 1,203.10 2,667.00 1.37 - 27.62 - - - 139.12 250.00 - 420.53		£ p 2,040.00 328.42 1,103.14 120.00 40.00 1,407.65 - 1,080.00 (83.45) 356.27 20,187.00 0.90 - 55.41 150.00 5,050.00 - - 396.37 -19.6 56.93
			31,989.68		32,269.04
	Payments Membership Costs Tea Room Expenses Site & General Expenses Building Repairs & Improvements Engineering & Exhibits Expenses General Admin Insurance Project Fund Expenses Promotion Site Services Steam on the Levels Westonzoyland Light Railway Steam Fuel Landscaping Project Marshall Boiler Restoration Listed Building Project WZLR Railway Building Donations (to other charities) Uncategorised Expenses		588.30 1,650.66 5,031.57 - 2,436.73 110.00 6,507.30 822.86 471.77 1,899.24 1,042.66 1,398.48 1,260.00 - - - 413.51 - 0.66		416.56 581.64 1,507.67 95.64 6,673.68 107.00 4,684.95 - 179.19 1,649.23 - 8,523.28 - - 195.00 5,814.00 8,008.53 - 0.66
			23,633.08		38,436.37
	Surplus / Deficit for year		8,356.60		-6,167.33
			£ p 1,000.00		£ p 1,000.00
	BALANCE SHEET AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2022
	Field
	Shop stock holding at cost price Cash at Bank Float		540.84		743.47
			42,061.88 200.00		33,502.65 200.00
	Assets		43,802.72		35,446.12
	Field fund General funds Allermoor Engine Fund Project Fund Boiler Fund Paypal Sales account		1,000.00 14,863.71 869.89 0.04 8,005.45 7,923.79 11,139.84		1,000.00 19,393.55 869.72 0.04 4,004.34 0.00 10,178.47
	Funds		43,802.72		35,446.12
	Notes The Trust owns the Pumping Station, which is a non-saleable exhibit and res Agency.	tricted to char	itable use on pu	rchase from the Envi	ronment

WESTONZOYLAND ENGINE TRUST - SALES ACCOUNT Year Ended 30th September 2022

	SHOP SALES		2022			2021
		£ p	£ p		£ p	£ p
	Shop Income		1,209.17			582.02
	Stock 1st October	743.47			822.44
	Add:
	Purchases	586.01			446.12
	Less:
	Stock 30th Sep	540.84			743.47
	Total Cost Price of new stock sold		788.64			525.09
	Net Profit (to RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS)		420.53			56.93

WESTONZOYLAND ENGINE TRUST - STEAM ON THE LEVELS 14th & 15th May 2022

	SHOP SALES	2022	2022	2021 £ p £ p 582.02 822.44	2021 £ p £ p 582.02 822.44	2021 £ p £ p 582.02 822.44
	Shop Income Stock 1st October Add:	£ p £ p 1,209.17 743.47		£ p £ p 582.02 822.44
	Purchases Less: Stock 30th Sep Total Cost Price of new stock sold	586.01		446.12
		540.84		743.47
			788.64		525.09
	Net Profit (to RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS)		420.53		56.93
	WESTONZOYLAND ENGINE TRUST - STEAM ON THE LEVEL 14th & 15th May 2022
	INCOME		2022 £ p - - - - - 9,418.00 1,748.27 472.73 228.19 - - 200.00 - 50.00 - 1,582.00		2021 £ p - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 22.32 -
	Saturday Entrance Fees Tea Room Shop Sales Donations WZLR Donations Sunday (Combined) Entrance Fees Tea Room Shop Sales Donations WZLR Donations General Stall Holders Food Supplier Parrett Real Ale & Cider Bar 5" Gauge Miniature Railway Other Exhibitor Entry Fees Pre-Paid Entry - PayPal
	Total Income		13,699.19		22.32
					110.93 - - - - - - 418.80
	EXPENSES
	Total Expediture		1,042.66		529.73
	NET PROFIT		12,656.53		-507.41
	(excluding sales costs)