Westonzoyland Engine Trust Annual Report
2022-2023
Annual General Meeting
held on
3[rd] December 2023 at 2.00pm
At Westonzoyland Pumping Station, Hoopers Lane, Westonzoyland Near Bridgwater, TA7 0LS, Somerset
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President’s Opening Statement (Iain Miles):
Hello everyone. I will first apologise for our having to miss the AGM, but I am here in spirit! Again, I would like to thank you all for your continuing support over the last year, a year which has, once again, been very successful.
I want to thank everyone for their hard work and especially Jason for all he is doing for the Trust whilst dealing with family and business matters. Everything from keeping the books to making cakes. Also his family for their hard work on the pizza production line, making for a very successful Halloween, all most appreciated! I also think it's time we mentioned Hannah and thanked her for putting up with it!! The other members of the Committee must also be mentioned and thanked, for their sterling work, including Charlie, our newest Committee member.
I will also thank Ian G, Nigel and John D for keeping up steam and their behind the scenes activity. Each steam day needing another to punch the tubes, de-ash and generally clean up, not forgetting the work in collecting wood to supplement the coal. Also, a big thank you to the ladies in the cafe and especially Joyce who manages to find helpers for each time we are open, all most important to our survival as an active museum. We had a good SOTL, another good Railway Gala and an excellent Halloween. More details will no doubt be raised by others later including the number of Steam Days which just may have to be adjusted. As always, there are a number of projects in the pipeline and I am sure you will hear more about them in a while, but to finish, I would like to mention the things that I have been concerned with.
Firstly, the Archive Store. We have decided to join forces with the Somerset Industrial Arch. Soc. To share this facility, as both SIAS and the Museum have built up a collection of archival material and it is no longer acceptable to store this in members’ houses. Also the Somerset Heritage Centre, being short of space, are very selective as to what they will accept , no longer taking items of personal research and it is sadly not as easy as it was to access some of the Archives. As Trust Archivist and a committee member on the SIAS sub - committee, I feel the time has come to ensure the survival and accessibility of both societies’ wealth of recorded material. It will be seen as the first step in the research of many things, from family history to history of the many different industries once widespread throughout Somerset. I intend, via “Condensation”, to publish some of our more interesting things in the future.
Secondly, I continue to be asked to speak to other groups and societies to talk about what we do and our Land Drainage history. This comes, (as do our Paranormal evenings) as a “nice little earner”. If anybody knows of a fairly local group that wants a speaker,( I am not adverse to going a few miles), or a Zoom production, then please pass on my details. I am also always hoping that it will bring in new members.
Finally, a thankyou to Ian Lang for arranging another Christmas Meal, which Mary and I look forward to in anticipation!
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Thanks Everyone, keep up the Good Work, we’ve got a great thing going here!!
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from:
Mary & Iain Miles John Penny Sandra May Paul Phipps Barbara & Chris Cooper Allan Wellwood Jon Heath Alan Davies David Pearse
Total in attendance at the meeting was 20. The meeting was chaired by Jason Keswick.
2. The minutes of the 2022 AGM
Accepted. Proposer: Geoff Harding; Seconder: Ray West.
3. Matters Arising
None
4. Chairman’s Report (Andy Carter)
None.
5 . Treasurer’s Report (Jason Keswick)
Jason presented the accounts. Income was slightly up on 2022 largely down to increased sales in the Tea Rooms. Jason thanked Joyce and her team who made that possible. After re-negotiation considerable savings were made on the main insurance for the Museum in April 2023 and so this accounted for a reduction in costs. Some events in the year had been poor earners, this is to be discussed later on thinking about the number of steamings and associated costs for 2024. The year ended with a surplus of circa £4.4k putting the Trust’s assets at approx. £48k.
Steam on the Levels was another great success, visitor numbers were down and this was possibly caused by the increased entrance costs. Expenditure for the event still remained low thanks to utilising our fixed services and generosity of our supporters. Net Profit was at £10.6k.
Report accepted. Proposer: John Ditchfield. Seconder: Ray West.
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6. Secretary’s Report (Mary Miles)
None.
7 Chief Engineer’s Report (Ian Gilliam)
All boilers were operational and no issues reported. The pump room work was continuing by Geoff Harding & Ian Lang.
He thanked Nigel and John for all their work on stoking, cleaning etc.
Report accepted. Proposer: John Trenchard. Seconder: Geoff Harding.
8 Promotions Report (Charlie Talbot)
Charlie reported that continued promotion across the usual outlets had occurred, increased promotion utilising social media accounts had resulted in increased engagement. It is proposed to increase promotion budget going forward and explore new and alternative promotional avenues whilst continuing to produce traditional leaflets etc.
Report accepted. Proposer: Harold Mead. Seconder: Alistair Weldon
9. Membership Secretary (Jason Keswick)
Jason reminded members that all membership was now handled by membermojo system and that some are still paying by standing order. He kindly asked those to cancel the standing orders and use the new system to remain paid up members.
Jason also asked for volunteers to continue supplying reports and articles for the members magazine to ensure that 3 copies per year can be produced. He noted that it hasn't always been possible to get them out on time.
Report accepted. Proposer: Nigel Webber. Seconder: John Trenchard.
10. Steam on the Levels (Jason Keswick)
The financial income from the event was reported in the Treasurer's Report and as shown in the accounts. Jason however wanted to thank all those volunteers that helped to run the event and continue to see it grow. Planning was well underway for the 2024 event.
11. Steam Dates for 2024
A long discussion was had over dates for 2024. Volunteers had voiced concerns over low attendance at certain steamings and with the cost of coal and the level of physical effort required to steam they felt a reduction in steaming dates should occur. After a lengthy debate it was decided to reduce steamings from 13 (2023)
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to 10. This was however on the proviso that other events to supplement income could be organised and that would be initially by way of running railway days on all Sundays in August. This was agreed by all. Steaming Dates to be published in due course.
12. Shop Sales (Jason Keswick)
With a lack of volunteer input new shop sales had suffered. We continued to stock Shire and other trade account suppliers as well as have deliveries of slate coasters and fridge magnets. Second Hand sales had performed better than new books and with no cost associated had provided good income. Thanks went to Mary Miles who looks through all donated books and prices them accordingly.
Report accepted. Proposer: Geoff Harding. Seconder: Ian Lang.
13. Accommodation (Jason Keswick)
Jason reported the continual frustrations around dealing with the Environment Agency in respect to the claim of damages on the Grade II* Listed Building. Following advice from them and Historic England the Trust engaged Structurehaus Consulting Engineers to make an assessment of the building and engage with specialist contractors to come up with a costing for repairs to stabilise the structure. A number of options were presented but one contractor stood out with a screw pile solution. This was described in detail by Jason to members and the resultant costs would be around £250k including contingencies etc. Jason reported that he was now submitting this costing to the Environment Agency and will try and organise a progress meeting.
Elsewhere on site work continues to maintain other buildings across the site, no major reports.
Report accepted. Proposer: Ian Lang. Seconder Ray West .
14 Accreditation (Jason Keswick for Alan Davies )
None
15 Collections Group Report/items on loan (John Trenchard)
Nothing had changed in the last year.
16 Formation of CIO (Jason Keswick)
Jason outlined to members that the Committee had been discussing forming of a new CIO to replace the existing Charity. The benefits of being a CIO were presented and discussion had about the process. This discussion was also notified to all members alongside the AGM Notice. A number of supporting emails were received. It was acknowledged that formal vote was not needed at this point but all members present confirmed there support of the changes. When the new
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CIO is duly set up and the Trust is in the position to transfer and close the old charity an EGM or if inline with a proposed AGM a vote to complete the process will then be requested.
17 Election of Officers
Nigel Webber proposed that all the nominees be elected. This was seconded by Ian Lang 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
The meeting ended at 4.15pm, with thanks to all those attending for their interest.
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WESTONZOYLAND ENGINE TRUST
Year Ended 30th September 2023
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS | |||||
| Income from Sales Entrance Entrance Donations Membership Private Visits Talks & Outside Exhibitions Experience Days Tea Rooms Site Hire Pre-Paid Entry (Online) Card Payment Other Income Donations Grant Aid Interest earned Other Income WZLR Donations Gift Aid Sale of Scrap/Plant/Other Refunds from Suppliers From Shop Sales Account |
£ p 16,170.44 727.91 821.00 2,610.00 190.00 200.00 6,746.98 - - (170.04) 1,673.36 - 62.98 250.00 - 1,654.75 425.30 320.84 1,139.13 |
£ 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 |
|||
| 32,822.65 | 31,989.68 | ||||
| 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 Listed Building Project WZLR Railway Building Experience Day Costs Professional Memberships Donations (to other charities) Uncategorised Expenses |
1,086.96 1,873.95 2,203.50 2,927.90 2,151.32 23.39 5,847.42 2,222.60 821.40 3,793.03 1,150.87 - 2,496.92 1,054.11 150.00 120.00 419.00 - - |
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 |
|||
| 28,342.37 | 23,633.08 | ||||
| Surplus / Deficit for year | 4,480.28 | 8,356.60 | |||
| £ p 1,000.00 |
£ p 1,000.00 |
||||
| BALANCE SHEET AT 30 SEPTEMBER 2023 | |||||
| Field | |||||
| Shop stock holding at cost price Cash at Bank Float |
552.83 | 540.84 | |||
| 46,530.17 200.00 |
42,061.88 200.00 |
||||
| Assets | 48,283.00 | 43,802.72 | |||
| Field fund General funds Allermoor Engine Fund Project Fund Boiler Fund Paypal Sales account |
1,000.00 20,558.46 875.11 0.04 10,063.59 2,954.00 12,831.80 |
1,000.00 14,863.71 869.89 0.04 8,005.45 7,923.79 11,139.84 |
|||
| Funds | 48,283.00 | 43,802.72 | |||
Notes
The Trust owns the Pumping Station, which is a non-saleable exhibit and restricted to charitable use on purchase from the Environment Agency.
WESTONZOYLAND ENGINE TRUST - SALES ACCOUNT Year Ended 30th September 2023
| SHOP SALES | 2023 | 2022 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ p | £ p | £ p | £ p | ||||
| Shop Income | 1,286.24 | 1,209.17 | |||||
| Stock 1st October | 540.84 | 743.47 | |||||
| Add: | |||||||
| Purchases | 159.10 | 586.01 | |||||
| Less: | |||||||
| Stock 30th Sep | 552.83 | 540.84 | |||||
| Total Cost Price of new stock sold | 147.11 | 788.64 | |||||
| Net Profit (to RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS) | 1,139.13 | 420.53 | |||||
WESTONZOYLAND ENGINE TRUST - STEAM ON THE LEVELS 20th & 21st May 2023
| SHOP SALES | 2023 | 2023 | 2022 £ p £ p 1,209.17 743.47 |
2022 £ p £ p 1,209.17 743.47 |
2022 £ p £ p 1,209.17 743.47 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shop Income Stock 1st October Add: |
£ p £ p 1,286.24 540.84 |
£ p £ p 1,209.17 743.47 |
||||
| Purchases Less: Stock 30th Sep Total Cost Price of new stock sold |
159.10 | 586.01 | ||||
| 552.83 | 540.84 | |||||
| 147.11 | 788.64 | |||||
| Net Profit (to RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS) | 1,139.13 | 420.53 | ||||
| WESTONZOYLAND ENGINE TRUST - STEAM ON THE LEVEL 20th & 21st May 2023 |
||||||
| INCOME | 2023 £ p 3,388.00 895.10 297.34 3.40 - 272.00 3,582.50 970.50 98.74 51.56 - - 250.00 849.87 - - - 1,141.00 |
2022 £ p - - - - - 9,418.00 1,748.27 472.73 228.19 - - 200.00 - 50.00 - 1,582.00 |
||||
| Saturday Entrance Fees Tea Room Shop Sales Donations WZLR Donations Pizzas [Evening] Sunday (Combined) Entrance Fees Tea Room Shop Sales Donations WZLR Donations General Stall Holders Westonzoyland Carnival Club Parrett Real Ale & Cider Bar 5" Gauge Miniature Railway Other Exhibitor Entry Fees Pre-Paid Entry - PayPal |
||||||
| Total Income | 11,800.01 | 13,699.19 | ||||
| - 391.20 - - - - 251.46 400.00 |
||||||
| EXPENSES | ||||||
| Total Expediture | 1,150.87 | 1,042.66 | ||||
| NET PROFIT | 10,649.14 | 12,656.53 | ||||
| (excluding sales costs) |