Company registration number: 1766049 Charity registration number: 514809
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
(A company limited by guarantee) Annual Report and Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
HSJ Accountants Ltd Severn House Hazell Drive Newport South Wales NP10 8FY
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Contents
| Trustees' Report | 1 to 5 |
|---|---|
| Independent Examiner's Report | 6 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 7 to 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 to 16 |
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Trustees' Report
The trustees, who are directors for the purposes of company law, present the annual report together with the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Objectives and activities
Objects and aims
The Railway Company exists to operate the heritage railway including restoration and maintenance of railway diesel and steam locomotives, railway carriages, railway wagons, buildings and infrastructure. This is for the benefit, pleasure and education of members and visitors to the railway.
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Trustees' Report
Objectives, strategies and activities
The Railway had a busy and prosperous year throughout 2024. The year began with a fond farewell to our flagship steam engine, Rosyth No.1 as she came to the end of her boiler ticket. After a decade of impeccable service, Rosyth No. 1 came out of traffic in the February half term – but not before a commemorative weekend of celebrations to mark her success.
For the first time in over ten years, we welcomed diesel-hauled passenger services once again with locomotive D5627 at the helm. Hunslet 5511 ‘John Roden’ continued to provide shunting services throughout the year. In preparation for the new locomotive shed the PWay team installed the first turnout, which will permit access to the new shed in due course. It is hoped the remaining track and point work will be completed over the next few years.
This year saw a number of events in the calendar, including the Transport Festival, Model Railway Show and Coal Train weekend. All events brought a number of additional visitors to the railway along with visiting vehicles and layouts in abundance. The Gala welcomed Ivatt 2 Tank 41241, courtesy of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, and GWR Prairie 5552 from the Bodmin Railway. Once again the event was a success with hundreds of visitors experiencing our railway at its best.
With just over a year out of traffic, ‘Jessie’ returned from overhaul in her original Hunslet livery, as described in a Railway Magazine article from the records of a Hunslet Engine Company employee from when the engine was first completed. Having been offered the chance to purchase 2 x 21T coal hoppers from the Dean Forest, the Railway jumped at the chance. These arrived in the early part of the year and were restored over six months, making their debut outing during the Coal Train weekend.
Work has continued on TSO 4677 at Williton, and it is nearing completion. The Railway hopes to have the TSO back in 2025 to begin the interior refit, ready for operation later in the year.
In addition to the TSO, work on our locomotive ‘Llantarnam Abbey’ has progressed somewhat this year – the hope is to steam it again by 2026. Work on locomotive ‘71515 Mech Navvies’ continues between Williton and Blaenavon and it is hoped the engine will be back in steam by the end of 2026 as well. Work has been held up on both locomotives due to delays with contractors.
After many years of relying solely on volunteer-power, the Railway started investigating alternative options for certain special events as the operation had become bigger than the sum of its parts. The Railway entered into an agreement with Fox & Edwards Events to service our Santa Specials for 2024. This was a roaring success, making the event more profitable for the Railway (with a fraction of the effort) and elevating the experience for passengers. This relationship is set to continue with more exciting offerings in 2025.
With some less celebrated moments of theft and damages across the sites, the Railway has now installed a CCTV system with multiple cameras located throughout the main yard, with specific focus on the sheds. The plan is to install further cameras at Furnace Sidings and also Blaenavon High Level in due course. The Railway also invested in an upgrade to the site-perimeter fence in June 2024 to secure the bottom end of the yard through a local contractor.
After a long residency on site, the Pannier Group made the decision to sell Pannier Tank 9629. The engine left the Railway at the beginning of the year.
The Railway greatly appreciates the contribution made from the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Society for supporting the activities of the Company.
GOS Engineering and Fitzgerald Plant continue to use our facilities.
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Trustees' Report
Public benefit
The Charity's objectives and principal activities are to advance the education of the public in the history and development of the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway, by restoring and maintaining the infrastructure to working order and operate the historic railway line and associated facilities necessary to protect and preserve the character of the line.
The trustees confirm that they have complied with the requirements of section 17 of the Charities Act 2011 to have due regard to the public benefit guidance published by the Charity Commission for England and Wales.
Financial review
Policy on reserves
The policy adopted for reserves is necessarily driven by the restricted funding options open to the charity. The objective is that unrestricted funds not committed or invested in tangible assets held by the charity should be sufficient to cover anticipated expenditure on a rolling three month period.
Principal funding sources
Funding for the charity is derived mainly from the activities undertaken in pursuit of its objectives.
Reference and Administrative Details
Charity Registration Number: 514809 Company Registration Number: 1766049 The charity is incorporated in Wales. Registered Office: 33 Broad Street Blaenavon Pontypool NP4 9NF Independent Examiner: HSJ Accountants Ltd Severn House Hazell Drive Newport South Wales NP10 8FY
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Trustees' Report
Trustees and officers
The trustees and officers serving during the year and since the year end were as follows:
Trustees: R A Cornelius A Gourlay A Hinshelwood S Mahabir J Paton R Potts M Perham C Barnes M Annenburg (appointed 24 September 2024)
Secretary:
C Barnes
Structure, governance and management
Nature of governing document
The Pontypool & blaenavon Railway company (1983) Limited was formed as a company limited by guarantee on 31 October 1983 and a registered charity on 10 February 1984.
Recruitment and appointment of trustees
The charity is led by a board of trustees / directors, who are recruited through a public recruitment process. All trustees give their time voluntarily and receive no benefits from the charity.
There were no expenses reclaimed by trustees during the year.
New trustees appointed by the Board of Trustees at meetings throughout the year, based on selection against a regularly updated skills audit.
Statement of trustees' responsibilities
The trustees (who are also the directors of The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".
Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Trustees' Report
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable accounting standards, comprising FRS 102 have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that can disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The trustees are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the charitable company's website. Legislation governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
The annual report was approved by the trustees of the charity on 19 September 2025 and signed on its behalf by:
......................................... S Mahabir Trustee
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Independent Examiner's Report to the trustees of The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited ('the Company')
I report to the charity trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2024.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the charity’s trustees of the Company (and also its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 (‘the 2006 Act’).
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Company are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of your charity’s accounts as carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
Independent examiner’s statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe:
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accounting records were not kept in respect of The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
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the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
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the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
......................................
Mr Andrew Hill FCCA ACA DChA BFP ACCA
Severn House Hazell Drive Newport South Wales NP10 8FY
20 September 2025
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Other trading activities 4 Investment income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 17 |
Unrestricted funds £ 19,509 212,640 1,698 233,847 (227,242) (16,133) (243,375) (9,528) (9,528) 420,422 410,894 |
Total 2024 £ 19,509 212,640 1,698 |
|---|---|---|
| 233,847 | ||
| (227,242) (16,133) |
||
| (243,375) | ||
| (9,528) | ||
| (9,528) 420,422 |
||
| 410,894 |
The notes on pages 10 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 7
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Statement of Financial Activities for the Year Ended 31 December 2024 (Including Income and Expenditure Account and Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses)
| Note Income and Endowments from: Donations and legacies 3 Other trading activities 4 Investment income 5 Total income Expenditure on: Raising funds 6 Charitable activities 7 Total expenditure Net expenditure Net movement in funds Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward 17 |
Unrestricted funds £ 39,849 200,438 1,298 241,585 (251,676) (15,860) (267,536) (25,951) (25,951) 446,373 420,422 |
Total 2023 £ 39,849 200,438 1,298 |
|---|---|---|
| 241,585 | ||
| (251,676) (15,860) |
||
| (267,536) | ||
| (25,951) | ||
| (25,951) 446,373 |
||
| 420,422 |
All of the charity's activities derive from continuing operations during the above two periods. The funds breakdown for 2023 is shown in note 17.
The notes on pages 10 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 8
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
(Registration number: 1766049) Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Note | £ | £ | |
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 13 | 219,877 | 216,592 |
| Current assets | |||
| Stocks | 14 | 500 | 500 |
| Debtors | 15 | 34,400 | 9,763 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 195,887 | 244,367 | |
| 230,787 | 254,630 | ||
| Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year | 16 | (39,770) | (50,800) |
| Net current assets | 191,017 | 203,830 | |
| Net assets | 410,894 | 420,422 | |
| Funds of the charity: | |||
| Unrestricted income funds | |||
| Unrestricted funds | 410,894 | 420,422 | |
| Total funds | 17 | 410,894 | 420,422 |
For the financial year ending 31 December 2024 the charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 relating to small companies.
Directors' responsibilities:
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The members have not required the charity to obtain an audit of its accounts for the year in question in accordance with section 476; and
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The directors acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and the preparation of accounts.
The financial statements on pages 7 to 16 were approved by the trustees, and authorised for issue on 19 September 2025 and signed on their behalf by:
......................................... S Mahabir Trustee
The notes on pages 10 to 16 form an integral part of these financial statements. Page 9
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
1 Charity status
The charity is limited by guarantee, incorporated in Wales, and consequently does not have share capital. Each of the trustees is liable to contribute an amount not exceeding £1 towards the assets of the charity in the event of liquidation.
The address of its registered office is: 33 Broad Street Blaenavon Pontypool NP4 9NF
These financial statements were authorised for issue by the trustees on 19 September 2025.
2 Accounting policies
Summary of significant accounting policies and key accounting estimates
The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless otherwise stated.
Statement of compliance
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice (applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)) (issued in October 2019) - (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Basis of preparation
The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
Going concern
The trustees consider that there are no material uncertainties about the charity's ability to continue as a going concern nor any significant areas of uncertainty that affect the carrying value of assets held by the charity.
Exemption from preparing a cash flow statement
The charity opted to early adopt Bulletin 1 published on 2 February 2016 and have therefore not included a cash flow statement in these financial statements.
Income and endowments
All income is recognised once the charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of the income receivable can be measured reliably.
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Donations and legacies
Donations are recognised when the charity has been notified in writing of both the amount and settlement date. In the event that a donation is subject to conditions that require a level of performance by the charity before the charity is entitled to the funds, the income is deferred and not recognised until either those conditions are fully met, or the fulfilment of those conditions is wholly within the control of the charity and it is probable that these conditions will be fulfilled in the reporting period.
Legacy gifts are recognised on a case by case basis following the grant of probate when the administrator/executor for the estate has communicated in writing both the amount and settlement date. In the event that the gift is in the form of an asset other than cash or a financial asset traded on a recognised stock exchange, recognition is subject to the value of the gift being reliably measurable with a degree of reasonable accuracy and the title to the asset having been transferred to the charity.
Investment income
Dividends are recognised once the dividend has been declared and notification has been received of the dividend due.
Expenditure
All expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to that expenditure, it is probable settlement is required and the amount can be measured reliably. All costs are allocated to the applicable expenditure heading that aggregate similar costs to that category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources, with central staff costs allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use. Other support costs are allocated based on the spread of staff costs.
Raising funds
These are costs incurred in attracting voluntary income, the management of investments and those incurred in trading activities that raise funds.
Charitable activities
Charitable expenditure comprises those costs incurred by the charity in the delivery of its activities and services for its beneficiaries. It includes both costs that can be allocated directly to such activities and those costs of an indirect nature necessary to support them.
Support costs
Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on a basis consistent with the use of resources, for example, allocating property costs by floor areas, or per capita, staff costs by the time spent and other costs by their usage.
Governance costs
These include the costs attributable to the charity’s compliance with constitutional and statutory requirements, including audit, strategic management and trustees meetings and reimbursed expenses.
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Taxation
The charity is considered to pass the tests set out in Paragraph 1 Schedule 6 of the Finance Act 2010 and therefore it meets the definition of a charitable company for UK corporation tax purposes. Accordingly, the charity is potentially exempt from taxation in respect of income or capital gains received within categories covered by Chapter 3 Part 11 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 or Section 256 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, to the extent that such income or gains are applied exclusively to charitable purposes.
Tangible fixed assets
Individual fixed assets costing £500.00 or more are initially recorded at cost.
Depreciation and amortisation
Depreciation is provided on tangible fixed assets so as to write off the cost or valuation, less any estimated residual value, over their expected useful economic life as follows:
Asset class Depreciation method and rate Land & buildings 4% on cost Plant & machinery 25% reducing balance Office equipment 25% reducing balance Track & rolling stock 10% reducing balance
Stock
Stock is valued at the lower of cost and estimated selling price less costs to complete and sell, after due regard for obsolete and slow moving stocks. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out (FIFO).
Trade debtors
Trade debtors are amounts due from customers for merchandise sold or services performed in the ordinary course of business.
Trade debtors are recognised initially at the transaction price. They are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less provision for impairment. A provision for the impairment of trade debtors is established when there is objective evidence that the charity will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand and call deposits, and other short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are subject to an insignificant risk of change in value.
Trade creditors
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of business from suppliers. Accounts payable are classified as current liabilities if the charity does not have an unconditional right, at the end of the reporting period, to defer settlement of the creditor for at least twelve months after the reporting date. If there is an unconditional right to defer settlement for at least twelve months after the reporting date, they are presented as non-current liabilities.
Trade creditors are recognised initially at the transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
Fund structure
Unrestricted income funds are general funds that are available for use at the trustees discretion in furtherance of the objectives of the charity.
Designated funds are unrestricted funds set aside for specific purposes at the discretion of the trustees.
3 Income from donations and legacies
| Donations and legacies; Donations from individuals Legacies Regular giving and capital donations 4 Income from other trading activities Trading income; Ticket, cafe and general sales Loco & track hire sales 5 Investment income Interest receivable and similar income; Interest receivable on bank deposits |
Unrestricted funds General £ 12,794 3,273 3,442 19,509 Unrestricted funds General £ 189,048 23,592 212,640 Unrestricted funds General £ 1,698 |
Total 2024 £ 12,794 3,273 3,442 19,509 Total funds £ 189,048 23,592 212,640 Total 2024 £ 1,698 |
Total 2023 £ 4,027 30,891 4,931 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39,849 | |||
| Total 2023 £ 181,543 18,895 |
|||
| 200,438 | |||
| Total 2023 £ 1,298 |
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
6 Expenditure on raising funds
a) Costs of trading activities
| Note Costs of goods sold Bad debts written off Depreciation, amortisation and other similar costs Other direct costs of activities for generating funds |
Unrestricted funds General £ 18,385 2,160 25,496 181,201 227,242 |
Total 2024 £ 18,385 2,160 25,496 181,201 227,242 |
Total 2023 £ 17,869 - 23,458 210,349 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 251,676 |
7 Expenditure on charitable activities
| Note Allocated support costs 8 Governance costs 8 |
Unrestricted funds General £ 13,862 2,271 16,133 |
Total 2024 £ 13,862 2,271 16,133 |
Total 2023 £ 13,575 2,285 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15,860 |
8 Analysis of governance and support costs
Governance costs
| Independent examiner fees Examination of the financial statements Legal fees |
Unrestricted funds General £ 1,680 591 2,271 |
Total 2024 £ 1,680 591 2,271 |
Total 2023 £ 1,680 605 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,285 |
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
9 Net incoming/outgoing resources
Net outgoing resources for the year include:
| Depreciation of fixed assets | 2024 £ 25,496 |
2023 £ 23,458 |
|---|---|---|
10 Trustees remuneration and expenses
No trustees, nor any persons connected with them, have received any remuneration from the charity during the year.
No trustees have received any reimbursed expenses or any other benefits from the charity during the year.
11 Independent examiner's remuneration
| Examination of the financial statements | 2024 £ 1,680 |
2023 £ 1,680 |
|---|---|---|
12 Taxation
The charity is a registered charity and is therefore exempt from taxation.
13 Tangible fixed assets
| Cost At 1 January 2024 Additions At 31 December 2024 Depreciation At 1 January 2024 Charge for the year At 31 December 2024 Net book value At 31 December 2024 At 31 December 2023 |
Land and buildings £ 174,067 11,527 185,594 46,220 7,424 53,644 131,950 127,847 |
Furniture and equipment £ 187,301 5,079 192,380 134,848 14,013 148,861 43,519 52,453 |
Motor vehicles £ 113,290 12,175 125,465 76,998 4,059 81,057 44,408 36,292 |
Total £ 474,658 28,781 503,439 258,066 25,496 283,562 219,877 216,592 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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The Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway Company (1983) Limited
Notes to the Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 December 2024
14 Stock
| 14 Stock | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 £ 2023 £ Stocks 500 500 15 Debtors 2024 £ 2023 £ Trade debtors 25,462 5,924 VAT recoverable 8,938 3,839 34,400 9,763 16 Creditors: amounts falling due within one year 2024 £ 2023 £ Trade creditors 37,921 49,038 Accruals 1,849 1,762 39,770 50,800 17 Funds Balance at 1 January 2024 £ Incoming resources £ Resources expended £ Balance at 31 December 2024 £ Unrestricted funds General 373,054 233,847 (243,375) 363,526 Designated 47,368 - - 47,368 Total funds 420,422 233,847 (243,375) 410,894 Balance at 1 January 2023 £ Incoming resources £ Resources expended £ Transfers £ Balance at 31 December 2023 £ Unrestricted funds General 401,105 241,585 (267,536) (2,100) 373,054 Designated 45,268 - - 2,100 47,368 Total funds 446,373 241,585 (267,536) - 420,422 |
2023 £ 500 |
|
| 2023 £ 5,924 3,839 |
||
| 9,763 | ||
| 2023 £ 49,038 1,762 |
||
| 50,800 | ||
| Balance at 31 December 2024 £ 363,526 47,368 |
||
| 410,894 | ||
| Balance at 31 December 2023 £ 373,054 47,368 |
||
| 420,422 |
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