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THE GROWLER GROUP
English Electric Type 3 Preservation Society Owners of 37215 & Custodians of D6948
REGISTERED CHARITY NO. 702237 REGISTERED ADDRESS: 8 COLERIDGE ROAD, NEWPORT, SOUTH WALES. NP19 8HY
THE 36TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF ‘THE GROWLER GROUP’
Held at the Tom Mitchell building Winchcombe Saturday 19[th] March 2022
Apologies for absence; A. Laws, S, Hale, J. Garrett, P. Seymour, M. Whitcombe
Paul Good called the meeting to order, thanked everyone for attending and opened the meeting at 11.02 am.
Copies of last year A.G.M. minutes were given out to those present and accepted as a true account of the meeting. These we proposed as a true account of proceedings by J. Gough and seconded by D. Trower and passed unanimously
ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE YEAR
Chairman’s Report; Paul Good
I must start by thanking Mick Collins for all he has done for the Group and for the years he spent at Membership Secretary. Also, a thank you to Janet Gough who took over the role of Membership Secretary last year.
2021 saw a return to ‘almost normality’ for running and volunteering, with 37215 being used extensively on service trains, as well as a surprise 50[th] birthday train for a group member. Unfortunately, we still have yet to lift 248 due to availability of lifting bracket adaptors.
Whilst the Group is in a strong financial position, we need to reflect on the wider picture that is affecting the country and how this may have a knock-on effect with regard to heritage railways. We all know how much the price of energy and fuel has increased over the last 12 months. The price of the red diesel has nearly doubled and stands at just over £0.80p per litre. There has been a big increase in coal prices. All this leads to pressure on the heritage railway sector to increase its fare prices, as well as the additional costs for both the travelling public, rail enthusiast and volunteer to get to the railway of their choice. Many heritage railways are also paying back loans after being forced to close as a result of Covid19.
We are lucky that our locomotives are based on a heritage railway in a prime tourist location and have a strong volunteer base, however over the last couple of years the railway has lost members through old age and ill health, so although a locomotive maybe available, without a signalman or guard the train won’t run. Whilst diesel preservation is seen as a younger man’s hobby when compared to steam, we are faced with a loss of technical skill and knowledge, and I am at a loss to see how this will improve and fear for diesel locomotive preservation in the long term. It is positive to see the Wednesday diesel gang strengthened by a number of new volunteers – albeit again of a retired age.
Whilst we have been quieter than normal years when it comes to setting up sales stands at open days, on rail tours and diesel gala events, we continue to sell new
and second-hand stock through our on-line shop and E-Bay. I always thought Alan Lea should have been a Salesman not a Storeman!
Thank you to all who contributed to The Growler magazine and a thank you to Simon who continues to edit a first-class publication.
Hon. Treasurer’s Report Kevin Jarvis
Attached at the rear of these minutes is the expenditure and income figures.
Due to the amount of turn over we now have we are over the threshold that needs us to have our accounts independently checked Kevin Jarvis to arrange.
Expenditure
Magazine costs are flat, but magazine cost should go down as we are changing to a new printer in April
Large amount of spares brought ex 37207 when it was stripped with some to go away for overhaul.
M. Whitcombe is drawing up an investment policy for the group We have already invested £60,000 in an online charity account which generated £850 interest. We intend to invest another £60,000 in a charity investment account leaving about £20,000 in the Lloyds account for day-to-day operations. This should secure the long-time future of the loco if any large repair bills occur.
Income
Loco fund very good and membership heathy with more members joining online. Online purchases are low, but E-Bay sales have been very good due to a large legacy of items from Paul Muir
Hon Membership Secretaries report; Janet Gough
Membership numbers: Following a dip in membership during lockdown the number of members now stands at 276. This includes 121 people who are either life members, honorary members, or donors. Renewals have increased since December and three new members have joined in March this year.
Membership rates: Membership rates have not been raised for some time and are now well behind those of most similar organisations. Postage costs continue to rise. Since the introduction of a new system to print and distribute The Growler it’s no longer possible to include renewal reminders with the magazine, meaning a separate mailing. Replacement membership cards also have to be posted out. Whilst costs are undoubtedly rising for our members, they are also increasing in terms of maintenance and running costs for our locos.
Therefore, I would like to propose consideration be given to raising membership fees as of 1 May 2022 by approximately 22% as follows:
Adult membership (over 18 years of age) for one year from £18.00 to £22.00 Adult membership (over 18 years of age) for 5 years from £75.00 to £91.50 Junior membership (up to 18 years of age) for one year from £9.00 to £11.00
Junior membership (up to 18 years of age) for 5 years from £37.50 to £45.75 Family (2 Adults & 2 Juniors) for one year from £27.00 to £33.00
Family (2 Adults & 2 Juniors) for 5 years from £112.50 to £137.25
Life Membership A (59 years of age or under) from £270.00 to £330.00
Life Membership B (60 years of age or over) from £180.00 to £220.00
Overseas Supplement for one year from £15.00 to £18.30
Overseas Supplement for 5 years from £60.00 to £73.20
D6xxx Number Scheme to remain at £1.00
This was agreed to go ahead with Kevin Jarvis arranging for the prices in the online shop to be changed and Pete Smith to arrange changes to prices on the membership page on the web site
Hon Publications Oficers Report Simon Hale
Firstly, apologies that I am not present at the AGM in person to deliver the report, but I have been called into work.
The past year has seen a steady increase in the number of magazines produced from around 275 in number at the end of March 2021, up to 325 magazines for the last issue. Whilst some of this overall amount is for ‘spares’ to be sold via the groups E-Bay site, a gradual increase in membership accounts for the others. The vast majority of members still prefer to have a printed magazine rather than a pdf version, though there has been a small uptake of the pdf version during the last 12 months.
At the time the Group reviewed its costs/outgoings during the last year, it was decided to get an alternative quote to produce the magazine. We contacted the publisher of the ‘Dinmore Manor Newsletter’ also based at Toddington and we received a very competitive quote from them. This was discussed at the next committee meeting, and it was agreed that we should go ahead with their quote and the first magazine will be produced by them from April 2022. This meant that we have now stopped using ‘Lithaprint’ of Stockport who have produced an excellent magazine for us from July 2017, and I thank Matt and all his team who have been a pleasure to work with in my time as editor. I also want to thank Linda and her team at 121 direct mail also of Stockport, who stepped in at very short notice during Covid, to enable us to post out the magazine, which we have not been able to do otherwise. We look forward to now working with our new publisher and hope that the magazine will continue to be a quality publication for our membership.
Can I also thank all members (and non-members) who have provided material, whether it be in the form of articles or photographs for inclusion in the magazine over the past 12 months. I have received plenty of good comments about the magazine, but all I do is pull everything together, so it is really down to the quality of the articles/photographs which makes the magazine.
So please keep sending in articles/photographs for use as these are essential to the continuing success of the magazine
Hon Sales Oficers Report Andrew Laws
Sales Report - November 2020 to November 2021
Please accept my apologies for not being able to attend this year's Growler Group AGM. There were no Galas at the GWSR during the pandemic, so there were no sales
stand opportunities. But when Galas resumed at the GWSR in the latter part of 2021, we did a sales stand on one of the trains during the Diesel Gala on 25th and 26th September and had a sales stand in the David Page shed during the 40th Anniversary Gala on 6th - 7th November. These events brought in a total of over £300 E-Bay sales continue to bring in a large proportion of revenue for the GG. Thanks to Alan Lea for managing this and posting items out. Income for the period from eBay sales was over £3,000
Online sales have increased since the setting up of our website Sales Portal on the Growler Group website with new merchandise from The Pixel Shack Store.
Thanks to Members who have donated sales items to the Growler Group especially Dean Tabor & Tony Gaze. These items go a long way in providing a large part of sales income for the Group. A special mention must be made of Pete Muir, a long serving volunteer of the GWSR and Growler Group supporter, who sadly passed away in January 2021. As well as his fantastic legacy, the Growler Group has also received many railway items from his estate which we have been able to sell to raise funds for the group.
Hon Publicity Oficers Report Peter Smith
Not much to report due to the lockdowns in the past year and no loco running. The web site seams to be used recently as a way to access our sales and membership pages rather than news which social media is used most for that. Pete has updated the soft wear to make it harder for anyone who tries to hack their way into the site
G. Arnett to update the site occasionally with updates of running information also to supply information the G.W.S.R.’s magazine
Technical Oficer’s Report, Paul Good
37215
215 has been running since April 2021 following the bogie work.
During the year we noticed that the top compressor developed an oil leak, and whilst intermittent, it was making a mess in the nose end. So decided to dig out the only top spare compressor we had and send it along with a spare bottom compressor away for overhaul by a pneumatic repair company. We took this option as our finances are in good health and it allows volunteers to concentrate on other tasks specifically those items confined on the loco.
Towards the end of 2021 215 developed an intermittent power fault that resulted in the engine not being able to rev and then suddenly picking up in revs. This appears to have been the catalyst for a generator flashover. This becoming apparent following the removal of inspection covers in December. The cause of the power fault was a lip seal in the governor sticking. This was replaced with a seal from one of our spare governors (we are in the process of obtaining a new seal). In hindsight the loco should have been taken out of traffic earlier, but it appears to have been accepted that the fault only occurred before engine had warmed up. The flashover damage is in the process of being repaired. There is damage to brush boxes, arc horns and insulators. We have some spare insulators and are purchasing others. We do have spare arc horns and brush boxes. We are cleaning the generator and painting anti-tracking paint and certain areas of the generator. There doesn’t appear to be any damage to the commutator, armature, or field windings. The loco had come back onto shed under it is own power after a turn in
December. This repair work should be completed in April. If compressors are back from overhaul, we will probably fit these before loco is returned to traffic. Other work includes changing coolant hoses on ‘A’ and ‘B’ bank that were showing signs of deterioration after 20 years in service. These nitrile rubber hoses have been replaced with silicone hoses that have a much longer life and are more flexible. Removal of a corroded steel air pipe under a body skirt ‘A’ bank side, this was replaced with a flexible one as the steel pipe had been repaired previously – well done to Mark Stanley for managing to fit this in such a tight space. Also changed were driver straight air brake valves.
37248 Report by Paul Good
Apart from lift to allow bogies to be removed for inspection and replacement of various components like dampers and brushes we still need to adjust the engine timing chain.
It is anticipated that the required lifting brackets should become available in May. We reference to the Clayton Steam Generator following the replacement of the defective section of coil, the contractor carried out a pressure test as required by the insurer, however, disappointingly, whilst there was no issue with the new section of coil, another leak was discovered further up and within the tightly wound coil. Therefore, all work on this coil has stopped. The locomotive owners are currently looking at options.
Election of the Management Committee for 2021
Everybody standing who were present was asked that their membership was up to date and they conformed with the Charities Commission rules to stand.
Chairman, Paul Good Vice Chairman, Mark Stanley Hon. Secretary, Alan Lea Hon Treasurer, Kevin Jarvis, Hon Publications Officer, Simon Hale Hon Membership Secretary, Janet Gough Hon. Publicity Officer, Pete Smith, Hon. Technical Officer, Paul Good,
Hon. Sales Officer, Andrew Laws,
Committee Members without portfolio (4) Darren Trower, Phil Seymour, T. Dumelow, M. Whitcombe.
.
The Committee was nominated for re-election by D. Tabor seconded G. Arlett and passed unanimously
As Janet Gough was co-opt to the Committee mid-way through the year to replace Mike Collins this election confirms her committee position
11 members attended with 4 of those non-committee members.
Any Other Business
A memorial plate to be affixed inside 37215 with the names of people who have helped in its upkeep who are no longer with us
Paul Good then thanked everyone for attending and then closed the A.G.M. at 11.50 am,
st – st Treasurers Report 2021 (1 Nov. 2020 31 Oct. 2021)
Expenditure Income £ £
Magazine 1849.00 Cash @ 1/11/20 282.34 Magazine postage 1259.14 Lloyds A/C @ 1/11/20 17971.06 Nat West A/C @ 1/11/20 1363.46 Spares 4950.54 Loco Fund @ 1/11/20 60000.00 Loco repairs and engineering 3774.25 PayPal A/C @1/11/20 669.45 Loco Supplies 1405.96 Loco Fund Donations 5621.00 Transport 264.38 Loco Fund Interest 815.31 Gift Aid 0.00
| D6948 Running Fees |
00.00 | Donations | Donations | 1041.50 | 1041.50 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legacy | 60000.00 | ||||
| Website | 102.00 | GWR Running Fees | 1754.22 | ||
| Stationery |
45.45 | Spares | Sale | 650.00 | |
| Membership | 4260.17 | ||||
| Pixel Shack Sales Stock | 763.34 | ||||
| E-Bay Fees |
152.70 | Merchandise | 15.00 | ||
| On-Line Merchandise | 695.24 | ||||
| Loco Fund @ 31/10/21 |
60815.31 | E-Bay | 3109.41 | ||
| Cash @ 31/10/21 | 5.69 | Shopping portal | |||
| 121.10 | |||||
| Lloyds A/C @ 31/10/21 |
80832.30 | GWR Diesel Gala | 150.80 | ||
| Nat West A/C @ 31/10/21 |
1423.46 | ||||
| Pay pal Balance @ 31/10/21 | 876.54 | ||||
| TOTAL | 158520.06 | 158520.06 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at the end of the period
Cash Funds £143,953.30 (see analysis above)
Assets Retained for the Growler Group’s Own Use
Physical Assets held are locomotive 37215 purchased in 1994 for £8225. The group also holds Sales Stock with an estimated value of £1000.
Shares to the value of £31,430 are held for the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway PLC in exchange for a thirty years lease for the use of space within the diesel locomotive shed located at Toddington on the GWR.
Other Notes
All funds are unrestricted.
K.G.Jarvis
Kevin Jarvis – Treasurer - 4/1/22
Owners of 37215 & Trustees of D6948 st – st Treasurers Report 2021 (1 Nov. 2020 31 Oct. 2021)
Expenditure
Income
£ £ Magazine 1849.00 Cash @ 1/11/20 282.34 Magazine postage 1259.14 Lloyds A/C @ 1/11/20 17971.06 Nat West A/C @ 1/11/20 1363.46 Spares 4950.54 Loco Fund @ 1/11/20 60000.00 Loco repairs and engineering 3774.25 Paypal A/C @1/11/20 669.45 Loco Supplies 1405.96 Loco Fund Donations 5621.00 Transport 264.38 Loco Fund Interest 815.31 Gift Aid 0.00 D6948 Running Fees 00.00 Donations 1041.50 Legacy 60000.00 Website 102.00 GWR Running Fees 1754.22 Stationery 45.45 Spares Sale 650.00 Membership 4260.17 Pixel Shack Sales Stock 763.34 Ebay Fees 152.70 Merchandise 15.00 On-Line Merchandise 695.24 Loco Fund @ 31/10/21 60815.31 EBay 3109.41 Cash @ 31/10/21 5.69 Shopping portal 121.10 Lloyds A/C @ 31/10/21 80832.30 GWR Diesel Gala 150.80 Nat West A/C @ 31/10/21 1423.46 Paypal Balance @ 31/10/21 876.54 TOTAL 158520.06
TOTAL 158520.06
1
Statement of Assets and Liabilities at the end of the period
Cash Funds
£143,953.30 (see analysis above)
Assets Retained for the Growler Group’s Own Use
Physical Assets held are locomotive 37215 purchased in 1994 for £8225. The group also holds Sales Stock with an estimated value of £1000.
Shares to the value of £31,430 are held in the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway PLC in exchange for a thirty years lease for the use of space within the diesel locomotive shed located at Toddington on the GWR.
Other Notes
All funds are unrestricted.
K.G.Jarvis
Kevin Jarvis – Treasurer - 4/1/22
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Independent examiner'8 report to the trustees of The Growler Group I report to the trusteos on my examination of the a(*ounts of the Growler Group (the Group) for the year ended 31 October 2021. Responsibilities and basis of rnport As the charity trustees of the Group you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Aet 2011 ('the Act,). I report in respect of my examination of the Group's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in earrying out rny examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act. Independent examiner's statement I have eompleted my examination. I confirni that no material matters have come to my attention in eonnection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material r&spect: aeeounting recor(ts were not kept in rospect of the Group as required by section 130 of the the accounts do not accord with those records. I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in Lx>nnection with the examination to which attention should drawn in this rewrt in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name: D P Griffiths Relevant pmfossional qualification or membership of profe&sional (if any): FCA Address: 6 New StreeL Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, NP44 IEE Date: