Annual Report 1999

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Report of the Trustees for 1999

Introduction

This report covers the period from 1 February 1999 to 31 January 2000. Although there were fewer visitors and donations at the door were down by 54% the Museum at Tywyn has operated in a satisfactory way and we thank our voluntary attendants and the staff and volunteers of the Talyllyn Railway for all their help.

People

The trustees and officers named on the front continued to serve for the whole year.

Finance

The Trust ended the year with a balance of £39,267.56 compared to £37,742 at the start of the year. This is satisfactory but it needs to be noted that the Trustees have resolved to maintain an insurance reserve of £20,000 and this limits the funds that might be available for the development and protection of the collection in view of the possibility of changes on the Wharf Station site occupied by the Museum building. Modest expenditure continued to ensure conservation and place more items on view to the public with appropriate labelling and background information.

Grants

Grants of £627.92 were received from the Council of Museums in Wales for various items, including new labels for many items and two new display cases. A grant from our funds of £400 was made towards the restoration of an Isle of Man Railway H wagon.

Museums Week and Museum Trail

A special exhibition of photographs and artefacts from the Isle Man was mounted during the year and a good number of entries were received in our Isle of Man Museum Trail. Prizes, donated by the Isle of Man Railway, were given to the winners and runners up.

Museum Registration

The minor actions required were completed and full registration was granted on 9 July 1999.

Baguley 774

This historic petrol locomotive remains is store at Tywyn awaiting a report by the Conservation Officer of Council for Museums in Wales.

Locomotives stored away from Tywyn

In company with a visitor from France who had arranged a special visit the Curatorial Adviser and the Secretary inspected Cambrai at Irchester and found the locomotive in a very satisfactory state of conservation.

Two visits were made to North Ings Farm Museum where Penelope was given annual spring and autumn service checks and minor paintwork restoration. The locomotive remains in working order.

Gradual sorting and cleaning of the component parts of Nutty continued at the Railworld site at Peterborough and the locomotive remained under cover.

Wagon restoration

Restoration work on the Rhydyronen Van continued during the year on this major project to bring back another Talyllyn Railway vehicle from dereliction to operating condition. Painting and minor repairs continued on the other Talyllyn wagons in the care of the Museum and they were operated on special demonstration trains and photographic specials during the year.

Wharf Station

Following the discussion at the TRPS Annual Meeting, a new group was formed to take forward the possible re-development of the Museum, Caf and Shop area on two floors to include offices for the Railway and Museum management. Early contacts with the Council for Museums in Wales indicated support for such a project and the trustees are developing detailed plans to ensure steady progress on the scheme.

Copies of the Accounts are available if requested on receipt of a large stamped addressed envelope.