Annual Report 2000

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Report of the Trustees for 2000

Introduction

This report covers the period from 1 February 1999 to 31 January 2000. For the first time for many years there was an increase in the number of visitors to the Museum. The Talyllyn Jubilee Exhibition proved an added attraction and represents a further step to develop the policy of concentating on the story of the Talyllyn Railway within the wider context of narrow gauge railways. 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 served during the year as noted. We specially thank Alan Holmes for his long service as a trustee and his many services to the Trust in various capacities over the years.

Finance

The Trust started the year with a balance of £39,267.56. It was agreed to start a Talyllyn Heritage Fund which could be used to conserve and interpret the heritage of the Talyllyn Railway including the provision of improved museum facilities. This stood at £121,827.35 at the year end. Legacies of £20,995 were received for the general fund. The contingency reserve of £20,000 is unchanged. The trustees consider that the financial position is satisfactory but that further funds will be needed to redevelop the Museum building. £2,549.45 was spent on the collection for conservation and to bring items from store to public display with appropriate labelling and background information.

Grants

Grants of £2,186 were received from the Council of Museums in Wales for IT equipment and this has been installed at the home of one of the trustees. No grants from our funds were made in view of the need to raise funds for the redevelopment.

Museums Week

A twenty questions trail was organised and a good number of entries were received.

Locomotives stored away from Tywyn

Cambrai remains at Irchester in a very satisfactory state of conservation.
Penelope is at North Ings Farm Museum in working order. It was used during a Railway experience Day for younger volunteers in October.
Nutty is still in store at the Railworld site at Peterborough and some progress has been made on restoration

Baguley 774

A report by the Conservation Officer of Council for Museums in Wales on this petrol locomotive from 1918 suggested that cosmetic restoration to the condition in which it was exhibited at the Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924/5 would be the most appropriate action and quotations and grant aid will be sought for this work.

Wagon restoration

Restoration work on the Rhydyronen Van was completed in time for the van to be operated on the TRPS Annual Meeting week-end in September. A further slate wagon was reconstructed with new timbers an existing metal work and exhibited at the Warley Model Railway Exhibition in the form of a kit which could be rapidly assembled. It is to be completed with operating brake gear.

Wharf Station

The new group formed in 1999 has consulted widely and gained the agreement of the Trust and the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society for the re-development of the Museum, Café‚ and Shop area on two floors to include offices for the Railway and Museum management. Planning permission has also been given. Fund raising and grant applications are in hand to make the finance available for the scheme. There will clearly be a great deal of detailed work to undertake in dismantling the present displays and ensuring their safe storage and eventual redisplay in a new format in the new building. While the positions of the major items have been largely determined by the planning group detailed professional input will be needed to ensure that the collection is used as creatively as possible in the proposed new environment.

Financial Statement

Notes

1. The Trustees have resolved to maintain an Insurance Reserve of £20,000 which is included in the general funds of the Trust.
2. The receipt in the year ending 31 January 2001 was a legacy from the estate of Harold Bowtell, a former trustee.
3. £32,000 in the CAF Balanced Growth Fund was valued at £34,705.64 on 31 January 2001 based on the mid price of the units. Any gain or loss will appear in the accounts for the year in which the units are sold.
4. The Trustees have resolved to make no more grants for the time being in view of the need to build up funds for the redevelopment of the Wharf site.
5. A special fund kept separate from the general funds of the Trust - the primary purpose of the fund is to secure the protection and conservation of the Talyllyn heritage including the items in the Museum collection.

This report and accounts were agreed by the Trustees at their meeting on 22 July 2001.
Signed

CK Theobald, Chairman AC White, Secretary