THE SOMERSET AND DORSET RAILWAY TRUST LTD.
The Trust aims to keep alive the history and importance of the Somerset & Dorset Railway and its predecessor companies, through the preservation, custodianship, display and interpretation of material evidence. Furthermore to promote and facilitate public understanding of the significance of the Somerset & Dorset Railway as a major cross country rail route.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £405,711, which comfortably exceeded the trustees' stated policy target of four months of unrestricted general expenditure. The charity reported a net inflow of £291,157 for the year, driven by exceptional income from asset sales and locomotive settlement contributions, resulting in unusually high cash balances.
What the accounts disclose
“In 2016, the Trustees determined that a minimum of 4 months of unrestricted general expenditure should be held in reserves.” — page 7
“Mr Roger Hardingham is the owner of South West Publications Ltd, a supplier of Kingfisher railway books and DVDs. During 2024 the Trust and its subsidiary purchased goods to the value of £35 from and sold goods to the value of £Nil to South West Publications Ltd (2023: £194 and £229 respectively). At 31 December 2024 £35 was owing to South West Publications Ltd (2023: £143), and £ Nil was owing to the Trust (2023: £Nil)” — page 22
“The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trading Co Ltd is the wholly owned trading subsidiary of the charity. The trading subsidiary was incorporated and commenced trading in 2022. The subsidiary operates the sales activities of the charity.” — page 19
Register events
- Received assets from another charity (04/03/2015)
Trustees
- Anthony Nigel Davies
- Melvyn Stuart Marshman
- ROGER HARDINGHAM
- Robert Bentley
- Roderick David William Ormston
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £332k | £41k |
| 31/12/2023 | £95k | £52k |
| 31/12/2022 | £201k | £47k |
| 31/12/2021 | £85k | £72k |
| 31/12/2020 | £82k | £35k |
Common questions
Is THE SOMERSET AND DORSET RAILWAY TRUST LTD. financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that the charity held unrestricted reserves of £405,711, which comfortably exceeded the trustees' stated policy target of four months of unrestricted general expenditure. The charity reported a net inflow of £291,157 for the year, driven by exceptional income from asset sales and locomotive settlement contributions, resulting in unusually high cash balances. Its FY2024 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 13/07/2020 | £4k | "Covid Shutdown Emergency Funding" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 13/06/2018 | £15k | "Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, a review of opportunities and resources to continue activities" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 16/09/2015 | £58k | "S&D 50: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Closure of the Somerset & Dorset Railway" |