DEAN FOREST RAILWAY SOCIETY
We are concerned with the preservation, development and restoration of the Dean Forest Railway, together with the education of the public in the history of the railways in the Forest of Dean, and education in skills pertinent to the maintenance and operation of a heritage railway. We raise funds, recruit volunteers and undertake projects for the railway's development.
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that turnover decreased to £118,550 in 2024 from £131,740 in 2023, while expenditure increased to £71,343. Consequently, retained earnings reduced to £46,732, though the charity maintains a general reserve of £60,000 and reports no material uncertainties regarding its future operations.
What the accounts disclose
“A reserve policy was introduced in 2019 following the incorporation of the DFRS as a CIO; £10,000 of unrestricted income per annum is set aside into a General Reserve fund, which will be invested when appropriate to provide a long-term source of income through interest.”
“The charity works closely with Forest of Dean Railway Limited, a not-for-profit company which owns the Dean Forest Railway. The charity is a ‘Person with significant control’ within the company, as it owns over 25% of the issued shares. We have a Memorandum of Understanding with the company which covers how we work together on delivering the Charity’s aims.”
“The charity works closely with Forest of Dean Railway Limited, a not-for-profit company which owns the Dean Forest Railway. The charity is a ‘Person with significant control’ within the company, as it owns over 25% of the issued shares.”
Funders the charity credits
- Quattro
Trustees
- ADAM JAMES WILLIAMS
- Adrian Paul Copley
- Alan Philip Grant
- David Churton
- Douglas William Johnson
- Harry Colley
- James Graham
- Lynne Elaine Wentworth
- Martin John Paul Hillier
- Richard Taylor
- Susan Williams
- TIMOTHY IAN McLENNAN
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/12/2024 | £118k | £71k |
| 31/12/2023 | £132k | £63k |
| 31/12/2022 | £164k | £68k |
| 31/12/2021 | £139k | £88k |
| 31/12/2020 | £136k | £46k |
Common questions
Is DEAN FOREST RAILWAY SOCIETY financially healthy?
Per its FY2024 accounts: The accounts state that turnover decreased to £118,550 in 2024 from £131,740 in 2023, while expenditure increased to £71,343. Consequently, retained earnings reduced to £46,732, though the charity maintains a general reserve of £60,000 and reports no material uncertainties regarding its future operations.
Who funds DEAN FOREST RAILWAY SOCIETY?
Funders whose own accounts filings name DEAN FOREST RAILWAY SOCIETY as a grant recipient include COUNTY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount | Purpose (as stated by the funder) |
|---|---|---|---|
| COUNTY OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | FY2023 | £2k | Disadvantaged communities |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT MUSEUMS | 1 | £7k |
| THE FORTE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | 1 | £5k |
Charities like this
- DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP
- DEAN HERITAGE MUSEUM TRUST
- SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
- FOREST OF DEAN GYMNASTIC CLUB
- BODMIN RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST
- FFESTINIOG RAILWAY SOCIETY
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEAN FOREST RAILWAY SOCIETY | £118k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| DEAN FOREST LOCOMOTIVE GROUP | £117k | — | 0 | no_policy | — | no doubt |
| DEAN HERITAGE MUSEUM TRUST | £603k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY | £297k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| FOREST OF DEAN GYMNASTIC CLUB | £304k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| BODMIN RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST | £105k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |