THE GREAT WESTERN TRUST
THE COLLECTION, CONSERVATION AND DISPLAY OF ARTEFACTS AND MEMORABILIA OF THE GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY COMPANY, IT'S CONSTITUENTS AND SUCCESSORS. USING THIS COLLECTION TO EXPAND, DISSEMINATE AND ENABLE RESEARCH INTO HOW THE G.W.R. ENGINEERED, ORGANISED AND OPERATED IT'S VAST TRANSPORT UNDERTAKING. THE COLLECTION DEMONSTRATES IT'S INFLUENCE ON THE NATION, IT'S STAFF AND THE PUBLIC.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves increased to £1,470,140, supported by a significant legacy income of £376,458. The charity reports adequate resources for the foreseeable future and maintains a strong financial position with no material uncertainties disclosed.
What the accounts disclose
“Hence the number of accounts and investment portfolios, each holding £500 will be by default the combined minimum “Reserves” the Trust Policy directs shall not be breached.” — page 6
Trustees
- Peter Terry Jones OBEchair
- ANTHONY PATRICK ELLIOTT
- Matthew Searle
- PETER ANTHONY RANCE
- Professor George Kenneth Freeman MD FRCGP
- Roger William Orchard
- STEPHEN JAMES COOPER
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2025 | £413k | £136k |
| 31/01/2024 | £38k | £79k |
| 31/01/2023 | £70k | £140k |
| 31/01/2022 | £32k | £43k |
| 31/01/2021 | £24k | £70k |
Common questions
Is THE GREAT WESTERN TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves increased to £1,470,140, supported by a significant legacy income of £376,458. The charity reports adequate resources for the foreseeable future and maintains a strong financial position with no material uncertainties disclosed. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| THE ROGER & DOUGLAS TURNER CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £68k |
| WILLIAM ADLINGTON CADBURY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £20k |
| THE HILARY AWDRY CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £11k |
| THE GEORGE CADBURY TRUST (GEORGE HENRY T AND LAURENCE J CADBURY SECTIONS) | 1 | £9k |
| DR RADCLIFFE'S TRUST | 1 | £8k |
| THE EDWARD AND DOROTHY CADBURY TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| THE SAINTBURY TRUST | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- GREAT WESTERN SOCIETY LIMITED
- WESTERN LOCOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- CHINNOR AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST LTD
- WELSHPOOL AND LLANFAIR LIGHT RAILWAY PRESERVATION CO. LIMITED
- STATFOLD NARROW GAUGE MUSEUM TRUST LTD
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE GREAT WESTERN TRUST | £413k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| GREAT WESTERN SOCIETY LIMITED | £3.9m | — | 0 | below | — | no doubt |
| WESTERN LOCOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION LIMITED | £191k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CHINNOR AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY ASSOCIATION LIMITED | £200k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST LTD | £3.0m | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| WELSHPOOL AND LLANFAIR LIGHT RAILWAY PRESERVATION CO. LIMITED | £1.2m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |