THE FAIRGROUND HERITAGE TRUST
The acquisition and restoration of vintage fairground equipment for posterity. The Trust also aims to promote the study of the fairground in its every aspect, including its institutions, social history, history of British Showmen, the development of fairground amusements, mechanical rides, transport and popular entertainments and the various art forms related to the public.
Latest income
£283k
Latest spending
£238k
Registered
1986
Accounts read
FY2025
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity achieved a net inflow of funds of £45,127 for the year, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £842,017. The trustees confirm that these reserves are maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months of expenditure, satisfying their stated policy target. The financial position is described as strong, with no material uncertainties regarding going concern.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: between three and six month’s expenditure (held: £842k)
“It is the policy of the trust that unrestricted funds which have not been designated for a specific use should be maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six month’s expenditure.” — page 6
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Loan from subsidiary
“Included in Debtors is a loan from Fairground Heritage Trading Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of the trust) to support cashflow. The closing balance as at 31 March 2025 is £75,282 (2024: £43,874). The loan was repaid in full on 13 April 2025.” — page 20
“The trust incurred costs for consultancy work in connection with the site move of £24,460 (2024: £nil) from A&L Consultancy, a business controlled by the trustee Adam Brown. At 31 March 2025, there was an outstanding balance of £2,112 (2024: £nil) payable to A&L Consultancy” — page 20
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Consultancy fees to trustee-controlled business
“Included in Debtors is a loan from Fairground Heritage Trading Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of the trust) to support cashflow. The closing balance as at 31 March 2025 is £75,282 (2024: £43,874). The loan was repaid in full on 13 April 2025.” — page 20
“The trust incurred costs for consultancy work in connection with the site move of £24,460 (2024: £nil) from A&L Consultancy, a business controlled by the trustee Adam Brown. At 31 March 2025, there was an outstanding balance of £2,112 (2024: £nil) payable to A&L Consultancy” — page 20
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Consultancy fees to trustee
“Included in Debtors is a loan from Fairground Heritage Trading Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of the trust) to support cashflow. The closing balance as at 31 March 2025 is £75,282 (2024: £43,874). The loan was repaid in full on 13 April 2025.” — page 20
“The trust incurred costs for consultancy work in connection with the site move of £24,460 (2024: £nil) from A&L Consultancy, a business controlled by the trustee Adam Brown. At 31 March 2025, there was an outstanding balance of £2,112 (2024: £nil) payable to A&L Consultancy” — page 20
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Maintenance costs to trustee
“Included in Debtors is a loan from Fairground Heritage Trading Ltd (a wholly owned subsidiary of the trust) to support cashflow. The closing balance as at 31 March 2025 is £75,282 (2024: £43,874). The loan was repaid in full on 13 April 2025.” — page 20
“The trust incurred costs for consultancy work in connection with the site move of £24,460 (2024: £nil) from A&L Consultancy, a business controlled by the trustee Adam Brown. At 31 March 2025, there was an outstanding balance of £2,112 (2024: £nil) payable to A&L Consultancy” — page 20
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Trading subsidiary: Fairground Heritage Trading Ltd
“The decision to close Dingles Fairground Museum was ratified in the AGM held in December 2023. The principal activities of this financial year were focused on a) maintaining the operation of the museum via our sub company Fairground Heritage Trading Ltd to its closure in November 2024” — page 5
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Property (HM Land Registry)
Trustees
- ANTHONY SIMON REED
- Aaron Stephens
- Amy Goodwin
- DAVID WALLIS
- GUY BELSHAW
- KEVIN GAMLEN
- RICHARD HENRY CLUTTON WARD
- Robert Joseph Saffery Gambrill
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £283k | £238k |
| 31/03/2024 | £24k | £40k |
| 31/03/2023 | £62k | £133k |
| 31/03/2022 | £253k | £144k |
| 31/03/2021 | £180k | £146k |
Common questions
Is THE FAIRGROUND HERITAGE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity achieved a net inflow of funds of £45,127 for the year, resulting in total unrestricted reserves of £842,017. The trustees confirm that these reserves are maintained at a level equivalent to between three and six months of expenditure, satisfying their stated policy target. The financial position is described as strong, with no material uncertainties regarding going concern. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 07/08/2024 | £219k | "Thunderbird: The relocation of the Accessioned Collection of the Fairground Heritage Trust." |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 05/04/2017 | £9k | "The Showmans War" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 01/03/2006 | £50k | "Fairground Museum" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 12/08/1997 | £40k | "Fairground Heritage Trust - Edward's Noah's Ark , Super Chariot Racer" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 22/04/1997 | £287k | "Interim support of FHT collection & independent review of FHT aims & objectives" |
Funders of similar charities
| Funder | Similar charities funded | Amount to them |
|---|---|---|
| LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM FRIENDS | 1 | £639k |
| KUSUMA TRUST UK | 1 | £130k |
| THE MICHAEL MARSH CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £5k |
| THE FINNIS SCOTT FOUNDATION | 1 | £750 |
| GOWLING WLG (UK) CHARITABLE TRUST | 1 | £500 |
Charities like this
- THE AMERSHAM FAIR ORGAN MUSEUM
- CHINNOR AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE TRUST
- BRESSINGHAM STEAM PRESERVATION COMPANY LIMITED
- WESTERN LOCOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- VINTAGE TRAINS CHARITABLE TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE FAIRGROUND HERITAGE TRUST | £283k | — | 0 | within | — | no doubt |
| THE AMERSHAM FAIR ORGAN MUSEUM | £53k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CHINNOR AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY ASSOCIATION LIMITED | £200k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| NATIONAL TRACTION ENGINE TRUST | £105k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| BRESSINGHAM STEAM PRESERVATION COMPANY LIMITED | £1.0m | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| WESTERN LOCOMOTIVE ASSOCIATION LIMITED | £191k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |