BODMIN RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST
The Charity assists operators of preserved railways to allow students, visitors and the local population to understand the workings and importance of those railways, and to re-create the historical scene for the benefit of educational and recreational needs.
Objects
THE OBJECTS OF THE CHARITY ARE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC IN THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAYS AND IN PARTICULAR, BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY, THE BODMIN AND WENFORD, AND BODMIN AND WADEBRIDGE RAILWAYS, BY: (A) THE PRESERVATION OF THE HISTORIC RAILWAY LINES BETWEEN BODMIN GENERAL STATION AND BODMIN PARKWAY STATION AND BOSCARNE JUNCTION (“THE RAILWAY”), AND OTHER RAILWAYS IN THE BODMIN AND WIDER CORNWALL AREA, INCLUDING THE ACQUISITION, PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OF: (I) HERITAGE LOCOMOTIVES AND ROLLING STOCK; (II) HERITAGE RAILWAY BUILDINGS, BRIDGES AND OTHER HISTORIC RAILWAY STRUCTURES; (III) HERITAGE RAILWAY SIGNALLING SYSTEMS; AND 7 (IV) RAILWAY ARCHIVES, HISTORICAL RECORDS AND ARTEFACTS, (B) THE OPERATION OF HERITAGE TRAINS OVER THE RAILWAY AND TO PROVIDE RIDES DEMONSTRATIONS AND OPEN DAYS AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE PUBLIC; AND (C) TO DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN A MUSEUM FOR THE EXHIBITION OF ITEMS RELATING THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAYS AND IN PARTICULAR BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY THE BODMIN AND WENFORD, AND BODMIN AND WADEBRIDGE RAILWAYS, INCLUDING SIGNS SIGNALS POSTERS RECORDS AND BOOKS PHOTOGRAPHS MACHINERY MODELS ROLLING STOCK LOCOMOTIVES AND BUILDINGS, SUCH MUSEUM TO BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure deficit of £154,319 for the period ended 31 January 2025, resulting in a decrease in total funds to £1,275,342. The trustees note that the charity has no employed staff and holds a strong asset base, but the going concern basis is maintained despite the inability of booking office takings to fully cover operational costs.
What the accounts disclose
“Booking Office takings represent the significant single source of income, which is significantly enhanced with income from BR Trading (Cornwall) Ltd's operating surpluses.” — page 6
“It is no longer possible to rely on Booking Office takings to cover the costs of operation. There is a need for innovation and more expansive product offerings to increase attendance and improve revenue stream.”
“As from the start of this current trading year the Trust is the effective owner of BR Trading (Cornwall) Ltd, holding over 74% of the shares and 100% of the voting shares.” — page 7
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Investing charity funds policy and procedures
- Risk management
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
Trustees
- STEPHEN RICHARD LIGHTFOOTchair
- DAVID IAN NELSON
- DENZIL STUART SEARLE
- NICHOLAS RICHARD WOOD
- PETER GEORGE FITZGERALD OBE
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/01/2025 | £105k | £254k |
| 30/09/2023 | £79k | £289k |
| 30/09/2022 | £177k | £475k |
| 30/09/2021 | £69k | £371k |
| 30/09/2020 | £48k | £201k |
Common questions
Is BODMIN RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure deficit of £154,319 for the period ended 31 January 2025, resulting in a decrease in total funds to £1,275,342. The trustees note that the charity has no employed staff and holds a strong asset base, but the going concern basis is maintained despite the inability of booking office takings to fully cover operational costs. Its FY2025 accounts were audited by Sumer Auditco Limited.
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 GRIMMITT TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| THE EDWARD AND DOROTHY CADBURY TRUST | 1 | £3k |
| THE SAINTBURY TRUST | 1 | £2k |
Charities like this
- WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST LTD
- CHINNOR AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY ASSOCIATION LIMITED
- THE PONTYPOOL AND BLAENAVON RAILWAY COMPANY (1983) LIMITED
- CYMDEITHAS RHEILFFORDD ERYRI
- SOMERSET AND DORSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST
- BARNSTAPLE & YEO VALLEY RAILWAY TRUST
Side by side with its peers
| Charity | Income | Top pay band | Staff >£60k | Reserves vs policy | Fundraising cost | Going concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BODMIN RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST | £105k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |
| WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST LTD | £88k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CHINNOR AND PRINCES RISBOROUGH RAILWAY ASSOCIATION LIMITED | £200k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| THE PONTYPOOL AND BLAENAVON RAILWAY COMPANY (1983) LIMITED | £234k | — | 0 | unclear | — | no doubt |
| CYMDEITHAS RHEILFFORDD ERYRI | £147k | — | 0 | above | — | no doubt |
| SOMERSET AND DORSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST | £666k | — | 0 | unclear | — | noted |