THE BOWES RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED
The objects of the Company are to preserve, operate and exhibit for the public benefit for educational and instructional purposes, and to encourage interest in, all kinds of railway transportation systems, structures, vehicles and equipment and engineering facilities and to foster and support railway preservation and workshops.
Objects
TO PRESERVE, OPERATE AND EXHIBIT FOR THE PUBLIC BENEFIT FOR EDUCATIONAL AND INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSES, AND TO STIMULATE AND ENCOURAGE INTEREST IN ALL KINDS OF RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, STRUCTURES, VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT AND ENGINEERING FACILITIES AND TO FOSTER AND SUPPORT THE PRESERVATION AND FABRICATION AND INTERPRETATION OF ARTEFACTS OF INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL INTEREST. (FOR FURTHER DETAILS SEE CLAUSE 3 OF THE MEMORANDUM AND ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION).
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £1,413 for the year ended 31 March 2025, compared to a surplus in the prior year. The trustees acknowledge the need to secure alternative funding sources and note that the going concern basis assumes either continued funding or scaled-back operations.
What the accounts disclose
“The principal funding source in the year was income from grants.” — page 5
“To maintain general/unrestricted reserves at a level which will cover 9 months operational costs and 6 months salary costs as a minimum.” — page 5
“The Trustees consider that in preparing the financial statements they have taken into account all information that could reasonably be expected to be available, and accordingly, they consider that it is appropriate to prepare financial statements on the going concern basis. This assumes that either continued funding will be secured or operations scaled back to enable the charitable company to continue into the foreseeable future.” — page 11
Policies the charity declares
- Bullying and harassment policy and procedures
- Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
- Complaints handling
- Complaints policy and procedures
- Conflicting interests
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Internal risk management policy and procedures
- Risk management
- Safeguarding policy and procedures
- Safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
- Serious incident reporting policy and procedures
- Social media policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
- Volunteer management
Trustees
- David Hallchair
- Duncan Young
- RICHARD BATHGATE
- Walsh Leon Robert
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £112k | £114k |
| 31/03/2024 | £54k | £51k |
| 31/03/2023 | £66k | £79k |
| 31/03/2022 | £68k | £81k |
| 31/03/2021 | £93k | £47k |
Common questions
Is THE BOWES RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that the charity reported a net deficit of £1,413 for the year ended 31 March 2025, compared to a surplus in the prior year. The trustees acknowledge the need to secure alternative funding sources and note that the going concern basis assumes either continued funding or scaled-back operations. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.
Government & lottery funding
| Funder | Date | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 24/08/2020 | £27k | "COVID19 Bowes Railway Company" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 08/03/2012 | £366k | "Bowes railway forwards" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 15/05/2006 | £50k | "Bowes Railway Track Restoration" |
| The National Lottery Heritage Fund | 11/05/1998 | £83k | "Bowes Railway, Springwell - Restoration & Interpretation" |