The Erlestoke Manor Fund
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The Erlestoke Manor Fund was founded in 1973 to raise funds to purchase GWR 7812 Erlestoke Manor for restoration in conjunction with the then recently formed Dean Forest Railway Preservation Society. With insufficient room at Parkend on the DFR, a temporary home for 7812 was agreed at the now-closed Dowty R.P.S. preservation site at Ashchurch near Tewkesbury. Following uncertainty of BR's plans at Parkend, a referendum of the Fund's members expressed the wish for the locomotive to be based at an operational line with main line access. The Severn Valley Railway was eventually selected, confirmed by a referendum.[1] The EMF's vehicles moved to the SVR on 23 April 1976. More detail of the early history can be found on the 7812 page.
As of 2022 its current objects are:
- ..for the benefit of the community, to advance education and learning in relation to heritage steam locomotives in particular by restoring, preserving, maintaining and operating the former Great Western Railway “Manor” class 4-6-0 Locomotives No 7812 “Erlestoke Manor” and No 7802 “Bradley Manor” and 5101 class 2-6-2T Large Prairie No 5164 in an authentic livery in full working order for as long as possible.'[2][3]
It has around 422 members with share capital of £124,174. Any surpluses are re-invested to further the objectives of the Fund and the heritage preservation movement.[4] The Fund publishes half-yearly newsletters and arranges shareholders’ events, including driving experience and special trains.
Contents
Sales coaches
A fund member acquired LNER 4236 Gangwayed Passenger Brake to be fitted out as a sales van and store, which arrived on the SVR in April 1975. LNER 24105 Open Third was utilised as the sales coach from 1980. The current sales coach is situated adjacent to the buffet and car park at Bewdley and located in BR General Utility Van GUV 86105. It is normally open at weekends during the operating season.
Vehicles owned
The Fund owns locomotives GWR 7802 Bradley Manor, 7812 Erlestoke Manor and GWR Large Prairie 5164, plus other rolling stock. A list can be found here.
Transfer of GWR Large Prairie 5164
In July 2020 the EMF announced it was in discussion with The 5164 Preservation Group and the SVR regarding the proposed transfer of 5164 to the EMF, subject to the existing SVR locomotive agreement being transferred to the Fund.[5] In June 2021 all parties agreed the formal transfer agreement.[6] The transfer of ownership for a nominal sum was completed in November 2021.[7] In July 2022 the EMF announced the launch of an appeal to raise funds to return 5164 to service[8].
Structure
1973-2018
The Fund was an unincorporated body, constituted with a Management Committee as Trustees of the Fund and the Fund's locomotives and assets. Membership was conferred on those subscribing the minimum holding of non-transferable shares, entitling the member to part-ownership of the Fund's locomotives.
Charitable community benefit society from 2018
On 10 May 2018 the Fund became a charitable community benefit society, registered (no. 7765) on the Mutuals Public Register of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) under the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014.[9] It has a bespoke constitution agreed with the FCA, a corporate structure to limit the liability of trustees and members, but one that reflects the constitution, is tax efficient and still allows members to continue as shareholders.[10]
In November 2021 the EMF Trustees began a Shareholder Consultation, noting that In order to start fund-raising and commit expenditure to the overhaul of 5164, we wish to amend the Fund’s Objects to include reference to this locomotive, alongside the Manor Class locomotives already in our ownership. In January 2022 the Trustees announced that the EMF Shareholders had voted unanimously in favour and that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) had approved the change to the Fund's charitable objectives[3].
See also
References
- ↑ Life Begins at Forty, pp. 19-20.
- ↑ EMF Web site 'Our Goals and Objectives' page
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 EMF Announcement (retrieved 19 January 2022)
- ↑ EMF Annual Report ending 28 February 2023
- ↑ EMF announcement (retrieved 29 July 2020)
- ↑ SVR News 215, Autumn 2021, p. 37
- ↑ EMF Newsletter no 78, November 2021
- ↑ EMF: The Big "Large Prairie" Appeal – Returning 5164 to service (retrieved 1 August 2022)
- ↑ Mutuals Public Register of the Financial Conduct Authority (Retrieved 10 November 2018)
- ↑ Express Points November 2018