Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Trust
Encyclopedia
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
supporting the rebuilding and operation of the railway by the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Company, in North Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Objects
Working closely with its subsidiary the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Company and other sister organisations, the Trusts charitable objectives are:(1) To acquire preserve and restore for the public benefit items of historical, architectural, engineering or scientific value in connection with railways; and
(2) To advance the education of the public in the history sociology and technology of narrow-gauge railways and railways in general by the acquisition, restoration, preservation, creation and exhibition of railway locomotives, carriages, rolling stock, equipment, artefacts, documents and records, together with any appropriate land, buildings and structures in particular but not exclusively those of the former Lynton & Barnstaple Railway in Devonshire ('the railway') and to provide educational and training facilities to those engaged in the restoration and operation of the railway or railways general
Membership
The Trust has over 2000 members worldwide with the majority coming from the UK.Members receive a magazine three times a year with articles on the history of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway opened as an independent railway in May 1898. It was a single track narrow gauge railway slightly over long running through the rugged and picturesque area bordering Exmoor in North Devon, England. Although opened after the 1896 Light Railways Act came into force,...
and news of rebuilding the line and the restoration of locomotives and rolling stock, illustrated with historical and modern photographs, and evocative drawings and paintings recapturing the atmosphere of the line.
Members are also encouraged to help with construction, maintenance and operation of the railway, as well as publicity and fundraising activities.
Inspiration
The day after the Lynton and Barnstaple RailwayLynton and Barnstaple Railway
The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway opened as an independent railway in May 1898. It was a single track narrow gauge railway slightly over long running through the rugged and picturesque area bordering Exmoor in North Devon, England. Although opened after the 1896 Light Railways Act came into force,...
closed, Barnstaple Town stationmaster Harold Ford and Porter Guard Walkey laid a wreath of bronze crysanthemums on the Barnstaple Station
Barnstaple Town railway station
Barnstaple Town was an intermediate station on the L&SWR line to Ilfracombe. The station replaced Barnstaple Quay – opened in 1854, and renamed Barnstaple Town in 1886 – which had been located on the Junction side of the Commercial Road crossing, a short distance up-line...
stop block.
The wreath bore a black-edged postcard, hand-written on both sides:
The wreath was sent by Paymaster Captain Thomas Alfred Woolf, R.N. (Retd.), of the White House Woody Bay. The Captain died on 12 May 1937, aged 55 and is buried in Martinhoe Churchyard not far from Woody Bay.
Action
Inspired by these few words, In 1979 a small group of enthusiasts met to form the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Association with the intention of reopening part of the line within about 18 months. In fact, it took somewhat longer. Not until 1995 did the former station building at Woody BayWoody Bay railway station
Woody Bay, within the Exmoor National Park, is a station on the former Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, a narrow gauge line that ran through Exmoor from Barnstaple to Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon. The station was situated inland, about 2 km from Woody Bay itself...
became available for sale, and following extensive negotiations, was purchased by the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Company on behalf of the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Association. Following further negotiations and purchase of other parts of the trackbed, Woody Bay is now the centre of operations for the restoration project. The former station at Chelfham
Chelfham railway station
Chelfham was a station on the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, a narrow gauge line that ran through Exmoor from Barnstaple to Lynton and Lynmouth in North Devon. The station stood at the head of the spectacular Chelfham Viaduct, and served the village of Chelfham below. It opened with the line on 7...
is now also owned by the Railway Company.
The Association was absorbed into The Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust which was first registered with the Charity Commission
Charity Commission
The Charity Commission for England and Wales is the non-ministerial government department that regulates registered charities in England and Wales....
for England and Wales on 22 September 2000.
Finance
The Trust has to date received no financial support from any external statutory, European or Lottery grants, all income having been raised through the efforts of its members.| Financial Year | Gross Income | Total Expenditure |
|---|---|---|
| 01 Jan 2009 - 31 Dec 2009 | £82,289 | £43,033 |
| 01 Jan 2008 - 31 Dec 2008 | £165,432 | £65,128 |
| 01 Jan 2007 - 31 Dec 2007 | £229,545 | £98,588 |
| 01 Jan 2006 - 31 Dec 2006 | £64,744 | £29,229 |
| 01 Jan 2005 - 31 Dec 2005 | £44,771 | £35,134 |
| 01 Jan 2004 - 31 Dec 2004 | £44,753 | £50,146 |
| 01 Jan 2003 - 31 Dec 2003 | £85,662 | £52,179 |
| 01 Jan 2002 - 31 Dec 2002 | £51,887 | £26,750 |
| 01 Jan 2001 - 31 Dec 2001 | £51,887 | £26,750 |
| 25 Jul 2000 - 31 Dec 2000 | £28,640 | £ 4,926 |
The Trust, the Railway Company, Area Groups, and various volunteers, run The L&B Project
Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Company Limited
The Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Company Limited was a private company, limited by guarantee, with no share capital. It was incorporated on 11 August 1993 as The Lynton & Barnstaple Light Railway Company Limited , the company is registered at Companies House in Great Britain as company number...
, researching, restoring, rebuilding and operating the railway.
Woody Bay station reopened in 2004 and the line was extended in 2006. Trains now run on a two-mile round trip over the original route within Exmoor National Park above the Heddon Valley near Parracombe
Parracombe
Parracombe is a rural settlement near Lynton, in Devon, England. It is situated in the Heddon Valley, on Exmoor.A number Bronze Age barrows exist nearby, along with several other small earth-works throughout the parish. Beacon Castle and Voley Castle both Iron Age Hill forts are situated nearby...
, and visitors are again able to experience a taste of what many believe to be one of the world's ultimate railway experiences.
Each September, at the Annual Steam Gala, a wreath of bronze crysanthemums is carried on the pilot loco, and afterwards, laid on Captain Woolf's grave in remembrance, and in gratitude for his inspirational words.
See also
- Lynton and Barnstaple RailwayLynton and Barnstaple RailwayThe Lynton & Barnstaple Railway opened as an independent railway in May 1898. It was a single track narrow gauge railway slightly over long running through the rugged and picturesque area bordering Exmoor in North Devon, England. Although opened after the 1896 Light Railways Act came into force,...
- Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Co. Ltd.Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Company LimitedThe Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Company Limited was a private company, limited by guarantee, with no share capital. It was incorporated on 11 August 1993 as The Lynton & Barnstaple Light Railway Company Limited , the company is registered at Companies House in Great Britain as company number...
The Operating company associated with the rebuilding of the modern L&B.