West Somerset Railway Association

West Somerset Railway Association is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1041901).

The West Somerset Railway Association was founded by a group of volunteers on 7th May to support the West Somerset Railway Company Limited in reopening the Minehead Branch line. It exists to support and promote the heritage of the West Somerset Railway. In the 12 months to 31st March it raised £369,664 from donations and legacies and spent £417,168 on charitable activities. It uses its charitable funds to restore and maintain the heritage assets it owns and to support preservation of the railway between Taunton and Minehead through a grant giving process.

Priority Areas

The Association's grant giving supports heritage projects on the West Somerset Railway and aims to benefit its railway and wider community. Funded work includes restoration or repair of station buildings, platforms, structures and track, and locomotives or rolling stock that will run predominantly on the railway; it also supports community engagement and training volunteers or apprentices. Eligible applicants include other charities based on the railway, station groups, recognised groups working in support of the railway, and informal groups formed for approved projects if their members are registered on the HOPS system. Applications must show how a project enhances the railway's heritage, educational or community aspect. The Association gives priority to assets it owns and expects funded projects to be monitored, with reporting requirements for larger projects.

Themes

• Station buildings and platforms
• Railway structures
• Railway track
• Locomotive restoration
• Rolling stock restoration
• Community engagement
• Volunteer training

Geographic Focus

West Somerset Railway.

Complete the WSR Project Funding Application form and return it by email to the address stated on the form or by post to the railway station at Bishops Lydeard.

Application windows:

• WSR Stations and Small Group Grants: Funding bids are accepted at any time; the financial year runs from 1 April to 31 March.

Who can apply:

• The WSR plc; other charities based on the railway; station groups that support individual stations on the railway; recognized groups who work in support of the railway; and informal groups that come together to execute an approved project on the railway provided they are all registered on the HOPS system used by the WSR plc to manage its volunteers and staff.

What to send:

• A description of the project for which a grant is requested.
• The total cost of the Project.
• Information in support of the costs of the project (quotations, estimates etc).
• Potential restrictions or difficulties including limited choice of contractors due to the nature of the project.
• The amount of Grant requested.
• Any other sources of funding.
• The anticipated start and finish date.
• Whether any part of the work will engage volunteers, contractors or paid staff, and, if paid staff are engaged, in what capacity.
• What will be the benefit to the railway of the project.
• What are the likely consequences to the railway if the project cannot proceed.
• WSR Stations and Small Group Grants
  • A full description of the project for which assistance is sought; a statement of the total costs of the project; how the project will be financed, including how much is sought from the WSRA; when the funding will be needed; and a statement of how the project meets the funding guidelines.
  • A written quote will be required.

What the charity says:

• Applications need to show how the project enhances the railway's heritage, educational or community aspect.
• The Association gives funding priority to assets it owns over assets owned by other organisations.
• The WSRA encourages station or group fundraising and match funding, recognising that groups' fundraising capacities vary.
• Small one-off grant recipients must confirm project completion and provide photographs for publicity.