CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS TRUST - Property Fund.

   At last the dream is about to become reality - the derelict railway from Gobowen to Blodwell can be acquired by a local charity and used for the benefit of the community !

   In 1999 the Trust reached an agreement with Railtrack to purchase the line, which would have included taking on most of the bridge liabilities - but their successors, Network Rail, pulled out of the agreement. More recently, however, they have stated that they will sell to Shropshire County Council (but no-one else). The County Council is now evaluating the possible purchase of the line, and subsequently leasing or selling it to a heritage railway operator, without the liability for road bridges over the line. Therefore the Trust is seeking to raise sufficient funds to make an acceptable offer to the Council to purchase the line.

   This is a fantastic opportunity which will at last enable us to move forwards with the Transport and Works Act Order (which has been on hold for some time) and begin the physical task of rebuilding the line - without the massive handicap of the liability for road overbridges.

   Therefore the Trust is asking all members and supporters to help with raising the necessary amount, by asking them to pledge as little as £10 per month by standing order (or more if you can !) - we can reclaim tax on much of this amount, and it will also count as match funding for future grant applications. If all supporters sign up to this, we can raise the full price and repay loans in about five years. Substantial amounts have already been pledged as gifts and interest-free loans so that purchase could be completed this year.

• All contributors will receive a certificate indicating they have participated in acquiring the railway, and will receive one pair of tickets per year for a trip on the line.
• Contributors giving £20 per month will be entitled, in addition, to a footplate ride each year; contibutors giving £30 per month will be entitled, in addition, to a trip’s firing experience; and contributors giving £40 per month will be entitled, in addition, to a trip’s driving experience (see notes later on)

   Now is the time for you to play a part in this exciting project. Please complete and sign the standing order form here, and (if you are a tax-payer) the Gift Aid form, and return them to:

Cambrian Railways Trust Property Fund
c/o Cae Hendre
Morda Road
Oswestry
SY10 2AU

For further information, or if you require a printed standing order form, please contact the address above, or telephone 01691 661569:

Notes:

1. Participation in the scheme is open to any person or organisation supporting the aims of the project, including both members and non-members of the Cambrian Railways Trust.
2. Funds will be kept in a separate bank account set up for the purpose, entitled “Cambrian Railways Trust Property Fund”, but will be administered by the Trust in accordance with its constitution as a Registered Charity and a Company Limited By Guarantee.
3. In addition to standing orders, the Trust would also welcome one-off donations to the property fund, and interest-free unsecured loans - if you are considering this please contact us !
4. In the event of the purchase of the line not proceding for any reason within a reasonable time limit, donations would be returned (or donors would be given the opportunity for their gifts to be used for a different related purpose), and loans would be repaid.
5. If the amount of donations plus interest-free loans does not reach the target sum by the time purchase is due for completion, then a bank loan will be sought for the balance. From that time, income from standing orders and other donations will first be used to repay the bank loan together with interest and arrangement fees. When the bank loan has been fully repaid, income will then be used to repay interest-free loans from supporters. When all loans have been repaid, supporters can decide whether to cancel their standing orders or continue contributing to the fund for another related purpose.
6. Any supporter may instruct their bank to cancel their standing order at any time they wish, but the Trustees would appreciate being notified in advance.
7. The benefits described will be offered on completion of each year’s standing order payments, and will be subject to any reasonable conditions which the Trustees may decide to impose. The Footplate Experiences will be will be subject to advance booking arrangements, health and safety restrictions, availability, and operating conditions. In order to comply with the rules for gift aid tax relief, the value of benefits will be not more than 25% of the amount donated.