-
Status
Received: on time
-
Income
£6.7K
-
Spending
£7.5K
Public benefits
Purpose No 1 To educate the public, from school aged to adult, in the history and development of railway locomotion by the use of working steam railway locomotives, demonstration of other engines and vehicles of the steam era. Purpose No 2 Provide an environment within which miniature locomotives can be constructed maintained and operated thereby
promoting practical skills, manual dexterity and team working within school age group and adult section of the public. Experienced members within the Society provide encouragement and practical guidance to anyone interested in production of working mechanical models and scale models of any kind. The Societies facilities are used for organised public and school visits creating an experience encapsulating learning with enjoyment. Coleraine and District Society of Model Engineers Ltd Public Benefit Statement The Trustees believe that the two purposes of the Society satisfy both elements of the public benefit requirement. Purpose No 1 - Public Benefit This purpose provides the public with an insight into the development of railway travel and the achievements of our fore fathers by the use of working models of the steam era incorporating learning with enjoyment. This benefit is demonstrated by the fact that while on the site taking a train ride the public always make encouraging comments about our railway activities and it is found that all who visit have a enjoyable experience. Over the years of our operation we have noticed families and individuals returning and indeed returning generations with their own children. We advertise ourselves using social media, distribute fliers locally and on site during open days and have always been encouraged by the constant numbers of public visiting during our railways operating summer season. Our activities on the site are organised and operated in a safe manner causing no harmful outcome to the visiting public. Purpose No 2 - Public Benefit The visiting children and adults can see that manual production of mechanical items on a small scale is possible with or without formal training. This introduces the theory that practical skills can be gained through experience and an enjoyable activity. We find that interested visitors both children and adult ask inquisitive questions on operation and construction of both steam and diesel locomotives that may be running. Some visitors may be very interested and make application to become members of Coleraine and District Society of Model Engineers Ltd who operate and maintain the site and railway. This purpose generates interest, provoking interested members of the public to become involved and will not cause any harmful outcome to the public. Overall the existence of this facility creates another place within Ireland were families can visit, see the operation of miniature versions of bygone railway locomotives, use safe green areas, picnic tables and use the comfortable seated cabin onsite and still observe the railway in operation. All monies raised by the operation of the railway and the sales of mementos in the small railway shop are used by the Society to continue the development of the site and hence the public experience and to pay necessary utility and maintenance bills to enable the facility to exist. All locomotives used on the railway are privately owned and maintained being operated voluntarily by their owners for the railway. The only private benefit flowing from the railway’s purposes is that those who operate the railway are instructed in duties as station operatives and guards on passenger trains in order to operate the site safely and owners who provide their locomotives, experience passenger hauling and the operation of their locomotives which they have constructed. This is incidental and necessary for the continuing existence of the site owing to the natural turnover of the club membership.
... [more] [less]What your organisation does
The organisation operates Damhead Miniature Railway, a passenger hauling miniature railway, over 1/3 mile long rail network with electrically controlled points and crossings, using steam and diesel locomotives complete with station platform, ticket sales and waiting room where items of railway interest are displayed. By way of operating the railway
we provide a safe enjoyable site with the facilities for enjoying outdoor refreshments and where everyone young and old can ride behind a miniature railway locomotive either steam or diesel. Younger riders enjoy the identification of wildlife using replicas of animals placed on view whilst riding on the train. Wildlife is encouraged on the site by using nesting boxes and forming other suitable habitats around the site.We organise and run days when public can come to learn to drive a steam or diesel locomotive enhancing their understanding of railway heritage. By the exhibiting and operation of various models we provide the public with an insight into railway history and historic side of miniature ,model railways providing advice and encouragement to interested members of the visiting public.All funds raised are used in the upkeep of the site paying for building maintenance, grounds maintenance, public liability insurance and ground rent. We are continually striving to improve the site, thereby the public enjoyment/benefit, by incorporating a new feature for each running season.
... [more] [less]The charity’s classifications
- The advancement of education
- The advancement of the arts, culture, heritage or science
Who the charity helps
- Children (5-13 year olds)
- General public
- Preschool (0-5 year olds)
- Youth (14-25 year olds)
How the charity works
- Heritage/historical
- Sport/recreation
