The 5bel Charitable Trust
Analysis
The 5bel Charitable Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Brighton. It was registered in June 2019, 7 years ago. Its declared purposes cover general charitable purposes, education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The 5bel Charitable Trust reported income of £24k and spending of £38k, spending 160% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income fell from £400k to £24k (-94%), an average of -51% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 144%. Over the whole period it spent 89% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The 5bel Charitable Trust sits at the 54th percentile: it is larger than about 54% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 48th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include 1st Heckmondwike Scout Group (£24k), Cor Meibion Pontypridd (Pontypridd Male Choir) (£24k) and Tonbridge Dance Festival (£24k).
Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The objects of the CIO are to advance education and learning and to promote public benefit through the preservation, restoration, maintenance and exhibition of British electric trains and other vehicles including, in particular, the Brighton Belle, establishing a museum for the safekeeping and exhibition of them and the provision of information and education of British electric trains.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Heckmondwike Scout Group | West Yorkshire | £24k |
| Cor Meibion Pontypridd (Pontypridd Male Choir) | Mid Glamorgan | £24k |
| Tonbridge Dance Festival | Tonbridge | £24k |
| Drybrook and District Silver Band | Herefordshire | £24k |