West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I can assure you i was not prompted to do this. Just thought you should know that.

 

Any management worth its salt would listen to rational debate. The removal of WSR HR policies by the management and the S&DRT debacle should tell you everything you need to know. The management are there to run the railway for the benefit of all - that includes the volunteers who are giving up their time and money to help run it.

Keith

 

Well you would say that wouldn't you?

Keith

 

I've seen the letter thank you... Whens your third firing exam due?

I'd refer to my previous comment about taking myself and anyone else at their word. Looking through my facebook I wouldn't believe everything you read on social media either.

 

As I said, we don't know anything about you, except that your first post was to attack someone who is respected in this community, even if not everyone agrees all the time.
I've never mentioned Facebook or social media

Keith

 

Even though his actions will close the railway? Seriously dropping the management in it will bring the whole railway down with them. Just because you all don't like a few people doesn't mean the whole railway needs to suffer...

 

You have only to read this thread to appreciate the WSR is being appalling handled by an instinctive bully who hasn't the faintest idea of man management and deludes himself and his cohorts into believing they are infallible. History tells a different story .....

 

In which case I am happy to apologise, and will edit out that comment. My main point was that a figure has been banded about with no solid evidence to back it up so far, just heresay. And I am not sure how making such a claim is intended to help the current situation.

 

Ok lets pick up on your point that Volunteers are staff members, I agree they are (or were). When I started highlighting my concerns about some things the new Chairman was doing (for example breaking the HPC Contract just after it was signed) I firstly tried to have sensible conversation, I was told to f**k off. I then followed the HR Policies correctly to raise my concerns with the HR Department supporting me, the HR Department raised concerns that the PLC Chairman was not following those procedures. Then the HR Manager was sacked (unconnected I'm sure!!). The Chairman then replaced the HR department with a firm of solicitors in Taunton (they are also good at sending eviction notices and it seems from rumour also may have a longer relationship with a certain bus company) who told me that the HR Policies DID NOT cover volunteers and volunteers WERE NOT staff members. I pointed out they they are (as you rightly say) and pointed out the 3 specific wordings. Then suddenly the HR Policies are removed and remain so. So I agree with you on this and agree that people should follow HR Policies.

 

Which actions of Andy's will close the railway? Be very specific and very careful, you're on very dangerous ground making accusations like that.

Keith

 

I'm still waiting for evidence on that front

 

The WSR management seens to have an unerring knack of 'dropping themselves in it'. They do not appear to need any external help. You appear to be losing your grip on reality with your ever more outlandish statements. Isn't it past your bedtime?

 

Continuous bashing of the management will only take the railway with them. Don't know why you all don't see that. Its a slippery slope, first you bash the management, the railway loses valuable support, volunteers get disheartened as all their hard work is met with negativity. Whether you believe what you believe on here you must all believe it does not do the railway any good whatsoever. You might not like the management. You might agree with their views but at the end of the day they are in charge and have managed to keep it going this far. I'm not saying I agree with them in the slightest I would just like there to be a West Somerset Railway that we all can enjoy.

 

This one is simple. Mrs Norman as a Headteacher of Stogumber & Crowcombe Primary Schools was promised a number of train trips for her kids, she promoted that to other schools in the area who also were promised train trips for their kids. around 19 trips in all. HPC agreed and paid for these trips. This was agreed in a contract and set within defined KPI's. The WSR have received the money and no trips have taken place. The money is 'missing in action' currently (I'm sure there is a logical explanation). Mrs Norman asked the WSRA & PLC a number of times and gained no response. Therefore in the end under the Nolan Principals which she is obligated to follow Mrs Norman had to highlight the issue to the PLC again in an open letter. The PLC have not to this date sent a response, however the PLC did put a press release into the local newspaper saying she was a trouble maker and not allowed to use school headed paper. Therefore Mrs Norman has escalated the issue to her local MP and SCC as she is obligated to do given she sees a breach of contract. If the PLC had responded to her it would not have been necessary. The net result is of course around 19 local schools in the area have not enjoyed a trip on the train paid for by HPC.

You are of course free to contact her and ask for the facts directly.

 

Everything bar the ‘this is me’, ‘general chat’ and ‘general railway chat’.

 

Thanks for your reply, no problem from me, its easy given the complexity of all of this to think some things are statements instead of comments from others, I hope I made the point in my reply, somehow, somebody needs to get more volunteers and money onto the WSR.

 

And one person who puts a reasonable and coherent argument against the current management is capable of doing this on one aspect of social media?

 

Ok I accept she was looking for a reply but going to the press? surely there are more discrete ways of getting an answer? My point is do you realize how damaging that is to the railway as a whole? There are hundreds of volunteers who are tirelessly working to undo the damage these comments and things do and the more negativity is directed their way the more disheartened they get. Do you think the members of the loco dept really want this hanging over the messrooms at BL and Minehead? I'm sure a lot of them felt bad for you when you were removed. You were a part of the team after all. Please do consider the impact of what is said on here

 

Theres over 1200 pages of abuse against one railway. you'd think they'd killed someone the amount of hate that is transmitted on here

 

I don't think you are understanding this. Mrs Norman never went to the press, it was an open letter to the PLC copying in various relevant people including the local MP, WSRA etc.. The PLC did however issue a press release to the press with a personal attack rather than a explanation in much the same way as the S&DRT 'cuckoo in the nest' PR. It would be fair to say however that as a result of the PLC's actions the press did contact her for a quote, as did the local MP.

Mrs Norman has asked a question, she awaits an answer, its simple, if there is nothing to hide then just explain it.