West Somerset Railway General Discussion

While I guess discussion of employment law has its devotees, we should probably remember that it is individual people's livelihoods that are being discussed.

Tom

 

The WSR Chairman makes good use of social media. Let's hope it works.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10223592829392980&id=1357924244

Sent from my SM-T590 using Tapatalk

 

And to quote the WSR Plc chairman from that facebook post, "Money Talks".

I think that explains some departures and future departures from the railway...

 

I was reading the latest posts and thinking the same thing Tom.
It should be remembered that many of those whose jobs may be in jeopardy visit this forum.
Let’s all try to be a bit more sensitive.

 

Lets be honest here, a lot of peoples jobs are at risk, everywhere not just those directly employed by a preserved railway, people who volunteer and have full time jobs, are also at risk, due to the current climate, its going to effect everyone, no matter who they are,, or who they happen to work for, At some stage life will begin to return to normal, and railways will reopen, but will people have the spare money to visit, will volunteers be able to afford to give their time ?

 

Getting our economy back up and running after all this is an unprecedented task, certainly within living memory.

On the downside, the rapid onset of the chaos resulting from that lurgi will undoubtedly mean nothing we've taken for granted, throughout our lives, will ever be quite the same again. Public transport and heritage operations, are mostly familiar territory for our happy throng. Beyond our field of interest, many High Street shops were already on the ropes before all this kicked off and many of us will have become a sight more comfortable with online shopping, over the past few months. The fact that much commuting has been proven less necessary than many thought will doubtless be reflected in the wider economy.

On the upside, the effects of our carelessly polluting lifestyle has been thrown into sharp relief. The absence of anything like as many aircraft con trails, up there and exhaust fumes down here hasn't gone unnoticed. Fact is, we've a massive opportunity now. Decarbonising our economy needn't be the problem many may have assumed and with the porkies we've all been fed by the fossil fuel industry for decades have been laid bare, questions are finally being asked.

The switch to clean energy and efficient use of same will spawn whole industries, with all that implies for employment prospects. Yes, it'll cost .... everything costs ..... but the benefits of investing in our collective future are now, for the most part, readily quantifiable ..... and before anyone asks where the money's going to come from, consider how much, by way of unjustified tax breaks, non-jobs, white elephant projects and excessive healthcare spending (occasioned by the effects of living in a smog of pollution) gets chucked down the drain, year in and year out with no measurable benefit to the overall economy.

So folks, do we sit around, wringing our hands, or engage forward gear? If it's only you local heritage line's prospects which concern you, ask yourself just where those happy punters you'd like to see spending their hard earned ackers to keep your line going are going to get their money? T'ain't likely to be by bowling merrily along the way we've been doing. It's fingers out time for UK Plc. Do we go for a cleaner, healthier future, or sink, coughing and spluttering into a state of permanent national penury. I know which I'd prefer.

 

Meanwhile, back in 1992...




GWR 4-4-0 no 3440 City of Truro at Bishops Lydeard during the 'Taunton 150' celebrations on 5 July 1992.
© Steve Edge
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.



Western Class no D1010 Western Campaigner at Bishops Lydeard during the 'Taunton 150' celebrations on 5 July 1992.
© Steve Edge
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.



GWR 4-4-0 no 3440 City of Truro with the Victorian Belle approaching Eastcombe in July 1992.
© Steve Edge
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.



GWR 4-4-0 no 3440 City of Truro with the Victorian Belle approaching Blue Anchor in July 1992.
© Steve Edge
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.



Class 35 nos D7017 and D7018 at Minehead in 1992.
© Steve Edge
This work is licenced under a Creative Commons Licence. Any re-use of the above image must conform to the requirements of the Creative Commons Licence.



Visit wsr.org.uk




Steve

 

This has little to do with the West Somerset Railway but I felt I ought to raise a caveat to some of Howard's thoughts. Two small businesses I use have actually gained from the "emergency". One is a "one man band" butchers. The other, an utterly traditional (including quality) bakery supplying a few other outlets, has seen trade double and has been forced to close on Mondays because of the sheer strain involved in working double shifts.

Good that virtue gets rewarded very occasionally.

 

An interesting exchange for those that would like to read it with @Sidmouth around 2200 on 29/05/20 (I'll leave it for Martin to share he if he likes)

Patrick

 

Strange thing for him to say. Just because people disagree with his managerial actions doesn't mean they will cheer on an awful thing like that.

 

I find the statement that the loss has been reported to the police but no action has been taken rather curious. Are the police not bothered (there is just so much petty crime these days), don't they believe it, or does it really mean that despite investigation they have been unable to trace it? The no action bit is totally uninformative and could mean almost anything.

Peter

 

I expect it is just that, no action. The police assume that all you want is something from them that allows you to claim on your insurance.
The whole thing smells really dodgy. Funnily enough the same sort of thing happened to my brother not so long ago. He bought a couple of battery forklifts, but before he could collect them, the batteries had been "stolen". "Your responsibility from when the sale went through" was the vendor's attitude.

 

The link takes me to a stolen trailer ?

 

In the comments there is a chat between Martin and JJP

Keith

 

It isnt that obvious but I found it in the end

 

Yes, you have to search. It helps if you know that "Sidmouth" is also called Martin.

 

I'm trying to buy a copy, but the latest issue showing on the website is 506 and the cover of that makes no mention of the WSR. Is it that issue?

 

Apparently it also helps to have a facebook account. Without one I don't see any comments from anyone.