S&D Railway Trust

Moreover, it would seem that it was set out in such a way that it only works out for everyone if the lessee is an organisation that can be trusted to do sensible financial planning.

It's a bit like signing up for an interest-only mortgage. If you're someone who can plan sensibly to be able to pay off the capital at the end of the term, and the bank can trust you to be that person, then great! If the bank is happy to sign you up for one, but you can't plan sensibly as for how you are going to pay off the big liability that is going to hit you all in one go in a few years time, then it causes everyone problems.

 

What puzzles me about this press release is that (as a shareholder since 1984) I have not had any communication from the plc about the final situation; not even a request for money! Is it too much to expect at least an e-mail from the plc rather than relying on picking up information from a blog?

 

While I am not at all impressed by the plc's behaviour, especially with regard to the overhaul of 53808 that it is supposed to finance at the end of the hire, I think we should be careful about alleging 'massaging things to give a false outlook ...'

 

Supposed ... ? Actually contracted, I believe.

 

I believe you are right, just didn't want to overstate the case!

 

I had a shareholder email yesterday and one the day before. So assuming you've checked your spam folder for anything lurking in there it might be worth dropping Kerry Noble at the plc an email to make sure she has the correct email address for you.
Barry

 

Sadly, I tried both of these suggestions, and still have heard nothing. Perhaps they don't need my money!

 

Apologies for the cross post from the WSR Operations thread, but I believe this is relevant to this group as well!

At the end of National Volunteers Week, a cross organisational group of concerned volunteers of the West Somerset Railway have written an open letter to the WSR PLC, WSRA and WSSRT. The letter can be viewed on change.org here: http://chng.it/Rtkc8y6z7q

We would ask you to take some time to read and hope that if you agree with it that you sign the letter online to give your support. We will send the 3 organisations a hard copy of the letter on the 5th July 2020. Should sufficient support be shown this date may be brought forward.

We are aware of the concerns of many active volunteers, so the ability to select an option to remain anonymous to viewers of the letter online exists. We will not reveal the signatories until a hard copy of the letter is sent to the 3 organisations concerned, at which point the list of signatories will be randomised.

If you support us please spread the link.

 

Yes, a good petition.

 

Its Sad that it may come to this, but pressure has to be kept on the people at the top of all three organisations, to recognise they made a mistake, One that if not remedied, will end in Ruin not just for the WSR, but for each of these organisations,
No railway, no organisations, it's as stark as that, But if some people are unable for what ever reason to find a way out of this then frankly, they should stand aside and allow others who can find a way out, to do so, the railway has enough problems to sort out, due to historic issues, without adding self inflicted ones to the list . Let there be no doubt, if some kind of agreement isn't reached, only the lawyers will win, as claim and counter claim, will empty the funds of both the PLC, and S&D group .

 

Are you only looking for signatures from active volunteers, more broadly WSR shareholders/members etc. or any concerned member of the public? Much as I detest online petitions I'd be happy to sign, but I don't want to muddy the waters if it's not supposed to be for me!

 

I for one believe the West Somerset Railway is very much a community asset, be that the railway community, local community or supporters. All signatories are welcome!

 

Righto, all done.

 

I wonder what they will do if they get the signatures?

 

The petition is gathering pace, it seems. 163 so far.

 

Dig their heads further into the sand, cover their ears, pretend, if I can't see, or hear the problem I helped to cause, it will go away? the change can only come from the top, , either people admit, we screwed up, and change, or if they can't , or won't admit, it, they become part of the problem, not the solution,

 

The petition is addressed to the WSRA; WSSRT and the plc. As the largest shareholders the reactions of the Association and the Trust might, in the long term, be just as important. Nominations for WSRA Trustees are still open.

 

From the Joint statement 8 June:

We have also agreed that the WSR ‘Partnership Development Group’ [involving the West Somerset Railway family[1]] will restart soon too, and which had been under discussion internally for some time. So far, this has already included discussions with the two local Councils about their renewed participation, confirmation of the Terms of Reference, and we are now finalising the first meeting. During this period, the leasehold issue between the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and the West Somerset Plc -- which occurred pre Covid 19 -- has not been resolved, but an independent review has been completed by the Heritage Railway Association, and which we hope will lead to a conclusion. This has not been a matter for the WSRA & WSSRT to determine, but all parties have been involved and assisted in the review.

[1] The West Somerset ‘family’ is made up of the Diesel Electric Preservation Group, Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust, West Somerset Railway Association, West Somerset Railway Plc, West Somerset Steam Railway Trust and the Friends of the Stations groups

Patrick

EDIT: Note it refers only to the leasehold issue, not the loco agreement.
It refers to a 'review' with the 'hope' it will lead to a resolution, which as described sounds like a mediation rather than arbitration process.

 

but an independent review has been completed by the Heritage Railway Association, and which we hope will lead to a conclusion. This has not been a matter for the WSRA & WSSRT to determine, but all parties have been involved and assisted in the review.

As there is a person in common between the WSRplc Board & the HRA Board, hopefully they can clearly show that the review has been independent.


It's interesting to go back to the Joint & Position Statement regarding Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust. 1st May 2020.
https://www.west-somerset-railway.c...ement-regarding-somerset-dorset-railway-trust

The WSRA and the WSRST were invited by the PLC to understand how the dispute had arisen, and they said they wished to provide any assistance they could to find an amicable solution to the dispute.
The WSR PLC was keen to explain the reasons for their decision to terminate the S & D Trust’s lease of the Washford site,....

The PLC’s reasons are set out in the attached statement.


So, the WSRA & WSSRT either had that Position Statement, or at least the contents of it.
Yet we now know that major sections/statements within it are factually incorrect.
The WSRA didn't publish the Position Statement, the WSSRT did.

> What are WSRA & WSSRT going to do about the Position Statement?


The PLC briefed the Chairs of the WSRA and Steam Trust on the direction we were taking before the legal statutory notice was served. They were both aligned at the time with the PLC action.

So this must have been prior to 7/2/2020.
There is no mention of this in either organisations published minutes.
> Did the chairs brief their boards?
If so, what was said? If not, why not & what action are the boards taking



13/1 - WSRA Board meeting. No mention of SDRT/Washford (or is it redacted?)
16/1 - WSSRT Board meeting. JJP attends. No mention of SDRT/Washford

7/2 - formal notice to SDRT issued

16/2 - News from the Board Room https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/news-from-the-board-room
18/2 - Mark Smith (plc & HRA) attends a WSRA Board meeting. No mention of SDRT/Washford (or is it redacted?)
22/2 - Statement from SDRT http://www.wsr.org.uk/sdrt24feb2020.pdf
24/2 - Statement from WSRplc https://www.west-somerset-railway.c...et-railway-board-statement-regarding-washford

17/3 - WSRA Board meeting, Martin Brown from the plc joined.
19/3 - WSSRT Board meeting. "The current situation with regard to the Washford site was noted and would be monitored as further developments occurred."
21/4 - WSRA Board meeting, where SDRT is raised in AoB. https://www.wsra.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/200421-Board-Minute-for-publication.pdf

1/5 - Joint Statement from WSRplc, WSRA & WSSRT

15/5 - Statement from SDRT https://www.sdrt.org/images/files/news/press_release_15-05-20.pdf
20/5 - WSSRT Board meeting. "The latest developments with regard to the S and D Trust and the Washford site were reported including the involvement of the HRA in seeking a mediated settlement."

 

Quote from the new Joint Statement:-

"...The charitable WSRA and WSSRT are both actively fundraising for heritage track components,
heritage rolling stock and our historic buildings, but this has to be in line with the objects of both
charities, and so cannot go to the general support of the railway...."

What a shame that the Plc seemed not to have the same 'understanding' viewpoint when they expected the S&DRT to cough up money for them.

It may seem very 'telling' that they specifically list the S&DRT in their explanation of the 'family', but then they could hardly omit them from the list without causing yet more aggravation. Given that families often fall out, I would not read too much hope into that at the moment.