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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    I expect Chris Austin was rather busy two days ago and as we have recently discovered was under considerable duress.
     
  2. 62440

    62440 New Member

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    Deleted
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2021
  3. Blackdown Boy

    Blackdown Boy New Member

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    Lovely, a proper engine.
     
  4. Bayard

    Bayard Well-Known Member

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    Not so long ago you were pouring scorn on the claim by the 10 candidates that they had been harassed, citing as a reason the fact that no-one had contacted you about it. Given that stance, perhaps you would like to give a little more detail of the accusation given above.
     
  5. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    Sorry Robin, but I think some explanation is called for. Whilst the GDPR breach was clearly unlawful and motivated by malice, to involve the police in what is clearly a civil, (or uncivil) matter is of great concern. And I am not at all sure that Devon & Somerset constabulary have any time, resources or interest in a bunch of trainspotters arguing about who's turn it is with the flags and whistle.
    We need a free, democratic election, if there's anyone left to elect, not more lawyers and obfuscation
     
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  6. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    I wonder if perhaps it is simply the case that some people have been confusing talk of possible (civil) court/legal action with (criminal) police investigation?
    Until such times as some clarity is provided on this particular matter, much of the recent postings IMHO is just speculation.
     
  7. Robin Moira White

    Robin Moira White Resident of Nat Pres

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    Fair question.

    I have, with some reticence, put the relevant parts of my recent correspondence with the WSSRT Trustees into the public domain. There is nothing else to add from me.

    Robin
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2020
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  8. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    That was my original point when I posted above, there is a difference between the two and no one has confirmed either way. The post from the newly departed trustee said police action but that was certainly the first mention I had seen of police. In reality, it’s the parties involved know the truth and it is up to them to confirm one way or another. The rest is as you say speculation.
     
  9. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Thank you for clarifying that Robin.
     
  10. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Read the Facebook page where the gentleman concerned says why he has resigned - again after a long period of service to the Trust. I believe what he says is truthful.
    Sadly it seems no side in this debacle has clean hands.
    If you care to read some of the replies you can see the awful hostility that is now very evident amongst WSR people. There is a very slim chance that this fiasco will end amicably. That outcome has been predicted by some NP posters but always seems to be dismissed.

    PS: you don't need to sign in to this F/Book page.
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2020
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  11. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    What on earth is going on here?

    Back at #33836 an email was shared by the author - i.e. @Robin Moira White. In it she said what everyone knew already. It was a formal and personal complaint that immediately suggested a way around the problem that wouldn't escalate the matter and would be ok with her. But it also quite rightly said what the problem would be if the suggestion were ignored.

    On the face of it, very helpful and whilst couched in a formal manner was hardly intimidating of anyone or suggesting police involvement.

    What that has to do with an explanation eludes me.
     
  12. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    The explanation is that some people are using this as part of their game plan, I will leave you to decide who, and why,
     
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  13. rodders154

    rodders154 Member

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    Aint it so. The Facebook page is what the real volunteers who work live and breathe think not a line spun by some many miles from the WSR on here. Threats of legal action and to call the police doesn't sound like some are too sure of the result. BTW there is NO chance this will end amicably. The people on the railway will not forgive and forget I am sure of that 20 years + as a volunteer on the WSR gives me an in site into the mind of the silent majority.
     
  14. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Unless I'm missing something, @Robin Moira White seems to be suggesting the threats of police action, harassment etc. etc. all stem only from the email she has published. If so, it is gross over-exaggeration on the part of the recently resigned trustees. If there is something else however, I think we ought to know. Perhaps @ikcdab could at least confirm if there was anything else which might have contributed to the fear of police action etc. outlined that wasn't the email Robin published, even if not what it is?
     
  15. ross

    ross Well-Known Member

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    @Robin Moira White, whether the 10 like it or not, seems to be the principal target of allegations by the incumbent trustees, presumably because any communication couched in formal terms is thought to have come from Robin's pen. The e-mails of 21st Oct Robin posted were quite clear, and as you say, suggested a way out of the immediate GDPR problem with minimal fuss.
    However, Mr Coleby then makes the claim West Somerset Railway General Discussion that there has subsequently been a threat of police action in this matter, a threat repeated to all the current trustees.
    The E-mails that Robin quotes are from 3 days ago, whereas this claim of police action, if true, clearly postdates the e-mail exchange. That is why I think clarification is called for- If the prospective trustees are threatening all manner of action against the existing WSSRT trustees, this is outrageous behaviour.
    It is equally possible that this claim is an exaggeration, and a further attempt to put the prospective trustees in a bad light.

    Someone ain't telling the truth.
     
  16. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    Any duress he may, or may not have been under is down to his handling of this sorry sad saga, he, and he alone is the architect of any problems he faced, he chose to behave in the way he has .
     
  17. Blackdown Boy

    Blackdown Boy New Member

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    I think he may also have been advised by others who might be a little more intense in their opinions.
     
  18. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    Can I make the observation before it goes any further that talking directly about people who may not even post on, or read NP is ill advised as:
    1. It's second hand information and therefore hearsay.
    2. It involves making personal comments about individuals.

    Best to steer well clear of this territory.
     
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  19. 242A1

    242A1 Well-Known Member

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    Anyone who seriously believes the contents of a social media page and the comments therein, particularly Facebook which is strangely popular in the UK, 37 million users out of a population of a little under 67 million compared with 32 million users in France for a 67 million population figure, undermines their credibility in the eyes of many.
     
  20. Snifter

    Snifter Well-Known Member

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    I wholeheartedly agree and suspect that is why there was the monumentally dim breach of GDPR. It is not a difficult area to understand and comply with so anyone with half a clue should have put their hand up immediately and rectified the situation rather than doing nothing. Do not forget that doing nothing is a choice.

    Welcome back by the way.

    https://ico.org.uk/for-organisation...nciples/lawfulness-fairness-and-transparency/
     

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