West Somerset Railway General Discussion

WSR on BBC website appealing for funds.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-57384542?

 

It'll be interesting to see if the BBC can get anything out of the DCMS...

 

Depends if anyone made tweets a few years ago that the ECB deem reason for deselection

 

Well, the tale of woe soon left the front page of BBC Bristol.

 

Maybe there was some concern about how authentic the Portaloo was. Afterall, the railway is all about creating the sights, sounds and smells of the 1950s.

If having an embarrassing social media history of ill thought out and stupid public statements is what you need for govt support then I fully expect Johnson in a hi-vis vest to be cosplaying his way down to the WSR before you can say 'idiotic culture war'.

The other point is that for supporters of say the NNR, NVR, KWVR, MHR, etc is that those supporters will have been asked to dip into their pockets last year and again this year. Those supporters will know that this is an exceptional time but that it is temporary. With the WSR there was a major appeal in 2019 for money, again last year and again this year, and there is no sense of well in 2022 when things return to normal the line will be on an even financial keel and they won't be asked to dig again in 2022 to save the railway.

 

The SVR's Fight Back Fund included donations to the plc and trust, share purchases in the plc and sales of annual passes valid from the recommencement of services. Share sales Jan 20 - June 21 are £486k and form a significant part of the FBF total. I can't recall a donations total though.

Patrick

 

For an appeal to get support, those making it need to be nice people, and seen as nice people. People who kick out the S&DT for no good reason, calling them "cuckoos in the nest", withdraw ID from volunteers who displease them, mess about with the WSRA, shut the railway for the 2020 season and don't reopen it properly in 2021 due to unnecessary kerfuffle over a level crossing, don't give an impression of being nice or even competent people.

It's sad because I want the WSR to survive.

 

My point exactly which is why the grant cannot be counted by the plc.

 

Like most railway enthusiasts, I work on the basis that the only way to get £1m out of my hobby is to start with at least £2m in my back pocket... All of the societies I support have had ongoing appeals, special and more routine.

That's why being able to articulate a positive "why me" is so important - I can't give to them all, so need something to "sell" me what xyz appeal will do. Especially after the last year, I want something to look forward to - survival isn't enough.

I think that's harsh - it may not be donations to the plc, but it may still help the plc out of it's funding hole. Of course, Bailey might have presented an opportunity for streamlining to avoid that possibility.

 

I wonder what the End Game will be. The B word by Easter 2022? Some white knight cantering in to save the day? We all know the issue with white knights..............somewhat like an Urban Spaceman.........
Will see what is what.

My observations

 

If the locomotive was a "Black 5" hauling maroon coaches, you'd only bump that up to about 3%.

 

That was the impression I took away, too, once more their aims resembled those of that famous scheme floated during the South Sea Bubble, a company “For carrying-on an undertaking of great advantage but no-one to know what it is”.

 

You know those nature programmes where the narration is:

'This sick and weakened wilderbeast can not keep up with the rest of the herd...'

Another good example of explaining what you want, why you want it, why should the funder care and what you will do with it. (Although obviously it is for a specific audience rather than supporters per se)

 

I see on wsr.org.uk there is a new statement about the level crossing and some accompanying notes. Should be ready for Festive Season.

Ed Chap

 

Wow! Seriously? Ruddy Hell! And this is supposed to be one of the UK’s ‘premier lines’?

 

From wsr.org

"A joint statement by West Somerset Railway and Somerset County Council on the situation with the upgrade of the level crossing at Seaward Way, Minehead.

Following resumption of services in May, we're delighted that visitors are once again enjoying the very special experience offered by the West Somerset Railway.

Though it is disappointing that installation of the Seaward Way Crossing could not be completed in time for the summer as hoped, due mainly to the impact of the Covid emergency, WSR is ensuring there will still be a service the full length of the journey from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard. Passengers will travel by bus between Minehead and Dunster, until the crossing is operational later in the year. In keeping with the unique traveller experience offered by the WSR the journey will be by vintage bus at weekends.

We are keenly aware of the importance of this service to local businesses in Minehead which is why the WSR is providing this bus service.

This is a complex project involving a number of agencies and equipment suppliers and it has unfortunately been hit hard by the Covid crisis. There have been supply chain issues for some key parts and most of the specialist rail contractors needed for this work are also currently required by Network Rail for vital works across the main UK network. Initial planning started in 2018 and the design was completed in 2020. It was finally approved by the Office of Rail and Road, the regulator, in February.

A great deal of preparatory work has already taken place, including a significant amount of work off site. Despite the difficulties, it's anticipated the crossing will be operational in time for the festive season."

Notes accompanying joint statement : -http://www.wsr.org.uk/swx7june2021notesonly.pdf

 

More to the point, who will be buying those shares? No doubt the current board is blithely assuming they will all be bought by people and organisations who are happy either not to vote at AGMs or to give their vote to the chairman of the meeting. However you don't need that many of the new shares ending up in the hands of those who would like to effect regime change and the balance of power will start to shift.