West Somerset Railway General Discussion

He is not! Take a look at this thread for chapter and verse.

https://www.national-preservation.c...bility-of-extending-to-taunton.541153/page-27

 

Your last sentence is spot on. But don't fall into the same mode...once again, we are told the oldies voted "leave". Since it was a secret ballot, and the only official results of the referendum are listed by parliamentary constituency, how on earth does anyone know?

The article once, again, shows complete ignorance on the part of the writer who seems to think all the blood sweat tears and cash spent to transform a weed-covered branch line that nobody wanted into a major business in West Somerset bringing the very same things to Minehead that Alex de Mendoza wants - lots of visitors, not clogging up the roads, and spending money in the town. It's not there for "steam enthusiasts" as the writer states. Just like the Minehead Rail Link Group, the real facts are a damn annoyance and spoil the fun.

Steve

 

you make a very valid point there, and it shows how easy it is to be drawn into the mindset of media stereotyping!
Personally, I know quite a lot of people from both ends of the age spectrum who voted against "stereotype".
It seems that these days, "labelling" is the new black...

 

Well there are an awful lot of statistics that agree with that view, and none that don't, although obviously none of them say *all* old people voted for brexit. You can also look at things like the result by constituency and then the average age and order them.

As for the rest of your post, thoroughly agree.

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Absolutely - the point I was making, albeit perhaps not very well! I have edited my final paragraph to make that clearer!

Steven

 

You are quite right. It is not necessary to join the WSRA, but it's a great help if you do.

As a newcomer to the WSR in 2011, but with previous experience on three other heritage lines, I realise that I am a newcomer, but the only noise that I have made has been to try to ensure that those entrusted with fiduciary responsibilities be held to account. We removed them from office in early 2016, and the process continues.

Paul

 

Sorry, I was wrong. My apologies. A very kind soul has contacted me off list pointing out the voting areas for the EU referendum were based on local district authorities not Westminster constituencies. Also that analysis showing vote-by-age was in some cases based on correlation with 2011 census data by ward, although the sample rate seems a tad low (and selection of sample wards is not clear). I remain wary of such correlations. Sorry too for being a bit off-topic.

In trying to bring things back to WSR itself, I note the MRLG followers are being encouraged to submit ideas to the government consultation about the GW rail franchise: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/great-western-rail-franchise
which seems a sensible course of action as I believe it is better that folks put down in writing their thoughts to the powers-that-be for consideration. Whether the Minehead Branch is actually out of scope for that franchise is not clear to me.

Steve

 

I do wonder whether virtually all of this would have been avoided if you *did* need to be a member of the WSRA to volunteer. There would certainly be more accountability to people on the ground, rather than a greater proportion being armchair members with less chance of knowing what's going on.

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You'll be glad to know that this is something we are actively discussing with the WSR Plc, and Ben Grellier, the Plc Director with responsibility for Volunteer Development is keen on it. It's part of our business plan for the future of the Association, as we see it as a very good way of cementing our relationship with the Plc.

Paul

 

I am absolutely delighted by this, best news there's ever been on this thread IMHO.

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Care to explain why? In many cases volunteers already spend their own money in travelling and accomodation costs. Adding a compulsory extra cost might be the tipping point for some. Not to mention their uniforms and boots! A bad idea IMHO.

 

As Paul says, it will cement the relationship between association and Plc. If this had always been the case, then when the association went off the rails things would have been back on track, as volunteers would have to be members and more likely to vote "the right way" first time, rather than just, as many did, cancel their membership. The HRA have recommended this on all railways for years, I imagine for these reasons, I'm sure there are more.

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It sounds suspiciously like compulsory trade union memebrship to me. By all means encourage it but compulsion is a step too far. Your suggestion about the voting preferences is pure speculation. Please can you point to the HRA recomendation? TIA.

 

Ah knew you'd ask that! Don't think I can, I did try and find it beforehand in anticipation. So unsourced I'm afraid. However, every single other heritage railway seems to think it's a good idea.

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LOL! I will leave you to research it!

 

The article also mentions what is happening in Watchet where rather than pushing for a pie in the sky rail link this organisation is getting things done

https://www.onioncollective.co.uk/

 

Not a requirement at Havenstreet.

 

Ah, but you've only got one organisation anyway no?

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Yes it is only one organisation but you do have the option to be a member. This gives you voting powers at the AGM.