West Somerset Railway - Removal of the PLC Chairman and related matters

Yes, but ...
What we sometimes get on here is a little bit of information about something, a fact or two but not enough for us to understand what's happening. It's then inevitable that we wonder about the rest that we haven't been told. In the present instance we wonder who has done what to get others so upset as to provoke a series of resignations and sackings. We're not stirring the pot but just wanting to make sense of a confusing, surprising and very sad series of events.

 

The truth will be out soon as the juniors decide the fate of the chair

 

And that's what the previous debates on here were about. Many people opined about structures and relationships between various bodies at the time of the WSRA crisis, based on their own experiences of working on other railways - those are facts. You dismissed these suggestions and help several times and called for all debate to end because the WSR is different and no-one else could possibly have suggestions that could help the WSR.

What was that you were saying about facts?

Keith

 

I find myself wondering whether our flawed organisational structure would function any better in the event both the plc and Association boards were made up largely of the same personnel.

 

Are people's time, and available financial resources, so plentiful that it can afford to be wasted on all this infighting? Can't everyone just concentrate on achieving a successful railway that makes enough profit to cover future maintenance liabilities, such as bridges and locos (which are definitely not for the faint of wallet), and thus secure its future? As a very small shareholder, that is all I want to hear about!

John

 

Is “Junior” as in younger age, or as in shorter length of service?

 

Well you want the facts so here is one. This morning the junior directors have sacked the Chairman so Ian Coleby is now an ordinary director, a tragic loss in my opinion. And here is another fact there is no new Chairman because none of the other directors want to do the job. Now you will be forgiven for thinking this is the script for a new carry on film (maybe Carry On Without a Chairman featuring the junior directors as a quartet all with violins).
So now we have a rudderless ship so now we do need HELP. Can I call on the WSRA and the WSSRT as the two biggest shareholders to step forward as we need to direct the directors who have become misdirected. Meanwhile I drift around aimlessly or perhaps I should follow Nero's example and quote a lengthy poem whilst the good ship WSR runs onto the rocks.

 

The latter

 

I am sure that many/most railways, and possibly other organisations, have their difficulties and differences of opinion.

What amazes me is that matters concerning this line are being discussed openly on a forum like this. I don't think other people in similar situations "air their dirty linen in public" in this way. Is there no closed group for members and staff to discuss such matters without revealing all to all and sundry?

 

Perhaps "Ever decreasing circles" is more appropriate. Time to order more popcorn??

 

What has Ian Coleby done/not done to provoke this action?

 

The exact question that was going through my mind -

Steven

 

The last we heard - and it was only the other day - the WSRA was strongly focused and hard at work doing the best it could to throw some PLC directors off the boat entirely. Are the two issues related?

 

As I said yesterday, vengeance is mine???? You don't stop me being sacked and I will sack you can be the only possible conclusion.

 

Somewhere, behind the scenes, someone is pulling strings and is responsible, as far as I can see, for much of the upheavals that have blighted the line over the last few years.
As far as new blood is concerned the question I ask is who in their right mind would want to be part of this lines administration?
Every now and again it seems that no matter who are the administrators of the PLC or WSRA there are those, who are a very few, who find fault and undermine what is being done.
The 'one family' slogan is a farce; it doesn't exist.
This does, as suggested seem to be connected with recent sackings and sadly, as hinted, vengeance is a great part of it.

 

I do not believe there is any possible explanation for why Ian has been removed as Chairman. I know who did the removing but that is not for publication at the moment. What I can categorically say is the motion to remove him was total b******s. They should be ashamed of themselves and their actions. My dear old Mum's quote, "What goes round comes round and bites you on the ass" is so true. If you want to work out what has happened do some comparisons year on year for the last 7 years and see who were on what boards you will soon find the common denominators.

 

Almost spot on but there was a One Railway ethos which was growing strongly but certain personalities have delusions of grandeur and will always think they know best. They have managed to vote each other into positions of influence and shot the best mediating Chairman that we have had since Alan N. Now watch out for the co-options, there will be no interviews and people will just be added. GOD help us.