West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Yeah but 213 could bring other stuff with it and wouldn't need to be dragged, anyway this is really speculation at this point, but last year's went down really well, beer fest at Washford again would be nice

 

I'm interested to hear the reasoning there. I've certainly seen cases where the reverse seemed true (e.g. the Broadway Station building).

All too true, alas.

Yes, that may be, but to the extent that those are the root of the problem, how did they come to be? Sadly, a lot of that has to be laid at the feet of prior management decisions (along with historical circumstances) - and more visibility on those decisions might have thrown up warning flags (to use a particularly apposite turn of phrase) sooner.

Noel

 

That would be fantastic

 

Apologies for going back to this but I’ve only just read through.

When I was volunteering the younger sister of a friend of mine was, what I now recognise as ‘groomed’ by a male volunteer then in his mid 30s who was well connected to the line. At the time the attitude was ‘look at him having that affair with that 17 year old, wayhey’ rather than as a relationship where there was a major imbalance of power (she was very emotionally vulnerable for other reasons making her easier for him to groom).

He was well connected so what to do if you have concerns? Report him to his own friends in charge who seem to admire him?

The view was that she was legally a consenting adult(ish) - so nothing was said/done. I don’t think that back then anyone recognised the warning signs, her vulnerability, his opportunities to manipulate her and so on because I just don’t think anyone was aware. It is only with hindsight that you think ‘that was very creepy and seedy’, or ‘oh that was what was going on all those times when he gave her and only her a lift home,’ and that there was a safeguarding issue.

I don’t think it is a bad thing that safeguarding helps people to be aware of and recognise the different ways in which people can be vulnerable - you can be over 16 and still be vulnerable. Rather than saying ‘over 16, not a child, not a problem’.

So while I don’t think that safeguarding will stop grooming, nor do I think every relationship where there is an age difference is because one person has groomed the other, if training in safeguarding means that the risks can be minimised (much like the aim of all H&S training) then that is only a good thing. If it gives a reporting structure for concerns to be raised then that is a good thing.

 

WSR Chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt addressing a staff briefing at Knights Templar School, Watchet, today.

 

Who knew!

 

At least 130 of us.

Robin

 

Paid staff only?

 

Mostly volunteers but a mixture.

Robin

 

I had a letter from the WSR this morning giving me a one month extension to my annual travel pass due to the railway being closed during the first part of next. year. Hadn't given this any thought before but nice they are considering the annual pass holders.

 

Not me

Hopefully the rest of the staff will at least get an official copy of what was said.

Steve

 

The Chairman was very clear that the briefing was confidential to those present and that ‘leaking’ of Railwat matters on social media and the ‘chatter’ that has followed from that has been unhelpful to the perception of the Railway.

We lawyers are very used to ‘Chatham House’ rules applying to similar briefings from or lectures by senior legal personages. It seems less well respected in Railway Heritage. The Chairman and a number of senior Railway personages provided a briefing and answered questions directly and openly. They should be respected for doing so, and the conventions of such an occasion also respected.

Plainly, if notice of the event did not reach some volunteers, then they should follow that back via their Departmental Manager or points of contact.

I am sure the Chairman will want to repeat the exercise in future.

Robin

 

It is possible that some volunteers might have attended the briefing had they known. How were the invitations issued? Not on the staff site.

 

An invitation to this meeting is contained in the last paragraph of the Chairman's briefing letter of a couple of weeks ago, which I understand is on the staff website.

Sent from my Lenovo TAB 2 A10-70F using Tapatalk

 

As a signalman, I received a communication from our roster clerk.

As suggested above, I would suggest you follow this up with your Departmental Manager. It is clear the Chairman wants internal communication to work effectively.

Robin

 

Also to go to this meeting you needed to have book in advance and, an up to date photo ID on you which had to be shown before been allowed in.

 

So it was. Thanks Roger.

Steve

 

Well, clearly things are happening............

 

If and when the facts are made available, we shall be able to take an informed view of why the Chairman thinks supporters and the public need to be kept in the dark. I am astonished that he has not got the message that it his his lack of candour that has created the poor perception of the WSR on the matter.

 

Exactly

From an outsiders perspective I suggest at the moment the fact that the briefings have happened is what is important rather than what was said