West Somerset Railway General Discussion

This is where the confusion starts, I think. With most railways, it's clear cut. As you can see from my signature, as well as being a WSRA member, I am a member at the SVR, GWSR and Swanage Railway. In these three cases it's easy, you join the supporting organisation and off you go. In the WSR case, how do you become a "member of the railway"? Does this mean a member of the WSRA? A member of the Steam Trust? Of the S&DRT? DEPG? I no longer think it possible to be a "member of the railway" in the accepted sense elsewhere. Certainly, WSRA membership doesn't include me in the category of stakeholder.

As WSW has said, the issue is down to less than ideal structures.

Incidentally, as no-one else has commented on nick813's post a page or so back, I think it's pretty disgraceful that a representitive of an organisation which provides rolling stock for a railway isn't deemed to be a stakeholder and therefore is excluded from the meeting in early February.

 

Correct, you don't need to be a member. The benefit of being a member means reduced rates for staying in the volunteer accommodation (either Minffordd or Penrhyn) - you also get the Society Magazine, but if you volunteer regularly enough you tend to know what is going on anyway. Not sure how many volunteers are members - probably most of them I would think.

 

In the example I knew effectively yes - they were given 'staff membership' - some also continued to pay their old membership to keep their original membership number!

There was a staff representative on the Council of Trustees until the Charity Commissioners took a firmer line against any Trustee being paid (to be fair, at that time most Council Members weren't registered as Trustees but their role meant they should have been).

Steven

 

But who are 'its financial base' (certainly, that must include its 'Supporters').

Rightly or wrongly, Shareholders have made their investment. Unless there is a rights issue or more simply 'would you like to top up your shareholding' (SVR did this a few years back and raised a considerable sum - can't remember how much, but I would expect that with a shareholder base the WSRplc should be able to achieve into £10,000s from such a simple letter), they are not a source of more funds. In the present circumstances, that can make them seem lower on the list of priorities than, judging by comments on here, they see themselves.

Being provocative (what, me? ) - a view could be 'they buy one £100 batch of shares and expect free rides and be asked everything for ever more = pah! - dream on!!'

Can shareholders prove their on-going value? Will they be given the chance?

Steven

 

Lifting going on at Williton, any info?

 

At least shareholders are defined as being supporters, regardless of the size of their investment and how long ago it might have been. WSRA members are not.

 

Fair questions. Personally, I bought shares back in 1984 when there was a serious possibility of the WSR closing and there was an appeal for people to buy shares. Some friends at that time thought I was making a risky investment. However, as things have turned out, I have to confess that it was a good investment in that there are two free trips a year, and £42 (2 x senior persons day ticket these days) is a good annual return on my £200! However, most of my visits are on gala days, so I am not a total parasite!

Sadly, I am not in a financial position to seriously increase my shareholding, but I couldn't honestly complain if the free trips for shareholders were withdrawn or the minimum holding for these were to be raised.

John

 

I heard they were going to lift the boiler off Thornbury Castle this week so could be that.

Ian R.

 

It is not as clear cut as it seems. Many volunteers with WSR PLC passes belong to other groups on the railway such as the DEPG or the various station friends groups. These are all associated with the WSR PLC just as the WSEA are. I see no reason why they should be forced to belong to another organisation. Whatever outsiders may think the specialist groups work well.. As can be seen from the way the individual stations are kept their volunteers who contribute hugely to the railway.they don’t need to be forced to be a member of another group though many are. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it!

 

There seems to be a boiler on a wagon in Williton yard. I assume this is Thornbury Castle. One question - does it have a tender?

 

My impression is that the Chairman is not used to working in an organisation with shareholders and stakeholders other than himself. He runs a string of successful businesses where he is only answerable to himself. I may be quite wrong but working in, for want of a better term, corporate environment requires a different approach. The inclusion of shareholders amongst invitees is encouraging. Not all WSRA members are able to volunteer for perfectly valid reasons. They are still an important part of the railway family.

 

I saw Thornbury Castle boiler being removed on the webcam. I believe it does have a tender, but it's not at Williton at present - Weston-super-Mare or Tyseley?

 

It is good to hear some good news about restorations here. Are there any photos available that can be posted here. Also are there any blogs that can be followed about the restoration of the engines and rolling stock. If not please could you post some photos and updates here etc.

Kind regards

Paul

 

I agree, and I see signs of those lessons being learned. Not soon enough, not fast enough, not fully enough yet, but being learned nonetheless.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Perhaps, but not treating WSRA members as supporters by the PLC isn't something new.

 

Progress on Auto 169 can be followed here
https://www.facebook.com/autotrailer169/
Enjoy

 

Several places on Facebook and of course there are occasional pics of WSR life on wsr.org.uk

Steve

 

Wouldn't the work be done by paid personnel, though? If so, the money would eventually go out in their salaries - the WSRA would no longer have it.

Noel

 

For those of us who, for various reasons, aren't up to contacting the three parties (who also probably have better things to do with their time than reply to masses of somewhat repetitive queries), could you please pass on what you've learned which hasn't been covered here? Thanks (I hope ;-).

Noel

 

Hi Noel

I'm afraid I can't share as the replies were in confidence. Sometimes, confidentiality provides a fuller response. I just thought I'd suggest it as a way of getting information somewhat closer to the action than the speculative discussions here. I take your point about a mass of repetitive queries but still no real reason why folks can't try it.

Steve