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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. Steve

    Steve Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Fred,
    No one is demanding that they be consulted. I don't know where you get that idea from. But just like almost everything from football to the price of petrol, people have the right to discuss it AND express an opinion. To say that you can't is censorship. Are you advocating that?
     
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  2. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    I'm not saying that you can't express an opinion but I feel that some opinions suggest that the poster is railing against a lack of information from the BoD - information which IMHO should be kept within the ambit of the BoD and its electorate. Perhaps my use of the word "consult" was the wrong choice but - simply put - I think some matters should remain confidential between the parties involved and not be shared with a wider public.

    A case in point is the latest concern about the funding of the visitors to the Diesel Gala. That has obviously been discussed by the BoD and decisions taken with the result that arrangements have been put in place. I see no reason why details of those arrangements should be detailed or discussed in this thread. If you support the WSR and are able to visit then do so and I would expect posters to discuss the traction and the timetable - including locomotive rosters - within this thread but I see no reason why the there should be a need to discuss matters further.

    It is appreciated that the financial stability of the WSR is of concern and - in fairness - it seems that the current chairman is more willing to share information more readily than previous chairmen but I still feel that to be a 'privilege granted' rather than a right to be demanded.

    I feel however that whilst what happens within the BoD should remain within the BoD there comes a point at which policies will affect a wider body hence the need to be subject to a wider discussion - the question is where does the balance between remaining within the BoD and sharing with a wider audience come.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
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  3. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    Do not overlook that NP was used by many in the WSRA - and WSR I guess, to push the agenda to remove the former trustees.
    NP is a two way street as far as I know.
     
  4. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    What about the staff, the volunteers and the members of the WSRA and the rest of the WSR family?
     
  5. Bill Drewett

    Bill Drewett Member

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    Yes, on the one hand you have the Directors, staff, members and volunteers, and on the other, the customers. But there's also a third group. If this were politics, we'd call them the 'undecideds'. Those who might become members and volunteers, might give time, energy and money, but aren't at the moment.

    For the WSR at the moment, this is the key audience. If enough of them can be persuaded to join and contribute, the railway has a bright future. Without them, it doesn't look good. Almost all of them wish the railway well and want it to survive and flourish. But, like all potential members and volunteers, they want to know whether they can trust the organisation. Will their time and money be contributing to something worthwhile, or will they be left looking like fools? Is there a plan, and a vision, if so what is it? Do the leaders have the competence to deliver it? In the WSR's case, have past conflicts genuinely been left behind?

    How is the railway going to reach these people? In this forum, they have a ready-made, free-of-charge, communication channel targeting exactly the people they should be interested in. The fact that the WSR thread is normally at the top of the page when we log in should be a bit of a give-away. There's enormous interest in the WSR from the kind of people who might get more involved, but might not. The questions in this thread about governance, decision-making, priorities are all symptoms of this interest, and a remarkable opportunity.

    Which is why it's disappointing if they're heard as criticism, seen as a threat; if questions can only be asked by members, those who are already committed, at the AGM; if information is only available to those who 'need to know'. The ability to engage members, volunteers and supporters may be the competence that makes or breaks the WSR. Do the leaders of the railway have that ability?
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
  6. Ron Sidewater

    Ron Sidewater New Member

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  7. j&mkeynes

    j&mkeynes Guest

    Couldn`t agree more. If evidence is needed of the importance of the `undecideds', look no further than the current WSRA appeal to raise £250,000. 3 weeks into the campaign, and just 24 people have contributed - including myself I might add. According to the Just Giving page accounting for its progress to date, the appeal in approx 10% of the allocated time has raised 0% of its target - though clearly that is incorrect, but Just Giving only recognises whole numbers. The amount raised is still some £1300 shy of reaching the 1% level. So if anybody here was intending to donate, undecided or not, now would be a good time to do so.
     
  8. Sobering isn't it :(

    However, I do hope the WSRA membership, for example, will donate once they know about it. Most are not necessarily online and those that are tend to avoid this forum (which is (a) their choice and (b) a challenge to members of this forum to make them welcome here ;)) Ditto the Plc shareholders who at least have had a letter this last week about several things including the appeal. And yes, if the keyboard bashing behind so many posts on this thread could be also applied to the JG page then that support will too help progress the trackside improvements. Big thanks to those who have already donated online or offline. I have provided the link a few times, I will do so again: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/railrenewal2019

    Steve
     
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  9. West Somerset Free Press also carries an item about the Real Ale & Cider Festival. Unfortunately this contains mis-information regarding late trains during the diesel gala. The evening trains were heavily promoted by Somerset CAMRA in good faith but have been pulled as a direct consequence of a lack of volunteer guards and signalmen. These trains continue to be mentioned on the official webpage for the event, unfortunately:
    https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/events/detail/summer-time-real-ale-and-cider-festival

    The reality of evening transport options from Washford during the Festival is as follows:

    towards Minehead (all 3 days): last train 5.49pm, last no.28 bus 9.11pm

    towards Bishops Lydeard (Thurs/Fri): last train 6.09pm, last no.28 bus to Taunton 6.58pm
    (Sat): last train 6.09pm, last no.28 bus to Taunton 6.23pm
     
  10. Steven Harris

    Steven Harris New Member

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    Sobering indeed and should be a wake up. Previous WSR appeals, with the exception of the push to get 9351 assembled, have by and large failed. The fact that the tended for said loco was not in the appeal or the whole was underestimated does not sit well with those who gave. The WSR has to make their appeals a teo way street wirh regular progress reports to keep the givers engaged, these days sinply holfing ouy yhe begging bucket doesn't work. It is the 'undrcided that need to be won over and retained.
     
  11. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    There has been a few 'wake up' calls in recent times for the WSR and it's constituents. The only one with true enthusiasm and success was the stillborn 4110 venture. 9351 was much slower despite it being Association promoted.
     
  12. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    On the double headed manor 19:15 service 2moro, on arrival to Minehead do the loco get turned or just put back on the front for return.

    How much is the fish and chips option.
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
  13. AnthonyTrains2017

    AnthonyTrains2017 Well-Known Member

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    Was 6412 not available for the weekend?
     
  14. Paul42

    Paul42 Part of the furniture

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    It is the only available steam loco on the SDR, since 5526 went to Chinnor after 5786/L92 failed.
     
  15. D6332found

    D6332found Member

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    Need this line, hope it doesnt close before opportunity arises. Sounds unviable in current state, and sounds like they'll drive away any wealthy benefactors too. So do you keep a nice length scenic railway from Minehead? Worry that Beeching II(the Banks) will come knocking as volunteers around the country aged and no one is allowed to retire, especially with the lack of realism of a collective us. Suggest they ask the Diesel gala tickets to a voluntary-but desperately necessary £10 opt out type donation from all to save the railway
     
  16. rspope@ws restrations

    rspope@ws restrations New Member

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    i invite any non believers to williton Saturday or Sunday to view where we are with 9351 i think you will be in for a bit of a shock
     
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  17. Another Yorkshireman

    Another Yorkshireman Member Friend

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    Do not overlook the possibility that a large proportion of potential supporters are of an age when sending a cheque with a Gift Aid form is the preferred way to contribute, rather than using internet payment favoured by the young! And no money creamed off for administration.
     
  18. malcolm imps

    malcolm imps New Member

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    Last edited: Jun 7, 2019
  19. malcolm imps

    malcolm imps New Member

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    Yes, a credit to all involved with this project.......looking very good
     
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  20. j&mkeynes

    j&mkeynes Guest

    Some better news here, and your valid point above may be correct. Without anybody new adding to the Just Giving online account directly , it has overnight rocketed up to some £8,900 and 4% of the target total. While great news, this does appear a little odd. Perhaps it takes time for the anonymous and unspecified donors' funds to clear, or perhaps the administrators have adjusted the total to reflect the donations given directly to the WRSA. I really hope the latter is not correct, as that would incur unecessary commission payments to Just Giving.
     
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