West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Speaking as a non-WSR member, what is PDG?

 

PDG = Partnership Development Group, a very good idea. Last minutes from 2018 here:- https://www.wsra.org.uk/documents/

Despite what some will say it has not met because the PLC hasn't wanted it to meet. The PLC Chairman made it clear to me it won't ever meet "while he was saving the WSR" when I asked him about it in late 2018 and the WSRA or WSSRT haven't pushed it as in my opinion they should have done.

Also

1. SCC made it clear if the freehold was ever sold it would only go through the PDG as they saw it as the 'one railway' representative of the WSR.
2. The S&DRT are a member of the PDG as a member of the WSR Family !!!!!!

 

Partnership Development Group. After the WSRA freehold debacle, it was thought that an "across railway" group meeting comprised of members of the entire railway family and the local councils that met periodically to discuss across railway issues would prevent future fallings out. I think it last met in late 2018.
Ian Coleby

 

In that case....take the day off!!

Keith

 

Irrespective of any other issues, I suggest that as soon as lockdown is over the PDG needs to meet to deal with the post Coronavirus situation.

 

One lockdown ends, is there anything to prevent any one of the members of the family (even the S&D Trust) from calling a PDG meeting? If the PLC Board choose not to send a representative, that's their choice. It ought not to stop the other parties, including SCC, from getting together to review where the WSR is at and who should be doing what to move forward.

 

Nothing I know of to stop that happening. You are right, the WSRA Chair the PDG so I assume they would need to drive that, but I guess if ultimately they also didn't attend then its still the PDG if the family call it the PDG ?

 

Tad difficult at the moment Steve, on the list though. It will need the operating company to attend. They are the only ones currently allowed to run the railway.

 

But would it stop at the PLC deciding not to send anyone, the Chairman might very well view it as undermining his authority, and if those that took part happen to be working volunteers, might they find their id cards rescinded? that is a very good reason that the PGD might not decide to call any meetings until things settle down, or until there is someone else filling the chairman's role, who doesn't see threats round every corner?

 

The key for the bullied is to recognize that the bully's bullying is not about us -- it's about him, and his weakness. It's about his sense of being threatened, and his horror at being found out as an imposter or a poser. He is afraid -- quite afraid - and all the time. With this recognition that it's not about us, we can then stand firm, or even push back; so not get lost in the self-doubt and self-victimization that potentially perpetuates for us the abusive and socially sadomasochistic relationships in which we might find ourselves by accident, by choice or by default.

The bully is always the weakest kid on the playground. Push back, and watch with compassion (or joy) as he collapses into a pale reflection of who he pretends to be.

 

My recollection was that the SCC "bought" another tranche of shares in the WSR when it sold the new lease, i.e. the lease was partly paid for with cash and partly with shares. Initially the new lease was only going to be for another 25 years, but a WSR supporter on the Council banged the table and got it changed to 99 years.

 

There is always Zoom (other video conferencing software is available).

 

Mike.

Not sure I follow, the minutes show a number of apologies for absences across the previous meetings, why could it not take place if the PLC were not there but its ok for others not to attend ?

I’m not saying you are wrong but If it’s a Partnership Development Group, is it not about Developing Partnerships and not about operating the railway on a ongoing basis as directed by the others, which after all is all the PLC as the operating company is intended for ?

Many of the subjects in the minutes are not about the operation of the railway per say, Including, Ironically in early 2018 plans presented by the S&DRT to all including the PLC on how they were going to improve Washford further, which had nothing to do with running the railway?

As the chair for the PDG I assume you have the remit of the group, if you could share that remit perhaps it would make more sense.

Andy

 

The early history is a bit different, Ian. And a little darker.

The early company had done a deal with BR to buy the line for a sum (I thought it was £120K). The intention wa to sell the large goods yard at Minehead, and the existing loco depot for redevelopment for...about £120K. Leaving them with a free Railway. But the Company couldnt raise the ante and approached SCC for a loan, on the basis that they would be reinstating the service. During the due dilligence process SCC discovered that their money was to be used, essentially, to fund a property speculation and cut the Company out of the discussion and contacted BR directly, rapidly forming an agreement to buy the line for the people of Somerset, and lease it to the operating company.

And the rest is as you state.

SCC remain keenly interested in the WSR as a backbone of the local tourist economy. But they do have one or two other matters to focus on, particularly at the moment.

Plainly Somerset County Councillor Huxtable was comfortable with a group of empire-buidling WSRA Trustees, but fortunately we know how that ended when the full WSRA membership were presented with the facts. There is that quote about the price of democracy...how does it go?

The PDG was a great creation for co-operative / community working. But you have to believe in co-operation and community for that to work.

Robin. 'Semper vigilans.'

 

Thanks Mike. I agree all parties should attend (esp the Plc - bit daft to think otherwise). I'd like to know that the PDG is continuing and will meet whether real or virtual in the not too distant future.

Steve

 

Barrie

I would view it differently. More of a miner’s canary than glue.

You can’t make people co-operate.

But you can see if they aren’t doing so.

Robin

 

The scenario that worries me (and should worry all members of the WSR 'family') is that down the road, the WSR is going to need the (financial) support of the rest of the heritage rail community, and a lot (too many) of them are going to think 'none of them would stand up for the S&DRT in its hour of need; we're heartily sick of the constant drama that they just won't get on top of; the devil take the whole boiling'.

If so, trying to keep their heads down may work in the short term, but turn out to be a strategic failure in the long term.

Noel

 

See posting #1151 on the "S.D.Trust & Washford eviction" thread.

 

Next in the line, Mike, for a "f*ck off", "You are useless and pointless" from the WSR PLC Chairman?

No more footplate turns for you!

'jnc' (Noel's) comments are prophetic... heed them!

And do please, Mike, stop spouting 'drivel' on here, that does your office as acting Chairman of the WSRA nothing but demerits you, and calls into question your capacity and capability to fulfill the office you hold, plus your 'bona fides'.

Have some 'balls' to state you are supporting the SDRT as to it's 'Notice to Quit' over Washford, and that you do not support the awful treatment of Paul Whitehouse on 18th February 2020 from the WSR PLC Chairman.

Cheers,

Julian