West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Why do recent WSR events remind me of this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frogs_Who_Desired_a_King ?

 

The solution is really quite elementary...... the board of directors should identify the problem and remove it /him.

 

He does have the answer, indeed two possible answers: to countermand some of his orders or to resign.

That would be the fallback if, as seems likely, JJP doesn't adopt either of his own possible answers.

 

The WSR announced on BBC Somerset Radio this morning that the appeal had reached £50K.

In response to the quote above, I might add the WSR has never had the level of support that the SVR has enjoyed so it is not particularly useful to compare the two. Well done SVR and well done WSR. I'm sure most people do not wish the WSR closed for good. I am ever hopeful for organisational change which I believe will greatly help the way we run the WSR but that is for another day. So, I hope more people - WSR or not - will chip in to help the very worthy West Somerset Railway survive. Here is the link to the Donation Page. Thanks.

Steve

 

It won't survive if a megalomaniac retains apparent control so don't waste your money in boosting his ego ...

 

I didn't know Putin had bought shares in the Plc

 

I know that, but was the attempted purchase of the freehold in itself not down to a lack of trust? From the little snippets of longer term history mentioned here it seems endemic right back to day 1.

 

I'm not sure I'm disagreeing with you? Just saying that the lack of trust between people and bodies on the WSR goes well before the attempted freehold acquisition, so I do't think that's what caused it. It's just another example of what that lack of trust leads to.

 

One issue that clearly IMHO doesnt help is that unlike most other lines, there is no requirement to be a WSRA member if you are a volunteer.

That seems to keep other supporters organisation on the straight and narrow.

 

People should donate to save the WSR, but it would be preferable to donate via thew WSRA, firstly for the gift aid benefits and secondly to give the WSRA some clout vs the Plc. It should be made clear that using the WSRA to fund raise must come associated with representation on the Plc Board.

 

Why?

The NYMR & Ffestiniog/WHR seem to manage it despite relatively remote locations

 

Well as I overheard JJP himself once say; "We tried tat and it didn't work".

 

It won't survive at all unless this type of attitude gets put to one side and people focus on saving the place they apparently like!

 

On the subject of donations I was looking to make a donation to the WSR but couldn’t decide which route to donate; one of the WSRA funds, the WSR donation fund or to make a WSR share purchase. I sent an e-mail to the WSR with a query about share purchase over two weeks ago and haven’t had a reply. I would have thought they would still be monitoring their e-mail especially for any possible income, my e-mail was headed ‘share purchase’.
So with lack of communication and diverse routes to donate, it doesn’t make it straight forward, sadly.

 

Do I want the WSR to survive - Yes!

But do I think that under the current management and structure the WSR has the capacity to survive? Well, even before Coronavirus it was looking a bit iffy.

Do I think that the current PLC management might use a donation appropriately - well, clearly not. Either they will take the S&DRT to court to evict them, or, unless they withdraw the Notice to Quit the S&DRT may well end up taking them to court. Not a cheap process, and one the surely given the current situation needs to be avoided at all costs.

I could give to the WSRA/Steam Trust but see above.

Now if the PLC supporters could justify continuing with the eviction procedure, especially in the current climate, then please let us give them a fair hearing.

 

Indeed, the WSRA and WSSRT don't exist in a vacuum, you're still donating to a railway that seems likely to be spending funds on legal action, irrespective of if it's your ten pound note that actually changes hands.

 

You got more chance of getting a kiss from the Pope.

 

It would clearly be possible of course for the WSRA/Steam Trust to say that they think that given the current situation the Notice to Quit should be withdrawn as it adversely affects the Railways chances of surviving lockdown.

 

Feel free to PM Mike Sherwood (aldfort) or myself with contact details and we will be pleased to speak to you.

Robin