West Somerset Railway General Discussion

...but is not a shareholder also a stakeholder and/or supporter?

 

Presumably anyone who believes the good ship WSR is headed for the rocks and supports the aims of the petition should be encouraged to sign.

 

Absolutely correct!

 

Judging by what has been happening with the "r number" in the South West, I cannot see any form of reopening this year. The "r number" is rising, and I would be amazed if the South West doesn't end up going back to the March - May era of restrictions (note, I use the term restrictions NOT lockdown (the restrictions (while strict) are no where near a lockdown)).

I also doubt that the public will want to use any form of public transport where they have a choice. It is important to bear in mind that the government are still saying to avoid public transport if one can (and where one HAS to use public transport, they must wear face coverings).

 

I agree. A lot of focus has gone on the face masks announcement recently but the advice to avoid all public transport unless you really have to still stands, face masks merely lessen the risk for those who have to use it, they don't lower the risk enough for riding trains to become a frivolous activity.

 

Anybody know who the driver was in this shot?

 

The rise in the `R' number in the South-West may be due to a hotspot of infections in Weston-Super-Mare where contact tracing has been used to try to isolate as many contacts as possible. IF that is correct - and its a very big IF - there could still be a season to plan for IF the contact tracing has worked. But I do note that a final decision about possible operations this summer is to be taken on June 11th. Which is unfortunate timing. The next update on the `R' value for the South-West will be released on the 12th, so any decision about operations taken on the 11th could be premature. I have e-mailed the chairman to draw his attention to this bit of possible bad timing.

But I do agree with you. If the `R' value doesn`t move in the right direction, new restrictions can be expected. Possibly as soon as next week.

 

Whilst I do think this is a very good petition - isn't there a risk that if the majority of the signatories end up being "outsider supporters," the management of the various WSR institutions will collectively be able to say "well this is just outsiders from Nat Pres trying to stir up trouble, not True WSR Supporters" and put their fingers back in their ears?

 

That was my concern and why I specifically asked first.

 

As I said before, we volunteers who started the petition have a strong belief that the WSR is part of the wider community and the level of support we have had within less than 24 hours is extremely encouraging. With almost 100 signatures, only a portion will be from people on this site.

Again one of the reasons we stood up and started this petition which allows people to remain anonymous should they wish was down to the hope (which is fast becoming reality) that a small initial movement encourages those who have previously felt unable to have their voice heard, sign up and be recognised.

Please continue to spread the word.

 

A very well written letter. You speak for many. Let us hope those in positions of leadership have the courage to respond maturely.

 

So you have nothing to lose by signing it.

 

.......... says the Essex resident. Point made I think @Forestpines.

 

If the view of those from outside Somerset is not significant enough to be listened to, then I trust the PLC, WSRA & WSSRT will be rejecting all donations from outside the county. You can't have it both ways.

Keith

 

That ignores the point that those from afar who wish to sample the WSR often decide to make it a holiday centre for a week or more hence the spend in the local community. In my case as a Lancashire resident any future visit will be as part of - at least - a week's stay and whilst the focus will be on the WSR I will undoubtedly visit locations within a 20-30 mile radius of the line wherever I choose my accommodation. I would like to think that my interest in a future visit warrants my present support to ensure that there will be a vibrant WSR and not an abandoned line a la Beeching !

 

Personally I would like to see a few editorial improvements, but the substance of it is good and I have just signed.

 

When we sought signatures against the WSRA 'Ex6 ' pursuit of the Freehold we decided to limit
our approach to volunteers only. Our rationale was that these represented a body of persons
intimately involved with the daily running of the Railway.

Although it was outside the WSR running period we amassed c. 350 individually signed petition
sheets ( out of then c.1000 volunteers ) and formally presented them to the Somerset County
Council in person ( subsequently covered by Local Press ). We were convinced that this and
the FOI attained by Rodders, plus attending and speaking at the relevant SCC monthly
committee meetings had a significant effect on the ultimate volta face.

I offer the above as perhaps having relevance to the current proposal.

Michael Rowe

 

Although a public body like Somerset County Council is a very different animal to private charities or a private company, I would say that that approach is actually more relevant in this case. Whereas SCC is mainly concerned with the wishes of the people of Somerset, all three organisations depend on volunteers to run their railway, without which they are nothing. In addition, the WSRA should be swayed by the wishes of its members and the Plc by the wishes of its owners, the shareholders.

 

So he lives in Essex? What of it? I live far away from the WSR in Wales, but I was brought up in Somerset and lived there for a long time. My family has had quite a large involvement with the WSR in times past. Am I now disqualified from involving myself further simply because I have moved away?

 

Robin, there was a Volta face: the SCC decided against the sale of the Freehold. Subsequently, much
due to Professor Irven, the PDG was established.

I am very much aware of what led to the EGM that resulted in the change of WSRA Trustees having
been one of the Two Trustees who took part in said EGM, which subsequently led to the
co-option of six new 'interim' Trustees.

I was not rewriting history merely offering a case study that might be relevant.

Michael Rowe