West Somerset Railway General Discussion

By coincidence I've just got to Talyllyn News in my 'I haven't finished reading this' pile. Staff were furloughed with individuals only coming into work for brief periods to do essential maintenance activities. During the week of 30th May two staff were at work weed-killing the entire railway.

Patrick

 

My question was in reply to the comment "how can people continue to support the current regime". I look forward to a reply to my question.

Steve

 

It will probably be closed. And I am not just thinking of this year.

 

Well, as I've said before Steve, if the will was there, virtual meetings between the various groups could be taking place right now to form a proposal for a 'best practice' structure. Shareholders could be being contacted right now to establish communications and ultimately to give approval to the new structure. Limited numbers of volunteers could be back on site to complete PW works, run weedkilling trains and perform general maintenance work. It just needs leadership and the will to do these things, sadly I think both are lacking on the WSR.

Keith

 

How do I convince the "various groups" to have those virtual meetings, Keith?

How can I contact the shareholders? Do you have a list of names and addresses?

How do I get a proposal at a Plc AGM when that process is in the gift of the Plc?

How do I get volunteers back on site when the Plc runs the Railway and is responsible for everything that happens on it?

I look forward to your answers.

Meanwhile, methinks you are overlooking one important factor.

Steve

 

Much as I hate to say it, I fear the answer to your question is that anyone with even the slightest grasp on reality simply cannot support the current regime.

Why else has this thread spawned thirteen hundred odd pages of posts?

Where this leaves the WSR is anyone's guess, unfortunately.

 

He who cannot be named?

 

I can't give this a 'like', because I really do hope you're wrong. But it is 'hope' more than 'think'.

Can't the plc swallow their foolish pride, and withdraw the Washford Notice to Quit? I know that that isn't their only big mistake, but it would be a start, and a credible invitation to us all to pull together. Surely, nobody wants the WSR to fold.

 

I appreciate that but this railway is like a supertanker without a rudder, or rather without Captain, Navigation Officer or anyone at the helm.

 

Support is obviously wider than just people on NP. But there are many WSR supporters here - and of course the often quoted silent majority - who have great difficulty supporting the line financially. Financial support is the essence -without it the regime will fall. Some will support, out of nostalgia for the line (as volunteers or well wishers) but there are equally those who see the WSR as a lost cause and will withhold support, particularly that of a financial matter.
I believe there are very many other heritage lines (and other charities as well that many of us support ) that re far more deserving of financial support than the WSR. I see any financial support for the WSR as throwing good money after bad!

 

Like the WSRA and WSST it has never been obvious whether you condone or disapprove of the PLC's actions in recent years or whether you are content to just sit on the fence, which is as good as being complicit in my humble opinion.
I am sure we would all welcome some clarification on whether you think the Board of the PLC are acting in the best interests of the WSR.
Everybody else on here seems to have a clear view one way or another by now.
If a few more people / organisations had the courage to stand up against the PLC's behaviour then change could be effected very quickly indeed via an EGM and an open and transparent recruitment process. Change is possible if the will is there.

 

No. Something that we've been stuck with from day one.

Steve

 

My question was about what is achievable immediately. Still waiting for an answer.

Steve

 

You can request a list of shareholders under the Companies Acts. The WSR PLC may charge you for it, but if they refuse to supply it they are committing an offence.

 

Keep to the topic please. It does not matter what you think or I think. Just, please, tell me what I can do right now that is achievable to change things. I have the will but not the means. You say "change is possible". Now just tell me what I can do today to make it happen.

Steve

 

So make that request. If they demand payment, appeal on here for contributions.

 

All good stuff 'Sidmouth' ! But as of now all that matters is the WSR survives. For better or
worse that means support the Plc

(Reorganisation is for the future; anything that takes the "eye off the ball" is rather like
supplying the 'Titanic' with new deck chairs and then rearranging them. )

If the present Plc Board were to go, who would replace them. ( Similarly with the WSRA
Trustees ? ) There are not any persons with the required 'nous' that I can see. Plenty of
armchair warriors but....

The continual drip drip of innuendo, misinformation and snide asides on this forum is
not helpful

Michael Rowe

 

Thats not quite true,

if you hand somebody a piece of equipment to use in the work environment you have to ensure they have all the correct knowledge, training, any additional safety equipment and PPE and supervision- as stipulated under the provision and use of work equipment regulations.

Should somebody have an accident, or become ill as a result of a business having not done that then the HSE could prosecute- as well as employees seeking compensation (although they too have responsibilities as defined within the Health and Safety at work act.......)

Regards

Chris

 

OK, so Keith's suggestion was to get contact shareholders to establish communications. Say a list of names and addresses arrives, then what? Do I appeal here for fund for the letters/postage? Who'd help with stuffing, sticking and posting?

Steve