West Somerset Railway General Discussion

The list I have seen

Barrie Childs
Stephen Doughty
Martin Duff - resigned
Brian Fraser
Emma Haywood
David Horton
Colin Howard - resigned
Nigel Power
James Price
Jeff Price
Chris Ruddick - resigned
Seb Welsh - resigned
Robin White
Robin Wichard - resigned

It may have changed overnight. Makes you wonder what tale they were spun to join up in the first place.

 

See post by FlyingScotsman123 above...

Or how much harassment they have received in 24 hours or so.........? Just sayin...

 

What proof is there that anybody has been harrased please supply proof. People cannot accept that it dawned on some that they were being played.


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The current plc leadership have form for taking an aggressive position against those who show signs of dissent. I’m quite prepared to believe that the five have changed their minds freely at the last, but it seems odd that the person advocating expulsions should now be asking for proof of harassment.


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It is funny how when the WSSRT is involved the PLC and their supporters are 'leave the WSSRT to get on with their own activities, they just want to run their museum, look after their exhibits, they can't possibly contravene their rules and the charity legislation.'

And yet,

When the SDRT wanted to carry on its own activities, run their museum and look after their own exhibits, and obey the rules of the charitable status, the result was an eviction order, false accusations in the press, accusations of being a cuckoo in the nest.

Where were all those defenders of the WSSRT as a small trust then?

A tale of two trusts.

Why don't you ask @SebWelsh or @Maverick directly for example.

You ask for proof of harassment, do you have proof of your allegations? What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

 

I have not seen any new convincing arguments over the last 48 hours that would make anyone think again (despite asking for such from some of the more vocal critics). I *have* seen some pretty awful personal comments directed towards the 14, saying that the railway would be better off shot of all of them. I find that attitude incredible given the service all 14 have given, particularly @SebWelsh who organised the only days the WSR has been open this year. The threat of ID card withdrawal was no doubt hanging over them too, which is not something to be taken lightly, my railway volunteering is really important to me and no doubt the same for everyone else. Ironic given that even with your ID card intact, you still can't drive/fire/guard/signal as the railway is still closed.

 

I remember JJP, just after taking over as Chairman of the Board, speaking of getting rid of 'troublemakers'. I didn't realise what a wide definition was being applied to that word.

 

I presume the description 'resigned'. in Rodders post, means resigned from the Trust not just the quest for election.
If that is so then we have yet another instance of a WSR group in danger of tearing themselves apart.
The line is never at peace it seems; I believe there is a common denominator.

 

With the never ending rounds of take overs, attempted take overs, expulsions and general bad mouthing each other, I think the S&DRT would be well advised to pack up and get as far away from the WSR as possible.

Keith

 

It simply is not for me to divulge private conversations, that isn't right and isn't going to happen, what I'm saying is enough. I'm sure you have many of them on 'speed dial', seems that plenty of others had, so go ask for yourself....

Or you could always offer proof that they haven't, such is your certainty of the situation? Or maybe, as has been stated elsewhere on here, the posts made in a specific FB group saying all 14 should leave the railway is a special kind of 'WSR thank you' and couldn't be taken as any kind of harassment at all?

 

Some people on the WSR could have a falling out and a loud and violent fight in an empty room.

 

They also specialise in criticism of proposals and personal attacks, without actually suggesting alternatives. Makes you wonder how they actually run a train services: "Oh, you don't want to be going that way!".

Or maybe it's because they *don't* actually run the trains - or volunteer at all - that the WSR manages to stagger on.

 

I think you will find that it's up to the accuser to prove they have been harassed and have been threatened with card removal it not to me to prove they haven't. That's not how it works in the real world. If you are accused by the police of something they have to prove it. I would be extremely surprised if any of this has happened.


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Jesus I see this has all kicked off again over the weekend, I really don't have time to read 100's of pages so can some one summarise who has fallen out with who now, are the baddies now the goodies or vice versa and who is taking the train set home.

 

Yes, but thankfully, you are not the police and this is not a court of law. There is no remedy being sought, merely a point being made. You suggested some of the 14 had seen the error of their ways (pure speculation on your part unless you have any proof?) Others have replied telling you that there has been harassment. If you're not willing to take the word of someone like me or even an upstanding member such as @Mike S then that's your prerogative, but there it is.

 

Ok, so approximately 3 billion years ago (or last Saturday as normal people call it) 14 people announced they were standing as trustees for the WSSRT on a manifesto of taking the WSSRT into the reform process which they had previously resisted. Background bits of information include the fact that the WSSRT sent out their AGM papers last week before nominations for trustees closed, and they have a small membership ~70 this time last year, who's to say now...

The Plc then put out this public statement, I link to it via Facebook so you can get a taster for some of the comments, they were much worse in some of the private groups. Because of some of that abuse and also threats of withdrawal of Plc ID cards, allegedly the 14 is down to 9, although I'm told that may not be entirely accurate.

Stay tuned!...

 

Is it just me or are the current board incumbents are becoming more and more like Trump?

Anything he disagrees with is 'fake news...',
Any alternative that anyone else proposes is "...coming from people trying to steal your rights..."
Anyone daring to openly oppose him is immediately subject to vicious attacks on social media and verbal personal attacks by a crowd of extreme 'supporters'...

All this fuss is about an internal WSSRA matter. The Plc Board should be condemning any attempted interference from outside to allow the WSSRA to sort out it's own business - but, as far as I can see, they are not only not condemning that interference that also appear to be actively encouraging these sort of responses.

These are not the sort of actions that are expected to earn the WSR respect. These are not the sort of actions that will make others in the heritage railway world trust the WSR. These are not the sort of actions that will encourage (desperately needed) major donors to part with their cash...

(I don't want to upset the mods so they can remove this next bit if they want to...)

Two words to describe the WSR spring to mind right now: Tyranny or Dictatorship. Take your pick.