West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Ta, so its just another power struggle whilst rearranging the deck chairs!

 

Pretty much. Oh, I missed out that the WSSRT have a 10% shareholding in the Plc, the same (roughly) as the WSRA. I believe it is hoped to be the first step towards peace...

 

While I agree with what you're saying regarding the constant bickering, you must remember that the 14 (or 9) standing for election, are members of the WSSRT and are therefore as entitled to stand for election as the current incumbents. I would hesitate to characterise this as 'interference from outside' since it only involves members of the WSSRT and as it does not involve the PLC, they should not be making any comment on the matter, let alone condemning anything.

Keith

 

Thanks again, final question I promise, and excuse my ignorance, but aren't many of the names now looking to get onto the Trust Board those who also were the stars of this seaside side show when it was the Association board that was the location of the similar skirmish, what is going to be achieved by this that cannot already be achieved?

 

Upstanding member....! I'm honoured, I usually have to make do with derogatory terms.....!

Made me chuckle

 

Quite. The hysterical tone of that release suggests an inability to understand some basic questions about how member organisations work.

I’ve also pondered over the posts by @Lineisclear disagreeing with the approach of the 14. I tend to the need in difficult negotiations to speak softly but carry a big stick, which approach seems rather neglected. If the WSSRT membership support the 14, and if the preferred approach is within the purposes of the Trust, then I’m not sure the aggressive approach is wrong. The question, though, is how it will win the peace. And there, my question is about how the likes of some of those on Facebook, or with the aggressive stance of @rodders154, can be brought to reconcile with a change not to their liking and led by someone they clearly detest.


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Some of them are, yes. I think the difference between this time and last is that last time the main objective was more focused specifically on the WSRA and what it should be doing, and removing the existing 6 trustees from their bunker. This time round I think it's accepted that much more widespread change is required (as some of us were saying way back then!) with a complete overhaul of the railway's general structure, WSSRT, Plc and WSRA and their relationships. The WSSRT is simply the easiest way in rather than being a major problem in themselves, although it has to be said they've been less than helpful. I don't think expulsion of the current WSST Trustees from the railway features in the plans for example.

 

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough. (Although the first line under the comparisons did start: All this fuss is about an internal WSSRA matter. )

I completely agree that the WSSRT AGM including the elections are WSSRT business, it is absolutely nothing to do with the PLC at all... The point I was trying to make was that it has been the PLC that has been screaming and shouting about WSSRT members trying to exercise their democratic rights and it is the PLC that is stirring up peoples emotions and making all the accusations of take overs etc When it is none of their business.

 

I think the WSR is doomed. I also believe (and this will not be popular) that refugees from it's demise should not be welcomed at other railways, for fear of spreading their nasty, intolerant ways.
Pat

 

I think that’s unfair. The refugees, should there be any, should be judged on their individual merits, not just because of their previous volunteering. The role of environment in creating and maintaining disputes should not be underestimated.


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Categorically disagree. The GWSR already has some volunteers formerly of the WSR all of whom have fitted in perfectly, and are extremely welcome. Railways can make their own judgement about whether there might be one or two individuals who might be best avoided. It's a matter of public record that @Robin Moira White has been and is a volunteer on several other railways, none of which have felt inspired to revolt, so I'd suggest that despite it being Robin that has born the brunt of most of the intensely personal abuse over the last couple of days, the fault lies elsewhere...

 

Got you now. Apologies for the misunderstanding.

Keith

 

Totally agree. There are a huge number of exceptionally dedicated volunteers and staff on the WSR who would be an absolute asset to any organisation and indeed are a huge asset to the WSR, I'm glad to know many of them. Whilst it would be an absolute pleasure and be much to our benefit to have many of them involved with things I may be involved with it saddens me that a number have recently been coming forward and asking if they can come along and get involved.

Says a lot I suppose....

 

My opinion. I did write that it wouldn't be popular.
Pat

 

If you are referring to my post I suggest you go back and read it again... completely...

 

I don’t. I refer to the document published by the WSR plc.


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Yes, it did strike me that those running the Plc and their supporters on here are not very keen on democracy. Their view seems to be that societies and Society are much better organised when you have the right people in charge and everyone else does what they are told. As Tom Lehrer put it "They've got to be respected, all their rights protected, until some one we like can get elected.."

 

Its ok Pat, they will be to busy fighting over who was right, who was wrong to have any time to volunteer else where
This latest spat does seem even more nasty than others, because its got personal, and there might be an element of trying to settle old scores, wasn't Rodney the subject of a removal attempt by other trustees of the WSRA from the PLC Board? over policy ? and in the WSSRT , The PLC has a tame, hands off charity arm, the cabal don't want people stopping their game plan.

 

Perhaps it might have better to say certain 'volunteers'? After all the WSRA still exists but who knows (or cares?) what happened to...

 

Think of it as The Wars of the Roses, without any actual bloodshed.