West Somerset Railway General Discussion

I see a new date for the Plc AGM has been announced, 21st November: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/change-of-date-for-plc-agm

Apologies if this has been posted before and I missed it, easy mistake to make on this thread!

 

You should be a stand up comedian coming out with side splitting gags like that.......!!!

 

Is that a BIG weed that someone missed ?

 

I was going to use that exact quotation in a prior post, but then by the time I got done typing most of the post in, I couldn't remember the quote I wanted to add! Thank you for remembering it; it is indeed exactly on point for some WSR people.

Noel

 

You are quite right, it's nothing to do with the PLC at all... Unless... it is the small matter of some PLC shares could that be worrying them???

Could it possibly be that they fear the WSSRT and WSRA working together at a forthcoming AGM? Possibly forcing them to account for their recent actions and maybe even have to justify some of them? But why would that worry the PLC? In their own minds they have done nothing to upset people - have they...?

 

Sadly I think they have missed the boat on that. My strong feeling is that the covid precautions in place now will still be in place next year. But a kind of euphoria that we have been seeing over the summer where, to a degree, much of the population has been "let off the leash" and are desperate for things to do will wain. So my feeling is that for passenger numbers in the current situation, this summer may be as good as it is going to get for a long time.

On another railway of which I am aware, 36 Santa trains and over 80 steam lights trains are sold out over the Christmas period. Even allowing for reduced capacity, that is very early to be sold out, and suggests to me that many people are desperate for things to do. Next year I can only see that getting harder as that initial euphoria wears off. If you can't make money this summer, I think it will be doubly hard to do so next year.

Tom

 

So now we await with interest the revised date for the WSSRT AGM.

I don't think even they could justify a delay until November just to amend and re-issue some paperwork.

 

I tend to think that next year we may see the financial effects more sharply, the furlough scheme may not be running, there maybe tax rises, there maybe increased unemployment and less disposal income all around. And while I have no desire to open the can of worms about the UK leaving the EU, that may also have an economic impact.

I absolutely agree that this year has been a case of make what you can, while you can.

 

A number of members put themselves forward for election as Trustees. I don't understand why that requires the WSSRT suddenly to 'seek advice' ?

 

Unless they're concerned about a Plc interfering in charitable elections?...

 

Sorry, the cynic in me is suggesting that the delay is because members of the WSSRT board have had to go running to their friends in the PLC Board to find out what they can do because some 'horrid' () people are trying to upset their cosy little world...

 

And there in a nutshell is what all heritage railways, indeed all businesses should be thinking about.

I suspect that a combination of Covid & Brexit will make next year 'interesting' to say the least

 

Not me Ken it is Alex!!

 

Or what was said to change their minds?!!

 

It’s amazing what a possible change of legal status can do to spook the horses, and require advice. I’m struggling to understand how the objects of the WSSRT could be threatened by such a merger, given the very clear statements made by the candidates and the requirements of charity law when handling a merger of charities.


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Chris, like that it sounds benign, doesn't it. But the fact is different. The wssrt has 7 trustees currently. Right up against the deadline to submit nominations, a coordinated set of 14 nominations are received, nominations which have a stated aim of abolishing the charity. No forewarning or prior discussion, but just delivered out of the blue. Clearly the 14 nominations would swamp the current 7 trustees who have a legal duty to protect the charity. With such an unprecedented move, any wonder why we need to seek advice?
Ian

 

You imply that the 14 don't have the charitable interests of the WSSRT at heart? I would dispute that, and so have they.

 

If they wanted to reform or revise the activities of the Steam Trust why would they Resign their Membership?

Far more likely surely they simply withdrew their candidatures?

Perhaps they would care to comment?

 

I think the WSRA are being disingenuous saying they are neutral when looking back on the minutes it appears that the move was discussed under AOB lead by Nigel Power one of the new proposed trustees. Of note is the number of redactions (5) which were more than the whole time under Paul Whitehouses chairmanship. The minutes clearly show that the Association knew what the 2 trustees were planning and by not telling the steam trust they endorsed the action and therefore cannot claim to be neutral.