West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Other options? Rather than looking for half a dozen likes on a discussion forum, maybe they could organise some action for real change or suggest better ways of doing things - rather than just moan repeatedly about what the current management is doing.

If they really want something to change, they (you) need to do more than post on Natpres.

 

Didn't 10 people recently try to do just that, and were to varying degrees pressured, bullied and had their volunteering id removed (disgustingly this final action was/is supported by Ian and his fellow trustees). It's at that point most rational people would say 'what's the point?' and move on to a more democratic and more enjoyable place to volunteer. The other outcome is that they give up volunteering completely.

 

The membership of the WSRHT then in that case should ask themselves, do we agree with what was done, in our name, after all the acting chair, is answerable to the membership, as are the rest of the trustees, if like many you don't agree, then at the next AGM, vote them out, and vote in others who will not take you for grated and tow the plc line, where its clearly not in the trust's interests, or that of the greater railway family to do so,
That's of course assuming that the company hasn't steered you onto the rocks, all the time insisting, we know what we are doing, Unfortunately, there is no one who can take the wheel, and steer the railway , away from the rocks, and into calm waters, unless both major supporters organisations find common cause, and that's going to mean wholesale trustee change before that can happen, then there will be the backlash from those used to having power,

 

Alas, as a member of the "tainted 10" who had the audacity to stand for election in accordance with the articles of a support organisation, this is not currently the case. I have it on good authority that the hired hands who ran the kangaroo court were making enquiries ........so I may still trouble them with a few FOI requests.

I would be delighted to assist but not in the present circumstances. If (when ?) the whole deck of cards collapses and if there is a realistic chance of starting afresh then who knows.

Anyway, how is the million pound survival fund / red route upgrade fund (delete as appropriate) coming along ?

 

I'm a member of WSRHT, and uncomfortable about this direction - which is why I joined last year with a view towards supporting the ten. But I also recognise a couple of other truths. The first is that the overall governance of the WSR is not the only show in town, and that WSRHT has it's own charitable objectives to meet rather than just being to back seat manage the WSR plc. The second is that I can stand and stamp my feet as much as I like, but without the time or energy to get hands on involved, I can only look on from the sidelines and vote for - or against - the candidates who present themselves.

 

There is no "collective". There never has been. The railway is run by the Plc board. They make all the decisions. Including any moves towards "change". Without the Plc board's total and enthusiastic agreement towards change, nothing will happen and we remain entirely in the Plc's hands. As it has been since 1971.

In the early months of 2020, pre-Covid, I wrote a paper about radical reform of the WSR's structure. The ideas put forward by John Bailey in May of that year were , uncannily similar. That paper was sent to each chair of the "WSR3". Each chair kindly responded and it was clear who was for and who was against. A constructive dialogue has been going on since.

Like many I was very hopeful that 'Bailey' would come about (esp as his ideas were so similar to those put down in my 'radical' paper, and no I am not suggesting John nicked my ideas, in fact I've never met , spoken to, or corresponded with, the man), and like many, I was very disappointed that the idea had been shelved by the Plc board, even though I appreciate there are a pile of other priorities, perhaps more pressing, for them to deal with.

I still think the best way is to continue chipping away with the idea of reform. Those who recently tried a different way also seem to share a similar vision as mine of the final structure and those folks are well aware of my views on what they planned to do and what they tried, and sadly I fear their approach/attempt has put things back a few steps.

I believe we will see the Plc board reviving the idea of structural change, perhaps within five years. Until then it would be helpful if all parties would work alongside the Plc board and not force the 'change' issue - the latter simply ensures the anti-change wagons are circled even tighter.

Steve
wsr.org.uk

 

Do you mean FOI, or GDPR subject access request? As I'm sure you know, there's a significant difference between the two.

 

Thanks for that, Brian. I understand you were not volunteering at the time of the WSSRT election. I just wondered if you have considered a return to the footplate and help your former colleagues on the Railway. Maybe you are too busy with non-railway things in which case ignore that remark

Like you I am reliant on the Plc for information about the £1M SOS appeal. No doubt you, like me, keep pressing for updates.

Steve
wsr.org.uk

 

There are two scenarios for the WSR that I fear if the Railway does not engage with the structural reform that all right-thinking folk agree is necessary. That would give charitable status, leaders openly appointed after due diligence and other benefits. All of which would provide the confidence required for volunteers and supporters, financial and otherwise.

The first scenario is an almighty crash onto (financial) rocks which will make a rescue very tough.

The second is a lingering death with resources steadily leaching away, assets being mortgaged to support operations until no more is left and the line dies with a whimper, not a bang, perhaps when some essential item of infrastructure maintenance cannot be performed.

I hope, of course, that I am wrong.

 

I did of course mean GDPR subject access, you are quite correct. Either way, it could be quite amusing.

Regarding the kangaroo courts, I am also reminded of boomerangs, Be careful what you throw as it may come back.

 

I regularly enjoy the line at around 800 feet and at 80kts.

 

Lightweight.

 

Steve

I admire your optimism.

But it all sounds very like the 1930’s and Chamberlain / Halifax’s policy of ‘appeasement’. Not sure that was entirely successful? Their mistake, of course, was expecting reasonable behaviour from unreasonable people.

Robin

 

I knew it wouldn't take long before Chamberlain cropped up. I won't mention the BEF. Ultimately, those who prefer skirmish and conflict end up talking. We all have to sew, not rend, and look critically at ourselves and our own behaviours.

Steve

 

Yes, I took a pile.

 

Actually (as reported by the S&D Trust Chairman in the Pines Express newsletter), in the end they did decide to leave of their own volition, but that was because the PLC's eventual grudging offer for them to stay was too little, too late, when they were already well advanced in preparations for a move; and because they realised that they had stagnated at Washford and could do a better job of their charitable purposes elsewhere. This does not at all excuse the PLC's original demand for them to leave.

 

Plus i would say a degree of self preservation, The WSR's future is at best, uncertain, and moving away to the MHR, a railway, that is well managed, and on very firm financial ground, and should still be operating in 5 years, , 10 years, 15 years, time, can the same be said of the WSR? there is no guarantee any railway might not fail, but if your already in financial hardship, with infrastructure that is in need of major work, then the pressures are bound to be greater,

 

Perhaps what we need will be another Boudicca.....? I'm sure you can fix chariot-type scythes to sports car wheel hubs.....

 

Not just the MHR, the S and D Trust have spread out to other locations too