West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Fair comment, but my understanding is that NYMR is at 50% paid, then Ffestiniog at half that, and both are outliers within the sector. If that’s right, and I’m open to correction, then that suggests some railways are much more successful in maintaining a core volunteer ethos.


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Whatever organisation you are, looking after your staff whatever their position whether it’s paid or voluntary you should make them feel valued.
I believe Sir Alex Ferguson made a point of going around every day and saying ‘Good Morning’ to the staff at Carrington whilst in charge at Manchester United, it didn’t matter what your job was, he’d stop and have a chat with you, I believe Brian Clough was the same at Nottingham Forest.
I’ve said this so many times but treat people how you want to treated yourself.
Is it really that difficult?

 

Words to live by and I'd most heartily agree it certainly ought not to be ....

 

We had this discussion on the NYMR forum a few years ago - it is termed "management by walking about". An excellent practice that should be mandatory for all managers imho.

 

Leadership. All railways need it, just as they need management. The two are not the same, though it can be same person it doesn't have to be. Is the issue we are all scratching at, a lack of leadership in the current heritage railways?

 

I'd add a third necessary element to the mix .... the 'vision thing'. What might've been a first rate business model in the climate of "x" years ago may well not be so great now. Markets change. That can be down to any number of factors and sometimes occurs incrementally, sometimes not. Markets can evaporate too.

 

I totally agree, we had an instance last night of a member of staff unsure of what to do in a certain situation (under age drinkers basically) so I’m currently sorting out some paperwork for them so they know what they need to do and what their position is legally.
I’m to really trying to be proactive with my person management of our newbies at the moment, rather than reactive.
Im more than happy to give my mobile number out so I can be contacted if there’s a problem, whether that’s with our staff or our customers who aren't happy or unsure about something.
As you say this is ‘management by walking about’ which I believe a certain Mr Reginald Hanks was rather fond of, as were his pupils Messers Green, Shooter and Daniels, it’s certainly something I’m trying to do in my current job.

 

You’d love a chat with my Dad. I find our chats rather interesting regarding what his past position was, his current position where he volunteers and what my day job involves.
There seems to be a huge difference in management styles.

 

Thats the biggest myth of all time. How you want to be treated isn't necessarily what I want.
The mantra should be "Treat people how they wish to be treated".
That, of course, is more difficult because you have to take the time to find out how people want to be treated first. But that is a good thing.
Ian

 

Indeed. But do as you would be done by is a good start when that time isn't available.

 

A couple of railway-related folk have asked me about the award I received for my D&I work at the bar, so to save repeating endlessly here it is from last week.

It is hard to express how far behind some parts of railway heritage are, although Jo Crompton has made a pretty good stab at expressing it.



The award citation was:

‘An expert in all aspects employment law, Robin White is rewarded for her outstanding work to combat discrimination. Notably, she has advised on a number of high-profile cases on transgender matters and co-authored ‘A Practical Guide to Transgender Law’. ‘

 

https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/1...echanical-engineering-director-designate.html

 

“L’audace reussit a ceux qui savent profiter des occassions”
( A la recherche du temps perdu - Marcel Proust)

Michael Rowe

 

The recent PDG minutes infer rather cryptically that the PLC are about to have a D&I "event". I have no idea what that could be, however I am sure that your recent recognition, expertise and experience in this area could be most beneficial to the wellbeing of this and adjacent lines.

 

D&I?

 

"Diversity and inclusion" I assume.

Tom

 

Ah!

Given the numbers of people who have been 'excluded' from the WSR in recent years for whatever reason it seems ironic to say the least

 

WSR volunteer numbers have AFAIK hovered around the 1,ooo mark for some years.
Would you ( or someone ) please tell us how many have actually been ‘excluded’ in the
last five years.

Thanking you in advance, Michael Rowe

ps, latest update at 16.49 see below: two ? anymore ?
pp ss 26/11/. 10.58pm ; three

Probably three more than one would hope for in any organisation but….

26/11/58 posting also quotes “allegedly 20” . In response to other claims
in the posting numbers have been 1400 in the past. I believe c. 1100 was
the max and currently c.900.

I am keeping this on the single post to avoid boring repetition .MJR

 

I had dinner with two of them last night.