GWSR launching shares offer for Broadway...

Hello all (whoop, first topic started - ahem...)
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire railway, or Honeybourne line as we seem to rebranding ourselves, has launched a shares issue entitled "Bridges to Broadway". The main bulk of the remaining cost to getting to Broadway is the £500,000 needed to repair the five bridges along the route:

1. Station Road, Broadway – £215,000
2. Childswickham Road, Broadway – £86,000
3. Pry Lane, Broadway – £18,000
4. Peasebrook Farm, Cheltenham Road, Broadway – £46,000
5. Little Buckland, Broadway – £192,000

Once we get to Broadway we will have a 28 mile round trip from Cheltenham racecourse to Broadway, connecting two major tourist places in the Cotswolds. The work done so far for Broadway so far is frankly magnificent, considering it is all done by volunteers, both platforms are virtually complete (accommodating up to 10 coach trains) should you wish to have a nose at what's going on at the station site, the team there run an excellent blog at http://broadwaygwsr.blogspot.co.uk/.

Shares cost £1 and can be purchased in minimum quantities of 100.



Everyone at the GWSR can't wait to reach Broadway, so despite the odd embankment setback, we are determined to get there, I think somewhere between 2017-18. Sound like a long time, speed it up and buy some shares

Shares can be ordered by cheque through the post, and as far as I know, are only available to purchase this way, so an excellent excuse to visit the railway to order shares too

Just thought you might like to know,

Alex

 

An excellent choice of locomotive for the front cover of the share offer! 2807 is of course no stranger to the Honeybourne line in GWR and in BR days, being based at Stratford upon Avon shed during some of the latter.

 

indeed, truly a brilliant project, soon to be joined by another 28xx restoration project, I think it is 2874 ( don't hold me to the number) owned by the dinmore manor group.

 

Thanks for the "heads up" flying scotsman 123. I have to declare an interest in this as I work as a volunteer at Broadway helping with this reconstruction. There is a link to the GWSR website where you can download the prospectus at: http://gwsr.com/BridgestoBroadway.pdf.

It says in the prospectus "Please send the completed Application Form,togetherwith your cheque, bankers’ draft
or debit card details for the full amount payable on application"..... so other payment methods are available.

I have to agree with your comments about Bill Britton's blog, it is excellent and usually updated about 3 times a week, loads of pictures too so you can see the progress. We have now started the first stage of the construction of the signal box, piling the foundations. Bill gets over 31,000 hits a month at present, which confirms the interest in this excellent project.

Terry

 

thanks for the link, I think that went up after I posted

 

I have to agree with the comments above about the Broadway Blogspot, a model of showing work in progress and keeping all those interested uptodate.

( and, depicting some superb bricklaying...!)

I'm sure the share issue will do well.

46118

 

Quite agree with you: the Broadway blog is a remarkable one maybe the best on the preserved railway scene(I look at it 1-2 times each day)
would it be possible for a no "briton" to contribute to that share issue?
regards
Noel

 

the whole network of blogs on the GWSR provides brilliant coverage, I've certainly never come across anything more comprehensive.

http://gwsr.com/fund-raising/bridges-to-broadway.aspx is a link to the website with the article on the share offer, the link at the bottom of that page takes you to a pdf file detailing the offer with all terms and conditions. Page 25 appendix terms and conditions number 2 addresses buying shares in other countries, unfortunately I have absolutely no idea what it is on about, perhaps someone else could decipher it!
Alex

 

Whilst keen to support this project I am a little reluctant following my experience with the "Chicken Curve" Appeal; when the appeal was initially opened I signed up for 100 shares but the appeal was then taken up by Steam Railway who doubtless claimed much credit for promoting the scheme. Fair enough BUT when subscribers who responded through Steam Railway were given preferential treatments during the "rejoining of the line" celebrations whilst this initial subscriber - at least - got not even an acknowledgement for his pre-SR support by receiving an invitation to the event then I question how much my support is / was appreciated.

Am I being unfair or have others received a similar lack of appreciation ?

 

I certainly haven't heard any others complaining, I think you were unfortunate there. that was an emergency appeal though, without wishing to sound bad, we wanted the money really badly there, it had drastically reduced our income. this offer should be a bit more leisurely and better organized, so you sure to get the rewards for purchasing shares.
Alex

 

I don't wish to be disparaging, but your signature says you are 14 years old. However you appear to be speaking on behalf of a plc in respect of a share issue which is regulated by law. You surely cannot be both

 

I certainly do not wish to appear to be speaking on behalf of the plc, just my opinions and a possible thought on why Fred may not have got his free ride. On reflecting on my post, it wasn't put very well either, I simply meant that the railway was in a state of disarray being in 2 bits. the main point of my post was to get accross the fact that this share offer has been planed for quite a while, not as hastily put together as the previous one (for obvious reasons) I probably should have said that in the first place to be honest. I didn't set this thread up on behalf of anyone, just as someone who wants as many people involved as possible so we get our extension!
Alex

 

Fred,

As a volunteer at the GWSR, I'm extremely grateful to you and everybody else who helped the railway out at a very difficult time.

I mentioned your comment to Maxine Barton-Hawkins, GWSR Development Manager, and she has asked me to post the following reply.

Regards,

Chris Hayes.

Firstly I would like to express the GWR’s apologies for any hurt or upset caused, this was not our intention. In hindsight the Chicken Curve Appeal options (shares, general emergency appeal, 300 club, individual donations etc.) were produced in isolation of each other, as is common in emergencies. Given the luxury of time I am sure a more coordinate approach would have been adopted and issues like this would not have occurred. I think it is also important to remember that each method of helping the railway received a different level of incentive, the majority of those who gave via the Steam Railway Magazine Appeal received one off incentives, those who purchase shares receive yearly incentives as well as the opportunity to attend and vote at the AGM, those who gave via individual donations received the pleasure of helping a struggling heritage railway recover.

The Railway received thousands of individual donations many of whom were not identifiable by person or in the case of share purchases identifiable as donations solely for the slip this meant it was unfortunately impossible to personally invite all to the event. The GWR are aware and acknowledge the debt of gratitude that it owes to each and every person who contributed to helping the GWSR move forward following the Chicken Curve slip. If the person who posted the comment would like to contact the GWSR Development Manager, Maxine Barton-Hawkins (01242 621905, development@gwsr.com) she will be happy to discuss the new share option or any question or concern.

Kindest regards

Maxine

 

As a shareholder with the minimum holding of 100 shares you are currently entitled to receive three shareholder's tickets per annum that you can use (or not) as and when you wish. These tickets are normally distributed with the annual report and are valid for use until the end of October in the following year. When you consider that the normal cost of an adult day ticket is £15, that's quite a significant acknowledgement of your support! Compare that with the shareholder benefit of just one 'free' all-line day return that the Severn Valley Railway gives to its shareholders having the minimum holding of 100 shares.

I should point out that I am very glad to be a small scale shareholder of both the GWSR and SVR, regardless of the disparity in the incentives that I receive from them in recognition of my investments.

Cheers,

 

I have been in contact with audlin2 off-line and I now consider the matter closed. My intent was not to cause offence but to identify a situation that I hope the current appeal will not replicate and therefore I will be making no further comment on this matter.

 

Just discovered as of tonight £45,000 have been raised, enough to fund a whole bridge! There is also a hotline to order your shares brochure from, or any other questions 01242 621905 (no idea about the times on this)
definitely not a bump
Alex

 

Oh give the lad a break! For goodness sake, why do some people have such a pathological inability to read a well-meaning post in the spirit with which it's intended?

 

Hear hear !

 

I wouldn't worry, it was a badly phrased post on my part (my post after that managedto get my point accross better) and we had a brief private conversation afterwards to clear up any points. thanks for the support though

 

up to £75,000 As of friday night, looking good...