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Mid-Hants Sponsored Walk

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by Stewie Griffin, Oct 13, 2009.

  1. Stewie Griffin

    Stewie Griffin Member

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    I see the Mid-Hants are holding their annual sponsored walk on 7 November, ostensibly to support the 'Wadebridge Appeal'. Looking further at the appeal though (http://www.watercressline.co.uk/34007app.htm), it appears to my simple mind that the appeal's only connection to Wadebridge is that the railway has spent the money previously set aside as match funding for the later phases of the Ropley lottery project in purchasing it.

    Is it not just a bit misleading to say that the walk is being done in aid of a 'glamour' subject like a locomotive, when actually its to repair a hole in the society coffers for an infrastructure project? And before I get accused of 'trolling', I would ask similar questions about other railways if such papers were as 'in the public domain' as these.

    Are the later phases of the Ropley development still able to go ahead as things stand?
     
  2. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    Are you going to walk the ten miles from Alton to Alresford then? I think possible NOT
    8-[ 8-[

    Ps The next part of the Ropley boiler shop and carriage shed is about to start with the old cladding being removed from the existing boiler shop.
     
  3. Stewie Griffin

    Stewie Griffin Member

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    Oh don't you just love it when people post without knowing who you are; I have previously done the walk on 5 occasions, raising in the region of £450 for the Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society...

    As I say, I just feel it is a little misleading to title it the 'Wadebridge Appeal', when really the only connection to Wadebridge is that it has taken the money earmarked for the present project. Its strange though, because I would actually be more prepared to contribute to a project that clearly stated it was to benefit workshop and volunteer facilities to one referring to a particular locomotive.
     
  4. cct man

    cct man Part of the furniture

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    Oh lighten up Stewie for Gods sake, it is no good whinging on Nat/Pres, go and talk to Colin Chambers as he is at Medstead all week unloading rail panels.

    Regards
    Chris
     
  5. 73129

    73129 Part of the furniture

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    I was always under the impression that the walk is to help recoup the money back from the loan that the society gave to the MHR Plc to buy Wadebridge. The original money came from the sale of the land at Butts junction. The Ropley development has already had money allocated to it from another source. This was all conversed at a previous AGM a few years ago. Maybe you should attend the next AGM.
     
  6. MAPLE CHRIS

    MAPLE CHRIS Member

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    Does it really matter as long as the money raised is going to the Mid Hants
     
  7. Swan Age

    Swan Age Member

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    Here, Here. As long as the money is spent wisely i have no problem what it is raised for.
     
  8. 34007

    34007 Part of the furniture

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    Where do the current funds stand? Can this not be re-invested as i am sure the railway will be able to help out with other projects?
     
  9. domeyhead

    domeyhead Member

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    Many many years ago (before the track was laid from Ropley to Alton) I did the walk and raised a tidy sum on the understanding that I was going to RUN to Alton and back, which I did. 13 miles in the creditable time (so I thought) of 1 hour 50 minutes.
    However when I staggered back to Ropley looking like the 118118 man lathered in sweat and delirious with dehydration my euphoria vanished as the organisers had left their post and all gone off to have breakfast. When I finally tracked them down in Dot Court's carriage they seemed rather bemused and unwilling to record my return until they'd all had a second cuppa and roll up to go with it.
    To complete my misery the Mid Hants News recorded my "triumph" by informing everyone that I had completed the run in 2 hours 50 minutes!
     
  10. 34007

    34007 Part of the furniture

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    I too have done it once before!! I thought firing up the 1-60 from Alton was hectic enough! That is nothing by comparison! lol

    Funny how some people put you down eh Stewie??
     

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