Press Release - Role of Young People Emphasised at Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society AGM

There was much encouragement on offer at the recent AGM of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society.




Passenger numbers were reported to be up for the second year in a row, and income had seen a significant increase over the year before. In addition the Railway had been in receipt of a number of substantial legacies during the previous twelve months. This has enabled preparatory work to take place on a number of projects identified in the Railway’s strategic plan while other sources of funding are found.

Society Chairman, Jane Garvey, in her report to the meeting also emphasised the role of young people in running the Railway and the Society. She pointed out that the Society had a significant number of young people among its ranks which bodes well for the future. The Society’s Young Members Group had organised a number of events including a successful fund-raising carriage push, and a Young Members Day when members of the group took on key roles in running the railway.

However, there was a need for further assistance to enable all this to continue. As an example she cited the Graham Guildford fund, a bequest from a former member, which had enabled two young people to spend their summer at Tywyn working on the Railway. She asked that others might consider contributing to the fund to develop this work further.

Members were also given a preview of some of the events planned for the celebration of the Railway’s 150th Anniversary in 2015. This will take place over five special gala weekends between the beginning of May and the end of September.

The meeting also saw a presentation about the ‘Stone Blower Appeal Fund’. This included a demonstration video of one in action being used to precisely level track during routine maintenance. A collection was then held in aid of the fund and raised some £1440, which took the appeal over its target of £7500.

There were some changes to the elected bodies, with Society President, Richard Hope, standing down. He is succeeded by another long-time member, David Mitchell. Richard was thanked for his long service to the Society and the occasion was marked by the presentation of an especially commissioned painting. Two new members of the Society’s Council were elected along with those existing members who were standing for election again.

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For further information about this press release please e-mail: pressoffice [at] talyllyn [dot] co [dot] uk (subject: Web%20newspage%20enquiry) or phone either 0113 281 8235 or 01654 710472.