WSRA Trustee Election Hustings

Maybe Utter contempt is a bit strong and I withdraw the remark.

It still doesn't get away from the fact that 3 out of 10 of the top table will not be there. I understand from a well placed source that Wood and Walters (didn't they used top be on tv) are both on holiday and if this is correct I leave you all to draw your own conclusions. When I was active in the ops department incurred the wrath of my eldest daughter because I wouldnt go to a fathers day dinner that she sprang on me and her partners father because I was roster on that day. I made a commitment to the railway and I believe in keeping my commitments.

Rodders

Must try not to go to bed for a few hours after posting in the evening.

 

At a Meeting on 2 June, I believe.

Robin

 

Rodney

I sm sure your criticisms are valid, or may well be, especially in respect of the inexplicable co-optee, Chris Walters.

John Wood is an honourable chap, who appears with Mike Grimoldby in the photo of the sales van in Minehead Station entrance in the summer of 1975, so (1) his WSR pedigree might allow him to miss a meeting or two and (2) I expect that we will find he has 'hung in there' amongst the Trustees, hoping to good from within. I should add that I have no special knowledge, just a prediction from what I know of John.

We just have to be careful to express criticism in a way which will not put off some of those who might support change. I share your passion, we just need to use it constructively.

Roll on Saturday.

Kind regards

Robin White

 

Robin,

How will 3 trustees not being there affect your hope that should the chairmans report be voted down the trustees would rethink their position?

Rodders

 

Mixed news, I suppose.

If we are right that Chris Walters, Dick Holland and John Wood will not be there, I think (from what I have previously said) that it is a shame John won't be there.

Chris Walters I rather regard as a non-entity but then he did allow his name to go forward in what I regard as a highly questionable manner.

Dick is one of the three re-electees, so one might guess that he had rather bought into the recent approach by Trustees.

However, I can think of at least 2 of the 7 remaining whom I put in the category of those I expect to have been very uncomfortable with recent events. There are, therefore, some 'voices of reason' amongst the 7.

I would hope that, if the show of opposition is strong, dignified, and obvious, the mountain might move. It is still, I believe, our best chance of change without continuing strife.

Kind regards

Robin White

 

Undoubtedly there will be a minority of current trustees who share our concerns, may well have voiced them at meetings, were outnumbered by the remaining power clique, and had, in public,to toe the majority party line.If we achieve a major shift in the makeup of the trusteeship tomorrow,they may be more confident in supporting those seeking change within WSRA.

 

I concur with Robin and have a newer view of the Trustee's workings. My view of the make up of the current Trustee Board would be 6 'hard line anti plc' members, 2 very moderate members, 2 'not sure' depends on the wind direction members and finally 1 'don't have a clue' member. You will note I have 11 as I have included the Company Secretary who speaks but didn't vote when I was there. The 6 anti plcs I mentioned would have meetings outside the main Trustees meetings and would arrange matters as they wanted in the secure knowledge that they wouldn't be out voted.
Two hard liners, a 'don't know' and a wind blown member are standing for re-election. If they are all overthrown the 4 new trustees will be on an equal footing with the anti hard liners which will give a good chance of winning any votes. Ties will be no good as the Chairman will have the casting vote and he is one of the 'antis'.
I think we need to remember that the Chairman is also the editor of the Journal and seems to have carte blanche to add whatever slant he wants on any copy as there is no independent proof reading. I am sure we can all recall the Journal interview with past Chairman David Holmes where David Williams added his editorial comments all through the piece and significantly altered the meaning. Ken

 

Thank you for that insight into the inner workings,seems to confirm our thoughts on the current trusteeship.

 

WSRA AGM - Tomorrow - Bishops Lydeard VH 14.00 hrs

The following notes might be of interest to those who are attending.

Timing.
The start is posted as 14.00 hrs, as there could be some 200 plus people in attendance, it could take in excess of 1 1/2 hours to register attendees, issue person in proxy voting instructions, issue general voting instructions etc.

It is not clear how the WSRA have arranged the above or when the registration on members is planed to start however the WSRAMAG candidates and supporters will be in attendance outside the hall from 12.00 hrs onward to talk with members and offer complementary bottled water for later in what might be a long, hot meeting.
Other candidates may well be in attendance as well.

To help the smooth registration of members, you membership card or number MAY be of assistance.

Parking
It is likely that the village hall car park and local on road parking will be quickly filled.
It has been arranged for Dunkirk field to be opened for overflow parking, it is the field gate on the Right as you turn into Station Road for the WSR

Travel by WSR
As the 12.30 ex MD has now been re-timed to run later due to an incoming Mail Line charter, members using this service would miss the 14.00 hrs start of the AGM

It would be best to catch the 10.15 ex MD and have a front row seat.

Trust this is helpful.

Vote for change in the WSRA, Vote Crudge, Price, Randles and Rowe.

Jeff Price

 

As Taunton resident, looking at using the 28 bus,which has a convenient stop outside the hall,both directions half hourly service,last return from village. about 7.30 pm. Gives a chance for a pint before or after !!
I hope there is space for chickens coming home to roost.

 

"It has been arranged for Dunkirk field to be opened for overflow parking, it is the field gate on the Right as you turn into Station Road for the WSR"


Thanks for that Jeff, one question; I am travelling down from Yorkshire early Saturday morning, probably dodging the forecasted thunderstorms etc. Given the forecast for very heavy and intense rain in the Somerset area overnight and throughout Saturday, what is the thinking about the suitabilty of a field for parking purposes?

 

>>>>Regrettably, as is the present fashion, a number of my friends ....have been married more than once. ....... I am also beginning to approach that time in life when the number of funerals starts to approach the number of weddings !

When I got married m-a-n-y years ago <g>, it is evident with hindsight that my planning went astray. As a result, my wife's birthday often clashes with the Autumn Gala and our wedding anniversary with the Steam Fayre ! [So far, the only problem with the Spring Gala has been the weather.] Sometimes, however much one might want to be down in Somerset enjoying the WSR, it really is rather more prudent to have other priorities To that extent therefore I would not criticise the relevant Trustees without knowledge of their circumstances, particularly one who is not standing for re-election this time anyway. At least the Chairman will be there....presumably....to present his report.

>>>The start is posted as 14.00 hrs, as there could be some 200 plus people in attendance, it could take in excess of 1 1/2 hours to register attendees, issue person in proxy voting instructions, issue general voting instructions etc....

Hmmm - I wonder how many attendees will realise this and not just turn up 'just in time'? Could be a recipe for chaos....

 

It is the first weekend of the school holidays and the M5 can become a car park very quickly should an incident happen. Just a word of warning to people who are travelling a long way

Rodders

 

It already is very busy. Sadly I shall not be able to attend but my proxy votes have been given to a reliable person. Hope somebody can take some video!

 

Thanks for that, I am planing to be leaving Holmfirth before 5am in an attempt to be at BL by 10-10.30am, thunderstorms, wind, rain, hailstones and cars full of school children allowing!

Also staying overnight at a B&B so hope to have some time to visit the railway on Sunday morning before I head home.

See you all there.

 

Like I'm sure many others, I have been reading this fascinating thread with incredulity. I hope that you will post the outcome of the AGM and the resulting impications for the WSR/WSRA. Thanks in advance

Nick

 

Jeff, that's helpful

Just one item missing

Those considering coming by train (we are, after all, a Railway !) should not forget the return special running from Bishops Lydeard at 1815 on Saturday, running Bishops Lydeard - Minehead - Bishops Lydeard, to allow folks to come by train AND get home without having to run for the normal 1615 Bishops Lydeard departure, but also also allow a return run on the Railway after the meeting.

Details on the WSR plc website: http://westsomersetrailway.vticket....19-july-2014/69e170cc8712d6518c01edba768677e4

kind regards

Robin White

 

It is remarkable these travel or parking arrangements have had to made by "change" candidates or their supporters, and our thanks are due to them for their foresight. The only initiative ,so far,shown by WSRA is by extending the opening of the shop and Whistleblowers to 6.15pm.Thanks, I dare say, to Kate.

 

Quick thought, those considering using FGW etc rail to avoid the M5 holiday traffic (and its usual crop of overturned caravans), the 28 bus to BL picks up on the south side of Taunton station..

 

Chris

Your point is well made.

The late opening emerged from a conversation I had with Kate earlier in the week when I called in to apologise for renaming the cafe 'Whistleblowers' as opposed to 'Whistle Stop' in the notice about the Special Train. (Freudian, perhaps?). It does seem to be a symptom of the present position that the Trustees have not, for example, arranged for the Hawksworth Saloon, or Williton works to be on show on the morning for members.

Thanks are due to WSRA stalwart Ron, who will be keeping open until the Special Train leaves.

Kind regards

Robin White