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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Discussion in 'Heritage Railways & Centres in the UK' started by gwr4090, Nov 15, 2007.

  1. rodders154

    rodders154 Member

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    The list I have seen

    Barrie Childs
    Stephen Doughty
    Martin Duff - resigned
    Brian Fraser
    Emma Haywood
    David Horton
    Colin Howard - resigned
    Nigel Power
    James Price
    Jeff Price
    Chris Ruddick - resigned
    Seb Welsh - resigned
    Robin White
    Robin Wichard - resigned

    It may have changed overnight. Makes you wonder what tale they were spun to join up in the first place.
     
  2. Mike S

    Mike S New Member

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    See post by FlyingScotsman123 above...
    Or how much harassment they have received in 24 hours or so.........? Just sayin...
     
  3. rodders154

    rodders154 Member

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    What proof is there that anybody has been harrased please supply proof. People cannot accept that it dawned on some that they were being played.


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  4. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    The current plc leadership have form for taking an aggressive position against those who show signs of dissent. I’m quite prepared to believe that the five have changed their minds freely at the last, but it seems odd that the person advocating expulsions should now be asking for proof of harassment.


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  5. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    It is funny how when the WSSRT is involved the PLC and their supporters are 'leave the WSSRT to get on with their own activities, they just want to run their museum, look after their exhibits, they can't possibly contravene their rules and the charity legislation.'

    And yet,

    When the SDRT wanted to carry on its own activities, run their museum and look after their own exhibits, and obey the rules of the charitable status, the result was an eviction order, false accusations in the press, accusations of being a cuckoo in the nest.

    Where were all those defenders of the WSSRT as a small trust then?

    A tale of two trusts.


    Why don't you ask @SebWelsh or @Maverick directly for example.

    You ask for proof of harassment, do you have proof of your allegations? What is good for the goose is good for the gander.
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2020
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  6. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I have not seen any new convincing arguments over the last 48 hours that would make anyone think again (despite asking for such from some of the more vocal critics). I *have* seen some pretty awful personal comments directed towards the 14, saying that the railway would be better off shot of all of them. I find that attitude incredible given the service all 14 have given, particularly @SebWelsh who organised the only days the WSR has been open this year. The threat of ID card withdrawal was no doubt hanging over them too, which is not something to be taken lightly, my railway volunteering is really important to me and no doubt the same for everyone else. Ironic given that even with your ID card intact, you still can't drive/fire/guard/signal as the railway is still closed.
     
  7. nanstallon

    nanstallon Part of the furniture

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    I remember JJP, just after taking over as Chairman of the Board, speaking of getting rid of 'troublemakers'. I didn't realise what a wide definition was being applied to that word.
     
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  8. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    I presume the description 'resigned'. in Rodders post, means resigned from the Trust not just the quest for election.
    If that is so then we have yet another instance of a WSR group in danger of tearing themselves apart.
    The line is never at peace it seems; I believe there is a common denominator.
     
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  9. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    With the never ending rounds of take overs, attempted take overs, expulsions and general bad mouthing each other, I think the S&DRT would be well advised to pack up and get as far away from the WSR as possible.

    Keith
     
  10. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    the gift that keeps on giving . Any other preserved railway gets on with running trains , or at least keeps its head down , yet strange things are obviously in the water in Somerset . Nothing like a good squabble to enthuse the masses and convince everyone this is a line worth saving

    despite the outcry over an earlier post of mine the latest set of carnage seems to have convinced a few in private at least that maybe i'm not quite as mad as some may think

    I feel for the younger volunteers , people who deserve better and should be the ones to take the railway forward unencumbered by the politics of the past . Would it be too much for the old guard to ceremonially fall on their swords and let a new WSR rise ?
     
  11. Mike S

    Mike S New Member

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    It simply is not for me to divulge private conversations, that isn't right and isn't going to happen, what I'm saying is enough. I'm sure you have many of them on 'speed dial', seems that plenty of others had, so go ask for yourself....

    Or you could always offer proof that they haven't, such is your certainty of the situation? Or maybe, as has been stated elsewhere on here, the posts made in a specific FB group saying all 14 should leave the railway is a special kind of 'WSR thank you' and couldn't be taken as any kind of harassment at all?
     
  12. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Some people on the WSR could have a falling out and a loud and violent fight in an empty room.
     
  13. richards

    richards Part of the furniture

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    They also specialise in criticism of proposals and personal attacks, without actually suggesting alternatives. Makes you wonder how they actually run a train services: "Oh, you don't want to be going that way!".

    Or maybe it's because they *don't* actually run the trains - or volunteer at all - that the WSR manages to stagger on.
     
  14. rodders154

    rodders154 Member

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    I think you will find that it's up to the accuser to prove they have been harassed and have been threatened with card removal it not to me to prove they haven't. That's not how it works in the real world. If you are accused by the police of something they have to prove it. I would be extremely surprised if any of this has happened.


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  15. GWR4707

    GWR4707 Nat Pres stalwart

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    Jesus I see this has all kicked off again over the weekend, I really don't have time to read 100's of pages so can some one summarise who has fallen out with who now, are the baddies now the goodies or vice versa and who is taking the train set home.
     
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  16. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Yes, but thankfully, you are not the police and this is not a court of law. There is no remedy being sought, merely a point being made. You suggested some of the 14 had seen the error of their ways (pure speculation on your part unless you have any proof?) Others have replied telling you that there has been harassment. If you're not willing to take the word of someone like me or even an upstanding member such as @Mike S then that's your prerogative, but there it is.
     
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  17. Sidmouth

    Sidmouth Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Moderator

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    is this not the fundamental problem. A purely binary view that dismisses any other possibility . This isn't a police investigation and people understandably may be fearful of putting such information into the public domain at this time . It takes a special type of courage to risk everything that means something to you

    not so long ago you were on the side of those seeking change . Now you come across as supportive of the current set up
     
  18. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Ok, so approximately 3 billion years ago (or last Saturday as normal people call it) 14 people announced they were standing as trustees for the WSSRT on a manifesto of taking the WSSRT into the reform process which they had previously resisted. Background bits of information include the fact that the WSSRT sent out their AGM papers last week before nominations for trustees closed, and they have a small membership ~70 this time last year, who's to say now...

    The Plc then put out this public statement, I link to it via Facebook so you can get a taster for some of the comments, they were much worse in some of the private groups. Because of some of that abuse and also threats of withdrawal of Plc ID cards, allegedly the 14 is down to 9, although I'm told that may not be entirely accurate.

    Stay tuned!...
     
  19. Pete Thornhill

    Pete Thornhill Resident of Nat Pres Staff Member Administrator Moderator Friend

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    Is it really a surprise he is supportive of the current set up? I seem to remember he was instrumental to the co-option to the board of JJP.
     
  20. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    Is it just me or are the current board incumbents are becoming more and more like Trump?

    Anything he disagrees with is 'fake news...',
    Any alternative that anyone else proposes is "...coming from people trying to steal your rights..."
    Anyone daring to openly oppose him is immediately subject to vicious attacks on social media and verbal personal attacks by a crowd of extreme 'supporters'...

    All this fuss is about an internal WSSRA matter. The Plc Board should be condemning any attempted interference from outside to allow the WSSRA to sort out it's own business - but, as far as I can see, they are not only not condemning that interference that also appear to be actively encouraging these sort of responses.

    These are not the sort of actions that are expected to earn the WSR respect. These are not the sort of actions that will make others in the heritage railway world trust the WSR. These are not the sort of actions that will encourage (desperately needed) major donors to part with their cash...

    (I don't want to upset the mods so they can remove this next bit if they want to...)

    Two words to describe the WSR spring to mind right now: Tyranny or Dictatorship. Take your pick.
     
    Last edited: Sep 7, 2020

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