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ELR does not like photographers

Discussion in 'Photography' started by Fred Kerr, Mar 30, 2014.

  1. Foxfield_Rich

    Foxfield_Rich New Member

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    Dear all,

    Further to my APOLOGY on the nuELR forum and in my defence I would like to just clear up a few things.

    1. I have never been employed by Foxfield Railway, I am a volunteer and have been for the past 10 years.
    2. I am fully supportive of contributing photographers and indeed have had excellent relationships with charter organisers Martin Creese and Richard Newton. In fact we have very constructive talks about events in the coming future.
    3. If I wasn't supportive, would I get up at 4am to drive Wimblebury on a Christmas charter (thoroughly enjoyable but tiring) at Foxfield last year? day?
    4. I am not the marketing manager of the ELR. I am the Sales Manager.

    As I have made clear privately to some photographers who I talk to quite often, it was a bad choice of words that has been blown out of context and that I am sorry for that however, some of the comments made towards me are really unjust which I have taken on the chin, some very upsetting which have made me lie awake in bed at night.

    Some may see this as a 'hidden agenda' or a 'cover up' but no it isn't. I am honest man and true to my word. A keen enthusiast myself who has worked considerably hard within the industry mainly in a volunteer capacity. I even put Foxfield before my university education at times in order to help make it the successful railway that it is now.

    Best regards,

    Richard
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2014
  2. ADB968008

    ADB968008 Guest

    I believe the above comment addresses the subject, and as we been privileged to have an official response, that should be respected. (The poster is trying to make an effort to reconcile a subject which has clearly exploded) and this forum is not a witch hunt on anyone.

    I would encourage forum users reading here, to view this thread (on the nuelr forum) before making further judgement.

    http://www.nuelr.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5064
     
    Avonside1563 likes this.
  3. ilvaporista

    ilvaporista Part of the furniture

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    Unfortunately you need to be registered to read that forum.
     
  4. Avonside1563

    Avonside1563 Well-Known Member

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    May I just add that I have personally known Richard for many years and he is dedicated to both Foxfield and the ELR (a railway with which he has also had much involvement over the years) and, whilst he has the uncanny knack of sometimes jumping before looking, he is full of enthusiasm and someone who would work very hard to promote the best interests of both railways and will always work with reasonable people who are prepared to invest even the slightest amount of time and effort into railway preservation. If someone is prepared to call a spade a spade then someone else will get upset over it, but let's not decry the efforts made by all those hard working employees and volunteers who ensure that heritage railways are there for the enjoyment of all of us and the education of non-enthusiasts.
     
    andi likes this.
  5. andi

    andi New Member

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    Why let that get in the way of a good witch hunt?
     
  6. 47279

    47279 New Member

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    Sorry Richard, I must have missed your APOLOGY on the nuELR forum. What I read was very obviously an attempt to 'explain away' the original comments that you made! Having read the ever-expanding threads on nuELR, NatPres and other forums, I don't find it surprising that some of the comments have caused you upset, possibly my own included - though I don't consider any of my own comments to be 'unjust'. However, I would certainly consider your original comment that was so derogatory towards the majority of photographers as unjust! The fact that you are a volunteer at one or more other railways did not prevent you making the post in the first place, and obviously holding that opinion and continuing to do so. I daresay that there are some supporters of the ELR, who, like myself, have been very upset by the comments and have also lost sleep over what the ELR's opinion is of their efforts.

    To those that say this is a "witch hunt" - I'm certainly embarking on no such thing as I have no axe to grind, but I hold what I believe are understandable objections to myself and my fellow linesiders being described in such a derogatory fashion. We shouldn't have to tolerate it from anyone, and especially not from an official of a Railway, paid or otherwise. You say you have made clear privately to some photographers that it was a bad choice of words that was blown out of context - you've said the same on the forums, too, but I would argue that the original statement was not open to interpretation. A bad choice of words, certainly - so surely a more public apology should be made to placate those that have been offended and remove any ill-feeling that still exists? Having spoken to a friend that is a member of the railway press (and I'm not referring to Fred Kerr, incidentally) I understand that, such has been the level of upset caused by the original post, some publications are to cover the story so perhaps a formal statement may be the way forward?
     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2014
    Tiviot Dale likes this.
  7. Fred Kerr

    Fred Kerr Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    As the originator of this thread I am happy to accept Richard's statement and his acknowledgement that his was a poor choice of words but he needs to appreciate that photographers have strong opinions and are not averse to expressing them.

    As requested by Admin I am happy to let the matter rest by making no further comment although I agree with 47279 that a 'formal statement" needs to be issued to clarify the muddied waters.
     
  8. Standard 4MT

    Standard 4MT Member

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    You say no further comment, then back up previous post saying: a formal statement is required.
    I think enough has been said and apologies made where required, but further will just start up other comments and possibly more damage in the long term.
     
  9. shredder1

    shredder1 Member

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    That should be the end of it now, the guys put his hands up and apologised, we all get things wrong on occasion, lets put it to bed now before any further offence is caused to anyone.
     
    nanstallon likes this.

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