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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    Thanks for the clarification. If successful in the resubmission, then presumably there will be yet another set of replacement papers ?
     
  2. Presumably. That's a matter for the Trust.
     
  3. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    So, had this not come to light, then this would have never been made known to the members?
     
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  4. ghost

    ghost Part of the furniture

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    I was thinking exactly the same thing!

    Keith
     
  5. Bionic_Woman

    Bionic_Woman New Member

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    I suggest that you email wssrtcandidates@gmail.com for a complete rundown of events.
     
  6. Maunsell907

    Maunsell907 Member

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    My attention has been drawn to the above posting.

    For a short period. I was first an advisor and then co-opted Trustee of the WSRA with the 'ex6'.
    ( specifically charged with assisting in the preparation of a coherent strategic/business plan).

    However it soon became evident that in any discussion the conversation inevitably developed
    into an anti WSR Plc stance, Although they ( the ex6) had been thwarted in their attempt to
    purchase the Railway Freehold ( an attempt that you Robin supported at the time ) still
    harboured desires to run the Railway. In such circumstances Frank (C) , recently appointed
    Chair, and I welcomed your offer to obtain sufficient members to request an EGM. ( which
    after various shenanigans led to the removal of the 6.)

    I am not, nor never have been, a WSSRT Member. It has always appeared to be a small,
    successful ( within its remit) specialist Society, typical of many such within the Railway
    Heritage diaspora. I perfectly understand its desire to continue with its own WSR
    specialist supporting role ( notably successful over the last 24 months,

    To compare a small specialist charity, totally loyal to the WSR and which is working
    constructively with the Plc and the WSRA, with the then major WSR supporting charity,
    with a group of Trustees (the ex6) wanting to assume title to the Railway is not only
    absurd, it is provocative.

    PLEASE NOTE. The moderators have removed the last two paragraphs of this
    posting. Whilst it is apparently quite correctly ok for forum members to
    question my posts ( and indeed not correctly, allow a posting including a
    total fabrication concerning myself ( in fact libellous ) I am not permitted to
    query whether a certain member, having instigated a process might
    consider their position:

    that is: having caused further bad press for the WSR and considerable
    distress to a long term much respected nationally 'railwayman' and WSR
    volunteer.

    Added post the events of yesterday, Saturday !

    Michael Rowe
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2020
  7. gios

    gios Member

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    Just when one thought the level of abuse and recrimination could not become any more bitter. Along come Maunsell907 and FrankC to throw new coals on the fire. To comment on these posts will clearly lead nowhere. It is a simple democratic process within the WSSRT for goodness sake. You may or may not like our present political leaders, but the silent majority accept the outcome of democracy. Only the fringe attempt to subvert the process.

    You people need to grow up, realize the damage you are doing to your railway by your somewhat opinionated and entrenched view that only your view can be correct. Try and become more amenable to other peoples perspectives and talk to them. There is always compromise if people are prepared to accept change of some sort is necessary.

    Continual confrontation is clearly leading nowhere other than ever more entrenched positions with the inevitable tragic conclusion.
     
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  8. WSSRTcandidates

    WSSRTcandidates New Member

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    THE PATH TO A SINGLE OVERARCHING CHARITY TO SUPPORT THE WSR – HOW TO VOTE FOR THE 10 WSSRT TRUSTEE CANDIDATES:

    Steam Trust AGM papers have started to hit doormats. Please vote for we 10 candidates (item 6) seeking genuine whole-Railway restructure of the WSR. We also support Helen Anson, Matt Jackson and Alan Smithers as worthy candidates. We do not support candidates Steve Williams, Mike Thompson or Geoff Evens.

    Please vote in favour of the two resolutions at item 7. The text of these resolutions is reproduced in full on the AGM agenda. The Steam Trust expressed their support for these in their newsletter No.15 issued earlier this week.

    When not to Vote: If, for any reason you feel unable to vote as your conscience dictates, it is best you do not vote at all.

    Members should vote (for, against or abstain) for ALL the candidates and resolutions.

    There is a general acceptance that we need to build ‘One Railway’ and that the best model is for one sole membership-led supporting charitable body to own the Railway assets, with a PLC subsidiary to operate the Railway.
    Those of us standing for election do not believe that the WSSRT can remain outside the proposed new structure, with a continuing focus on museums, education and heritage coach restoration.
    These activities are physically integrated within the fabric of the WSR and form an essential part of the whole.
    Also, the WSSRT is a significant shareholder in the PLC and as such it is hard to see how it can protect that interest from the sidelines.
    We feel that the future interests of the WSSRT are far better served in the coming restructuring discussion with the PLC by being part of a single membership body able to ensure that the combined shareholding allows the voice of the membership to be heard at this critical time. That voice – that combined voice – must be heard. The success of the railway depends upon it. It is the key success factor.


    Please contact us with any questions by emailing wssrtcandidates@gmail.com. You will be assured of a reply.

    If you have any doubts over any aspect of voting and wish to discuss them, please delay completing your voting form until you have heard back from us.
     
  9. Maunsell907

    Maunsell907 Member

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    You are so right. I accept your viewpoint entirely. Now ask Robin to do likewise, thank you.

    Michael Rowe
     
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  10. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    I suspect there is a common theme and the same names Nick. This is far longer then the recent couple of years which is all some consider.
    But any publication here would, no doubt, result in the usual legal threats.
     
  11. WSSRTcandidates

    WSSRTcandidates New Member

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    You will be aware that every single item of bad press in recent weeks has either been generated by the management of the WSSRT or the management of the PLC. We, as candidates, have had to respond to this bad press as best we could in order to put the record straight on several matters where statements have been misleading or simply false. Please refer to the timeline of events set out in post #33760.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2020
  12. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    Frank Sinatra retired and returned less often.

    It is pretty sad to watch people shredding their own reputations at every turn by defending the indefensible behaviour of the PLC and the current WSSRT leadership.
     
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  13. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    So what is it that scares the leadership so much that they are in effect ruining what ever is left of their reputations them selves the trustees of the WSSRT say they want no part of any restructuring, yet seem to have been told fight this even if you lose your own reputations, what reasoning is there, its looking suspiciously like deals have been done with the plc, behind members backs, that if new trustees get in might blow up in their faces . what other reason can there be?
     
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  14. Greenway

    Greenway Part of the furniture

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    That is the $64,000 question, who wants to be the Fat Controller? I believe there is more than one wanabees on the WSR considering that position. At present it is occupied. ;)
    I did look at the recent F/Book page link. (Did not need to register etc.) A lot of support for Chris Austin it seems. The principal difference seems to be that on NP many of us are not actually connected with the WSR, whereas the F/Book group are, which suggests they are in a better position know what is really happening on the line.
    The suggestion in another post of what readers here are told is not always as straight forward, I believe, as it seems. It will be interesting, to observers, whether Rodders prediction is correct or otherwise. This present saga reminds me of the UKIP/Brexit, project fear and all the 'trust me Dave' propaganda. Incidentally that Brexit thread is almost on a par for number of pages with this thread (1675).
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2020
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  15. gios

    gios Member

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    Micheal. When I say 'you people' I include everyone who has the best interests of the WSR at heart - I suspect that includes almost everybody who posts here and many, many more beside - the silent volunteers, those who went before and supporters. Names are not important, it is a collective determination that things can and must be better and that there has to be a more productive way to move forward together that is important.

    Most posters here want to see a successful and happy WSR. With goodwill and people talking to each other in a civilised manner that objective is obtainable. My post was really a plea for common sense, humility and a common feeling of belonging to something a little special to unite the different factions. A collective WSR view of the way forward to prevail over the present sniping, entrenched views and constant vitriol -from wherever it may come.

    I wish the WSR every success in the future and you all the best of luck in your endeavour's to make this become a reality.
     
  16. ikcdab

    ikcdab Member Friend

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    I guess you mean Chris Austin?

    And the Brexit thread has the same amount of tosh!
    Ian C
     
  17. martin1656

    martin1656 Nat Pres stalwart Friend

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    But whilst the hot seat is occupied is the occupant doing a good job, or are they out of their depth floundering about, It might be a case of someone else wanting the job, not because they want it, but because, they can see the danger ahead, for the railway, its not always a case of lust for power, sometimes people have to come forward if those who seek the job are not suitably equipped to do it properly.
     
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  18. 60044

    60044 Member

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    It seems to me that the idea of a single new charity effectively controlled by the PLC is flying in the face of reality- would such a setup really be acceptable to the Charity Commissioners? I'm sure that hey would want to see the new charity as the dominant body to ensure that its charitable status cannot be abused, and I cannot see that being acceptable to the Plc Board. It follows, therefore that they will have to be pressured into accepting such an arrangement. Given the existing shareholding vested in the WSSRT and WSRA it would seem to make sense to achieve that control by combining them and allowing the two bodies to continue function in their respective capacities much as they have always done. It puzzles me why this is seen as being so painful and really John Bailey should have been banging heads together to make it happen, rather than taking sides. The time has come now for some defusing of the tensions by some clear statements by the various protagonists of where they see themselves being left in any new structure. Robin White made such a gesture in the struggle against the WSRA ex-6 by ruling herself out of standing for office for a spell, more should take their cue from that. If I was voting for a new structure, for example, I would want to be sure that the Plc chairman (or any other existing Plc directors) wouldn't be standing for positions within the new charity, although I would expect the charity to have the right to be represented on the Plc Board.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 24, 2020
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  19. MellishR

    MellishR Resident of Nat Pres Friend

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    Presumably they genuinely believe that the WSSRT would be less able to pursue its objectives if combined with the WSRA or as part of an entirely new charity. And presumably they are afraid that the WSSRT membership (including many recently-joined members) are likely to vote in favour of the new candidates and thus take the Trust on the path of amalgamation. So they have tried to prevent those candidates from being nominated and, insofar as they are obliged to put their names on the voting papers, they are trying very hard to convince the members to vote against them.
     
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  20. Platform 3

    Platform 3 Member

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    Point of order - WSSRT can't 'appoint' a data controller as it IS a data controller by operation of law. It probably should be ICO registered, though I have come across many which are not so this isn't an uncommon issue.

    Data protection rules are complicated. I advise very regularly on GDPR compliance and have oversight of an entire service dedicated to GDPR advice, and I still get it wrong on occasion. Genuine apologies and putting your error right as soon as possible will go a long way.

    Sent from my SM-G770F using Tapatalk
     
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