Swindon and Cricklade Railway General Discussion

D6003 moving to Dean Forest Railway shortly. A post on wnxxforum.co.uk by someone involved with the ED said volunteers reported the railway to ORR, HMRI attended last week, and now the chairman and vice-chairman have both resigned. Sounds an utter mess.

 

And 6695 has relocated to the Avon Valley, at least for the time being.

 

Having also seen that post, I suspect that the reality is even worse than it appears from that brief summary. A contact suggests that the session with HMRI involved mandatory attendance by all trustees and department heads, and it was all day. I suspect tea and biscuits will not have been on the agenda.

 

Running a railway is not as simple as it was in the 1980's. Unfortunately!

 

I'm not convinced that the manner of running the Swindon & Cricklade was acceptable in the 1980s either.

 

Using Titfield Thunderbolt as a reference documentary?

 

The impression I get is rather less benign.

 

Fallings out became public last September when the local paper got wind of some removals of key people.

 

The railway website doesn't specify a chairman. Some quick online searching brings up a Rail Advent link from July 2023 mentioning a Michael Abbott, but that's not conclusive.

The Charities Commission website names the following as trustees (as at the time of writing):
Mark Philip White
Michael Palfreman
Nigel Andrew Willoughby
Michael Abbott
Kenneth Charles Goodwin

 

Is this the article you are referring to?
https://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/25452851.senior-figures-dropped-swindon-cricklade-railway/

 

That's it

Plus

https://www.wiltshire999s.co.uk/three-volunteers-railway-roles-misconduct/

 

Your Trustee list agrees with the last two editions of the railway's magazine "Tiddly Dyke" (a nickname for the former M&SWJR). With Michael Abbott as Chair and Nigel Willoughby as Vice-Chair.

As sometimes happens in the Heritage Railway world, there was a falling-out last year between some key figures on the Railway.

 

Let's hope someone with enough character can put it all straight and give a bit if direction, looks like there is some good work going on with the new shop and track relaying, we've always found it a pleasant experience visiting with a lot of potential.

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If accounts are correct, it would appear that the "victory" may have been short lived. HMRI involvement of that degree is unusual, and the implications must be a little worrying