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West Somerset Railway General Discussion

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

  1. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    I see a new date for the Plc AGM has been announced, 21st November: https://www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk/news/detail/change-of-date-for-plc-agm

    Apologies if this has been posted before and I missed it, easy mistake to make on this thread!
     
  2. Mike S

    Mike S New Member

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    You should be a stand up comedian coming out with side splitting gags like that.......!!!
     
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  3. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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  4. jnc

    jnc Well-Known Member

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    I was going to use that exact quotation in a prior post, but then by the time I got done typing most of the post in, I couldn't remember the quote I wanted to add! Thank you for remembering it; it is indeed exactly on point for some WSR people.

    Noel
     
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  5. Big Al

    Big Al Nat Pres stalwart Staff Member Moderator

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    That statement is about as clear as anyone can be about why these people have put their names forward and what they are hoping to achieve in the long run.

    Contrast that with the statement by the PLC, who can of course have a view, but seems to have pitched in with an attack on those who have put their names forward when it has nothing to do with the PLC at all.

    Have I got that wrong? If not, then why is the PLC getting involved? Haven't they got a railway to try and run again, one day?
     
  6. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    You are quite right, it's nothing to do with the PLC at all... Unless... it is the small matter of some PLC shares could that be worrying them???

    Could it possibly be that they fear the WSSRT and WSRA working together at a forthcoming AGM? Possibly forcing them to account for their recent actions and maybe even have to justify some of them? But why would that worry the PLC? In their own minds they have done nothing to upset people - have they...? :rolleyes:
     
  7. Jamessquared

    Jamessquared Nat Pres stalwart

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    Sadly I think they have missed the boat on that. My strong feeling is that the covid precautions in place now will still be in place next year. But a kind of euphoria that we have been seeing over the summer where, to a degree, much of the population has been "let off the leash" and are desperate for things to do will wain. So my feeling is that for passenger numbers in the current situation, this summer may be as good as it is going to get for a long time.

    On another railway of which I am aware, 36 Santa trains and over 80 steam lights trains are sold out over the Christmas period. Even allowing for reduced capacity, that is very early to be sold out, and suggests to me that many people are desperate for things to do. Next year I can only see that getting harder as that initial euphoria wears off. If you can't make money this summer, I think it will be doubly hard to do so next year.

    Tom
     
  8. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    So now we await with interest the revised date for the WSSRT AGM.

    I don't think even they could justify a delay until November just to amend and re-issue some paperwork.
     
  9. Monkey Magic

    Monkey Magic Part of the furniture

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    I tend to think that next year we may see the financial effects more sharply, the furlough scheme may not be running, there maybe tax rises, there maybe increased unemployment and less disposal income all around. And while I have no desire to open the can of worms about the UK leaving the EU, that may also have an economic impact.

    I absolutely agree that this year has been a case of make what you can, while you can.
     
  10. RailWest

    RailWest Part of the furniture

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    A number of members put themselves forward for election as Trustees. I don't understand why that requires the WSSRT suddenly to 'seek advice' ? o_O
     
  11. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    Unless they're concerned about a Plc interfering in charitable elections?...
     
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  12. gwilialan

    gwilialan Well-Known Member

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    Sorry, the cynic in me is suggesting that the delay is because members of the WSSRT board have had to go running to their friends in the PLC Board to find out what they can do because some 'horrid' (;)) people are trying to upset their cosy little world...
     
  13. johnofwessex

    johnofwessex Resident of Nat Pres

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    And there in a nutshell is what all heritage railways, indeed all businesses should be thinking about.

    I suspect that a combination of Covid & Brexit will make next year 'interesting' to say the least
     
  14. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    Not me Ken it is Alex!!
     
  15. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    Or what was said to change their minds?!!
     
  16. 35B

    35B Nat Pres stalwart

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    It’s amazing what a possible change of legal status can do to spook the horses, and require advice. I’m struggling to understand how the objects of the WSSRT could be threatened by such a merger, given the very clear statements made by the candidates and the requirements of charity law when handling a merger of charities.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
     
  17. ikcdab

    ikcdab Member Friend

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    Chris, like that it sounds benign, doesn't it. But the fact is different. The wssrt has 7 trustees currently. Right up against the deadline to submit nominations, a coordinated set of 14 nominations are received, nominations which have a stated aim of abolishing the charity. No forewarning or prior discussion, but just delivered out of the blue. Clearly the 14 nominations would swamp the current 7 trustees who have a legal duty to protect the charity. With such an unprecedented move, any wonder why we need to seek advice?
    Ian
     
  18. flying scotsman123

    flying scotsman123 Resident of Nat Pres

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    You imply that the 14 don't have the charitable interests of the WSSRT at heart? I would dispute that, and so have they.
     
  19. Triumph 2500S

    Triumph 2500S Well-Known Member

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    If they wanted to reform or revise the activities of the Steam Trust why would they Resign their Membership?

    Far more likely surely they simply withdrew their candidatures?

    Perhaps they would care to comment?
     
  20. rodders154

    rodders154 Member

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    I think the WSRA are being disingenuous saying they are neutral when looking back on the minutes it appears that the move was discussed under AOB lead by Nigel Power one of the new proposed trustees. Of note is the number of redactions (5) which were more than the whole time under Paul Whitehouses chairmanship. The minutes clearly show that the Association knew what the 2 trustees were planning and by not telling the steam trust they endorsed the action and therefore cannot claim to be neutral.
     

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