2018 AGM minutes These were approved. Re-election of Directors Chris Austin was re-elected as a Trustee and Director and remains Chairman Ian Coleby was re-elected as a Trustee and Director. Election of New Directors David Baker was elected as a Trustee and Director Don Fraser was elected as a Trustee and Director and is the…

The new season on the WSR starts on Saturday 30 March, and the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard will reopen then as will Gauge Junction, the model railway.  During the period that trains are running to Watchet only, opening hours will be from 09.45 to 14.30.  From Good Friday, 19 April onwards, with the full…

Our Schools programme is now moving forward from its initial phase of development. As we indicated earlier, we are very keen to provide hands-on museum sessions that will cover the WSR’s links with Brunel and the GWR, the impact of the railway on local history as well as links to the STEM subjects (science, technology,…

It was standing room only as 320 supporters of the West Somerset Railway (WSR) attended a packed, three-hour meeting for stakeholders at the Oake Manor Golf Club, near Taunton on Saturday 2 March 2019. WSR plc Chairman, Jonathan Jones-Pratt, and a number of other directors and senior figures from the railway addressed those present and…

A person is required to look after the Trust’s Museum at Blue Anchor on Sunday 23 June from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm. Training given. Anyone interested please contact David Baker on davidbaker687@btinternet.com or 07776388744

From the WSSRT Chairman – Working Parties in the Gauge Museum, Bishops Lydeard. It has been a long winter without trains, but the new season is fast approaching, and we will be opening to the public from Saturday March 30th onwards. Before we get there, though, there is a lot to do to refresh the…

On Thursday 21st February 2019 a meeting took place in the Gauge Museum between Matt Sutton, Helen Anson [Gauge Museum’s Educational Officer] and Catherine Dance [WSRA Community Engagement Officer] to discuss ways in which the layout could play a part in future educational and community projects that are being developed. The team of operators, Helen…

Following our successful application for HLF funding last year, we are excited to update you on our progress so far. Our Schools programme is in the initial phase of its development, with hands-on museum sessions planned, covering the WSR’s links with Brunel and the GWR, the impact of the railway on local history as well…

Notice to all Trust Members The AGM will be held on Saturday, 23 March 2019 in the Meeting Room behind Bishops Lydeard station. Members will be receiving their individual packs by email or post in the next few days. In the meantime, here are the papers for early access. 2019 AGM Agenda Proxy Form Business…

Following discussions with the PLC and some preliminary internal proposals from Trustees, work will now proceed on developing and induction pack for new Trust volunteers. This work is being led by Geoff Evens and Don Fraser and will also provide the opportunity for existing volunteers to update themselves on key policies and procedures particularly in…

At the same meeting, Trustees approved the final version of the Trust Fundraising Plan which will now be taken forward led by the Secretary, Steve Williams. Details of progress being made will be published on a regular basis as developments take place.

At its January meeting, the Board agreed the 2019 update to the Business Plan which will be included as part of the AGM pack for Members. Details of the Plan will also be published more widely after the AGM.

Just a brief note for all Members that the 2019 AGM will be held on Saturday 23rd March at 2 PM in the Meeting Room behind Bishops Lydeard station. The agenda and papers including proxy forms will be circulated in the next few days.. In addition to the formal agenda, there will be the opportunity…

Helen Anson, the Trust Learning Officer is making excellent progress in developing the Learning Offer about the Gauge Museum and related WSR Heritage for schools, community groups and other stakeholders. Helen will be preparing to visit schools and other settings shortly and details will be available on the website and through the Trust Newsletter when…

Following a report to the January Board, work is now underway conjunction with the PLC on updating the Trust safety policies and working practices such that they comply with the latest version and requirements of the PLC Safety Management System. This follows the ORR visit to the railway in October 2018 and will also include…

At their January 2019 Board Meeting, Trustees agreed the next stage of the heritage carriages project and reaffirmed their 2016 decision to make carriage TK 3639, a toplight vehicle with a rich history as a passenger coach, an ambulance coach and a camp coach prior to its acquisition by the Trust. This project will be…

Following the completion of a formal tendering exercise, the Steam Trust is delighted to confirm the appointment of Smith and Jones as the preferred design and interpretation consultants for the Gauge Museum Project. Smith and Jones are a West Country-based consultancy and have extensive experience of working in the heritage and museum sector. They will…

Three young volunteers from the West Somerset Railway – Matthew Sutton, Lee Robbins and Matthew Jackson – each received a framed runners-up ‘Lord Faulkner Young Volunteer Award’ certificate at the Heritage Railway Association’s 2019 Awards held at Birmingham’s Burlington Hotel on 9 February 2019. The category was won by the very worthy Matthew Wilson from…

Drawings, paintings and models by Peter Barnfield (1942 – 2018) will be the basis of a summer exhibition in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard from13 to 28 July 2019. With his wife Ginny, Peter created the Blue Anchor Railway Museum for GW150 in 1985 and ran it for 10 years before handing over to…

A picture of the pristine 6705 at Williton recently repainted by the Restorations team after bodyside repairs.  The new filler pipes to the roof tank can be seen, allowing the coach to be tanked from platform level, rather that requiring staff to go onto the roof.

The Heritage Railway Association Young Person Award draws closer. The award ceremony is to be held on 9th February at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in Birmingham, the two nominations from the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust are Matt Sutton and right Matt Jackson plus from the West Somerset Railway, Lee Robbins; all have been short…