Chris Austin’s picture above shows the three heritage carriages wrapped in new heavy duty covers and properly protected for the winter. The right hand coach is in use as a workshop, and new covers have now been bought for this one too, but smaller, to leave the windows clear to let in natural light. The picture is taken…
The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust
October 2020
Following the resignation of our Chairman, Chris Austin and trustee, David Baker, it is appropriate to update our members and the wider WSR community on the current situation. Read the full statement.
Please see the note below from Chris Price, Vice Chair Heritage Railway Association: This afternoon I have spent time reading through the online discussions and bringing myself up to speed on the WSR current situation. As Vice-chair of the HRA I have no, (or indeed right) to take sides. However, I can confirm that in…
The Minutes of the recent Trust Board Meeting held on 24 September 2020 via video conference are now available for download here or from the Documents page.
David Baker is the second Trustee to resign from the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust as a result of the attempted hostile takeover, David writes: “It was with a very sad heart that I tendered my resignation as a Trustee but like Chris Austin the constant threats, besmirchment of character and bullying became too much…
The Chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust, Chris Austin, has announced today (23 October 2020) that he is stepping down as chairman and as a trustee with immediate effect. He remains a member and loyal supporter of the Trust and a volunteer worker on the railway. Chris said: “I am sorry to be…
The Trust advises that it will not be possible to process any further applications for membership received henceforward in order to prepare for the forthcoming AGM. A welcome record number of applications has been received over the last four months, but our articles require Trustee approval before membership is confirmed, and time is needed for this…
Trust Chairman Chris Austin writes: A generous donation to the railway of £30,000, (£37,500 with Gift Aid), has been made by Jamie Hooper from Worthing following a visit he made to the railway last week. Part of Jamie’s kind gift will form a huge contribution to completing the outstanding trackwork at Doniford to allow trains to continue to use this…
The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust is delighted to welcome three new volunteer trustees. They have been co-opted to assist the work of the Trust at this challenging time, and will be recommended to members at the Annual General Meeting to be held next month. The appointments follow interviews last month, and are part of…
With ten existing trustees and ten nominations for new trustees, the Trust is now unable to accept additional nominations this year. A potential total of 20 is in danger of breaching the Charity Commission’s guidelines, and is an excessive number for a charity with just over 200 members.
Chris Austin, Chairman of the West Somerset Steam Railway Trust congratulated the WSR PLC on its successful application to the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage for a grant of £865,000. Chris said: “This is brilliant news and will help the railway get through the winter months, and an extensive programme of maintenance, training and covid…
The Partnership Development Group have released the draft minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2020. Click here to read the document