| | The Council of Management is the Trust's Board and is concerned more with strategy and fundraising with operational matters devolved to the trading subsidiary, the Swanage Railway Company. These notes provide an overview of some of the matters discussed this month. - Draft audited accounts for the year ended 31st December 2005 were approved by the CoM. These show total income for the Swanage Railway Trust (i.e. excluding Swanage Railway Company trading income) as being £188,834 down from £230,619 in 2004.
- Tickets for the Grand Draw are now being sold to the public as often as possible from a stall on the platform at Swanage station. Again we would please ask all Members and supporters to do everything that they can to make this year’s Draw a success.
- The book sale at Corfe Castle station during Members Weekend raised approx. £400 and £500 has to date been received via sales on the eBay internet auction website.
- The status of Bulleid brake coach no. 4365 off-site at Ramparts is that work has essentially been on hold for the last month waiting on the delivery of window frames and glass. These are both expected shortly and will be fitted and the painting completed. It is expected that 4365 will be back at Swanage by the end of May.
- The response to the recently launched heritage coach appeal has, in all honesty, been disappointing with an approximate total of £7,000 raised to date. The CoM wishes to thank those who have made donations and is committed to the ongoing restoration of the Railway’s Bulleid and Maunsell coaches. Discussions are being held with a professional lottery consultant with the intention of a Heritage Lottery bid being prepared and submitted.
- The CoM will be reconvening a special meeting to discuss volunteer issues – and in particular improvements to facilities – during June.
- A review of Membership rates is due to take place in time for any proposal to be included on the agenda of the Trust AGM in September.
- An approach has been received from the family of the late Rev. Awdry regarding the possible siting of a new museum on the Railway dedicated to the Thomas the Tank Engine books. Discussions are continuing.
- The CoM are mindful of the need to step up fundraising in view of major forthcoming projects. In particular the ‘Swanage Throat’ project which is currently being evaluated. Early indications are that the total cost of this will be in the region of £100,000.
- Nomination forms for this year’s CoM election have been sent to all SRT members. The closing date for nominations is 12 noon on Saturday 27th May.
The next CoM meeting will take place on Saturday 20th May 2006 at 2:00 pm in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill, Swanage. |
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