| | 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. - Many thanks to everyone who attended the AGM of The Swanage Railway Trust 23rd September. The date for next year’s AGM has now been agreed – Saturday 13th October 2007 – again in the Mowlem Theatre starting at 2:00 p.m.
- The two formal proposals concerning Membership policies presented at the AGM, namely: a) an increase in all categories of annual membership fees and b) abolition of the annual category of Student Member, were both carried by the required majority at the AGM. The CoM is conscious that some Members – particularly those on low or fixed incomes – find subscription increases hard to accept. Our Membership & Volunteers group will therefore ensure that regular reviews of rates, in line with the Trust’s costs and overall profitability, are carried out in future in order to avoid large and unpopular increases.
- Following the AGM, the CoM is now comprised of the following volunteers: David Budd, Doug Chick, Graham Cope, Steve Doughty (Deputy Chairman), Andrew Moore (Treasurer), Clive Morris, Pete Pickering, Pete Renaut, Liz Sellen, Peter Sills, Mike Stollery, Bill Trite (Chairman), Andy Vincent, Richard White, Mike Whitwam and Mark Woolley (Secretary). Bill Trite and Steve Doughty were both re-elected as Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectably by the CoM at our October meeting. Both gentlemen left the meeting during discussion and subsequent voting of these positions.
- The 2006 Grand Draw had so far raised a total exceeding £14,000. Please continue to support this major fundraising effort by either buying tickets or selling them to friends and family.
- The repatriation of former ‘Devon Belle’ Pullman Observation Car 14 and Churchill funeral van S2464S from the west coast of the USA continues to be pursued. As you might expect there are a number of financial and logistical hurdles to be overcome before we can welcome the vehicles back to British soil. In view of S2464’s association with the great statesman Sir Winston Churchill, we are looking into securing funding from people and areas not normally open to us. Meanwhile, Trust appeals for both vehicles remain open and any donations will be gratefully received
- The CoM agreed that construction of the new replica signal box on the down platform at Corfe Castle station should commence next March following completion of the footbridge. Until such time as the signalling requirements between Corfe and the Network Rail boundary at Motala can be confirmed, signalling equipment will not be fitted. The only exception being the ex Brockenhurst ‘A’ box 32 lever frame. The 200 Club will fund this for a two year period.
- Mk. 1 compartment coach SK25424 is surplus to operational requirements and will therefore be advertised as being available for lease or as being for sale if no interest in a lease is forthcoming.
- Following a visit to the Museum and Library at Corfe Castle station the CoM has agreed to purchase industry standard software to record assets.
- The introduction of a Roll of Honour and long service certificates for staff and volunteers is currently being looked into.
- Bulleid brake coach no. 4365 has now returned to the Railway from Ramparts following external overhaul. The plan is to stable it at the top of Swanage no. 2 siding to enable internal fitting out to be completed. Plans for the restoration of the other Bulleid and Maunsell coaches are being drawn up.
The next CoM meeting will take place on Saturday 25th November 2006 at 2:00 pm in the Rectory Classroom, Church Hill, Swanage. An open forum to allow Members and volunteers to ask questions will be held prior to the start of formal business. |