West Somerset Railway Association

The WSRA Trustees met on Monday 9 September at Williton and by TEAMS.  Amongst the items discussed were:

• Previous Meeting – The minutes of the previous meeting on 12 August were approved as an accurate record
• Governance – Trustees approved updates of policies F3 and F4.
• WSRA Locomotives –
• 80064 – Trustees were pleased to hear that the dismantling was going well and that it would soon be time to lift the boiler.
• 4561 – Trustees discussed the side tanks and the proposed rebuilding.  IT was agreed that JP would work with Ryan Pope to make the appropriate arrangements.
• AGM – Trustees discussed presentations for the WSRA AGM and also agreed that GG and WF would represent the WSRA at the WSR PLC AGM and support all of their proposed motions.
• Fundraising Coordinating Group – Trustees approved plans to establish a joint fundraising coordinating group with the WSR PLC, WSRHT and DEPG to share and coordinate fundraising activities across the railway.

The WSRA Trustees met on Monday 12 August at Williton.  Amongst the items discussed were:

• Previous Meeting – The minutes of the previous meeting on 8 July were approved as an accurate record.
• Governance – Trustees approved an update and consolidation of WSRA Safeguarding policy.
• WSRA Locomotives –
  • 80064 – Trustees agreed funding for lifting cab roof, side tanks and boiler from chassis.
  • 4561 – Trustees agreed a budget for boiler inspections and associated visits to Riley’s. It was also agreed to purchase some missing fittings for the loco and a budget was assigned for the pur-pose. A list will be presented to members for possible sponsorship.
• AGM – Trustees noted that AGM papers would be available via the website this year and an invitation and agenda only would be mailed out to members with the Journal. All voting at the AGM will be via Poll votes.
• Rally – Trustees were pleased to receive an interim report of another successful Steam and Vintage Rally.

The WSRA Trustees met on Monday 8 July by TEAMS.  Amongst the items discussed were:

• Previous Meeting – The minutes of the previous meeting on 10 June were approved as an accurate record.
• Governance – one new and/or updated policy was agreed by the board and will be published asap. Two more were held over for Finance Committee consultation.
• Rolling Stock – Trustees noted that a new boiler had been purchased for the QB and work continues on TSO 4419 at Minehead.
• WSRA Locomotives –
  • 80064 – Trustees were advised that the transfer of all the donated spare parts for 80064 was now completed and the donated spares are at Williton. Trustees recorded their thanks to Jeff Price plus Martin Nichols, Colin Turner and Aubrey Turner for making this transfer happen so smoothly.
  • 4561 – Work on the boiler of 4561 is ongoing at Riley’s and arrangements are being made for BES to conduct their first inspection.
  • 7821 – It was agreed to join with Foxcote Manor and others to make a joint purchase of Backplate pressings,  delivering a 15% discount for multiple purchase.
• Grant Giving
  • Trustees approved a grant of £680 towards the cost of restoring and converting a goods wagon chassis into a two plan open wagon to form a static display alongside the cattle dock at SR station.
  • Trustees confirmed that the funds raised towards the Tribble bridge reinstatement were still available for the PLC to use.
  • Trustees confirmed that the funds raised towards the BA points refurbishment were still available for the PLC to use.
• AGM – Trustees confirmed that Edward Martin and Denise Parker would retire by rotation and both indicated that they were willing to stand again. Will Foster will also stand for election by the members, because he was co-opted onto the board after the last AGM.  Nomination papers are available in the members area of the website and from the WSRA office and nominations are open from 30 July until 29^th
• Rally – Trustees were reminded that more volunteer help is still needed.

The WSRA Trustees met on Monday 10 June in Williton and by TEAMS.  Amongst the items discussed were:

• Previous Meeting – The minutes of the previous meeting on 13 May were approved as an accurate record.
• Governance – three new and/or updated policies were agreed by the board and will be published asap. These are Risk Assessment Policy,  Health and Safety Policy, and Winding up Policy.
• Rolling Stock – Trustees were pleased receive a report and note that work on 4419 was proceeding according to plan.
• WSRA Locomotives – Trustees were advised that the WSRA website had been updated for locomotive Restoration, with donation buttons for each loco and an updated blog for both 4561 and 80064.  Work on both locomotives was progressing as expected.
• WSR Fundraising – Trustees were pleased with the success of the WSRA stand at Williton for the Spring Steam Spectacular where there was a great deal of interest in both the WSRA owned locomotives on display.  Trustees recorded their thanks to Ryan Pope for arranging for the locos to be on display.
• AGM – Trustees were advised who needed to stand for re-election and that final decisions needed to be made at the next board meeting ahead of the publication of nomination papers on 30 July.
• Steam Rally – work on the rally is progressing well.  More volunteer help is still needed