|
|
|
|
The West Somerset Railway is one of Britain's longest heritage steam railways and arguably its most picturesque. It runs for twenty miles from Bishops Lydeard, just outside the county town of Taunton, to the seaside holiday resort of Minehead. Closed by British Railways in 1971, it was gradually restored and reopened in stages over a number of years. It is run largely by volunteers, supporting a handful of paid staff. After a struggle against all financial odds in the early 1980s, the line has blossomed into one of the West Country's leading tourist attractions and one of the country's most successful heritage railways.
|
|
|
|
The West Somerset Railway Association is the Registered Charity which supports the WSR. Our members provide a combination of financial, moral and voluntary support, and we value each equally. Association activities are wide and varied, but all are geared towards keeping the wheels of the Railway in motion...
|
|
|
|
The Association owns two steam locomotives. Great Western Railway steam locomotive, a 'Small Prairie' 2-6-2T no 4561 and BR(W) Manor Class 4-6-0 no 7821 Ditcheat Manor. Both represent classes which would have been seen regularly across the West Country in the days of steam. The WSRA is also a major shareholder in one of the line's other locos, 1948-built 'Large Prairie' no 4160. This was first restored in 1993, and remains a regular and reliable performer on the Minehead Branch.
We have restored from scrapyard condition to full main line running order of the mighty Southern Region 'Pacific' class locomotive Braunton. The engine is privately owned, but will be based on the West Somerset Railway for the foreseeable future, and will be maintained by the Association on the owner's behalf.
|
|
|
|
Hard work and dedication have seen historic buildings transformed. Compare the black and white picture on the right, of Stogumber station taken shortly before closure of the line in 1971, with the colour view, below, of the station building as it is today.
The Railway's stations and structures are of architectural interest in their own right.
Blue Anchor has the last working wheel-operated level crossing in the West Country, whilst the signal box at Williton is the only surviving Bristol & Exeter Railway 'box' still in working order anywhere.
Many of the line's other buildings are also unique.
|
|
|
|
The Association wishes to encourage young people to join in the work and activities of the West Somerset Railway. To this end, we actively support young people by providing a challenging, but safe environment that is both interesting and satisfying. It is an environment in which young people can learn about the work involved when restoring and maintaining part of Britain's railway heritage. It is also the intention that the Railway develops as a facility to be used by schools and other academic institutions for research and study.
Members of Trackers, the Association's Youth Section, have the opportunity to see and experience the work of the West Somerset Railway. With the support of adult staff they are able to try their hand at some of the more complex and demanding railway skills and functions. With the help of the Trackers team, the Railway will grow and flourish for future generations to enjoy.
|
|
|
|
Railway linesides, when carefully maintained, can be a haven for many wild plants and small animals. The habitat is ideal, for very few people disturb the peace of the lineside (it is extremely dangerous to do so). Primroses, bluebells, anemonies and violets are just a small selection of the flowers which can be seen in season from the carriage windows. In fact, on selected evenings, the Railway now runs special wildlife trains, which run slowly past selected spots to see such sights as the glow-worms at dusk! A commentary on the passing countryside is provided by a local wildlife expert. The Association has a group which works to keep the lineside clear of undergrowth, so allowing wild flowers to thrive and, of course, keeping open views of the wonderful Somerset countryside for our passengers to enjoy. There's much more to the West Somerset Railway than the trains...
|
|
|
|
Dining in comfort as your train travels through the countryside has been an integral part of the thrill of rail travel for decades, and the West Somerset Railway Association offers its own brand of luxury dining train, the Quantock Belle. The Association is responsible for the operation, maintenance and staffing (using volunteers) of the prestigious dining set. It has a licensed bar and has been serving a varied menu of evening meals and mid-day lunches since 1984. The smart, maroon-uniformed staff have gained a reputation for quality and service over nearly two decades and a majority of dining specials are fully booked months in advance. The Quantock Belle is formed of former British Railways Mark One stock and has been refurbished to a very high standard. The coaches in the set were originally purchased for preservation privately by members, but are now wholly-owned by the Association.
|
|
|
|
At Bishops Lydeard, volunteers have been working hard over the last few years to create a museum and educational facility. Based in the former goods shed, the Gauge Museum, as it is now called, houses an impressive display of artefacts, documents and photographs portraying the West Country's varied and interesting railway history. A number of interactive displays allow visitors an insight into railway operations. The Museum works closely with Somerset County Museums Service to produce an attraction of a high overall standard, and regular displays of art, paintings and transport-related items are held during the summer season.
|
|
|
|
Each August, at the WSRA's own site at Norton Fitzwarren, the Association stages its annual Steam Fayre and Vintage Rally. From humble beginnings, the Fayre has grown into one of the county's biggest summer events, attracting visitors and exhibitors from far and wide. Horses, traction engines, commercial and military vehicles, cars and motorcycles mingle with trade stalls, Morris men and childrens' entertainers to make a memorable weekend for all the family. Visitors are able to travel by train from Bishop’s Lydeard to the Rally, alighting at our newly-built platform for Norton Fitzwarren.
|
|
|
|
The Association has its own shop at Bishops Lydeard, offering competitively priced models, toys, books and videos, along with a range of merchandise exclusive to the WSRA. Our experienced staff are always pleased to help members with their enquiries. In an exciting new venture, we plan to expand the Shop in 2010 and move the buffet to new premises.
|
|
|
| » | Keep the magic of the steam age alive for future generations to enjoy
| | » | Support the heritage of a tourist attraction which by carrying over 200,0000 passengers annually, is helping to bring thousands of visitors to the West Country every year
| | » | Educate an ever-changing generation in an enormously important aspect of Britain's social and economic history. To become part of one of the heritage movement's most amazing success stories and discover the benefits of membership, read on...
|
The Association welcomes members from any part of the country (and indeed, the world). Members are given generous travel opportunities to enable them see the Association at work along the railway. Many also find pleasure in helping to run the Railway, though non-working members are equally as welcome as those who wish to volunteer. Whether financial, moral or physical, we greatly value all members support.
|
|
|
|
All members automatically receive a copy of the line's own quarterly house magazine, the West Somerset Railway Journal, before it becomes available at retail outlets. The magazine us funded entirely by the Association, and contains news of forthcoming events on the line, as well as updating readers on all aspects of progress and development along the line. It is produced to a very high standard, and has won two national awards since 1997.
|
|
|
|
By no means everyone will wish to volunteer, but for those who do the Railway offers many opportunities to help run the Railwayand make new friends in the process. There are countless jobs, some requiring specialist skills and others not, with something for almost every taste. Whether it is cleaning, driving or firing steam and diesel locomotives, being a guard, signalman or travelling ticket inspector, the Railway has something for you. But you don't have to become involved in theoperational aspect of the line - we are always looking for station staff, gardeners, painters and woodworkers to name but a few. If you like the thought of a day out in the countryside then maybe our Permanent Way Gang, who help to keep the track in order, or our Special Projects Team, which helps to keep the lineside clear and in good condition, might be right up your street. If any aspect of volunteering appeals to you, then do not hesitate to give us a call on 01823 433856 for more information.
|
|
|
|
There’s no doubt about it, restoring locomotives and maintaining heritage stock is a challenge in more ways than one. We need a constant flow of resources including funds and people. In common with many charities of its kind, the Association owns a trading subsidiary, a limited company called WSRA (Promotions) Ltd, known in friendly terms as ‘Promotions’. Every year Promotions passes its trading profits over to the Association for pursuing its charitable objectives. Other income sources for the Association are membership subscriptions and donations, enhanced with tax repayments under the Gift Aid scheme, together with legacies and lotteries such as 1000 Club and annual Draws. Give us a call on 01823 433856 if volunteering to raise funds is for you, perhaps selling draw tickets or attracting new members.
|
|
|
All organisations need rules to keep good order and the Association, a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee, is no exception. At the 2010 AGM the members approved the adoption of a new set of rules, a constitution comprising Articles compliant with changes in Company and Charity law, for implementation at the close of the meeting on 10 July 2010. The new Articles replace the 1994 Memorandum and Articles which in turn replaced the constitution of the preceding unincorporated Association.
» 2010 WSRA constitution
[PDF opens in new window]
|
|
|
All voting Association members are invited to the annual General Meeting of the Association which usually takes place in July at Bishops Lydeard. The next AGM will take place on 9 July 2011 at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall at 2pm. Formal notice of the AGM is given in the Journal, and draft Minutes are posted on this website for information and comment prior to approval at the following AGM.
» 2009 AGM minutes (approved)
[PDF opens in new window]
» 2010 draft AGM minutes
(comment to be sent to the Secretary by 30 Nov 2010)
[PDF opens in new window]
|
|
|
As registered charity 1041901 the Association has its own pages at the Charity Commission website. Here you can check up on trustees details, view financial information in easy-on-the-eye pie charts, and download financial statements and annual reports for the last five years. As the Association’s income exceeding £1m for the first time in 2009, we had to complete an SIR, a Summary Information Report, which is a standardised report on our results; easier to understand than the accounts, a SIR also allows like-for-like comparison with the SIRs of other charities. Try it, you might enjoy it!
» Link to WSRA page at the Charity Commission website
[opens in new window]
|
|
|
Our » Contacts Page tells you about the members who are currently Association trustees and/or Promotions directors. Each board meets monthly except during the high season of August; of the 22 board meetings annually, two are cross-board where accounts of the previous year are approved and budgets for the next year are set. If you would like to volunteer as a trustee or director, or someone you know wants to be volunteered, please send your CV to the Secretary (see the Contacts page for contact details). Alternatively, for AGM proposals use the form below
» Nomination form
[PDF opens in a new window]
|
|
|
|
|