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 The Somerset & Dorset Railway Trust
Index > News > News From The AGM
19th May 2010

News From The AGM

CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED
Godfrey Baker was re-elected Honorary Chairman of the Trust at its Annual General Meeting held at Edington Village Hall on April 24. Ian Young was re-elected Honorary Secretary and Ted Goater Honorary Treasurer. Other committee members re-elected were : Paul Guppy, Rosemary Jacob, Andrew Marsh and David Wright. Elected to the committee was Robin Pearson. No nominations were received for the post of Honorary Curator and this remains vacant. George Moon has stepped down from committee duties but will continue with shop and postal sales. Those present at the AGM expressed their appreciation of the contribution George makes to the Trust.

KILMERSDON OWNERSHIP CONFIRMED
After a long period of negotiation with the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Trust has been granted legal ownership of  Kilmersdon the former NCB Peckett  0-4-0, which is based at the Trust’s headquarters at Washford. Kilmersdon which was restored and is maintained by the Trust regularly steams and gives shunting demonstrations on West Somerset Railway Gala days in the yard at Washford.

MEMBERSHIP DOWN
Membership Secretary Terry Dart reported the disappointing news that membership of the Trust is down from 700 members to 678.All members are encouraged to attempt to boost and maintain membership wherever possible.

FORWARD PLAN TO MAY COMMITTEE
A report on the Trust’s Forward Plan was considered and agreed by the Trust’s May Committee .  It will be published on the Trust’s Website and will be available In a future edition of the ‘ Pines Express.’.Comments will be welcomed from members.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP IS PAT’S CUP OF TEA !
One of the Trust’s members, Pat Bean, was honoured at the recent Annual General Meeting by being granted Honorary Life Membership.
Pat’s late husband Ron fired the first 9F to run on the Somerset & Dorset and Pat herself has been a Trust member for many years.                                                    
Pat has for many years looked after the inner needs of Trust members attending the AGM and the many members of the public who eagerly turn up for the Annual Model Railway Exhibition , both held at Edington Village Hall. Along with other Trust lady members, Pat runs ‘Pat’s Kitchen’ which no matter what the weather, in the case of the January exhibition, or heated debate at the AGM , makes sure those attending find ample refreshment in cups of tea and coffee along with delicious hot and cold snacks.
The announcement of Pat’s Life Membership was met with warm applause from all those present at the AGM.

Trust Chairman Godfrey Baker congratulates Pat Bean on having been granted Honorary Life Membership of the Trust.
RUSS MAKES THE TRIP FROM DOWN UNDER
Regular contributor to the 'Pines Express' ,Trust member Russ Garner, who lives in the State of Victoria in ‘ The Land Down Under’, made a welcome visit to the Trust’s Annual General Meeting.
Russ, who emigrated many years ago, was making one of his periodic visits to the UK and made sure that the AGM was included in his busy itinerary. Like his articles in the ‘Pines’, Russ’s contributions to the AGM were thoughtful, valuable and worth noting !.
All members will wish Russ well on his return to Australia and look forward to his next visit.

Godfrey Baker welcomes Australian based Trust member, Russ Garner to the Annual General Meeting. Russ is a regular contributor to the ' Pines Express' and the Website
TORNADO PHOTO IS A WINNER
A superb photograph of new build A1 Pacific ‘Tornado’ at Washford by Paul Guppy was the winner of the Annual Photographic Competition which was judged at the AGM by Robin Pearson who told the ‘Pines’ “ All the entrants were of the usual very high standard but Paul’s entry taken at the Trust’s ‘home’ was exceptional. Taken from the bank above the Wells Hut the combination of this superb locomotive and the Trust’s rolling stock collection with Washford Station in the background proved irresistible”. All those entering the competition are thanked for their efforts.
 
Tornado will of course be visiting the West Somerset Railway again on two occasions this summer, from 12th – 16th July and September 13th – 17th.
OTHER NEWS
DONATIONS  BRING BACK MEMORIES
Two welcome donations have been made to the Trust’s collection. A Ferodo brake block from 7F No. 88 has been given to the Trust by Ron Davies, who was a driver at Bristol Bath Road shed. Ron, long retired and living in Clevedon, North Somerset, was a former GWR and later Western Region driver more familiar with ‘ Castles’ and ‘Kings’ and other ‘Western’ classes but recalls an Open Day at Bath Road when, following the closure of Bath Green Park shed, a number of items from the S & D appeared for disposal. The brake block found no takers and remained in Ron’s possession for many years until following a recent clearout it emerged, and Ron’s first thought for a safe home was the Trust’s collection at Washford. Closer in many ways to Washford is a suitcase donated by Mr Mrs Groves of Watchet who following another ‘clearout’ found an ancient suitcase belonging to Mr Groves mother with labels attached marked ‘Eastbourne to Washford’. The date is unknown but certainly comes from many years ago and evokes memories of when luggage and other items could be entrusted safely to the care of the railway with the certainty that they would arrive unharmed at their destination ! Mr Groves recounts that his mother had a friend who lived in Eastbourne so this is no doubt a memento of a happy holiday spent many years ago on the south coast. ‘Pines’ readers may care to speculate on the route which the lady ( and her suitcase) may have taken from Washford  to Eastbourne ! Many thanks are due to Ron and Mr Mrs Groves for their donations which help keep alive the memory of days long gone by. 

Photographs (c) SDRT / Paul Guppy

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