The first Craft fair we have ever run was well attended - mainly it has to be said by ladies although there were a number of men who also passed through showing an interest in the quilts, paintings and other crafts on display. Many congratulations to those who organised and took part. I don't yet have final travelling visitors numbers but I do know OTC particularly at Winchcombe was busy. An interesting comment made by several of the lady visitors who clearly were at the railway for the first time was how impressed they were with the cleanliness and the hard work put in to keep the stations tidy.
Colin Fewell
Monday, 28 September 2015
Friday, 25 September 2015
Vacancies on the GWRT Board
Firstly
the GWRT Board wish to thank Steve Sperring and David Locke for their hard work
and dedication to the posts of Fundraising Director and Communications Officer.
We wish Steve and David good luck as they move to far flung places.
These
moves create two vacant volunteer positions on the GWRT Board, one of which
will be a Director position and one an Office position. The exact mix of these
posts will be agreed in discussions with the candidates. Both positions are
expected to attend Board meetings.
If you
are interested in being considered for either position please send your name,
contact details and application letter to Maxine Barton-Hawkins, GWRT Company
Secretary, Toddington Railway Station, Toddington, Glos GL54 5DT or email development@gwsr.com by
Friday 6th November 2015.
If
you have any questions regarding either position contact Glyn Cornish, GWRT
Chairman, goldbarglyn@googlemail.com or Maxine
Barton-Hawkins, development@gwsr.com
Role Description: Communications
Director/Officer
Purpose of Job: To ensure prompt and accurate dissemination/reception of
information concerning the GWRT via a number of channels both electronic and
paper based. You will be expected to attend Board meetings on a monthly basis. Reports to: GWRT Board
Co-operation: Editor of Cornishman, Heads of Departments, Editor of Volunteer Newsletter, Web Master, GWSR Plc. Directors and the Development Foundation Manager
Supervises: Editors of all Official GWRT publications
Main Responsibilities:
To organise the establishment of communication channels (electronic and paper based) for the dissemination/reception of information to members, volunteers, and the public
To
encourage the provision of information for publication about the GWRT and its activities
from all sources
To
create and maintain procedures to ensure the accuracy of information supplied
to the members, volunteers and public
To
manage any person providing official information to the members, volunteers or
public on behalf of the GWRT
To
establish and maintain links with outside organisations and the media to
publicise and encourage participation in meeting the aims of the GWRT.
Qualification
Must
be a member of the GWRT and hold a current Work Permit for the period of the
appointment. While not essential having worked or volunteered in an equivalent
role would be an advantage.
Role Description: Fundraising
Officer/Director
Purpose of Job: To facilitate the raising of funds to
further the objectives of the GWR Trust Reports to: GWRT Board
Co-operation: GWRT Chairman, Development Foundation Manager
Main Responsibilities:
Devise fundraising events and schemes in order to secure funds for the Trust to further its objectives.
Manage
the organisation of such events and schemes including materials, volunteer
staff, publicity and administration.
Manage
and oversee any existing fundraising schemes and to periodically ensure they
are still relevant and effective.
Manage,
update and keep accurate records for the on-line auction site.
Liaise
with members of the public when items are donated to the railway, to assess
such items given for sale and if necessary liaise with the Museum Director if
an item is better suited to the museum rather than sale.
Provide
monthly reports to the board and attend monthly board meetings and the AGM.
Liaise
with the GWR Development Foundation Manager to avoid conflict of activities.
Manage
in co-operation with the GWR Development Foundation Manager, all applications
for Grant Aid with outside bodies.
Qualifications
Must be member of the GWRT and hold a current Work Permit for the period of the appointment. While not essential a proven track record in fundraising would be an advantage.
Wednesday, 23 September 2015
A busy time for commercial activities
Now the summer holidays are over, we have to get down to planning the timetable for 2016.
First off though, a comment on the recent Thomas event. This was as always a great success due to the enthusiasm of so many volunteers. Visitor numbers were down on the record set last year but what with the recent appalling weather and of course the rugby world cup this was to be expected. About 40% of all tickets were sold on line in advance and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Visitor numbers up to date are well up on last year which is good news, and amazingly santa ticket sales are currently about 40% higher than on the same date last year!
On to 2016! We are now at the second proof stage in the design of next year's timetable. This is a mammoth job to get all the dates, events and times agreed by everyone but hopefully we are almost there. We've got to get it right as 350,000 printed timetables will be ready for distribution at the end of November!
This week I have been having talks with John Mayell, David Capron, Tony Shipley and Rosemary Smith about a new special event for next year. For the first time, we are introducing the "Cotswold Food and Drink Fayre" in October 2016 which looks as though it could become a regular fixture for us.
Colin Fewell
First off though, a comment on the recent Thomas event. This was as always a great success due to the enthusiasm of so many volunteers. Visitor numbers were down on the record set last year but what with the recent appalling weather and of course the rugby world cup this was to be expected. About 40% of all tickets were sold on line in advance and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Visitor numbers up to date are well up on last year which is good news, and amazingly santa ticket sales are currently about 40% higher than on the same date last year!
On to 2016! We are now at the second proof stage in the design of next year's timetable. This is a mammoth job to get all the dates, events and times agreed by everyone but hopefully we are almost there. We've got to get it right as 350,000 printed timetables will be ready for distribution at the end of November!
This week I have been having talks with John Mayell, David Capron, Tony Shipley and Rosemary Smith about a new special event for next year. For the first time, we are introducing the "Cotswold Food and Drink Fayre" in October 2016 which looks as though it could become a regular fixture for us.
Colin Fewell
Friday, 18 September 2015
STEAM RAILWAY’S VOLUNTEERS CELEBRATE THE ‘MBE FOR VOLUNTEERS’
Monday
14 September was a day of celebration for the volunteers of the Gloucestershire
Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR).
That’s
because the 900 people who freely give of their time to help run and grow the
popular steam railway in the Cotswolds, were presented with the Queen’s Award
for Voluntary Service, at a special ceremony at the railway’s Toddington
station.
Dame
Janet first arrived at Winchcombe station where she formally opened the
railway’s new ‘Discovery Coach’ which imaginatively presents the history of the
railway and its local context.
She
then boarded a steam train to Toddington, along with GWSR officials and guests.
After touring the locomotive restoration facilities she mounted steps to
the footplate of the latest locomotive to be restored at Toddington, to
announce the citation and present the Award and a certificate from HM Queen
Elizabeth to Chairman of GWSR Plc, Alan Bielby.
The
occasion was witnessed by up to 200 of the railway’s volunteers.
Dame
Janet said that the selection committee had ‘no hesitation’ in making the award
to the railway’s volunteers, noting how impressed she was with the scale of the
operation and all that it had achieved.
Since
1982, when the embryonic GWSR first took occupation of a derelict Toddington
station yard and fifteen miles of vacant trackbed, after British Railways
closed the line in 1979 and removed the track and infrastructure, it has
steadily grown to become one of the leading tourist attractions in the
Cotswolds and Gloucestershire..
GWSR
Chairman Alan Bielby commented: “We have won many awards over the years but the
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service is by far the most prestigious and the most
meaningful.
“It
is a testament to our volunteers, past and present, for all that they have
contributed to making this railway such a success. It’s the envy of many
other heritage railways because it remains almost entirely volunteer run.”
Please look at latest news o the GWR news for a selection of photographs
Sunday, 13 September 2015
Addendum
I have been asked to make a couple of corrections to my posting about our last Plc Board meeting:
1. With reference to the culvert at Bishops Cleeve, this work will actually be carried out by the Civil Engineering Department with the assistance of P/way.
2. With reference to the professional assistance with vegetation clearance on the Cotswold side near Broadway, this is being done to assist the volunteer workforce.
Richard Johnson
Company Secretary
13.09.15
I have been asked to make a couple of corrections to my posting about our last Plc Board meeting:
1. With reference to the culvert at Bishops Cleeve, this work will actually be carried out by the Civil Engineering Department with the assistance of P/way.
2. With reference to the professional assistance with vegetation clearance on the Cotswold side near Broadway, this is being done to assist the volunteer workforce.
Richard Johnson
Company Secretary
13.09.15
Sunday, 30 August 2015
Plc Board Meeting - Friday 21st August 2015
At our most recent board meeting, it was agreed that I should post a summary of each meeting on the Boardroom Blog. This is a continuing part of our effort to try and ensure that you all have as much information as possible about what is happening. You will appreciate that there are certain things relating to individuals or to commercial contracts, which have to remain confidential.
The board is constituted on the basis that each director has a specific area of responsibility. Each director is required to submit a written report before each meeting, explaining what issues he has dealt with since the last meeting, and what issues require consideration and a decision.
This is a summary of the last meeting:
It was agreed that our Chairman Alan Bielby would set up a programme of quarterly meetings with our Safety Manager Chris Webb, to keep this very important aspect of our operation under review.
Detailed plans for the forthcoming OVA award were presented to us, and were approved. The Lord Lieutenant will arrive at Winchcombe, where she will inspect and then formally unveil a plaque to open the Discovery Coach. All guests will then travel to Toddington, where after refreshments and a visit to the Loco Department she will make the award from the footplate of P&O.
The GWRT has a number of artifacts which have been donated to the railway, and it has been suggested that we should crate a museum in a coach at Toddington for them to be displayed. It was agreed to put the plan on hold, pending discussions with RATS as to how that would interrelate with their current displays.
We continued to consider what is required for the proposed opening to Broadway. We agreed not to proceed further at this stage with the idea of eight coach trains. We approved a plan to obtain professional assistance with the clearance of the remaining trackbed. This will allow us to understand what damage there is to the formation, and what repairs may be necessary. Arrangements are in hand to take advice upon the damage to the embankment between Evesham Road and Childswickham Road, so that detailed plans for the proposed car park can be drawn up.
The reviewed our current financial position. (Chris Bristow has already posted details on the blog). Passenger numbers so far this year are good, and we are on course to exceed our planned profit this year, although there have been some unplanned expenditures. We agreed to pursue the suggestion that TTI's should be able to sell tickets on trains, to try and avoid delays at stations when intending passengers arrive at the last minute. Discussions with the Guards Department are planned to progress this.
We reviewed the proposed new share issue planned for next year, to raise sufficient funds to get us to Broadway. There is a very considerable amount to be done to get it all together, and work is well under way. We need a snappy title; something like, "Broadway - the last mile".
We received the sad news of the death of Ron Brislin, and arranged for a letter of condolence to be sent to Cynthia. Arrangements have been made to cover his position in the interim until a permanent appointment can be made in due course. It was confirmed to us that plans remain in hand for the roadway at Winchcombe to be repaired before the winter, and that work should start soon.
Lee Alibone advised that the culvert at Bishops Cleeve is in a poor condition, and that remedial works will probably be necessary during the winter shut down. This will necessitate lifting a part of the welded track section. This work will be added to the busy schedule that P/way already have planned for that period.
We agreed to a suggestion to reconstitute the group that had previously considered a future plan for the Winchcombe site, but with a smaller number, to give greater focus. There will be no funds of any great significance available until after we open to Broadway, but it may well be possible for smaller projects to be undertaken there.
It was agreed that we should hold another Volunteers Meeting, and the next one will be at 2.30pm on Saturday 7th November at Toddington Village Hall.
I hope that this summary has given an indication of the matters we are currently dealing with. Our next meeting is in early October.
Richard Johnson
Company Secretary & Director
At our most recent board meeting, it was agreed that I should post a summary of each meeting on the Boardroom Blog. This is a continuing part of our effort to try and ensure that you all have as much information as possible about what is happening. You will appreciate that there are certain things relating to individuals or to commercial contracts, which have to remain confidential.
The board is constituted on the basis that each director has a specific area of responsibility. Each director is required to submit a written report before each meeting, explaining what issues he has dealt with since the last meeting, and what issues require consideration and a decision.
This is a summary of the last meeting:
It was agreed that our Chairman Alan Bielby would set up a programme of quarterly meetings with our Safety Manager Chris Webb, to keep this very important aspect of our operation under review.
Detailed plans for the forthcoming OVA award were presented to us, and were approved. The Lord Lieutenant will arrive at Winchcombe, where she will inspect and then formally unveil a plaque to open the Discovery Coach. All guests will then travel to Toddington, where after refreshments and a visit to the Loco Department she will make the award from the footplate of P&O.
The GWRT has a number of artifacts which have been donated to the railway, and it has been suggested that we should crate a museum in a coach at Toddington for them to be displayed. It was agreed to put the plan on hold, pending discussions with RATS as to how that would interrelate with their current displays.
We continued to consider what is required for the proposed opening to Broadway. We agreed not to proceed further at this stage with the idea of eight coach trains. We approved a plan to obtain professional assistance with the clearance of the remaining trackbed. This will allow us to understand what damage there is to the formation, and what repairs may be necessary. Arrangements are in hand to take advice upon the damage to the embankment between Evesham Road and Childswickham Road, so that detailed plans for the proposed car park can be drawn up.
The reviewed our current financial position. (Chris Bristow has already posted details on the blog). Passenger numbers so far this year are good, and we are on course to exceed our planned profit this year, although there have been some unplanned expenditures. We agreed to pursue the suggestion that TTI's should be able to sell tickets on trains, to try and avoid delays at stations when intending passengers arrive at the last minute. Discussions with the Guards Department are planned to progress this.
We reviewed the proposed new share issue planned for next year, to raise sufficient funds to get us to Broadway. There is a very considerable amount to be done to get it all together, and work is well under way. We need a snappy title; something like, "Broadway - the last mile".
We received the sad news of the death of Ron Brislin, and arranged for a letter of condolence to be sent to Cynthia. Arrangements have been made to cover his position in the interim until a permanent appointment can be made in due course. It was confirmed to us that plans remain in hand for the roadway at Winchcombe to be repaired before the winter, and that work should start soon.
Lee Alibone advised that the culvert at Bishops Cleeve is in a poor condition, and that remedial works will probably be necessary during the winter shut down. This will necessitate lifting a part of the welded track section. This work will be added to the busy schedule that P/way already have planned for that period.
We agreed to a suggestion to reconstitute the group that had previously considered a future plan for the Winchcombe site, but with a smaller number, to give greater focus. There will be no funds of any great significance available until after we open to Broadway, but it may well be possible for smaller projects to be undertaken there.
It was agreed that we should hold another Volunteers Meeting, and the next one will be at 2.30pm on Saturday 7th November at Toddington Village Hall.
I hope that this summary has given an indication of the matters we are currently dealing with. Our next meeting is in early October.
Richard Johnson
Company Secretary & Director
Tuesday, 25 August 2015
GWSR PLC half-year financial results at 31 July 2015
Dear followers of the Boardroom Blog,
I am pleased to tell you that our railway has had a very good first half of the financial year. We are on course to have our third excellent financial year since the line was reconnected in October 2012.
In summary the unaudited P&L numbers are as follows;
£000 Actual to 31/07/15 Budget to 31/07/15
Turnover 836 793
Net Profit/(Loss) 84 (20)
This better than budget performance has been driven by the success of all our major special events starting with the Cheltenham Festival in March through to the Bus Rally in July. Although this has not been a great summer, we have been lucky with the weather at all the events except the Diesel Gala ,where the organisers had to endure atrocious weather on two of the three days. Despite that they managed to put on a great show and actually increased visitor numbers!
Passenger numbers for scheduled services are up around 7%, and group bookings have already exceeded those of the whole of last year which itself was a record. Fish and Chip trains are as popular as ever and Fire & Drive and Diesel Drive are sold out.
With a steady stream of income from operations and very good grant support from the GWRT we have had the funds to push on strongly on all aspects of getting to Broadway. Line side clearance, fencing and drainage work have proceeded steadily, Civil Engineering have finished the repair of the culvert and slip at Laverton, and Permanent Way have purchased and laid the track ballast as far as Little Buckland to which point the rail we bought towards the end of last year can shortly be laid. In the second half we hope to have the funds to clear all of the line side so that Civil Engineering can identify whether any significant slips exist and, hopefully, enough funds to ballast the track bed as far as Peasebrook Farm.
Meanwhile, as I'm sure you know, the station comes on apace with the platforms and signal box nearing completion, and with the exciting event this month of the completion of the foundations for the station building itself. The steel frame for the building has been ordered as have most, if not all, of the bricks, including some very expensive bricks for the door and window surrounds to ensure a truly heritage station. There are interesting developments on the footbridge, and we are planning to spend enough on it so that the hopefully towers (only) can be in place this financial year.
While, for an enterprise of our size, all of this is about as good as it gets, nevertheless, the sobering truth is that we still need more than a million pounds to get to Broadway. As we are intent on doing so as planned for 2018 we will have a follow up tax efficient share issue next Easter (2016), building on our success with the 'Bridges to Broadway' appeal.
Before I finish I must point out that the railway is not only focussed on Broadway and capital has been spent, for example, on bringing the platform 2 at CRC almost to a finished state. In addition, the newly repainted model railway coach was purchased by the railway earlier in the year, and we have also bought a Mk 1 TSO carriage and, most recently, a Mk1 BG. Finally, the concreting of the David Page loco shed proceeds at a measured pace and will , on completion, be a superb facility.
That's about it, don't hesitate to contact me directly if there's anything I can help with.
Chris Bristow
GWSR PLC Finance Director
finance.director@gwsr.com
I am pleased to tell you that our railway has had a very good first half of the financial year. We are on course to have our third excellent financial year since the line was reconnected in October 2012.
In summary the unaudited P&L numbers are as follows;
£000 Actual to 31/07/15 Budget to 31/07/15
Turnover 836 793
Net Profit/(Loss) 84 (20)
This better than budget performance has been driven by the success of all our major special events starting with the Cheltenham Festival in March through to the Bus Rally in July. Although this has not been a great summer, we have been lucky with the weather at all the events except the Diesel Gala ,where the organisers had to endure atrocious weather on two of the three days. Despite that they managed to put on a great show and actually increased visitor numbers!
Passenger numbers for scheduled services are up around 7%, and group bookings have already exceeded those of the whole of last year which itself was a record. Fish and Chip trains are as popular as ever and Fire & Drive and Diesel Drive are sold out.
With a steady stream of income from operations and very good grant support from the GWRT we have had the funds to push on strongly on all aspects of getting to Broadway. Line side clearance, fencing and drainage work have proceeded steadily, Civil Engineering have finished the repair of the culvert and slip at Laverton, and Permanent Way have purchased and laid the track ballast as far as Little Buckland to which point the rail we bought towards the end of last year can shortly be laid. In the second half we hope to have the funds to clear all of the line side so that Civil Engineering can identify whether any significant slips exist and, hopefully, enough funds to ballast the track bed as far as Peasebrook Farm.
Meanwhile, as I'm sure you know, the station comes on apace with the platforms and signal box nearing completion, and with the exciting event this month of the completion of the foundations for the station building itself. The steel frame for the building has been ordered as have most, if not all, of the bricks, including some very expensive bricks for the door and window surrounds to ensure a truly heritage station. There are interesting developments on the footbridge, and we are planning to spend enough on it so that the hopefully towers (only) can be in place this financial year.
While, for an enterprise of our size, all of this is about as good as it gets, nevertheless, the sobering truth is that we still need more than a million pounds to get to Broadway. As we are intent on doing so as planned for 2018 we will have a follow up tax efficient share issue next Easter (2016), building on our success with the 'Bridges to Broadway' appeal.
Before I finish I must point out that the railway is not only focussed on Broadway and capital has been spent, for example, on bringing the platform 2 at CRC almost to a finished state. In addition, the newly repainted model railway coach was purchased by the railway earlier in the year, and we have also bought a Mk 1 TSO carriage and, most recently, a Mk1 BG. Finally, the concreting of the David Page loco shed proceeds at a measured pace and will , on completion, be a superb facility.
That's about it, don't hesitate to contact me directly if there's anything I can help with.
Chris Bristow
GWSR PLC Finance Director
finance.director@gwsr.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)