Having Thomas the tank engine visit us is always fraught with potential problems and this year was no exception. Volunteers will be aware of the technical problems with the engine itself but this was the tip of the iceberg. We also had problems in a wide number of other areas which really tested the new organisers almost to destruction. But they came through with flying colours and the event itself was a great success. We had 2460 visitors over the two days which was about 10% up on the same weekend last year so many thanks to all who helped in any way.
Colin Fewell
Thursday, 25 June 2015
Tuesday, 2 June 2015
The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service
We are delighted to announce that the volunteer group of the GWR has
been granted The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
The Award is the highest given to local volunteer groups across the UK to recognise outstanding work in their local communities. It recognises volunteering work that is of social, economic or environmental service to the local community and is supported, recognised and respected by the people who benefit from it.
Our continuing great success in running one of the largest heritage
railways in the country almost entirely with volunteers has won us many awards
and accolades but this is definitely the most prestigious of all! The Railway
will receive a certificate signed by The Queen and an English Crystal with the
logo insignia for display. The Railway will be allowed to display the Queen's
Award logo on its publications.
The presentation of the award will be made at Toddington on the 14th
September by Dame Janet Trotter DBE, the Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire on
behalf of the Queen. Details of the arrangements for the day will be issued
later but please make a note of the date in your diary!
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate
the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and winners are announced each year on 2 June – the
anniversary of the Queen’s Coronation. In the whole country, 187 charities,
social enterprises and voluntary groups are to receive the award this year. However,
in Gloucestershire, we are one of only three to be successfully nominated.
This Award is very, very special as it acknowledges the contribution of all of our working members past and
present over the last 35 years. This is something we can all be very proud
of.
Alan Bielby Glyn
Cornish
Chairman, GWSR, Plc Chairman, GWRT
Chairman, GWSR, Plc Chairman, GWRT
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Steam gala
What a great weekend! Thanks to everyone for all their efforts. And the double headers just added to the excitement. Nice full trains with photographers everywhere.
Arthur Smith (the comedian and "One Show" presenter) was at the railway on Monday interviewing volunteers and the public for a documentary about "England's Heritage" to be shown on Channel 4 this autumn. He said he thoroughly enjoyed his day with us and was impressed by the atmosphere and the friendliness of the volunteers. Once I know the date this programme will be shown I will circulate it. (His interviewing technique is interesting. I still don't know why he asked in the signal box for the capital of Venezuela!!)
Colin Fewell
Arthur Smith (the comedian and "One Show" presenter) was at the railway on Monday interviewing volunteers and the public for a documentary about "England's Heritage" to be shown on Channel 4 this autumn. He said he thoroughly enjoyed his day with us and was impressed by the atmosphere and the friendliness of the volunteers. Once I know the date this programme will be shown I will circulate it. (His interviewing technique is interesting. I still don't know why he asked in the signal box for the capital of Venezuela!!)
Colin Fewell
Thursday, 14 May 2015
Wartime in the Cotswolds
I attended the "wash up" meeting of this event on Tuesday.
As with all such meetings, it started with a general feeling of relief that it was all over and pleasure at the vast number of congratulatory e mails we have received - and no complaints! This is now regarded by the re-enactors and the public as one of the top such events put on by heritage railways and indeed other organisations, and we already have a large number of enquiries about next year. If you take into account the re-enactors and traders etc., we saw well over 2,200 people during the weekend.
However, much of the meeting was of course devoted to discussing areas where we can improve for the future and it became obvious that if we are to maintain the quality of this event we need new blood to carry it forwards.
Several of the dozen or so volunteers who have given up time during the past three years to build this event up from scratch now feel they want to stand down and take on other jobs. This means we are left with a clearly stark choice. Either we get a new group of volunteers to take over the reins, or we won't be having this event next year. That would be a terrible shame for the public but especially for all of us volunteers who enjoy the great atmosphere of the weekend. And of course it would also mean there would be a substantial drop in our railway income for the year thus slowing down our development to Broadway quite dramatically.
I was asked to circulate a request to all volunteers for help to keep the event alive. This I have done through a Volunteer announcement but so far with little response. I want to support the team who have set up this event and I ask that all volunteers consider if they can help in any way. Many thanks
Colin Fewell
As with all such meetings, it started with a general feeling of relief that it was all over and pleasure at the vast number of congratulatory e mails we have received - and no complaints! This is now regarded by the re-enactors and the public as one of the top such events put on by heritage railways and indeed other organisations, and we already have a large number of enquiries about next year. If you take into account the re-enactors and traders etc., we saw well over 2,200 people during the weekend.
However, much of the meeting was of course devoted to discussing areas where we can improve for the future and it became obvious that if we are to maintain the quality of this event we need new blood to carry it forwards.
Several of the dozen or so volunteers who have given up time during the past three years to build this event up from scratch now feel they want to stand down and take on other jobs. This means we are left with a clearly stark choice. Either we get a new group of volunteers to take over the reins, or we won't be having this event next year. That would be a terrible shame for the public but especially for all of us volunteers who enjoy the great atmosphere of the weekend. And of course it would also mean there would be a substantial drop in our railway income for the year thus slowing down our development to Broadway quite dramatically.
I was asked to circulate a request to all volunteers for help to keep the event alive. This I have done through a Volunteer announcement but so far with little response. I want to support the team who have set up this event and I ask that all volunteers consider if they can help in any way. Many thanks
Colin Fewell
Monday, 11 May 2015
Visitor numbers etc.
Looking at all the statistics I can find, it looks as though at the end of April the number of visitors to the railway was very much the same as in 2014 - just over 10,000.
Last Saturday was extremely busy with several groups of which one was for 240 people. Thank goodness they spread themselves over the railway and didn't cause too many hold ups!
Saturday afternoon, a number of us agreed the final layout for the "history timeline" which will go along the wall of the Discovery Coach at Winchcombe. We are pretty much there now as the map of the line is in place also along one wall, the original indenture for land at Winchcombe is on display and David Boot's "00" layout of Toddington Station is in place. Once we have erected the two televisions / DVD players and got the timeline back from the printers, we will almost be ready to open up. This will be a tremendous attraction for the summer not just for families and tourists but also for school visits.
Colin Fewell
Last Saturday was extremely busy with several groups of which one was for 240 people. Thank goodness they spread themselves over the railway and didn't cause too many hold ups!
Saturday afternoon, a number of us agreed the final layout for the "history timeline" which will go along the wall of the Discovery Coach at Winchcombe. We are pretty much there now as the map of the line is in place also along one wall, the original indenture for land at Winchcombe is on display and David Boot's "00" layout of Toddington Station is in place. Once we have erected the two televisions / DVD players and got the timeline back from the printers, we will almost be ready to open up. This will be a tremendous attraction for the summer not just for families and tourists but also for school visits.
Colin Fewell
Monday, 27 April 2015
Wartime in the Cotswolds
A great weekend with tremendous support from everyone at the railway, but don't let me say any more - have a look at Tripadvisor
Colin Fewell
Colin Fewell
Wednesday, 8 April 2015
Annual assessment by "Visit England"
You may know we are annually assessd by "Visit England" before being allowed to display the rose emblem which states we are a "Quality Assured Visitor Attraction". The latest visit by one of their assessors was on Good Friday - the day the rains came and also 2807 failed! I am awaiting their report which will be sirculated to all departments but I am told this will be very favourable, and in particular they will comment on how well we kept visitors aware of the loco failure situation.
Colin Fewell
Colin Fewell
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