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Cattle Dock further update

Feb 06, 2019

Thanks to Steve Lewis we have evidence of further work on the cattle dock. Here you can see the scaffolding to protect the workers, Bob and Ian, to whom we are indebted for their hard work as they work on the steps and the top surface. When asked about the progress of work, Station Master Bob Preston was reported to say " One step at a time...!". and now (15/02) 4 steps ... Our treasurer says "This work is only made possible by the generous donations from our Friends." So why not come and visit us, we are open most days starting 30 March. Look at the WSR website for details.

Stogumber in the snow

Feb 01, 2019

Many thanks to Robin White for these photographs of views that we so rarely see. ..a view towards Station House .. the path .. the station building ..the platform ..further up the platform .. the station entrance .. the view towards Crowcombe Heathfield Please remember the station is closed until 30 March when the WSR re-opens.

FOSS Membership 2019

Jan 16, 2019

It is time to renew your membership and we are all very grateful for your support and donations which have enabled us to keep improving the station. This year WSR will have to spend money on infrastructure so it is unlikey they will be in a position to help us out. In 2018 we spent over £1500 on the cattle dock, mainly removing 10 tons of soil and debris and on purchasing bricks to repair the walls. This year we plan to do much more as well as replace the other two running-in boards. There is still plenty of maintenance to do with fences a priority.

Cattle dock update

Jan 02, 2019

Robin White provides evidence that further work has taken place to restore the cattle dock, here the first step has been cast.

GWR Large Prairie No. 4110

Dec 25, 2018

A number of footplate and shed staff are trying to protect this engine for use by WSR. It is for sale at a price (inc. tax) of £120 000. The FOSS committee at Stogumber Station would like to help but we are unable, under our constitution, to do anything. We do however recommend that our members do what they can, details are available here.

Stogumber Station Christmas Party 2018

Dec 15, 2018

Stogumber volunteers enjoy some festive spirit last night.

Winter Services

Nov 07, 2018

All the volunteers here at Stogumber wish our members and supporters a very Happy Christmas and healthy and prosperous New Year. Stogumber Station will be open as usual from 27 December 2018 to 1 January 2019 inclusive, when we will have a warm fire and festive fare to welcome you. Join us for a hot drink with mince pies and shortbread.Details can be found on the WSR website. Winter festival details here. The WSR board have announced that the WSR will then close down from 2 January 2019 until 1 April to enable maintenance work to take place. Full details can be found on here.

Autumn Gala

Oct 12, 2018

The wonderful weather brought the crowds out at Stogumber as we had more people visiting the station than in previous years. Thanks to Bob Woodland for his photo. During the gala FOSS held its AGM which was well attended. Terry Shipton is now the Chairman, Bob Preston remains as Station Master and Projects Manager, Jean Tucker is Membership Secretary, Colin White is Treasurer and Peter Cox is Historian. The food is managed by Gil Cox and Jenny Preston and it is great to see Maggie Bines back working as a volunteer. The minutes are shown below. Minutes of the 2018 Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Stogumber Station (FOSS) Held at Stogumber Station, 28th September 2018.

Present:
Colin White, Acting Chairman and Treasurer		Fred Yarwood
Peter Cox		William Oldnall
Bob Preston, Station Master and Station Projects Officer Jenny Preston, Retail Officer Gil Cox, Catering Officer Jean Tucker, Membership Secretary		Roger Blackburn Nigel Mott Terry Shipton Val Shipton Ruth Winson
Stefan Mlynek		Maggie Bines
Diane Mlynek
Phil Hall
Janet Hall


01	Introduction by the Acting Chairman Colin welcomed everyone and explained that although he was acting Chairman, he would not be standing for election and we would elect a new Chairman later in the meeting and that he would chair the meeting for its duration.

02	Apologies Received from: Paul Conibeare, Ron Duffield, Rita Warren, Melanie Bennett, Alison White, Jean Hilton.

03 04	Minutes of the 2017 AGM The minutes of the 2017 AGM had been circulated and were approved.

05	Acting Chairman’s report Colin praised the efforts and contribution made by the former chairman and joint station master, Alan Bines, who sadly passed away during the summer. He stated that the number of volunteers is down this year which is a concern to the committee. He has also been concerned with the lack of communication from WSR, in particular the increase in the number of trains not stopping at Stogumber. For the future we have a vision of a restored cattle dock now becoming a reality and a repaired lineside hut. We intend to continue to show the model of the station with changing rolling stock.

06	Treasurer’s Report Colin stated that 2017 had been a good year with the station spending £4442 on equipment and yet posting a profit of £2028. We have been able to reclaim £70 of tax paid in 2016. The income from sales in 2017 was £11 377 which was £900 up on 2016. The indications are that sales will increase in 2018 by a similar amount. Colin praised the efforts of the catering staff and particularly Gil Cox, Maggie Bines and Jenny Preston.

07	Station Master’s Report Bob gave his assessment of the work that has been done and is planned to be done in the future, · he praised the work done by his predecessor, Alan Bines, · he thanked Maggie for continuing to support the station, · we do have a new volunteer this year but there is a need for more, · the Forties weekend was good fun and the number visiting the station was higher than expected, · in 2017 to the present time we have replaced heaters in the station, improved the workshop lighting, added workshop extraction, bought a COSHH cabinet, bought two upright freezers, painted the waiting room floor, paid for a cabinet to be made for the model, bought and renovated six GWR chairs, sealed the floor to the booking office, renovated two benches (paid by WSRA), painted the platform edge, paid for RAMS to erect gates and fencing as part of the cattle dock renovation which also increases the parking spaces, replace the corporation lamppost with a GWR replica and a lantern to the booking office, put an external bell to the booking office, excavate the cattle dock ramp, obtained an old bicycle as period furniture and bought a grass mower and strimmer, · the work to do includes painting and renovation of external benches and lampstandard, replacing the cattle dock steps, renovation of the car park running-in board, revise the drawings for the cattle dock restoration, replacement of the platform running-in boards, replacement of the wicket fence around the former vegetable garden and the painting of the external surface of the waiting room paid by the WSR plc, · we also plan to have some running of the model railway, repair the wall and pens of the cattle dock, clear the vegetable garden, complete the rails and buffer stop outside the cattle dock, have the drive resurfaced, clear the bank to the rear of the garden, · it is planned to have public access to the cattle dock in 2021.

08	Membership Secretary’s Report Jean reported that the number of members has remained roughly the same and she confirmed that there would be a statement about data protection with the renewal letters next year. Jean hopes to have a newsletter sent to members to inform them with news about the station.

09	Chairman, life memberships and 2019 membership fees Terry Shipton, a life member of FOSS, was proposed and seconded, as the new chairman. The vote was unanimous in favour of making Terry the new chairman. Membership fees will remain at £7 for an individual member and £10 for a family. This was agreed unanimously.

10	FOSS members open floor There were no items raised.

11	Any other business There was no other business.

12	Closing remarks Colin closed the meeting by thanking everyone for attending. Meeting closed 16 08.

Gala at Stogumber

Sep 26, 2018

The Autumn Gala is on from Thursday 27 September to Sunday 30 September. At Stogumber we will have

bacon rolls
pasties and sausage rolls
home-made cakes
all the other usual refreshments
model railway where all the trains stop at Stogumber
renovated benches
clean cattle dock

Also

Last of the Summer ~~Wine~~ Cream Teas ..... we will serve Cream Teas for the last time this year until stocks run out.

Forties weekend - pictures

Sep 25, 2018

Here are some of the highlights. Churchill and Monty were there ...... an elegant couple .... and a 1938 Standard Flying 9 .... a singer ..... that man again .... a jeep arrives ... to see if the gun has arrived .... sadly no.