News
Autumn Gala
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. | |