Tynedalesman News

Editorial - A few words from the compilers

Welcome to the Summer 2006 Edition of Tynedalesman.

In this edition you will find the usual range of reports and an account of outdoor week. For those who took art the week was thoroughly enjoyable and we were all surprised by how much was achieved. A big thank you is due to all who took part and those who undertook the organisation and planning.

Once again it is time to invite nominations to the Council of Management. Both as a Company and as a Charity it is of the utmost importance that we have an effective management body. Whilst most of us would rather operate or maintain the railway thought must be given to the administrative and managerial support that is necessary. Please do think about becoming a member of the Council of Management. If you would like to know more then please talk to one of the existing members or one of the Officers of the Society.

On the same vein we really must have a Rostering Officer. This job is vital to the running of the railway. In his report, Tom Bell has set out the characteristics required to be a successful Rostering Officer. Do you measure up!

Finally, if you possibly can, do come and visit the railway over the Gala Weekend of 30th September/1st October. It promises to be fun.

Mike and Clare Le Marie

Annual General Meeting:
Closing Date for Nominations
for Election to the Council of Management

The Council of Management have agreed that this year�s Annual General Meeting will be held on Saturday 4th November. The formal notice of the meeting and other particulars will be circulated to members nearer to the date. Members should note, however, that the closing date for nominations of members to serve on the Council of Management will be 1st October, in order to allow details of nominations received to be circulated in advance of the meeting.

Any paid-up member of the Society (other than a junior associate) may be proposed for election as Chairman, Deputy Chairman or Ordinary Member of Council, provided that he or she is not disqualified from serving as a company director or charity trustee. Nominations must be submitted in writing, signed both by the proposer and by the person nominated (to confirm his or her willingness to be elected) and must be addressed to the Secretary, at the Society's registered office (The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB). Nominations in respect of the elections to be held at this year's Annual General Meeting must arrive no later than 1st October 2006.

In accordance with the Society�s Articles of Association, there is a three-year term of office for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman. The post of Chairman is currently vacant, following the decision of Mike Le Marie to take on the role of Treasurer. The current Deputy Chairman is Richard Graham, who was elected at the 2004 Annual General Meeting and has one further year of his term of office to serve. An election for Deputy Chairman will therefore take place only if this post is vacated by its current holder.

At present there are seven Ordinary Members of Council, as follows: Jim Beckwith, Alan Blackburn, Norman Cook, Steven Dyke, Jim Harper, Mike Le Marie and Duncan Wheeler. The maximum permitted number of Ordinary Members of Council is twelve (unless a resolution to change this number is passed at a General Meeting). Mike Le Marie, who was appointed as an Ordinary Member of Council in the course of the year, retires at the Annual General Meeting and is eligible for re-election. Jim Beckwith and Alan Blackburn retire by rotation at this year's Annual General Meeting and are eligible for re-election.

Prospective nominees should note that all members of the Council of Management have the legal status and responsibilities of company directors and charity trustees. The Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and other officers are appointed by the Council of Management, who may also rescind any officer appointment at any time.

New nominees to the Council have the opportunity to submit a brief �pen portrait� of themselves for circulation to the membership in advance of the Annual General Meeting. It is not necessary for this to be sent at the same time as a nomination, as the Secretary will contact those concerned after their nominations have been received.

Any enquiries concerning the above should be directed to the Secretary, whose contact details are in the address list section.

News from Council of Management Meetings

Council Members

Following Mike Le Marie�s decision to stand down as Chairman to take on the role of Treasurer, it was agreed to appoint him as an Ordinary Member of Council. This appointment applies until the Annual General Meeting, when he is eligible to stand for re-election.

John Gillott has submitted his resignation from Council and has relinquished various other roles that he had taken on, although he has indicated that he will continue to deal with rostering for the rest of this season.

Authorisation for payments to Council Members

Following the report in Tynedalesman No. 144 regarding payments in certain circumstances for specific work other than the basic duties of a Council Member (trustee), only one Society member has written to express views on the subject.

Further consultation is taking place with the Charity Commission regarding alteration of the Society�s governing document to permit payments totalling more than �1,000 in any financial year. As stated in the earlier report, any such alteration would have to be adopted by a General Meeting of the Society.

Gilderdale - Slaggyford Trackbed Lease

The long saga of the lease from Northumberland County Council, which appeared to be nearing completion last year, has encountered a further complication arising from our inspection of the plans indicating the boundaries of the land to be leased.

Negotiations are to take place on the issue concerned and it may be possible to sign the lease if a suitable �get out� clause can be agreed to cover the remote possibility of the outstanding issue not being resolved satisfactorily.

For the benefit of those whose knowledge or memory does not extend far enough, we currently use the Gilderdale - Kirkhaugh section by permission of the County Council, occupying it in accordance with the lease terms as far as practicable.

Locomotive No.15 (Hudswell Clarke DM1169)

Some of our readers may have seen this diesel locomotive advertised for sale in the railway press on two occasions.

The first advertisement was placed by the Society, in accordance with advice from our solicitors, after a lengthy period of time during which there had been no response to communications with its owner. More recently, the owner has re-established contact with our solicitors and has arranged for a further advertisement in the railway press.

For avoidance of doubt, the owner did not endorse or approve the wording of the advertisement placed by the Society, and the Society did not endorse or approve the wording of the advertisement placed on behalf of the owner.

Representations regarding new Safety Regulations

Earlier in the year, the Heritage Railway Association campaigned against the imposition of proposed regulations relating to procedures for approval of new works. To an even greater extent than other recent legislation, these regulations were seen as likely to create undue difficulty and expense for heritage railways.

Representations were made by our Society to the two MPs in whose constituencies our line runs (Peter Atkinson and David Maclean) and to our Patron, Lord lnglewood. They all took up our concerns and approaches were also made by several individual members to their own MPs.

The eventual outcome could best be described as a partial victory, introducing an extended transition period during which approvals under existing regulations will continue and the Office of Rail Regulation will work with the heritage railways to develop a suitable safety verification scheme for the sector. We add our thanks to those of the HRA to all who supported the campaign.

Assistance from the North Pennines AONB Partnership

The AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) Partnership has recently awarded two grants to the Society. The first was to fund the purchase and installation of a cycle rack at Alston station. The second was a training award, which it was proposed to utilise for one or two members to become qualified to carry out testing of portable electrical appliances.

Report from the Head of Operating
by Tom Bell

The 2006 operating season is now well under way. Apart from one day lost early in the season, due to a misunderstanding, we have been able to run trains on every day advertised in our timetable leaflet.

Steam Trains

However, it has been much more difficult to provide a steam locomotive every day that one has been advertised, with July proving impossible to obtain sufficient volunteers to run steam on the majority of mid-week days. We then had to cancel steam at the end of July because of the risk of setting fire to the grass beside the line. We had no less than three fires in one day which damaged two lengthy sections of the telephone cable. Heavy rain the following week allowed us to restore steam services and Richard Graham repaired the lineside telephone on Sunday 6th August, only to have another fire on Monday 7th August, after it had stopped raining, which again damaged the telephone cable.

It would probably be an understatement to say that the Head of Infrastructure was not very happy with the Operating Department when he was informed!

Rostering Officers

Since Robin Alderson left us for sunnier parts, we have had two different Rostering Officers, separated by an interim period when several of us tried, successfully, to keep the trains running. The current Rostering Officer has also now resigned from the end of the year. The post of Rostering Officer is one of the most important on the Railway and, ever since we began running trains 23 years ago, it has been one of the most difficult to fill, or rather, keep filled.

The Society is again looking for a Rostering Officer to take over from 1st January 2007. I intend to produce a full job description later, but according to previous incumbents the main requirements for a Rostering Officer are:-

he/she/they must have the patience of a saint,
a skin rather thicker than that of a rhinoceros,
and a temperament which does not object to receiving rude and abusive e-mails and/or telephone calls.

If there is anyone out there who feels they could, and wish to, undertake the role of Rostering Officer please contact Tom Bell as soon as possible.

New Volunteers

I am very pleased to be able to welcome two new volunteers. Athol Cowley and Tony Hudson joined the Society following the Volunteer Recruitment Day and they have now obtained their Guards Certificates of Competence. In addition, Mike Edwards has passed as a passenger diesel driver.

Buffet Car Assistant Required

We are having serious difficulties in staffing the buffet car during the week. In the main holiday season we now tend to carry slightly more passengers on mid-week days than at weekends, so providing the buffet car from Monday to Friday is very important, both to provide our passengers with a better experience and for our finances, when the English schools are on holiday.

Please if there are any members who would like to spend a pleasant day serving teas, coffees, soup, cold drinks, etc. to our cheerful passengers, please come along and volunteer, or contact Ivan Ward.

Tom Bell

Commercial Report
by Ivan Ward

By the time you receive this issue of The Tynedalesman we shall be some two-thirds of the way through our 2006 operating season. Passenger numbers and fare income are holding up fairly well compared with 2005, and, if the weather stays reasonably fine, August 2006 should be a good month.

Coach tour bookings are at last year�s levels and we have the coach company, WA Shearings, visiting us every two weeks all the way to the end of September 2006.

Our first special event of 2006, Teddy Bears� Picnic, was as usual a great hit with our customers, both young and old. Unfortunately the passenger numbers were down a little compared with 2005, due possibly to the football world cup. A big thank you is due to our bears, Marian Ward, Gillian Devereux, Shaun Wilson and Bob Harmer for their hard work. Fortunately, the weather was cool and cloudy, which is just about right when one is wearing a bear costume.

The next event of 2006 is the Gala Weekend on Saturday, 30 September, and Sunday, 1 October, when all of our steam and diesel locomotives will be running. There will be a shuttle service to the loco shed/workshop and demonstration freight trains. The high-light of the event is to welcome Thomas Edmondson which should be back in action after many years out of service.

Shop sales have been good so far this year, with our new gifts and souvenirs selling well. Unfortunately, chocolates and crisps are not popular in hot weather but, on the other hand, the drinks and ice cream fridges require constant re-stocking!

Finally, can I make the much repeated appeal: please come and help your railway in whatever capacity you think you are capable of. It is not all heavy manual work. There are plenty of light jobs for the young and �old�. Otherwise, why not just visit us again soon for a ride to Kirkhaugh and to enjoy the scenery.

Incidentally, if you are planning a visit to Alston and the railway this year, please make yourself known to the operating staff as it is good to meet other members.

Ivan Ward

Christmas Dinner 2006
by David Kirkhouse

On Saturday 9th December 2006, the Society are holding our annual Christmas Dinner at the Lovelady Shield Hotel in Alston. Alas the price has increased slightly, and is now �19.50 per person for the meal. If you wish to stay overnight, B&B; is an additional �20.00 per person.

Booking for the meal should be made to David Kirkhouse, 37 Tanfield Gardens, South Shields, Tyne and Wear, NE34 7DX, or in person to David at the Railway.

Booking for the overnight stay, if required, should be made directly to the Lovelady Shield Hotel on 01434 381203, stating that you will be attending the S.T.R.P.S. Christmas dinner.

Payment can be made on the night of the meal, but please make cheques payable to �Lovelady Shield Hotel�. The dinner is not just restricted to our �working� members, but is open to all of the members of the Railway and their guests. So do please come along. You can meet people who operate the railway and also those who are involved �behind� the scenes and maybe even decide to get involved in helping to run your railway.

David Kirkhouse

Report from the Treasurer
by Mike Le Marie

2006 has so far been a strange year. The Football World Cup, exceptionally hot weather and economic factors are all being blamed for a downturn in the turnover of tourism related businesses in this area.

Overall our passenger numbers have held up quite well with 10,587 being carried up to the middle of August 2006. This figure is just under 800 less than the same period last year, 2005. As a result our fare income has decreased by about �2,500 but increased shop sales has about wiped out the decrease in income. Whilst I am satisfied by the present situation we need to be careful how we spend any surplus money we have.

It is my hope that we can soon start building the extension to Slaggyford, when we will need all the money we can find to buy materials and to repair structures. Such expenditure however must be balanced against the need to maintain and improve what we already have. Members are crying out for a decent mess room and improved sleeping accommodation, the need for a larger mess van has been highlighted and no doubt other urgent requirements will emerge.

Mike Le Marie

Diary Dates 2006

30th September and 1st October	Gala Weekend
28th and 29th October	Halloween Specials
4th November	Annual General Meeting
2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, 17th and 21st December	Santa Specials

Copy Date for Tynedalesman No. 147
and Gala Weekend Photographs Wanted

Articles, reports etc for the Autumn edition of Tynedalesman, Issue No. 147 are required by the Compliers by the 14th of October 2006 at the very latest.

Ivan Ward makes mention of the Gala Weekend being held on the 30th of September and the 1st of October. It is our intention to make the Autumn Edition of Tynedalesman a �Thomas Edmondson Special Edition�. For this to be successful we will need lots of photographs both of Thomas Edmondson and all of the other locomotives in use that weekend.

Mike and Clare Le Marie

Arrangements to contact S.T.R.P.S. members
via this electronic version of Tynedalesman
or via this internet site.

PLEASE NOTE: Contact telephone numbers or private addresses for Society Officials are normally not shown in the Tynedalesman internet pages.

Requests to contact Society officials can be made either by E-mail addressed to the South Tynedale Railway or by telephone or in writing by using either the telephone number or to the postal address which are shown at the bottom of these internet pages.

Please include the following items in either your E-mail message, correspondence or telephone call:-

Your full name, together with daytime and evening telephone numbers, if possible, where you can be contacted,

or your full postal address for receipt of any correspondence or literature to be posted to you,

details of the person you wish to contact and why.

Your message will then be passed onto the person concerned and arrangements can be made to contact you.

Following the above procedure assists to respect the privacy of Society officials and to discourage any bogus or time wasting phone callers or the receipt of any unnecessary junk e-mail messages and correspondence.

Tynedalesman

Tynedalesman is the magazine of the South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society is published each Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. The views expressed by individuals in this magazine may not necessarily reflect the official views or current policies of the S.T.R.P.S..

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SOUTH TYNEDALE RAILWAY PRESERVATION SOCIETY
Registered Office: The Railway Station, Alston, Cumbria, CA9 3JB
Tel. 01434 381696.��Talking timetable tel. 01434 382828
Registered Charity No. 514939.

E-mail enquiries - please click on links below:
South Tynedale Railway information - Send e-mail to South Tynedale Railway
STRPS membership information only - Send e-mail to Kathy Aveyard
Tynedalesman information only - Send e-mail to Tynedalesman compilers

Mission Statement for the South Tynedale Railway:-
�To provide satisfaction for our customers and volunteers
by operating a friendly, safe and efficient narrow-gauge railway.�

� South Tynedale Railway Preservation Society, September 2006.

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