| Raven Square Station 2006 25 years |
| Outing to the Glocester & Warwickshire Railway 14 May 2006 |
An overcast morning saw 38 WAG members
gather at Raven Square for a coach tour to the
GWR.
A great day our, enjoyed by every participant. The
weather improved with good sunny spells, with the
threatened rail only starting once we were
homeward bound.
gather at Raven Square for a coach tour to the
GWR.
A great day our, enjoyed by every participant. The
weather improved with good sunny spells, with the
threatened rail only starting once we were
homeward bound.
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| #7903 Foremarke Hall at Toddington |
| This website is copyright. This includes all photographs, text, line drawings and artwork. Email any queries |
| #7903 Foremarke Hall at Cheltenham |
| Tony Harvey in the Buffet Car |
| Sheelagh Cooke with a well labeled beer |
| A friendly crew made for a great day out |
| 2006 News |
Chairman’s Report
Presented by the Chairman, Geoff Cooke, at the AGM on 20 November 2006
Welcome.
Since inception until last year, Tony Harvey steered WAG to success. Regrettably, he was unable to continue and
although I knew that I would be relocating to the West Midlands during 2006, I accepted the position of Chairman as
there were no other nominations.
I moved to Kidderminster in June this year, and regret that I have not been able to support WAG as much as I would
have wished since then. Fortunately, this has not had a serious impact on the success of the group, as the rest of the
committee has risen to the challenge and has performed exceptionally. For this, I thank them.
The year kicked off with a very successful Christmas Bash. We introduced a photographic competition, which should
become an annual event. This will, of course, only happen if adequate entries are received and I appeal to every
one of you to dig out a few pictures, or use your powers of persuasion on someone else.
Barry Sizer once more showed his organising skills by arranging a very successful day trip to the Gloucestershire and
Warwickshire Railway. These trips are to be commended, and plans are well advanced for a May 2007 visit to the
Talyllyn and Corris Railways.
Meetings were held here at the Raven last November, and in January and March. These winter meetings have
become an important part of our calendar, and it is gratifying that attendance had remained stable.
A great deal of work has been done at Raven Square station and I would like to thank everyone on the committee, as
well as other members, who contributed their time to achieve this. We have not only worked at this end of the line,
but have also helped to paint Llanfair. I hope that management will not consider us too partisan! Our main focus has
been on painting and gardening, and the Board have commented on how much this has improved the Welshpool
end of the line.
Improvements have been made to the Disabled Parking arrangements, and a project has been initiated to improve
the signage relating to car parking generally, particularly dealing with the occasional habit of Raven Inn patrons
using the station as an overflow car park, and then not moving their cars at locking up time. This project is ongoing
as we are waiting for the correct wording for the signs to be supplied.
The year has had many successes, but there are also a few issues that we would have preferred to have had different
outcomes. WAG looked at ways to bridge the gap between the railway and Welshpool Town. Aware that this year was
the 25th Anniversary of Raven Square, we considered offering a train and hog roast to both railway members and
Welshpool residents. Considerable discussion took place, but the response from the Railway Management and Board
was not supportive, and we withdrew the project as persevering may have created unwanted friction. This remains an
important issue and more should be done to build bridges between the local community and the railway. However,
the railway Board and Management must be behind and such effort if it is to succeed. I would anticipate that WAG
would always be willing to assist.
Other commitments caused my Vice Chairman, Dennis Duggan, to resign from the committee. He has remained
active in WAG, and continues to help with the photographic competition. Mike Lister took over the publication of
the Newsletter, and I am sure that you will all join me in commending both Dennis and Mike for a job well done.
Ivor Morris has continued as treasurer, and has been a great help as a result. I am pleased to note that Ivor has
agreed to stand as Treasurer for another year, giving important stability to the incoming committee.
David Penrose and his assistants have turned the Raven Square gardens into a delightful area watched over by
gnomes and other miscellaneous animals, to the delight of our younger VIP train passengers.
Ron Renn had assisted the committee diligently, and I thank him as well for his attendance.
With the Welshpool and Llanfair starting to pay closer attention to the Welshpool end of the line, WAG can look
forward to a challenging time ahead. I appeal to every member to help the incoming committee wherever they can,
with a strong membership you will be able to take advantage of this renewed interest, and make a strong contribution
to bringing some of the projects to an early conclusion.
Presented by the Chairman, Geoff Cooke, at the AGM on 20 November 2006
Welcome.
Since inception until last year, Tony Harvey steered WAG to success. Regrettably, he was unable to continue and
although I knew that I would be relocating to the West Midlands during 2006, I accepted the position of Chairman as
there were no other nominations.
I moved to Kidderminster in June this year, and regret that I have not been able to support WAG as much as I would
have wished since then. Fortunately, this has not had a serious impact on the success of the group, as the rest of the
committee has risen to the challenge and has performed exceptionally. For this, I thank them.
The year kicked off with a very successful Christmas Bash. We introduced a photographic competition, which should
become an annual event. This will, of course, only happen if adequate entries are received and I appeal to every
one of you to dig out a few pictures, or use your powers of persuasion on someone else.
Barry Sizer once more showed his organising skills by arranging a very successful day trip to the Gloucestershire and
Warwickshire Railway. These trips are to be commended, and plans are well advanced for a May 2007 visit to the
Talyllyn and Corris Railways.
Meetings were held here at the Raven last November, and in January and March. These winter meetings have
become an important part of our calendar, and it is gratifying that attendance had remained stable.
A great deal of work has been done at Raven Square station and I would like to thank everyone on the committee, as
well as other members, who contributed their time to achieve this. We have not only worked at this end of the line,
but have also helped to paint Llanfair. I hope that management will not consider us too partisan! Our main focus has
been on painting and gardening, and the Board have commented on how much this has improved the Welshpool
end of the line.
Improvements have been made to the Disabled Parking arrangements, and a project has been initiated to improve
the signage relating to car parking generally, particularly dealing with the occasional habit of Raven Inn patrons
using the station as an overflow car park, and then not moving their cars at locking up time. This project is ongoing
as we are waiting for the correct wording for the signs to be supplied.
The year has had many successes, but there are also a few issues that we would have preferred to have had different
outcomes. WAG looked at ways to bridge the gap between the railway and Welshpool Town. Aware that this year was
the 25th Anniversary of Raven Square, we considered offering a train and hog roast to both railway members and
Welshpool residents. Considerable discussion took place, but the response from the Railway Management and Board
was not supportive, and we withdrew the project as persevering may have created unwanted friction. This remains an
important issue and more should be done to build bridges between the local community and the railway. However,
the railway Board and Management must be behind and such effort if it is to succeed. I would anticipate that WAG
would always be willing to assist.
Other commitments caused my Vice Chairman, Dennis Duggan, to resign from the committee. He has remained
active in WAG, and continues to help with the photographic competition. Mike Lister took over the publication of
the Newsletter, and I am sure that you will all join me in commending both Dennis and Mike for a job well done.
Ivor Morris has continued as treasurer, and has been a great help as a result. I am pleased to note that Ivor has
agreed to stand as Treasurer for another year, giving important stability to the incoming committee.
David Penrose and his assistants have turned the Raven Square gardens into a delightful area watched over by
gnomes and other miscellaneous animals, to the delight of our younger VIP train passengers.
Ron Renn had assisted the committee diligently, and I thank him as well for his attendance.
With the Welshpool and Llanfair starting to pay closer attention to the Welshpool end of the line, WAG can look
forward to a challenging time ahead. I appeal to every member to help the incoming committee wherever they can,
with a strong membership you will be able to take advantage of this renewed interest, and make a strong contribution
to bringing some of the projects to an early conclusion.
Mike Lister wins Photographic
Competition
Mike Lister became the second recipient of the Tony Harvey
floating trophy at the WAG Christmas Bash, held at the
Raven on 12 December 2006. He won with a portfolio of 5
humorous photographs depicting workers on the railway.
The competition was judged by Neil Benbow, President of
the Welshpool Rotary Club and Manager of the Royal Oak
Hotel.
Entries were not plentiful, but they were encouragingly
broad in their interpretation of the subject. Mike's winning
portfolio is reproduced here.
Competition
Mike Lister became the second recipient of the Tony Harvey
floating trophy at the WAG Christmas Bash, held at the
Raven on 12 December 2006. He won with a portfolio of 5
humorous photographs depicting workers on the railway.
The competition was judged by Neil Benbow, President of
the Welshpool Rotary Club and Manager of the Royal Oak
Hotel.
Entries were not plentiful, but they were encouragingly
broad in their interpretation of the subject. Mike's winning
portfolio is reproduced here.
| Only pointless ones in here |
| New headgear for footplate staff |
| Llanfair is that way |
| Is there a train behind me? |
| We shall have to refill on our way back |