T.R.P.S. Candidates for the Council 2000

With fiftieth anniversaries now upon us, we are working hard to promote the TR. Much is changing, or about to change, so we're not standing still. We do have to continue to fight to maintain the size of our slice of a seemingly ever-shrinking Mid-Wales Tourism cake. We will do this via sound marketing and continued upgrading of our facilities. Council has initiated or sanctioned numerous changes recently and I would be pleased to be allowed to remain as part of that `team' for a further term.

Phil Guest; 56; x Maths Teacher; 1969; from 1990

Ex-officio on all committees as Financial Planning & Projects Officer and active member of Engineering, F&GP, Stations Project and T&OC (Secretary 1974-84). Locomotive Inspector, Driver, regular loco volunteer and occasional apprentice Platelayer. As the Talyllyn steams from the nineteenth to the twenty-first century and this Pioneer Society celebrates fifty Golden Years, members of Council should strive to preserve its unique character while taking wise and informed decisions relative to modern expectations and legislation. With enterprise and Wharf Factor 50 Council can ensure that the Fathew Valley will enjoy T.R. Steam for the foreseeable future.

Bill Heynes; 30; Computer Analyst/Programmer; 1987; nil

Passed Fireman, Guard, Booking Clerk and Blockman. Marketing Committee from 1992, secretary since 1995, Marketing Strategy Sub-group 2000. YMG 1991-1996, chairman 1992-1996, Volunteer Accommodation Sub-Committee from 1991, secretary 1992-1993. T&OC 1991-1993 and from 1999. MAC from 1996. I have always endeavoured to better conditions and facilities - co-authoring the original report to Council proposing Llechfan be transformed into volunteer accommodation, instigating the adoption of the block style timetable, and originator of the "Quarryman". I am committed to helping the Railway market itself in a better light, building on the momentum produced recently by the Wessex Area Group. I support projects, not necessarily popular, which improve the "Passenger Experience", providing a better full day out. Redevelopment at Wharf is well over due, and I hope this project can be completed as soon as possible. The next generation of passengers and volunteers have to appreciate the Railway we take for granted today.

Richard Hope; 66; Railway Journalist and Consultant; 1955; from 1960

Technical Director of TR Co and Director of Talyllyn Holdings Ltd from 1996. Chairman of Finance & General Purposes Committee from 1999, and Secretary of Engineering Committee from 1996. Hon Secretary of the Society and Secretary of both Companies 1966-96. For the past two years I have been responsible for handling the dispute with Britt Allcroft over the operation of Peter Sam, who has continued to entrance our younger passengers during the 2000 season despite termination of our previous licence on 24 December 1999. As we embark on our most ambitious project to date - the rebuilding of Wharf Station and the Museum - I hope to continue doing what I can to help the Council and Board manage the Railway effectively.

Gareth Jones; 47; Chartered Town Planner; 1968; from 1998

Qualified steam & diesel driver and one-time Blockman. Former member of Museum and Heritage Committee and Tracksiders participant. Member of Stations Project Group since 1996 and Chairman since 1999. Since election I have tried to apply a common sense, practical approach to all the various problems and challenges Council has faced, balancing economic considerations with my own aim of ensuring that changes and developments, whether large or small-scale, are handled with care and sensitivity to try to retain our unique character and heritage. I have been closely involved with the Wharf redevelopment project and am pleased to note that since the 1999 AGM we have successfully changed direction and already obtained planning permission. Fund raising is now the main challenge. If re-elected I will continue to use my professional experience to help see the project to fruition, and to generally take decisions in the best interests of the railway.

Lis Mann; 43; Deputy Headteacher; 1983; from 1998

Guard, Blockman, Controller, Traffic Inspector and Cleaner. Joint Education Adviser to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Trust. Vice-Chairman of T&OC and member of Marketing Committee since 1998. The Talyllyn has a unique atmosphere and character, and we must ensure that we continue to preserve this for our members and visitors during the challenges we face through the coming months of redevelopment. What better opportunity could we have than our Golden Jubilee to show everyone that the Talyllyn Railway is still in the forefront of Preservation. I hope I can continue to contribute to the development of the Railway whilst safeguarding that which makes the Talyllyn special to so many people.

Chris Parrott; 47; Tourist Railway Operator; 1964; from 1994

Being employed "Front of House" in the tourist industry I am in daily contact with visitors and am thus very aware of their opinions and aspirations regarding attractions. We must be sure to provide facilities within our much admired historical context to satisfy our visitors, to maximise the revenue earned from them, and to use that revenue to conserve the heritage we hold in trust for future generations to enjoy. The Railway and Society thus face three major challenges in the years ahead; to attract visitors; to encourage Members to be actively involved in the work of the Preservation Society; and to minimise the impact of ever increasing legislation on the historical aspects of our operation.

Ray Reid; 56; Retired; 1966; nil

Controller, Blockman, Passed Fireman, Hostel Warden, Chairman Marketing Strategy Group. My involvement with Llechfan as hostel Warden keeps me in touch with members of all ages and gives me insight into the feelings and expectations of working members which is not always apparent on the surface. The managing and monitoring of the questionnaire has produced marketing information from which has evolved the TR marketing strategy for the future. I have been able to progress a local consortium of attractions and, beginning with the walks leaflets and "What to do" handout, produce items which will enhance the experience of our visitors. I firmly believe that Marketing the TR is the secret to a successful future and am playing a full part in the team which is implementing the Marketing strategy. The time for talking is over, it's action that counts.

Phil Sayers; 55; Talyllyn Railway Volunteer; 1954; nil

Traffic volunteer from 1965. Member of London Area Group Committee 1989-96 and of traffic and Operating Committee from 1998. Wharf redevelopment project co-ordinator and Secretary of Stations Project Group from 1999. To survive the TR must continue to offer an enjoyable and unusual experience and excellent value for money to its visitors and volunteers alike. While the primary focus should be on our bread and butter individual non-enthusiast visitors, we should not neglect other potential sources of income. We also need to get best value from our expenditure and volunteer input, and make the most of the opportunity presented by the Wharf redevelopment scheme, including a closer relationship between the railway and museum. Most important of all is to maintain the unique Talyllyn character, friendliness and respect for our history and heritage, and to convey this to our visitors.

John Smallwood; 58; Talyllyn Volunteer; 1959; from 1974

Having been a member of Council since 1974, and subsequently of most of its sub-committees, I intend to continue to make the TR as much fun for those involved as I hope it is for our passengers. As well as my duties as Traffic Assistant, I am particularly involved at present as Project Manager for the Wharf Redevelopment and am particularly keen that this scheme should progress as soon as possible.

Adrian Tebby; 32; Pharmacist; 1979; nil.

I currently volunteer mainly with the Outdoor gang, and am a member of the Shop & Catering committee. I have previously worked in the traffic department, and have even been seen on Loco Working parties on some occasions! My professional experience involves working with the public on a daily basis. As a tourist attraction we must compete for our custom. We must ensure that every aspect of our railway meets the standards that the public now demands. This is essential to ensure we remain popular, and attract new members to the Society. We must also work hard to maintain the profitability of our commercial and catering businesses, and provide a top quality service at a reasonable price. If elected, I will use these principles to guide my input into Council's decision making, and help keep the `Talyllyn Experience' special for everyone.

Keith Theobald; 46; Cartographic Surveyor; 1973; from 1980

Board Member from 1999; Society Chairman 1994-97; Museum Trustee from 1995; Outdoor Foreman from 1980; Outdoor Week organiser since 1988. If re-elected I would of course continue to be actively involved in making sure we make further progress with our programme of permanent way and lineside improvements. The proposed redevelopment at Wharf is given adequate financial support - a golden opportunity to give the Talyllyn Railway something of which it can be justly proud for the next 50 years.

Tony Thorpe; 62; Retired Local Government Service Manager; 1972; nil.

I have been the East Midlands Group Secretary since 1983 and served on the Members' Activities Committee since 1991. I have been a regular traffic volunteer from 1985 as a Guard, Blockman and Controller. I would like to see a balance kept between preserving the historic atmosphere and operation of the Railway alongside the introduction of new regulations and technology. Opportunities must be taken to improve the Railway's environment and image for our passengers and our future volunteers. We should work to increase numbers of working volunteers that are required to ensure the Railway's continuing operation for its future.

Tim Wilkinson; 35; Photographic Student; 1970; nil.

I have been a member of the Society since 1970 and a member of the North West Area Committee since 1993 and Area Group Stockholder since July 1996. I have worked with the out door gang and have attended Outdoor Week for nearly 22 years. I have qualifications in catering and am currently going back to college to obtain an HND in Photography - both areas in which I may be able to help the Society.

Last modified on 31st. July, 2000 by John S. Robinson (Secretary@talyllyn.co.uk).
The URL of this page is http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/trps/internal/arcc-o0a.html