T.R.P.S. Candidates for the Council 2002

Guard and Traffic volunteer, active member of Marketing and Victorian Festival committees, co-ordinator of timetable distribution, the Vintage Train and Winter Trains where I also `play' Santa. Am working with S&L to improve the periodicity and public face of the railway. Secretary of the GLTW group and a keen computer user. About to move to Tywyn. Our Victorian railway has stood the test of time and is operating successfully into the twenty-first century. It has become a partnership of Preservation and pleasurable Entertainment ? the former for many of its members, the latter to many of our visitors. I hope that my skills, commercial experience and enthusiasm contribute to ensure that the railway and this partnership continue to develop and that the TR's special, friendly atmosphere, so envied by others, is maintained.

Dale Coton; 51; Teacher; 1968; from 1982

In preparing these notes for the Secretary, the first answer to be given is "The name by which you are generally known to members" ? in my case that seems to change quite regularly; either reflecting my age or my latest cock-up! Despite that, I am still keen to work on and for the TR, primarily in the ways in which I believe most strongly; the promotion and marketing of the Railway. This is ongoing and ever-changing, but needs to be tempered carefully in order to retain the TR atmosphere and uniqueness. With the main phase of Wharf Redevelopment planned to begin in 2003, I would like to continue my support in Council and ask to be re-elected in order to do that.

Phil Guest; 58; Retired Teacher; 1969; from 1990

Ex-officio on all committees as Financial Planning & Projects Officer and active member of Engineering, F.& G.P., Stations & Lineside and T.& O.C. Locomotive Inspector, Driver and regular locomotive department volunteer. The T.R.P.S. has proved the soundness of its strategies since 1951 and must now build on this success to develop the new policies required for the 21st. century. Members of Council should ensure that the unique character of the railway is preserved whilst coping with changes in legislation and passenger expectations. The opportunities available for future projects must be maximised to enable the Talyllyn to further its 136 year journey and provide enjoyment for Society Members, Staff and Passengers.

Bill Heynes; 32; Computer Analyst/Programmer; 1987; from 2000

Passed Fireman, Guard, Booking Clerk and Blockman. Marketing Committee from 1992, secretary since 1995. YMG 1991-1996, chairman 1992-1996, Council overseer since 2000. Volunteer Accommodation Sub-Committee 1991-1993, secretary 1992-1993. T&OC 1991-1993, since 1999, vice-chairman 2001 onwards. MAC/S&M from 1996. TROPS webmaster. I am completing my first term on Council, and have looked back to see what I have achieved, the decisions I have supported, and the path the Railway has taken. I am still committed into helping the Railway market itself in a better light, maintaining and improving our brand image, and ensuring that our Passengers not only enjoy their day out, but also that they will return. I support the next phase of the Wharf Redevelopment being completed as soon as possible, to the same high standards that have already been set. To ensure the next generation of passengers and volunteers appreciate the Railway we take for granted today.

Simon Jenkins; 32; Vehicle Inspectorate Traffic Examiner; 1983; nil

52 Manor Street, Wigston, Leicester. LE18 2BT

I am a Passed Fireman, diesel Driver and outdoor worker when time permits! I have been on TOC for 4 years (although I have not sought re-election this year) and am Chairman of the East Midlands Local area Group. I am conscious of the need for change to compete in the ever changing tourism market and am a firm believer in the use of extra events in Tywyn and area to get potential passengers into the area. This obviously means more contact and better relations with Tywyn residents which in itself can only be a good thing. The new play area at Abergynolwyn and Wharf redevelopment (When completed) are examples of major improvements carried out sympathetically and are part of the way forward to enhance the `Visitor Experience' which we must do to retain our market share.

Gareth Jones; 49; Chartered Town Planner; 1968; from 1998

Qualified steam & diesel driver; former blockman and member of Museum & Heritage Committee. Member of Stations Project Group (now Stations & Lineside Committee) since 1996, Chairman since 1999; Engineering Committee since 1998. I am particularly concerned to protect and enhance the railway's physical and built environment, which might easily be damaged by inappropriate change, and I see this as the main role of the Stations & Lineside Committee. I was closely involved in the planning stages of Wharf Redevelopment and, more recently, in the Abergynolwyn Playground Project; I am currently a member of a working group reviewing and preparing guidance for the assorted signage on the railway. The railway must continue to be an attraction for visitors, as well as a place where we all come to enjoy ourselves, and we must seek to resist unnecessary and over-regulation which might threaten that aim. If re-elected I will continue to apply a practical, common sense approach to all the various problems and challenges which Council must face, and will use my professional experience to assist in ongoing and future development projects.

Lis Mann; 45; Deputy Headteacher; 1983; from 1998

Guard, Blockman, Controller, Traffic Inspector and Passed Cleaner. Joint Education Adviser to the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum Trust. Member of Marketing Committee since 1998. Vice-Chairman of T&OC from 1998-2001. Chairman of T&OC and member of the Shop & Catering Committee since November 2001. Member of the Abegynolwyn Play Area Project Group. The Talyllyn has a unique atmosphere and character, and we must ensure that we continue to preserve this for our members and visitors, whether they be enthusiasts or families enjoying a day out. 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; 49; Tourist Railway Operator; 1964; from 1994

My "Front of House" employment in the tourist industry brings almost daily contact with visitors and hence awareness of their expectations and opinions regarding attractions. I therefore consider the remaining stage of Wharf redevelopment is essential to provide first class facilities within our much admired historical context to satisfy our visitors, and to maximise the revenue earned from them to be used to conserve the heritage we hold in trust for future generations to enjoy. Additionally the Railway and Society 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 increasing legislation on all aspects of our activities.

Phil Sayers; 57; Talyllyn Railway Volunteer; 1954; from 2000

Traffic volunteer from 1965. Currently member of Shop & Catering Committee (from 2000) and Heritage & Museum Committee (from 2001). Secretary of Stations & Lineside Committee from 1999 with involvement in the Wharf project, and Council Minutes Secretary from 2000. The TR must continue to offer an enjoyable and unusual experience and excellent value for money to visitors and volunteers alike, focusing especially on its bread and butter individual visitors. We need to continue to get best value from our expenditure and volunteer input, and to make the most of our history and heritage, including the Museum, while not losing the unselfconscious atmosphere of a workaday steam railway and our charm and friendliness. I hope the interpretation and conservation plans being prepared in conjunction with Wharf redevelopment will help in this.

John Smallwood; 60; Talyllyn Volunteer; 1959; from 1974

I have been involved with Council and most of its sub-committees since 1974 and have really enjoyed it all! Hopefully I can continue to have as much fun whilst continuing my involvement with the Wharf Redevelopment with the aim of producing a new building to complement what we have already achieved this year. With a little luck, I hope that I will be able also to continue my input to the Railway as a traffic volunteer ? after all that's what it's all about. The paper work is a necessary evil, but it will continue to be my aim to minimise this aspect as much as possible and concentrate on having fun.

Keith Theobald; 48; 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 continue to be actively involved in working towards making further improvements to the line and lineside. I remain an enthusiastic supporter of the Wharf Redevelopment Project, however I am fully aware that it's going to take lot of hard work, time and teamwork to achieve a result that we can all be justly proud of. Though at all stages of the redevelopment we must not forget to serve the needs of our passengers and customers.

Tony Thorpe; 64; Retired Local Government Service Manager; 1972; nil.

I have been the East Midlands Group Secretary since 1983 and served on the Members' Activities/Society & Membership Committee since 1991 and been Assistant to the Area Group Liaison Officer since 1997. 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. I would work to increase and keep the numbers of working volunteers that are required to ensure the Railway's continuing operation for its future. I would also like to see improvements in communications throughout the various departments, and committees and volunteers of our Railway.

Last modified on 15th. July, 2002 by John S. Robinson (Secretary@talyllyn.co.uk).
The URL of this page is http://www.talyllyn.co.uk/trps/internal/arcc-o2a.html