T.R.P.S. Candidates for the Council 2006

Elected to the TR Board in 2005, secretary of the Strategic Planning Group and the F&GP committee, member of Stations & Lineside – and Traffic volunteer when time permits! I have delivered the Wharf redevelopment project and care passionately about the future and continuing success of the TR. I have become involved wherever I feel that I can contribute and trust that this has been of value. The next few years will see important development of the infrastructure and systems within the TR and I hope to play a part in the management and implementation of this change – without forgetting the thing that makes the TR atmosphere so special, the friendly face (and the wave, of course) to our many members, customers and friends. If re-elected, I will continue in this vein and help ensure that there is a solid, sustainable financial base for the future TR and the generations to come.

Phil Guest; 62; Retired Teacher; 1969; from 1990

Locomotive Inspector, Driver and locomotive working party volunteer. Board member 2003–05 and currently on Engineering, Stations & Lineside, Traffic & Operating Committees. The initiative of a Business Plan for the T.R.P.S. and Company should give members the opportunity to guide the Society forward into the twenty-first century while building on the experiences gained since 1951. Council needs to be aware of the wishes of Society Members as well as the economic pressures when considering the plans for the future, without changing the fundamental character of the Talyllyn Railway.

Bill Heynes; 36; Company Director; 1987; from 2000

Driver, Footplate Experience Instructor, Guard, Marketing Committee from 1992, secretary 1995–2003. YMG 1991–1996, chairman 1992–1996, Council overseer since 2000. T&OC 1991–1993, since 1999, Vice Chairman 2001–04, Chairman 2004 onwards. MAC/S&M from 1996. TROPS Webmaster. I am now completing my third term on Council. Looking forward, I am still committed to improving the Railway’s brand image, marketing strategies, enabling us to appeal to a wider range of customers, and tap into new areas of the market. Our primary goal, is obviously to be a preservation society, with a proud and generous history, however we should also remember we are a tourist attraction in a competitive environment.

Gareth Jones; 53; Town Planning Consultant; 1968; from 1998

Qualified steam driver; Vice-Chairman of Society from 2002 & Chairman since 2005; Chairman of F&GP Committee since 2003; member of Strategy Planning Group 2005/6, and Stations & Lineside since 1996, Chairman 1999–2003; previous service on Museum & Heritage and Engineering. It has been an honour and privilege to have been Chairman of the Society for almost twelve months. I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience; hopefully I have made a reasonable start, but there is more to do! We face some very exciting and challenging times ahead, including finding the right person to be General Manager, and continuing and developing the Railway’s Business Plan. We also need to look at the various roles within the organisation including those of Council, its Committees, and the Board, to ensure that the Plan is delivered and that the Manager can manage effectively within guidelines laid down by Council. I would very much like to carry on contributing to all this, using my experience and abilities, and if re-elected I will continue to do my best to serve the Society and the Railway for a further term.

Ian David Lloyd-Owen; 49; Senior Technical Manager (Merchant Navy); 1968–82 & 1999 on; nil

Co-opted on to Finance and General Purposes Committee in February 2006 and appointed as the Fund Raising Officer. I have been involved with Talyllyn since the age of 10; one of my clearest memories was of the Society’s 21st Anniversary, as a 14 year old I acted as Blockman at Pendre. Due to changes in personal circumstances I could not continue my association with the railway in 1982. However, I returned in 1999 as a Life Member and an active Locomotive volunteer. It is my belief that Talyllyn is an important part of our country’s heritage and we are therefore caretakers, charged to ensure that it runs well for future generations. Having unsuccessfully stood last year, I remain determined to try again and have an input into this successful organisation. I will also be able to bring with me my professional knowledge and expertise from years as a Senior Manager in the Cruise and Marine Industry.

Lis Mann; 49; Deputy Headteacher; 1983; from 1998

Volunteer Guard, Blockman, Controller, Traffic Inspector, Fireman and Joint Education Advisor. Vice Chairman of Council since October 2005; Member of T&OC since 1998. As a member of the Marketing Committee since 1998, its Chairman from 2004 and member of the joint Marketing/Strategic Group, I believe we must be pro-active in our approach to Marketing in order to exploit our wonderful facilities, increase our passenger numbers and revenue, whilst continuing to make it a fun day out for everyone and maintaining the pleasure and enjoyment for our members and volunteers alike. I hope I can continue to contribute to the development of our railway, whilst at the same time ensuring that we preserve the unique character which makes the Talyllyn Railway so special.

Dave Pegg; 55; Bar Manager; 1991; nil

Guard since 1992, Blockman since 1994, Controller since 1999 and Traffic Assistant since 2004. If I have the honour to be elected to council, I will strive to maintain the character and traditions of the railway while at the same time be willing to campaign for any necessary changes in operating methods and safety standards. I would also be prepared to listen to any suggestions or comments from the membership regarding future developments.

Phil Sayers; 61; Talyllyn Railway Volunteer; 1954; from 2000

Traffic volunteer from 1965. Member of Stations and Lineside Committee from 1999 and of Shop and Catering Committee from 2000 (Chairman from 2003), Council Minutes Secretary and Traffic Planning Assistant. We need to ensure that strategic/business plans are realistic and that “harder selling” of the TR does not damage the friendly “non-commercial” character so appreciated by visitors, members and volunteers and which is vital to our success. More emphasis should be placed on the Railway’s historic character, on Wharf shop, café and Museum as a destination in its own right, and on upgrading our offering to meet the demands of an ever more discerning public. It is essential that the future management style should remain friendly and welcoming and should encourage staff and volunteers to work together as one team in the common cause.

John Smallwood; 64; Talyllyn Volunteer; 1959; from 1974

Thirty-two years as an elected Council Member have been a fantastic experience, and I look forward to serving the Railway for a further two years if elected. Over the years I have been a member of almost every Council Committee, and at present am Secretary of Stations and Lineside, and a member of Marketing. I also attend Traffic and Operating as appropriate in my position as Operating Assistant. In that position I frequently deputise for the Traffic Manager. I am a qualified Controller, Blockman and Guard, and normally compile the Traffic Roster from information mainly produced by TROPS. I have produced the Public Timetable for several years now, and have just recently been involved in production of a new Poster for the Railway. I represent the Railway on the Tywyn Chamber of Trade and Tourism, and the Neuadd Pendre Management Committee.

Nick Smith; 55; Senior Engineer; 2004; from 2004

Volunteer since 2004. Previously Electrical and S & T Engineer on the TR from 2001 to 2004. Have been on the Council for the last 2 years also on the Engineering and Shop and Catering Committees. Hoping to carry on for the next term in these exciting and challenging times on the TR.

Keith Theobald; 52; 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 help to implement the recommendations of the Strategic Planning Group which was formed following the wishes of the floor at last year’s A.G.M. This should secure the future viability and sustainability of the Talyllyn Railway as a business whilst balancing the needs of increased regulation and preserving our heritage. In addition I would continue my involvement with improving the impression the railway gives to our customers through events like “Tidy the Railway Weekends”. Following my move to the Tywyn area I will be much better placed to organise and support outdoor events like “Tracksiders”, “Navvies”, Young Members’ activities and Outdoor Weeks. Finally I would to thank everyone very much for their support over the last two years.

Tony Thorpe; 68; Retired Local Government Service Manager; 1972; from 2002.

I have been the East Midlands Group Secretary since 1983 and served on the Members’ Activities/ Society & Membership Committee since 1991, Llechfan Group and Shop & Catering since 2002 and was Assistant to the Area Group Liaison Officer from 1997, Area Group Liaison Officer since 2002 and Health & Safety Coordinator since 2002. 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 many new regulations and modern technology. Opportunities must continue to be taken to improve the Railway’s environment and image for our passengers and future volunteers. I would continue work to increase and retain the number of volunteers that are required to ensure the Railway’s continuing Preservation and operation for its future. I would also wish to see improvements in communications throughout the various departments, and committees and volunteers of our Railway.

Matthew Wear; 20; Motor Sports Manager; 2001; nil

Volunteer Blockman, Guard, Booking Clerk. I recognise that I am a younger person around the railway but I have been volunteering for 5 years and have got the interest of the railway very much at heart. I still have got things to learn but feel that I can have some input into various areas of the railway. I have attended council as an observer and on occasions had to silence myself from joining in with discussions! I believe that the future of the railway looks bright but we need to continue to build a strong volunteer workforce and increase passenger figures. This can only be done if we are polite and courteous to one another and work together as a team. I hope I can contribute to the continuing success of the railway, and help to maintain the character which makes the Talyllyn Railway so very special.

Sue Whitehouse; 51; Voluntary worker; 1969; nil

The TR’s remarkable staff/volunteer community inspires a loyalty envied by many other preservation societies. While we must remain competitive in today’s world, we must never become “just another business”. A volunteer in most departments from my teens, I have served on Marketing and Heritage & Museum committees. I aim to promote heritage and environmental awareness throughout the organisation, and to ensure respect and fair treatment of every member by every member, whether staff, volunteer or subscriber. Living near Wharf, I shall strive to maintain the quality of life we enjoy, and to strengthen the growing ethos of honest openness.

Last modified on 27th. July, 2006 by John S. Robinson (Secretary@talyllyn.co.uk).
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