Council Report - 9 December 2006

The December Council meeting must have been one of the shortest and “driest” for a long time, lasting exactly two hours without a personal needs break.

The meeting started with a welcome to the newly appointed General Manager, Larry Bridges, making his first appearance at a Council meeting even before taking up office.

There are two changes to the list of Council appointments published in the December News. First, Tony Sharpe, father of two well known young lady volunteers, has been appointed Webmaster in succession to Richard Huss. We welcome Tony to this important post and thank Richard for all the hard work he has put in over the years. Second, the vacant position on the Marketing Strategy Group has been filled by Steve Martin, who has long and valuable experience of marketing.

It was reported that at a recent Heritage Railway Association Meeting, HM Railway Inspectorate expressed concern over level crossing safety and were planning to visit a number of heritage railways during 2007, including the Talyllyn, and to be more proactive in carrying out inspections focusing in particular on level crossings, workshops and safety management systems. They have a perception that heritage railways are somehow less safe than the national network. It behoves us all to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of alertness and safety whilst working on the Railway.

We have also been notified that legislation will come in force in Wales from 2 April 2007 banning smoking in enclosed areas in all business and work places including factories, offices, vehicles, restaurants and pubs (presumably this only applies to tobacco smoke and not to our locomotives when lit up in Pendre shed!).

The Traffic Manager’s report hinted that we might be able to use locations other than Abergynolwyn Station for weddings in the future, though apparently the Museum is not a possibility for tax reasons and the suggestion of the middle of Dolgoch viaduct (presumably with a matrimonial possession in force for the Brynglas - Quarry Siding block section!) sounds a little damp and draughty!

On other topics:

there will be some sponsored advertising on the side of busses in the North Wales area to raise the Railway’s profile and a mention of the Talyllyn in announcements on several cruise ships;
the total of the Graham Jenkins Memorial Fund had exceeded £5000;
the budget for 2007 was approved;
there is a possibility (at last) of progress in fitting out the Slater (Education) Room at Wharf;
by 12 votes to 3 Council agreed that dogs could continue to be associate junior members (the alternative was an annual dog season ticket);
the “Lunch on a Lazy Sunday Afternoon” lunch plus first class travel plus afternoon tea package has been discontinued in the 2007 timetable because the level of discount which had to be offered, combined with the additional administration involved, made it uneconomic.

.Philip Sayers 12 December 2006