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West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

The Trust is looking for a new Treasurer

The Trust is looking for a new Treasurer to take over from Chris Bolt during the summer. The Trust has 75 members and we are principally dependent on subscriptions and donations to support our work in running the museums at Blue Anchor and Bishops Lydeard, and in restoring original Great Western carriages at Williton.

The Treasurer would become a Trustee of WSSRT and the tasks involved include:

  • Dealing with membership applications and subscriptions.
  • Handling donations and legacies.
  • Validation and payment of invoices.
  • Cash handling and banking.
  • Preparation of management accounts for the Board of Trustees.
  • Production of annual accounts, and liaison with the accountants who act as our independent examiners.
  • Gift Aid return to HMRC.
  • Purchase of retail items for BA museum.

The post is unremunerated but offers the chance to be involved in some valuable initiatives to support the West Somerset Railway and the company is very congenial!

Ideally, you will have an accountancy qualification, or experience in this role professionally or for another charity.  If this appeals to you please contact Chris Austin to discuss further, (austinca2@googlemail.com)

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WSRHT Board Meeting January 2025 Minutes Published

January 2025
Board Meeting Minutes Published

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is pleased to publish the minutes of its May Board Meeting on Thursday, 30th January 2025.

Please click the Board Meeting link to access the document as a pop-up tab. Alternatively, to view all Trust Board Meetings since 2016 – view the collection

Board Meeting 30th January 2025

Join Heritage Trust as Communications & IT Trustee

Trustee Communications and Information Technology Opportunity

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is a key organisation on the West Somerset Railway and is responsible for:

  • Museums Management
  • Collections Management and Care
  • Heritage Carriages Restoration and Management
  • Education Learning and Community Outreach

The Board is composed of Trustees who are also Directors of the charity, each of whom has a specific set of portfolio responsibilities.

The Trust is looking to appoint a Trustee to lead on our Communications and Information Technology portfolio. The charity is pursuing a full and exciting business agenda over the next few years and we are looking for someone who has an interest in communications to help to promote the work of the Trust both within and across the West Somerset Railway but also externally. The individual concerned will also be responsible for the Information Technology brief and associated governance requirements and so will need to be able to demonstrate expertise in this area.

If you think you are interested and would like to know more, then please contact:

Closing date for applications with a CV and covering letter will be Monday, 7th April 2025.

© Gauge Museum Blue Anchor
WSRHT 2025

WSRHT Tribute to David Baker

WSRHT Tribute to David Baker

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust (WSRHT) is saddened to learn of the passing of David Baker who held lots of roles across the West Somerset Railway. 

A statement from the Trust’s President, Chris Austin.

David Baker's interest in railways was kindled by his grandfather and uncle, both of whom worked for the Southern Railway. He was an enthusiastic and devoted supporter of the West Somerset Railway for over 25 years. David was Catering Manager for the railway's buffet cars and later was Commercial Director and in 2013, became Vice Chairman of the PLC and in 2015 was acting Chairman. In 2016 he became a trustee and Company Secretary for the Steam Trust (now the WSR Heritage Trust), while continuing to support the PLC as Share Registrar. After the retirement of Pete Treharne, David took on the role as curator of the Blue Anchor Railway Museum. Working with him in these roles was his wife Jill, who survives him and also worked for the Chief Mechanical Engineer, Andy Forster, fulfilling the key role of maintaining locomotive records and also minuted meetings of the Trust's board. David retired as a trustee in 2020.