Ian Young, Chairman of S&DRT Ltd. (left) and Ian Coleby, Chairman of West Somerset Railway PLC signing the new lease.

At our AGM on Saturday 21 April, Ian Coleby – Chairman of West Somerset Railway PLC – and Ian Young – Chairman of S&DRT Ltd. – signed a new 50 year lease for our Washford base. This is a huge step forward for the Trust and we have already been busy with improvements to museum displays, publicity material, etc.

In addition, we are working with the WSR to provide a Beer Festival at Washford during the Diesel Gala on 8-10 June and it is hoped that this will be followed by many similar events.

The WSR would like to further the 'string of pearls' concept, whereby each station illustrates a different aspect or time period of transport history and Washford will be part of that.

At the AGM, our Board was further strengthened with the election of two new Directors; Martin Rice – our existing Treasurer – and Martin Atkins.