Minehead: Why have we been overlooked this time round?
WEST Somerset Railway (WSR) officials are puzzled as to why the line’s application for a second Culture Recovery Fund grant of £432,200 to help it recover from its enforced year-long closure has been refused.
Last October, the WSR was given £865,000 in the first round of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) funding.
This time, supporting charity the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust Ltd, which manages the museums at Bishops Lydeard and Blue Anchore stations and restores heritage carriages for use on the line, was awarded £13,100 – but there was nothing for WSR plc.
The organisation has contacted all of the external stakeholders who provided letters and statements in support of the bid, including MPs and local authorities, plus partners in the tourism and leisure sector, to see if they can help gain an explanation.
WSR plc chairman Jonathan Jones-Pratt said: “Naturally, we are very disappointed not to have gained this second round of grant support from the DCMS, for which we are seeking urgent clarification as to the reasons why and I am hoping for a change of heart.
“This funding would have provided a further and vital financial lifeline needed for the railway’s survival.
“We are confident that all of the projects put forward for support were needed to help get the much-loved WSR running normally again soon.
“From all sources, we have now raised or received a total of financial help of an amazing £1,397,187.91 so far, including the earlier grant, and we are still raising money every week!”
➜ Meanwhile, WSR plc is seeking two volunteer non-executive directors. The posts are for a director of human resources and a director of commercial services and marketing. Both roles will operate within the plc’s new corporate structure.