Volunteers at Toddington before departing for Cheltenham during the Centenary Festival. 30 volunteers have each clocked up a remarkable 25 years' continuous service with the railway and most of them received special 25 year badges and certificates from David Shepherd during this special event. Those unable to be there received their badges and certificates at the GWRL AGM. (photo: Ian Crowder)

Note: all board members were those at the time of the original article.

The 'Flag & Whistle' was packed to standing for the AGM's of the railway's respective Boards, during June 2006.

GWR Ltd

Henry Howard, Chairman, commented on the supporting company's aim to increase membership by 50 per cent by the end of 2008 and the intention to appoint a membership director to spearhead this campaign. This appointee will work alongside a new volunteer director, a position vacated by Terry Creswell who has retired from the Board after seven years. One of the principal objectives of the Ltd Board, apart from providing members from whom volunteers are recruited, is sourcing funds to the Plc, which owns the railway. To this end it has started a 'sponsor a sleeper' campaign for the push north to Broadway and this is already bringing in useful funding. The annual sponsored walk to Broadway will also take place this year (more news following!).

Of particular note is the outstanding service provided by volunteers over the years. Remarkably, 30 volunteers have clocked up a continuous 25 years with the railway in this, the silver jubilee of the creation of GWSR Plc and the effort to rebuild the then derelict and forlorn former main line. As Henry said in his report to members: "There were times when we thought we would never get to Cheltenham let alone any thoughts of going north. Through your efforts and the efforts of all our working volunteers Broadway is now within our grasp." Most of the '25' received their certificate and 25 year service badge from David Shepherd during a special evening during the Centenary Festival and those unable to make that occasion, received their citations during the AGM.*

In fact, the railway can now muster over 500 working volunteers - a truly remarkable effort.

At the end of the meeting, on behalf of the Festival Committee, Ian Crowder and Andrew Goodman presented a magnificent limited-edition print of a water-colour by Frederick Lea GRA, our very own artist, to Henry Howard. The painting - marking the centenary of the opening of the line in 1906 - depicts a number of views capturing the very essence of the railway's history, now steadily being brought back to its former glory.

To join and to become a volunteer, find out more by clicking here.

Directors of GWR Ltd are:

*Those who have received 25-year badges are:

GWSR Plc

Garry Owen, chairman of GWSR Plc, echoed Henry Howard's comments on the success of the railway, pointing out that 2005 was again a profitable and successful year. Garry pointed out some of the development initiatives - including the car park at Toddington, which has now been metalled and presents a clean and efficient welcome for visitors arriving by car. He added that part of the field adjacent to platform 2 at Toddington has also been leased, to provide an overflow for the increasing number of busy days. Additional projects include the signalling at Cheltenham (yet to be passed for public use); the new toilet facilities being built at Winchcombe; new storage facilities at Toddington to say nothing of the efforts of both Permanent Way (maintaining the existing infrastructure and pushing northwards) and Carriage & Wagon in maintaining and restoring our rolling stock.

The year marked the notable achievement of crossing the 15-arch, 50ft high Stanway viaduct, the most significant engineering structure on the line. Now the track is some way north of that point. Garry added that apart from the Ltd board's fund-raising initiative, actually taking an owning share in the railway is also a great way to help. Garry announced the appeal for a share push - pointing out that shares can be bought by monthly contributions as well as in £50 units. You can click here to find out more about share ownership.

Financial director John Broadhurst noted the satisfactory financial situation of the Plc and stated that turnover was once again a record with income of just under £790,000, nearly £30 ,000 more than last year. Because the railway is volunteer-run, the railway is able to invest considerably in projects that would otherwise go on wages and, indeed, the Board affirmed its intention to retain volunteer status for the foreseeable future. John also commented on the success of the Centenary Festival, noting that over 9,000 passengers had been carried which augurs well for a profitable outcome - only possible, he said, by the number of volunteers who had gone 'over and above the call of duty'.

Directors for GWSR Plc are:

More news of directors' responsibilities will follow.

After the two AGMs, members and shareholders enjoyed an evening trip behind Foremarke Hall to Cheltenham and return.