Site updated 6th December 2024
ABOUT US
We meet once every month. Our meetings feature a presentation with photo slides or digital images, and occasionally cine or video films. We regularly attract high-quality speakers from around the country, many of whom regularly have their photographs published in the national railway magazines. Also, on some evenings, our Members present their own photographs.
The Society was formed in early 1977 and attracts members from all walks of life. These include professional railwaymen, rail enthusiasts, railway photographers, and those who just wish to re-live the golden era of railways – whether that be steam, or diesels, or even electric. Of course we don't just restrict it to the UK, but cover subjects worldwide. And we can also include something more recent!
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The cost of Membership is normally £18 per year, with raffle prize each meeting for £1.
OUR MEETINGS
We meet on the first Tuesday of each month. Unless otherwise stated, all meetings are held in the (upstairs) Duncan Gray function room at the Conservative Club, Alexandra Parade, Weston-super-Mare BS23 1QX (our Society hire the room for private function purposes and has no direct connection to the Conservative Party). This is in central Weston, opposite the Odeon Cinema . Meetings start at 8pm, and usually finish around 10.15pm having included a break when refreshments can be purchased from the bar downstairs.
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Any non Members who would like to come along will need to contact Stephen Ash (or any existing Member) in advance. Stephen can be contacted by telephone 01934 522735. Non-members must be accompanied by an existing Member. You are very welcome to attend to "try us out" or to see a particular meeting for a one-night admission of just £3, payable on the evening. Of course, we hope that you'll like what you see and will want to join us!
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NEXT MEETING
January 7th Chris Perkins
A Review of UK Rail in 2024 plus Ruhr and Rhine
February 4th Ian Chancellor
A Very Different Railway!
March 4th Don Bishop
Steam Recreations (North)
April 1st Ian Bennett
Lost Branches: Black & White Days
May 6th Ian Boskett
Another Box of Delights
June 3rd Mike & Paul Jones
Railway Images from 2 Generations
July 1st Paul Chancellor
Colour Rail Journey Number 12
August 5th Members Slides & Digital Images
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September 2nd Mike Dodd
All About the Letter ‘A’ (Part One)
October 7th Kevin Redwood
Bristol & Somerset in the 1980’s
November 4th Annual General Meeting
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December 2nd Richard Giles
Rails to Portbury Dock & Portishead in the Last Decade
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Tuesday 7th January 2025:
A review of UK Rail in2024, plus Ruhr and Rhine
Chris Perkins
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Chris will traverse a pictorial review of railways last year. He will then show pictures taken whilst holidaying in Germany around the Ruhr area and the river Rhine.
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​​​​​Anyone wishing to come to this Meeting, or, indeed, join our Society, then you will be welcome at our December meeting - just £3 on the night, or £18 to join.
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2025 PROGRAMME
OTHER ACTIVITIES
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Visit to Emborough Quarry
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SPECIAL OUTINGS and TRIPS
We no longer arrange trips for the Society alone, but can join trips arranged jointly with other Societies and Organisations. In 2023 a visit to the Clifton Suspension Bridge vaults was arranged which was excellent. Some Members may have joined with the Weston, Clevedon and Portishead railway group on their visit to places on the old railway route, including the newly opened 'Pier-to-Pier' route across the river Yeo.
​During the Summer, our local coach company Bakers Dolphin, often arrange trips to our local preserved railways; these have included old favourites as well as newer ones a bit further afield. Recent destinations have included the Severn Valley, Watercress, Bluebell, and Swanage railways.
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BRIEF REPORT FROM OUR AGM
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All the committee were re-elected, apart from Lionel standing down as Trading Secretary; Chris Perkins offered to take on the role with effect from the next meeting. The now vacant Committee member position of Trading Secretary has been filled by Paul Jones. Lionel will retain Indoors Meeting Secretary even though he doubts if he will be able to attend many meetings because of his mobility difficulties.
The annual membership Subscription will remain at £18 for the 2024/25 year.
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NEWS and INFORMATION
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Our Society in discussion with GWR has arranged to site a Station-History mural at Weston station. (similar to the one at Taunton - which gave us the idea initially). GWR were very interested in our idea, and offered their full approval and support. It is now fixed in place on the wall of Platform 1; a picture is shown below. We are very grateful to GWR for facilitating the production and installation of this, and funding it through their Community Fund, at no cost to the Society. The board carries the Society logo (as below) and name, along with the GWR logo. The board size, format and placing were specified by GWR; it is positioned roughly opposite the main station entrance. We trust this board will provide interest, enjoyment and education - to waiting or alighting passengers for many years to come.
Visit to Gartell Railway
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PAST VISITS
The visit to Emborough Quarry was our evening outing in Summer 2000, when the Society was lucky to have a visit to John Blatchford’s privately-owned narrow-gauge railway at the closed Emborough Quarry near Wells. Here Peter Carr, Dave Hobbs, our current Chairman Chris Batten, Mike Jarvis plus John Trenchard survey an ex MoD Ruston & Hornsby Diesel Mechanical built in 1956, moved out of the shed for us. A mile and a quarter of track was laid at the former engineering works in the closed quarry.
At the Gartell Railway (Templecombe) visit on 1st July 2008. Tim Henwood enjoys a footplate ride aboard the Gartell’s No. 6 `Mr G`. During the visit a few of our Members received instruction as Trainee Signalmen (Roger Pavey, Andy Spearman, Gordon Hobbs, Steve Sands, and Roy Patterson were amongst those in attendance). See the picture in our slide display (photo taken by Ian Chancellor).
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