How Did They Do It?

Recently reports have reached us at FP that  Bluebell management are wondering how it was that  the membership responded so quickly to the Woodpax Appeal compared with the Northern extension.  I seem to recall the Woodpax appeal was primarily achieved by "pressing the flesh". The SP booking clerks, our erstwhile webmaster, and the general secretary at the time worked their guts out to obtain pledges from members which when taken up a year later resulted in over subscription. Such things can only be done by personal contact. Employing a fund raiser ( however good he may be) and sitting back and hoping is not enough.

An opportunity to press flesh among a wide variety of community leaders will offer itself on Sunday October 18th  when our neighbours at Saint Hill Manor stage another gala concert from which the Bluebell will be a beneficiary. Memebrs of the Bluebell management who attend are strongly advised to spread themselves among the guest rather than stand in a group on their own.

Steamed Up 2

Our first blog Steamed Up (see older blogs below) and Russell Pearce response here and in Bluebell News has now been followed up by a memorandum dated 18 January entitled Bluebell Governance. I have asked our chairman to place it on the agenda for the next trustee's meeting (30 Jan). Owning to the long agenda at 30 Jan meeting this matter has been deferred to the meeting on 20th March. Read the paper for yourself here.


The paper was presented to the Trustees who"considered Mr Coward’s proposals but felt that we had too much to do at the moment to start changing the structure of the railway. When the two major capital expenditure projects were out of the way, then we could revisit these proposals." They missed my point that we need to consider future governance now not after completing the extension and Woodpax projects as such consideration will of necessity take time to complete and debate. Still its no more that one could expect.

Tenner for the Tip and More

The “Tenner for the Tip” scheme seems to be going well but how about extending it to “Sponsor a ….” This could be a (digger) bucket load, a ton, a lorry load, a foot/yard/metre of tip depending on your means. It could even go down to a pound or a kilo to attract the children.

I get the feeling from Bluebell people and colleagues on Network Rail that there is a real “buzz” now that people can see digging and track laying (At East Grinstead) happening. Let’s hope that this “Bluebell-with-it’s-tail-up”, as Mike Sharland used to say, will carry us through.

Dave Middleton

Electric Traction for Bluebell

In bright winter sun and with a large crowd to watch at East Grinstead station VEP unit 3417 arrived on Bluebell track shunted into place by 73109. This was not the first ED to run on Bluebell track for 73136 is on a 10 week contract to run the spoil trains.

I am sure this is not the last time electric traction will run on our metals.

Hopefully this will generate excellent publicity for the extension .

Share Issue RIP

The much trumpeted Bluebell share issue, which we waited for for seven years finally closed on 31 December having raised over £600,000. Basically it was late and mishandled by management and as a result other fund raising opportunities were missed and the consequence is Bluebell still needs £4.4m to reach East Grinstead.

We now need to get on with serious fund raising. My experience is that little and often is the best method. However we do have time constraints so we need to exploit every possible way of prising money out of folk.

Tim Baker's buy a sleeper idea which if I recall he suggested some three years ago, but was told it would interfere with then the imminent share issue, needs to be launched. We have lots of grand parents visit the railway who will impulse buy a certificate stating their grandchild bought a sleeper on the Bluebell Railway.

We need to exploit to the hilt 50 years of BRPS this year and 50 years of Bluebell operations next year .

Crusty old life members like me might give up our membership cars for a medallion as used to be issued to officers of railway companies for a consideration say £200. I know when I worked at the Transport my bosses used to love to show their medallion at ticket barriers.

In the good old Bash days we organised strollathons (a fun walk with modest prizes) that would raise significant funds. We would milk the vent with free refreshments and a raffle.

All members should be encouraged to raise funds by any legal means.

I'd be delighted to post fund raising suggestions here.

Be Nice To Your Shareholders

A recent applicant for the share issue received in exchange for his donation a letter dated October 2008 addressed Dear Shareholder which listed the benefits he would receive in exchange for his donation and informed him that some £400,000 had been raised so far and that he was encouraged to buy shares. Oh and by the way it was hoped the share certificate would be with him by Christmas. If this reads like it is a little amateurish , it is. The applicant also purchase shares in the Spanish bank Santander. They replied with a personalised letter correctly dated and full information and of course the share certificate.

Sorry Bluebell, you have to improve your act. The letter that goes out to those investing in our future does not even say thank you.

UPDATE
UP to 31 December this same letter was going out dated October and stating that certificates would be with the purchaser by Christmas ( ie 2009).

Members Sould Be Ashamed - Only 7% have Given to the Share Issue

I note with grave concern the recent notice about the share issue. Current uptake has been less than half a million pounds which does not augur well. Just as worrying is the statistic that only 7% of the membership has bought shares. This is, quite frankly, appalling. The only reasons for not buying shares are lack of funds or that you do not want to see our railway extended to East Grinstead. Whilst there are a few who fall into the first category and a small number who genuinely don’t want the railway extended and have said so, the vast majority must be looking forward to seeing the Bluebell at East Grinstead as our greatest breakthrough ever.

Unless suffering genuine financial hardship all working members should contribute at least £250 and all officers and trustees should be putting in at least £1,000. This is YOUR hobby, it’s what YOU do for enjoyment. I know all the arguments about giving time but how many of us can honestly say that we altruistically give our time to the Bluebell Railway because we want it to succeed, despite the fact that we don’t like the job? I doubt if you would find any. Most hobbies cost money and many of us do other things as well, we all pay to work here and pay for travel, we often have to buy our own uniforms, protective clothing and even tools. Many of us collect railwayana, have model railways or perhaps have a totally divorced interest, these things all cost money so don’t say you don’t have any, redirect it into the Bluebell. The trustees, directors and officers also set themselves up to lead the company and society, they should be leading by example and putting a minimum of £1000 in each.

If the money does not come in we will never see East Grinstead! It will not be the fault of the “They Department” it will be your fault because you did not contribute enough. I have heard arguments about not liking the way the railway is managed but remember that this is our only chance. If we don’t extend now it will probably never happen, it could be that we will lose the planning permission and will have to curtail our operations to “New Coombe Bridge” or even Horsted Keynes. Is that what you want?

Your railway needs you now GIVE US YOUR MONEY!

David Middleton