MEMBERSHIP NEWS

At two years old, Hamish Murray from Taynuilt has just got to be our youngest member…. Hopefully, he will be a future engine man. According to his Mum, Hamish is fascinated by trains, so it looks like Aviemore will be a “must-do” stop on the family’s journeys!

June brings the end of the membership year, but I’ve realised over many years that renewal forms tend to be put in people’s “to do” pile; I’m happy to process them on the same day that I get them. Many members are now paying by BACS. It saves postage, but the bank statements take a while to catch up, so I may be a few weeks behind in getting a new membership card out to you. Some statements just contain a name – they are relatively easy to marry up with membership lists, but there are two which have me baffled – If anyone knows of an “S. Davis” or why 2x memberships appear on the list, please get in touch if you think you’re overdue getting your new membership card.
79 members, despite the reminders at the time of writing, have not yet renewed. A worryingly high percentage of our overall membership numbers and at least ITRO £2k down for the railway. I think that at £2/month we offer pretty good value for money. I have no idea how to reverse this decline, but if you have any suggestions, I’d be grateful to hear from you.

On a brighter note, the Association has benefitted from a £10k legacy from a former member, Bev Murray of Jersey, who passed away a couple of years ago. Despite having given up his membership, he was hugely impressed with what the railway had achieved when he visited. His partner Karen, who contacted us about this legacy in the first place, would like a commemorative seat bought for one of our stations with some of the legacy.

Since my last report, three members have resigned, but this has been more than offset by the new recruits listed below. Iu will want to take part in running the railway…. Fishplate oiling with the P-way gang is especially recommended for Wesley Pegden wannabes!

Welcome to: Robert Cranston (Bearsden); Brian Dugdale (Ilkley); Mr and Mrs Buckley (Wrexham); Mr and Mrs Pitchford (Wrexham); Samuel Wilson (Lockerbie); Mr and Mrs Hersom (Hull); Ashley Croft (Loughborough); Dr Tim Squires and Dr Picozzi (Aviemore); Richard Temple (Herefordshire); Tim Spencer and Samantha Pear (Forres); Tyler Playfair (Carrickfergus); Chris Clark (Barnard Castle); Julian Biedermann (Germany); Bastian Hedelt (Germany); Cameron Sweetenham (St Ives, Dorset); and Hamish Murray and his mum and dad! (Taynuilt).

Cameron is employed as a summer season fireman and comes to us with experience as a fireman on the Swanage Railway.

Sadly, we have lost four members due to death, condolences to the families of – Chris Price of Nairn; Sean Feeney of Glasgow; Dr Gordon Leslie of Dundee; and Andrew Young of Newmachar.

I must finish by thanking you all so much for your generous donations, which since April 1st have amounted to the following – General Fund, £11,881 (this figure includes Bev Murray’s bequest); Rails to Grantown. £3694; Buildings and Structures Fund, £1442; P Way, £1319; Carriage and Wagon, £1429; Locomotive Fund (828) £1399; S & T £50; Strive to Survive £6607. New Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves and Cabinet Finance Secretary Shona Robison will, of course, be adding to these sums soon courtesy of Gift Aid and the Association’s Charitable status.