FROM MANX STEAM RAILWAY NEWS

ISSUE No. 143 - WINTER / SPRING 2007

On Monday 22^nd January 2007 the annual general meetings of both the Isle of Man Steam Railway Supporters’ Association and Groudle Glen Railway Ltd., took place at the British Hotel, North Quay, Douglas; despite a somewhat disappointing attendance from the membership, Bill Cubbon and Duncan Longworth presented an excellent film and cine show at the conclusion of the business which was well received by the assembled members.

The main change this year was the retirement of our treasurer of many years standing Harold Flavell who will be well known to members as the sales officer at Groudle. Harold has been the treasurer of both organisations since the restoration of Groudle began and he recalled at the meeting that he had only stood in to do the job “for one year”. That was over 25 years ago and he has been saying he’s carry on for another year ever since! Jonathan Kennaugh, who has been assistant treasurer for a couple of years has filled his role but happily Harold has agreed to stay on as a committee member (for one more year!). He was thanked by the directors for his hard work and dedication to the often-thankless task of treasurer over the years.

Other elections were on rotation, the directors being placed for re-election being Grant Taylor and Jonathan Kennaugh, both of whom stood for re-election and were voted in with no objection. Other officers carried on in their roles, Chairman Bill Cubbon, Secretary Tony Beard, Vice Chairman Colin Kelly, and committee members Richard Booth, Ron Cooper, Alex Brindley and Kevin Lewin.

The chairman’s’ from Bill Cubbon report provided a balanced overview of activities on the railway in the last twelve months, focussing on the changes since the departure of David Howard and the changing faces within government which has seen David Cretney’s replacement as Minister for tourism and leisure by Adrian Earnshaw, who was re-elected for a second term in office as M.H.K. for Onchan at November’s general election.

Bill’s film show commenced with footage of the ever busy Santa Trains at Groudle from this Christmas with Sea Lion and Annie in service, and the debut of Polar Bear on Santa duties, details of which appear in the Groudle News section. He also showed footage of test trains on the I.M.R. upon re-opening after I.R.I.S. work, with the load test at Kewaigue Bridge, a still of which appeared on the back cover of a previous issue. This was followed by some superb early 1960s footage of the I.M.R., M.E.R., and various other modes of transport on the Island provided by Tony Wilson of the M.E.R. Society.