Melksham Railway Development Group.
Minutes of Committee Meeting and AGM
28th May 2010 at Melksham Town Hall
Present:   
·   Peter Blackburn PB:   Chairman
·   Graham Ellis GE:      Vice Chairman
·   Siôn Bretton SB:      Secretary   
·   John Money JM:      Treasurer
·   Sheila Wilkinson SW:   MTC
·   Rolf Brindle RB:      Melksham without
·   Peter Jobson PJ      First Great Western – Station Manger for Westbury.
·   David Phillips DP      Wiltshire Council
·   Eddy Watts EW      Melksham Climate Change    
·   Lee Fletcher LF
·   John Hamley
Apologies:
·   Louise Smith      MTC

1.   No matters arising from minutes to last meeting.

2.   Chairman’s report:
a.   PB reported he been to a meeting with Wiltshire Council and Corsham re Corsham Railway Station and that they would have to have a plan of action before Electrification on the line between London Paddington and Bristol Temple Meads (via Chippenham & Bath Spa)
b.   PB reminded us that Wiltshire Council is going to move into George Ward School Buildings. DP advised it was planed to start in Jan 2011 for about 2 years while building work in Trowbridge took place. GE advise the staff would be bussed over. This was a great opportunity to have better service on the Transwilts Line.

3.   Treasurer’s Report:
a.   Start of year there as a total of cash/bank balance of £1622.25 and at end of year £1656.44. GE reported there was a surplus of £83 plus re Santa Trip in 2009 and £40.00 of this was to be used for the payment of the hire of Bridge House.  JM advise us that the Stroud & Swindon (Our Bankers) were to merge with Coventry and ask how the group should vote if we were sent voting papers. It was agreed to vote Yes to merge. Full set of accounts to be presented at next meeting.
b.   JH  reported we had applied for a grant of £300.00 from Melksham Without and to apply for a grant from Melksham Town Council.
 

4.   Station Adoption:
a.   SB advised that Melksham Garden Society or not interested in adopting the Station with the fear of vandalism. SB informed in the 10 years of commuting had never seen the plants up rooted. PJ also confirmed the Melksham Station had little or none when it came to vandalism. So it was agreed the SB would submit the application to FGW. PJ confirm the process once our application has been received. FGW would want a list of the people who would be in group, meet the Station Manager at Melksham Station who would give a safety briefing and have our photos taken. SB to submit application and this was proposed by JH and seconded by EW.
b.   GE reported that  Siôn, Eddy and Graham had meet at Melksham Station to look at what possible improvements the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership  (CRP) could make to improve the Station working closely  other organisations:
i.   Move the Poster notice boards onto the platform due to the fact the current ones could not be read a night as there was no lights. We could some of our funds and ask FGW for funds and local business in Melksham. It would be nice to have 2 notices boards each holding three posters. 1 showing FGW time tables and any information poster (just like the current one outside the station) and other one would have room for a Welcome to Melksham and Town Map, CRP Information and timetables showing journey details to place like Bristol & Bath as the current timetable can be hard to work out these journeys and where to change etc.  PJ advise that in the past it has cost £1000+ for the signs. He would ask his suppliers for a quote.
ii.   Possible of opening the way to Spence’s Gate to have a Footpath/cycle way but at the roundabout there is a fence and the other side there is rubble and soil to be removed. DP to check with the council about the access to the roundabout.
iii.   Work on the Planters as these need to be dug out and soil given a good feed and we could use Melksham Garden Society for advice of what plants can grow where the is little water. (No access to running water).

5.    TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. (CRP):
a.   GE/LF reported that a meeting took place of the steering group and was working on quick wins:
i.   Leaflet drop in the village of Dilton Marsh of the new timetable showing details of times for Dilton Marsh (Copy enclosed) Produced with funding from Wiltshire Council. Copies were in both Westbury & Warminster Stations and LF thank Peter Jobson for letting FGW have them on display.
ii.   Westbury Station is going to be adopted on join application with Heart of Wessex & TransWilts Community Rail partnerships.
iii.   Happy to see new Help points being installed at Melksham, Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon Stations. (Not yet working PJ should be in the next three weeks or so).
 

6.   AOB:
a.   Following the Santa Trip 2009 starting from Trowbridge it is planed to do the same in 2010. Dates to be advise subject to trains running (Engineering works)
b.   Artwork of Heads at Melksham & Dilton Marsh stations, LF reported that at Dilton Marsh would use the school children at Westbury Leigh School and they would start on 8th June 2010. Melksham would also start on theirs. PJ   ask to be kept in formed and how they would like them stuck onto the station buildings.
c.   SB ask could we have a photo taken with the Help point at Melksham is up and working showing the committee members and Station Manager PB would be happy for this and to going the local paper. PB suggested where the MP could be in photo as well.
d.   JH ask if the GORAIL option to run rail services through Melksham as a genuine was a bid. EW replied that he attending the meeting in Trowbridge was impressed with presentation and GE & LF advised “YES” and that they hoped to have a service running in 2011.
e.   It was suggested that our meetings were to be added to the “What’s on” section in “The Melksham Independent News” and that maybe we should have press officer. This was agreed.
f.   SB advise received details of “2010 Rail Users Conference” in Taunton on 3rd July. GE advised he could not go; PB may go as a rep for Federation of Small Businesses for Wiltshire. It was agreed that SB would go on behalf of MRDG.

7.   Election of Officers:

a.   Chairman Peter Blackburn    Proposed by EW and seconded by SW
b.   Vice Chairman Graham Ellis   Proposed by PB and seconded by EW
c.   Treasurer John Money      Proposed by PB and seconded by JH
d.   Secretary Siôn Bretton      Proposed by PB and seconded by LF
e.   Press Officer Siôn Bretton      Proposed by PB and seconded by GE.

Next meeting to be 30th July 2009.
Melksham Town Hall 7:30 PM

i)   Any items for next meeting or apologise please can let Siôn Bretton know by E-mail - MRDG@BTINTERNET.COM