Heritage Railway Association Commitee Visit Woody Bay Saturday 10 July

The Committee of the Heritage Railway Association visited Woody Bay on Saturday 10 July.

Arriving just after 2:15 PM, with Chairman David Morgan were committee members David Woodhouse, John Crane, Geoffrey Claydon, Bill Hillier, David Madden, Peter Ovenstone, Ian Smith, Chris Smyth and Steve Wood as well as their hosts the Chairman and some of the directors and employees of the Cliff Railway.  Representing the L&B were Trust Chairman Peter Miles, and Secretary Tony Nicholson,  and Company Managing Director Keith Vingoe and Secretary Brom Bromidge.

Without exception, the HRA committee were very impressed with the state of the track and commented on how much it had improved since some of them last visited and that some other narrow gauge railways might also be impressed with the standards! 

Also, they noted the general tidiness of the site and the friendliness and professionalism of all the staff and volunteers they met during their visit including the train crew Driver Eddie Mills and Guard Jim Price as well as CME Stuart Wells and Commercial Manager Robin Horne.

The Devonshire Cream Tea provide by the Saturday catering team of Ann, Don, Sandy, Steph and her mum was also very well appreciated.

The L&B board also took the opportunity to raise some issues that concern us, especially as we are a new and developing organisation. After their visit, the HRA are now much more aware of our position and are better placed to advise us how best we can achieve our aims and objectives.

As well as thoroughly enjoying the afternoon looking at and questioning all aspects of the operation, they were very interested in our future plans - Exmoor Enterprise - which the HRA committee thoroughly approve and endorse.

So all in all a very positive day for the L&BR.