Skip to content

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT

Announcement about the chairmanship of the Heritage Trust

The WSRHT board is pleased to announce that Mike Thompson will take over the role of Chairman of the Trust from the date of the next AGM. During the interim period, Mike will work alongside Steve Williams in his current role as acting Chairman to effect a smooth transition of duties. Steve will remain on the board as Vice Chairman and Company Secretary.

Mike has been a volunteer on the WSR for over four years and is currently a qualified Guard, TTI and booking clerk at the WSR. Mike has a business background with over 30 years in aviation leadership roles managing a wide range of international teams, including Sales, Marketing, Customer Service & Operations. 

Steve Williams said ‘I have worked with Mike in various capacities over the last two years and have great regard for his abilities and his overall knowledge of the railway both as an active volunteer on the trains and in undertaking work in support of the railway, particularly in relation to commercial opportunities. He is a natural fit for the Trust, and I am sure he will be a great ambassador for the charity. It has been a privilege to lead the Trust on a temporary basis, and I pay tribute to my colleagues for all the support they have given me over the last 8 months‘.

Mike Thompson commented, ‘It is an honour to take on the role of Chairman, and I am very excited about working with our members and the excellent team of Trustees as we embark on several new restorations, educational and community projects. I also wish to thank my two predecessors for their significant contributions to the Trust. Chris Austin has carried the charity forward with great professionalism over the last 10 years and has overseen significant advances in the standard of our museums, carriage restoration projects and improving the finances of the organisation. Also, huge thanks must go to Steve Williams, who stepped in as acting Chair last year during a very difficult period for the Trust and brought some much-needed stability‘. Mike’s first goal will be to maintain this stability and to support the Trustees in their current endeavours, helping them to expand future activities and enable the Trust to grow and become a wider part of the WSR community.

Share the Post:

Recent News Posts

2025 Learning and Education Offer

WSRHT Learning and Education Offer

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is pleased to publish its Learning and Education Offer. 

WSRHT Learning & Education Offer

WSRHT Board Meeting March 2025 Minutes Published

March 2025
Board Meeting Minutes Published

The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is pleased to publish the minutes of its May Board Meeting on Thursday, 27th March 2025.

Please click the Board Meeting link to access the document as a pop-up tab. Alternatively, to view all Trust Board Meetings since 2016 – view the collection

Board Meeting 27th March 2025

Rail200: All Aboard for Young Engineers Day with Seth

Rail200 Celebrations: Meet Seth - who is going to the Young Engineers Day

© WSRHT 2025

My name is Seth, I am 7 years old and am very excited about the “Young Engineers Day” on the West Somerset Railway. I am glad my Mummy and Daddy reserved a space early for me because both days are now sold out and I love trains. 

I have two favourite locomotives on the WSR, they are 9351 the Mogul and 7822, Foxcote Manor, and I would like to be a train driver one day.

I am also looking forward to meeting Mr. Chris Vine as I have some of the Peters Railways books, I bought one from the WSRHT and I had 3 for Christmas from Grandma. My favourite story is “The Surprise Goods”.

I couldn’t choose which thing I was looking forward to most of all, the signal box visit, the train ride to Minehead, visiting the Engine Shed or watching and learning about the Turntable? So, I ask my Mummy and she said “put all of them”!

I will tell you all about the day when I get back, but I am really looking forward to it.

Seth, aged-seven.

Parental permission was saught to publish this photo for use online via this website and on our Facebook page. For more information please email info@wsrht.co.uk.

© Railway200
© Railway200