Heritage carriages project January 2016 update

Claire Sheppy writes:

With most of the work completed to the outside of 6705, work has returned to inside, where various improvements and rectification work continues to the windows, window surrounds and panelling. But work has also turned to the picture frames for the pictures which were such a feature of Great Western Railway coaches in their heyday and Greg reports that the frames once varnished end up looking really pleasing.

However readers of the Heritage carriages project pages will be well aware that 6705 is by no means the only coach entrusted to us, and whilst we do not have sufficient people as yet to be working on more than one coach at a time, nor a suitable site in which to do so, it is imperative that we continue to try to protect the coaches waiting their turn in the restoration plan as best as we can. This is in the main achieved by use of tarpaulins over each of the coaches. With coaches having to stand in the open, they are also vulnerable to the ravages of encroaching weeds, with Buddleia and brambles being the two main culprits, so recently another effort has been made to cut back all of the growth from around the coaches within the yard at Williton.
Once again, the West Somerset Steam Railway trust will be playing a significant part in the forthcoming Spring Gala where the theme will once more be the Somerset and Dorset Railway (commemorating 50 years since it closed.) To this end, we will be once again opening up the sleeping car at Bishops Lydeard for as many of the days of the Gala as possible, and additionally we are bringing in a representative model of the Gala theme, this year being an N-Gauge model of Burnham on Sea terminus station (built by Alastair Knox) which will be on display in the conference room area of the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard on the Friday and Saturday 11th and 12th of March during the Gala. This will be available to view in operation for a minimum donation of 50 pence, with a suggested figure of £1. Photos of this particular layout can be seen below.

Additionally, we shall be holding a small railway themed bric-a-brac stall at the entrance to the Gauge Museum conference room area, for which donations would be much appreciated, suggested items are railway books to sell, model railway equipment, tools suitable for railway restoration or model railway work, small railway artefacts etc. All proceeds from this will be donated to the trust, whereas proceeds from bringing in the model will go towards the cost of bringing in the model of Burnham on Sea.

At Williton, 6705 will be available to be seen during times at which the Swindon shed is open, and it is intended that a steward will be on hand to show interested people around the coach.

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WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST

DO YOU:

Love a bit of history?

Enjoy chatting to people?

Happy to work with children and families?

Keen on the WSR and its heritage?

If you’ve nodded “yes” to any of the above, we’d love you to join us as a museum volunteer.

Gauge Museum at Blue Anchor

We’re looking for volunteer stewards for the Gauge Museum at Blue Anchor Station on running days during the school holidays and for special events.

You’ll have an induction period alongside a mentor, and we’re very happy to arrange part-day shifts.

The role is simple: welcome visitors, share a little about the museum, and work alongside the station staff.

Interested (or just curious)? Please email Ian Camp (Curator) via info@wsrht.co.uk and put “Blue Anchor stewarding” in the subject line.

Fancy getting involved over at Bishops Lydeard?

We’re on the lookout for more friendly faces to join our team, especially as the museum is getting bigger and busier these days!

If Bishops Lydeard sounds like your kind of place, just drop us a line using the same email, but pop “Bishops Lydeard stewarding” in the subject so we know what you’re after!

And don’t forget – you can always support the WSRHT by becoming a member. Just ping us at info@wsrht.co.uk and pop “membership” in the subject line.

Keep up with what we’re doing, follow the Trust on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/TheHeritageTrust

WSR Heritage Trust Appointment of Trust Fundraiser

May 6, 2026

The Trust has appointed Jessica Rundle as its new volunteer Fundraiser. Jess is an existing Trust volunteer working in both the Gauge Museum and within the Education and Learning team. She is an Occupational Therapist by profession and is currently a Service Manager with Somerset Council. Her experience in report writing and business case development together with the networking and engagement required provides the right skill set for this role. The Trust has an ambitious capital programme within its recently updated Business Plan and raising external funds will be crucial to enabling the charity to achieve its medium-term business objectives.

Steve Williams Trust Vice Chairman and Company Secretary said “I’m delighted that Jess has agreed to take up this role. She has an impressive CV and is already familiar with the Trust and its work. I have no doubt that she will be a valuable asset in enabling us to source a wide range of external funding to complement the investment that the Trust intends to make in future projects”.

Jess Rundle said “ Bishops Lydeard station was one of the first places I stumbled across after moving to Somerset a couple years ago and I was quickly welcomed into the committed team of volunteers in to the Gauge museum. For me there is nothing better than watching a steam train in action – it brings relaxation and stimulation in equal measure! I know so many aspects of West Somerset heritage railway brings equal joy to so many others and so I’m delighted to be supporting with the fundraising programme.”

The appointment commences from 1st May. This is a part-time role reporting to the Vice Chairman.

For further details please contact Steve Williams at steve@williamsemail.uk or on 07748-637209

End

WSR Heritage Trust Gains Museum Accreditation

January 25, 2026

The Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway has been awarded Full Accreditation by the Arts Council. The Museum, which is run by the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust, holds a wide range of artefacts which display and tell the story of the history and heritage of the West Somerset Railway and the Great Western Railway.

Administered by Arts Council England on behalf of the UK Accreditation Partnership, Accreditation is the benchmark for well-run Museums and Galleries.

It means that the Gauge Museum is properly managed and governed to the nationally agreed industry standard and shows the museum takes proper care of its collections, sharing them with visitors and keeping them safe for future generations.

Accreditation opens up exciting funding opportunities, allows museums to host touring exhibitions and gives access to professional advice and support. It also gives confidence to donors and sponsors who may wish to support the museum in preserving heritage and inspiring future generations

Steve Williams, Trust Vice Chairman and Trust Accreditation Lead said: “This is a fantastic outcome for the Trust and marks the combination of three years of hard work by a small and dedicated team of volunteers many of whom now make up our Museum Management Team. This means that the Trust is recognised as working to a high standard of Museum and collections management and care. We now have to ensure that we deliver to those standards and continue to make the Gauge Museum as welcoming and as interesting an experience for visitors and volunteers alike”.

Ian Camp, Trustee and Museum Curator said: “This achievement represents a significant milestone for our museum. The progress we have made is the result of the unwavering dedication and hard work of our team over the past several years. Their commitment has been instrumental in reaching this important point in our journey.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to Rachel Bellamy, our Museum Development Officer, whose support and guidance have been invaluable throughout this process. Her expertise has helped steer us in the right direction and ensured that we met the necessary standards for accreditation.

Securing this recognition marks another important step towards fulfilling our vision of being a professional museum, managed and operated by a group of passionate and committed volunteers.”

Helen Anson, Trustee and Museum Professional Adviser said: “This is a defining moment for the Heritage Trust. By gaining accreditation we have demonstrated our deep commitment to our museums service, setting high standards in organisational health, collections care and management and visitor experience. The contribution from the whole team has been outstanding and their passion for embedding excellence across the organisation will ensure that we continue to build on this success over the coming years.”

Having gained Accreditation for the Gauge Museum, the Trust will in 2026 be pursuing a similar outcome for its other site at Blue Anchor station on the WSR which is now opened to visitors again following an extensive programme of refurbishment and reinterpretation.

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust WSRHT