Friends of Minehead Station keeps the West Somerset Railway On Track

The Friends of Minehead Station (FoMS) has stepped up to the mark during the last few months to play their part in helping to keep the much loved West Somerset Railway running.

Since Christmas, FoMS has provided or will provide in the region of £100,000 to the WSR company for several much needed projects including:

            Replacing rail along the line

            Repairs to the bridge over the River Avill near Dunster Station

            Repairs to and repainting of the very long canopy on Minehead Station

            Overhaul of the Lorna Doone disabled carriage

FoMS chairman Martyn Snell said: “We raise money primarily for the upkeep of our Grade II listed building at Minehead, but we have realised that the railway as a whole needed our support during the last few difficult months. We are so grateful to everyone who helps with our fundraising efforts, especially to those people who donate items to sell through FOMS ‘Readers Halt’ outlet on Minehead Station, and to those wonderful volunteers who run the stall in all types of weather. This is our main source of income.”

WSR plc Chairman Jon Jones Pratt/ WSR General Manager Paul Conibeare said: “This is a fantastic effort and massively important donation by the Friends of Minehead Station to the WSR. They have readily stepped forward to support our railway in its hour of need and readily grasped the importance of us all being one railway and working together! On behalf of everyone on the WSR, we owe FOMS a huge debt of thanks, and all power to the elbow of ‘Reader’s Halt’ for the future too!”

FoMS was formed just over 20 years ago with Readers Halt opening some three years later. Anyone wishing to become a member of FoMS or help in running ‘Readers Halt’ is asked to contact the station on 01643 704996