SWANAGE RAILWAY TRUST LAUNCHES SYGNETS YOUTH GROUP £16,000 'B' VAN APPEAL - 18th January 2010

Announcement from Steve Doughty - 18th January 2010
Chairman, Swanage Railway Trust
Photographs are copyright Andrew P.M. Wright, official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway, unless otherwise noted.
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Ex-Brighton 'B' Van S269S, classmate of S259S which is in urgent need of repair for use by the Sygnets Youth Group and the subject of a £16,000 appeal by the Swanage Railway Trust. The photo shows how the van could look following repair. (Photo courtesy John Lewis/SEMG).

Steve Doughty writes:

Sygnets Youth Group 'B' Van Appeal

(The full text of this letter and form is available for download and printing here or by clicking on the image on the right).

One of the biggest challenges facing preservation today is how to bring forward the preservationists of tomorrow to enthuse them about a world that disappeared long before they were born and to transfer skills to them before they are lost forever. The Swanage Railway is fortunate in having a strong youth group, known as the Sygnets, with a proven record of delivering committed young volunteers to most if not all departments across the line after they reach 16. However, they really need a base to provide a focus for their activities and team-building as well as provide storage and display space for training purposes.

The Council of Management has decided that they should have the use of the 'B' van acquired a year or so ago from Brighton. The bogie guards van design is ideal for them as it provides both space and light via droplights in each of the doors. However, before it can be fitted out for them - by them - it needs extensive bodywork repairs as can be seen in the following photos.

Ex-Brighton van S259S, destined to be the home for the Sygnets Youth Group once extensive repairs have been completed and depending upon the success of the £16,000 appeal by the Swanage Railway Trust. (Photo courtesy Mike Stollery, Swanage Railway).

These cannot be undertaken at Swanage given that our only workshop space must be devoted to running maintenance. We have therefore committed to have the work done at Cranmore on the East Somerset Railway, following their recent completion of work on the Churchill van. This is expected to cost around £16,000 and we are therefore appealing to members who share our commitment to supporting our young people to help us raise this sum. Preparatory work on the van has already started at Swanage and we anticipate the van moving to Cranmore in the spring.

Ex-Brighton van no. S256, sister van to Sygnets Youth Group 'B' van no S259. Photo courtesy John Lewis/SEMG.

Our van, S259, is one of the last built in 1952 at Lancing. The above picture is one from the same batch, S256. (Photo courtesy John Lewis/SEMG).

Our donation form below has had a section added for those who would like formal confirmation that their donation has been received.

Thank you for your support for the Swanage Sygnets.

Steve Doughty
Council of Management
Swanage Railway Trust
18th January 2010

HOW TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT

Download and print the letter and form on the right to send with your donation or donate on-line, details below

Donations to the project can be made to the Swanage Railway Trust (Sygnets B van), Station House, Swanage, Dorset BH19 1HB or on-line by debit or credit card via the Trust's website at 'www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk' by following this link.

Please click here to visit the Swanage Railway Trust Appeals section at http://www.swanagerailwaytrust.org.uk/appeals/index.htm#Sygnets

Contact details:
Steve Doughty
Chairman
Swanage Railway Trust
Station House
Swanage
DORSET
BH19 1HB
Tel: 07860-108754
Email: stephen.doughty1@btopenworld.com