'Dukedog' Launch: Congratulations to all involved in returning this engine to steam and for organising the re-launch event. Bank Manager was extremely complementary. Charles Hendry MP and Bev Heasman (Mayor of East Grinstead) were both very supportive of our plans for East Grinstead, offering to assist where they could.
4 Cor unit: The Southern Electric Group had declined our offer of accommodation for their 4 Cor coaches and all but one of these will be stored instead on the main part of the Woodpax site. A motor coach will be stored at Horsted Keynes and we will supply the redundant rail for the other coaches to stand on.
P1 / P2 buildings at HK: The Museum Group will be taking over these buildings for display purposes.
Finance: Revenue for the year was now in advance of budget, largely as a result of the excellent Giants of Steam results. Thanks to all those involved for putting on a magnificent event. However Santa revenue was currently down on last year. Budget estimates for 2004 had an initial credibility gap of £208k and this had now been reduced to £50k but further effort was needed to balance expenditure demands with revenue predictions.
Society sub-Committees: Trustees agreed to establish the following sub-committees in accordance with the new rules:
No Smoking Policy: Only 6 responses had been received to the consultation exercise with 3 in favour and 3 against. Trustees therefore agreed to endorse their earlier agreed policy and seek to discourage passengers and staff from smoking on the trains.
Kingscote: Trustees noted with concern the loss of the station staff mess-room at Kingscote. It was felt this under-minded the efforts we were making to encourage volunteers and this will be discussed at next meeting.
Gavin Bennett
Hon Gen Secretary
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Page updated 19 December 2003 by Richard
Salmon, with text from Gavin Bennett.