A Message to the BRPS Committee by Acting Chairman Steve Bigg
By now you will have had the opportunity to reflect upon Graham Aitken’s resignation as Bluebell Railway Preservation Society (BRPS) Chairman.
I would like to thank him for his leadership and hard work in the role, and, from a personal perspective, for always fostering a friendly and open working relationship over the almost four years we have worked together. I was sad to learn of his decision, but I can understand his reasoning and respect his decision, as I trust you will also. I know he has spent much time reaching it, and that it was made before the full extent of the COVID-19 implications had become clear.
I can confirm that I am willing to assume the role of Acting Chairman with immediate effect to ensure we maintain the continuity that is so important in these difficult times. I sincerely trust that you will lend me your support in this endeavour, and if so, it will be genuinely appreciated.
Looking to the more immediate future, I am very clear that we must now focus on the forthcoming months, which as we all know will be a period of immense challenges facing all of us as individuals, as well as all organisations both large and small.
The scale and pace of these challenges is, as we are being made aware on a daily basis, quite unprecedented, and you’ve been made aware that our Bluebell Railway PLC Board colleagues have already had to make some difficult decisions at a pace dictated by rapidly escalating developments.
My deeply held view is that the number one priority for the Society at this time is to provide total support to our PLC colleagues in any way we can with their endeavours in guiding the Railway through the challenges of the months ahead. I am certain I can count on your total support with this aim.
In the light of current events, we must also ensure that routine Society business is reviewed and re-prioritised so as to permit full focus on the major issues referred to above.
As you know, the decision has already been made to postpone the Society EGM/AGM until further notice, and that the Diamond Jubilee fundraising campaign has also been postponed until the current crisis is over.
There can be no doubt that other important Railway-wide decisions will need to be made in the weeks and months ahead. In this connection, I have asked BRPS General Secretary Gavin Bennett to investigate the utilisation of telephone conferencing to provide a facility for the Committee to hold remote meetings to deal with our future priority business agendas.
Going forward, and with Gavin’s assistance, I will ensure that you are all kept informed of further developments and necessary decisions in what will be a fast-changing scene in the coming weeks and months.
In the meanwhile, I send my sincere good wishes to you and your families for your good health in these worrying and challenging times.
With all best wishes,
Steve Bigg
