THE West Somerset Steam Railway Trust’s existence could be under threat if it was forced to merge with the West Somerset Railway Association, the trustees of the beleaguered charity claimed this week.

This followed the shock resignation of WSSRT chairman Chris Austin and trustee David Baker amid allegations that they have been subject to “threats, bullying, intimidation and harassment” by members of a group of ten seeking to become trustees of the WSSRT and push through a merger with WSRA to form a single charity to control the railway.

In a statement this week, the trustees urged members to block the takeover bid at the charity’s AGM, due to be held on November 14, claiming that it “could threaten the very existence of the trust”.

The nominations, originally for 14 new trustees, were delivered to the trust by WSRA trustee Ms Robin White in order to seek a takeover of the charity at the next AGM. But the trust deferred the meeting from September to the new date in November.

Announcing that he was stepping down after ten years as chairman, Mr Austin said: “I am afraid that I can no longer carry out this role while I continue to be the subject of intimidation and harassment by a group of people who are bent on taking control of the trust in order to secure the PLC shares it owns and to force a merger with the Association which, as a trustee, I do not believe is in the best interests of the trust, or of the West Somerset Railway.

“At 75, I believe it is time for a younger person to take over, and the strain of the last six weeks is now affecting my health and well-being…. “

Mr Austin has been a WSR volunteer for 33 years, a director for 17 years and chairman from 2003 to 2008.

Mr Baker said he resigned as a trustee because of the hostile takeover and because “the constant threats, besmirchment of character and bullying became too much to bear.

“At nearly 80 years of age, mind and body can only take so much and the threat of police action was the final straw. At my age, life is very precious and for it to be shortened by this worry was too much.

“Healthy debate is always good for all sides but the current situation is unacceptable.”

In a statement this week to WSSRT members, the board of trustees claimed that the ten members seeking election to the board “threaten the very existence of the trust. If the charity is to continue in its current successful form, we need your support to defend against this activity.

“The ten do not agree with the WSSRT’s trustees’ desire to remain as a small, independent charity and they want to force a merger with the WSRA. This would see the demise of the WSSRT as we currently know it.”

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