SIR — Robin White claims that trustees of the West Somerset Railway Association have failed to work for the good of the railway or its supporters. Not true - the association has always supported the railway and in fact is the single largest shareholder in the WSR plc. It has invested millions of pounds in both heritage and educational activities over the years and continues to do so. For example, the restoration of Small Prairie 4561, currently in progress in our workshops at West Somerset Restoration, has incurred significant additional expense to satisfy the requirements of the WSR chief mechanical engineer, thus ensuring that it runs on this railway. When 4561 is complete, Ditcheat Manor will be our next undertaking. In addition, requests over many years to improve the dining train rolling stock are coming to fruition under the stewardship of the current board. This refutes Ms White's statement that the trustees are incapable of forward planning. We have and we do. According to Ms White, we have failed to communicate effectively with members. Not true. We have a website that regularly contains news updates, including the very recent announcement concerning the successful meeting held between trustees and directors of WSR plc, something that all shareholders and members will welcome. There is also the award-winning quarterly journal sent free to all members, and we have both Facebook and Twitter accounts. We carefully consider all members' views but will not allow a minority of members to have undue influence over association policies. Ms White claims that the trustees launched a bid for the freehold in competition with the WSR plc. Not true. When the association announced its bid to buy the freehold, there was no other bid from anyone. The WSR plc made a counter bid some months later and it is still not clear why this was made. She also claims that the trustees have concealed these difficulties from the general membership. Not true. There are no difficulties concealed. The association is well governed and very much on track to continue its support for the WSR. We would encourage you to consider whether the changes advocated by Ms White really would be improvements. If you require a more comprehensive answer to a specific question, then please join us on November 1 at Bishops Lydeard Village Hall at 10.30am for a question and answer session. David Williams, Chairman, West Somerset Railway Association.