News from the Boardroom – 28 July 2023

Headlines

• Acting General Manager takes up post.
• 2023 Long Service awards.
• Successful Diesel Gala.
• Footfall down year on year.
• An Evening with Lord Peter Hendy

Acting General Manager

Lee Kenny joined the ELR over 28 years ago and has been ever present in the traction and rolling stock department becoming the Head of the department some 12 years ago. Lee has also been acting as Deputy General Manager and has now stepped up to the role of Acting General Manager.

On taking up the reins Lee said “ this a great opportunity for me personally to have the chance to lead the railway I have known and loved for 3 decades of my life. My focus for remainder of this year is delivery of key events like our Thomas, Halloween & Santa trains and continue with working with key local community partners, ELR trust partners and our own internal groups, updating our staff /safety processes.

There are many issues that face us in the months and years to come, however I am confident we can rise to those challenges being supported by our dedicated team of volunteers and staff for which we would not survive without their loyal support”.

Q/A with Lee

1. How is inflation affecting your charity

Answer– Increased service charges by suppliers, as result these charges cannot be absorbed by the charity and are being passed on to the customers which is being reflecting by lower footfall of customers. Some products where we generally have good footfall are seeing a downward trend this year.

2. How would you describe the health of your business or charity today compared to a year ago – better, worse, the same? 

Answer – Slightly worse than last year.

3. Do you believe the government is doing enough to support small businesses and charities in what is a very challenging economic? If not, what could it do

Answer – No, government need to do more to support charities and small businesses, by reducing energy costs, and VAT reduction like what they did during Covid would be beneficial to increasing footfall.

4. Are the higher interest rates we now have (due to the Bank of England’s attempt to control inflation) impacting your business or charity.

Answer – Yes, people with mortgages have less disposable income as result, so they are less likely to come for a day out to our venues. 

ELR Long Service Awards

Individual Photos L/R

• Dave Jones – 30 Years – Steam Department
• Alan Hunt – 30 Years – Civils/Standard 4
• Margaret & David Wilson

Group – l/R

• Tony Wright – 50 Years – Events/Civils
• Alan Horton – 30 Years – Steam Department
• Andrew Burns – 30 Years – Steam Department
• Linda Henderson – 30 Years – Signalling Department
• Benjamin Henderson – 30 Years on behalf of Margaret & David Wilson

It was my privilege and pleasure to make awards to very deserving staff and volunteers to recognise their loyalty, dedication and commitment to supporting the heritage railway,

Since 2021 the number of awards are as follows:

Plaques

• Gold        4 – 50 Years
• Silver       15 – 40 Years
• Bronze     68 – 30 Years

Badges

• Gold        4
• Silver       15
• Bronze     68
• 20 years   72
• 10 years   375

Summer Diesel Gala 2023

Come late June early July, at the ELR, we are always excited and pleased to welcome and enjoy a unique collection of heritage diesel locomotives for enthusiasts and visitors to enjoy. The breadth of different diesel units on view covered a range of classes showcasing the very best of diesel locomotive power.

However, heritage based galas do not plan themselves. We are blessed to have so many so with dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers and staff who spend many months bringing together some 16 locomotives along with a variety of diagrams. We thank and salute a range of people including Joe Chester; Jonny Stevenson; Chris Gallagher; James Bottomley; Mark Fowler; Johnny Valentine and Lee Kenny.

Visitor Numbers Down 20% – March to July

The impact of the cost of living crisis continues to negatively affect ELR revenues, more so with energy and material costs stubbornly high along with many households now struggling with higher mortgage repayments.

Heritage railways face the ongoing challenge of not just retaining its ‘core’ audience but attracting new audiences offering exciting events within a heritage setting at affordable prices. Throughout this year, we have successfully hosted new family events such as ‘Bluey & Bingo’; ‘Peter Rabbit’ and ‘Paddington’ where visitor numbers have been strong.

An Evening with Lord Peter Hendy

We are pleased and delighted Lord Peter has agreed to visit the ELR and share his experiences of main line and heritage transport – come and join us on Thursday 28th September, so don’t miss out on this one off opportunity so click here for tickets – An Evening with Lord Hendy – The East Lancashire Railway (eastlancsrailway.org.uk)

End