Committee Report from the
COTSWOLD LINE PROMOTION GROUP

Contents:
Introduction.
What is the CLPG?
Officers.
Activities.
Successes.
The Future.
Membership.
Events
Special Trains
Appraisal
Study Report
Home Page.

CLPG Committee Meeting on 20th July 2010. 

   The following main points were discussed:-

Vice Presidents.
The Committee would like to increase the number of Vice Presidents and our President has approached Lord Adonis, Harriett Baldwin, MP for Worcestershire West, Robin Walker, MP for Worcester, and Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor of Worcester University. All are keen to participate, and their formal appointments will be proposed at the next AGM. 

AGM Venue.
The overcrowding in the Womens Institute Hall at Moreton-in-Marsh led us to consider alternative venues. However, we could not find one that was so well located at a reasonable cost. We shall therefore continue to use the WI Hall, but make sure that extra chairs are provided. The next AGM will be on 21st May 2011. 

Redoubling.
We are considering, with Network Rail and First Great Western, suitable events to celebrate the completion of the redoubling work next August, and the enhanced timetable due to operate from September. We have already had suggestions for a steam train, and for a walk through Campden Tunnel when the line is closed in August next year. We would welcome any further ideas. 

Timetable.
We have responded to the draft timetable proposed by FGW, and hope to have further dialogue with them on our comments. We want more services to Worcester, and faster journey times. We are very conscious of the competitive threat posed by Chiltern’s Evergreen 3 journey time reductions which will start next year, and even competition from London Midland and Virgin Pendolino for journeys to London via Birmingham from Worcester and west. 

Charter Train, 18th September.
The train is now fully booked and we hope for a great day out. We agreed that the surplus of about £2000 will be allocated to improvements to stations along the line. 

Membership and Finance.
Our finances remain robust and we have modest reserves available  to fund improvements in station facilities. Membership remains steady at around 1750, with several new members joining as a result of the Charter Train. 

150th Anniversaries.
Next year it will be 150 years since the opening of the line between Hereford and Great Malvern, and of through services via Ledbury. We are thinking of suitable celebratory events  to mark these. 

Pershore.
We were pleased to hear that, at long last, it seems that agreement has been reached on a scheme to enhance car parking at the station. A long drawn out wrangle over exchange of land appears to have been resolved.

Item added on 24th August 2010