The Founding Of The Association
Embedded Files
First Meeting : Thursday, 14th April 1966
Initially formed as the Friends Of The Isle of Man Railway the initial meeting was convened for 14th April 1966, the last trains having operated the previous year, and at this meeting the committee were formed, led by Air-Marshall Sir Paterson Fraser, K.B.E., C.B., A.F.C., a well known local figure and vocal supporter of the retention of the railway. Other notable figures in attendance at the meeting, which was held at the Peveril Hotel [below], were Peter Craine who later became the president and an M.H.K., later station master at Ballasalla Station, and Max Crookall who would become general manager of the railway. The meeting lasted two hours and for the first time, herein are the minutes of this momentous gathering which detail the discussion and future proposals from the committee and the floor. There was a discussion on the name of the group, with two names being cited initially and it being felt that the word “Manx” should appear in the title, ultimately “Isle of Man” would be chosen.
Richard Evans, who would serve for several years as chairman/secretary was also present at this first meeting, which was followed later in the month by a second such meeting, the date already being set at the gathering. As can be seen from these first minutes, a Public Relations Office was appointed in the form of Mr. T.H. Colebourn, who was well placed in the role having been a key figure two years earlier in the setting up of Manx Radio, and at the time he also served as Member of the House of Keys for the town of Castletown, a role he would retain until the following year. The Vice Chairman was appointed as Sir Clive Edwards who was well known in racing circles, hailing from Milntown House on the outskirts of Ramsey. The name M.A. Walmsley also appears, his line drawings of the railway were a prominent feature of the early editions of Manx Steam Railway News. John Allen would also serve as the first editor of the eponymous journal in its earliest years, which took the form of a foolscap newsletter for its first few editions, the first of which would be published at the end of the year and can be viewed in updated form here. It must be borne in mind that at the time of the meeting it appeared that the writing was very much on the wall for the railway and it would be some time before the name of Lord Ailsa entered the scene. It was also one of two such groups, the other being the Mannin Railway Group which would later merge, details of which may be found elsewhere.
Minutes Of First Meetings Below
-
Google Sites
Report abuse