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 Latest News
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Chris Powell
Long serving loco shed staff member, Chris Powell has passed away. Andy Forster, WSR's Chief Mechanical Engineer writes "I regret to have to report that Chris Powell has lost his fight with cancer and passed away on the night of Monday 29 March at St Margaret's Hospice, Taunton. Chris first joined the staff of the WSR in May 1987 and was initially involved with the final stages of returning SDJR no 53808 (no 88) to running order. Chris then assisted with general machining work and maintenance of the DMU fleet, for the first time it was possible to predict that one of our aging first generation DMUs would run reliably without stopping part of the way during the day. After a brief spell away from the Railway, Chris rejoined in 1996 to take up employment in the locomotive workshops at Minehead where he remained until the start of his illness last September. During this period Chris made a valuable contribution to the overhaul of locomotives such as 88, 9351, 3205, 7821, 7828 and D2133, in addition there are few of the locomotives which have worked on the WSR over the last 15 years that Chris did not machine something for or recast a whitemetal bearing for, he manufactured much of the specialist machinery that we now utilise to do some of the in-situ machining of locomotive components such as horn facing and grinding. Chris had be in and out of Musgrove with courses of treatment over the winter and whenever I saw him he was always positive, expressing a wish to get back to work or at least visit the shed to see everyone and have a cup of tea. Joe Bowmer and I were able to visit him on the previous Wednesday and pass on the best wishes of all his friends and give him a card signed by many of his friends in Minehead."
31 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Enjoy vintage trains and vintage buses this Easter
Once again there will be a vintage bus link between Dunster Station and the village on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Departures from the station will be at 10.45am, 11.45am, 12.20pm, 1.50pm, 2.30pm, 3.30pm and 4.30pm and from the Square in Dunster Village at 11.20am, 12 noon, 1.25pm, 2.15pm, 2.50pm, 3.55pm and 4.45pm. The buses are from the Quantock Motors Heritage Fleet and travel on the buses is free. The service will operate also on 2-3 May, 30-31 May, and 29-30 August. They will also operate between the station and Dunster Steep on 28 July for Dunster Country Fair and on 20 August for the Dunster Show.
30 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Reminder for train followers to take care on local lanes
The recent Gala may have contributed to an increase in poor driving standards along local country lanes. A few near-misses in the Nethercott area, in particular, were noted by local people who have rightly asked the Railway to remind its supporters and visitors to drive with extra care and attention when using the lanes in pursuit of trains, and to show respect for local folks and local way of life. Driving too fast along the lanes is not the sole preserve of railway enthusiasts but we hope this appeal will help reduce the risks for all who use the local roads.
30 March 2010
Details in part from WSR Plc
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Community service awards for ex-Station Masters
Recently-retired Station Masters receive County awards. On Friday 26 March 2010, the Chairman of Somerset County Council, Cllr John Edney, at a reception in Taunton, for over a hundred people, presented various awards to the good and the great. The award for community service in the county, for 2009, was presented to Walter Harris and Michael Hodge, to mark thirty three years service as joint Station Masters at Crowcombe Heathfield Station. An award, richly deserved. They were proposed for the award by Peter Martin and seconded by new Crowcombe Heathfield Station Master Ted Cubitt, who also attended the event.
29 March 2010
Details from Crowcombe Heathfield Station
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Two classic express engines for Easter services
Two real treats awaits visitors to the West Somerset Railway over the Easter weekend and the following week. Firstly, Southern Railway "West Country Class" 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton and GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 King Edward I will be hauling trains over the line. Secondly, on Easter Sunday April 4 and Easter Monday April 5 a free vintage bus link will operate between Dunster Station and Dunster Village. Full details can be found on the official WSR website  .
Update [30 March] No 6024 now reported as not available due to valve problems. Apologies for raising expectations.
29 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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The WSRA Unwrapped!
To many, the West Somerset Railway Association is something of a mystery. How is it structured, what does the Board really do, who is responsible for what? In his article on the WSRA website , WSRA Chairman David Holmes unravels some of the mystery and answer some of the more common questions, although David is keen to emphasise that his article describes work in progress and change will continue to occur. In the parlance of the day - Progressive Improvement!
28 March 2010
Details from WSRA
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The next Taunton Group meeting...
Sadly it will not be Mary Hopkins at the next Taunton Group meeting. However, the WSR Association have an excellent alternative entertainer lined up. The next meeting of the Taunton Group is on Monday 12 April at the GWSA Club, Station Approach, Taunton, 7.30 for 7.45pm. The programme for the evening is a slide presentation by Peter Triggs called "Those were the Days". Also, please note the new email address for prospective volunteers - wsravoltrac@btconnect.com
28 March 2010
Details from WSRA
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Kilmersdon cleared for Gala shunt demonstrations...
Good news from Washford ahead of the second weekend of the Spring Gala. Kilmersdon has now been given the all-clear by the boiler inspector and will be shunting in the yard at Washford during the second part of the Spring Steam Gala. The shunting demonstrations by Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 Kilmersdon at Washford - the base of the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust - have long been a popular attraction at the WSR's special events.
24 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Railway Engineering Apprenticeships
An opportunity for excellent career prospects in Railway Engineering. Somerset College working in partnership with Silver Track Training and the West Somerset Railway are looking to offer a unique and groundbreaking opportunity in the South West which can offer excellent career prospects. The Railway Engineering Apprenticeship is available to 16-18 year olds and offers a fast track way of gaining an industry recognised qualification. A recruitment and information event will be held on 31 March 2010 between 3pm - 7pm at Taunton Conference Centre, Somerset College, Wellington Road, Taunton. Paul Conibeare of WSR Plc says "We are looking forward to working with Silver Track Training and Somerset College of Arts and Technology in working with new apprentices for the Railway industry specialising in track maintenance as we feel this will have a great benefit for both the National Network and the West Somerset Railway." For more details email enterprise@somerset.ac.uk or ring 01823 366 555 or visit www.somersetenterprise.co.uk.
23 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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News about changes to the Journal production...
A number of changes are currently occurring with the West Somerset Railway Journal. David Williams, Editor explains "The business of The Allesley Press Limited, printers of the Journal for the past twelve years, has passed to another Midlands company, and this has naturally caused some technical issues beyond the control of either Editor or WSR Association. The Journal has been contracted out to print, and printed, and is in the process of being dispatched by a new mailing house. We apologise for any delay experienced though, given the difficulties to be overcome and what might have gone wrong, to be within eight days of our agreed production schedule is actually a major achievement. The Association expects the finished product to be largely unaffected in the long term."
20 March 2010
Details from WSRA
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Coach sets for the Spring Steam Gala...
The make-up of the Gala coaching sets has been finalised. Set A and Set B will each be all chocolate and cream; Set C will consist of five chocolate and cream with two maroon at the Minehead end. This runs as Set D runs in chocolate and cream with two maroon at the Taunton end. The Norton Shuttles will be two maroon coaches. Full details of the coach set roster can be found in the Souvenir Programme, available on the Railway at £3 each. Full details of the event on the Spring Steam Gala page.
19 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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No shunting for Kilmersdon during first Gala weekend...
A postponed boiler inspection results no shunting at Washford this weekend. The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust report the postponement of the visit planned by the boiler inspector for Friday 19 March for Peckett 0-4-0ST no 1788 Kilmersdon which will not be available to carry out shunting demonstrations at Washford over the first weekend of the Spring Steam Gala. The visit of the Inspector has now been rescheduled for next week and if the engine is given the all-clear shunting at Washford should resume in time for the second Gala Weekend.
18 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Going home after the Spring Steam Gala...
A reminder about the DMU from Minehead to Bishops Lydeard on the morning after the first weekend of the Spring Steam Gala. On Monday 22 March, the DMU will leave Minehead at 9.30am,calling at Dunster at 9.36am, Blue Anchor at 9.42am, Washford at 9.50am, Watchet at 9.58am, Williton at 10.05am, Stogumber at 10.17am, Crowcombe Heathfield at 10.25am and due into Bishops Lydeard at 10.35am from where a connecting bus will go forward to Taunton station. Travel on this train is free to holders of Rover Tickets for either the 20 or 21 March, or ones with longer duration. Also Spring Steam Gala photographers might like to be aware of a road closure from 22 March on the Blue Anchor to Watchet road, at the Blue Anchor Inn, with a lengthy diversion.
17 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Plenty of action at the Spring Steam Gala...
Goods trains will feature at the Spring Steam Gala. The Heritage Goods will work over the whole of the line on 25 and 26 March and there will be the return of the "Dunster Shunt" with action in the goods yard at the delightful Dunster Station during the Gala weekends. Also on the Saturdays and Sundays there will be steam shuttles along the line towards Norton Fitzwarren and the Triangle, leaving Bishops Lydeard at 11.45am, 12.45am, 1.45am and 2.45pm. These will be top and tailed. See the Spring Steam Gala page for details. Whilst Wednesday 24 March is not strictly a Gala day, four steam trains will run in each direction; the plan is to roster visiting BR Standards nos 78019 and 80104 - and normal fares will apply on that day rather than Gala rates.
17 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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The Final Starting Nine for the Spring Gala...
All of the visiting locomotives have now arrived or are in transit. The arrival of BR 2-10-0 no 92212 due on Wednesday 17 March will complete the line-up - nos 92203, 92212, 6024, 71000, 34046, 80104, 78019, 5553 and 4160 - for the Spring Steam Gala. The Railway would like to thank the locomotive owning organisations* for making the event happen. See the Spring Steam Gala page for *details.
16 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Good news for Gala breakfast fans...
There will be a full breakfast service on the Quantock Belle dining train on Sunday 21 March. The meal will be available on the 9am departure from Bishops Lydeard and 11am departure from Minehead on this day only during the forthcoming Spring Steam Gala. The price of the full breakfast is held at £6.50. We understand this is a trial which may lead to the re-introduction of the popular breakfast service at future special events.
15 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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No electronic information during Spring Gala
The web-based Gala information system will not operate during the Spring Steam Gala. Although the system was successfully trialled at the Winter Steam Festival, it has not been possible to gain permission to run a similar process during the forthcoming Spring Steam Gala. Arrival and departure times, along with comments, are added by the Controller to a web-based database, which in turn presents basic current information to a webpage viewable by the public or staff on a standard browser or web-enabled mobile phone. Additionally the Controller is able to selectively send emails and text messages of current information to staff or subcribers. It is hoped to run the system at a future special event.
15 March 2010
Details from local correspondent
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Food and Drink at the Spring Steam Gala
A mouth-watering selection of food and drink will be available to visitors at the forthcoming Spring Steam Gala. A good range of fast food will be available up and down the Railway.
Most on-train buffets will have sandwiches, rolls and baps plus hot pasties, pies and sausage rolls. In addition, the Quantock Belle buffet will serve hot bacon baps and sausage baps. Additional goodies such as apple pie and cream teas will also be available. The Turntable café on Minehead Station, will serve bacon and sausage baps and other light snacks, plus a new range of filled jacket potatoes to eat in or take away. And last but not least, there will be food outlets at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard Stations, and the majority of stations up and down the line will be offering their own range of culinary delights during the Spring Steam Gala. Alcohol will only be sold on the trains. Each buffet car will have a different Somerset draught beer. Choose from Exmoor Ale, Exmoor Hound-Dog, Cotleigh Tawny or Cotleigh 25. There will be bottled cider and beers including Exmoor Gold, Cotleigh Barn Owl and our own Old Steamer. For 2010, we have a limited edition GWR175 beer label available only on the West Somerset Railway trains. All buffets will serve a range of soft drinks, hot beverages, snacks, cakes and biscuits. There will also be supplies of our new Year Mug resplendent in gold and green - the ultimate Gala souvenir
14 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Sit a-spell at Stogumber Station this Spring
Enjoy good fayre, peaceful countryside and the odd passing steam train at Stogumber Station. This delightful station, dating from the 1860s, is open on train operating days and especially during the Spring Steam Gala has the best bacon butties this side of Devon, hot sausage rolls, Somerset pasties and plenty of hot drinks. Sit and enjoy the tranquillity of this superb country station, the peace only puncuated by the occasional trains. During the Spring Steam Gala, visitors will see a Duke, a 9F or two, a 4MT and a Mickey Mouse, and other examples, passing through or pausing at Stogumber Station.
13 March 2010
Details from FoSS
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The next Volunteer Liaison Meeting
The next Volunteer Liaison Meeting has been scheduled for Saturday 13 March 2010 at Bishops Lydeard Primary School at 3pm. Anyone who works on or for the Railway is welcome. These meetings allow the volunteers of the railway to come along and talk to the managers of both the Railway Company and the Association. Parking for the event will be in the school playground accessed via Quantock View.
12 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc and WSRA
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Bill Pertwee makes another visit to the Railway
Another visit by Long-time WSR supporter and well-known actor and author Bill Pertwee. He will be signing his latest book "The Making Of A Legend Dad's Army" in the shop at Bishops Lydeard Station on Saturday and Sunday 27 and 28 March during the Spring Steam Gala. The times are not known at this moment but will be
for the best part of day. The book retails for £12.99.
12 March 2010
Details from WSRA
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GWR 175 Paddington-Minehead-Paddington
Two generations of top link GWR motive power come together in June for an excursion from London to Minehead and return. The UK Railtours special train on 19 June 2010 celebrates the Great Western Railway's 175th anniversary. Western diesel-hydraulic no D1015 Western Champion will head the train from Paddington to Bishops Lydeard, where GWR 4-6-0 no 6024 King Edward I joins the Western for the rest of the outward journey to Minehead. After three hours at the seaside town, the pair head the return train back to Bishops Lydeard, where King Edward I continues in sole charge back to London. More information
6 March 2010
Details from local correspondent and UK Railtours
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FoCHS membership hits 50
Just one month from the inaugural meeting of Friends of Crowcombe Heathfield Station, membership has hit 50. This includes two from Denmark! There is an urgent need for more volunteers at the Station, even on an occasional basis. Full training will be given to those who would wish to do platform duties. However with the better weather nearly upon us there is much to doaround the station and gardens, so if you would like to join a happy team please go to www.fochs.org.uk and contact anyone of the committee, the names of which are on the Contact Us page. You will be sure of a warm welcome.
6 March 2010
Details from FoCHS
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Taking the Slow Train
Perhaps the slowest ever journey from Bishops Lydeard to Williton took place on Thursday 4 March. The Permanent Way team, with Tony Phillips in charge, inspected every culvert between Bishops Lydeard and Williton using the DMU as mode of transport. Starting at 9.15am, the first culverts near Bishops Lydeard were inspected; the DMU left Platform Two at 9.30am under Travelling Signalman regulations. At 5.45pm, when the DMU eventually reached the Williton Down Home, all culverts had been inspected. But one culvert being too high had the ignomy of being reclassified as a bridge.
5 March 2010
Details from local correspondent
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News from Williton Works
A brief news update from West Somerset Restoration at the Swindon Shed, Williton. On 24 February, BR(W) 4-6-0 no 6960 Raveningham Hall had boiler, ashpan and smokebox lifted and positioned on its frames. Work started in the South Yard about 8am. No.6960 is now back in the workshop to be fitted out, the first priorities being to finalise the position of the boiler. Meantime, work continues with SR 4-6-2 no 34046 Braunton with the axles under the loan tender from Port Line re-tested, this has been cleared for use on heritage railways. A cold boiler inspection has also been undertaken by the insurance company, pronounced satisfactory subject to the test in steam due during the first week of March. This will enable Braunton to take part in the Spring Steam Gala. The support crew are now busily getting the locomotive ready with much elbow grease being expended on cleaning and polishing.
5 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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Ken takes on WSR Plc Special Projects
Ken Davidge has been promoted from his post as Station Master at Bishops Lydeard. Ken now takes on the role of WSR Plc Special Projects. In this role he will by managing some large long term projects involving IT and buildings. His current work includes upgrading and modernising the computer system at Minehead and this has involved new broadband circuits, replacement computers and new data storage facilities. New broadband connection and hi-speed card readers for the booking offices at Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. Also he will be producing the Station staff training manual. To avoid any confusion Ken will not be lopping trees as this is the role of David Holmes who as Special Projects Officer for the WSRA has undertaken that important role for many years.
5 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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The Late Summer Weekend event
A new event for 2010 is the Late Summer Weekend planned for 4 and 5 September. It replaces the former Somerset In Autumn event which was held on the last full weekend in October. The move to early September is to try to get away from the colder autumnal weather which requires the use of coach heating, something the heritage diesel locomotives cannot provide. The new event will use only home-based locomotives with the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group's heritage diesels taking the leading role supported by two steam locomotives. The planned line-up of locomotives includes nos D1010, D832, D7017, D6566, D7523, D9526, 5553 and 9351 along with the DMU. No guest locomotives are booked. This event looks very much like a diesel gala with little for the steam enthusiast. Not especially appealing for holidaymakers either, and with no visiting diesels, the event tends towards a very specialist enthusiast market.
5 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc and local correspondent
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Volunteers needed for all WSR Stations
Whatever skill you have or whatever your aspirations, the West Somerset Railway has the volunteer position for you. The Railway faces a very busy season ahead and in particular all the Stations - all ten of them - could do with some more willing volunteers. If you, or anyone you know, would like to volunteer as station staff, please go to that station and make yourself known to the Station Master, or contact Ian Aldridge, the Volunteer Co-ordinator, by phoning 01823 433856. You will receive a thorough training and be made most welcome.
4 March 2010
Details from WSRA
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The 2010 Spring Steam Gala - an update
Four steam trains will run in each direction on Wednesday 24 March. Nos 78019 and 80104 are expected to haul the trains on that day and normal fares will apply (rather than Gala rates). Fans of freight trains will enjoy the Heritage Goods which will work over the whole of the line on Thursday 25 March and Friday 26 March and there will be the return of the "Dunster Shunt" with action in the goods yard on Saturdays 20 and 27 March and Sundays 21 and 28 March. Also on the Gala Saturdays and Gala Sundays there will be shuttles along the line towards Norton Fitzwarren and the famous triangle site, leaving Bishops Lydeard at 11.45am, 12.45pm, 1.45pm and 2.45pm. These will be top and tailed. If you want to know more about any of these workings and the locomotive diagrams involved, the information will be in the Souvenir Booklet which is now at the printers. Cost is £3, either in advance by sending a cheque to West Somerset Railway, The Railway Station, Minehead, TA24 5BG or from the stations along the line on the day. Also, please note there will be no Taunton-Bishops Lydeard rail shuttle for this Gala - but of course there is the free bus link. Spring Steam Gala page...
3 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc and local correspondent
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Take two - food on a steam train for Mothers Day
A day out with a difference on Mothering Sunday on the West Somerset Railway. Two trains combining food with a forty mile round trip on a steam train are operating on Sunday 14 March. The Quantock Belle dining train offers passengers a three course luncheon as the train makes its way from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead where there will be an afternoon break at the seaside town for a stroll around before the return journey offers a cream tea to enjoy. For those who regard the British seaside as linked to traditional fish and chips the West Somerset Railway is running a series of Fish and Chip Specials this year and the first will be operating on Mothering Sunday. Book in advance for a fish and chip lunch (a vegetarian alternative is available) will be served as the 12.30pm train leaves Bishops Lydeard together with a glass of wine or a non-alcoholic alternative. Passengers will have a couple of hours in Minehead before returning on the 4.05pm train on which an optional afternoon tea, complete with specially designed cupcake will be served.
2 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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David Shepherd to visit the Railway
Artist David Shepherd, famous worldwide for his love of wildlife and steam engines, will be visiting the West Somerset Railway. He will spend the first Saturday of the Spring Steam Gala, 20 March, for a day that will combine two of his passions. David owns former British Railways 9F 2-10-0 no 92203 (which he named "Black Prince", which is a star guest at the Spring Steam Gala on 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 March 2010. Whilst "Black Prince" is working trains on the Minehead Branch, David will be at Bishops Lydeard Station on 20 March where he will be pleased to meet visitors and talk about the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and the vital conservation work which it performs. More information at the WSR Plc website...
2 March 2010
Details from WSR Plc
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New cafe planned for Bishops Lydeard Station
The West Somerset Railway Association has secured a lease, subject to final contract, on a building adjacent to Bishops Lydeard Station. Eventually the building will bring the WSRA's administration and office functions under one roof plus a new buffet/café to replace the current cramped facilities in the shop. This will in turn enable the shop to be expanded, a desire of the WSRA Promotions team for some time. It is also planned to restore the waiting room on Platform 1 (currently in use as an office) as a heritage feature. A good deal of work is now required to plan and design the new café, to be called "The Coal Yard" after the site's original use in earlier railway days, and bring it into use during the first half of the coming season. WSRA's Heritage Director Don Bishop adds "I believe this is an exciting development for the WSRA at Bishops Lydeard and will improve the offering to our passengers and bring additional funds into the WSRA to support the railway as a whole." More details on the WSRA website...
1 March 2010
Details from WSRA
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