Diesel Preservation Groups not helping themselves

[hoffers]

I'll start by saying I'm all for preservation groups as they are dedicated to restoring and preserving the locos I watched as a kid and as an adult, but frustratingly, some of them are just not helping themselves when it comes to promoting or increasing membership.

I am currently designing a booklet to hand out free to ticket holders of a model railway show I'm organising near York in October so I thought I'd try and help by offering FREE ads to some of the preservation societies. No catch, just a mention in the brochure to keep their valued work in profile.
Well, half never even bothered to reply at all and then one group who I emailed twice finally came back to me and said their bloke who deals with this was probably working away so best leave it until another event. Priceless!! So if this fella works away all the time jack s**t will get done in terms of promoting the group or receiving donations. Such a shame, as I like the Class 33s

It's peeves me that all these groups are asking for support and donations but when you try and offer help they turn it down or don't bother answering.
What's all that about?

On the other hand, "Bring Back The Brighton Bell", "Class 58 Group" and one of the Class 37 groups were most grateful.

Thanks for reading this, I needed to mention it.

 

[Prairie_5542]

I'll start by saying I'm all for preservation groups as they are dedicated to restoring and preserving the locos I watched as a kid and as an adult, but frustratingly, some of them are just not helping themselves when it comes to promoting or increasing membership.

I am currently designing a booklet to hand out free to ticket holders of a model railway show I'm organising near York in October so I thought I'd try and help by offering FREE ads to some of the preservation societies. No catch, just a mention in the brochure to keep their valued work in profile.
Well, half never even bothered to reply at all and then one group who I emailed twice finally came back to me and said their bloke who deals with this was probably working away so best leave it until another event. Priceless!! So if this fella works away all the time jack s**t will get done in terms of promoting the group or receiving donations. Such a shame, as I like the Class 33s

It's peeves me that all these groups are asking for support and donations but when you try and offer help they turn it down or don't bother answering.
What's all that about?

On the other hand, "Bring Back The Brighton Bell", "Class 58 Group" and one of the Class 37 groups were most grateful.

Thanks for reading this, I needed to mention it.

It is frustrating, you are giving them publicity etc and they don't show an interest. It is a shame, you would have though that they would crave getting more members and money towards what their doing.

Imagine if you gave TESCO a free ad, they would bite off your hand.

 

[hoffers]

It is frustrating, you are giving them publicity etc and they don't show an interest. It is a shame, you would have though that they would crave getting more members and money towards what their doing.

Imagine if you gave TESCO a free ad, they would bite off your hand.

Thank You Prairie, I thought I was going mad!!!

I just wanted to spread the word for them at no cost whatsoever and it's ignored. It's a strange world sometimes.

Tony

 

[corin paul]

There is a lot of them, that want to do it there way and don't look at the big picture. Which could get then more help, volunteers or even money. Some Heritage lines are guilt of this as well.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/class_153/6063764122/in/set-72157627444828242/

 

[PFX]

I would certainly be interested in some free publicity. Could you PM me some details please or am I too late?

 

[GatwickDepress]

It's sad that quite a lot of preservation groups either don't see or neglect to consider what benefits mutual working can achieve with furthering goals. The Bluebell Railway and the 5BEL Trust are a great example of this, such as exchanging vehicles.

I wish you the very best with the model railway show!

 

[hoffers]

It's sad that quite a lot of preservation groups either don't see or neglect to consider what benefits mutual working can achieve with furthering goals. The Bluebell Railway and the 5BEL Trust are a great example of this, such as exchanging vehicles.

I wish you the very best with the model railway show!

Funnily enough 5BEL is one of those who I support and have recently donated to and they were thrilled at the free publicity. I'm glad I'm not alone with this frustration. Cheers guys.

As that famous supermarket chain says "every little helps".

I can certainly find a space in the brochure and I will PM the previous thread.

Tony

 

[nferguso]

I am currently designing a booklet to hand out free to ticket holders of a model railway show I'm organising near York in October so I thought I'd try and help by offering FREE ads to some of the preservation societies. No catch, just a mention in the brochure to keep their valued work in profile.

Well, I represent the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in Derbyshire and if you would be so kind as to give us a mention, I would be very grateful indeed.

Please PM me if you are in a position to help. I'm hoping that your hands have been bitten-off since your last post!

Neil

 

[hoffers]

Well, I represent the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in Derbyshire and if you would be so kind as to give us a mention, I would be very grateful indeed.

Please PM me if you are in a position to help. I'm hoping that your hands have been bitten-off since your last post!

Neil

Hi Neil

No problem, I'll PM you tonight.

regards
Tony

 

[andycoward]

Yes it amazes me that some groups don't take more opportunity to take advantage of free publicity, but it is often that people get wrapped up in something and miss the opportunity to promote their projects.

Well done on a good initiative though!

Regards

 

[hoffers]

Yes it amazes me that some groups don't take more opportunity to take advantage of free publicity, but it is often that people get wrapped up in something and miss the opportunity to promote their projects.

Well done on a good initiative though!

Regards

It would be financially impossible for me to join every preservation group that endeavours to maintain the locos I grew up with, so offering them FREE publicity in a show brochure I'm publishing, albeit at a small event, is something I felt I wanted to do. As that national supermarket chain slogan says, 'every little helps'.
Amazingly, the response was dire, for example: The Class 56 Group's website email address kept bouncing back so I contacted them through its ebay sales link too, which is current, and heard nothing back whatsoever, the Class 33 '71A Locomotive Group' said the guy who deals with this is working away so perhaps think of them next time!!! Jeeps! It's not rocket science just to say yes please you are welcome to put our contact details in your brochure. I emailed two different contacts from the SELG (South Eastern Locomotive Group) twice and never got a reply and the Class 40 Preservation Society never replied either.
Do these societies not want new members or interested parties browsing their websites?

It's their loss because through this thread several other societies have been in touch and are now featured in the show brochure, FOC.

It's a strange world!!

Tony H