John Baker, our Managing Partner, has researched two railway accidents that happened at the same Somerset village 50 years apart. This research has been in support of Norton Fitzwarren's bid to receive a 'red wheel' heritage plaque from the Transport Trust in recognition of the villagers' efforts to rescue the victims in both crashes. The leader of the project, Mary Hayward, had seen our news article on the 1940 accident and asked if we could help with her research. Of course, we were delighted to help especially since both accidents had a significant 'human factor' element.
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We have previously written a short article on the 1940 accident, but the accident of the 11th November 1890 was also blamed on 'human error'. In this accident the signaller, George Rice, forgot that he had left a goods train standing on the main line and allowed an approaching fast passenger train into the same section. The passenger train collided with the stationary goods engine, killing 10 passengers and seriously injuring many more.

John's research revealed several new facts about both accidents and also documented more about the victims and those involved. This research has been published on posters that will be displayed in Norton Fitzwarren Village Hall. Copies of the posters for download are included at the end of this article.

As part of the Red Wheel project, John was asked to give a radio interview to the BBC - this is now available on the BBC website.

​On the 17th November, the Transport Trust awarded Norton Fitzwarren with a 'Transport Heritage Site' award. We were delighted to attend to see the culmination of Mary Hayward's work to get the actions of the villagers recognised following these two tragic accidents.

John Baker, our Managing Partner, will be giving a short talk on the state of leadership and management in the UK at a business breakfast in Bristol next week.
​The talk will cover recent research by the Chartered Management Institute on how managers and leaders are trained and low-cost ways that your managers and leaders can develop their knowledge and skills.
​The event is run by SevernNet, ​a not-for-profit enterprise, run by, and working for the benefit of, the businesses, organisations and the community extending from Royal Portbury Dock through Avonmouth, Severnside to Western Approach Industrial Park.

We will be running one of our problem-solving sessions for SME owners and managers at a conference organised by the Chartered Management Institute on the 7th October.

The event is on the 7th October in Cullompton, Devon. It has been designed to be an interactive conference that will make you think as you explore your individual strengths, life balance, communication, networking, working smarter and personal productivity in the 21st Century.

For more information, and to book your place, go to the Chartered Management Institute's event page.

John (Silver Moor's Managing Partner) and Steve Thomas (one of our Associates) have been running problem-solving workshops for small businesses in the South West as part of their role as Institute of Consulting fellows. These have been targeted at owners and managers of small businesses. The events have allowed delegates to work on real challenges that their businesses are facing and, using the knowledge and skills of a small group of people, helped them to find real solutions.
The events are free; the latest one (being held on the 7th December in Bristol) can be booked at http://www.managers.org.uk/events-and-courses/2015/december/business-surgery
More information about the Institute of Consulting can be found on their website. Also, check out our coaching services.

Booking is now open for the Chartered Management Institute's networking event on the SS Great Britain on 2nd July - non-members welcome. Cost is only £5, and you get food & drink for that too!
You can register for the event through the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) website. If you want to find out more about the CMI or the event contact John Baker through his CMI email address.