Farewell

GCR

2005 will be remembered by many as the year that the direction of Combined Operations changed,

due to the actions of the old GCR management.

This was, on reflection, possibly no bad thing - after 6 years, no matter how hard you try to guard against

it, a certain complacency is bound to creep in - events become horribly formulaic and stale.

I'd like to take this opportunity to update you on the groups' current position regarding GCR. I apologise

if you think I'm flogging a dead horse but this situation will not lie down - the rumour mill continues to do

harm to the reputation of Combined Operations and its supporters.

To put the record straight in respect of the problems arising after some 6 years of working with the Great

Central Railway, perhaps, in the process, putting it to rest once and for all:

The current rumour doing the rounds is that Combined Operations have received an apology from the GCR

and will be back organising the 2006 event.

No such apology has remotely been received and hence Combined Operations will have no involvement on

this railway. In fact, it has recently been made clear to us that the GCR are well able to organise their own

wartime event in the future. You may, in the fullness of time, come to your own conclusions.

During the 2005 event it has been reported that two people, involved with the organisation of the event, were

making comments to all and sundry that our organisation was 'sacked' after 2004 at the debriefing meeting

as a result of our failure to submit accounts for expenses.

I have correspondence on file from the GCR expressing regret that we, the group, had resigned our position

as principal organisers to the wartime weekend. The main reason being lack of management support for the

way we dealt with disruptive elements at the event. WE WERE NOT DISMISSED.

Getting money out of a cash strapped organisation is realistically (and rightly) difficult and is certainly not possible

without certified accounts. Bluntly, in six years there has never been a query raised and the accounts have always

been paid in full - to the penny.

Presently, the existing situation is that should I obtain the two names, in writing, of the persons concerned legal

action may well follow, as the comments were clearly slanderous.

1 hope this clears up any current misunderstandings. Thank you for your time,

C.O. Combined Operations HQ