Changes

'''The 200 Club''' helps raise funds for SVR volunteer projects. {{As of|2023}} the Club was has been suspended<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blfeb23 Branch Lines February 2023]</ref>.

The In 1968 SVR News reported that the [[Severn Valley Railway AssociationSociety]] began had started a '100 club in 1983Club' at the instigation of the Society's Fund Raising Officer Chris George. The cost of entry was to be 5/- (25p) per week.<ref>SVR News 6812, ''Report of the S.V.R.S. AGM''</ref> By 1991 it had become "The 125 Club"<ref>SVR News first weekly draw for the £5 cash prize was held in May 1969, although after a further 5 weeks there were only 87 members out of the 100</ref> (and out of a total SVRS membership of nearly 1,600 at the time), with another change to "The 150 Club" from January 1995Chris George still appealing for new members.<ref>SVR News 11313, ''SVR 100 Club''</ref> By winter 1997-98 it had become "The 200 Club"<ref>There were no further reports on the club in SVR News 125</ref>, after that time. The SVRS merged into the [[Guarantee Company]] in which form it has operated sinceDecember 1969.

In 2015 the Severn Valley Railway Association merged with the The [[Severn Valley Railway Company Limited| Guarantee CompanyAssociation]]began a new 100 Club in early 1983, with membership initially managed by Paul Hobson.<ref>SVR News 68, ''Notes of the SVR Association'', Sue Thomas</ref> In 1988 the Association agreed to increase the number of members to become "The 125 Club".<ref>SVR News 90, ''SVRA 125 Club''</ref>

Paul Hobson had to give up running the 125 Club during 1991 owing to 'pressure of business' and was succeeded as organiser by Colin <nowiki>Clark</nowiki>.<ref>SVR News 100, ''SVRA 125 Club''</ref> Under Colin's stewardship the Club grew to become "The 150 Club" in January 1995.<ref>SVR News 113</ref> By winter 1997-98 it had become "The 200 Club"<ref>SVR News 125</ref>, in which form it continued to operate since.  In 2015 the Severn Valley Railway Association merged with the [[Severn Valley Railway Company Limited| Guarantee Company]]. Colin <nowiki>Clark </nowiki> ran the 200 Club from 1991 up to 2023.<ref name=bldec18>[https://www.svrlive.com/bldec18 Branch Lines, December 2018]</ref> In 2021 it contributed £5,000 to the Railway<ref>Guarantee Company Annual Report ending 31 December 2022</ref>.

In return for a small monthly membership fee, members can could win one of five monthly cash prizes with an enhanced draw held at Christmas. All profits are were reinvested in volunteer projects throughout the railway.

From time to time vacancies in the Club are were advertised in SVR News and supporters' newsletters.<ref name=bldec18/><ref>SVR News 219, Autumn 2022</ref> Otherwise, there is no public communication.