My first contact with the S&D was in the early 1950's,when I occasionally went to Bournemouth with my Grandmother to stay with friends. I certainly remember Radstock, Evercreech Junction, Templecombe & Bournemouth West. I always wondered why there were two loco's on the front, but at that time, on such a long journey, I naively assumed that it was in case one of the engines broke down! Other than that, I never explored the line, as, being brought up overlooking Staple Hill Station in Bristol, I spent my entire spare spotting time there, with my friends.

A few years later, we were told that Bulleid Pacific's could be seen at Green Park and that started regular visits to the station and of course the shed. Many happy days were spent there, but sometimes it was difficult to get back onto the platform, past the barrier, as there was usually a rather large lady who would inspect your ticket and inform you that your train went from the other platform. We never argued with her, but waited until she had collected the tickets and while she was away sneaked past! Most of the drivers would allow you up on the footplate for the brief period that they were in the Station, before going on shed.

All of this ended in the early 1960's when the introduction of diesels and the mass scrapping of my beloved Royal Scot's and Jubilee's left me completely disillusioned with British Railways. Coupled with the fact that I found girls weren't too bad after all, I walked away from the railway scene.

During the late 1960's and 1970's I was involved in the pop music scene as lead singer in a group and toured the country and some parts of Europe hoping to get that lucky break, but as some people will know getting a recording contract always seems to be just around the corner. After many years on the road and having almost made it, I decided to retire and return to society! I then went back into the motor trade as a buyer with a few companies finally ending up in 1980 as Depot Manager with Smiths Industries until they sold the Automotive Division to Lucas in 1984. At this point I decided to start up my own business which, to date, I am still involved in.

Back to railways! I was given a book in 1978 by Ivo Peters called Somewhere Along the Line. This brought back many happy memories and having found out that there was a group at Washford, I decided in 1980 to join the S&D Trust there. Within a short period I was helping Mike Beale who was then Sales Manager. This continued until 1984 when one day, at a sales event, Mike said that he was to become Chairman and with my experience he would like me to join the committee as Sales Manager. I didn't need to think for long as I had thoroughly enjoyed taking the sales stand to events and especiallyworking with Mike. Therefore I took this position in April 1985 and continued as Sales Manager until April 1994. During this period I had set up a sales team, mainly to help with postal sales, as this had got too much for one person. I continued with the sales, acting as Publications Advisor and helping at events until August 1997.

(Editor's note - as ever Paul is very modest about his achievements with the S&D Trust especially as they have not been equalled since he left. I had the good fortune to be on the committee with Paul and to be Chairman of that Trust for many years - Paul's efforts on the sales side for the Trust totally cleared our debts and I would estimate that he made around £30,000 profit over the time he was in charge - a feat that we hope he will now emulate at Midsomer Norton).

During 1996, Nick Howes had been trying to convince me to join the Trackbed Trust at Midsomer Norton. I explained to him that I was still working for the S&D Trust sales and that it would not be possible to serve on the committee of both organisations because of conflict of interests. After much thought I decided to join Nick and duly told the late Mike Palmer, then the S&D Trust Secretary, that I would stand down in 1997 giving him 6 months notice.

The above photo, courtesy the Somerset Guardian, shows Paul in front of the coal wagons (when we still had the two of them positioned within the goods shed.)

In August 1997, I started to work at Midsomer Norton as Sales Manager. When I asked Nick how much money we had in the sales account he replied - nothing! At that point I wondered what I had walked into! Starting from scratch was quite a culture shock but, slowly but surely, the Trust's stock is building up and with the calendars, Pines Lament print and a small sales area in the station, we are getting there. Thanks of course must go to Julian Peters for allowing us to use his father's photographs in the calendars which have proven to be very popular.

I must admit, that after my initial view of the buildings, the early days of trying to dry out the station and the upheavals when trying to get the organisation sorted out, I thought that we must all be mad. But, three years on and working with a great gang, I have no regrets at all. Roll on this summer and beyond that, the time when that track is laid and the sound of steam reverberates around the Midsomer Norton hills once again.

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