Brief Background: Mum's parents were from Templecombe and Wincanton. When they retired they lived at Midford Rd, Combe Down Bath. I lived nearby and went to school at CBBS. Lyncombe Vale was just visible from the school. The Cross-Country Course crossed Lyncombe Vale and went along 'Watery Bottom". The pounding of trains up Devonshire Bank could be heard on a quiet night, so, as you can see, I had ample opportunity to be impressed by the S&D. Unfortunately, I was more interested in theTri-Ang and Hornby tversions (Dad was from Long Eaton so the first train he bought me was a 'Jinty')

A cycle ride to Midford and Wellow in my teens re-awakened a dormant interest but it was a chance meeting in "The Packhorse" (Southstoke) when I was in my late twenties that really got me off my complacent bottom - for an old friend had the job of tendering for the demolition of Tuckingmill Viaduct. I was incensed, and decided to try my best to fight it. I was living in Sheffield (as a Biology Teacher/Lecturer), and had thus been most impressed with the 'Tissington Trail" in the Peaks where an old railway line had been taken over, resurfaced and opened for walkers, cyclists and horse-riding. I decided that this was the model I was going to adopt for the S&D line. I DID have pipe-dreams of steam trains using it, but I knew that the first step was just to preserve the trackbed and all associated structures.

Mike Beale, then President of the S&D Trust kindly met me in Bath and we talked over the scheme. Thus Tracked Stewards were borne as we believed the first step was to survey the line, noting landowners wherever possible and then writing to the various councils and any other interested parties. Letters took the form of a brief introduction, with aims and objectives, complaints about any planned building on the line and pointing out the benefits of various sites for picnicing, and walking etc. In the main replies were forthcoming and were largely supportive. MPs MEPs, Paddy Ashdown and the Ministry of Transport were all involved.

Living in Sheffield was always a problem, and the distance involved gradually took its toll. When I/we lost Prestleigh viaduct I realised I should give up my role of Trackbed Steward to someone else! (Yes, I know Prestleigh was in a dangerous condition).

After a few wilderness years I was asked by Nick, Julan and David to join a new enterprise based at Midsomer Norton whereby we were to lease the site and re-open it. Wonderful! Living so far away my role was somewhat minimal, but I knew I could write web-sites and act as a kind of 'elder statesman' ( I hoped). Since then, personnel changes at the top have meant a more streamlined and professional organisation and I'm both pleased and proud to be associated with the new Trust. I was honoured to be made Vice-President, but doubt that I earn the accolade.