Having served as a Trustee Director for two years now, it is my desire to continue to support the Railway as part of the Council of Management.

For those who are unfamiliar with me, I am Dorset born and raised, currently working as Quantity Surveyor with one of the UK’s largest contractors in Central London specialising in the construction of commercial high value and high-risk projects, include the Royal College of Surgeons, Regents Wharf, a large Victorian factory adjacent to the old Kings Cross Goods Yard, and 1 Hanover on London’s famous Regents Street.

As well as my director positions, I have been a working volunteer since 2005, first as a Sygnet and now as a Passed Fireman (Junior Steam Driver) in the Operations Department.

Since my election in 2023, alongside my Trustee duties I have worked with our directors, managers and volunteers to support the Railway’s security and growth by deliver key projects - namely the project management of the Herston Carriage Shed, and commercial ventures such as Strictly Bullied 2.

I remain fully committed to my ambition for the Swanage Railway to become united in its direction towards solidifying its position as one of the UK’s premier heritage railways, and if elected I will continue to support the below key areas:

• The delivery of the Governance Review – the exciting new chapter in which our Railway is now embarking on.

• The development of a competitive and sustainable service to attract new and returning customers.

• The development of our facilities and infrastructure to enhance our operational capabilities and visitor experience.

I have experience working in collaborative and results driven environments, and believe these experiences, coupled with my working knowledge and understanding of our railways would make me an effective candidate to help deliver our railways’ potential.

I have been an active volunteer on the Swanage Railway since 2001 – predominantly for the Locomotive, Carriage & Wagon department working on the maintenance and restoration of our locomotives and rolling stock. I lead our Diesel Gala committee who organise what is widely regarded as one of the best diesel enthusiast events in the UK and makes a considerable profit to support the railway each year. I am also coming up to the end of the eighth year as Trustee, and last year joined the Company Board as Engineering Director for Diesels, Carriages and Wagons.

With the recommendations of the Governance Review due to be enacted (if approved by the membership at the AGM), I believe that it is important to help make the transition as smooth as possible - so I am offering myself for election again to provide continuity and help see it through.

Since being elected, I have continued to oversee the Railway’s rolling stock and have recently been working with the CEO to develop a Strategic Plan for our carriages and wagons. This will form the basis of our future restoration plans and also help identify any vehicles for disposal.

In my professional role I work in rolling stock engineering for a mainline train operating company. I believe my skills and experience in this area are important when it comes to making strategic decisions about our rolling stock and the facilities that we desperately need to improve for their maintenance and restoration.

Thank you for your support.

It seems lately that when asked what I do for the railway, it’s much easier to list what I don’t do, such is usually the quip made when I’ve appeared on our Railways social media. The reality is that whilst I do a lot, there’s more to be done to help keep our Railway going, and I want to continue doing just that!

My life with Swanage started over twenty years ago in 2003, when I joined the Swanage Railway Sygnets. Founded in 1997, who’d have thought we’d be celebrating its twenty-fifth year in operation with me at the helm? Not I!

Since then, I’ve continued to give my time not only to the Youth Group, but also Operations as both Cleaner and Guard, and anywhere else I can be useful. Most recently I spent an evening with our P-Way team at Norden, helping tamp a section of line with Kango’s (a heavy-duty rotary hammer), shovels and numerous cups of tea.

Over the last two years I’ve also been a Trustee of the Railway. My largest responsibilities being the continued leading of the Sygnets Youth Group, as well as leading our ‘Save Your Railway’ appeal which continues to play a significant role in our Railways survival.

Professionally I’m an IT Engineer and, having started in the industry at the age of 20, I’ve over a decade of experience from minor works to estate wide upgrades covering thousands of machines. It’s an ever-changing field and I’m still learning!

With the above experience I can bring a lot to the table and can continue to make a difference. Outside of the success of our Railway and its Youth Group, I have no further agenda, and am always open to new ideas. Please help me ensure our Railways survival for generations to come.

I know they say that as you age you slow down but I am not sure that is the case as I think “where has the last 2 years gone” as it has flown by for sure as I find myself once more writing an election address.

We now have our CEO, we have a clearer view of our railway regarding its future financially and commercially and we are progressing our governance review to hopeful conclusion soon. We continue to progress using hard work including agreed business plans, processes and policies achieved since the dark months of late 2023 and as many others I believe this is coming together for Swanage Railway.

For those who do not know me I have always worked hard to ensure all voices across the railway are heard, to support both our volunteers and employees and to promote the railway as widely as I can by understanding the roles I am best suited to do this in and from. They have been many and varied over the 35 years of volunteering I have reached and have included trustee and director roles and appointments.

I hope you will give me the opportunity to continue with likeminded others for the coming weeks and months in that final push. that final drive to the end objectives for the Swanage Railway as one organisation. 

When I became a volunteer back in 1990 the Railway was then in a period of change, (not that I was aware of that then but read in the Swanage Railway News as it was then). The trustees of the days then were supported in their drive forward and I hope with your supported I can do so also.

Thank you.

Having been a working volunteer for over 40 years, I have grown up with the Swanage Railway, initially leading the installation of telecom assets for 22 years.  During Easter 1983 I installed a telephone exchange in Swanage, and when the Watercress Line donated thirty miles of telephone cable, I enlisted the support of soldiers to recover it; the start of four decades of association with the Royal Corps of Signals - the Army’s communicators.

Following 25 years in the Army I completed a Certificate in Project Management at Lancaster University, later studying for a BSc in Railway Operational Management.  Joining South West Trains in 2007, initially a Project Manager, I managed twelve stations in the Staines & Windsor area & became a Route Controller in a Railway Control Centre.  I am a Member of the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators. 

Last September the stark reality of the Company’s financial position was presented to Trustees, & three of us created the Recovery Business Plan, formally adopted last spring.  We are now well into the 36-month plan.  Although there have been some challenging times, the initial signs are encouraging.

Two months later I became Chair of the Trust; this was not in my Life Plan!  Whilst I work hard, I am conscious do not possess all the skills and qualities required of this office – hence why I repeatedly call on others for help and support.

We face historical issues; under capitalisation, lack of resources, cumbersome structure, and poor internal communication to name a few.  However, I support volunteer recruiting, new ideas and recognising the long service of the people we have.  Through regular internal updates in SITREP, I have encouraged new opportunities & urged the inclusion of new faces in everything we do – especially the faces of the younger generations.

I stood down as a Trustee in 2024 to focus on the Company’s finances which were in a precarious state, requiring significant decisions and attention after Covid.  It was a good move as later in the year two Company Directors were removed by the Trust and the Company Board operated at an uncomfortably low number of Directors until January this year when the numbers were bolstered again.

As you can read elsewhere the Company performed well in 2023/24 turning around the loss of the previous year with a profit in excess of £300,000.  The arrival of our CEO has also materially benefitted the Railway and created for me some spare time as I am no longer involved closely with day to day management.

I am offering to be elected because:

1. I wish, if you vote in support of the resolutions at the AGM, to ensure that the Governance Review, is delivered in timely way that maximises the benefit to the Railway; and

2. I strongly believe that the Swanage Railway needs to remain focused during the governance transition maintaining the operating railway business growing on the good outcome of 2023/24 and performing as safely as practicable.  It will be a challenging time implementing the changes proposed.  I believe I have both knowledge and experience to guide both the Trust and Company through this and can put this to good use to our collective benefit.

My performance recently has shown that I have a good pair of safe hands, with strong preferences for a teamwork approach to problems and I can be relied on the help steer both Trust and Company through the changes planned whilst leading the Company Board.

I hope you feel able to support me in this election.

Thank you.

The railway is only 6 months into a 36 month recovery business plan, it still needs support, tough decision making and commitment. I feel I have shown this in my first two years as a trustee, overhauling and managing the successful community weekend, celebrating our volunteers with an award event and supporting those volunteers who may be struggling through the new hardship fund.

As a regular active working volunteer I am delighted to see and speak to so many of you when I am around the railway. The passion and enthusiasm for the railway amongst so many SRT members is easy to hear for those who wish to listen. Two of my key strengths that I bring to this role are my objectivity, bringing a fresh pair of eyes and my listening skills.

The railway will only ever be as strong as the team of volunteers that devote their time and resources to SR. One aspect I wish to improve is the respect shown for the volunteers their devotion and the many skills they bring to the team which can be so easily overlooked or dismissed. Communication needs to be two way and respectful. Improved transparency on decisions and activities.

Only through having a diversity of mind sets and experiences within the Governance structure will the railway be strong enough to weather the current storm. Our passengers and customers are changing, their expectations are increasing. With a young family over 20 years’ experience within the education and charity sector as well as running a successful business. I bring diversity and a fresh approach beginning to blow out some the cobwebs that appear to have settled and continue to challenge and move the railway towards change.

I have been a volunteer at the Swanage Railway, mainly as a TTI, since 2014 and a Trustee since 2023. I believe that the value of volunteers to the Railway needs to be continuously recognised, something I support by administering the supply of the Long Service (LS) badges. This activity also gives me an excellent insight into the state of the volunteer base. Earlier this year I organised the very successful SR140 event attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of Dorset and other dignitaries. I believe that the Swanage Railway should present a rail related educational and historic experience that captures the essence of bygone times with greater emphasis on appealing to a wider demographic than the baby boomer generation.

As we approach the possibility of a major change in the Governance of the Railway I am concerned that the resultant process of transition during 2026 will divert an excessive amount of managerial time from the essential task of putting the Railway into a sound trading position. Recent Swanage Railway data indicate things that need immediate attention are an aging and reducing volunteer base filling fewer roistered turns, falling footfall, rising costs, and a diminishing fare income.

Assessments of the SR’s performance are often made against speculative forecasts and adjusted projections. My approach to being a Trustee has always been as a Critical Friend, something taken from my many years as a co-opted school governor. To that end I have continually endeavoured to persuade the Railway to make its judgements and decisions based on hard data. This scrutinising task is something that I consider to be an important function of being a Trustee and something that I would continue to pursue if re-elected.

Having been on the Council of Management since October 2023, I am seeking re-election to the CoM to help continue guide and assist with the aims of the Swanage Railway Trust. There has been plenty of change and new activities taking place and I feel I can continue to offer assistance for the Swanage Railway.

Working at GB Railfreight for over 20 years, I have managed its timetabling and access and have also been closely associated with movements to and from the Swanage Railway in support of the railway’s special events. I mainly deal with contractual access with Network Rail, future timetabling and now the structure of Rail Reform and how Great British Railways will interact with our business. 

This is coming in particularly useful now that I am heading up the Norden Extension Delivery Group. It’s remit is quite simple: “To explore and propose ideas for greater use of the Norden to Worgret Junction section of line that will deliver additional revenue to the Swanage Railway at minimal cost”.

I have also been Chairman of the Class 33/1 Preservation Co. Ltd. (owners of 33 111) from 2003-2015, am still a company member, and have had a long association with the Swanage Railway for over 20 years.

Previously to GBRf, I spent 12 years organising, running and filling charter trains with Hertfordshire Railtours, also bringing the first through train (and many more) from London to Swanage. I still have a close association with railtour operations with GB Railfreight, UK Railtours and others.

I have a sound knowledge of how the commercial and operational railway (both private and public) operates and have a wide range of industry contacts and relationships. I would be of assistance with decision-making, from the strategic aims of the railway down to the finer running details.

I have been a volunteer on the Swanage Railway since 1996 and having retired, moved house from Bournemouth to Swanage in 2007 to be closer to the Railway. During this time, I have been Chairman of the Swanage Railway Trust and Company for a few years, was Volunteer Liaison Officer for several years, Signalling Training Officer for several years and was Project Manager for the new Corfe Castle signal box. I am also a member of the Purbeck Community Rail Partnership which promotes rail travel within the Purbeck area, including working towards reinstating a train service between Swanage and Wareham. I will continue with the latter commitment until we are successful. I will also strive to ensure the Railway remains under the democratic control of its members, especially with the forthcoming Governance Review.

Many of you reading this will be wondering - who is this chap?  Although I am about to get my 10 year badge (and I was around before then) my activities on SR are not usually that visible because I am generally wandering the tracks!

Back in the late 1990’s I was a paid consultant to review the SR track condition every couple of years.  Later my company in Eastleigh designed and supplied some S&C to the railway, particularly 12 points at Swanage, and later still (having retired) I got roped-in for Project Wareham for 18 months - and I have never left.  More recently I was involved in the design and construction of the inspection pit and sidings at Corfe.

Back in the days of BR I was an Area Maintenance Engineer, Planning & Resources Engineer, and later Civil Engineering Materials Manager for BR as a whole.  My subsequent experience, running my own manufacturing company for 16 years, has added a good insight of finances to my knowledge of railway engineering and safety so now I fulfill the role of SR’s Honorary Permanent Way Consultant as well as informally assisting some of the Directors from time to time. I also spent 11 years as a Director of the Residents Company owning the freehold of the block of 56 flats where I lived in London, giving me some experience of property matters. 

I have walked the ballast for 60 years and, just like you, I still live railways and engineering! 

I hope, by offering myself as a Trustee, to be able to help SR move to its new organizational structure as quickly and painlessly as possible.