News page 5:Layout 1

10/19/17

MENDIP TIMES

2:56 PM

Page 1

Ted’s stamp is just grand

Ted receives his cheque from Oakfield Academy head teacher Emma Wilkes

New chairman for railway trust

NEWS

Coffee break: Councillor Beath with rail volunteers

A SCHOOLBOY from Frome whose design for a Royal Mail Christmas stamp won a national competition has received his £1,000 prize. Ted Lewis-Clark, aged 11, who attends Oakfield Academy will see his design on first class stamps sold from November 7th. His name will also feature on a special postmark. His design was one of two chosen by the Prince of Wales for this year’s first and second class stamps. Ted is due to meet the prince at a later date. The school also received a cheque for £1,000 as part of the competition.

RAF cadets get back together

Former squadron leaders (l:r) Steve Guy, Geoff Wilson and David Rolfe with some of the ex-cadets

MORE than 50 former air cadets from Shepton Mallet’s 1182 Squadron have gathered for their first official reunion. The cadets – from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s – came from all over the country for the event at the Thatched Cottage Inn in Shepton Mallet. The evening also raised funds for the present squadron, part of the Devon and Somerset Wing of the ATC.

THE Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust at Midsomer Norton has a new chairman – lifelong steam enthusiast Stephen Lacey. Stephen, 38, has been a life member of the trust since 1997 and a working member since 2014. He took over as chairman in time to welcome Cherry Beath, chair of Bath and North East Somerset Council, to the line. She said: “I know that this railway preservation started with just a few enthusiastic volunteers, but all their hard work has not only achieved a wonderful heritage centre but turned it into an excellent tourist venue for visitors to North East Somerset. Well done all.” Meanwhile, the trust is entering a new era with the extension of the railway towards Chilcompton. So-called “track bashes” will be held in November as part of the plan to get more track laid and in use by passenger trains by the middle of next year. Stephen said: “These are exciting times ahead. We are busy extending the line, laying sleepers and ballasting the track in preparation to re-open another section of this iconic railway for passenger trains. We are ever grateful to receive such positive support from local people and the local councils.” He added: “Volunteers at the station are already doing a tremendous job with renovations, maintenance and event organisation and we are now looking at getting more people involved to help us get one stage further.”

The track bash will aim to get the remaining sleepers and rails up the line before the laying down of ballast

For details about the line, visit: www.sdjr.co.uk

MENDIP TIMES • NOVEMBER 2017 • PAGE 5