Tales of WOE.

John does Joe Pasquale

THATS THE WAY TO DO IT!

John shows David Seward, a pupil from Gryphon School at Sherborne, how it's done. David is at Salisbury Station on Work Experience and after his day in the Panel, went home with a "goodie bag" to remind him of his visit.

RAILWAYMEN ‘TAKE TO THE ROAD’

(by "Scoop" Steve Chislett)

Three Network Rail employees fought the physical effects of a 28 mile sponsored walk along the ‘Liberty Trail’ on Wednesday 12th September 2007 to raise funds for the MacMillan ward at Yeovil District Hospital. An impressive total of £1600 was donated, through a raffle arranged by former Railway Chaplain Maxine Morgan  and Network Rail Local Operations Manager John Penny and in sponsorship money by participants Kevin Goddard a Signaller at Templecombe, Alex Spry a Crossing Keeper at Feniton and John Say who is a Signaller at Salisbury.

The idea was the result of considerable thought by Kevin after his good friend and colleague Alan Cox, a Signaller at Yeovil Pen Mill, died from cancer despite all the efforts and caring treatment given to Alan by the very dedicated staff working on the MacMillan ward at the hospital. Alex and John willingly joined Kevin in this very worthwhile fund raising effort and were fully supported by their Managers Garry Shaftoe and John Penny who followed their progress on the day from early until late and were there to assist should anyone get into difficulties.

The walk started at 08:00hrs from Ham Hill near Yeovil, along the ‘Liberty Trail’ to the finishing point at Lyme Regis that was reached approximately twelve hours later. The three of them felt honoured to remember Alan with the respect that he rightly deserved and exhibited sheer determination to raise as much money as possible. On a particularly beautiful day the intrepid three made their way through the beautiful scenery of the area attempting to ignore the occasions when the going got extremely tough, especially when your body is saying that’s enough!  The walk would have been considerably longer with much more painful feet but Alex, with his instinct and map reading abilities, kept them on the correct heading. The result would have been a much longer walk if John Say had been the map reader!! One particularly traumatic experience for John during the walk was when he was attacked by a dog being walked by its owner. The dog bit John on the ankle but, fortunately, we hear that after a course of Anti Rabies injections, the dog did not suffer any ill effects as a result.

During the walk supporting texts and telephone messages were received from sponsors encouraging them on their way. Support in person was given by Simon and Tracy Herrin who work for Network Rail at Axminster and bought refreshing drinks at the local pub at the finishing point. Carol Jamieson, a Signaller based at Yeovil Pen Mill, also met them there. The event was true team work in action.
  
Alan had been a ‘life long’ serving railwayman and railways were his job and his passion. He was often to be seen, sometimes with Kevin, during his free time from work, helping out at the Gartell Railway near Templecombe. It is hoped that a memorial bench to Alan, who was such a keen supporter of all railways, will be arranged for use by the public at the Gartell Railway.

Great sponsorship support has been received from family, friends, Network Rail employees and South West Trains employees on the ‘West of England’ line. True teamwork enabled the three to achieve this impressive result and the cheque for the total collected was handed to Sister Sue Batchelor from the hospital’s MacMillan ward and Mel Williams from the fund raising department at Yeovil District Hospital on Thursday 31 January 2008.

At a meal afterwards, at The Airfield Tavern, Yeovil, those involved enjoyably reminisced with Alan’s widow, Nancy. He is particularly remembered for his pleasant and affable personality and his positive attitude.

Alan on platform at Stallbridge, circa 1964.

Cheque presentation at Yeovil District Hospital on 31 January 2008 (L-R) John Penny, Sister Sue Batchelor, Alex Spry, John Say, Nancy Cox & Kevin Goddard.

Cancer ward appeal cheque presentation at Yeovil District Hospital on 31 January 2008 (L-R) Garry Shaftoe, Sister Sue Batchelor, Alex Spry, John Say, Kevin Goddard & Nancy Cox.

A Letter of Thanks from Nancy Cox.

I would like to say a big Thank You to everyone who sponsored John,

Kevin and Alex on their walk.

  Alan was a great guy and although we were married for only 5 years

and for 3 of those years I knew I would lose him to this bloody awful

disease, he showed nothing but raw courage throughout. He continued

to enjoy life to the full and was an inspiration to me and to others.

Al would be delighted that the money raised went to the unit at Yeovil,

they looked after him so well (he was not always an easy patient!).

  Thank you all once again, Al's memory will always be precious,

no doubt lots of railwaymen and railway women have their own

special memories and despite the changes that time inevitably brings,

they, along with me, will be thankful that he was part of our lives.

    Nancy Cox