National Heritage Railway Awards - December 2021

On Wednesday 1st December, Nigel Thompson and John Morson (L&BR CIC - Director) attended the National Railway Heritage Awards ceremony at Merchant Taylors Hall, London to represent the L&BR who were shortlisted as one of three entries for the Hendy & Pendle Volunteers Award. This Award is specifically for projects having significant volunteer input, for an historic railway or tramway building or structure in any ownership.

We were delighted when the L&BR were announced to be the winners for the outstanding work undertaken by Nigel Thompson (Team Leader) and other volunteers restoring Chelfham Station to its former glory.

Nigel has now returned home to North Devon and sent us some photos taken at the event which are shown below. He assures us that the blue plaque received will be fixed on display at Chelfham this weekend. 

And finally, we repeat word for word the last sentence of his message to us, “By the way we also got a cheque for £1500.”

1. Nigel Thompson (Team Leader) with the presented blue plaque.

2. Nigel Thompson with Steve Oates (Chief Executive - Heritage Railway Association).

3. View inside Merchant Taylors Hall.

4. Nigel in classic pose - enjoying a well earned pint.

Words by Chris Dadson, pictures by Nigel Thompson.