Roger Newman - RIP

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Roger Newman, an active member and chair of the West Wilts Rail User Group for many years, passed away earlier this week, having been taken into hospital a day or two previous with Coronavirus. Apparently his lungs were just too weak.

I knew Roger for many years  - an ardent advocate for rail, very well informed and the backbone of articles for the user group's newsletter.  He did a very great deal in station adoption at Trowbridge and at Bradford-on-Avon too, as well as lots of other support work such as surveys for the through Waterloo services when they were under threat. He took a very great interest in the railways of Finland too, visiting there many times for extended holidays.

There are many aspects of Roger that I'm sure I was not privy to; as a campaigner on what was something of a branch line off his axis of interest, we came into contact, but I never served on the same group or committee as Roger, and I'm certain that I've left much out - others are welcome to add.

There will be an announcement in the Wiltshire times; funeral by invitation only in these extraordinary times, but I have spoken with his widow on the phone and passed on my and our condolences, and let her know that we'll be there on the day I spirit even if we can't in person.



Edit - addition of picture (taken 9th July 2016 in front or a blue GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) train!)

[ChrisB]

Sad news - he was an excellent campaigner for the railways.

[bobm]

Attended a number of meetings he organised - he always managed to attract some top speakers.

One of the last times we met was on the first IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) to reach Penzance.  We had an enjoyable walk along the seawall and he was in good form although for some reason I have no photos of him on the day. 

[Western Pathfinder]

Sad to hear of his passing RIP Roger.

[grahame]

Richard Cowell writes on behalf of the West Wilts Rail User Group

... We'd literally just sent out our last newsletter a day or two before Roger was admitted to hospital so at the time of printing were unaware of just how poorly he was. We will prepare a tribute to his work in rail campaigning for the next one. Even since stepping down as chairman he has been key in organising speakers and arranging venues for our public meetings and will be a big loss to the group.

[bobm]

Obituary to Roger in the Wiltshire Times

LOCAL historian and railway enthusiast Roger Fredrick Newman died on Tuesday, November 24 aged 83, having suffered from Covid-19.

Born on October 10, 1937 in Birmingham, Roger and his wife Jacqueline moved to Trowbridge in 1973.

Having met on holiday Roger and Jacqueline married in 1968, and made their first home in Redditch.

Roger soon became a fount of knowledge on Trowbridge history, and made his home for many years in Southwick. For the last two decades he had studied and made records of all the shops and trading places in the town over the last 200 years.

Continues in the link

[grahame]

Obituary to Roger in the Wiltshire Times

Thanks, Bob

[grahame]

A bench and plaque in memory of Roger Newman have been installed at Trowbridge Station ... quoting here from a email from the Friends of Trowbridge Station to the West Wilts Rail User Group, where Roger was the chair and driving force.

Further to the e-mail sent a while ago about this - bench and plaque have now been installed - not had the opportunity to have a look at it yet (but it is on the Bath/Bristol bound platform).

Just writing to confirm that the date for "unveiling" of Roger Newman's memorial bench has been set for Tuesday 31st January 2023

This is to let you know so that either yourself or another representative of West Wiltshire Rail Users Group will be able to attend or keep the date free

(this is dependent on weather and whether the strike action continues until next year though some dates are already for the New Year with little sight in end)

This will be in addition to [name] who will be there as a member of WWRUG^» (West Wiltshire Rail Users Group - about) and friend of Roger

I know no other details at the moment as [name] Trans Wilts Partnership Officer has set the date and will be organising everything else - tea and cakes will be available

Please let me know who will be coming on behalf of WWRUG - either yourself or another representative

As soon as I know further details then I will forward them to you but I guess that nothing will be done this side of the festivities

I know that quite a number of our members knew Roger and may wish to attend.  From the above, I gather that the official unveiling event will be by invite only - I can pass on any messages or you can get in touch directly with TransWilts if you wish to attend.

I have not been to Trowbridge station to confirm the presence of the bench yet ... I will take a look and some photos when next there.  Roger made a really big impression on the WWRUG - in many ways it was his group - and his work has set it up as a robust group that's now building on the base he nurtured - thank you Roger.

[ChrisB]

Roger made a really big impression on the WWRUG^» (West Wiltshire Rail Users Group - about) - in many ways it was his group - and his work has set it up as a robust group that's not building on the base he nurtured - thank you Roger.

Is there a typo you'd rather not want in that last paragraph, Graham? Maybe the word 'not'?

[grahame]

Roger made a really big impression on the WWRUG^» (West Wiltshire Rail Users Group - about) - in many ways it was his group - and his work has set it up as a robust group that's not building on the base he nurtured - thank you Roger.

Is there a typo you'd rather not want in that last paragraph, Graham? Maybe the word 'not'?

Thanks, Chris - I have changed it to now which is what I intended to type in the first place!

[grahame]

A bench and plaque in memory of Roger Newman have been installed at Trowbridge Station ... quoting here from a email from the Friends of Trowbridge Station to the West Wilts Rail User Group, where Roger was the chair and driving force.

Just writing to confirm that the date for "unveiling" of Roger Newman's memorial bench has been set for Tuesday 31st January 2023

This is to let you know so that either yourself or another representative of West Wiltshire Rail Users Group will be able to attend or keep the date free

I know that quite a number of our members knew Roger and may wish to attend.  From the above, I gather that the official unveiling event will be by invite only - I can pass on any messages or you can get in touch directly with TransWilts if you wish to attend.

I had kept the date free, but heard no more ... I understand that this did not happen and [may be / will be] now on 21st of this month.

[bobm]

As I understand it, it is at 2pm on the 21st February.

[grahame]

As I understand it, it is at 2pm on the 21st February.

Indeed, and the invite for 21st suggests a more general invite this time. The WWRUG^» (West Wiltshire Rail Users Group - about) Committee meets on 14th (wonderful thing to do on Valentines - shows how long-suffering our partners are); I know that more that two wanted to attend.  Noting some train changes that new chosen day, with rail replacement buses from Melksham (covered by Roger and WWRUG) and Chippenham.

[bobm]

Indeed.  The timing would have been perfect for a train trip from Swindon but not so good by rail replacement.