Just trying to establish when the Bluebell visit was as some web sites say stepney moved to the railway in 1960 but am sure the event was his introduction, perhaps after restoration or something. Will ask mother later.Alec wrote:You have a good memory Ben, to be able to remember meeting someone from when you were so young (although you only have to think back half as far as I do ).benyeats wrote:I met him when I was very young ( <5 years probably) I think he has a Cambridgeshire connection as well, specifically the village of Elsworth near here wher I think he may have been reverend.dingo wrote: Sodor
from http://www.sodor-island.net/thomasthetankengineman.html
"Wilbert Awdry was approaching 82 when I first met him. I had gone along because my mother, who lived not far away in Wiltshire,
had been asked to write a profile for a regular column in The Oldie magazine that was titled 'Still With Us' The Reverend was an ideal topic for this page. I wanted to meet the author of my childhood.
His modest home was better known by its name, "Sodor".
Inside, the hallway behind the front door was hung with pictures of Wilbert as a handsome young man, in one of which he was part of a pre-war Oxford rowing team."
No wonder you can recall all the strange facts that earns you the 'Anorak Award' every year.
I did a quick search and you were spot on about him having a Cambridgeshire connection. (first point toward next year's award )
He subsequently moved to Cambridgeshire, serving as Rector of Elsworth with Knapwell, 1946-53, and Vicar of Emneth, 1953-65. He retired from full-time ministry in 1965, and moved to Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Ben