MIKE WHITWAM APPOINTED NEW SWANAGE RAILWAY CHAIRMAN

Press Release from Andrew P.M. Wright - dated 18th July 2008
Official photographer & press officer, Swanage Railway.
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Swanage Railway Trust's new Chairman Mike Whitwam at Corfe Castle

A former Customs officer and commercial photographer has been elected the new chairman of the Swanage Railway Trust.

Mike Whitwam was voted chairman of the Swanage Railway Trust - the charity that manages and develops the award-winning heritage railway - and also becomes chairman of the Swanage Railway Company which last year carried over 200,000 passengers and had a turnover of more than £2 million.

Mike has been a volunteer on the award-winning heritage railway that runs steam and diesel trains between Norden park and ride, Corfe Castle, Harman’s Cross, Herston Halt and Swanage, for 12 years - since 1996.

He has also been a member of the Swanage Railway Trust’s Council of Management - the team of volunteers that manages plans and develops the relaid Purbeck Line railway - since 1999.

Mike first visited the Swanage Railway in the mid-1980s when it only ran passenger trains to the one-mile mark at Herston on the outside of the seaside town where the railway campaigners built a halt.

Mike - who lives in Swanage - said: “It is a great honour to be elected Swanage Railway Trust chairman and my pledge to our 4,000 plus Trust members is that I will continue to work ceaselessly and tirelessly to ensure the Swanage Railway performs to its very best and achieves its long-held aims.

“Ever since my first visit to the Swanage Railway in the mid-1980s, I have passionately believed in the railway, its achievements and its objectives.

“I am honoured to be chosen to take the Swanage Railway into its next exciting venture - an all-year round amenity train service between Swanage and Wareham - and I will ensure that this does not compromise the Swanage Railway’s current heritage steam and diesel services.”

Mike started as a volunteer on the Swanage Railway in 1996 and trained as a signalman because he was determined to play a full and active part in what was, and is, an exciting, rewarding and very worthwhile community project. He became the railway’s volunteer liaison officer in 1999.

Mike has since taken up the voluntary role of youth protection officer and has recently been trained in health and safety legislation. Since May, 2007, he has also been a Swanage town councillor.

Mike explained: “I will not lose sight of the massive input from the many volunteers over the years. With their assistance - and the railway’s team of paid staff - I will strive to consolidate and further improve the quality and profitability of the present operation, not forgetting the improvement of facilities for our volunteers and staff.

“Like my predecessor, Bill Trite, I recognise the importance of ensuring that the Swanage Railway remains fully under the control of its members.

“It is also important that we secure substantial fundraising to achieve all our goals - as well as exploring the possibility of raising capital for specific projects through grants and seeking new methods for general fundraising.

“I see my role as ensuring the Swanage Railway further improves its services to the public, as well as attracting more passengers and increasing profitability so the railway can achieve its goals while retaining its unique character.

“While I don’t expect the task of being the Chairman of a heritage railway to be an easy one, I am confident I have the skills, commitment and perseverance to lead the Swanage Railway in the right direction.”

After visiting the fledgling Swanage Railway in the mid-1980s with his then young son and daughter, Mike occasionally popped back to see how progress in rebuilding the line - and the infrastructure needed to run trains - was going.

Mike explained: “By 1989, the volunteers had relaid their line to the three mile point at Harman’s Cross and by 1992 their tracks had reached Corfe Castle and Norden with the two stations being opened to the public in 1995.

“But, it was speaking to the Swanage Railway’s volunteer liaison officer in 1996 that got me hooked and determined to play a full and active part in what was and is an exciting, rewarding and very worthwhile community project.”

After working as an intelligence officer for Her Majesty’s Customs & Excise in the UK and abroad, Mike started a commercial photographic business in Bournemouth which he ran until 2004. He was elected chairman of the Swanage Railway Trust at its monthly meeting at the end of June, 2008.