Gerard Duddridge RIP

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From Railfuture Cornwall

Gerard Duddridge

It is with deep sorrow that I must inform members of the Devon and Cornwall branch that our Chair Gerard Duddridge passed away in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Monday 7th October 2024.

Alan Clark, Secretary of the branch writes

For many years he led the branch and was the voice of campaigning for rail re-openings in Devon and Cornwall.

He wrote a report promoting the re-opening of the Okehampton line and the link to Bere Alston and later how to improve rail transport in the peninsula. Devon has experienced many instances of flooding of railways, and he has produced a report on this subject.

He worked for the Open University and his knowledge of geology and geography gave him an extra level of detail when drafting reports. Some of the work that Gerard did for them can be read at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gerard-Duddridge.

His knowledge and passion for railways as an important and sustainable means of transportation will be missed.

I met Gerard a number of times and always found him knowledge and passionate in his quest for better rail services for the peninsular - a knowledge and passion that will be sorely missed.

[grahame]

From a mutual contact ...

Alan Clark has just called to let me know that the funeral service will be taking place on the 30th October at the Parish Church in Newton St Cyres.  Proximity to the Beer Engine will be appreciated by many.

I am noticing the lack of a time; will add that in due course.

Edit to add - 14:30

[ChrisB]

It is a 14 minute walk from the station to the church of St Cyr & Julitta, according to Google Maps.

[RichardB]

Very sorry to hear of Gerard's passing.

He was Chairman of the Railway Development Society's South West branch from at least 2000.

That year, the RDS published the "South West Rail Strategy - a discussion document" which was written by Gerard.  It focuses on Devon & Cornwall and is a very thorough look at developing the existing network and pretty much any reopening you could think of, running to 304 pages.  I have it on our bookshelf here in the office and I hope GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) and Network Rail have it somewhere easily accessible too.  Lots of interesting food for thought and much still very relevant all these years on.

I've attached a scan of the front cover and the accompanying letter from Gerard.

[grahame]

Invite to Railfuture members - I know some are readers here but may not be on their email system

Gerard Duddridge

I recently emailed to inform you, with deep sorrow, that our Chair Gerard Duddridge passed away in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital on Monday 7th October 2024.

His wife Lynette and brother John have invited Railfuture members to attend his funeral.

The funeral is going to be on Wednesday 30th October at 14.30.

It will be held at The Church of St Cyr and St Julitta, Newton St Cyres, Devon EX5 5BN - details at https://www.achurchnearyou.com/church/8675/.

The church is 4.6 miles from Exeter St Davids station and so it is readily accessible by bus services 5,5A,5B and 5C and a train that leaves Exeter St Davids at 13.38.