A series of fundraisers are planned
04:21, 05 May 2025Updated 07:09, 05 May 2025
Visiting ex-GWR 0-4-2 14xx class No. 1450 is seen waiting time at Avon Riverside station during the Avon Valley Railway’s end-of-season gala. (Credit : Gareth James / Geograph)
A cherished steam railway in Bristol is making an impassioned comeback after falling victim to a £50,000 fraud that left volunteers reeling and operations hanging in the balance.
But from the darkest of times, a fresh determination has emerged, fuelled by the unwavering spirit of community and the power of English wine.
Roger Eynon, chair of the Avon Valley Railway Heritage Trust, has been the driving force behind the railway’s Bounce Back Appeal.
Now 77 and a familiar face among the volunteer team at Bitton Station in Bristol, He is spearheading efforts to restore both the trust’s finances and its morale.
Mr Eynon recalled the devastating moment the fraud came to light. “An employee known to us as Matthew Smith, but to the police as Nathan Scott Hudson, created accounts and email addresses without our knowledge and purchased goods and services without our permission,” he explained.
“He was always first in in the morning and opened the post, so we were not aware of any of this.”
The deception was only discovered when the employee went on sick leave and other team members began handling his correspondence. “It was as if a dark cloud had settled on the railway,” Mr Eynon said. “Morale plummeted.”
The emotional fallout was just as significant as the financial blow. “Most of the volunteers and staff here thought of him as a friend, and felt totally betrayed and let down,” he added.
The incident, now under investigation by Humberside Police with support from Avon and Somerset Police, exposed a vulnerability that the Trust has since taken steps to eliminate with new safeguards.
But out of the gloom, the community has rallied. The Bounce Back Appeal has already generated £14,000 in public donations, with more expected through a series of themed fundraising events. First up is the Charity English Wine Festival, set for Friday, May 30 at Bitton Station.
A former member of the South West Vineyards Association, now WineGB West, Roger has tapped into his long-standing connections in the wine world to bring together a standout selection of English wines. “It will be the widest selection of English wine put before a public audience,” he said.
Guests at the festival can sample over 40 wines from 15 vineyards, alongside local gins, rums, ciders, and regional delicacies such as Bath Soft Cheese. “English wine is a fantastic product and needs to be more widely appreciated,” Mr Eynon said.
Tickets, available via Eventbrite, include tasting notes, a glass, and complimentary canapés served by volunteers. The railway’s buffet will be open for meals and hot drinks, and a raffle will run on the night, all in aid of the Bounce Back Appeal.
With 30 tickets already sold, the team is aiming for 200 attendees, which would add around £4,000 to the fundraising total.
Looking ahead, more events are planned. A wine and cheese pairing evening is on the cards for summer, followed by a ‘Pop-Up Indian’ five-course dinner on Friday, September 19, and a family-friendly Railway 200 celebration weekend on September 27 and 28.
Mr Eynon is confident that brighter days lie ahead. “We believe that in 12 months’ time we will be in a much better place both financially and strategically,” he said.
“We are midway between Bristol and Bath, and we are an easy find and a great place to visit.”
For Mr Eynon, the heart of the railway remains its people. “We have 150 great volunteers and staff. Watching our crowd, I quite believe government statistics that say volunteering adds 15 years to your life,” he said.
And his message to the community is one of deep gratitude and encouragement. “We are really, really grateful and appreciative for all the donations and kind messages. If you can’t be a volunteer, join us as a member and get to feel part of our ‘family’.”