Leicester Branch

Membership of the Leicester Branch currently stands at 65

The Leicester branch welcomes any retired railway personal to our friendly meetings. We average 35-40 at each 4 meetings throughout the year.
Membership is only £3 per year.

We also hold a raffle for £1/50 with 4 prizes & the Christmas raffle is £2 with 6/7 prizes.

We look forward to meeting new & established members

FRANK READ R.I.P.

Morning Friends!: It’s my Sad Duty to Advise You All That Our Dear Friend & Respected Colleague `Frank’ `Passed Away last Night at `The Annersley Lodge Home Hucknall @ approx. 8.40pm! I Was Advised by `Marie’ (Close Family Friend) that `C’ Virus was a Contributing Factor to `Frank’s` Demise’ & Ultimate End; Although I knew Franks Life was coming to a Close I’m Still Distressed at Final Outcome after all this time since Frank first became `Unwell’ Just After Xmas/New Year Period & am Glad that along with others of his extended `Rly Family’ (Colin Rolle & George Hornbuckle) We had Opportunity to Visit Him whilst he was Still able to Chat/Reminisce about `Old BR Day’s !

The Only other `News’ I can Impart re `Arrangements’ is that the `Service will be held Up @ Wilford Hill (Crematorium) within Next Two weeks &
Obviously I will keep U All informed; Although at this Stage I Don’t Know `Logistics’ Or `Compliance’ Rules for `Mourner’s I sincerely Hope You
are All managing to Keep Safe & Well during this time of Disruption & that We Will be able to perhaps Meet Up sometime soon to remember `Frank’ & other Friends & Family affected!?

Warmest Regards ‘Vic’

Frank Read R.I.P.

A Tribute

by Roderick Fowkes

How pleasing it was to see Frank Read enjoying himself earlier this year as a special guest at Meadow lane watching Notts County and receiving a standing ovation from the crowd in recognition of his long-time support.

Frank was a relief stationmaster when we first met fifty-five years ago, his tenure at Trent station where I was a Telegraph Clerk was relatively short but his wit and authority held him in high esteem. I still have the memo he drafted in late summer of 1965 of my impending marriage in October.

David Winckle was also a relief stationmaster from the Derby contingent at the same time and waxed lyrical in later years regarding Frank’s secretive visit to London, not for a haircut, but for something more substantial.

I had further dealings with Frank during my five years as DMU controller at Nottingham when he was relieving at the station and holding sidings.

Some will have more definitive recollections of Frank Read, I’m certainly glad to have met him.

A true gentleman!

Our Venue

Nottingham Oddfellows Club, 89 Humberstone Gate, Leicester LE1 1WB.
Please note: The new Haymarket bus station is only 5 minutes from the meeting venue.

Click here for a map

The station is 10 minutes away, there’s a multi-storey car park nearby (Haymarket) and it’s on several bus routes.

Branch Secretary

Mr. Stephen Hewitt

Branch Diary

2020

The trip to Bateman’s Brewery will now be cancelled as the 50 year Lincolnshire railway event will be much reduced or cancelled.
It will possibly be held during 2021.

MEETINGS FOR 2020

ALL MEETINGS HELD ON 1^ST WED IN MARCH, JUNE, SEPT & DEC, SAME VENUE

THE GATHERING ON 2nd SEPTEMBER HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED.

DEC MEETING IS FOR MEMBERS AND IS A BUFFET
We hope to go ahead with our Christmas meeting.