TRIBUTE TO ANDY ON 80th Birthday
Andy, we have the highest regard for and gratitude to you. You have been the main linchpin of the SELRAP Campaign from the very beginning in April 2001, when we met in Colne Library with Steve Broadbent. You never doubted that we will succeed in reopening the railway.
When you arranged the historic handshake between the two MPs for Pendle and Skipton in 2005 on the track bed at Thornton, you told the Press "Beyond doubt, there is now widespread demand and support at all levels for reinstatement of the Skipton - Colne line as a sustainable local and strategic route.”
In your commitment and enthusiasm for the cause you convinced people that the Scheme was a "no brainer" - to use your turn of phrase. You left no stone unturned. You ran the length of the track bed between Colne and Skipton to show how relatively easy it would be to restore the railway and raised money for SELRAP at the same time.
Andy, you would not take no for an answer. You organized meetings and went into the lion's den and attended seats of power, influence and decision-making to argue the SELRAP's case with trips to UK Parliament, the European Union Parliament in Brussels, County and Borough Councils and other Agencies.
As Liaison Officer, Andy, you were a thorough and regular communicator with the Media and Authorities. As Editor of SELRAP's Magazines, “Craven Rail” and recently “At a Glance”, you kept the public aware of the progress of the Campaign and urged the Authorities to “Level Up” Communities, which are deprived and do not have integrated Public Transport. These Magazines were distributed widely across Lancashire and Yorkshire and sent to SELRAP’s growing Membership of 500.
Without your contribution, Andy, SELRAP would not be in the strong position it is today. You have led the way for SELRAP being "on track" and seeing the railway restored and communities connected across the North.
Dave Penney
On behalf of present, former and past Members of the SELRAP Executive:
Present Members: Andy Dixon, Chris Oakley, David Mawdsley, Nick Tennant, Jane Wood, David Foat
Former Members: Steve Broadbent, Joe Brown, Graham Jones, Iain Hodgen, Simon L’Estrange
Past Members (who are no longer with us and campaigned with Andy): Derek Jennings, David Walsh, Roy St. Pierre, Peter Nowland
24th August 2026
