TRIBUTE & UNVEILING OF PLAQUE IN MEMORY OF DEREK JENNINGS
- David Penney
- Apr 26
- 2 min read
Colne Railway Station on Saturday 26th April 2025 at 12 noon
TRIBUTE:
We are gathered here today to pay Tribute to Derek for his many years of loyal service in promoting the value of railways to society. He grew up in Bury and one of the earliest sounds he heard was the noise of steam trains passing nearby. This led to a life long passion for the railways. He developed a model railway layout in his home in Bury. He showed his love of trains with railway travel holidays across Europe where he made friends including pen pals online. He was an Internationalist exploring the best railways on the Continent.
When he retired to live in Barrowford, he soon joined STELLA, the East Lancashire Line Association, which campaigned to keep the line functioning as a viable service. The future of the line was secured when Lancashire County Council established the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership. Derek was also very active as a volunteer Northern Rail Adopter, maintaining and enhancing Brierfield, Nelson and Colne Stations.
Then, in April 2001, he was one of the founding members of SELRAP, Skipton East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (not SCRAP, as one bright spark jokingly called it at first – Skipton Colne Rail Action Partnership!). For over 23 years, Derek served in various capacities on the Executive, as Chair, and, for a long time, as Membership Secretary, when he managed to attract over 500 people to join SELRAP as Members. From the beginning, he worked closely with Andy Shackleton, on the Executive, in advancing the SELRAP Campaign.
Derek was very good at communicating with stakeholders, transport authorities, MPs, Ministers and Councils and setting up meetings to promote SELRAP’s cause and case that the Reopening the Colne to Skipton Railway would connect communities across the North and foster social and economic regeneration in deprived areas along the route. This is now is cross-party Government Transport Policy, as witnessed today with the presence of the Pendle MP, Jonathan Hinder, and former MP, Andrew Stephenson.
In conclusion, Derek was a true gentleman, courteous, persuasive, trustworthy, a reliable friend, a person of integrity. His word was his bond. His actions spoke louder than words. We, therefore, have no hesitation in dedicating this plaque to the memory of Derek for his lifelong service to railways.
Before, asking Jonathan Hinder, the MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, to unveil the Plaque, alongside the plaque recording the opening of the Railway, let us for a few moments in silence remember our own personal loving memories of Derek.
Dave Penney, Member of SELRAP Executive
