Midsomer Norton South Station recently made a moving dedication to the railway men who worked the old Somerset and Dorset line, with the special tribute of a memorial bench to the late Ian Bunnett, a fireman of Bath Green Park.

Thanks to the eagle eyes of volunteer, Sean Dudden, who spotted the bits of an original S&D bench that once graced the platform at Bath Green park station, the Heritage Trust was able to get identical castings of the ends from a Bristol foundry, using redundant railway chairs that once held the wooden sleepers in place.

The making-up and painting of the wooden seat panels was done by young volunteers, Jack Young, Will Taylor and Will Ramsey, with the help of Sean and Bob Freeman, in the station workshop, in time for the day’s ceremony.

Former Bath Green Park Fireman, Roy Larcombe, cut the ribbon on the bench with the help of Ian Bunnett’s daughter, Lorna. Ian’s wife, Jan, his son, grandson and great-grandson were also there. Derek Coles made a moving introduction, thanking Ian Bunnett’s wife and family for starting the process, and Heritage Railway Trustee, John Baxter, thanked Sean Dudden for getting the first bench ready in time.

Ian’s bench represents the start of a number of similar memorial benches that will be placed at the station over the next few months, with suitable plaques attached.

Station volunteer, Sean Dudden, was pleased with the resulting benches. He said: “I found the old bench ends, but didn’t realise they would turn out so well.

“I am pleased we now have a lasting memorial at the station dedicated to Ian, and look forward to others in due course, as we remember the old Somerset and Dorset Railway Bath Green Park men.”

Visitors will be able to see the benches on the platform when they next visit. Forthcoming events include the B&NES Heritage weekend on Saturday, 9th and Sunday, 10th September, when the station and Museum will be open.