WEST Somerset’s railway community was this week saying ‘goodbye and thank you’ to Jacquie Green on her retirement through ill-health after more than a decade as general manager of the West Somerset Railway Association (WSRA).

WSRA chairman Edward Martin paid tribute to her: “Jacquie took up the general manager job in the wake of a period of turbulence for the association, steadied the ship, and made sure that members’ interests and needs were maintained and met.

“From that essential foundation the association was able to maintain its support for the West Somerset Railway through the Covid era and other recent periods of need.

“We will miss the continuity of information and advice that Jacquie provided in what is a volunteer-led organisation.

“She will be greatly missed and will always be remembered for the work she has done in the development of what is now an iconic tourist attraction.

“Following on from her time as head of catering for the West Somerset Railway she has made a significant contribution to the history of the line.

“We wish her well for the future and offer many thanks for her time and work with us.”

Before becoming involved with the heritage railway, Ms Green ran her own photographic business after gaining degrees in the subject from Warwick and Westminster Universities.

Her varied career also included work as business support officer at Somerset College of Art and Technology, and chairman of the board of Bridgwater Arts Centre.

In 2021, Ms Green represented the WSRA at an awards ceremony at Fawley Hill Museum, near Henley, when she received two Transport Trust awards from Princess Anne for restoration projects carried out by the association.

These were the David Muirhead award for the restoration of an inspectors’ saloon and the Alan Moore award for the restoration of the small prairie locomotive no 4561.