The 25th anniversary of the formation of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group
was celebrated at a dinner held at the Manor House Hotel, Moreton-in-Marsh on the evening
of Tuesday 11th March 2003.
75 members and guests attended the function at which speeches
were made by Derek Potter, the current Chairman and by three previous holders of that
Office, Oliver Lovell, Julian Palfrey and Bob Brown. CLPG Vice-President Brian
Sutcliffe and CLPG Vice-Chairman, John Ellis also said a few words. Also addressing the
gathering were: Nick Brown, Managing Director of Central Trains, Chris
Kinchin-Smith, Managing Director of First Great Western, representing Thames Trains, Terry
Worrall, the outgoing General Manager and its new Managing Director, Mike Hodson.
The speeches were rounded off by John Curley, Zone Director of Network Rail.
There was a general welcome for what the CLPG has achieved in its first 25 years and good
wishes were expressed for the next.
Honorary Life Memberships were conferred on the
following four members who attended the inaugural meeting of the Group in 1978 and who
have continuously been members since then: CLPG President, Lt Col Bill McLelland;
Original Chairman, and current Promotions Officer, Oliver Lovell; current Publicity
Officer, Julian Palfrey and the original Treasurer, Jo Stanley. Three other members
also qualified for this honorary membership: Committee member, George Reeves and
members, David Mead and Derek Moorhouse. Their certificates were presented later.
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