John Uncles

Joined East Somerset Railway Association in 1989 and became an active volunteer member in 1994 after moving to Wells area.  John's whole working life was as a
local government officer with Bristol City Council, mainly in the City Clerk's Department on administrative and legal work.  His last ten years with the City Council, however, were spent as Lord Mayor's Secretary and City Sword bearer; the latter is regarded as the oldest continuous job in Bristol, the first office holder having been appointed in  1373!  It naturally involved much ceremonial work and the wearing of a traditional 'uniform', including silk stockings and court shoes! John is a qualified Chartered Secretary and has become involved in several aspects of ESR life, including Hon Secretary of ESRA and attempting to keep the membership records in some semblance of order.

Laurie Hopkins

Joined the East Somerset Railway in 1992 as an active member. Starting as a Cleaner and in 1999 was made up to Driver. He has been Chairman of the ESRA for the past two years.He was an active member of the Chasewater Society and he was a member of Foxfield Light Railway in North Staffordshire. In 1969 he purchased his first loco,  "No 11" a Peckett from Swan Village Gas Works, in 1972 he purchased "Wimblebury" an Austerity from Cannock Wood Colliery in Staffordshire. He sold them to a member at Foxfield when he emigrated to Zimbabwe in 1981.He studied at the Matthew Boulton School of Printing for his City and Guild in Lithographic Printing and he was in the trade for forty-one years. As a volunteer, he served in the Staffordshire Special Constabulary as Divisional Section Officer and received his 25year service medal.  He has studied with the Open University in UK, as well the University of South Africa and Zimbabwe University studying Theology.

Roger Cooke

Roger is a 39-year old engineer, who lives in Poole in Dorset.  After graduating in 1982, he joined Plessey Major Systems at Maidenhead, and has remained with the same company (or its successors) since then.  In 1987 he moved to Poole, and now works for Marconi as a Systems Architect in the electronics / telecommunications sector.  Roger joined the footplate staff at the ESR in 1997, and, in addition to his duties as a fireman, has for some time been responsible for crew and locomotive rostering.

Michael Adams

Michael was born in Mid Wales and in 1943 moved to Doulting in Somerset. Later they purchased the Thatched house in Shepton Mallet which is now after being extended  the Thatched Cottage Restaurant and Hotel.Educated at Sexeys Boys School at Bruton both as a border and later as a day boy. National Service in the REME, I joined Showerings (Babycham) and worked in the sales Office and Sales Force.My wife and I had our own business for 10 years, then my final career move was in manufacturing and selling articulated trailers  further promotion in 1984 with a move up north as National Account Manager .I returned to Shepton Mallet in 1998, rejoined the ESR. l retired in 1999 and now have time to play bowls and enjoy my grandchildren.