Reopening of the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard Station : Saturday, 21st May 2022

Reopening of the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard Station

The new interpretation of the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard station was formally opened by Rebecca Pow MP for Taunton Deane on Saturday, 21st May 2022 at an event held with selected guests.

The new interpretation, funded jointly by the National Heritage Lottery Fund and the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust is the culmination of a three-year project undertaken by Trustees and volunteers. It was actually completed in 2021 but the formal opening was delayed due to the restrictions imposed by Covid 19.

Around £60,000 has been invested in new displays, an increased number of artefacts and the introduction of interactive materials and activities. The centrepiece of the museum remains GWR 1897 Sleeping Car 9038 which has been enhanced internally with examples of Victorian costumes and other exhibits reflective of the period.

The Heritage Trust gratefully acknowledges the support and funding contribution of the National Heritage Lottery Fund without which the reinterpretation of the Gauge Museum would not have been possible.

"I am delighted to have been asked to reopen the Gauge Museum on behalf of the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust and the West Somerset Railway PLC. Preserving our railway heritage and celebrating the role of the West Somerset Railway as part of our local community through this insightful museum is a an excellent achievement and I commend the Trust for developing this initiative"

Rebecca Pow, MP for Taunton Deane

"The Heritage Trust has done a fantastic job to enhance the Gauge Museum as a key attraction on the WSR. A lot of hard work has gone into the project and we encourage visitors to take the opportunity to go and visit the range of new and improved displays and artefacts that the Museum has to offer"

Jonathan Jones-Pratt, WSR PLC Chairman

"The completion of the Gauge Museum Project marks a real milestone in the achievements of the Heritage Trust on the WSR. I would like to thank all the Trustees and other volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the last 3 ½ years to bring such an impressive achievement to fruition. We would also like to thank the National Heritage Lottery Fund for their contribution and support during the project and we look forward to visitors and staff enjoying what is a real celebration of the history and heritage of the West Somerset Railway”.

Mike Thompson, Heritage Trust Chairman

For further information please contact Steve Williams, Company Secretary at steve@williamsemail.uk or 07748-637209

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Learning and Education Officer

July 29, 2026

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST

LEARNING AND EDUCATION OFFICER

We are seeking a professional and experienced person to fill this key role within the WSR Heritage Trust. This is a flexible [12 hours per week] paid role, based at WSR Bishops Lydeard Station.

This exciting role embraces developing and administering: the Schools Programme engaging with younger learners; the Families Offer of family focussed activities and events related to our museums; and developing the Outdoor Offer for community learning at our locations.

You will lead, develop and manage a small volunteer learning team, to optimise our programme and activity delivery.

Reporting to the Vice Chairman/Company Secretary, you will have a professional and policy link to the Trustee – Museum Collections and Learning and close working with the Museum Curator. You will provide regular reports to the Trust Board and contribute to the Trust Newsletter and the Learning and Education Programme.

Applicants should be suitably qualified with a degree or equivalent, or work experience in Teaching and Learning; knowledge of KS1/2 History and Science, together with experience of delivering learning programmes, and extensive IT skills.

The postholder should have strong leadership and organisational skills and communicate effectively at all levels.

Please contact john.robinson@wsrht.co.uk for further details and an information pack. Completed application forms together with a CV should be forwarded to him by not later than 17 August 2026. For an informal discussion about the role then please contact Steve Williams Vice Chairman and Company Secretary either on 07748-637209 or email steve@williamsemail.uk.

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust Registered Charity No. 265564 Registered Office: The Railway Station, Bishops Lydeard Taunton, Somerset. TA4 3BX

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Join us as a Museum Volunteer.

May 6, 2026

WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY HERITAGE TRUST

DO YOU:

Love a bit of history?

Enjoy chatting to people?

Happy to work with children and families?

Keen on the WSR and its heritage?

If you’ve nodded “yes” to any of the above, we’d love you to join us as a museum volunteer.

Gauge Museum at Blue Anchor

We’re looking for volunteer stewards for the Gauge Museum at Blue Anchor Station on running days during the school holidays and for special events.

You’ll have an induction period alongside a mentor, and we’re very happy to arrange part-day shifts.

The role is simple: welcome visitors, share a little about the museum, and work alongside the station staff.

Interested (or just curious)? Please email Ian Camp (Curator) via info@wsrht.co.uk and put “Blue Anchor stewarding” in the subject line.

Fancy getting involved over at Bishops Lydeard?

We’re on the lookout for more friendly faces to join our team, especially as the museum is getting bigger and busier these days!

If Bishops Lydeard sounds like your kind of place, just drop us a line using the same email, but pop “Bishops Lydeard stewarding” in the subject so we know what you’re after!

And don’t forget – you can always support the WSRHT by becoming a member. Just ping us at info@wsrht.co.uk and pop “membership” in the subject line.

Keep up with what we’re doing, follow the Trust on Facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/TheHeritageTrust

WSR Heritage Trust Appointment of Trust Fundraiser

May 6, 2026

The Trust has appointed Jessica Rundle as its new volunteer Fundraiser. Jess is an existing Trust volunteer working in both the Gauge Museum and within the Education and Learning team. She is an Occupational Therapist by profession and is currently a Service Manager with Somerset Council. Her experience in report writing and business case development together with the networking and engagement required provides the right skill set for this role. The Trust has an ambitious capital programme within its recently updated Business Plan and raising external funds will be crucial to enabling the charity to achieve its medium-term business objectives.

Steve Williams Trust Vice Chairman and Company Secretary said “I’m delighted that Jess has agreed to take up this role. She has an impressive CV and is already familiar with the Trust and its work. I have no doubt that she will be a valuable asset in enabling us to source a wide range of external funding to complement the investment that the Trust intends to make in future projects”.

Jess Rundle said “ Bishops Lydeard station was one of the first places I stumbled across after moving to Somerset a couple years ago and I was quickly welcomed into the committed team of volunteers in to the Gauge museum. For me there is nothing better than watching a steam train in action – it brings relaxation and stimulation in equal measure! I know so many aspects of West Somerset heritage railway brings equal joy to so many others and so I’m delighted to be supporting with the fundraising programme.”

The appointment commences from 1st May. This is a part-time role reporting to the Vice Chairman.

For further details please contact Steve Williams at steve@williamsemail.uk or on 07748-637209

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