The article about the Rev W V Awdry evoked a few memories. I knew him and we discussed the merits of writing and self-publishing.

He was a humorous soul and this spilled out on one memorable occasion at a bellringers’ meeting at Emneth parish church.

Mr Awdry had arranged refreshments for the ringers at the Old Rectory. Tables had bee arranged and behind each plate ran a model railway line. In came Mr Awdry wearing an engine driver’s cap and he whisked away a sheet on the end table to reveal a model tank engine.

Blowing a whistle he pressed a button and started the engine towing a few trucks filled with sugar lumps on its run. It stopped at each plate and people helped themselves to sugar.

This would have been the ideal inspiration for yet another book, perhaps with the title Thomas and the Sugar Lump Line.

Trevor Bevis

March