EVERYONE at SELRAP (Skipton and East Lancs Rail Action Partnership) was very sad to hear of the death earlier this month of David Walsh, who served on our executive committee for over ten years – including his time as chairman.

He attended countless meetings during that time and would report back in meticulous detail. David could always access what people were really saying and meaning and would speak very directly on the campaign’s behalf to them at every opportunity.

In 2010 he travelled to Brussels and took detailed notes whilst Andy Shackleton did a presentation to MEPs and their assistants at the European Parliament. The consequent media attention really helped raise the profile of the campaign at that time.

We are very grateful that he introduced us to both Drax and Skipton Building Society whilst chairman and consequently they have both become major supporters of SELRAP.

We shall miss David’s valuable input to the campaign but will continue to work tirelessly as he did to get ‘our line’ reopened as part of the new East-West ‘Northern Link’ for passengers and freight.

We are of course thinking of his wife Barbara, her children and grandchildren at this very sad time for the family.

Jane Wood, media officer, SELRAP executive committee