The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust were pleased to welcome 15-year-old Mackenzie Lee as a short-term volunteer, working alongside our steward volunteer Mel Hillman in the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard, as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award.

Mackenzie, a student of Bishop Fox’s School in Taunton, was encouraged by teacher and Dof E award manager, Miss Matthews, to take part in the scheme, and Mackenzie chose to volunteer on the West Somerset Railway, following in the steps of his grandparents and father, all of whom are long-standing supporters of the WSR.

Asked if he would like to progress to the silver award once his bronze is complete, Mackenzie said, “I would like to, but it depends on time as I am starting at Richard Huish 6th Form College next year”.

We wish Mackenzie every success as he completes his bronze award.

The photo above/on the left shows Mackenzie leaning out of the window of the restored 1897 GWR sleeping car No 9038, one of only three ever built and proudly exhibited at the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard.