The Renaming Ceremony

Click here for the 1945 naming

Following the completion of the restoration, Wadebridge had her renaming ceremony at Bodmin General station on 29th October 2006, just two days short of the 61st anniversary of the original naming ceremony. This time the Mayors of both Bodmin and Wadebridge officiated.

Click on the images for a larger version.

Cllr Nick Saunders, Mayor of Wadebridge (back to camera) and Cllr Lance Kennedy, Mayor of Bodmin are almost lost in the huge crowd that turned out for the renaming.

Photograph © Andrew Chalmers-Stevens

The locomotive was on the 2:00 pm service from Bodmin General, returning at 2:45 pm when the renaming ceremony was held. Following a speech by the Wadebridge Chairman, John Butcher, the new nameplates, magnificently made for us by Roger Franks of Iron Brothers in Wadebridge, were unveiled by the two Mayors to loud cheers. Dave Mitchell, the Wadebridge Engineering Director, made a short speech and blessed the engine and Keith Searle, a Director representing the Bodmin and Wenford Trust, made the final speech. The train then left for a trip down to Bodmin Road and back, after which WADEBRIDGE retired to the shed after a good day's work.

"Out of the mists of time". WADEBRIDGE heads her train into Bodmin General station. Photograph © Robin Pearn		The covered nameplate before the ceremony Photograph © Andrew Chalmers-Stevens
Wadebridge Town Band plays for the occasion. Photograph © Robin Pearn		Wadebridge Chairman John Butcher chatting with the Mayors Photograph © Robin Pearn
John Butcher making his speech. Photograph © Julie Butcher		The Mayors of Bodmin and Wadebridge draw back the Cornish flags to reveal the nameplate. Photograph © Paul Mallett
Then stand back to admire the engine. Photograph © Julie Butcher		Keith Searle makes a short speech on behalf of the Bodmin and Wenford Trust. Photograph © Paul Mallett
The two Mayors chatting with John Butcher and Dave Mitchell. Photograph © Paul Mallett		The unveiled nameplate after the ceremony Photograph © Rupert Coomber

The Wadebridge Town Band and Mayor, Cllr Nick Saunders at the back, pose beside "their" locomotive. Photograph © Geoff Vaulkhard		Shannon Richards, the Band's youngest member, presents a bouquet to Bodmin Mayoress, Mrs Sandie Kennedy. Photograph © Geoff Vaulkhard
There are no larger versions of the above two photographs.

Below is a clip by John Stubbington of the Mayors' speeches and the unveiling of the nameplate from the renaming ceremony. If you have a pay-as-you go dial-up account you are recommended to click on the first link, though the second link is, of course, the better being larger, but does take a while longer to download.
Video R1 (approximately 1.98 mb wmv file)	Video R2 (approximately 4.50 mb wmv file)