MAKING MOTHER’S DAY
SMITTEN by railways at an early age, I have witnessed and photographed Flying Scotsman on many occasions. However, my all-time memory is a relatively recent encounter. On Sunday July 9, 2017, when ‘Scottie’ was due to pick up at Skipton with a York to Carlisle tour, I decided to surprise my frail, 94-year-old mother Annie Doreen, who lived in a Skipton care home, by wheeling her up to see it. With the train timed to call at 11.15, it was an ideal opportunity as it gave me an hour to wheel her back to her care home for Sunday lunch at 12.30. On the day my luck was in because, en route to the station, I met my brother Malcolm who was able to be with mum while I took some photographs at the station. As the train rounded the bend a little ahead of schedule, it was wonderful to witness mother’s eyes light up – especially so when the gleaming engine came to a halt beside her. During a good five-minute layover, she even enjoyed a bit of banter with the engine crew, who – when I informed them she shared the same birth year as their engine – prompted the driver to shout down, “Aye, but she hasn’t ‘ad as many new parts fitted!”The comment creating laughter all round!
Afterwards I submitted a letter and a couple of photographs to the Craven Herald, which published a piece under the heading ‘A brief encounter with Scotsman for Annie, 94’. Thereafter, Annie was something of a celebrity at her Skipton care home for a few weeks. Sadly, my dear mother is no longer around, though the memory of the occasion when Flying Scotsman lit up her day will always be with me. Long may this wonderful engine continue to do so.