Explore
What's On in Devon
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
You are here > Visitor Info > More Information > Visit Devon News > A close shave at South Devon Railway!
19th May 2021
Categories: Visitor News
While all of us can relate to desperately awaiting a haircut after three lockdowns, one Devon railwayman at the heritage, steam powered South Devon Railway will be waiting until mid-May before he can get his now flowing beard removed at last!
Last March, at the start of the first lockdown, Dick Wood, SDR PR Manager and former General Manager, promised that he would not shave his face again until steam passenger trains returned to the scenic, seven mile line, thinking it would only be a few months until normality returned. Since then, three lockdowns have passed and that has put the pressure on Dick to keep his promise!
Initially, he made the declaration to help raise awareness of the railway’s SOS appeal for donations to allow them to continue post lockdown, something that was only expected to last until Summer 2020. Finally, SDR passenger trains will start running again on 17th May, following the next lot of Covid restrictions being lifted, it is the longest period the ex-GWR line has been closed in its 52 year history, since opening as a tourist attraction.
Dick finally got his long awaited shave at a special ceremony on the platform of the SDR’s Buckfastleigh Station, alongside a waiting steam train. He was serenaded by Mid Devon community choir, Voiceworx, who performed a rendition of Beardman, a traditional sea shanty.
Speaking about the shave, Dick said: “After all of this time and the many nicknames I have been called by friends and even complete strangers, especially from surprised young children around Christmas time, the day will have finally come! The names I’ve heard range from Santa Claus, Mr Tom, Uncle Albert and Ernest Hemingway to Poseidon, Captain Birdseye and more, so I’ll be glad to be rid of the beard for sure!
“Then I’ll hopefully be able to eat normally again rather than wearing my food and can stop having to say ‘During the war’ on request.
“I have taken all of the ribbing in good part in order to help raise awareness of the SDR’s funding plight and the need for donations to help keep the railway afloat. I’m hoping that once again, people will put their hands in their pockets and donate some more cash to our special appeal for the Great Clean Shave Off.”
You can find out more about the SDR fundraising appeal and donate here.
© Visit Devon Community Interest Company