Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2007/January 2008 | Page 9

FOREWORD

All Change
John Suggett retires as Chairman of
The Isle of Wight Steam Railway
new Chairman appointed

Island Life - www.isleofwight.net

John Suggett is standing
down as Chairman of the
Railway. He will be replaced
by Stephen Oates who takes
over in the New Year.
Under John’s tenure, the
Railway has developed into an
important tourist attraction,
and has seen significant growth
including the development
of new sidings and rolling
stock storage space, enhanced
customer facilities, and the
acquisition of three additional
steam locomotives. In
2002 the Railway secured a
substantial Heritage Lottery
Fund grant to construct a
carriage and wagon restoration
facility, which was formally
opened by The Queen.
Reflecting on his tenure as
Chairman, John, who in his
professional life is a solicitor
and a partner in an Isla