It is with great regret that I have to announce the death of Audie Baker on the 10th of August 2009, at the tragically early age of 52 (he was born at Bretforton on the 16th October, 1956). His funeral service was held at Redditch Crematorium on the 20th of August. The chapel was packed with friends and relatives and members of the GWR. It was a fitting tribute that uniformed members of the Redditch Fire service turned up to honour him despite his having left the service due to ill health 12 years before! Audie spent 18 years of his life with the fire service and would happily have carried on to retirement if his health had allowed.

Audie was a founder member of the railway, having taken on the post of treasurer at the inaugural meeting held at Willersey in August, 1976. He was a popular and hard-working member of the railway's volunteer workforce until ill-health dictated that his efforts would need to be cerebral rather than physical. He wrote a book about the line, entitled 'An Illustrated History of the Stratford upon Avon and Cheltenham Railway' which was published in 1994. He had nearly finished a second volume when he died and hopefully this will be completed and published in the near future. So long, old friend, and rest in peace.