Keith and Dufftown Railway event in memory of Nigel Bodiam
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Folk from right across the UK will be coming this weekend to the Keith and Dufftown Railway in memory of Nigel Bodiam.
Nigel, a Drummuir resident who died in October, was a driving force in raising the profile of the heritage railway line by introducing new special events.
Back in 2013 he was the originator of the Ghost Train as well as the 1940s Weekend – both of which quickly caught the public's imagination.
This coming Saturday and Sunday the 1940s Weekend event – the eighth to be held – is taking place at both ends of the Keith to Dufftown heritage line.
Helen, his wife and a teacher at Elgin Academy, said: "Nigel crammed more into his 60 years than most people do in a lifetime.
"He had an enthusiasm that took everyone with him for whatever he was planning.
"Everything was a possibility and he made the most of every opportunity to make things happen.
"He loved interacting with the public and sharing his knowledge.
"He especially loved the 1940s Weekend.
"This year is about continuing what he started."
Nigel moved up to Drummuir in 2010, having retired following three decades of service with the police force in his home county of Kent.
He began volunteering with the railway shortly afterwards, serving on the board for seven years and going on to become its chairman for three.
Nigel had joined the Desert Rats Living History Group while living down in Kent.
So, after coming to Moray, he decided to set up the 1940s Weekend.
This year both Keith and Dufftown stations will again adopt a wartime look, complete with many folk dressed up in the clothes of the time.
There's be land girls, a spiv, a German spy, plus heaps of memorabilia from the era.
Reenactment groups and enthusiasts will also be travelling from all over the UK, including Kent and the central belt, to take part.
A full list of Nigel's interests would be difficult to compile.
However he was also involved with the 423 Elgin squadron when his son Edward, who's now aged 25 and in the RAF, was an air cadet.
He was the North East's liaison officer for the Scottish Military Vehicle Group, an assessor with the Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme, and a brilliant Father Christmas on the railway's Santa Specials.
A lover of anything and everything mechanical, amongst Nigel's most prized possessions was an old-style Ferguson tractor.
His funeral saw transported him by train to the station at Drummuir, then taken the remaining way to the village church on a trailer attached to his tractor.
Helen said: "Nigel had a talent for bringing out the best in people and getting them to try things that were definitely outside their comfort zone.
"He touched so many peoples' lives in so many ways, and the many letters and messages the family have received certainly reflected this.
"It promises to be a fantastic weekend."
The 1940s Weekend is taking place on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19.
