Retired railwayman, 92, opens GWR Taunton station garden

Clive Goddard, 92, is believed to be the last surviving member of the post-war station staff and has spent much of his retirement volunteering on station gardens at Taunton and Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway, helping win multiple Taunton in Bloom accolades.

Clive also unveiled a new model locomotive he made, the 'King Charles III 6030', now on display in the station booking hall.

Taunton Mayor Cllr Bev Fernandes formally opened the new floral area at the station, before Clive led the celebration inside the booking hall, where the large-scale model of a "King" Class steam locomotive now stands in pride of place.

The model has been built from recycled materials, including aluminium signs once used in the flower beds on Taunton’s central platform, and has been loaned long-term to Great Western Railway by the West Somerset Railway Association as a promotional display and tribute to Clive’s decades of service.

In anticipation of Prince Charles’ accession, Clive named the engine "King Charles III" and gave it the number 6030, following on from the original "King" class locomotives whose final member carried the number 6029.

Clive said he hoped that the King might one day step off the Royal Train at Taunton to briefly inspect the model named in his honour.

As part of the same event, Clive was invited to unveil the "Taunton Castle" nameplate from a former GWR Class 43 power car, now mounted on a plinth in the booking office after the train’s withdrawal.

The new garden, created in a former bay platform area beside platform 5, has been designed as a sensory space with insect-friendly planting and seating for passengers to relax while waiting for trains.

The celebration comes as the West Somerset Railway marks its 50th anniversary this year, with Clive recognised as a long-standing member and supporter of the West Somerset Railway Association.