Llangollen Railway volunteer's story told in BBC Radio song

Leader Live

2 days ago

Joanne Ormesher, who volunteers on the Llangollen Railway is one of five people whose real-life experiences are featuring in the BBC Radio 2 project 21st Century Folk.
The series is honouring 200 years since the birth of the modern railway and forms part of the Railway 200 commemorations.
Ms Ormesher said: "I didn't know if I was going to survive, I shouldn't have survived.
"But I was determined to get back to firing steam engines.
"It's what kept me focused.
"Ten weeks after my treatment I was back at it."
A rare cancer diagnosis in 2019 left her unsure of what the future would hold, but her passion for working with steam engines gave her something to hold onto.
She said: "I thought they were consigned to museums.
"But this was hissing and breathing at the station.
"It felt alive.
"I stood at the back of a throng of enthusiasts and it felt like my grandad was there.
"The smells and the sounds, everything reminded me of him."
Raised near Blackburn, Ms Ormesher's connection to railways began through memories of her late grandfather, an engineer who built model trains.
It wasn't until she encountered a steam engine two decades after his passing that she began volunteering at a heritage railway.
Starting out by cleaning engines, she quickly progressed to the physically demanding role of fireman.
Her duties now include shovelling coal and maintaining the engine during journeys—tasks that often begin as early as 5am.
In 2019, Ms Ormesher was diagnosed with cancer, but her determination to return to the railway kept her focused through treatment.
Just 10 weeks after finishing treatment, she was back working on the trains.
She continues to volunteer and now advocates for greater opportunities for women in the heritage railway sector.
She is also passing on her knowledge to the next generation of enthusiasts.
Her story has now been turned into a song titled Firecracker by Findlay Napier, folk musician, as part of the BBC Radio 2 project.
Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: "The BBC and the folk artists have done an amazing job bringing these five stories to life.
"Joanne's story is inspirational and it really demonstrates the powerful impact that the railways can have on people's lives."
The songs are being played on BBC Radio 2 throughout the week.
On Friday, broadcaster Jeremy Vine will present his show live from The Greatest Gathering, a railway summit taking place in Derby.
Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2's Folk Show presenter, said: "Folk music tells the story of everyday life, with melodies and lyrics that are passed down through generations of families.
"It's been amazing to see these listeners' stories take on a life of their own with these special compositions, written and performed by some of the folk world's most loved artists."
Ms Ormesher said she was deeply moved by the song and described the experience of hearing it as "so emotional."