'Strong and brave' heritage railway chairman dies

Tributes have been paid to the chairman of the country's longest heritage railway, who has passed away at the age of 42.

Jonathan Jones-Pratt ran the West Somerset Railway since 2019 and is credited by the company with guiding it through a "challenging" period.

His partner, Hollie Bowden said she was "utterly heartbroken and shattered" by his sudden death after a short illness.

The railway said it was "deeply saddened" by the news, and added Jones-Pratt had "demonstrated unwavering commitment, resilience and dedication to the railway".

Bowden said in her tribute: "You fought as best as you could my love, and gave it all you... had and I was with you by your side every step of the way.

"You had strength and resilience until the very end even though you felt you didn't.

"You were so strong and you were so brave even though I know you were so scared."

She said she would now bring up their daughter, Isabella, and "show her pictures and videos of you all the time and you will live on in our memories forever".

After joining the railway in 2019, Jones-Pratt had said the company had no money in the bank, but revealed in February the following year the firm would recoup its £800,000 losses.

By 2025, he was leading efforts to reconnect the railway to the mainline at Bishops Lydeard into Taunton, telling the BBC earlier this year he was looking forward to developing the final business case.

In a statement, the railway said Jones-Pratt was "a larger-than-life character", adding: "Jonathan had a lifelong passion for transport and a deep affection for the heritage railway movement.

"Jonathan often visited the West Somerset Railway as a child and in his teenage years became a volunteer himself. He often recalled these early memories of the railway with much fondness."

The firm added he was committed to helping people around him "reach their potential".

Also paying tribute was railway photographer and friend Jack Boskett who said he was "deeply saddened" to hear of Jones-Pratt's death.

He said: "I had the pleasure of spending time with Jonathan on the footplate, as well as enjoying some memorable days out around Weston-super-Mare with his pride and joy a few years ago.

"They are memories I will always look back on fondly.

"His passing is a major loss to the heritage railway movement, and he will be greatly missed by so many."

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