Kentish Express Ashford & District
High hopes for visit from Who star to new museum
Roger Daltrey may visit Ashford when he recovers from illness and a new model railway museum he is backing takes off.
The rock star, who is co-patron of the organisers AIMREC (Ashford International Model Railway Centre), has been struck by meningitis.
AIMREC chief executive Cliff Parsons said that he had met the Who singer in London last week and saw that he was much better.
Mr Parsons said: “I saw Roger recently.
“He’s now home and made a full recovery from the symptoms that he had a couple of weeks ago, so he’s now resting.”
When asked whether Mr Daltrey would eventually come to Ashford for the museum, Mr Parsons added: “He’s already been and met the council officers on more than one occasion and, should all the plans go through, I’m sure he’ll make more appearances.”
Mr Parsons was speaking on Saturday at the start of a two-day public consultation exhibition at Ashford Designer Outlet for the £4 million rail museum.
The museum is planned for the old Klondyke Railway Works site in Newtown.
Plans include a 30,000 sq ft building with a huge displays area, lecture and demonstration theatre, specialist model shop, cafe, and an observation deck for visitors to watch Eurostar trains travel over a viaduct. The Who were meant to be in Las Vegas on Saturday as part of their North American tour, but all the shows had to be cancelled because of Mr Daltrey’s illness.
A statement on the band website said: “Doctors diagnosed Roger as having viral meningitis and prescribed a period of rest.
“The band apologise to fans and realise that the postponement will cause an inconvenience for ticket holders.
“It wasn’t a decision taken lightly – ultimately the band had no alternative but to postpone the tour.
“Thankfully he is already getting better.”
A statement directly from the 71-year-old star on the website said: “For the last four weeks, I have been in and out of the hospi- tal and have been diagnosed with viral meningitis. I am now on the mend and feeling a lot better but I am going to need a considerable time to recover.
“The doctors tell me I will make a complete recovery, but that I should not do any touring this year.”
Mr Daltrey is co-patron of AIMREC, alongside millionaire businessman Sir William McAlpine.