Immortalising the Tay Rail Bridge trust in poem

A FIFE poet tasked with writing the poem to be etched on a planned memorial to those who lost their lives in the Tay Rail Bridge Disaster has composed another ditty – this time about the trust set up to provide the tribute.

Ian Nimmo White, from Leslie, has spent a great deal of time researching the tragedy and its aftermath in recent months as part of his ongoing work on the Tay Rail Bridge Disaster Memorial Trust (TRBDMT).

Mr Nimmo White has been heavily involved in work to clarify exactly how many people died in the incident on December 28 1879, when a train plunged into the Tay after the collapse of the bridge in a storm, and also successfully provided a headstone to the train driver David Mitchell, whose body lay in an unmarked grave at Leslie cemetery until last year.

The make-up of the trust has changed somewhat since then, with Broughty Ferry man and well-known local historian, Professor David Swinfen, recently replacing Stuart Morris the Younger of Balgonie as trust chairman.

That said, the trust is still focused on providing two memorials to those who lost their lives, and it is that work that has inspired Mr Nimmo White’s latest poem.

“It’s important that we choose sites which provide good access for the work of the monumental masons, good load-bearing structure of soil and last but not least, a good view of the rail bridge for the visiting public in the many years to come,” he said recently.

Trust members continue to be available for talks to schools and community groups and supporters wishing to make a contribution towards the campaign fund can make cheques out to Tay Rail Bridge Disaster Memorial Trust.

These can be sent to Ian Rae, the treasurer of the TRBDMT, at 11 Wilmington Drive, Glenrothes, KY7 6US.