Tributes paid to Peak Rail managing director Jackie Statham

JACKIE Statham, 80, managing director of Peak Rail, passed away after suffering a heart attack at her home on February 16. Acting Peak Rail chairman Paul Tomlinson said that Jackie had been ill for some time. Mr Tomlinson added: “She was a formidable character who commanded a lot of respect. One of her biggest achievements was fronting the project to get Peak Rail services into Matlock’s main line station in 2011.” Ms Statham had already decided to step down and a new general manager, Chasewater Railway chairman Mark Sealey, had been appointed before Christmas. Following his appointment, Mr Sealey was named as a director of Peak Rail plc along with newcomers Gordon Caro, Roger Hallatt and Andrew Civil as from February 25.