Community stalwart who saved Swanage Railway has died
TRIBUTES have been paid to a community stalwart who saved Swanage Railway and served his town for more than three decades who has died.
Bill Trite served as a councillor in Swanage for more than 34 years and was instrumental in Swanage Railway, saving it from almost certain closure in 1991.
Tributes have flooded in for Mr Trite, who died on Saturday, May 10 aged 78.
Cllr Stella Jones, chair of Dorset Council, said: "We are saddened to hear that Cllr William (Bill) Trite sadly passed away on Saturday.
"Bill was a local councillor for more than 34 years, serving on Purbeck District Council, Swanage Town Council, Dorset County Council and Dorset Council.
'He was elected as vice-chairman of Dorset Council from 2023-2024.
Bill speaking at Dorset Council (Image: Trevor Bevins)
"He was a member of many committees over the years, including most recently eastern area planning committee.
"Bill was a wonderful man with a great sense of humour and wit who took pride in serving his community. He will be sadly missed."
Swanage Town Council added: 'Swanage Town Council is very sad to announce the death of Town and Dorset Councillor Mr William (Bill) Trite.
'Bill was a valued council member for more than 34 years, mayor for three terms between 2010 and 2013, and was presented with The Style and Rank of Honoured Citizen of Swanage in May 2021.
'His contribution to the town and people of Swanage is remembered with gratitude.'
Mr Trite was also the founder of The Port Line Locomotive Project, the predecessor to SLL Southern Locomotives Ltd. .
A spokesman said: 'His visionary idea of selling shares in a locomotive was unheard of until Bill's advert appeared in Steam Railway back in 1983 - this changed many people's lives forever.
'Not only is he responsible for bringing Willie Bath into the fold who was responsible for the initial restoration of all the SLL locomotives running today, but many others who remain directors or supporters over 40 years later.
'Many probably aren't aware that it was his diplomacy with the bank and creditors, together with Willie Bath's hard work, which saved the Swanage Railway from almost certain closure in 1991. We all have a lot to thank him for.'
Bill at Swanage Railway last summer (Image: Cllr Louie O'Leary)
The Swanage School added: 'Bill's love and loyalty to Swanage shone through his many contributions to the town, including as a huge supporter and advocate for The Swanage School.
'He was involved from the very early discussions around having a new secondary school in Swanage through to the present day, and he has been a member of our academy trust since the school opened. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.'
Fellow Conservative councillor Louie O'Leary, of the Littlemoor and Preston ward, added: "Bill was a dedicated councillor, Conservative and public servant who served his beloved Swanage for decades.
'He was also instrumental in the Swanage Railway so of course I had to use this photo of Bill (next to me) at the railway last summer.'
Mr Trite serviced as the leader of Purbeck District Council for nine years, stepping down in 2008 and telling councillors at the time: 'I think that's enough for now.'
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Hall, a local rural free delivery carrier in Glasgow who raised his wife's son as his own. Bill Luster graduated from Glasgow High School in 1962 and headed off to Western Kentucky State College, where he began dabbling in photography as a hobby. He returned home to Glasgow in 1964 where he became a photographer and sportswriter for the Glasgow Daily Times. He improved his skills there for five years — occasionally shooting freelance photos for The Courier Journal — before The Courier Journal and Louisville Times hired him in 1969. He married the former Linda Shearer in a ceremony at Highland Baptist Church in 1976. Over 42 years at the Courier Journal, Luster would become the most well-known of the newspaper's photographers, winning some of the biggest national awards and leading the National Press Photographers Association as its president for a term. He had stints as the newspaper's director of photography and was the paper's chief photographer when he retired in 2011. 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Joseph Gerth can be reached at 502-582-4702 or by email at jgerth@ You can also follow him at @ This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Bill Luster, former Courier Journal photographer, dies at 80
