Latest news with #JoanneOrmesher
Leader Live
a day ago
- General
- Leader Live
Llangollen Railway volunteer's story told in BBC Radio song
Joanne Ormesher, who volunteers on the Llangollen Railway is one of five people whose real-life experiences are featuring in the BBC Radio 2 project 21st Century Folk. The series is honouring 200 years since the birth of the modern railway and forms part of the Railway 200 commemorations. Ms Ormesher said: "I didn't know if I was going to survive, I shouldn't have survived. "But I was determined to get back to firing steam engines. "It's what kept me focused. "Ten weeks after my treatment I was back at it." A rare cancer diagnosis in 2019 left her unsure of what the future would hold, but her passion for working with steam engines gave her something to hold onto. She said: "I thought they were consigned to museums. "But this was hissing and breathing at the station. "It felt alive. "I stood at the back of a throng of enthusiasts and it felt like my grandad was there. "The smells and the sounds, everything reminded me of him." Raised near Blackburn, Ms Ormesher's connection to railways began through memories of her late grandfather, an engineer who built model trains. It wasn't until she encountered a steam engine two decades after his passing that she began volunteering at a heritage railway. Starting out by cleaning engines, she quickly progressed to the physically demanding role of fireman. Her duties now include shovelling coal and maintaining the engine during journeys—tasks that often begin as early as 5am. In 2019, Ms Ormesher was diagnosed with cancer, but her determination to return to the railway kept her focused through treatment. Just 10 weeks after finishing treatment, she was back working on the trains. She continues to volunteer and now advocates for greater opportunities for women in the heritage railway sector. She is also passing on her knowledge to the next generation of enthusiasts. Her story has now been turned into a song titled Firecracker by Findlay Napier, folk musician, as part of the BBC Radio 2 project. Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: "The BBC and the folk artists have done an amazing job bringing these five stories to life. "Joanne's story is inspirational and it really demonstrates the powerful impact that the railways can have on people's lives." The songs are being played on BBC Radio 2 throughout the week. On Friday, broadcaster Jeremy Vine will present his show live from The Greatest Gathering, a railway summit taking place in Derby. Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2's Folk Show presenter, said: "Folk music tells the story of everyday life, with melodies and lyrics that are passed down through generations of families. "It's been amazing to see these listeners' stories take on a life of their own with these special compositions, written and performed by some of the folk world's most loved artists." Ms Ormesher said she was deeply moved by the song and described the experience of hearing it as "so emotional."
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Accountant drives three hours to North Wales to shovel coal as 'fireman'
An accountant who drives three hours to North Wales to volunteer as a steam engine "fireman" shovelling coal, has had her inspiring life story captured in a song for a special BBC series. Joanne Ormesher found solace and connection to her late grandfather through her work with steam engines, which also gave her strength during her fight against an aggressive form of cancer. Her tale is one of five transformed into music by leading folk musicians for BBC Radio 2's '21st Century Folk', marking the 200th anniversary of the modern railway as part of this year's celebrations. The bicentenary, spearheaded by Railway 200, kicked off with over 200 locomotives sounding their whistles worldwide, while Inspiration, a complimentary exhibition train detailing rail's history and future, is currently making its way around the UK. Ms Ormesher fondly remembers her grandfather, an engineer who crafted model trains, with engine parts scattered throughout his house. It wasn't until 20 years after he passed away that she encountered a majestic steam engine at a local station, reigniting her passion. She was surprised to see the engine, not just on display but fully operational: "I thought they were consigned to museums," she said. "But this was hissing and breathing at the station. It felt alive. I stood at the back of a throng of enthusiasts, and it felt like my grandad was there. The smells and the sounds, everything reminded me of him." Her life changed that day and she began volunteering cleaning engines at a local heritage railway and quickly rose through the ranks to become a fireman. She now volunteers on the Llangollen Railway in Denbighshire, a journey that can take up to three hours from her home near Blackburn. Starting as early as 5am, Ms Ormesher shovels hundreds of kilos of coal and ensures the train's engine is working correctly. It took her body nearly a year to adapt to the punishing labour. Despite the toil, she often daydreams about being back on the railway while working in the office as an accountant. In 2019, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and the railways helped her through. "I didn't know if I was going to survive, I shouldn't have survived," Ms Ormesher said. "But I was determined to get back to firing steam engines. It's what kept me focused. Ten weeks after my treatment I was back at it." Now in remission, she continues to volunteer as a fireman. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Ms Ormesher also strives to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of enthusiasts and champions greater opportunities for women on heritage railways. She said she loved the song about her – Firecracker, by Findlay Napier – and was "so emotional" when listening to it. The five songs celebrate 200 years since the first steam-powered, passenger rail journey when George Stephenson's Locomotion No. 1 travelled along the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: "The BBC and the folk artists have done an amazing job bringing these five stories to life. "Joanne's story is inspirational and it really demonstrates the powerful impact that the railways can have on people's lives. "This is a momentous year for the UK, and it's been wonderful to see so many people getting involved, with hundreds of events happening across the country and the rest of the world." The songs are being played on BBC Radio 2 this week. On Friday, Jeremy Vine will broadcast live from The Greatest Gathering, a railway summit in Derby. BBC Radio 2's Folk Show presenter Mark Radcliffe said: "Folk music tells the story of everyday life, with melodies and lyrics that are passed down through generations of families. "It's been amazing to see these listeners' stories take on a life of their own with these special compositions, written and performed by some of the folk world's most loved artists."
Rhyl Journal
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Accountant-turned-fireman honoured in song celebrating 200 years of rail
Working with steam engines connected Joanne Ormesher to her beloved late grandfather and gave her strength during her battle with an aggressive cancer. Now, she is one of five people whose stories have been turned into songs by top folk artists for BBC Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, which this year celebrates 200 years since the birth of the modern railway. The bicentenary year, led by Railway 200, began with a 'whistle-up' of more than 200 locomotives across five continents, and Inspiration, a free travelling exhibition train showcasing the past, present and future of rail, is now touring the country. Ms Ormesher's grandfather was an engineer who made model trains, and she recalls engine parts strewn across his home. But it was not until two decades after his death that she happened upon an iconic steam engine waiting at a local station. 'I thought they were consigned to museums,' she remembers. 'But this was hissing and breathing at the station. It felt alive. I stood at the back of a throng of enthusiasts, and it felt like my grandad was there. 'The smells and the sounds, everything reminded me of him.' Her life changed that day and she began volunteering cleaning engines at a local heritage railway and quickly rose through the ranks to become a fireman. She now volunteers on the Llangollen Railway in north Wales, a journey that can take up to three hours from her home near Blackburn. Starting as early as 5am, Ms Ormesher shovels hundreds of kilos of coal and ensures the train's engine is working correctly. It took her body nearly a year to adapt to the punishing labour. Despite the toil, she often daydreams about being back on the railway while working in the office as an accountant. In 2019, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and the railways helped her through. 'I didn't know if I was going to survive, I shouldn't have survived,' Ms Ormesher said. 'But I was determined to get back to firing steam engines. It's what kept me focused. Ten weeks after my treatment I was back at it.' Now in remission, she continues to volunteer as a fireman. Ms Ormesher also strives to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of enthusiasts and champions greater opportunities for women on heritage railways. She said she loved the song about her – Firecracker, by Findlay Napier – and was 'so emotional' when listening to it. The five songs celebrate 200 years since the first steam-powered, passenger rail journey when George Stephenson's Locomotion No. 1 travelled along the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: 'The BBC and the folk artists have done an amazing job bringing these five stories to life. 'Joanne's story is inspirational and it really demonstrates the powerful impact that the railways can have on people's lives. 'This is a momentous year for the UK, and it's been wonderful to see so many people getting involved, with hundreds of events happening across the country and the rest of the world.' The songs are being played on BBC Radio 2 this week. On Friday, Jeremy Vine will broadcast live from The Greatest Gathering, a railway summit in Derby. BBC Radio 2's Folk Show presenter Mark Radcliffe said: 'Folk music tells the story of everyday life, with melodies and lyrics that are passed down through generations of families. 'It's been amazing to see these listeners' stories take on a life of their own with these special compositions, written and performed by some of the folk world's most loved artists.'
North Wales Chronicle
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Accountant-turned-fireman honoured in song celebrating 200 years of rail
Working with steam engines connected Joanne Ormesher to her beloved late grandfather and gave her strength during her battle with an aggressive cancer. Now, she is one of five people whose stories have been turned into songs by top folk artists for BBC Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, which this year celebrates 200 years since the birth of the modern railway. The bicentenary year, led by Railway 200, began with a 'whistle-up' of more than 200 locomotives across five continents, and Inspiration, a free travelling exhibition train showcasing the past, present and future of rail, is now touring the country. Ms Ormesher's grandfather was an engineer who made model trains, and she recalls engine parts strewn across his home. But it was not until two decades after his death that she happened upon an iconic steam engine waiting at a local station. 'I thought they were consigned to museums,' she remembers. 'But this was hissing and breathing at the station. It felt alive. I stood at the back of a throng of enthusiasts, and it felt like my grandad was there. 'The smells and the sounds, everything reminded me of him.' Her life changed that day and she began volunteering cleaning engines at a local heritage railway and quickly rose through the ranks to become a fireman. She now volunteers on the Llangollen Railway in north Wales, a journey that can take up to three hours from her home near Blackburn. Starting as early as 5am, Ms Ormesher shovels hundreds of kilos of coal and ensures the train's engine is working correctly. It took her body nearly a year to adapt to the punishing labour. Despite the toil, she often daydreams about being back on the railway while working in the office as an accountant. In 2019, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and the railways helped her through. 'I didn't know if I was going to survive, I shouldn't have survived,' Ms Ormesher said. 'But I was determined to get back to firing steam engines. It's what kept me focused. Ten weeks after my treatment I was back at it.' Now in remission, she continues to volunteer as a fireman. Ms Ormesher also strives to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of enthusiasts and champions greater opportunities for women on heritage railways. She said she loved the song about her – Firecracker, by Findlay Napier – and was 'so emotional' when listening to it. The five songs celebrate 200 years since the first steam-powered, passenger rail journey when George Stephenson's Locomotion No. 1 travelled along the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: 'The BBC and the folk artists have done an amazing job bringing these five stories to life. 'Joanne's story is inspirational and it really demonstrates the powerful impact that the railways can have on people's lives. 'This is a momentous year for the UK, and it's been wonderful to see so many people getting involved, with hundreds of events happening across the country and the rest of the world.' The songs are being played on BBC Radio 2 this week. On Friday, Jeremy Vine will broadcast live from The Greatest Gathering, a railway summit in Derby. BBC Radio 2's Folk Show presenter Mark Radcliffe said: 'Folk music tells the story of everyday life, with melodies and lyrics that are passed down through generations of families. 'It's been amazing to see these listeners' stories take on a life of their own with these special compositions, written and performed by some of the folk world's most loved artists.'
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Accountant-turned-fireman honoured in song celebrating 200 years of rail
An accountant who volunteers shovelling coal as a steam engine 'fireman' has had her life immortalised in a song for a special BBC series. Working with steam engines connected Joanne Ormesher to her beloved late grandfather and gave her strength during her battle with an aggressive cancer. Now, she is one of five people whose stories have been turned into songs by top folk artists for BBC Radio 2's 21st Century Folk, which this year celebrates 200 years since the birth of the modern railway. The bicentenary year, led by Railway 200, began with a 'whistle-up' of more than 200 locomotives across five continents, and Inspiration, a free travelling exhibition train showcasing the past, present and future of rail, is now touring the country. Ms Ormesher's grandfather was an engineer who made model trains, and she recalls engine parts strewn across his home. But it was not until two decades after his death that she happened upon an iconic steam engine waiting at a local station. 'I thought they were consigned to museums,' she remembers. 'But this was hissing and breathing at the station. It felt alive. I stood at the back of a throng of enthusiasts, and it felt like my grandad was there. 'The smells and the sounds, everything reminded me of him.' Her life changed that day and she began volunteering cleaning engines at a local heritage railway and quickly rose through the ranks to become a fireman. She now volunteers on the Llangollen Railway in north Wales, a journey that can take up to three hours from her home near Blackburn. Starting as early as 5am, Ms Ormesher shovels hundreds of kilos of coal and ensures the train's engine is working correctly. It took her body nearly a year to adapt to the punishing labour. Despite the toil, she often daydreams about being back on the railway while working in the office as an accountant. In 2019, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, and the railways helped her through. 'I didn't know if I was going to survive, I shouldn't have survived,' Ms Ormesher said. 'But I was determined to get back to firing steam engines. It's what kept me focused. Ten weeks after my treatment I was back at it.' Now in remission, she continues to volunteer as a fireman. Ms Ormesher also strives to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of enthusiasts and champions greater opportunities for women on heritage railways. She said she loved the song about her – Firecracker, by Findlay Napier – and was 'so emotional' when listening to it. The five songs celebrate 200 years since the first steam-powered, passenger rail journey when George Stephenson's Locomotion No. 1 travelled along the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Emma Roberts, programme manager for Railway 200, said: 'The BBC and the folk artists have done an amazing job bringing these five stories to life. 'Joanne's story is inspirational and it really demonstrates the powerful impact that the railways can have on people's lives. 'This is a momentous year for the UK, and it's been wonderful to see so many people getting involved, with hundreds of events happening across the country and the rest of the world.' The songs are being played on BBC Radio 2 this week. On Friday, Jeremy Vine will broadcast live from The Greatest Gathering, a railway summit in Derby. BBC Radio 2's Folk Show presenter Mark Radcliffe said: 'Folk music tells the story of everyday life, with melodies and lyrics that are passed down through generations of families. 'It's been amazing to see these listeners' stories take on a life of their own with these special compositions, written and performed by some of the folk world's most loved artists.'
