Two Firsts for Erlestoke Manor Fund

There is welcome new ground for Erlestoke Manor Fund with the arrival of Jane Preece, initially as its first female Company Secretary and then, at its recent AGM, as its first female Trustee.

Well known within the Severn Valley Railway, Jane was also its first HR Manager and ran the Heritage Skills Training Academy from 2016 until 2020, after when she became an SVR working member, closely involved with the Volunteer Department.

A love of GWR Manors (but particularly for 7802 Bradley Manor) stems from her grandfather, Harry Edwards, who was a bridge inspector based at Caersws in the 1950s and often travelled on the footplate of 7802 to carry out his duties.

Jane, who had a career in public, private and not for profit sectors with HR and governance, says “ As well as generally contributing to the development of EMF, I am really looking forward to using my experience to encourage young people to become involved in the Fund through education and learning”.