Richard Dunn
Richard Hugh 'Dickie' Dunn M.B.E. T.D. was Chairman of the Severn Valley Railway Company between 1973 and 1975.
Richard Dunn was a practising solicitor with offices in Birmingham and Worcester, and the Severn Valley Railway Society’s solicitor from 1966 in the early days of preservation. He led the SVR's presentations at the Public Enquiry into the granting of a Light Railway Order on 1 October 1968,[1] assisted by Bill Gillett and Christopher George.[2] During 1969 he wrote a number of articles in SVR News updating members with progress of the granting of the LRO and the purchase of the line, and ultimately submitted the application for the Transfer Order on behalf of the SVR which led to the successful opening of the line in 1970.[3]
In 1970 he also led the negotiations with Mr T.D. Cook of BR Estates to purchase the southern section of the line, with the meeting on 7 April 1970 at which the purchase price was agreed taking place at his office. He was pictured in SVR News with Sir Gerald Nabarro during the latter’s visit to the SVR on 19 July 1970.[4]
Mr Dunn was one of the original Directors of the Guarantee Company.[5] In 1971 he was appointed Deputy Chairman under Sir Gerald Nabarro, while still acting as the Railway’s solicitor.[6] In late 1971 he published a statement in SVR News summarising the Board’s proposal to float the Public Company SVR(H) to raise money to buy the southern section of the line to Foley Park.[7] Further articles were published by him during 1972 and early 1973 on the floatation of SVR(H) and the negotiations on the proposed construction of the Bridgnorth Bypass[8]
When Sir Gerald Nabarro agreed to step down in 1973, Richard Dunn took over as Chairman of the Guarantee Company with Hugh Mossop becoming his Deputy Chairman. He also became Deputy Chairman of SVR(H) under Viscount Garnock.[9] In the same year he negotiated an injection of capital from Rubery Owen which was key to the extension of the line to Bewdley the following year.[10]
At the SVR(H) AGM on 9 May 1975, Richard Dunn was not re-elected as a Director and accordingly ceased to be the Deputy Chairman, being replaced in due course in that role by John Garth. Mick York was one of the newly elected Directors at the same AGM.[11] In August of that year Mr Dunn also resigned from the Board of the Guarantee Company, being succeeded as Chairman by Hugh Mossop.[5]
In spring 1977 Richard Dunn wrote for SVR News a tribute to Viscount Cobham following the latter’s death on 20 March of that year.[12] In Autumn 1986 he attended the SVR’s 21st Anniversary event.[13] He had an active interest in the Kidderminster Turntable project, taking part in the draw in April 1993 for the SVRA ‘Spin a Loco’ raffle at Kidderminster.[14] He also obtained the original pit construction drawings for Fort William from Sir William MacAlpine which were used in the final design for its reinstallation at Kidderminster.[15]
He died on 5-6 June 2022[16].
Dr W. H. Dunn
Richard Dunn's father was the late Dr W.H. Dunn, a keen supporter of the SVR in its early days and also the SVR’s Medical Officer.[17]
See also
References
- ↑ SVR News 11
- ↑ SVR News 151
- ↑ SVR News 13, 15
- ↑ SVR News 17, 151
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 SVR News 37
- ↑ SVR News 20
- ↑ SVR News 22
- ↑ SVR news 23-27
- ↑ SVR News 27
- ↑ SVR News 70
- ↑ SVR News 35, 36
- ↑ SVR News 43
- ↑ SVR News 81
- ↑ SVR News 107
- ↑ SVR News 113
- ↑ Internal NBI
- ↑ Obituary of Dr W. H. Dunn, SVR News 40, Summer 1976