Remembering Atholl Swanston
Atholl James Swanston M.B.E. 1942-2024
Atholl Swanston was born in Bailiffgate, Alnwick. He worked on the railways for 50 years, the last ten of which were at Alnmouth Station as Station Master, where he built up a great following of commuters (mostly ladies!!).
Atholl Swanston MBE with daughters Heather and Kirsten
I think they were prime movers in submitting him for the M.B.E. which he proudly received from the late Queen in 2007.
Atholl ran the Coquetmouth Wildlife Trust Group for about 30 years serving as Chairman, Treasurer, and Secretary at different times. Much of the time he passed on his wealth of knowledge of birds, animals, plants, and his beloved Northumberland, with slideshows, walks and visits.
Some people may remember him from leading the “nature walks” for the Amble Puffin Festival for many years.
Atholl led guided nature walks at the Puffin Festival
Local history was another passion: he visited some really out-of-the-way bastles, castles and pele towers to put together a slideshow for any groups who were interested.
His photography was first rate, as anyone who has been to one of his shows would know.
Atholl’s Thanksgiving Service was held on June 3 and included this (uncharacteristically short) Robert Burns poem, which pretty much sums up the man, the legend.
“An honest man here lies at rest,
As e’er God with His image blest.
The friend of man, the friend of truth,
The friend of age, the friend of youth.
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm’d,
Few heads with knowledge so inform’d.
If there’s another world, he lies in bliss,
If there is none, he made the best of this.”
Sue Swanston
So sorry to see the passing of my former school classmate.