Memorial for Andy Hutchings as ashes scattered from railway

Family and friends said a final farewell to Weymouth community stalwart Andy Hutchings by scattering his ashes from a steam train on the Swanage Railway.

Former councillor Andy, who passed away on September 11, 2020, aged 73, left very specific instructions on where his final resting place would be.

The Covid pandemic meant those wishes couldn’t be fulfilled until July 1, 2023, when his nearest and dearest, including relatives from Oregon, USA, rode the steam train from Swanage Railway station to Norden in memory of the former honorary alderman and governor at Dorset County Hospital.

Just past Corfe Castle Andy’s younger brother Graham put the ashes in the smokebox, the train driver blew the train’s whistle and a long round of applause broke out from passengers in memory of an extraordinary man.

Andy, a Friend of Upwey station, would often campaign for a better rail service for Dorset people (Image: NQ)

Although he lived alone in Hereford Road, Weymouth, Andy loved the company of others and his legacy lives on with his comprehensive collection of old postcards of the area regularly reproduced in the pages of the Dorset Echo. The collection will eventually go to a museum. 

One of Andy's old postcards of the Weymouth area featuring photos taken by Edwin Seward. This one is of Easton on Portland. (Image: Andy Hutchings Collection)

Graham said: “The last time I saw Andy he made sure it was put in his will that his ashes be scattered from the smokebox of a Pacific class Battle of Britain engine.

Andy Hutchings requested that his ashes be scattered from the smokebox of a Pacific class Battle of Britain engine Picture: Darren O'Donnell (Image: NQ)

“I had a very emotional experience riding in the cab fulfilling Andy’s wishes. I wish it was something I did many many years in the future, sadly that wasn’t this case.

“This train experience was so appropriate as he was so enthusiastic about railway stations – and their many cafes!”

Andy's brother Graham Hutchings Picture: Darren O'Donnell (Image: Newsquest)

The wake for Andy was held at the Pines Hotel at Swanage and Graham, a professor at Cardiff University, shared memories with mourners of Andy’s extensive community work as a Friend of Upwey Station and his 24 years of service as a councillor.

He told how former All Saints School pupil Andy was involved in a boatbuilding project with a friend which sadly sank on its maiden voyage!

Also remembered was Andy’s time as an extra on Sherborne-filmed movie Goodbye Mr Chips and his hosting sessions at his beloved beach hut at Greenhill, particularly on Weymouth Carnival day.

Glasses of Andy’s much loved tipple McGuigans chardonnay were raised in his memory.

Some of those who attended the memorial wore Hawaiian shirts in honour of Andy’s love of the colourful garments.

Railway enthusiast Andy in one of his Hawaiian shirts

Graham said: “Andy really was a Weymouth man through and through. He was very generous with his time to people, even when he was no longer a councillor.

“He loved people and he was a great uncle to the children, he would always come at Christmas wearing his Hawaiian shirt.

“He sponsored a child in East Africa and fundedd her education. Public service was a big part of his life, along with railways and he was a major collector of postcards.

“To his family he was always Andrew and to many he was Andy. He was much loved by his many friends.”