Tributes have been paid to Tywyn historian and Talyllyn Railway enthusiast Sara Eade.

Sara’s brother, Richard, said his sister passed away peacefully at Ysbyty Gwynedd on 16 November. She was 68.

Her funeral took place at St Cadfan’s Church, Tywyn on Monday.

Sara, who had cancer, appeared in the Cambrian News many times having written history books about Tywyn, Corris and Talyllyn railways amongst many other publications.

Her connection to the Talyllyn Railway and Tywyn started in the 1970s as her brother explained.

“A colleague of our father’s was a member of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society and had been promoting trips to Tywyn, so we decided to give it a go. We fell in love with the railway and had several trips during the week. We delayed joining the society until September 1971 on the basis that you got 16 months membership for the price of 12! Leaving college in 1972, she and I came for a fortnight as traffic volunteers for the first time. It was then that we got involved in looking after the carriages, coming back for winter weekend working parties. It was also during that fortnight that she received news of an interview for a job at Tewkesbury School at which she was successful in being appointed as a joint teacher in needlework and school youth worker running after-school activities.”

Sara, who was born in Urmston Cottage Hospital in England taught at Wolston High School in Warwickshire in 1977, and moved to Shrewsbury to run a youth club in 1987.

“Our mother’s failing mobility meant a move to a bungalow was required and in 1989 our parents relocated from Swindon to Dysynni Walk, giving Sara a bed in Tywyn whenever she needed one,” said Richard.

“Following the death of our mother she took ownership of the bungalow and retired there in 2006.

“There Sara engaged in a number of activities including family history research for herself and others.

“The quilting group became a regular activity.

“One of the larger quilts ended up at St Michael’s Church, Llanfihangel-y-Pennant as part of the refurbished Mary Jones exhibition undertaken by Sara. She also re-joined the Corris Railway Society and spent many hours working on the line; guarding trains and passing out as a diesel driver, as well as being the society and company secretary. A favourite walk above Aberllefenni led her to explore more about the social history of the area; uncovering so much material that it led to the first book, which she self-published.”

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