Former Twyford station master Norman Topsom MBE honoured with book and forthcoming exhibition

Twyford’s former station master, Norman Topsom, has been immortalised in a book and forthcoming photography exhibition by freelance photographer Mike Swift.

Mike, who is also one of the station’s current masters, wanted to create a lasting legacy for his much-admired predecessor who retired in 2015.

Norman began his career on the railways in 1962 and earned the nickname of ‘Mr Twyford’, becoming famous for the unique way he looked after the station and its passengers.

His charming appearance and mannerisms made him popular with people of all ages and villagers even

proposed staging an annual ‘Norman Day’ where people would dress-up and wear fake sideburns.

In 2010 Norman was awarded an MBE and had a train named after him upon his retirement.

Seeing the train pull into the station one day, and admiring the painting of Norman on platform 1, Mike got the idea to create a photographic dedication to this much-admired man.

Transport enthusiast Mike was made redundant from the newspaper industry in 2020 and started experimenting with digital photography.

“I worked out that I was made redundant by the smartphone so rather than sitting down, I took on the smartphone camera and I learnt it backwards, sideways – every which way but loose,” he said.

Mike discovered that the iPhone can be used like a normal camera with the right training and

knowledge and by switching to ‘portrait’ mode to capture high quality images.

His first project involved photographing 31 people in 31 days at Twyford Station.

Mike’s next idea was to produce photos all about Norman for a book entitled The Hat, The People which features people from Twyford, Sonning and Maidenhead who have a connection to the railway.

He called Norman who kindly leant his station hat from the 1970s to feature in the photographic project.

“I wanted to take 20

portrait images of anyone related to Norman Topsom or the station but the hat was the subject of every

picture,” Mike added.

Mike’s favourite image is one of Norman’s hat and Theresa May MP at Maidenhead Station, where she is reading a copy of the Maidenhead Advertiser.

Norman said through his years on the railway, Twyford topped his list of best places to work.

He said: “I met some lovely people at Twyford. The job at Twyford is different to most jobs on the railway,

“You’re closer to the people you serve and the community around you.

“I felt more at home at Twyford than anywhere.”

Mike is now looking for a place in either Twyford or Maidenhead to showcase his exhibition. Contact him via: www.360swift.com/contact