Poetry plaque unveiled to honour Bedford's Captain Tom at his station in Bedfordshire

A poetry plaque in honour of Sir Captain Tom Moore is now in pride of place at Millbrook station in Bedfordshire.

The plaque, at the Marston Vale Line station, was unveiled by rail operator London Northwestern Railway.

The wording was crafted by Mick Child, a caseworker for the Social Prescribing Service at the Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity.

Mick said: “After being approached by London Northwestern Railway it was an honour to put pen to paper and create my own tribute for Captain Tom. Not only is he our local hero but he has won the hearts of the nation. It felt right to deliver a message on behalf of all the people in the local area for his outstanding efforts.”

Sir Captain Tom Moore, of Marston Moretaine, first caught the public's attention when he walked 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday - raising more than £32million for NHS charities throughout the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

Lawrence Bowman, customer experience director for London Northwestern Railway, said: “During a very difficult period Captain Tom has been an inspiration for the whole country and as his local train company we were keen to find a fitting way to honour his work. After reading Mick’s poem we knew it was right to give it a presence at our Millbrook station.

“The tribute is visible for passengers and the local community to read and pause for a moment of reflection and contemplation in honour of for Captain Tom for years to come.”

*London Northwestern Railway is resuming rail services on the Marston Vale Line between Bedford and Bletchley in the morning and evening peaks from Monday, August 24 after suspending them at the end of March due to the impact of coronavirus.