Have you seen the new wall hanging in Goostrey village hall? It celebrates King Charles 111’s coronation year.  Friends of Goostrey Station are proud to have helped Jodrell Side WI in the production this unique work of art.

Last summer, professional artist (and vice chair of FoGS) Debbie Goldsmith worked with children at Goostrey Community Primary School and children visiting from Elizabethfontein School in South Africa to explore images of our village. The drawings inspired parts of the wall hanging and are currently displayed in a platform shelter at the station.

During the autumn and winter, 50 local ladies (including members of FoGS) plus a few primary school children used a variety of sewing techniques to represent roads, buildings, landmarks and organisations in Goostrey. The influence of the railway in our village is seen through the restored station building, station house (the home of the station master), a keystone from the original road bridge and FoGS logo.

In February, Chair of Crewe2Manchester Community Rail Partnership, Mark Barker, cut the ribbon at the unveiling event.  He explained that CRP exists to strengthen links between the railway and the community, and so it helped to finance the project. He added that he already knew from working with FoGS over many years that there was a strong community spirit in Goostrey, and this is clearly reflected in the wall hanging.

There’s more information about FoGS on our website friendsofgoostreystation.org  If you would like to join our enthusiastic team of volunteers as we work to improve our local station, please get in touch with FoGS chair, Craig Sidebotham on 29craimar@talktalk.net.  You can meet FoGS members during our working parties at Goostrey station between 10 and 1pm on the second Sunday of each month. The next will be on 10th March and 14th April.