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John Hulme

Oct 11 2025

News from Goostrey Station ….

Coincidentally, the 200th anniversary of the journey of Locomotion 1 on the Stockton to Darlington Railway was during Goosfest’s Arts and Crafts weekend. FoGS took the opportunity to organise a local celebration of this nationally important event.

On Saturday 27 September there was plenty to see at Goostrey Station – a display in the station building showcased FoGS achievements, Sarah Russell MP unveiled one of the new history boards and Rosa Tomlinson, Goostrey’s Rose Queen, buried a time capsule.  During the morning, there was a steady stream of visitors including Rebecca Styles who works for Northern as Regional and Sustainability manager. Everyone was offered a hot drink and a delicious cupcake (with edible an Railway 200 logo!) made by Goostrey’s Pastimes cafe.

Over the summer, FoGS had worked with Goostrey Parish Archive to produce eight attractive weather-resistant boards.  Each records a different aspect of the 135 year history of Goostrey station in text and images. As well as buildings, sidings and the oil storage facility at Twemlow, the boards include information about former rail employees, the engineers George Buck and William Baker and the first residents of station cottages.

FoGS also prepared a time capsule containing information from adults and children about village life in 2025. The spot where it is buried is marked by a plaque and a newly planted Cox’s Orange Pippin apple tree so the capsule can be recovered in 50 years time. Hopefully the girls who helped will be there and the occasion will revive happy memories.

Other village groups were inspired to contribute to the bicentenary celebration. The latest display by Goostrey Primary School in the platform shelter has an appropriate theme – the power of art to transport us to new places.  Goostrey Footpaths Group added two walks from Goostrey station to Railway 200’s Walk for Memories. Both activities promote fitness and greener transport.

Despite only having a dozen active members, FoGS is proud to have organised such a memorable, inclusive event at Goostrey station. They honoured rail heritage, enriched the present and created a legacy.

 

· Categorized: News Item

Oct 10 2025

Talented artists’ posters displayed at stations after winning competition ….

Passengers can now enjoy impressive artwork created by the winners of a competition run by Northern.

The competition is part of Railway 200 – the nationwide celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway.

Callum Hoy, 10, was announced as the winner in the under 12 category, after he produced an impressive drawing of a Northern service at Alderley Edge station.

Click here for more details

· Categorized: News Item

Oct 03 2025

Rail Ale Trail launched at Handforth Station ….

On Saturday 27th September 2025, the Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) proudly hosted the launch of the very first Rail Ale Trail on the Crewe to Manchester railway line. This initial Rail Ale Trail features nine railway stations — Handforth, Styal, and all stations southwards to Crewe — alongside twenty-one pubs located near each station.

The launch event was held as a highlight of Handforth’s celebrations for Railway 200, marking two centuries since the opening of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, recognised as the world’s first modern railway.

Members of FoHS and their guests assembled on the concourse at Handforth Station for a brief ceremony led by FoHS President, Mike Bishop. Following the ceremony, attendees crossed Station Road to The Railway pub, where they enjoyed refreshments. Here, participants were given their own Sticker Card, and—upon purchasing a glass of real ale—they collected their very first Rail Ale Trail Sticker.

During the proceedings, Matt Deeley, project manager for the Crewe Business Improvement District (BID), which includes Crewe Station, delivered a short speech. The Crewe BID is a sponsor of the Rail Ale Trail, and Matt thanked the organisers for inviting their contribution.

Special guest Matthew Curtis, an award-winning writer, photographer, and podcaster from Manchester, also addressed attendees. Matthew is the author of “Modern British Beer” (CAMRA Books, 2021) and “Manchester’s Best Beer Pubs and Bars” (CAMRA Books, 2023). He later commented, “It was a great honour to help launch this Rail Ale Trail, which I am certain will be a wonderful success. The dedication and hard work of community groups like Friends of Handforth Station feel more important than ever, and I wish them a hearty congratulations on getting this project underway.”

The event was attended by Cheshire East Councillors, Handforth Town Councillors, members of local CAMRA branches, local Handforth residents, and representatives from other ‘Friends of a Station’ groups involved in the Rail Ale Trail, including Holmes Chapel, Chelford, Sandbach, and Styal stations.

Mike Bishop explained that anyone wishing to participate should visit the Rail Ale Trail webpage (search for “Crewe to Manchester Rail Ale Trail” or use https://www.crewe2manchesterrail.org.uk/days-out/rail-ale-trail-1/). There, participants can download a Sticker Card listing all the stations and pubs involved. The aim is to collect a sticker at each pub visited. Upon completing the Sticker Card, participants are rewarded with a coveted baseball cap featuring the Rail Ale Trail logo.

Mike also expressed gratitude for the generous sponsorship provided by the Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership, Crewe BID, and the Cheshire Pub Co.

· Categorized: News Item

Oct 02 2025

Friends of Romiley Station keep in touch …..

Angie Clark, the secretary of The Friends of Romiley Station, keeps in touch with their regular newsletter ….

In the October 2025 newsletter the Friends give us details of their progress, news at the station and their usual quiz.

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· Categorized: News Item

Sep 07 2025

Free Heritage Tours at Handforth Station ….

The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) have been running several events this year to help commemorate Railway 200. This effort reaches its peak in September as the group presents its biggest contribution towards Railway 200 so far: free guided tours of the Station.

Handforth Station is well known throughout the area for its heritage, and the FoHS pride themselves on maintaining and preserving this. They have mounted heritage signs which have been designated as “nationally important” by the Science Museum Group. They have created and display video stories about local history. The station is well-known for the large number of “Handforth“ totems (platform signs) procured by the FoHS.

The FoHS have also received and display numerous awards, especially for their “Platform for Art” which includes sculptures, artistic stainless steel screens and welcoming arches over the steps to the platforms. In addition, the station features a ‘Rotary Club Garden’ and planters provided by 1st Handforth Scouts and Handforth District Guides.

Especially for Railway 200, poems are displayed in the community information boards, and there is an ever-changing exhibition in their “Art in a Box” gallery (created from two disused bicycle lockers !).

The tours this September are also a part of the UK-wide ‘Heritage Open Days 2025’ programme, and more can be seen on their website here: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

Each tour will last up to an hour, and will be led by a member of FoHS, ready to give an entertaining talk about the station and happy to discuss Handforth, its station and railways in general.

Dates and Start Times

Saturday 13 September:             1030 & 1400

Sunday 14 September:                1030 & 1400

Saturday 20 September:             1030 & 1400

Sunday 21 September:                1030 & 1400

Hugh Everett, Secretary of the FoHS, said “We’d love to welcome people to see and hear about what we’re doing for the station. I should advise you, however, that the tour involves going up and down 35 steps, and there are no toilet facilities at the station.”

 

· Categorized: Uncategorised

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© 2025 · Cheshire Best Kept Stations

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