One evening in September, passengers at Goostrey railway station were surprised to see 30 Beavers in the car park ….

And, like their animal namesakes, they were busy!

Some were helping to plant daffodil bulbs in tubs and learning how to use garden tools safely.

Some were investigating the bug hotels and others were sweeping fallen leaves from the steps. And some were inside the restored station building, making leaf prints with local artist Debbie Goldsmith.

Leader Sue Mottershead had arranged a meeting at the station so the Beavers could help with a local  community project.  It was also an opportunity for the children to complete challenges that would help them to gain awards. There were plenty of adults to supervise – four other Beaver leaders, three parent helpers and several members of FOGS.  We were lucky with the weather; despite heavy rain the day before and the day after the meeting, the actual evening was fine and dry.

The enthusiasm of the children was infectious and so everyone enjoyed themselves. Debbie Goldsmith was particularly pleased. She explained ‘This is the very first community workshop in the new Visual Arts Studio on platform 1 at Goostrey station.  I’m delighted that the Beavers have all been so well behaved and happy’.

At the end of the evening, FOGS members Bill Macdonald and David Mason posed a question to all the children. ‘Our present Queen is called Elizabeth. But what was the name the Queen when Goostrey Station was opened?’ Many hands shot up and the name ‘Victoria’  was heard.

And then there was a surprise – Bill gave each child a genuine Victorian penny, well polished and in a small plastic case, as a keepsake

Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group have been working  on the station approach this week reviving the flower bed between the ticket office and Manchester bound platform entrance.

Overgrown shrubs have been pruned back and piles of leaves recycled for composting at partner group, Alderley Edge in Bloom’s Community allotment at Chorley Hall Lane. The bed has been dug over and ancient litter collected and binned. The beds been planted up with winter bedding, perennials and bee friendly plants.

The clear up has also revealed 4 window arches that have been bricked up for many years. The plan is to position digital art works on weatherproofed boards in the alcoves partly funded by a grant from the Community Rail Network.

Group Volunteer Kelvin Briggs, said: “ The Station Volunteer Group brings people together to create pride in the station environment and the community. Our goal is to make the station a more welcoming, pleasant and attractive place. This work will brighten up what was a dark shady corner. It’s been pleasing to receive positive comments from passengers and visitors to the station as we worked.”

The voluntary  work at the station incorporates community gardening, herb growing, local art projects and hosting visits from young adults with learning disabilities. The group have a number of new projects in the pipeline and as ever welcomes new volunteers to help deliver.

 

The Friends of Handforth Station are celebrating their 25th year of activity. The group has a long history of working at the station, supporting a Platform for Art and successfully campaigning for Access for All.

They are now planning a Public Art Workshop, to engage the local community and discuss designs for future artwork at the station.

Paul Pickford, the FoHS resident artist, said “We are creating a vision for the station to serve our future generations, and we want to make sure influence from the local community is maximised. We’re looking for local people to join us and help to create a vision for the future at Handforth Station.”

The Public Art Workshop will be held using Zoom, on Tuesday the 5^th of October between 7.30pm and 8.30pm.

Members of the public (whether they are users of the station or not) are invited to join the workshop and then stay online afterwards for some informal chat.

Paul added, “To ask for an invitation, just e-mail handforthstation@gmail.com any time before 5pm on the 5th”.

Between 1 and 4pm on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd October, artist Debbie Goldsmith will host a Visual Arts Open Studio on platform 1 at Goostrey Station. Debbie is inviting us to visit the new studio where she will have work in progress as well as a display of paintings, drawing and prints. This is an excellent opportunity for everyone to see inside the restored building and to find out about the plans for community art workshops. Admission is free. Further details of this and other events during Goosfest 2021 are on their website goosfest.com.

Toilets and hand washing facilities are still needed in the station building and these are essential if our community is to be involved with the new Goostrey Station Studio. Members of Friends of Goostrey Station are supporting the negotiations between the tenants, Network Rail and Northern in order to engage plumbers, electricians, builders and septic tank specialists.

But to ensure success with this project FOGS needs more volunteers as soon as possible. At the moment we only have a small number of active volunteers; a few hours each month from more people would make a huge difference!

There are many jobs, both large and small, for anyone interested helping with a worthwhile local community project.  We need a rota of people to water the plants in the platform tubs. Currently we’re applying for listing from Historic England for the wooden Victorian building. And in November we’ll need volunteers to plant a donation of 30 small saplings from the Woodland Trust.

Recently FOGS used a grant from Community Rail and some of our own funds to buy a leaf blower, a strimmer and a safety visor. These tools will make it easier for us to keep the area around the station tidy.  In autumn, the amount of leaves falling from trees has been issue and the blower will reduce the amount of sweeping required. The strimmer will be used to clear paths to the triangular bug hotels and the bird boxes on the large grassy bank. It will also help to keep the vegetation under the roadside hedge under control.

Merchant Navy Day is an official country-wide public day of remembrance, to recognise the sacrifices made by merchant seafarers in two world wars and since.

On the 3rd of September each year, community organisations are encouraged to fly the Red Ensign (the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag) to mark their observance of this remembrance. This year, 3^rd September falls on Friday.

The Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) have flown the Red Ensign on 3^rd September for many years. In this year, their 25^th anniversary year, the FoHS are keen to continue this tradition, and they have now raised the flag.

Hugh Everett, the Secretary of the FoHS, said “Although we are a long way from the sea, we recognise that the whole country should be very grateful for the courage and sacrifices made by civilian seafarers in the Merchant Navy during conflict and other times of danger.

“We are lucky, at Handforth station, to have flagpoles on which to display flags, and we are proud to be able to fly the Red Ensign this week to commemorate their dedication and bravery.”

Hugh added: “There was no wind at all when we raised the Red Ensign, but we hope that autumn breezes will start soon and show the flag in its full glory.”

FoHS plan to fly the flag alongside the FoHS Union Jack at Handforth train station for a few days before and after the 3rd of September 2021.