To celebrate the national Heritage Open Days (6th to 15th September), the Friends of Handforth Station will be flying their historic British Railway flag.

In addition, the original British Railways running-in boards cared for at the station by the Friends have been spruced up.

The one shown in the photo above has been formally “Designated for Preservation” by the Science Museum Group.

These, along with the many other items at Handforth Station’s “Platform for Art” provide an interesting heritage tour that even some local people are not aware of.

A full description of all the enhancements can be downloaded from the FoHS web-site (https://tinyurl.com/FoHSPlatformForArt ).

This is also on display on the station platforms and on the concourse, providing a self-guided tour of the station.

The Friends group are currently restoring two original Handforth nameplates (see above) which were donated by local residents earlier this year.

Mike Bishop, the founder and President of the FoHS, said: “We invite anyone who has mementos or unusual souvenirs of the old Handforth station to contact us with details. We will also be delighted to entertain any other suggestions for enhancing the station.”

“This is one of the nicest stations I’ve visited.”  FoGS members Craig and Maggie Sidebotham were delighted to be told this by a lady who lives on the Wirral. She even took photos! It’s rewarding to know that our efforts to maintain Goostrey station are appreciated.

At the end of June, professional artist and FoGS member Debbie Goldsmith welcomed Goostrey cubs back to her studio in the restored station building. This time the children were able to earn the ‘Platforms for Change’ badge. Community Rail launched this initiative with the aim of involving scouts in projects led by groups like FoGS.  The cubs constructed and painted wooden boxes which will provide places for birds, bats and invertebrates to shelter and breed. It was clear that many of the colourful designs were influenced by the Euro football competition which was going on at the time!  During the evening, the cubs also enjoyed helping to keep the station tidy by sweeping the steps and parts of the car park. And they learned how Craig uses Geographical Information Systems to record species, including butterflies and nesting birds, around the station.

A few weeks later, helped by Fraser Wilson who is volunteering with FoGS as part of his bronze Duke of Edinburgh award, the boxes were placed on fences and trees around the station. This project was good value for money; while the scout group purchased the boxes and paint, our local Community Rail Partnership paid for the badges.

On a less pleasant note, FoGS recently reported 2 acts of vandalism at Goostrey station.  First, the doors of a display cabinet in a platform shelter were damaged; the centre bar had been bent by a considerable force. A few weeks later, the speaker announcements on both platforms stopped working because the wires had been pulled out of the junction boxes. FoGS have asked Rail Authorities for CCTV but so far it has not been installed.

The Mid Cheshire Line Station Volunteers have triumphed with a Silver Gilt Award in the Long Borders section at RHS Tatton Flower Show.

Mid Cheshire CRP Director and volunteer at Plumley Station, Harry Allen, with his wife Penny is shown with the award.

This is a major achievement for an amateur group who have no previous experience of preparing a garden for show.

The group created their own design, which is themed around a station garden.

It includes a short stretch of track and a porter’s trolley and references to the Music Trains as well.

The group grew the plants themselves and set up the garden in just four busy days.

It looks colourful and amazing, especially considering the heavy rain that hit the night after it was finished.

After the Show closes, all the plants will transfer to Mid Cheshire Line stations.

Well done to the Mid Cheshire Line Volunteers!