Handforth Town Council and the Friends of Handforth Station have installed a commemorative lectern to recognise a significant piece of Handforth’s history.

From the Second World War until the mid 1950s, trains delivered armoured fighting vehicles (tanks) to Handforth, which then trundled down Brereton Road to the Handforth Tank Repair Depot (near what is now Welland Road). Remains of the route used are still visible, with some of it known locally as “the tank track”.

Handforth Exchange Railway Sidings and their controlling signal box were constructed during the Second World War. These railway sidings and their signal box were located in the north of the village – between Handforth Station and the bridge carrying Stanley Road over the railway.

The Railway Sidings gave rise to two branch lines. One of these ran eastwards to service an RAF maintenance depot. The second, an army branch line, ran south to terminate in a dock at Hall Road. Tanks were brought by rail to the Hall Road dock, for driving down Brereton Road and onward to the tank repair depot.

The tank repair depot closed in late 1957 and the army branch line tracks were lifted in the 1970’s/1980’s.Thereafter the branch line route became known locally as “the tank track’’, but gradually deteriorated to become a muddy footpath through the woods.

Determined that the footpath should not deteriorate further, the chair of Handforth Town Council (HTC), Mrs Susan Moore, subsequently campaigned for the use of funds from the Jones Homes Sanctuary development to be used for the provision of (a) a weather-resistant surface for the “tank track” and (b) a pair of commemorative lecterns. Thanks to her efforts, the tank track was resurfaced in late 2023 and now provides a woodland path between Hall Road and Lower Meadow Road.

Under the guidance of their president, Mike Bishop, the Friends of Handforth Station (FoHS) provided the photographs and composed the text for the commemorative lecterns, the first of which was installed at the Hall Road end of the track on Thursday 22nd February.

 

Goostrey Art Studio has been on tour.  Professional artist Debbie Goldsmith declared that November was ‘super busy’. She was preparing for two events at the end of the month, one in Crewe and the other in Bury.

On Saturday 25th, crowds were wowed by Crewe’s first lantern parade which the Town Council had organised to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas lights.  During half term, Debbie led lantern making workshops at Crewe Heritage Centre. Participants made star lanterns and helped Debbie to create a huge showpiece owl lantern. On the day, the effect was magical.

Children and families in Bury made 200 pyramid lanterns from willow and paper during workshops that Debbie led in schools and in the community.  On Sunday 26th, over 500 people paraded through Bury and the spectacular creations lit up the town centre. The event included live music, street entertainment and a fire display staged by an organisation called Walk the Plank.

Friends of Goostrey Station are proud that Debbie is making such good use of her art studio in the station building.  As well as pursuing her own interest in painting and rug making, she gets so many other people involved in creative activities.

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Great news!

Two of our Cheshire Stations have been shortlisted in the Photo Competition: Capturing the essence of community rail in the 2024 Community Rail Awards.

• Friends of Goostrey Station – Beavers Doing Their Best
• Friends of Reddish South Station – Tai Chi Evening on the Station Platform

But to win they need your votes at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CRA2024

Please encourage your friends and family to support our Cheshire Stations by voting.

Voting is open until 29th January but note you can only vote for one of the stations.