the friends of reddish south station newsletter summer 2014 · 2018-06-22 · reddfest, houldsworth...
TRANSCRIPT
looking into closing sta-
t i o n s — m e n t i o n i n g
Denton particularly in the
article.
MP Andrew Gwynne has
been particularly vocal in
our defence, and asked a
question in the House of
Commons on the subject.
He also wrote to Network
& Northern Rail for assur-
ances on this matter.
It was publicly denied by
the consultation panel -in
fact they emphasized
that the franchise is in-
tended to improve local
links and services, not
close stations down.
We had a successful
meeting at South East
Manchester Rail commu-
nity partnership (SEMcrp)
on July 23rd where Chair
Craig Wright and Policy
Officer and transporta-
tion representative David
Huber were strong in
their support and will be
writing a response to the
consultation in liaison
with Stockport & Tame-
side Councils.
Not our usual colourful
start to the newsletter for
this edition, but we have
important news that could
see us getting some head-
way towards our main aim
to re-establish a regular
passenger service from
Stockport—Manchester
Victoria via Reddish South
& Denton Stations.
The public consultations for
new franchise require-
ments for Northern Rail
and Trans-pennine express
services have begun.
The new franchise has al-
ways been our best hope of
advancing our cause, and
most of you will know that
the new franchises have
already been delayed for
some time because of vari-
ous (can’t write what we
would really like to say
here!) ’inadequacies’ in
other franchise bids organ-
ized recently!
There have been a series of
meetings held in various
locations over the last few
weeks.
FORSS were present at the
meeting held at County
hall, Preston on July 3rd.
Representatives of Rail
North, and the franchise
co-ordinators gave short
presentations before
opening the floor to
questions from those
present including user
groups, councils and
friends groups.
Friend Noel Henry has
produced a superb report
on behalf of the friends
of Reddish South &
Denton Stations Cam-
paign Group and we pre-
sented copies to the Rail
North Chair, David
Brown, Passenger Focus
Chair, Guy Dangerfield,
and incoming project
manager Eddie Murazko.
We have also distributed
copies to other user
groups. Network & North-
ern rail, local Councils,
local MPs, ACORP and
Rail activists.
With the report is a well-
crafted DVD which is now
on YouTube. If you would
like to view it—see the
link right.
The consultation also
gave us the opportunity
to ask about the local
news item that had bro-
ken in the Sunday Times
a few days before which
reported that DfT were
FORSS/FORSADS Campaign intensifies as
Franchise consultations begin August 2014
Volume 6 Issue 3
The Friends of Reddish South
Station
Newsletter Summer 2014
‘Why not?’
by Noel Henry is the report in
response to the Franchise con-
sultation document.
In it, he argues that existing
rolling stock, instead of stand-
ing idle, could easily go to
Stockport and provide a service
to Denton & Reddish South Sta-
tions—a much better use of
spare capacity in the network
without massive investment—
everything s already there!
You tube link:
http://youtu.be/8YnZFvar0pg
Inside this issue: page no.
Retrorailtour to Edinburgh 2
Reddfest 4
Reddish Vale Fun Day 4
Terry’s Lottery News 5
PACT meeting 6
Apologies, mistakes &
omissions
6
Snippets &
dates for your diary
7
It was an early start—
down on the station for
5.55am– and it wasn’t
the best of weather as
you can see (left ) but we
were all in reasonable
spirits for the Retrorail
tour to Edinburgh.
However, after an hour
and no train we were be-
coming a bit concerned–
so a bit of ringing around
discovered the excursion
train had been held up
outside Crewe by a bro-
ken down Arriva train—
then we found out later
on that the Arriva
recovery train had also then
broken down– totally out of
Retrorail’s control but frus-
trating nonetheless.
James from Retro thought
the train might be an hour to
an hour & 20 minutes late,
so we all trudged off for a
comfort break and a warm
drink.
Unfortunately, as it turned
out , we had all interpreted
the information differently,
and when most of us were
back on the platform and we
were informed the train was
on it’s way, some of our party
were missing, including our
chairman and the folk group!
Frantic phoning went to
voicemail, we reluctantly got
on the train, and as we un-
derstand it, the train had just
pulled out of Reddish South
as the remaining passengers
arrived.
Stalwarts Graham & Marga-
ret caught us up at Preston—
and with the changes in arri-
val times all the way we
made up the lost time and
arrived in Edinburgh on
schedule.
Retrorailtour to Edinburgh
The excursion
train had been
held up outside
Crewe by a
broken down
Arriva train-
We found out a
bit later on that
the Arriva
recovery train
had also broken
down!
Page 2 The Friends of Reddish South Station
What do you
mean...too early
and too wet??
Friends &
passengers
Keith & Sue
aboard the
‘Retro Electric
Scot’
This is how your Membership Secretary, Secre-
tary, Website Manager, & Treasurer spend their
time!
Above: pictured L to R: Alan, Kim, Dave & Dot
You will be gratified to know
that the Queen must have
been informed we were com-
ing as she was in residence
at Holyrood House. (pictured
top left).
The oldest house in the city
is John Knox’s house pic-
tured top right.
Middle right is just one of a
plethora of beautiful stained
glass windows in St Giles’
Cathedral.
The weather was pleasant
and everyone enjoyed their
time in Scotland’s capital
city .
When we came back to Edin-
burgh Station, we were de-
lighted that our station had
actually made it onto the
departure board—fame at
last!!!
10.55pm— nearly home and
not far to walk to get there
(see picture below)
Thanks James and the Retro-
rail crew for a fab day!
We were
delighted that
our station had
made it onto the
departures
board at
Edinburgh
Station as a
scheduled stop—
fame at last!
Page 3 Volume 6 Issue 3
Dot sharing a
photo with retro-
rail regular
‘Bobby Ball’ who
is now a mem-
ber of the
Friends’ group
Maria & party
( and those
ladies did party,
cocktails & all)
pictured with
Dave
We thought we might try our
‘stand‘ on the station platform
this year—with the view we might
see no-one if the weather didn’t
favour us—but we needn’t have
worried—Friend Terry Rourke set
himself up in Houldsworth Square
and not only publicized our loca-
tion , he managed to hold another
lottery in aid of Macmillan Cancer
Support. Cheers Tel!
We got good support from people
who were really interested in the
campaign and the station -and
we added to our membership in
the process. One of our first visi-
tors was MP Andrew Gwynne, with
wife Allison who is also a Denton
councillor and Claire also from
Denton.
Reddfest— June
From L to R: Ken Holt, Deputy Mayor Councillor
Linda Holt & Councillor Tom Grundy
Reddish Vale Fun Day—July
Reddish Vale Fun Day was a
humid one and didn’t start too
well when we forgot the table
and the more importantly, the
flask!
However, again it was well at-
tended—and we got a lot of
interest at our stand. We were
placed near the entrance too
which was a good position for
us.
The organizers made sure eve-
rything went smoothly so
thanks to them. Deputy Mayor
Councillor Linda Holt attended
the event and we had a chat
about our campaign.
Entertainment was provided by
‘Vintage Pearls’ and a DJ—plus
welly throwing, various stalls
and ice cream van and a very
popular Punch & Judy Show.
We were so busy the time went
in a flash—sadly we didn’t win
anything on the raffle—other
wise it was a very good day!
Reddish Vale
Fun day didn’t
start too well
when we forgot
the table, and
more
importantly , the
flask!
Page 4 The Friends of Reddish South Station
Friend
Noel
Henry
with
festive
balloons
Plenty of interest
in our display at
Reddish Vale
Pictured L to R: Clare, Allison Gwynne, Andrew
Gwynne & Councillor Walter Brett
We managed a look around Houldsworth
Square where the majority of the action was
and the stands were varied and busy. The
cakes were gorgeous!
L to R:
Friends Alan, Dave, Noel, Dot, Keith & Sue
Friend Terry Rourke has been pulling out all the stops this year fund raising for Macmillan
Cancer Support. He has drawn the ‘Dates’ lottery and also ran a train lottery at the Reddfest
Day in June.
Once again we cannot thank Terry enough for all his hard work—he’s keeping the totals a
secret for now and will announce them at the Macmillan Coffee Morning in September. We
have no idea how much but know its going to be record breaking!
Over to Terry:
Terry’s lottery news
All draws were
carried out at
THE LATE
BREAKFAST
CLUB
at
THE REDDISH
COMMUNITY
CENTRE
in front of an
average
audience of 50
people.
These draws
were carried
out by
members of
the FRIENDS,
Peter and Joan
Leigh,
Graham Brook,
Brenda
Brookes,
Margaret
Rourke,
Stanley
Prescott,
Peggy Hearn
and
supervised by
Terry Rourke.
Page 5 Volume 6 Issue 3
THE FRIENDS OF REDDISH SOUTH STATION
MACMILLAN ‘THE WORLDS BIGGEST COFFEE MORNING’.
NAME THAT DATE LOTTERY 2014—WINNERS LIST
FIRST PRIZE £100—21st OCTOBER
WINNER: ST. JOSEPH'S CARERS GROUP, ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, REDDISH)
FIRST RUNNER UP £25- 13th OCTOBER
WINNER: BRENDA HIGGINSON, THE LATE BREAKFAST CLUB
SECOND RUNNER UP £25—24th SEPTEMBER
(SUE HARRIS, THE FRIENDS OF REDDISH SOUTH STATION)
Many thanks to all who bought dates and a special thanks to all those who bought multiple dates. MACMILLAN and FORSS salute you all. A very special thank you to BRENDA HIGGINSON who donated her entire winnings to MACMILLAN. A great gesture for which everyone concerned is truly grateful. Although organising the lottery was more difficult and time consuming than originally thought, it was a labour of love especially with the knowledge of the destination of the funds raised. “Some people think it's all over!” Well this draw is but look out for more fund raising before the end of September!
FRIENDS OF REDDISH SOUTH STATION and MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT
REDDFEST, Houldsworth Square
Saturday 14th June 2014
MALLARD MODEL ENGINE COMPETITION
THE ENGINE STOPPED AT HAZEL GROVE STATION
HOLDER OF THIS WINNING STATION WAS
TARA O'DONNELL of
REDDISH
The latest PACT meeting was
held in July, and attended by
Friends Dot Ashworth and
Alan Burrows on our behalf.
The meeting is always
chaired by PC Andrew Collier
who has worked hard since
the group was formed to
promote effective policing in
and around our railway sta-
tions.
Representatives from the
police, Northern Rail, com-
munity groups and railway
workers share concerns and
achievements .
Obviously we don’t often
have much to contribute, but
we always find the meeting
useful and recently have had
cause to thank Andrew and
the team with regard to our
station.
We have reported someone
sleeping rough on the plat-
form and have found used
needles . We have also suf-
fered some vandalism (very
unusual for us) although we
don’t know how much all of
these occurrences have
been connected.
It was good to see that the
British Transport Police had
spoken to the person sleep-
ing on the station and they
followed up our report of
finding used needles— offi-
cers visited the station re-
cently and checked if there
was any more activity.
Police & Community Together (PACT)
Apologies, mistakes & omissions
together, (see table ).
Coombe and Shippea Hill
had significantly different
services (all taken from
online timetables with each
TOC).
Note that the services I
quote included those going
in both directions from
each station, so comparing
like with like for Reddish
South, e.g. comparing 1/
week for Reddish South
(122) with 4/day in
Coombe (48).
I thought you might find the
revised table useful, espe-
cially as it makes an even
better case!’
Thanks Arthur!
At the risk of sounding like
the Guardian newspaper,
unfortunately your newslet-
ter editor was guilty of some
erroneous information in the
last issue. This comes from
believing what you read in
Wikipedia and Google and
we promise we’ll try to make
sure it doesn’t happen again!
The article was regarding the
Office of Rail Regulation sta-
tistics, and those stations
whose footfall comes below
ours which we featured in
the last issue.
We are grateful to Arthur
Thomson from Railfuture,
who, as he points out,
strengthens our case !
Over to Arthur:
‘In looking at the figures
you quote, I found there
were a few errors in the
services on the other sta-
tions quoted.
In fact the services are dif-
ferent for some of the sta-
tions that had been listed
Apologies go to
MR Aubrey
Lawlor, who, in
Terry’s Lottery
news in the
last issue was
mistakenly
named as
Audrey.
Very
sorry Mr.
Lawlor.
Page 6 The Friends of Reddish South Station
Station Service Footfall
Coombe
(Cornwall)
4/d M-Sat 48
Shippea Hill
(Cambs)
1/D M-F
2 Sat
50
Kildonan
(Scotland)
7 per day, M-Sat, 1
Sun
62
Buckenham
(Norfolk)
2 Sat
8 Sun
72
Tees-side Airport 2 on Sundays! 8
PC Collier pic-
tured centre
with col-
league and
Friend Dot at
last year’s
Edgeley Sta-
tion Fun Day
Fantasy Football League
All of you who have joined the Fantasy Football League should have received your entry
code. If you have not or have any problems please email Alan [email protected] asap.
If you’re in, you need select your team before 11.30am on 16th August, the day the glori-
ous Premier League starts again (not missing it at all really, can’t you tell?!) but the Com-
monwealth Games have finished [weren’t they fab?] & F1 is on a 3 week break—so bring
it on!!
Good Luck Chaps & Chapesses!
Remember we reported that members of our folk group and
our Chairman had managed to miss the train on our day
excursion to Edinburgh?
Well it seems there may have been a twist in the tail…….
Ged & Michael might have not been able to be with us , but
we think we might have spotted Tom incognito in Edinburgh
town centre after all…….
What do you think?
Snippets………………………...
And Finally...
The Manchester & Stockport
Canal Society
One of our affiliate Friends’
groups recently had a plaque
unveiled near Nelstrops Mill ,
Lancashire Hill, commemo-
rating the Stockport Canal
line. The then-Mayor Chris
Murphy and his Mayoress,
Dot, did the unveiling.
Page 7 Volume 6 Issue 3
Pictured: The Mayor & Mayoress
Chris & Dot Murphy plus mem-
bers of the Canal Society
Dates for your
diary:
Sunday
10th August
Edgeley Station
Fun Day
10am-4pm
BANK HOLIDAY
MONDAY
25TH AUGUST
RETRO
SHAKESPEARIAN
TUG
RETRORAILTOUR
TO
STRAFORD-ON-
AVON
SPECIAL RETRO
OFFER
£4 FARE
REDUCTION FOR
FORSS MEM-
BERS WITH BUS
PASSES
BOOK NOW!!
Sunday
21st September
Platform weeding
day
Drinks & bacon
butty thrown in!!
10am—12 noon
FRIDAY 26TH
SEPTEMBER
MACMILLAN
CANCER
SUPPORT
WORLD’S BIG-
GEST COFFEE
MORNING
ON THE
PLATFORM
10AM-12 NOON
Friday
31st October
Ghost Folk Train
9.26am on the
station platform