Friends of Stations

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for other selected links

Updated 21/05/2009

Webmaster: Nigel Kirby

To read the very interesting leaflet

"Cycling into Railway History"

researched, written and produced by Simon Clarke and Brian Haworth

click here

Ramble & Roam

Ride *

Relax *

Ramble & Roam *

on East Lancashire's Railways

For further details about this exciting initiative and the corresponding leaflet, available from the usual outlets, which contains a series of

Self-guided walks from East Lancashire and Clitheroe Line stations

click here

Photo Gallery of Walks

To view

click here

	East Lancashire Historical Community Community Rail Officers, Brian Haworth & Simon Clarke, have just published an elaborate and extremely well-researched History of East Lancashire Railways
It is a superb publication, with very informative text, drawn from both authors' vast knowledge of the lines, and also illustrated with copious photographs from their own and other collections.	Well-worth reading, one of the best railway leaflets that has ever been produced, and *it is free!!*

RAIL RAMBLERS

The Home of

Lancashire Rail Ramblers

now have their own website, which is very well-laid out, most informative and well-worth a visit even by non-ramblers

http://www.railramblers.com

Community Rail Partnership

* * * * *

Historical Posters

* * * * *

* * * * *

The posters have been designed by

Brian Haworth & Simon Clarke,

with maps drawn by Nigel Kirby

Reading Between the Lines

Newsletters of

Lancashire's

Community Railways

X XIssue 1 Summer 2007

X X Issue 2 Autumn 2007

XX Issue 3 Spring 2008

X XIssue 4 Summer 2008

X XIssue 5 Autumn 2008

X xIssue 6 Spring 2009

Community Rail Day 2008

Photos

Report by Northern Rail

Photographic Competition

Results

First six winning entries

FRIENDS OF STATIONS

When the Ribble Valley line reopened in 1994, the intermediate stations were all unstaffed halts.

To prevent the degeneration into vandalised wrecks, Ribble Valley Rail pioneered the "Friends of Stations" concept.

With the blessing of the railway authorities, and, with full insurance cover, RVR volunteers "adopted" the stations.

As a result of the Friends' work, the stations have suffered relatively little vandalism. When it does occur, the resulting mess is quickly tidied up. This seems to discourage further attacks as the culprits' "signatures" are promptly removed.

Broken fixtures and fittings are reported to the authorities, who are constantly monitored to ensure repairs are carried out. This results in tidy, well-lit stations, which are more user-friendly, and, we like to think, attract more people to use the trains.

Some examples of the "Friends of Stations" work are as follows:

Every summer, an array of over forty hanging baskets and flower boxes adorn CLITHEROE station.

These attract admiring comments from Clitheronians and visitors alike.

Less glamorous tasks include platform cleaning and the repainting of station furniture when required.

Similar duties are undertaken at

WHALLEY

Having the backdrop of

Whalley Nab

also helps to maintain a country station ambience

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At LANGHO

a well-stocked station garden is cared for..

In the first year of service, we campaigned for improved lighting, improved subway drainage, and a properly surfaced station approach.

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In the more urban environment of

RAMSGREAVE & WILPSHIRE,

a great deal of time is spent tidying up after the local "yoofs", who delight in smearing takeaway curry over the platform.

Als,o a limited amount of platform maintenance is undertaken.

No, this is certainly not the glamorous side of railways.

Above: A wrecked shelter awaits repair by contractors but toughened "glass", subsequently installed, has now helped to reduce the problem but the panes are still not completely immune to damage. Fortunately, the above is not the norm, and ISS are reasonably prompt in undertaking repairs. CCTV surveillance has also now been installed on the station, and is proving effective.	An example of a typical COMMUNITY RAIL Noticeboard full of useful information, which is regularly updated
July 2008	August 2008
Above: Two of several well-tended flower boxes that now adorn Ramsgreave & Wilpshire, and whose plants, materials & maintenance are provided by donations from both Ramsgreave & Wilpshire Parish Councils.	Similar flower tubs are also located on other Ribble Valley Stations
	Left: Craig Ward, pictured by one of the flower boxes, funding for which he helped to provide (see above) as a Parish Councillor, and who is, himself, very much involved in the planting and maintenance of the some of the most attractive flower displays to be found on Ribble Valley Stations this summer. Many thanks to Craig, and to the Parish Councils of both Ramsgreave and Wilpshire, for your support - so very much appreciated. Photos: N. Kirby
Flower Tub Replacement Right: Colin Rushton, Peter Moore and Keith Lakeland downtools temporarily for a photograph whilst replacing the flower tubs at Ramsgreave & Wilpshire Friday 16 November 2007
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	Left: Brian Haworth, Colin Rushton, and Dean Weaver hard at work removing the old tubs on Platform Two at Ramsgreave & Wilpshire The tubs themselves look very sturdy but the whole operation to replace them turned out to be more difficult than anticipated, and very time-consuming. Well done to all those involved, including several not actually shown in the photos! Sunday 18 November 2007 Photos: N. Kirby
At Langho Right: Peter Moore takes his turn to supervise the replacement by Bill Briggs, Brian Haworth, and Keith Lakeland Below: The same team continue their excellent work at Langho Photos: S. Clarke Wednesday 21 November 2007

At Whalley Photos: S. Clarke Wednesday 27th February 2008

We have achieved much, but we are always looking out for new blood.

Even help, on an occasional basis, would be welcome.

So, if you would like to become a Friend of one of the Ribble Valley stations,

please contact :

"Friends of Stations"

Co-ordinator

Brian Haworth

email to:

brian.haworth@talktalk.net

and he will put you in touch with the right people.

We will then be in touch in short order . . .

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