BusinesName The Friends of Reddish South Station
Newsletter: Winter 2014
As you can see on the map,(far left) our line is fea- tured, to it’s cur- rent weekly desti- nation, Staly- bridge. Pictured left, current routes for Greater Manchester & beyond, run by There is an under- Northern Rail, including our ‘service’ used line in exis- running to Stalybridge tence that goes into Manchester Victoria, avoiding Guide Bridge, Sta- lybridge and Ashton –u -Lyne going via Ashton Moss which could be used for our proposed, reintro- duced regular passenger service Pictured right the ‘East Manchester Corri- dor, as proposed by The Friends Campaign Group to take us to Manchester Victoria and beyond to the North and Stockport to the South
After our meeting with one of the Inside this shortlisted companies for North- issue: ern Rail & Transpennine fran- consultation– in which he has Go-Ahead for a meeting to be chises Arriva Trains, in Septem- presented an excellent busi- scheduled in January 2015 Hallowe’en Folk 2 ber, the Friends of Reddish ness case. and First Group, who are one Train South & Denton Stations of the shortlisted companies Arriva Stakeholder Manager Trampower 3 (FORSADS) campaign group has for the Transpennine Fran- meeting been very active in representing Katherine Miller, and Railfu- chise. our campaign. ture representative Trevor Community rail 4 Bridge were interested in our Railfuture are hoping to hold station adoption We met again with Arriva trains; campaign. We were unusual in further stakeholder days with day a day arranged by Railfuture for that most other groups were Govia & Abellio. We also had discussions with Stakeholders pressing for better rolling an interesting meeting with SEMcrp meeting 5 on 6th November. Noel, Dot, stock and timetables, whereas an enterprise called Alan & Kim attended on behalf we said we would have any- ‘Trampower’ who have plans Art Project at 5 Reddish South of FORSADS. Noel has produced thing- including a Pacer- if it for a route to Sheffield as well another short report since ’Why meant we had a service! We as our route (full story on p3) Snippets & year 6 Not’ - published for the franchise also have been contacted by end round up Page 2 The Friends of Reddish South Station
The Friends hold a ‘Ghost’ Folk Train on the ‘Hallowe’en Express’!
As it happened, Friday 31st October fell on a Friday this year so we were able, for the first time, to have a proper Ghost Train! Dot & Kim dressed up and Our main concern was ready to go! that the Buffet Bar at Stalybridge didn’t open until 11am—but Caro- line didn’t let us down and generously offered to open an hour early— Dot & Kim volunteered to take the breakfast orders and everything went almost like clock- Many thanks to work! Caroline and the staff who got up extra early to open for us but Clock wise from top: Caroline and staff after also to Duggans their early start, one young man and his skull!, Kim & Dot with some of our young train spot- Greengrocers of ters, Ged, Phil & Michael; breakfast & music Heaton Chapel being enjoyed at the buffet bar who generously donated some The guard at Stockport welcomed everyone aboard the ‘Hallowe’en sweet treats Express’, we had a lot of passen- from their gers enjoying the half term able to special ghostly join us, enjoying the odd ghoulish treat on the way. range! We were surprised and pleased that Steve Magner and some col- leagues from TfGM were able to join us for the trip…...
…...and delighted that about 50 passengers boarded for the jour- ney and once again we were well entertained by Ged, Phil plus Mi- chael for the journey and in the Graham & Tom Buffet Bar afterwards. enjoying the local brew! As you can see from the pictures a good time was had by all! The Friends of Reddish South Station Page 3
More Campaign News:(1) FORSADS meet with Trampower Trampower first became from Tameside. known to us some time ago when Andrew Gwynne MP We met with Lincoln and Technical Expert Professor was contacted regarding through to Altrincham with the possibility of using Lewis Lesley. They have been working towards run- a station at Cheadle and an trams or light rail on ‘our’ interchange at Baguley. line for a regular passenger ning a tram in Preston and service. had successful trials in Our meeting ended by go- Right on cue—a Blackpool until there was ing onto Denton Station for train through Denton Station! We were contacted again an incident which left the a site visit. via Andrew, by Lincoln tram burnt out. Shields, Business Develop- It sounds an exciting pro- ment Manager and we ar- They have plans to run posal and we will keep you ranged a meeting for Octo- trams to Sheffield using the updated with develop- ber. Woodhead tunnel, and use ments. Denton as a terminus for Alan & Ann from Denton that route; but also want to were accompanied by Nigel run trams along our line Gilmore, Head of Transport from Manchester Victoria
Trampower have plans to run trams along our line from Right: Noel, Ann, Alan (B), Dot, Lewis Lesley, Alan (J), Lincoln Shields & Mar- Manchester tin admire Denton’s new sign on the Victoria through platform to Altrincham with a station at Cheadle and an interchange at Baguley
Apologies for the poor- quality—but you can make out the proposed pathway for the East Manchester Tramway starting at Mcr Victoria to Ashton-u-Lyne, Denton, Reddish South, Stockport, Cheadle, Baguley, Navigation Lincoln Shields Road & terminating at with Lewis Altrincham. Lesley & Ann Nunnerly Page 4 The Friends of Reddish South Station
Campaign News (3):
Community Rail Station Adoption Day
putting financial worth to Dot & Alan were able to This is extremely important our contributions. accept an invitation by Net- at a time when passenger .....there was demand is rocketing and work Rail for a meeting & Finally Simon Hankin, De- services need to be effi- now a new lunch for Friends & Com- partment for Transport) cient and fit for purpose. structure within munity Groups and an in- said the minister responsi- formation exchange and He emphasized the impor- ble for Community rail is Network Rail communication day. tance of consultation and Baroness Kramer—she also which takes has responsibilities for The day was chaired by groups such as ours mak- HS2. Friends & Com- Karen Hornby, who was ing sure we have contrib- uted during the franchise munity Groups impressed by the turnout. Alan & Dot reported that it She explained that there period. very seriously was a lively meeting with was now a new structure You will be pleased to hear plenty of contributions from and recognises within Network Rail, which that Alan managed to collar the floor! takes Friends & Community the sterling him and our reports are Groups very seriously and There was quite a lot of work done by winging their way to him as recognizes the sterling cynicism & frustration from we speak! these groups work done by these groups. the seasoned community Matthew Worman Stake- members: unhappiness Mike Franklin & his col- holder Manager from regarding Northern’s peak league have now departed Northern Rail gave back- time ticketing changes, the and their places have been ground information about difficulty of contacting Sta- taken by a new team who Northern Rail, Station tion Adopters when in a feel they need to be more Adopters & Friends groups. Community Group (from proactive and liaise better personal experience, the with the groups. Steve Magner from TfGM identity of Station Adopters spoke about Community is guarded better than if Other speakers included Rail & his colleague, they were MI6 agents!), the British Transport Police, Amanda White is new to difficulty of communication who talked about commu- the role and introduced across and between differ- nity policing and Janet herself to the meeting and ent groups/departments/ Clarke, Community Safety said she would look for- organizations. Manager at Network Rail ward to getting to know us who does presentations to all. Everyone felt that such an children and young people open forum had been ex- Alan & Dot making them aware of the Brain Barnsley from the tremely useful and asked if dangers of electrified lines. Association of Community there could be more of a reported that it Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) frank exchange of views. Tom Carbery, Strategy & was a lively gave a general background Planning (North West) gave to the association and said Karen Hornby agreed with meeting with an interesting talk about that the website which is this and said that this was his work gathering informa- plenty of very much out of date is the first of them, and prom- tion to inform viability of contributions finally going to be updated. ised more. lines, new lines, predicting from the floor! demand, options, leading The ACoRP awards catego- development, promoting ries are changing and sug-
economic growth, route gestions are welcome. studies for the long term planning process. He re- A document called ‘The ceives information from a Value of Community Rail number of sources for for- Volunteering’ is due for ward planning. release in January 2015 The Friends of Reddish South Station Page 5
SEMcrp meeting
the rest of SE Manchester. He also talked about im- The regular meeting of the proving station interest with South East Manchester information boards about has participated. Not bad community rail partnership the route and history. for a group without a ser- met in November. The vice! main part of the meeting The Friends of Reddish was taken up with the Fran- South had the opportunity The next meeting is in Janu- chise and our contributions to tell the meeting of our ary—incidentally if anyone to the consultation process. meetings and progress . is interested a SEMcrp SEMcrp have made a con- website is being set up There was a presentation tribution to the consultation regarding community rail by Neil Williams of Glos- process including support activity in our area. sop. TfGM are keen to for our campaign. have tram trains operating on their route, which as Once again we are up there Neil pointed out is a retro- with the rest of the groups grade step as their current regarding volunteer hours train service is superior to so well done everyone who
Reddish South Station platform art project We are hoping FORSS are delighted to the opportunity to do so. We have also enlisted Arts announce that we have for Recovery in the Commu- the winners will applied for and been It will take the form of a nity (ARC) once more after be presented competition with five final- granted funding for an art the excellent work with the with their prizes project proposed to begin ists and one winner from mural on the platform. Jac- early next year. each participating school. qui Wood, ARC co-ordinator and see their We have already contacted has agreed to be a judge work displayed We have wanted to do a and will also display some project involving local pri- the schools and the re- on the station sponse has been very fa- of the art work. mary schools for some time platform at the and thanks to Heatons & vourable so far. We are Matthew Worman, Stake- Reddfest Arts Reddish Community Fund hoping to meet with them holder Manager at North- and ACoRP we now have early in the new year to ern Rail has also graciously Festival in June discuss details. agreed to be a judge. next year We are anticipating that the winners will be presented with their prizes and see their work displayed on the station platform at the Reddfest Arts Festival in June next year.
We are also hoping, (but don’t mention it yet as we haven’t asked him!), that Andrew Gwynne MP will be on hand to present the prizes.
Watch this space—we will keep you updated as to progress. The Station platform—still looking good in the Autumn sunshine Snippets:…………. The Friends of Reddish South Station Congratulations to Friend Graham Smith, who, as we go to ’press’ tops the Fantasy Football League. The top four have quite a lead on the rest of us but a lot can happen between now and May (we hope!)
Congratulations also to Friend & committee member Alan Burrows, who having been made redundant in February this year begins a new job in January 2015.
DON’T FORGET ITS MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME—MEMBERSHIP FORM ENCLOSED/ATTACHED—OBVIOUSLY LIFE MEM- BERS NEED NOT APPLY BUT ANY EXTRA CONTRIBUTIONS GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED!!
Well, its the end of another year (where did it go?) and once again it has been eventful and busy. Our Macmillan ‘Biggest Coffee Morning’ was our most successful ever and our Good Friday Folk Train this year the best attended. We now know who the shortlisted companies are for the franchises and we will be expecting to continue lobbying again for most of next year. We already are planning to attend the next full Council meeting and you can be sure we will be pursuing our campaign whenever we can.
We must also thank the following people & organisations for their unstinting support, assistance, encouragement & fundraising during 2014:
As ever, Andrew Gwynne MP & Allison Gwynne
To Noel from the rest of us—thanks for all the hard work on the campaign
Stockport & Tameside Councils—especially Tom, Walter, Kate & David Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce Northern Rail– notably Matthew Worman Railfuture (North West Branch) Network Rail SEMcrp Steve Magner
Terry Rourke– thanks for everything for Macmillan Craig Wright, Rose Hill & Reddish Vale for the apples!
Heatons & Reddish Community Funding & ACoRP for providing the financial support for the 2015 art project Jacqui Wood & ARC
Stalybridge Buffet Bar Ged & Phil Retrorail—many thanks for 2 fantastic excursions, picking us up & dropping us off !
Dixe Wills & Simply Books of Bramhall Sharon & staff at Sykes Cafe Stockport Labour Club
The community of Reddish and beyond, particularly each & every member of FORSS, for your support, presence & generosity throughout this year.
Tom, Martin, Dot, Noel, Kim, Dave & Alan wish you a very Happy Christmas and a successful and peaceful New Year.